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Leviticus 1-2

Leviticus is called Vayikra – and he called. Remember where we left off last week with Moses standing outside the tent of meeting and the glory of the LORD filling it so that Moses cannot enter. Spiritually, we see that these offerings enable us to be present with YHWH. They show us salvation and how to come back into fellowship with YHWH when we have sinned.

Calling: We are called into a relationship with YHWH. Vayikra is the center book of the Torah; its very heart. 1 Samuel 3:6-7, Acts 2:39.

Offerings

5 Levitical Offerings:

1. Burnt offering (olah) – Leviticus 1, 6:8-13 – see chart 6

What is the olah?

Unblemished bull (vs 3-9), sheep, or goat (vs 10-13) (Yeshua was a male without blemish, Isa 53:9, Heb 9:14);

or, if poor, male or female dove or turtledove (pigeon) (vs 14-17, Luke 2:24)

What is the purpose of the olah?

Atonement for sin, whether:

 intentional sin not addressed for a specific punishment in the Torah (sin of commission),

failure to perform a positive command (sin of omission),

sinful thoughts

vs 4 – laying on of hands – represents atonement/covering or wiping clean; also, can represent substitutionary death – 2 Cor 5:21

notice that this verse does not mention faith – this does not result in eternal life – see Rom 3:20, Heb 10:1-4

So what does it do? It puts us in the right relationship to God’s rule/theocracy. Sacrifices relate to the physical world; through them, we learn about the spiritual world. Our existence in the Kingdom of God is twofold: first, we are currently “in” the Kingdom of God when we are following God’s rule in our lives; second, we look forward to being “in” the heavenly Kingdom of God – the spiritual and eternal olam haba that Yeshua’s sacrifice of himself enables. See Heb 10:5-7.

Drawing near to God/approaching God

during three pilgrimage festivals

as an act of devotion or dedication

Olah means to go up – olah offerings are totally burnt/totally given to God (see chart 7)

Representing Yeshua on the altar:

Head – Yeshua’s willingness and mental purity

Fat – indigestible, incomprehensible, Godly righteousness

Legs – washed in water – cleansed for service

Ex 30:19, Is 52:11, Gal 5:16, Eph 5:2, 18, 26, Heb 10:22, 1 Jn 1:9, 2 Cor 5:7

We are saved by his mercy – Titus 3:5

Wood – represents human righteousness/works – burned up – Isa 64:6, 1 Cor 3:11-16, Rev 20:12-15

Sheep/Goat: Abraham and Isaac – Gen 22:7-8, Ps 118:27b, Eph 5:2b, Ps 103:10 – we don’t get what we deserve

Doves – represent deity (resurrection, ascending into the heavens, living in the sky), the poorest being the greatest – 2 Cor 8:9; vs 17- cut right down the middle without dividing – Yeshua was of single minded purpose and devotion to Yehovah’s will – both God and man until the end

2. Grain/Gift Offering (minchah) – Leviticus 2, 6:14-23 (brought by a nefesh n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion, that whichbreathes) – see chart 9

What is the minchah?

Flour

Fine flour – vs 1-3 (fine flour – Yeshua; oil – Ruach, anointing; frankincense – omniscience of God) handful = personal – Jn 14:20

Oven baked – vs 4 – hidden from view

Pan baked – vs 5-6 – could be seen

Deep-pan baked – vs 7-10

The above are all unleavened – vs 11-12

Bread with yeast is used at Shavuot – Lev 23:17

Yeast permeates – Matt 16:6, 1 Cor 5:6, Gal 5:9

No honey – represents human works – Heb 6:1

They are all part of the covenant of salt – vs 13

Salt preserves and purifies

Covenant of salt – Num 18:19, 2 Chron 13:5, Matt 5:13

Baked grains – vs 14-16

For First Fruits – this had to be done before the new crop could be eaten – Lev 23:9-14

What is the purpose of the minchah?

Minchah comes from a root word meaning gift or tribute – this is a recognition and thanksgiving that God provides for our basic needs

Yeshua compares himself to bread, hence the minchah represents his offering of himself, his body, and the body of believers  – see 1 Cor 10:16-17 – this gift brings joy – 2 Cor 9:15, 2 Cor 12:4, 1 Pet 1:8

Leviticus 3

The Zevach Shelamim – Fellowship or Peace offering; literally the “slaughter of peaces.” Lev 3 and 7:11-38

There are 3 kinds of peaces here: 1) peace through the blood of the cross – Col 1:15-23; which enables 2) peace with God – Rom 5:1; resulting in 3) peace/fellowship with the family of believers – 1 Jn 1:3

