Parashat Vayikra
פרשת ויקרא
“And He Called”
Torah: Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
B’rit Chadashah: Hebrews I0:1-18
Shabbat | 28 March 2020 | 3rd of Nisan, 5780
OUT OF PRIMEVAL CHAOS, the Divine proclaimed light and life, setting into motion a grand composition unfurling across time to complete His masterpiece in a glorious celestial crescendo.
WE FIND THAT TRUTH IN GENESIS. Israel often compromised or left God’s Word and went astray. Without learning of Adonai’s Nature, His stringent standards, meticulous absolutes, and momentous emphasis on holiness, found in the Hebrew Scriptures, how does one even begin to discern how to separate the holy from the profane, the false from the genuine?
The Book of Leviticus ספר ויקרא
With the first two of the five Books of Moses behind us, we begin the Book of Leviticus—in Hebrew Vayikra ויקרא.
Leviticus was originally called “The Law of the the Priests” תורת הכהנים, Torot haCohanim. Vital and fundamental to both the Priesthood and the People of Israel, Leviticus paints with a finer brush those details defining the sacred, the sacrifices, the sanctified life, and the Sanctuary.
“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy,” (Leviticus 19:2) is the Divine Algorithm from which the precepts, principles, and practices spring forth—governing, guiding, and guarding the sons of Israel, and by extension, all who number themselves among the people of God.
Leviticus 1 The Holy Call from the Tent of Revelation
v. 1 “Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting...”
Adonai has called Moses from within the burning bush, and from the top of Mount Sinai, ablaze with fire and heaving with thunder. Moses is now privileged to be called by the Voice of the Almighty from the intimacy of the Tent of Revelation.
In Hebrew, the word called is kä·rä' קָרָא, which means to call or call out, from which the name of the parashat is derived, “and He called.”
The Tent of Meeting was also called the Tent of Revelation in Hebrew commentaries as it was the place where God revealed His Will to Israel.
Revelation or Reveling?
How often we hear the assembly cry out for prophets, for “personal prophecies,” and for “revelation”—which places people at the center.
v. 2 Now the Sanctuary is complete and Adonai has called Moses to give him instructions: “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When any man of you brings an offering to the LORD...’”
The word offering, in Hebrew, kor·bän' קָרְבָּן, is also translated sacrifice. It is a voluntary offering, or gift to the LORD, denoting “that which is brought near” to God.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness...” 2 Timothy 3:16
The word Scripture in this verse, γραφή graphē in Greek, is the same word Yeshua used speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures in Matthew 21:42, 22:29, 26:54, Mark 12:10, 12:24, 14:49, 15:28, Luke 4:21, 24:27, 24:32, 24:45, John 2:22, 5:39, 7:38, 7:42, 10:35, 13:18, 17:12, 19:24, 19:28, 19:36, 19:37 and 20:9. Selah. Pause and consider that seriously for a moment.
פרשת ויקרא
“And He Called”
Torah: Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
B’rit Chadashah: Hebrews I0:1-18
Shabbat | 28 March 2020 | 3rd of Nisan, 5780
Biblical Observances Calendar:
Passover 2020 will begin in the evening of
Wednesday, April 8 and ends in the evening of Thursday, April 16
In these days of Wuhan Coronavirus...
“Chazak! Chazak! Be strong, be strong! And let us strengthen one another!” These words of the ancient warrior, paraphrased from 2 Samuel 10:12, are customarily proclaimed upon completing the reading of each of the five books of the Torah.
It is our personal message to each of our readers as well during these days of trial and tribulation. May you be strengthened in the LORD who gives you each breath, and has numbered your days, remembering He alone is your refuge and your fortress. And strengthen others with your certain hope! Under the shadow of His wings, take refuge—that you may not fear the terror by night, the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence, plague, or virus that walks in darkness! (Psalm 91)
The LORD bless and keep you, now and ever, in His perfect Shalom! (Health, well-being and peace)
—His EVERY Word Ministries
THIS IS THE EPIC OF EPOCHS, the ultimate revelation of magnificent actualization!
OUT OF PRIMEVAL CHAOS, the Divine proclaimed light and life, setting into motion a grand composition unfurling across time to complete His masterpiece in a glorious celestial crescendo.
WORDS ARE THE RAW MATERIALS with which the Master is building, refining and revealing His Kingdom to His redeemed. From Genesis onward, each word and concept is a revelation of His Divine Character and Will, forming and conforming, be it a Temple in the Wilderness, a Temple of bricks and stone, or temples of living stones.
