 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
THIS IS STARTLING WHEN YOU FINALLY SEE IT!
The same RITUAL requirements were made of Gentile believer as was the Jewish believer. He incurred the same taboos (Numb. 19:10)…
Num 19:10 10 And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever. (KJV)
This passage opens up a line of study that seems to have no end. Let us look at the word in the Hebrew in the above passage which is translated in the English as "statute":
Strong's Concordance:
2708 chuqqah (khook-kaw'); feminine of 2706, and meaning substantially the same: KJV-- appointed, custom, manner, ordinance, site, statute. 2706 choq (khoke); from 2710; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage): KJV-- appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree (-d), due, law, measure, X necessary, ordinance (-nary), portion, set time, statute, task.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon:
2706 choq- a statute, an ordinance, a limit, something prescribed, due
If we look over the above definition which is for the word "statute" we see that God gave both the Jew and the Non-Jew Laws, Commandments, ordinances, necessary ordinances, tasks, manners, customs, appointed times and set times, as well as boundaries where one Law stops and another continues. This is a perfect picture of the similarity as well as dissimilarities between the Covenant and Laws of Noah and the Covenant and Laws of Moses. And to top it all off God says that these "set times, appointed times, and tasks" are Eternal and forever!
Answer for yourself: Are you aware that another name for "chuggah" is festival? That is right. God gave tasks and prescribed ordinances and Laws and Commandments that are Eternal and forever regarding His Holy Days and Appointed Set Times to both Non-Jews and Gentiles. We saw about the stipulation and commandment that for a Non-Jew to observe the Passover that he had to be circumcised. This is but one of many examples.
Answer for yourself: Did God give the Gentile believer (stranger) customs, manners, statutes, enactments, specific decrees, laws in general and commandments FOREVER? He sure did.
Answer for yourself: Just do to the nature of the question, did you see that a ceremonially condition of uncleanness can affect the Gentile as well as the Jew? Wow that is quite a revelation is it now when we thought that uncleanliness affected only the Jew!
Answer for yourself: Are you beginning to understand that we as Christians are often “unclean” before God, and are for the most part unaware because our actions and behaviors are sin before God? The sad fact of the matter is that we are unaware of our real spiritual condition before God because we lack the hearing of the Law and Commandments which would teach us the errors of our ways.
Answer for yourself: Are you aware that the condition of “uncleanness will limit God’s presence in your life?
Let us look at the Hebrew word for "unclean" as used in this verse.
The Strong's Concordance:
2930 tame' (taw-may'); a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense (contaminated): KJV-- defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, makeself, pronounce) unclean, X utterly.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon:
2930 tame'- to be unclean, to become unclean, to become impure a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1) sexually 2) religiously 3) ceremonially b) (Niphal) 1) to defile oneself, to be defiled a) sexually b) by idolatry c) ceremonially 2) to be regarded as unclean c) (Piel) 1) to defile a) sexually b) religiously c) ceremonially 2) to pronounce unclean, to declare unclean (ceremonially) 3) to profane (God's name) d) (Pual) to be defiled e) (Hithpael) to be unclean f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Answer for yourself: According to the Scriptures shown to you, can Gentile believers like you an me “become unclean” RELIGIOUSLY and CEREMONIALLY? Sure can.
Answer for yourself: As Gentile believers, can we by actions done in a religious context profane God’s Name instead of exalt it? Sure can.
Answer for yourself: Can you begin to see that because we as contemporary Christians are basically unlearned about the Law (defined as Torah, Instruction, Teaching in Hebrew), and since unlearned, often fail to obey customs, ordinances, statutes, and enactments which were given to us by God but of which we are unaware? In so doing do we render ourselves unclean and profane the Name of God and not even know it? We sure do!
Gentiles could not eat blood (Lev. 17;10) or animals that died of natural causes or was killed by other predators (Lev. 17:15).
Answer for yourself: Why is this important and what should it teach us?
What is of major importance to us is that the Gentile Observed the same sacrificial procedures (Lev. 17:8; 22:18; Numb. 15:14,26) and the Passover prohibition of leaven (Ex. 12:19) and partook of the Paschal meal (Ex. 12:48; II Chronicles 30:25)as did the Jews.
Lev 17:8 8 And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice, (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Can you see for yourself that God intended and desired that Gentiles worship THE SAME WAY AS THE JEWS by bring the same offerings?
Answer for yourself: Can you begin to relate what you have learned to the worship of God as seen in the Gentile believer’s participation in the Festivals and Sabbaths of God as well let alone the Sacrificial System of Israel? It would appear, and is so. that one law was given and shared often between the Jew and the Non-Jew.
Exod 12:49 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. (KJV)
Num 15:16 16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you. (KJV)
Num 15:29 29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Can you begin to see that since we as Gentile believers don't worship God according to “the pattern” as does the Jews (they never changed it) that this goes a long way in explaining how and why we have a Replacement Religion today in Gentile Christianity and a “replacement theology” which often has led us to worship God in vain? I hope so. It is time to return to our Hebrew Roots of the Christian Church for, as I have shown you, there is another message in the original language of our Bibles that you don't get when you only read it in English.
