--Sharing our Saviour Yahushua the Messiah to the World!--

 

-Please Read this FIRST- On this site we prefer to use the actual Name of our loving Heavenly Father as it was written in the Word, and thus you will note that we will use the Four Letter “Memorial Name” of   - YHVH, which is pronounced as YaHVaH or YaHWaH. In addition we will also use our Heavenly Father’s attribute/title, which is Elohim rather than “God,” which sadly is the name of a pagan god. In addition we also love to use the actual and real Name of our beloved Messiah which is  - Yahushua for this is our Saviours original Hebrew Name as given to Him at birth in Lukas - Luke 1:31. This was the only Name ever used when He was on the earth by His family, disciples and His followers OVER THE centuries, even until today! However, it was changed to a foreign name by the founder of the new “pagan church of Rome.” Occasionally, we may also use other Hebrew or Greek names as well as different words in our studies for certain common words used are from pagan backgrounds and thus are not suitable. All names will be translated when they are FIRST used in a study or at various times as needed for clarity. There is a full explanation of YHVH’s blessed “Memorial Name” as well as the wonderful blessed Name of our Messiah and Saviour, thus please read … “The Memorial Name.”

 

 

“Teach me Your way, O YHVH. I will walk in Your truth. Unite my heart to fear Your Name!”

Psalm 86:1.

Please Note: In this study, the original Name of our Messiah and Saviour is used, which is “Yahushua”, His Name be praised! Other Hebrew and Greek names may also appear, but they will be translated at least the first time they appear. Read the item at the very top of this page for details regarding the Name of Our Heavenly Father, and our blessed Redeemer!

As this study deals with the Ten Commandments, thus an Old Covenant Law, many will say even before commencing reading; “But did Paul not dismiss the law and say that it has been completely been replaced?” The truth is NO he certainly did not, in fact he encouraged the keeping of the law, but he certainly spoke out against what is known as the Rabbinic or Pharisaic laws, they were the countless added man-made laws they made that enslaved the Jewish people to this day. For example there are only three Sabbath laws, but they turned it into hundreds! What did Paul say about Elohim’s (God’s) Laws?

“… those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” Romans 2:13. … Then having spoken about “faith” Paul said … “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” Romans 3:31.

Short Introduction:

It is quite tragic, but in these days we live in a world filled with lawlessness, and in most societies, murder, theft, adultery, deceit, and perversity are now just commonplace. Sadly, even in religious communities and many human behavioural specialists, scoff at the idea of moral ideologies that apply these days. One man’s morality, it is believed, is another man’s immorality. What seems unnatural and abnormal to one is considered perfectly normal and natural for another.

In recent times, but especially during the past two decades, the Western World has witnessed an increasing acceptance couples living together and having babies out of wedlock. In addition, it almost is considered normal for young single women to get pregnant and then they claim for a single mother’s pension, as is the case here in Australia. They not only receive this substantial single mother’s allowance, but they receive additional funding for each baby! Just absurd! Of course then there is the question of abortion, which these days seem to be considered as a right by so many, and premarital cohabitation is simply considered as being the norm these days! Even homosexuality is being considered as normal and natural and gay marriage is being demanded around the world, and supported by the vast majority of super rich TV and movie actors and recording stars, and unbelievably even ministers, pastors and priests are permitted to be female, even if they are “lesbian” or if a male “gay” in the Anglican and some other denominations. It is tragic that pure and good standards are being challenged and even by so many professing, or should I say, “so-called professing christian clergymen,” for many are now calling for a new church, claiming that “Christianity must abandon its belief in a God who punishes sinners and radically revise many of the moral standards it inherited from its predecessors.”

Beloved, I am sure that you are as shocked, and I feel so sad for the state of this world, for often I think, how our blessed YaHVaH Elohim (the LORD God) must feel having to see all these evils of men, whom He created in His image, and the great evil, even in what has become the harlot churches of Satan! I know that it will be beyond our comprehension, for the time of His wrath is yet to come, and YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, desires us to be obedient to Him, and love Him, and Yahushua the Messiah who gave His life in order that you might have life!

But we also need to realise that Elohim does not change! He made human beings in His own image and after His likeness and gave them specific instructions on how they were to relate to Him and to each other. In other words, He gave them His SANCTIFIED LAW!

The Law of Love did it originate from the Old or the New Covenant?

Elohim’s “great commandment” is summarized in a single word … “LOVE.” When asked to identify the “great commandment in the Torah (the Law),” Yahushua The Messiah replied,

“You shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments lay all of the Law and the prophets.” Mattityahu - Matthew 22:37–40.

I can hear you say: But that is not from the Old Covenant, you are quoting directly from the New Covenant.” The greatest problem is my friends that at the time when Yahushua our precious Saviour walked the earth, as well as His Apostles, including the faithful believers after He had ascended to Heaven, there was no New Covenant and Yahushua was in fact quoting directly from the Sanctified Scriptures, the very same one that men added the word “OLD” to. Let me say this, that the Word of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, NEVER gets old or out of date, for somehow it was certain early pagan inspired Roman christians who decided to rename it the Old, and then there are those who even dare to claim, that it has been done away with, and that the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant is all we now need. Well, I have news for you, the Tanach, Hebrew for what the church calls the Old Covenant is very much up to date and it is relevant for you right NOW, for in the heart of it you will discover the “Law of LOVE” and the truth is that it was the only Scriptures that our Messiah and the Apostles EVER used, for there was NO “New Covenant!

“LOVE” is Elohim’s Law in its simplest form. The two commandments are a binding unit, for this one law is universally binding. One cannot keep just one of the two commandments, for to hate one’s neighbour is to fail to love the Creator of heaven and earth, and He who has commanded us to love one’s neighbour. Yochanan - John put it this way:

“If anyone says, ‘I love Elohim,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love Elohim whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: “whoever loves Elohim must also love his brother.’” 1 Yochanan - 1 John 4:20–21.

Yochanan – John twice reminds us that “Elohim is love” (1 Yochanan - 1 John 4:6 & 16). Genuine love flows from Him, and through loving Him (Who first loved us), our capacity to express love is perfected. Therefore, to fail to love Elohim with all our being is to fail to love our neighbour as we should. We see, then, that the commandments to love Elohim with all our being and our neighbour as our self are two aspects of one indivisible law, with the two commandments so linked that it is impossible to obey one and not obey the other or break one without breaking the other. To break one point of the law of love is to fail to love; thus, the whole law is broken.

Interestingly, Yahushua was not introducing a brand new law when He named the two paramount commandments. He was simply quoting from the Tanach, the Old Covenant, thus Yahushua was quoting directly from the Mosaic Laws. The first commandment is a part of the famous “Shema” - or “Hear O Israel” – being the Hebrew “confession of faith” (Davarim - Deuteronomy 6:4), which is recited by every Hebrew twice each day; and the second commandment was taken from the book known for its exposition of the ceremonial law, the book of Vayikra - Leviticus.

Shema Yisroel, YHVH Elohenu, YHVH Echad” – “Hear, O Israel: YHVH our Elohim, YHVH is One. You shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Davarim - Deuteronomy 6:4–5.

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am YHVH.” Vayikra - Leviticus 19:18.

The law of love is also mentioned in the Brit Chadashah, New Covenant (Romans 8:28; 13:8–9; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Galatians 5:14; 1 Yochanan – 1 John 4:18–20; 5:2; Ya’akov - James 1:12; 2:5–8) thus, there can be no doubt that this law was carried forward into the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant. Therefore it is as binding today as it ever has been at any time in the past. And yet, your priest, pastor or leader will tell you that the old laws are dead and gone! If that is the case, they are calling Messiah Yahushua a liar, for He was promoting what all christians believe to be an Old Covenant law!

To fulfil Elohim’s moral and ethical requirements, all you have to do is love Him with all your being and love your neighbour as yourself. Love, however, is not a mere sentiment or “warm fuzzy feeling.” On the contrary, love, godly love “does not insist on its own way” (1 Corinthians 13:5). This means that the person possessing this kind of love is not guided by his or her natural inclinations or things that feel good. Genuine love involves: 1. loyalty, 2. commitment, and 3. generosity. It is a way of life and not just a temporary emotional response. We should also realise that genuine love should want what is best for the other, even if it means risking the relationship. Love wants the beloved to become strong and independent, even if it means that you must withdraw from the other’s life. Real love is never used to obtain from others what they would not freely give. Love outlives a lack of response, selfishness, and mistakes, no matter who is at fault. And it cannot be taken back. If it can be, then it is not love.

Elohim’s law of love, as we have noted, consists of two general commandments: You shall love Elohim with all your being, and you shall love your neighbour as yourself. These two commandments, forming one indissoluble law, are further defined through the ten moral categories set forth in the “Decalogue,” or “Ten Commandments.”

The Decalogue: The Law of Love described:

Having read the above, by now you may be ready to ask: “Can you really prove from the Word that the law of love and the Decalogue are one and the same law?”

Let us look a little further into the Decalogue and see if it is an indissoluble unit of divine law. We also need to ask, is it true that to break just one of its commandments would be like to break the entire law. Ya’akov - James he put it in this way:

“If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” Ya’akov - James 2:8–11.

Now, it is interesting if we look at the following points: 1: The “whole law.” Ya’akov - James speaks of is the Decalogue. And we all know that this is the Ten Commandments which have ten “points,” and Ya’akov cites two of those points. 2: Ya’akov sees the Decalogue as an indivisible unit of law. To “stumble in one point is to be guilty of all,” for the individual commandments come from one Source. 3: The “royal law.” “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” is obviously a summation of the commandments that pertain to human relationships. Ya’akov - James links the royal law with the “whole law,” and the Decalogue.

Yahushua, in His reply to a wealthy young man inquiring about what “good deed” he should do to have eternal life, said, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments” (Mattityahu - Matthew 19:17).

When the young man asked “Which ones?” Yahushua replied by naming five of the Ten Commandments, each having to do with human relationships, and summarized these by citing the commandment, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (verses 18–19). The idea was that our Saviour Yahushua intended to equate the command to love one’s neighbour with the commandments concerning murder, adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, and honouring one’s parents. It was a summation commandment, not merely one more law in a list of laws.

The Apostle Shaul – Paul of Tarsus very much confirms the very same principle in the book of Romans:

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8–10.

Here, Shaul - Paul is dealing only with those commandments that concern human relationships. In other writings, he clearly condemns blasphemy, idolatry, and other sins that are committed against Elohim in a more direct sense. Of course it is obvious that if you “love your neighbour” you will not do any of the things that are mentioned in the other laws, such as take his or her spouse, steal from them, or murder them, etc, and thus all this is encompassed by love of yourself, your neighbour, but more so YaHVaH Elohim and of course our beloved Saviour Yahushua!

There are two points that really stand out in Romans 13:8–10: First, the passage makes clear that the “word,” “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” is a summary of the specific commandments (of the Decalogue) pertaining to human relationships. Second, Shaul shows that the faithful in Yahushua have a responsibility to fulfil the law. Therefore, if the law the Apostle Shaul - Paul refers to had been abolished, as so many priests, ministers and pastors claim, the Apostle would not speak about the believer’s responsibility of fulfilling its requirements!

It is very clear that the law of love, consisting of ten cardinal points, was carried forward to the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant. These ten points are ten moral categories that transcend the covenants that were obviously made just after creation, then at the time of Avraham and again many were repeated (as a reminder) as well as new priestly and agricultural ones at Mt. Sinai. But it was the Ten Commandments that was central to the Old Covenant, and they are still valid and central to the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant.

The Decalogue is Central to all our Lives:

In Shemos - Exodus 34:28, what we tend to call “The Decalogue” or the “Ten Commandments” are actually called the “Words of the Covenant which He commanded you to perform.” In Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:13, “His covenant” is identified as the “Ten Commandments,” which Elohim wrote “on tablets of stone.” And in Davarim - Deuteronomy 9:9, the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written are called the “tablets of the covenant.”

Amazingly, it is because of these verses that a very long time ago certain theologians have argued that “the Decalogue is the Covenant.” They further argue that since the first covenant was abolished with the advent of the “New Covenant” (Hebrews 8:13), the whole law including the Ten Commandments has now been abolished. The only thing is that in the Greek the word “Covenant” is not at all written in Hebrews 8:13 and it shows as 9999 in the interlinear Strongs Concordance! Thus the word was later inserted.

Some might say that if you read it as we see it, the passages cited above do seem to say that the Ten Commandments and the Tanach, the Old Covenant are one and the same. However, other scriptures very plainly reveals that the Old Covenant includes the civil and the ceremonial laws as well (Yirmyahu - Jeremiah 34:13–14; Yechehel - Ezekiel 44:6–8; Hebrews 9:1). The Old Covenant included all the terms and promises set forth in the Tanach. The Covenant was the agreement that Elohim made with Israel, and its terms included all the civil, ceremonial, and moral laws Elohim gave to Israel.

Why, then, do the passages cited earlier speak of the Ten Commandments as if they were the entire content of the Old Covenant? The answer is that the Ten Commandments are central, or the HEART of the Covenant. As Yahushua says, the Law and the Prophets “hang on” the commandments to love Elohim with all one’s being and love one’s neighbour as one’s self, which we have identified as a two-point summary of the Ten Commandments. The Decalogue could be described as the hub of the Covenant law. Without a central moral law, the ceremonial, sacrificial, and civil laws become meaningless. How can the bloody sacrifices serve as a reminder of the sin problem if there is no central moral law to define sin? How can transgressions be punished if there is no central moral law identifying transgressions?

The following points further underscore the pre-eminence of the Decalogue:

YaHVaH Elohim gave the Ten Commandments to Israel verbally (Shemos - Exodus 20:1.19; Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:22), giving them a very special emphasis and thus greater than many of the other commandments.

Elohim and not Moshe, wrote the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone with His finger (Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:22; 10:1–4), symbolizing their permanency and revealing their special place among all the commandments, statutes, and judgments of the Covenant.

The tablets of stone were kept inside the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 10:5), symbolizing their pre-eminence and centrality of the Covenant.

It must be obvious to all believers that the Ten Commandments are placed far above all other commandments, statutes, and judgments of the law. As a unit of the law and central to the Covenant, the Decalogue consists of ten moral categories that are foundational to all the other components of the law. For instance, all the sexual abominations named in Vayikra - Leviticus 18, such as; adultery, incest, bestiality and homosexuality, etc, are covered under the general moral category established by the Seventh Commandment: “You shall not commit adultery.” The Ninth Commandment; “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour” specifically forbids a false testimony that might lead to harm for one’s neighbour. But the broad principle established by this moral category precludes all dishonesty and falsehood, whether expressed by voice or through one’s actions.

The annual Sanctified days the “Feasts of YHVH,” that have High Sabbath Days as commanded in Vayikra - Leviticus 23 are fully covered through the Fourth Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Sanctified.” For we need to remember that the Seventh Day is the real and only Sabbath that Yahushua and the Apostles always upheld, it was abolished by pagan Rome and in 321 AD the evil sun worshipping emperor Constantine on March 7, he officially made the blue law, that stated: “On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.” (Codex Justinianus 3.12.3). We need to remember that this reformer of christendom remained a worshipper of the sun god till the day he died as is clearly recorded in history and even in Roman Catholic writings.

