Who Accuses You?
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins; by the mouth of two witnesses, or by the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Deuteronomy 19:15 (Hebrew World)
Two Witnesses – The legal system of Torah is quite clear. You can’t be convicted by a single witness! The reasons are obvious. We have a daily dose of the damage done to innocent people when the accusation of one is enough to determine guilt in the public eye. The Bible provides protection against this kind of slander. But there is more to this than justified evidence. Torah is the expression of the nature and character of God Himself. It isn’t simply His rules. It is who He is. Therefore, God also requires two witnesses against us before a verdict can be proclaimed.
Take a step back from the obvious legal aspects of this verse in the Torah. Apply the same regulation to another context. “So when we are guilty of sin, YAHWEH is one witness to that guilt, and the record that is generated of that sin is another. However, with the reconcilement of Y’shua on the cross dying in our place, that second witness/ record against us is obliterated, and the Torah remains simply to guide us in the path of righteousness for the rest of our redeemed lives.”[1] Two witnesses are needed to convict, but Yeshua removed one of those witnesses, the cheirographon, the record of my debts. Even though God Himself remains a witness to my disobedience, the second witness is no longer present. I am absolved of my guilt, not because I am innocent but because the requirement needed to condemn me has no longer been met. God lives by His own Torah because Torah is who He is.
By the way, if you really want to claim that the Torah no longer applies, then you are left standing before a holy God without any hope of legal defense. If God’s witness is enough, you are condemned. Yeshua’s death doesn’t help if only one witness is sufficient. God does not overlook sin. Yeshua might have paid the penalty, but if only one witness is needed, I am still guilty as charged. We must realize that Torah is the basis of forgiveness. Without the requirement of two witnesses, there is no way out. Yeshua’s removal of one of the two witnesses is the only way that I can be acquitted. Our concept of forgiveness as merely the substitute of punishment is shallow and insufficient. Torah provides the means for my reconciliation. Yeshua fulfills the Torah requirement for me. Thank God for Torah. Under the requirement of sh’nei edim (two witnesses), I am released from deserved punishment due to lack of sufficient evidence. The reign and rule of God remains in place, unshaken by this verdict. The role of Yeshua is tied directly to the fulfillment of Torah. My guilt is never denied. And I am still acquitted. Amazing Torah.
Topical Index: two witnesses, sh’nei edim, Torah, guilt, cheirogrpahon
[1] Andrew Gabriel Roth, cited in Carmen Welker, Should Christians be Torah Observant?, p. 75.
Wow! Amazing indeed! Thanks Skip.
So good to have this step by step explanation and the confirmation of the TRUTH.
If I, on any account agree with, or believe the accuser, do I then stand as a witness against myself? Is this why it is so terribly important NOT to, by any means ever agree with anything false that the accuser (being it Ha’satan) or who ever wants you to believe. Yourself and the accuser = 2 witnesses.
So then, again I need to confront myself with the idols in my heart (Ezekiel 14) and also what unGodly lies I believe of myself.
Yes, yes, the witness of G-d’s Word. The Torah of our Elohim. Thank G-d and bless His name for “both” the written and the Living Torah, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8.34)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in union with the Messiah Jesus.” (Romans 8.1)
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to G-d by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5.10)
Yesterday, (the Sabbath) I witnessed two families walking toward the synagogue in my neighborhood. This was the longing of my heart: I wonder if they know Yeshua? I wonder if they have heard of the tslav, the execution stake? Is the death, burial and resurrection of the Annointed necessary in the life of one who is a Hebrew?
I do not know. How I would love to hold a conversation with these who I see walking, but maybe this is not the time nor the place to do so. As they walk toward the place of worship, how I want these chosen ones to know the ONE who is the perfect Passover Lamb of G-d, the ONE who said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” The ONE who fulfilled over three hundred prophecies in the perfect Torah of YHWH. Do they know this man? Do they read from Isaiah? “But He was wounded for our transgressions- He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed. What does a Jew believe concerning the crucifixion of the Christ?
This is outside of my ken, my limited knowing. I read the words of G-d’s Torah- “When I see the blood I will passover you” and wonder: “where is the blood of the atonement today?”
Isaac said to his father Abraham,“My father?” “What is it, my son?” he replied. “Here is the fire and the wood,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” “God will provide Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham replied. The two of them continued on together. (Genesis 22.7,8)
The witness of two. The father who was willing to give his only son and the son who willingly was bound and then laid down his life upon the altar of sacrifice.
Today- “Where is the Lamb?” What does the Torah of Elohim, the word of G-d say? What do the scriptures say? “He ever lives to make intercession for us.” He is risen, indeed. Amein!
