March 2024
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 25
Shimini (Eighth day)
After their consecration, Aaron and his sons had remained in the Tabernacle for seven days. Then, on the EIGHTH day (for interested Bible students, the topic of the ‘eighth day’ provides a most instructive and informative study) Moses announced to Aaron that the “glory of the LORD will appear to you"’. But before that appearance, there would need to be a cleansing. A complete cleansing. There were sin offerings for Aaron, and sin offerings for the people. There were burnt offerings for Aaron, and burnt offerings for the people. Grain offerings for Aaron, and grain offerings for the people. A wave offering and a sacrifice of a peace offering. The only offering not made that day was a trespass offering.
There was a point during this major offering of sacrifice, that Aaron lifted his hand toward the people and blessed them. A kind on new beginning for them all. Then suddenly “the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people”. Just as Moses had told them. It must have been a terrifying experience. Try, if you can, to imagine it. Standing there, at the door of the Tabernacle, being blessed by the High Priest, and then “fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar’'. Those offerings Aaron had prepared as a sacrifice to the LORD, He TOOK, in the fire. An act of acceptance by Him. We can read that account now and see it in “ho hum” fashion, and as “just another of God’s miracles”. But it is NOT. This is God instilling in His people a “reverential fear” of Himself. The reverential fear of which, people, even today, should take very careful note. The awesome might and majesty of our God. The reverential fear which Solomon would later say is the “beginning of wisdom”. And of which the writer to Hebrews would comment “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. The reverential fear which, regrettably, is nowhere, or perhaps rarely, to be found in our society today. And we are the losers.
That should have been the end of it. But it wasn’t. Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, were so awestruck, that they took some incense, put it in a censer, set it alight and offered that as an offering before the LORD. That was NOT part of God’s command. This demonstration of awe and might by God was His alone. The people all around were on their faces in “reverential fear”. Nadab and Abihu wanted to share in the glory of the spectacle before them. And they did. The fire which had consumed the offerings on the altar, suddenly consumed them too! I can only try to imagine Aaron, witnessing this event, mouth open, looking at the spot where moments earlier his two sons had stood. But Moses knew. He turned to Aaron and said “This is what the LORD spoke, saying. ‘by those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy (set apart); And before all the people, I (and only I) must be glorified,’”. We would do well to let that sink in. It is a lesson we must all learn if we are to be in right relationship with Almighty God. Reverential fear.
God then spoke directly to Aaron regarding his own appearances before Him when he entered the tabernacle of meeting to perform his Priestly duties. He was to be completely sober, and in clarity of mind be able to “distinguish between the holy and the unholy, and between unclean and clean, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses”. Remember, these were things they had already heard from Moses and had willingly agreed to in covenant with God. And shortly after God had spoken to Aaron, Moses had cause to address Aaron and his two remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar about the fact that they had not followed the correct procedure in dealing with the sin offering of the people. It was to be eaten by them in the tabernacle, which was symbolic of them literally taking the sin of the people. Instead they had burnt it all on the altar. But Aaron concluded that the sin offering was actually for the priests themselves, so that the correct procedure had been followed. These were early days for them, and they were all learning “on the job”. Such was the care they took to carefully observe all that God had, through Moses instructed them. Another lesson.
My final ‘reflection’ on this passage notes the long list of animals, fish, and birds which were “kosher” (a word which simply means ‘proper’) food for them. These foods are mentioned again in Deuteronomy 14, And we have mention of clean and unclean animals in the story of the flood (Genesis 7). Now this is a huge issue for many christians. Often exacerbated by people who mis-quote the Scriptures of Matthew 15 and Mark 7. In these gospel accounts the issue was about eating without washing hands, and hygienic as it is, that is not a biblical commandment. Christians also generally fail to grasp that these gospel accounts were written by Jews to Jews and for Jews. The customs and practises of the Jews ensured that the clear command regarding the dietary laws of Leviticus and Deuteronomy were part of their culture. Built in to them over many centuries. So when the word “food” is used in Scripture it means just that. “Food” meant animals fish and birds which were ‘clean’. As well as grain crops of course. Full stop.