However, returning to the “Feasts of YHVH,” these feasts also have Sabbath days, but they are known as high Sabbath days and therefore these are also included in the Fourth Commandment!

Therefore the Ten Commandments as a fundamental moral law is also vitally central to the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant, for YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, through the prophet Yirmyahu - Jeremiah, reveals some of the main differences between the Tanach (OT) and the Brit Chadashah, New Covenant.

“Behold, the days are coming, declares YHVH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant that they broke, though I was their Husband, declares YHVH. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHVH: I will put My Law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, ‘Know YHVH,’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares YHVH. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Yirmyahu - Jeremiah 31:31–34.

How does the church comment on this Scripture in relation to the law and the “Ten Commandments.”

It is very important that we notice the following three points that the church generally believes to mean a change has occurred between the time of Israel and the laws as found in the Tanach, the Old Covenant and the time after Yahushua the Messiah with the New Covenant, and why everything for “christians” is now so different in Messiah: Below is their main Scripture to stand by and their commentary.

For they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” … “To know God is to experience spiritual regeneration through the power of the Sanctified (Holy) Spirit. Membership in the Old Covenant community did not require spiritual regeneration. One cannot be a member of the New Covenant community without spiritual regeneration.”

For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” … “As the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us, the Old Covenant sacrifices, offered continually year after year, could never “make perfect those who draw near” by permanently removing the people’s sins (Hebrews 10:1–4). Every year, the sin-offering ceremony on the Day of Atonement reminded the people that the sin problem was ever present and pictured a time when something would be done about it. The New Covenant differs in that “by a single offering he (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (verse 14). “Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” (verse 18). “Christ’s once-for-all-time sacrifice is the solution to the sin problem. Everyone under the New Covenant is forgiven.”

I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.” … “There can be no doubt that the “law” spoken of here is the Decalogue. God’s promise to “write it on their hearts” obviously alludes to His writing the commandments on tablets of stone when the previous covenant was established. The people who first received this prophecy must have immediately connected God’s action of writing the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone with His future action of writing His law on the people’s hearts.”

It always amazes me how these so-called theologians, priests, ministers, pastors and teachers can get the whole Scripture so totally out of its context! I sometimes wonder, have they really read it in full, or do they have a selective reading skill and only see what they want to. If that is the case, I certainly believe that HaSatan is behind their partial blindness, just as it was for so many of Israel who “were blinded in part.” (Romans 11:25), but thankfully not the faithful of Israel as they knew their Messiah and followed Him, otherwise, there would have not been any Apostles, nor an early large group of faithful who were all Hebrews, before Shaul, and other’s went to share the Word in other lands!

However, if we carefully read Yirmyahu - Jeremiah 31:31–34, we need to note a few special points!

1… Who was YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name speaking to? “… the house of Israel and the house of Judah, declares YHVH.” Verse 31. This was a message to the Hebrews and NOT the gentiles!

2… When would the new covenant commence? – “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHVH.” Verse 33. Again, Elohim reaffirms that He is speaking directly to THE House of Israel and NOT to the church, or even the believers! Secondly He states “After those days, and we need to ask ourselves what is meant by that, point three will answer that question!

3… At what time would Israel know YaHVaH? – “And no longer shall each one teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, ‘Know YHVH,’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares YHVH.” Verse 34. The point is that the priests and rabbis of Israel have long hidden the Memorial Name of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, and they did this because of a Scripture that said “You shall not take the name of YHVH your Elohim in vain.” Shemos - Exodus 20:7. Thus, instead Israel used words such as; “Adonai” meaning “Lord”, or “HaSHEM” that means “the Name.” But sadly Israel has long lost the most precious Name of our Heavenly Father and this is what is meant in this Scripture, for the day will come when they will again know His Name, and this is stated by various prophets! When will that day come, and who are the Hebrews that will finally know the true Name of YaHVaH? It will be the “Remnant of Israel” who will minister during the tribulation and meet Yahushua at His Second Coming! They and the faithful in Messiah Yahushua will reign during the Millennium, praise His blessed Name!

The truth is however that the law of the Tanach, the Old Covenant and Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant has the very same law but written in different places. In the Tanach, the Ten Commandments were written on tablets of stone, but the Ten Commandments should now be part of our lives and a way of living, and that must include the Fourth Commandments, for as Ya’akov - James so clearly stated, “For whoever keeps the whole law (the Decalogue) but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” Ya’akovJames 2:10.

There is no doubt as we have so clearly read above that the Ten Commandments are as vital to our lives in faith today as they ever were and we should really take them rather seriously. But, if we uphold the law of love, especially the LOVE of Elohim, then you would automatically desire to please Him and do everything and anything to please our Heavenly Father and Yahushua The Messiah, who are trulyECHAD” - “ONE”!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was with Elohim in the beginning, Through Him all things were made.” Yochanan – John 1-3.

Thus, He who would later become Yahushua, being “the Word” and “the Word was Elohim” that means that He who was the Word also gave us the Ten Commandments” and in the Brit Chadashah He very clearly mentioned these same Commandments in great detail and commanded us to keep them!

The Ten Commandments as found in the …

Brit Chadashah - The New Covenant

Yahushua said it plainly Indeed:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, nor a dot, will pass from the Law until ALL is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:17–19.

Now surely, this is not too difficult to understand, for it is very clear! The Law and the Prophets, Elohim’s revelation of the law will remain in full effect until the consummation of the ages, when the old creation is replaced by the new heaven and new earth. And that friend is what Yahushua meant with the word “Until ALL is accomplished.” Sadly, christians in general tend to think that the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of our blessed Saviour was meant by those words, but no, Yahushua was looking much further into the future, for the plans of Elohim had not as yet been completed, for redemption would be for both Israel and the world, certainly prior to the Tribulation there would be only a very small number of true believers in Messiah Yahushua, they would be from Hebrew and Gentile backgrounds. However, during the Tribulation there will be a massive explosion of people who will turn to the true faith in Yahushua, mostly due to the ministries of the two witnesses, and at the sight of their resurrection after their three and a half year ministry, and then the great and mighty ministry of the “Remnant of the House of Israel.” Amazingly there are christians in the world today who actually believe that they are the new Israel, and they have managed to twist the Word so much to believe that they actually are, yet they still worship a false messiah and god! They believe that the 10 tribes were “lost.” However, the Scriptures as well as the New Covenant proves otherwise! Read my study “Who is Israel” – see link at bottom of page.

Yahushua fulfils the Law and the Prophets, not by abolishing them, but …

1… By fulfilling the Messianic prophecies that are contained in both the Law (Tanach) and the Prophets.

2… By perfectly modelling the moral requirements of Scripture, and …

3… By expounding the original intent of YaHVaH Elohim’s true laws and by exposing the erroneous interpretations and manmade laws of the scribes and Pharisees that has enslaved the Jewish people!

Yahushua clearly declared that He had not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfil; he goes on to bring out the original intent of several Tanach (OT) precepts. He does not abolish or even radically revise any of the laws; He simply corrects erroneous teachings about the laws. Murder and adultery were always matters of the heart as much as physical actions. Marriage as we know it did not actually exist as we know it as a ceremony, for it was a matter of a man to take a lady to “wife.” And once this had been announced, there would be a great feast, etc, but no ceremony as we know it today, their life together as husband and wife would be binding when the couple would leave the feast and were finally alone, and slept together for the very first time, and then they would be officially “husband and wife” in YaHVaH Elohim, or “man and wife,” having “become as one!” This type of marriage did not become sacred and binding at the advent of the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant for it was sacred and binding from the very beginning. But later new laws based on the Tanach, including oaths were rewritten to encourage faithfulness, but they had been so corrupted by the priests and Pharisees that Yahushua advised to avoid oaths altogether.

Our beloved Messiah as well as the writers of the original Gospels, which were originally written in Hebrew and much later translated into Greek, and this has now been 100% proven, there is a link at the bottom of the page that proves that the Name of YaHVaH was written in Hebrew in the original Gospels and other books. Our Saviour emphasized the spiritual intent of the law and the fact that the law identifies the sinful condition of the unregenerate heart. Each specific transgression of Elohim’s commandments emanates from the old self. For this reason, the Apostle Shaul - Paul could say that “sin” is both an act and a condition.

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” Romans 7:18–20.

It is the sinful condition of the heart that produces acts of sin, and Shaul identifies that condition as “sin that dwells within me.” But it is obvious that without a law that identifies sinful acts, the sinful condition of the heart goes unrecognized. Therefore Shaul says, “So the law is Sanctified, and the commandment is Sanctified and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12), and, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14).

Several Brit Chadashah, New Covenant passages show clearly that the Ten Commandments remain in force today and continue their function of identifying sin and sinners.

As I have previously clearly stated both our precious Saviour Yahushua and Shaul – Paul of Tarsus identified the commandment, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” with several commandments of the Decalogue (Mattityahu - Matthew 19:16–19; Romans 13:8–10), showing that the Ten Commandments are still in force. Ya’akov - James, as previously noted, cited the Sixth and Seventh Commandments and stated, “If you do not commit adultery (the Seventh Commandment) but do murder (the Sixth Commandment), you have become a transgressor of the law” (Ya’akov - James 2:11). He confirmed the unity of the Decalogue when he said, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it” (Ya’akov - James 2:10).

A particularly interesting passage is in Shaul - Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians in Chapter 6:1-3:

“Children should obey your parents in YHVH, for this is right. Honour your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Thus here we have seen Shaul – Paul quoting directly from the Ten Commandments and in this case obviously the fifth commandment, that states;

“Honour your father and you mother, that your days may be long upon the land which YHVH your Elohim is giving you.” Shemos - Exodus 20:12.

Therefore Shaul was urging the Ephesian youth to obey the Fifth Commandment and reminding them that the promise accompanying the commandment would also apply to them. The original promise was aimed at Israelites living in the Promised Land, but Shaul understands that both the commandment and the promise may apply to those Gentile’s who have come out of darkness and have come into faith, having accepted the Elohim of Israel, and the Messiah Yahushua as their Redeemer. We need to remember that the name “Jesus” had not been heard of by that time, as it was invented much later by the founder of the church of Rome and it was not Shime’onPeter, but another! All believers had always prayed to the Name of Yahushua and they had not heard of any other name! New converts living in Ephesus, a city on the western coast of Asia Minor were advised by Shaul to recognise the universal scope of this commandment as well as the other nine, for he was teaching them on the Seventh Day Sabbath! See our study “Which Day is the True Sabbath Day?” – The link is at the bottom of the page!

With Yahushua and Shaul obviously having established that the Ten Commandments remained in force as the moral law for all the believers in Messiah, let us look more closely at each of these commandments.

The First Commandment

“I am YHVH your Elohim … You shall have no other Elohim’s before Me”

Shemos -Exodus 20:2–3 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:6–7

The First Commandment identifies the Author of the Decalogue and forbids worship of anyone or anything apart from, or in addition to, YaHVaH. The expression “before Me” means not only “ahead of Me” but also “besides Me.” Israel was to worship only and the one true Elohim. This commandment identifies who the true Elohim is, for He is the One who “brought you (Israel) out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Verse 2) and this separates Him from the myriad of false pagan gods worshiped at that time by so many, and sadly continued to this very day, even in many churches! The same Elohim who delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage delivers people today from the spiritual bondage of sin and the many false religions, which are full of lies, theologies, and philosophies and sadly uses psychology of this world to influence people into their net! Now, as then this commandment has first place among the ten moral categories identified in the Decalogue.

YHVH Elohim Alone is Worthy of Worship

Our blessed Scripture reveals clearly that there is only One true Elohim, the Creator of the universe; we know this to be both a fact of divine revelation and the conclusion of sound scientific investigation and uncorrupted reason. Creation reveals the existence of a Creator. There is no doubt for if we look at the design, it clearly reveals the existence of a Designer. Even many of the ancient philosophers were able to observe nature and, through logic, conclude that Elohim exists, though some of their ideas about Him may have been rather flawed.

It certainly does not make any sense to worship anything who is not YaHVaH Elohim, yet sadly many are so easily deceived and worship nature itself, thus the things that Elohim created, or the self, even Satan and other pagan gods. It is tragic but in this modern world, the main god is the I, me and myself, the god of pure greed for wealth, and a life of fun and sex. Sadly those who will continue on that path will come to face with YaHVaH Elohim in due time, but they will also have to face “Gehenna.”

Just for Interest: “Gehenna” is described as “hell” and an eternal pit of fire. However the truth may be quite otherwise, for it does not speak of “the place of the eternal torments of the damned.” Instead, it refers to an actual place on earth, namely, the valley (or “ravine”) of Hinnom (Nechemyah – Nehemiah.11:30) in the land of Israel. In fact, the ravine of Hinnom is a valley to the southwest of Jerusalem (“the ravine of the son of Hinnom”; Yahushua - Joshua 15:8). The Hebrew phrase “Ge” (“ravine of”) “Hinnom” became “geenna” in the Greek, this it became “Gehenna” in Latin and in English. Thus it is a place in Jerusalem where the cities rubbish was burned to ashes and nothing was left! For let’s face it, “The wages of sin is death!”

But for all who know and love YaHVaH Elohim, He gives us life, breath, the ability to think, reason, plan all that we have, our very existence, therefore friends just think about it we owe everything to Him!

As noted earlier, Yahushua our blessed Messiah models moral perfection, thus setting the example for the faithful in Him! When the Satan offered Him “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” if He would but “fall down and worship” him (Mattityahu - Matthew 4:8–9), Yahushua replied;

“Be gone Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship YHVH your Elohim and Him only shall you serve.’” verse 10, taken from Davarim - Deuteronomy 6:13.

While most people would instantly recoil at the very thought of worshiping Satan, it is sadly so true that if we live to gratify the “desires of the body and the mind,” we are yielding to the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2–3). This is precisely what Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. By relinquishing their dominion that was given by Elohim over to Satan, they gave first place to the evil one as they broke Elohim’s law, for remember the Almighty had already instituted a law including the Sabbath day and other laws, that are slowly revealed to us, as the scriptures go on through the life events of Able and Cain, Noach, Avraham, and the Children of Israel before they even reached Mt. Sinai. Each of them were already upholding the very laws that Elohim would give, or remind Israel about when the reached Sinai!

Apostle Shaul - Paul, described the unfortunate legacy of sinful man, says that the ancients “exchanged the truth about Elohim for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). Then once they rejected Elohim, they plunged headlong into gross immorality and they were …

“… filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of Elohim, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.” Romans 1:29–31.

As noted earlier, the Ten Commandments are a unified whole. For rejecting YaHVaH Elohim, thus breaking the First Commandment would result in breaking all of His commandments, and that would be a wholesale abandonment of the moral law!

Tragically, we can see this ugly phenomenon taking place every single day, be it locally, around our own countries, or around the world. Atheistic philosophers speak of “moral atheism,” claiming that “morality is not rooted in a belief in God.” But the “morality” they speak of is a “morality” of their own making. They decide whether abortion and homosexual practice are morally acceptable. They decide whether marriage is between one man and one woman or between persons of the same sex, or whether sex outside marriage is right or wrong. They decide what is right and wrong, good and evil. For them, morality is a relative term. They will even tell you that there is “not one single verse in the Bible that forbids a Homosexual relationship.” Well there are various verses that forbid it! “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” Vayikra – Leviticus 18:22 and “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” Vayikra – Leviticus 20:13. Although, now thankfully there is the HOPE of forgiveness for sin and thus in and through Yahushua having come into faith, having repented and fully abandoned your sinful life all your sins are forgiven by the shed blood of the Lamb of Elohim … “For Messiah, our Passover was sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:7.

