For in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting faithfulness; because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah, in whom there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male nor female; for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one. Also, if you belong to the Messiah, you are seed of Avraham and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)
Many very interesting topics arise concerning the commandments/Torah of the Adonai, especially since we have been taught or lose site of the fact we are one in Him. For centuries these beliefs have caused much division and strife within the Church System. Mankind in his attempt to serve their beloved Creator has yet to come to resolve about these apparent dilemmas only accounted to presumption, misconstrued concepts and false teachings pretty much since the establishment of the Church. For us today still seeking to resolve these issues haven't done much better, when we refuse to utilize the historical evidences left us, it's always been easier to see the good our Adonai has accomplished but not always easy to swallow and face the injustices we have brought on our ownselves. Not we alone but our fathers. How do we unlearn something we have been taught on down the centuries we have held as truths. This is one such study where we will attempt to just present a case of faith, by scripture and historical evidences in the Bible. The results though from this close reading is of course up to the reader. What topic could cause so much concern? The two Church Theory and the Sabbath Day/ Day of Shabbat. Though not the only division caused by this two church theory, we must start somewhere. We hope to present it's importance, who this statute pertains to and lightly touch on how it is to be kept. We will only apply here a couple of references the Strongs Concordance and of course the Holy Scriptures in certain applicable formats.
This confusion is not in itself of the scriptures, the unadulterated WORD of Elohiym, but in the interpretation and errors of men. As our above scripture shows, how could such remarks of union cause so much problem? " you are all children of Elohiym through this trusting faith " Do we trust by faith what Elohiym says? Lets start here,,,
"Tell the people of Isra'el, 'You are to observe my Shabbats; for this is a sign between me and you through all your generations; so that you will know that I am ADONAI, who sets you apart for me. ( Shemot/Exodus 31:12-13 )
We see historically this is a commandment set apart for the children of Isra'el at the time when Elohiym establishes them as a nation is it not? (Shemot/Exodus 6:26, 7:4, 12:17) The confusion is not in the History of these people, instead it lies in who these people are now. And what part do the supposed Gentile nation ( those outside of the Hebraic faith-see footnote*) have to do with this set apart day?
Therefore, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth - called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised - at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Isra'el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood. For he himself is our shalom - he has made us both one and has broken down the m'chitzah (middle wall or partition) which divided us by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah, with its commands set forth in the form of ordinances. He did this in order to create in union with himself from the two groups a single new humanity and thus make shalom, and in order to reconcile to God both in a single body by being executed on a stake as a criminal and thus in himself killing that enmity. (Ephesians 2:11-16 ) further references - (Hosea 2:23, Isaiah 33:13, Zechariah 6:15, Acts 2:39)
Since there is no stipulation distinguishing Y'hudah/Judeans from the Gentile according to Sha'uls recourse we in Messiah are "one". ,,,, " You were estranged from the national life of Isra'el" tells us by the word estranged or stranger " xenos " in the Greek the Gentile was not a part of the commonwealth of " Isra'el. Not that Isra'el were to become Gentile in any form of fashion. Sha'ul even states that in the condition of being a Gentile, placed us in the world with no hope and without Elohiym/God. Far off but by the shedding of the Blood of Messiah now brought near ( 2 Chronicles 6:36, Esther 6:36 ) The reason is before the dispersion of the 10 tribes a Gentile was anyone outside of the nation of Isra'el. Those of the world. But because of the 10 tribers even now may very well consist of both nations, therefore those that were a far off were brought near and those that were excluded were now also brought near. And further Ephesians states,,,,
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Isra'el); And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua the Messiah/Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ( v's 19-20 ) no more strangers (xenos), foreigners (paroikos= the right of citizenship, or not without citizenship in Elohiym's Kingdom) but fellowcitizens ( sumpolites = of saints, people consecrated to Elohiym, of His nation). This last word is very interesting in that it still is adaptive in that the Gentiles become citizens with Elohiym's people -Isra'el, SUMPOLITES - SUN = with and POLITES = fellow countryman. There is no question in the scriptures what this country,nation or people is.
And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn: ( Exodus 4:22 )
Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel. ( 1 Kings 8:16 ).
And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. (1 Kings 16:33)
And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country. ( Judges 11:21 )
,,,the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. (Romans 9;4)
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all (for not all descended from Israel are Israel), which are of Israel: (Romans 9:6).