Even though I have a strong personal conviction that these commandments have never been abrogated, and am very comfortable with what the LORD has spoken to me in regard to that, I have also been an advocate, for a number of years, that we avoid divisive argument about this issue. If you have a personal concern about this matter, my strong recommendation is that you go before the LORD, with an open mind, and an open Bible, and ask Him to show you what you should do. If you are sincere, He WILL tell you.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 24
Tzav (Command)
A confession. The first TWO Torah portions in Leviticus deal with the FIVE different offerings which were to be made to the LORD. For the sake 0f clarity and convenience, I chose to deal with those offerings as a group in our ‘reflection’ last week, even though, in part, they are also covered in some detail in this week’s portion. But before that, there is an important item, which was not covered last week and to which I now refer.
“If a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of the matter - if he does not tell it, he bears guilt.” (Leviticus 5:1) So what about it? Seems quite innocuous doesn’t it? In Matthew 26, we read that Yeshua stood “on trial” before Caiaphas, and that He remained silent. In desperation and anger Caiaphas said “I put you under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” To have remained silent, Yeshua would have committed the sin referred to in Leviticus 5:1. But He remained “The Lamb without blemish”, by making that confession before his detractors. He bore appalling indignity and pain as a result. The enraged Caiaphas, “tore his clothes”. It has been observed that if these clothes were the ‘Priestly Garments”, Caiaphas immediately became disqualified from that office and could no longer perform the duty of slaying the “Passover Lamb”. But OUR Passover Lamb that year was Yeshua who offered Himself as the sacrifice for many. That is a reminder to us of how perfectly Yeshau upheld and practised Torah. Always our example.
In our portion this week we see examples of some matters which might require men to make a Trespass offering. AND make restitution to the value of 120% of the ‘damage’. We carefully note that this was a mandatory ordinance. It was, and still is. It has never been revoked. A solemn requirement, which is necessary for the functioning of an orderly society. Except, that there is no longer a place to offer such a sacrifice, which constitutes a humble act of repentance. However, we have the great privilege of having our Great High Priest before Whom we may repent, gain forgiveness, and out of a repentant heart, make appropriate restitution. As long as sin remains part of our society, the need for repentance also remains.
A lesson here. There was no provision for establishing a police force!! And what made it work was “the fear of the LORD”. And, my dear friends, when Yeshua comes to establish His rule on earth, there will again be NO police force. Why? Because we will live under a NEW covenant in “the fear of the LORD”. That new covenant cannot be taught. It will be put in our minds, and written on our hearts by God Himself. Unbreakable. And satan will not be around to cause disruption. Well may we ask “Where is the fear of the LORD today? Let that sink in. I provide a common example, which is rife in our society, even in people of faith. It is a trespass against the LORD. Cheating on pension and social security payments, including the non declaration of payments for work done by such recipients. Selah!
It is also significant that the Priests, when presented with a variety of offerings, chose to deal with them in an orderly way, appropriating priority to some over others. Their priority order was:-
1. Sin offering and/or Trespass offering.
2. Burnt offering.
3. Peace offering and Grain offering.
This order is symbolic of the spiritual significance of the sacrificial system. First sin was dealt with. Then the worshipper committed himself completely to God. Finally establishment of fellowship between the LORD, the Priest and the worshipper.
Leviticus 8 repeats, but in more detail, the act of consecration of Aaron as High Priest, and his sons who might one day inherit that position. They were brought before the congregation of the people at the door of the Tabernacle of meeting of the people. It was a solemn moment of consecration. Everyone present witnessed the event. There were no secret ‘deals’. Everything was witnessed by the people, and I believe, as a result, Aaron was given clear authority and status to act as mediator of the people into the future. It is worthwhile for us to again make some comparisons between this ceremony and the experience meted out to Yeshua, as He was ‘prepared’, in full sight of all the people, to become mediator between God and mankind, for all time into the future. It was humiliating. It was degrading. It was devastating for His followers. But it was NOT the end. Aaron would serve faithfully and well as the High Priest for the rest of his life. Yeshua serves well for the rest of His life, which is a life of eternity. And we are His witnesses.
