TK Torah Keepers

And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. ¹⁵ And they come to Yeshua, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. ¹⁶ And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. ¹⁷ And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. (Mark 5:14-17 KJV)

The verses above come from the story of Yeshua casting unclean (tamei) spirits out of a tormented man, and into a heard of swine, which promptly ran down a steep cliff and into the sea where they drowned.  The tormented man was liberated from his torment and restored to a right mind and life.  What is somewhat surprising in this story is the response of those who fed the swine and the city which received their report.  It seems that the possessed and tormented man was familiar to the people of the area.  It is reported that several attempts to bind the man with chains had been made but to no avail.

Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. (Mark 5:4-5 KJV)

It is also interesting to note that the possessed man ran to Yeshua and fell before him.

But when he saw Yeshua afar off, he ran and worshipped him, (Mark 5:6 KJV)

The word “worship” may be a bit misleading.  The Greek word is “proskunasin” which means “he reverenced, greeted, or bowed down” to him.  Nonetheless, the man with the spirit of tamei ran to greet Yeshua and was delivered from his torment by his encounter with the Messiah.  Yeshua cast the spirit of uncleanness into a nearby heard of unclean (tamei) swine. Let us recall here that swine belong to the realm of tamei or uncleanness.

And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean (tamei) to you. (Leviticus 11:7 KJV)

And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean (tamei) unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass. (Deuteronomy 14:8 KJV)

Free from this spirit of tamei the tormented man was restored to his proper mind and life.  This should be encouragement enough for everyone to leave the realm of unclean or tamei things. Note, however, that those who fed the swine, as well as their fellow citizens, when they witnessed these events did not rejoice over the liberation of the man but instead rejected the whole event.

It is difficult from the text to discern whether it was Yeshua that was asked to leave or the restored man, the pronoun “he” remains undefined.  Regardless of which way you read the text, whether it was Yeshua or the restored man that was asked to leave, what is clear is that the citizens were threatened by what they observed.  The presence of Yeshua and his powerful teachings clearly were perceived as a threat to the familiar routine of the town’s folk and their routine lives.  Those who fed the swine resented Yeshua’s intrusion into their lives. 

We may note that this story of the death of the swine follows immediately after Yeshua’s parable of the sower which, in part, explains that not everyone who hears the word will receive it.  The story of the swine is a classic example of people encountering the powerful teaching of Yeshua and rejecting it. 

I cannot help but note that the story indicates that those who feed the swine do not want anything to do with Yeshua’s teachings.  We should not overlook the fact that swine are animals.  This story may serve as visible words for us.  Within the events of this story we should see that those who feed their lower animal nature rarely accept the teachings of Yeshua.  Yeshua spoke of his words as being spirit and life.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63 KJV)

The Apostle Shaul rightly observed,

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6 KJV)

These two natures often war within us all, tormenting and tempting us.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8 KJV)

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17 KJV)

The Creator created us to have two natures, a spiritual nature and a carnal or animal nature.  The spirit nature makes it possible for us to commune with the Spirit Creator and receive revelation knowledge.  The carnal or animal nature makes it possible for us to manifest the revelation knowledge in the world for the rest of creation to see.  Both natures are necessary if we are to be the image of YHWH in the world. To maintain our carnal nature we must feed our flesh.  The Torah teaches us how to “sanctify” our flesh or animal nature so that it may serve the Sovereign Creator’s holy purposes.  This is why YHWH gave us the dietary laws.  By following the dietary laws we sanctify or tame our flesh so that it does not run wild on us.  The men in our story represent those who not only feed their flesh, but do so in an unclean or unsanctified manner.

This story may serve in many ways as a parable of what continues to happen today, when people encounter the powerful teaching of Yeshua inviting them to embrace both the cross and the Torah.  We cannot receive the living word of Yeshua and remain unchanged.  The man who truly embraced the words of Yeshua was radically transformed, restored, renewed in mind and body.  We read in the story that the man became a disciple and preacher of the Messiah to his own people…he became a living testimony to all who saw and knew him.

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. ¹⁹ Howbeit Yeshua suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. ²⁰ And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Yeshua had done for him: and all men did marvel. (Mark 5:18-20 KJV)   

But for the rest of the people in the story, the encounter with Yeshua threatened their routine, comfort, security and established lives.  These people simply loved their pork too much to embrace the life-giving words of Yeshua.  The majority of the people in the story would not tame their flesh and its desires and appetites.  The majority would not embrace either the cross or the Torah.  Instead they were content and happy with their lives.  It is sad to think that so many people continue choose to maintain the comfort of the status quo rather than embracing the cross and the Torah and be transformed and restored to the glory and image of YHWH.

As the disciples of Messiah, we should neither be surprised nor discouraged by such a response from the masses.  Instead, we rejoice in the one person who does receive the Messiah and his living word.  We must continue to teach, preach, and give our living testimony without being discouraged or frustrated by the world’s response.  Like the man restored, we must continue to serve as a living testimony to what the Master has done in our lives.  Those who have ears will hear.

Judge not, that ye be not judged. ² For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:1-2 KJV)

These may well be the most ignored words of our Master Yeshua in all of scripture.  They may also be the most misunderstood words in all of scripture as well.  To truly understand these words we must understand what it means to be a disciple.

 A “student” is a person who studies for the purpose of gaining knowledge.  A “student” will seek out information from various teachers and sources.  A “student” gleans knowledge and information from various sources and then forms a personal understanding, philosophy, or ideology. A “student” seeks to improve, promote, and advance him or herself.  We are all, at various points in our lives, students seeking knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that we may be a better person. There is nothing wrong with being a student.  In fact, improving oneself can be a great virtue. 

A “disciple,” however, is not the same as a student.  A “disciple” is one who has been convicted of the truth of a particular teacher.  A “disciple” dedicates himself completely to his teacher.  A “disciple” seeks to learn everything about his teacher.  A “disciple” lives not to promote himself but his teacher.  A “disciple” is not concerned with formulating personal opinions, philosophies, or ideologies.  A “disciple” concerns himself with advancing the teachings of his teacher.  A “disciple” is not looking to honor himself, but to bring honor to his teacher.  The disciple gives his life completely to the work and words of his teacher. 

Yeshua is the greatest example of what a “disciple” is.  Yeshua did not come to do his own will.  Yeshua did not teach his own opinions or thoughts.  Yeshua was a disciple of the Father.  He came only to do the Father’s will and work. 

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:38 KJV)

Yeshua answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:16 KJV)

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29 KJV)

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9:4 KJV)

As a disciple of the Father, Yeshua judges no one.

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. ¹⁶ And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. (John 8:15-16 KJV)

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. (John 12:47 KJV)

Here the Master declares that he did not come to judge, and that he judged no man.  But these words seem to contradict our Master’s words as he vehemently judged the Pharisees and the Sadducees for their arrogance, spiritual pride and “letter of the law” teachings. How can we reconcile the Master’s words with his actions?  The answer is quite simple.  Let us look at a few more of Yeshua’s teachings on the matter.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30 KJV)

I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. (John 8:26 KJV)

And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. (John 8:50 KJV)

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48 KJV)

Here we see the principle that our Master is trying to teach us.  Yeshua did not of his own will, thoughts, or reason judge anyone.  Yeshua was not the judge.  Yeshua was merely the disciple sent to report the judgment of the Father.  In other words, within the Torah are the instructions, revelations, statutes, ordinances, distinctions, commandments, and judgments of the Sovereign One.  YHWH has already revealed his just judgments.  As disciples we are neither free to judge for ourselves, nor to raise up other standards by which to judge people.  As disciples we are not to speak our own thoughts, ideas, or judgments about other people, especially not our fellow disciples.  Yeshua did not create his own guidelines to judge others.  Neither should we be creating new guidelines of judgment for our brethren.  Our brethren, or even unbelievers, do not need to live by our standards.  We are not the judge.  YHWH is the judge.  YHWH has already declared his judgments.  Now we must simply bring our lives into submission to the Sovereign One’s judgments.  We see the principle of our Master in the writings of the Apostles.

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (Romans 14:3 KJV)

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah. (Romans 14:10 KJV)

Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. (Romans 14:13 KJV)

In the verses above Shaul is addressing the issue of meat offered to idols.  The new convert from idolatry refuses to eat the meat sacrificed to idols.  The long time believer recognizes that idols are nothing and therefore eats the meat as if it has been simply butchered.  Since YHWH has, through Messiah, accepted both of these brethren, then there is no need for one to judge the other. Both have already been justified by YHWH through Messiah.

The Apostle James also writes on this matter of judging one another.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (James 4:11 KJV)

Here our brother James is teaching us, that if YHWH has already judged a brother acceptable, but we are rejecting our brother based upon what our personal standards are, then we are not only judging our brother, we are judging YHWH’S law as well.  Once we become the judge of YHWH’S judgments we put ourselves in a place of judging YHWH.  This is a dangerous place to be!  We should remember the words of our Master Yeshua, 

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord… (Matthew 10:24-25 KJV)

The Apostle Shaul likewise encourages us to study the Torah, learn the judgments of YHWH and then apply them to our selves instead of our brethren!

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:31 KJV)

Again, we must be careful, that we are not holding others accountable to our own standards, or even to our own understanding of YHWH’S standards.  This was the sin of the Pharisees who sought to keep the very letter of the Torah to the nth degree and judged others for failing to do so.  We may do well to recall Yeshua’s parable of the Pharisee and the publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. ¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. ¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:11-14 KJV)

Note that while the Pharisee did indeed keep the letter of the Torah he failed miserably in keeping the spirit of the Torah. 