IT IS IN MAN'S NATURE TO GO THE WAY OF DESTRUCTION.
WE FIND THAT TRUTH IN GENESIS. Israel often compromised or left God’s Word and went astray. Without learning of Adonai’s Nature, His stringent standards, meticulous absolutes, and momentous emphasis on holiness, found in the Hebrew Scriptures, how does one even begin to discern how to separate the holy from the profane, the false from the genuine?
Join us now at the Father’s table as we keep the rhythm of Israel for more than two millennia, anticipating fresh manna from our God and King. As followers of Messiah we have added a corresponding New Covenant portion reflecting the fulfillment and crown of the Torah.
Leviticus was originally called “The Law of the the Priests” תורת הכהנים, Torot haCohanim. Vital and fundamental to both the Priesthood and the People of Israel, Leviticus paints with a finer brush those details defining the sacred, the sacrifices, the sanctified life, and the Sanctuary.
The foundation of Holiness continues to be reinforced and emphasized. Purity of life, thought, and action are the Divine Call—and a bulwark against immorality, and the ungodly, heathen influences that threatened the Priestly Nation with inward decay through compromise and assimilation from without.
“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy,” (Leviticus 19:2) is the Divine Algorithm from which the precepts, principles, and practices spring forth—governing, guiding, and guarding the sons of Israel, and by extension, all who number themselves among the people of God.
Leviticus 1 The Holy Call from the Tent of Revelation
Adonai has called Moses from within the burning bush, and from the top of Mount Sinai, ablaze with fire and heaving with thunder. Moses is now privileged to be called by the Voice of the Almighty from the intimacy of the Tent of Revelation.
In Hebrew, the word called is kä·rä' קָרָא, which means to call or call out, from which the name of the parashat is derived, “and He called.”
The Tent of Meeting was also called the Tent of Revelation in Hebrew commentaries as it was the place where God revealed His Will to Israel.
Revelation or Reveling?
How often we hear the assembly cry out for prophets, for “personal prophecies,” and for “revelation”—which places people at the center.
That is the antithesis of the foundational congregation formed by Adonai—the Dwelling Place of the LORD, the Wilderness Tabernacle—through generous offerings of their precious resources until they had to be commanded to stop giving. YHVH was the CENTER and His People GAVE to HIM. They didn’t demand of Him to give to them.
v. 2 Now the Sanctuary is complete and Adonai has called Moses to give him instructions: “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When any man of you brings an offering to the LORD...’”
The word offering, in Hebrew, kor·bän' קָרְבָּן, is also translated sacrifice. It is a voluntary offering, or gift to the LORD, denoting “that which is brought near” to God.
To most Christians, the Book of Leviticus may seem tedious and irrelevant. Under the prevailing banner, “We are not under the law!” respect for God’s Word in its entirety is often diminished.
I once read a statement by a “New Testament Pastor” who claimed that although he didn’t reject the Torah, it was not any more profitable to read it than it would be to read the architect’s blueprints for your house.
This philosophy often leaves the Christian without a plumb line, without the discernment to navigate their course through treacherous waters driven by winds of error, deceptive doctrine, false prophets, compromise, carnality, and a host of other snares.God, on the other hand, says ALL SCRIPTURE is profitable.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness...” 2 Timothy 3:16
The word Scripture in this verse, γραφή graphē in Greek, is the same word Yeshua used speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures in Matthew 21:42, 22:29, 26:54, Mark 12:10, 12:24, 14:49, 15:28, Luke 4:21, 24:27, 24:32, 24:45, John 2:22, 5:39, 7:38, 7:42, 10:35, 13:18, 17:12, 19:24, 19:28, 19:36, 19:37 and 20:9. Selah. Pause and consider that seriously for a moment.
And keep in mind that the Scripture Paul was referring to was that which we call today, the Old Testament.
If we view LORD God Almighty, our Creator, God of the Universe, with the reverence and awe He is due, we will also view His Word as precious, profound and glorious ... the Creator of All communicating with His beloved children!
