Ordinances Against Us?
The Apostolic Letter to Gentiles
The Law of Yahweh & of Moses
The Veil Over Their Minds
Yoke Our Fathers/Unable to Bear
Yahshua: The End of the Law
Yahshua was not a Lawgiver
How to Count to Pentecost
Yahweh's Passover
Yahshua is Coming
Love the Heavenly Father
Salvation & the Sacred Names
The Creator/What is His Name?
The Father's Name
The Importance of the Name
Read & Restore Sacred Names
What is the Messiah's Name?
John 5:18
The Sabbath
Clothing for Men and Women
Feet Washing
Is This Your Ancestor?
Speaking in Tongues
The Plan of Salvation
The Soul of Man
When does the Day Begin?
Wine in the Bible
What Body are the Dead Raised?
Women
Yahweh's Dietary Laws
Ordinances Which Were Against Us?
By Voy Wilks
There is a scripture which has been misunderstood, I fear. It is Col. 2:14, which reads as follows:
“ ... Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross" (King James Version).
People tell us that it was the law of Moses, including the ten commandments, which were nailed to the cross (or stake, tree). Was this really the case? Whatever it was which was taken out of the way, was nailed to the tree, it was something which was against us, and something which was contrary to us! So let us consider, one by one, those laws of Moses, and determine which ones are indeed against us and contrary to us. In other words, let us decide which ones are bad laws, and therefore, are bad for us. If there chances to be any (or a few) which are good for us, surely these will become evident.
You, too, should decide as we review these together, which of the laws of Moses are good for us and which are bad for us. As we study each law, you should ask yourself, "Is this law good for me, or bad for me?"
Part 1
The Ten Commandments
(Ex. 20)
#1. Yahweh, the Creator, the Mighty One of Israel, introduces himself to all Israel. He is the one Supreme Being. There is no other. It is his wish that we worship him, and only him.
Can any reasonable person find fault with this? He created us, placed us in a beautiful habitat, provides all our needs, and gave magnificent laws for the universe, without which all would be chaos.
Look at the heathens who worship monkeys, cows and snakes. They are today the starving peoples of the world. The leaders of the heathen deities revel in the self-abasement and torture of the human body, even to the slaughter of human life, all for the appeasement of so-called deities. Yahweh, the Eternal One, has given laws against such actions.
He created us for his own pleasure, so this law is not against us, nor is it contrary to us. We must admit: to worship the Creator, and no other, is good for us.
#2. Do not build graven images to be worshipped.
It is a waste of time, income, resources, and priorities, to build idols to be worshipped. It is also a public pronouncement of our lack of appreciation for our creator's blessings and goodness to us.
So then, the second commandment is not bad. It is, in fact, good for us!
#3. Do not take the name of Yahweh in vain.
This too, is good for us.
#4. Remember the Sabbath, which is the seventh day, to keep it holy.
A. Rest.
It is a well known fact that the human body needs rest and diversion from laborious work at least one day each week. The older we become, the more we realize this to be true. There is a proverb:
"All work and no play make Jack a dull boy."
It is also true that all work and no rest make us tired. Altogether too tired! All work and no worship is not good either. It tends to cause us to be ill tempered, evil, grasping, and unthankful to our Creator.
So, my friends, it is really good for us to rest one day out of seven!
B. On which day should we rest?
Many ignore the seventh day of the week in preference to the first day of the week. Think about this for a time. Is there really any solid reason why we should, of ourselves, choose one day above another? No. One day should, for us, be as restful as another. So why is it that so many ignore the day which the Almighty has chosen? There may be several reasons for this, four of which I will name.
- Accepting tradition.
- Do not understand Scripture.
- Do not accept the Bible as final authority.
- The dislike of anything Jewish.
Yahweh, the Eternal one, has given a strict law that the seventh day is to be observed forever. Since he has never at any time given a law to observe another day of the week as the day of rest and worship, why not follow his wishes and worship him on the day which he has chosen? His pleasure should be our pleasure.
For 4,000 years the seventh day Sabbath was a holy day. Yahshua the Messiah also observed it as a holy day. If the Mighty Lawgiver chose to void the Sabbath law and name some other day as holy, does it not seem reasonable to expect that we would have been told about this - and plainly? No other day of the week has been made holy: only the Sabbath, the seventh day.
Please remember what we are considering. Are these laws good for us; or bad for us; against us, or contrary to us? We must conclude that the Sabbath law is good for us.
#5. Honor your father and your mother.
