Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 1/17/2011

Question
Greetings, rabbi/pastor-

My name is Kevin, a Gentile by birth, and a lifelong Christian to date.

Five years from the beginning of my Bible study I would've started following my graduation from a state university here in the USA, I must admit to having become very confused in the capacities of the Father's Word as a whole-both Testaments, albeit the heart's sincere love for Christ (And the Jewish peoples alike) still as strong as ever, thank goodness.

Rabbi, if I may frame this into a SINGLE QUESTION for you upon your gracious willingness to answer me in the place of the Father and Son both, why did the Father inspire what He would of in Ezekiel 37:24 (Here, concerning His Jewish peoples, that they would come be obey His laws, statutues and ordinances), if/when He also would've established for His promises exclusive to Jesus Christ (David's branch) in Isa 42, Isa 53, Jere 23, Jere 31 and elsewhere in the Old Testament?

WHERE I HAVE BECOME SO EXTRAORDINARILY CONFUSED IN THE CROSSFIRE OF ALL THINGS, rabbi, is that exclusive to the DIRECT WORDINGS BEFORE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, BUT HERE NOW FULLY EXCLUSIVE TO THIS ONE-EZEKIEL 37:24.

If Jesus Christ's testimony is valid (Which I know to be true in the heart, but yet would've become desperately challenged by such due to the Father's specific working as that contained here in Eze 37 over time), the simple question for you would be, "Why didn't the Father inspire for Ezekiel's writings to refer to His natural law and measure of justice, rather than referring to His "Laws, statutes and ordinances?" Such does, to me at least, suggest for an eternal standard of LEGALISM, and here again that is where I would've become so confused in all of this that I can't begin to describe it, rabbi.

Under the described terminology of Ezek 37:24, the modern Christian would still be allowed to capture for "Booty's of war" like in Deut 21:10-14, for instance, and select other arenas that could and would challenge the majority of believing Christian and non Christian Jewish souls and hearts today, rabbi, if not that establishing for the type of agony in the crossfire of trying to comprehend this that I've experienced, by admission, albeit still clinging to the heart's love for Jesus and the Father both, the Jewish persons and Gentiles alike.

I'm so sorry to bother you w/ an emotional, if not out of control question like this one would represent, but if there would be ANYTHING you can offer me to help make sense of all things in accordance to Jesus' heart displayed in Matt 25, rabbi, I would greatly appreciate the help ever so much, promising for certain never to bother you again like this, sir.

May His peace and love continue to blanket you forevermore, IN EVERY WAY-

Thank you for your precious testimony and meaningful hope alike on the allexperts website involving your profile-
Kevin

Answer
Hi Kevin,

I am happy to address you question, however I must admit the wording is a bit difficult to follow.

Ezekiel 37:24 My servant David will be king over them, and all of them will have one shepherd; they will live by my rulings and keep and observe my regulations.

Isaiah 11:1- notes that through David's father Jesse the Deliverer would come in due time. Y'shua (Jesus) came through that lineage as foretold.

David refers to Moshiach (Messiah) as his adon or master/lord at psalms 110.

There are many references to their connection.

Despite the emphasis on obeying the 613 mitzvot (commands) God looks for the circumcision of the heart (Deuteronomy 10:16, Micah 6:6 etc.). There is nothing in Y'shua's teachings that opposes Torah. I see no problem with Ezekiel 37 or any other verses and Y'shua.

Y'shua said the Torah is eternally valid (Matthew 5:18). He said we are to obey his commands (John 14:15) and so on.

The problem is not with being Torah observant, its with being Torah observant "legalistically," without a heart for God.

The Jesus of Nicene Christianity is in many ways a violation of Torah. The Y'shua of Messianic Judaism is in complete harmony.

If you would like to clarify your question I'll be happy to continue our discussion.

Shalom Alaikum
~ Rabbi Yochanan