This is the epic of epochs, the ultimate revelation of magnificent actualization!Out of primeval chaos, the Divine proclaimed light and life, setting into motion a grand composition unfurling across time to complete His masterpiece in a glorious celestial crescendo.Words are the raw materials with which the Master is building, refining and revealing His Kingdom to His redeemed. From Genesis onward, each word and concept is a revelation of His Divine Character and Will, forming and conforming, be it a Temple in the Wilderness, a Temple of bricks and stone, or temples of living stones.It is in man’s nature to go the way of destruction. We find that truth beginning in Genesis and moving forward. Israel often compromised or left God’s Word and went astray. Without learning of Adonai’s Nature, His stringent standards, meticulous absolutes, and momentous emphasis on holiness, found in the Hebrew Scriptures, how does one even begin to discern how to separate the holy from the profane, the false from the genuine?
Jeremiah 23:9 records the anger of God against false prophets
who have led Israel astray.
It is a timeless message:
“As for the prophets:
My heart is broken within me,
All my bones tremble;
I have become like a drunken man,
Even like a man overcome with wine,
Because of the LORD
And because of His holy words.”
In our generation, we have seen believers in Jesus run to and fro,
following “prophets” that serve up “drunkenness in the spirit,”
presiding over unruly and riotous meetings
filled with people falling down “drunk,”
unable to control themselves ...
writhing, crawling, cackling, barking, jerking, laughing hysterically
... “prophesying” nonsense ...
in the Holy Name of Adonai.
Leaders known for their scholarly integrity have fallen prey to such error, enjoying the experience,
but not testing the word or the prophet.
They don’t realize this is a sign of judgment,
not a “holy” party to be sought after!
“They become drunk, but not with wine,
They stagger, but not with strong drink.”
Isaiah 29:9, 51:21
And yet the New Covenant exhorts us repeatedly to be alert and sober!
vv. 10-14 “For the land is full of adulterers; for the land mourns because of the curse. ‘For both prophet and priest are polluted; Even in My house I have found their wickedness,’ declares the LORD. ‘...among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: they prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray. Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: the committing of adultery and walking in falsehood; and they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one has turned back from his wickedness. All of them have become to Me like Sodom, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah.’”
To Adonai, unfaithfulness in our devotion and service
is infidelity—fornication—with the world,
the flesh or the enemy of our soul.
The Hebrew word for adultery here is nä·af' נָאַף,
meaning to commit adultery or idolatrous worship.
Both physical and spiritual adultery lead man away from God,
from holiness, and defiles his temple and community.
Adonai finds these prophets reprehensible because they lead His people astray, prophesying by Baal, and walking in falsehood.
The prophets prophesy by bah'·al בַּעַל, which was the supreme god of the Canaanites.
The spirit of Ba’al is prevalent in every generation, ensnaring God’s people through
These prophets walk, live, operate, conduct their manner of life in falsehood, in Hebrew sheh'·ker שֶׁקֶר, which is lies, deception, falsehood, deceit, or fraud. Yet God’s people do not discern they are evil!
A neon sign that one is false prophet: “they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one has turned back from his wickedness.”We live in a time in which tolerance is on a pedestal. Intolerance is simply not tolerated, even among God’s people.
Yet, the Bible makes it clear, God is quite INtolerant! His standards are high and holy. If that offends your sensibilities, perhaps His Kingdom is not for you.The Scriptures record people turning away from Yeshua because His sayings were too difficult—offensive, convicting, and challenging. Yet He didn’t modify His message in order to please the crowd or build a following.
We on the other hand, follow proven “formulas” to build megachurches—
comfortable to all, offensive to none.
comfortable to all, offensive to none.
People can be members for years,
living a life Adonai calls sinful,
abominable, or abhorrent without discomfort.
No absolutes,
no sacrifice,
no revelation
of the holiness
of the HOLY GOD WE SERVE.
Perhaps we’ve reached that time spoken of in II Timothy 4:3, when men will simply not endure sound doctrine, but seeking to have their ears tickled, they accumulate teachers in accordance to their own desires—not in accordance to the desire of the LORD.
“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood and make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.’ Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; they speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD. They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD has said, ‘You will have peace’; And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, They say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’”
“‘But who has stood in the council of the LORD, That he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened? Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone forth in wrath ... The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; in the last days you will clearly understand it.
“‘But who has stood in the council of the LORD, That he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened? Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone forth in wrath ... The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; in the last days you will clearly understand it.
“‘I did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied.“‘But if they had stood in My council, Then they would have announced My words to My people, And would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.’” Jeremiah 23:15-22
A true prophet turns people from sin, for he speaks GOD’S Word and reveals the Heart of God—that is true revelation. There is no other foundation or measuring rod that is sure.
