Matthew 5:43-48
In the Sermon on the Mount there are several sections in which Yeshua states, "You have heard that it was said... but I say unto you." These statements are often interpreted by people in a way which places Yeshua in opposition to the Law of Moses. "Moses used to say this, but now I am telling you something different" is how most Christians read these verses.[1]
In context, Yeshua has just finished telling his listeners to be holy examples (Matthew 5:13-16), and not to think[2] that he came to destroy the law or the prophets (Matthew 5:17), even the tiniest portion (Matthew 5:18-19). Why would Yeshua teach his listeners to not think such if in the next six subjects (listed in Matthew 5) he is going to overturn the Torah? Well, he wouldn't, and the common Christian understanding of these subjects is incorrect.
Yeshua is rather contrasting the scribes and Pharisees interpretationof the Torah with his interpretation of the Torah. This was a common thing among Torah-Observant Jews of that day, as they would discuss and go back-and-forth about how best to carry out (fulfill) specific commands. It's so important that you realize they didn't always agree; there was almost always at least two views (even if minutely varying) on every commandment. Disagreement among Jewish brothers never equaled a disdain for the Law of Moses.
One example is Matthew 5:43-44: “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." The Torah directly says to love your neighbor (Lev. 19:18), but never directly says "hate your enemy." To hate one's enemy is thus a possible interpretation a person may arrive at after reading "love your neighbor." A person might think, "Well, they aren't really my neighbor, so maybe this text means I should hate them?"
But look at what the Torah also says. Exodus 23:4-5 taught the Israelites that if they came upon their enemy's stray animal, they were required to return it to them; if they saw their enemy's animal in danger, they were required to help the animal. Yahweh was teaching his people to love their enemy as well as their neighbor. Likewise, Proverbs 25:21-22 shows that the proper treatment of one’s enemy is to give him bread if hungry and water if thirsty. David, when Saul was on a hunt to murder him, did not harm Saul, even though he had the perfect opportunity to do so (1 Samuel 26:7-23). The prophet Elisha even fed the opposing Aramean army in 2 Kings 6.
When we show common grace upon our enemies[3] we are imitating our Father in heaven. Yahweh makes the sun to shine on the good person and the evil person, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. This is the love Yahweh has for all people; it is not a close, companionship love. The worst person out walking around on this earth today will experience some level of health, along with the blessing of the sunshine on his body and land. The grouchiest farmer in the county gets the same rain (to flourish his garden) the good Christian man gets.
It appears some in the Jewish community used the verses about loving one's neighbor as a righteous excuse to execute personal vengeance against someone they considered their enemy. Yeshua corrected their interpretation, calling attention to how we, if claiming to be the children of the heavenly Father, should follow the example of our Father in heaven.[4]
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[1] "You have heard that it was said" (Mt. 5:43) is juxtaposed to "It is written" (Mt. 4:4, 7, 10). When Yeshua says "It is written" he is directly quoting a Scriptural text. When Yeshua says "You have heard that it was said" does refer back to a Scriptural text, but it also refers to something commonly said or believed about a Scriptural text, the way the text had been interpreted.
[2] We are commanded by our Lord not to even let the thought enter our mind that he came to destroy the Torah. In today's churches, people not only think it, but they preach and promote the idea.
[3] It is true that in certain instances in Scripture, Yahweh commanded the Israelites to slay their enemies. The key here is that they were specific enemies of Yahweh rather than just an enemy of a person in Israel. Yahweh has the right to command the riddance of his enemies, because he is the Sovereign Creator. In such cases where he gave Israel a direct command to execute judgment upon people, they were to obey. In all other cases they were to follow the directive of showing love for their enemies. Take note that in the parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19) Yeshua is the nobleman that returns and commands that his enemies be slayed in front of his face (19:27). It's also important to note that someone supernaturally killed Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5; it had to be Yahweh and Yeshua from heaven.
[4] This helps to interpret Matthew 5:48 properly. Sometimes Torah-keepers read Matthew 5:48 and believe or teach that we are supposed to live perfect, sinless lives. While I do believe we should strive for perfect obedience, this is not what Yeshua was teaching here. The word "perfect" is to be understood as meaning "complete." We are perfect/complete when we love not only our neighbors (friends), but also our enemies. Just loving one's neighbor is incomplete or imperfect.
