salvation part 2 - summary of the law

What does it mean to be holy because God is holy?


Rabbi Simelai expounded, "Six hundred and thirteen commandments were given to Moses, three hundred and sixty-five negative ones, corresponding to the number of the days of the solar year, and two hundred forty-eight positive commandments, corresponding to the parts of a man's body.

David came and reduced them to eleven; A Psalm of David: Lord who shall sojourn in they tabernacle, and who shall dwell in thy holy mountain? 1)He who walks uprightly and 2) works righteousness and 3) speaks truth in his heart and 4) has no slander on his tongue and 5) does no evil to his fellow and 6) does not take up a reproach against his neighbor, 7) in whose eyes a vile person is despised but, 8) honors those who fear the Lord. 9) He swears to his own hurt and changes not. 10) He does not lend interest. 11) He does not take a bribe against the innocent. (psalm 15)

Isaiah came and reduced them to six: 1) He who walks righteously and 2) speaks uprightly, 3) he who despises the gain of oppressions, 4) shakes his hand from holding bribes, 5) stops his ear from hearing of blood, 6) and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil, he shall dwell on high. (Isa 33:25-26)

Micah came and reduced them to three: It has been told you, man, what is good, and what the Lord demands from you, 1)only to do justly and 2) to love mercy, and 3) walk humbly before God. (Mic 6:8)

Isaiah again came and reduced them to two: Thus says the Lord, 1)Keep justice and 2) do righteousness. (Isa 56:1)

Amos came and reduced them to a single one, as it is said, "For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel. Seek Me and live."

Habakkuk further came and based them on one, as it is said, "But the righteous shall live by his faith" (Hab 2:4)

(Babylonian Talmud Makkot - as recorded in Jacob Neusner's book, "A Rabbi speaks with Jesus")



I would also mention that when Ray VanderLaan discusses Paul's words in the book of Galatians about the righteous living by faith, Habbukuk 2:4 is the focus.

How can we live? How can we truly live? How can we participate in God's eternal society? By seeking God's righteousness. That is salvation part 2. How frustrating it must be for my Lord to see me uninterested in his salvation. The mercy is there, the atonement is there. Why would I not then choose to live in righteousness - like Jesus demonstrated it is possible for a human being to do?