Children learn little until we gain their attention and respect.
Therefore this law is good for us and our children!
#6. Thou shalt not kill (murder).
All of us realize that it is not proper to take the life of a brother or a neighbor whom we should love. So this is a good law!
#7. Do not commit adultery.
If this commandment were carefully obeyed, much of today's crimes would be avoided. Much of the murder, divorce, and sorrow in this life would never be. Homes and children would not be destroyed nearly so often. Once again, another law of the Old Testament is not bad, but good for us to live by.
#8. Do not steal.
This is good advice in any society.
#9. Do not bear false witness.
In other words, cut out the lying.
Nothing but good for all of us to practice.
#10. Do not covet.
This is good for us, even more than for our neighbors. Coveting leads to stealing which, in the old days, sometimes led to hangings. Covetousness makes happiness difficult because of the constant desire to possess our neighbor's goods. For the sake of happiness, do not covet! Happiness brings good health to body and mind!
Here again, the law is good for us. Indeed, you and I have found all ten points of the Decalogue to be neither against us, nor contrary to us. All are good for us!
Then what portion of the law of Moses is against us? Let us consider the judgments of the law of Moses.
Part 2
The Judgments of The Law
(Penalties For Breaking The Law)
Here are some of the more outstanding penalties of the law.
Ex. 22:1 "If a man steal an ox or a sheep; …He shall restore five oxen for an ox, or four sheep for a sheep."
Please compare this with the Jaws of the United States. In the law of Moses (which is really Yahweh's law), the owner who suffers the loss is the one to whom restoration is made. This is not usually the case in our society. No restoration is made to the looser, unless the goods are found in the hands of the thief. Even when I,000 sheep are lost to a thief, no restoration is made to the owner. If the thief is caught, he is "fined," but the county or the state gets the "fine money," not the man who lost the livestock.
The law of Yahweh is better for us!
Num. 35:30, 31 "Whoever killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses, but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die."
Today people say that punishment is no deterrent to crime. This is the opposite of the truth, however. Suppose that a man rapes and kills a woman, and is put to death for this crime. This man will never rape and kill another woman!
0n the other hand let us suppose that he is not put to death, as is usually the case today. The life of the criminal is considered to be very precious, so he is sent to prison. Soon he is out on "good behavior." Then what happens?
The man whose life has been spared, contrary to Yahweh's law, resumes his life of crime. Often these men rape and kill from one to fifteen women before being caught again. It is now known that some have killed more than 100 persons during a life-time. Throughout the years of freedom which these murderers enjoy, they are fathering sons and bringing them up to be like themselves, and worse. If we choose to follow this further, the scenario would go something like this.
The criminal is finally caught again after ten years. He is declared to be insane, or perhaps only in need of psychiatric treatment. Every "sick" person needs special care, they say. The lives of those 15 persons which he has killed are not precious, it seems, but his life is.
So the very families of the women who have been killed are taxed, along with the rest of us, to pay for the murderer's psychiatric treatments, dental and medical expenses, food and housing. This cost is from $30,000 to $35,000 per year for only one maximum security prisoner; enough for the average American family of four.
Before this criminal dies of old age, his sons and grandsons grow up to be like himself; and so - crime multiplies!
It is evident that Yahweh's laws are best! They are good for us and for all society.Ex. 21:15, 17 "Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death. Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death."
At first thought this seems to be unnecessarily cruel. Let us check it out, please. It is easy for a child to obey his parents, if he will only do so. If he does not, it is because of temptation, in which case he will not curses his parents; or else, it is because of rebellion. This is when a child is inclined to curse father or mother. Any child, who does this, being the rebellious type, will in later life refuse to obey the laws of the land also. This child is the budding criminal. Why wait until he kills some innocent person, his parents, perhaps, before we stop him? The Almighty knows best! Since it is easy for children to honor father and mother, there is no need for it to be otherwise. The final end of this law is good.
Ex. 21:16 "Whoever steals a man, whether he sells him, or is found in possession of him, shall be put to death."
The U.S. Kidnapping law was changed to the death penalty about 1930, but is not always carried out. This is an indirect admission, however, that the law of Moses is good for society.
Deut. 25:11,12 "When men fight with one another and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of the one who is beating him, and puts out her hand and seizes him by the private parts, you shall cut off her hand; your eye shall not pity."