Yeshua is our peace – Eph 2:14. The passage in Eph 2:11-22 describes Yeshua as being the peace of unification between God and humanity and between Jew and Gentile. Eph 2:13 speaks of being far away and then brought near to God through the blood of Messiah. The word “offering” in Hebrew is corban, and the root of corban means to draw near. Hence, Yeshua is the peace offering that brings us near to God. We approach God through Yeshua. In Eph 2:14, the dividing wall of hostility, the barrier, is both that which divides Jew from Gentile and humankind in general from God. In Eph 2:15, we know that the consequences of sin are death, and it is our status as sinners that is put to rest. Whether or not we obey the laws of God, we are judged by the laws of God. When we break them, we become sinners (those who have missed the mark) and we are no longer creations in the image of God. Our status before God shrinks. When Yeshua brings himself as an offering of peace, we who are far off (Gentiles who don’t even consider following God’s laws) and we who are near (Jews who might at least try to follow God’s laws), have the opportunity to draw near to God in peaceful reconciliation. Therefore, when Eph 2:15-16 says, “His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility,” we see the dual purpose of Yeshua’s offering of peace: first, to reconcile God to man; and second, to reconcile brother to brother – Jew to Gentile. To see this clearly, let’s step back to the beginning for a moment. God creates humankind in his image. They enjoy communion and unity with their Creator. When humanity falls in the Garden of Eden, that communion and unity is lost. Humanity becomes a new kind of creation – that which contains knowledge of good and evil. Now, to return to Yeshua’s sacrifice of peace discussed in Ephesians, he creates “in himself one new man out of the two,” thus as the second Adam, restoring humanity to the status it had in the beginning as creations in the image of God: good, and not evil.

Back to Leviticus 3: the slaughter of peaces will serve a dual function: it represents 1) salvation and 2) restoration to fellowship  - 1 Jn 1:9 and Lev 26:40-42.

The zevach shelamim can be either a male or female animal. This is very interesting symbolically. Symbolically, male-ness represents that which is active and female-ness represents that which is passive. Yeshua will represent both active obedience and passive obedience to the word and will of God. Active obedience is represented in Phil 2:5-9 where Yeshua purposely  humbles himself, even unto the cross. While he is on the cross, his active obedience becomes passive obedience in that he receives and endures. See 1 Pet 2:24.

Vs 2 – laying on of hands represents identification and a symbolic transfer of sin. At the entrance to the tent of meeting = it is for all to see. This is not hidden. Like Yeshua, all looked upon him as he hung on the cross. The good news of peace is to be proclaimed, not hidden.

Vs 3 – Fire represents judgment. Fat represents the purity and righteousness of Messiah. It is that which we cannot comprehend, that which is between YHWH and Yeshua; nor can we achieve it on our own, for our own righteousness is like filthy rags compared to the righteousness of God. The fat represents what is spiritually indigestible for us; our bodies cannot digest fat and we are commanded not to eat it. Hence, fat belongs to YHWH.

Vs 4 – Kidneys represent emotions, desires, and will/volition. Loins represent confidence – Yeshua was confident in his Father’s plan – Isaiah 50:6-7. The covering of the liver is a transparent membrane. As such, it represents God’s glory – Ps 104:2 and Jn 1:18. We can see, but not quite – like a lady’s wedding veil.

Vs 5 – it is burnt atop the burnt offering and brings reconciliation (“pleasing to the LORD”)

Vs 1-5 are the instructions for a bull or cow; vs 6-17 are the instructions for a sheep or goat. They are the same.

Lev 7 gives us more detail regarding this slaughter of peaces: the breast and right shoulder will go to the priests – Lev 7:32-34, and the rest will be for the offerer – Lev 7:15-17. We enjoy communion with YHWH via a covenant meal.

Vs 17 – lasting ordinance for the generations to come wherever you live! Do not eat fat or blood  - for we are saved by the grace of God (fat – his righteousness) and God is the owner of life (blood).

Leviticus 4

Review and overview: We are studying the offerings. There are five main types presented in the first five chapters of Leviticus (Vayikra – and he called).

#1 – The Olah – Burnt offering or elevation offering. Lev 1 and 6:8-13

                This offering is totally burnt/totally given to God. It represents the salvation offered by Yeshua, represented by the unblemished male bull, sheep, goat, or male or female dove/pigeon. Whether wealthy or poor, there is something everyone can offer as an olah. The olah is given as an acknowledgement of salvation and is a way to approach God and grow deeper in the faith.

#2 – The Minchah – Grain or gift offering. Lev 2 and 6:14-23

                This offering expresses thanksgiving to God for his provision. There are 13 different categories of breads that are offered. Yeshua is the bread of life.

#3 – The Zevach Shelamim – Fellowship or Peace offering; literally the “slaughter of peaces.” Lev 3 and 7:11-38

                There are 3 kinds of peaces here: 1) peace through the blood of the cross – Col 1:15-23; which enables 2) peace with God – Rom 5:1; resulting in 3) peace/fellowship with the family of believers – 1 Jn 1:3

#4 – The Chatah – the sin offering; literally the chatah bishegagah “sin of carelessness”. Lev 4 and 6:24-30

                This is today’s lesson. “Anyone” is a nephesh. Nephesh means a person, a living being, or a soul. It is interesting that the connotation of the soul is here, rather than a physical term for a person, like adam. The soul is place of origination of sin, therefore it is the soul that suffers eternal destruction from sin. Hence, it is the soul that must be redeemed. Yeshua became our sin offering (2 Cor 5:21). 1 Jn 1:7.

                These procedures are only for unintentional sin – whether from ignorance or carelessness. There is no offering available for intentional sins, or sins performed in direct defiance of God’s commandments. See Num 15:30-31, Isa 63:10, Eph 4:30, 1 Thes 5:19. This is an interesting concept to consider regarding salvation – we know that we all sin, fall short of the glory of God, are separated from God by our sin, and cannot redeem ourselves. We know that we are saved by the grace of God, not by our own works. There is a teaching that since there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, then there must be nothing we can do to lose it either. Is this true? Consider and discuss. Read verses regarding being written in or blotted out from the book of life. Ex 32:33, Ps 69:28, Dan 12:1, Phil 4:3, Rev 3:5, 20:15, and 21:27.

