galatians 1 & 2 and the hebrew roots - chadbourne zitek

7/28/2019 Galatians 1 & 2 and the Hebrew Roots - Chadbourne Zitek

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GALATIANS 1 & 2by Chadbourne Zitek

BH

INTRODUCTION

It is a wonderful thing to see people all around the world, learning of their

heritage as the Seed of Abraham, the people of Israel - and the Promise/

Covenant that has been granted to us all because of that rich heritage, and

because of the the object of our Faith, even our Heavenly Father who provided

for us Yeshua, for the forgiveness of sins.

Even so, though the Ruachhas been revealing much to those who love and seek

Him, many have had to answer the accusations of those who would deny the

validity of this global awakening of Yahs people. As of such, my goal in this short

teaching is to cover some basic principles of interpretation, applied to problem

verses that are presented to obeyers of Yahweh.

As we who are delving into the Tanakh understand, the majority of Scripture

promotes a simple analogy: Yahweh is like a loving Father, and Israel is like His

children. He has advice for his children in how they should live to receiveblessing, and he has rules which, if broken, bring punishment. These rules, if

obeyed, will bring the obedient children blessings and reward.

Indeed, the entirety of Scripture, from the Torah to the writings, from the psalms

and prophets, to the words of the Messiah Himself - and the writings and visions

of the shlichim- all support the simple understanding that the Torah (Yahwehs

instructions) is good, righteous, just, merciful, and brings understanding and

wisdom. The Torah brings liberty and joy, and the keeping of the Torah in love is

how one shows his or her love to the Most High and devotion to the Master.

How is it then that we have another dichotomy presented in the majority of

churches around the world today? Where does the idea of the Torah being done

away with originate, and what verses are used to support this notion? How can

we defend the Faith and answer these objections that are brought up? We are

encouraged to have an answer for all things, and to study to show ourselves

approved (approved to whom? Yah, or man?). Also, we understand that anything

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that is not of faith is sin.Therefore it behooves us to examine these arguments to

have an answer for those who challenge the obedience to the Most Highs

commandments as lawlessness.

GALATIANS 1

We begin our midrashin the book that is most commonly used against those who

keep Torah. All of us have, at one point, been labelled as Judaizersor legalistic.

Where are these terms originating, and what verses are used to support them?

Most importantly - how do we correctly interpret these verses in light of the rest of

the set-apart Scriptures?

Let us begin our study into this controversial letter.

Gal 1:1 - Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but byYeshua haMashiach, and Elohim the Father, who raised him fromthe dead;)

First we see a statement of the identity of the author, which is vitally important to

understanding this letter. Who is Paul?

Paul, in his own words, stated of himself: Circumcised the eighth day, of the

stock of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as concerning

the Torah, a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5) We know that he was a greatly learned

Rabbi who studied under Rabban Gamliel, a great Torah scholar and authority on

Torah Law in the first century. Gamliel was the grandson of the famous teacher

Hillel the Elder. Hillel was the authority for the House of Hillel sect of Pharisaism

(as opposed to the halacha presented by the House of Shammai, another sect of

Pharisaism). Many hold that he was the Nasi(prince/leader) of the Great

Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. This shows us the higher education that Paul received.

He was, no doubt, a famous figure in the first century and onward until today. But

many divorce him of his Hebraic heritage, and assume that he started a new

religion. Lets hear his stance on the Torah from His own mouth:

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Acts 24:14 - But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call

a sect, so I worship the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are

written in the Law and in the Prophets.

Acts 18:21 - but took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this

coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, Yahweh willing." And he

sailed from Ephesus.

Roma 7:25 - I thank Yahweh--through Yeshua the Messiah our Master! So then,

with the mind I myself serve the Law of Yahweh, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Roma 3:31 - Do we then make void the Law through faith? Certainly not! On the

contrary, we establish the Law.

Roma 6:15 - What then? Shall we sin because we are not under Law but undergrace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves

slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin [leading]

to death, or of obedience [leading] to righteousness?

