Are you a Pharisee?

Messiah Yahushua came against the teaching of the Pharisees. Lets look at exactly what it was he was coming against when it came to the Pharisees and Sadducees. We know he didn't teach against the Sabbaths, the feast days or the dietary law (Matt 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.) so just what it is that he came against?

Mark 7:5-13 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of YAH, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of YAH, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;making the word of YAH of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

What was happening here that Yahushua was speaking against? What commandment were they breaking and teaching others to break?

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Ex 21:15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

Prov 28:24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

Ex 21:17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Reading this at first glance we see words like honor, smite, rob and think immediately "I don't or have not done any of these things to my mother or father". But a closer look at these words and what Messiah was saying may prove you wrong. Often times its not what we are not or did not do its what we are supposed to do that we do not. This was the problem here. The Pharisees were causing the people to pay them tithes and offerings that they could have been using to help their parents.



Honor thy father and mother is a commandment just as keeping the Sabbaths is a commandment. But what did Yahushua say about the commandments?

Matt 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

This is how the Pharisees and Sadducees were teaching the people to break the law. They came up with their own traditions and laws and taught people to follow them, and many of the laws they came up with were contrary to the Law The creator gave to Moses. The laws they created caused stife and hate among the people over things that The Most High never told them to do. The entire basis of the Torah law is LOVE.

Do you operate in love? Not according to your own understanding but according to the scriptures? When your brother or sister needs something from you do you give it to them? Do you help them or do you suggest others who can help even if its in your power to do it? This is a commandment of The Most High. What about marriage? If someone is having trouble in their marriage for whatever reason do you encourage them to fast and pray with faith that the creator will hear their cries? Or do you encourage seperation and divorce by suggesting things that you know may lead to it. Did not The Most high YHWH say from the beginning;

Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Mal 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

If you are not keeping these commandments you cannot say you are a commandment keeper nor can you say you are a disciple of Yahushua Ha Mashiach

Deu 15:7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:15:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth..

Notice these verses do not specify money. One can be poor in many ways money is only one of them. Someone can be "poor" in family support, "poor" in transportation, "poor" in health. Think about it.

The Pharisees did not keep this law. They did not deal righteously with their neighbor. They condemned themselves by adding to the perfect law that was given to Moses. They were able to do this beause the people did not have the scriptures to read like we do today. They trusted what they were being taught and followed the teachings of the elders. The Most High said;

Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of YHWH your mighty one which I command you.

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If you are a believer in the Gospel of Messiah the letters written by the Disciples carried on his teachings and should be read and studied along with the Torah and the Gospel(good news). Lets look at some verses on this issue.

Matt 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of YAH, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of YAH, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know YAH; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Fast forward to modern day. Now we must ask ourselves what "traditions" are being held by believers that are not commandments that cause strife and hatred? Anything that is not a commandment is a tradition, and while traditions may seem innocent they should be examined to see if they profit the message of Messiah. He warned his followers;

Matt 16:6 Then Yahushua said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

So now reading this we should ask what exactly is the will of the father? Think on it for a minute.
The Phariees and Sadducees kept all the feast days, Sabbaths, observed the dietary law but did they do the will of the father?

What else did Messiah say about this?

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Matt 16:24 Then said Yahushua unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matt 5:43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

And most important...

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of YAH, and the faith of Yahushua.
2 Thess 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Matt 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

So ask yourself, are you a Pharisee?