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Luke 11:42 KJV)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23 KJV)

The warning against judging others does not mean that we ignore or tolerate blatant error, or that we overlook our brother’s grievous transgressions.  It does mean, however, that we must exercise great caution in our judgment.  First, it means that we must study the Torah to know and understand what the judgment of YHWH is on a particular matter.  Second, we must make sure that we ourselves understand and are fulfilling not just the letter of the Torah but the spirit of the Torah in the manner that we are approaching our brother.  Third, we must be sure that we are not establishing our own standard, opinion, and law.  Fourth, we must look at our brother and discern whether YHWH has already judged or forgiven him?  Fifth, we may ask what does the Master want us to speak to our brother and how does he want us to speak it?  We must be careful that we are not judging a brother on our own, out of our own emotions, or by our own authority.  One must pray ardently for confirmation that the judgment we speak is, in fact, from the heart of the Father, in the spirit of the Father, by the authority of the Father.  If it is not, then we should say nothing and take the matter to the cross!   It is better to let YHWH judge his people.  It is unfortunate that we so often want to play lawmaker, judge, jury, witness and executioner when it comes to our weaker brethren. But we would do better to follow our Master’s example and let YHWH be the judge.

 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37 KJV)

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. ² And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him. ³ And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. ⁴ And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. ⁵ And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. ⁶ And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. (Mark 3:1-6 KJV)

 Yeshua taught,

 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15 KJV)

 In our zeal to demonstrate our love for our Master, and the Father, we must guard ourselves against spiritual pride and legalism.  When the Spirit of the Holy One stirs the heart of the believer, it is not uncommon for the believer to respond with zeal and fervor.  The sinner who genuinely feels the conviction of the Spirit repents of the old way of life and enthusiastically embraces a new transformed life and becomes an advocate and warrior for the new life of faith.  The same may also be said for those who have been stirred and convicted concerning the Torah observant life.  

 When a believer comes to understand the depth of YHWH’s love for them, as is given evidence in the provision of Yeshua the Messiah’s life, death, and resurrection, profound gratitude is the spontaneous and appropriate response.  Our Master, Yeshua, taught,

 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (Luke 7:47 KJV)

 We may summarize this teaching simply as, “Those who have been forgiven little love little, and those that have been forgiven much love much.”  If we truly love YHWH we shall indeed keep his commandments with zeal and enthusiasm. 

 However, we must guard against spiritual pride and legalism.  In the story above, the Pharisees genuinely desired to keep the commandments of YHWH to the nth degree.  While we often demonize them and characterize the Pharisees as being completely vain in their piety, the truth is that their behavior was motivated by a genuine desire to keep the commandments perfectly.  The problem was not in their desire to keep the commandments perfectly.  The problem was that in their genuine desire to keep the absolute letter of the law—they lost sight of the Spirit of the Torah.  The Pharisees in the story above understood the letter of the law concerning the Sabbath.  No work could be done.  While the Torah does indeed command that we abstain from mundane labor on the Sabbath, the cessation of labor is not the point of the Sabbath.  The point of the Sabbath is that all mundane distractions and demands that draw our hearts and minds away from the Creator are removed that we may have full, undivided fellowship with the our Heavenly Father.  Healing a man with a withered hand and freeing him from the burden of his disability, even on the Sabbath, allowed the man to keep the Sabbath.  Being touched by the great love and power of YHWH in a most miraculous way, did not distract the man from YHWH but drew him even closer to the Father—the fulfilling the Torah.  Yeshua was grieved by the hardness of heart of those who would condemn him, or the man with the withered hand, for violating their well intentioned, though shallow, zeal to keep the letter of the law. 

 It is important that we remember that we all started our journey of faith somewhere else.  We all have grown in knowledge, wisdom and understanding over the years. We should also remember that keeping the Torah is a response to salvation and not the means to salvation.  It is unfortunate that so many of the brethren are quick to condemn another brother or sister to eternal damnation in the fires of hell because they do not keep the letter of the law perfectly.  We must allow for people’s love of YHWH and his Messiah to grow and lead them to a genuine faith and life.  Yeshua repeatedly rebuked the zealous Pharisees, for their judgmental, prideful, and callused attitude toward others.  You may indeed keep the letter of the law perfectly, and yet still not have kept the Torah.  The Torah is about life and love. The Torah is living.

 For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

 It is the spirit that maketh alive; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63 KJV)

 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (John 12:50 KJV)

 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. ⁴⁷ For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. (Deuteronomy 32:46-47 KJV)

 Our obedience must come from a genuine heart. Obedience must be the fruit of the Spirit of the Holy One working within the hearts, minds, and souls of the redeemed.  We cannot force another into genuine, heartfelt obedience; we can only inspire them and encourage them in their faith walk.  It would be wise, for all of us, to leave the judging to YHWH.  Instead we should address one another, and especially the new convert or believer, with grace, support, and loving encouragement, not legalistic demands for conformity to a dead letter.  It was through the love and mercy of YHWH as administered by Yeshua that the man with the withered hand was restored and drawn closer to YHWH, not by rigid legalistic demands.