April 2016
Pesach
Torah Portion for 24th April - 30th April
Torah portion Exodus 13 : 17 - 15 : 26
Haftarah portion Numbers 28 : 16 – 25
“Passover”
Abundant life
We come to the last day of the celebration and remembrance of “Pesach”.
The parashah narrative begins with the statement of fact that the Pharoah had finally agreed to “let the people go”. It continues with the story of the journey of escape from Egypt, and the drowning of the pursuing Egyptian army, and it ends with the provision of “sweet water” to drink out of the bitter waters of Marah. A fascinating story.
These events are well known. Even non-Christian sceptics are familiar with the story, so we do not need to re-visit the detail. But we need to find the lessons for ourselves as the story unfolds.
Last week we focussed on the prophetic significance of the whole season of the three Pesach festivals. This week we learn of the detail of the way the event unfolded for them in practical terms. In fact, as we arrive at the very end of the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” in our study this week, we see the hand of Almighty God, and a picture of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach in this parashah.
We could look at the provision of food, which rained down from Heaven each night, sufficient to satisfy each family for the whole day ahead. And that which was not eaten that day rotted before the next day! It was to be gathered and eaten FRESH each day (Miraculously, the same food lasted TWO days when the weekly Shabbat came around).
The Apostle John, in Chapter 6 from verse 32, records the words of Yeshua when He described Himself as “the Bread of Life”. He goes further by relating the “bread from Heaven” in Moses time with Himself.
“Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
It is not going too far to equate the Israelites need for a daily gathering of that bread, with our need today for a ‘daily gathering’ of the bread which Yeshua is. He taught us to pray ‘give us this day our daily bread’. I believe that this phrase has both a literal and a spiritual meaning. We need to gather our ‘bread’ DAILY, just as those Israelites did in our parashah.
We could look at the provision of water. Moses was told to strike the rock, out of which poured an abundance of clean fresh, life-giving water. Our beloved Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth used a most interesting description of this water.
“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ” 1 Corinthians 10 : 1- 4.
Paul is suggesting here that the miracle of the provision of water from the Rock extended to that Rock actually following them around!! The plain sense of this is that it was Yeshua Himself, there with the Israelites on their journeying’s in the wilderness who sustained them with life giving water. On another occasion, when Yeshau was attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, at the time of the water libation Ceremony in the Temple He said:-
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."” John 7 : 37,38
So then, as the “mo’ed” of Pesach concludes for another year, we remind ourselves that the Passover Seder which starts the celebration of this season always ends with the participants saying “Next Year in Jerusalem”. An anticipatory statement about the coming of Messiah. So we who are believers in Yeshau, can see the way in which this “appointed time” of Pesach not only speaks of Yeshau perfectly fulfilling His role as the ‘Lamb that was slain’, but also throughout the whole parashah we have reminders of His role in our lives as the sustainer of our life
For the believer, without Him there is no hope of life. With Him we have abundant life …. IF we choose to access it. Praise be to Him.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Pesach
Torah Portion for 17th April - 23rd April
Torah portion Exodus 12 : 21 - 51
Numbers 28 : 16-25
Haftarah portion Joshua 5 : 2 to 6 : 1
“Passover”
Chag Sameach
The regular sequence of Torah readings is interrupted this week because of the “mo’ed” of Pesach.
Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 have the commandments about annual observances of the “mo’edim”. (The Hebrew word for “appointed times”, which in turn is usually translated into English as “feasts”). These are times when God specified He would meet with His chosen ones.
Today, they are most often referred to as “Jewish Feasts”. That correctly describes the fact that they are observances remembered by Jews. But it is an incorrect understanding of the Scriptures.
When God gave these instructions to Moses, He carefully worded these ‘appointed times’ (mo’edim) as MY ‘mo’edim’. They may be characterized as times when God says, in effect, “I will be there to meet with you on these specific occasions”. Those who choose not to attend miss an opportunity of blessing through meeting with Him at His invitation.
This festival, known as “Pesach” (Passover), embraces THREE festivals in a period of eight days. The first of these remembers the actual day in history (the 14th day of the first month, Nisan) when the Israelites experienced the ‘salvation’ of the firstborn in their families by placing the blood of the Pesach Lamb on the doorposts and lintels of their houses in Egypt. The Lord ‘passed over’ their houses when He saw the blood.
