My comment on Philia Ministries use of the Apocrypha to help define the Law of God

HANUKKAH FOR BELIEVERS IN THE MESSIAH

James & Lea D - Philia Ministries

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dNG8hf6GFE

Other than the Apocrypha, the last words from the Old Testament are by Ezra, Nehemiah, and the book of Malachi (which some scholars believe was written by Nehemiah) was of a total apostasy among the Jews. Everything that God had done through the last of His resources in the way of obedient, holy men, Ezra and Nehemiah, the Jews squandered. That would be the last voice from heaven until John the Baptist stood up to prepare his people for the Messiah. No other men 100% dedicated to God, whose hearts were perfect toward Him, would arise to hold back Israel’s rushing after the god of this world. That is why most of them rejected the Messiah when He came.

We can’t rely on the Apocrypha. It is not sent from heaven. It was designed by Satan to be a cushion for God’s people as they fell flat on their faces in transgression. But, without the pain accompanying such a fearful facial impact they would never need a big Saviour from sin. The Apocrypha is not inspired by God. It is full of “smooth sayings and...deceits” (Isa. 30:10). Hence all its rites and practices, all of its examples of men and miracles “from God”, are not to be trusted in. It is the most manifest reason that Jesus said,

“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matt. 15:7-9, cf Isa. 29:13).

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay.” (Isa. 29:13-16).

And it is why Peter and James at the Jerusalem council said, “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (Acts 15:10). And we know that Peter and James were very firm on keeping the Law of God (James 2; 2 Peter 2). It wasn’t that the Law couldn’t be kept as Moses gave it. To obey is better than sacrifice. “I gave them My statutes, and shewed them My judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.” (Eze. 20:11).

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4).

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63).

Not until Messiah the Prince came was the Law re-sanctified from all the pollutions of humanism.

“The LORD is well pleased for His [Christ’s] righteousness’ sake; He will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” (Isa. 42:21).

All who followed Jesus would fear God and give glory to Him. Their fear wouldn’t be taught by corrupt men, but would come by the strong conviction of the word of God.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12).

“To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.” (Isa. 66:2).

The Law that Paul and the others spoke of couldn’t be kept because of the Apocrypha and other assorted additions that came “by the precept of men”. It was these human inventions that needed to be expunged from the Holy Writ so that the truth of God could be understood and shine in all its glory, and thus all the misconceptions of God’s character of love, from the Apocrypha and the Talmud, could be removed.

“Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.” (Mic. 2:10).

The festival of lights is only valid in light of the inspired book of Esther. Let’s gather around the inspired scriptures and let the principles of the Law of God seep into our consciences. Let’s leave the carnal Apocrypha alone.

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Phil. 3:3).