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The podcast episode delves into the significance of comprehending the law in the Bible. It clarifies that around 5 to 10% of the entire Bible consists of the 600 plus commands in Exodus, which can be confusing for readers. However, it argues that viewing the Bible as a comprehensive theology handbook is a flawed assumption. Instead, the episode suggests that the laws in the Old Testament are examples of divine wisdom applied in specific situations. It highlights the importance of understanding the narrative nature of the Bible and how the laws fit into the overarching covenant relationship between God and humanity. By discerning the divine wisdom behind the laws, readers can gain a deeper understanding of God's nature and purposes.
The podcast explores the Pharisees' perspective on the laws of the Torah in the first century. It challenges the common misconception that the Pharisees viewed the laws as strict statutory regulations. Rather, the episode reveals that they engaged in discussions about the laws, seeking wisdom beneath the surface of the texts. They approached the laws as examples of how to apply divine ideals of justice and fairness. This discussion highlights the flexibility and adaptive nature of the ancient legal system and provides insight into how the laws were interpreted and understood in the first century Jewish context.
The podcast delves into Jesus' relationship with the laws of the Torah, particularly focusing on his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. It emphasizes that Jesus did not view the laws as a rigid checklist for eternal life. Rather, he revealed the underlying divine wisdom behind the laws. Jesus taught his followers to discern the wisdom in the laws and apply it to their lives, surpassing the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. He demonstrated that fulfilling the laws meant embodying the divine ideals of covenant faithfulness and loving relationships. Jesus encouraged his disciples to follow the spirit of the law rather than just the letter, showing the importance of understanding the underlying wisdom behind the laws.
The podcast episode addresses the practical aspects of obeying God through the Holy Spirit. It suggests that the average Bible reader can use the laws of the Torah as a guide by seeking the divine wisdom beneath the surface of the texts. This requires proactive meditation, discussing and exploring the teachings of the Torah in community, and inviting the Holy Spirit to provide guidance and inspiration. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding that the laws of the Torah are examples of divine wisdom applied in specific historical and cultural contexts. By discerning the underlying principles and ideals, readers can discover practical ways to apply God's wisdom to their lives.
The podcast episode touches on the challenges of differentiating between passages that refer to the 611 laws of the Torah, the whole Old Testament, or the entirety of Scripture. It highlights the flexible nature of the term 'Torah,' which can refer to the first five books of Moses, the entire Hebrew Scriptures, or specific commands and statutes within the texts. The episode suggests that understanding the context, literary structure, and overall message of the passages can help determine their specific reference. It emphasizes the importance of interpreting the laws in light of their underlying wisdom and the narrative context of the Bible.
Tim and Jon respond to several questions, listed below.
Isaiah from Georgia (1:40):
Hey Jon and Tim! My name is Isaiah and I am from Lawrenceville, Georgia. I have a question concerning biblical law and God's nature. I've talked to some friends on this issue for some time, and their view is that God's nature was not fully revealed in the Old Testament. So God's will was not fully revealed. They believe this is why the Israelites thought they had to live under the law. They use Paul's writings to back that up. They also believe that the New Testament is the full revelation of God and his nature. And so we can see his full intent was to have a personal relationship instead of a list of rules to follow. What would you say to this worldview and why it should be changed?
Rich from New York (13:10):
I'm a pastor in upstate New York. Your series on the law is just outstanding. And yet I have a question. As you folks talked about the common law understanding of law that existed until the last few centuries, I found myself wondering about the understanding of law among the Pharisees of the first century, for example. It seems that their understanding wasn't just that the mosaic law was a snapshot in time but that it described how the law needed to be lived out in any age, whatever possible, more like statutory law. Or am I wrong about that?
Victoria from Tennessee (21:45):
Hey Tim and Jon, this is Victoria in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I've been really inspired by this conversation about the law, particularly the relationships of the New Testament to the Old Testament. I'm sure you're getting here, but I wanted to ask how we’re asked to understand our broad call to obedience when Jesus says something like in Matthew 5, “therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” What commands is he referring to, and is the spirit of the law or commands a filter for interpretation, or is there a place where we need to draw a line in the sand? Thanks.
Joe from Cleveland (22:15):
What I’m still at tension with are Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:18-19 where he states not a dot or iota will pass away from the law, and those who relax the least of these will be least in heaven. It seems we had agreed the Hebrew Torah showed itself to be flexible and not necessarily the final word in judicial cases. I interpret Jesus “dot and iota” statement as a more literal or explicit command to the letter of the law so to speak. Does Jesus’ statement raise that tension for you or is there another way of understanding it?
Petra from the Netherlands (39:30):
Hi Tim and Jon my name is Petra, I'm from the Netherlands. A lot of people consider the law as a guidance to obey God and to eternal life. As I have listened to your podcast, I get the assumption that you do not agree with that way of seeing the law, which I understand. What are your thoughts about a practical way to obey God through the Holy Spirit, by the Law, what are your thoughts about that? Thank you, bye!
Laura from Iowa: (47:20)
Is it important to differentiate between passages that are referring to the 611 laws, the Torah, the whole Old Testament, or the entirety of Scripture? And if that's important, how can an average Bible reader go about this?
Show Music: Defender Instrumental by Tents
Show Produced by: Dan Gummel
Check out all our resources at www.thebibleproject.com
Our video on how to read biblical law: https://youtu.be/Sew1kBIe-W0
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