A blessing or a curse — what do you believe about the Torah?
In Deuteronomy 27-28 (Torah Portion Ki Tavo), we read God's commands through Moses that cite numerous blessings for the children of Israel who kept the Torah instructions and a much longer list of curses for anyone who would not uphold and perform the words of the Torah.
If the blessing is in keeping the commandments of God, how would it make sense that Jesus' purpose was to do away with the Torah?
According to the words of this week's Torah portion, a curse would be upon Jesus if He did not uphold the Torah. So this clearly could not be what Jesus came to do.
When we read Matthew 5:17-20 in light of this passage, it becomes clear that Jesus is emphatically saying He didn't come to do away with God law, but to fulfill it. Not to abolish it, but to properly interpret it and demonstrate how to live it out.
When we add Jeremiah 31:33 to the mix, it says:
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“I will put My Torah within them. Yes, I will write it on their heart. I will be their God and they will be My people.
Did you catch that?
Here it says the new covenant would be one where the Torah would be written on their hearts—nowhere does it say it's destroyed.
So what does this mean for us today?
In light of this, I have a question for you: what is your belief about the Torah or the "Old Testament?"
If you believe it's abolished and no longer relevant, you should consider that you are actually going against scripture without realizing it.
This realization was a turning point for me years ago. Over time, after reading the Bible through a new lens, I began to realize that the Bible was actually saying that God's instruction (Torah) was for our benefit.
A blessing for those who follow after God's ways.
A way to treat others with justice and mercy.
A way to have an abundant life.
Psalms 1 says it eloquently.
Oh the good life for the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of scoffers.
But his delight is in the Torah of Adonai, and on His Torah he meditates day and night.
He will be like a planted tree over streams of water, producing its fruit during its season. Its leaf never droops—but in all he does, he succeeds.
And if this newfound revelation becomes our starting point, the way we interpret the entire Bible changes.
You begin to realize that God wasn't giving the Torah to Moses and the children of Israel as a weighty curse. It was given for their good.
You start to understand that the ten commandments, including the Sabbath are created to for our good so that we can love God and enjoy the life he has given us. This happens as we understand how the Bible shows us what sin is—the moments that we miss the mark of God’s ideal.
You start to question some of the beliefs you've held about the "Old Testament" no longer being relevant. Or perhaps you start to wrestle with the belief that the God of the “Old Testament” was a different God than in the “New Testament.”
You realize that everything Jesus did built upon the foundation of the Hebrew Bible and what God revealed to the children of Israel.
For those of us who grew up without this perspective, this new understanding can make our head spin! But what was helpful to me is starting to read through the Bible with the yearly Torah Portion cycle.
Several years of reading the Bible through this lens has transformed my view of God, it’s deepened my respect for Him as King, it’s given me a renewed love for His words, and it’s anchored my trust in His goodness.
How does this land with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts—reply with a comment!
