Originally posted on November 18, 2019 @ 1:07 pm
Let’s begin a divine instruction study by starting at Deuteronomy (DaBarim, Hebrew for “The Words”), ch 12. While there are many commands of Yahuah, beginning in Genesis with “Let light come to be”, DaBarim 12 is the only place that I find which begins with:
These are the laws and rightrulings which you guard to do in the land which your Yahuah, Alahim of your fathers, is giving you to possess, all the Yomim (days) that you live on the soil.”
If you are obedient to the command in Numbers that states from the mouth of Yahuah that there is one law in the congregation of the Hebrews and the non-Hebrews, that we are all commanded to submit to the same set of instructions, then congratulations, for you have received the love for the Truth.
Here is the command to the congregation –
Num 15:15 As for the congregation, there shall be one statute both for you and for the alien that lives with you, a never ending statute throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the alien be before Yahuah. Num 15:16 There shall be one law and one ordinance both for you and for the alien that lives with you.
Clearly there is a set of life instructions from Yahuah to His people, beginning with the Hebrews and adding in the gentiles who also follow Yahuah. All who worship Yahuah are to adhere to His Dabarim, or “Words”.
There is one “congregation” and one set of instructions for all who worship Yahuah. The instructions, or “Laws”, never change, because Yahuah is the same forever. That is why His instructions are forever, because He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Do not be mis-taught. The Words of Yahuah are always correct. Men mis-lead the sheep. Please examine this example of wrong teaching from the Billy Graham Evangelical Association. This “answer” from Mr. Graham is intended to break Torah and allow eating unclean animal flesh.
“In Acts 10:9-16, Peter was informed by God through a vision that he was not to reject the use of certain animals for food on a religious basis. The apostle Paul also writes, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4).
https://billygraham.org/answer/does-god-require-us-to-follow-the-old-testament-laws-about-not-eating-pork-and-other-kinds-of-meat-today/
The answerer, which I assume was Mr. Graham, takes 1 Timothy 4:4 out of context, and also does not understand what the word “food” means to Yahuah. There is “food that is eaten”, which is clean food, and “animals that are unclean” which can be sold to non-believers.
In Genesis 6:21, Yahuah instructs Noah to “take all food that is eaten” (this will be “clean” food animals) to store for food to eat when he and his family are aboard the ark. Obviously, Noah knows what food is permitted to be eaten, and what is not permitted, because Yahuah stipulates “food that is eaten”. Food that is “not eaten” can be given to people who do not follow Yahuah.
Deuteronomy 14:21 – You may give it to the stranger (resident alien, foreigner) who is in your [city] gates, so that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner [since they are not under God’s law], but you are a people holy (set apart) to the Lord your God.
And immediately next, in Genesis 7:2, Yahuah instructs Noah to load seven pairs of clean animals, and two pairs of unclean animals, of each kind, onto the ark for preservation from the flood.
So, reviewing the 1 Timothy 4:4 mis-taught above, we see
“1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, cleaving to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons,
1 Timothy 4:2 in lying speakers in hypocrisy, being seared in their own conscience,
1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods, which God created for partaking with thanksgiving by the believers and those knowing the truth.
1 Timothy 4:4 Because every creature of God is good, and nothing to be thrust away, but having been received with thanksgiving;
So the Timothy scripture is speaking of “latter times”, like today, when deceiving spirits will lead people from the faith (away from obedience), forbidding to marry (Catholicism/Hinduism – 2 billion adherents), abstaining from food (Only clean animals were considered ‘food’ when Timothy was written, but this refers to abstaining from meat in general ) so veganism would certainly abstain today from animals which are scripturally called “food”, and from meat in general.
The last statement of Paul – “because every creature of God…” does not imply that unclean animals are food for believers. It takes for granted that people know that only clean food as defined by Yahuah is to be eaten, as only clean food is “of God”. Unclean meat is not “of God” because it is declared fit only for unholy people in Deuteronomy 14:21, above.
“but you are a people holy (set apart) to the Lord your God.“
Our clean meat is set-apart, too, obviously. It’s part of the holy life that makes us His “peculiar people”.
Exo_19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Deu_14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
Deu_26:18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
Psa_135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
Ecc_2:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
Tit_2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1Pe_2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
Therefore, the writer of Timothy (Paul/Shaul – the “Pharisee of Pharisees”) refers only to clean animals, as only clean animals were considered ‘food’. Unclean animals were never called “food”, and even Noah knew what was for eating and what was not, even though no teaching on clean and unclean food is present in Genesis up to the closure of the Ark.
