Just a Few Additions
For the law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Hebrews 10:1 NASB
Only/and – At least they had the decency to put the words in italics. The translators have added a few words here, namely, “only” and “and.” I suppose they thought it best in order to help their English readers continue to believe that the Law no longer applies. After all, the Law is only a shadow, right? But now you realize that these words are not in the Greek text (it really makes no difference that that ESV adds “but” instead of “only”). The author of Hebrews does not contrast something that isn’t real (a shadow) with something that is (the good things to come). He merely points out that a shadow, which is quite real, isn’t the full representation of the object that casts the shadow. If you thought shadows were not real, try standing in the Arizona sun rather than looking for shade. The law is real; it just isn’t the fullest representation of what causes it to be.
What is the full representation that produces the real shadow of the Law? Ah, the completed restoration of fellowship with God, the place and time where all serve Him from the heart without need of instruction, the presence of the final expression of the Kingdom. In the meanwhile, shadows will have to do. Shadows might not be quite as effective as indoor air conditioning, but they are certainly useful when you need to get out of the heat. And until you go indoors, shadows are particularly important.
So the Author of Hebrews points out that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin,” but that doesn’t mean they have no place at all. They represent a greater reality, the final removal of the guilt of sin and its consequences in the full scope of Yeshua’s sacrifice, death and resurrection. When you stand in the shade, you find temporary relief but you still long to get into air-conditioned comfort.
Yeshua comes to complete the full process of salvation, a process that addressed both our defilement (guilt) and the resulting punishment (death). But even that isn’t the end of the story. Yeshua’s death and resurrection are the first fruits of the Kingdom, not the final chapter. His death and resurrection guarantee that God’s promise to restore His chosen is a reality. The resurrection proves that death isn’t the end. The resurrection points us toward a time when God will once again rule over all creation as the one and only acknowledged Lord of life. Because He died and rose again, we have an eternal hope.
But in the meanwhile, shade is a wonderful thing. Instructions about living that please our Lord and Master are essential, useful and freeing. “Only” a shadow? Tell that to the man who is dying of thirst in the desert. Oh yes, and the word “shadow” (skia) is first in the Greek sentence, the position of emphasis, not the place of casual dismissal.
Topical Index: only, shadow, skio, law, Hebrew 10:1
CORRECTION: Yesterday in my announcement about Israel 2014, I said we were going to Petros. Of course, I meant to type PETRA. Here’s the link if you are coming along.
Shalom, Skip, firstly, have a fruitful and safe trip with ABBA.
Truly, with their agenda, these translators will have to face YHWH for stumbling the many who took their translated word as truth; those who hold on to their deception and stubbornness will also have to stand before YHWH when they refuse truth that is presented to them through much diligent study by others; sadly.
In the process of my walk I learn, or rather, ABBA has revealed the many transgressions in my past
which I was blinded to, giving me by His mercies the opportunity to make good. I am so thankful for that. Thank You, ABBA YHWH for continuously dispersing darkness from me, and I no longer walk in the shadow but enjoying Your light. 🙂
Shalom!
A Preview of Coming Attractions
~ Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. ~ (Psalm 24.7,8)
For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. (Hebrews 10:1)
Is the Law necessary? Absolutely. Why?
~ What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” ~ (Romans 7.7)
~ the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good ~ (Romans 7.12)
~ The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple ~ The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes ~ (Psalm 19.7,8)
The Law (of the LORD) is not the problem.
We (none of us breathing creatures) would not have known sin except by the Law.
The Law (of the LORD) says: ” You shall not…” And? Have you (ever?) Yes. I have. I have done what the Law (of the LORD) said not to do. To break the Law (of the LORD) is to transgress, and to transgress the Law (of the LORD) is to sin.
The Law (of the LORD) establishes the fact (just the facts m’am)- “ALL” (all, y’all) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The Jew, the Gentile.. “ALL.”
Friends, ~ there IS none righteous.. NO, NOT ONE. (Romans 3.10) Not one Jew, not one Gentile; who among us is able to cast the first stone? Not I.
I am going to confess my sins. I am going to agree with God concerning myself and I shall side with the publican and not the Pharisee. I will say with the publican and with the prodigal- “I have sinned and am no longer worthy to be called your son..” I am today publicly, a sinner in need of a Savior.
~Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst ~ (1 Timothy 1.15)
“full acceptance?” Do the Jews need to be “saved?” We already know those nasty Gentiles do! But what about God’s chosen ones? Does Israel need redemption? After all they have been given the Torah. What else could they possibly need? Ask Nicodemus, the original “Nic-at-nite.” What did our Savior say to him? You, (brother Nic) must be born from above. Huh? A “second birth?” Regeneration? What was so wrong with the first one? After all, Nicodemus, whose very name in Hebrew is “superior” was no doubt in this man’s mind, a stellar citizen and a ruler among the Jews.
Remember Paul’s pedigree? ~ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; (but wait.. there’s more!) ~ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless ~
but… (always a game-changer!)
~ But these things that were advantages to me, I have accounted losses for the sake of The Messiah ~
Huh?
~ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ~ (Philippians 3.8)
Yes, Paul..
From the guttermost to the uttermost.. “ALL” have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”
Paul.. please establish for us the purpose of the Law…
(The Whole World Guilty before God)
What then? Are we any better? Not at all! For we have previously charged that BOTH Jews and Gentiles are ALL under sin, as it is written: There is NO ONE righteous, not even one; there is NO ONE who understands, there is NO ONE who seeks God. ALL have turned away, together they have become useless; there is NO ONE who does good, there is not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known.There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that whatever the Law says speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that EVERY mouth may be shut and THE WHOLE WORLD may become subject to God’s judgment. For no flesh will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, for through the law [comes] the knowledge of sin ~
The Law (of the LORD) establishes for ALL (both Jew and Gentile) the fact- “ALL have sinned..”
~ There is (including the man in the mirror) none righteous- no, not one. ~
Houston, we have a problem. We (all) are sinners in need of a Savior.
~ For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it ~
(James 2.10)
Now who? (he inquired) among us fine upstanding citizens has ever kept the whole Law and has never stumbled at just (or only) one point?
Surely (Shirley) there is “one” among us? Yes, (Hallelujah!) there is One. And we know His Name!
A Lamb (The Lamb) has been sacrificed (for the Law says: “without the shedding of blood is no remission for sin!”) and provision has been made. Thank you for the tslav, ADONAI! Amein!
Ahh.. ~ now what do the scriptures say? ~
~ If.. we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from “ALL” (a lovely word!) unrighteousness ~ (1 John 1.9)
How is this possible? ~ God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that *in Him* we might become the righteousness of God ~ (2 Corinthians 5.21)
Here are some of the sweetest words in all the scriptures.. (is this “good news?”)
~ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in (blood-covenant) union with the Messiah Jesus ~ (Romans 8.1)
~ and “all” are made right by grace without charge and by the redemption that exists in Yeshua The Messiah ~ (Romans 3.24)
Man of Sorrows! what a Name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God is He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew tHis song we’ll sing:
– Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Thank you Carl for shedding more light on the subject of the works of the Law and works of Faith.
For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it ~
(James 2.10)
Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18
After that our Lord warns those who think they are better than others in the eyes of God. Saved sinners are still sinners and will be all the days of their lives.
In the harvest, those who labour for just 1 hour are made equal to those who laboured all the day long. This theme is similar to the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Yes Ray, what is a “saint,” but a saved sinner? And yes again, this is who we will be for the rest of our days..
But the scripture has concluded ALL under sin, that the promise by Faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
But before Faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the Faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by Faith.
But after that Faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
For YOU ARE ALL the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for YOU ARE ALL ONE in Christ Jesus.
And if you be Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3
Our (only) Savior AND Standard..
~ Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Messiah after the flesh, yet now we know Him so no more ~
~ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, (or on his wealth or degrees or skills or social standing or…) because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart ~ (1 Samuel 16.7)
~ For he (or she) is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Ruach, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God ~ (Romans 2.28,29)
~ Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked ~ (Deuteronomy 10.16)
~ The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live ~ (Deuteronomy 30.6)
~ For of Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen! ~
(Romans 11.36)
When God shows us that our sin is NOT a victimless crime, then we pursue His law out of compassion for those around us and desparation to be free from our own filthiness. This is so much different from trying to ‘be perfect’ – so we can get to heaven.