                What can we do if we have sinned intentionally or defiantly before God? Repent – which means to turn back to God, follow his ways, rejecting our former ways (the ways of death) Jeremiah 15:19

                There are four categories of the sin offering:

1. Lev 4:1-12 - The high priest (anointed priest is the high priest, Lev 8:12) His sin affects the whole community. When he sins, his people suffer communal guilt. Vs 4 – this offering is performed at the entrance to the tent of meeting – in full view of those whom he has dragged into sin with him through his own actions. Since these are sins performed in ignorance, he may not even know what it is – hence, confession is not required. Review of symbolism of body parts: blood – life, God is the author and owner of life; fat – righteousness and purity of Messiah, that which is unattainable for us, indigestible; kidneys – emotions, desires, will, volition; covering of the liver – a transparent membrane, God’s glory, light – Ps 104:2, Jn 1:18; loins – confidence, Yeshua had full confidence in God’s plan, Isa 50:6-7; fire – judgment. All this is given totally to God. The rest of the bull is burned in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp on a pile of ashes – Heb 13:11-12. Male bull – active will, work animal. Large, expensive. Blood is sprinkled on veil, applied to horns of altar of incense, and poured out at base of altar of burnt offering. Yeshua as veil - Matt 27:51, Heb 10:19-20, Yeshua as intercessor and advocate – Heb 7:25 and 1 Jn 2:1-2, Psalm 66:18, blood at base of altar – 1 Jn 1:7-9.

2. Lev 4:13-21 –also a male bull. The sins of the congregation (the witnesses of Israel) Col edat Yisrael. All the congregation of Israel – or all the witnesses of Israel. The congregation of Israel is supposed to be a light, or witness, to the nations. When Israel sins, the world suffers a) through communal guilt and b) through a lack of having an example to follow and teachers to teach. Isa 49:6b. When they become aware – signifies that we are constantly learning and growing in our walk; evolving into God’s new spiritual creation is a lifetime pursuit. The congregation here has been interpreted to be the Sanhedrin in Jewish literature, but for our purposes, those of us with enough light to share should be sharing it . . .

3. Lev 4:22-26 - The ruler (the king)brings a male goat. The king is also responsible for actively leading the people in the ways of God. His sins affect the whole nation (consider the kings and queens of Europe whose religion set the religion for the entire country – the people had to worship in the ways of the ruler and could not choose their own religion). His position is not as high spiritually as the high priest, but he is supposed to be under the headship of God. 1 Sam 12:14. Consider the high priest and king we have – Yeshua – who is without sin. When we abide in him, we, as the congregation and as his people, also go the right way. This blood is not taken into the holy place; meat was eaten by priests within the tabernacle.

4. Lev 4:27-35 - The people – bring female goat or lamb. Female – represents passive or responsive will. Without good leaders as examples to follow, we respond too easily to sin. Vs 35 – and we will be forgiven. Heb 9:22. 1 Jn 1:9. Yeshua willingly received the judgment for our sins.

#5 – The Asham – the guilt or trespass offering – Lev 5 and 7:1-10. This is for sins that trespass on God’s holy things or persons, misusing the holy things of God, etc. These are also unintentional and require recompense in addition to the offering. This will be discussed next week.

Leviticus 5-6:7 The Asham (Guilt or Trespass Offering)

Leviticus 5:1-13 is categorized as part of the sin offering section by some and part of the guilt offering section by others. I do not intend to enter the debate on this, as the biblical text itself labels it sin and guilt alternately.

Leviticus 5:1-13 deals with sins that are either done out of fear of man, unawareness, uncleanness, or thoughtlessness. These are still categorized as unintentional sins. This section involves verbal confession of the sin, whereas the previous section did not require confession.

Vs 1 – Prov 29:24

Vs 2 – uncleanness results in guilt

What is the relationship between uncleanness and sin?

Uncleanness and sin both separate one from God. Uncleanness and sin are not the same thing, but they are related (Num 19:9). Uncleanness is a state of being that is not sinful necessarily, but is not holy. Sin is breaking God’s commandments (1 Jn 3:4). Walter Brueggemann in Reverberations of Faith defines sin as “a violation of God’s will” and “a human disruption of a proper relation with God (195).”

Uncleanness defiles the tabernacle (Lev 15:31).

Uncleanness, like sin, separates us from both God and the holy community. (Lev 11:44, 19:2, Dt 23:14).

Sin causes uncleanness (Lev 5:1-2).

Uncleanness is incurred through:

1. Sin - Lev 16:30, breaking any of God’s commands

2. Childbirth – Lev 12

3. Leprosy – Lev 14

4. Issues – Lev 15, Ex 19:5, Lev 5:3 – whether from marital relations, or inadvertent issues, etc.

5. Contact with the dead – Lev 21:2

6. Contact with unclean things – Lev 5:2

7. Eating unclean things – Lev 11, Isa 66:17

We need periodic cleansing – Jn 13:8-10

1. By washing with water

2. Waiting until evening

3. Bringing a sacrifice

We need periodic self-examination – 1 Cor 11:27-32, James 1:22-25

Lev 5:3 – still unintentional – Heb 10:28

Vs 4 – rash oath – see Mishnah Shabuot 3:7

Vs 5 – confession required

Vs 6 – female – representative of Eve, who sinned through being deceived (unintentional) Ps 19:13 – keep away from willful sins!

