Moshe Schwab's Podcast

We know that the Messiah taught and encouraged the people to keep the true faith, but how does that compare to what we believe in our era? As Messianic believers we want the true faith and to go back to the roots of our faith. So, we have to compare the scriptures to what is being practiced now so that we know what the true faith is. 

It is God who keeps the universe going. Nehemiah 9:6 NKJV You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. People in their defiance towards God live by their own heart instead of the best way to live. Instead, many people feel as though they must make up a way to live. They do not consider that God designed this world so that we could provide for ourselves and gave us good commandments to help us in life. 

Let's talk about Psalms 19 from the NKJV:

Psalms 19:1-4a NKJV says:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

The sky at night reveals to us the greatness of God. But how does it reveal knowledge? The names of the stars tell us a story that begins with the constellation Virgo and ends in the constellation Leo. Did you ever wonder how they could have formed pictures that are not so obvious to our eyes? It is because a story was told through the constellations. This is not about astronomy or astrology.

For example, in Virgo's right hand is a branch which refers to the righteous branch, namely the Messiah.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 NKJV says,

"Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." 

Notice that a child is to be born from the line of David and is to be the LORD. The word LORD in all capital letters is the exclusive name for God. A descendent of David is to be born who is God. 

The ancient name for the next constellation is Coma which means desired. It was a woman with a child on her lap (It was later changed to a head of hair). So, the ancient story begins with a woman bearing the righteous branch, the future messianic king. Josephus refers to this story and Bullinger wrote a book about it showing how the ancient constellations told a story. His book is called The Witness of the Stars. The reason we do not know the story is because it has stopped being told. 

The next verses are an example of God's provision. This concept of God being our provider is seen throughout the Bible.

Psalms 19:4b-6 NKJV says,

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

God set all in place including the Sun which gives us light to be able to take care of ourselves and light for plants to grow. The word tabernacle is the word tent which refers to a place, that is where the Sun was placed. 

We should understand that there is a provider from how all of creation provides for every living creature. Also, God's Old Testament Law is intended to provide for us, to help us in life.

Psalms 19:7-11 NKJV says,

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.

The Law is perfect and helps turn our lives back to the true God. Through God's Law we are made wise, we do what is right, it causes us to rejoice because we have God's good law. Respecting God for who He is helps us to be pure. God's commandments are forever and are true. It makes sense that since God's commandments are truths to live by that they are truths forever. Since they are eternal truths, God's commandments are more to be desired than gold or riches or those things we most value in life. God's law is to be desired, warns us about following false ideas or ideals, and helps us prosper in life.

It is God's Law that helps us to live a more abundant life. Joshua 1:8 NKJV says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. That is why Yeshua taught us to keep God's eternal Law. It helps us to have a more abundant life.

We are people of light. Live as people of light for our own good. I personally find this concept interesting. Years ago, before so many anti-God assertions became commonplace, scientists found that people who believed in the true God had developed better DNA than those who didn't believe in the true God. Perhaps we could say that living like we were designed to live (by the creator God), makes us a healthier people. This can be easily understood by the fact that sin often creates lifestyles that are detrimental to a person's life. For example murderers often have shorter lives because they often hang around with other murderers. The same can be said about other sins. The Bible says that God's commandments give us life and that fact can be proved medically and evidently also by examining people's DNA. Some people think there could be a fountain of life somewhere that would extend life. That fountain of life is through God's Old Testament commandments. Psalms 36:9 NKJV says, "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light."

 When the Bible uses the word light to describe what kind of people we are to be, it uses the term light to mean understanding. We get this this light, this understanding through God's commandments. Proverbs 6:23 NKJV says, "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light." Therefore, God's light, God's commandments help us in life and give us understanding. 

Deuteronomy 4:6 NKJV says, "Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'" 

 God's ways are the best ways for life and are truth and have been the mainstay for society and goodness for thousands of years. Psalms 43:3 NKJV says, "Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me." We need this light, this understanding so that we do not stumble in life. Psalms 119:105 NKJV says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Some believers are genuine believers who desire to keep God's commandments and do what is right. There are some though who make up excuses to not follow God's commandments, and they will not make it into the future kingdom of God. So, it is important to know the difference between good and evil.

Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV says, 

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Shaul is repeating himself. He already told them before and is warning them again. He must have considered this important. That is why we need to share this frequently. For the person who wants to be a true believer in God and do what is "right and good," they will do everything they can to follow what God tells us. True believers want the truths of the Bible to live by, they want to follow God's commandments, they are willing to continue to grow spiritually and change to live how God tells them to live, they are willing to take the time to pray, to be kind, to treat others with respect, and they love God and keep His commandments. To love God is to keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 11:1 NKJV says, "You shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always." 

