When many Mormons read their Israelite scriptures their
approach is that of western protestant Christianity that is based upon a
Greek-Gentile Mindset and culture. So I thought I would post a scripture from
the Book of Mormon and read it with Hebrew Eyes to demonstrate how we would
read and interpret these words in light of our language, background, and
culture.
(3 Nephi 154)
2 And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words
he perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he
would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that old
things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
3 And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you
that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
4 Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was
given unto Moses.
5 Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who
covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I
have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
6 Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have
not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled.
7 And because I said unto you that old things have passed
away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are
to come.
8 For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people
is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me.
Verse 2-3: Old and New-- The word for new finds its root in
the Hebrew word Chodesh. The word Chodesh that is translated "new"
relates to the idea of the NEW MOON. It draws upon the picture of a cycle. The
moon goes through its phases from Dark to light to back to darkness. What we
call the New moon is actually a RE-NEWAL OF THE MOON every month. So for old
things to become new in a Hebrew concept draws from the idea of a cycle of
birth-maturity-death and then birth again, but in the end while we call it a
"new moon" it is actually the same MOON Reborn. The Law God gave to Moses had its birth and
through the applying of traditions and apostasy it matured and waned but
through the Messiah it is re-newed just as our Moon is renewed every month.
Same law in its original state and intent or as Mormons might understand it--
IT WAS RESTORED.
4-5 Fulfilled- From a Gentile point of view fulfilled means
it literally has an end, i.e so we don't have to follow it anymore. As such
that means I get to worship other Gods, disrespect my parents, steal, murder,
and sleep with your wife, etc as the law is fulfilled and done away. To FULFILL
the Torah to a Jew means to PROPERLY INTERPRET AND PERFORM THE TORAH. So when
the Messiah says he comes to FULFILL the LAW he means that he comes to give us
the correct Interpretation and performance of the commandments he gave to Moses
at Sinai.
The part that trips us up is the "it hath an end"
part. Hebraic thought is rooted in cycles-- what we in the LDS world might call
an eternal round. In Greek culture and though to have an end is similar to the
idea of crossing the finish line in a race-- it is done and you finished the
race. In Hebraic thought "the end" is the purpose for which something
is Given. Hebrew is rooted in function. Like a cycle of the Moon we go through
a cycle but in the end it is still the same moon. To accomplish the
"end" of something is to accomplish it's purpose. The section of
scripture above is part of a poetic structure and if you will notice the
Messiah himself tells you what the end or purpose of the law, "but the law
which was given unto Moses hath an end in me." In other words the law
given to Moses is to bring us to the Messiah. That is it's purpose. There is
one path, one way, one Messiah.
To nullify God's commandments or
to change them falls under the phrase destroying the Torah (law).
