Philippians 3:1-7 says,

​1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in Adonai. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; [Isaiah the prophet says in 56:10-11, 10 His watchmen are blind, All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, dreamers lying down, who love to slumber; 11 And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way, Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one.  Paul is writing to the congregation at Philippi in order to warn them and give them a safeguard to those traveling around and teaching contrary to the truth.  He uses strong language just as Isaiah did.  Isaiah speaks of the so called “watchmen” as:

1. Dumb Dogs (incapable of speaking)
2. Lazy
3. Greedy
4. Teaching false doctrine
5. Do their own way rather than the ways of truth…selfish motivation
6. Given to unjust gain

There’s little doubt in my mind that Paul had the words of Isaiah in his mind when he referred to these people as dogs that should be avoided.  Beware of them for they are false.  He was diligent to warn this congregation about such teachers so that they do not get mislead.  Any good shepherd worth their salt will caution their congregants concerning certain teachings and teachers.]

3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of Elohim and glory in Messiah Yeshua and put no confidence in the flesh,

4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:

5  circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. [In verses 3-6 Paul, speaking of his physical ethnicity as an Israelite and his accomplishments in the religious ranks, shares that none of that means anything now.  The only thing that matters is that Yeshua is the long awaited Messiah and He is the motivation to live out the truth and share it with others.  It is through His death, burial and resurrection that we enter into Covenant with the Creator, not through anything we can be or do in our strength!!]  
7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Messiah.

The following verses we’ve read before, but they are worth repeating in context with today’s deLIGHT. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 says,

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Messiah according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

17 Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

18 Now all these things are from Elohim, who reconciled us to Himself through Messiah and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

19 namely, that Elohim was in Messiah reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though Elohim were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Messiah, be reconciled to Elohim.

21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of Elohim in Him.

The only way mankind can enter into covenant is through the finish work of Yeshua the Messiah.  There is nothing within ourselves, our ethnicity, our anything but His blood alone that can get us into covenant with our heavenly Father and His Son.  Once we’re in covenant, then we must live as Yeshua lived (1 John 2) according to all the words of His Father, the Torah…Yah’s teachings and instructions.

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy

Courtesy of

River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a