“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing...” 2 Timothy 6:3-4
This is another clear admonition to revere the Word of God, the Torah from the Master. Further, we are instructed not to follow men who annul, in Greek λύω lyō, subvert, dismiss, set free from, declare unlawful, do away with, deprive of authority, whether by precept or act, break up, destroy, dissolve, or overthrow the Torah, or teach others to do the same.
“...if his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering from the turtledoves Hebrew, tor תור or pigeons Hebrew yonah יונה (Leviticus 1:14)
Both of these words are generally translated dove, and are used as terms of endearment.
And what were those sound words Paul was referring to—what did Yeshua say?
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19
These men would be those spoken of in Jeremiah 23, who speak falsehood—and lead others astray—IN HIS NAME.
We encourage you to read through the chapters of this Torah portion, defining the sacrifices, sins, errors and forgiveness.There is one note we’d like to highlight from a 1938 Hebrew commentary on verse 14 of the first chapter:
May you hear His Voice alone, and have a heart that yearns like the Psalmist: “Lead me in Your truth and teach me,For You are the God of my salvation;For You I wait all the day.Teach me Your way, O LORD;I will walk in Your truth;Unite my heart to fear Your name.”Psalms 25:5, 86:11
“...if his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering from the turtledoves Hebrew, tor תור or pigeons Hebrew yonah יונה (Leviticus 1:14)
Both of these words are generally translated dove, and are used as terms of endearment.
“Birds were the poor man’s offering, and the Torah did not wish to place an undue burden upon him. The dove is the most inoffensive of birds; and, though attacked by other birds, it never attacks in return. It is a symbol of Israel, say the Rabbis; and teaches the offerer that he should rather be of the persecuted than of those that persecute.”Chief Rabbi J.H. Hertz, Pentateuch and Haftorahs, 1938NOTE: Rabbi JH Hertz served in Great Britain and published these commentaries on the Torah and Haftarah readings just before the inception of the “Final Solution”—the Holocaust.
In this light, his commentary is particularly poignant. It is also insightful. Countless are those who have asked, and continue to ask, why six million Jews were so easily rounded up and led as sheep to the slaughter with next to no resistance. Woven into the fabric of this ancient people are standards, ethics, and principles that will forever set them apart. They are holy (“set apart for God’s purposes and glory”) from the beginning of the redemption story; HIS-story until the culmination. All glory and honor be His, amen. —Ed.
To be continued.......
Haftarah Vayikra
Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
Our designated text of Scripture for this week’s Haftarah portion is Ezekiel 45:16-46:18. It dovetails off of our Torah portion of Leviticus 1:1- 6:7. As we launched into this new book of Leviticus it was immediately obvious we were continuing on previous subject material, the Tabernacle or Temple. In Exodus we saw God give instructions for the building of the structure. Now that we are in Leviticus we’ll see God laying out just how the Tabernacle worship is to be performed. And it will carry over into the eventual Temple to be built by Solomon.
Our Haftarah portion in Ezekiel is similar. Ezekiel as well gives instruction on Temple worship. But something is dramatically different. You’ll recall from our previous discussion of Ezekiel, that this prophet was given a vision of the future and told to pass it along. That vision passed along and in our hands today is God’s design for the future of the Nation of Israel. In the latter half of his book, Ezekiel records for us, among other things, how there will be a massive resurrection from the dead, the rebirth of a nation ruled by the Messiah, a new Temple, and a new order of worship.
Recall with us for a moment that the Bible must be understood literally (just as God says it) as opposed to allegorically (what else it could mean if we can’t accept what God is obviously saying). Viewing the Word of God this way makes future events—even those of Ezekiel—pretty straightforward. That said and skipping some of the “also included happenings” the next of the major events, are the taking away of the Church (a.k.a. the Rapture), the seven years of Tribulation (possibly delayed for a time after the removal of the Church), and then the Millennium—one thousand years of God dealing in a special way with His regathered children of Israel. And that brings us here to our considered text.
The specific verses designated by the sages for this Haftarah deal with Millennial Temple sacrifices. Let's expand this just a little further to include Ezekiel 44:1-46:24. Looking at this as a unit, we will see the larger view of the Millennial system of priesthood and sacrifice. And that brings us to the aforementioned something that is dramatically different. It is so dramatic in fact, that it kept the rabbis from including the book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew canon for some time. So here it is.