Vs 7 – what the poor can bring

Vs 11 – sin is not pleasant or acceptable to God (no oil or incense) we are neither filled with his Spirit nor having our prayers heard when we are in a sinful state

Lev 5:14 – the Asham

Yeshua is our guilt sacrifice – Isa 53:10

Lev 5:14-19 deals with sins against God’s holy things

Vs 16 – restitution is required – notice that restitution is required of us, and that blood is not applied to the altar here – we are responsible for righting our wrongs

Vs 17 – ignorance is still sin

Lev 6 :1-7 still the Asham, but this section deals with common sins

Question: Aren’t these sins (deceit, lying, stealing, false testimony) intentional? The answer to intentional sin is repentance (not doing it again), restitution (righting the wrongs), and recalling Isa 53:10-12 – even though the blood is not applied to the altar here, Yeshua paid even for these sins. Hence, the only unforgivable sin is rejecting the salvation God offers (Yeshua). (Where there is no repentance, there is no acceptance of salvation.)

Vs 4 – see Ezek 33:15 and Luke 19:8

1 Thess 4:6-7

Leviticus 6:8-7:38 Additional instructions concerning the 5 offering types already covered

The Olah – Lev 6:8-13

Primary focus – keep the fire burning throughout the night; it must be tended continuously – represents our continual and ongoing dedication to YHWH

The Minchah – Lev 6:14-23

Remember flour, oil, and incense combined – this offering represents our fellowship with YHWH; the flour represents our participation in the body of Messiah, the oil represents the dwelling of the spirit within us, and the incense represents our prayers rising up to the heavens

Some is burnt (vs 14-18), the rest is eaten in a holy place (within the courtyard) by Aaron and his sons (specifically male – vs 18)

Vs 18 – notice that holiness transfers – this is an interesting concept

Vs 19-23 – there is a picture of Yeshua here; these are the regulations for the priest who is being anointed/ordained (see chapter 8); vs 20 – half in the morning and half in the evening = two visits from Messiah, once in the spring, once in the fall, once as the servant, once as the king; vs 21 – prepared with oil and well mixed – Yeshua is both man (flour) and God (oil), physical and spiritual combined; broken in pieces – Yeshua offers himself as a sacrifice and is “broken” unto death on the cross, he arises as a pleasant aroma before YHWH; the priest acts this out by bringing an offering (of himself) at the time of his anointing; he prepares it himself and it is burned completely – when the priest is anointed for service, he has nothing left that is personal or private to himself – he is giving his life in its entirety to YHWH

The Chatah – Lev 6:24-30

Vs 27 – again, holiness transfers

Vs 28 – because the clay has tiny cracks that hold liquid and cannot be cleaned thoroughly

The Asham – Lev 7:1-10

Vs 6 – again, specifically males

The Zavach Shelamim – Lev 7:11-38

Notice first of all that this was listed 3^rd in the list of 5 offerings Lev 1-5; now it is last – confession, repentance, and restitution restore the peace between us and God after post-salvation sin

Must be eaten between the first (fellowship) and the third day (vow or freewill), or burned after that

Vs 19 – anyone can eat it, as long as they are ceremonially clean – vs 20-21 – God is serious about this!

Vs 24 – do not eat fat (fat may be used for other purposes, but it is not food)

Vs 26 – do not eat blood

Leviticus 8-10

Leviticus 8 and 9 detail the consecration of the priests and the beginning of their service as per the instructions (Torah) given in Exodus 28-29. It is important to note that the instructions God gave were followed explicitly. Since we have already studied the sacrifices and clothing of the priests in detail earlier, we will focus this week on the messianic themes and biblical principles present in this Torah portion.

First of all, note that the procedures for the human priests were repeated every day for seven days. Seven is the number that represents completion, or perfection. Human priests, as the book of Hebrews stresses, must perform their duties repeatedly. Yeshua, the eternal high priest, offered himself once for all eternity. The fact that the consecration of the human priests lasts for seven days represents the completion and perfection of the one time sacrifice of Yeshua. This is the message of the book of Hebrews – not that there was anything wrong with the human priests other than that they were mortal, but that the human priests represented the eternal high priest. Yeshua is our priest – Rev 1:5-6.

Watch for sevens throughout this portion, and recall also that we have just completed the seven days of Sukkot.

Lev 8:6 – the consecration of the priests begins with a water cleansing. Watch for purification through water and through fire in this portion, and recall that the world itself was cleansed with water in the great flood and will be purified by fire sometime soon. Heb 10:22.

(Matt 23:17-19, 1 Jn 2:27)

Lev 8:11 – seven times = completion.

Lev 8:12 – anointed = moshiach.

Ps 1:5 – no wickedness allowed.

Is 6:7 – purified by fire.

1 Tim 1:12 – appointed to service.

Laying of hands on animal’s head = substitutionary sacrifice.

Wave offering – recall the waving of the lulav this past week.

Lev 8:31 – They shall eat it – recall Ezek 3:1-2, eating the scroll.

Lev 8:33 – do not leave the entrance to the tent – recall dwelling in sukkot for seven days

Lev 8:34-36 – notice the emphasis on commands – please your commanding officer – 2 Tim 2:3-4; Yeshua followed God’s commands – Jn 14:31, 10:18, 6:38

After the seven days of consecration . . . we have Lev 9 and “on the eighth day” – what comes after the seventh day of Sukkot? The eighth day – Shemini Atzeret! Their work for the kingdom of heaven begins immediately after their preparation.

