Scriptures

Leviticus 12:1 to 13:59
Ezekiel 45:16 to 46:18
Matthew 8:1-4,
Mark 1:40-45; 5:1-43

Review: After the teaching of the offerings and the office of the priesthood in Leviticus chapters 1 through 10, YHVH introduced the teaching of clean and unclean, holy and unholy through the food laws in Leviticus 11. If the temple of YHVH resides in us, we are accountable to keep it clean. We are to eat clean foods, abhor the unclean and not eat any fat or blood. Uncleanness will contaminate our bodies and pollute the dwelling place of YHVH. It is a heart issue; what we put in our bodies both reflects and affects our mindset. Uncleanness comes from within. If our hearts are unclean we need to make things right before YHVH. Otherwise the condition of our spiritual walk and relationship with God will remain unchanged and become stagnant. Sin separates us from YHVH. If we continue to disobey Him, then we walk in deception and self-righteousness and will incur the “fruit” of our uncleanness.

Eating scripturally clean foods without fat or blood blesses us spiritually and physically. In the same way, YHVH’s instruction of what benefits or causes harm to our bodies is not for our bodily health alone but for our spiritual health as well, as what we choose to eat reflects the state of our hearts.

Animals represent people. Associating with unclean thoughts brings unclean lifestyle. We are what we sow. If we chew our cud on infected polluted thoughts we speak and act like the unclean animals with all kinds of contaminates including disease. If we participate in this after we receive salvation through Yeshua, we re-crucify Him all over again. He has delivered us from the unclean “fruit” of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Why go back and eat of that tree allowing our sinful nature to rule us when the Tree of Life and its good fruit is left abandoned? We cannot serve two masters. We are called a royal priesthood. The priesthood is to be holy and prepare a holy dwelling place for the Bridegroom’s return. As a priesthood we need to take charge of our dwelling places and start by walking in holiness.

Thus says YHVH: "Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?" (Isaiah 66:1).

Jerusalem’s Fall Explained

Then the word of YHVH came to me, saying: "Son of man, they who inhabit those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. But we are many; the land has been given to us as a possession." Therefore say to them, "Thus says YHVH: You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and you defile one another’s wives. Should you then possess the land?" (Ezekiel 33:23-26).

The history of the children of Israel is for us today. We are not to repeat what our ancestors did. Their lives are prophetic examples that teach us the walk of redemption through obedience versus being in rebellion toward YHVH and His gift of a life-style. Itstarts with our hearts first, as this is the walk of faith.

If there are any contaminants in us, YHVH is faithful to expose in our hearts and minds to what the root causes are. Contamination can enter through our eyes by what we look at, through our thoughts and speech, or by associations and what we attracted ourselves to. The Holy Place in the Tabernacle is symbolic of our mind, while the Most Holy Place symbolizes our hearts. YHVH showed us how to approach Him with a clean heart and mind in the first chapters of Leviticus. As we are a holy vessel prepared and likened to a bride, we are also responsible for keeping a healthy home and dwelling place for the Ruach HaKodesh/Spirit of YHVH. We are seen as righteous in the Father’s sight. Nevertheless we sometimes do unrighteous things that bring contamination. We are learning to walk in the redemption He has given us through progressive revelation. Learning to walk a redemptive lifestyle will keep our hearts and minds free of contamination. This week’s study looks at the spiritual side of what brings infections and molds into our body.

Leviticus 12 Purification After Childbirth

The birth of a child is very exciting. In His Word, YHVH gives mother and child a special separation after the birthing for healing and bonding purposes. If the woman has a male child she is to be separate or in niddah for seven days plus thirty-three days for her purification, for a total of forty days. During the time of her purification, she is not to enter into marital relations. The male child is circumcised on the eighth day. Medically the eighth day is proven to be the least painful with the least loss of blood for the child. The mother completes her purification at the end of forty days, presenting an olah/elevation offering and a chatas/sin offering to YHVH to end the time of her niddah and for change of status. For the birth of a female child the length of the days of separation is double, fourteen days for her purification and sixty-six for her separation, a total of eighty days.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the child, His name was called Yeshua [Jesus], the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to YHVH’), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:21-24 ref. Leviticus 12).

