JudgingYourGod Ps 37 and Matt 6----Matthew6-9.htm
http://www.2001translation.com/Laws.html
God’s
Laws and Principles
Although almost everyone thinks they understand this subject
(and there are many contradictory opinions), it is surprising to see how few
have made the effort to research what the Bible says, and to think the matter
through thoroughly. So, what we will do here is examine what the Bible tells us
about God’s laws and principles, starting from the beginning, and on through
each era of the history of both men and God’s messengers (angels), to see
whether Biblical principles do in fact supersede God’s Laws as some claim.
Before God Created Humans
Although the Bible tells us very little about the period
before God created humans, there are enough indicators available for us to draw
some critical conclusions. It appears to be true than in the very beginning,
after God created His heavenly sons, He had given them no laws. He was simply
their Father and He showed them the things that He wanted them to accomplish.
We draw this conclusion from the fact that until the
Slanderer rebelled and lied to Adam and Eve, there was no mention of a law to
condemn him or other heavenly messengers to death. In fact, the first mention
of a penalty for his (the Slanderer’s) disobedience is found at Genesis 3:15,
where the curse on the snake (and the one behind its words) was cryptically
foretold to be a ‘watching for its head.’
So, if there were originally no laws from God, why hadn’t He
created them? He obviously realized that His sons could choose to rebel,
because He deliberately created them each with the ability to choose for
themselves whatever they wished to do. But for the heavenly sons, both right
and wrong and the results of displeasing God must have been obvious. So, God
didn’t have to create the possibility of a negative relationship by telling
them what would happen should they choose to disobey Him.
Then, why did the Slanderer feel that he could openly defy
God? Because, as the results proved (where as Revelation 12:4 says, ‘a third of
the stars of heaven’ were dragged to the earth), he knew that he had raised an
issue that all living creation in heaven and on earth was watching.
The First Law
The first law that we read of in the Bible is the simple one
that was given to Adam and Eve in the Paradise of Pleasure, when God told them
not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and bad. And in this first
instance, a penalty was spelled out: Death to the offender.
What a witness this simple rule must have provided to all of
God’s heavenly creation. It showed for the first time what God’s sentence would
be for those who chose to rebel against Him. And as such, it became a primary
goal for the one who was likely the first universal rebel, to have this rule
broken. So, he set out to challenge God by lying to the first humans; and he
raised the question for all living creatures of whether God has the right to
expect their obedience and love.
It’s interesting that God’s law to Adam and Eve was so
simple. Once again, no negative thoughts of the possibility of murder, theft,
rape, or any of the hundreds of other human vices were mentioned. There was
just the one command, ‘This is mine, don’t touch it.’
The First Murder
When we think of the worst crime against God that is
possible for us to commit, we usually think of murder. And as might be
expected, the second sin mentioned in the Bible was when Cain murdered his
brother, Abel. Here, it is interesting to note that God’s penalty on Cain
wasn’t death, but the curse of having to live a hard life.
The fact is, there was no law until
then that forbade murder. There was just the good example set by God’s love,
and what we call ‘conscience’ or good sense, to tell all intelligent living
creatures what was right and wrong. Yet, as the Bible tells us, murder and
other human vices continued to increase to the point that, as it says, ‘God saw
all the badness that men were doing on the earth was increasing, and that the
entire motivation of their hearts was always twisted toward evil.’
So, except for the righteous man Noah and his family, He
destroyed all of humanity and much of the animal kingdom.
God’s Laws After the Downpour
After Noah and his family left the chest (ark), God gave him
some basic guidelines as to what would happen to those who did extremely bad
things. You can’t really call them laws, because He didn’t tell men what not to
do, He simply told them what results to expect if they were guilty of wrong
conduct. These guidelines are often associated with the Sacred Agreement of the
Rainbow. However, notice that they preceded that Agreement, which was simply a
one-sided promise by God.
Here’s what God said at Genesis 9:3-6, ‘All
living and slithering animals can serve as meat for you. I have given them all
to you as though they were green vegetation. But you must not eat flesh with
its blood of life. Otherwise, I will require your blood at the hand of
all the wild animals. I will also require a man’s life at the hand of his
human brothers. Whoever spills the blood of men will also have their blood spilled,
because I made man in the image of God.’
So, there were just two evil actions that He said would
provide bad results. They were:
- The blood of animals
was not to be eaten (it was to be poured out as some sort of a sacrifice
to God), otherwise the violator would be liable to be killed by wild
animals
- Every man who murdered
another was liable to execution by fellow humans.