Roma 7:12 - Therefore the Law [is] holy, and the commandment holy and just

and good.

Roma 7:14 - For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under

sin.

Roma 7:22 - For I delight in the Law of Yahweh according to the inward man.

Now that we have heard these words from Paul himself, as a baseline

understanding, let us continue to examine this letter.

...And all the brethren which are with me, unto the assemblies ofGalatia: grace to you and peace from Eloah the Father, and our

Master Yeshua haMashiach, who gave himself for our sins, thathe might deliver us from this present evil world, according to thewill of God and our Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever.Amen.

Here is an interesting preamble to this letter. He sets the tone by stating this

truth: Yeshua haMashiachgave himself for our sins, to deliver us from the

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gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thoushalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamerof dreams: for YHWH your El tests you, to know whether you loveYHWH your El with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall

walk after YHWH your El, and fear him, and keep hiscommandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, andcleave unto him.

This is the elementary principle that what comes after must be validated

through what came before. We often read this passage and think, Its only

talking about people enticing us to serve other gods, Ive not seen that in a

while, but notice the part I highlighted - Let us serve them. This means walking

in their ways, keeping their commandments, and their customs. This means

giving homage to the false gods, whether it is understood thats what is

happening or not.

It is because of this verse that a Jew will not listen to a Christian missionary and

accept Jesus Christ. Why? Because according to the Christian churchs

theology, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Torah (misinterpretation of fulfilled), which to

them means that its still there, but it is of no effect anymore. We only have to

take the moral principles from the Torah, and everything else is abolished.

Christian theology delineates the Torah into three sections - Ceremonial, Civil,

and Moral, and holds that those commands they deem ceremonial and civilare no longer in effect, though there is no way one can divide the Torah into such

categories, as the Most High makes no distinction. His ways are His ways,

period.

Therefore, according to Christian theology, we can walk in ancient pagan ways

because we are redeeming those ancient (or not so ancient) pagan holidays or

customs. The laws of holiness, being set apart from the world, and those

commands to follow YHWHs holy days and holy ways are deemed civil or

ceremonial. Therefore, it is firstly because of this twisted theology that a Jew will

not accept a Messiah that does away with Torah, nor will they accept the fruit of

that theology, which is the continuation of pagan practices because now we can

do this stuff for Jesus. Because we want our fun, we are impeding the progress

of our brother Judah, the Jews, from ever accepting the Messiah. Again, I say

that because we want our fun - it is OUR fault they will not accept Messiah.

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But back to what Paul is saying. There are some coming to the Assembly in

Galatia and presenting a different gospel than that which was preached.

For do I now persuade men, or Elohim? or do I seek to pleasemen? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant ofMessiah. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which waspreached of me is not after man. For I neither received it fromman, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of YeshuahaMashiach.For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in Judaism,

how that beyond measure I persecuted the Assembly of Elohim,and wasted it: and profited in Judaism above many my equals inmine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of thetraditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:10-14)

Before we continue on, I want to point out a couple of things. Paul is stressing

here that he did not receive the gospel from men, but rather from Messiah

himself. How can that be, since we see from his revelation experience that

Messiah simply asked Why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick

against the goads. (Acts 9:4-5) Where is any gospel here? But it is a revelationof Yeshuas authenticity. Later down in this passage, we learn that Saul went not

to Jerusalem, but to Arabia. Could it be that he went back to Mount Sinai to

receive further revelation from Elohim there, in the spot where revelation was first

granted to Israel? We dont know, but we do know that Paul received his

revelation from the Messiah Himself - NOT from the tradition or doctrines of man.

