Obey What?
God’s Anger on that Day is described against Disobedience too:
“And I will execute vengeance in anger and wrath On the nations which have not obeyed.” (Micah 5:15, NASB)
Someone quoted the verse above quoting that Gentiles are required to keep the Torah & that God Will punish them for not keeping the Torah.
I agree and disagree.
I agree that it refers to the Commandments of God with respect to differences in obedience between “Gentile vs Jew believers” or “Male vs Female believers” as different Rules (“order”) are assigned to each according to the New Testament verses too.
I disagree that the verse above means that “All Gentile” believers are required to keep say the dietary laws of the Torah (e.g. no eating of pork) or even tithes or circumcision.
Why?
Firstly, the direct context refers to Gentiles who disobey in analogy to Jewish disobedience toward these aspects first (verses 10 to 14):
“It will be in that day,” declares the LORD,
“That I will cut off your horses from among you
And destroy your chariots.
“I will also cut off the cities of your land
And tear down all your fortifications.
“I will cut off sorceries from your hand,
And you will have fortune-tellers no more.
“I will cut off your carved images
And your sacred pillars from among you,
So that you will no longer bow down
To the work of your hands.
“I will root out your Asherim from among you
And destroy your cities.” (Micah 5:10 – 14, NASB)
Regarding Different Rules for “Gentile vs Jew believers” or “Male vs Female believers”, please consider the following “verses” (not my opinion):
Gentile believers are not required to keep “all” of the Torah, proof verses are Acts 21:24 – 25 and Acts 15:29.
The Ten Commandments is different from the Law of Moses part as these were given separately and must be obeyed by all men. However, among these 10 Commandments, God has decided “not” to judge regarding the Sabbath “only” especially toward the “Gentile believers” as the verse below clearly states:
“Let no one, then, judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a feast, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths,” (Colossians 2:16, YLT)
For example, keeping the Torah begins with circumcision which is NOT to be obeyed for any Gentile believer as it is written:
“Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.” (Galatians 5:2, NASB)
*Timothy was circumcised by apostle Paul since he was half “Jewish” and thus it is possible for him to have a choice either way regarding this. The Timothy example does not contradict Galatians 5:2 since the condition of “purely a Gentile believer” (no Jewish blood) is not satisfied in his case.
There are rules for Gentiles (1 Corinthians 14:37) which the Blessed Lord has commanded such as 1 Corinthians 14:34 or 1 Timothy 2:12 and the consequence of “ignoring” these commands is (unless God has Mercy), “We” will be “ignored” (receiving back the same ignoring we did toward His Commands) as 1 Corinthians 14:38 clearly warns and is reflected in Principle as part of Lawlessness despite Christian ministry done in His Name as Matthew 7:20 – 21 warns.
Let us interpret Scripture accurately regarding what is spoken of with “verses surrounding it too” and considering the “topic” at hand.
Conclusion
We are to “obey God’s Commands” according to the New Testament verses and may exercise freedom regarding things which are allowed either way (e.g. Colossians 2:16 & Romans 14) referring to “only” the things which are “mentioned” in these “verses” (exactly, without adding nor removing).
Regarding topics not discussed in the Bible, “decide for yourselves which is right”.
We are also to “never” obey “man made commandments” (from pastors or culture or other sources) which make up “religion”.
Indeed, avoid “man made Commands” (Colossians 2:22) to avoid losing the “prize”:
“Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,
Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”
(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” (Colossians 2:18 – 23, NASB)
‘Obedience has its rewards and disobedience its equal Judgment’
The Bible is clear about obedience and its rewards vs disobedience and its Judgment. We must choose wisely and not be misled to obey things which are not written and to not disobey the things which are written. Let us run in a way to win the Prize.