However, it is not just atheism that puts Elohim out of the picture, but, we need to understand that there are many who believe that “God exists” and they may even say that they “believe the Bible is His inspired Word.” However, the Almighty is certainly NOT FIRST in their lives, and sadly He comes second if not a little further down the line! So, they believe that “God” exists, but they do not retain Him in their lives, nor in their hearts or understanding, for most would rarely ever read the Word and thus have no other knowledge, apart from that they have been taught wherever they may go to church. Most have put him out of their minds as they go about fulfilling the lusts of their own flesh doing the things of life. You may have noted that we do not use the term and title “God” for it is in reality the name of a pagan “god” as spoken about in the Tanach, the Old Covenant and there is a study on this subject, see our index! YaHVaH’s attribute, or title is Elohim, which is Hebrew and we believe that it should not be translated as there is no suitable word in any language that it translates to!

Loving Elohim is equated with keeping His commandments in Davarim - Deuteronomy 20:6. Yochanan - John says;

“We know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says ‘I know Him’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of Elohim is perfected.” 1 Yochanan – 1 John 2:3-5.

Therefore just believing in Elohim is simply not enough. For as Ya’akovJames states … “Even the demons believe and shudder.” (Ya’akov - James 2:19). The belief that is acceptable to Elohim is a belief and a faith that is active and ongoing and also FRUITFUL! Therefore it will be faith that is completely motivated by putting YaHVaH Elohim first. And this kind of faith obviously begins with the First Commandment: “You shall have no other Elohim’s before me!” But also, the statement He made to Israel that He brought them out of slavery, for let us not forget, that we have all been brought out of Egypt, which is a picture of bondage to sin. The only way out of Egypt/sin is through the shed blood of the Lamb without spot and blemish, then in faith and repentance we had to pass through the door, which is Yahushua our Redeemer through whom we received LIFE! Yes beloved, all that I can see in the First Commandments, for it also had a prophetic quality for the world, even though the church feels that these commandments are no longer necessary! How sad, but let me say this, the Word of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, will be FOREVER!

His Covenant is forever!

A special note regarding my very last statement that said … “the Word of YaHVaH Elohim will be FOREVER!” I trust that you will have read at the very top of the page the principles of how we should read the Scriptures … 1. Who was YHVH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name speaking to? - 2. When was it said? - 3. How was His Word understood at the time it was spoken/given?

I do believe that these three points are most relevant to our understanding, for … 1. What the Almighty is saying at the time - 2. As well as what it means to us today - and 3.  Indeed to you and me right now! It is also relevant to understand that the Hebrew alphabet is more than just letters, it is also numerical, for A (Aleph) = 1, and B (Beth) = 2, and so on. When it comes to the “Word being forever,” I would like to place before you the following verse, which you will find very interesting for we will look at it in its context and using the numerical details, etc.

ZaChar LeOlam BeRito DaVar TziVah LeElev Dor” (Hebrew- transliterated) - “He (YHVH) remembers His covenant forever, the Word He commanded, for a thousand generations.” Tehillim - Psalm 105:8.

You will note that the word “forever” is used, obviously, even in our understanding that should mean what it says, but not according to theologians and the church, for they believe that YaHVaH’s Covenant has now been abolished. Thus Elohim’s “forever” does not seem to hold much ground with the church hierarchy!

However in Hebrew the word “forever” is “olam”, which also translates as “eternity,” “eternal,” “Universe,” “without end.” And there is more, but I should think we get the picture. However, many have asked me; “But brother, why does it state in the second part that it is ‘for a thousand generations.’ Does that not mean it has a time limit?” On the face of it that is certainly a very good question, but we must now go back to the three points I mentioned above.

We need to remember that Elohim was speaking to the Children of Israel through the Psalmist and they at the time of hearing had a certain understanding, which was obviously very different to ours today. I mean, if you could transport yourself back to London in the 1200’s you would not understand a word of the English they were speaking at that time, for the language has changed so greatly. Therefore, language and general understanding tends to change over time. Also, the children of Israel were overwhelmed by the statement “Olam” for their Elohim was saying that “His covenant” would be “eternal.” And let us be honest, even with all the technology available to us and with all the exploration of outer space and the depths of the oceans, etc, no one can still measure or comprehend eternity! Therefore YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, gave Israel an insight to what eternity could possibly be according to their comprehension using their understanding, by saying “the Word He commanded, for a thousand generations.”

As I have already stated the Hebrew alphabet is numerical, and at the time this Word was given the highest numerical denominator was 1,000, and thus, what Elohim was saying to Israel here was this, “My Covenant is as far as you can possibly count!” Thus you can imagine it was like saying a million years, which would have been something beyond their comprehension. But then, He added even more, “generations.” We all know that a generation is 40 years, thus can you imagine what the Almighty was saying here, and this simply amazed Israel for this was a number far beyond Israel’s comprehension, and that is how Elohim gave them a human idea of what eternity could possibly be like. It would have been like saying to me today a trillion, trillion gigabytes, which frankly is far beyond my comprehension, and I know that there is even far more than that by now! Thus Elohim was giving Israel an insight, a picture of what eternity could possibly be!

Therefore, this Tehillim - Psalm 105:8 clearly proves that the Commandments are indeed FOREVER, just as Messiah Yahushua said!

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them (the New Heaven and New Earth). For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, nor a dot, will pass from the Law until ALL is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:17–19.

The Second Commandment

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the

earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them.”

Shemos - Exodus 20:4–5 / Deuteronomy 5:8

The Second of the Commandments is obviously very closely connected with the First Commandment. It always amazes me that in some churches, following Augustine’s account of the Decalogue, to include prohibitions against other god’s and idols under the one commandment. This seems sensible since all hand-carved idols, or manufactured ones are “other god’s.” Those of us who prefer to read these as separate two commandments do so because the first one tells us whom we are to worship, and the second one tells us how we are to worship Him.

The truth is friends that “Elohim is spirit,” and our Saviour Yahushua said, “and those who worship Him (YaHVaH Elohim – the Father) must worship in spirit and truth” (Yochanan - John 4:24). Worshiping in “spirit and truth” precludes the use of all idols, for no man-made image or statuette can truthfully portray the incomprehensible YaHVaH Elohim, Yahushua, Miriam, or any other who has been proclaimed a saint by that pagan church of Rome, which is part of Satan’s right hand! The true faithful in Messiah Yahushua are to worship Elohim only in the manner that He has told us to worship Him.

There other well known past idolaters:

It is a well-known fact that carved pagan idols were readably available throughout the ancient world. Even the Israelites were exposed to idolatry whilst they were in Egypt, and sadly many fell into the influence of idolatrous worship. But, praise be to Elohim, there were always a remnant that were faithful! Elohim knew that this idolatry would greatly affect His people, since it was so widespread and they had become so familiar with it. He also knew that the use of idols had slowly produced a distorted concept of His nature and this had lead to other practices. Therefore He gave Israel a very strict commandment forbidding such worship in the second part of the Decalogue.

I am amazed that the many who practice idolatry today, dare to claim that they use these images as reminders of the “god” that those images represent, “but, we are not really worshiping the image itself.” I am sure that the pagan idolaters of the ancient world made the very same claim when accused. While the ancients probably believed special benefits were imparted through these images because the various deities were supposed to have special powers, etc! They believed the “god’s” they worshiped dwelt in an other world, and a far away realm. In some cases, these so-called god’s were real beings; but they were from Satan.

Idolatry existed long before Moshe. Laban, who was Ya’akov’s - Jacob’s father-in-law, and he was an idolater (Bereshis - Genesis 31:30–37). When Elohim told Ya’akov - Jacob to go to Bethel and make an altar there to Elohim, Ya’akov - Jacob had his household and associates to put away the “foreign god’s which were in their hands” (Bereshis - Genesis 35:1–4). Ya’akov’s - Jacob knew that idolatry was not compatible with the worship of Elohim, so he had all those travelling with him purify themselves by getting rid of the idols they had picked up (perhaps while they were living in Shechem). This proves that the second point of the commandment that Elohim would later give to Israel at Mount Sinai was already a part of the moral Law back in the days of the Fall from the Garden of Eden, but it goes back at least to the days of Cain for he came into contact with others. But there is absolutely no doubt that this law was in force at the time of the Patriarchs and as I mentioned, also much earlier!

The tragic Idolatry of the wayward Israelites:

We know from the Word, that idolatry was a problem throughout the history of many within ancient Israel. At times, those of Israel who would not fully obey Elohim combined idolatry with the worship of YaHVaH, who is the true Elohim. The first incident as we know occurred in the wilderness while Moshe was on Mount Sinai, and they had a desire to worship Elohim, but only knowing their old ways, they thought to do this through use of a golden calf they had decided to make. (Shemos - Exodus 32:1–6). The moulded calf was apparently seen as a representation of the Elohim who had brought them out of Egypt (verse 4), and it was used in a feast.

Instead of waiting for Moshe to return from the mountain with Elohim’s instructions, the children of Israel chose to follow their own desires. In their evil feast in which they “sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play” (verse 6), putting their own selfish desires ahead of Elohim’s will.

The Israelites could not have retained a proper understanding of Elohim and how they were to relate to Him had they been permitted to worship Him through the calf image. In time, their use of the gold calf would so alter their concept of Elohim that they would see Him as merely one of many god’s. The calf image would reduce Him to creaturely status and inevitably have spiritual and moral repercussions. Soon, prostitution, adultery, and sexual perversity would be a “normal” part of religious practice, just like it was in all the pagan cultures surrounding Israel. This god would be seen as a temperamental being that had to be pacified from time to time through animal and, possibly, human sacrifices. He would be seen as indifferent where ethics and morality were concerned, and a covenant would be reduced to just being sort of a “deal” in which material rewards are exchanged for sacrifices.

Now, let’s get the fact straight: The First Commandment rules out polytheism completely! The Second Commandment strengthens the First mightily by excluding any image (no matter how it was made) as an object of worship. Here, again, we see the logical order of the Decalogue. The Second Commandment naturally follows the First, and these two, along with the Third and Fourth, are without a doubt the most essential and important Principles of the great edict, “Hear, O Israel: YHVH our Elohim, YHVH is ONE. You shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Davarim - Deuteronomy 6:4–5).

What about Idolatry and the New Covenant:

Idolatry posed a threat in the New Covenant period as well. Shaul - Paul knew this and that is why he wrote about in 1 Corinthians chapter 8. He said … “an idol has no real existence” (1 Corinthians 8:4) but warned of the danger associated with eating meat offered to idols. He pointed out that “some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled” (verse 7). He also cautioned that those who could eat meat sacrificed to idols without consciousness of the idol and with a clear conscience could easily cause a “weak” brother to stumble (verse 10).

After citing the problem with idolatry being about, the Apostle urges, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Anything that smacks of idolatry must be avoided, not because an idol is anything, but because “what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to Elohim” and any participation in idolatrous practice means being “participants with demons” (verse 20).

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lords table (speaking of the annual Passover meal) and the table of demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:21.

The Apostle Shaul refers again to the warning associated with the Second Commandment when he asks, “Or do we provoke YHVH to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?” (Verse 22). In His prohibition against idolatry, Elohim said, “…for I YHVH your Elohim am a jealous Elohim, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My Commandments.” (Shemos - Exodus 20:5).

Friends, in the book of Revelation, our blessed Messiah sternly warns the churches that tolerate false teachers who teach their parishioners “to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Revelation 2:20). In this case, eating things sacrificed to idols was actual participation in idolatrous practice. New Covenant scholar Paul A. Rainbow summarizes the problem confronting christians in Asia Minor:

“One apocalyptic expectation looked for antichrist to set himself up as an object of worship … John saw this partially fulfilled in the imperial cult, as enforced in pro consular Asia in the last decade of the first century, with its priests, counterfeit miracles, ventriloquist use of statues and economic or capital punishment of Christians who would not offer incense or decorate their doors for civic processions.” (Rev 13:11–17)” (P.A. Rainbow, Dictionary of the Later New Covenant & Its Developments, InterVarsity Press, p. 530).

To refuse participation in the idolatrous practices associated with emperor worship and trade-guild festivities was to risk economic privation or even capital punishment. To avoid these dreadful consequences, the false teachers, including advocates of the “teaching of Balaam” and “teaching of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:14–15) and “that woman Jezebel” (verse 20) — apparently adopted and advocated a philosophy that “justified” christian participation in these customs.

Ongoing Idolatry to this day:

It is quite obvious that many forms of idolatry still exist today. It is very common in polytheistic religions, and sadly it is found within so many churches. Religious art is wrong, for it creates a false concept of Elohim and Yahushua The Messiah, who always tends to look like a Gentile, yet He was very much a Hebrew, but it also distorts the true Gospel and it is certainly not acceptable, especially when such an object is perceived to have mystical, magical, or sacramental value. One professing christian “visionary,” for example, claimed that “his pocket icon of Jesus imparted special graces.” Not only is this an illegitimate use of art; it is flagrant idolatry and a clear violation of the Second Commandment!

It is true that great spiritual benefits are imparted to the faithful from Messiah Yahushua, and I DO MEAN “Yahushua” and not anyone with any other Name, but to claim that icons or statues serve as “sacraments” through which those benefits are imparted to a ‘believer’ is completely foreign to the revelation of Scripture. Such a claim is reminiscent of the pagan practice of worshiping any “god’” through moulded or hand-carved images. It is simply evil!

The use of idolatry is more than an outward act or practice of disobedience. Like other sins, the outward expression reflects a condition of the heart. Even false concepts about the Almighty can be idolatrous. If our mental portrait of Elohim is based on what we want Him to be rather than what Scripture reveals Him to be, we harbour a false spirit of idolatry, which means, you are being led by satanic influences!

In Ephesians 5:5, Shaul identifies one who is “covetous” as an “idolater,” declaring that no such person “has any inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and Elohim.” In Colossians 3:5, the Apostle equates “covetousness” (translated “greed” in the NIV) with “idolatry.”

“This attitude is identified with idolatry because it puts self-interest and things in the place of Elohim” From - Expositor’s Bible Commentary.

Again Shaul names “idolatry” in his list of “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19–20). Whilst Shime’on - Peter includes “lawless idolatry” in his list of evil deeds (1 Shime’on - 1 Peter 4:3). And Yahushua warns us;

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelations 21:8.

Idolatry has no place in the life of a christian or a believer in Messiah Yahushua!

Little children,” urges Yochanan - John, “keep yourselves from idols” 1 Yochanan - 1 John 5:21.

The Third Commandment

“You shall not take the Name of YHVH your Elohim in vain.”
Shemos - Exodus 20:7 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:11

We need to understand that the “Name” of Elohim is more than just an expression we use to identify our Heavenly Father. His Name is YaHVaH” and His Name is Elohim’s reputation and who and what our Elohim is. It is for this very reason that the Third Commandment forbids the misuse of His blessed Name to identify Him. A stern warning accompanies the commandment:

“You shall not take the Name of YHVH your Elohim in vain, for YHVH will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” Shemos – Exodus 20:7.