The ‘ordination’ of Aaron continued, Moses anointed him with oil, and sprinkled him with some of the blood of the sacrifice. Then the portion of the sacrifice, the ram of consecration, which Moses offered was eaten at the door of the Tabernacle until it was finished, and if any remained it was burned in the fire. None of that sacrifice left the Tabernacle. Aaron became the living representative of God, interceding for the people, acknowledged by the people and serving faithfully all his days. It is not easy for us, as gentiles, to identify with the sacrificial ordinances which were commanded by God. It is culturally foreign. BUT, it is not to be ignored. There are lessons to be learned, and we will benefit as we learn from them.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 23
Vayikra ( Called )
For the next seven weeks we will ‘reflect’ on this Book of Leviticus! Last week we came to the end of Exodus. The story of the formation of the nation of Israel, and their journey to the land of God’s promise began in Genesis 12 when God called Abram. It continued through Exodus, then it takes a short break, before picking the story up again in Numbers. The Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy are largely instructional. Leviticus for the priestly group, and Deuteronomy for the people. Exodus closed when the Tabernacle was erected and fitted ready for service. Now Moses, following the instruction received on Mt Sinai, revealed detail about how God was to be served and worshipped, and how God expected them to use the Tabernacle in their walk, uprightly, before Him. There is much detail, often seemingly repetitious, quite unambiguous, easy to follow, spelling out the responsibilities of both people and Priests. It deals with the time on the journey they were undertaking, and the time when they would eventually reach the destination, the land of God’s promise.
The portion of Scripture today deals with various offerings the people might bring before the LORD, the reasons for them, and what is to happen to those offerings. There are THREE participants to these FIVE offerings. The one making the offering. The Priest who acts as an intermediary. And God, to Whom the offering is rendered. The offerings are:-
The Burnt Offering
The Grain Offering
The Peace Offering, always referred to as
“sacrifice of the Peace Offering”.
The Sin Offering
The Trespass Offering
These offerings fall into TWO categories.The first THREE mentioned above are ‘voluntary’ and willingly presented. The last TWO are mandatory. The first of them comprising just the offering itself, the second one additionally involving a penalty of restitution. The actual detail is more easily read that explained, and I encourage you to do so. In this ‘reflection’ we will look at some features which provide lessons for us today, where they exist. The sacrificial system we are discussing came to an end when the Herodian Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Emperor Titus in the year 70 C.E. The Scriptures indicate that there will be yet another Temple constructed before the return of Yeshua to this earth, and that one will be desecrated by the ‘man of peace’ (the Beast) when he demands that he alone is to be worshipped there. It will be a time of dreadful persecution and even death for any who remain true to our faith.
The Burnt Offering may be of the herd (a bull) the flock (sheep or goat), or for the very poor a small bird (Dove or Pidgeon). A condition being that the animals must be ‘without blemish’. The lesson here is that we bring to God the very best we have to offer, not a ‘cast off’ or something of no further use to us. The Priest identified with that offering by placing his own hand on it before killing the animal, sprinkling the blood around the Alter, preparing it, and then Burning the whole animal (less the skin) on the Alter. The Priest had no part for himself (other than the skin). The purpose of this offering was to atone for unintentional sin in general, or an act of devotion or commitment.
The Grain Offering provided an act of devotion, or of thanksgiving for God’s bountiful provision. Also as an accompaniment to the peace offering. If it were the Priest’s own offering it was all consumed in the fire. If presented by another, only a token handful was burned and the Priest kept the rest. But it had to be consumed within the boundary of the Tabernacle.
The sacrifice of the Peace Offering was an act of devotion or for sealing a vow to God. Any animal without blemish together with a variety of breads , unleavened of course, was acceptable. The fatty portions, kidneys, lobe of the liver etc were to be burned (God’s portion). The High Priest was given the breast of the animal (a wave offering) and the right leg to the officiating Priest (a heave offering). The remainder was consumed within two days by the one making the offering.
The Sin Offering was for cleansing from unintentional sin, confession of sin, and forgiveness of sin. God’s portion was the same as the peace offering. If the offering was for the High Priest and the congregation itself, the rest of the animal was burnt outside the camp. In the rubbish dump. For other people, it was burnt on the altar and consumed by the Priests, but within the confines of the Tabernacle.
The Trespass Offering was for an unintentional event which the Priest deemed to require restitution, regarding “the Holy things of the LORD”. The Priest would asses the value of the ‘trespass’, and in addition to bringing a Ram without blemish, an amount of 120% of the assessed value was also to be paid. God again received the fatty portions as in the two previous offerings and the rest was to be eaten within the court of the Tabernacle.
Now another lesson. We need to understand that the outstanding element of this whole process was in order to ‘get right with God’. The sacrificial system provided for multiple opportunities to ‘get right with God’. They erred, they repented, they brought a sacrifice. NO, we do not any longer have to present ourselves with ‘the blood of bulls and goats’. We also acknowledge that Yeshua spilt His own blood as a ransom for our sin, ‘once for all time’, YES. But, just as in our ‘reflection’ above, there was no ‘once for all time repentance ’ for them. In our lives, there is no ‘once for all time’ repentance. In our ‘reflection’ God saw the repentant heart, and forgave them, every time. So for us, we know when we have erred. We repent. We bring our pleas before a Holy God. He accepts OUR sacrifice. The fruit of our lips. Seeking His forgiveness. His answer “It’s already paid for”.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 22
Vayak’hel/Pekuda (Assembled/Accounts)
The portion this week starts with yet another reminder and command for the people to “remember and to observe” the Sabbath. Must be important eh? So much has been written about this down through the years which attempt to justify the change of the “seventh day” to the “first day”. This was formalised in 321 C.E. by the Emperor Constantine, and since then, the “church” has appropriated to itself the authority to make such changes to ‘festivals’ and ‘observances’ as it, in its consideration, deemed appropriate. Constantine has been categorised as wanting to put as much distance as possible between his faith (christianity) and Judaism. He succeeded. But there is not a single shred of Scriptural evidence for such change. With the command given to Moses, were examples of practices, like work and lighting fires (presumably for cooking) which were forbidden on the Sabbath day.
Now it is true that in their enthusiasm to keep the Sabbath holy, the sages and Rabbi’s, over a long period of time, put many “hedges” and “fences” around the Sabbath which, to most protestant groups seem to be quite “over the top”. On a tour I took to Israel not many years ago, walking through the Jewish Quarter of the old city, one of our group was asked by a lady from one of the homes there if he were Gentile or Jewish. He is gentile. So she requested that he go into her home to turn on the cooker so she could prepare lunch!! A Rabbinic ruling which prohibits a Jew from ‘lighting fires’. There are many other examples which could be cited. BUT, the principle is to ensure that the commandments of God are not violated. Why? Because the penalty for non observance was death. There is the other extreme too. The view of many christians that God’s “Law” has been made redundant by the sacrificial death of Yeshua. And that flies in the face of Yeshua’s own declaration. Read it. (Matthew 23:2-4) “ The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat (in the synagogues and Temple as teachers) Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do (because it is correct teaching), but do NOT do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Hypocritical. Good time to take stock ourselves eh! Sabbath observance?? Anything else? Evidently Yeshua was a Pharisee both in teaching and in deed. Never once did He teach that the “law” was obsolete. He was “in the beginning” right?
Then followed the command, a repeat of one given in Exodus 25, about willingly bringing offerings to the LORD. And we read “The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the LORD, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done.” How many of our churches today would like to put this notice outside their buildings? “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done - indeed too much.” Bezalal was the chief artisan, but he too had plenty of help, and in the fullness of time, the work was completed.
There are many observations which might be made about this whole process of getting the tabernacle ready for worship of God. We will ‘reflect’ on this and see if there is a lesson for today in that process. Moses was instructed about when and in which order the many elements were to be set in place. “On the first day of the first month”, would be one year after they had left Egypt. First the Tent of meeting. The central structure containing the Holy Place, which had two ‘spaces’. In the inner ‘space’ only the ark of the Testimony. The item in which God said He would dwell among them. The message I get is PUT God first. Before everything else. Whatever He says to you .. DO. Then that space was partitioned off with a veil with access to it only through an intercessor, the High Priest. Who is our High Priest? Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.
In the outer “space” there were three items of furniture. The Table. Destined to have on it the twelve loaves of the showbread. The Bread of the Presence. Consumed by the priests. God declared that His people were to be a “kingdom of priests”. By faith we who believe and trust Him are His people. We are to ‘feed’ on that “Bread of the Presence” that we might be sustained. The Lampstand. Giving light continually in the Holy Place. The light sustained by specially made oil. In Scripture, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We are told to “let our light so shine before men that they may see you good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) The Altar of Incense. Set immediately before the veil. Incense is a symbol of prayer and praise. That which is offered continually before our God. Our “sacrifice of praise offered continually” (Hebrews 13:15). The fruit of our lips. Then the screen which separates that Holy Place from the outer court was erected. Only priests were allowed past that screen. Then in the outer court of the Tabernacle were the Sacrificial Altar and the Bronze Laver.
