Equal Treasures
And He said to them, “Therefore every sofer who is educated in the kingdom of Heaven can be compared to the owner of a house who brings out of his storehouse new things as well as old.” Matthew 13:52 (The Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels)
New things as well as old – If you went to your safe deposit box, would you discard old things kept there simply because they are old? Undoubtedly not! In fact, the old things in that box are probably the most valuable to you. If you went to your records file, would you toss out the oldest documents because of their age. Heavens no! Those documents probably include your birth certificate, your children’s birth certificates, your marriage license and many treasured photographs you would never let go. So when Yeshua says that the Kingdom of heaven is like a storehouse of treasures, old and new, what justification does this provide for discarding the “old” covenant and replacing it with the “new”? Aren’t all the treasures of the Kingdom valuable, useful and purposeful? If we understand this tiny parable, won’t we see that each interpretation provided by Yeshua stands upon prior revelation and that prior revelation is not only equally valid, it is absolutely essential in the Kingdom. Why else would the householder keep these old things in his storehouse?
With this in mind, it is difficult to see how a scholar like F. F. Bruce can say:
“When our Lord began His public ministry in Galilee His hearers recognized that what He brought was ‘a new teaching’ (Mark 1:27); and those who listened to the Sermon on the Mount were aware that they were being presented with a ‘new morality,’” (p. 26)
“those earlier forms of divine revelation were brought to perfection when the Eternal Word became incarnate in the Son, . . .” (p. 74)
“Since the new commandment of love is the distinctive commandment of the new age, the test of obedience is pre-eminently a test of love.” (p. 56)[1]
It is even more difficult to hear Millard Erickson claim that Old Testament rules governing sanitation are reflected in modern principles of pollution control and diet and, therefore, it is no longer necessary to keep the Torah rules as they are written. The principles employed are enough.[2]
It makes you wonder if John Stott’s declaration applies to Christian theologians:
“The hallmark of an authentic evangelicalism is not the uncritical repetition of old traditions but the willingness to submit every tradition, however ancient, to fresh biblical scrutiny and, if necessary, reform.”
Bruce does say: “Those who have abandoned the foundation of their faith in the original apostolic testimony have severed themselves from fellowship with the true God, for that is the true testimony of God,” but one is inclined to believe that Bruce doesn’t see this the same way that Peter, James and Paul would see it. They built on Torah. One wonders if Bruce would side with Erickson or with Sha’ul on this subject.
When we read a letter like Hebrews, do you suppose we are willing to apply Stott’s dictum or are we in the same camp as Erickson, throwing out everything that came before Pentecost because we only accept the principle of the “new”?
Topical Index: new and old, Matthew 13:52
[1] F. F. Bruce, The Epistles of John (Revell)
[2] Millard Erickson, Christian Theology (Baker Book House)
I dare say that the father of the prodigal son never stopped praying for him from the time he left until his return – praying that he would once see the true light and stop trying to live this “new morality.”
Usually I’m able to understand what you write, but I had a difficult time trying to follow the thoughts being presented in this article. Maybe I missed something that went before this article.
This I do know..- “to whom much is given, much shall be required,” and friends,-“we” have been given much. We have the complete (old and new) revelation of the living G-d who (now) is. What excuse shall we give “in the day of judgment?” -None that I can see. G-d has spoken, (it is written).
Not once, not twice,- but over and over (and over)- we are witnesses and testify to- the gospel according to Genesis, the gospel according to Exodus, -the gospel according to Leviticus, etc.
Slice this book (yes, the word of G-d) anywhere and it bleeds with the very heart of G-d. Other books we may read, but this book (His book) reads us. From Genesis to maps- “every word of G-d is pure.” (and instructional!)
My dear family- “it’s all good!” What about those who are blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other? What shall we do- how shall we live? What shall we say to these things? Am I (also) my brother’s keeper?- I think we know (by now) the answer to this.. May G-d help us to (daily) live, to love, and yes, to laugh, enjoying the abundant gifts from our Giver/Lover, and to be generous in sharing these gifts with all who we encounter along our pathways.
