Why We Study Torah
J.K. Johnson
Consider
these thoughts about why we study the Torah and pray for YHVH (God, Our
Heavenly Father) to “write it upon our
hearts and put it in our minds,” according to His Word. (Jer 31:33; Heb
8:10) This very issue was YHVH’s promise to the “Israelites” (
“Nevertheless
the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them
that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from
iniquity.” 2 Tim 2:19 KJV
| Make no mistake about it: “the foundation of God that standeth sure,” is the Torah. |  |
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Those who “nameth” the name of Christ (Yeshua) are to depart from “iniquity.” Iniquity is translated as “lawlessness,”
in some Bibles; and in the context of 2 Tim 2:19, it is a lifestyle or condition
that refers to “a believer,” being “outside Torah.” Listen VERY CAREFULLY… for
a confessing believer to practice or indulge in iniquity (Torahlessness), is to disqualify one as a “son of God/YHVH.” End of argument as whether all believers need to keep Torah… unless
you want to dispute the Scriptures… which was the devil’s original attack on
the Torah Word in the Garden of Eden when he challenged Eve… He questioned the
validity of YHVH’s instructions/commandment by his asking, “did God/YHVH say? He then disputed the
Torah Word and said, “surely you will not
die.” Yes, if you dispute the Torah Word, YOU WILL DIE.
The opposite of the “sons of God/YHVH,” are those which Paul brings into contrast in
Eph 2:2, Eph 5:6, and Col 3:6, they are, “children,
or sons of disobedience,” who walk after the “imaginations of their own hearts,” (Jer 13:10); and, “walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness,”
(2Pet 2:10/Jude 18); and, as noted above in Rom 8:1-14. Please note that
the Biblical distinction (between the two “types” of Sons or children) is: #1,
the person who identifies with the real Torah Observant Messiah Yeshua (not a
fabricated “another Jesus” that so
many churches are bringing to their flocks in these days, who does not keep the
Torah); and #2, the person who is “foundationally”
established upon Torah principles… they are “today’s remnant,” and are the same
ones the devil makes war with in the end of days… we are close to the end of
days, in my view.
And the
dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her
seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ. Rev 12:17 KJV [Author’s Note:
the “woman,” is the faithful
Judy,
my loving wife of 50 years, this coming September 1, 2011, shared this
insightful comment with me today, January 20 (Holy Spirit inspired… I believe)
“When at the end of days, Yahweh says
that “as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the end of days…”
I always thought that ONLY meant, we
would be evil, as the world was then…only interested in eating, drinking,
marrying, and giving in marriage, etc…
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But, could it be: “as Noah was building
an “ark”…of safety…that anyone who believed what Noah was saying, could come
into the ark and be safe…
That… we, too, in these last days, are
building an ark of safety (Israel…
the “called out” of God)…obedient to Torah principles and the whole Word of
Yahweh… and all who believe and come into the
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We must get “into the ark of His Word”
for safety… while all the world religions will refuse and be burned up.”
Here
is the answer I gave her, and which I shared with our Shabbat fellowship
January 22, 2011.
“You
make a really good analogy… I think it could be a real part of the thinking on
this matter. It was a flood that destroyed the people in the days of Noah as
the Scriptures say… “And the flood came and took them all away.” The wicked
were “taken,” and the righteous remnant was left in the safety of YHVH’s ark
which He instructed Noah to build. The “flood” that destroys in our last days,
could be a “type of water,” as the true Word of God (Torah) is called the
“water of His Word.” It may also typify the “water” of false religious
doctrines and doctrines of devils that bring destructive “floods” upon people
in the last days (see dragon’s use of water below). You need to know that the
faithful righteous, who are in the “ark of The Torah,” will be preserved… I
think it follows the line of thinking YHVH has about the scattered exiles being
preserved in the “second Exodus” being, brought under the rod and into the bond of the covenant, in the
“wilderness of the people.”(Ezk
20:34-38)
I will
share this with the group this Shabbat… thanks for the thought… It, to me, has
“type and shadow” connectivity to the “pattern” of how YHVH reveals things to
his people. YHVH gave us “the natural,” as Paul said that was first, and then
the “spiritual,” which was next. That meaning that the “natural” order and type
of things helps us see and understand the spiritual events… much like the
events in Revelation that have symbols and events that foretell the coming
"end of days."
