does the NT contradict the Hebrew Bible in its discussions of the 'passing away' of the Mosaic Law?

Question

For example in regards to the Hebrew Festivals we see many references to their eternity: The Sabbath is called an "eternal covenant" in Exodus 31:16-17. Passover is called eternal in Exodus 12:13,17, and 13:10. Shavuot or "Pentecost" is identified as such in Leviticus 23:21, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) in Leviticus 16:29, 31, 34 and 23:31. And Succot or "booths" is likewise identified as such in Leviticus 23:41.



Furthermore the Levitical Priesthood and sacrificial system is identified as eternal in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Priesthood itself is described as an eternal covenant in Numbers 25:12,13 see also Exodus 29:9 and 40:15. Likewise of the Priestly vestments in Exodus 28:29,43. Regarding Temple vessels we see the basin being commanded forever in Exodus 30:21 the Menorah in Leviticus 24:3 and the trumpets in Numbers 10:8. The Shewbread is described as eternal in Leviticus 24:8 and scattered indications of eternal sacrifices such as in Leviticus 7:36 (and those sacrifices implicitly included in the festivals).



Most of these use the Hebrew word "olam" which translates as "forever" or "eternal" (and translated as such in the KJV). Plus many compound this with the phrase "throughout their generations".



Elsewhere outside the Mosaic books themselves we see these themes stated in general ways. For example, "You must always be careful to keep the decrees and ordinances, the laws (Torah, Hebrew singular) and commands he wrote for you" 2 Kings 17:37 (NIV). Always being in Hebrew "every day" which seems to be an idiom for eternal or always.



Likewise we see Psalms 119. "I will always obey your law forever and ever" vs. 44. "My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end." vs 112. Likewise when we recall that Psalms, being Hebrew poetry, uses synonymous parallelism we see it indicated in such verses as 142 "Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true". In general we can say that the author of Psalm 119 had quite a different perspective on the Mosaic code than today's Christian (and dare I say the NT itself).



Proverbs makes a rather blunt statement, "If anyone turns a deaf ear to the Law, even his prayers are detestable" 28:9, I do believe that Proverbs is using the same language to describe the prayers of the one who rejects the Mosaic law as it does to describe homosexual behavior.



Furthermore we see prophetic descriptions of obedience to the Mosaic code. Besides general one such as Deuteronomy 30:8, Jeremiah 31:33, and Ezekiel 37:24 we again see specific references. We see references to Priesthood and sacrificial service in Jeremiah 33:18 and Malachi 3:3-4. Likewise we see mention of festival observance in Zech. 14:16 and Isaiah 66:23.



All of this is in direct contrast to the teaching of the New Testament, particularly of Paul and the authors of Hebrews. How can the New Testament teach something contrary to the Hebrew Scriptures and both be inspired and G-d remain immutable?

Answer 1

Yes.



There are many contradictions in the bible, but no Christian will admit to even one.



http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html



~Ex-fundie-xian; agnostic atheist

Answer 2

The offspring of Abraham became an independent nation when they entered into a covenant relationship with God. When giving them the Law, Jehovah stated: “You must keep my statutes and my judicial decisions, which if a man will do, he must also live by means of them.” (Lev. 18:5) Since they could not live up to the Law’s perfect standards, however, the Israelites were condemned by the Law and needed a release from that condemnation.—Gal. 3:13.



The main purpose of the Mosaic Law was to teach the Israelites of their need for the Messiah, who would redeem them from their sinful state. (Galatians 3:24) The Law also taught godly fear and obedience, and it helped Israel to keep separate from the corrupt practices of the surrounding nations. (Leviticus 18:24, 25)



When Jehovah gave Israel the Law, he provided much more than rules to regulate his people’s lives and their approach to him in sacrifice and prayer. Many of its arrangements constituted what the apostle Paul called “a typical representation,” “an illustration,” or “a shadow of the heavenly things.” (Hebrews 8:3-5; 9:9; 10:1; Colossians 2:17) In other words, many aspects of the Law not only guided the Israelites until the coming of the Christ but also constituted a foregleam of God’s purposes to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:24) Yes, aspects of the Law had prophetic value. For instance, the Passover lamb, the blood of which was used as a sign of salvation for the Israelites, prefigured Jesus Christ. He is “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world,” whose blood was poured out to free us from sin.—John 1:29; Ephesians 1:7.



Many things relating to tabernacle and temple service pictured spiritual realities. (Hebrews 8:5; 9:23) In fact, Paul writes of “the true tent, which Jehovah put up, and not man.” He continues: “Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come to pass, through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.” (Hebrews 8:2; 9:11) “The greater and more perfect tent” was Jehovah’s great spiritual temple arrangement. The language of the Scriptures indicates that the great spiritual temple is the arrangement by which humans can approach Jehovah on the basis of Jesus Christ’s propitiatory sacrifice.—Hebrews 9:2-10, 23-28.