Lev 9:22 – Num 6:24-26; notice that the human priest finishes and steps down – our high priest Yeshua finishes and rises up!

Lev 9:23 –the glory of the LORD appears – the heavens open – Luke 3:21

Lev 9:24 – fire comes down and consumes the sacrifices – God accepts the substitionary sacrifices; the fire consumes the sacrifices, not the people; the people have fellowship, shared meal, with God – Rev 3:20.

Leviticus Chapter 10 –

Well, we end chapter 9 with a spiritual high – communion with God! Guess what comes next . . . that’s right – a fall.

We have a theme that repeats itself through the scriptures – God gives directions, we don’t follow them, judgment comes. Let’s investigate –

A – read God’s directions in Gen 2:16-17; now read how they are broken in Gen 3:6; and read the judgment that results in Gen 3:14-19.

B – read God’s directions in Ex 20:4; now read how they are broken in Ex 32:4; and read the judgment that results in Ex 32:33-35.

C – read God’s directions in Num 4:15; now read how they are broken in 2 Sam 6:6; and read the judgment that results in 2 Sam 6:7.

D – read God’s directions in Ex 30:7 and 1 Ch 6:49; now read how they are broken in 2 Ch 26:16; and read the judgment that results in 2 Ch 26:19-21.

E – finally, let’s read our passage. Directions are given in Lev 6:12-13 and Ex 30:9. Directions are broken in Lev 10:1 and judgment comes in Lev 10:2. The fire that came down from heaven in Lev 9:24 probably lit the menorah and was the continual spiritual fire that the priests had to tend day and night. This was God’s spiritual fire; this was not a man-made fire. This was the fire they should have brought. Read Lev 10:1-2. What was this strange, or unauthorized fire that Nadab and Abihu offered? It was (in my opinion!) a fire they made themselves and was therefore not acceptable to God. We bring what he gives us as an offering back to him (typified and ultimately Yeshua). Hence, it seems like such a small thing to be killed over, but in reality, it is a large thing – our works are not righteous before God. His righteousness is what we bring to him (again, Yeshua).

Now, let’s read the rest of the chapter before returning to this theme.

Aaron and his remaining two sons will not be permitted to mourn. They have just been set on a job and must complete their job. Their heavenly duties take precedence over anything else. Spirit must take precedence over the flesh. The duties of a priest: Dt 33:9-10, Neh 6:3, Matt 12:47-50.

Lev 10:9 – they may not drink on the job. Priests were not required to be Nazirites, that is, they were permitted to drink wine, but never while serving their courses. They were not to be dulled while on the job or permit the flesh to have any mastery over the spirit. Notice that this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. Priests must lift the people up spiritually; they cannot lift up with one hand while they are being dragged down by the other.

Lev 10:10 – the KEY PRINCIPLE for us to learn and act upon throughout our daily lives – distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean!!!!!! This theme runs throughout the scriptures. This is one of the, if not the, primary task God gives us.

Lev 10:16 – When Moses “inquired;” this word inquired is repeated twice in this verse in Hebrew. It says darosh darash – inquire he inquired. Some Jewish sources say he had two questions to ask; notice also that this is the exact midpoint of the Torah – the message for us is to seek, seek within the Torah for the answers to our questions, for how to live, both in this life and in the next.

Now, as we finish reading the chapter, notice that Aaron and his two remaining sons performed their required duties, but they did not partake of the meal. Moses asks why, since the meal is also a commandment. Aaron responds that their hearts are just too heavy; they cannot partake of the meal with joy at this time and Moses responds with mercy. He understands. Notice that within each case of judgment, there is mercy – vs 19-20.

Is there mercy also within the judgments above? Yes, let’s examine – A) judgment Gen 3:14-19 – mercy in Gen 3:15 – the seed of promise. B) judgment Ex 32:33-35, mercy in Ex 32:34 – the promise of the angel to accompany them. C) judgment 2 Sam 6:7, mercy in 2 Sam 6:11 – blessing. D) judgment in 2 Ch 26:19-21, mercy 2 Ch 27:2 – a righteous leader.

The complete theme, therefore, is as follows: God gives instructions, we don’t follow them, judgment results, but within judgment there is mercy. Hallelujah!

Leviticus 11 – the Food Laws

The Stone Edition Tanach says, “At the end of this chapter (vv. 43-45) the Torah stresses the reason for kashrus very clearly: By observing these laws, the Jew pulls himself up the ladder of holiness; by ignoring them, he contaminates himself and builds a barrier that blocks out his comprehension of holiness. Just as someone who is constantly exposed to loud music and harsh noised slowly and imperceptibly loses his ability to hear fine sounds and detect subtle modulations, so too consumption of non-kosher food deadens a Jew’s spiritual capacities and lessens his opportunity to become holy. And, worst of all, it renders him incapable of even perceiving his loss.”

Spiritual applications: split hoof, completely divided = discern between good and evil; chews the cud = meditates on the goodness of God; also, walk the walk and talk the talk; fins = direction; scales = protection; we want to be under the direction of God’s spirit and under the protection of his hand; unclean birds = prey on others

Leviticus 12 – laws of cleanliness regarding childbirth

This is a short chapter often ignored by commentators, but there is a good question to be asked here. Why is the time of uncleanliness double for a girl baby? Are girls “dirtier” than boys? Girls are certainly ranked lower than boys in the cultures that surround Israel at this time. Even today, consider the rank that girls and women hold in Islamic countries that surround Israel. Not much has changed over the centuries!

