Guest post by Levitt
In the context of Galatians, Paul makes the point that the Torah given by Moses was an addition to the Abrahamic Covenant. It was added in order to make sin very clear so that we will all know, and be without excuse that we have fallen short of the righteous standard set before us by God. So it was a temporary addition until the Messiah came, the Seed, and now that He has come, the Torah has done its job.
We read in Hebrews 7:
Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness.
Now with Messiah there is a New Priesthood according to the Order of Melchizedek. Now this system is different from my ancestors, the Levitical Priesthood. You recall this was provided for under the Torah given by Moses, which describes it’s operation. Now it is interesting to note that if you have a New Priesthood you surely need a new Torah under which it can operate. Equally if you have a new Torah, then surely the Old Priesthood has no structure under which to operate.
Previously only one type of priesthood was permitted, the Levitical Priesthood. Now this Hebrews text clearly tells us that the Levitical Priesthood could not bring perfection. Blood sacrifices only temporarily covered sin, Messiah’s blood brings complete removal of sins.
The writer of Hebrews says that the Levitical priesthood has been done away with and replaced with the Priesthood of Melchizedek. This would require a change in the Torah. As long as the Torah of Moses was in effect, no other priesthood was valid except the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood.
Hebrews 7:18 states that the Mosaic Law was set aside because it was weak and useless!
Because it is no longer in effect, we now have a New Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek. If the Mosaic law were still in effect, then how could Yeshua function as a priest?
Yeshua is a priest after the Order of Melchizedek.
We read in 2 Corinthians 3:
You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Messiah, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. And we have such trust through Messiah toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
- v7 Paul refers to the Law as the ministration of death
- v9 he calls it the ministration of condemnation
- v3 and v7 highlight the Ten Commandments as these are the tablets or engraved stones
The point Paul is making, the Ten Commandments were leading to death and condemnation. If they were in force today, this would still be true. Good then that they are no longer in force. v7 and v11 says they are passing away. From this passage it is clear, that the Ten Commandments are no longer legally in effect.
The Torah still stands to reveal the holiness of God, provide a rule/guide for conduct, and to define sin, and ultimately it is a tutor to lead us to utter faith in Moshiach. However it is clear that no righteousness, justification, sanctification or perfection is through the Torah. This comes through Yeshua the Messiah’s work. This is the fulfilment of Torah, and brings the Torah to its intended completion.
Indeed, the superiority of the Torah of Moshiach is seen by the fact that it will be never be rendered inoperative.
Excellent post, very lucid. May I cross-post Levitt’s thoughts.
Fine with me Stuart, hope it helps.
Thanks Levitt
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Thoughtful post, thanks Levitt.
Levitt,
These two statements appear contradictory:
the Mosaic Law was set aside because it was weak and useless!
…and…
The Torah still stands to reveal the holiness of God, provide a rule/guide for conduct, and to define sin, and ultimately it is a tutor to lead us to utter faith in Moshiach.
I think you are misinterpreting Heb 7:18. It speaks of the priesthood being unable to perfect the worshippers. The author of Hebrews was not claiming God’s law to be weak and useless, thus pitting himself against the whole of the Scriptures.
Which law Ken? The one prohibiting adultery?
I think it’s weak and useless to prevent sin or to turn people to God, I think it functions to show people clearly what is and isn’t sin
RE: Moshe, Not sure who or what you’re addressing.
RE: Joseph, Sin is defined by the Law, we agree. And it doesn’t prevent people from sinning, certainly.
Hi Judahgabriel
Thanks for your comment.
I quantify “weak and useless” in terms of my later comment “it is clear that no righteousness, justification, sanctification or perfection is through the Torah”.
Or do you think righteousness, justification, sanctification or perfection is possible through the Torah observance?
Levitt
Or do you think righteousness, justification, sanctification or perfection is possible through the Torah observance?
As you rightly allude to Levitt, if this were the case, then what need for Yeshua….
(Agrees with Stuart)
Christ did not come to put away the law but to fulfull it. (Mathew 5:17 KJV) The Law is still Law and those who confess with the lips, but do not follow YHWH Law (Torah Law) are not in agreement with God and are therefore sinful. The Mosaic Law is not weak and useless. There are many beneficial guidelines to follow for ensuring a clean and healthy lifestyle. If the law is applied and regarded on a much larger scale similar to a special list of instructions left on the kitchen table by a parent on a much smaller scale one may begin to understand that like the Dad or Mom the information is most times for the child’s benefit.
Levitt,
Yasher koach. A few comments…
You wrote: Previously only one type of priesthood was permitted, the Levitical Priesthood.
