INTRODUCTION

    A. Judaism has a legitimate beginning. It was from God.

    B. It plays a major role in the salvation of mankind. It was the seed by
         which the Christ would be born.

    C. Judaism was not to always exist. It had a purpose. Once that purpose
         was fulfilled, Judaism would come to an end.

    D. Just as Judaism has a legitimate beginning, so too does it have a
         legitimate ending–a stopping point determined by God.

DISCUSSION

  I. THE WORLD BEFORE JUDAISM.

    A. Before Moses there was no law separating Hebrew from Gentile.

    B. There was however a law - the law of Patriarchy. It was from God and
         all were under it.

    C. There was a problem. Man sinned and where was the solution to bring
         man back to God?

    D. In Genesis 3:16 there is a promise made that the Seed of woman would
         defeat Satan and sin. The Seed is referred to as He; thus the solution
          would be a man.

    E. In Genesis 12 Abraham is separated from his people and in Genesis
        12:3 he is given the promise, “I will bless those who bless you, And I
        will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth
        shall be blessed." The solution would be through Abraham’s seed and
        would solve the problem for all the world.

    F. The promise then goes to the following generations:  Isaac (Genesis
         26:4), Jacob (Genesis 28:14), and Judah (Genesis 49:10).

    G. A people would be separated from the rest of the world. Patriarchy
         would not bring in the Messiah. There would be a separate law for a
         special people. The Messiah, the solution to sin, would be born under a
         different law. He would be from a people who would have the
         prophets of God and a people close to God. 
 
 

  II. THE BEGINNING OF JUDAISM.

    A. Judaism begins with Moses in Exodus.

    B. Moses is given the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) at Mount Sinai
        and the children of Israel are given a new covenant. This separates them
        from the rest of the world.

    C. They were to be a holy people before God.

    D. They were to be examples before the Gentile world. Romans 2:24
         says, “For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles
         because of you,’ as it is written.”

    E. They were not called to bring Gentiles under the law of Moses. The
        Gentiles were still under Patriarchy and were to continue under the law
         of Patriarchy.

    F. The Law of Moses was not the solution because salvation and freedom
         from sin are not found under its law. 

        1. Hebrews 10:4, “For it is not possible that the blood of bull and goats
            could take away sins.“

        2. 2 Corinthians 3:7,  “But if the ministry of death, written and engraved
            on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look
            steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance,
            which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not
            be more glorious?”

    E. The Hebrew nation would bring in the Savior. 

    F. Under Moses Israel escapes slavery in Egypt, receives a covenant from
        God, and spends 40 years in the wilderness because of a lack of faith in
        God.

    G. During this time Moses receives inspiration from God to write the first
         five books of the Bible (Genesis-Deuteronomy). These books are
         called the Torah by Jews today and are considered the most important
         books by any prophet.

  II. THE LAW OF MOSES.

    A. The law of Moses consisted of the Ten Commandments, but there
         were far more laws and regulations than that.

        1. There was to be a  priesthood consisting of Levites only.

        2. There must be animal sacrifices, and all sacrifices had regulations.
 

        3. There were dietary laws–what could be eaten and what could not.

        4. There were regulations concerning dress.

        5. There were laws regarding ceremonial cleanness.

        6. There were places specified by God where they were to go to
             observe feasts.

        7. There were laws concerning farming.

        8. There were laws explaining what was to be done to blasphemers,
            adulterers, false prophets, thieves, murderers, sorcerers, witches,
            diviners, homosexuals, and other perverted people.

    C. The law was given by God, written by Moses, and was very specific
         and unmistakable. To be a faithful Jew one had to live by the whole
          law or he would be in sin and rebellion against God.

    D. Deuteronomy 5:32,33, "Therefore you shall be careful to do as the
         LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the
         right hand or to the left.  You shall walk in all the ways which the
         LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it
         may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the
         land which you shall possess.”

  IV. JOSHUA TO JESUS OF NAZARETH.

    A. After the death of Moses, Joshua is allowed to take Israel over the
         Jordan and into the land promised by God (Israel was never more
         faithful than at this time in history). The land promise was fulfilled in
         Joshua’s day.   Joshua 21:43,  “So the LORD gave to Israel all the
         land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took
         possession of it and dwelt in it.”
 