For in Messiah Yeshua/Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. ( Galations 6:15-16 )
In this way we all become the Isra'el that YAHUAH/JEHOVAH wanted his first born to be, but yet in a greater way because the Leader and Elder Brother King we now follow has set a pace unshakeable for the rest of His siblings cleansed by His blood and without sin. Not like the first that brought sin and death, but Life unto all that would follow in His footsteps and give all honor and glory in obedience to their Father. We become spiritual Israelites not a body of two bodies with separate ordinances but one Body and that Body is Messiah (Romans 1:16- Ephesians 4:4-6) The Sabbath day distinguished this son (Isra'el) from all the rest of the nations or worlds children. Why? A child does what their parent does. And YHVH says " Be ye Holy for I am Holy " 1 Peter 1:14-21). Six days he worked and on the seventh day he rested from all that He created and made. Can we not see the wonderful re-Creation thats taking place? Even Yesha'yahu/Isaiah and further scripture makes record of a New Heaven and a New Earth ( 62:22, 65:17, Revelations 21:1 ) Therefore as our Father creates and makes so do we by this not just being a memorial but a future hope by faith.
You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise.....This once beautiful child became a rebellious teenager per-say no longer recognized by or through the character of their Father.
Were the covenants of Elohiym annulled or was it that they were rejected. Is it still being rejected? The issue has always been the same from the time Elohiym warned His first born Isra'el not to do the things that the (goyim) surrounding them were doing. Little by little the wall of defense and obedience would be infiltrated until the people no longer knew what was of YAHUAH and what was not (Numbers 33:55-56, Deuteronomy 28, Isaiah 1.)
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2: 13-14)
What was the law of commandments contained in ordinances? First the commandments should have never needed laws, they were only produced because of the disobedience of man. These laws were contained (closed up within) ordinances the word "Dokeo" in the Greek which means to be of an opinion, suppose or wonder. And it's primary word Deiknuo, which means to expose, give evidence and to show by words or teach. These same laws should have surely taught us something. If we keep the ordinance which is by righteousness, the law is no longer needed. This does not take away the ordinance/commandment. But presents them in their proper perspective.
What Messiah established broke us from the wall and separation of a lack of understanding that created doubt of Elohiyms commands and would be instead written in our hearts. Basically it's good for us because He loves us, we love Him and we trust Him. Sha'ul/Paul through inspiration describes these as " one new man ". Todays understanding which is not necessarily presented correctly by it's proper definition, but these nations may look like this,,,,The Hebrews (Jews), Gentile-Hebrews ( Jews outside of the nation of Israel) and Gentiles (Mixed Multitude). Keeping in mind in todays terminology a Jew is anyone of the Hebraic faith or nation. However one tribe cannot make up twelve. And everyone of Israel is not a Jew, what we are basically attempting to illustrate is coined by the apostle Shaul,,,,,,
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Romans 10:12)
With that history of total disobedience, rebellion, transgression and blatant disrespect of Elohiym, behind us can we see that we didn't have a chance but to keep heading down the wrong path,,,, we definitely needed recovery. Truly we bless our Redeemer!!!
With all that said and expounded on, does this new man who has become Isra'el keep Shabbat/Sabbath??? First to this case Messiah says,,,,
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. ( Mark 2:27-28 , Luke 6:5 )
The same Adonai and King whom we call and know as our Leader is ADONAI/LORD of the Shabbat/Sabbath. He is in us and we are in Him, part of His body, and under His canopy of the new man in peace/Shalom. It is man that through his sin keeps the commandments and even Shabbat confined in ordinances and man-made doctrine. Surely if He commands we keep it, He instructs us on how. We now know surely Messiah is Adonai of ALL.
This was first illustrated in the scriptures in the exodus from Egypt with the mixed multitude Isra'el which included the Gentiles. And even before that by the birth and adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh we see a portrayal of the Hebrew- Gentiles, afterwards called Israel. Gentiles could become naturalized citizens of Israel any time, and thousands did.
Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come , and my righteousness to be revealed . Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak , saying , The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say , Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off . Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; ( Yesha'yahu /Isaiah 56:1-6 )
Stranger - Nakar (root) a foreigner that disguises, one who misconstrues, or profane. Yeshua said this same covenant is for "man" no distinction is made between the people of Judah or the Gentiles. Our Salvation came, Elohiym's righteousness has been revealed in the Son. Blessed is the "man" that do justice and keep His judgements presented in His covenants. Notice their is blessing that comes with Shabbat Keepers even for the "strangers" who are strangers no more.The Sabbath as it's Adonai is a covenant within a command, not a law within ordinance. The Elohiym called Holy convocations ( meetings, unions, calling together times) as a covenant between His children. A family gathering.
