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Matthew 11:9 “But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Indeed I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10For this is of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before thy face who shall prepare thy way before thee.’ 11Verily I say unto you, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist among them that are born of women. Notwithstanding, he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
What is less than the least?
I will give a literal rendering of the text. After this, I will have a series of questions and proposed answers for your consideration.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me according as I am also of Messiah. 2Now I commend you, brethren, that ye have remembered me in all things. And ye keep the guardings according as I delivered to you. 3But I wish you to know that the Messiah is the head of every man and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Messiah. 4Every man praying or prophesying having, on the head, puts his Head to shame. 5But every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered puts her head to shame. For it is one and the same with having been shaved. 6For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if shameful to a woman to be shorn or to be shaven, she shall be covered. 7For man indeed does not owe to have the head covered, being the image and glory of God. But woman is the glory of a man. 8For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9For also man was not created on account of the woman, but woman on account of the man. 10The woman owes to have authority on the head because of this: on account of the angels/messengers. 11However, man is not apart from woman or woman apart from man in Yehovah. 12For as the woman is from the man, so is the man also via the woman, but all things are from God. 13Judge in yourselves. Is it comely for an uncovered woman to pray to God? 14Or doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonour to him? 15But if a woman has long hair, it is glory to her! For the long hair is given to her instead of a covering. 16But if anyone thinks to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor the assemblies of God.
Some claim that we are under the ‘dispensation of grace’, and no longer under the ‘dispensation of the law’. Some claim that we are ‘free from the law’ as one song declares, “Free from the Law, oh happy condition!” What do the Scriptures say regarding the Law? This paper will examine what the “New Testament” writers stated concerning the Law, and common views of the Law in light of the ‘New Testament’.
The following premises will be assumed:
1. God has complete sovereignty. Yehovah places all government leaders, and He does not merely “let” them come to power. The powers that be are ordained of God.
2. Yehovah is all knowing.
3. Yehovah, His Word, His mind and His plan are changeless. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His Word is Truth, and cannot be altered and still be truth. His will never changes or improves. Yehovah has no alternate plans. They originated with complete knowledge of all that man would do. Yehovah’s plan will be perfectly and completely fulfilled.
4. Every command given by Yehovah can be completely obeyed by the one commanded. Yehovah never gives a command without giving complete ability to fulfill it.
5. Yehovah chooses and discriminates. He treats each one individually, and each will be judged individually. Yehovah is never unfair; He rewards the faithful on the basis of obedience.
6. Perfection is the highest possible attainment, and is never based upon physical ability or the condition of the mortal body. It is always based upon the obedience of faith, and Yehovah is able to give power to the Saint to walk perfectly before Him.
7. Messiah’s blood alone can turn away unrighteous.
8. The obedience of faith, alone, can maintain the Saint’s righteousness. Any Saint who sins cannot claim to be righteous based upon the righteousness of the Messiah. The wages of sin is death.
9. The Law will also be called the Torah (teaching), and refers to Genesis through Joshua. The Law of Yehovah = the Law of Moses, and was given only to Israel as the rule of daily conduct.
Acts 21:20 And when they heard, they glorified Yehovah, and said unto him, “Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the Law. And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together; for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them. Take them, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads; and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the Law.” …Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them, entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
Acts 25:14 “But this I confess unto thee, that after The Way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing ALL things which are written in the Law and in the prophets; and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and men. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.”
Acts 25:8 …while he answered for himself, “Neither against the Law of the Jews, neither against the Temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all.”
Acts 28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days, Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, “Men Brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered…”
Acts 22:12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the Law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me [Paul], and stood, and said unto me, ‘Brother Saul, receive thy sight.’ And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now, why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins calling on the Name of the Lord!'”
Many thousands of Jews believed in Messiah Yeshua and kept the Law, including Paul and Ananias who led Paul to faith.
Paul’s Bible is next shown:
Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Yeshua, both out of the Law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning to evening.
Galatians 2:15 “We who are Jews by nature… [know] that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Messiah Yeshua… Even we have believed in Messiah Yeshua, that we might be justified by the faith of Messiah, and NOT by the works of the Law; for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.”
Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in ALL things which are written in the book of the Law to do them.” But that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God is evident: for, “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 3:20a Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight…
Galatians 5:4 Messiah is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law…
Acts 13:39 And by [Yeshua] all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.
Some view the Torah as a way of justification and/or salvation prior to Messiah’s death and resurrection. The sacrifices never took away sin. Anyone attempting to justify himself by doing the works of the Law sets himself under a curse.
Galatians 2:21 …if the righteousness come by the Law, then Messiah is dead in vain.
The Law has no provision for rendering an unrighteous individual righteous.
Galatians 3:21 Is the Law then against the promises of God? No indeed! For if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness would have then been via the Law…
The promises of God are for life. The Torah neither negates nor establishes these, but does state them.
Galatians 4:4 …but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
The Law could not redeem.
Galatians 5:2 “Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, the Messiah shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. The Messiah is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
All under the Law need redeeming, Messiah excepted. (Those who are redeemed and keep the Law will be discussed later.) Being circumcised in order to enter into the Law forces one to keep the entire Law, and negates the profit of Messiah. Such a person falls from grace.
Hebrews 7:19 For the Law made nothing perfect…
The Law was never intended to render anyone perfect before Yehovah, and it has no such power. Any attempt to obtain perfection via the Torah will be unsuccessful.
Romans 3:31 Do we make void the Law through faith? NO WAY! Indeed, we establish the Law!
Some believe that the Law of God is voided when one comes to faith, and even that the Law itself voids the possibility of faith. Paul did not believe these errors.
Romans 4:13 For the promise, that [Abraham] should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham or to his seed through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.
The Law does not affect the promise Yehovah made to Abraham. It was made outside of and before the Torah.
Romans 7:7 What shall we say, then? Is the Law sin? NO WAY!
Some who hold the theology of “free from the Law” make the Law sin! (They should be rejoicing for being free from sin, and practice to prove it!)
Romans 8:3 For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh…
Had people of Israel been absolutely righteous, the Law would have been perfectly kept. The weak link was not the design of the Torah (which is perfect), but the people (to whom the Law was entrusted).
Romans 8:7 …because, the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God: neither indeed can be!
Yehovah designed the Law, and anything or anyone against the Law is against God.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The Law has not been abolished. (See if your translation’s Ephesians 2:15 rendering directly contradicts this text.)
Luke 16:16 The Law and the Prophets are until John: since that time the Kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the Law to fail.
Galatians 3:12 …And the Law is not of [by] faith: but, the man that doeth [the commandments and ordinances] shall live in them.
It is not illegal to abide by the Torah (when it is possible). The commandments of the Law do not produce death, but disobedience does. Faith is outside of the Law, but not antagonistic to it. The Law is not by faith, but only by practice.
Galatians 3:19 Why then is the Law? It was added because of transgressions, till The Seed should come to whom the promise was made…
The Torah was given to keep those under it from transgressing until Messiah comes (after which time those under the Law will keep it perfectly, having it written of their heart).
Galatians 3:23 …before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Before faith, the Israelis (the we) were preserved under the Torah until the time that faith would be revealed to them.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the Law was our truant officer unto Messiah, that we might be justified by faith.
The Law made sure that the Israelis who had not yet come to faith at least attended ‘school’ in which Messiah is presented, until the Israelis are justified by faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 Now, the goal of the commandment is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the Law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm! But we know that the Law is good, if a man use it lawfully…
The Torah must be used lawfully to be beneficial. Some use it to promote their own aims, violating it. Using the Torah to promote church tithing is theft, since tithing was given only to Israel. No tithing command is given in the New Testament (which is why many stoop to misuse parts of the ‘Old Testament’).
1 Timothy 1:9 …Knowing this, that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless, disobedient, ungodly, sinners, unholy, profane, murderers of fathers, murderers of mothers, manslayers, whoremongers, them that defile themselves with mankind, menstealers, liars, perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine…
The Torah was designed for Israelis devoid of Biblical faith. It is the foundation of all sound doctrine. When it is ignored (by the ‘New Testament Church’, for example), all evil in the name of ‘Christ’ occurs.
Romans 3:20b …by the Law is the knowledge of sin.
1 Corinthians 15:56b …the strength of sin is the Law…
Romans 7:13b …that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful…
Romans 4:15 …because, the Law worketh wrath: for where no Law is, there is no transgression.
Romans 5:13 For, until the Law, sin was in the world! But sin is not imputed where there is no law.
Romans 5:20 …Moreover, the Law entered, that the offense might abound.
Romans 7:7b …I had not known sin, but by the Law: for I had not known lust, except the Law had said, “Thou shalt not covet.”
Declaring and exposing sin and its consequences is the only valid way to show just how sinful sin really is. Many do not know what sin is. Some think certain things are sin when they are not, and others certain things are permissible when they are sin. Sin’s consequences will come whether or not the sinner realized he was sinning. The Torah provides the great service of portraying what is sin.
Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore, remember, that ye being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands: that at that time, ye were (1) without Messiah, being (2) aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and (3) strangers from the covenants of promise, having (4) no hope, and (5) without God in the world. But now in Messiah Yeshua ye who were sometimes far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in His flesh the enmity [of] the Law of commandments in ordinances, in order to make in Himself of twain one new man: making peace. And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Many use this passage to claim that the Law of God is abolished, when it shows that the enmity was abolished. The Torah showed Israel the good standard of Yehovah, and also invited the uncircumcised Gentile alien to come, (1) take on the God of Israel by faith, (2) take on the People of Israel as being his People, and (3) take on the Torah of Israel as his standard. Ruth and Rahab did. There was no good reason for the Torah to be a point of enmity. Many Jews saw themselves in a superior position with God because of the Torah, and the Gentiles as unclean and distant from God. Many Gentiles saw the Torah as barbaric and restrictive, and its practices as stunting learning and following many gods. The resulting enmity was due to evil and pride. Faith removes the enmity so that Godly Jews and non-Jews can be one Body.
1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of god.
No commandment in the Torah was difficult for the Israeli to keep when the priesthood and the Tabernacle or the Temple were functioning. No human can keep the Sabbath today when these are not functioning, since the Sabbaths require certain sacrifices. (All Israeli Holy Days are Sabbaths.) No one has the right to ‘keep’ a Torah command that does not pertain to him. An Israeli female has no right to ‘keep’ a command given only for an Israeli male:
Exodus 23:17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.
The Torah is profitable for all to read and learn:
2 Timothy 3: 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, 15and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness 17that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
But it is given to the Israelis to practice when they are able and willing.
Romans 7:10,12 …the commandment which is to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me]. Wherefore, the Law is Holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful!
Romans 7:16b . . . I consent unto the law that [it is] good.
The commandment of Yehovah is pro-life, but is death to the Israeli sinner because it condemns sin. It is holy, belonging to Yehovah. It is righteous, and exposes righteousness. It is good, serving the greatest benefit. Anyone diminishing its importance diminishes the importance and Goodness of the Owner.
Romans 8:14 . . . for we know that the Law is spiritual . . .
The Torah’s greatest benefits are not found in its rules and regulations, but in the work that Truth does, teaching the ways and characteristics of Yehovah, and leading the concerned student to faith.
Romans 8:4 …The Righteousness of the Law [is] fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Some misunderstood this to mean that the Saint may ignore the Law of God. Can the Saint ignore Matthew and Romans, which are just as much part of the Bible? When Israelis walk after (in obedience to) the Spirit of God, don’t they fulfill the righteousness of the Torah? If a non-Jewish person obeys Yehovah, doesn’t he fulfill the righteousness of the Torah (literally, the Teaching)? Yehovah never guides anyone to disobey His own Law of righteousness. He also never guides anyone to violate the Torah by trying to be what he is not. If an Israeli from the tribe of Dan attempted to do the role of a priest from the tribe of Levi, what would have been the result? Every person must become aware of his rank and station in life in order to serve according to Law.
Romans 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the Law of Righteousness, hath not attained to the Law of Righteousness. Why? Because [they followed it] not by faith, but as it were, by the works of the Law.
Righteousness and Law are not mutually exclusive, but combine together for the purpose of teaching Godliness. Israel was called to teach all nations the standard of and faith in Yehovah. She will do this when she has the righteousness of faith and the righteousness of the Torah by faith.