Your thoughts in comments are welcome. We all are at some undefined place in our relationship with Yahuah, and our wisdom and understanding will differ, for sure. Therefore, we must be kind, patient and accepting of our differences.
Please comment as you see fit. If you think I am wrong, I suggest you comment. If you have an observation in the Words, make the comment.
Believe this – you are a “different breed of cat” or you would not be reading this. There are few of us, as is fitting, for strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and few find it.
You are special, believe that. You are unique; exceedingly rare and holy in the eyes of Yahuah.
“…whosoever shall do and teach these laws shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of heaven.” – Yahusha, Matthew 5.
It pleases Yahuah when you desire to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven, because that greatness is a gift He offers you. That you are wise enough to desire and pursue His offer greatly pleases Him. Satan will tell you that you are prideful to desire greatness in heaven, that “god” wants you to be humble, etc.
Well yes, humble spirits are beautiful to Yahuah, but trust the Word, not your thoughts. He rewards His faithful servants. Be a faithful servant. Trust the Word – not your thoughts.
DaBarim – “The Words”, Chapter 12
—-I will comment on some of these verses as they apply to us. Your comments are asked for. I am asking for your comments.—-
DaBarim 12:1 These are the statutes and the ordinances which you shall take heed to do in the land which Yahuah the God of your fathers has given to you, to possess it, all the days that you live on the earth: (So this would be the land of Israel as Yahuah speaks. How would this apply to us in our countries today?)
DaBarim 12:2 Destroying you shall destroy all the places where the nations which you are dispossessing served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every leafy tree.
DaBarim 12:3 And you shall break down their altars, and shatter their standing pillars. And you shall burn their Asherahs with fire. And you shall cut down the carved images of their gods, and shall destroy their names out of that place.
DaBarim 12:4 You shall not do so to Yahuah your God.
DaBarim 12:5 But you shall seek to the place which Yahuah your God shall choose out of all your tribes; for you shall seek His dwelling, to put His name there. And you shall go there.
DaBarim 12:6 And you shall bring your burnt offerings there, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offering, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock.
DaBarim 12:7 And you shall eat there before Yahuah your God, and shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, with which Yahuah your God has blessed you.
DaBarim 12:8 You shall not do according to all that we are doing here today, each doing all that is right in his own eyes. (Almost every “Christian” alive will tell us that “God knows what I mean. I worship Him my own way. We are not under the law because of grace.”)
DaBarim 12:9 For you have not come to the rest and to the inheritance which Yahuah your God is giving to you.
DaBarim 12:10 And you shall cross over the Jordan, and shall live in the land which Yahuah your God is causing you to inherit. And He shall give you rest from all your enemies all around; and you shall live securely. (If we worshiped Yahuah nationally, we, too, would have the peace and rest He promises to those who worship him.-jd)
DaBarim 12:11 And it shall be the place which Yahuah your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I am commanding you, your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice freewill offerings which you vow to Yahuah.
DaBarim 12:12 And you shall rejoice before Yahuah your God, you and your sons, and your daughters, and your male slaves, and your female slaves, and the Levite within your gates because he has no portion or inheritance with you.
DaBarim 12:13 Take heed to yourself that you not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see;
DaBarim 12:14 but in the place which Yahuah shall choose in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command.
DaBarim 12:15 Only with all the desire of your soul you shall sacrifice and shall eat flesh within all your gates according to the blessing of Yahuah your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean one may eat of it, as of the gazelle and as of the hart.
DaBarim 12:16 Only, you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it as water on the earth.
DaBarim 12:17 You are not able to eat the tithe of your grain within your gates, and of your new wine, and your oil, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock, and any of your vows which you vow, and your freewill offering, and the heave offering of your hand.
DaBarim 12:18 But you shall eat it before Yahuah your God in the place which Yahuah your God shall choose, you and your son, and your daughter, and your male slave, and your female slave, and the Levite who is within your gates. And you shall rejoice before Yahuah your God in all that you put your hand to.
DaBarim 12:19 Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live on the land.
