Moses Lied
For the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. Deuteronomy 30:14
Do – “Evil is not man’s ultimate problem. Man’s ultimate problem is his relation to God.”[1] We might need to read this line from Heschel a few more times. It underscores the difference between the Bible and all other ethical systems. The Bible is a guide to repairing the relationship with God. Actually, it is more accurate to say that the Bible is God’s manual about repairing our relationship with Him. It is not an ethical system for overcoming evil. In fact, the Bible doesn’t even explain the existence of evil. Such an explanation is simply not important. What is important is God’s pursuit of Man, His desire for fellowship with us and the amazing steps He has taken to repair this breach. No follower of the King could deny this.
But there is a reciprocal action. God’s pursuit of Man is to be reflected in our obedience. He loves first so that we might love second. He chooses us so that we might choose Him. He acts on our behalf so that we might act on His behalf. In other words, the Bible expects us to fulfill God’s instructions for living. It assumes that we are perfectly able to do so. In fact, it requires us to pursue Him just as He pursued us.
Moses stood before the people. He delivered God’s final instructions before crossing the Jordan. “All of you were born with a sinful nature. You are all sinners, you are all guilty because Adam fell and everyone since then is the product of a sinful constitution. The Law only demonstrates how miserable you are since it isn’t possible for you to keep it. That’s why I am giving you these holy instructions today, to remind you that you are helpless and hopeless before the Lord. You will never be anything but a sinner until God rescues you.” What? That’s not what Moses said! He said that God’s instructions for righteous living are not only “not too difficult,” they are so close to you that you are fully capable of doing them. The Hebrew phrase la-asoto (you may do it) surrounds the verb asah, the verb of simple practical action. More than 1,000 times, it is translated “do.” Another 653 times it is translated “make.” There is nothing about this verb that suggests we are incapable of completing the action required. In fact, just the opposite it true. The Bible assumes we are able to do what God asks.
Moses didn’t lie. There is nothing about being human that prevents us from doing good except our choice not to obey. Oh, that’s a big problem, for sure, but it isn’t an inherent problem. It doesn’t begin with a corrupt constitution. It begins when I choose to listen to myself. There are two impulses in a man. The one he feeds will dominate him. “There is always an opportunity to do a mitzvah [good deed], and precious is life because at all times and in all places we are able to do His will. This is why despair is alien to Jewish faith.”[2]
Topical Index: sinful nature, do, asah, commandments, evil, Deuteronomy 30:14
[1] Abraham Heschel, God In Search Of Man, p. 376
[2] Abraham Heschel, God In Search Of Man, p. 378
Close, but no cookie. Yes, we are sinners because not one of us has “kept” every jot and tittle of the holy commandments of YHWH.
A radical example but I will share. If all I did my entire eighty plus years on this planet, that would qualify me a sinner before a holy G-d was to steal a pencil, that one sin would keep me out of heaven. (should I pause, and let that sink in?..) All he did (wrong) was to steal a pencil and now he is a sinner? (one who has sinned). Yes.
May I explain? I hold before your thirsty condition one glass of pure water. Nothing like a cool drink of water when we are thirsty. Right? Before I offer your sweaty self, this glass of water, I have one addition I would like to add to it before your very eyes. Just one tiny drop , just one (tiny) drop of gasoline. Still thirsty? Go on drink it- it is such a small thing- “only” one drop.
So it is with sin. Sin is like a cancer, we must eradicate it all. Oh, by the way- “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (James 2.19) Just one?
Now let me see.. of the ten commandments which one have I broken? And those are just ten. The commandments of YHWH are scattered throughout scripture. Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Do you see this as a commandment of G-d? Is this qualify as a mitzvot? A good deed? Would this be a good thing to do? Of course. Do I do it? Hmm.. “Rejoice in the LORD always and again I say- rejoice!” Is this a “command?” It this G-d’s instruction to us? Do I “always” obey this? To my shame, I confess.. no. I have not. No, it is not the law who has erred, (for the law is good and just and holy), it is me. It’s me, it’s me, it’s me Oh LORD- standing in the need of prayer. Place me (if you want to) in the the school with Rabbi Sha’ul, “Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me? G-d be merciful to me.. “the sinner” is the cry of this man’s heart. No, my educated brothers.. I supply the sinner and He provides the Savior. Father forgive me, for I know not what I do. And yes, ignorance is no excuse for the law. I (the sinner) stand guilty before my thrice-holy Creator. What I need brother Skip and what I need brother Heshel is a “covering”. I desperately need atonement. When I come into His presence, my first thought is “cover me.” Has YHWH provided this covering? Has YHWH provided the atoning sacrifice upon the mercy seat of the ark of the tabernacle inside the holy of holies? Yes. He has. There was shed at Calvary the blood of a perfect Lamb. An atoning sacrifice for not only my sins, but the sins and the sin-debt of the entire world for all time and eternity was laid on Him who knew no sin.
Were we made perfect by the keeping of the law? No. The purpose of the law was to reveal sin. Both before and after Calvary. First. to expose my need of a Savior. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Sorry. Guilty. Why? “For all (me too?) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of G-d. Hello lawkeepers and lawmakers- you too need a Savior. Oh, how we (all) need to kneel at the cross. Have any of us the gall to say- I am perfect before G-d? I have never sinned or even thought about sinning? (the very thought of foolishness of sin!). Nope. The verdict is in. We (all) Jew and Gentile alike are guilty before the Judge of all mankind. Romans 3:9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. (Romans 3.19)
The law was our schoolmaster to bring us (all of us) to Christ. Sinners (only) need a Savior. Salvation (if you would prefer- “deliverance”) has been provided. This occurred on a desolate hilltop over two thousand years ago, when He said- “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And what did we do? We (all of us) crucified Him. Yes, we were there. All of us- crying out for His crucifixion. In one short week -from hero to zero- from “hail Him” to “nail Him.” Why? And why was this stranger born in a manger? Why did He take a towel and gird Himself and wash the feet of His disciples? -Who is this King of glory who gave His life’s blood on the execution stake (the tslav)? Could it be as John the Baptizer announced? “Behold, the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sins of the world?” -and why my brothers, was the veil of the temple torn from top to the bottom?
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income. But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Dear brothers..-whose prayer was heard? “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Thank you for this comment. It is what I would have said. And, the Holy Spirit was sent back to us when He rose to teach us of Him and to give us the power needed for repentance, deliverance, and obedience to be overcomers. Now there is not excuse to not “do” His will.
Shalom to all and good morning Skip,
“Evil is not man’s ultimate problem. Man’s ultimate problem is his relation to God.”
That to me is a very profound and astute observation by Heschel. And one that needs to be lOOked at very closely, and brought to the bibical text; and see how accurate it is. This has been my frustration with the body of Messiah in relation to evil. They are trying to provide answers to what the Bible is seemingly quiet on.
The thrust of the bibical text is NOT why there is evil; but on how we are TO RESPOND to the evil that is all around us! At this point, God and the bibical text is very loud and adamant about……. our response to the hurting, broken, and alienated around us (all of us). This is what the mitzvots are all about, and why Abba has made them applicable and doable for his children. He longs to bring healing and repair to his world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeshua is the personification of this message from the FATHER; Acts 10:38- he went about DOING good. His life and ministry was not about explaining evil, it was about overcoming it, by bringing salvation and all its components into the brokenness of his people; via the Kingdom. And of course, his ultimate obedience has led to the full overthrow of evil. Yet, we await the full realization of that day.
It also seems to me that man’s relationship with God has everything to do with his relationship to his fellow creatures and his relationship to the planet.
Thanks again Skip for sharing Heschel’s insightful and penetrating perspective to the bibical text.
Shalom shalom to all!
“Moses stood before the people. He delivered God’s final instructions before crossing the Jordan.”
If I read my Bible correctly, I don’t believe it was Moses who stood before the people and delivered God’s final instructions before crossing the Jordon. Shouldn’t it be Joshua?
Patrick Tang
Deuteronomy is Moses’ delivery of the second reading of the Torah to the people before they cross the Jordan. After this speech, Moses dies and Joshua assumes the leadership role directing the people to cross. Sorry about the confusion.
“Moses Lied”
Hi Skip,
I was wondering how you were going to explain your title this morning.
And you did a great job as usual 🙂
As you know, I think very highly of folks like Rabbi Gorelik and Abraham Heschel.
But on one occassion, I questioned what Rabbi Gorelik said, if I understood him correctly.
He said that if we were in court, we would not have to tell the truth if “it woud incriminate us.”
And I wondered if that were really true.
I wondered what Moses would do.
As a counselor who visits everyday with people who are in despair, it is refreshing to hear the Word that directs us to take responsibility for our actions. I often here things like: “I need my husband to get fixed”; “it’s not my fault”; “if she had not said”; and “there is just too much stress”.
The issue is not the chaos, stress, sin, evil, or the bad behavior of others. The central issue is my responsibility, my capacity, and my management of the two. As a human being I deal with three things everyday: 1) my sin due to my choices, 2) my reaction to those who sin against me, and 3) the reality of living in a broken world that doesn’t guarantee a return on my efforts or investments. How do I manage myself and what is before me? Do I listen and trust myself; or do I “stop, wait, listen, and act” according to the ways of the LORD? If I’m despairing, it’s because I chose to do so; whether I realize it or not. Thus, the reason I have a job – helping others see how they made the choice.
