Contrary to “popular” belief, the “law” existed before Moses and, in my humble opinion based on study, it existed before Adam and Eve. Because the Word, which is the Torah, was with God in the beginning… And it was the Word that all is created in accordance with. Go back to Genesis 1:3 and question “which” light was created first, considering the “luminary” lights were not created until The fourth day… search the psalms to reveal the definition of “light”…
A good example that proves the law predated Moses, is in a moment in time when “elements” of the covenant were revealed and expressed to Abraham in Genesis 15. Over 600 years before the said “mosaic” covenant was given to Moses.
In the book of Deuteronomy, God expresses **how** he brings his people out of a land and the rules and guidelines one must follow in order to take possession of a land or territory. All of this is expressed throughout the book of Deuteronomy and the teachings. Devarim (Deuteronomy) in Hebrew means words yet it’s been translated from Greek to mean second law… another twisting of words that man has done in biased translations.
“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to **teach** you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:” Deuteronomy 6:1 KJV
Let’s examine the correlation further here.
Abraham was brought out of Ur in the same way that Moses led the children out of Egypt, as well as Joshua (Read Joshua 1) (Read Deuteronomy 7) (this will also be the case at the second coming of the Messiah when he leads His people into the second Exodus… before they left Egypt they had to obey or risk partaking in the plagues… in knowing this, this should give you a hint to what one must do in order to be part of that Exodus as well, but I digress.
In Genesis 15:7-9 NIV “He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can **I know** that I will gain **possession of it**?” So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.”
We see that God asks Abraham to bring him “specific” animals which are explained further as to their significance within the Books of Moses (Just as we have the Books of Matthew, John, Luke etc. Moses had books that he wrote in accordance with God’s direction — that some how has turned into the idea of the strict “mosaic” covenant.
According to the coined “mosaic” law, the *bird* sacrifice is cut at the altar in a specific way as a sin-offering. Leviticus 1:17 states: “And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.”
Therefore if this was a “new” teaching, taught by Moses, how was Abraham well versed in understanding the same sacrificial ordinances as seen in the following verse: “Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the *birds*, however, he did not cut in half.” Genesis 15:10 NIV
The word “asunder” referred to in Leviticus means cut in half. Which we see Abraham did NOT do. Why were we given these details? For the same reason we’re commanded to meditate on His word day and night. Because, until God unveils that layer of meaning to you, through continuous study, you’re likely to skim over them, just as I did, in the past.
Moving along, the animals God told Abraham to bring included the heifer (the text doesn’t indicate wether this was a red heifer or not) which was used for purification from impurity, the Goat was used as a sin offering, the ram is a burnt offering, the Dove is a guilt offering or can also be used to purify oneself after a period of ritual impurity (including the birth of a child) and the pigeon was an offering to the Lord.
Wether Abraham understands at this point in time why these things were being asked of him, is irrelevant. What is important rather is his belief or faith in knowing that if he does as God commands, God will fulfill His promise unto him. He doesn’t have to understand “why”, he just has to believe. God knows the reasons for what he is requesting based on His foundation and architecture of the world and all of the elements within it.
Abraham preformed the “ritual sacrifices” of the coined “mosaic” covenant described in the book of Leviticus **before** they were officially given by Moses or rather **recorded** in a book.
This is also the case as it pertains to Noah as we know Noah was a righteous man. And righteousness is defined in the Bible through scripture as follows:
“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.” Deuteronomy 6:25 KJV
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his **righteousness**; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV
“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law (Torah) is the truth.” Psalm 119:142 KJV — I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. All words that have been used to describe the Torah throughout the Bible describe the Word (the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we know who that refers to…)
Therefore the take away from this discovery should be to question the idea of the “law of Moses” being done away with, when it was clear that not only was it not done away with, but it predated Moses altogether.
Christ specifically said he did not come to “do away with the law / Torah”.
