Works of the law - continued

Anyone that has studied the bible probably has had those moments where after you think you are "done" with a passage, more thoughts come to mind, or a different perspective crosses your mind.  After my last post about works of the law, I just kept feeling like my thoughts were incomplete or that perhaps I was not fully grasping Paul's point.  I couldn't quite put a finger on that nagging feeling.  I prayed, contemplated, re-read the lesson about works of the law.  It took a few days, but this morning when I was starting a new lesson, it dawned on me.  

I heard a couple of concepts this week that prompted these additional thoughts.  I heard a pastor comment that he felt the term works of the law meant circumcision or the signs of God's covenant with Israel.  He felt that works of the law was Paul's way of saying "convert to Judaism."  This message was recorded several years ago, so I'm not sure if this still his opinion or not.  

In addition I also watched a video by Ray Vanderlaan.  He was leading a biblical history hike to illustrated the story of Exodus when Moses lead some out of Egypt.  The resounding message I heard is that faith had to come first.  The people had to have faith to follow God.  God tested that faith by having them take action.  This does not mean that action, or works, is what God is seeking.  God used action to test faith.  I don't believe this is any different today.

As I referred to earlier, the phrase works of the law is considered by some to be used in the same way as circumcision.  The term circumcision is usually used as shorthand to mean legally and physically convert to Judaism.  While I agree that the term circumcision is used as shorthand in this way, I’m not convinced this is what Paul means every time he uses the term works of the law, under the law, law, works, etc.  My argument is fairly simple.  Paul never taught to not obey the Torah (law).  For that matter he specifically said not to throw out the law (Rom 3:31), and that the law is not contrary to God’s promise (Gal 3:21).  So if Paul does not teach against the Torah, then why would he use such harsh language against circumcision?  If one reads all of the laws written in the Torah closely, there are provisions for non-Jews, sojourners that live among the Jews.  That is a different study all together.  The essential foundation for understanding these commandments is that it was a provisional covenant between God and the people with Moses.  God part of the covenant was that He would be their God, they would be His chosen people, He would protect them, and He would provide them land (severely paraphrased).  The people’s part of the covenant was to obey. 

This is not intended to be a massive fork into another study.  This is intended just to point out where my interpretation is coming from.  Paul made it clear had no intentions of teaching against this.  He proved it in Acts when taking the vow under James’ instruction. 

There are very specific provisions within the Torah for non-Jews (sojourners). 

Here are just three examples:

o   “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.  You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the  Lord  your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

o   “And if a stranger is sojourning with you, or anyone is living permanently among you, and he wishes to offer a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the  Lord , he shall do as you do.  For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the  Lord .  One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.” (Numbers 15:14-16)

o   “Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.    “You are standing today all of you before the  Lord  your God: the heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Israel,  your little ones, your wives, and the sojourner who is in your camp, from the one who chops your wood to the one who draws your water,  so that you may enter into the sworn covenant of the  Lord  your God, which the  Lord  your God is making with you today,  that he may establish you today as his people, and that he may be your God, as he promised you, and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.  It is not with you alone that I am making this sworn covenant,  but with whoever is standing here with us today before the  Lord  our God, and with whoever is not here with us today.”  (Deuteronomy 29:9-15)

My point is, I believe Paul is simply saying two things. 

1)      When he writes “works of the law”, as translated into traditions of the elders that has been turned into law are not the same as God’s commands.

2)      Faith must come before obedience to the commands of the covenant.  Abraham showed faith first.  Moses showed faith first.  The Hebrews that left Egypt showed faith first.   Obedience to the Torah (law or commands) follows faith.  (Same message from James)

I believe Paul is NOT saying

1)      Circumcision or following the Torah (law) is wrong

2)      Gentiles cannot follow the Torah (law).

I will end by reminding any readers, and myself, that I am learning and these are just my thoughts, based on how I feel I have been lead through the scripture and other supporting information, such as the Dead Sea Scroll document that used the term works of the law.  I pray that God provides me with wisdom and humility.  Wisdom to understand God's scriptures.  Humility to always remember that it is not on my own that I learn, and humility to be willing to admit if I am wrong.