Shaul gives us representative lists of God's commandments. Jewish lists were not intended to be complete lists. There are more than the 10 Commandments so a short list of a few of God's commandments are given by Shaul. He probably gives these because he wanted to emphasize these commandments. He gives a different list in 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." Shaul gives us a different list there. Jewish lists are often not complete lists.

These above scriptures from Galatians and 1 Corinthians should help us to understand that Yeshua taught that we are to keep the law. Shaul is giving us commandments from the Old Testament and not just the 10 Commandments from the Old Testament portion. Yeshua taught us that we are to keep the law. Matthew 7:23 NKJV says, "Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" Yeshua will reject those who do not keep the Old Testament law. The word lawlessness is the negated Greek word that is used for Old Testament portion commandments. In other words, Yeshua is saying that He will reject those who do not keep the Old Testament commandments. This may come as a surprise to some of you. All the writers of the New Testament told us to keep the Old Testament commandments. Shaul said the law is not done away with but is established. Romans 3:31 NKJV says, "Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law."

Yochanan said that it is a sin not to keep the Old Testament law. 1 John 3:4 NKJV says, "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." It says in the Hebrew James 2:12, "So, speak and so do like those prepared to be judged by the Torah of the Examiner!" From The Epistle of James (a translation from the Hebrew) by Doctor Miles Jones, page 28. The Torah is the first 5 books of the Bible. Liberty was added to the Greek text, and it is not in the Hebrew. That one word dramatically alters what it says in the Epistle. We know that the scriptures have been altered. Jerome said they were. That is why we have some scriptures that say the opposite of what Yeshua, Shaul, Yochanan in John, and Ya'akov in James said.

The Greek scriptures got changed by heretics and some even changed the Hebrew scriptures, so we see obvious deviations in them as well. Jerome translated the Greek New Testament into Latin and is called the Latin Vulgate. In Jerome's introduction to the Latin Vulgate written in about 382 AD Jerome said, "Why not go back to the original Greek and correct the mistakes introduced by inaccurate translators, and the blundering alterations of confident but ignorant critics, and, further, all that has been inserted or changed by copyists more asleep than awake?" 

The most important thing to consider when reading the New Testament portion is the alteration of the scriptures that tell us not to keep the Old Testament commandments. When it seems to say in our Bibles that the Old Testament law or a particular Old Testament law has been done away with, we know that it was probably due to the alteration and insertions made by those who did not believe in God properly. Do not throw out your Bibles, just learn to be discerning about what you read in the Bible. 

The Old Testament law is truth, it is God's mercy towards mankind to help us in life, His lovingkindness, is for our wellbeing, it is forever and for all generations, and God will judge us by His good law. So, be careful to learn them and keep His commandments. These are all important concepts to remember. I do not hear people sharing them, but they should be sharing them. The Old Testament Law is good doctrine. Proverbs 4:2 NKJV says, "For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law." Do not forsake God's goodness.

Since God's commandments are good doctrine and truths to live by, they are like a medicine for mankind and the world. It says they can be "health to your flesh, and strength to your bones." People often want what is best for them. Why not learn and keep God's good, merciful, words of truth so that things can go well for us? These often-quoted scriptures are about God's good Old Testament commandments.

Proverbs 3:1-8

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. 

Notice that these verses use some of the important concepts about the law we just talked about. God's commandments are God's "mercy and truth" for mankind. People want to have a good life. So, it would make sense for people to work at doing things God's way to have a better life.

Psalms 46:1-7 NKJV says,

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. 

Our God is the same God that saved Noah and provided for Israel in the desert. Stay faithful to Him even if the waters swell or the mountains tremble. God is with us and for those who are righteous; they will be in the future kingdom of God.

Stay dedicated to God and bring God's goodness into our life and the lives of others. God's commandments are like a medicine that can give us a better life. Stay engaged with life and with God so you will have a peace filled life. Stay connected to our good God. God helps us in life. Respect and trust in God, His commandments, and the Messianic gift of the Holy Spirit. We do not live by bread alone, but also though God's good gifts, His commandments and the Holy Spirit to help us live right. Do not be lured into disobeying God and living in sin and evil. If you are trapped by sin, change and instead be committed to God. God is a merciful and good God who will forgive us if we are committed to change and to do what is "right and good." 

There is joy, security, happiness, and satisfaction through living in the light. People often assume they will get satisfaction in life through the things of the world instead of living by spiritual truths. Many people rely on a faulty process which often contains lots of ideas from man-made sources that often removes God from the equation of our values and decisions. People can make their goals around the fleeting satisfaction of obtaining worldly things. Often, a godless centered lifestyle can lead to endlessly going from one worldly concept or goal to another. 

