We have had an uncountable number of Christians come to this site and work from the assumption that the Torah commandments were given not just to Israel, but
to all of mankind. We have shown in numerous ways that this is not the case, however this misperception continues amongst them. Inherent in this belief is a
rejection of the notion that there was also a set of laws for gentiles. How do Christians who operate under this assumption explain passages such as II Kings
5?
Yet he clearly makes known to the prophet Elisha that he remains an Aramean, residing in an Aramean land, in service to an Aramean king, who serves an Aramean idol. Na'aman acknowledges that this will continue to be the case, and that in the course of this he will continue to bow to the idol Rimmon as a result of helping to support his king when he bows.
This would be inconceiveable for an Israelite under the mitzvot of the Torah.
Yet, in response to this Elisha tells Na'aman, "léch l'shalom" [go in peace].
Clearly Na'aman was committing himself to the one and only God, yet also clearly is that he was not joining the nation and submitting himself to the laws of Eretz Yisrael, and this is given approval by the most significant prophet of that day, Elisha. This clearly illustrates not only that God did(/does) not require gentiles to follow the mitzvot of the Torah, but that a gentile could reject all of the false gods and devote themself to Hashem alone while remaining a citizen of their home nation, and still not be required to follow the mitzvot of the Torah.
II Kings 5: 15-19Here we have a clear instance of a gentile pledging themself to Hashem and Hashem only.
15. And he returned to the man of God, he and his entire camp; and he came and stood before him: and he said, "Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. And now, accept a gift from your servant."
16. And he said, "As the Lord before Whom I have stood, lives, I will not accept." And he urged him to accept, but he refused.
17. And Naaman said, "Now, if only your servant be given a load of earth as carried by a team of mules, for your servant will no longer offer up a burnt-offering or a sacrifice to other deities, but to the Lord.
18. For this thing may the Lord forgive your servant; when my master comes to Beth-Rimmon to prostrate himself there, and he leans on my hand, and I will prostrate myself in Beth-Rimmon; when I bow in Beth-Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this thing."
19. And he said to him, "Go in peace"; and he went some distance away from him.
Yet he clearly makes known to the prophet Elisha that he remains an Aramean, residing in an Aramean land, in service to an Aramean king, who serves an Aramean idol. Na'aman acknowledges that this will continue to be the case, and that in the course of this he will continue to bow to the idol Rimmon as a result of helping to support his king when he bows.
This would be inconceiveable for an Israelite under the mitzvot of the Torah.
Yet, in response to this Elisha tells Na'aman, "léch l'shalom" [go in peace].
Clearly Na'aman was committing himself to the one and only God, yet also clearly is that he was not joining the nation and submitting himself to the laws of Eretz Yisrael, and this is given approval by the most significant prophet of that day, Elisha. This clearly illustrates not only that God did(/does) not require gentiles to follow the mitzvot of the Torah, but that a gentile could reject all of the false gods and devote themself to Hashem alone while remaining a citizen of their home nation, and still not be required to follow the mitzvot of the Torah.
