Zion's Voice

Torah Portion for 20th March - 26th March

Torah portion              Leviticus 6 : 8  to  8 : 36

Haftarah portion     Jeremiah 7:21 to 8:3 and 9:22,23

“Command”

Why the sacrifices?

Last week we dealt with the general purposes and types of offering which Moses was commanded to declare to the people. In this parashah, Moses is given specific instruction regarding the precise way each of these offerings was to be made, and what was to happen to them.

With the exception of the Burnt Offerings, which (apart from the skin) was to be totally consumed in the fire on the altar, the other offerings would be used, in part, as food for the Priests who officiate at that offering, as follows:-

1. Burnt Offering            God’s portion, the whole animal. Priests portion, the skin (to be sold)

2. Grain Offering           Priests own offering, all for God. Others offering,  God’s portion, a memorial amount (handful). Priests portion, the remainder (which had to be consumed within the court of the Tabernacle).

3. Peace Offering            God’s portion, the fatty portions. Priests portion, Breast (which was given to the High Priest for a wave offering), Right foreleg, given to the officiating priest (as a Heave offering). Remainder was for the Offeror (which was to be eaten the same day).

4. Sin Offering                 God’s portion, the fatty portions. If the offering was for the High Priest and the congregation of Israel, all that remained was to be burnt outside the camp. If the offering was for others, the Priests were to eat it within the court of the Tabernacle.

5. Trespass Offering      God’s portion, the fatty portions. Priests portion, the remainder which was to be eaten within the court of the tabernacle.

God’s instructions were precise. No-one was left to guess what to do next. We should all take careful note of this. When God gives us an instruction, we do not have the option of making changes to suit our mood or our circumstances.

When God sent Yeshua to dwell amongst us, Yeshua verified that He did not come to do His own will, but that of the Father who sent Him. There was no variation option available to Him. Do you think that we have an option which was not even afforded to the ONLY Son of God?

Now it is true, that we no longer have a requirement to offer animal sacrifices. In fact Gentiles were never asked to offer animal sacrifices. It is wonderfully true that Yeshua Himself became the acceptable sacrifice, (the sinless Lamb of God without blemish), for sin for any who put their trust in Him. It is the will of God that NONE should perish, so to that extent Yeshua’s atoning death was for everyone, but we know that many today are dismissive of that sacrifice, even contemptuous. God has specified Himself how those who reject His love offering will end.

In our parashah today, we may conclude that amongst the Israelites there would also have been two groups of people. Those who accepted God’s instructions regarding sacrifice, and those who said “well that’s not the way I see it!!” God has afforded all of us that option. But for those who accept the provision that He has made, both then and now, He specifies HOW it has to be. And that is GOD”s WAY.

When more than one kind of offering was presented (as in Numbers 6: 16,17), the procedure was usually as follows :-

First, the sin offering, then the burnt offering or grain offering, then the peace offering, in that order. This sequence furnishes part of the spiritual significance of the sacrificial system.

First sin had to be dealt with (the sin offering or trespass offering). Second the worshipper committed himself completely to God (the burnt offering or grain offering). Third, the fellowship or communion between the Lord, the Priest and the Worshipper (peace offering) was established. To put it another way, there were sacrifices for expiation (sin offerings or trespass offerings), consecration (burnt offerings and grain offerings), and communion (peace offerings).

It is easy to dismiss these portions of Scripture from Leviticus as being obsolete, which in detail, since the destruction of the Temple, they are. But the principles of renewal and reconciliation of relationship with a Holy God remain. In Yeshua, He has provided all the sacrifice we need for our fellowship with Him. But the principle of how we get to that point remains.

Our sin has to be dealt with. That begins with our acknowledgement that we are sinners and we need to repent. Our commitment to serve God in God’s way is what is called consecration to Him. Our reconciliation is complete when we willingly decide to obey His commandments.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 13th March - 19th March
 

Torah portion           Leviticus 1 : 1  to  6 : 7

Haftarah portion     Isaiah 43 : 21 – 44:23

“And He called”

Draw near to God

Leviticus is the place where ‘new year resolutions’ founder!!!

Many people who set out at the beginning of a year to read the Bible ‘cover to cover’ do pretty well up to this point, then it gets a bit ‘heavy going’.

I understand that Jewish Yeshiva students actually begin their Torah studies at this point. This is because Leviticus is foundational to their training as Rabbinic students. Not only the written Torah, but they also have Mishnah and Gemara, which additionally cover the “Oral Torah” contained in volumes of rabbinic Judgements and Interpretations, together called the Talmud, to master. It is these latter documents, codified during the 1st century C.E. to about 6th century C.E which comprise the written form of the Pharisaic teachings which were prevalent during Yeshua’s days on earth. These are teachings which Yeshua branded “the traditions of men”, and which He had much to say about. It is also these very teachings which have caused the church so much misunderstanding of Torah itself, and which the Apostle Paul wrote against in his letters to the Asian churches, notably Galations.