Romans 10:4 For Messiah is the end [aim] of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth.
Some think that end refers to abolition. Would they think the same thing in Romans 14:9 (For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living)? The purpose and target of the Torah are to bring the Israelis who believe it to Messiah, from Whom to obtain righteousness. Who would want to abolish such a treasure?
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another has fulfilled the Law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.
1 John 5:2,3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And His commandments are not grievous [contrary to popular opinion].
2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after [the Father’s, v.4] commandments. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it!
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. For this is the law and the prophets.
The Torah shows the standard of love toward God and man. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him (Exodus 23:5).
Some claim love for all people, or that Christians should love everyone. This is neither Scriptural nor possible. The perfect Law of Yehovah demanded that Israel exterminate all the Canaanites, including their babies. Did this show God’s Love for the Canaanites? If Yehovah hates (Psalm 5 & Psalm 11), does He love everyone? Is this the ‘love’ Saints must show to everyone in the world? Saints must show grace. The texts above have particular targets of love in mind. Love that is spread out over the world is too thin to matter. Love takes work, time and interaction. The Israelis were commanded to love each other. They were never commanded to love the races around them.
Romans 13:10b …therefore, love is the fulfilling of the Law…
It doesn’t say Love is the fulfillment of the Law. Hearkening is also commanded.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law!
James 2:9 …if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the Law as transgressors! For whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one, is guilty of all!
Israelis who sin transgress the Torah. Apart from law, there is no transgression. Non-Jewish folks who violate their consciences by doing wrong transgress the Teaching Yehovah has given to them.
James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, Brethren. He that speaketh evil of a 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.
The letter of James was written to the twelve tribes in the Diaspora (James 1:1). If Jews have no right to judge the Torah, do Gentiles?
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, 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.
The Torah teaches justice, mercy (and grace), and faith. Who desires to abolish these?
Galatians 3:13a Messiah hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law…
The Torah carries a curse against violators to protect Israelis from the terrible consequences of sin. Messiah Yeshua came to redeem those under the Law from its curse, for all have sinned. Once redeemed, the Israelis will be able to live its example before all races, teaching all the character, justice, righteousness, grace and works of God.
Galatians 5:16,14 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 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 desire. But if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the Law…for all the Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The Torah is intended to teach the Lawless to love his neighbour, not fulfil his lusts at his neighbour’s expense.
Hebrews 10:11 …and every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins…
Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the Law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 9:9 [The first Tabernacle] was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience… until the time of reformation.
Hebrews 10:1 For the Law can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law. For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the Law of carnal commandment [dealing with the physical line of Levi], but after the power of an endless life. For He testifieth, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” For there is verily a withdrawal of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness of it. For the Law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope; by the which we draw nigh unto God…
Hebrews 7:28 For the Law maketh men high priests who have imperfections; but the word of the oath, which was since the Law, [makes] the Son [the High Priest], Who is consecrated for evermore!
A priest was needed who was not stained with sin, who could bring the true sacrifice that would remove sin once for all. He had to be after the order of Melchizedek (my King of Righteousness). This necessitated a change in the priesthood. The Levitical priests, who could only act as types at best, could not do this work. This change in priesthood is called a change in the Law. Yet no commandment was changed in the Law. This Priest came from a different, non-Levitical line, for He sprang out of Judah. He fulfilled the type in the Torah, taking sin upon Himself.
Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, days come, says Yehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah–not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my Covenant, though I was an husband to them, saith Yehovah.
Hebrews 8:6 But now hath [Messiah Yeshua] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, He saith, Behold the days come, saith Yehovah, when I will make a new Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah: not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my Covenant, though I was a husband to them, saith Yehovah. For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days, saith Yehovah: I will put my Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts. And I will be to them God, and they shall be to me a People: and they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, “Know Yehovah!” For all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews 8:12 …for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that He saith, “A new”, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 10:16 This is the Covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith Yehovah: I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
The New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31 will newly write the first vanishing Covenant on the hearts of all Israelis. The Israelis will change, and their sins and iniquities will not be remembered.
Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is quick, 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 4:2 For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard.
Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a baby.