Hey Skip,
You said: “It is not an ethical system for overcoming evil.” Yet, does it not; through faith in obeying his mitzvots, confront the evil; and bring healing and repair to the world?
Paul said “overcome evil with good.” Wouldn’t the good he had in mind here; be obeying the mitzvots of G-d in faith?
Again, enjoyed the teaching very much! In faith, Brian
Yes, overcoming evil is a by-product of obedience to God’s mitzvah. But the Bible isn’t first and foremost an ethics guide. It is not a rulebook for proper behavior. It is God’s view of humanity. Once I see what God sees, then the rest of it makes sense. Then the mitzvah become my concern.
“It is not a rulebook for proper behavior. It is God’s view of humanity.”
The Bible is G-d’s love letter to His children. For your enjoyment and enlightenment, I highly recommend, “The Divine Romance” by Gene Edwards. Guaranteed to make you smile! -Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Hi Brian,
I think in Paul’s view the world is corrupt beyond repair.
So Paul seeks protection and purification in the spirit of Christ.
It corresponds to the concept of nahah “what comes from a fence around life” in Hebrew.
Dalet > Mem > Nahah makes me think of the actor Paul Newman in the opening scene of Hombre.
I don’t think Paul suggests the world is beyond repair. Tim LaHaye might think so. I think Paul suggests the world is beyond self-repair. Judaism does not believe that God will abandon the earth and create a new one. It believes the original was perfect. So God will restore the original by removing what does not belong. But only God can do that, although obviously righteous men and women are asked to play a part.
“So God will restore the original by removing what does not belong.”
Hi Skip,
I agree that Paul thought God could repair the world, but God is not of “this world” in Paul’s view, is he?
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” 1 Corinthians 3:19
It seems to me that the Hebrew worldview demands obedience to God without proof of God’s existence or guarantee of reward in this world for doing good deeds.
Jesus and Paul would seem to model a tragic view of “this world.”
Not unlike King Lear.
I think your statements are a bit too strong. First, Israel in collective memory had plenty of proof of God’s existence and of His direct involvement and concern. We moderns are the only people who demand continuous revelation in order to have “proof.” Not unlike the demand for fast food. Secondly, Paul certainly believed God was in this world. Why else would be follow Torah in order to bring the nations to Him. It is the wisdom (read “moral awareness”) of this world that is foolishness. God’s hand might be invisible but the results certainly aren’t. While God isn’t part of the world, since He is creator, He is certainly in this world, involved to the hilt in the redemption and restoration of His creation. Sending the Son into the world is only one example of His commitment to the process.
Finally, the “demand” for obedience misunderstands the Jewish view of Torah. It is not a demand. It is a privilege. It is an honor to be asked to glorify the King through performing acts He considers valuable and important. Torah is not rules. If it is, then it fails for rule behavior does not flow from the love of the benefactor. In this Augustine was right. “Love God and do as you please.” Of course, loving God carrying enormous consequences, doesn’t it?
Skip: “I think your statements are a bit too strong.”
Mike: Sorry, I was at work and was feeling a bit conflicted because I wanted to respond but didn’t have time to choose my words more carefully.
Skip: “First, Israel in collective memory had plenty of proof of God’s existence and of His direct involvement and concern.”
Mike: I’m a big believer in the collective unconscious, but don’t think it can be used as evidence or proof of the existence of God 🙂
Skip: “Paul certainly believed God was in this world.”
Mike: You certainly know more than I do about Paul. I was just trying to make sense out of his statement in the following passage:
Paul: “the only thing that I can boast about is the cross of Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me (dead), and I to the world (dead).” Galatians 6:14
Mike: I was interpreting this “crucifixion” as Paul dying to the world and being reborn in the Spirit of Christ. And I did not think Paul associated God with this “dead” world.
Skip: “Finally, the “demand” for obedience misunderstands the Jewish view of Torah. It is not a demand. It is a privilege. It is an honor to be asked to glorify the King through performing acts He considers valuable and important.”
Mike: I agree and think that for the wise man or woman it is considered a privilege and an honor to be asked to glorify the King.
Mike: At the same time, I think it is a foolish man who does not understand the consequences of disobeying the King’s commandments:
Exodus 20:4 ….. the LORD your God, is a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me (ie, don’t obey his demands 🙂
Thanks Mike,
Someday I hope we can meet face-to-face. We would have so much to talk about and share. Thanks for being a consistent contributor. Your comments are greatly appreciated.