Old covenant or New convenant? One covenant. (the blood covenant). Again..slice the word of G-d anywhere and it bleeds with the compassionate heart of our Kinsman/Redeemer. One LORD. One Faith. One Baptism. “Behold, (take another good long look)- the Lamb of G-d which taketh away the sin(s) of the world.” Do you see Christ in Genesis? Do you see the Messiah in Exodus? Is Yeshua revealed in Leviticus? -May our eyes be opened to the good news- “Yeshua is LORD.”
Yeshua, indeed, spoke in parables which confuses me about this verse. He says “brings out of his storehouse new things as wells as old.” What exactly did Yeshua teach that was “new?” Every verse in the “NT” I have studied suggests that Yeshua expounded on Torah. He brought nothing “new” to the table. Where am I missing it?
Jimmy
And what is the Hebrew idea behind “new”? If it is renewed, then Yeshua is bringing out from the “old” treasures the “renewed” meaning, the “new” found in the old.
The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw his Sh’khinah, the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. Yochanan witnessed concerning Him when he cried out, “This is the man I was talking about when I said, `The one coming after me has come to rank ahead of me, because he existed before me.'” We have all received from his fullness, yes, grace upon grace. For the Torah was given through Moshe; grace and truth came through Yeshua the Messiah. No one has ever seen G-d; but the only and unique Son, who is identical with G-d and is at the Father’s side — He has made him known. (John 1.14-18)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there. Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from G-d, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! G-d’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and He will live with them. They will be his people, and He Himself, G-d-with-them, will be their G-d. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.” Then the One sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!” Also He said, “Write, ‘These words are true and trustworthy!'” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the Beginning and the End. To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life. He who wins the victory will receive these things, and I will be his G-d, and he will be my son. (Revelation 21)
For the Messiah’s love has hold of us, because we are convinced that one Man died on behalf of all mankind (which implies that all mankind was already dead), and that He died on behalf of all in order that those who live should not live any longer for themselves but for the ONE who on their behalf died and was raised. So from now on, we do not look at anyone from a worldly viewpoint. Even if we once regarded the Messiah from a worldly viewpoint, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation – the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new! And it is all from G-d, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to Himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation, which is that G-d in the Messiah was reconciling mankind to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors of the Messiah; in effect, G-d is making his appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, “Be reconciled to God! G-d made this sinless Man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in (blood-covenant) union with Him we might fully share in G-d’s righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 5.14-21)
WOW, Skip. There must be some truth in the saying: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. Of course, we do not refer to the commands as trash, simply a way to express the old things that some people want to discard because they do not have use for them any longer. It seems that is what has happened to the LAW, man has found a more excellent way. Let’s look around and ask, how is that workin for us? Let’s see…divorce rates, out of wedlock babies, abortion, corporate greed, covetousness, pornography, murder, division in the church (Christian/Jew).
Treasure is usually buried isn’t it? Thank you for digging beneath the surface. Thank you for shedding some light!!
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. Of course, we do not refer to the commands as trash,”
I think we do Mary!
Ga. 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?
Of course as I read it, Paul would never refer to G-d’s law as ‘weak’ and ‘beggarly’. But theologians teach it.
I hear you, Pam. While reading the verse you quoted, I was rather appalled when reminded of how this is taught from Christian pulpits. I would dare say, conviction of Scriptural sin is largely absent due to the Christian view of holy living. Is it any wonder, men/women/boys/girls have become a law unto themselves? Whatever we decide becomes sin. This is why sin is tolerated and excused in the church. With sketchy definition, the boundaries are blurred. How hypocritical for us to demand the 10 commandments be reinstated in public places, prayer be reinstated in public schools (alongside the pledge of allegiance to the flag, of all things!), yet we demand the LAW of YHWH be thrown out of churches! There appears to be schizophrenia going on here?
I am greatly encouraged by those with hearts seeking desperately after the Creator of all things! One big question…why would YHWH chose to destroy the constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven? OR is that the desire of man? The answer, I think, is as “OLD” as the hills (or should I say garden). The law is either ignored or rejected. But for YHWH’s mercy and grace, He leads us along…are we willing?
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen 2:16,17
A hardy AMEN to all that.
