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From: Eddie Chumney
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: Chapter 3: Restoring the Two Houses of Israel

CHAPTER 3
G-D'S POWER TWINS: TORAH AND GRACE

from the book by Eddie Chumney

"Restoring the Two Houses of Israel"

Part 1 of 3

In order for full restoration to come to both the house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel (Christianity), both houses of Israel need to understand that the G-d of Israel is a G-d of Torah AND a G-d of grace/mercy. Corporately speaking, the house of Judah (Judaism) mainly identifies with the G-d of Israel as being the giver of the Torah (matan Torah). The house of Israel (Christianity) mainly identifies with the G-d of Israel as being a G-d of grace/mercy through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus.

The house of Judah (Judaism) needs to Biblically understand that the G-d of Israel has expressed His grace/mercy to His people through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. The house of Israel (Christianity) needs to Biblically understand that the Torah is the Word of G-d and the Word of G-d is the Torah and that the Torah goes from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation. Furthermore, the house of Israel (Christianity) needs to understand that the Torah is ETERNAL and that the G-d of Israel did not do away with His Torah through the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. If the G-d of Israel did away with His Torah/Word, He would have to do away with Himself because the Jewish Messiah(Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus is the Torah/Word of G-d manifested in the flesh. Heaven and earth will pass away but the Torah/Word of G-d will live and abide FOREVER (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 40:8, I Peter [Kefa] 1:23-25).

Because the house of Israel (Christianity) does not understand that Biblically the Torah and the Word of G-d are synonymous terms and that G-d's Torah/Word goes from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation, they have unbiblically embraced a dispensational theology that teaches that befoee the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus was the age of law and following the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus is the age of grace. In this chapter, we will learn that the G-d of Israel has always been a G-d of Torah AND a G-d of grace/mercy and that the G-d of Israel's grace/mercy is mentioned MORE in the TeNaKh (Old Testament) than in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament). Furthermore, we will examine what  the Biblical term Torah means and the purpose of the G-d of Israel's Torah. In our conclusion, we will find that the G-d of Israel is a G-d of Torah and a G-d of grace/mercy and that the Torah of the G-d of Israel and the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel are His Power Twins.

HEBREW AND GREEK WORDS FOR GRACE/MERCY

The Greek word found in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament) translated as grace in the King James Bible is charis. It is the Strong's number 5485 in the Greek dictionary. In the Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament coded to the Strong's Concordance, it will tell you that the Greek word charis (5485) corresponds to the Hebrew word chayn. The Hebrew word chayn is the Strong's word 2580 in the Strong's dictionary. It is most often translated as grace/favor in the King James Bible.

The Greek word found in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament) translated as mercy in the King James Bible is eleos. It is the Strong's number 1656 in the Greek dictionary. In the Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament coded to the Strong's Concordance, it will tell you that the Greek word eleos (1656) is related/associated/corresponds to the Hebrew word chesed. The Hebrew word chesed is the Strong's word 2617 in the Strong's dictionary. It is most often translated as mercy/lovingkindness in the King James Bible.

Therefore, the two primary Greek words for grace/mercy found in the Bible are charis (5485) and eleos (1656). The two primary Hebrew words for grace/mercy found in the Bible are chayn (2580) and chesed (2617).

THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS A G-D OF GRACE/MERCY

The G-d of Israel is a G-d of grace/mercy. It is an attribute/characteristic of the G-d of Israel Himself. In Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 9:23-24 it is written:

"Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness [2617/chesed/mercy]."

In Psalm (Tehillim) 117 it is written:

"O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness [2617 / chesed/mercy] is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord."

THE G-D OF ISRAEL'S GRACE/MERCY IS ETERNAL AND EVERLASTING

The grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel is ETERNAL and EVERLASTING. In Psalm (Tehillim) 103:17-18 it is written:

"But the mercy [2617/chesed] of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those
that remember his commandments to do them."

In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 54:8 it is written:

".with everlasting kindness [2617/chesed] will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer."

THE G-D OF ISRAEL CREATED THE HEAVENS AND EARTH BY HIS GRACE/MERCY

The G-d of Israel created the heavens and the earth by His grace/mercy. In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:1, 6-9 it is written:

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever . to him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever."

NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF G-D

Noah found grace in the eyes of the G-d of Israel. In Genesis (Bereishit) 6:8 it is written:

"But Noah found grace [2580/chayn] in the eyes of the Lord."

G-D SHOWED GRACE/MERCY TO JOSEPH

The G-d of Israel found grace/mercy with Joseph (Yosef). In Genesis (Bereishit) 39:21 it is written:

"But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy [2617/chesed] and give him favor [2580/chayn/grace] in the sight of the keeper of the prison."

G-D SAVES THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPT BY HIS GRACE/MERCY

The G-d of Israel saved/delivered His people out of Egypt (Mitzrayim) by His grace/mercy. In Exodus (Shemot) 3:15-16, 20-21 it is written:

"And God said moreover unto Moses . Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them . And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof . and I will give this people favor [2580/chayn/grace] in the sight of the Egyptians."

In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:10-15 it is written:

"To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever."

THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ARE LED THROUGH THE WILDERNESS BY THE GRACE/MERCY OF G-D

The G-d of Israel led the children of Israel through the wilderness by His grace/mercy. In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:16 it is written:

"To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever."

The "rock" which led the children of Israel through the wilderness was the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. In I Corinthians 10:1-4 it is written:

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized [mikvah/immersed] unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

In Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 31:2-3, it is written:

"Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace [2580/chayn] in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness [2617/chesed/mercy] have I drawn thee."

MOSES FINDS GRACE/MERCY IN G-D'S SIGHT

Moses (Moshe) found grace/mercy in the sight of the G-d of Israel. In Exodus (Shemot) 33:11-13, 17 it is written:

"And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend . And Moses said unto the Lord . yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace [2580/chayn] in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace [2580/chayn] in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace [2580/chayn] in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people .And the Lord said unto Moses . for thou hast found grace [2580/chayn] in my sight, and I know thee by name."

THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DEFEAT THEIR ENEMIES AND CONQUER THE PROMISED LAND BY THE GRACE/MERCY OF G-D

The children of Israel defeated their enemies and conquered the Promised Land by the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel. In Psalm  (Tehillim) 136:1, 17-22, 24 it is written:

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever . to him which smote great kings: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: And gave their land for a heritage: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: Even a heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever . And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever."

G-D PROMISES DAVID'S SEED GRACE/MERCY

The G-d of Israel promised David that He would have grace/mercy upon His seed forever. In II Samuel (Shmu'el) 7:4,8, 12-16 it is written:

"And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying . Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel . And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy [2617/chesed] shall not depart away from him . and thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever."

In Psalm (Tehillim) 89:1-4, 24, 28-36 it is written:

"I will sing of the mercies [2617/chesed] of the Lord forever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy [2617/chesed] shall be built up forever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish forever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. . my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted . My mercy [2617/chesed] will I keep for him forevermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law [Torah], and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness [2617/chesed/mercy] will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me."

DAVID'S SINS ARE FORGIVEN BY THE GRACE/MERCY OF G-D

David's sins were forgiven by the G-d of Israel by His grace/mercy upon David when he repented of his sins. In Psalm (Tehillim) 25:6-7, 51:1-2 it is written:

"Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses [2617/chesed/mercy]; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy [2617/chesed] remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord . Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness [2617/chesed]: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."

In Psalm (Tehillim) 86:5 it is written:

"For you, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy [2617/chesed] unto all them that call upon thee."

THE HOUSE OF JUDAH WAS PRESERVED IN BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY AND BUILT THE TEMPLE BY THE GRACE/MERCY OF G-D

The house of Judah (Judaism/Southern Kingdom) was preserved in Babylonian captivity and a remnant from the house of Judah (Judaism/Southern Kingdom) returned to the land of Israel to rebuild the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah because of the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel upon His people. In Ezra 9:7-9 it is written:

"Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. And now for a little space grace has been showed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy [2617/chesed] unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem."

THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS MARRIED TO HIS PEOPLE IN GRACE/MERCY

When the G-d of Israel entered into a marriage covenant with His people, He became betrothed unto them in grace/mercy. In Hosea (Hoshea) 2:19-20 it is written:

"And I will betroth [marry] thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth [marry] thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness [2617/chesed], and in mercies. I will even betroth [marry] thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord."

G-D WILL SAVE/REDEEM THE HOUSE OF DAVID THROUGH THE MESSIAH BY HIS GRACE/MERCY

The G-d of Israel will save/redeem the house of David through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus by His grace/mercy. In  Zechariah (Zecharyah) 12:9-10 it is written:

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace [2580/chayn] and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

THE G-D OF ISRAEL HAS ALWAYS BEEN A G-D OF GRACE/MERCY

The G-d of Israel has ALWAYS been a G-d of grace/mercy. The death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus  did not usher in the age of grace. The grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel has always been from everlasting to everlasting.

Grace/mercy is an attribute/characteristic of the G-d of Israel Himself. The G-d of Israel showed grace/mercy to Noah, Joseph (Yosef), Moses (Moshe) and David. The G-d of Israel forgave the sins of the children of Israel because of His grace/mercy toward them. The G-d of Israel forgave the sins of David because of His grace/mercy toward David. The G-d of Israel made an eternal covenant with David that His grace/mercy would be upon David's seed forever.

The G-d of Israel created the heavens and the earth because His grace/mercy endures forever. He redeemed the children of Israel from Egypt (Mitzrayim) because of His grace/mercy toward His people in remembrance of His covenant with Abraham (Avraham). The G-d of Israel led the children of Israel in the wilderness and gave them victory over their enemies in the wilderness and in the Promised Land because of His grace/mercy toward His people.

THE G-D OF ISRAEL REDEEMED HIS PEOPLE FROM EGYPT BY HIS GRACE/MERCY

After studying in this chapter the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel and realizing that the G-d of Israel is a G-d of grace/mercy throughout the entire TeNaKh (Old Testament), it should be easy for us to understand the Biblical truth that the G-d of Israel saved/redeemed the children of Israel from Egypt (Mitzrayim) by His grace/mercy and brought them to mount Sinai to show them how He wanted them to live their daily lives in obedience to the G-d of Israel AFTER they were saved/redeemed by His grace/mercy. The children of Israel were NEVER saved/redeemed/delivered from their enemies because they kept the Torah and deserved to be saved/redeemed/delivered. However, they were ALWAYS redeemed/delivered/saved because of the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel toward His people.

THE TORAH IS ETERNAL AND EVERLASTING

Just as we have seen that the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel is eternal and everlasting, in the last part of this chapter, we will see that the Torah of the G-d of Israel is also eternal and everlasting. We will discover that in traditional Hebraic/Jewish thought, "Torah" and the "Word of G-d" are synonymous terms. Therefore, the G-d of Israel's Torah is from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation. The age of law did not end with the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus because the Torah/Word of G-d lives and abides forever.

Next, let us examine the meaning and purpose of the Torah of the G-d of Israel and why the Torah of the G-d of Israel should be important to every believer in Yeshua/Jesus as the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach). By embracing the Biblical truth that the Torah of the G-d of Israel is eternal and everlasting, the G-d of Israel can bring restoration and reconciliation to both houses of Israel.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF TORAH?

Probably one of the most misunderstood words in the entire Bible to the house of Israel (Christianity) is the word LAW. In reality, the word LAW is a very poorly translated and misrepresented word to describe the Hebrew word, TORAH. When most believers in the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus from the house of Israel (Christianity) hear the word, TORAH, they take two steps backward and put up a religious wall against any member from the house of Israel (Christianity) who would mention the word TORAH or who would suggest that we need to live our lives according to the Torah of the G-d of Israel. In fact, most members from the house of Israel (Christianity) view the Torah with the attitude, "We are not under the Law, we are New Testament believers in the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus and under grace."

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

It is a Biblical truth that we are NOT saved/redeemed/delivered from our sins by keeping the Torah of the G-d of Israel. We are saved/redeemed/delivered by grace (2580/chayn)/mercy (2617/chesed) through faith (emunah) and salvation/redemption is a FREE gift from the G-d of Israel. In Ephesians 2:8-9, it is written:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

However, the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul) tells us in Romans 3:28, 31 that AFTER we are saved/redeemed/delivered, we are to uphold/keep the Torah of the G-d of Israel as it is written:

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law ... Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law [Torah]."

