Torah vs. Superstition

Torah Meditation vs. Superstitious Practices 

📖  Matthew 7

15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness (Torah-lessness!)

🔖 In this passage, let’s examine some key Greek words and grammatical elements:

"False prophets" (ψευδοπροφήτας, pseudoprophētas)
ψευδοπροφήτας in Greek, "ψευδο-" means 'false,' and "προφήτης" means 'prophet.' This word is used in the accusative plural form, functioning as the object of the verb προσέχετε ("beware"). It refers to false prophets who distort God's will or deliver false messages for their own gain. Unlike true prophets, these individuals alter the message to suit their own intentions and purposes, leading people astray.

"Beware" (προσέχετε, prosechete)
προσέχετε is in the present active imperative plural form, conveying a strong warning to "beware" or "be cautious." The Greek imperative is not a mere suggestion but a command of significant importance. Here, Jesus is commanding his followers to be very cautious of false prophets.

"In sheep's clothing" (ἐν ἐνδύμασιν προβάτων, en endymas in probatōn)
ἐνδύμασιν means 'clothing' and is in the dative plural form, combined with προβάτων (sheep) in the genitive plural to mean "in sheep's clothing." Literally, it means "dressed in the clothing of sheep," implying that these false prophets appear outwardly innocent and gentle, yet their true nature is something entirely different.

"Ravenous wolves" (λύκοι ἅρπαγες, lykoi harpages)
λύκοι means 'wolves' and is in the nominative plural form, while ἅρπαγες is an adjective meaning 'ravenous' or 'predatory,' also in the nominative plural. These two words together emphasize their inner nature. The imagery of wolves is used because they are the natural predators of sheep, making them a fitting metaphor for the danger false prophets pose to the flock.

"You workers of lawlessness" (οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν, hoi ergazomenoi tēn anomian)
οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι means "those who work" and is in the nominative masculine plural form as a present middle participle, while τὴν ἀνομίαν means 'lawlessness' in the accusative singular feminine form. This phrase is translated as "workers of lawlessness," referring to those who disregard or violate God's law. Specifically, ἀνομία comes from "νόμος" (law) with the prefix "ἀ-" indicating 'without' or 'against,' thus emphasizing a state of being without or in opposition to the law of God.

"Depart from me" (ἀποχωρεῖτε ἀπ' ἐμοῦ, apochōreite ap' emou)
ἀποχωρεῖτε is a present active imperative verb in the plural form, meaning "depart" or "leave." ἀπ' ἐμοῦ means "from me," indicating a complete separation. This phrase is a command from Jesus, rejecting them with strong authority. In Greek, the imperative mood here conveys a forceful command, not a mere suggestion.

This grammatical analysis helps us understand how Jesus emphasized the outward disguise and inner corruption of false prophets, as well as the forceful rejection of such individuals.

The metaphor of coming in sheep's clothing carries two profound meanings. First, it warns that false prophets, who outwardly appear gentle and innocent, harbor inner greed and selfish ambition, like wolves in sheep's clothing. Their true nature will eventually be revealed.

Second, some people claim to spread Jesus' message but do so according to their own methods, such as preaching, gatherings, worship, or Bible study. They take pride in their approach, believing it to be the best. However, if their teachings lead people away from God's law, the Torah, and in the opposite direction, they are, in reality, distancing themselves from God.

When Jesus says, "Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness!" or "Depart from me, you who are without Torah," he is addressing this very situation. It is a severe warning to those who act against God's law and His teachings.

John 12:49-50
"For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

There are several important Greek expressions here as well:

"The Father who sent me... has given me a commandment" (ὁ πέμψας με Πατὴρ... ἐντολὴν δέδωκέν μοι, ho pempsas me Patēr... entolēn dedōken moi)
ὁ πέμψας is a perfect participle meaning "who sent" and refers to "the Father who sent me." ἐντολὴν δέδωκέν means "has given a commandment," using the perfect tense to indicate that this command was given in the past but remains in effect to the present. The perfect tense emphasizes that the act of giving the commandment has ongoing significance, underscoring that Jesus' message is based on a command already received from the Father.

"As the Father has told me" (καθώς εἴρηκέ μοι, kathōs eirēken moi)
εἴρηκέ is a perfect tense verb meaning "has told," indicating that what the Father has spoken to Jesus remains valid and effective in the present. The use of the perfect tense highlights the enduring impact of the Father's words, implying that Jesus' teaching is continually aligned with the command received from the Father.

This teaching reveals that the Torah of the Spirit of life, the law of the Spirit of life, was given by God from the beginning. It reflects that all things were created in Yeshua, and therefore, all creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons of God and the opening of the new heavens and new earth of the eternal kingdom.

Thus, all of Scripture is described as "the sword of the Spirit." This phrase underscores the perfect and mysterious harmony within the Scriptures, well evidenced by Psalm 1. Psalm 1 praises those who meditate on God's law day and night, likening their life to a tree planted by streams of water, flourishing in all they do.

Psalm 1:1-3
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."

Through these words, we understand that God's Word is a light guiding us on the right path, and its truth remains unchanging. We are called to live by this Word, guarding ourselves against false teachings and human pride.