Some see that Paul says past time in Judaism, and believe this to be a proof

against keeping the Torah. However, there are a few points that must be made

here:

1. There is no other religion at this point that believes in the Hebrew scriptures,

and the God of Israel

a. If Paul was distancing himself from Judaism, he would have to either be

starting a new religion, or returning to a purer form of Biblical religion

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b. If returning to a purer form of religion, this would still be considered a sect

of Judaism

2. If Christianity was a new religion at this point, this would violate the principles

of Deuteronomy 13

3. The Way is a Jewish (Judean) sect

4. Paul qualifies the emphasis of his zealousness not as being the

commandments of Yahweh, but rather the traditions of his fathers

5. Yeshua is King of the Jews (and of all Israel)...would Paul really want to leave

His kingdom and create the church instead?

GALATIANS 2

But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, wascompelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3)

Here, opponents of the Hebrew roots understanding will use this verse to prove

that Paul didnt keep the Torah, nor did he require new coverts to do so. Let me

read another verse here that pertains...

Him [Timothy] would Paul have to go forth with him; and took andcircumcised him because of the Jews which were in those

quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. (Acts16:3)

Virtually every translation translates this verse saying because of the Jews,

Timothy was circumcised...meaning, not because God commanded it, but

because the Jews there wanted it done. But the article because in the greek,

,can just as well be translated as with! The verse would read, Paul

circumcised him withthe Jews that were in those parts, because they all knew

his father was a Greek (i.e, they knew he was not circumcised). Paul would not

go along with a circumcision just because of the pressures of a crowd - rather,

we see that the Jewish community together with Paul circumcises Timothy, as is

customary in Judaism, to hold a party for a brit milah.

Therefore, why would Paul circumcise Timothy but not Titus? Is this a proscribing

of circumcision as antiquated? Is Paul being double minded? Is he acting

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differently in front of the Jews than he does in front of the Gentiles? Remember,

Paul rebuked Peter for this very same sin (Galatians 2:11-21). Perhaps, if we

actually read the text without doctrinal glasses on, we will see what is going on

here. Remember, the Pharisees are preaching another gospel.

But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, wascompelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3)

Do you notice now? Compelled - in Greek (anagkaz) from the root

word meaning to necessitate, to compell, to force, calamity, distress.

Did anybody ever compel you, force you, necessitate you, or bring you calamity

or distress, to baptize you? Is not circumcision also matter of the heart? Should

not one make the step themselves to fulfill a commandment? Would it merit

anybody to perform a commandment because of the pressures of someone

else? Titus was not compelled to be circumcised. There are only two valid ways

to read this verse without presuppositions:

1. Titus was not forced/compelled to be circumcised, therefore he had not

chosen to do so at this point

2. Titus was not forced/compelled to be circumcised, but the text never claims

that he wasnt circumcised...simply that he was not compelled or forced to do

so.

This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, whostole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Messiah Yeshua,that they might bring us into bondage; to whom we gave no placein the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the GoodNews might continue with you. (Galatians 2:4-5)

There are false brothers in the assembly of Galatia...and now that we are seeing

the picture form, we are seeing what these false brothers wanted. These false

brothers wished to remove the liberty, and bring the assembly into bondage.

Bondage to whom or what? Yahwehs righteous rulings? Are Yahwehs perfect

commandments bondage? No...but these mens traditions are bondage! See, it

was a common practice to necessitate circumcision for a convert, and is to this

day, in order to become a Jew (if one is formerly gentile). In fact, even if one is

already circumcised, to this day a ritual circumcision is still required and

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performed in Judaism. Thus, the pharisee believers (probably from the house of

Shammai) were claiming that Unless you be circumcised, according to the

custom of Moses, you cannot be saved (Acts 15:1) You cannot be saved. Lets

see what Paul says about this false gospel:

"We, being Yehudim by nature, and not Goy sinners, yet knowingthat a man is not justifiedby the works of the Torah, butthrough the faith of Yeshua the Messiah, even we believed inMessiah Yeshua, that we might be justified by faith in Messiah,and not by the works of the Torah, because no flesh will be

justified by the works of the law. (Galatians 2: 15-16)

Can he make it any clearer that there is a difference between being justified by

faith in Messiah, and the works of the Torah? We understand and teach that noman will be justified or saved by the works of Torah. The Torahs purpose is to

show us the right way to walk, to provide blessing if we obey, and cursing if we

disobey!