This scripture shows that a wife should be a lady as well as a woman. This may seem to be an extreme punishment, but in a real sense, the woman has prepared her husband's opponent for the death blow which her husband can give at any time, for minutes afterward. Remember! It is easy for a woman to be a lady, and refrain from such an act.
Ex. 21 :22-25 "When men strive together and hurt a woman with child, so that there is a miscarriage, and yet no [other] harm follows, the one who hurt her shall be fined, according as the woman's husband shall lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."
Please remember that the wife of neither man is to be involved in the conflict, as seen above. Assuming that the woman is standing well aside, the only way that she could receive an injury when two men fight, is that one of the men ignores her presence, or else purposely harms her as a means to win the fight. This means that he would not (1) properly regard human life, and (2) does not respect the person of a lady.
This teaches that women should have a position of equality and protection in the community. They should receive due honor, respect, and protection. Their lives are to have equal value with men. Every man should feel protective toward a woman with child, both his own and every other prospective mother. A man who would carelessly, or purposely, harm a pregnant woman is not needed in our society.
This law gets a clear slate of approval on four counts.
- Women's right to equality.
- An unborn child's right to equality.
- The duty of every man to protect women.
- Punishment is a deterrent to crime.
The system as set up by Yahweh was most efficient, indeed. There were no taxes levied against the citizenry in order to feed, cloth and house criminals. If they deserved to die, the death penalty was to be given. If a lesser punishment was deserved, it was given in such a way that it did not burden the law abiding citizens. For better understanding, I offer the following:
In cold blood, man #1 kills man #2. The relatives of man #2 did not have the right to kill man #1. The kiIler must be brought before the judges for trial. No person could be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. If found to be guilty, the "Avenger of blood," a relative of the dead, meeted out the punishment to the killer.
For lesser crimes the same pattern was followed. After trial, the guilty was formally punished by the mistreated, or his near relatives. This is a deterrent to assault and battery, whereas a jail sentence docs no one any good, except to give the criminal a good rest - at our expense.
The results of these laws, if followed, makes a better community as a whole. Not one ex-convict among them!
Part 3
Rituals of Worship
1. Animal Sacrifices.
A. Animal sacrifices were not an exercise in barbaric cruelty. The animals were humanely slaughtered, after which most were boiled or barbecued, and eaten as food (Lev. 7:6, 15, 30-32). The burnt offering was an exception to this, as it was wholly burned. Jewish law (Talmudic) required that only sharp knives with smooth edges be used for slaughtering purposes.
Today the lives of many animals are sacrificed in the state of Texas so that we may eat roast beef, barbecued mutton, fried chicken, etc. and we think nothing of it. Why then, do some think that the ancient sacrificing of animals was bad? This was a convenient way to feed the multitudes which came up to Jerusalem three times yearly for the revival meetings, two of which lasted eight days each.
B. Another aspect of animal sacrifices which has been appreciated by many is that it served an important purpose for the people until the coming of the Messiah. That purpose was to forgive sin. The Almighty promised that their sins would be forgiven in the offering of these sacrifices: Without them, the sacrifice of the Messiah would not have removed their sins. Please see the promise of forgiveness in these scriptures: Lev. 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18; 19:22; Num. 15:25, 26, 28.
C. There was more to this than forgiveness. Any time a righteous person feels guilty he is not satisfied only to tell himself, "Never mind. What is done is done." In this case, we have a desire to "do something" for the one, or ones, which have been done wrong. Just to say, "I repent," does not, on some occasions, satisfy the offender - does not make us, as offenders, feel free of guilt. So it is with all of us who seek after righteousness.
The Creator was wiser than all, so he knew that it was good for Israel to be able to "do something" as a manifestation of their repentance. It helped them to feel the restoration which they obtained from Yahweh, once a sacrifice had been offered.
2. The Annual Holy Days.
Are the annual festivals against us? Are they against the Jew and/or the Gentile? Please let us consider these.
It is evident that most of the human race feels the need to worship. Also, man feels the need to appoint "set times" for this worship. Every religion has its festivals - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, the ancient Druids, Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans, as well as those of Christianity.
Since there is this inborn train in human nature which creates a desire to worship something, and at certain appointed times, let me ask. Why not worship the Creator on the set times which he has appointed? How can it be against us and contrary to us, to worship the true Mighty One on the days which he has appointed to be observed forever? Is it not as convenient to worship him on the days which he has appointed, as to worship on the days of our choosing?
To summarize. The observance of Yahweh's festivals fulfill a need of the human race. Therefore, these festivals are good for us, not against us!
