The 613 Mitzvot: 71-75
We are often asked to do teachings on the 613 commandments found in the Jewish faith. Understandably, such a teaching or teaching series would be an immense undertaking. However, we thought we may be able to go through it, at least in part, in our blogs. This is an ongoing blog series that we will do at different times without any real schedule planned. We will not be going into great depth in this series.
The format for these blog posts will be simple. We will cite a traditional rabbinic commandment as found in the AENT (Aramaic-English New Testament), provide the Scripture that it is supposed to be based from, indicate if we agree that it is a commandment we can do today or if it is one that cannot apply today and then why or why not. Then we will give a few notes or thoughts as to why believe it can or cannot be applied today. Last time we looked at commandments sixty-six through seventy, this week we will take a brief look at five more.
Commandment: Unconditional Guilt-Offering, for stealing, etc.
Leviticus 5:15 (ESV)
““If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.”
Notes:
This is another commandment that we agree is to be followed, but that we cannot be properly obeyed today, but will apply once again when it’s possible. A built temple does not currently exist till the 1000 year reign. An established Earthly priesthood is not currently organized and available to carry out the proper sacrifices. Because of this, we are also not able to do such things as sin sacrifices, guilt offerings, peace offerings, freewill offerings or offerings for vows. For us to attempt to do so would be sinful as we would be doing them our own way and not His way. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment and at that time we expect to be able to follow this commandment again.
Commandment: Offering higher or lower value, according to ones means
Leviticus 5:1-11 (ESV)
Can be read here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+5%3A1-11&version=ESV
Notes:
As this relates to offerings, we agree that it should be followed, but that we’re unable to today. A built temple does not currently exist until the 1000 year reign. An established Earthly priesthood is not currently organized and available to carry out the proper sacrifices. Until the sacrificial offering system has been able to be reinstated biblically, we cannot and should not perform them or any related tasks. For us to attempt to do so would be sinful as we would be doing them our own way and not His way. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment and at that time we expect to be able to follow this commandment again.
Commandment: To confess one's sins before God and repent from them
Numbers 5:6-7 (ESV)
“Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the Lord, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.
Notes:
This can and should be applied today. Confessing of one’s sins before the Creator and repentance is what we all must do. In our confession we are acknowledging our wrong doing, taking ownership for our transgressions. Thankfully we have a loving Father who provided a way of forgiveness and gives us the opportunity to repent (to turn away from) our sins. For more on what it means to “repent”, please see our teaching The Hebrew Root of Repent.
Commandment: On offering brought by a zav (man with a discharge)
Leviticus 15:13 (ESV)
“And when the one with a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes. And he shall bathe his body in fresh water and shall be clean.”
Notes:
Like so many others that we’ve covered prior, this has to do with offerings, which we cannot do today, biblically. Therefore, this is not something we believe can or should be properly attempting to obey today. For us to attempt to do so would be sinful as we would be doing them our own way and not His way. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment and at that time we expect to be able to follow this commandment again.
Commandment: Offering brought by a zavah (woman with a discharge)
Leviticus 15:28-30 (ESV)
But if she is cleansed of her discharge, she shall count for herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. And on the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and bring them to the priest, to the entrance of the tent of meeting. And the priest shall use one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her before the Lord for her unclean discharge.
Notes:
Just as with the one before, this will apply again someday, but at this time it cannot and should not be followed.
We hope this has helped bring a little clarity to the fourteenth set of 5 commandments and their applicability to our lives today, at least as we currently understand them. You have probably noticed the recurring pattern of us indicating that we cannot or should not be following some commandments today. This is the case for a large number of commandments. So, when someone asks about having to follow the WHOLE Law of God, the traditional 613 commandments, you can show them that the number that we can and should be following today is actually much smaller than that. One day we will again be following more of them, but that day is not today as they require things that are not currently in existence.
Aside from ourselves, keeping the cultural understanding and Scriptural context are our greatest obstacle to understanding, and thus obeying, the ways of our Creator. Each day we must choose whether to obey or disobey thereby choosing whom we are serving.
Shalom