Since these instructions were given to the common forefather
of all post-downpour humans, they are obviously still valid, regardless of
traditions, modern ideas, and so-called ‘politically-correct’ thinking.
And while the ban on murder is quite well understood, the
reason for the warning against eating animal blood is particularly interesting.
We want to remember that in God’s instructions to Adam in the Paradise, and to
Noah following the downpour, the responsibility that was given to men was to
‘Rule over the fish of the seas, the winged creatures of the skies, all the
herding animals of the ground, all the slithering animals that crawl on the
ground, and the whole earth.’
Notice that no mention was made in the beginning of men
being allowed to eat the animals that were entrusted to their care. However,
likely due to what had become common practice prior to the downpour, God made
allowances for men to eat animals, as long as they poured the blood (which is
described as the psyche or life) on the ground.
So, what conclusions may we reach from all the above? The
evidence shows that; contrary to common human thinking, Jehovah was never a God
of laws and rules; rather, these things were forced on Him by the inventiveness
and badness of human imagination.
The Examples of the Patriarchs
One of the most interesting stories to outline what human life
and its goodness was like before there were any laws from God on such matters,
is the story of the actions and thinking of Jacob’s son, Joseph. You likely
remember what happened as he served as a slave in the house of an Egyptian
named Potiphar.
Potiphar’s wife was attracted to
Joseph and she tried to seduce him. Yet, Joseph resisted and ran away. His thinking? He said, ‘Why, my master doesn’t even know
what I do around this house and he has put me in charge of everything . . . So,
how could I do such a bad thing and actually sin against God?’ (Genesis
39:7-9).
Now in this case, God apparently hadn’t given a law
forbidding illicit sex or adultery. However, Joseph used his good sense of
propriety in understanding that having sex with another man’s wife (especially
his master’s) was wrong. So, no law was required for a righteous man to make
the right decision.
The same was true of the righteous man Job. Again, before
God provided any laws, Job repeatedly spoke of things that he knew would be
displeasing to God.
The Law to Moses
However, because men really didn’t understand all of God’s
righteous ways, He did provide an extensive list of laws to govern His nation
Unfortunately, many religious people today think that the
Ten Commandments were given to all of mankind. They weren’t. They were the
first portion of God’s requirements for His chosen people
It was later on, during what we know as the ‘Christian Era,’
that both Jesus and Paul pointed out that God didn’t really want to give His
servants laws… all He really wanted was for them to love Him and to love each
other. As Paul wrote at Romans 13:10: ‘Love doesn’t do bad things to one’s
neighbor. So, love is the Law’s fulfillment.’
Were the Old Laws Harsh?
Whenever people wish to degrade the Bible, they point to the
old laws and their penalties, claiming them to be the product of a harsh and
unloving God. Yet, if you understand the purpose of these laws, you’ll see that
they weren’t really harsh or oppressive, because nobody was really required to
follow them other than those who freely chose to live in the
It was God’s land and He gave it to the people who wanted to
be part of His Sacred Agreement. And all who wished to live in this sacred land
(Israelites and gentiles alike), since they claimed to be His people, were
required to follow the rules and laws that He set down for them. Then, to show
that they were part of this sacred relationship, He told them that all males
had to have the sign of circumcision on their flesh, and He told them how to
dress, groom themselves, and how to act.
Realize that the land had been set aside not just for
So, why were such apparently
minor infractions as breaking the Sabbath or entering God’s
The Period of the Judges
Probably no period in time better illustrates God’s purposes
and ways than the period of the judges in
Laws and Rules Aren’t God’s Way
As we can see from all the above, although God was
responsible for the first law (not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and
bad), the making of laws aren’t His way. In fact, that’s why Jesus so strongly
condemned the Pharisees; because in their quest for self righteousness, they
looked at the principles of what God considered to be good and bad, and turned
these principles into laws for ‘righteous’ people to follow.
However, as any person’s good sense and conscience would
tell them, there are in fact things that people who love God just shouldn’t do.
Paul outlined them at 1 Corinthians 6:9,10, ‘Don’t make any mistakes about
this: Sexually immoral people, idol worshipers, adulterers, gays, men who have
sex with men, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, insulters, and extortionists,
won’t inherit God’s Kingdom.’
Peter, James, and John added to these instructions when
laying out the guidelines for Gentile converts to Christianity at Acts 21:25,
where we read, ‘As for the gentile believers, we’ve already sent them our
decision to stay free from things that are sacrificed to idols, from
blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.’