Part Four
Laws of Clean and Unclean
1. Foods.
An automobile maker knows exactly the type of fuel which is best for the operation of his motor. He also knows some fuels which will foul it up. So it is with Yahweh, our Maker. He knows what foods are good for us as well as those which foul us up. In fact, he was nice enough to prescribe the foods which are good for us (Deut. 14:3-21; Lev. 11th Chapter).
2. Personal Hygiene.
It is common knowledge that cleanliness improves our chances for staying healthy. As recently as 400 years ago, most Gentiles bathed only once or twice each year. This was true of Queen Elizabeth 1st, who lived from 1533 to 1603. It is recorded that King James 1st of England never washed his hands, but dipped them in oil instead. There is no record of baths in King James' palace at Hampton Court, though he sometimes entertained more than one thousand guests for an extended length of time.*
As far back as 3,000 years ago, however, our Creator gave laws of personal hygiene which dealt with bathing, washing of clothing, waste disposal, etc. which today is recognized as important to personal and community well-being (Lev. 11:25, 28,40; Lev.11; Deut. 23:10-14). Good? Yes, indeed!
3. Medical diagnosis and quarantine (Lev. Chapters 13, 14, and 15:1-15).
All this was, and is today, good for us, not against us!
Part Five
Agriculture
#1 "When you reap your harvest in your fields, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless and the widow; that Yahweh your Almighty may bless you in all the work of your hands" (Lev. 23:22).
*The Men Behind The King James Version, by Gustavus S. Paine, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mi.; 1969, Page 3.
Who can justly complain if the widows, orphans and the poor gather in the little which is left in the fields? This shows, once again, the love of our Creator. This is good for the community!
#2 The Sabbath year.
It may be quickly said by some, "foolishness! Don't plant our farms in the seventh year? A plan for starvation!" But think of it, please. Who in his right mind can really complain about a twelve month paid vacation every seven years? Not bad at all, is it? The Eternal One promised,
"I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, so that it will bring forth fruit for three years" (Lev. 25:21).
See? A real blessing!
Part Six
Inheritance Laws
#1. The Land.
The land was not to be sold in perpetuity, but, in the jubilee year, was to be returned to the original owners, if for some reason it had been sold. This was to be returned free of cost to the original owner, or his heirs. At any time during the 50 year period, the homestead could be redeemed by buying back the number of crop years to the jubilee year.
To me, this seems good! Twice each century the poor had an opportunity to start anew on the family homestead. As for the rich, it hurt them not at all, as they only leased the land until the jubilee year. They knew this in the beginning.
#2 Redemption of slaves.
Slaves could be redeemed at the end of seven years. This could be done by themselves, a relative, or a friend, so as to return to the family inheritance (Lev. 25:47-54).
Part Seven
Miscellaneous Laws
#1. The newly married man.
“When a man is married, he shall not go out with the army or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, to be happy with his wife whom he has taken” (Deut. 24:5).
#2. “You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights …” meaning buying weights, and another size for selling (Deut. 27:17).
#3. “Cursed be he who misleads removes his neighbor’s landmark” (Deut. 27:17).
#4. . “Cursed be he who misleads a blind man on the road” (Deut. 27:18).
It is easy to see that these laws are good for the individual and for the community. Very good indeed!
Conclusion
Now, dear friends, we have looked into the laws of the Creator (or laws of Moses; there is no difference) and have found that none are against us. None are contrary to us. All have been given for our good and for the good of the community. It is true that this brief study has not considered all of Yahweh’s laws, but you must agree that most of them have been considered, especially the more important ones. Not one is bad for us! All are good!
So now we can safely answer the original question about Col. 2:14. “Was Paul saying that some of the Creator’s laws were against us and contrary to us, and so, were abolished?”
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his [stake].”
Since all Yahweh’s laws are good for us, the answer to the above question is certainly no. Something else was against us; not the law of the Almighty. Something else was nailed to the stake; not the law of the Eternal One. To find what was against us, and so was nailed to the tree, please ask for a companion article entitled Col. 2:14, by Voy Wilks.
“The sum of thy word is truth; and every one of thy righteous ordinances endures forever” (Ps. 119:160).
“The Law of Yahweh is perfect …” (Ps. 19:7).
“ …all his precepts are trustworthy, …” (Ps. 111:7, 8).
The law is truth, is righteous, is trustworthy, is perfect, and is good for us, so it was something else which was nailed to the tree, not the law which Yahweh gave to Moses.