    B. After Joshua, came the years of the Judges. In this time Israel would
         have periods of obedience followed by rebellion, punishment,
         repentance and then rescue by God.

    C. The Judges were replaced by a king. The age of the kings starts with
         Saul, David, and Solomon (each having 40 year reigns). This was the
         period of a united kingdom lasting 120 years. Solomon built the temple
         and also became a burden on the people and was turned toward
         idolatry.

    D. The divided kingdoms begin with Rehoboam (in Judah, south) and 
         Jeroboam (in Israel, north). The Southern Kingdom had some good
         kings; the Northern Kingdom never did. 

    E. The Northern Kingdom went into Assyrian captivity in about 721 BC
        because of their idolatry and rebellion against God.

    F. The Southern Kingdom went into Babylonian captivity in about 606 BC
         because of their idolatry and rebellion against God.

    G. After 606 BC, there were 70 years of captivity.  Then all Jews were
         allowed to return back home.

    H. There were three waves of Israelites returning back home.  In this time
         the temple was rebuilt, as well as the wall of Jerusalem.

    I. Through the history of Israel there was always a remnant who obeyed
       God even when most did not. Prophets came and went.  They spoke of
       the Messiah who was to come. The prophecies from God became more
       and more detailed. 

        1. They told of His place of birth. Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem
            Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet
            out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel,
            Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

        2. They pinpointed the time in world history when He would be born.

        3. They told of His nature and mission (Isaiah 61:1-2).

        4. They told how He would be treated (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53:7).

        5. They told who He would be. Isaiah 9:6says,  “For unto us a Child is
            born, Unto us a Son  is given; And the government will be upon His
            shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty
            God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

    J. There comes a point of silence after Malachi had finished his work.

    1. There is a silence of 400 years. There are no prophets prophesying.

        2. God reveals nothing. The last message is to wait for the coming of
            Elijah who would prepare a people.

        3. It at this point that Israel falls under Greek and then Roman rule. This
            is a time of rebellion and battles against foreign rulers. It is also a time
            when three major groups appeared in Jewish history: the Pharisees,
            the Sadducees and the Essenes.

            a. The Pharisees were strict in observing the law, believing it came
                from God; but they believed the law could be reinterpreted by
                rabbis who had sufficient education. They also held traditions
                handed down from generations to be binding.

            b. The Sadducees were a sect influenced by the Greeks who had
                ruled them. They did not believe in spirits, angels or the
                resurrection (Acts 23:8). They were made up of priests and
                aristocrats. Socially they adopted the ways of the Greeks.
 

            c. The Essenes were an ascetic group (shutting themselves off from
                society) and were steeped in mysticism. They lived in isolated
                communities separated from the rest of society. They believed in
                strict adherence to their version of the  law.  In Matthew 12:11
                Jesus asks a question to the Pharisees: Then He said to them,
                "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls
                into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of
                how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is
                lawful to do good on the Sabbath." The Essenes would have
                claimed that a man should not rescue one of his sheep on the
                Sabbath.

    K. Four hundred years pass,  and “Elijah” steps onto the scene.  He is
         John the Baptist (Luke 1:17; Matthew 17:11-13). He prepares the
         people with his message, “The kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew
         3:2).  He is there to identify the Messiah (John 1:29-30). The Messiah
         is Jesus of Nazareth.

    L. Jesus is the Christ who was promised from Genesis 3:15. Through Him
        all the families of the earth will be blessed. He is the solution to the
        problem of sin.

  V. THEN JESUS BRINGS A NEW COVENANT.
 
    A. Jesus begins to teach “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew
         4:17).

    B. This kingdom would not be under the old covenant.

    C. When Jesus was sacrificed on the cross, the old covenant came to an
         end.

    D. He fulfilled the law and the prophets as He said He would.  Matthew
         5:17,18 says,   "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the
         Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say 
         to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no
         means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

    E. When the law is fulfilled there is no need for it. 

        1. It has been completed.

        2. It has accomplished what it was set designed to do.

    F. If the old law (the law of Moses) is taken away then it would no longer
        be accepted by God.  Colossians 2:14 says, “Having wiped out the 
        handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to
        us.  And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

    G. After the old law is taken away God allows 40 years before He
         completely devastates Judaism.

        1. He will no longer be worshiped through the Levitical priests.

        2. He will no longer be worshiped in the temple of Jerusalem.

        3. Since Judaism is no longer needed, it came to an end; and God made
            it impossible for anyone to practice biblical Judaism.
 