We need to remember that there is also a positive side related to the Third Commandment, which is a directive to praise and honour YaHVaH Elohim in our thoughts, our prayers, when we should use His most Sanctified name. We should also use the blessed Name in teaching or sharing the Word, in order that we and the world will come to know His most Sanctified Name!

Therefore those who do not respect Elohim’s Name, proves that they do not respect the Creator of Heaven and Earth and thus that person will be guilty of breaking the First Commandment as well! Their disregard for the sacred indicates; he or she puts their self-interests in the place of Elohim, so they are also guilty of breaking the Second Commandment. Again, we see how the Decalogue forms a unit wherein each point is somehow related to the other points of the law!

Modern Profanity:

There is no doubt that the Third Commandment is violated through modern common profanity. It is commonly heard in the workplace, on sports field’s, in movies and television shows and sitcoms are packed with filth and smut these days, and tragically the youth of today, even their parents tend to use the foulest of language as they walk together on the street, without even the remotest thought of it being wrong. For the vast majority it has become a habit and here in Australia a certain profane word, which I simply cannot mention, not even the very first letter, has been passed into our law as being a normal word and an “everyday expression,” thus a child teenager can use this profane word to a policeman as he or she wishes, when once even an adult would have been arrested for using it publicly, but no it is legal! Tens of thousands thoughtlessly sprinkle their speech with “O Gawd” or “Jeesus!” using these terms as fillers and exclamatory expressions without giving a second thought to the profane nature of their language, but somehow still thinking they have offended the Creator and Saviour of the christians, which is how it came about. Of course due to them not knowing the true Name and Attribute (Title), being Elohim, which is NOT a Name, or the real Name of Messiah, being Yahushua, strangely they have technically not profaned His Name, but in their intent they have done so, and thus they will still stand guilty!

Even “religious” people have been known to abuse “God’s” Name in this habitual and thoughtless manner, by saying “gos” or other similar abbreviated words. Then there is “Jeez” and it is obvious what that is supposed to mean, yet countless christians use that thinking nothing of it! Even though neither are related to the true Attribute or Name, yet they are still guilty and will be judged as being guilty! Thus, Elohim strongly condemns the misuse of His Name, regardless in which form it is spoken, for He knows it is being aimed at the Creator, thus Him! In Israel, the punishment for this most evil sin was rather severe: “Whoever blasphemes the Name of YHVH shall surely be put to death.” Vayikra - Leviticus 24:16. Thus christians and the world BEWARE!

Apostle Shaul - Paul’s advice is rooted in the moral category set forth in the Third Commandment, therefore he said;

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29.

While any abuse of the Names and Attributes of YaHVaH Elohim and Yahushua the Messiah are certainly a violation of the Third Commandment, most people who clutter their speech with profanity probably do so as a matter of habit rather than a malevolent or premeditated motive of expressing disdain for Elohim, yet they remain guilty. However, swearing in Elohim’s Name and to deliberately mask a falsehood is yet another matter again.

Swearing Falsely:

When we read in the Third Commandment “in vain” - “You shall not take the Name of YHVH your Elohim in vain,” this is translated from the Hebrew as “LaShav”, “La” = “in”, and “Shav” = “vain”. Besides the word “vain” in Hebrew, this word can also be used as: Evil, idolatry, uselessness, deceptive, false and lying.

The point is that Third Commandment forbids taking Elohim’s Name with deception, falsehood and lies, both being evil, thus truly being “LaShav” in its fullest of its meaning! This commandment, therefore, condemns swearing falsely. To testify falsely under oath (“in Elohim’s Name”) is a direct violation of this commandment, as is invoking Elohim’s Name in an oath, something that is not going to be kept. Such act’s link Elohim with a lie and is therefore an abomination in the eyes of the One who “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). YaHVaH Elohim says:

“And you shall not swear by My Name falsely, nor shall you profane the Name of your Elohim: I am YHVH.” Vayikra - Leviticus 19:12.

We can clearly see here that this verse expands our understanding of the Third Commandment. Elohim’s Name is abused through false oaths and through vulgar use of His Name.

In Davarim - Deuteronomy 6:13, Israel is told to “fear YHVH your Elohim” and “take oaths in His Name.” This is based on truthful oaths, for proper respect for Elohim encourages truthfulness, especially when Elohim’s Name is invoked.

Messiah Yahushua discouraged swearing (Mattityahu - Matthew 5:34), but He did not mean there is never a right reason to take an oath. The Tanach, the Old Covenant has many examples of righteous persons taking oaths in the Name of Elohim and, as we have seen, gives instructions on taking oaths. Shaul called on Elohim as a witness to the truthfulness of his statements (2 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 1:20). This is essentially the same kind of oath or affirmation required of witnesses in a court of law.

Yahushua’ negative view of oaths should be understood in light of corruption of Old Covenant oath laws. Yahushua said;

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to YHVH what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of Elohim, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:33–37.

Thus, Yahushua was not overturning the oath laws of the Tanach, the Old Covenant. On the contrary, He is upholding and magnifying the underlying principle of the oath laws. First, the oath laws encourage truthfulness. Yahushua requires His disciples to be truthful in all their obligations and affirmations. Their word was to be as good as an oath. Second, Yahushua has in view the common notion that swearing in the Name of Elohim and swearing toward Jerusalem were binding, while swearing by heaven and earth or by the temple were not binding at all. In a world where oaths are often used to sidestep truthfulness, it is best not to swear at all.

Our beloved Messiah therefore condemns this corrupt practice in His powerful polemic against the Pharisees;

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of Elohim and by Him who sits upon it.” Mattityahu - Matthew 23:16–22.

We need to understand that all the things Yahushua mentions, the temple, the gold in the temple, the altar, the gift on the altar, and heaven itself, relate to YaHVaH Elohim; therefore swearing by any of these things is the same as swearing “by the throne of Elohim and Him who sits upon it.” The phoney oaths He condemns are a violation of the Third Commandment.

In the Name of Messiah:

Ya’akov - James apparently has the same blasphemous “oath” practice in mind when he urges;

“But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” Ya’akov - James 5:12.

Messiah (Mashiach in Hebrew) who is the head of His body, being the faithful in His Ekklesia. He is called “Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11), “and the Name by which He is called is The Word of Elohim.” (verse 13). Therefore, reckless oaths on the part by members of Messiah’s body do not concur with the Head of the body, so oaths, especially in a world where oaths are suspect, should be avoided as much as it is possible. They can lead to dishonouring the Head and resulting in condemnation.

Ya’akov - James points out that when the rich oppress the poor faithful in Messiah Yahushua and dragged them into court, they “blaspheme the honourable Name by which you were called” (Ya’akov - James 2:7). Since the poor saints belong to Messiah, to treat them badly is to blaspheme the Name of the One who owns them. Just as swearing by the temple is swearing by Him who dwells in it, so mistreating those indwelt by the Spirit of Messiah is to blaspheme the Name of Messiah – “In the beginning was the Word.” ….

“… and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was with Elohim in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.”” Yochanan - John 1:1-3.

Thus having understood that believers need to be careful when placing any kind of oath, especially when that person identifies themselves as a christian, or a believer in Messiah Yahushua, but does not live according to their faith, for they will dishonour the blessed Name by which they are called and thus is guilty of breaking the Third Commandment!

Living inconsistently with one’s confession of faith can also lead unbelievers to blaspheme Elohim’s Sanctified Name. It is written;

“You who boast in the law dishonour Elohim by breaking the law. For, as it is written; ‘The Name of Elohim is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’” Romans 2:23–24).

It is the same for those who openly claim “Jesus Christ” as their Redeemer but are seen abusing alcohol or known for immoral behaviour, including divorces and remarriages, which is common in so many churches these days and no one thinks twice in the Pentecostal churches, as long as they give their money! But it is the same everywhere and all that causes unbelievers to joke and laugh and speak despairingly about the Name of “Christ” and of “christianity” and I understand full well that the TV evangelists have become an out right joke and have at large disgraced our Heavenly Father, with their ongoing sexual abuses, and their healing TV shows that are a farce that are in reality massive money collections, for they proclaim ‘The Lord has told me that every one here are to give a thousand dollars each.” – “If you do not have the cash, credit cards will be accepted; our collectors will come down the aisle soon.” That was Benny Hinn in Brisbane Australia! These men are very rich and live in huge mansions, have private jets and luxury cars. Benny Hinn, besides his false teachings wears Versace suits that have a satanic based logo inside. Now, how can light and darkness work together in Messiah? Obviously there is NO light in Hinn’s life whatsoever! For this reason an “overseer”, teacher in the service of Messiah or an elder, “must be above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2), and be taken care of for all their needs, but their service should not be based on a full time basis. They can have a family and do other work for an income. Once any one becomes employed, they tend to become ‘imprisoned’ to the eldership and board and their “theologies” etc, and sadly it is man who has constantly altered and changed the way of the Word, by their desire for change. We need truth as it is written, no change!

Now we come to the positive side, the faithful in Yahushua who let their lights shine by expressing their love for others through good works and loving behaviour may lead others to “… give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:16.

This principle goes to the heart of the Third Commandment. Rather than abuse Elohim’s most Sanctified Name or allow our words or actions to lead others to blaspheme the Name of Elohim, Elohim’s people are to worship and honour Him in all they say, think, and do. As noted previously, this is the positive side of the Third Commandment.

“YHVH is great in Zion; He is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name … Exalt YHVH our Elohim; worship at His footstool! Sanctified is He!” Tehillim - Psalm 99:2–3 & 5.

The Fourth Commandment

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Sanctified”
Shemos - Exodus 20:8 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:12

At this point there is a total change of direction, yet the connection remains somehow! The first three commandments of the Decalogue clearly forbids the worshiping other god’s, as well as corrupting worship through idolatry and abusing the most Sanctified Name of Elohim’s Name. As noted, the First Commandment tells us very clearly Who we are to worship, and the Second Commandment tells us how we are to worship Him. The Third and Fourth Commandments provide further instructions on how we are to worship Him.

It is simply beyond belief that the ‘christian’ world at large believes that ONLY NINE out of the TEN of YaHVaH’s most Sanctified and everlasting Commandments were brought forward into the New Covenant. But then to believe that the Fourth Commandment was the only one no longer needed! I wonder who thought of that great idea. Was it our blessed Messiah, or was it the Apostles, including Shaul - Paul? No! It was not one of them who taught this, for Yahushua and His faithful Apostles all taught that the Seventh Day Sabbath was and would always be Sanctified! For hundreds of years the faithful continued to uphold the Sabbath without any challenge. But suddenly there were those who, apparently felt that the command to keep the Sabbath Sanctified was more “ceremonial than moral.”

There is no doubt that we are to honour YaHVaH Elohim and Messiah Yahushua every single day of the week, and reveal His presence in our lives in all that we do unto others:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:16.

However, Elohim created the earth in six days and He rested on the seventh day and He commanded that we devote that one-day, the Seventh as the day of rest, to keep it SANCTIFIED, and a time for special worship. Thus the Seventh Day is “a Sabbath of solemn rest, a Sanctified convocation” on which “no work” is to be done (Vayikra - Leviticus 23:3; cf. Shemos - Exodus 20:9–10; Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:13–14). It is a Divinely appointed Day for Elohim’s people to assemble in worship, sing praises and offer thanks to Him, and build one another up in faith, love, and hope!

The Sabbath is rooted in Elohim’s creative and redemptive acts. In Shemos - Exodus 20, the Sabbath is linked with Elohim’s work of creation (verse 11). In Davarim - Deuteronomy 5, the Sabbath is linked with Elohim’s work of delivering Israel from Egypt (verse 15). Thus, the Sabbath is both a celebration of creation and of redemption. This means the Sabbath also has special significance for all those saved by the shed blood of the Passover lamb of Elohim who are in the body, for they are a “new creation” in Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15) and have been redeemed through the blood of Messiah from the bondage of sin (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Shime’on - Peter 1:18–19).

A Covenant Sign for Israel:

If we look at Shemos - Exodus 31, we see that YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, links the Sabbath with His creative acts and the redemption of Israel, and in this light He emphasizes the critical importance of keeping the Sabbath!

And YaHVaH said to Moshe;

“You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep My Sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, YHVH, sanctify you. You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is Sanctified for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among the people. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, Sanctified to YHVH. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between Me and the people of Israel that in six days YHVH made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’” (Exodus 31:12–17).

The words “Above all” emphasizes the importance of keeping the Seventh Day Sanctified, and the sentence of death for breaking the Sabbath underscores the gravity of this sin. The day is to serve as a perpetual sign of the Covenant, reminding the people of Israel that Elohim, the Creator of heaven and earth, redeemed them from Egypt and set them apart as His special people. It was not an Elohim who delivered Israel from bondage; it was the Elohim, the one and only true Elohim, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, who redeemed the Children of Israel and made them His special people. The Sabbath was to be an everlasting sign to signify this to them.

As is so clearly written by the prophet Yechehel - Ezekiel, so many of Israel “desecrated My Sabbaths” even whilst they were still “in the desert”;

“Yet the people of Israel rebelled against Me in the desert. They did not follow My decrees but rejected My laws, although the man who obeys them will live by them and they utterly desecrated My Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out My wrath on them and destroy them in the desert. But for the sake of My Name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.  Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the desert that I would not bring them into the land I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, most beautiful of all lands, because they rejected My laws and did not follow My decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths. For their hearts were devoted to their idols. Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or put an end to them in the desert. I said to their children in the desert, ‘Do not follow the statutes of your fathers or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am YHVH your Elohim; follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws. Keep My Sabbaths Sanctified, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am YHVH your Elohim." Yechehel - Ezekiel 20:13-20.

Even once they were in the land of milk and honey, sadly, amongst many of Israel the profaning of the Sabbath was a major problem throughout the long history of the Children of Israel. The prophets often singled out the Sabbath because it stood for the entire law. They understood that the Sabbath was a sign of the Covenant, so when they spoke of profaning the Sabbath they were speaking of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the Covenant in general!

The truth is that the Sabbath was given to the people of Israel as a reminder, for whilst in Egypt they had forgotten this and other laws that Elohim had given as far back as the creation, for we know that animal sacrifices were already part of the law at the time of Adam and Eve’s children, which brought about the slaying of Abel, the first murder, which obviously was also a “Do not” law! Noach, knew about animals that were “clean and unclean” even before eating meat, but they were prepared for after landing on solid ground, meat could be eaten, and they already knew that it was “fit to eat: (Kosher)! We know that the Sabbath was kept during those days also, for we read about it as well as sacrifices, again during Avraham’s and Yitzchak - Isaac’s life!

However, when the Sabbath was being reaffirmed to Israel, as well as other points because many had lived in a pagan land for some 400 years and had lived mostly a pagan lifestyle and lost their heritage, except for those who had remained faithful, for remember, the Word tells us clearly that there would always be a “remnant” in Elohim and He blessed them with His Law to be written down for all time!

But because they were in the wilderness (Shemos - Exodus 16) and the Sabbath served as a sign of the Covenant that Elohim made with Israel at Sinai, separating them from the other nations as it seems, that has led some in the church to conclude that the Sabbath was for Israel only and is inseparable from the Mosaic Covenant!

