Beyond the Words

Author: Joseph

Date: January 5, 2020

The commandments in the Scripture were never meant to be an end of themselves. What do I mean by this? If we simply look at what God has commanded and only observe the literal text, then we miss the deeper meaning. God’s commandments are not meant to be lone statements to be listed and passively observed. A closer look at God’s intentions is required to understand that He is not giving a lifeless list, but that He is revealing His character within the words. These small revelations of His character are to help us understand that beyond the words, we see the heart of God.

"...beyond the words, we see the heart of God."

Yeshua made a few statements, saying, “You have heard… but I say to you” and reveals the heart of God as He explains the depth of the commandments God has given (ex. Matthew 5:21-22). With each explanation, he taught more about God’s intentions behind the commandments. Yeshua explained that there is more than just the literal meaning that should be understood.

The righteousness of the Pharisees stopped at face value obedience and, consequentially, unrighteousness abounded as they did not seek the heart of God in what they were reading. They did not know Him, nor did they seek to understand God. They sought how they could maximize their own benefit from obedience to the literal meaning.

Yeshua was teaching His disciples that unlike the Pharisees, they should understand the commandments as a small insight into the greater meaning behind them. The commandments were important, but more importantly was seeking to understand God’s heart in them. The commandments were only the front door to the rooms filled with wisdom behind them.

In one example, Yeshua explains:

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE

VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ But I say to you, make no oath

at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of

His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Nor shall you make an

oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement

be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.”

(Matthew 5:33-37)

The commandment was to fulfill a vow made to God (Deuteronomy 23:21-23). But in the same verses, it is also written that if someone refrains from vowing, then there is no chance of sinning for not fulfilling it. At face value, it is understood not to make vows that you cannot fulfill. But the deeper meaning is actually written out and states that no vows should be made at all because in making a vow, there is liability along with it. Doing what you say and within your limitations, instead, is what is more important and is the heart of this commandment. Since God, and not man, is in control of all things, we should not make guarantees that we are uncertain can be fulfilled or are not a part of God’s will.

Yeshua also talked about anger, lust, divorce, vengeance, and love of one’s neighbor. He explained in each example the depth of what God was teaching and how much more is contained in each commandment.

This is a great example of meditating on God’s Word and truly seeking to understand Him and His ways. We should never passively read over what God is trying to communicate to us in the Scriptures, nor simply take the literal statements as the only meaning we can learn from. If we are to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees, just as Yeshua commanded His disciples, then we need to be intentionally meditating on what has been written in the Scriptures and look beyond the words to seek the heart of God.

Do not dismiss any part of Scripture as “boring” or “not applicable” or “too hard to understand.” The heart of God is revealed in all Scripture and we can learn so much more if we meditate on it just as Yeshua did. Beyond the words is the heart of God. Ask Him to help you understand the Scripture through His perspective. He is willing to show you, if you are willing to seek Him.

Matthew 5:21-48

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org