  VI. GOD DESTROYS JERUSALEM.

    A. In the year AD 70, the Roman General Titus completely destroyed
        Jerusalem.

     B. This was done by the plan and will of God - He will not be worshiped
          by Old Testament standards. They have been done away.

    C. This was done as it was prophesied by Christ (Matthew 24) and
         Moses (Deuteronomy 28).

    D. This had a tremendous effect on Judaism and how it was to be
         practiced. 

        1. The Pharisees are the only sect that continued after AD 70.

        2. The Sadducees needed a temple to continue as a sect. There was
            none.

        3. The Essenes were probably killed off by the Romans. It was easy to
            find and attack their settlements.

    F. The law of Moses was put to an end at the cross. God gave Israel 40
        years to follow the Messiah about Whom they were taught throughout
        the Old Testament.

  VII. JUDAISM AFTER AD 70 AND THE DESTRUCTION OF
         JERUSALEM.

    A. Jews were scattered about the world–Mideast, Europe, North Africa,
         Russia, etc.

    B. From the time of Moses to the time of Christ there were no changes in
         Judaism. Everything remained constant. Man made changes but God’s
         word did not change. God’s idea of Judaism remained the same. His 
         laws remained the same.

    C. After AD 70 new ideas had to be adopted or else one would have to
         stop claiming Judaism.

    D. There were great influences on Judaism and its development.

        1. Destruction of Jerusalem.

            a. No temple.

            b. No priests nor high priest.

            c. No genealogy--what tribes still exist?

            d. No land in Israel.

            e. No promise that any of this would return.

        2. Enslavement of Jews.

        3. There was a continual movement into other countries and cultures
            and Judaism developed itself to fit (Ashkenazic–Germany and
            eastern Europe, Sephartic–Spain and the Mideast,
            Falashas–Ethiopia, India 1000 AD and China 1163 AD).

        4. Philosophies which attempted to explain why this happened to the
             Jewish people.

        5. Persecution of Jews at various times in history (i.e. France 1306,
            France and Germany 1349 {expelled for causing the Black Plague},
            Spain 1394, Portugal 1497). This hardened many.

        6. Development of the Talmud in its different forms (writings of the
            rabbis and their commentary of the law): the Babylonian and
            Palestinian Talmud.

        7. The development of Rabbinic Judaism–opinions, comments and laws
            of the rabbis over the written Torah (since the Torah could not be
            followed). [Karaism was a movement against rabbinic Judaism. They
            wished to take the written Torah only and leave opinions. This
            reached its height in the eleventh and twelfth centuries in Iran.]
 

        8. Islam opened the door to Jewish migration as it spread through the
            Mideast, North Africa, and Spain. Mohammed had guaranteed
            protection for the Jews since they were “people of the book.” The
            Jews lived in Moslem controlled areas under certain conditions:
            special taxes, clothes, and places of worship could not stand out.

    E. New Elements to Judaism
        1. New view of the Messiah.

            a. Prophecy is de-emphasized. The prophecy that there would be a
                Messiah is generally accepted, but those identifying Him are
                ignored or changed. 

            b. Any generation could bring the Messiah.

            c. Any person could become the Messiah.

            d. Manacham Mendle Schneerson who died in 1994 was considered
                the Messiah by some.

        2. Mysticism is brought in.

            a. This is a step taken when there is no guidance accepted from God.

            b. The Kabbalah is a book of Jewish Mysticism.

            c. This may have connections back to the Essenes.

            d. Jewish Mysticism is known to be well in place by Medieval
                Europe (France and Spain) having developed in other places as 
                well.

            e. Jewish Mysticism is in part the following: the practice of magic,
                deciphering  the meaning of numbers and symbols, adapting
                philosophies taken in through time (such as Gnosticism),
                bizarre reinterpretation of scripture, acceptance of various
                non-biblical writers as inspired, and asceticism.

                1)  The doctrine of creation (Haggai 2:1).

                2)  The doctrine of the divine chariot (Ezekiel 1).

            f. It was believed that if one lived the Torah exactly and understood it
               he would have access to the powers of God.

                1) It was claimed that there were those who could create a three
                    year old calf every week for the Sabbath. The power of the
                    creator could be reflected in the one who obeyed the Torah and
                    understood its power.