It also is the exact Hebrew calendar date of the crucifixion of Yeshua. The Christian celebration of Easter (replacing Passover) was formalized at the Council of Nicea in the days of the Emperor Constantine of Rome. It signalled the official separation of the “church” from its Hebrew roots. (In my view one of Satan’s major victories over mankind).
The second remembrance is known as the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” which occurs on the very next day, Nisan 15. (It is a High Sabbath), and it lasts seven days, and begins and ends with a special Sabbath, Note that there are always three Sabbaths during this Pesach festival. The “High Sabbath” which marks the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, (and the Sabbath which marks the end of the festival, PLUS the normal weekly Sabbath). It is this “High Sabbath” which is the Sabbath mentioned in John 19:31 before which the Jews were anxious to confine Yeshua’s body to the grave. Then the ‘normal’ weekly Sabbath occurred immediately prior to the resurrection of Yeshua. This confirms the statement of Yeshua in Luke 11:29 (as well as in Matthew and Mark) when asked for a sign. Read it. The complete lack of understanding of this fact has caused conventional church teaching to major on an incorrect “Good Friday” crucifixion story !
Unleavened Bread is eaten during the whole eight day period of the Pesach remembrance. To Jews it is a remembrance of the fact that they ate unleavened bread,(as commanded in Exodus 12:18) as they fled from Egypt on the night of Passover. Leaven is a symbol of SIN, so to believers, the Unleavened Bread also represents the sinless body of the Messiah which was buried in the grave for three days and three nights.
The third festival in this Pesach season is the “Feast of Firstfruits”. It occurs on the day AFTER the weekly Sabbath in Pesach week. (Always a SUNDAY). It signified the beginning of the Barley Harvest and was celebrated by a priest waving an ‘omer’ (a measure) of Barley in the temple in Yeshua’s day. But it was also the day on which Yeshua was resurrected from the grave. Believers refer to it as Resurrection Sunday. (but in association with Easter rather than Passover!) It signifies that Yeshua became the “Firstfruits from the dead”. (see 1 Corinthians15:23).
We should be grateful that churches worldwide (all varieties) remember the death and resurrection of Yeshua. And that they do so sincerely. But more and more, many people are realizing that our roots are inextricably founded in Judaism and the Lord’s “mo’edim” (appointed times). Those that do then focus more on Passover than Easter.
In addition to your own church fellowship, this year, take the trouble to find a fellowship of believers who celebrate Passover, (I assure you the dates will not clash with Easter!) and join them in that celebration. You will be enlightened, blessed and immeasurably enriched as you do.
Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday)
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Metzora
Torah Portion for 10th April - 16th April
Torah portion Leviticus 14 : 1 to 15 : 33
Haftarah portion Malachi 3 : 4 – 24
"The leper”
A light to our path
Following the healing of the leper, described in Matthew 8, Yeshua told him to follow Moses’ instructions. Our parashah this week begins with those instructions, which included making an offering to the Lord for the restoration of fellowship following the healing.
The leprous condition is equated to sin. It is a sign of “uncleanness”. It has to be dealt with. No half measures, complete eradication. And until that point, the leprous person had to be segregated from fellowship, outside the camp. Restoration of fellowship involved blood sacrifice (as well as some other ritual practices). We might argue that the terms seem harsh, or even incomprehensible to us. But God is God. He specified the conditions then, and He specifies the conditions today!
It is analogous to our situation as sinners before the Lord. Our sin separates us from fellowship with Almighty God. We cannot assume that fellowship on our terms, much as we might try. He has provided the means. Our part is to follow God’s way, which also involves the blood sacrifice.
In practical terms, as we read through the parashah this week, these instructions make a lot of sense in that they are designed to contain the natural spread of disease and “uncleanness”. The whole parashah deals with the “uncleanness” of body and property. I find myself reluctant to over spiritualize this passage, but it is important to find the practical lesson for us today.
The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy (2 Timothy 3 :16,17) said:-
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
With the passage of time, and the enormous change in both lifestyle and living standards, these instructions seem archaic. However, we know that they are there, in part, that we might understand the nature and character of Almighty God.