I think you might be making a slight mistake here. Another priesthood is permitted, when the Torah calls Melchizedek “a priest of God most high.” (Gen 14:18) The author of Hebrews is building on the idea that the Torah does acknowledge the existence of another priesthood besides the Levitical priesthood. And then, in order to to demonstrate that the priesthood of Melchizedek is a greater priesthood than the Levitical priesthood, he brings in the (quite brilliant) insight that, just as the Israelites tithed to support the Levites, the Levites themselves tithed to Melchizedek (while inside their ancestor Abraham).
If the Mosaic law were still in effect, then how could Yeshua function as a priest?
I agree with you that the author does say that there has been a change in the law. (7:12) But as far as Yeshua’s priesthood is concerned, the existence and operation of a Levitical priesthood is actually no threat. Why? Because Yeshua’s priesthood is superior (as shown before). In fact, the author isn’t ashamed to acknowledge that if Yeshua were on the earth, he would not be a priest (8:4).
Similarly, the author of Hebrews doesn’t see the Temple sacrifices as bad. He only emphasizes their shortcomings, in that they are not able to perfect the one offering them. But they are effectual for something to him; after all, he builds a kol v’chomer (כל וחומר) which depends on their validity when he says: “the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then…” (9:13-14)
Yahnatan,
In forums with some replies, it is yes, some no, but yours has made me ponder.
1) I think you have an interest point on a parallel priesthood of Levitical and Melchizedek. I need time to ponder it some more. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. There are always, at least for me, more questions than answers with Melchizedek.
2) I apologise if I have inadvertently communicated the Temple sacrifices as bad or as a threat. In trying to prove my point, I’ve perhaps over stated my position. I agree with your point. The sacrificial system was a good system, but nothing compared to Yeshua’s sacrifice.
Kol Tuv
Levitt
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What a load of dung!!!!
If the commandments are done away with , then I will rob a bank, cause i need the money and run off with my neighbors wife, no problem right??
Messiah said in Matthew 5, that the commandments were NOT done away with, but fulfilled, meaning brought to completion, they still stand, or did you miss that part….Please read Matthew 5…..
You are absolutely correct, Brian. According to Yeshua’s words (in Matityahu 5:17), none of that will pass until we see this:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from G-d, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of G-d is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and G-d Himself will be with them as their G-d. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And He said to me, “It is done! I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” (Rev. 21:1-6)
I think the varying views expressed here are merely an issue of whether those who have not yet accepted Yeshua’s atonement for sin are still found guilty according to Torah (which they are) and whether those who have accepted His atoning sacrifice are bound to keep every statute perfectly in order to obtain salvation (which they are not). We should absolutely desire (and make every effort) to live as He did, however, because He has redeemed us. At least, I hope that’s what’s going on, because as I said, you are absolutely correct. Not the smallest aspect of the Torah will be done away with until all these things are fulfilled. Shame on those who teach otherwise (Mat. 5:19).
Christ’s/Yeshua’s sacrifice “changed” *one part of the Law/Torah, the sacrificial rites/laws/ordinances for lack of a better term, were done away with / better said, = *changed, as Yeshua’s/Christ’s sacrifice became payment for the sins of all humanity, subsequently there is no longer a need for animal sacrifice, but rather Christ’s/Yeshua’s sacrifice only. So, this part of the Law/Torah has indeed changed, and is represented within the new/Melchizedek priesthood.
Hey David,
The atonement of Yeshua changed no part of the Torah – it only changed us (through changing our sentence before it). His sacrifice, in fact, strengthened Torah, but changed the verdict for our failure to keep Torah. It can best be understood this way; Because a criminal is acquitted of a crime, because he is found innocent (deservedly or not), this, in no way, nullifies the law that he broke. The law still stands and, in fact, is strengthened, as it was the unchanging standard during the entire proceeding – and will be for all offenders that follow. The criminal is either found guilty according to the law, or he is proven innocent according to the law – but it’s the standard of the law against which we’re able to measure his guilt or innocence.
If a police officer lets you off rather than issuing you a citation, is there now no speed limit?
The fact that I, you, and so many others, have been found innocent (undeservedly) in the face of Torah is only a testament to the greatness and grace of HaShem. If one attempts to diminish the power of Torah in any way, the distort the standard, introduce nonsense into what our Messiah endured, and lay a foundation for the justification of unrepentant and guilty men. Let G-d be G-d, Yeshua, the obedient Servant, and the Torah, holy, just and good.
“So Torah is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” ~ Romans 7:12
this is the problem with Christianity and messianic. it strays and twists and takes words away and adds them. stick with the word of hashem g-d. that is torah/tanakh. god is the alpha and omega his words and promises never change, thus if he promised and or prophecy something in the torah/tanakh is forever no laws change. hasheem did not say eat only this for pleasing ears, he said it for a reason and it is forever. just as the ten commandments are.
Then why during Yashuah’s 1,000 rule and reign on earth is the Levitical priesthood reinstated, sacrifices and all, under Yah’s command?