Deuteronomy 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!

This is another one of the verses I’ve been revisiting as of late. As I went over it I had a thought that I've had before …

Is God confused? (I know He’s not. Bear with me here.)

The reason I ask this is because of a few of the words found within this great verse.

Here they are: “all” “always” “forever”

When I think of these words they seem to be all inclusive. I mean, I don’t know how to redefine these words to mean something else. All, always and forever seem to mean … well … all, always and forever.

That being true, then how long are we (those who are saved) to be keeping God’s commandments? Realistically, who has this all figured out so everyone, anywhere, and for all time can know what to do? I for one don’t want to take on that responsibility.

Verses like this got me thinking (years ago) concerning the position Christians maintain about Yeshua coming to do away with some of God’s commandments. Interestingly, when pressed about which parts are done away with the answers get pretty vague.

Over the years I tried personally, for myself, to face questions like this. How could I justify parts of God’s commandments being wiped away by Yeshua when the Word says that ALL the commandments are to be kept Always and Forever. It’s things like this that folks need to wrestle with and come to conclusions that make some sense.

If we’re told in Deuteronomy to keep all of God’s commandments always and forever, than how could God come around later on and say that He changed His mind? Has God changed His mind? Is He as confused as believers make Him out to be?

This is serious.

This verse has some great promises connected with it. Is this verse for us now or was it just for “the Jews” way back then? While we’re on this line of thinking, how does one figure out which stuff is in and which stuff is out. The Word of God isn’t a smorgasbord where we pick and choose what strikes our fancy. But, that is what Christians (I did too) do to the Word of God.

No, God isn’t confused.

I believe it’s His children that are confused. Sure, there are some (even many) aspects of the Torah that we can’t live out now. For example, there is no Temple or priesthood. However, there are many instructions that we can still live out now … to our own blessing and benefit.

Thankfully, as we’re nearing Yeshua’s return, God is calling His people back to the fullness of His Word — the Torah. And thankfully, many of God’s people are experiencing the blessing of living out the Torah the best we can.

I admit all this isn’t, initially, easy to wrap one’s head around. There are many generations of ingrained teaching that fly in the face of what I’m saying. But God is still God and God still isn’t confused.

Let me leave you with a proposition to search out for yourself.

Proposition: Yeshua, the living Torah, did not come to do away with some parts of Himself. He came to restore the Torah to the rightful place of prominence it should have in the hearts and lives of His people.

Not convinced? That’s OK, for now. But in the mean time, be willing as you read the Word to approach it without any preconceived notions and see what God may open up for you.