Matthew 5:17-20 “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law (Torah), till all be fulfilled.
***19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.***
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the **righteousness** of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Refer back to the above about righteousness… and the word fulfil is defined as: 1. to bring into actuality; effect or make real: (his blood is the blood of the covenant) 2. To do, perform, or obey (a task or order, for example); carry out. In Judaism to perform a Mitzvot (command) is referred to as “fulfilling” or performing a mitzvot. So also, without understanding where it all began it looses its true meaning. Christ walked out and fulfilled / obeyed the Torah, as it was intended (the Torah made flesh), **without** the man-made add-ons that were heavy in that time — and still are in Rabbinic Judaism and in different ways are also in modern day Christianity.
The beautiful thing about the words of Yeshua (Jesus) is that he said things in a way that no one should become confused. Yet, somehow people still grab a piece of what He said but then dismiss key elements of the rest of what he said in order to hold fast to the doctrines of men, that itch their ears, that have been perpetually taught since the first coming.
As far as we all are concerned, earth has not passed away, and neither has the Torah.
A better understanding that can be found in scripture, is that he came to “magnify” the law/torah. In Matthew chapter 12 were told of how Isaiah prophecied of him in Isaiah “The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” Isaiah 42:21 KJV
If you read that chapter in the Interlinear Hebrew you will get a clear picture of leading the nations or blind on a path or way they didn’t know… that path/way is the Torah. (Psalm 119:1)
Another way to picture is is to think of a photo taken from outer space of the world. You see the world, you see it’s oceans, but it is not until you hold a powerful magnifying glass up to it, are you able to see the intricate details that make up the world, I.E it’s streams, it’s people, down to it’s microscopic organisms.
Now, going back to Abraham.
What was given to Abraham was a small perspective of the Torah. What was given to Moses was a bit larger but also, a small perspective of the Torah. And what Yeshua (Torah) came to teach was a broader perspective of the Torah and magnified it by explaining things such as not hating a brother because it is the same as murder (from an internal aspect) etc. Which is a very in depth conversation in itself. He also magnified the distinction between what was God’s law versus man-made laws which crept in. Christ put a spotlight on those “traditions” such as ritual “washing of the hands.” More understanding of Talmudic traditions is needed to understand these distinctions which unfortunately is almost never taught in Christian churches.
With all that said, His word, or covenant does not change. This is confirmed through His word with multiple witnesses.
“My covenant will I not break, **nor alter** the thing that is gone out of my lips.”
Psalm 89:34 KJV.
In context: “My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” Psalm 89:28-37 KJV
The second witness to this…
“He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a **thousand generations**.” Psalm 105:8 KJV
How long is a biblical generation?
70 years…
70 x 1000 = 70,000
Has it been 70,000 years?
Nope.
A third witness:
“Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an **everlasting** covenant:”
Psalm 105:9-10 KJV
Everlasting… Defined as – Lasting forever or a very long time… 70,000 years is a pretty long time I’d say…
And shall we add a fourth witness for those fighting this truth?
“He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful **always of his covenant**; the word which he commanded to a **thousand generations**; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a *law*, and to Israel for an *everlasting covenant*,” 1 Chronicles 16:14-17 KJV
I think we’ll add one more witness to wake up any other sleepers…
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the **blood of the everlasting covenant**,”
Hebrews 13:20 KJV
Same covenant continues… it is only that certain things such as sacrificial elements have been fulfilled through Christ’s sacrifice, where He became the official “blood” of the covenant.”
This idea has been greatly confused by misinterpretation of the writings of Paul who wrote half of the books the New Testament which has led to a misinterpreted “Pauline” version of Christianity which many debate being contrary to Christ’s teachings. This is a lengthy debate in itself which I won’t get into here.
But a lot of this misunderstanding is due to not having a well versed understanding of the foundational religion it all stems from which is Judaism and the law.
