The Shema in Action
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Matthew 22:36 (R. T. France)
Which – The question wasn’t a simple inquiry. The lawyer who asked it intended to set a trap. Perhaps you’ve encountered questions like this one. They seem to be about true spiritual concerns, but under the surface they are really designed to embarrass you and your God. The lawyer (an expert in the Tanakh) already knew the answer. He was only trying to get Yeshua to make a mistake. I’m sure you’ve encountered the same kind of nefarious examination. “What about the Torah commandment of two kinds of thread? Do you practice that?” might be the kind of question you would hear. It isn’t a sincere request for understanding. It is an attempt to make you look foolish.
Yeshua answers with a reply that every observant Jew already knew. He answers with the Shema. Deuteronomy 6:5 was repeated at least twice daily. Obviously, the lawyer knew that. Yeshua’s answer was no more clever than similar answers that could have been provided by a study of the prophets. We can see this if we realize that the Greek word poios (“which”) really means “what kind of.” The lawyer isn’t asking about a particular commandment. He is asking what kind of commandment is great. In other words, he is asking for a defining principle that rank orders the commandments. He is asking Yeshua to comment on the central core of all commandments.
Understanding this nuance helps us see why Yeshua includes Leviticus 19:18 as of equal importance with Deuteronomy 6:5. The answer to the question about the core of the Torah isn’t just “love God.” It is “love God in the expression of loving others.” God and others go together. You can’t fulfill the one obligation without the other.
France draws the correct conclusion: “The two texts chosen by Jesus are together sufficiently strong to bear the weight of the whole OT. This does not mean, as some modern ethicists have argued, that ‘all you need is love,’ so that one can dispense with the ethical rules set out in the Torah. It is rather to say that those rules find their true role in working out the practical implications of the love for God and neighbor on which they are based. Far from making the law irrelevant, therefore, love thus becomes ‘the primary hermeneutical principle for interpreting and applying the law.’”[1]
We might raise a question about why France distinguishes the “ethical rules” from the rest of Torah, especially when Torah itself makes no such distinction, but the emphasis is clear. The “great commandment” does not set aside any of the rest of the commandments, certainly not as far as Yeshua is concerned. Just like the prophets before him, Yeshua offers a working summary of everything in Torah.[2] Culturally, Yeshua applies a rabbinic principle (“light and heavy”) in order to distinguish the relative weight of the commandments, but just like the rabbis, in no case does He dismiss any of the Torah. You might want to think about what this means for all those theologians who proclaim the “end” of the Law in the declaration of love.
Finally, we should notice why Leviticus 19:18 is added to the already-expected answer of Deuteronomy 6:5. How do we know what it means to love God? The idea of loving God with all of our hearts, minds and resources is still somewhat vague. Does that mean I turn over everything I own to the Church? Does it mean I do penance? Does it mean I have to pray three times a day? Does it mean I can never think anything but spiritual thoughts? Yeshua, with brilliant insight, offers us a practical, tangible way to understand loving God. Love your neighbor! Do for your neighbor what you would want God to do for you! That’s imminently practical. That’s “hands and feet” working out the love of God. In fact, James will later tell us that if a man claims to love God but does not express this claim in real acts of benevolence toward his neighbor, that man is a liar!
So, Stephen Stills lyrics might need a new context, but they capture the biblical idea pretty well. Just remember to listen to them as if God wrote the music.
Topical Index: neighbor, love, commandment, Matthew 22:36
Shalom Everybody! All of mankind must grow into His love. If Y’shua does not fill us with His love it is impossible to serve and be obedient. Let us therefore lift our eyes up to Heaven and wait on Him to fill us and then do whatever it takes to love Him and others summultaneously. His love works 3 ways – Him, self and others. It stays interconnected all the time. Nothing can separate us from this eternal truth. We are only beginning to understand His love – all fall short when it comes to His love. But we have hope and faith to enable us to receive and give His love! Amen and Amen!
Have a super duper Kingdom day!
Loving you with His love!
Skip,
I hope your comment about people asking questions like “What about the Torah commandment of two kinds of thread? Do you practice that?” does not have the effect of shutting down those kind of questions (by making feel like those questions are not legitimate). I have asked you questions like that (perhaps that very question). They were not born of a desire to make you look foolish–they came from a desire to try to understand what you are really saying about the Torah. In fact, I think they are important questions (at least for me).