Learning from God’s Word that some of the Law’s provisions and norms picture greater, more meaningful, spiritual realities surely builds faith in the Bible’s inspiration. It also heightens appreciation for the divine wisdom uniquely manifest in the Scriptures.—Romans 11:33; 2 Timothy 3:16.

Answer 3

These 2 scriptures should shed all the light you need:





The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. - Hebrews 10 v 1



First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). 9Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.



11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10 v 8-14

Answer 4

What you must understand is that the Old Testament contained many different kinds of laws:



1. Moral law - the Ten Commandments

2. Ceremonial law - laws pertaining to sacrifices, festivals, sanctuary services etc.

3. Civil laws - punishment for crimes

4. Dietary laws



The moral law is the transcript of God's character. It is as eternal as God Himself. That cannot change. It is as wrong today to steal, kill, commit adultery as it was when God gave them to Israelites and it will always be. This is the law spoken of as "eternal", "will stand forever" etc.



The ceremonial law was connected with the sanctuary service which was a 'shadow of things to come', that is, it typified the death of Christ. People were to look forward to the coming and death of the Redeemer whenever they sacrificed an animal. Once Jesus died those laws were no longer necessary. The problem is that whenever Paul mentions 'law' people think there is only one law and since he speaks of abolition of law, all laws are abolished. There is only one word for law in Greek - nomos - and it does not differentiate whether the moral law or ceremonial law is meant. But the context makes it clear as to which law Paul is talking about.



The civil laws were for the Israelites as a nation. That is how they were to carry out their punishment for crimes etc. We do not live under the nation of Israel, so we are not under those laws.



The dietary laws were for health reasons. Certain animals are scavengers and are not fit for consumption. The pigs are as unclean today as they were when God told the Israelites not to eat them. I might add, the Gospel has not made the pigs clean!



Hope this helps.

Answer 5

1. "Eternal covenant" employs the Hebrew word, owlam (or variations) which does not mean "eternal" or "never ending." The word means a long, indeterminate length of time.



2. You are working from the assumption that people who were not a party to the old "covenant" are somehow required to observe the conditions of that covenant. God does not deal with us illegally.



3. Prophetic descriptions:



Deut. 30:8 is "short term" in relation to the Israelites under the old covenant.



Jer. 31:33 in context is speaking of a new covenant not like the one made with the Israelites (Mosaic covenant of law) as this speaks of a "law of God" that God places within a person. (v. 32)

In N.T. theology, Paul contrasts the Mosaic law (of the letter) with this Law of God's that is spiritual; that does not include the old covenant letter of the law, and is a law that leads to life, aka a law of faith (Rom 3:27).



Ezek. 37:24 can easily refer to new or different statutes and judgments. There is a danger in just assuming God's laws, etc. for one set of people are the same set of laws for another.



The context of Jer. 33:18 refers to conditions "short term" while Israel was under the old covenant, and long term, but the long term does not include the Levites performing sacrifices.



Mal. 3 in relation to God remaining "immutable," demonstrates in the context that this immutability is in relation to God's overall plan for Israel, and that the law is set aside for this purpose. That law is a tool for God's purpose, and is not God's purpose in and of itself. The law was not an end in itself. The law stated they would be consumed should they violate the covenant law, which they did. But if God consumed them, God's "immutable" purpose would not be served.



This "immutable" purpose of God is in relation to faith, and not law, and this is what Paul and the author of Hebrews points out. Abraham did not have that law. Abraham had faith. The Israelites had that law, but were devoid of faith.



Zech. 14 is a time yet future where Israel has been returned to the land and they are again keeping feasts such as Tabernacles. Whether all nations will be under another covenant then that includes the requirement to observe days or not is not clear, as this could be a case of other nations being required to send representatives. It stretches credulity that all people of all nations could fit within the confines of Jerusalem for any purpose, let alone the observance of Holy Days. But again, this is future, and much is left unsaid.



Isa. 66:23 uses a Hebraic phrase that means "from month to month" and "from week to week".



Instead of being in contrast to N.T. teachings, they mesh just fine. God's purpose behind the law was to show mankind the futility of man trying to produce his own righteousness through law; that no man can live up to this standard set by God. Only God is God, and no man can make himself over to be like God in this respect. Salvation then comes through another way; faith. Faith is what Adam and Eve violated, and faith is what Jesus restored and revealed. The law kept faithless man under its authority until this faith to be revealed.



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Answer 6

Christianity is most definitely in contradiction of the numerous pronouncements in the Torah to keep its laws. Christian proselytizers simply saw it as inconvenient to invite people to a religion with laws, so they basically ignored them all and invented a new religion.



