Do YOU Abide by the Mosaic Law? Why?

[LejaOMG]

I've noticed in my convos on and off the board that many people adhere to certain aspects of the Mosaic law such as: no tattooing, no 'unclean' meats, paying of tithes, etc. I've noticed that some of the same people conversely do not: offer animal sacrifice, refrain from attending church during their menstrual cycle, observe the ancient festivals, etc.

So my question to you, OOA, is: Which parts of the Mosaic Law do YOU still bang with, if any? Please run reasons if you got 'em.

Bonus question: Do you believe that God requires this particular observance? Or is it something you do for your own spiritual reasons? Why or why not?

[Cambist]

I don't. Actually, besides those things that have worked their way into our daily social culture, I would guess that I didn't follow much of The Law.

[LejaOMG]

Things like what, Cam?

[Julie Art]

OK, wait, The Mosiac Law says that a woman shouldn't attend church do her menstrual cycle? What is the reasoning behind that?

[Highly Favored]

Nov 17, 2009 13:36:20 GMT -5 Julie Art said:

OK, wait, The Mosiac Law says that a woman shouldn't attend church do her menstrual cycle? What is the reasoning behind that?

Under Mosaic law, at that time of the month, women and everything they came into contact with were considered unclean.

[Highly Favored]

The Mosaic law falls into three categories - ceremonial, civil, and moral. Ceremonial and civil law was given to the Jews to govern their worship and daily living as a people set apart for God'. They apply specifically to the Jews and our obedience to them is not required.

Jesus said that he did not come to do away with the law but to fulfill the law. He goes on to say that all of the law is observed when a persons loves God and his/her neighbor. I believe that if you love God and you love you neighbor, you are required to observe the moral portion of the law (i.e. the Ten Commandments minus Sabbath observance). Sabbath observance was also for the Jews. New Testament Christians worshipped on the first day of the week (Sunday).

You mention tithes as part of the law. Actually tithes precede the giving of the law, so therefore I continue to tithe on that basis. I don't like tattoos, but, even if I did, I would refrain as I believe our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and should be treated as such. I feel the same regarding eating certain types of food. I believe we bring glory to God by eating healthfully and we are admonished to glorify God in our bodies and our spirits. Does that mean if I eat a pork chop I am going to hell? Certainly not. We are to receive all things with thanksgiving, according to New Testatment teaching and refuse nothing. The Scriptures also admonish us that whatever we decide, let every person be fully persuaded in his/her own mind.

So to make a long story short, not everything we choose to do is a matter of sin or righteousness, but a matter of bring the most glory to God in our everyday choices.

[Julie Art]

Good stuff. Why was the menstrual cycle seen as unclean when it is required for pregnancy? Could it be that much wasn't known about it then?

[Cambist]

Good post HF.

@ Leja- I think besides the Commandments....I wouldn't say that I'm very observant of other parts of The Law. I could be wrong though.

[LejaOMG]

Nov 17, 2009 19:40:19 GMT -5 Julie Art said:

Good stuff. Why was the menstrual cycle seen as unclean when it is required for pregnancy? Could it be that much wasn't known about it then?

Not at all. Remember, God wrote the law. He knows all about everything :-)

[LejaOMG]

Bear with me:

It occurs to me that human history is divided into three eras of morality:

(1) Genesis; (2) Exodus-Malachi; (3) Baptism of Jesus and beyond

In part one, humans were permitted to govern themselves according to conscience. There was no particular law necessarily. People practiced polygamy, had sex outside of marriage (for moral cause without penalty (cf. Tamar who purposely tricked Judah into impregnating her so that her deceased husband could have a posthumous heir), ate what they wanted and so on. This did not mean that people had no morals. For example, Joseph, who was not under any legal obligation to refrain from sleeping with Potiphar's wife, fled from her crying out "how could I really commit this great badness against Jehovah?" How did he know it was bad when there was no law? His conscience.

Then, in part 2, God chose Israel as his people and made a contract with them, requiring them to abide by the law he set forth in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. He delivered them from slavery, gave them a promised land, made them prevail over their enemies. At that time, people had no means by which to request holy spirit. That's why they sacrificed animals, as a symbol for their sin. Conscience was not relevant at this time. For example, In Deuteronomy 27:15-26, the people were commanded to say "amen" after each pronouncement of law. Stated another way, it was not enough to understand the law and choose for yourself whether you agreed with it. You followed it. Or you were put to death.

Now, after Jesus commenced his ministry, he did several things to indicate that the Mosaic Law was going to be outmoded. Call to mind his performing miracles on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2, John 9:14–16), declaring all foods clean (Mark 7:19), and noting that he came to fulfill the law, or make it complete (Matthew 5:17). Next, Jesus' death provided a few things: a replacement of the Mosaic law; a new way for God's people to achieve salvation; a removal of God's sole favor from the natural Jews and something that had never existed before, a way for 'people of the nations' to become God's followers and be saved.

Today, reflecting on the law can be quite useful. In fact, Paul said: the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. But in Romans 8, he equated the Law with flesh (and therefore death), but equated God's Holy Spirit with life. There, he said "we are under obligation, not to the [law] to live in accord with the [law], for if you do so, you are are sure to die...but if you put the practices of the law to death by the spirit, you will live." He urged people to turn away from devotion to the law, per se, and focus more on devotion to God, since communication with Him, through Jesus was now possible. My absolute favorite scripture reads thus:

For whenever people of the nations that do not have law do by nature the things of the law, these people, although not having law, are a law to themselves. They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts , while their conscience is bearing witness with them and, between their own thoughts, they are being accused or even excused

So I interpret that in this time, God expects us to abide by his commandments and principles (Mosaic law now being obsolete) TOGETHER with our own consciences (which bear witness with the holy spirit), thereby loving our neighbors as ourselves and loving God with our entire being. This coupled with our hope for salvation pursuant to Jesus' propitiatory sacrifice is all the law I need.

[DamieQue™]

Exalt for Leja.

Good stuff. For real.

*Bookmarks thread*

[Highly Favored]

Nov 18, 2009 9:31:28 GMT -5 DamieQue™ said:

Exalt for Leja.

Good stuff. For real.

*Bookmarks thread*

I agree. Good post.

[adisa]

Nov 18, 2009 8:26:54 GMT -5 Cambist said:

Good post HF.

@ Leja- I think besides the Commandments....I wouldn't say that I'm very observant of other parts of The Law.

Same here.