But as I have already indicated, the Sabbath long predates the Covenant made at Sinai:

A Closer Look into the Creation Ordinance:

There are many who claim that the Sabbath was first instituted at the time of Moshe, however we know for sure that the commandment itself points to a much earlier origin. Thus the question is; “When did YaHVaH Elohim bless and make the Sabbath Day Sanctified?” Was it at Sinai, after He delivered Israel from the land of Egypt? Or in the wilderness during the time of Moshe?” the obvious answer is “No!” for as we all already know that Bereshis - Genesis 2 tells us all about the origin of the blessed Sabbath day!:

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day Elohim finished His work that He had done, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. So Elohim blessed the seventh day and made it Sanctified, because on it Elohim rested from all His work that He had done in creation.” Bereshis - Genesis 2:1–3.

The Sabbath and the covenant between “Adam” who took “Chavah” – “Eve” “to wife” and be together as a couple (man and wife), this is what we call today a Marriage contract (Bereshis - Genesis 2:22–24). These covenants have been called the two great creation ordinances and both were instituted at the beginning of human history. Therefore it is totally illogical to say that the latter one is permanently binding, whilst the former Sabbath commandment would later be abolished when the Messiah had come.

Yet many continue to say, but these laws, especially the fourth commandment regarding the Sabbath was only for the Children of Israel! We need to understand that the entire creation narrative focuses on the arrival of man and the Sabbath was already instituted, long before Israel even existed. We should all know well that Ya’akov - Jacob was given the title “Israel,” well over two thousand years later!

Therefore, as we can read in the Word, in Bereshis – Genesis, Elohim prepared an environment suitable for humans and He then creates man and puts him in a place specially prepared for him. On the seventh day the day after man’s creation, Elohim “rests” from all His work and makes the seventh day Sanctified. This is the first recorded example of Elohim making a thing Sanctified. Obviously, the Sabbath was not created in a vacuum, as if Elohim’s making the seventh day Sanctified was unrelated to the origin of man. Obviously Elohim could not be exhausted; He certainly did not need to rest. When He “rested” on this day He made the seventh day Sanctified, and thus He had man in mind. “The Sabbath was made for man.” It signifies communion between the Creator and the creature who bears the Creator’s image.

The Sabbath was instituted long before there were any Israelites. Therefore it predates the Covenant at Mt Sinai by many centuries. Its function of the Mosaic Covenant was the same as the previous function as it was related to creation and now also to redemption signifying Elohim’s relationship with man. But no man could ever cancel this Covenant, or nullify the Sabbath or its original function and intent, for that would be a sin! Yet the church has gone against the Almighty and thus they will have to face Elohim in that day and they will be judged!

Some argue that there is no evidence that the patriarchs who lived before Moshe kept the Sabbath. This, they claim, is evidence that the Sabbath was unknown before the time of Moshe and that the Sabbath rest of the creation narrative simply reflects a Mosaic interpretation.

Indeed, while we could show from the book of Genesis that worshiping false god’s, idolatry, blasphemy, dishonouring parents, murder, adultery, theft, lying, and covetousness were all sins long before the time of Moshe, there is no passage stating that any one of the patriarchs kept the Sabbath. There’s no mention of the righteous men and women who lived before Moshe resting on the Sabbath. But we do find some bits of information that may suggest an awareness of the Sabbath before the time of Moshe. But, what does this verse mean in Bereshis – Genesis chapter 8, where Elohim Says …

“Avraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Bereshis – Genesis 26:5.

Obviously the very mention of “commandments, statutes and laws” suggests that there was various laws in place at the time of Avraham. We do know that there were commandments included against serving false god’s, idolatry, blasphemy, adultery, and more, and also sacrifices, for these go back to the time of Abel and Cain as we well know. Also, Avraham when he arrived at Bethel he built an Altar to Elohim, thus we see so many things that are familiar of the laws that we know about as given at Sinai. However, the Sabbath, which was the very first law Elohim made, must have been part of these laws and I believe it was the most observed one, for it was a weekly event and a day of rest!

Bereshis - Genesis 29:27–28 shows that they knew about a “week” and it was well known in the days of the patriarchs that it was seven days in duration. Why, am I so sure of this, well there was an awareness of the weekly cycle of seven days in the days of Noach, who sent out a dove from the ark every seven days until the dove did not return (Bereshis - Genesis 8:10–12).

Since the seven-day week instituted at creation concludes with the Sabbath day, it is obvious that the week was known to the patriarchs was the seven-day week and that they kept the Sabbath.

Please Note: The item below, entitled “The Test Commandment” has been pulled from the author’s previous study “Which Day is the real Sabbath!” (See link at bottom of page) However, I felt it would be perfect to place this short section here in this study as it was most fitting!

The Test Commandment:

We are now going to examine an account found in Shemos - Exodus 16:1-30:

With Israel having seen YaHVaH Elohim’s great power and might, the Ten Plagues, their miraculous escape from Egypt, the next miracle at the Red Sea as the waters parted, yet here they were on the other side of the Red Sea having sung their words of praise, full of joy and before you knew it the Israelites “grumbled” against Moshe and Aaron due to the lack of tasty and spicy food;

“… on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moshe and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by YHVH’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Verses 1-3 NIV.

Elohim having heard this - said, “I will ... TEST them, whether they will walk in My LAW or not” (verse 4). Now this verse is very interesting, because it provides more proof that His law was already in full effect even BEFORE the giving of the Old Covenant Law was given at Mount Sinai!

In His everlasting love, Elohim explained that He would perform the following miracle, and that on every day of the week, except on the Seventh Day - Yes friends on the Sabbath. He would provide special food from heaven called “manna (or better translated - ‘what is it’) and it would fall to the ground in the morning like dew. The people were to gather it up each morning and they were to eat it on that very same day. They were clearly told not to keep any of it overnight, because it would breed worms and stink.

Now remember that by providing the food which was a blessing, it also came as a test for Israel and that was a “TEST” to see whether they would follow YaHVaH Elohim’s law or not. So what did the people do? Let’s go back to the Scriptures;

“Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much two omers for each person and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moshe. He said to them, ‘This is what YHVH commanded (past tense): ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a Sanctified Sabbath to YHVH. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” Verses 21-23 NIV.

Sadly as human beings often do, they just did not take the Almighty seriously and they went out on the Sabbath and tried to find manna.

“And YHVH said to Moshe, ‘How long do you (people) refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? See! For YHVH has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the Seventh Day.' So the people rested on the Seventh Day.” Verses 28-30.

We need to remember that all this occurred before Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, and Elohim began performing a weekly three-phase miracle to prove to His people, which day was and had always been His (the) Sanctified Sabbath. But, when some people did try to do some work on that day, our Creator angrily would say, “How LONG do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?

Therefore we have learned something very special here, the Sabbath had been in practice during the entire 400 years the Hebrews were in Egypt, and thus long before, for it was Yoseph who first arrived, and he was followed by his brothers and his father Ya’akov and his family and others, etc. All of whom were faithful ones in Elohim and kept the laws and commandments. We know at least that Moshe and Aaron’s family, and obviously others were faithful and continued to uphold Elohim’s Commandments to their abilities, considering the life they were living under, but YaHVaH knows and understands all!

Yahushua and the Sabbath:

We know from the Scriptures that Yahushua the Messiah was an observant Hebrew and he went to the Synagogue every Sabbath as was His and His families “custom” to do. But, then again all the faithful of Judah would go on the Sabbath day and worship for it was a special Sanctified day unto Elohim. Lukas said;

“He (Yahushua) went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went to the synagogue, as was his custom. And He stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Yeshayahu - Isaiah was handed to Him, and unrolling it He found the place” … (chapter 61, verses 1 and 2). Lukas - Luke 4:16-17.

Yahushua also called the temple “My Father’s house” (in Yochanan - John 2:16; cf. Mattityahu - Matthew 23:16–22), and He upheld tithing laws (Mattityahu - Matthew 23:23). Messiah Yahushua recommended Mosaic sacrifices (Lukas - Luke 5:14), and regularly taught in the synagogues on Sabbath days (Mark 6:2; Luke 4:16; 6:6; 13:10), and observed the appointed Feasts of YaHVaH (Mattityahu - Matthew 26:17–20; Lukas - Luke 2:41–42; 22:15; Yochanan - John 7:10). He clearly respected customs that were deemed “Hebraic.”

Although whilst He respected the “Hebraic” (Jewish) customs and institutions, such as the temple and priesthood, He did speak of the termination of the temple and its services (Mattityahu - Matthew 23:37–39; 24:1–2; Yochanan - John 4:21); but He said nothing similar about the Sabbath or the Decalogue. On the contrary, He plainly said that He did not come to abolish the law (Mattityahu - Matthew 5:17), declaring that “whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (verse 19).

Obviously, Yahushua recognized the distinction between the moral law (the Ten Commandments) and the ceremonial law. In His “Sermon on the Mount,” He cites several laws from the Old Covenant and brings to light their true meaning. As noted earlier, Yahushua takes issue, not with the law, but with erroneous interpretations of the law by the priests and Pharisees past and present when Yahushua was there. The point was they had expanded the original laws to the point of total absurdity and had in fact enslaved the Hebrew/Jewish people with so many new man made laws, that slowly they would almost forget, which where the laws that Elohim had originally given. Such as the Sabbath, there are only three laws, 1 - Love and honour Elohim, 2 - do no servile work, 3 – kindle / light no fire, end of story. However, that was not good enough for the rabbinic kind; they added hundreds more and complicated it so much that there is even a law for the Sabbath that states … “You are permitted to kill lice on the person, but not fleas. You might ask, “But why?” These obviously simple-minded rabbis thought, well, you may not catch the lice again, so you can kill it, but you can catch the flea again the next day, so suffer! Yes friends that is human madness and Yahushua opposed all man made laws and He even became embroiled in it when he was in the field and His disciples took some grains from the field and ate it and He was accused of breaking the Sabbath by the Pharisees. But, the only law that was broken was a man made one, for there was no servile work going on, or the lighting of any fire!

Through His personal example, He also underscored the true meaning of the Sabbath day. He ignored the unscriptural traditions the scribes and Pharisees had tacked to the Sabbath; and, in so doing, He brought to light the Sabbath’s meaning as a day picturing liberation from bondage. In short, He restored the original meaning and purpose of the Sabbath day.

As we have already read in Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:14–15, Moshe linked the Sabbath rest with Israel’s liberation from bondage out of Egypt, thus revealing that the Sabbath is a day that describes redemption and liberation. Similarly, Yahushua, who is a “Prophet like Moshe”, but greater, performed healings on the Sabbath, linking that day to another kind of liberation and demonstrating His power to forgive sins, for healings were related to their sins. (See Mattityahu - Matthew 12:10–13; Lukas - Luke 13:10–17; 14:1–6; Yochanan - John 5:5–13; 7:21–24; 9:1–34.)

However on every occasion the Pharisees accused Yahushua of breaking the Sabbath. It was the Pharisees, certainly not Yahushua the Anointed one of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, who abused the Sabbath. It would be through their erroneous traditions that they made the Sabbath burdensome. Yahushua’s actions were in total accord with the intent and purpose of the Sabbath, for He pointed out that “it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Mattityahu - Mathew 12:12), and informed His accusers that the “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Markus - Mark 2:27), meaning that it was to be a delight (Yeshayahu - Isaiah 58:13), and not a burden!

As I stated before, Yahushua’s disciples plucked heads a little grain and began to eat it as they passed through a field on the Sabbath. The Pharisees accused them of breaking the Sabbath (Mattityahu - Matthew 12:1–2). Of course, there is nothing wrong with satisfying hunger on the Sabbath. Plucking a little grain and eating is not doing any “work” that the Fourth Commandment forbids. Yahushua refuted the Pharisees’ accusation by citing the example of David, who violated a ceremonial law in a time of need and was excused, and by pointing out that the priests perform temple duties on the Sabbath but are guiltless (verses 3–6).

Yahushua used this occasion to show that the One who permitted the disciples to pluck heads of grain and eat on the Sabbath is greater than the temple (verse 6). The Pharisees must have been stunned when He declared, “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (verse 8). In making this statement, He was affirming His Messiah-ship and declaring His dominion over creation and redemption, both of which are pictured in the Sabbath day. Therefore, far from abolishing the Sabbath, Yahushua confirmed it, declaring His lordship over it, and restoring its true meaning and intent.

The Sabbath and the Early Faithful:

The earliest believers were obviously first entirely Hebraic/Jewish and they observed the Sabbath and the annual festivals. As we know the Ekklesia of the faithful was born on the Day of “Sukkot,” or the “Feast of Weeks”, being fifty days after the Feast of “Bikkurim” – “Firstfruits.” And the “Feast of Weeks” is an annual Sanctified day (Acts 2; cf. Vayikra - Leviticus 23:4–7, 15–16). On that very day, being prophetic of the outpouring of the Ruach HaKodesh, the Sanctified Spirit, which gave new meaning to the day, just as Messiah’s death at the time of the Passover sacrifice gave new meaning to the Passover Feast. No doubt, the faithful in Messiah which was entirely Jewish came to recognize the new teachings by Shime’onPeter and the Apostle, for obviously, there was no Gospel’s or Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant as yet, until much later. However the significance of the Feasts of YaHVaH and the weekly Sabbath remained then and continued to be taught to the new believers in the Gentile world, and were upheld by all believers who remained true to the faith of the Apostles for hundred’s of years!

We know from the Word that Apostle Shaul - Paul observed the Sabbath whilst he had been in Judah, but also when away in other lands;

“From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” Acts 13:14-15.

“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of Elohim. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Shaul’s message.” Acts 16:13-15.

“When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue. As his custom was, Shaul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Yahushua I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah," he said. Some of the Judeans were persuaded and joined Shaul and Silas, as did a large number of Elohim fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.” Acts 17:1-4.

“Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Judean’s and Greeks.” Acts 18:4.

The thousands of Hebrew - Jewish believers at Jerusalem were “zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20), and they were Sabbath-keepers. Ya’akov - James writing to “The Twelve Tribes in the Dispersion” (Ya’akov - James 1:1), and he identified the faithful coming together as “your assembly” (Ya’akov - James 2:2).

Stern writes, “The word (assembly) in Greek is ‘synagogue’; it appears 57 times in the New Covenant. Fifty-six times it refers to a Jewish place of congregational assembly and is translated ‘synagogue’ in virtually all English versions.” (David Stern, Jewish New Covenant Commentary, p. 728).

Ya’akov - James’ use of the term “your assembly” or “synagogue,” suggests the “Twelve Tribes” who were “brethren” to whom the epistle was addressed, obviously observed the Sabbath!

Thus, we have seen just a few verses from many that the New Covenant community is made up of “those who keep the commandments of YaHVaH Elohim and hold to the testimony of Yahushua” (Revelation 12:17). The commandments of Elohim include the Fourth Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath, to keep it Sanctified.”

May I ask, “Are you keeping Elohim’s APPOINTED Seventh Day Sabbath SANCTIFIED?” Beloved I pray you are, if not, please start now, for our Saviour is coming SOON!

The Fifth Commandment

“Honour your father and your mother”

Shemos - Exodus 20:12 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:16

The Fifth Commandment is directly associated to a promise for the commandment clearly states …

“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land that YHVH your Elohim has given you.” Shemos - Exodus 20:12.

