The Torah (law) is freedom? But I thought the law was a burden? I’ve had many teachers tell me not to go back to that “yoke of slavery” that we often call the law. “You are just putting yourself back in bondage.” That is the message being preached from many pulpits today.
Got Questions says, “Christians must ensure that they stay free and not get bound up again under a yoke of bondage to the law.” They go on to add, “legalistic Jews were trying to make Christians return to a yoke of bondage by requiring them to observe the Old Testament rules, laws, and ceremonies, especially circumcision.”
But is this correct? Was the “yoke of bondage” that Paul is talking about in Galatians 5 the “Old Testament laws and commandments?” Did Yahuah bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt only to put them back under the slavery of the law? Or was that yoke of bondage something outside of Yah’s eternal commandments?
“But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of the work, this one shall be blessed in his doing of the Torah.” – James 1:25
From a Hebraic perspective, the Torah (law) is traditionally seen as a symbol of freedom. The Israelites were slaves in a land not their own. But the Most High’s commandments gave them freedom of a higher calling to walk in obedience to the Creator. We gain freedom when we walk according to the Torah of the Most High. And although many think that the apostle Paul did away with the law, he speaks highly of it!
“All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Paul is speaking here about the Torah, and he designates it as teaching and instruction. At the time of Paul’s writing, the only Scripture was the “Old Testament.” And the only standard of righteousness was the Torah. And guess what? It is still the only standard of righteousness. And Torah, which is also defined as “teaching,” is necessary for our growth as believers. You cannot love the Father but have no regard for His teaching.
“For I gave you good instruction: Do not forsake my Torah.” – Proverbs 4:2
This is the teaching that Yahusha (Jesus) came to fully teach and preach. You see, the Pharisees were requiring additional commands and traditions. They required circumcision for entry into the faith (read Galatians), required the ceremonial washing of hands and cups and utensils (Mark 7 and Matthew 15), and placed emphasis on the outward show of faith instead of cleaning the inside of the “cup” (Matthew 23). The Messiah called them blind guides, hypocrites, and a brood of vipers. These things are still practiced in Judaism and add to the Torah of freedom.
But we don’t throw out the Father’s entire Torah because the Pharisees were adding non-Scriptural requirements to it! The true faith and instructions for our lives are found in the Torah. The Messiah loved His Father’s commandments. And we should as well if we claim that we know Him!
“By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and guard His commands. For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy.” – 1 John 5:2-3
The Father’s commands are NOT HEAVY! The Torah brings freedom. Yahusha, who is often called “The Living Word,” or more appropriately, “The Living Torah,” shows us what that freedom looks like. The Messiah came to teach and preach the true Torah.
“If, then, the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” – John 8:36
When I was a child, my earthly father gave me instructions. He taught me things to keep me safe and healthy. Our heavenly Father does the same thing. In Leviticus alone, He teaches us how to love our neighbor, which animals are meant for food and which are not, instructions for sexual intimacy, how to treat our parents, and which days we are to guard for rest and set-apartness to the Creator, among many, many others!
“But his delight is in the Torah of Yahuah. And he meditates in His Torah day and night.” – Psalms 1:2
And if everyone obeyed the Torah like Yahuah instructed, think of the freedom we would have. We would be safe from murder, safe from adultery, safe from coveting. We would know which animals to eat for health and vitality. We would walk according to His Sabbaths and not our own. We would follow His appointed times and not man-made days and traditions that included false idols like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. And most importantly, we would be set apart, as He is set apart.
“Blessed are the perfect in the way, who walk in the Torah of Yahuah.” – Psalms 119:1
Freedom is NOT doing whatever we want. That is what the Israelites were doing in the time of the Judges when everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes! And that is what mainstream Christianity teaches when they do away with the Torah. Freedom is living according to the standard of righteousness that the Father laid out for us beforehand. This standard of righteousness is called the Torah. Yahusha followed it and taught it. And it brings life to those to walk accordingly. This is freedom!
WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)? He would follow His Father’s commandments. So let’s do the same!
FAITH IN MOTION 