Hebrews 6:5 …have tasted the good Word of God…
Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Ephesians 6:17 And take… the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine. For the Scripture saith, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his reward.”
2 Timothy 2:15 Study [Make it your practice] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yeshua. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of god may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 4:2 [I charge thee,] preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine!
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves…
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect [Psalm 19:7a] Law of liberty [Psalm 119:44-45a], and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty! For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth in the midst of judgment!
James 2:8 If ye fulfil the Royal Law according to the Scripture, “Thou shalt love they neighbour as thyself,” ye do well…
2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, Beloved, I now write unto you; in which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets [including Moses], and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour…
Luke 11:28 Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it!
Luke 16:28 [concerning the rich man and Lazarus] “For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” Abraham saith unto him, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.” And he said unto him, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead!”
Luke 24:27 …and beginning at Moses and all the prophets, [Yeshua] expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Luke 24:44 And [Yeshua] said unto them, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me.” Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Messiah to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day…”
The Bible of the ‘New Testament’ authors was only the ‘Old Testament’, and the Torah was a vital part of their Bible. Accenting the ‘New Testament’ over and above the old is a grave error. The Old must be known before the New can be properly understood. The New Testament’s validity depends on the Old. If the Old has been even partially done away with, the New has no foundation.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the Law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will: only, in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.”
1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the Law!
2 Corinthians 14:21 In the Law it is written, “With other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith Yehovah.”
1 Corinthians 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the Law, as under the Law, that I might gain them that are under the Law; to them that are without law, as without law, that I might gain them that are without Law.
Romans 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the Law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest His will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the Law…
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the Law of God after the inward man…
Romans 7:25b So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God…
Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of Yehovah blameless. [Beat that.]
Romans 2:26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the Law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Romans 2:28 For he in not a Jew [Confessor of Yehovah] who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter: whose praise is not of men but of God.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman [Israel], and went to make war with the Remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Messiah Yeshua.
Saints will take the Torah seriously!
The Torah was given to Israel to show the standard and character of God. It is the Word of God for doctrinal purposes, being Truth. It is only abolished if all the Word of God is abolished.
To which kingdom does this refer?
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Messiah: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Who are the above marked our? The Gentiles cannot say our God, because Yehovah is identified with the Israelis in the Bible.
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory. 32And before Him shall be gathered all nations. And He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. 33And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Who are the brethren? The nations (races) have been gathered, but the brethren are being treated as a separate group. The sheep side of the nations inherit the kingdom prepared for them. Why are they called blessed and righteous, when they had no clue that they were doing Messiah good by doing the brethren good?
Acts 1:3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
The disciples looked for the kingdom being restored to Israel.
Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Daniel 4:3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his Kingdom is from generation to generation.
Daniel 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a Kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his Kingdom which shall not be destroyed.
This kingdom will last from the time of Messiah’s coming onward.
Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the Kingdom, and possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the Kingdom.
Daniel 7:27 And the Kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
The Saints and the people of the Saints will be given this kingdom. What people belongs to the Saints?
1 Chronicles 28:5 And of all my sons, for Yehovah hath given me many sons, He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Yehovah over Israel.
Obadiah 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the Kingdom shall be Yehovah’s.
Yehovah will possess the kingdom.
Micah 4:8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the Kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem will possess the kingdom.
Written by Lynn R.
The best form of preaching has always been expository. It takes the most work in order to properly prepare, but it also has the best benefits for the listeners. There are a number of expository preachers today (though expository sermons are increasingly rare and are being replaced by inferior ‘topical’ sermons because of the ease of preparation). Those who preach expositorily need to be commended.
Members who are genuinely interested in truth are attracted by the form of preaching which includes proper quotations of the Word of God, shows true doctrine, and reveals truth in a way that is useful to hearers. A pastor who properly presents the Word in a way that makes for increased righteousness and justice among hearers who fear God tends to draw many, because the Word is drawing them.
