The Law is called the Torah in Hebrew. The word “Torah” does not mean law in the modern sense. Rather, it means “instruction” and “teaching.” Every week Lars Enarson gives out a commentary on the weekly Scripture portion from the Torah. In one year you get a thorough foundation in the very part of the Bible that many Christians know so little about, yet which makes up the foundation for all Scriptural revelation. “The LORD spoke to Moses and said” is the most common phrase in the Bible!
Here are seven reason why every Christian needs to study the Torah:
1. In order to understand the message of the Bible
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Lk 24:27)
The Bible is all about Messiah. When he explained to the disciples what is written about him, he began with Moses. We must do the same. Just like any other book, we need to start in the beginning, in order to fully understand the end.
2. In order to understand the words of Jesus
“If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (Jn 5:47)
We do not believe in Jesus instead of Moses, but because of Moses. In order to understand him correctly, we must first know what Moses wrote.
3. In order to understand who our Messiah is
“We have found him of whom Moses in the Torah and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (Jn 1:45)
The disciples knew who Jesus was, from what Moses has written. Without Moses, we do not fully understand what Jesus has fulfilled, just like it helps to know a question in order to understand its answer.
4. In order to understand Israel and the Jewish people
“Moses commanded us a Torah, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob” (De 33:4).
The Torah is the Jewish people’s national treasure, given to them by God. In order to understand the Jewish people, their destiny and calling, to pray for and bless them, it is necessary to study the Torah. It is a duty for all Christians. It is written, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! ‘May they be secure who love you!’” (Ps 122:6)
5. In order to understand the prophetic word
“I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done.” (Isa 46:10)
God declares the end from the beginning. Only when we understand the Torah, will we also be able to understand the Book of Revelation.
6. In order to be ready for Messiah’s coming
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Ti 3:16–17)
We need to be sanctified by the truth of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation, in order to ready for the coming of Messiah. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (Jn 17:15-17)
7. In order to be on fire for God
“Did not our hearts burn within us…while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Lk. 24:32)
The Word of God is like fire. It is written about the Torah, “From His right hand came a fiery Torah for them.” (De 33:2) The disciples on the road to Emmaus said that their hearts burned within them, when the Master explained the Scriptures to them. The same happens to us today when the Holy Spirit reveals the Torah to us. It sets our hearts on fire.