Proper respect for legitimate authority is essential for an orderly society, and of course it begins in the home. Children who grow to maturity in a solid happy family environment are more likely to become productive members of society than those who grow up in an environment filled with anger, resentment, hatred, and disrespect for authority and those who are without Elohim and Messiah as their Lord and Saviour, for they will not be able to understand the boundaries that are required in life.

The Fifth Commandment calls for children and adults to honour their parents, but it also calls on parents to conduct themselves honourably. To be and remain respectable, law-abiding parents are more likely to produce law-abiding children, and parents who live lawlessly are more likely to produce lawless children. Righteousness begets righteousness. Iniquity begets iniquity. It is so sad that in these days we see that there are more and more un-married parents who just live together and usually break up within a few years, thus these children end living with a single parent and with a broken family, usually filled with pain and hatred! Tragically here in Australia, it seems that the government is encouraging single mothers, and their numbers are escalating, and there are countless thousands who are having babies by a number of men. The question is this, what is going to become of these children, for they have never have known a real family life, and their mothers are usually women that drink heavily, smoke, and use filthy language around their little ones. In addition to all that they tend to play the system and live full time on government payouts!

Tragically, we are seeing the answer being the result to the problem of the above, and the children that have come out of these sinful situations are sadly running wild around our streets and alleys, robbing houses and attacking the elderly, both men and women stealing their little money for the vast majority of these kid’s are already on drugs at a very young age! A boy who was just eight years of age murdered an elderly lady in her home here in Australia, and what astounded me was that he really knew what he had done, for he was so proud of his accomplishment. When caught, he laughed and gave the media finger movements and he never repented, not even as he grew older. Today, he remains as evil as ever and he will be a criminal for life unless a miracle occurs! Of course, he came out of a multi father single parent background! Iniquity is rife among our young and our entire civilisation, for it has become so ungodly, but I am sad to say, that iniquity has also crept into the greater church!

The warning accompanying the Second Commandment refers to the pattern of iniquity begetting iniquity’

“For I, YHVH your Elohim, am a jealous Elohim, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Shemos - Exodus 20:5–6.

Some have supposed that the curse brought on by sinful fathers is automatically passed on to the children regardless the behaviour of the children. Personally I believe that this is not the case. Although the curse is passed on to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Elohim, but, if the children turn from the iniquity of the fathers and choose to love Elohim and keep His commandments, they will reap the benefits of Elohim’s steadfast love. However, tragically so frequently this is often not the case.

Throughout the Scriptures, we have seen the pattern of iniquity begetting iniquity again and again throughout Israel’s history. For wicked kings often produced even more wicked heirs. The terrible consequences of wickedness were felt until the pattern was broken. Unfortunately, the influence of righteous kings was usually short-lived. The people of Israel always returned to the sins of their fathers. They rejected the authority of their true Father as can be seen if you look up the following references: (Davarim - Deuteronomy 14:1; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Yeshayahu - Isaiah 1:2; 63:16; 64:8;  Yirmyahu - Jeremiah 3:19 and Hoshea – Hosea 1:10; 11:1) and for this reason Israel during their sinful days failed to reap the blessing’s of the promise attached to the Fifth Commandment: “… that your days may be long upon the land YHVH your Elohim has given you.”

We do have to point out that “honouring your parents” does not mean following their ungodly ways, if they live a life not befitting a good and honourable parent. It means rather respecting them as parents and recognizing the legitimacy of their parental authority. But parents have no legitimate authority to teach their children to disobey the Almighty, the Creator and Messiah Yahushua, from whom all legitimate authority ultimately arises. In fact, a person may honour his parents through refusing to follow them in ungodly behaviour. In so doing, he is honouring his Spiritual Father and setting a proper example for his or her parents and other members of his family.

Crucial to Israel’s National Well-Being:

Amazingly, we should also understand that obedience to the Fifth Commandment was crucial to Israel’s survival as a nation. For the importance of this commandment is seen in the penalty for striking or cursing one’s parents. Anyone who “strikes” or “curses his father or his mother shall be put to death” (Shemos - Exodus 21:15, 17). This warning is reinforced in Davarim - Deuteronomy 21:18–21.

“If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have disciplined him, will not obey them: Then shall his father and his mother shall take hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die, so shall you put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear this, and fear.” Davarim - Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

Obviously, it is not speaking about a child who occasionally has a “temper tantrum” or displays stubbornness from time to time. Rather, it speaks of a long-standing pattern of sinful behaviour and utter and total rebellion. If the people of Israel were to reap the blessings of obedience from the Covenant, then they were to keep Elohim’s commandments from generation to generation. And this would be impossible if rebellion would be allowed to persist and if honour and respect was not taught correctly, with love, yet with authority, then honour should first be practiced in the home.

YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, always expects parents to teach His commandments to their children

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Davarim - Deuteronomy 6:6-7.

“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Davarim – Deuteronomy 11:19.

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you, they are your life. By them you will live long in the land …” Davarim – Deuteronomy 32:46-47.

Elohim also commanded the People of Israel whilst they were still in the wilderness to have them tell their children of the wonderful works YaHVaH Elohim did for the People of Israel when He delivered them out Egypt (see Shemos - Exodus 12:26–27; 13:8, 14–15, and Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:9–10). Such teaching is reinforced in an environment of love and respect, where disciplinary measures are guided by love, not anger.

Friends, the family unit is the foundation of a stable society and the Fifth Commandment is essential to family stability.

If ALL the Children of Israel had diligently adhered to the Fifth Commandment and ALL it entails, they would not have turned to idolatry and other sins that resulted in their expulsion from the Promised Land!

Confirmed in the New Covenant:

The Apostle Shaul urged the youth of the Ekklesia in Ephesus to obey the Fifth Commandment.

“Children, obey your parents in YHVH, for this is right. ‘Honour your father and mother’ which is the first commandment with a promise ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of YHVH.” Ephesians 6:1-4.

As I noted previously, the promise accompanying this commandment actually specified the Promised Land … “the land YHVH your Elohim is giving you.” But now Shaul is applying the commandment to Gentile converts who are far away from the land that Elohim gave to the Hebrews, and thus he recognizes the universality of the Fifth Commandment. He also sees the connection between loving parental guidance and the children’s responsibility to honour and obey their parents.

To honour your parent’s means so much more than just obeying and respecting them during one’s youth. It also means expressing love for them in their latter years, whether through financial or other forms of help or simply being there for them and taking time out to show appreciation for them.

The Hebrews at the time of Yahushua the Messiah were very clear regarding this responsibility toward parents, but the Pharisees had a tradition that would permit a person to sidestep this obligation. The tradition permitted a person to vow to reserve his possessions as a gift of Elohim, that would release him from the obligation to use his possessions to help his aging parents. Yahushua sternly rebuked them, calling them “hypocrites” and charging them with leaving the “commandment of Elohim” in favour of the “tradition of men” (Markus - Mark 7:6, 8).

“‘You have let go of the commands of Elohim and are holding on to the traditions of men’ … And He said to them: ‘You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of Elohim in order to observe your own traditions! For Moshe said, ‘Honour your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban', then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of Elohim by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” Markus - Mark 7:8-13.

Our Saviour Yahushua clearly upheld the Fifth Commandment as a “commandment of Elohim” and part of the “word of Elohim.” His strong condemnation of rejecting this commandment in favour of a man-made tradition, He confirms the timeless nature of the commandments of the Decalogue. Therefore, just as it was a sin to dishonour one’s parents in the time of Yahushua, it’s still a sin to dishonour one’s parents today.

It is a Commandment for this Time:

Our world would be vastly different if every child learned to honour his or her parents and every parent should instil the principles of Elohim in their children. Also for them to respect legitimate authority and if this is the case the rule of law would go up, and the soaring crime rate that plagues our world would dramatically drop.

The truth is that the Fifth Commandment is the first of the Ten Commandments that directly deals with human relationships. Children who are taught to esteem their parents are better equipped to learn to love and honour the Father of mankind and develop wholesome relationships with other human beings. They learn a proper respect for life, for the property, privileges, and the rights of others.

The book of Proverbs is filled with helpful advice for parents and children. A father who loves his son “is diligent to discipline him” (see the various verses in … Proverbs 13:24; cf. 19:18; 23:13–14; 29:15, 17). “A wise son makes a glad father” and “hears his father’s instruction” (Proverbs 10:1; 13:1). The “father’s instruction” and “mother’s teaching” are a “graceful garland” for a son’s head and “pendants” for his neck (Proverbs 1:8–9), strengthening him against the enticements of the wicked.

Thus the path of wisdom was the path established by YaHVaH Elohim’s blessed law. The best time to commence the journey along that path is obviously during childhood, with the help of loving parents in Messiah Yahushua.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs 22:6.

The Sixth Commandment

“You shall not murder”

Shemos - Exodus 20:13 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:17

We must note that the commandment is a prohibition to “Murder.” For the commandment does not sayYou shall not kill.”

There have been many who believe that this is what the commandment actually stated, but this is not the case! The Hebrew word is “Ri’Zach”, which means “murder,” however, the word for “kill” is “Higu,” which has come from the primitive Hebrew root “Harag” meaning to “slay” or “put to death.”

We now go back to the early days of human history, when Cainslew” “Harag” his brother Abel (Bereshis - Genesis 4:8), sadly in this case a murder was being committed, and it had become a sad reality within mankind. The number of murders taking place around the world today is simply beyond belief. The tragedy is that we read of homicides every single day and every morning as we wake there are more and more horror stories on our TV news reports for the hideous tragedies just seem to go on and on! The gangland crimes somehow cannot be brought under control and shootings are going wild in our suburban streets with targeted homes being shot at almost daily, as well as people being shot at in the street, be they innocent bystanders or not. As stated earlier, so many crimes are now being committed by teenagers and worse still, as I said earlier even down to the age of just 8 years old! Of all the crimes that one human being could commit against another, murder obviously will always top the list, but this is followed by rape and torture, which is also a frequent occurrence these days. It is for this reason this is the very first “You shall not” commandment of the Decalogue that pertains to loving one’s neighbour as one’s self.

The first four commandments, as we have seen pertain to our relationship to YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, whilst the last six deal with our relationships with other’s and they are presented in a wonderfully logical order. The Fifth Commandment is the very foundation to all of human relationships, for the family unit is the very basis to the health of humanity! Whilst the next four commandments forbid, in descending order, the very worst acts a person can commit against his neighbour: murder, adultery, theft and bearing false witness. However, then comes what I class the clinger of this section …  the very last of the commandments that states … “You shall not covet” and this commandment, believe it or not, goes to the very heart of all of the main problems of the sinfulness of all mankind! Covetousness is an internal matter, the desire for something that cannot be lawfully obtained, and it can lead to various sinful acts that are condemned by the commandments preceding the last one!

But we must never forget that murder is a major problem throughout the world. And then there are that other great evil throughout the world, the Islamic terrorists, murderous dictators of Iran, Syria Palestine and other Islamic Nations, or North Korea and certain Asian, or countries in the African and South American continents. All of which have evil and cruel regimes that have demonstrated little regard for human life. As in ancient times, murder is a grisly reality in today’s world. We have seen heads of state that were evil and murderous men such as Idi Amin, Muammar Gaddafi, Saddam Hussein, Robert Mugabe, Kim Jong-il and the current leader, Kim Jong-un. These are just a few of them that were, and those that remain in control today. All of these were or are dictator’s and are murderer’s, or they allow their people to die due to sheer starvation, especially in Africa and North Korea, whilst the Government lives in supreme luxury and the army is well clothed and equipped and well fed, but the general public are left to starve and find their own morsels of food either during massive droughts, or the harsh winters of Korea! As a special note, you may say, “You did not make any mention of Israel?” I did not, for it is not a dictatorship, but a democracy and the only one in the Middle East, even today, regardless what they say, for not one single election has been fully recognised by the UN as yet as not having been pre-arranged, or “doctored” in some way! However, I believe that the State of Israel of today is very much a secular nation and mostly a sinful one, and far from being perfect! However, the nation is there by Elohim’s will, but very much incomplete, for the full Exodus of Israel is yet to come later!

Life is to be Honoured at all Costs:

The Sixth Commandment forbids murder. However, to be positive, the Sixth Commandment is also a directive for us all to respect human life. Thus the true believer will stand in strong opposition to the philosophy embraced by so many these days who tend to think that a “culture of death” should be recognised by all of society and that we all should accept “euthanasia” of the elderly who are ill. There are those who believe that “euthanasia” and “abortion” are absolute “human rights.” I am sorry but the Word of YaHVaH Elohim very clearly states that it is NOT! But, then these people are anti God, and anti Elohim!

It amazes me that anyone who is against these horrific ideas are called “right-wing extremists” by those who believe and propose the ideals. Mind you, remember who are calling us this, these are those who desire to kill old and sick people and foetuses, which is a life, a child! Believe me I have been a nurse in my time and have worked with the elderly and I agree that we should not prolong life artificially and allow individuals to pass away loving, but without pain. I recall that a dear 87-year-old mother who had been in a long coma and was being fed by tubes and was attached to life saving equipment and her loving daughter came every single day to talk with her. The daughter was so loving and so kind. However one day I took her apart and said, “Rosie (not her name) would it not be best for your dear Mum, if she were taken off all the equipment and tubes, and with suitable pain killers to ensure there is no pain whatsoever, and allow her to lovingly and peacefully go to sleep? You have been such a wonderful daughter and you come every day and I know you do not want to lose your Mother, but, I believe that our loving Saviour is calling her home.” Rosie did decide to follow my instruction and her mother passed away within hours and she was there to see her Mother off. That beloved is the right way to go! So, we are accused of all sorts of things, including that our fanaticism drives us to impose our religious views on others. However, politics and religion aside, it should not be difficult for anyone to see that a society’s health is directly related to its regard or disregard for the sanctity of human life, and to exclude the unborn foetus to have the right of life is to exclude the most innocent of the innocent. No one has the right to murder the unborn, who could end up as a fine human being, and even make a great contribution in society! I wish to make note that I certainly do not support some of those violent demonstrators who have done some evil things to make their stand against abortion and they will be punished along with all the wrongdoers!

Abortion is legal in far too many countries, but thankfully it is still illegal in many others, may it remain so. Hundreds of thousand of abortions are conducted be it legally or illegally every single day that comes around to 46 million murders per year.

There are many who will argue the point that there is no Scriptural law against abortion or that there is nothing in Israel’s criminal code forbidding it. This argument overlooks the very fact that, in the law of Israel, children are seen as a gift from Elohim. There is evidence in the Mosaic law that killing a foetus was viewed as a most serious matter. In Shemos - Exodus chapter 21 – we find a direct precedent, that if a man hits a pregnant woman two outcomes are shown, the second being obviously a miscarriage. Below is the whole Scripture relating this case;

“If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury (to the babe), the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury (a miscarriage), you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” Shemos - Exodus 21:22-25.

We need to remember that Scripturally ALL human beings bear the image and likeness of Elohim and that includes the unborn, for they were not excluded from the “human being” status. Thus the absence of a specific injunction against abortion was not needed; such an act would have been considered the taking of innocent human life and would have been viewed as a criminal act and thus by injuring a pregnant woman that she had a miscarriage, was worthy of the penalty of death!

