An old proverb says, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Many are predicting government efforts to fool people in America once again. Rumors of lockdowns to win elections and forced vaccines for complete compliance are running rampant. Will America be fooled again? I think it will. But what about you? The remnant in these “end of days”, will be strong in the Messiah, ready to “enter in” His Kingdom. Hallelujah!
When Saul, a Hellenistic Jew born in the Diaspora, a man who studied under Gamaliel, was given the authority to suppress “The Way,” I wonder how many people considered returning to the customs and traditions of the Pharisees and Sadducees. . . to fall under the compliance of spiritual authority driven by men. At first thought it would seem easier than going to prison. I can imagine that Saul used every tactic to persuade people to return to the customs of what was known. So, with this in consideration, could we speculate that the early church was very cautious when Saul became converted to Paul? Would they have thought that he was a genuine believer in Messiah or a man ready to trick people again and come under the yoke of religious burdens?
To share his conversion experience, Paul expressed the following: “Although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.” Philippians 3:4-6
From this newfound testimony, the effectiveness of Paul’s sincerity became well-known, causing people to want to hear what he had to say:
“When they had set a day for Paul, people came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe.” Acts 28:23-24.
So why wouldn’t people believe what he had to say? I’m sure his words were accepted by those who had accepted the Messiah, but were these words received by those sitting on the fence? Here is one of Paul’s statements that would have probably caused some division:
“For you are all sons of YHWH through faith in Yeshua Messiah. For all of you who were baptized into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Yeshua Messiah. And if you belong to Yeshua, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:26-30
Why would this cause a problem? Again, I would assume that there would be those who had accepted the Messiah but still wanted to maintain their “heritage” rights. The concept of Gentiles being welcomed into Abraham’s seed would be a foreign concept and not easily accepted. When Paul made this statement found in Galatians, he was attacking the very core of traditional belief. But was Paul attacking or seeking to explain the idea of entering into the Kingdom?
Take a look at Deut 26.5-10 and note the whole speech. It’s a brief synopsis of Jewish history – the forefathers went down to Egypt, and were enslaved, YHWH brought them out and took them to the land of Israel, therefore bringing an offering to YHWH. (According to this interpretation, the Aramean was either Abraham or Yaakov). The declaration is made in front of YHWH and the cohen (priests) because this is the individual making an offering to Yah and making a public declaration of their attachment to YHWH. This statement is very much about claiming a generational promise. That’s why the request to put the first fruits into “the basket” is made. The basket is the fulfillment of spiritual blessing.
But do First Fruits and the declaration of an offering within the basket only belong to Israel?
When reading Romans 11, we can see Paul defending his brethren the Jews, but at the same time correcting them for their disbelief. Their stumbling block was the Messiah. They hardened their hearts towards the workings of the Kingdom in exchange for traditions. In doing so, Yah darkened their eyes so that others would see the message of the true gospel.
Notice the real message of Paul. He reminds his brethren that every good work belongs to YHWH and they are still the root of His seed, but because of their unbelief branches will be cut off. Judgment will occur. In turn, the branches added to the tree will be the Gentiles. Though in like fashion, Paul reminds the Gentiles to show honor to the root of the tree for Yah’s intention is to save the whole house of Israel.
“For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is My covenant with them When I take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27
How can we apply these teachings found in Deuteronomy and Romans when we are asked to “Enter In?”
- Allow YHWH to be God. Stop efforts in trying to discredit others who may be the very people causing you to grow in the Gospel.
- Focus on your First Fruit blessings and claim the promises of thankfulness for Yah’s mercy in bringing you out of sin and into the land of plenty.
- Prepare yourself for the last days, by not being fooled by the made-up traditions of men. Instead, follow the commands found in Scripture.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn
