Jesus, the Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets

The New Testament of the Bible, which teaches Christians how to live under the new covenant which Christ made with His people in the upper room, says that Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets. The new covenant has made the old obsolete. Jesus the High Priest, offered Himself as the once for all sacrifice. That means that Christians are not required to practice the Jewish law or participate in the Jewish holidays and festivals.

James warned Christians that if they attempt to keep the whole law, but stumble on one point, they would be guilty of breaking the entire law. Along these same lines, Paul warned Christians that if they sin under the law [that is by practicing the law], they will be judged by the law. 

Paul and the other apostles corrected Jews who had converted to Christianity who thought that they had to not only continue to practice the Jewish law, but to also impose it upon Gentile Christians. This was the purpose of the Jerusalem Council that we see in Acts. Paul made it clear that the Jewish converts could continue to practice the law if they liked, however they were not to impose it upon others. Paul instructed Christians how to live under the new covenant of Christ which made the old covenant obsolete.

(Luke 22:20; Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4; Hebrews 7:26-8:13; James 2:11; Romans 2:12; Romans 14:5-6; Galatians 4:9-11; Colossians 2:16-23)

It is good for Christians to learn about the law that God gave to the kingdom of Israel in the Old Testament, because it gives us a better understanding of what God intended them for, and how Jesus fulfilled them. However, Christians should not try to live by the law, because doing so negates everything that Christ did when He offered Himself as the once for all sacrifice for the atonement of sins. If Christians do live by the law, they should not try to impose it on others, and understand that they must keep the whole law and that they will be judged by the law. Keeping the whole law will be rather difficult because there are no longer animal sacrifices. Jews do not even hold to that practice. 

Luke 22:20 NKJV

[20] Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.  

2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV

[6] He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Matthew 5:17 NKJV

[17] “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  

Romans 10:4 NKJV

[4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Hebrews 7:26-8:13 NKJV

[26] For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; [27] who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. [28] For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

[1] Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, [2] a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. [3] For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. [4] For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; [5] who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” [6] But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. [8] Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— [9] not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [11] None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. [12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” [13] In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Romans 14:5-6 NKJV

[5] One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. [6] He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

Galatians 4:9-11 NKJV

[9] But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? [10] You observe days and months and seasons and years. [11] I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Colossians 2:16-17, 20, 22-23 NKJV

[16] So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, [17] which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

[20] Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—

[22] which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? [23] These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 'James 2:11

'For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. ' Romans 2:12

Psalm 76: A psalm of Asaph

Psalms 76:1-12 NIV

[1] God is renowned in Judah; in Israel his name is great. 

[2] His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. 

[3] There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. 

[4] You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.

[5] The valiant lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands. 

[6] At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still. 

[7] It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? 

[8] From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet— 

[9] when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. 

[10] Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. 

[11] Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. 

[12] He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.

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Psalm 76 was written by a descendant of Asaph and ancient tradition holds that it was written in celebration after God heard King Hezekiah's prayer, and destroyed the Assyrian army who was threatening Judah and blaspheming God (2 Kings 18:13-19:37).

Assyria had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel because "they had not obeyed the Lord their God, but had violated His covenant  - all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded. They neither listened to the commands nor carried them out" (2 Kings 18:12). 

Now, Assyria was coming for Judah. In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Assyria attacked Judah and captured them. In response, Hezekiah paid Assyria tribute with silver and gold from the temple. However, Hezekiah's tribute did not stop Assyria. The king sent his chief officer and field commander with a large army to Jerusalem to persuade Hezekiah to bargain with him. He tried to persuade the people by telling them that Hezekiah was misleading them and that they should not trust in the Lord because God was not going to deliver them from Assyria because He had instructed his king to attack and destroy them. He said that no other gods were able to protect the peoples Assyria had conquered, and the God of Israel would not be able to either. 