However, in Jewish understanding, there is a time of uncleanness after a loss of life/blood. Physically, this loss is double for a mother of a daughter; while she is pregnant, she has two fruit-bearing souls within her body. The souls within her body, both hers and her child’s, merge like the flames of a havdalah candle. When her child is born, the child’s soul goes with him or her and leaves the mother’s. The mother experiences a loss, and hence, the need for a time of uncleanness. When she loses a boy, the loss is not as great for her as when she loses her girl (by “loses” I mean the child is born and physically leaves the mother’s body). Now of course, we understand that it takes a man and a woman to have children, but it is the woman’s body that actually bears the young. Going back to the havdalah candle image, the flame of the womb (both mother’s and girl’s) is brighter since it contains the flames of all the souls who will emerge from it in the future.

On a spiritually symbolic level with a messianic understanding, the woman is Israel (Rev 12); the male child is Yeshua the Messiah; the female child is the bride. The female is doubly unclean because she rejected her Messiah two times – at the cross and at the giving of the Spirit (Acts 2). Judgment came 40 years later via the Romans.

The portion is called Tazria, or she conceives. Vs 2 – ritual uncleanliness, related to going into the tabernacle or the temple. This is not sinful, not related to prayer ability, etc. The temple, or tabernacle, is a miniature picture of the Garden of Eden, part of the coming restoration. Yeshua the Messiah will restore how Eden was. The birth did not cleanse Israel, hence was not celebrated until Christianity in its present form was formed. Revelation 12:5. Vs 3 – circumcised is a picture of Messiah being cut off – Dan 9:26 – but not for himself. He did not become sin, otherwise he would have needed a sin offering for himself – no, he became a sin offering for us – he was cut off for our sake. Thirty three days – Yeshua died at the age of 33. 33 years after that, the Jewish revolt began – 66 CE (James was killed). Since Israel was unclean, Messiah had come, has been cut off, she was still unclean, Rome comes and she was still unclean. 8 is the number of new beginnings – picture of eternity – restoration – humankind is circumcised of unbelief. (Remember, there were 8 people on the ark.) For a female child, this represents the bride. This is the cahal – the congregation. Sixty-six days – Israel gave birth, Messiah was cut off, the bride is born, Israel rejects Messiah the second time (Acts 2) = double uncleanliness. Vs 6 – this will be over the next couple of thousand years – Hosea 5:15-6:3. God gave Israel the scriptures – it is through them we have the scriptures – Gentiles are included; but the purpose of Israel is to spread the Word of God to the nations; the mandate goes to the Gentiles after they come in. They will have to come to the doorway, Yeshua, with the acknowledgement that that lamb was for them, for a sin offering, then they/she will be cleansed – vs 7. This time is probably very close – in their affliction during the tribulation, they will see God. Isaiah 66:7-9 – woman is Israel, boy is Yeshua. Israel gave birth to Yeshua and didn’t even know it –the birth pains come later! 66-73 CE. 2^nd fulfillment – tribulation time. (The coliseum in Rome was built from the booty they took from Israel.) 1^st travail – a son, Yeshua. 2^nd travail – her children – the 144,000. Vs 7 – she is cleansed. Messiah begins to build Ezekiel’s temple – the nations will flow to it – his whole point from the beginning. Vs 8 – Mary did this, after giving birth to Yeshua. They couldn’t afford the lamb, so they offered the turtledoves, forty days after Yeshua’s birth (so they were back from Egypt at this point and Herod had died – in September according to Josephus). No matter how spiritually poor anyone is, no one is too far from reconciliation. Remember, Joseph’s brothers thought they had gone too far, that their brother would never forgive them. They hated without a cause – picture of Israel and Yeshua. Holocaust happened due to this hatred without a cause. Yet, no one is too far from being cleansed.

Isaiah 52 – vs 3 – for naught were you sold and without money you will be redeemed;

in Egypt , they went down willingly, they were not sold into slavery

how often do we give in willingly to slavery to sin?

this speaks also of a spiritual exodus, or a spiritual salvation from spiritual slavery, since money (physical) is not involved

Assyria oppressed them for no reason

Israel was not sold to the Assyrians; the Assyrians delighted in invading and killing/oppressing/exiling the people

our enemies (enemies of God), do not need justification to hate us or try to destroy us, they delight in our destruction

vs 5-6 – God’s Name is blasphemed . . . My people shall know my Name

                For discussion: how is God’s Name blasphemed (either during the time of Isaiah or now)?

                The importance of knowing God’s Name (YHWH) is that God’s Name is Salvation (Yehoshua), and we are in a passage discussing salvation from enemies (physical with spiritual applications). Psalm 106:8; Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13; Acts 4:12; 1 Jn 5:13

Se Isaiah 52:7 in Hebrew, if possible.

First of all, notice the words with the root shema – we hear of peace and we hear of salvation – Shema Yisrael!

Second, recall that mountains are symbolically representative of kingdoms in the scriptures. This about this good news traveling worldwide, via the feet, showing that the earth is indeed his footstool; also, recall Gen 3:15.

