In our current confused world in which serious consideration of Scriptural truth is often despised as if it were merely the narrow-minded worldview of wild-eyed fanatics, it is refreshing to reflect on the Messiah's attitude toward the Scriptures. When the Messiah taught with authority, what was his standard for asserting what he knew to be true? How did he approach the understanding of Scriptures in a first-century culture that was supposedly based on being Biblically minded?

The Tanakh, commonly called the Old Testament in Christian Bibles, was grouped in ancient times as three sets of scrolls: Torah (the five books of Moses -- the law), Nevi'im (the prophets), and Kethuvim (the writings). In any modern Jewish Bible one can see the order of the Scriptural books as they were anciently collected in these three groups. Sometimes "the law" or "the law and the prophets" are phrases used in new covenant writings (like Matthew) to stand for all of the Tanakh. Since the Psalms were the first part of the Kethuvim (the writings), "the Psalms" is a reference in Luke 24:44 to this whole third group of "writings."

"Don't assume that I've come to undo the Torah or the Prophets! I haven't come to undo them! I came to bring them to their full realization! Amen! I'm telling you that until heaven and the land pass away, not one iota or a single tittle will pass away from the Torah, not until everything happens!" (Matthew 5:17-18, JAV). The context (v. 19-20) expresses a strong warning toward any who would disregard even the least of the commandments and then teach others to do so.

"And the Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10: 35b, NASB).

"And no power can do away with Scripture" (John 10: 35b, JAV.

"You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29b, NASB).

"Therefore, when he [the Messiah] came into the world, he said, 'Then I said, 'Look, I have come! In the roll of the scroll it has been written about me, the one to do your will, O God!" (Hebrews 10: 5a, 7, JAV, quoting Psalm 40:7, 8a).

Then he said to them, "What fools! So slow of heart to put your faith in everything the prophets had spoken about! Wasn't it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things, and then to enter into his glory?" Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, the Messiah explained to them everything in the Scriptures that was related to him... Then they said to each other, "Didn't our heart burn within us as he spoke to us on the way, as he opened the Scriptures to us?"...Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you! It was necessary for everything that has been written about me in the Torah of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms to be fully realized!" (Luke 24:25 - 27, 32, 44, JAV).

From the beginning of his teaching ministry to his striking resurrection appearances, there is no doubt about how seriously and reverently Yeshua the Messiah regarded every "jot and tittle" of Scriptural revelation; it made no difference whether he quoted Isaiah, Psalms, Genesis, or any other passage from the Tanakh. Whether speaking of historical people and literal events or addressing spiritual priorities, required beliefs, and important practices; his absolute confidence in the integrity of Scriptures is unequivocal.

When rebuking wrong thinking as well as when denouncing hypocritical behavior, the basis of his authority was the foundation of the Scriptures. That which was "written" was the unshakable bedrock of Yeshua's faith in the One God as his heavenly Father, his own Messianic identity, the coming Kingdom, and the hope of future resurrection. Examples of this abound in the gospels, and the ensuing impact throughout all new covenant writings is overwhelming. There is also no doubt, in reading the gospels, that the Messiah regarded his own words, like what was previously written, as absolutely and authoritatively from YEHOVAH God (John 12:47-50).

In response the Messiah said, "Haven't you read that ever since the beginning of creation he made them male and female? God said, 'Because of this, a man will leave behind his father and mother, and unite himself to his woman, and the two will become into one flesh"' (Matthew 19:5-6, JAV, quoting Genesis 1:27, 5:2 and 2:24).

Interestingly, the Messiah's understanding of early Genesis truths was quite straightforward; he did not say something vague about human origins and marriage." If one studies the context of Matthew 19:4-9, it is extremely clear that the Messiah specifically understood the heart of God-instituted marriage in much greater depth than did certain Pharisees. He contrasted Moses' temporary permission for divorce in certain cases, due to hardness of heart, with YEHOVAH's original standard in Genesis, now binding on us.

Nor is there any doubt about the true meaning of marriage as a reality designed by YEHOVAH God Himself. There is nothing unclear either about the Messiah's genuine, godly attitude toward divorce or his wholeheartedly reverential approach toward the Scriptures as being absolutely from YEHOVAH God. Just as in his times, the cultural opinions of those who disdainfully toss aside Scriptures (to justify selfishness) cannot ultimately prevail.

The Messiah was equally direct and confident when alluding to the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-38) and the shed blood of Abel (Matthew 23:35), a couple of other realities/events from the earliest chapters of Genesis. He was bold to compare his upcoming death and resurrection to the truth of Jonah's being three days in the belly of the great sea monster (Matthew 12:40). He really understood dangerous future times as something others could understand by reading Daniel (Matthew 24:15). In none of these references is the Messiah making nebulous allusions to stories from "never-never land"! He repeatedly took the Scriptures at face value, as plain and authoritative.

Thousands of years after the writing of the Bible, we undoubtedly have specific challenges regarding how to understand certain passages within the wide context of all the Scriptures. We might have some questions about how one record could fit with the truth of another record. Why do YEHOVAH's dealings with people vary from time to time? Among other things, we are now called upon to have mature, spiritual reasoning regarding the Messiah's accomplishments and our proper response to new covenant realities. We can do all this without holding a disparaging view toward any revealed Scriptures. For example, we can understand the real, godly, but provisional purpose of the Torah of Moses, its fulfillment in the Messiah, and how, as a result, obedience to the Messiah is living a life free from bondage to "the law" (Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21: "Torah of Messiah").

Sometimes the studies of archaeologists, historians, theologians and experts in ancient languages are very helpful in elucidating cultural standards from long ago and the ancient use of figurative language (including strange-sounding idioms). Certain studies help to provide better translations as well as bringing to light other factors relative to Biblical clarity. We can take advantage of such studies without being deceived by the pervasive strands of secular unbelief that relegate divine revelation to the status of human folklore or literature. We can also overcome the fact that centuries of diverse religious traditions have greatly muddled the view of revealed truth in our world.

No obstacles can really compare to YEHOVAH's ability to enlighten the minds and hearts of those who love Him! We should be greatly encouraged. Yeshua the Messiah grew up within an extremely devout, religious culture, yet it was a world obviously plagued with confused unbelief, twisted political agendas, and spiritual darkness. Nevertheless, the Messiah was not dissuaded in the least from total devotion to worshipping YEHOVAH with an uncompromising faith in the integrity of what had been "written." Likewise, even if we have been bombarded since childhood by a strange mix of secular values and confused religious ideas, we need not be deterred from enthusiastically following the Messiah's absolute commitment to the truth of the whole body of Scriptures.

Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me your statutes.
With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth.

-- Psalm 119:10-16

Hope of Israel Ministries -- Preaching YEHOVAH's Truth Without Fear or Favor!

Hope of Israel Ministries P.O. Box 853 Azusa, CA 91702, U.S.A. www.hope-of-israel.org

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