John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son …"
I have heard some who boast that they believe in obeying all the commandments in the Torah. It is a noble thing that we should try to be obedient, but we should also know that it is impossible. If it were, there would be no need for the twice daily offering of a lamb and for the Fall Feasts.
Whereas the Torah requires our obedience, without condoning sin, it also provides for our human frailty. Divorce for example, whereas God is against it, guidelines are provided for it because of the hardness of our hearts. Whereas we appreciate God's mercy and compassion for our human state, it is important to keep them in their proper place, as to say that because of these accepted guidelines God condones divorce, would be like saying that because of the cities of refuge God condones murder (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Mark 10:2-9; Numbers 35:6).
On their claim that they obey all the Torah I like to ask people, "If it were legally permissible, would you stone your wife if you found her in an inappropriate relationship? Or should she stone you if you were the guilty one? Would you stone your son if he fit the bill for Deuteronomy 21:18-21? Even Jewish writings tell us that no one ever came to the Sanhedrin for the law of the rebellious son. Today though, not only it is illegal to personally claim and administer the death penalty on the sole basis of disobedience to Torah, but even if it were, the whole Torah procedure requires the presence of a legal Sanhedrin and of a Temple in Jerusalem. In the absence of such these laws, while not obsolete, are presently non-applicable. Some may heave a sigh of relief, but the absence of a legal Sanhedrin does not absolve us from judgment from Heaven as we read, whoremongers and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13:4).
The law of the rebellious son may seem the most difficult law to observe especially when we look at it as a father towards his son. I personally like to change the perspective and look at it remembering that as a father, I am also somebody's son. I may not fit the bill where my earthly father can accuse me of being stubborn and rebellious; a glutton and a drunkard, but as far as my Heavenly Father is concerned, I do fit that bill and more. King David rightly commented, If you, O Adonai, should mark iniquities, O Adonai, who could stand (Psalms 130:3)?
This law may seem harsh and condemning, but come to think of it, if God did not punish iniquity He would be unjust. Justice must be given its due to expunge iniquity; there is no other way. If not by us, by somebody else, and in this case this harsh justice is executed on Yeshua HaMashiach, the Obedient Son. If we were to be executed we would deserve it because we are guilty, but Yeshua was while He was innocent. His death therefore serves as atonement for the sinners that we are.
In this case, we can say again that all the commandments tell us of the glory of God, even those that seem the most harsh and cruel. May Blessed be His Name.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son …"
I have heard some who boast that they believe in obeying all the commandments in the Torah. It is a noble thing that we should try to be obedient, but we should also know that it is impossible. If it were, there would be no need for the twice daily offering of a lamb and for the Fall Feasts.
Whereas the Torah requires our obedience, without condoning sin, it also provides for our human frailty. Divorce for example, whereas God is against it, guidelines are provided for it because of the hardness of our hearts. Whereas we appreciate God's mercy and compassion for our human state, it is important to keep them in their proper place, as to say that because of these accepted guidelines God condones divorce, would be like saying that because of the cities of refuge God condones murder (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Mark 10:2-9; Numbers 35:6).
On their claim that they obey all the Torah I like to ask people, "If it were legally permissible, would you stone your wife if you found her in an inappropriate relationship? Or should she stone you if you were the guilty one? Would you stone your son if he fit the bill for Deuteronomy 21:18-21? Even Jewish writings tell us that no one ever came to the Sanhedrin for the law of the rebellious son. Today though, not only it is illegal to personally claim and administer the death penalty on the sole basis of disobedience to Torah, but even if it were, the whole Torah procedure requires the presence of a legal Sanhedrin and of a Temple in Jerusalem. In the absence of such these laws, while not obsolete, are presently non-applicable. Some may heave a sigh of relief, but the absence of a legal Sanhedrin does not absolve us from judgment from Heaven as we read, whoremongers and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13:4).
The law of the rebellious son may seem the most difficult law to observe especially when we look at it as a father towards his son. I personally like to change the perspective and look at it remembering that as a father, I am also somebody's son. I may not fit the bill where my earthly father can accuse me of being stubborn and rebellious; a glutton and a drunkard, but as far as my Heavenly Father is concerned, I do fit that bill and more. King David rightly commented, If you, O Adonai, should mark iniquities, O Adonai, who could stand (Psalms 130:3)?
This law may seem harsh and condemning, but come to think of it, if God did not punish iniquity He would be unjust. Justice must be given its due to expunge iniquity; there is no other way. If not by us, by somebody else, and in this case this harsh justice is executed on Yeshua HaMashiach, the Obedient Son. If we were to be executed we would deserve it because we are guilty, but Yeshua was while He was innocent. His death therefore serves as atonement for the sinners that we are.
In this case, we can say again that all the commandments tell us of the glory of God, even those that seem the most harsh and cruel. May Blessed be His Name.
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