Note that this mention of blood and strangulation (where the
blood isn’t poured out) reminds us that God’s instructions to Noah were still
viewed as important by early Christians… as were the other instructions against
immorality and worship of idols.
Principles
Principles are the basis for God’s laws… they are the
reasons behind His laws. And if you were to read the entire Law of Moses, you
would have a much better understanding of God thoughts on many matters. They
are the guidelines we can refer to in order to make wise decisions.
Npw, it has often been said that
principles are more important than laws, because God’s laws for mankind have
changed, depending on the circumstances; however, His principles remain the
same. And while this is true, we must understand that obedience to God’s laws
is far more important than obedience to the principles. For, whereas principles
are general guidelines, His laws are the dividing lines, and He has used His
inspired servants to write them down in the Bible so we will know the
difference. Remember that laws are greater, because they are also principles,
but principles that God felt strongly enough about to turn them into laws.
Now, in the past, whenever someone felt that he or she could
take Bible principles and turn them into laws for others to follow, the Bible
plainly shows that God considers this a serious sin. The Pharisees, for
example, were guilty of turning principles into laws, and Jesus condemned them
for doing it. As you read the Gospels, you’ll notice the many ways they did
this in regard to matters of tithing, washing, the Sabbath, the way they
dressed, etc.
What’s wrong with turning principles into laws? Well, the
Pharisees made up rules that went well beyond the letter of the Law to make
themselves look a bit more righteous to the common people. Yet, despite the
fact that Jesus recognized the righteous principles behind their rules, he
still condemned them as hypocrites. He didn’t say ‘Well, they had good motives’
(as some have done today), because they didn’t, and it was their
self-righteousness that condemned them… as it condemns all who think they can
add to God’s laws.
Yet, through the years, super-righteous religious leaders
have continued to follow the lead of the Pharisees in creating their own laws
of right and wrong, based on Bible principles (which is
obviously displeasing to God). We see such rules being made in regard to
recreation, the way we dress, the things we eat and drink, in matters of
bathing and washing, unhealthy habits (such as smoking), in relations between
husband and wife, and in innumerable other matters. And yes, while good sense
and manners should be everyone’s desire and suggestions may be given, making
religious rules about such things goes ‘beyond the things that are written’ (1 Corinthians
4:6).
And if there are those who still wish to argue that they
have the right to set out Bible principles as laws, consider the fact that God
spoke of eating creatures that live in the water which don’t have fins or
scales (such as catfish, shrimp, oysters, lobster, scallops, crabs, etc.) as
something disgusting (at Leviticus 11:10). So,
the principle is there. Now, how important do they consider that principle? Why,
the only other things mentioned in the Old Law as being disgusting are
homosexual behavior, adultery, and incest (see Leviticus 18:24-30).
Are God’s Laws the Final Word?
So, are God’s laws the final word on the matter? No, for
many stories in the Bible show us how righteousness and good sense outweigh
even God’s rules and laws. Take for example, God’s instructions to the
Israelites to destroy all the people in the Promised Land. Yet, when the spies
entered
Then later on, the Israelites unwitting made a peace
agreement with the people of the city of
As you can see, Laws never come before righteousness.
Rather, righteousness is the purpose and basis of God’s laws.
So, His instructions could be summed up as, ‘Don’t do
anything that is openly bad. Use your consciences, and when in doubt, do
whatever shows that you love God, your fellow humans, and that you even respect
the value of the lives of the animals that you were created to rule over.’
For more information, see the attached link, The New Covenant.
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Jehovah
= "the existing One"
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KJV (6519) - GOD, 4;
JEHOVAH, 4; LORD, 6510; variant, 1; NAS (6824) - GOD, 314; LORD,
6399; LORD'S, 111; |
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36:9 - [In Context|
For with You is the fountain
of life;
In Your light
we see
light.
9 For,
the spring of life is from You. And from Your light
we’ll see light. 10 So, extend Your mercy to the ones
who know You, and Your justice to those straight of heart.
Compare -http://www.2001translation.com/Psalms.htm
WITH LOVE FOR THE TRUTH—THE WHOLE TRUTH—
–SO HELP US
Psalms
36:5-12 -
[Verse 9 in Original Hebrew]
5 Your lovingkindness, O LORD,
extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness
reaches to the skies.
6 Your righteousness
is like the mountains
of God;
Your judgments
are like a great
deep.
O LORD,
You preserve
man
and beast.
7 How
precious
is Your lovingkindness, O God
! And the children
of men
take
refuge
in the shadow
of Your wings.
8 They drink
their fill
of the abundance
of Your house;
And You give
them to drink
of the river
of Your delights.