This Niddah time is not only for healing the body after the birthing process, it also allows the woman to enjoy her baby and not have added responsibilities imposed on her like going to the congregation or work, or having other outside influences. YHVH wants the mothers to be at peace and rest for the duration of the time of separation, allowing the natural process of healing and bonding to take place. The mother is blessed with time to adjust to her new role as a mother caring for her new child, her family and home, all added responsibilities that, if it is her first child, she has not experienced before. God sets aside the forty or eighty-day separation periods to bring complete health to both mother and child. By obeying this commandment, many diseases in the reproductive system of the mother like cervical cancers and breast cancer can be prevented.

Leviticus 13:34-36 Regulations About Infectious Skin Diseases

Question: Where does disease come from? The body, soul and spirit are all interconnected as the following passage in 3 John confirms.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2).

Our thoughts and emotions combine with our will to form our soul. Our beliefs form the cornerstone of how we "see" things, which impacts how we store information. What we know is based on how we interpret data from our senses. It is important to remember as we relate to our fellow man that we may sometimes be in the wrong or the other may simply see things differently. Healthy relationships require flexibility to see things from many different perspectives regardless of our position.

The will is the part of the person that produces action based on the thoughts, emotions and decisions, whether good or bad. Feelings are the sensory data. When we use the terms: “I saw,” "I heard," and "I felt," these express emotions that are the result of what we believe about that sensory data. It is imperative we not allow our imaginations to speculate things which are not true. For example, what we interpret to be someone who is mad may instead be a person who is sad or just squinting to protect his or her eyes from the glaring sun. The key distinction between feelings and emotions is that emotions, as opposed to reason, are the subjective reactions involving psychological and physical changes that fuel feelings (the capacity for both emotion and sensibility) with a belief system. If that belief system has been programmed with negative data, the body functions on negative instead of positive responses that will effect the whole day.

Emotions start from the womb. At the 24th week a baby can hear and begin to distinguish sounds. DNA is silent intelligence and RNA (ribonucleic acid) is the transmission of that data. Every thought, impulse, emotion and belief impacts both the RNA transmission and the DNA programming. For example, if a person expects rejection it will affect their ability to see, hear or feel.

Three unrighteous emotional roots are spirits of fear, anger and sorrow. These are able to influence us as a consequence of our ancestor’s iniquities or by us having come into agreement with the Ruler of the kingdom of darkness through innocent or willful sin. Scripture tells us our battle is not against human beings, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 6:10-12). There is a connection between our spirit man and our soul (our mind, will, memory and emotions), and as such we can fall prey to becoming one with thoughts the Adversary would have us think. Disease can be an outflow from these unclean influences.

Scripture says that the sins of the fathers flow to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 20:5). This Adamic nature, the “old man” of actions and behaviors, transfer from one generation to a succeeding third to fourth generation. In other words, iniquities are the generational sins we participate in. Life is in the blood. We are created from our parents’ blood; we are "flesh of their flesh". Iniquities can show up as predispositions to unloving personality characteristics such as those mentioned earlier, that of fear, anger and sorrow. It is as if their "voices" call out through the "memory" of the blood and, if we listen, we become one spiritually and psychologically with them, inheriting the same wrong mindsets and so on that they had.

Deuteronomy 28 records the blessings that flow when we follow YHVH’s ways, along with the curses that come against us if we do not. Quoting from Pastor Henry Wright’s book, A More Excellent Way, “Diseases in our lives can be a result of a separation from Him and His Word in specific areas of our lives. God would have to become double minded, would have to become evil in condoning evil, in order to bless us in our sins.” Therefore YHVH is faithful to the curses, just as He is faithful to the blessings. Iniquities that flow to the third and fourth generation are listed in the form of curses. Deuteronomy 28 teaches us that these illnesses can come as a result of innocently transgressing His ways through lack of understanding, from not obeying His food laws, or, in general, by refusing to obey His teaching. Diseases such as mental and/or emotional breakdown, barrenness or reproductive problems, breakdown of marriage and family alienation, continuing financial insufficiency, accident-proneness, history of suicide, unnatural or untimely deaths in families all come from transgression against YHVH’s teaching and instruction.

