The 613 Mitzvot: 76-80
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 seventy-one through seventy-five, this week we will take a brief look at five more.
Commandment: On Offering Brought By A Woman After Childbirth
Leviticus 12:6 (ESV)
“And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin 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 until 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: On offering brought by a leper after being cleansed
Leviticus 14:2a, 10 (ESV)
“This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. … And on the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish, and a grain offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, and one log of oil.”
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: On the tithes of one’s cattle
Leviticus 27:32 (ESV)
“And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff, shall be holy to the Lord (YHWH).”
Notes:
As this relates to tithes, we agree that it should be followed, but that we’re unable to today. An established Earthly priesthood is not currently organized and available to carry out the proper sacrifices, acceptance, and distribution of the tithes. 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. For more on tithing, please see our teaching titled, “Tithing: Is it for Today?”.
Commandment: Sacrificing the First-born of clean (permitted) cattle
Exodus 13:2 (ESV)
“Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.”
Notes:
Like so many others that we’ve covered prior, this has to do with sacrificing, 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: On Redeeming the First-born of man, Pidyon ha-ben
Exodus 22:28-29 (ESV)
28 “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29 “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me.
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