What Paul Meant When He Said ‘Weak and Miserable Elemental Things’
Gal.4:8 In the past, when you did not know YHWH, you served as slaves beings which in reality are non-gods. But now you do know YHWH, and, more than that, you are known by YHWH. So how is it that you turn back again to those weak and miserable elemental spirits (beggarly and worthless elementary things)? Do you want to enslave yourselves to them once more? You observe special days, months, seasons and years! I fear for you that my work among you has been wasted!
There are many sections of scripture that have been twisted and misinterpreted through faulty modern lenses, this is a great example of that. Modern religious teachings have unfortunately taken these words in Galatians and have presented them to be words against the Shabbat, and the Feasts and Days of YHWH Elohim. The truth of the matter is that these modern teachings don’t even match up properly with the context of what Paul was actually writing about in his letter.
This incorrect interpretation of Paul’s words should be considered blasphemous when you realize that Paul never even considered or labeled these days and events as “weak and worthless elementary things”! Nor has the Word of YHWH ever been purposed for the enslavement of people.
Lev.23:2 The feasts of YHWH, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are MY Feasts.
1Jh.5:3 For this is the love of YHWH, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome (not enslavement).
Rom.7:12 Therefore the Law (Torah) is holy, and the Commandment holy and just and good.
Rom.7:22 For I delight in the Law of YHWH according to the inward man.
Ps.119:142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law (Torah) is the truth.
Paul in his letters was addressing a particular congregation of believers that were continuing in the practice of paganism and/or were being influenced by religious Judaism that they should not have been practicing or being influenced by. Understanding this context, we can see that Paul was referring to those who were practicing paganism: “But then, not knowing YHWH Elohim (former pagans), you served as slaves beings which in reality are non-gods. But now you do know YHWH (grafted into YHWH family), and, more than that, you are known by YHWH. So how is it that you turn back again to those weak and miserable elemental spirits (beggarly and worthless elementary things)? Do you want to enslave yourselves to them once more?”
Paul wrote about this many times in his letters:
1Cor.10:20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to YHWH, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
2Cor.6:17 Therefore: “Come out from among them and be separate, says YHWH. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”
Paul was not driven by any base human emotions nor did he invent these concepts. He based his rebukes and corrections of this congregation on the Word (Torah) since YHWH Elohim warned His people consistently not to mix with pagans and not act according to their customs and traditions:
Lev.18:3 According to the doings of the land of Mizraim, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am YHWH your Elohim. You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am YHWH.
Deut.12:28 Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of YHWH your Elohim. “When YHWH your Elohim cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship YHWH your Elohim in that way; for every abomination to YHWH which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
Lev.20:22 “You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them.But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am YHWH your Elohim, who has separated you from the other nations.
After, Paul tells the Galatians:
Gal.4:21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law (religious Judaism), do you not hear the law itself (what is written in the Torah)? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic.
So, now we can clearly see that Paul is addressing a specific group of people in the Congregation that was being influenced by Judaic religious teaching (aka Talmudism). Paul was specifically explaining to this particular group of people that the Law was not given to be justified, as religious Judaism teaches today. However, this is a topic for another discussion.
Summing up what has been said, I would like to say once again that the Law and commandments of YHWH: His Feasts, Sabbaths, New Moons, Days, etc. were created and purposed to be a blessing for those that follow them, and not “weak and miserable elemental spirits”!
His Word gives light to man’s life on earth and eternal life through faith in Yeshua.