Perhaps sometimes it’s a good thing that people are put off from going to church because of all the hypocrites. At least they aren’t subjected to ear tickling blasphemes that tend to inoculate them against the gospel.
I too am greatly encouraged to be seeing so many hearts hungry for the whole truth.
Shalom brothers and sisters,
A quick prayer request. My beloved bonked her head two nights ago, and she still has a headache and dizzy. She is is going to the doctors this afternoon at 1:15. Please pray for her!
Shalom Mary,
You are right on the money you said: It seems that is what has happened to the LAW, man has found a more excellent way. Let’s look around and ask, how is that workin for us? Let’s see…divorce rates, out of wedlock babies, abortion, corporate greed, covetousness, pornography, murder, division in the church (Christian/Jew).
I was sharing with my beloved yesterday in relationship to the Christian world that says no more Law, we just want Grace. We cut ourselves off from the very thing that would bring true stability, beauty, life, and strength to our lives, and also through our active obedience, bringing glory to our glorious Father and showing the world who He truly is! But alas, we are very obstinate about having all the grace, without the weight of that grace and the responsibility that that grace entails. We may be a voice crying out in the wilderness, but we need to still cry out against the fruitlessness of this way of believing and living! God grant us your faithfullness and Holy Spirit infilling and power to do this for the sake of your glorious name!
Hello Brian,
It appears to me the voices crying out in the wilderness continually spoke against sin. They repeatedly had to appeal to hearts to return to their first love, YHWH, Elohim of Israel. It seems it was never so much about their obedience to every jot and tittle, rather it was about their expression of what was in the heart, their attitudes. In so many ways, we see that today. Many are still sitting (on the inward parts) when the preacher says to stand. Heads buried in the hymnal singing to the pages rather than their Creator. SS quarterlies/Bibles open for the first time of the week Sunday morning, then to be placed back on the shelf afterwards until the next appointed time, Many are playing the part but their hearts are not in it. I think for good reason. If the foundation is flawed, the whole building is at risk of falling.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they SHALL BE FILLED. A promise I am leaning heavily on these days.
Shalom Mary,
Thank you for responding back. In relationship the jot or tittle or iota and dot, I am so humbled by what Yeshus said in Matthew 5:18, For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. In a different forum, I have encounterd disparging and slandering of God’s Torah, and my point of reference was to continually point these people back to the context of this passage, and take a honest look at Yeshua position on the Torah. This has caused me to study this passage with greater intensity. One of the things I saw last night as I was blogging to someone, was no matter what the naysayers say in relationship to Torah being abolished or passed away, in the end, when they have passed from the scene, the iota and dot will still be standing in validation of what Yeshua had said about His Father’s Torah. This is very humbling to me and causes me to deeply bow in relationship to the smallest letter and decorative mark of my Father’s instructions. Teach me your ways mighty YHWH!
The tension within the Scriptures will move us as He draws us nearer. We cannot be neutral. Carry on brother and thanks for sharing with us.
BTW, how is your beloved? Trusting she is doing well.
Shalom
Mary,
Thank you for asking about my beloved. She had a mild concussion and still experiencing dizziness at certain moments and movements. It could be a few weeks of this, but full recovery is expected! In His Shalom, Brian
“Since the new commandment of love is the distinctive commandment of the new age, the test of obedience is pre-eminently a test of love.” (p. 56)[1]
This could and does role easily off the tongue of any proponent of the New Age.
SCARY!!!!
I do not agree neither with F.F. Bruce or Erickson because the Word is one and eternal and its purpose is teach us and guide us to a better way of life not new because if I am not wrong the needs of men are the same from the beginning to the day we die. And with Scott I also disagreed because true evangelism is to guide people to God through Jesus Christ.
Benny, perhaps your evangelical orientation is getting a bit in the way here. Is evangelism about guiding people TO God or is it about teaching people to WALK humbly with God. Perhaps our emphasis on the avenue to get to God has blinded us to the need to walk in His fellowship. After all, if the objective is just to get people TO God through Christ, then what happens after that has far less significance. But not according to the Bible. After the conversion the real life begins.