When Hezekiah's administration heard this, they tore their clothes and returned to relay the message to King Hezekiah. When he heard it, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth, and sent his men to Isaiah the prophet. Isaiah said to them, 

[6] “Tell your master, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. [7] Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.’ ” (2 Kings 19:6-7 NIV)

However, the king Assyria again sent messengers to threaten Judah saying, 

[10] “Say to Hezekiah king of Judah: Do not let the god you depend on deceive you when he says, ‘Jerusalem will not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria.’ [11] Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered? [12] Did the gods of the nations that were destroyed by my predecessors deliver them—the gods of Gozan, Harran, Rezeph and the people of Eden who were in Tel Assar? [13] Where is the king of Hamath or the king of Arpad? Where are the kings of Lair, Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah?” (2 Kings 19:10-13 NIV)

When Hezekiah received the letter, he went into the temple of the Lord, spread the letter out before the Lord, and he prayed that the Lord their God would deliver them from Assyria's hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that He alone is God.

Isaiah sent a message to Hezekiah assuring him that God has heard his prayer, and He will defend Jerusalem against Assyria. He said that a remnant, a band of survivors, will come out of Jerusalem who will take root below and bear fruit above. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. God said to Hezekiah through Isaiah that the king of Assyria would not enter the city, or even attack it. He would not even shoot an arrow against it. He will defend Jerusalem for His sake, and for the sake of His servant David. 

That night, the angel of the Lord put to death 185,000 in the Assyrian camp, causing the king of Assyria to withdraw and return to Nineveh where he stayed. One day while worshipping his God Nisrock, two of his sons killed him with the sword, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy that He will make the king want to return to his own country, and there He would have him cut him down with the sword. 

Isaiah's prediction that God would defend Jerusalem and that a remnant would come out of Jerusalem were also fulfilled, demonstrating that Isaiah was a true prophet of God. 

Hezekiah demonstrated faithfulness to God and dependence upon God to defend His people. Hezekiah's reaction to the problem at hand was the reason why God defended Judah. We know this because Hezekiah's son Manasseh who succeeded him as king, was so wicked, that God promised to give Judah over to her enemies. He eventually fulfilled His promise by giving her over to Babylon, putting an end to the kingdom of Israel. 

This is the back story of Psalm 76, and the reason why Asaph wrote it in celebration of God's defense of Judah. God is the defender of His faithful people. 

Having A Teachable Spirit (Proverbs 15)

Proverbs 15:1-33 NKJV

[1] A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

[2] The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

[3] The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

[4] A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 

[5] A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

[6] In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. 

[7] The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so. 

[8] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. 

[9] The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness. 

[10] Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. 

[11] Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. 

[12] A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

[13] A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. 

[14] The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 

[15] All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. 

[16] Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. 

[17] Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. 

[18] A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. 

[19] The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. 

[20] A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 

[21] Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. 

[22] Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. 

[23] A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! 

[24] The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. 

[25] The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. 

[26] The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. 

[27] The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. 

[28] The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. 

[29] The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 

[30] Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. 

[31] Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. 

[32] Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. 

[33] Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.

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Much of Proverbs 15 is about how we are to use our words and speak to others. This often takes wisdom, patience, discernment, and having a teachable spirit. When it comes to discussing controversial matters, more times than not, we think that we are the one in the right, and the one we are speaking with is in the wrong. That may be the case, but as Christians, God instructs us to be humble, and that means having a teachable spirit. Having a teachable spirit means that we are willing to learn and that we are open to the possibility that what we think we know, may be wrong. This takes wisdom, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. God has also given the members of His body different gifts to teach us and to help us discern the truth. Christians should not go outside of His body to learn the truth about God or His ways because many people are deceived and do not know the truth and can lead us astray. God has provided His people with the Holy Spirit and others within His body to teach them, however there are deceived people in our churches as well, so we must be able to discern between the truth and lies. Walking in the Spirit helps tremendously in this regard. The Holy Spirit helps us to recognize when someone is twisting the truth or teaching a deception. So dependence on the Holy Spirit and on Godly wisdom as taught in Proverbs will help us to have a teachable spirit, which will help the body of Christ to walk in the truth, as well as become one in heart and mind. 