Lev 22:18 18 Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering; (KJV)
Num 15:14 14 And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Does Numbers 15:14 indicate that the Gentile is to worship (“do as the Jew does”)? It sure does.
Answer for yourself: Since God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, does your church lead you in worship of God in Jewish (understood as a synonym for Biblical) ways?
Answer for yourself: If now why not since that is what the Bible teaches in both the Old and New Testaments? If that is not your experience I and others at Bet Emet call upon you to seriously consider your options since having come to the truth?
Num 15:15 15 One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Since we are dealing in the passage in the context of sacrifices and worship, did you notice that God said FOREVER the Gentile and Jew are to have the same ordinance, same custom, and the same appointed times (Biblical Feasts)?
Answer for yourself: Is the above your experience or have you wasted much of your life worshipping God in vanity?
Num 15:26 26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance. (KJV)
The Gentile believers were commanded to observe the Passover with the Jews according to the Pattern of Worship (Exodus 12:19). We will see that not only the Passover but God commanded forever that the Non-Jew observe with the Jew the Day of Atonement; Yom Kippur, according to the pattern for worship (Lev. 16:29).
Exod 12:19 19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Can you see for yourself that Gentile believers are to worship God by observing and celebrating the Biblical Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread? Is that your experience as a Christian and do we follow Paul's admonition to the Gentile Corinthian Church to observe the Passover as well?
1 Cor 5:8 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Again, does your church mobilize yearly to have their Gentile congregation obey God by observing the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread (one Law for both remember)?
Exod 12:48 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. (KJV)
2 Chr 30:21-25 21 And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. 22 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers. 23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. 25 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Did you notice that not only in the times of Moses did Gentile identify with Israel and keep the Biblical Feasts, but continued to do so [remember the Imperfect Tense that said it was a continuing process of teaching Gentiles to hear and obey] for hundreds of years, even up to and through the days of Hezekiah?
The Gentile believers, like the Jews, were commanded to observe the Sabbath rest along with the Jews according to the Pattern of Worship (Ex. 20:10; 23:12; Deut. 5:14)…
Exod 20:10 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: (KJV)
Exod 23:12 12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. (KJV)
Deut 5:12-14 12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. 13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: 14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Did you notice that the Gentile believers care commanded to keep the 7th day Sabbath (not Sunday) as did the Jews?
The Gentile believers were commanded to observe forever the Day of Atonement; Yom Kippur, according to the pattern for worship (Lev. 16:29).
Lev 16:29 29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month (Yom Kippur-Day of Atonement), ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Did you in your Christian Church observe Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, last year?
Answer for yourself: Did you notice that the pattern for worship which lasts FOREVER for both the Jew and Gentile required the believing Gentile to observe the Day of Atonement on the 10th of seventh Hebrew month of Tishri?
The Gentile believers were commanded to celebrate and observe the Feasts of Tabernacles along with the Jews according to the pattern for worship (Deut 16:13).
Deut 16:13-14 13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: 14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Again, do we find the Gentile believer keeping the Feast of Tabernacles “like” the Jews?
The Gentile believers were commanded to celebrate and observe the Feast of Pentecost along with the Jews according to the Pattern of Worship (Deut. 16:9-11).
Deut 16:9-11 9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. 10 And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: 11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Again, do we find the Gentile worshipping God according to the Jewish (Biblical) pattern in keeping the Festival of Weeks (Pentecost)?
Answer for yourself: By now the picture should becoming very clear; as Gentiles grafted into the Israel of God by faith in God through Christ, are we then, as believing Gentiles, to worship God “AS DO THE JEWISH PEOPLE” by adopting the Biblical Pattern of Worship? It sure would seem so!
No class-conscious discrimination existed in the minds of the authors of the Bible as to the kind of proselyte sought or acceptable. The "mixed multitude" (Exodus 12:38) of non-Israelites who fled Egypt during the Exodus were among the gerim included in the address delivered by Moses to his people at the end of their forty years' wilderness wandering:
You stand all of you today before the Lord your God . . . the men of Israel together with . . . the ger who is in the midst of the camp . . . that you may enter into the covenant of the Lord your God, that He may confirm your position this day as His people and that He may be your God, as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 29:9-12)
In the mind of the Deuteronomist, the ger was an integral part of the compact made between God and the Patriarchs, His own first gerim. To the ger, as well as to the native Israelite, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are “your fathers.”
In the sight of God, the ger was the same as any other Israelite.
For the Lord your God is never partial. He secures justice for the orphan and the widow and He loves the ger . . . (Deuteronomy 10:17ff)
Not only does God love the ger. He calls upon Israel to do likewise. For parents He demands honor
Honor your father and your mother . . . (Exodus 20:12)
and reverence
Everyone shall revere his mother and his father. (Leviticus 19:3);
for His prophets He requires proper respect and protection
Touch not My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm. (Psalm 105:15)
The ger who dwells with you shall be treated like a native; and you must love him as much as you love yourself. (Leviticus 19:34).
More to follow in lesson 5. Shalom.