This Malki-Tzedek, king of Shalem, a cohen of God Ha’Elyon, met Avraham on his way back from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; also Avraham gave him a tenth of everything. Now first of all, by translation of His name, He is “king of righteousness”; and then He is also king of Shalem, which means “king of peace.” There is no record of His father, mother, ancestry, birth or death; rather, like the Son of God, He continues as a cohen for all time. Just think how great He was! Even the Patriarch Avraham gave him a tenth of the choicest spoils. Now the descendants of Levi who became cohanim have a commandment in the Torah to take a tenth of the income of the people, that is, from their own brothers, despite the fact that they too are descended from Avraham. But Malki-Tzedek, even though He was not descended from Levi, took a tenth from Avraham. Also, He blessed Avraham, the man who received God’s promises; and it is beyond all dispute that the one who blesses has higher status than the one who receives the blessing. Moreover, in the case of the cohanim, the tenth is received by men who die; while in the case of Malki-Tzedek, it is received by someone who is testified to be still alive. One might go even further and say that Levi, who himself receives tenths, paid a tenth through Avraham; 1inasmuch as he was still in his ancestor Avraham’s body when Malki-Tzedek met him. Therefore, if it had been possible to reach the goal through the system of cohanim derived from Levi (since in connection with it, the people were given the Torah), what need would there have been for another, different kind of cohen, the one spoken of as to be compared with Malki-Tzedek and not to be compared with Aharon? For if the system of cohanim is transformed, there must of necessity occur a transformation of Torah. The one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar; for everyone knows that our Lord arose out of Y’hudah, and that Moshe said nothing about this tribe when he spoke about cohanim. It becomes even clearer if a “different kind of cohen,” one like Malki-Tzedek, arises, ONE who became a cohen not by virtue of a rule in the Torah concerning physical descent, but by virtue of the power of an indestructible life. For it is stated, “You are a cohen FOREVER, to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.” Thus, on the one hand, the earlier rule is set aside because of its weakness and inefficacy (for the Torah did not bring anything to the goal); and, on the other hand, a hope of something better is introduced, through which we are drawing near to God. What is more, God swore an oath. For no oath was sworn in connection with those who become cohanim now; but Yeshua became a cohen by the oath which God swore when he said to Him, “ADONAI has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a cohen forever.'” Also this shows how much better is the covenant of which Yeshua has become guarantor. Moreover, the present cohanim are many in number, because they are prevented by death from continuing in office. But because He lives forever, His position as cohen does not pass on to someone else; and consequently, He is totally able to deliver those who approach God through Him; since He is alive forever and thus forever able to intercede on their behalf. This is the kind of cohen gadol that meets our need – holy, without evil, without stain, set apart from sinners and raised higher than the heavens; ONE who does not have the daily necessity, like the other cohanim g’dolim, of offering up sacrifices first for their own sins and only then for those of the people; because He offered one sacrifice, once and for all, by offering up Himself. For the Torah appoints as cohanim g’dolim men who have weakness; but the text which speaks about the swearing of the oath, a text written later than the Torah, appoints a Son who has been brought to the goal forever. (Hebrews 7)
I am really kind of confused. If God is actually three persons and He is accusing me, and Jesus takes away one, does that not still leave two? What am I misunderstanding? I’m probably being dense and not seeing the obvious answer in front of me, but I’m not sure I understand how Jesus takes away one of the accusers.
Also, thank you, Luzette about your comment; I never thought about the fact of myself agreeing with the accuser would then make two witnesses! Good reason why I must watch what I think and with what I am agreeing.
God is one. That is the fundamental teaching of ALL Hebrew Scripture. So, there are 2 witnesses. The certificate of debt and God (who is ONE). Remove the certificate of debt and even God’s witness is not enough to convict. This helps us see the mechanism of forgiveness. It is not erasing the sin. It is removing the proof of accusation.
Don’t get hung up on the trinity issue. Read the text within its own context (Deuteronomy) and take it as it stands.
Skip, who then is HaSatan, the accuser? What witness role does he play?
Is an accuser a witness? Think about it.
Of course! Duh, didn’t have to think long. Thanks!
I had a dream one time long long ago where I heard the words – “you are already adjudicated.” Even having worked in the legal field for sometime – I had a hard time understanding what was said to me. As I have walked & matured in the Lord I began to understand the meaning of this word “adjudicated” & now even more than before:
” I am released from deserved punishment due to lack of sufficient evidence. The reign and rule of God remains in place, unshaken by this verdict. The role of Yeshua is tied directly to the fulfillment of Torah. My guilt is never denied. And I am still acquitted. Amazing Torah.”
My acquittal – my judgment was served taken on by YESHUA our greatest Advocate in the courtroom of law/Torah …
jan
SKip,
“the record that is generated of that sin is another.”