But if, while we sought to be justified in Messiah, we ourselvesalso were found sinners, is Messiah a servant of sin? Certainlynot! For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I provemyself a law-breaker.

Here, as well as in 1 John 3:4, Paul defines sin as breaking the Torah, or

lawlessness. Therefore, he is not encouraging lawlessness, he is simply

encouraging the proper use of the Torah - that justification is found only in

Mashiach Yeshua.

For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. Ihave been crucified with Messiah, and it is no longer I that live,

but Messiah living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, Ilive by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himselfup for me. I don't make void the grace of God. For ifrighteousness is through the law, then Messiah died fornothing!" (Galatians 2:19-21)

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Here is a tough one. Paul died to the Torah? What do we do with this?

It is actually a description of the legal reason Yeshua died for us. Let me explain

further. This is a Torah midrash, an analogy is in play. Lets look to Deuteronomy

24

When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come topass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath foundsome uncleanness in her: then let him write her a get, and give inher hand, and send her out of his house. And when she isdeparted out of his house, she may go and be another man's.

And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a get, and gives itin her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the latterhusband die, which took her as his wife; Her former husband,which sent her away [the first time], may not take her again to behis wife, after that she is defiled; for that is an abomination beforeYHWH: and you shalt not cause the land to sin, which YHWHyour El gives you as an inheritance. (Deuteronomy 24: 1-4)

So a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, according to Paul...but

death breaks this binding. Now what is this analogy we speak of?

Who is the woman? She is Israel, the betrothed of Yeshua. Yet, she broke her

marriage covenant, and went to the gods of the nations and defiled herself with

them. What can be said for Israel? Can she be bought back? It is pictured by the

prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer.

Hosea was commanded to take to himself a wife of whoring, Gomer. They have a

child at first, and named him Jezreel...yet later, Gomer begins to venture out and

begets children by whoring, Lo Ammi and Lo Ruhamah...Not my people and

Not pitied/mercied.

Yet in spite of all of this, Hosea is commanded to go and look for his wife, and he

finds her, destitute and chained to a slave block, being sold in an auction as a

slave. A slave to her sin, he bought her back for himself...with 15 shekels of silver

and 5 bushels of barley. He took her back to himself as a wife. Do you see the

picture here? Israel whored after other gods...and though we became Not my

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people...though we became gentiles, and later Not pitied, nevertheless he

sought us out and bought us back with silver (redemption) and barley

(representing the feast of Yom haBikkurim, early firstfruits....Yeshuas day of

rising!)

Therefore, through the Torah, I died to the Torah (I was condemned to death by

the Torah, but have been crucified with Messiah) so that I could live to God

(crucified with Messiah, that I might rise with Him). If he dies for us, the law of

divorce is cancelled...it has dominion as long as the manlives. Yet, for all of this,

he did not stop at death, but ROSE again, to take us back to himself as a Bride

once again! Do you see that Paul is talking here about a process of redemption?

Paul is stressing that we received redemptionfrom Yeshua alone, not our own

good works! Yet, when Hosea redeems Gomer, he says to her...

Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thoushalt not be for another man: so I also for thee. (Hosea 3:3)

When Yeshua redeems Israel his bride, he says to us...abide in me! Do not playthe harlot (follow and obey and love me! He who loves me, keeps mycommandments!), and I will beforyou!

Therefore, if righteousness unto justification, righteousness unto forgiveness,could be obtained by the works of the Torah, then Yeshuas redemption gift, hisdeath, would be of no avail! Now you see what Paul means in this book of

Galatians.

I have been crucified with Messiah, and it is no longer I that live,

but Messiah living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I

live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself

up for me.

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galatians 1 & 2 and the hebrew roots - chadbourne zitek

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