In context, Yeshua has just finished telling his listeners to be holy examples (Matthew 5:13-16), and not to think[2] that he came to destroy the law or the prophets (Matthew 5:17), even the tiniest portion (Matthew 5:18-19). Why would Yeshua teach his listeners to not think such if in the next six subjects (listed in Matthew 5) he is going to overturn the Torah? Well, he wouldn't, and the common Christian understanding of these subjects is incorrect.
Yeshua is rather contrasting the scribes and Pharisees interpretationof the Torah with his interpretation of the Torah. This was a common thing among Torah-Observant Jews of that day, as they would discuss and go back-and-forth about how best to carry out (fulfill) specific commands. It's so important that you realize they didn't always agree; there was almost always at least two views (even if minutely varying) on every commandment. Disagreement among Jewish brothers never equaled a disdain for the Law of Moses.
One example is Matthew 5:43-44: “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." The Torah directly says to love your neighbor (Lev. 19:18), but never directly says "hate your enemy." To hate one's enemy is thus a possible interpretation a person may arrive at after reading "love your neighbor." A person might think, "Well, they aren't really my neighbor, so maybe this text means I should hate them?"
But look at what the Torah also says. Exodus 23:4-5 taught the Israelites that if they came upon their enemy's stray animal, they were required to return it to them; if they saw their enemy's animal in danger, they were required to help the animal. Yahweh was teaching his people to love their enemy as well as their neighbor. Likewise, Proverbs 25:21-22 shows that the proper treatment of one’s enemy is to give him bread if hungry and water if thirsty. David, when Saul was on a hunt to murder him, did not harm Saul, even though he had the perfect opportunity to do so (1 Samuel 26:7-23). The prophet Elisha even fed the opposing Aramean army in 2 Kings 6.
When we show common grace upon our enemies[3] we are imitating our Father in heaven. Yahweh makes the sun to shine on the good person and the evil person, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. This is the love Yahweh has for all people; it is not a close, companionship love. The worst person out walking around on this earth today will experience some level of health, along with the blessing of the sunshine on his body and land. The grouchiest farmer in the county gets the same rain (to flourish his garden) the good Christian man gets.
It appears some in the Jewish community used the verses about loving one's neighbor as a righteous excuse to execute personal vengeance against someone they considered their enemy. Yeshua corrected their interpretation, calling attention to how we, if claiming to be the children of the heavenly Father, should follow the example of our Father in heaven.[4]
---------
[1] "You have heard that it was said" (Mt. 5:43) is juxtaposed to "It is written" (Mt. 4:4, 7, 10). When Yeshua says "It is written" he is directly quoting a Scriptural text. When Yeshua says "You have heard that it was said" does refer back to a Scriptural text, but it also refers to something commonly said or believed about a Scriptural text, the way the text had been interpreted.
[2] We are commanded by our Lord not to even let the thought enter our mind that he came to destroy the Torah. In today's churches, people not only think it, but they preach and promote the idea.
[3] It is true that in certain instances in Scripture, Yahweh commanded the Israelites to slay their enemies. The key here is that they were specific enemies of Yahweh rather than just an enemy of a person in Israel. Yahweh has the right to command the riddance of his enemies, because he is the Sovereign Creator. In such cases where he gave Israel a direct command to execute judgment upon people, they were to obey. In all other cases they were to follow the directive of showing love for their enemies. Take note that in the parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19) Yeshua is the nobleman that returns and commands that his enemies be slayed in front of his face (19:27). It's also important to note that someone supernaturally killed Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5; it had to be Yahweh and Yeshua from heaven.
[4] This helps to interpret Matthew 5:48 properly. Sometimes Torah-keepers read Matthew 5:48 and believe or teach that we are supposed to live perfect, sinless lives. While I do believe we should strive for perfect obedience, this is not what Yeshua was teaching here. The word "perfect" is to be understood as meaning "complete." We are perfect/complete when we love not only our neighbors (friends), but also our enemies. Just loving one's neighbor is incomplete or imperfect.
