Overt and Covert Commandments

The Ten Commandments were originally referred to as the Ten Words or Ten Statements.  The word commandment – according to Merriam-Webster, was first used in the English language in the thirteenth century.  The word ‘command’ was not known to be used until the fourteenth century.  So, for the sake of this writing, my working definition of ‘commandment’ is – that which is done in order to achieve a chosen goal whether written, spoken or implied.

All action is commanded.  Action is as simple as walking into a room.  Think about all the thoughts necessary to achieve the goal of entering a room.  When we enter a room we tell ourselves to turn on the light if dark, look out for the cat, if one is near, don’t trip on the rug, turn around to sit down, etc.  We follow commands from our self based upon years of learning what to do to enter a room.  Some people even tell themselves not to talk until they are in the room so as not to invade another person’s space. Based upon what we choose to do at each moment, a commandment must be obeyed.

There are overt commandments and covert commandments.  The overt ones are quite simple.  Thou shalt (whatever)… you will (whatever)…. Do this (whatever) ….Remember (whatever)…etc.  Overt commands seem to come from external sources.  The covert ones are more demanding.  They demand that we stop and think (Selah) about that which we are in preparation to do.  They are the commandments not spoken but you know they exist because they give us a choice.  Covert commands come from internal sources.  We are either talking to ourselves, or we may be hearing the Ruach speaking directly to us.  Some people have told me they have heard the Word of YHVH speaking loud and clear.  The action to follow overt commands is truly up to us. We can choose to do anything we want to do dependent upon our choice for overall outcome.  He gives us this freedom.  Should we choose to not follow His ways, then we just stop doing what He says is necessary to follow Him.  Let me see if I can get this ‘thought’ simplified.

It all started when the universe was formed and YHVH put man in a position of responsibility.  Man was ‘offered’ an opportunity of a lifetime.  He could just sit back, relax, enjoy the beauty and be a loving, caring friend within YHVH’s creation.  To measure the strength of man’s desire to do this, we were given the trait (some say attribute) of choice.  Choice is simply looking at what we may want and studying the polar opposite to be sure.  See, you could say there are no ‘commandments’, only steps to follow dependent upon our ‘choice’.   The most blatant example I can come up with is the Scriptural Eating Plan. Call it YHVH’s diet.  Nowhere can I find that we are told "Thou shalt eat."  Yeah, I said I cannot find where we are told that we MUST eat Period.  But, However, Comma, (I love But, However, Comma, statements…the Bible is full of them and so was the Navy)  … BHC, should we choose to eat, He gives us an outline of the best of the best that will assure us a sustained life as He has created it.  The choice is ours.  Do what he suggests, that is, do what He commands, or do what we believe is best and create within ourselves all kinds of discomfort.  Do you see now that there are no absolute commandments?  That there are only choices and then steps to achieve the goal?  Yes, I read the same as you do: He “commanded” us…  but read it as it is presented…we are only commanded, told what is necessary, in order to achieve our set goals in life.  When our goal is the same as His goal then why reinvent the wheel?  He did all the work, just get on board and enjoy the ride.  Not all things we are commanded to do are written out in specific form to make sure we thoroughly understand. He gives us credit for being able to think a little bit.  He commanded, if you want to use that word, that we keep the Feasts.  He even told us which ones. But did he tell us each and every step necessary in order to keep the Feasts?  Check this out! This coming Sukkot, keep a journal on each and everything you do to keep His Feast. At the end of Sukkot, read your journal, and then read the Bible and it’s instructions for tabernacling with Him.  Who used the most words? Sometimes we just have to be aware of the COVERT commandments.  I believe they are the ones He trusts that we will be able to know and do for ourselves. Our Father does not waste. He has a very focused and succinct dialog. Reading Torah proves this.  I also believe He expects us to take an active role in following Him. In other words, don’t just read about it or see it advertised on T.V., get out there and do it!

The covert or unwritten commandments are also the ones that keep us in conflict with one another.  These are sometimes referred to as the minutiae.  This could be because we are unable to know for certain what a person thinks or believes.  Do we actually believe that just because we see things a certain way that everyone should see the same? Even though the word ‘minutiae’ is used in The Word, I believe that everything that affects us is a big deal.  Nothing is small.  There is no such thing as minor surgery. Anesthesia is anesthesia and a knife is a knife (call it scalpel if you must)  BHC, we must exercise our ability to think and rationalize with our ability to see the log as well as the speck.  Some people can have a flat tire on their way to an important engagement and just change the tire, wash their hands and carry on. No big deal!  While for others this would be a most horrendous experience. They would not even make it to what was at one time an important engagement.  When we let the obstacles become more important than the goals, we have sacrificed our ability to focus on YHVH.   This scores one for the Adversary and none for our endeavors.

So what am I saying?  I am not saying anything…only recounting what I have read in the “Overt, Covert Guide to Happiness” ; aka Bible.   Don’t get too caught up in the minutiae.  Don’t look too hard for each and every action you take to be spelled out in Torah.  Don’t fail to read the white of the page along with the black.  Don’t let yourself become mentally shattered when you discover that what you do to achieve the steps necessary to reach your chosen goal, are also steps that the enemy uses to destroy your goal.

Read this next statement very carefully:

We do not have to do everything that is written in Torah;   BHC; everything we do must align with Torah if our choice is to follow YHVH through Yahshua our Messiah.

While on that note:  This Shavuot was a very exciting and delightful Feast.  With all the bar/bat mitzvot, the renewal of wedding vows, the singing, dancing, praising, praying, wave offering to YHVH our Elohim.  I had a grand time and am so blessed that our Heavenly Father permitted me to read the covert commandments.  Otherwise I would have only been able to participate by observing the Shabbat and the Wave offering.  Yet, everything we did this day was aligned with Torah.  Most of us actively  sacrificed ourselves to Him, and renewed our commitment to live our lives His Way, not ours.  This is where true Shalom comes from.  We must be able to relax, enjoy, and stay focused on Him. 

Shalom and with lots of love….

Pinchas  a/k/a Frankly Speaking