Third, “saying to Zion, your God reigns!” see 1 Cor 15:24-26. Fourth – let’s focus for a few minutes on the root basar rfb

As a verb, basar means to bear tidings, whether of evil as in 1 Sam 4:17, or of salvation as in Isaiah 40:9. As a masculine noun, basar means flesh of the body, as in Job 19:26, or flesh of kin as in Gen 2:23. It can also mean flesh of all living beings as in Gen 7:21 or flesh of animals as in Gen 8:17. Things to think about with this word:

Yeshua bore the good news, the gospel of salvation, in the flesh of his body; Luke 22:19; Eph 1:22-23

Read 1 Cor 3:2 and Heb 5:11-14; is it possible that Paul might be suggesting that not being ready for solid food (meat) is the same as not being ready to accept Yeshua (the basar)? That the milk represents elementary basics (pashat level) and salvation is something that requires spiritual revelation to understand (sod level)?

Vs 10 – Yeshua is the right hand of God; “the LORD will lay bare his holy arm” all the world will see Yeshua

Vs 11 – depart – twice – physical and spiritual – the link with the Torah portion, discern between the clean and the unclean

Vs 12 – this will be controlled, not chaotic

Vs 13-15 – we as believers see a very clear picture of Yeshua the Suffering Servant here; what does Judaism see here? Israel as the Suffering Servant, not Yeshua. This view emerged in the 12^th century AD (considered Messianic before that). However, the servant is distinguished from the people in Isaiah 53:8, and the servant is innocent, whereas no people are wholly innocent – see Isaiah 53:9.

Leviticus 13 – Tzaraat

This is a physical manifestation of a spiritual condition – if possible, read in Hebrew. Notice the emphasis on adam in the second verse, followed by the de-emphasis throughout the rest of the chapter. Spiritual lesson – sins originate with an over-emphasis on self. God is our high priest who treats our afflictions; the Torah is the mirror in which we examine ourselves.

Leviticus 14

For group study and discussion:

Vs 3 – the kohen goes out to examine him: it is the kohen’s responsibility to seek him out and to meet him where he is, and then, the metzora is obedient to the kohen’s words; Words pronounce being, whether clean/unclean – think about the power of the spoken word – discuss

This week in isolation (or outside the general camp with other metzorot) gives the metzora time to truly think and repent – the skin heals, but even deeper, the soul heals. There is no set time for this. The kohen checks on him after a week, but it is up to the metzora to truly repent. The skin may be examined and found to still contain tzaraat, in which case the metzora will be left alone for another week to repent; what is seen outwardly is indicative of what is hidden inside – can we judge a book by its cover”? Discuss.

Read vs 4 – 7 and vs 49-53. The procedure is repeated at the beginning and the end of the chapter – look for a chiastic structure in the chapter. If there is one, what is the peak?

Leviticus 19-20

Holy Living in this Mundane World

Verse 2 commands, “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” This is our call. Just as God separated the light from the darkness in Genesis 1, so we are to imitate, separating the light from the darkness in our lives. We are to live our lives as lights to the world. What follows in the biblical text will explain in detail what it means to live a holy life, but the goal, a holy life, is our primary call. Consider Matt 5:14, Jn 15:19 and 17:13-19. The word holy means to be set apart. It is synonymous with sacred. We are to be set apart as a witness to the nations – not unified with the nations.

Vs 3 – two of the 10 commandments – respect mother and father and observe the Sabbath.  Why? Because: “I am the LORD your God.”

Vs 4 – no idols – another of the big 10. Why? Again, because “I am the LORD your God.”

Vs 5-8 – sacrifice of peace – the shelamim. On a symbolic level, Yeshua represents our peace offering (he represents all the offerings in one way or another – or on the reverse side of the coin – all of the offerings teach something about him and what he does for us in one way or another). Yeshua represents our peace offering because his sacrifice of himself brings peace between us and God. Eating the sacrifice represents accepting his gift of salvation – that bridge of peace between us and God. The sacrifice must be eaten within three days; likewise, the gift of salvation is offered only for a time. Take his offer while it is offered!

Vs 9-10 – caring for the poor. Again, because “I am the LORD your God.”

“I am the LORD” is repeated again in vs 12, 14, 16, 18, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, and 37. This is a total of 15 times. “I am the LORD your God” is the very first commandment of the big 10. We are reminded of it here in the midst of all these other commands concerning living lives that are holy 15 times. What does the number 15 represent symbolically? Well, 15 can be 5 x 3; 5 is the number of responsibility and 3 is the number of resurrection. Or, 10 + 5; God’s government and responsibility in our lives. Or, 7+8; completion/perfection, and new beginnings.

Vs 11 – again, repeating the 10 commandments: do not steal and do not lie, but lying is also followed by do not deceive (an indirect form of lying)

Vs 12 – we are to swear by his Name (Ruth 3:13) but then we absolutely must do what we said (Num 30:2, Dt 23:21-23). In Matt 5:33-37, they were getting around swearing falsely by swearing to other things than his Name (such as by heaven or the throne, etc.) In other words, they were taking false oaths by taking them according to something other than God’s Name; this is still not OK! Don’t take any false oaths at all!

