Thought it would be interesting to look at some the characteristics of the biblical Pharisees.
1. The Pharisees were occupied with position and their own authority and to be seen as being special in the eyes of men.
How often do you see this today?
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
2. The Pharisees were always looking for ways to accuse Jesus.
How often do you see this today?
Mark 3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
Mark 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
3. The Pharisees bound heavy burdens on men.
How often do you see this today?
Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
The heavy burdens that they bound on others were not the Laws of God. But their own ideas based on their own righteousness and (natural) understanding. Jesus said that they had "omitted the weightier matters of the law, "Judgement, mercy, and faith;, these ought ye have done, and not to leave the other undone." But were they judging rightly? Not by His standards that are written, but by their own...yes natural legalists. And it's not different today among those who speak against any part of anything that God said. Instead, they root themselves in their own standards.
Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Matthew 23:2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Matthew 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.
The Pharisees "sat in the seat of Moses," Judges they were...even judges of the law.
Jesus said, "whatsoever bid you observe, that observe and do, but do not ye after their works."
It wasn't the Law that Jesus was speaking against, it was the actions, it was the works of the Pharisees that Jesus spoke against.
There's an account in the bible where Jesus healed a young blind man. The Pharisees put him and his family on trial, questioning them.
The parents respond to their questions, "he is of age, ask him," because they were afraid of being put out of the synagog.
They knew the unrighteous judgment that proceeded forth from the Pharisees, and they certainly were not going to walk right into their trap.
So the question is...who are the real Pharisees and legalists?
I submit to you, that it's not the ones that many are pointing at and calling legalists.
Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