If truth attracts Saints, what frustrates them? Obviously, error does. Today, more than at any other time in the history of this country, error is being taught from fundamental pulpits, as well as pulpits where error can be expected (the pulpits of ‘liberals’ and cults). The cause of error is usually simple: the pastor was taught something in seminary, and has clung to it as truth without checking. Another cause arises when a pastor mistreats and mishandles the Word of Truth, not properly considering a text’s context and to whom the text is referring. Those listening to pastors are just as responsible for what they hear and believe as pastors are for what they teach, even though teachers will be judged far more harshly for their error. All should approach the Word of Truth with fear and trembling. I take this to be literal. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not, Exodus 20:20. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb. 10:31. Today, the word awe is being used to supplant the word fear. But do Biblical texts mean awe or fear? Just awful? Hardly!
This summer, toward the end of a great ‘Thus saith Jehovah’ sermon, my ears perked when the statement was made that “The law was done away with at the cross, reference Ephesians 2:15.” If true, this would seem to be a rather curious and drastic event—if some parts of the Scriptures are done away with.
This isn’t the first time I have heard a teaching similar to this, and I don’t know exactly why it became noteworthy to me at the time. I think the theory is that the Jewish and Gentile, and pre-Messiah and post-Messiah requirements for salvation are somehow uniquely different. However, Ephesians 2 describes in great detail how there is no difference in salvation for Jew and Gentile, and that there should no longer be enmity between the two as in the past. Verses 14 and 15 state,
For He is our (Jew & Gentile) peace, who made both (Jew & Gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, (caused by) the law of commandments in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you (Gentiles) which were afar off, and to them (Jews) that were nigh. For through Him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
It is the enmity between Jew and Gentile that is done away with, slain at the cross, and not the law. The Jews had flaunted their special, peculiar status with Jehovah by their being the direct recipients of the Word of God through Moses and the books of the Law, thus causing enmity with the Gentiles. This is the enmity that is done away with.
Granted, Ephesians 2:15 is a little fuzzy and the Greek does not help much in clarity. There are other verses with great clarity that cover the same subject, however. We can quote none other than Jehovah (Yeshua, Messiah, Jesus) in Matthew 5:17-18, an unchallengeable and immutable source.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass {when this earth and heaven are destroyed}, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The law is expressly not destroyed (done away with), and is secure exactly as written for at least another 1,000 years from today.
Note the severe warning editorial in the very next verse:
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture, Ephesians 2:15 cannot mean that the Law is done away with. Matthew 5:17-19 are the ‘Thus saith Jehovah’ verses on this subject.
Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses (the books of Moses) and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Yeshua Messiah begins with Moses (the books of the Law of Jehovah) when revealing Himself in Scripture. Should we not begin at the same place? Does this not bring importance to our knowing the Law thoroughly rather than considering that it may have been done away with? The Law is the exact, never changing, detailed justice system of God, and a total knowledge and understanding is desperately needed today as never before to set the foundation and the standard for all Christian human values and behavior. Does it save us? No. Did it save the Jews? No. Hebrews 4:2, For unto us (contemporary Jews) was the gospel preached, as well as unto them (children of Israel in the wilderness): but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it]. The ‘gospel’ is not new in the New Testament. ‘Faith’ is not new in the New Testament. Preaching, gospel, hearing and faith are the same throughout recorded Scriptures.
Romans 3:30 Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Does faith void the Law? No. It confirms the Law. Faith is necessary for both Jew and Gentile. Knowledge of the Law is required reading for both Jew and Gentile. The Law of God is the detailed plan of God by which the man of God is to gauge his whole life.
The Law is alive and well today! It declares the full righteousness, justice, grace, and love of Jehovah! We must nip in the bud any notion to the contrary as we strive to present the true doctrine of ‘Thus saith Jehovah.’
If you said the Jews, you are right. Who can learn from the Law? Jews and Gentiles. There are countless Scriptures and ramifications of these simple facts, these teachings of God. No one can properly understand the Scriptures without being able to sort out some direction to God’s plan for the Jews and God’s plan for the Gentiles. At this time and in this paper, however, I am only proving the certainty and duration of the Law.
Notice the text quoted above:
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass {when this earth and heaven are destroyed}, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
When will heaven and earth pass? Messiah must reign for 1,000 years, and before this, a time of great tribulation. Some very important events precede the time of great tribulation, and they will take time. It will be at least another 1,007 years before the Law passes!