DaBarim 12:20 Then Yahuah your God shall enlarge your border, as He has promised you, and you shall say, I will eat flesh, because your soul desires to eat flesh, you may eat flesh according to all the desire of your soul. (animal meat from the clean animals-jd)
DaBarim 12:21 If the place which Yahuah your God shall choose to put His name there is too far from you, then you shall kill of your herd and of your flock which Yahuah has given you, as I have commanded you; and you shall eat within your gates according to all the desire of your soul. (“too far” – this applies to us. Jerusalem is too far, so we submit to His instructions from wherever we live-jd)
DaBarim 12:22 Only, as the gazelle and the hart (an animal, not a heart organ-jd) are eaten, so you shall eat of it; the unclean and the clean (people who are ceremonially unclean at the time-jd) may eat of it alike.
DaBarim 12:23 Only, be sure not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh;
DaBarim 12:24 You shall not eat it; you shall pour it on the earth as water.
DaBarim 12:25 You shall not eat it in order that it may be well with you and with your sons after you, when you do that which is right in the eyes of Yahuah. — (Special comment: Do you see how important it is for us that we do what is right in the eyes of Yahuah? Not what is right in the eyes of people, pastors, teachers, friends, relatives or any human being, but only what is right in Yahuah’s eyes. Extremely important – the most important point you can accept within your spirit is this: What matters to Yahuah is what He tells us matters, and our adherence to His things which matter is the only worship He accepts.)
DaBarim 12:26 Only, your holy things which you have, and your vows, you shall take up and shall go to the place which Yahuah shall choose.
DaBarim 12:27 And you shall offer your burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, on the altar of Yahuah your God; and the blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out by the altar of Yahuah your God; and you shall eat the flesh.
DaBarim 12:28 Take heed to listen to all these Words which I am commanding you, in order that it may be well with you and with your sons after you forever, when you do that which is good and right in the eyes of Yahuah your God. — Remember Numbers 15: ONE LAW FOR ALL, Hebrew and Gentile, whoever follows Yahuah submits to the same set of instructions. No exceptions.
DaBarim 12:29 When Yahuah your God shall cut off the nations from before you, where you are going in to possess them, and you shall possess them, and shall live in their land,
DaBarim 12:30 take heed to yourself that you not be snared to follow them after they have been destroyed before you; and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? And I shall do so, even I.
DaBarim 12:31 You shall not do so to Yahuah your God; for everything hateful to Yahuah, which He detests, they have done to their gods. For they have even burned their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.
DaBarim 12:32 All the things that I command you, take heed to do them and you shall not add to it, nor take away from it. — This means no matter what I say or any other human being ever says, ONLY the Words of Yahuah matter, and obedience to His Word is required. That is how each of us will be measured, so stick to His measuring rod – His Words and no others.
Regarding homosexualism, which will come up when we are commanded to kill them, bear in mind that Yahusha commanded that only those among us who have never transgressed the law have the authority to execute the the abominations. And since all of us have sinned, none of us can obey the law to execute those specified for execution by Yahuah.
I would say that billy grahan faild the Deut 13 test big time!
Surprising how strongly the lie holds in the minds of man. I do think that we who walk in the Way, and particularly those who defend the Word vigorously, are called and chosen by the spirit of Yahuah, which blows like the wind wheresoever it desires. We were chosen for this task in these days and that is the highest honor imaginable, to be His fighters for Righteousness in the last days. And the most exciting stuff is about to happen! You know, like you getting back to me on the post review 🙂
That was subtle … i will write up an email now x0x
Yes, an example of my delicate manner 🙂
I haven’t eaten pork for many years, I’ve been ridiculed at times from family and friends. I’ve stopped trying to show them there error in the NT Luke interpretation. I’m country grew up on a farm and farmed all my life, swine have no sweat glands to remove the poison these scavengers ingest. Gives me a sense of comfort to know there are others such as I.
I’m with you, Jay. I grew up hosing down the barn after milking the cows. And my hot-smoked pork ribs are the best of the best :). But if Yahuah tells us not to eat pork, then I am happy to give it up. When I finally learned that the food prohibitions actually applied to me, I gave all my pork to my former pastors son-in-law 🙂 It was two big coolers filled with the mess.
Pork never did digest well in my gut, and I’m sure now that it is a harmful food, but I think that Yahuah is just looking for faithful servants in some of His commands.
How are you doing with the Sabbath, Jay? If you are comfortable sharing, do you honor the Sabbath, and if so, what is a typical Sabbath day like for you?