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but to fulfill.

vs. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise
pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

vs. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach
men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do
and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (emphasis
added)

vs. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The People Of The Book

To begin understanding Paul, one must first know that much of the New Testament writings
are set in the context of Yahweh's reconciliation with the people of the Northern Kingdom of Is-
rael, and the controversy sparked by the remnant of the House of Judah surrounding that event.
(See Luke 2:25; Acts 13:23-27; Acts 26:6, 7). As many of you know, Israel was "married" to
Yahweh. (Jeremiah 3:14). Israel was divided into two kingdoms in Solomon's son, Rehoboam's
day. (I Kings chapter 11). The Northern House of Israel (10 tribes) was given a bill of divorce-
ment because of her adulteries (Jeremiah 3:6-8) and sent into captivity. (II Kings 18:11-12; also
Isaiah 50:1). And Yahweh said to them "ye are not my people, and I will not be your God."
Hosea 1:9. The law regarding divorce was then activated as found in Deuteronomy 24:

vs. 1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour
in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of
divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

vs. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

vs. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her
hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his
wife;

vs. 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that
she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to
sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Paul explains how this applies to the divorced Northern Kingdom of Israel, speaking to
them -- his brethren in Romans chapter 7:

vs. 1 Know ye not brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath do-
minion over a man as long as he liveth?

vs. 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as

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