The Law is not dead. It is inspired Scripture, and must be viewed that way, to insure that contempt for the Law does not become part of one’s beliefs!
Document by Ann Miller
Exodus 7:17 Thus saith Yehovah, “In this shalt thou know that I am Yehovah. Behold, I will smite upon the water that is in the river with the staff that is in my hand. And it shall be turned into blood. 18And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink. And the Egyptians shall loathe to drink the water out of the river.” 19And Yehovah said to Moses, “Say unto Aaron, ‘Take thy staff. And stretch out thy hand upon the waters of the Egyptians upon their streams, upon their rivers and upon their ponds, and upon all their reservoirs of water that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout the land of Egypt in both vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’ ”
The Egyptians worshipped the Nile River under various names and symbols. It was called the father of life and the father of the gods. Thus, the first public miracle was a blow to a god of Egypt. The Egyptians abhorred blood. Their horror must have been extreme when they saw their sacred river and all other water in their country turned to blood.
Exodus 8:5 And Yehovah said to Moses, “Say unto Aaron, “Stretch out thy hand with thy staff over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.’ ” 6And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt. And the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.
Heqet (Heket) was a goddess of childbirth, creation and grain germination. She was depicted as a frog or a woman with the head of a frog, betraying her connection with water.
As a water goddess, she was also a goddess of fertility where she was particularly associated with the later stages of labour. In this way, the title of Servants of Heqet may have been a title applied to her priestesses who were trained as midwives.
Exodus 8:16 And Yehovah said to Moses, “Say unto Aaron, ‘Stretch out thy staff and smite the dust of the earth. And it shall become lice throughout the land of Egypt.’ ” 17And they did so. And Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff. And he smote the dust of the earth. And there arose lice on man and on beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout the land of Egypt.
Geb (another god) was thought to represent the earth. He is pictured as reclining beneath the sky-goddess Nut. Geb, ‘the Great Cackler’, was represented as a goose. He was said to have laid the egg from which the sun was hatched.
Instead of the sky and the earth laying an egg representing the sun, the dust of the earth brought forth lice, which would in turn lay louse eggs on the Egyptians. They were big on being clean. Body lice don’t go along with being clean. They certainly don’t render priests clean.
Exodus 8:20 And Yehovah said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh. Behold, he will go out to the water. And say to him, ‘Thus saith Yehovah, “Send my people! And they have served me! 21For if thou will not send my people, behold I will send a swarm upon thee and upon thy slaves and upon thy people and into thy houses! And the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of the swarm, and also the ground on which they are! 22And I will distinguish the land of Goshen in which my people dwell in that day. And no swarm shall be there. And thou shalt know that I, Yehovah am in the midst of the land. 23And I will segregate between my people and thy people! This sign shall be tomorrow!” ’ ” 24And Yehovah did so. And the swarm came in a multitude into the house of Pharaoh and into the houses of his slaves and throughout the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted by the swarm.
The swarm corrupted the land. This attack was against every god that made the land (soil) profitable and productive.
Exodus 9:4 And Yehovah will distinguish between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt; and there shall nothing die of all that the children of Israel have. 5And Yehovah appointed a set time, saying, To-morrow will Yehovah do this thing in the land. 6And Yehovah did this thing on the following day, and all the cattle of Egypt died; but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.
This is also directed against the gods of Egypt who were supposed to be manifest in the various forms, all of which were considered sacred. Egyptians held every animal sacred. They worshipped almost every form of nature, sun, moon, stars, and rivers. Jupiter was adored in the form of a ram, Apollo a crow, Bacchus a goat, Juno a heifer, Diana a cat, Venus a fish, Mercury an ibis.
This attack was especially against Hathor, the cow goddess.
Exodus 9:8 And Yehovah said to Moses and to Aaron, “Take to yourselves handfuls of ash of the furnace. And Moshe shall scatter it toward the heavens before the eyes of Pharaoh. 9And it shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and shall become boils on man and on cattle breaking out with blisters throughout the land of Egypt.” 10And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses sprinkled it toward the heavens. And it became boils with blisters breaking out on man and on cattle. 11And the scribes could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boils were on the scribes, and on all the Egyptians.