There are similarities with the Mosaic sacrificial system. However, the dissimilarities between the Mosaic system of Temple sacrifice and the Millennial system to be instituted in the new Temple show that these two systems are not the same. Here are just a few.
In the consecration of the altar (Mosaic: Exodus 29:1-37; Millennial: Ezekiel 43:18-27) seen are these differences:
Haftarah Vayikra
Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
Our designated text of Scripture for this week’s Haftarah portion is Ezekiel 45:16-46:18. It dovetails off of our Torah portion of Leviticus 1:1- 6:7. As we launched into this new book of Leviticus it was immediately obvious we were continuing on previous subject material, the Tabernacle or Temple. In Exodus we saw God give instructions for the building of the structure. Now that we are in Leviticus we’ll see God laying out just how the Tabernacle worship is to be performed. And it will carry over into the eventual Temple to be built by Solomon.
Our Haftarah portion in Ezekiel is similar. Ezekiel as well gives instruction on Temple worship. But something is dramatically different. You’ll recall from our previous discussion of Ezekiel, that this prophet was given a vision of the future and told to pass it along. That vision passed along and in our hands today is God’s design for the future of the Nation of Israel. In the latter half of his book, Ezekiel records for us, among other things, how there will be a massive resurrection from the dead, the rebirth of a nation ruled by the Messiah, a new Temple, and a new order of worship.
Recall with us for a moment that the Bible must be understood literally (just as God says it) as opposed to allegorically (what else it could mean if we can’t accept what God is obviously saying). Viewing the Word of God this way makes future events—even those of Ezekiel—pretty straightforward. That said and skipping some of the “also included happenings” the next of the major events, are the taking away of the Church (a.k.a. the Rapture), the seven years of Tribulation (possibly delayed for a time after the removal of the Church), and then the Millennium—one thousand years of God dealing in a special way with His regathered children of Israel. And that brings us here to our considered text.
The specific verses designated by the sages for this Haftarah deal with Millennial Temple sacrifices. Let's expand this just a little further to include Ezekiel 44:1-46:24. Looking at this as a unit, we will see the larger view of the Millennial system of priesthood and sacrifice. And that brings us to the aforementioned something that is dramatically different. It is so dramatic in fact, that it kept the rabbis from including the book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew canon for some time. So here it is.
There are similarities with the Mosaic sacrificial system. However, the dissimilarities between the Mosaic system of Temple sacrifice and the Millennial system to be instituted in the new Temple show that these two systems are not the same. Here are just a few.
In the consecration of the altar (Mosaic: Exodus 29:1-37; Millennial: Ezekiel 43:18-27) seen are these differences:
- Mosaic—anointing of the alter, Ezekiel—no anointing
- Mosaic—one bullock for a sin offering for each of seven days, Ezekiel—one bullock offered on the first day only
- Mosaic—offered no goat, Ezekiel—offers goats for the last six days
- Mosaic—applied blood only on the horns of the alter, Ezekiel—applies blood on the horns, the corners, and upon the lower molding
- Mosaic—for the burnt offering a ram every day, Ezekiel—both a ram and a bullock every day
Further, the Mosaic—had the Ark of the Covenant, The Millennial—will not have the Ark (Jeremiah 3:16). For the Mosaic Law the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles was mandatory for only Jews, while under Kingdom Law it will be mandatory for both Jews and Gentiles alike (Zechariah 14:16-21). Under Mosaic Law only Jews could be priests, while under Kingdom rule Gentiles will be priests as well (Isaiah 66:18-21). All told there are at least twenty-five distinct differences between Mosaic worship and Kingdom Temple practices found on this topic. This shows that there is no return to the Mosaic Law, rather a new system under Kingdom Law.
The ramifications of this to the Jewish mind of old was staggering. As previously noted, this obvious truth kept Ezekiel’s book out of the Hebrew Bible for some time. Ezekiel’s format for sacrifice was obviously contrary to the laws set forth in the Torah, that which you read above, and this was not easily dealt with. After all, contradictions in Scripture are automatically looked upon as being illegitimate. For any writing to be considered for addition to Hebrew cannon it had to compliment or agree with the Torah. So how was this to be resolved?
Well, the Talmud tells the story of a sage named Chananiah ben Hezekiah. He is reported to have taken three hundred barrels of oil for lamp light to an upper room. There, he stayed until he had resolved every contradiction. Sadly though his work was lost and we don’t know what it was he came up with.
