Galatians 3:11-12 “Now it is evident that no one comes to be declared righteous by G-d through legalism, since “The person who is righteous will attain life by trusting and being faithful.” Furthermore, legalism is not based on trusting and being faithful, but on [a misuse of] the text that says, “Anyone who does these things will attain life through them.”
“Anyone who does these things will attain life through them” is a quote from Leviticus 18:5.
What is Paul teaching us about the relationship between the Law and Faith and how have these words been misused?
It is usually understood that the commands of G-D does not produce faith therefore the “Law” and Faith are at odds with one another.
I believe Paul is making a strong statement against the notion that the Law of G-D envisions anything different than a life of faith by Israel.
Let me clarify; the commandments of G-D do not produce life saving faith, but testifies to the presence of faith.
Romans 4:1-5 “Then what should we say Avraham, our forefather, obtained by his own efforts? For if Avraham came to be considered righteous by G-d because of legalistic observances, then he has something to boast about. But this is not how it is before G-d! For what does the Tanakh say? “Avraham put his trust in G-d, and it was credited to his account as righteousness.”p Now the account of someone who is working is credited not on the ground of grace but on the ground of what is owed him. However, in the case of one who is not working but rather is trusting in him who makes ungodly people righteous, his trust is credited to him as righteousness.”
James 2:19-23 “You believe that “G-d is one”? Good for you! The demons believe it too – the thought makes them shudder with fear! But, foolish fellow, do you want to be shown that such “faith” apart from actions is barren? Wasn’t Avraham avinu declared righteous because of actions when he offered up his son Yitz’chak on the altar? You see that his faith worked with his actions; by the actions the faith was made complete; and the passage of the Tanakh was fulfilled which says, “Avraham had faith in G-d, and it was credited to his account as righteousness.” He was even called G-d’s friend. You see that a person is declared righteous because of actions and not because of faith alone.”
Our father Avraham was found righteous because of what?
His trust in G-D!
But was not the faith of Avraham tried when he was called to bring his only son up to Mt. Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering unto G-D? He had faith that G-D would bring his son back from the dead. Was not Avraham tried when he was called to leave everything he knew from his fathers house to follow G-D to a new land? Was not Avraham tried when he was called to send his son Ishmael away from his house not knowing what would become of him?
These trials were not for G-D’S knowledge but for the character of Avraham. Each and every trial he experienced was so that he would be the man of faith through which the world would be blessed.
The covenant given unto Israel is no different than the covenant given unto Avraham accept that Israel now stands as a nation, the beginnings of the fulfillment G-D will would unto His promise to Avraham, but the calling is the same; Israel is to be the source through which the world would be blessed. As a nation G-D would not forsake Israel her own trials. Let’s examine 3 stories that this weeks Parsha weaves together to portray a beautiful illustration of the proper relationship of Torah and Faith.
A. The crossing of the sea of Reeds.
Exodus 14:1-4 “AD-NAI said to Moshe, “Tell the people of Isra’el to turn around and set up camp in front of Pi-Hachirot, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Ba’al-Tz’fon; camp opposite it, by the sea. Then Pharaoh will say that the people of Isra’el are wandering aimlessly in the countryside, the desert has closed in on them. I will make Pharaoh so hardhearted that he will pursue them; thus I will win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will realize at last that I am AD-NAI.”The people did as ordered.”
Israel is on her way from Egypt when G-D calls them to turn around and camp in a place that would make them completely vulnerable to Pharaoh and his men. This was in order to bring a final destruction upon Egypt by luring them into pursuing Israel. From Pharaoh’s perspective Israel looks as if she has lost her way, maybe G-D had abandoned these Hebrews so know is the prefect time to bring them back into slavery.
To turn back against the wall of the sea does not make any strategically sense. Nevertheless the choice was obvious; to go were G-D leads.
The Hebrew word in this Parsha for lead is “Nachah”. It is the same word found in Psalm 23:2-4 “He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water, He restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name. Even if I pass through death-dark ravines, I will fear no disaster; for you are with me; your rod and staff reassure me.”
This most popular Psalm reminds us that in the hour of our greatest need His outstretched arm is most obvious. When G-D leads Israel into what seemed like certain doom between Pharaoh and the sea He would use that very sea to bring freedom for Israel and death for Egypt.
B. Manna from Heaven
Exodus 16:3-7 “The people of Isra’el said to them, “We wish AD-NAI had used his own hand to kill us off in Egypt! There we used to sit around the pots with the meat boiling, and we had as much food as we wanted. But you have taken us out into this desert to let this whole assembly starve to death!” AD-NAI said to Moshe, “Here, I will cause bread to rain down from heaven for you. The people are to go out and gather a day’s ration every day. By this I will test whether they will observe my Torah or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have brought in, it will turn out to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” Moshe and Aharon said to all the people of Isra’el, “This evening, you will realize that it has been AD-NAI who brought you out of Egypt; and in the morning, you will see AD-NAI’s glory. For he has listened to your grumblings against AD-NAI – what are we that you should grumble against us?”
Again is Israel not put through a trial for the sake of her faith?
The whole issue of gathering Manna was an exercise in faith. Israel was to be content in tomorrow by trusting today that G-D would provide the manna as He promised. This same principle is doubly applied on the Shabbat for on every other day if manna not used on that day would spoil and become uneatable. The double portion gathered before Shabbat however would not spoil. Withholding form gathering on Shabbat was a test of there faith.
As we spoke of earlier a life in G-D’S instructions is a testimony to faiths existence. A life of Torah is a life of faith; it means being lived out daily, trusting G-D for what we cannot see and what is beyond our control.
Is this not what Y-shua meant when we said that we should expect G-D to provide our daily bread?
C. The Battle Against Amalek
Exodus 17:8-13 “Then ‘Amalek came and fought with Isra’el at Refidim. Moshe said to Y’hoshua, “Choose men for us, go out, and fight with ‘Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with G-D’s staff in my hand.” Y’hoshua did as Moshe had told him and fought with ‘Amalek. Then Moshe, Aharon and Hur went up to the top of the hill. When Moshe raised his hand, Isra’el prevailed; but when he let it down, ‘Amalek prevailed. However, Moshe’s hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aharon and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other; so that his hands stayed steady until sunset. Thus Y’hoshua defeated ‘Amalek, putting their people to the sword.”
The final story I want to speak about on our Parsha is Amalek’s attack upon Israel and the fact that this battle was won on two fronts. Joshua and his men were to confront the Amlekites in battle but their victory could not be won unless Moshe’s hands remained faithful. The victory is won by the outstretched hands of G-D but it is done so by the efforts of those who engage the enemy in His name.
Faith recognizes that the battle is fought on these two fronts: at the sphere of our own existence as well as in the heavenlies. The battle is won on faith that is tried and found true.
We can now begin to understand the words of Rav Shaul more clearly in Galatians 3:11-12 “Now it is evident that no one comes to be declared righteous by G-d through legalism, since “The person who is righteous will attain life by trusting and being faithful.” Furthermore, legalism is not based on trusting and being faithful, but on [a misuse of] the text that says, “Anyone who does these things will attain life through them.”
The Torah does not produce faith but testifies to faiths existence, for the Law is born out of faith. During each trial Israel faced her victory is won when she follows the “leading” of G-D. Following G-D’S lead in faith would produce good works of righteousness.
I will close by giving you a Hebrew definition of faith. “To receive the revelation of G-D and stand firm in it.”
Just be sure to stay away from the Evil Eye, having a crucifix from Holy Land may help.