Torah Before Sinai - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

Yahweh Shalom Brethren:

There is an old saying, “Iron sharpens iron.” How true it is. I am absolutely delighted by the response received regarding Parsha, Lech L’echa.

In the last few weeks many brothers and sisters have written wanting to know more regarding the statement that was made that the Torah was in effect before Sinai. Some e-mails questioned the statements that were made (and that is a positive sign) some wanted to know more, a few of you agreed and a few disagreed. To all this we can say “HalleluYAH!”

The response shows that people are reading the teachings sent out by the UONYC with open eyes and alert minds. Like modern-day Bereans you are confirming the weekly teachings by asking questions and checking Scripture. Again, we say “HalleluYAH.”

On a personal note I have responded to every e-mail received on this subject. Moreover, after some consideration and prayer, I have come to realize that perhaps this issue should be the subject of a special study. Therefore, I am asking Rabbi Nydle to send this out as a mid-week teaching to the UONYC subscriber lists. We pray that this teaching will bolster the faith of all who have shown an interest in this subject and will serve to allow all to answer anyone who may have questions regarding the eternal existence of Torah according to 1Kepha (1 Peter) 3:15. Now the teaching:

While there is no direct or explicit mention that Torah Law was in effect before Sinai, we have an abundance of Scriptural examples that it was. One of the first examples of this is found in Bereshith (Genesis) 7, beginning in verse 2. Here Noach was commanded to take both clean and unclean beasts into the ark. Noach had to have a knowledge of clean and unclean in order to do this.

7:2 “Of all the clean beasts take with you seven pairs, a male and his female, and of the beasts that are unclean two, a male and his female.”

Additional references to what is clean and unclean are found in verse 8, and 8:20. In 9:4 and 5 we also have the prohibition against eating blood.

(These verses alone shoot down the idea of the so-called Noahite Laws.)

Additionally, capital punishment was sanctioned for murder in Bereshith 9:6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood is shed, for in the image of Elohim has He made man.” Therefore, murder was a punishable sin, a clear violation of Shemoth 20:13 You shall do no murder.

One of the foundational Scriptures, however, is found in Shemoth (Exodus) 18:16, the words of Mosheh to his father-in-law, Yithro, “When they have a matter they come to me, and I rightly rule between one and another, and make known the laws of Elohim and His Torot.*” (See also 18:20).

“Torot” is plural of Torah.

Following is a list of other places in Scripture where various aspects of Torah are specified, all before Sinai:

Bereshith 2:3 we have the institution of the Shabbat. (The weekly Shabbat is also mentioned in Shemoth 16:23, the prohibition against cooking on that day).

Bereshith 12:18, prohibition against adultery.

Bereshith 18:20, laws against licentious behavior.

Bereshith 34:7, fornication prohibited.

Bereshith 25:33, law concerning rights of the first born.

Bereshith 25: 3 – 10 Leverite marriage.

Bereshith 28:22 law of tithing.

Bereshith 34:12 law of dowry.

Bereshith 35:2 law of ceremonial cleansing.

We also have mention of various laws of sacrifice in Bereshith 4:4; 15:9; and 22:2,3 and 13.

However, the most telling of all is the challenge to Avinu Avraham (when he was still Avram) to be “perfect” (circumspect) in Bereshith 17:1 And it came to be when Abram was ninety-nine years old, that YHWH appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai – Walk before me and be perfect.”

(Yahshua gave the same command to all believers in MattithYahu 5:48).

Avraham accepted the challenged and fulfilled all Yahweh’s requirements as recorded in Bereshith 26:5 “Because Avraham obeyed My voice and guarded My Charge: My Commands, My laws, and My Torot.”

Additonal proofs are found in Shemoth:

Shemoth 12:14 the law of Pesach and Chag Hamatzah (Passover and Unleavened Bread) and listed here as an “...everlasting law.” (See also Shemoth 12:19).

Shemoth 12:43 – 48, Laws of Pesach and Hag Hamatzah.

Shemoth 12:4, 9 law concerning one Torah for all.

Shemoth 13:2, law concerning separation and dedication of the Levites.

Shemoth 13:16 law concerning Tefillin (as also commanded in the Shemah, Debarim 6:4, 9).

Shemoth 15:26 A foundational Scripture exhorting the people to keep the Torah of Yahweh. Also see 16:4

Shemoth 16:5 law of the preparation day.

Shemoth 16: 23, 30 command to rest on Shabbat and do no cooking.

Shemoth 17:15 calling upon Yahweh’s Name.

We must remember a few “basics” here. The Scriptural definition of sin is found in 1 Yohanan 3:4 Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

If the patriarchs and indeed all who lived before Sinai did not have Torah, they could not have had or know sin, and therefore, could not have merited the punishment (cause and effect) for their sins (their transgressions of the law).

We must understand that the Torah is eternal. It was in effect “In the beginning,” -- Bereshith – is in effect today, MattithYahu 5:17 – 20; 1 Yohanan 2:3, 4, 7 and 3:4, 24; (and other) – and will be in effect during the Kingdom age, when it is written on our hearts, Revelation 12:17 and 14:12.

We must also remember that Avinu Avraham was a “righteous” man. The Scriptural definition of righteousness is found in Debarim (Deuteronomy) 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before YHWH our Elohim, as he has commanded us.”

When kol Yisrael assembled near the base of Sinai, in Shemoth 19 and 20, it was not to receive the Torah for the first time, but to have a pre-existant law re-iterated to them. This was a necessary and formal step because during their years in Egyptian captivity they had all but forgotten Yahweh’s Torah.

This study is by no means exhaustive. However, I believe that an abundance of Scriptural evidence has been presented to more than prove that Yahweh’s Torah was indeed in effect, not only before Sinai, but from even before the very beginning of time as we know it. That is my position. I realize that not all will accept this teaching, however, in good conscience I believe I can rest my case.

Again, thank you to all who have corresponded by e-mail concerning this subject. May Almighty Abba Yahweh bless all brethren of goodwill who seek to serve Him and lean more of His ways.

Questions or comments on this study may be addressed by e-mail to Rabbi Mitchell at: yoel@arm-tek.net

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