The ramifications of this to the Jewish mind of old was staggering. As previously noted, this obvious truth kept Ezekiel’s book out of the Hebrew Bible for some time. Ezekiel’s format for sacrifice was obviously contrary to the laws set forth in the Torah, that which you read above, and this was not easily dealt with. After all, contradictions in Scripture are automatically looked upon as being illegitimate. For any writing to be considered for addition to Hebrew cannon it had to compliment or agree with the Torah. So how was this to be resolved?
Well, the Talmud tells the story of a sage named Chananiah ben Hezekiah. He is reported to have taken three hundred barrels of oil for lamp light to an upper room. There, he stayed until he had resolved every contradiction. Sadly though his work was lost and we don’t know what it was he came up with.
Next we have the story of Rabbi Yochanan. He simply accepted Ezekiel as inspired. He said that Elijah the prophet would explain the discrepancies. And there were other sages with other approaches. Even more, though still inadequate (let’s not forget Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 10), was that which said Ezekiel was giving additional sacrifices for special occasions or that he was augmenting the Torah’s regularly prescribed sacrifices and stipulations. The truth of the matter is that as hard as one might try there is no way to show that the sacrificial system to be implemented in the Millennium does not contradict the Mosaic sacrificial system. It simply does. And that means the Mosaic sacrificial system will not be implemented in the Millennium, at least not in whole. It is set aside for Ezekiel’s.
I sympathize with those who have great difficulty seeing that God will not strictly adhere to the Mosaic system of sacrifice found in the Torah. This system is God’s original Law. It is the schoolmaster that led us to the one true Messiah. (Galations 3:24) So for those of us who dearly love the Torah and follow it as best we understand its use for today, the dilemma is no different than that of those sages who balked at allowing the book of Ezekiel into the Cannon of Scripture.
Before us though, lies the same question that the sages had to face. What provision would, or has, taken place that allows God to change His dealings with His people? For when the Messiah sits on His Millennial throne the sacrificial system will be markedly different.
B'rit Chadashah Vayikra
Hebrews 10:1-18
I believe the answer to that question is to be found in our B’rit Chadashah.
Let’s take a look.
Let’s take a look.
B'rit Chadashah Vayikra
Hebrews 10:1-18
We closed off our Haftarah selection by asking a question. When examining the Millennial Temple sacrifices we found that they were significantly different than those of the Mosaic sacrifices to be used in both the Tabernacle and the first and second Temples. Moses laid out a very detailed format for worship in both. And the penalty for violating the stated procedure was severe.
“If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which are written in this book, to fear this honored and awesome name, the LORD your God, then the LORD will bring extraordinary plagues on you and your descendants, even severe and lasting plagues, and miserable and chronic sicknesses.” Deuteronomy 28:58-59
And again, “... I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them I declare to you today that you shall surely perish.” Deuteronomy 30:16-18
As far as Moses and the Israelites were concerned, all of this included Tabernacle and later Temple worship, and had no terminus. Everything including Temple worship was to be done only in the way prescribed, or the penalty from God would be of the severest kind. Thus, when the sages read Ezekiel, realized that he was saying Temple worship during the future reign of the Messiah on earth was to be very different in its procedure, they naturally at first could not accept this at face value. But, eventually they did, believing that somehow the issue would resolve itself; and so they received the book of Ezekiel into the canon of Scripture.
And here we are. We are left to answer the question, to resolve this seeming discrepancy between Mosaic and Millennial Temple procedure. Put succinctly the question is: What provision would, or has taken place that allows God to change His dealings with His people? Much, well, even volumes, could be written in answer to this question. But since we made the question succinct let’s do the same with the answer. And that is this, the death and resurrection of the Messiah to pay the price for the sins of all of mankind, “... and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” I John 2:2
This event as a future happening was not unknown to the Jews of old. They read in Isaiah 53, of the Suffering Servant. Traditional Jewish interpretation was that this was speaking of the coming Messiah. This belief was held by the Jewish mainstream until the 12th century when it became popular to see this passage as speaking of the nation of Israel. This same Messiah was seen as the one who would establish the Millennial kingdom.
“Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing toward the east; and behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the way of the east. And His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory. And it was like the appearance of the vision which I saw, like the vision which I saw when He came to destroy the city. And the visions were like the vision which I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face. And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate facing toward the east. And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house. Then I heard one speaking to me from the house, while a man was standing beside me. He said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the sons of Israel forever. And the house of Israel will not again defile My holy name, neither they nor their kings, by their harlotry and by the corpses of their kings when they die.” Ezekiel 43:1-7
It is here that our B’rit Chadashah reading, Hebrews 10:1-18, comes into play. Take a moment now to read it. While some very significant points come out of this passage, one is that salvation from sin was never and will never be obtained through Tabernacle or Temple sacrifices. (That would include “works” today. Ephesians 2:8-9) Indeed, the only event that ever did, will now, or ever will, was and is the death and resurrection of the Messiah.
“By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God...” Hebrews 10:10-12
These three verses tell us that Temple sacrifices never did and never will take away sin guilt. The only way of appropriating that is through the once for all sacrifice, that of the Messiah. The purpose of the Tabernacle and Temple sacrifices, both Mosaic then and Millennial to come, was and will be for the restoration of fellowship with God. But that still doesn’t tell us how it is that the Mosaic Temple process and the Millennial Temple process can be different.
I believe that the answer lies in the fact that when the Messiah died, something “old” and in process was accomplished, and then was needed no more. Colossians 2:13-14 lends light on this point.
“By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God...” Hebrews 10:10-12
These three verses tell us that Temple sacrifices never did and never will take away sin guilt. The only way of appropriating that is through the once for all sacrifice, that of the Messiah. The purpose of the Tabernacle and Temple sacrifices, both Mosaic then and Millennial to come, was and will be for the restoration of fellowship with God. But that still doesn’t tell us how it is that the Mosaic Temple process and the Millennial Temple process can be different.
I believe that the answer lies in the fact that when the Messiah died, something “old” and in process was accomplished, and then was needed no more. Colossians 2:13-14 lends light on this point.
“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh (We were on our way to Hell because of the sin in our life.), He made you alive together with Him (The path to salvation was established through His death and resurrection.), having forgiven us all our transgressions (All of our guilt was simply forgiven by accepting His work for us.), having canceled out the certificate of debt (This document delineated our sinful acts and declared us guilty of them.) consisting of decrees against us (These decrees were God’s Law that when matched against how we lived showed us how miserably we had failed God’s standard.), which was hostile to us (His decrees were hostile because we could not meet up to His righteous standard.); and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
What got nailed to the cross was not God’s standard, the Law. NO. It was the document upon which the acts of our lives were compared to God’s standard as delineated by that Law and the certification of debt or condemnation to death that it brought. That document was the evidence that condemned us. It was that document that was nailed to the cross, not God’s holy standard.
Consider that a document was needed to validate the charges and thus the condemnation. What was placed on that document was God’s standard, His Law. It was His Law that testified against the accused. The sinner’s life could not match the standard and thus he was always found guilty. But now that the Messiah had died, and in His death removed that document, there is no longer a charge of guilt. For those having received Messiah as their Savior, His death paid the price for the sin guilt that had been proven by the document. ”There is therefore now no condemnation for those found in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
Note as well that it was the Law or God’s righteous standard that drew us to the Messiah. Galatians 3:23-29 says, “But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.”
What one begins to see as these points are considered is not that the Law has ceased to be of importance, or even ceased to exist. No. It is rather that the relationship the Law has changes based on the plan of God for its use. In the case of the “certificate of debt” the Law was no longer necessary. It had performed its intended function of showing how guilty man was when his life was compared to God’s standard. The Law did not cease. It was simply not used in this manner for the believer.
In the case of its tutorial role the Law was used to guide us to a personal relationship with the Messiah who died for us. By showing us our sinfulness and utter helplessness in reaching God’s standard we are compelled to turn to a Savior as our only hope. In Him we have the righteousness of God. Certainly none of that can be found in ourselves. The Law, or "Torah," which means “teaching,” did and still does tutor us in that. It guided us to that understanding. Now that we are there is the Law of no value to us any more? Of course not. It is still God’s standard and has not been done away with, even though one of its aspects—that of tutorial—has accomplished one of its missions, that of bringing us to Christ.
It seems easy to conclude now a couple of things:
The importance of this to us is that we have a God who is multifaceted. In the Mosaic He can do things one way. And in the Millennial another. We are not to question how or why, only to trust Him in all things.