Thus we have learned that if the woman or the prematurely born child is injured or dies, the penalty is to be administered in proportion to the loss. If the child emerges prematurely and dies (or emerges dead), the striker is guilty of culpable negligence resulting in death and is to be punished accordingly. This shows that the penalty for killing an unborn baby and one was already born would be the same, thus in Israel, a foetus was always viewed Scripturally as a human being!

Therefore there is no doubt that abortion is murder and a violation of the Sixth Commandment. It is beyond the scope of this study to address the various arguments regarding various exceptional cases, such as the extremely rare instance when a woman’s life is at stake, or in a case involving hideous rape cases etc! The underlying problem with the “abortion on demand” argument is a total lack of respect for life, particularly the life of the unborn. It is sad, but these same groups also tend to support the gay marriage ideology and other ultra left wing extremes.

Murder in the New Covenant:

The Apostle Yochanan - John makes it extremely plain;

“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 Yochanan -  1 John 3:15.

He was speaking regarding the spirit of murder. If there was no hatred, there would be no intentional homicide. The Sixth Commandment, therefore speaks as much to the intentions of the heart as to the acts resulting from those intentions. Yochanan - John’s equating hatred with murder accords with the teaching of Yahushua as found in Mattityahu - Matthew;

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness and slander.” Mattityahu - Matthew 15:19.

What did Yahushua say during the Sermon on the Mount that covered this subject;

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:21–22.

When Yahushua speaks of “anger” it is not about righteous indignation or the momentary feeling of outrage one may experience after being wronged; it is anger stemming from hatred. Yahushua Himself must have been indignant when He condemned the hypocritical practices of the scribes and Pharisees, calling the religious leaders “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” “blind fools,” “serpents,” and a “brood of vipers” who make a proselyte “twice as much a child of hell” as themselves (Mattityahu - Matthew 23).

We note that the Apostle Shaul cautions us as follows;

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26–27.

Thus, Yahushua does not condemn all expressions of anger. His “But I say to you” exposition in Mattityahu - Matthew 5:22 … pertains to anger motivated by hateful spite, the spirit of murder. The sad fact is that murder and the hatred that motivates this horrendous crime are condemned throughout the entire Scriptures, both the Tanach, the Old Covenant and the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant. In the end, all murderers will have their part …

“in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8.

The Sixth Commandment,” You shall not murder,” was in force at the very beginning of human history for it was obvious that after Cain had murdered his brother Abel he knew that he had sinned. Yet even before he did murder his brother Elohim had spoken to him and had mentioned “sin”;

“Then YHVH said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Bereshis - Genesis 4:6-7.

Sin is crouching at your door.” Our Heavenly Father knew the evil that was in Cain’s heart! Let us friends, remain in the “Royal Law” and thus stay true to the teaching of Yahushua The Messiah our beloved Redeemer!

“If you really keep the Royal Law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not MURDER.’ If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” Ya’akov - James 2:8-13.

The Seventh Commandment

“You shall not commit adultery”

Shemos - Exodus 20:14 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:18

It is common knowledge these days that extramarital affairs at some time or other is not unusual during many marriages these days. There are even couples who enjoy having “open marriages” thus they can go out with other partners at will. Then there are couples who enjoy weird sexual relationships that I simply will not bother to venture into.  But we do know that adulterers are never truthful individuals and we can only wonder how many, when questioned in surveys on infidelity would actually tell the truth.

The “success” of the pornography industry, especially these days with the availability with Internet porn, “adult” book and video stores, and other markets available to smut peddlers, reflects the moral decay of modern societies. According to a recent online survey of around 55,000 Internet users, three in ten admitted being regular visitors to sex sites on the Internet. No doubt, this widely available pornographic material has stimulated the depraved appetites of evil, filthy men that are paedophiles and sexual predators to do their filthy work! Thankfully for our Police force who have men and women online pretending to be boys or a girl online and when a paedophile wants to meet, they will make a date in order to trap these depraved individuals and have them thrown in jail!

The “Sexual Revolution” of the 1960s opened the door to a variety of immoral behaviours, including infidelity, premarital sex, and the openness of homosexuality and other forms of perversity. The new sexual “freedom” of the 1980s brought with it a rash of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), some previously unknown and some incurable, and a lower view of the sanctity of marriage and traditional family values.

Today, many view sex outside marriage as a normal and healthy expression. Advocates of “safe sex” through the use of condoms have encouraged promiscuity and the changing attitudes toward cohabitation and premarital sexual relations. For many, the idea that sex should be reserved for marriage and that abstinence is the solution to the STD problem is “prudish,” a long-outdated notion stemming from a religious past and is only pushed by the fanatical “religious right.” Nevertheless, the views of the many cannot change the fact that the traditional family unit is the backbone of a healthy society. Moral decadence can only weaken the backbone and result in societal decay.

It was our blessed YaHVaH Elohim and not man who established the institution for man “to wife” His chosen lady, which today is “marriage”! He intended that this institution was to be ONLY between one man and one woman, and that is a covenant that remains binding as long as both partners draw breath! No matter what all those so-called advocacy groups say, Elohim says, “You shall not commit adultery!”

AS I have said previously, the commandments of the Decalogue are ten broad moral categories. The Seventh Commandment specifically forbids adultery, or extramarital sex, but as a moral category it forbids a broad range of sexual misconduct, including fornication (sex outside marriage), homosexual activity, bestiality, and incest. For example see Vayikra – Leviticus chapter 18. In ancient Israel, the penalty for infidelity was most severe;

“If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbour, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” Vayikra - Leviticus 20:10.

What Does the Brit Chadashah, New Covenant Say:

Shaul - Paul urges, “Flee from sexual immorality” (I Corinthians 6:18). Citing Israel’s unfaithfulness as a warning for the faithful in Messiah Yahushua. He writes … “We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day” (I Corinthians 10:8). He lists “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality” among the “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19), sternly warning that … “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim” (verse 21).

The Apostle Shime’on - Peter warns of following the false teachers who “have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin” (2 Shime’on – 2 Peter 2:14). For those who return to such defilements after escaping them through the knowledge of Messiah, He also said, “the last state has become worse for them than the first” (verse 20).

Adultery is not against the law in many countries. However, it will always be a direct and very serious violation of Elohim’s law. In the final judgment, the “sexually immoral” will be among those whose “portion will be in the lake of fire and sulphur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

But, praise be to the Father, there is hope for every sinner today. The key is repentance in and through faith and a heart repentance in Yahushua The Messiah, and not through any other! YaHVaH Elohim will forgive the sinner who has turned to Him in wholehearted repentance, which is not merely temporary remorse arising from self-pity, but is a genuine change of heart and mind, a resolve to submit to Elohim on His terms. It means a commitment to put away evil thoughts as soon as they arise. It means avoiding anything that might lead to temptation, including movies with sexual content, all forms of pornography, and “singles” bars or other places where temptation is likely to occur. As Shaul says, “Flee from sexual immorality!” He or she must then follow the ways of Messiah and commence reading the Word and come under the guidance of a solid teacher in Him!

Matters of the Heart:

Immoral acts are the end result of immoral thoughts. Yahushua speaks of adultery of the heart (or mind), and offers a radical solution:

“‘You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell (Gehenna).” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:27–30.

Obviously a person’s eyes and hands do not cause him to sin, thus Yahushua is not recommending self-mutilation. The “hand” and the “eye” symbolize actions and intents. Yahushua simply means that a person’s intent to commit adultery is adultery. A believer must “cut off” or “tear out” “adulterous intents” and all actions associated with them. “Lust” is the desire for that which cannot be lawfully obtained. To desire sexual relations with another person’s spouse is lust; it is adultery of the heart.

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Ya’akov - James 1:14–15.

The faithful in Messiah Yahushua must make every effort to “abstain from the passions of the flesh” (1 Shime’on – 1 Peter 2:11), taking “every thought captive to obey Messiah” (2 Corinthians 10:5), “plucking out” and “cutting off” every impulse, thought, action, attitude, and desire that would lead to sin!

Let our matters of the heart be pure and wholesome! If there are problems with your marriage, dedicate it to Elohim and ask Him to commence a healing first within yourself, for it is within you where there will be a softening required, such patience, a stronger love to be able to continue and show more love towards that loved one you said you would love forever! Ask the Father to touch your loved one that there will be a whole new outlook and harmony! Allow a healing to take place and dedicate your lives to Yahushua The Messiah, your Redeemer!

If you are young and single, be wise and keep your selves pure and I pray that you will wait for that special one that will come into your life one day. Do not allow Satan to lead you astray, for he will use others around you, but stand strong in the Name of Yahushua and keep pure! There is nothing better than to be pure right up to your wedding day. And if it is already too late when you read this; ask Messiah Yahushua for forgiveness, and you will be washed clean and be white as snow! Then you can start again and then remain pure until that big and very special love of your life!

The Eighth Commandment

“You shall not steal”

Shemos - Exodus 20:15 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:19

Stealing is one of the sad realities throughout the world. It is most likely almost every one reading this study will have had at least something stolen from them at sometime in their lifetime. And possibly may even have taken or stolen something at one time or another.

Everyone has been forced to lock everything, for these days we lock all the doors and windows to our homes, even install burglar alarms, have outdoor lights that turn on at night at the side and back of the house and we tend to join the local neighbourhood watch - crime-prevention groups to prevent thieves from helping themselves to our belongings. And of course we carefully lock our cars when we leave them unattended, even though most now have security installed, but criminals have new advanced ways of getting in and starting these new electronic motors somehow?

We are well aware that theft comes in many different forms and it occurs at so many levels of society, from large corporations and in small communities. It happens just about everywhere be it the home, the car, on the person, therefore if something can be stolen be assured there is a thief around and they will find a way! The point is that a thief is a thief, and often it does not matter if you are rich or poor. All thieves, to a greater or lesser extent have absolutely no regard to the rights and property that others have, or the sentimentality they may have to the item involved. A person who steals from his neighbour certainly does not love his neighbour. Just like every other sin that is identified by the Ten Commandments, theft arises from the evil sinful condition of the heart.

“For out of the heart, (says Yahushua) come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” Mattityahu - Matthew 15:19.

Generally, a thief is not just a thief, but their lack of moral character usually gives rise to many other sins, be it any of these, together, or individually; adultery, bearing false witness, and slander.

Once again, let us look at the Positive Side of the Commandment:

The Eighth Commandment presupposes the right to own property. Any social structure that denies the right to own property undercuts the basic principle contained within the broad parameters of this commandment. Communism is as we know among one of the worst offenders...

This commandment also underscores the virtue of the work ethic that is a part of the apostolic tradition; (2 Thessalonians 3:6–9).

“In the Name of the Lord Yahushua the Messiah, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you your selves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10.

Here, Shaul - Paul is urging able-bodied believers to work for a living so as not to be a burden on others. Thus … “If anyone is not willing to work,” Paul says, “let him not eat.” Verse 10.

Thus, we should take it to heart that the opposite of taking is giving. Taking the Eighth Commandment on the positive side brings to light the responsibility to help those in need.

As Shaul also states;

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labour, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Ephesians 4:28

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs 22:9.

The blessed Tanach, the Old Covenant and the Brit Chadashah, the New Covenant is full with exhortations regarding helping the poor. “For there will never cease to be poor in the land,” Moshe said to his fellow Israelites. “Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land’” (Davarim - Deuteronomy 15:11). Give freely, not grudgingly, Moses said, adding that “for this, YHVH your Elohim will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake,” (verse 10).

Shaul points out that;

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for Elohim loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6–7).

Punishment for Theft:

Sadly a thief is what he is because of their self-serving disposition, can never be truly content with life. The act of stealing may bring some temporary momentary excitement due to a rush of adrenalin, but the things that are stolen never seem to satisfy their deepest needs. The thief generally lives with a certain fear of getting caught, and knows well that the penalty for stealing can be very severe. Although sadly these days, many Judges are so weak thus far too many criminals are just receiving a slap on their wrists and sent out amongst the population. The truth is some of the worst criminals in Australia seem to be some of our Judges who are releasing killers and paedophiles and thieves back into the community far to frequently!

At least in ancient Israel, when a thief was caught with a stolen ox, donkey, or sheep, they had to repay two animals per stolen animal (Shemos - Exodus 22:4). If, however, the thief killed or sold a stolen ox or sheep, the fine was five oxen per ox or four sheep per sheep (verse 1).

Ultimately, the consequences of a theft where there was no repentance was far greater and a more severe punishment.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim? asks Shaul Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, or idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of Elohim.” 1 Corinthians 6:9–10.

The Ninth Commandment

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour”

Shemos - Exodus 20:16 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:20

If we look back into ancient Israel’s judicial system, a conviction for a crime was to be based on the evidence provided by “two or three witnesses” (Davarim - Deuteronomy 19:15). The problem was that an innocent person could be falsely charged by a single person and consequently could be punished on the basis of a false testimony. The Ninth Commandment addresses this concern. To curtail the likelihood of false testimony, a person found guilty of testifying falsely was to receive the same punishment the person he falsely accused would have received (verses 16–21).

The first of the numerical sayings in the book of Proverbs lists “six things that YaHVaH Elohim hates, seven that are an abomination to him.” Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs chapter 6;

“There are six things YHVH hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs 6:16-19.

Did you notice how many of these things relate directly to the sin identified by the Ninth Commandment!

While the Ninth Commandment directly forbids false accusations, the broad general principle forbids all falsehood and dishonesty. We see so much dishonesty these days in advertising that are touched up so much that even people are no longer real, and they can be placed in any location and even with other people, even though they have never met! Then there is the dishonesty in politics, but even more tragically in religion. The great tragedy is that since the time of the Eastern orthodox churches and pagan Rome, especially from the time of the sun god worshipping emperor Constantine, whole social structures have been built on pagan foundations of some small amounts of truth mingled with pagan religion and their traditions, which has taken over most of christendom today!

Truth and godliness Must go Hand in Hand:

I am sure that all who are reading this would agree that truthfulness is absolutely essential to a sanctified relationship with Elohim. For relationships, if they are to be worthy and true between individuals, must be based on total honesty, otherwise there is no real relationship! We are clearly told in the Word of Elohim that we were created in the image of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, and are thus entitled to the truth. A liar will always disregard the dignity of others, for lying is so dehumanizing. However, it is also spiritually and psychologically harmful to the one telling the actual lie, and reflects a lack of proper respect to the one to whom the lie is being told, which makes it a double tragedy!

The Word of Elohim categorically condemns lying as a serious sin, one that does come with most serious consequences. The law, Shaul – Paul said, is laid down;

“We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unsanctified and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious Gospel of the blessed Elohim, which He entrusted to me.”

He also said;,

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1–2.

Sadly, friends, we need to realise, this is also what our blessed Messiah so clearly stated that there will be a great falling away from the faith, and that later there would be those who will say to Him;

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven (of Elohim – God), but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and in Your Name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Mattityahu - Matthew 7:15-23.

It is a sad fact, but we are living very close to the end times and the coming of our blessed Messiah! And we MUST return to using His Name, being Yahushua, just like he asked of us, “Ask it in My Name.” Even Strongs Concordance confirms the truth that Messiah’s Name is the same as that of Joshua, for both were Yahushua, or as Strongs writes it as “Jehoshua”, which is slightly incorrect, but at least as you can see so close it does not matter!