                2) There was to be power found in the very Hebrew letters. 

  VIII. CURRENT JEWISH MOVEMENTS IN THE U.S.

    A. There are four Jewish sects (or movements) in the U.S. today:
         Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist (which is the
         smallest of the movements). Orthodox and sometimes Conservative 
         are described as traditional movements. Reform, Reconstructionist and
         sometimes Conservative are described as liberal or modern
         movements. The Conservative movement spans the gap between
         traditional and modern having elements and synagogues in both camps.

        1. Orthodox Judaism.

            a. Orthodox Jews believe God gave the “whole” Torah at Mount
                 Sinai.

                1) The “whole” Torah contains the written part - the five books of
                     Moses.

                2) It also contains the oral part–oral tradition which interprets and
                    explains the written Torah. It is at best a commentary. [Why
                    would God give the books and not include His commentary in
                    the books themselves? The oral tradition is the problem.]

            b. They believe the Torah is unchanged and complete.

            c. They believe the Torah has 613 laws (mitzvot) which are binding
               on all Jews but not to Gentiles.

            d. They also believe the laws of the rabbis are binding.

            e. About 7% of Jews in the U.S. identify themselves as Orthodox
                (1990 National Jewish Population Survey by the Council of
                Jewish Federation)

            f. Orthodox Judaism is made up of different groups.

                1) Modern Orthodox: They have integrated into society while
                    holding their version of Jewish law.

                2) Chasidim (Hasidic Jews): They dress in distinctive ways and try
                     to separate themselves from society. They are often referred to
                     as ultra-orthodox, but many disagree that they are. Examples
                     of the Chasidim are the Chabad Lubavitch who are rather
                     vocal and are in all major cities of the U.S. Jewish Mysticism is
                     part of the Chasidim (Hasidic) belief.

                3) Yeshivish Orthodox.

        2. Reform Judaism.

            a. Reform Jews do not believe the Torah was written by God.

            b. They believe there were several different writers (not just Moses)
                through time who wrote bits and pieces of the Torah.  These
                pieces at some point in time were placed together. 

            c. They do not believe that the commandments must be obeyed.

           d. They keep some of the values and ethics of Judaism with some of
               the practices and culture.

           e. Agnostic Jews identify themselves as Reform since Reform Judaism
               allows them to question the existence of God.

           f. About 42% of Jews in the U.S. identify themselves as Reform
              (1990 National Jewish Population Survey by the Council of Jewish
              Federation).

        3. Conservative Judaism.

            a. Conservative Judaism sprang from the tension between Orthodox
                and Reform.

            b. It takes parts of the two sides and joins them together in a
                compromise between the two extremes of the time.

            c. They believe the Torah came from God but contains human
                components.  Thus,  to them, it is not all from God.

            d. They generally accept the law as binding, but believe it can be
                changed and should be changed and adapted to fit into the culture
                of the times while keeping Jewish ties to the past - some of the
                values should remain.

            e. There is a large swing of faith and practice in the Conservative
                movement, a great deal of leeway can be found among
                synagogues. Some Conservative synagogues are identical to
                Reform Judaism. Others should be considered Orthodox. 
 

            f. About 38 percent of Jews in the U.S. identify themselves as
               Conservative (1990 National Jewish Population Survey by the
               Council of Jewish Federation).

        4. Reconstructionist Judaism.

            a. This is an offspring of Conservative Judaism. It is a recent
                movement.

            b. They believe Judaism is an ever changing and evolving religion.
 

            c. They do not believe there is a God. Therefore He could not have
                given Moses anything.

            d. They will keep the laws if they want to, but only as a cultural
                element.

            e. There seem to be Reconstructionist rabbis making their way into
                the Jewish colleges, student organizations, and community centers.

            f. About 1% of Jews in the U.S. identify themselves as
               Reconstructionist (1990 National Jewish Population Survey by the
               Council of Jewish Federation).

CONCLUSION

    A. Judaism had its beginning from God through Moses.

    B. Judaism had its end as designed by God through the promised Messiah.
 
    C. Judaism only continues today as a completely corrupted form of what
         it was. 

    D. By the design of God true biblical Judaism cannot be practiced today.
 

William Howard
304 Crosswalk Drive
Auburn, GA  30011