TORAH MEANS INSTRUCTION

While it is true that we are not saved/redeemed/delivered on our own merit by our own ability through keeping the Torah of the G-d of Israel, the house of Israel (Christianity) must know and understand WHAT the word, TORAH, means. The word Law is the Hebrew word, TORAH. It is the Strong's word 8451 in the Hebrew Concordance. The best meaning of the word, TORAH, is "teaching or instruction." The word TORAH does not mean salvation/redemption/deliverance but rather "teaching or instruction." There is a word in the Bible that means "salvation." The English word, Jesus, is the Hebrew word, Yeshua. The Hebrew word Yeshua means "salvation." This was the role of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus when He came to the earth at His first coming as the suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben Joseph (Yosef). In Matthew (Mattityahu) 1:21 it is written:

"And she [Mary] shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt shall call his name JESUS [Yeshua in Hebrew]: for he shall SAVE his people from their sins."

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF G-D'S TORAH?

From this, we can understand that YESHUA/JESUS means SALVATION and TORAH means INSTRUCTION. Therefore, the Torah was NEVER meant by the G-d of Israel to be a means of salvation for His people. The G-d of Israel's only salvation for His people is by His grace/mercy (chesed) through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus!

TORAH DOES NOT MEAN LAW

Because there is no proper corresponding word in Greek or English for the Hebrew word, TORAH, it is commonly translated as "law." Law implies a set of do's and don'ts intended to imprison people when they are broken. However, the G-d of Israel gave the Hebrew language to communicate His spiritual truths. In fact, the G-d of Israel calls Hebrew a pure language (Zephaniah 3:9). This truth is beautifully understood when we do a Biblical word study of the Hebrew word, TORAH.

THE TORAH IS G-D'S INSTRUCTION MANUAL TO LIVE OUR LIVES

The word Torah, which is the Strong's word 8451 in the Hebrew dictionary, comes from thr Hebrew word, "Yarah." The Hebrew word, "Yarah" is the Strong's word 3384. The meaning of the word, "Yarah" is "to teach, to point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation." By examining the Hebrew meaning of the word, TORAH, we can understand that the word Torah means, "to instruct, to teach, to point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation."

So, the Torah should be correctly seen as the G-d of Israel's INSTRUCTION tool to TEACH His people HOW to live their lives AFTER they are saved/redeemed/delivered. The TORAH should be seen as a foundation for our lives and a foundation for understanding the entire Bible. Therefore, the most basic understanding of the meaning of Torah is "instruction for the purpose of teaching done by pointing out or aiming the finger." The G-d of Israel's purpose in giving the Torah to His people is to "lay a foundation" and to communicate His spiritual truths to His people regarding the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven (Malkut Shamayim) and His redemptive plan for all of mankind.

While members from the house of Judah (Judaism) and from the house of Israel (Christianity) who are saved by the grace/mercy (chesed) of the G-d of Israel through faith (emunah) in the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus without the deeds of the law will go to heaven (olam haba), salvation/redemption/deliverance by the G-d of Israel by his grace/mercy (chesed) does not give His people the freedom to neglect the TORAH of the G-d of Israel because the TORAH is the G-d of Israel's INSTRUCTION MANUAL for members of His body to conduct and live their lives in obedience (shema) to the G-d of Israel AFTER they are saved/redeemed/delivered.

G-D'S TORAH IS FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

EVERYTHING in the Bible was divinely ordained by the G-d of Israel to teach or instruct His people about the spiritual truths of His Kingdom. In Romans 15:4 it is written:

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

ALL Scripture is divinely inspired by the G-d of Israel. In II Timothy 3:16 it is written:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

It should be understood that when the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul) wrote this letter and made the statement that "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God," he was talking about the TeNaKh (Old Testament) INCLUDING the TORAH. The Brit Hadashah (New Testament) was not yet canonized when the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul) wrote this letter.

(End of Part 1 of 3)

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