But finally, I want to ‘reflect’ on the preparation of the High Priest for his task as an Intercessor for the people. Read it carefully in Exodus 40:12-15. Aaron and his sons were brought before the ‘door of the tabernacle’. They were stripped and washed, publicly. Surely a humiliating experience. Then dressed in their Priestly garments ready to intercede for the people. I cannot help but draw a comparison between this and the public humiliation of our High Priest, Yeshua, as He was ‘commissioned’ for His task of representing us before the same God, He Who lived among the people, but now sits in the Throne room of heaven, where one day we will all stand before Him.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 21
Ki Tisa (When you take a Census)
The reading last week ended with the LORD instructing Moses that Aaron must make an annual “offering of atonement with the blood of the sin offering” on the altar in the Holy Place. Immediately after that, we find instructions regarding the taking of a census of the people. The census was related to the payment of a ‘half shekel’ ransom for every person over 20 years of age, as an offering to the LORD. The money so collected was “for the service of the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD , to make atonement for yourselves.” So it was, that God ensured that they had means to maintain the tabernacle of meeting and repair or replace anything that needed attention. This was a duty entrusted to the High Priest, because it was he who had intimate knowledge of anything that might need attention. Much, much later, during the Roman occupation of the land, the collection of this annual census ‘tax’, (which became known as a Temple tax) was so lucrative that the office of High Priest was compromised. It became a much sought after political appointment, totally ignoring the command, in our portion today, that that office be held by a descendant of Aaron. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” said the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:10). The compromise of the priesthood (and even some pentecostal personalities in our day) has its origin right there.
So the High Priest was commanded how to dress, how to prepare, and how to perform his service to the LORD. And he was not the only one. “See, I have called by name Bezalel (Heb: ‘In the protection of God’) the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.” And Olihab of the tribe of Dan was appointed to assist him. “And all that I have commanded you they shall do.” What an assignment! So it was that the Tabernacle construction arrangements were in place.
And now, before Moses completed his 40 day sojourn on the mountain, God had one more instruction. It was not about the Tabernacle of meeting, but about the Sabbath. For the previous couple of months, God had provided the people with “manna”, that bread from heaven, and all of them were aware that on the sixth day they had to collect enough for two days. There was none available on the seventh day. God Himself was resting that day. The example was before their eyes. But now God gave Moses specific instructions regarding Sabbath observance. “Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” That is worthy of our complete attention. To the best of my knowledge, there has never been an annulment of that commandment. YES, it is part of the covenant the people made with the LORD, a covenant which, as a nation they broke (but not that part of it). But the commandment stands. The fact that they broke it does NOT annul it!! It remains “a sign that I am the LORD Who sanctifies you.” Selah!
Then God gave Moses the “two tablets of the Testimony written with His own finger.” Moses was on that mountain for two and half months. No mobile phone to keep in touch. It was a long time, and the people were concerned he might not return. Oooops!
Now the main reaction to the making of that golden calf is “Why on earth did they do that .. after ALL that God had done for them in the past few months. Bringing them out of Egypt and providing food and water for a start. The pillar of cloud and of fire. “ But Moses was the contact man, the connection, and he was not there. So they did the unthinkable. They created their own God. Is there a lesson there? We have the Bible, the account of God’s great dealing with His people. This ‘golden calf’ incident is part of it. We no longer have Moses to speak to us and for us. God has ordained that we have access to Him, through His word and by prayer. Our Moses if you will. His relationship with His people relies on the communication means we already have. So here are some questions. How much do we use those communication channels? And what happens when we don’t use them? I wouldn’t build a golden calf I hear myself saying. But look what God said to Ezekiel. “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?” (Ezekiel 14) Ouch!! Take time to examine yourself. Check what might be your “golden calf’, or “calves”. Trust me, this incident has many modern day applications. And if we follow the story before us we see that there are very serious consequences. Moses went before the LORD and made humble confession to Him, offering to bear the consequences himself. (That sounds a bit familiar to christians doesn’t it?) God answered him “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”
But the LORD is merciful and gracious. Moses met with Him again on the mountain and said “If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.” The Lord said “Behold I make a covenant. I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation.” And more. He spoke about leading then to the land of His promise and warned them again that when He did they should tear down the idols and high places of worship of those idols “For I, the LORD whose name is Jealous am a jealous God.” And He does not change.
Shabbat Shalom
RS