Dr. Solberg’s latest video intro to “The Law Fulfilled (Matthew 5:17)” states:
“Matthew 5:17–20, which begins, “I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfill them,” is the most common proof text used by our “Torah-keeping” (aka Hebrew Roots) friends to bolster their belief that Christians are required to keep the old covenant law.
“There’s no doubt this passage speaks profoundly about the law and its enduring importance. But one thing it doesn’t say is that followers of Jesus are under that law. Not only because if it taught that, it would contradict many other parts of the NT, but also because that’s not what Jesus is teaching here. We unpack this passage verse by verse and reveal why that's the case. And we go pretty deep, so grab your Bible and some paper for taking notes as you watch!”
OUR RESPONSE:
First, I have some questions for our Christian apologist friend:
Yeshua has so far "fulfilled” the first four of the Seven commanded Feast Times - each of which foreshadow him. The next one will be what the Christians call "the Rapture," which will happen on a future "Yom Teruah" (Feast of Trumpets, when God calls His people together).
Since Christians believe "that ol' Jewish stuff doesn't pertain" to them, then doesn't it stand to reason there will be no "rapture?" I mean, we know of TWO people in the “Old Testament” who were “taken up”": Enoch and Elijah (Genesis 5:24, 2 Kings 2:11); and of course, in the “NT,” our Divine Messiah Yeshua who “sits at the right hand of the Father” (Hebrews 1:3).
Furthermore, why do you tithe, when it's not one of the Ten Commandments, and the only "tithing" is found in the "OT" that you don't believe pertains to you? The actual tithe was to go only to the Torah observant Tribe of Levi. Do you really believe God wants you to tithe to someone who refuses to even bother keeping the commanded Seventh Day Sabbath command, let alone, the Feasts?
Torah observance was never a suggestion for anyone! (Numbers 15:13-16, etc. It is COMMANDED by Yahweh Himself. (Or did the death of Jesus somehow abolish His Father's Divine Instructions? If so, why did he constantly defer to His Father throughout the whole time he was on earth; and who did he pray to? Himself?”)
Here is Matthew 5:17-20 in the Hebraic (as opposed to Greek) context:
Matthew 5: 17. Do not think that I have come to loosen the Torah or the Prophets. I have not come to loosen but to fulfill them through proper interpretation. [1] 18. For truly I say to you that until heaven and earth pass away not one Yodh or one stroke will pass from Torah until everything happens.[2] 19. All who loosen, therefore, from one (of) these small commandments and teach thus to the sons of man, will be called little in the Kingdom of Heaven, but all who do and teach this will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20. For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds more than that of the scribes and the Pharisees,[3] you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (AENT)
FOOTNOTES:
[1] “Fulfill” means to carry out or to bring to realization, to perform or do, as in a person’s duty; or to obey or follow the Commandments, as in satisfying the Commandments by obeying them, Isaiah 42:21 “YHWH is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will magnify Torah, and make him (it) honorable.”
Isaiah 42 reveals the work of Mashiyach/Messiah; we have full prophetic assurance that Mashiyach would never annul Torah; rather he magnified Torah and wrote Torah upon the hearts and imaginations of his people. Y’shua carried out (fulfilled) the prophecies regarding Mashiyach. He carried them out, made them happen, just like he performed Torah which was his duty and obligation as Mashiyach; otherwise he would not have qualified to be Mashiyach ben Yoseph.
[2] Isaiah 40:12-25; 2 Samuel 23:1-5; Deuteronomy 30:11-20.
[3] Y’shua would certainly not mention “the Pharisees” in this context, except that they walked in a degree of righteousness. Most ancient and modern Pharisees (Orthodox) have disciplined and righteous lifestyles; therefore Y’shua is stating the difference. As the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit writes Torah upon the hearts of his followers, they will surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees who elevate tradition rather than Torah.
The sad truth is, those without Torah have no righteousness, and they are certainly not “borrowing” any from Mashiyach’s righteousness while they continue in sin, regardless of what their theologians have to say. Mashiyach imparts his righteousness to those who follow him, and keep Torah. Through Y’shua, YHWH is raising up a Set Apart people who Keep His Commandments rather than making up their own religious traditions.
SO, WE MUST ASK OURSELVES THE FOLLOWING:
Has everything that "must happen" happened yet? Have "heaven and earth passed away? If not, then it seems believers are still supposed to be Torah observant today! Yeshua's death did NOT abolish YHWH's Torah; it abolished OUR need to kill innocent animals to atone for sin....
The verse in Matthew 5:17-20 that says: "So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven" is a major key, because it is talking about YHWH's commands!
What commands are they? TORAH commands - which still stand today ... and WE are obligated, as believers, to keep those that we can! We need to pay special attention to those that have the word "forever" or "throughout your generations" attached to them.
Why? Because "forever" hasn't ended yet! Not to mention, "fulfill" never meant "to put an end to." It means, Yeshua came to do His Father's will and to fulfill "the next thing on the agenda".....
"Fulfill", among other things, means to have proper understanding of a scriptural passage, such as recognizing a precise fulfillment of prophecy. Therefore, for instance, when Yeshua says, "This word is fulfilled in your hearing," he means that he is the goal or object of that prophecy and has now arrived on the scene to do his mission as specified according to prophecy.
Now, if the "fulfillment" has not happened yet, as is the case when Yeshua says, "All that is written in the Torah and Prophets must be fulfilled," then it means, quite obviously "kept", "vouchsafed" or "adhered to" – the exact opposite of passing away! That is also why he says, "He who keeps (fulfills) my words shall not taste death!"
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