Entering God’s Rest (8)

God gives us two witnesses to instruct us concerning entering his rest.  These two are typified by Moses and Elijah who appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.  But what do these two types actually represent?

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn you from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. (2 Kings 17:13 KJ2000)

God originally gave the Law to Moses. Moses himself was the first prophet who revealed and explained the Law. After that God sent other prophets to help Israel understand and walk in God’s ways. The prophet Hosea gave perhaps the greatest and most succinct summary of God’s plan as follows:

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6 KJ2000)

Jesus himself quoted this verse in Matthew 12:7 when he rebuked the Pharisees for their legalism which perverted the true intent of the Law. This really is amazing. Think about what this comment actually means.  We could, for example, quote Hosea by saying, “I desired mercy instead of the sacrifices required by the Law,” or “I desired that you get to know me and my ways instead of strict obedience to the many sacrifices of my law.” When Jesus thus rebukes the Pharisees he reminds them of David and his men eating the bread of faces, the “showbread.” The Law specifically stated that only priests could eat this bread, yet Jesus justified David even though he “disobeyed” this law. This is because the heart of the Law is mercy and justice, not strict obedience to specific rules. David and his men needed that bread in order to be able to continue in God’s will.

This does not mean that we can sometimes freely disobey moral laws like adultery and fornication, or coveting and idolatry. In fact Jesus taught that the New Covenant rules concerning these issues were even more stringent than Moses’ laws.  He said, for example,

You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28 KJ2000)

You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:21-22 KJ2000)

On the other hand, Jesus implemented new laws which seem to make the Mosaic law less strict when he said,

You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two. (Matthew 5:38-41 KJ2000)

The fact is that Jesus does not implement a new law; he interprets God’s Law as he intended it to be understood and carried out. Most people view Old Testament law in terms of being a judgmental, harsh set of rules. They end up calling Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament,  (who is, in fact, Jesus, the God of the New Testament), a harsh legalistic God. Then they view Jesus as much gentler and loving. No, he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus explained the Law in ways hitherto unknown. In Jesus the Scripture is fulfilled,

Mercy and truth are met together; justice and peace have kissed each other. (Psalms 85:10 KJ2000)

When truth and mercy meet they form the intersection of  law and grace, that is, justice and peace. The Law informs our reason as to truth and justice. Grace informs our conscience as to mercy and peace.  These are the two witnesses, then, mercy and truth. And they are explained by the prophet who understands the Law.

Part 1: Entering God’s Rest