9 For with You
is the fountain
of life;
In Your light
we see
light.
10 O continue
Your lovingkindness to those who know
You, And Your righteousness
to the upright
in heart.
11 Let not the foot
of pride
come
upon me, And let not the hand
of the wicked
drive
me away.
12 There
the doers
of iniquity
have fallen;
They have been thrust
down
and cannot
*
rise
Ps
37:1
the Wicked. Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
)eNqT (8762)-l) ey(erMB (8688) rxtT (8691)-l) dwdl
. hlw( ye&(B (8802
Jos 24:15
"If it is disagreeable in
your sight to serve the LORD, choose for
yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for
me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
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37:1-40 - Study
Chapter - Click for Chapter Audio |
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Security of Those Who Trust in the LORD, and Insecurity of the
Wicked. A Psalm of David. 1 Do R1068 not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious R1069 toward wrongdoers. 2 For they will wither R1070 quickly like the grass And fade R1071 like the green herb. 3 Trust R1072 in the LORD and do good; Dwell R1073 in the land and cultivate R1074 F316 faithfulness. 4 Delight R1075 yourself in the LORD; And He will give R1076 you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit R1077 your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your
R1078 righteousness as the light And your judgment as R1079 the noonday. 7 Rest F317 in the LORD and wait R1080 patiently F318 for Him; Do R1081 not fret because of him who
prospers R1082 in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked
schemes. 8 Cease from anger and
forsake R1083 wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers R1084 will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit R1085 the land. 10 Yet a R1086 little while and the wicked
man will be no more; And you will look carefully for his R1087 place and he will not be there.
11 But the R1088 humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves
in abundant R1089 prosperity. 12 The wicked plots R1090 against the righteous And gnashes R1091 at him with his teeth. 13 The Lord laughs R1092 at him, For He sees his R1093 day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn
the sword and bent R1094 their bow To cast down the afflicted R1095 and the needy, To slay R1096 those who are upright in
conduct. 15 Their sword will enter
their own heart, And their bows R1097 will be broken. 16 Better R1098 is the little of the righteous
Than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms R1099 of the wicked will be broken, But the LORD sustains R1100 the righteous. 18 The LORD knows R1101 the days of the blameless, F319 And their inheritance R1102 will be forever. 19 They will not be ashamed
in the time of evil, And in R1103 the days of famine they will
have abundance. 20 But the wicked R1104 will perish; And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory F320 of the pastures, They vanish--like R1105 smoke they vanish away. 21 The wicked borrows and
does not pay back, But the righteous is R1106 gracious and gives. 22 For those R1107 blessed by Him will inherit R1108 the land, But those cursed R1109 by Him will be cut off. 23 The R1110 steps of a man are established
by the LORD, And He delights R1111 in his way. 24 When he R1112 falls, he will not be hurled
headlong, Because the R1113 LORD is the One who F321 holds his hand. 25 I have been young and
now I am old, Yet I R1114 have not seen the righteous
forsaken Or his R1115 descendants F322 begging bread. 26 All day long he R1116 is gracious and lends, And his R1117 descendants F323 are a blessing. 27 Depart R1118 from evil and do good, So F324 you will abide forever. R1119 28 For the LORD loves R1120 justice F325 And does R1121 not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved R1122 forever, But the descendants R1123 F326 of the wicked will be cut off. 29 The righteous will
inherit R1124 the land And dwell R1125 in it forever. 30 The mouth of the
righteous utters R1126 wisdom, And his tongue speaks R1127 justice. 31 The law R1128 of his God is in his heart; His steps R1129 do not slip. 32 The wicked R1130 spies upon the righteous And seeks R1131 to kill him. 33 The LORD will not R1132 leave him in his hand Or let R1133 him be condemned when he is
judged. 34 Wait R1134 for the LORD and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked R1135 are cut off, you will see it. 35 I have seen R1136 a wicked, violent man Spreading himself like a
luxuriant R1137 tree F327 in its native soil. 36 Then he F328 passed away, and lo, he was R1138 no more; I sought for him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless R1139 F329 man, and behold the upright; R1140 For the man of peace will have a
posterity. R1141 F330 38 But transgressors will
be altogether destroyed; R1142 The posterity F331 of the wicked will be cut R1143 off. 39 But the salvation R1144 of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in R1145 time of trouble. 40 The R1146 LORD helps them and delivers
them; He delivers R1147 them from the wicked and saves
them, Because they take R1148 refuge in Him. |
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FOOTNOTES: |
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CROSS
REFERENCES: |
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Ps