Anyone claiming that the laws were "fulfilled" or "completed" or whatever are, likewise, completely ignoring the very clear intention of the text.

Answer 7

The Law covenant became in a sense “obsolete” when God announced by means of the prophet Jeremiah that there would be a new covenant. (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:13) The Law covenant mediated by means of the prophet Moses was good in itself. However, that covenant provided for the sacrifice of animals whose blood could never wash away human sins. So for Jehovah God to set up a better covenant, there would have to be a better mediator with a better sacrifice. This all-necessary Mediator proved to be Jesus Christ. Pointing out the superiority of this Mediator as compared to the prophet Moses, the Bible gives us the following explanation: “But now Jesus has obtained a more excellent public service, so that he is also the mediator of a correspondingly better covenant, which has been legally established upon better promises. . . . In his saying ‘a new covenant’ he has made the former one obsolete.”—Hebrews 8:6, 13.



That “obsolete,” or out-of-date, covenant passed away 50 days after the resurrection of the Mediator of the new covenant. This took place on the day of Pentecost. On the morning of that day, the antitype of the Jewish Feast of Ingathering began to take place. How? Well, 120 faithful disciples of the Mediator of the new covenant gathered together in an upper room in Jerusalem and received the promised holy spirit, in fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2:28-32. It verified the start of the new covenant by furnishing audible and visible proof to all observers.



When Jesus came up out of the waters of baptism and holy spirit was poured down upon him, the spirit was miraculously symbolized by the image of a dove hovering above his head. But in the case of the 120 Hebrew disciples on the day of Pentecost, how was their being anointed with holy spirit made manifest? By the appearing of tongues as if of fire above their heads and by their being gifted with the ability to proclaim God’s Word in foreign languages that they had never learned.—Matthew 3:16; Acts 2:1-36.



It ought to be evident to Jews and their rabbis that the Mosaic Law covenant is no longer in operation. Since the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman legions in 70 C.E., they have not had a temple. At that time, their genealogical records were lost or destroyed. Thus today they do not know who belongs to the tribe of Levi and who is a descendant of Aaron so as to serve in the capacity of high priest for the Jewish nation.



That Law is not binding upon Christians, yet it served as “a shadow of the good things to come.” (Hebrews 10:1) Hence, paying attention to the Mosaic Law can help us to see how the things written in it are fulfilled. (Luke 24:44, 45) Moreover, the Law contains “typical representations of the things in the heavens.” Studying it is essential if we are to gain an understanding of Christian teachings and conduct.—Hebrews 9:23.



Was the old covenant a failure? Not at all. True, since it was now replaced, fleshly Israel was no longer God’s special people. (Matthew 23:38) But that was because of Israel’s disobedience and rejection of Jehovah’s Anointed One. (Exodus 19:5; Acts 2:22, 23) Before the Law was replaced, however, it accomplished much. For centuries, it provided a way of approach to God and protection from false religion. It contained foregleams of the new covenant and, with its repeated sacrifices, demonstrated man’s desperate need of redemption from sin and death. Indeed, the Law was a “tutor leading to Christ.” (Galatians 3:19, 24; Romans 3:20; 4:15; 5:12; Hebrews 10:1, 2) However, it was through the new covenant that the blessing promised to Abraham would be realized in full.

Answer 8

Is the law something that can save you , or does it point out all your shortcomings ,thereby causing the one that follows it and trust it to never be righteous in their own sight or God's . it will forever show your shortcomings informing you that with all your efforts ...you will never be just in God's sight performing the rituals thereof (for if you break one then you might as well say you've broken them all , as I understand it), so it's not for righteousness (one to become righteous) it's to show your need for a 'Savior ' . Someone that can save you from your sins , not just cover them up (as animal sacrifice does) , for if you just continue to cover up mess , pretty soon you'll have bunch of mess on your hands that sooner or later you'll have to deal with (was God satisfied with the cover up) .



Just putting a band-aid on an open wound may satisfy you.. but sooner or later the consequences for not getting to the root of the problem will manifest causing unforeseen and may be irreputable damage that had the root been addressed ...then the fallout would not have been experienced .



I believe God's desire for the law being eternal is not that we would continue to try to keep them (for we couldn't in our own ability ) .but that we try and keep them till a better way would be introduced that will cause those that seek to do His will wouldn't fail at meeting His requirements for continued relationship with Him .For what man is able to keep His commandments (the law) without error? None, so there must be something else He had in mind .



For everytime you perform( try to) the rituals then the knowledge of sin is brought to mind , which will cause the one performing it to never be truly confident that He was right with God (as pertaining to the conscience) and could approach Him on a personal level as 'Father '(He did want us to be His children didn't He,since if He made us in His image and likeness gen ch 1;26- ch 2)?



