I have sort of a question and a statement regarding the law (God's word,) and although this isn't about the enmity so much as it is about a continuation. It is slightly long, and I would apologize but I believe that God's word speaks throughout, and I want to be as thorough as possible. I did attempt to take out my own speculations...(for the most part.)
in John 6, Jesus explains that in the wilderness the Hebrew people ate manna, but He Himself is the true manna. Giving us a picture of the bread that HE would give to us. (Living bread from heaven by His word, His body.)
John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
After Jesus arose from the dead, He is eating fish and bread with the disciples, and He asks Peter if he loves Him, three times, and then makes the statement: "feed my sheep." 3x
(John 21:15-17)
Feeding sheep was not a new idea at that time. It was stated throughout the OT as well. Peter (being of Jewish decent, would have understood what it meant.)
The people in the wilderness, and in Israel were a set apart people for the work and purposes (as examples for/and) of God.
Paul explains that we are set apart in the same way that Israel was. (We, being grafted in.)
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
1 Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Psalms 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Set Apart defined by Strong's concordance from the above verse:
06395 // hlp // palah // paw-law' //
a primitive root; TWOT - 1772; v
AV - sever 2, separated 1, wonderfully 1, set apart 1, marvellous 1,
put a difference 1; 7
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So in Christ, we are to be examples, set apart, "peculiar," different....Israel was set apart for the same purpose and is a natural representation of what it means to be in the body of Christ.
The picture of this remains throughout the OT, on into and through the NT.
Some OT Passages that speak on feeding HIS sheep:
When David was made king over Israel, he is told to feed the sheep:
2 Samuel 7:5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
2 Samuel 7:6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that
I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
2 Samuel 7:7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel,
whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
2 Samuel 7:8
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
The people also expected and knew this of David, when they came to him before he was made king over the whole house of Israel.
2 Samuel 5:2
Also in time past, when Saul was king over us,
thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel:
and the LORD said to thee, T
hou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD:
and they anointed David king over Israel.
There were also those who did not feed the sheep of Israel:
Jeremiah 23:1
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:2
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Ezekiel 34:2
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
As the 23rd Palm says: "We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." (We are grafted in.)
Yet the original principle still stands..."feed my sheep." As Jesus told Peter after HE had risen from the dead, and as Paul also did in his ministry.
John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
As a people/a body in the wilderness, they were all required to uphold the same things, to do and speak the same things.
So what exactly do you believe changed in regards to feeding the sheep? Do you believe that it's the revelation that comes only from Jesus that we are to be ( "feeding"/ sharing) For the building up and edification of the saints, by Christ in us?
If so, is it possible to have sincere conversations about the entire bible without there being strife and name calling, such as, (judaizers,) when the intent is to grow and know the way of the LORD by seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness? And why do you believe that the Word itself was preserved, from beginning to end (for us)? Is it so that we can disregard any part of it?
God word stands always, as is it.