Obedience Is Required: The Foundation of a Just Society
Obedience is required—whether we like it or not. As a child of the Most High God and a follower of Yeshua, obedience is not optional; it is demanded. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible emphasizes the necessity of keeping the commandments. It doesn’t just tell us to obey; it commands us to guard them. To guard something means to protect it fiercely. Shouldn’t we be doing that with YHVH’s laws?
The Necessity of Law in Society
Laws exist for a reason. Without them, society crumbles into chaos. Imagine a world without rules—people driving on whichever side of the road they please, banks getting robbed daily, and courts rendered meaningless. Without laws, it’s survival of the fittest, and those with power take advantage of the weak.
Contrast that with a society governed by laws. There’s order, protection, and justice. People can walk down the street without fearing for their lives. Businesses can operate without constant threats of theft. Families can thrive in an environment of stability. Obedience to the law benefits everyone.
Even Theodore Roosevelt recognized this principle: “Obedience to the law is demanded, not asked as a favor.” If human governments expect obedience, how much more does YHVH, the ultimate righteous judge? Thinking we can plead ignorance before Him is foolishness.
Faith Without Works Is Dead
James 2 makes it clear: faith alone isn’t enough. It must be accompanied by action.
James 2:14—”What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”
James 2:20—”But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”
You can walk around acting like the biggest rooster in the hen house, strutting and crowing about your faith. But if your actions don’t align with obedience to YHVH, your faith is empty.
The Accusation of Legalism
Many argue that obedience to the law is “legalism” or an attempt to earn salvation. That’s nonsense. Obedience isn’t the means to salvation—it’s the evidence of it. If you are truly “saved,” you will naturally obey YHVH’s laws. It’s not about earning favor; it’s about demonstrating love for Him.
1 John 2:3-6—”Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar.”
Yeshua himself was obedient. He followed all of YHVH’s laws, showing us that it’s possible. We are called to follow His example.
The 10 Commandments: The Blueprint for a Just Life
The 10 Commandments given on Mount Horeb are the foundation of moral law. Compare them to modern laws, and you’ll find that they are still the backbone of ethical societies.
| Commandment | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. No other gods and no idols | Worship only YHVH. Do not create or serve false gods or objects of worship. |
| 2. Sanctify the Sabbath and stop work | Set apart the Sabbath day for rest and devotion to YHVH. |
| 3. Honor your father and mother | Show respect and care for your parents throughout their lives. |
| 4. Do not kill the soul of your brother | Do not take a life unjustly or destroy someone spiritually or emotionally. |
| 5. Do not commit adultery | Remain faithful in marriage and avoid all forms of sexual immorality. |
| 6. Do not steal | Respect others’ property and do not take what is not yours. |
| 7. Do not swear in my name to deceive | Do not use YHVH’s name to make false oaths or manipulate others. |
| 8. Do not testify deceit against your brother | Always speak truthfully and do not falsely accuse or mislead others. |
| 9. Do not covet | Do not desire what belongs to others with jealousy or discontentment. |
| 10. Do not hate your brother in your heart | Let go of resentment and bitterness; love your neighbor as yourself. |
These laws are not burdens; they are blessings. When followed, they bring peace, order, and stability. When broken, they lead to destruction.
There are two places you can find a list of these law and their corresponding blessings and curses: on Ross K Nichols’ Academia Page: The Decalogue of Moses W. Shapira’s Leather Strips and in The Moses Scroll available on Amazon.
Yeshua Knew and Affirmed This Form of the Commandments
Yeshua understood the full depth of these commandments, reinforcing them in His teachings. He knew that sin begins in the heart, not just in outward actions.
In Matthew 5:21-22, He said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”
This aligns perfectly with the commandment, “Do not kill the soul of your brother.” Yeshua recognized that hatred and unchecked anger destroy the soul, just as murder destroys the body. Likewise, in 1 John 3:15, it is written, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
Yeshua took the law beyond the surface level. He taught that our thoughts and emotions matter just as much as our actions. This deeper understanding of the commandments proves that He was well aware of their full implications and intended meaning.
Obedience is Required: Blessings for Obedience, Curses for Rebellion
The ancient scroll Moses Shapira brought to the world’s attention—translated by Ross K. Nichols in The Moses Scroll—reinforces this principle. Obedience to YHVH’s laws brings blessings; disobedience brings curses. This pattern is seen throughout scripture.
In The Moses Scroll, each commandment is associated with both a blessing for those who follow it and a curse for those who violate it. This further emphasizes the importance of adhering to YHVH’s laws. YHVH’s laws are designed to bring order, prosperity, and divine favor when obeyed, while rebellion leads to suffering and judgment.
When Israel obeyed, they flourished. When they rebelled, they suffered war, famine, and exile. The same principle applies today—obedience leads to protection and prosperity, while rebellion leads to chaos.
Freedom in Obedience
People think laws restrict freedom, but the opposite is true. True freedom comes from obeying righteous laws. Imagine a world where everyone lied, stole, and cheated. Would you feel free? Of course not! Laws create an environment where people can live without constant fear.
A Call to Action
Obedience is required—not just by governments but by YHVH Himself. You won’t be judged by faith alone but by how your faithfulness in action reflect that faith. Yeshua said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Do you love Him? Then obey Him. His laws aren’t burdens—they’re the very foundation of a good life. Choose obedience, choose blessing, and choose to walk in the freedom of YHVH’s law today.
Recommended Tools for Your Spiritual and Health Journey
If you are searching for an assembly where questioning anything in the Bible does not result in abuse, I encourage you to check out Ross K Nichols’ Youtube. He also has an after-class discussion that you can get in on if you are a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber, you can still watch an hour of the after-class discussion on this Youtube channel: Horeb
If you’re serious about nourishing your body and soul, consider investing in a quality grain mill and bread machine. Freshly milled grain makes a huge difference in homemade bread! Check out my top picks on Amazon:
- Best Mixer: Kitchen Aid Mixer
- Best Grain Mills: Mockmill grain mill , Kitchen Aid Grain Mill Attachment , WONDERMILL Manual Hand Grain Mill
- Best Bread Machine: Zojirushi bread machine
- Best Dehydrators: Commercial Large 10 Trays Food Dehydrator, COSORI Food Dehydrator for Jerky, Magic Mill Pro Food Dehydrator Machine , Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator, Excalibur EXC10EL Electric Food Dehydrator
- Best Blender: Vitamix 5200 Blender
Also, don’t forget to browse my other articles and recipes for more inspiration on healthy living and spiritual growth!
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