Two things about the “water” as typologically
applied above:
First; let’s look at how it is used by Paul
in Eph 5:26-27, for an example of how Messiah Yeshua views his “bride.” The
Bide is “faithful
“That
he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
“That
he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph 5:26-27 KJV
Note here, the cleansing and washing “water” is the Torah (no “New Testament”
then existed). And this concept is continuous throughout the Bible. Also, the
word “church” confuses non-informed
(and misinformed) people: the original Torah meaning for YHVH’s Israelite
congregation began with the “people” as a congregation in the wilderness (at Mt
Sinai)… those Stephen referred to in Acts 7:38.
Second, note the use of “flood and water,” in
Revelation Chapter 12, which I noted above that I would explain later:
This list is only a small sample of the "flood." |
“And
the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he
might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
“And
the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up
the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and
went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of
God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev 12:15-13:1 KJV
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YHVH has given us the “Revelation,” for our
learning and understanding… to know the times and to know the events that the
end times will bring to our circumstances… so we can know and prepare for the
battles we will need to engage. All spiritual war, according to Dr. Gavin
Finley, is an “information war.” I concur that he has the right view of that
and that we must “get informed…” The only information that is not “tainted,”
with men’s tinkering is the original manuscripts of the Bible… you should
consider this with great concern… you should carefully examine any translations
of the Scriptures you use and diligently apply the time honored concordances
and reference books that define the words used so that you do not get confused
about the truth. I like to compare between the King James Version and the New
American Standard Version. Frankly, to me, some of the modern versions are
badly presented. And, some are full of severely distorted author/publisher
comments about Paul’s writings. So, keep the Torah in your heart… as the good
seed that YHVH plants there, and “keep and guard” the garden of your heart…
Then the Holy Spirit can work from the “distribution center” of the true
“Water” of the springs of salvation within you that empower a faithful response
to the Master “sower” of the Torah and you will do well. Starting from this
foundation, you can proceed ahead with study of prophetic books and more
accurately learn the writings of the Apostolic books… i.e., “New Testament.”
The tragic truth is that most folks rely on men’s sermons and homilies to
“feed” their thinking; and further, many extract scripture that fit their
agenda or personal interest and plunge into the darkness.
Consider this scripture:
“A
prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and
are punished.” Prov 22:3 KJV
We study the Torah for YHVH’s divine wisdom
to be imparted to us, and for defensive strategy… fools, who are deceived by
the false teachings and anti-Torah doctrines will be “punished,” and some even
destroyed. Because the “flood waters of false religious teachings” are rampant
in our days; and thereby our mainstream churches are being brought under the
spell of the “mystery of iniquity,” (mystery of lawlessness… lawlessness is Torahlessness),
they are like the fools who, “had
pleasure in unrighteousness, who loved not the truth,” that Paul warns the
Thessalonians about in 2 Thes Chapter 2:
“For
the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let,
until he be taken out of the way.
“And
then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit
of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
“Even
him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and
lying wonders,
“And
with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
“And
for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a
lie:
“That
they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.” 2 Thess 2:7-12 KJV
Again, with the help of my wife’s
observations during our discussion on this issue, we note the following:
“What man is he that feareth the LORD?
him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
“His
soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them his covenant. (Bold
Emphasis by the author)
“Mine
eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Ps 25:12-15 KJV
If you want the Heavenly Father to, “Pluck
your feet out of the net,” you will need to “fear the LORD (YHVH)… otherwise
you will not know His Covenant
(Torah written on our inward parts and upon the hearts of believers and the
faithful “keepers,” and “doers” of the Word/Torah, just as Yeshua taught all
His followers).
The “mystery
of iniquity (Torahlessness)” is a mystery to Torah defiant people, not to faithful believers, because
Yeshua trained us to understand His teachings in the parable of the “sower” of the Word/Torah (Mark 4:2-25)…
and He said that the disobedient (unproductive hearts that do not bring the
Word/Torah to fruition) (unbelievers, same in Biblical context)… would not
know… note this:
“And he
said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the
If there was ever a time that we needed to
“heed” the warning of our Master and King, Yeshua, the Saviour of the entire
world, it is now. The battle rages for the hearts and souls of all the people…
people whom Yeshua died for and whom He dearly loves. It is time to consider
the words of the Prophet Isaiah in his admonition concerning false teachers:
“To the
law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is
because there is no light in them.” Isa
8:20 KJV
The “law”
is the eternal, forever settled Word of God (YHVH)… the Torah.