My Bible has this introduction to Leviticus, which is in absolute contrast to “the traditions of men” which is mentioned above:-

Leviticus is God’s guidebook for His newly redeemed people, showing them how to worship, serve, and obey a Holy God. Fellowship with God through sacrifice and obedience show the awesome Holiness of the God of Israel. Indeed “be ye Holy, for I the Lord your God am Holy” (Lev 19:2). Leviticus focuses on the worship and walk of the Nation of God.”

The main purpose of Leviticus is to give instruction to the Levites (the Priests), in the same way that Deuteronomy has instructions for the laity. Neither book relates to the journeying of the Israelites, and so are not sequential in timing with those travels. We may therefor assume that these instructions were communicated to Moses over a period of time. But we are not expressly told this.

What we do know is that there are FIVE different “offerings” specified in this book. Each of them had a particular purpose. THREE of those were to be voluntarily presented, and TWO were mandatory for dealing with particular offences.

1. Burnt Offering         A voluntary act of worship. Atonement for unintentional sin. An expression of devotion. A commitment and complete                                           surrender to God.
2. Grain Offering         A voluntary act of worship. Recognition of God’s goodness and provision. Devotion to God alone.
3. Peace Offering        A voluntary act of worship. Thanksgiving and fellowship (it included a communal meal).
4. Sin Offering            A mandatory atonement for specific unintentional sin. Confession of sin. Forgiveness of sin. Cleansing from defilement.
5. Trespass Offering  A mandatory atonement for unintentional sin which also required restitution. Cleansing from defilement. Make restitution.                                    Pay a 20% fine.

It is most significant that in each case, the major consequence of the presentation of these offerings is that the offeror “draws near to God”. It is in this “drawing near” that one receives the blessing of forgiveness and fellowship renewal.

In Scripture, whenever the “Peace Offering” is mentioned, it is almost invariably referred to as “the sacrifice of the peace offering”. As I ponder this thought, with the knowledge that the system of sacrificial “drawing near” is not now possible in its original form since the Temple was destroyed, I offer this thought for your consideration.

Jeremiah introduced us another ‘sacrifice’ (Jeremiah 33:11). Read the whole chapter to get the context. The writer to the Hebrews, in his letter to the Jews worshipping in the many synagogues in the diaspora picked up on Jeremiah’s ‘sacrifice’. It is another voluntary sacrifice which can only be made out of a willing heart. It is an important ‘sacrifice’ to make.

“…..let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”  Hebrews 13:15

How can praising God be a ‘sacrifice’? Well, for me, it became a ‘sacrifice’ when after some years of resistance, I raised my hands in worship in an anti-charismatic church I once attended !! It was the realization that my worship was to the Lord, not to those around me. Astoundingly, I found that in that moment I Drew near to God, in fact, very near.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 6th March - 12th March

Torah portion           Exodus 38 : 21  to  40 : 38

Haftarah portion     1 Kings 7 : 51 – 8:21

“Accounts”

What a blessing!

Last week we were introduced to Bezalel, the gifted artisan chosen by God to make the articles and use the materials which were used in the construction of the Mishkan. This week’s parashah opens with Bezalel giving an account of the materials he used to complete the work.

It is quite an exhaustive list of account. The detail included is impressive. Nothing was omitted. Every gift willingly donated by the people was accounted for. It provided clear transparency. To put this into modern vernacular, it confirmed that of those handling the finances, “no-one had their snout in the trough”!! 

Too often, today, we are appraised of situations where those appointed to take care of what is effectively the public purse, exhibit little or nothing  in the way of open scrutiny. Misuse of public funds, regrettably, is all too commonplace. We are left wondering if what we do find out about is merely the ‘tip of the iceberg’. Our parashah this week provides a wonderful example of righteous living. Torah living, no less.

Not only had the work been completed, but we have a most interesting comment from Moses (Exodus 39:43). The work was exactly as the Lord had prescribed, so to that extent, everything was ‘perfect’. Then the words “And Moses blessed them”. We are not told what form this blessing took. But we can be sure that they would have been delighted with the ‘blessing” Moses gave them. It indicates that Moses had faithfully communicated the words of the Lord to them. They had clearly understood what was required. They diligently followed his instructions.

God Himself must have approved too, because Exodus 40 opens with an instruction to set up the Mishkan on the first day of the first month. That was to be just two weeks short of the first anniversary of their departure from Egypt, and just in time for the celebration of their first “mo’ed’, a remembrance of Passover. Try to get a glimpse of the joyful expectation with which that event would be celebrated. YHWH Elohim in their midst. Their corporate activity, aided by their willing contributions, had produced this impressive structure, where the very presence of God was manifest before their eyes. What a blessing !

PLEASE, read slowly the account of this process in Exodus 40 : 16-33. Catch a glimpse of their excitement Each item being placed in position, the structure erected, the articles of worship placed in position, one by one all their efforts over the past several months taking shape, and the final screen placed in front of the court gate.