For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. (Vayiqra/Leviticus 16: 30-31) It's a day of cleansing and rest for the people which was done by the priest. The High Priest alone could only be present for this service. Our High Priest is named Yahushua Ha'Mashiach/ Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:1) He once and for all made atonement for us, in keeping Sabbath we honor His Good Work he had done in being the perfect sacrifice for us. We are kings and priest unto the ADONAI ( Revelations 1:6 ) It is by a statute forever.
Six days shall work be done : but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings (Vayiqra/Leviticus 23;3) note- of all the feast days notice this is the first on this list showing precedence over the other feast in order in this chapter. The first and most important sacrifice that would represent our cleansing of sin, and fellowship back with the Father.
Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Shemot 31:13
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable ; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. ( Isaiah 58:13-14 ) When describing the Shabbat, notice it says " and thou shalt honor him" Messiah is our Shabbat! Our blessed rest.
Who's Jacobs children? The Twelve sons plus the adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh ( Romans 11:16, Ezekiel 37:16-17) And the scriptures go back even further to tell us we are of the seed of Abraham, (hint) The Father of Many Nations. The promise YAHUAH made has been Revealed by faith is He recieved. This is the Grace of Elohiym who gave out of love all He had to accomplish His good works through Messiah and in us.
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. ( Ezekiel 20:12 )
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. Ezekiel 44:24,,, the very next verse speaks of coming to no dead person ( one that does not receive the Life that is in the Father and the Son ) is as a dead person. Our Messiah conquered sin and death.
May we stop division amongst ourselves, there is no Gentile, No Foreigner or Stranger as long as one is born into the Body of Messiah and the blood. Sure we may join a group, social club, denomination etc. but into this Body we must be Born again. The twain has been made one. One Body, One Church, One Elohiym and Father of all, One ADONAI above all and One Spirit. This is how our Messiah has said " I am not sent but only unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24) There is also one that doesn't want to allow us to understand these things, he has been a liar and a deceiver from the beginning, he started sowing his seed from the time the first Light of the Church in right standing could be seen, steal, kill and destroy, divide and conquer, jealousy, envy, malice and strife. Truly Brethren, try the spirit and check the fruit. We are either children of one Father or we are not. The scripture never contradicts themselves and neither does the Prophets or Apostles of Messiah. All these things are yet shadows that even Paul saw and expounded upon from an ordinance of Love created for us from the beginning of time as we know it. Messiah formed it in the fullness of time, the Apostles expounded on it, the Spirit moved us into it. Wherein we are consecrated, justified and sanctified, children of the Most High that cry out ABBA AVINU as we received the adoption and blessed hope of our calling, no longer, strangers, and foreigners, but engrafted to the Olive Tree, not the Olive Tree engrafted to the Gentiles. And no adopted child who desires a parent denies the parent of their obedience in all things or refuses to take on their name. This is the power of Love. A Holy rehearsal unto the fulfillment of the Eternal Sabbath in the Kingdom of Elohiym,,,,but that's another study. All glory and praise to our Father, we are in the world but not of it!!!
The Jew and the Gentile have become one new man an Isra'elite by Messiah's blood by the command of the covenant called the Sabbath/Shabbat and is our day of meeting with our Elohiym, Adonai and Creator,,,Our Father. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Should a Gentile keep the Shabbat/Sabbath??? No! But an Isra'elite, descendant of Yacov/Jacob, seed of Abraham, the first born son, those of the olive tree or engrafted to it and the Son's of Elohiym all should.
[But] Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. ( Yesha'yahu/Isaiah 45:17)
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Yahushua Ha' Maschiach/Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of Elohiym/God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Ha'Mashiach Yahushua our Adonai/Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3:9-11)
* Goy (Hebrew: גוי, regular plural goyim גוים or גויים) is a Hebrew biblical term for "nation". By Roman times it had also acquired the meaning of "non-Jew".[1] The latter is also its meaning in Yiddish. In the Torah/Hebrew Bible, goy and its variants appear over 550 times in reference to Israelites and to Gentile nations. The term Gentile (from Latin gentilis, by the French "gentil", female: "gentille", meaning of or belonging to a clan or tribe) refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible.
Latin and subsequently English translators selectively used the term gentiles when the context for the base term 'peoples' or 'nations', Hebrew, גוי (goy) and נכרי (nokhri) in the Hebrew Bible and the Greek word ἔθνη (éthnē) in the New Testament, indicated non-Israelite peoples or nations. The term gentiles is derived from Latin, used for contextual translation, and not an original Hebrew or Greek word from the Bible.
Following Christianization of the Roman Empire, the general implication of the word gentile became "non-Jew."
Later still the word came to refer to other nations, 'not a Roman citizen'. After the Christianization of the empire it could also be used of pagan or barbarian cultures.
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