Vs 13 – all these are forms of stealing

Vs 14-18 – loving God by loving your neighbor, living properly in community (see also Mat 22:39, Mk 12:31, 33, Rom 13:9, Gal 5:14, James 2:8)

Vs 19 – goes back to the fundamental principle of separating the light from the darkness, the holy from the common; do not mix the two! (Mixing happens during many Christian holidays – mixing the truths of the scriptures with pagan practices – this is abhorrent to God) Satan tries to mix his words with God’s words – Dan 2:43, Jn 8:44, 2 Sam 6:23, Gen 3:15. 2 kinds of materials = wool + linen or wool + cotton (animal product with plant product). Dt 22:11.

Vs 20-21 – the slave girl is not considered guilty, for she had no choice in the matter; the responsibility lies with the man and he must make amends

Vs 23-25 – think eschatologically. Yeshua came in the fourth millennium – see Mark 12, Isaiah 5, Ezekiel 15

Vs 26 – for life is in the blood and life belongs to God (Lev 17:11-14)

No divination or sorcery – this can creep in through some religious practices

Vs 27-28 – this assumes men have beards.  Cutting hair and tattooing the body were pagan rites of mourning. We are not to imitate the ways of the nations.

Vs 29 – unfortunately, as prevalent today as it was then. Please pray for these victims.

Vs 30 – again, observe the Sabbaths and revere the sanctuary

Vs 31 – seek your answers from God (remember Saul’s mistakes – 2 Samuel 28:3-20)

Vs 32 – respect for the elderly is something our generation lacks and this shows a lack of reverence for God

Vs 33-34 – this doesn’t mean we need to have completely open borders and destroy ourselves by footing the bill for everyone – this means we can ignore the manmade border line between Jew and Gentile – God has one law for the native and the alien – God’s way of dividing the holy from the common is not man’s way – man looks at genealogy; God looks at obedience

Vs 35-36 – again, more ways of stealing

Vs 37 – be holy (by keeping his decrees and laws) for He is holy (I am the LORD your God)

Leviticus 20

Vs 2-6 – any Israelite or alien – same law for Jew and Gentile. How can we give our children to Molech today? At that time, Israelites would offer their children to the idol of Molech in the valley of Hinnom by placing the babies on the lap of the idol where there was a fire built up; the children were burned to death in the fire on Molech’s lap. They were copying the practices of the nations and placing their trust in false gods. As a result, their children suffer horribly. Although our idolatry is not so obvious today, the theme is the same and so is the result. We kill our children spiritually by copying the practices of the general culture.

We also see communal responsibility here. If we know someone is sinning, it is our duty to discuss it with them. We may not condone idolatrous living. If they do not repent, we “stone” by casting them out of the congregation (for spiritual idolatry) or turning them into the authorities (for illegal acts of violence, child abuse, etc). However, it is not proper for us to take judgment into our own hands via stoning them in this place at this time in a literal manner. Judgment is ultimately YHWH’s and Yeshua tells us that he who is without sin should be the first to cast a stone (Jn 8:7). Sinners who do not repent are headed for eternal death, but Yeshua is the only one righteous enough to make that decision and cast the first stone. He will do it in his time.

Vs 7-8 – be holy for He is holy

Vs 9 – do not curse father or mother, another of the 10 commandments

Vs 10-21 – basic laws of sexual purity. Adultery, marrying of a close relative, sleeping with the wife of a close relative, homosexuality, bestiality, incest, and sex during your wife’s monthly flow are all prohibited.

Vs 22 – our sins defile the land itself

Vs 23 – DO NOT LIVE ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOMS OF THE NATIONS

Hold yourself to a higher standard – be holy, for He is holy!

We cannot be a light to the nations if we act just like the nations.

Vs 25 – again – distinguish between the clean and the unclean, do not defile yourselves, BE HOLY

A slice of the garden

Adam’s God-given occupation was to work the land. From the labor of his hands, he would be constantly reminded of God’s sovereignty and provision. These are lessons we are sadly missing in our corporate, fast-food or grocery store lifestyles.

It’s harvest time in Ellis County, the cotton capitol of Texas. Acres and acres of short woody plants hang heavy with soft cotton balls, waiting for the arrival of the farmers. Lines of cars zip past lumbering tractors on farm-to-market roads all across the county.

As I walk back from our barn, holding a warm quart of fresh milk in one hand and a dozen eggs in the other, I look across the field, golden in the setting sun, and thank God for his miracles and his provision. What a miracle an egg is! A warm bronze orb containing the protein and vitamins my family and I need. How does such a thing come from a chicken?

Surrounded by the smells of fresh dirt and ripening tomatoes, a gardener understands first hand the miracles of God. Gardening takes hard work as does animal care and, while the payoff is amazing, only a fool would take the credit for himself.

Those who work the land work hard and are blessed when they reap the harvest, but it is abundantly clear that the harvest is not due solely to the farmer. Working outside under the Creator’s sky, one contemplates the awesome power of God, witnessing the miracles of birth, fruit, and harvest despite weather extremes and insect challenges.

When our hands are in the dirt, when we weed, when we water, when we pick ripe fruit, when we shovel out compost, and when we milk or collect eggs by hand, we understand the origin of our sustenance. We are connected as we should be to our Creator, doing what he ordained us to do. We share in a slice of the Garden of Eden.

No processed product from the grocery store can compare, nor can a paycheck remind us in the same way of the existence of our Creator and imbue us with the adoration and appreciation due him. When we drive to work, collect a paycheck, and run to the store for a frozen dinner, we celebrate the works of men.

When we collect the harvest from the field, we have no choice but to acknowledge the works of God.