We’ll start with this:
Ephesians 2:10. For we are His creation who are created in Y’shua the Mashiyach for good works which Elohim has before prepared for us to walk in. 11. Wherefore be mindful that you formerly were carnal Gentiles; and you were called the uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision and which is the work of the hands in the flesh.[1] (AENT)
Footnote with explanation:
[1] “Hands of the flesh” pertains to physical circumcision alone, without Torah context/teaching. It does NOT suggest that YHWH’s men don’t need to be circumcised…
We must ask ourselves, without Torah, what would be the point of physical circumcision? Jeremiah 9 offers a scathing rebuke of Israel by accusing her of being like Moab and Egypt, and the nations that circumcise because of local tradition; yet have no relationship with YHWH nor walk in Torah as He requests.
So, the point in the above passage is, we are to be like Abraham who first heard YHWH’s voice and THEN was circumcised. He wasn’t circumcised because of some human tradition. He was circumcised BECAUSE he belonged to YHWH, body, mind and soul.
Torah teaches that we must not rely on our flesh (for dust you are, and to dust shall you return - Genesis 3:19), but that we obey our Father YHWH as His children. We are the TRUE circumcision IF we obey YHWH and DO His will.
In other words, circumcision counts for nothing if we are unwilling to turn to YHWH’s instructions and follow in the steps of His Mashiyach (Jeremiah 9). Rav Shaul (Paul) repeatedly taught that circumcision of the heart must come first; and that circumcision of the flesh can never begin to substitute the perfect work of the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit).
Moving on with Ephesians 2:
Ephesians 2:12. And you were, at that time, without the Mashiyach; and were aliens from the regulations of Israel; and strangers to the covenant of the promise;[2] and were without hope and without Elohim in the world. 13. But now, by Y’shua the Mashiyach, you who before were afar off, have been brought near by the blood of the Mashiyach. (AENT)
Wow! What, exactly, does that mean? The AENT footnote explains:
[2] Greek reads “strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel”. Aramaic reads “strangers to the regulations of Israel and to the covenant of the promise.” YHWH identifies Israel according to their obedience to Torah as those who keep Covenant, rather than after the flesh. The Renewed Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34/Hebrews 8:8 is first made with Israel and Judah and then offered to others from the nations who choose to live in obedience to the Covenant.
Furthermore, in a very interesting admission, translator John Wesley Etheridge translates duboree d'Aisrayl here as "polity of Israel" but adds in his footnotes regarding this phrase, "the manners, or regulations, of Israel." In other words, he is looking at the nations' divorcement from the intricate rules of Israel and not some obscure moral distillation of Torah, as a bad thing!
Continuing with Ephesians 2:
Ephesians 2:14. He is himself our peace, who has made the two (become) one, and has demolished the wall[3] which stood in the midst, and the enmity, by his flesh; 15. And in his flesh (the) enmity and regulations of commands (contained) in his commandments are abolished[4] (so) that in himself (an occurrence of the divine nature, or qnoma),[5] he might make the two into one, establishing peace. 16. And has reconciled both with Elohim in one body and has slain the enmity by his stake (of execution).
Footnotes:
[3] Aramaic for wall is syaga. Ironically, this exact term was picked up by the Talmudic rabbis in Pirkei Avot (Sayings of the Fathers) 1:1 that commanded, “make a fence around the Torah.” Y’shua specifically warned against this activity in Matthew 15, rebuking the Pharisees in the process.
Later on, Y’shua said he was the “door/gate” using a synonym for syaga, known as taarea, which is a homonym “torah” and “teachers,” meaning the Pharisees. So while the Pharisees are busy erecting their fence, Y’shua is pulling it down, allowing everyone access!
[4] The grammatical structure here fully guarantees that namusa is referring to “customs” as in the traditions of the Pharisees, not Torah itself. Mashiyach abolishes the “enmity” (hatred or animosity) that has been brought against YHWH by religious tradition and false interpretations of Torah, which was a heavy burden that people could not bear.
Christian theologians, however, twist this verse and teach that it was YHWH’s Torah that brought the hatred and that Mashiyach did away with Torah, which is a very reckless and evil theology. Mashiyach sent the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit) to write YHWH’s Torah upon the hearts of his people, not abolish it.
[5] Qnoma can mean “core substance” or “occurrence.” Although Greek reads “self” Aramaic does not; “self” leads to assumptions of “personhood” which breeds idolatry.
Closing Ephesians 2 with the following:
17. And he came and proclaimed peace to you afar off, and to those near: 18. Because by him there is access for us both, by one Spirit, to the Father. 19. Wherefore you are not strangers nor sojourners, but you are fellow-citizens with the Set Apart believers and of the household of Elohim.
20. And you are built upon the foundations of the Shlichim and the prophets; and Y’shua the Mashiyach has become the head of the corner in the edifice. 21. And in him all the edifice is framed together and grows into a Set Apart temple in Master YHWH; 22. While you also are built in him for a habitation of Elohim through the Spirit. (AENT)
No comments:
Post a Comment
All comments are moderated.