Lesson Six (Chapter 16)
The Word, Loosing, and Binding
“Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness… Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of HaShem. They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘HaShem has said, 'You shall have peace'; and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'... For who has stood in the counsel of HaShem, and has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it?... But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings.”
Jeremiah 23:14,16-17, 18, 22
Introduction
- Last week we saw the importance of being able to separate tradition from commandment. We saw the importance of being able to identify biblical “culture” vs. American “culture” – between biblical identity and denominational identity.
- This week we continue a variation on the theme of “Commandment vs. Tradition”: Signs, the Written Word, and deciding Halachah.
- Halachah literally means, “walk”. It is the word used to describe living out, what G-d has commanded in His Written Word. It is the “how” of what G-d commands. It is often not spelled out in Scripture – so is it left up to individuals – or committees – or ecclesiastical authorities? Does majority rule – or a “sheepskin on the wall” – or is there a different biblical standard?
Give Us A Sign
- Matt 16:1; Deut 13:-4: What reveals G-d’s Prophet – a sign, or adherence to G-d’s Written Word?
- 16:2-4: Because they are a wicked and adulterous generation, the only sign would be the “sign of Jonah”. Yeshua is repeating this from previous teachings. Jonah, 3 days and nights in the depths of the sea (belly of a fish) – and sent to proclaim “Repent…”
“Leaven of the Sadducees and Pharisees” and Spiritual Adultery
- Matt 16:6-12: The Sadducees and the Pharisees had almost NO agreement on religious issues. Both groups however used their sect-rules to amass power and influence.
- Deut 17:7-13: The instructions for priests to act as judges was not to permit the priests to decide halachah that would disregard Torah (i.e. the Written Word was sufficient to decide halachah). These instructions were regarding punishments etc.
- Jer 23:14; Jer 5:30-31: The leaders determined that they could develop mandatory “fences around Torah” because of Deut 17 – and that those decisions would stand as equal to Torah!
- Jer 29:23; Micah 3:11: Originally, the sons of Levi (“to join”) were called to serve between man and G-d – and instead some had used their service for influence of the people. In error, the concept of the “clergy” was thus born.
- Jer 3:20-21: The “doctrine” and “leaven” of the Sadducees and Pharisees was “spiritual adultery” – having a “husband” other than G-d. Following men, instead of G-d’s written instructions.
The Correct Way to “Loose and Bind”
- Matt 16:19: “loose and bind” were rabbinic terms for deciding halachah. Or deciding what Scripture meant on an issue. The phrase is repeated many times in extant Jewish texts.
- Yeshua has just pointed to the religious leaders of the day and showed how they incorrectly applied Deut 17 – and then turns around and tells His talmidim that they can “loose and bind”. There must be a right way and a wrong way.
- 16:13-19: The Confession and the Proclamation: Yeshua is Messiah – Son of the Living G-d. There – It is now a open topic among the talmidim – But keep it a secret…
- Petros: Masculine. Petra: Feminine. The petra, is the confession that Petros (Kefa, Peter) just made. This is the foundation of Yeshua's ekklesia (ek-klay-see-ah: assembly of called out ones).
- This is not the “first mention” of “the church” except in English Bibles which are trying to make a theological point (a false one). The Greek word ekklesia is used over 2 ½ times more in the LXX (Greek translation of TaNaKh) than it is in the Apostolic Scriptures. Yeshua is not prophesying about a new “entity.”
- Synonym for ekklesia = sunagoge (“bringing together”). In the Bible, there is no difference between “church” and “synagogue” except in the translators’ and the readers’ minds. Sunagoge is a Bible word used more times than ekklesia – and in a good way (see: James 2:1)
- First rule in deciding the “how” of G-d’s Word: The source is not human (16:17). Always start with What G-d Said. Period. (Gen 3:1-3).
- Second rule: Messiah-centered – pointing to His Person, and what He has done. (16:16; 16:21-23).
- Third rule: a reminder of #1 and #2: Not man-centered. Not detracting from Messiah. (16:21-23).
- Fourth rule: Love. 2Cor 8:11. Your brother’s opinion does matter.
- Note: This passage is not about establishing ecclesiastical authority – it is the opposite – Yeshua has just torn down the man-made traditions and dictates of religious “leaders.”
The Cost of Being Talmidim of Yeshua
- Matt 16:24-27: Once again Yeshua reminds His talmidim that following Him requires absolute surrender – dying to yourself – and living His life only.
- “He will reward each according to his works”. James 2:17-24
Summary
- Just like our “traditions” – if we allow ourselves to be governed by our feelings of “right and wrong” or the dictates of other men (“a leader says its OK for me to do…”) then we are practicing spiritual adultery – which is tantamount to idolatry. The only sign that those who live in spiritual adultery see is the “sign of Jonah” – when they bow their knees before a living Yeshua when He comes reigning in power – only to hear the words, “I never knew you”.
- Is your confession and proclamation to Yeshua, “You are the Messiah! The Son of the Living G-d!”? Do you desire to save your own “life” – or are you denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following after the Master, Yeshua?