I agree! There is such a determination within certain ranks of Christian evangelism to bring people to God, but they do not have the same or equal fervor to teach them how to walk or have fellowship with God and with one another. I believe the simple reason for this is because they have forsaken His instructions and teachings on how to live and walk with with one another. So it becomes a catch 22, and they become myopic in their direction and thrust, i.e., evangelism and bringing people to God, while believers shrivel up with lack of life because they are not drawing from the nourishing sap of the root of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in which, God through His kindness has brought them into.
There’s another elephant in the room here that we all chose not to acknowledge.
Most of US “Evangelists” look at “getting someone saved” as another notch in our gun. “BANG. GOT HIM! G-d must be pleased with ME ME ME ME ME.” On to the next target. I want that giant stuffed panda when I get to heaven, not just the keyring teddy. Mt. 25:41-46
Sorry, that’s too cynical.
It just makes me so angry as we scoop these poor dying “saved” people up and spend months persuading them not to believe what they’ve been taught by these guys who dropped them on their heads and walked off.
Shalom Pam,
Just to relay an experience I had just recently experienced on a different forum. I had a person asked me, “if I was a born again Spirit filled believer?” This is a standard question within many evangelical circles, and shows emphatically what their focus and understanding of the gospel is all about. How do we cross this seemingly impasse’ of saturated understanding and thinking, and have real dialogue with one another? It seems, that their very stance makes dialogue almost an impossibility; when they are taught Torah has no longer and validity in their life and all Law was supposed to do was reveal their sin and bring them to Jesus, and now all they have to do is let Jesus live His life through us them by the Holy Spirit.
As it has been brought out by Skip so many times, when they bring the presupposition that Torah is nullified and has no more bearing for the Christian, this will be the prism from which they will read the Apostolic Writings. Until that presupposition is removed….
This is why in my dialoguing with these people, I continually bring them back to Yeshua words on the Torah found in Matthew 5:17-18, and of course I bring in the entire context of this passage, but my emphasis is on these two verses. My basis is that we must understand Paul’s view of Torah as shaped by the very ONE who called and commissioned him, and surely he would have taken on the view of his Master! My experience thus far in relationship to those I have been communicating with is that they do not even acknowledge this possibility, because their paradigm will not allow them to take an honest and straight look at this passage, but only a superficial glance, and not allowing it to stand on its on merits. Thus and unfortunate neglect of the authority and power of what Yeshua is declaring about Torah!
Shalom,
Jimmy and Benny I have to agree there is nothing new. Yeshua did not say anything that was not already in the Torah. He was and is the Torah, He could not say anything contrary.
There is nothing new under the sun.
Blessings
While I agree with the Ecclesiastes statement in terms of its spiritual and moral scope, clearly there are many new things under the sun. I am using one to write to you. So, we just need to be careful about the arena.
I recently spend 10 days among “christians” who believe in a torah-less christianity. And if I was a non-Christian, I would have believed as Ghandi: “If it was not for the Christians, I could easily have followed Jesus”. It is chaos among them.
YHWH used the time, though, to show me exactly how much Torah is worth to me personally and where I am still missing big chunks of education in Torah (the Torah portions from Leviticus is also a great way of realizing how far off the line I am actually walking).
In my struggle to understand how one can call yourself a Christian, but willingly and knowingly commit a crime against another (even fellow Christians), Yeshuah taught me from the book of 1 John that sin can indeed be justified when you discard Torah. But that we know we belong to Yeshuah when we walk as He did (does) – by obeying Torah.
Today, however, I feel very rich indeed. This conversation about real treasure (old and new) really blessed me. Thank you to all on this forum for making me see my treasures more clearly and making me thankful for the riches bestowed on me.
I am very interested in learning more about the God of the old testament. I have been a Christian for many years, but only in the past few years have really been studying on my own. I have been reading many different Jewish/Christian websites, yours being one of them. I have many questions, but will ask just one here. As for obeying Torah, are you including all of it. What about sacrificing (I believe Jesus/Yeshuah was the last sacrifice or the fulfillment of that law)? What about stoning people; not combining linen and wool; burnt offerings; firstfruits, etc. I don’t want to sound as though I am disagreeing with you but am confused about obeying Torah.
Could someone reply?