Torah study is about learning and pursuing
the divine principles of YHVH. It is about living a “set apart” life; meaning
how we should live and what we should do and not do.
Torah study is how we should relate to a holy
GOD (YHVH); and how we should relate to our fellow man.
Torah study is about understanding our need
for a Saviour; and about discerning His true identity and how we “students”
should be like our teacher Yeshua.
Torah study is about having holy concepts in
clearly defined focus and in a specific order; it is about knowing the “true”
light from the “artificial light” of the evil one who comes as an angle of
light, or as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
The Bible says the Priests are to teach the
people to know the profane from the holy; to understand the clean from the
unclean; and to know evil from good and to walk in the “paths of
righteousness.” Tragically, most of religious leadership and teachers of our
day are clamoring for popular acceptance and the need to be “in tune” with the
more modern socially and politically correct trends… yet YHVH has called us to
return to the “ancient paths.” That “ancient path” is the narrow way and it
only leads to the narrow gate that Yeshua said, although open to all, was found
by only a few… the broader and wide path leads many ways and all of them are
pathways to destruction. Only the way of the “Torah” and the fellowship of the
real Messiah Yeshua (both the same) can save us from the flood… and the waters
are rising.
I pray you will “enter into” the ark of the
Torah that my lovely wife has so clearly observed as relevant to our times and
ways… and not be swept away in the flood of “waters of doctrines of men and
devils.” The original “ark of the covenant,” contained the stone tablets (Ten
Words/Commandments/Torah)… the same words (Torah) are the ones YHVH wants to
write upon your heart… so the very presence of His Spirit can indwell you and
guide you through the storms of the coming battle of the end of days. The
battle is for dominance of what and who will govern mankind… it is about your
destiny. The question is not “who” will win the battle, that is a given as YHVH
is the known winner… the question is “will YOU be among the victors… the
faithful of
“A
prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and
are punished.” Prov 22:3 KJV
This is why we study the Torah… and follow
Yeshua. Do we study the other Bible Books too, certainly… the entire Bible (in
its original manuscripts) is the inspired Word of God… But it is only appropriate
to build a “house upon a rock,” and at the time Yeshua made that point, the
rock was the Torah. It still is. The rock has not moved… and it can’t be moved.
The beauty of the “view” from out of the “house built upon a rock,” is that the
subsequent Scriptures will be more clearly understood when they are seen in
their spiritually genetic perfection.
The Apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest Torah teacher other than Yeshua Himself said:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:20 KJV [Bold emphasis mine… Yeshua’s faith/faithfulness is what carries us all]
If you have read this article and have never made Yeshua your personal “Saviour;” I hope and pray you know it is NOW time to confess that He is the only way into the “Ark (safety) of the Covenant,” and your only way to life eternal and your fulfilled destiny as YHVH desires for you. The Torah Word of God is the “schoolmaster” that brings you to this understanding… and it is the Holy Spirit who draws your heart and mind to the absolute facts of YHVH’s divine plan for all mankind. You may not have “tomorrow” to reconsider these life and death issues. Come into the “Ark/safety” of the Covenant, and once “on board,” you will be in kinship with Captain Yeshua; He is your “redeemer kinsman.” He/Torah will train you in the way of truth and life. He said, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mk 8:36 KJV
The Word of YHVH says He (the Torah Word/Yeshua) was in the beginning, and that the Word/Torah “was with” GOD/YHVH, and the Word/Torah “was” GOD/YHVH… this is found in the New Testament book of John… in Chapter 1. And, as you begin your “journey” thru the miraculous and wondrous plan YHVH has “foreordained” for you… you will be part of the Commonwealth of Israel… and along with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… joint heirs to the all the promises of YHVH… you will have been “grafted” onto/into that “Olive Tree” of YHVH… which has the “root and stem” of the Tree of Life… Torah is known as the “Tree of Life,” as is the Messiah Yeshua… they are one. He said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 KJV
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