The prophet Moses was unique among the prophets as his relationship with God was so intimate. He actually conversed with the Lord “face to face” as a man would converse with a friend (Exodus 33:11). Therefore when God gave Moses His law contained in the Ten Commandments, we can be assured that the word that was given to mankind through Moses is God’s word and His will.
Copyright 2020 by H.D. Shively
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The Noahide Laws
The Lord also said through the pen of His chosen one Moses, that this law would be for the Jews and the Gentiles alike, one law for all (Exodus 12:49). But many centuries later there arose a Jewish philosopher named Maimonides (1135-1204). He was a Rabbi, physician and philosopher who became highly revered among the Jews. There is even a picture of him in the United States’ House of Representatives, superseding that country’s own stance on the separation of religion and the state.
This Maimonides took it upon himself to adjust Moses’ law, inventing what he called the “Noahide laws.” He taught that these laws were given to Adam and Noah, and then to Moses before he was given the Ten Commandments, even though there is no concrete Biblical evidence to support this claim. These seven laws are similar to Moses’ laws, but with a myriad of sub-laws to define them and the punishments for breaking them.
Maimonides claimed that these seven laws were for the Gentiles, only the Jews were to keep the Ten Commandments. Again, this negates God’s command that there is one law for Jews and Gentiles alike.
One of the reasons Maimonides’ new laws were accepted above the words of Moses, is the Hebrew’s concept of Bible interpretation called “Takenot.” Takenot gives the Hebrew scholar authority to take scriptures out of context and build new doctrines around them. If the majority of the Rabbis agree to that new teaching, then it becomes law, even if it contradicts God’s word. This practice would make any legitimate Bible scholar cringe. The concept of Takenot also undermines any Hebrew claims to being authorities of scriptural interpretation. God’s word clearly states that if men prefer the precepts of men above His word they will fall under His judgments. - Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. – Isaiah 29:13,14.
The Jews also rely on the Babylonian Talmud to interpret scripture which is the oral law they claim was also given to Moses to interpret the laws he was given. They assert that no scripture can be interpreted without the Talmud which is a massive collection of ancient writings, parts of which are pretty vile.
The current move to promote the Noahide laws upon the Gentile population has been recognized and endorsed by the United States government. Public law 10214, H.J. Res 104 was signed into law in March 5, 1991 by President George H. W. Bush, which declares basically that the Noahide laws (not the Ten Commandments) are “the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization when they were referred to as the Seven Noahide Laws;”.
While all of this may sound quite harmless, we need to understand a few simple facts concerning these supposed laws of Noah.
The Noahide commandment to not commit idolatry comes with a sub-law regarding the punishment of this crime. It warrants the death penalty by decapitation. The Jews consider the Christians worship of Jesus as idolatry. We look at the picture of the martyrs for the Messiah Jesus in Revelation 20:4, who were beheaded for their witness, and we can begin to see that the seeds of this martyrdom has been accepted by the White House. A friend of mine has relatives that work for the United States government. She told me that one of them helped to process an order that President Obama made to purchase guillotines. The medical billing code for death by guillotine is ICD9-E978. The code is used by jails to bill the Federal government for this method of execution. You can research all the chilling details of what I have researched for yourself and come to your own conclusions.
The Noahide cult is growing rapidly with many chapters arising all over the world. The movement is using the Noahide laws to try and convict Christians of idolatry and get them to abandon their faith to embrace this form of Judaism for Gentiles.
I think it behooves Christians to be aware of this movement to pressure Christians to renounce Jesus and become Noahides and educate themselves in ways to answer those who approach them to ask, “Do you keep the Noahide laws?”
If someone approaches you with the Noahide challenge question, “Do you keep the Noahide laws?", tell them that God gave the Ten Commandments to everyone and quote the one law scripture. - One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourns among you (Exodus 12:49).Tell them Maimonides does not have the authority that God gave to Moses and he is not qualified to change or add to the Torah.
The Law of Moses was designed to be a guide, but no one can be justified by the law. The tenth commandment, “Thou shall not covet” which is conveniently eliminated from the Noahide standard, deals with the sins of the heart and the thought life, disqualifying anyone immediately for claiming perfection, just as it was designed by God to do. We are saved by grace alone which we receive by faith in the death and resurrection of the Messiah Jesus, God’s plan of redemption for mankind that He instigated from the foundation of the world.
Through Jesus we are under the prophesied New Covenant of Eternal life, a life no law can bestow apart from the sacrifice of the Lamb of God; the Lord Jesus who was slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).
It is wisdom for any Christian to study Moses, and all the prophets (Luke 24:27) to reinforce our Christian faith and be well versed in the evidence that affirms Jesus is the Messiah and why it is not idolatry to adore the One that God has appointed for mankind’s salvation.
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. – II Corinthians 5:19