Read Proverbs 15 and write down the verses that speak about having a teachable spirit. In a second category, write down the verses that speak about being wise in how we speak. And in a third category, write down the verses that speak about having discernment in how we speak.

Psalm 74: A Maskil of Asaph

Psalm 74 was likely written by a descendant of Asaph who ministered before the ark of the covenant in King David's court. Asaph and his descendants were Levites who sang songs of thanksgiving to the Lord. 

In Psalm 74, Asaph is crying out to the Lord because Jerusalem and the temple of God had been destroyed by Babylon. The Israelites had been taken captive into Babylon. 

Asaph's cry to God demonstrates his deep concern that God had cast them off forever because of His anger against the wicked kings of Judah. Asaph pleads with God to remember His people and the covenant that He made with them.  

He describes how Babylon had damaged, desecrated, and destroyed God's temple, burning it to the ground. They destroyed all of the meeting places of God throughout Judah. 

Asaph cries that there is no sign from God; no prophets speaking for God. God is silent.

Asaph asks God how long will He be silent and allow His enemies to blaspheme His name. He asks how long will God withdraw His hand and pleads with God to destroy Babylon because He is the ancient King, working salvation throughout the earth. 

Asaph describes God's power and concern for His people and for the poor. How He has provided for them. He pleads with God to remember that, and to not forget the life of the poor and the oppressed. May they praise His name. 

He pleads with God to remember the covenant and to plead His cause with the foolish man who reproaches Him daily. Remember how the foolish man reproaches Him daily, therefore do not forget the voice of His enemies and that those who rise up against Him increases continually.

God cast Judah from His sight as Asaph mentioned, when God sent raiders from several nations against Judah to destroy it, according to His word which He had spoken by the prophets. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Jerusalem and took Judah captive. 2 Kings says that God did this because Judah did not keep His commandments but sinned against Him and filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. Their sins were such an abomination to God that He would not forgive them (2 Kings 17:19-20; 23:27; 24:1-4).

God answered Asaph's prayer and remembered His covenant and what Judah's enemies had done. He sent King Cyrus of Persia to conquer Babylon, release Judah from captivity, and rebuild the temple.The remnant of Israel returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the city and the temple, fulfilling prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets, that scattered Israel would return to their land.

God hears His people, and remembers those who He has a covenant with, and though He uses other people or nations to discipline and test us, He repays them for what they do to us because they are His people and He is their God. His people are His special treasure, and chosen people. He will never leave them or forsake them. 

Psalms 74:1-23 NKJV

[1] O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

[2] Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed— This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

[3] Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.

[4] Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; They set up their banners for signs. 

[5] They seem like men who lift up Axes among the thick trees. 

[6] And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers.

[7] They have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground. 

[8] They said in their hearts, “Let us destroy them altogether.” They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land. 

[9] We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet; Nor is there any among us who knows how long. 

[10] O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? 

[11] Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them. 

[12] For God is my King from of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth. 

[13] You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters. 

[14] You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. 

[15] You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up mighty rivers. 

[16] The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun. 

[17] You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter. 

[18] Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O Lord, And that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name. 

[19] Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast! Do not forget the life of Your poor forever. 

[20] Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty. 

[21] Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name. 

[22] Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily. 

[23] Do not forget the voice of Your enemies; The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.

2 Kings 17:20

2 Kings 17:19–20 (NKJV): 19 Also Judah did not keep the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. 20 And the Lord rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them from His sight.

2 Kings 23:27 (NKJV): 27 And the Lord said, “I will also remove Judah from My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’ ”

2 Kings 24:1–4 (NKJV): Judah Overrun by Enemies

24 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him. 2 And the Lord sent against him raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of Syrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken by His servants the prophets. 3 Surely at the commandment of the Lord this came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, 4 and also because of the innocent blood that he had shed; for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which the Lord would not pardon.