Lesson Two (Chapter 12)
The Sign of Rest
“And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, ‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them.’ Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am HaShem who sanctifies them.”
Ezekiel 20:11-12
“‘Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to HaShem out of all nations… to My holy mountain Jerusalem,’ says HaShem, ‘as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of HaShem. And I will also take some of them [Gentiles] for priests and Levites,’ says HaShem. ‘For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,’ says HaShem, ‘So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says HaShem.
Isaiah 66:20-23
Introduction
- Last week we saw how Yochanan HaMatvil [John the Baptizer] needed encouragement regarding the Messiahship of Yeshua. Yeshua gave it to him – a clear answer to his question.
- Yochanan was like Elijah – and as such he was the forerunner to Messiah – preparing the way of the King – by calling for repentance.
- We saw that Yeshua told His followers that taking His yoke and following His path would bring rest for their souls.
- This week we continue the theme of rest – and the sign of rest – the Sabbath.
Sabbath Tradition or Sabbath Delight?
- Matt 12:1-6: Yeshua's talmidim were hungry. In eating the grain, not only do they not violate Torah, they do not even violate the dominate tradition.
- Ex 31:12-18: The Sabbath was to be an identity sign of G-d’s people.
- Is 58:13-14: Meant to be a delight – not a burden.
- Ezk 20:12: A sign that it He is HaShem Who sanctifies us.
- 1Sam 21:1-6: Yeshua's point was not about what one could, or could not do on the Sabbath – it was about Who He is: One like, and greater than, David. One like, and greater than, the Temple.
- Matt 12:7: Remez back to Hosea 5 and 6. The challenge from 9:13. Some Pharisees were sick and did not know it. They needed to repent, and didn’t think so.
- Matt 12:8: The Sabbath is the Realm of Messiah – a realm for man to be in (Mark 2:27-28)
- Matt 12:9-13: It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. There was debate about healing on the Sabbath. The tradition of most said it was unlawful – but not the Torah.
- Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2: Sabbath customs are good insofar as they do not detract from the purpose of the Sabbath – a sign that He is HaShem Who sets us apart. Keep distinct: G-d’s Word vs. man’s traditions (Acts 1:12; Acts 15:10; Luke 11:46).
Messiah Hidden
- Matt 12:15-23: He is Messiah, but He conceals it from all who do not believe.
- Matt 11:4-5: Yeshua make sure that John the Baptizer knows that He is Messiah.
- Is 42:1-6: Messiah:
- Will not cry out.
- Not let His voice be heard in the street.
- He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
- He will not fail or be discouraged – till He has justice in the earth, and the coastlands wait for His Torah.
- Rom 11:7: Israel as a collective has not received what it seeks – but the elect (i.e. those who know Messiah) have. The rest are blinded.
- Rom 11:8-27: Israel as a collective is temporarily blinded – so that the Gentiles might be grafted into Israel – then provoked to jealousy, all Israel turns (repents) and is saved.
- Ex 34:28-35:
- Moses came down the mountain and his face shone.
- The people were afraid, until they heard Moses speak.
- After speaking G-d’s words, he covered His face with a veil (masveh).
- Whenever Moses went into speak to HaShem, he uncovered his face.
- Whenever Moses came out, he would tell the people what G-d said, then cover his shining face again.
- John 1:14: The glory of G-d revealed in Yeshua the Messiah.
- 2 Cor 3:7: Israel could not look at Moses’ face because the glory was katargeo = “of no effect” (kata = “according to”, “with”, argeo = from ergon, “to work”). Moses had been speaking with Messiah – His glory was shining on his face. He would cover his face so that Messiah’s glory was not seen, or covered up.
- 2 Cor 3:13: They could not look at the telos = “the goal” of what was being covered up. The telos, the “goal” of Torah is Messiah.
- 3:14-15: In the same way, Messiah is veiled in Torah to those not believing. The shining glory on the face of Moses (the glory of Messiah) is veiled.
- 3:16-18: When we turn (repent), we see Messiah. His glory in an unveiled face – without restriction. We see Messiah in Torah.
- Veiled and concealed in His Word is the same as telling no one Who He was: for a purpose. The “Kingdom message”, the “Kingdom offer” was first made to the nation of Israel – then additionally to the Gentiles. One day Jer 31:31-40 and the promise of the “new covenant” will be fulfilled – all Israel will know Him. We are His “first fruits” – His remnant.
Summary
- Yeshua concealed His identity from those who did not believe. Those who did not believe were more content with their own traditions and substitutions from G-d’s clear and plain Word.
- Those who did not believe placed burdens of man’s tradition upon the people. Later, men would come and replace G-d’s Word with new traditions. In both cases, G-d’s Word was ignored and Messiah was veiled in it.
- Sabbath is a revelation of Messiah; an identity sign. It is the realm of Messiah – to those who believe and see Him unveiled in it.