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In the previous articles I have exposed Paul's gospel as one of his own creation; a gospel which in reality is not good news to anyone who is trying to pattern their lives after Yeshua, let alone Moses and the Prophets. Let me emphasize again that I take no joy in having to expose Paul in the manner that I must, but you deserve the truth about God and what He has really said to mankind; "has God said"? Yes He has, and if you only read Paul and his epistles, and fail to do comparative studies from the sources from which Paul quotes, I can guarantee you that you have not heard God but rather one who has deviated from the path of God. The Jewish people, and a few Christians, have always understood and knew this. It is part of our calling to get the truth to you in order that "you make your calling and election certain."
Paul’s writing make it seem that God's “election” of an individual or group to a favored status was a capricious decision which “did not depend on man's desire, effort, obedience, or works; but on God's mercy alone” (ROM 9:16).
Rom 9:16
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth [Paul’s reference to actions or works of man], but of God that sheweth mercy. (KJV)
Here again in Romans 9:13 Paul reiterates the same thought; that the grace of God is to be received by faith alone (without works), however clothed in slightly different attire.
Rom. 9:13
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
God's love, as well as his grace, according to Paul, is unmerited. Paul make it look as if it is arbitrary. In Romans 9:13 Paul illustrated his thesis this time with lines from Malachi 1:2,3: “Jacob I loved and Esau I hated.”
Answer for yourself: Could it possibly have been Edom's actions (works) which caused God to hate Esau?
Answer for yourself: Far more than an arbitrary decision by God, can you see that God's grace is measured out to those who deserve it (Edom did not because of their harsh treatment of Israel).
Now please pay close attention. Malachi wrote these words in memory of Edom's (Esau’s descendants) malicious treatment of Judea and its people. Esau was the ancestor of Edom, therefore his name is used symbolically for that nation as Jacob's is for Israel. The Edomites had gloated over Judea's fall to Babylonia, had cut off the escape of Judean fugitives, and had joined in the plunder of the Temple. Their treachery and malice knew no bounds. Their conduct, like ours as well, brings the blessings of God or His punishment. Their conduct influences God's attitude toward them. Their persecution of Israel brought harshness from God toward them.
Answer for yourself: Have we forgotten God’s promise to Abraham in the Abrahamic Covenant which states (Gen. 12:3): And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:”?
The above passage definitely refers to "merit" and its role in receiving from God His blessings.
This is another way of saying faith is fulfilled with works! In the last article we showed you Paul's stance on the matter from Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh NOT, but believeth on him who justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness.” We showed you the folly of such in the last article. Again we encounter the same thought expressed just a little different. Paul ignored the historical reason for God's antagonism to Edom (Esau) which the prophet Malachi expressed in God's name in Mal. 1:2-3. It was because of Edom's conduct (works) that God was displeased with them. Let me remind you that Edom believed in the God of Israel, for it was Esau's seed. But "faith alone" apart from "works" was not enough to justify Edom before God. Their violation of the commandments of God brought a strong rebuke from God. It does the same for us regardless of what Paul says.
Answer for yourself: Is it misleading for Paul to use a quote from an Old Testament Scripture that is tied to a historical event and use it completely differently to reinforce your own agenda in the New Testament without instructing your readers you are doing so? You figure it out.
Answer for yourself: Can you see that God’s blessing is not arbitrary or based upon faith alone as Paul would have you believe, but comes in response to man’s actions, in this case the blessing of Israel by others and not the punishment of them?
Answer for yourself: Can you see that Paul's choice of Edom for his example betrays his own doctrine; that he chose a nations which had "faith" but their "works" caused the rebuke of God? It sure seems to me that if Paul were correct, as he wants us to think, then Edom should have been approved of God apart from their works….but they were not!
Paul assured us that “But to him that worketh NOT, but believeth on him who justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness”, but the example of Edom given by Paul for his proof, in reality, proves the exact opposite!
The prophet Malachi’s words did not condone random or arbitrary rejection by God of Esau's descendants; Malachi gave the reason for God's rebuke of Edom, even if Paul didn't.
Even more devious is the way Paul portrayed God in Rom. 9:15 which is derived from Ex 33:19. I say “devious” for his audience was primarily Gentile in its makeup and unaware of the nuances that are inherent in the Hebrew language from which he wrote and spoke. I want you to notice that in the Greek and English translation below we come to the conclusion from an English reading and interpretation that God does arbitrarily dispense grace to whom He desires.
The original verse translates as follows:
Exod 33:19
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. (KJV)
“Whom” in Hebrew is the Strong’s Number 834. 834 'asher-
Answer for yourself: Did you notice that the Hebrew for "whom" in the context of receiving the grace of God contains a "conditional aspect"?
Answer for yourself: Can you see for yourself that the passage from Exodus, from which Paul quotes NEVER contained an idea that God will be gracious arbitrarily to anyone, yet the exact opposite is true, that God’s grace toward man is “conditional” upon man’s beliefs and his resultant obedience and conduct which flow out from his beliefs?
Answer for yourself: And who better merited God’s grace (in this instance to have God revealed to him) than Moses to whom the passage is addressed?
The intent here in the Exodus passage, as seen within the context of the entire Torah, is that God will have pity on those who deserve it.
The whole Pentateuch is unequivocal in its message of reward and punishment based upon human behavior. Such human behavior is or is not the consequence of obedience to the commands of God which are opportunities to exhibit and live out our faith.
Exile was the penalty for disobedience to God's laws; prosperity of the nation in its own land was recompense for adhering God's commands. There is nothing arbitrary, capricious, or random about who enjoys "election” or favor and when he is compensated. It depends on man's effort, not God's whim.
I am not wanting to kick a dog which he is down, but again, in this instance Paul is incorrect in changing the meaning of the original text when he writes about such a doctrine in the New Testament. This is beyond doubt to those who will look deeply enough to see if for themselves. We gain are led into deception and error by Pauline literature.
As a child growing up in church I heard with regular frequency the phrase "grace is unmerited favor" as it was the fruit of Pauline theology. Now that you have see past the deception and misinterpretation of the New Testament and the Pauline writings, let me ask you this question.
Answer for yourself: So, is the grace of God “unmerited favor” or “merited favor” as you have now discovered that it always is conditional with God upon man and his actions which are a product one way or the other of his faith or lack of it? Definitely faith "works" either obediently or the lack of faith manifests itself in acts of disobedience to the commands of God.
Answer for yourself: What other foundational doctrines have we learned in error because we have listened to Paul more than Yeshua, Moses, and the Prophets, and what sins do we commit unknowingly because we are brainwashed by Pauline theology?
Answer for yourself: Could you be like Edom, and be hated by God and not know until you die, because you, like Edom, have faith with the "wrong works" or "no works at all" having trusted Paul your whole life and therefore guilty before God of having lived your life under "grace and faith only" paying no regard or little toward obedience to the 613 commandments of God?
Answer for yourself: Have I caused you to rethink what you have accepted in church unquestioningly?
Answer for yourself: What sins do we commit unknowingly because we are brainwashed by Pauline theology and have failed to understand the message of the real Bible due to reading the New Testament which is full of mistranslations, misquotations, and verses taken out of context to promote "another gospel"? The irony of accepting Pauline theology, which is in reality "another gospel" never ceases to amaze me. Oh God give us the desire and ability to study to find Your truth. Shalom.