Our God is a caring God. He is EL SHADDAI (Almighty God). He is YHWH-RAPHE (God who heals). It is not His wish that any should go astray. His instructions are given for our benefit and delight. Remember the words of King David in Psalm 119 : 104–108 :-
“Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Your judgments”.
David accepted that during his life, he would, and did, encounter affliction. We are no different. What makes the real difference is how we deal with that affliction. Most of us have encountered people who seem to have endured incredible affliction. We marvel at the peace and tranquillity of spirit which they portray. Almost invariably we find that they are people who have a close walk with God.
A few weeks ago, I speculated that Leviticus would be the place where "New Year resolutions” terminated!! Those who set out to read the Scriptures from Genesis to “Maps” in one year meet a hurdle in Leviticus. It is a difficult book to read without getting ‘bogged down’ in detail. It does not flow easily in the modern context, and we need to constantly remind ourselves that it is an ‘instruction manual’ for the Priesthood. (the Levites).
BUT it IS still the Word of God. It IS there for our instruction in righteousness. I commend you to persevere. There are blessings abundant for those who "endure to the end”.
May I respectfully request of those who regularly read these 'reflections' to please share with us any insight God might illuminate to you as you study this passage. We will all be the wiser for the sharing!!
God’s word is a light to our path
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Tazria
Torah Portion for 3rd April - 9th April
Torah portion Leviticus 12 : 1 to 13 : 59
Haftarah portion Ezekiel 45 : 16 – 46 : 18
“Has conceived”
It’s about your body!
The parashah this week makes for quite easy reading, but is rather more difficult to relate to modern day living in Australia! But there are lessons for us.
We remind ourselves that the instructions in the book of Leviticus were given for the benefit of the priests. Those instructions had significant relevance to the interpersonal relationships between the Levitical Priesthood and the people amongst whom they ministered. When a new baby was born, it would have been a member of the Levitical priesthood who would officiate at the “brit milah” (circumcision).
Circumcision was a covenant sign which was instituted in Abraham’s day, some hundreds of years earlier. Perhaps this provides our first lesson from this parashah. The commandments of the Lord are everlasting, even if the people forget them or simply neglect to practise them. Just ponder the differences in lifestyle which had occurred in the 500 or so years since Abraham was given this instruction. The Israelites had endured over 400 years (that’s several generations of people) of slavery in Egypt. During that time, of which we have little description except for its latter days, it is possible that the covenant observances had fallen away. They were now being led through a desert land, where, in effect, God had them all to Himself, so that He could now begin, again, to teach them to live as He purposed they should live. To train them in the ways of righteously living together as “His special treasure”.
It might have been tempting for them to say “O that was an instruction for a different people years ago, it doesn’t apply to us” But in His love, mercy and grace towards them, He began the task of instructing them again. Can anyone else (other than me!) remember this verse of that beautiful hymn we used to sing years ago?
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Apart from the “brit milah”, the rest of the portion focuses on the relationship between the Levitical Priesthood and the people in respect to contagious and discharging infections. The detail is quite remarkable. It provided an authority amongst them for determining who should be isolated from the community and for how long. It also would have given them a sense of respect for the Priests amongst them.
In illustration of this, look at Matthew 8:4. A man with leprosy asked Yeshua to “make me clean”. We may assume that this poor man had followed the procedure we have just read about in our parashah. Then Yeshua healed him, made him clean again, but that was not enough. He then instructed the man to strictly ‘observe the commandment of Moses’. Read it. We sometimes lose sight of the fact that Yeshua (as well as ALL His disciples, including the Apostle Paul) was completely Torah observant all His life on Earth, and did not rescind any commandment. In fact, we read in Matthew 5:19 that anyone who teaches otherwise will be called “least in the Kingdom of Heaven”. Heavy stuff eh!
Our parashah continues to the end of Chapter 13 instructing the Levitical Priests how to deal with infections (which are given the general term of ‘leprosy’) which are observed on fabrics and skins. It is not very inspiring reading, except that it again illustrates God’s amazing love and care for those who are His. On this point we may learn another lesson from this parashah. Because we know that we worship Almighty God, who does not change, we may be sure that He has exactly the same concerns for our welfare as He did for these Israelites of old.