The Bible is not a dead useless book but gives us deeply valuable insights that we need for life. It can lead to greater joy, satisfaction, and happiness in life. We need the truths of the Bible to get us moving in the right direction and to help us obtain true lasting satisfaction. Seek those things that above where we live above the issues of the world. Rest in God’s goodness and truth. God gave us His commandments to help us in life and another helper, the Messianic gift of the Holy Spirit. God is the giver of good things and wants us to accept His favor and help.

Stay in peace in life. We will face troubles in life, but do not let the troubles we face in life overcome us. Keep following God and the good truths He gave us to help us in life. Do not allow yourself to be moved from God's good truths. Guard your heart and stay faithful to God.

God knows if we are following Him half-heartedly. So, follow God with your whole heart. Do not follow any preconceived ideas that contradict the Bible. Patiently learn and grow spiritually. Do not give up. Seek God and do not let worldly ideas and ideals get you upset. Line up your life with truth. Learn what is true spiritual light and seek truth. Not all churches have your best interests at heart, but God does, and He wants to help us, and He cares about us. False religion has doctrines that oppose what the Bible teaches. Do not be tricked by the way some twist the scriptures. What really makes us okay spiritually is to follow God and keep His commandments. Do not take chances spiritually but stick to the truth. 

Are you looking for truths to live by? God's commandments give us light, understanding on the best way to live life, and truths for life.

Psalms 43:3 NKJV says, Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me.

If only people realized that God wants what is best for them. This is a scripture I love to quote. It demonstrates the goodness and love that God has for mankind. Deuteronomy 5:29 NKJV says, "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!

God appeals to us to accept His goodness. Why accept what brings extra difficulties and problems in life? God's commandments provide us with live giving ways to live. God's ways are like a fountain, an endless supply of water. Why come up with your own ideals that can fail us in life, that hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:13 NKJV says, For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns – broken cisterns that can hold no water. 

To walk in God's truths is to keep His good commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:33 NKJV says,

You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you.

 Deuteronomy 8:6 NKJV says,

Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways.

Deuteronomy 11:22 NKJV says,

Carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do – to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways. 

So, walk in God's truths. This is a psalm that encourages us to keep God's good commandments.

Here are some important concepts. We talk about these biblical concepts frequently because there is a lack of understanding by many people concerning these biblical principles. We are also commanded to talk about them frequently. Deuteronomy 6:7 NKJV says, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Also, those who say, "I have heard it all before" are shortchanging themselves spiritually.

God created this world so that we can provide for ourselves. Psalms 145:15-16 NKJV says, "The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." 

God's Old Testament commandments are often referred to as good in the Bible. There are hundreds of verses that say in one way or another that God's commandments are good. God's commandments are truths for life. Psalms 119:142 NKJV says, "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth."

God's Old Testament commandments give us wisdom and understanding and make us wise. Deuteronomy 4:6 NKJV says, "Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." 

God's Old Testament commandments are God's mercy towards mankind and they endure forever. Psalms 119:160 NKJV says, "The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever." Also, Psalms 115:1 NKJV says, "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth."

God's Old Testament commandments are the good judgement and knowledge we need for a good life. Psalms 119:66 NKJV says, "Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments."

God's good Old Testament commandments are "right and good." Deuteronomy 6:17-18 NKJV says, "Diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. And you shall do what is "right and good." We have the opportunity to have the help of the creator God in life and to please God. 2 Chronicles 31:20 NKJV says, "Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God."

We do not want to commit any sin including those we do not know about. Part of being diligent to keep God's commandments is to learn God's commandments and apply them appropriately and well. We know that most of the Israelites were literate in ancient times because we even have ancient letters written by women in Hebrew. This was no doubt due to each person's responsibility to learn and keep God's commandments. Although we do not have a sacrificial system for our unintentional sins in this present temporary Messianic age, the Messiah Yeshua gave Himself for our unintentional sin. Hebrews 9:28 NKJV says, "Christ [the Messiah] was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." 

This does not mean we do not need to learn and keep God's commandments. We should want to keep them because of what the Messiah did for us. That's why it says in Hebrews that when we live in sin, we crucify Yeshua afresh by living in sin. That is the meaning of this verse in Hebrews. Hebrews 6:6 NKJV says, "Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." The Bible clearly says that we can repent and be forgiven. We need to be committed to learn and keep God's commandments. We must confess our unintentional sins to God and tell God we will not do that again because they are still sins. We will then be forgiven. God has always wanted His people to learn and apply His good commandments and to repent of their wrongdoing.
Psalms 103:11-13 NKJV says,
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 
 
For intentional sins, God requires complete repentance as well and also being sorry for our sin. Psalms 51:14-17 is an example of a prayer for intentional sin; intentional sin does not require a sacrifice but requires complete repentance. Perhaps the reason God does not want a burnt offering for intentional sin is because God wants complete repentance. It is crucial that we are totally committed to stop sinning.