–Are you saying that the law is the law and it should be obeyed or are you saying that it is more in the nature of suggestions from which you can choose how to live (and God will be happier with you the more you choose).
–If it is “the law is the law”, then on what basis does someone choose to obey some and disregard others? Likely consequence (that’s how I decide to drive 5 miles over the speed limit but not run red lights)? That never works with State troopers. Some other basis?
–If it is just suggestions (with God being happier the more you choose), then it sounds like more of a performance-theology approach and not law at all (and begs the question, why is it referred to as law in Scripture).
–Is it practical guidance on how to live “loving God”–if so, then “help me understand the string thing” is a legitimate question. If the answer is “loving God through obeying laws we may not understand”, then it gets back to how one decides which of the laws to follow.
–Are we really left to decide which laws really matter?
Please don’t silence the “string” questions–certainly not in this community that cares enough to keep reading and thinking.
(Personally, I think focusing on obeying laws about strings and pork can take our eye off of (or help us to close our eyes to) our real failure–loving each other unconditionally (ie, without agenda). They can make us feel better about ourselves in the face of much greater disobedience on the type of commandments Jesus told us were most important–just like journaling, having requisite quiet time and serving in the church can do in the modern evangelical church.)
You’re right, Paul. If the questions are sincere, there is no reason to treat them with disdain. Of course, that has to be determined within the context, just as Yeshua had to determine the real motivation behind the perfectly legitimate (technically) question that the scribe asked. I am quite sure, since you are an attorney, that you can tell the difference with just a little inquiry. And I know from experience that some questions like the one I mentioned are really serious attempts to understand the relative obligations of Torah (while obviously, both you and I have encountered others that are not serious).
Some time ago I wrote a TW called “Loose Torah.” In that article I suggested that Torah commandments are hierarchical. Commandments that protect life are more important than commandments for ritual observance, for example. Yeshua actually speaks about this in the discussion concerning the picking of grain (pulling an animal to safety on the Sabbath). But while there is a rank order among the commandments, there is no suggestion that, given no other impediments, we can simply ignore the ones we don’t feel inclined to follow. So, for example, while I can think of circumstances where eating pork might be acceptable, if I have the choice of other foods and I am not at the point of starvation, then I don’t eat pork even if I don’t fully understand why God asks me not to. The scientific apologetic for this commandment is not the reason I abide by God’s directive. After all, the people of Israel didn’t know the science behind diseases carried by pigs. They simply knew that God said not to eat it.
So, I am saying that the Torah is God’s instructions for living and it not only should be obeyed, God expects us to obey it. Why would He give it if He did not expect us to keep it? If it were only “suggestions,” then there would be little reason for the specific details it contains. That’s really the issue with the “love principle” ethics of Christian positions that reject Torah obligation. These positions are left with a general principle that requires application but the application is then open to anyone’s interpretation. Not so with commandments like “don’t work on the sabbath” followed by a list of actual activities that constitute work. Yes, I realize that Judaism now has expanded this list with considerable extra detail, but the 9 activities found in the Torah are quite specific and still applicable.
I am not suggesting that God will be “happier” if you practice Torah. God’s evaluation of our worthiness is not based on Torah observance. If it were, we would all be toast. The fact that redemption comes before the commandments are given is a clear demonstration that Torah follows grace. God is happy with us because He made us and He love us. The purpose for following Torah is distinctiveness which God uses to demonstrate He redemptive plan for the world. The goal of Torah is a life pleasing to Him in every way. Does that mean that if I don’t follow some of the commandments out of ignorance I am thereby condemned. Of course not. Leviticus spends a lot of time talking about forgiveness for unintentional sins (the ones I committed without knowing about them beforehand). Today I would classify most dietary transgressions within the believing community of Christians as unintentional sins. Since the Church abandoned the dietary laws, most Christians don’t even realize they exist. Of course, once they know and become convinced that they still mean something important, then having a ham sandwich becomes a different issue. The same is true for many of the “culturally related” Torah commandments. Matt Woodward and I spent an evening going through all 613. We found only about 10-12 that presently any interpretive difficulties for us. All the rest we either kept implicitly or deliberately or they didn’t actually apply to us.
