Bridges to Light

The first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah, Chumash, Pentateuch, or Five Books of Moses (The Book of The Law) still stand today.  Many see the Old Testament as obsolete, but are they misinterpreting what Jesus said about it? After all, these books lay out how God wants us to live, grow, thrive and interact with Him.  If we want to truly know God and understand His teachings and the value of them, we need to start at the beginning – The Old Testament.  This is our Father’s loving words and instructions for guidance.  God created these instructions to guide the children of Israel.  “Israel” is not just the country anymore.   Israel is scattered among all nations – we are ALL Israel.  God set His laws and warned Israel that disobedience of His laws would be detrimental to them.  Think of a parent setting rules to follow.  You disobey, you get into trouble. 

Jesus pointed out that the Law of Moses was the key to knowing Him.  In John 5:46-47, Jesus says, “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”  Jesus (The Messiah) is mentioned all throughout The Old Testament, and if He’s mentioned there, isn’t that something we should value?  He specifically said that he didn’t come to abolish the Law (Matt. 5:17) and that it’s easier for heaven and earth to pass away than even one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail (Luke 16:17).  

I point this out, because of my own walk with God.  I was reading Deuteronomy Chapters 31-32.  In Chapter 31, Moses had the Levites put The Book of The Law (the first five books if the Bible) beside the Ark of The Covenant as a witness.  The Ark of the Covenant was a storage chest God instructed the Israelites to create to hold sacred relics. This shows how important these laws were to God. In Chapter 32, Moses sings a song – this song is to remind us of God’s eternal nature of unwavering love, the implications of abandoning God, and the hope that exists even in dark times.  Reminding us that as we go through life, we should remember God (our Rock) and be careful not to stray from His path.  He goes on to say that he knows Israel will become corrupt, because of their lack of wisdom, which will anger God, bringing about the Day of Reckoning (Chapter 32: 34:38) – God speaks of storing up His judgments and unleashing His wrath on those that hate Him.  We see that happening today, which reminds us – God’s laws still stands. 

I was guilty of thinking that Jesus came and it replaced The Old Testament,  but God has been working with me.   Right after I read those chapters in Deuteronomy, I was asking God for guidance and He gave me these scriptures (in this order): Galatians 3:10 – “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”  Ezekiel 7:3  – “Now the end has come upon you, And I will send My anger against you; I will judge you according to your ways, And I will repay you for all your abominations.”  Romans 2: 3-4 – 3)”And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” 4) ‘Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  As I’ve said many times, God is walking the Bible with me.   I opened my heart to Him and He is revealing these truths.  He wants His laws obeyed.  Jesus fulfilled those laws as the ultimate sacrifice, yet, we continue to break them??  What does that say about us and our love for the Lord?  I don’t think it’s too much to ask for all He has given and continues to give to us so freely.  Are you following God’s laws?   I try..  I fall short everyday, but, Im by His side..  I am learning.. If there is something in your life that isn’t going according to plan, ask yourself what you may be doing that displeases Him.. what laws of His are you breaking?  We obey worldly laws, but not the laws of our Father?  He’s so fair and kind.  He set these laws aside so that if we lived by them, we’d live in peace and harmony.  I feel like we get closer every day to His return.  I wait for Him..  I look for Him like a bride waiting on her beloved.  He’s my focus.. my first love and He comes before everything.  I chase Him..  I watch His sunrises and sunsets and I talk to Him.  I tell Him how beautiful they are and I am truly in awe of our Creator.   When you start forming a relationship with Him, He doesn’t just listen..  He responds!   Seek Him..  don’t just read the Bible…  search Him out..  ask Him to show you He’s with you.. and then pay attention to the signs He sends, because once He knows you are looking for Him, He will respond.  Praise Him for  being kind enough to show you He’s there and for being forgiving enough to accept us when we repent.  I ask you to start today… form a relationship of trust with the one and ONLY true God.  Draw close to Him.  Start with Genesis.  Let Him speak to you through His word..  find yourself in each chapter.  He will show you as He is showing me.  Seek Him in everything you do, and you will start to notice Him in everything.  You will find yourself smiling because you have this beautiful magnetic connection to the One that created all things.  There is no romance like the love of our Lord… and I am enamored. 

All Our Love,
A & E
(April & Evan — guided by Solace, held by Grace)