This Deuteronomy passage indicates that in order for there to be a conviction there must be two witnesses. Without the double witness, there is no record of an infraction because there is no conviction. There may be allegations, but no confirmation without multiple witnesses.
In which case, a question arises: How can a record be a witness? Is it not merely a recording of the infraction, and in order to be recorded, require the double testimony?
BTW, in John 5 there is a fascinating dialogue by Yeshua on this point of Torah and multiple witnesses necessary for his identification.
Skip,
Amazing Torah. Was the tune of ‘Amazing Grace’ playing in your mind when you wrote this?
Like Brian, I also wanted to mention John 5, which appears to address the same issue of the action (or record or account) being a witness. G-d tells Cain that Abel’s blood “cries out”. A witness?
Like Robin, I was also questioning Satan’s role as the “accuser of the brethren”. While he is not omniscient or omnipresent, he would indeed be a witness as he is often tempts of us to commit our misdeeds in the first place. However, thinking it through, Yeshua has removed the record by His death, so while the accuser may still accuse, he now has no record upon which to base his accusation.
The question I have is why the Torah says by two OR by three? Is there an instance where three is required? Or does the third witness just seal the deal?
Ken
Hi guys,
I am exhausted. Great session in Dayton, but the flights are killing me. So, I am counting on all of you to answer all the questions. You can do it. That’s the reason we dialogue. I’ll write again after I recover.
That is really, really cool! Thanks Skip!
Does Hebrews 6:18 somehow fit into this requirement for “two” as well…not only 2 witnesses to “establish a matter” in the legal sense in this verse but also that “men swear by someone greater than themselves and the oath confirms what is said and puts end to all argument.” That would mean the person swearing to a matter and then confirming it with the oath…in our legal parlance that would be the same as a legal affidavit (I swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me GOD and the notary confirms the oath or statement that is being made).
So as I understand it, the promise (what GOD said as factual as a witness – the covenant with Abraham) was secured by GOD Himself by His own oath to Himself….and this would be the two unchangeable things? 1. God gave the promise as a truthful statement and as the witness Himself (God cannot lie) 2. God confirmed His own statement with an oath made to Himself. In effect, GOD said, “I am making this promise to Abraham” (Heb 6:13-14). Then God served as the notary to His own promise by swearing by Himself. Any comparison to be made here with the requirement for “two”?
“..for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” (Psalm 138.2)
He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5.10)
G-d has never left us without a witness; He commanded those who He revealed himself to, prophets, judges or Kings to write down what He has said. The writings were G-d breathed; He purposely moved the prophets and scribes to write the words down. So it was not by there own initiative, they were not the source but G-d instructed them and it became G-d’s communication to mankind.
The word for Scripture in Greek is “graphe” it means “a writing,” or “anything written.” The expression “Holy Scriptures” is found twice in the New Testament: “Which he had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures” Rom.1:2. “And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Wherever we see the word Scriptures it is referring to the Divine writings. The Bible does not contain the Word of G-d; it is the Word of G-d.
In a day of various opinions The Bible stands as an absolute reliable source for us to know exactly what G-d wants us to know, believe, and “flesh out”, “live out”, or do in our daily lives and Christ is the focus and the theme of all the Scripture, (John 5:39), and should be the focus and theme of all of our lives.
John 8:7-11 is an interesting twist on this…Yeshua provides impetus to remove the “witnesses”, and tells the woman, neither do I condemn you….see? Yeshua has cancelled the debt.
Also, thinking about John 8:17-18 (Yeshua testifies for himself and His other witness is the Father who sent Him) and also Romans 8:16 (the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit – that makes 2 – that we are GOD’s children)….Also thinking about the reliability and trustworthy nature of testimonies that are “we’s” rather than just “me” or “I” – see 2 Peter 1:16-18 – and where even the affirmation and assurance of the authority of Yeshua was confirmed at his baptism and at the transfiguration with the voice from heaven (GOD the Father) testifying to His love and approval of the Son – commending that those being asked to rely on Him (Yeshua) were doing so on the power and reliability of more than one…GOD is certainly ONE but from where I sit, all three (3) persons of the Trinity are active, involved and intimate in establishing the reliability and trustworthiness of the MESSAGE being sent by GOD.
Seems to me that is God is the only one who is truly just, then he is the only one worthy to be a true witness. Especially since he is the only one who can examine the heart. Even then..he is the only one that can forgive sin.
I still must ponder –
Enoch walked with God and was no more…
Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith.
Isaiah – And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” (What witness is being called here…)
God will act based on His righteous character and I must trust in it because he has shown me that I can trust him on what he has already done.
It is a beautiful thing that Yeshua has taken the record of debt and nailed it to the cross and that we can trust in the one who is truly Just!!!