The real question on Torah hierarchy and applicability is this: since the Scriptures make no distinctions between legal, social, ritual or dietary regulations (in fact, they are presented all mixed up together), on what basis are we to decide which ones “fit” now? Who are we to pick and choose which ones we are willing to keep? If God saw fit to establish them all as the constitution of the redeemed community and expects us to keep them as the obligation of citizens of His kingdom, how do we explain to Him that we will keep a, b, c but not x, y, z?
While it is certainly true that we don’t want ritual and external obedience to detract from inner transformation and matters of the heart, this issue was also present in ancient Israel. The answer was not “have the right heart attitude and don’t worry about the rest.” The answer was “do what it says with the right attitude.” Both are essential. Yeshua is pretty clear about external only obedience. That sort of commitment won’t cut it. But he (and the prophets) are equally clear about not performing the outward act with the excuse that “my heart was right.” According to any understanding of hesed, that claim is equally impossible.
“Not so with commandments like “don’t work on the sabbath” followed by a list of actual activities that constitute work. Yes, I realize that Judaism now has expanded this list with considerable extra detail, but the 9 activities found in the Torah are quite specific and still applicable.”
Skip,
If you have time, could you point those 9 activities out to me? Thanks
Hi Ricky
I got hold of 6: cooking – Sh’mot 16:23, kindle a fire – Sh’mot(Exodus) 35:3, gathering sticks – Numbers 15:32, selling – treading winepress, working the land – Nehemiah13:15, the general term “work” Deut 5:14 – 15
As Skip said in his Genesis cd’s, God sanctified and blessed time. Time is something we do not have control over.
Last week Bill Bullock wrote: A Sabbath is much more than a day of rest… The Holy One makes it very clear when we are to take our rest – it is to be the seventh day…what ever the Holy One blesses is blessed forever…. The seventh day carries His blessing as a pregnant woman carries her unborn child … to bless (beit ,resh, kafsofit) means to release the object of the blessing form restrictions and limitations….you can choose to acknowledge or reject it, enjoy or ignore , but you cannot change it…you can choose to work, shop, go bowling – but you are thereby letting something holy and blessed pass you right by and saying “no thanks” …..every Sabbath we are to step out of time as we know it and relive the Creation from the perspective of the Holy One…and breathe blessing and holiness into your soul.
Thank you very much:)
I wrote about all 9 sometime ago. Can’t remember the exact TW but you can find it under “sabbath” I think, or maybe “work”.
“Not so with commandments like “don’t work on the sabbath” followed by a list of actual activities that constitute work. Yes, I realize that Judaism now has expanded this list with considerable extra detail, but the 9 activities found in the Torah are quite specific and still applicable.”
Skip,
If you have time, could you point those 9 activities out to me? Thanks
WOW Skip, i am kinda shocked at the choice of your song to post in regard to your article – i tend to agree with a comment made on the youtube site: “kinda promotes reckless sex in a way….probably after a few toots and a few slugs of Jose Cuervo…hey inkey?” Rikk303 1 week ago
“So, Stephen Stills lyrics might need a new context, but they capture the biblical idea pretty well. Just remember to listen to them as if God wrote the music.” HOW CAN I LISTEN TO IT AS IF GOD WROTE THE MUSIC UNLESS HE WAS A POLYGAMIST OR A POLYAMOROUS LOVER…
Love the One You’re With
Stephen Stills
If you’re down and confused
And you don’t remember who you’re talking to,
Concentration slips away
Cause you’re baby is so far away
CHORUS:
Well there’s a rose in the fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can’t be with the one you love honey
Love the one you’re with, Love the one you’re with,
Love the one you’re with, Love the one you’re with.
Don’t be angry – don’t be sad
Don’t sit crying over good times you’ve had
*There’s a girl right next to you
And she’s just waiting for something to do* HOW CAN I FIT GOD INTO THIS???
CHORUS:
Well there’s a rose in the fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can’t be with the one you love honey
Love the one you’re with, Love the one you’re with,
Love the one you’re with, Love the one you’re with.
