“So Let It Be Written—So Let It Be Done” (Shema!)
Part 1 of 7
There is a doctrine spun on the web of modern theology. “With the appearance of Messiah Yeshua, grace prevails and Torah has been done away with.” In actuality, nothing could be further from the truth. In the film, “The Ten Commandments”, the phrase “So let it be written...so let it be done” was coined by Pharaoh. As we will see, such is the same with YHVH's Holy Word regarding His Holy Torah.
From Genesis to Revelation, Scriptures very emphatically tell us the only way to please YHVH is to follow His ways. Whether the term is commandment, judgment, ordinance, statute, covenant, or the all-inclusive term Torah, we are commanded to “(Shema), Hear and obey”—Deuteronomy 6: 4-5.
Moses writes in Deuteronomy 5: 1, “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them”. In this instruction, Moses uses the same forceful word as in 6: 4—“(Shema), Hear and obey”.
In the spirit of “The Shema” of 6: 4, Moses answers in 10: 12 of the same book the question addressed in this chapter—what does YHVH require of us? “Fear the Lord your Elohim, walk in all His ways and love Him. Serve the Lord your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul.”
There are many little words throughout Scripture that mostly go without proper attention, thereby creating false interpretations. One of those little words is the contraction, “and”. In addition to loving YHVH, as commanded in v. 12, v. 13 says, “(AND), keep the commandments of the Lord (AND) His statutes which I command you today”.
“So it has been written...” by Moses, as he heard from the mouth of YHVH, and watched His finger etch His law (Torah) on stone tablets. Other holy men after Moses admonished their readers to “Shema” YHVH's Torah, and made them aware of rewards and judgments for obedience and rebellion. A simple word search will reveal scores of references to support this truth.
For a New Covenant witness for Torah, consider the straight forward words of James in 1: 22. “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” Consider John the Beloved in 2: 3-4 of his first epistle. “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments (Torah). He who says, 'I know Him', and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
John writes in 5: 2-3 of the same epistle, “By this we know that we love the children of YHVH, when we love YHVH and keep His commandments. For this is the love of YHVH, that we keep His commandments”. Because we love YHVH, we love our neighbor—the two greatest commandments of Yeshua in action, the heart of Torah and the Father.
“So let it be written...So let it be done!” These are just a few of the many Scriptural witnesses that instruct us to obey His Torah. The witness has been presented. The verdict is in. Of a certainty, we will never be able to keep all His Torah. The Hebrews couldn't keep it and we are no different. But, that's where Yeshua's saving grace comes into the picture. He merely commands us to circumcise our hearts and willingly allow Him to write His Torah there within—daily learning more of Him and practicing His ways.
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