When Yeshua commissioned His disciples to go and spread the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 10, He assured them, amongst other things, that “the very hairs of your head are numbered”. An amazing statement of love and concern for those who are his.
But we cannot leave this parashah without stating the obvious. God has for all time made provision for those who willingly join Him in fellowship. That applied to the Torah of Moses and the means of ‘drawing near’ which was the characteristic of the sacrificial system. It applies to those who ‘draw near’ today by willingly accepting the salvation offered by the atoning death and resurrection of Yeshua.
In BOTH instances, there was, and is, MORE involved. It is not JUST an assent with the mind, it is an action which changes a lifestyle. The Apostle Paul has put it much better than I ever could.
Read Romans 12:1,2
It’s about your body!
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Sh’mini
Torah Portion for 27th March - 2nd April
Torah portion Leviticus 9 : 1 to 11 : 47
Haftarah portion Ezekiel 36 : 16 – 38
“Eighth”
A reflection of the future!
For the past two weeks we have learned about the sacrifices, their purpose, and the manner of their presentation before the Lord. Our parashah last week concluded with the consecration of Aaron and his sons for their Priestly duties. That included consuming their portion of the various sacrifices which had been made in the consecration process. For a period of seven days, they were required to remain inside the Tabernacle.
Our parashah this week starts on the “eighth” day. The day the Priestly consecration was complete.
Moses instructs Aaron to make a series of sacrifices, for both himself and for the people, in the precise order we discussed last week. Moses tells him that when that is done “The Glory of the Lord will appear to you”.
In effect, deal with the sin first (the sin offering or trespass offering). Commit yourselves completely to God (the burnt offering or grain offering). Establish fellowship or communion between the Lord, the Priest and the people (peace offering). Then be amazed at the “Shekina” of the Lord. On that particular occasion, the “shekinah” of the Lord appeared to all the congregation in the form of fire. Fire which consumed the burnt offering which was on the altar. Fire which assured the people that their sacrifice was acceptable to Almighty God. Fire which caused them to fall on their faces in worship.
Can you see, as I see, a future event which is foretold by this parashah before us today?
In Revelation 19 : 4 we read of the time when Babylon (the kingdom of the great harlot of Scripture, Satan) is finally defeated. Salvation, made possible by sacrifice of the “Lamb of God”, is proclaimed. The sacrificial death and resurrection of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is complete and accepted. The ‘four and twenty elders’ fall down before the Throne of God in worship saying “Amen! Allelujah!” and Yeshua, our sacrifice, appears.
“His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns.
He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called
The Word of God.”
Behold the “shekinah” of God. Hallalujah, what a saviour!.
Leviticus Chapter 10 then relates a story about two of Aaron’s four sons. Nadab and Abihu, who, seemingly, took matters into their own hands. We are not told anything of their motive, but whatever it was displeased God. The Bible students amongst us may care to research this matter !!
My speculation is that in the midst of the exultation of the people at seeing the “shekinah” of God, they took it upon themselves, as high profile Priests, to try to share the “shekinah” of God by attempting to deflect some of that adulation to themselves.
Five times in the Torah alone (the five books of Moses), God is described as “a jealous God”. He will not share His glory with anyone. Satan was cast out of fellowship with God because he sought equality with God. In Matthew 7:21, we read of some people who are destined to be very disappointed when ‘the books are opened’. Dare we speculate that they will be those who seek to share in the “shekinah” of God? There are some high profile ‘Priests’ today, very wealthy people, who, in my view, seek to share the “shekinah” of God by the way they present themselves. Perhaps they should read this “reflection”!!!
Our parashah ends with a dissertation on “kosher” foods. What an unpopular topic that is!! There will be MANY who sincerely believe that this particular set of commandments is obsolete. Those same people will sincerely have reasons of their own for believing what they believe, and I have mine.
Sufficient to say, these commandments are in the Book. God does NOT have to explain Himself. He has His own reasons for including them, and if you are at all exercised by this, then just ask Him to show you.
As always there is so much more teaching available every week. This is just “my personal reflection” on a small part of it. Why not share yours with a friend? Or even Zion’s Voice. It could be a reflection of the future!
Shabbat Shalom
RS