Asking Jesus About the Torah: Understanding the King’s Law

I ask Jesus, “Lord, what is Your perspective on the study of the Torah?”

Jesus lifts me to His lap and opens up a story book for me to read with Him.

Jesus reads, “There once was a king who lived in a tall and beautiful castle. He would watch his people from the window of his tallest spire where his throne room was. Few desired to come near him for fear of his power and authority. Many rumors were spread in his kingdom about him, his family and even his kingship. So, one day, he decided to write down his law for his people, because much injustice was happening not only to them by others, but also to one another. He […]

By |2024-02-21T01:57:04+00:00February 21st, 2024|Categories: Commandments, From God, Jesus, Law, Legalism vs Freedom, Torah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Who is Torah? Is Jesus Torah?

The Hebrew Roots Movement uses the word “Torah” in this equation in their teachings:

“Torah is the Word. Jesus is the Word. Therefore Jesus is Torah”

Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father but by me. If ye had known me ye should have known my Father also and from henceforth ye know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7, KJV)

We begin this study with John 14:6-7 because here Jesus declares that He is the way, the truth and the life. Way is the Greek word, “hodos” (Greek Strong’s 3598), which means “a way, a road, a journey, a path”. Jesus is teaching us in terms we can easily […]

By |2020-04-13T16:21:22+00:00August 9th, 2013|Categories: Hebrew Roots Movement, Library, Torah|Tags: , , , , |

What is Torah?

Read Part I of This Series

The word “Torah” in Hebrew is derived from the root ירה which in the hifil (classification) conjugation means “to guide/teach” (see. Lev. 10:11). The meaning of the word is therefore “teaching,” “doctrine,” or “instruction”; the commonly accepted word “law” gives a wrong impression. [Rabinowitz, Louis Isaac and Harvey, Warren. “Torah.” Encyclopaedia Judaica. Ed. Michael Berenbaum and Fred Skolnik. Vol. 20. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. pp 39–46.]

We see that Torah has been translated as ‘instruction’, ‘direction’ and ‘law’. In 2 Kings 14:6 we see it can refer to the Mosaic law as the word here is being used to refer to the Laws of Moses and is translated as such. Still […]

By |2020-04-13T16:21:33+00:00August 9th, 2013|Categories: Hebrew Roots Movement, Library, Torah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Is the Torah Still Valid?

Read Part I of this Series
Read Part II of this Series

Understanding the words: Dogma (G1378), nomos (G3551), entolen (G1785), didaskalia (G1319), éntalma (G1778)

1378 dogma – a decree, edict, ordinance. 1. of public decrees 2. of the rules and requirements of the law of Moses 3. of certain decrees of the apostles relative to right living
3551 nómos – law. 3551 (nómos) is used of: a) the Law (Scripture), with emphasis on the first five books of Scripture; or b) any system of religious thinking (theology), especially when nomos occurs without the Greek definite article

1785 entolḗ (a feminine noun derived from 1722 /en, “in,” which intensifies 5056 /télos, “reach the end, consummation”) – properly, “in the end,” focusing […]

By |2020-04-13T16:22:18+00:00August 9th, 2013|Categories: Hebrew Roots Movement, Library, Torah|Tags: , , , , , , |

Do Christians Need to Observe the Sabbath?

Old Covenant versus New Covenant
Before I answer that you need to understand that there are two Covenants, an Old Covenant (Also known as the Mosaic Law) and a New Covenant. We who profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior are under the New Covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34 describes this New Covenant and it was established when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. (See Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 9:14-17, New Covenant or is it Renewed?). Now why is this important? Because without a clear understanding of when the New Covenant started and what it means to us we could easily get confused when reading the Bible. So we see from the above scriptures that the New Covenant has begun and if […]

By |2020-04-13T16:22:25+00:00August 9th, 2013|Categories: Hebrew Roots Movement, Law, Library, Sabbath|Tags: , , , , , |

Justified Before God as Righteous

“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law,
for ‘The righteous shall live by faith'”

This is found in Galations 3:11 and quotes Habakkuk 2:4. I have been told by HRM followers this proves we are saved by faith in Jesus, but we need to live by obeying the law. See also verses Romans 1:16-17, Romans 3:26-30, Romans 4:13-17, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:24. What does God mean by “the righteous shall live by faith”?

jus•ti•fy \ˈjəs-tə-ˌfī\ verb -fied; -fy•ing [Middle English justifien, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French justifier, from Late Latin justificare, from Latin justus] verb transitive 14th century

  • 1       a : to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
    b       (1) : to show to […]
By |2020-04-13T16:22:48+00:00August 9th, 2013|Categories: Hebrew Roots Movement, Languages, Library, Word Definitions|Tags: , , , , , , |

The Law Makes Us Righteous?

A friend involved with the HRM movement shared with me, “Justification (salvation) is through faith by grace. Sanctification (holy living) is through the Mosaic Law.” Further, he explained, that although they acknowledge salvation is through Jesus alone, one must obey the Mosaic Law through the power of the Holy Spirit in order to continue in the faith so as to be considered righteous before God. He shared how in the Old Testament it was impossible to obey all the Law because they did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling within them. But now it is.

This explanation seems to be logical, until you really think about what Jesus accomplished on the cross and in His resurrection. 1 Peter 3:18-22 shares the power […]

By |2020-04-13T16:23:10+00:00August 2nd, 2013|Categories: Hebrew Roots Movement, Law, Library|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Obey God’s Commandment

We read in John 14:21 that Jesus is telling us if we love Him, we will obey Him. This is used by the HRM to prove we are to obey the Mosaic Law. Let’s look at this verse and surrounding Scriptures a bit closer.

John 4:15-31 is a beautiful discourse from our Lord Jesus about His relationship to those who believe in Him. He also shares with us a greater truth, the love and relationship the Father has with His children because they follow Jesus. He begins in John 4:15 by declaring those who love Him will obey His commandments. This is repeated several times in the next few verses. The question is, “Whose commandments are we to follow?” It is […]

By |2020-04-13T16:24:05+00:00January 23rd, 2013|Categories: Commandments, Hebrew Roots Movement, Law, Library|Tags: , , , , , |

Does Jesus Change the Law?

For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

Hebrews 7:11-28

What is the relationship of laws on our hearts and the new covenant? (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16)

The law on believer’s hearts is the greatness, the glory of God’s holiness. For Jesus came to do the fullness of His Father’s will and now He abides in His own (John 15:1-17). He will continue to do so until the completion of God’s will is accomplished (Matthew 28:20). God’s law is love (Romans 13:10, 1 John 3:21-24). Jesus loved His Father and He loves His people (John 14:18-31). Now we are to go and do likewise.

God’s statutes were written according to the […]

By |2020-04-13T16:24:36+00:00January 21st, 2013|Categories: Hebrew Roots Movement, Law, Library|Tags: , , |

Word of God

The Word of God is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, through whom God has spoken and revealed all that is of His Truth (John 1:1-5, Hebrews 11:3, Romans 4:17). Torah (teaching, law or instruction) is only a small element, that which He used to teach of greater things (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 8:1-13, Hebrews 10:1-10), namely His Son and all the promises He had made complete through Him (John 13:16, Hebrews 3:1-6, Hebrews 9:11-27). This is the fullness of His Word, His love and desire to save man through the complete work of His Son, Jesus, who walked before God in perfect obedience to offer Himself for all who would believe in Him (John 6:29, John 17:20-21, 1 […]

By |2020-04-13T16:25:08+00:00January 21st, 2013|Categories: Hebrew Roots Movement, Library, Messiah|Tags: , , , |
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