Consider that a document was needed to validate the charges and thus the condemnation. What was placed on that document was God’s standard, His Law. It was His Law that testified against the accused. The sinner’s life could not match the standard and thus he was always found guilty. But now that the Messiah had died, and in His death removed that document, there is no longer a charge of guilt. For those having received Messiah as their Savior, His death paid the price for the sin guilt that had been proven by the document. ”There is therefore now no condemnation for those found in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
So what was it that was “old” and in process? Let’s not think that it was the Law and that it has been done away with. Matthew 5:18 says, “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Certainly “all” has not been accomplished and won’t be for some time. Therefore it could not have been the Law that was nailed to the cross. So what was the “old?” It was the relationship between the Law, or God’s righteous standard, and the certificate of death. It was the document that once contained the condemning proof that would always have sent the unrepentant sinner to Hell. It is this relationship that was “old” and that has now been done away with.
Note as well that it was the Law or God’s righteous standard that drew us to the Messiah. Galatians 3:23-29 says, “But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.”
Not only was the Law used on the certificate of debt to show how we had failed God’s standard, but it was also used to “lead us to Christ.” It was for the human race a teacher, a custodian, a guide to lead us to something else. While it was guiding us we were under its direction. We were supposed to do as it said, even though we failed time and again. But now that we have arrived are we still under its direction? See again what verses 24 and 25 say, “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” So, the Law has not been done away. It is still very much alive and well, still being used, and to be used for God’s purposes. The only thing that has changed in this instance is the relationship the believer in Christ has to that Law that once tutored him.
What one begins to see as these points are considered is not that the Law has ceased to be of importance, or even ceased to exist. No. It is rather that the relationship the Law has changes based on the plan of God for its use. In the case of the “certificate of debt” the Law was no longer necessary. It had performed its intended function of showing how guilty man was when his life was compared to God’s standard. The Law did not cease. It was simply not used in this manner for the believer.
In the case of its tutorial role the Law was used to guide us to a personal relationship with the Messiah who died for us. By showing us our sinfulness and utter helplessness in reaching God’s standard we are compelled to turn to a Savior as our only hope. In Him we have the righteousness of God. Certainly none of that can be found in ourselves. The Law, or "Torah," which means “teaching,” did and still does tutor us in that. It guided us to that understanding. Now that we are there is the Law of no value to us any more? Of course not. It is still God’s standard and has not been done away with, even though one of its aspects—that of tutorial—has accomplished one of its missions, that of bringing us to Christ.
It seems easy to conclude now a couple of things:
- One, the Law has never been done away. There are times when it is not prominent, as in the Christians life in His form of worship for example. (We don’t have a working Temple now and therefore cannot see that that aspect of the Law is performed in our lives.) But there is never a time when the Law is not present. It has not been done away with. It is still God’s standard by which holy living is judged (Thank goodness we as believers are cloaked in Christ’s righteousness for that judgement.)
- A second is that the function of the Law changes in relation to other events in God’s plan. Understanding that a relational change does happen from time to time it is easier to see how Millennial Temple worship will be different than Mosaic. Certain aspects are suspended. Others are maintained. (Regarding the two major areas of suspension for today - No Temple, no obligation to follow the Law as it relates to Temple worship. No civil Law as laid out in the Torah, no obligation to follow those particular directives.) This does not mean that those aspects of the Torah not used have been done away with or even changed. And so just as God has modified the role of the Law in the believers life today, He will change that role in the Millennial Temple worship. Some things old will not be used. Some things new will be used. In this there is no violation of consistency only the addition of other practices that God chooses to employ.
The importance of this to us is that we have a God who is multifaceted. In the Mosaic He can do things one way. And in the Millennial another. We are not to question how or why, only to trust Him in all things.
And yes, if He is big enough to handle this Millennial Temple issue, He must be capable enough to handle everything in our lives as well.
How is it going with you in the matter of putting all things in His hands?
Why does YHVH instruct us to remember and celebrate His deliverances?
Perhaps it is because, as the writer of Ecclesiastes said:
"That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun."
Eccliastes 1:9
Paul, too, explained:
"Now all these things happened to them as examples,
and they were written for our admonition,
upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
1 Corinthians 10:11
Only the HAND OF GOD could have worked such wondrous feats of preservation throughout the ages! As we commemorate the biblical observances in their cycle every year, we teach the next generation of God’s faithfulness, and revitalize our own faith and trust.
During these days of global crisis and uncertainty, let us take heart, and lean into the LORD—life-giver and sustainer, He alone has the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)
During these days of global crisis and uncertainty, let us take heart, and lean into the LORD—life-giver and sustainer, He alone has the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 20:7
Shabbat Shalom!
In Messiah's Love,
His EVERY Word Ministries
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