The Purpose of it All
The writings we call Scripture, from Genesis to Revelations, is a great tool, and the instruction manual from which we build the foundation of our faith. The structure of Scripture is such that the revelation of the Elohim who created is progressive. If we start in Genesis and carefully read with thoughtful consideration until the end of
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What a blessing it would be sit down with a brother in Messiah and have them open up the Scriptures as Yahshua did to his disciples. (Luke 24:44-45). I could sit all day (or all Feast) and listen to one that has understanding.
David: 'One understanding of the surface of Torah leads to understanding that the Lamb alone can keep us from condemnation...'
How is this accomplished?
David: '...while the other relies on natural understanding of the knowledge of good and evil, and interpretation of the law based on such human perspective and reasoning, to then put such faulty interpretation into practice, to be perfect in the sight of Elohim. One is obtainable while the other is a lost cause.'
I do not think one has to do with the other. The lamb was the lamb of Elohim that took away the sins of the world and made things right with YHWH. I wish I fully understood the 'legal' components of how that was accomplished and why YHWH designed a system that required sacrifices to Himself...but that does not do one thing as to showing us what is the right way to have a relationship with our Creator. Again, the good and evil in the sight of YHWH did not change. We just understand what that is because he told us what they are. Maybe you could give me examples of how a someone is misinterpreting one of the commands so that it says one thing but it is faulty reasoning according to YHWH.
I do not know what you mean by a lost cause. One has nothing to do with us...it is all about YHWH doing what was necessary. The other does have to do with us. He said that He would write the Law on our hearts instead of on stone...only if one asked for it to be written and allows the Holy Spirit to circumcise their heart so that is possible to change, then allow the Holy Spirit to teach what is correct in the sight of YHWH in all situations we are in...using the written instructions as our tutor. Not all circumstances in the Law are dealt with, but the principals are.
David: 'We see in the time of Yahshua on earth that those knowing the letter of the law very well usually missed Messiah right in front of them.'
I would not agree. Those that knew the letter of the law were fine. It was those that did not have their hearts circumcised that did not implement the law correctly that had the problems. It was also the ones that made the commandments of Elohim of no effect because they replaced the instructions of Elohim with traditions and instructions from men. There were many that understood the law that did not do those things that the religious leaders did. To me it has to do with circumcision of the heart not the law itself.
David: 'This is how the law is a stumbling block...'
I am not aware of any Scripture that says the law is a stumbling block. In 1Pe 2:8 the stumbling stone is Yahshua...not the law. YHWH put Messiah in Jerusalem to be the corner stone of the spiritual temple not made with hands, which the builders rejected and now is a stumbling stone to them.
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More of the OT commandments have to do with right relationship with other people, not YHWH. The purpose of the code of law was never to show Israel how to have a right relationship with YHWH, as you incorrectly think. The legal code had to be added because of transgressions and condemn sinful flesh. Israel was given this because they rejected a personal relationship with God, all of them agreeing and telling Moses not to let God speak to or appear to them anymore, but to talk to God for them and let them know what he says. Because of this they were given a covenant that lacked relationship with YHWH, other than for those who served as types and shadows of new covenant believers and worshipers, such as David did.
The legal code was never designed to give Life or provide a personal relationship with YHWH. It is the ministry of condemnation and death as Paul said. What tree in the garden had that purpose? Hopefully you'll come to grasp this soon.
The law written on stone and the Torah written on new covenant hearts is not the same thing. Jeremiah said the new would NOT be like the old. For one, it would not include condemnation and it would include every covenant member knowing YHWH for himself, not needing anyone to teach him about YHWH. Personal relationship is superior to only reading letters.
Wrong, my friend. Those Jews who were not the hateful Pharisees were still not okay. ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT, even those OT men we see as great men of faith. All were guilty and all needed reconciliation through Messiah. No one goes to the Father but through the Son, period. Any other message is a false one, not the true Gospel. YHWH requires a new creature, born of the Spirit (John 3). That is what he is really after, not fleshly people trying to conform outwardly to the law. He only wanted people doing that until they could be born again, because God loves so much and doesn't want to see people hurting themselves and others. People of the Spirit have love in their hearts, not murder and such. Their flesh is still the same, however, and if not dominated will still get out of control. The letter of the law is still good for condemning the flesh and crucifying it.
Rom 9:32 YLT wherefore? because--not by faith, but as by works of law; for they did stumble at the stone of stumbling,
The stumbling stone is Messiah bringing the new covenant way that fulfills the law, but because of this the law is what people are stumbling because of, such as many Jews did in the first century. They got all tripped up because of their understanding of the letter that they missed their Messiah.
Thus, I call it stumbling over the law when people do not comprehend Messiah properly because of their understanding of the legal code.
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