So wouldn't a father desire his children to be confortable around him and not always be afraid of judgment because of their shortcomings, wouldn't he want them to love him or just to fear him ? would his desire(for them ) be that when he came around they would be joyful , glad ,estatic ,love when they see him ., or would he desire for them to run from his presence and hide in the corner or something in terror and fear.



when God created us did He just wants servants ..or did He want a family that could think and act like Him ? if not why did He create us in His image? why would He take the time to make us like him if he just wanted worshippers ? did He not already have the angels that do this and can out- do any human ever created any time of the day , No if God wanted a family (which by creating us that's what it seems) then He wants relationship with us like any parent would, so if we couldn't meet the requirements that He had imposed .. then wouldn't He not make a way that we could meet those requirements , even if He had to make a plan that would over-ride the first one He initiated . So the law may be eternal , but it points to a better plan and after that plan is/ has been initated then it( the better plan had been introduced) would be a reminder of God's love for His creation and the lengths it took/He'd take to save that creation even if He had to perform /meet the requirements Himself .Which shows how good and merciful He truly is having the 'heart of a Father'.

Answer 9

Jesus himself stated that believers MUST follow ALL the laws and ALL the prophets until heaven and earth disappear, and ANYONE that breaks the LEAST of these commandments will have little chance of reaching heaven. ANYONE, does not apply to just the the Jews.....it applies to ANYONE.



Matthew 5:17-20

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks 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 practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.



How can anyone possibly get to heaven if Jesus himself said that unless you OBEY ALL THE LAWS AND THE PROPHETS UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH DISAPPEAR? This means all of the 600+ laws and the prophets HAVE to be obeyed.

Answer 10

No. Moral Law is still intact and we have some freedom with ceremonial laws. No one will make it to heaven by law: All of us need God's mercy and grace.



Jesus did not come to take away the law, He came to fulfill it.

Answer 11

You raise many issues which probably are too large to be treated on this site. It is a large study you are proposing with many side issues.



Let me address one single thing which is extremely important because it has bearing on all the others.



What were the terms of the Law Covenant with Israel -- was it unconditional, or was it strictly conditional? What does Holy Scripture say about that question?



Exodus 19:

5 >>>Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: <<<

for all the earth is mine: 6 and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.



What would happen if Israel became disobedient?



Deuteronomy 28:

15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. . .



>>> until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the evil of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. <<< . . .



>>> until thou be destroyed. <<< . . .

etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

We can see that the law covenant was a bilateral one. Israel had to be obedient for it to function. They would be destroyed if they didn't obey. Once destroyed the covenant obviously became void in their regard. This would include all the things you refer to. Israel ceased to exist as a nation in the remote past. This was God's own judgment; it meant that the covenant had been broken.



Because of the disobedience of Israel, the Psalms, Jeremiah, Isaiah prophesied about a new covenant, a different priesthood. Once we say new, it means that the old is no more. (If you want the scriptures, ask)



This new covenant is what spiritual Israel is under. In this sense, God still has a covenant people but that is not limited to fleshly descendants of Israel.

~~

Edit: Too bad you don't permit contact.

You made this claim:

Quote: ". The Priesthood itself is described as an eternal covenant in Numbers 25:12,13 "



That is not correct. If you look at that chapter you'll see this:

"11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy . . .13 and it shall be unto him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel."

This was not with Israel, but with Phineas and his progeny.



When you consider your points about covenants about and them being eternal, you have to consider the main covenant, or contract.



All of the covenants depended upon the Israelites being under the Law Covenant. It was insofar as the Israelites being under the Law covenant "perpetual" for as long as the Israelites were God's people. Thus as pointed out previously, if the Israelites broke the covenant so that they were rejected as God's people and so that their covenant with God became void, all the other covenants you quote would naturally also be voided.



If you look in Psalms, the signs that this would happen already were given early. Here we read:

Ps 110:

2 Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.



Ps 2:

6 Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.



Gen 49:

. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be. 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, And his ***’s colt unto the choice vine; He hath washed his garments in wine, And his vesture in the blood of grapes: 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, And his teeth white with milk.



In the above we see that Judah is promised that Messiah would come from his tribe. It is on David's throne he would be established. He from the tribe of Judah would become a priest according to the manner of Melchizedek.



This by necessity meant a change of law because only the Levites were permitted to be priests under the Law Covenant.



That is what Jeremiah spoke of here:

Jeremiah 31:31:

Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:



Having said that a new covnenant would come, the old would naturally be replaced by that new one.



This is what is preached in the NT.



But as also stated your material and subject is way too large for this one posting and you do not permit a personal approach.

Answer 12

no

JESUS

is the LAW

HE

IS

RISEN