Strongs NT:2424 Iesous (ee-ay-sooce'); of Hebrew origin [OT:3091]; Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites: KJV - Jesus.

However, friends, ultimately;

“… the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.” Revelations 21:8.

We all know that HaSatan who is the great deceiver does not know how to tell a truth;

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Yochanan - John 8:44.

In addition to Satan’s followers and sadly many are priests, ministers, pastors and teachers of the Word are masters of deception, just as the Apostle Shaul - Paul says they

“disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 11:15.

Lying, when compared with murder, adultery, or theft, may seem benign, a relatively slight character flaw. Often, however, lying stems from a much more serious character defect than we might imagine.

In his book, People of the Lie, Dr. M. Scott Peck states;

“We lie only when we are attempting to cover up something we know to be illicit. Some rudimentary form of conscience must precede the act of lying. There is no need to hide unless we first feel that something needs to be hidden.”

Dr. Peck further explains;

“We become evil by attempting to hide from ourselves. The wickedness of the evil is not committed directly, but indirectly as a part of this cover-up process. Evil originates not in the absence of guilt [as in the psychopath] but in the effort to escape it” (p. 76).

A Very Painful Confession:

Those Peck describes as “the evil” often lie, both in word and deed, in order to create an image pleasing to others and then see themselves the way others see them, thus creating and adopting a phony self-image. They are, in effect, lying to themselves. This, of course, prevents genuine repentance, which is a prerequisite to true conversion in Messiah Yahushua and a right way of living.

When Elohim forced David to come to terms with the enormity of his sins as stated in (2 Shmuel - 2 Samuel 11–12:13), David stopped lying to himself, stopped his effort to escape his guilt. The depth of his repentance is seen in full in the following and wonderful Tehillim - Psalm;

“For the director of music - A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. ‘Have mercy on me, O Elohim, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O Elohim, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Sanctified Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You. Save me from bloodguilt, O Elohim, the Elohim who saves me, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of Elohim are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O Elohim, You will not despise. In Your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight You; then bulls will be offered on your altar.” Tehillim - Psalm 51.

Beloved, I trust as you have been reading this you will have learnt much already, and the message is all about law and it is only by having a law as Shaul said, we know that we are sinners, and it is through repentance, and I mean true repentance in and through Messiah Yahushua. But this also requires total “truth in the inward being.”

This means no more cover-ups, no more pretence, no more mental games and false self-images. It means openhearted and an often painful confession of sins, and I mean all our sins, not just those “minor flaws” that allow us to continue lying to ourselves and deceiving others. It means honestly looking into the darkened recesses of our own hearts and minds and, no matter how painful, laying our hearts bare before YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, confessing the true nature of our own motives, admitting our “secret” sins, and resolving to put an end to all lying, both to ourselves and to others.

The Tenth Commandment

“You shall not covet … anything that is your neighbour’s”
Shemos - Exodus 20:17 / Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:21

The word “covet” may be simply defined as the desire to have something. But the Tenth Commandment speaks of an inordinate or excessive desire, or desire for something that cannot be lawfully obtained. This commandment differs from the previous commandments in that it pertains specifically to the heart. It goes directly to the underlying cause of external acts of sin, so it is intimately connected with all the preceding commandments.

The physical act of adultery is a direct violation of Elohim’s law, but Yahushua tells us adultery is also a matter of the heart. “I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mattityahu - Matthew 5:28). The same is true of murder (verses 21–22). The physical acts of murder and adultery are preceded by an unlawful desire.

The first human act of covetousness occurred in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had full permission to eat fruit from any of the trees of the garden except one, the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Bereshis - Genesis 2:16–17). Yet, under the deceptive influence of the “snake” (Satan), Eve “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Bereshis - Genesis 3:6).

Certainly there is nothing wrong with the normal human desire to satisfy hunger and enjoy the good taste of food. The problem with Adam and Eve was not desire, per se; it was misdirected desire, which is covetousness, or lust. They engaged in an act Elohim had forthrightly forbidden. They permitted their misdirected desire to overwhelm their sense of right and wrong; thus, sin entered the world of humankind. The forbidden fruit was appealing to the senses. It looked good (“a delight to the eyes”), undoubtedly tasted good (“was good for food”), and was seen as a means of obtaining wisdom (“was to be desired to make one wise”). These are precisely the things John identifies as basic components of the post-Eden world:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of Elohim abides forever (1 Yochanan – 1 John 2:15–17).

Inordinate and unlawful desires, covetousness, lust are at the root of every deliberate sin, every wanton act of violence, every act of idolatry, adultery, and theft. Every deliberate act of sin involves some form of covetousness. Even pride itself is a form of covetousness; it is nothing more than the inordinate desire for possessions, power, or prestige.

Elohim’s Word tells us “the treacherous are taken captive by their lust” (Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs 11:6). Elohim ordered the Israelites to burn the carved images of their vanquished enemies and to avoid coveting or taking the silver and gold on the idols “lest you be ensnared by it” (Davarim - Deuteronomy 7:25).

There is nothing wrong with acquiring some possessions, increasing wealth, or laying up for the future. In fact, Scripture reveals these are worthwhile goals. They are a problem only when one’s priorities are out of order. Yahushua urges, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Lukas - Luke 12:15). Putting Elohim first through striving to obey His commandments and rely on His promises gives meaning to life and direction to one’s desires.

Is Covetousness the Root of Evil?

Excessive and unlawful desires always lie behind sinful deeds and actions. Perhaps this is why the Apostle Shaul - Paul’s discussion on the law, sin, and the believer’s responsibility to focus on the Tenth Commandment. Had it not been for knowledge of the law, he said;

“What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘Do not covet.’  But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.” Romans 7:7–8.

Thus we have learned that whilst sin may be defined as a transgression against the law of Elohim (1 Yochanan – 1 John 3:4 states …) Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. Here the word “sin” refers to the disposition or inclination that motivates transgressions. The inner “sin” that leads to transgressions, or acts of sin, is covetousness. The self-serving carnal nature revolts against the Tenth Commandment by becoming even more covetous. The process that ultimately leads to eternal death begins with unrestrained desire.

Ya’akov - James says,

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘Elohim (God) is tempting me.’ For Elohim cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, it brings forth death.” Ya’akov - James 1:13–15.

As we look back into history we will see that it provides many examples of political leaders who began their careers with the motive of bringing urgently needed changes to their societies however, unfortunately, most became dictators once they were under various corrupting influences of power, or, more accurately said, once they were managed to increase their power to an absolute dictatorship and hold their sphere of power to corrupt all leaders and have the armies full support!

The same is true of many religious leaders. The ancient Chasidim (“Pious ones”), for example, arose from the need to keep the Jewish people mindful of their heritage and of the painful consequences of falling under the influence of pagan nations. Unfortunately, the well-intentioned Chasidim, once they assumed power within many Jewish religious affairs, they permitted their desire to maintain their prestige and sphere of influence to corrupt them. By the time of Yahushua, they had become known as scribes as well as the Pharisees and this is thus a very sad story indeed, for we all know the sad facts here!

As we all know, it is often stated that “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We know that wealth, sex, and fame will also have a corrupting effect. Actually, this is not entirely true. For none of these things are of themselves necessarily corrupting, for corruption results only when an inordinate or unlawful desire is involved!

YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, is all-powerful, but He is perfectly righteous, so power is not the problem. He owns the Universe and gives power to gain wealth, so wealth is not the problem. He created human sexuality and declared it “very good,” thus sex is not the problem. He has put men in high positions, giving them popularity and fame, thus fame is not the problem!

The problem is unrestrained and misdirected desire, or covetousness. Only when covetousness enters the picture does power, wealth, sex, and fame can become a real problem.

How can Covetousness be Conquered?

Beloved, we need to understand that overcoming covetousness may prove to be difficult, however with prayer and the help of our beloved Lord and Redeemer Yahushua the Messiah it can be done. There are a number of steps you can take to bring your desires under control.

1… Confess the sin of covetousness.

To overcome any problem, a person has to admit that he has the problem. It’s easy to enter into denial and redefine our motives; it may be tough to honestly admit our innermost motives and desires. But anyone serious about following the Messiah must do it. Truthful confession is the key to genuine repentance.

2… Ask for Elohim’s help.

Every morning upon arising Ask Elohim for His help, do this each time a bad desire begins to arise. Also ask again before retiring each evening. Remember what the blessed Word says … “Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you” (Mattityahu - Matthew 7:7).

3… Whatever you do, avoid evil influences as much as possible.

This may mean staying away from certain clubs, limiting social involvement with certain people, or resolving to avoid certain types of entertainment. I would like to suggest that you read - “What – Why – How”, which is a short study on repentance based on Tehillim - Psalm 1. It is a wonderful and an enlightening study and the link is below!

Finally we arrive at the conclusion to the Decalogue Study!

Let me first pose the following question, “WHY did the Almighty choose to write these Ten Commandments on Stone, whilst all the other commandments, although just as important, were given verbally to His chosen servant Moshe up on the Mountain, and then Moshe wrote them (with his scribes) on the five scrolls of the “Torah,” being the first Five Books of the Tanach, the Old Covenant”

The truth is that the Ten Commandments were and are still the very Heart of the Law, and we know that Yahushua placed a great deal of emphasis on these commandments in all of  His teachings throughout His life whilst He was with us, blessed be His Name! Therefore these stones with the “Ten Words,” as they are also known - seemed to have a far greater standing somehow. Obviously it would be for that very reason why YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, wrote these laws with His finger on these two stones, because stone is a solid and a strong permanent material, unlike any other matter! And thus the Almighty was saying that ALL these TEN Commandments would remain in law forever whilst the earth is as it is, until Yahushua’s final return. And I wish to point out to ALL the churches that this includes the 4th.Commandment - “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Sanctified.” (Shemos - Exodus 20:8; Davarim - Deuteronomy 5:12). For sadly SUN-day was throughout ancient history a day dedicated for worship to the pagan sun god and that is why Emperor Constantine, who was a faithful sun worshipper until the day of his death officially by law changed the Sabbath day in 321 to, as the law reads, to the “venerable day of the sun and any faithful believers in Messiah who refused to comply were murdered in the most hideous way by the Roman church for remaining faithful to Elohim and Yahushua The Messiah! There were countless thousands of faithful who remained and followed the faith of the Apostles, as there are still some around the world to this day, yet sadly, we are but a “Little Flock.”

What have we Learned so far?

We have learned in this extensive study that the moral categories set forth in the Ten Commandments are foundational to the health and well-being of the society at large. They all reflect the blessed and the Sanctified Character of Elohim Himself and are an everlasting Code of Moral Law designed to serve mankind, who bear the image of their Creator. It is indeed unfortunate that so many are misguided in their interpretation of a few difficult passages of Scripture and have tragically come to the conclusion that the Decalogue was set aside when the New Covenant came about. The truth is that is a lie that is spread by Satan, for the Word say otherwise, thus who will you believe, YaHVaH’s Sanctified Word, or the words of men that have gone astray, that are led by the evil one?

The Commandments are far from being a curse that was nailed to the stake/cross of our blessed Messiah, for the Decalogue is a precious and a Sanctified gift of Elohim that He has given to all mankind. Messiah, who is the model of perfection, kept Elohim’s commandments and instructed all His followers to do precisely the same.

The law went forth from Jerusalem to the nations through the teachings of the Apostles and the early disciples and has since made its way into the hands of millions around the world. This would not have happened had it not been for our beloved Messiah Yahushua and the commission He gave to His faithful!

Beloved, by no means am I suggesting that one can earn salvation through just by keeping the Ten Commandments or any law. Certainly not - for the law identifies the problem, but it certainly does not “fix” it. It exposes the sin but does not remove it. It will reveal the right path, but does not enable us to walk it. Remission of sins and spiritual regeneration are gifts made possible by the redemptive work of our Redeemer Yahushua. The law simply informs us of our need for a Saviour.

Yet the righteous standards set forth in Elohim’s law are timeless. For the redeemed, they are light to the path of life and reminder of what the blood of Messiah is all about.

The Psalmist says it so well:

“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies. For they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts … How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding … Your word is a lamp to my feet.” Tehillim - Psalm 119:97-105.

 Ya’akov - James Makes Faith and the Law issue rather Clear:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.’

You believe that there is one Elohim. Good! Even the demons believe that and they shudder.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Avraham was considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Avraham believed Elohim, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called Elohim’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” Ya’akov - James 2:14-26.

The point is one complements the other, for if we truly love Yahushua our blessed Saviour, then we would desire to uphold His ways for we would realise that this will please Him. But, we should be doing it not because we have to, but because we want to! Thus beloved, that is what a wonderful mixture of faith and deeds is all about! The law is not a yoke. It is not a burden, for it should be a delight to believe in the One true YaHVaH Elohim, it should be a delight not to desire any graven images. You would never wish to take the Name of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, in Vain! The Seventh Day Sabbath is a wonderful and the most blessed Day of rest, and to keep it Sanctified unto our Creator should be a wonderful blessing to us all! Who would not desire to honour and love their parents, and why would we even consider to murder, commit adultery or steal from another, for that would be hideous! A faithful believer would never wish to bear false witness to a neighbour or another, nor covet anything, for these things belong to the world and Satan, and we have been set free from all those sins. But, the first five are commandments that we should do in love and appreciation to our Creator and in love of our Redeemer Yahushua The Messiah!

As we know the two stones that the Decalogue was written upon, was by the very hand of Elohim, was placed in the Ark of the Covenant, which was the most Sanctified of all places in the Tabernacle! Why do you think it was placed in such a special and a sacred box? The answer is simple, because; 1. For the very reason that the original stones were written by YaHVaH Elohim Himself, thus touched by the most Holy of all Holies! Remember that even Moshe when he came down from the mountain, he glowed, shone with the glory of YaHVaH Elohim! 2. The Ten Commandments that were written on the stones would have a greater place in the Law than anything ever given before or thereafter, although all the Laws and “The Feasts of YHVH” were given by the Father and they are to be kept, and it was the Heart of the Law! 3. Stone represented strength, something that would last, and thus it was kept safe in the Ark so that it could never be stolen!

What it really said is this, YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, was declaring through this act of having them placed in the Ark, was a statement of their massive importance. And that NOTHING EVER can do away with these most blessed of all commandments! And that is why beloved; Yahushua our Messiah placed such great emphasis on them when He so frequently spoke about them! I pray that having read this study, that you will also return and have come to understand ALL TEN of these Commandments, but above all to KEEP each and every one of them in FAITH and love of YaHVaH Elohim, in the blessed Name of our beloved Saviour. Yahushua THE Messiah. HalleluYAH.

“Behold, your King is coming to you. He is just and having SalvationHe shall speak peace to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earthZecharyah - Zecharyah 9:9&10.

“Teach me Your way, O YHVH. I will walk in Your truth.
UNITE MY HEART TO FEAR YOUR NAME!”

Tehillim – Psalms 86:11

 

May YHVH Elohim bless and keep you in the palm of His hand, in Messiah Yahushua’s loving Name!

 

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Yahushua said; “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: They will all be taught by Elohim. Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to Me. No one has seen the Father except the One who is from Elohim; only He has seen the Father. I tell you the truth he who believes has everlasting life.” Yochanan (John) 6:43-48.

 

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