As Mosheh recounts the commandments of Torah from the mountain to this point in Devarim, we see a commom theme--keep the commandments of YHVH. This portion is no exception to that trend and goes on to identify those that are required of Father to obey His Torah. This little truth might go unnoticed with only a surface look at the Scriptures.
From the beginning of Devarim, Mosheh is speaking to the congregation as if they were actually at Horeb when the mountain shook, causing rocks and trees to tumble and cattle to calve--all at the sound of Father's voice roaring down the mountain. Mosheh says the following from the proceding portion.
"And it came to be, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders." Deuteronomy 5: 23 (My emphases added)
Mosheh is not speaking to those that stood below the mountain to see and hear the majesty of our Elohim. Those of Mosheh's audience in Devarim never stood below the mountain, a vast majority not even born at the time. His audience consists of the children of the generation that was brought out of Mitzryim. Yet, Mosheh repeatedly tells them to say, "...when I was brought out of Egypt...", "...when I stood at the mountain..."
By speaking to this second generation as if they were the first, Mosheh portrays the eternal and everlasting nature of YHVH's Torah. It was given to the first generation from Mitzryim and became incumbent upon every generation from that time, even upon our generation. Those that truly believe in and love Messiah will still WANT to keep His Torah.
It should once again be made clear that keeping Torah in NO way, shape, or form earns our redemption. It is by the grace and mercy found through the mighty hand of YHVH our Elohim. It is clearly as Paul told the Ephesians.
"For by grace are we saved through faith, and that not of ourselves. It is the gift of YHVH, not of works lest any man boast." Ephesians 2: 8-9
Keeping of the Torah is based solely upon the first commandment of the ten, "believe in Me". Once we believe (trust everything we are or hope to be) in Messiah, we are then free to exercise our gratitude in allowing Him to grow us by His Holy Spirit teaching us Torah. By so doing, we edify Paul's continued comments to the Ephesians.
"For we are His workmanship created unto good works". Ephesians 2: 10
Mosheh also simplifies the Torah in how it is to be obeyed. He conveys the Torah of YHVH to the people and tells them not to "add to, take away from, or diminish"it.
Pharisee and Jewish tradition includes oral tradition with the 613 laws of Torah. For example, Mosheh only gave six laws regarding Sabbath. Oral tradition balloons that handful of laws to over 1500. Christian leaders of today blasphemously discard the entire Torah even to saying "God is finished with Israel".
Herein lies the controversy. Our Jewish brethren make a meticulous effort to keep the whole of what they consider Torah. Yet, they don't recognize Whom the Torah so eloquently spoke of--Messiah Yeshua. On the other hand, our Christian brethren gladly accept Messiah but totally discard his Torah--in effect creating a new, false religion.
Then, Mosheh tells the people not to "diminish" Torah. From the beginning, Torah was to be "written upon the heart". It is to be observed in gratitude with the whole heart. Those that keep Torah with any other motive are guilty of"diminishing" Torah--making it of lesser value.
Here is the order of the matter. Earnestly from the heart start by keeping the first commandment, "Believe in (Messiah)". Don't do as our Jewish brethren. Meticulous keeping of Torah didn't get Mosheh into the promised land. I guarantee you will NEVER keep it as good as did he. Only Joshua and Kaleb made it, because they believed the word of YHVH.
Don't do as our Christian brethren and discard Torah. To discard (take away from) Torah is to be cast into "outer darkness" at the least, or not being allowed to enter the kingdom at all. Don't diminish Torah by just going through the motions. Don't pick and choose the parts of Torah that suits your chosen lifestyle. Do it ALL from the heart or don't do it AT ALL.
Those that follow Torah from the heart are those that love Messiah and keep His Torah for the same reason. They don't add to, take away from, or diminish (lowly esteem) His jewels of freedom. They are simply sons and daughters of Abraham (Hebrews, not Jews or Christians) that sincerely try to find out what Mosheh said and then DO IT. I close my comments with the very encouraging words of David regarding the Heart of Torah.
"The fear of YHVH is clean, standing forever; the right-rulings (Torah) of YHVH are true, they are righteous altogether. More desirable (are they) than gold, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb." Psalms 19: 9-10
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