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do-do
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do-do
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do-do
Do-do-do – do-do-do
wo-o o o o o, wo-o o o o o,
wo-o o o o o, a a a-o
wo-o o o o o, a-o
Love the one you’re with,Love the one you’re with,
Love the one you’re with,Love the one you’re with,
Turn your heartache right into joy
Cause she’s a girl and you’re a boy
Get it together, make it nice I DON’T FEEL THIS IS GOD’S ADVICE… 🙁
You ain’t gonna need anymore advice
CHORUS:
Well there’s a rose in the fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can’t be with the one you love honey
Love the one you’re with, Love the one you’re with,
Love the one you’re with, Love the one you’re with.
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do-do
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do-do
Doo doo doo doo doo doo do-do
Do-do-do – do-do-do
The whole point is to NOT listen to it in the context it was written but to hear it as expressing God’s love with the one your with (i.e. neighbor) and realizing that this is what it means to love God. Yes, I know it is controversial, but that’s the fun in it. Reinterpreting the culture to fit the Torah. You should have been at Glad Tidings Tabernacle when I preached a sermon on Sting’s version of Roxanne.
i know Skip but i just couldn’t get past the original words & the hurt it produces for women when men or husbands are unfaithful – it just hurt(s) too much when a man seems so casual as to just love the one he is with if he isn’t with the one he loves – i understand where you are coming from but it is a far stretch to those of us who have been hurt by this mindset of the world & the fallen natures or carnal christians – i will have to pray that God lets me see it as you see it & not as my heart has felt it before…
i don’t feel it is controversial but hurtful to those who have wounds or wounded by such actions of casual sex in loving someone else when the one you love is not there – just can’t embrace it at this point in time but do understand where you are coming from – my heart just has too many scars but i do try my best to remain vulnerable in love just don’t like salt rubbed in the wounds – it hurts & burns but salt does have the capability to heal… ♥ jan
What I find is that if I can get people to think about the implied and subtle meanings of God’s point of view in the familiar music and art of their own culture, they suddenly wake up to seeing the world differently. That’s why I like the Blues. Everyone knows pain and if I show them that God also knows pain, then a door opens to re-evalute the pain they have known in terms of God’s view. The universal language of human beings is pain. The trick is to show that our pain can be seen in a different way – to rewrite the lyrics of our lives so that we see what God is doing and what He expects.
skip, yes, i know that God/Jesus know pain & how to heal it – i’m going to pray that HE brings a song to my heart to share with you from HIM – something to show what HE means too through the pain of man/woman in the world – the lyrics are still too painful in those of “Love the One You’re With” for me to accept at this point in time – i need something a little more sensitive to my needs & the needs of others – a little more understanding in order to embrace the pain instead of running from it not wanting to feel that pain again – can i trust God/Jesus never to feel that kind of pain again – i know that no marriage or relationship is perfect but i also know there are couples/married in the world that have been faithful to one another all their lives – it is possible with God/Jesus – albeit they are few & far between probably…
jan
thanks for responding & putting up with my pain & understanding my point of view…
As for doing God’s instructions that I do or do not understand: Does Scripture not say first in the physical , then in the spiritual?
In doing it physically, I ask YHVH to show me what I should be learning spiritually: tending to my neighbour’s ox – learn to have mercy, take a corps off the tree before sundown( when a new day starts), especially if it is your spouse “hanging” there – have some respect and decency. Don’t mix two kinds of thread – don’t mix seed – how many times does YHVH tell Israel not to mix with who ever , how many parable are about seed and tares? And try explaining this to the sales lady! While I am busy doing the instructions, I am mostly focused on YHVH! Before killing a marriage with an adulterous relationship, a man has to take the tziktzik off his pants, which gives him some time to think before he rebel against YHVH.
And yes, maybe some of us truly understand the spiritual implications and feel that we don’t have to do it anymore. Sadly we tend to forget so easily, as Israel also did.
Doing the instructions of YHVH, is not only about what I have to learn, but also the people around me( yes, dare to be a different disciple) – some ignore, some stare, but someday one dares to ask a question and if the answer is ” because God said so”, they may take a look in their Bibles to see if its for real. And one never knows who may be overhearing and is effected by a conversation.
“(Personally, I think focusing on obeying laws about strings and pork can take our eye off of (or help us to close our eyes to) our real failure–loving each other unconditionally (ie, without agenda). They can make us feel better about ourselves in the face of much greater disobedience on the type of commandments Jesus told us were most important”
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone
It would seem that Yeshua placed equal emphasis on both aspects of the law. Though one was a weightier matter, it neither decreased or increased the expectaion of obedience.