While it is unfortunate most "christians" do not read the bible for themselves, it is even more unfortunate that most "pastors" do not either and, instead, rely on what they were taught in seminary or by other "pastors" who rely on what others have told them or their seminary background.
One misconception is regarding Yahweh's instructions for His people (AKA "the law"). Many hold to the erroneous belief that "the law is for the Jews" or "Jesus nailed it to the cross" or "we are now under the new covenant not the old so we do not have to obey the law", etc. Another misconception is that the apostle Paul spoke against the law and that he called the law 'bondage' which is not at all what Paul said.
In previous posts, I showed Yahweh's instructions were given before Abraham, the first Jew, and that Yahweh gave His instructions to Adam and Eve. I also showed that Noah knew "the law" because he brought clean and unclean animals into the ark and sacrificed some of the clean animals after the flood. Before the flood, Noah preached Righteousness and the people ignored him. As a preacher of righteousness, he had to have known Yahweh's instructions and the people had rebelled against them (and so they rebelled against Yahweh) showing "the law" had to be known by Noah and he had to have preached it to the people of the earth. Without knowing Yahweh's instructions, they could not have been held accountable for violating them. In a much earlier post, I stated that even satan must have had known Yahweh's instructions or how could iniquity - defined as violation of the law - be found in him? Since Yahweh is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow His laws must be eternal from eternity past to eternity future.
Most "christians" accept the false teachings that Yahweh's rules ("the law") is evil and Messiah Yeshua did away with them on the cross. This is not at all true and both Messiah Yeshua and the apostle Paul spoke at great length showing this is not true.
Here are a few of the verses that "christians" like to use to show how "evil the law is" and that "the law is bondage" meaning, of course although in error, Yahweh's instructions. These people who teach this are ignorant at best, ravenous wolf deceivers at worst.
Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Both Messiah Yeshua and the apostle Paul spoke against the bondage of the law and neither spoke of "the law" being that bondage. First I will have to explain rabbinic Judaism, how it adds to Yahweh's instructions, and how both Messiah and the apostle Paul spoke against the rabbinic additions but not "the law" ( I will use Torah for Yahweh's instructions or "the law")
In rabbinic Judaism, the Judaism that does not believe Yeshua as Messiah, there are different "sects" and among the most strict are the orthodox. I will use their beliefs and doctrines to explain what the bondage to the law is and how it is ADDITIONS to Torah and not Torah that Messiah and Paul spoke against and then I will give examples in scripture showing this.
Yahweh said to not eat pork, shellfish, and gave instructions which animals were clean to eat and which are not. There is a verse in the bible that says to not boil a kid in its mothers milk. This was a fertility ritual of the heathens that Yahweh did not want His people to participate in. In rabbinic Judaism, they took this instruction and heaped tons of rules and regulations to it. Even to this day, the added rules are still observed.
The talmud (the "oral law" that is sacred to rabbinic Judaism) states that "traditions are fences around the law" Source/Notes: Mishnah Pirqei Avot 3:14
Orthodox Jews do not eat meat and milk together and in a kosher restaraunt, they do not mix meat and milk and you cannot get a glass of milk in a meat restaraunt and cannot get meat in a milk restaurant. In an orthodox home, they have two refrigerators: one for meat, one for milk, two sets of dishes: one set for meat, one set for milk (or three including a set for Passover) , they also have two dishwashers: one for meat dishes, one for milk dishes, etc. Before the Sabbath in an orthodox Jewish home they will set the heat or air conditioner, set the oven (which will not be turned off until after the Sabbath), will take out or turn off the light in the refrigerator, and when using an elevator in an apartment building they will take the Sabbath elevator which stops at every floor so they do not have to push the button- considering all of this to be "work". THIS is the bondage that Messiah and Paul both spoke against.
Messiah Yeshua spoke plenty about the rabbinic rules added to Torah but never spoke against Torah (or He would have been a sinner and not sin free)
Mark 2
23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
Messiah Yeshua replied to them that the Sabbath was made for man --- for them to rest and enjoy not for them to observe the rabbinic rules and be servant to the Sabbath.
Mark 2
25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
The Pharisees waited to see if Yeshua would heal on the Sabbath so they could accuse Him. By healing on the Sabbath, Messiah showed that it is acceptable to do good on the Sabbath and to help others - just as the Pharisees would have taken care of their animals on the Sabbath.
Luke 13
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Interestingly after Yeshua, in rabbinic Judaism to this day they now allow healing on the Sabbath and it is permissible for doctors and nurses and those giving aid to others to work on the Sabbath under the rabbi's rules. Yeshua was showing that the extra rules / bondage the rabbis placed on people was the bondage - not the Torah as given to the people since Adam and Eve.
The Jewish faith of the day they observed many traditions added onto them by the rabbis
believing the addition of their rules would make them holier to Yahweh (same thing can be said of the churches today) Here is another example where Yeshua and His disciples did not follow the rabbi's rules and traditions while still obeying Torah
Mark 7
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Notice Yeshua was talking about how they were honoring Yahweh with their lips but their heart was not in it - they were obeying their man-made commandments and not obeying Torah. Messiah stated they were rejecting Yahweh's commandments so they could keep their own traditions! (same thing in the church today especially regarding Torah and observing pagan holy days calling them "christian")
Most love to twist what Paul said and claim he taught that Torah was bondage. We will just examine a few verses and see this is not at all so.
Galatians 1
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Notice Paul called it "the Jew's religion" and never said David's religion, Abraham's religion, or mention Torah. Paul then went on to state he was exceedingly zealous for the TRADITIONS of his ancestors. This shows Paul knew the difference between Torah and the man made traditions that were added to it by the rabbis. I showed in the post right before this one that in Ezekiel's time there was pure paganism that was brought into the temple and that obedience to Yahweh was thoroughly compromised before Paul's time.
Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Again, this is about the bondage of the rabbis and does not call Torah bondage. In the previous chapter, Paul had already stated he used to be zealous for the TRADITIONS -- just like "christians" are zealous for the pagan holy days of ishtar (easter) and x-mass today.
Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Many people are not satisfied with Yahweh's instructions and want the extra bondage / traditions of the rabbis. I came to knowledge of the truth of following Torah long before the internet and long before I knew ANYONE else was. For the longest time I thought I was the only one just by reading the bible on my own. I was not led by anyone besides the Holy Spirit to obey Torah in obedience to Messiah Yeshua's instructions (His sheep know His voice) Now I'm surprised with how many gentile "christians" are following the rabbinic traditions including wearing the sun "god" kippah, keeping meat and milk separate, and keeping the rabbinic traditions of the Sabbath - they have placed themselves under the rabbinic bondage both Messiah Yeshua and the apostle Paul spoke against. There are even many so called "christians" that are involved in kabballah which is Jewish mysticism / divination / numerology / etc. Messiah Yeshua said the road is narrow - and many false paths lead to the broad road that leads to hell.
Messiah Yeshua said if people who claim to be His do not obey the Father's instructions (Torah / AKA "the law") He will reject them even if they are making youtube videos "for Him", making prophecies in His name, casting out demons in His name, etc. Messiah Yeshua's sheep hear His voice and His voice says to obey God. To obey is better than sacrificing or doing things "for Him".
1 Samuel 15
22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Matthew 7
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. G458
Strong's number G458 iniquity (transliterated as anomia) :
anomia
1) the condition of without law
a) because ignorant of it
b) because of violating it
2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness
John14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
1 John 2
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 5
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
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