It is commonly believed that the Law [Torah], which is the foundation stone of Judaism and indirectly, Christianity, was given to Moses on fiery, Mount Sinai came from God; but in actuality it came through the administration of the angels of God. Of course, it is believed that these commandments, statutes and ordinances were directed by God Himself and therefore were obligatory for the children of Israel to observe and practice in the worship of their LORD.
Acts 7: 30, 52a, 53
And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush (Cp. Exodus 3: 2-5), in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute; who received the Law [Torah] by the direction of angels and have not kept it.
Colossians 2: 8, 15, 18a, 20
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the principalities [angelic powers or administrations] of the world, and not according to Christ [Messiah], having disarmed principalities and powers, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them. Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of [from] angels. Therefore, if you have died with Christ from the basic elements [angelic powers or rulers] of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourself to regulations [ordinances, statutes]. . .
Ephesians 6: 12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Galatians 3: 19
What purpose does the Law [Torah] serve? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed [Jesus Christ] should come to whom the promise was made; and it [the Law] was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
NOTE: The phrase, “it was added” would seem to indicate that it was attached to something already previously in place. If it were something entirely new, the wording might go something like this: “it was given” because of transgressions.
Galatians 4: 3
Even so we, when we were children, were [held] in bondage under the elements of the world [angelic powers or administrations].
Hebrews 2: 2
For if the word [is the Law under consideration here?] spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense [punishment].
Exodus 23: 20-21
Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place that I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name [YHWH] is in Him.
Genesis 32: 30
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel (‘face of God’): “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
John 5: 37
And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.
John 6: 46
Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.
John 18: 17-18
For the Law [Torah] was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach]. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared [revealed] Him.
Jeremiah 7: 21a, 22-23
Thus says the LORD of Hosts [YHWH Sabaoth], the God of Israel: “For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you that it may be well with you.” ’
COMMENT: This study is not to minimize the importance or significance of the Law [Torah] but rather to show that it came about from the interaction or administration of angels. The attitude of the Apostle Paul toward the Law [Torah] is that it is holy, good, and spiritual (Cp. Romans 7: 12, 14a), and the psalmist says, “The Law [Torah] of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul (Cp. Psalms 19: 7).” Be that as it may, the Apostle Paul sums it up in this manner: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by “faith” apart from the deeds of the Law [Torah]. Christ is the end of the law [Torah] for righteousness to everyone who believes [demonstrates ‘faith’] (Cp. Romans 3: 28; 10: 4).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
May 2, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