Yeshua (Jesus) was a rabbi after all. He is the JEWISH Messiah… How is it that the Jewish messiah all of a sudden throws away the law of Judaism that defines what a Israelite is to invent a new religion? Doesn’t make sense does it?
Original Christians were known as Jewish Christians. Although they were believers in Christ they didn’t loose the foundation of the faith which is that of the Torah, but again I digress…
“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the **righteous**, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17
The righteous were those who were already walking out the righteous path of the Torah, therefore they were not in darkness or spiritually sick.
Jeremiah 31:33 in English references putting His teaching into our beings and the Hebrew word for teaching there is תּֽוֹרָתִי֙ = Torah.
There is so much to unpack and continue to learn about the Torah but in my own personal studies in this subject Holding fast to these traditional ideas of “old” and “new” testament along with the many other terms that have been misunderstood, keep a lot of things veiled.
In Jeremiah 31:31 we hear of the “new” covenant that will not be like the covenant given to Israel when they were led out of Egypt and that this new covenant would be written within God’s people and they would no longer need to be taught about it because it would be taught from within. Just because he makes a new or additional covenant doesn’t mean the first one was “abolished” or pushed aside. This nugget is also revealed within the book of revelation and when this true “new” covenant is to occur (it is hidden).
But something additional to note is that the covenant was given “through” a man when the children came out of Egypt, the word was given “through” the prophets but this new delivery method of the “everlasting covenant” would no longer come through outside influences of men, where it could be tainted, but through the internal leading and teaching of the in-dwelt Holy Spirit of God who works within us the obedience to walk out His Torah which He writes on our hearts from within through a life long journey till the Son’s second coming.
The first time Christ came back, he showed His sheep how man had twisted the truths of God with the doctrines of men… he led them back to his path… when he comes again he will officially write upon our hearts the “new name”…
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:13 KJV
Explore what the name of God is and refers to…
The Way
“Blessed are the undefiled in **the way**, who walk in the law of the Lord.”
Psalm 119:1 KJV
The Truth
“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is **the truth**.”
Psalm 119:142 KJV
The Life
“The law of the wise is a fountain of **life**, to depart from the snares of death.”
Proverbs 13:14 KJV
“And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is **your life**: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”
Deuteronomy 32:46-47 KJV
“Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 TLV
“In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through Him, and apart from Him nothing was made that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
John 1:1-4 TLV
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:1-4
There is a reason this warning is given to …”believers”
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
We must obey and walk as he walked.
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
1 John 2:6
No excuses. Get Your Feelings Out The Way!
“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” Acts 3:25 KJV
“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” Revelation 15:3 KJV
Why would they be signing the song of Mosheh?
Well go back to Deuteronomy 31:19-20 “When the people broke the covenant the song is meant to be a witness to testify against them!”
With all that said, I hope this study is a blessing and sparks more thoughts and encourages deeper study in regards to the subject.
Obey and stay on the straight and narrow brothers and sisters!
“Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.”
Psalm 119:151-152 KJV
“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”
Psalm 119:160 KJV
Additional food for thought:
Jeremiah says “No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me,” people are still going on YouTube trying to learn how to know Him (I say this because I looked this up a few years ago when I was earnestly seeking to truly know him and not the man made lies — thank God that His Holy Spirit guided me to learn what I know now and continues to teach me daily)… they’re still going to their pastor trying to learn…
Ask a child brought up in a home that’s not heard of religious teachings and see what their reply is to how do we know God… we are still bringing people into faith so obviously this stage has not been fully reached yet and will only be reached at the second coming and when new Jerusalem is revealed.
The foundation is the “old” it allows a house to stand for generations to come… but if you dismiss and remove the foundation of the house and only leave the “new” cornerstone than that is a house founded on sand. It requires the foundation of the “old testament” and the cornerstone of the “new testament” to hold the whole house and it’s roof up for generations.
“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”
Revelation 22:3 KJV
Warnings From Israel’s History
“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
God bless!