Immediately, they stand back and watch as the cloud covers the Mishkan, and suddenly the glory of the Lord filled the place. It must have been awesome. That means that they would stand in awe, wonder, amazement, joy, fear, expectation .. and every other emotion imaginable.That, dear friends, was the glory of the Lord dwelling amongst men. What a blessing !

That Mishkan, and later the Temple, served as the dwelling place of God amongst His people for the next 1,500 years. Then God, in love, mercy and grace, sent Yeshua. The very presence of God, not as a building, but a Person. A Person who experienced every human experience and emotion that we feel. Yet sinless and perfect before men and before His Heavenly Father.

Should we not feel the same about the presence of God, in Yeshua, as those Israelites felt as they stood in awe before that Mishkan as the Shekina of God filled the place. He is the same God. He has not changed. He will not change. Be blessed by that fact.

It is possible to read this account of the Mishkan as an historical event, which it was, but there are many lessons there for us to learn about our God and His dealings with those people whom He is seeking to draw to Himself. The blessing of gifts with which He blessed them as they left Egypt. His invitation to them to willingly contribute, (not grudgingly or of necessity) out of that with which He has blessed them. His desire to provide means by which He lives amongst them.

The Mishkan was a place where atonement was made for the transgressions of the people. Yeshua is the person God provided so that atonement is made for the transgressions of those who trust Him.

What a blessing!          

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 28th February - 5th March

Torah portion           Exodus 35 : 1  to  38 : 20

Haftarah portion     1 Kings 7 : 40 – 50

​“And he assembled”

​Willing and obedient

How clear is this? Moses called all the congregation of the people together and told them to keep the Sabbath. (Check it out at Exodus 20 where the “Ten Words” which God gave to Moses on the mountain are recorded. The FOURTH of those ‘words’ is "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”).

A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the meaning of the word “Holy”. We discovered that it means separate, different, special, set apart. We have been taught in our Christian churches that ‘one day is as good as another’, and that is correct. We are free to worship God any and every day we choose. But that does not alter the fact that in His wisdom, love and grace towards us, and for His own reasons, God chose the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath Day. It is one of God’s “mo’edim” (appointed times), described in Leviticus 23 as days when God would meet with His people. The other seven times are called “feasts” in our Bibles.  Passover, Unleavened Bread, First fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement and ending with Tabernacles.

I recently came across a Derek Prince teaching letter. In part, under a heading “Embracing God’s Commands” he wrote :

     “What’s your attitude towards God’s commands? Do you fear them? Do you resent them? Do you try to get away from them? That’s a foolish attitude.

     Remember, God gave His commands to us not to create problems for us but to solve them, not to harm us but to help us. God’s love is in His commands. They are given to save us from ourselves, to save us from evil, to show us the way out of our difficulties and our problems.

     ….  You see, when we love God’s commands and obey them; automatically they reveal to us what is wrong. They show us how to distinguish between good and evil, between what is beneficial and what is harmful. And when we are walking in the light of God’s commands, they keep us from everything harmful, from everything hurtful, from every wrong path.”

Derek seemed to have a way of telling like it is .. not like the way we wish it were !!

Three weeks ago, in our parashah “Terumah”, we discovered how the Lord blessed these Israelites with significant wealth. In Exodus 25, God told Moses to solicit “willing donations” from the people for the purpose of constructing the Mishkan. Now God tells Moses to start collecting the materials. A promise to give is one thing, handing it over is ‘where the rubber hits the road’.

Exodus 35:10 informs us that Bezalel, of the tribe of Judah, had been filled with Spirit of God and given gifts (skills) necessary to turn the ‘willing donations’ of the people into the accomplishment of the task of designing the furniture and shaping the elements which were needed to finish the work. He was also provided with skilled assistants.

As I reflect on this parashah, I see how very important it is for each one, from Bezalel the designer, to Mrs. ??? who handed over her only pair of gold earrings to be willing and obedient to the call of God. You don’t need me to apply the modern metaphor for this. We all, as believers in Yeshua, have been gifted with abilities and responsibilities to play our part, (however small and insignificant we may think our part to be) in conjunction with our Holy God, to bring about His purposes. The key is willingness added to obedience. We may need reminding that in God’s Kingdom no-one is “giftless” !!. We all have something to bring, but, regrettably, we are not all ‘willing’.

There is one more fascinating fact provided in Exodus 36: 3 – 7. The “willingness’ of these Israelites, to bring their gifts for the work seems to have been boundless. “And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.” What a lesson that provides for those of us who are willing to learn !

The remainder of our parashah provides intricate detail of the various elements of the Mishkan. It is indicative of the way God instructs His people. If we return for reference to the quotation from Derek Prince earlier in this ‘reflection’, we will see that in His love, mercy and grace, God has given us clear instruction about how we should order our lives. All that is required of us is to be “willing and obedient”.

Shabbat Shalom

RS