Ash from a furnace makes lye; lye is used in making soap. Soap cleans. Boils picture the opposite of a clean body.
The goddess Qadshu (alternately spelled Qudshu, Qodesh, Qadesh, Qadashu, Qadesha, Qetesh, Qedeshet, Kedesh) was a latter Egyptian goddess of sexuality. (The Hebrew word kedesh means holy-one, and also refers to temple whores in this form of the word.) They were considered clean ones. They would have been unable to do their sexual functions with boils in the worst places.
Exodus 9:22 And Yehovah said to Moses, “Stretch out thy hand toward the heavens that there may be hail throughout the land of Egypt upon men and upon cattle and upon every herb of the field in the land of Egypt.” 23And Moses stretched out his staff toward the heavens. And Yehovah gave voices and hail. And the fire ran along the ground; and Yehovah rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24And there was very grievous hail and fire mingled with the hail such as there had been none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25And the hail smote all that was in the field, both men and cattle throughout the land of Egypt. And the hail smote every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field. 26There was no hail only in the land of Goshen where the children of Israel were.
The Egyptians had at least one god that controlled weather, and another god that dealt with chaos. Hail gave the Egyptians a taste of their gods as they had never seen. Yehovah controlled both the weather and the chaotic attacks.
Exodus 10:4 “If thou refuse to send my people, behold, I will bring locusts into thy borders tomorrow. 5And they shall cover the face of the land so that ye will not be able to see the land. And they shall eat the residue of what escaped that ye have remaining from the hail, and shall eat every tree that ye have growing in the field. 6And they shall fill thy houses and the houses of all thy slaves and the houses of all the Egyptians, which neither thy fathers nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day!” And he turned and went out from Pharaoh.
This plague was directed against the god Serapis who was supposed to protect the land from locusts and from Shu, god of the air. The creatures came at the command of Yehovah and went when He commanded them to go, proving He was the God of gods, and that the gods of Egypt were false and powerless.
Exodus 10:21 And Yehovah said to Moses, “Stretch out thy hand toward the heavens, that there may be darkness in the land of Egypt so that one may feel darkness. 22And Moses stretched out his hand toward the heavens. And there was a thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt three days. 23They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
This plague was directed against Re the sun god who was supposed to protect from any curse of the sun and bring natural blessings of light, warmth, and fruitfulness and Thoth and Chons the moon gods. It pitted these gods against Set, the god of chaos and Bes guarding against evil spirits and misfortune.
One plague attacked multiple gods by showing their impotence or by making them stink.
Re (Ra) was the Egyptian sun god who was also often referred to as Re-Horakhty, meaning Re (is) Horus of the Horizon, referring to the god’s character. The early Egyptians believed that he created the world. The rising sun was the symbol of creation. The daily cycle of sunrise and sunset was obliterated during those days of felt darkness.
Exodus 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne even unto the firstborn of the slavewoman who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of cattle.
The death of the first born was a blow against all the gods of Egypt since they were worshipped as different animals. Slaying the firstborn of beasts as well as men was literally bringing judgment on the gods. When any idolatrous nation was destroyed, folks placed the blame on the gods who abandoned that nation or who were overcome by stronger gods.
Several gods of Egypt were supposedly protectors of the lives of men and beasts. The Pharaoh was considered a god, and his son the next god. No god of Egypt had the power to stand against the God of the Hebrews.
The Egyptian occult leaders spoke of the strength of the Gods of the Hebrews when they declared during the lice plague, “This is the finger of the Gods” (Exodus 8:19). If the finger of the Gods of Israel could do this, what could the hand of the Gods do? What could the arm of the Gods do? What could Yehovah the Gods of the Israelis do?
Thus, Yehovah used only ten smitings to undermine every Egyptian god and goddess. He even undermined the gods and goddesses of the dead whose services included transporting and protecting the dead to their resting places awaiting the next life. So many deaths and so much chaos didn’t permit ritual offerings and preparations to occur in their prescribed manners. Pharaoh himself was drowned in the sea before a slave population that didn’t touch him; the sea god killed the Pharaoh god. What shame would have been brought on the greatest power in the region! Not a single weapon was used against the Egyptians; yet their army was totally defeated by their gods — or was it by the Gods of Israel?