Any thoughts we have that do not match how YHVH thinks and what He would say is a form of insanity. If we are allowing fears and phobias, envy, jealousy, and so on to manifest in our lives – that is “insanity”. We have become one with things that are not YHVH’s nature that, repeated over time, become part of our nature. Thus we tend to say, "That’s just the way I am."

The major blockage to healing is unforgiveness, which causes bitterness or bitter root judgments in us. Our bitterness can be against YHVH, our neighbor, or even ourselves. Guilt, shame and self-pity are all offshoots of this that act like "glue" binding a person to his past. Unforgiveness negates the death of Yeshua and effectively denies the fact that YHVH forgave and made all things new. Bitterness is the root of many diseases that can lead to an early death if left unchecked.

Possible symptoms related to a bitter root spirit are: plagues, wasting diseases, burning fevers, inflammations, incurable boils, tumors, festering sores, incurable itches, blindness, fear, prolonged plagues like diabetes and ongoing sicknesses like cancer or heart disease (Deuteronomy 28:21-61).

Do not sorrow, for the joy of YHVH is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

When we come to redemption/salvation we are taught to forgive, because “anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness” (1 John 2:9).  Ha Satan’s mission, on the other hand, is to keep people blind and in the dark (or realm of death) in unforgiveness. In Yeshua we have the truth, and the truth will set us free - if we choose to walk in it. We are no longer under the law of sin and death but are in the law that brings life.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of YHVH, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Yeshua (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Like the apostle Paul, we have both laws at work in our members: the law of life and the law of sin and death. There is ever before us a choice (when faced with situations): to obey YHVH and walk in the realm that gives life or disobey and incur the realm that brings death (Romans 7). As we begin to meditate on the law of life, the Spirit of God trains us to forgive our fellowman; contrary to the spirit of unforgiveness the Enemy continually attacks us with in his effort to cause division among the body of Messiah. With both laws present in us, we are blessed with the ability to choose which law we will follow, the law of sin or the law of life? We are now able to discern that unforgiveness is evil and forgiveness is good. This is maturity. Maturity discerns and enables us to make the choice to go the right way. We can choose life or death, blessings or curses (Deuteronomy 30:19). Choose life!

Two Laws at War Within Us

IN Romans 7:16-18, 22-23, 25; 8:1-2 Paul teaches:

I agree that the law [Torah] is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For in my inner being I delight in God's law [the Torah]; but I see another law [nomos: the law of sin and death] at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin [and death - nomos] at work within my members. Thanks be to God – through Yeshua Ha Mashiach our Savior! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law [Torah, the law of life], but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin [and death - nomos]. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Yeshua Ha Mashiach, because through Yeshua Ha Mashiach the law of the Spirit of life [Torah/ the realm of life] set me free from the law of sin and death [nomos/the realm of death].

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).

We have the ability to forgive; this is our new nature given us, which takes unclean thoughts into captivity. By the power of the Spirit of YHVH we can train ourselves to hold wrong judgments up to the Word of YHVH. This is how to break the cycle of unforgiveness and strongholds in our lives.

Question: If we are set “free” by Yeshua’s death and resurrection, why are there just as much infirmity, psychiatric disorder and biological disease among believers as there is in the world? Are we living in deception, trying to act like we are a new creation when in reality we look and feel just like the old as if none of the promises of a renewed life are for us? We are the body of Yeshua. Is Yeshua diseased, insane or bitter? No! Does the Congregation of Yeshua need to be converted again? No! Rather the grace of YHVH makes it possible for us to recognize what is good versus what is evil, so we can choose to walk in His upright ways in holiness before Him and be blessed.

Disease – A Product of Our Thinking?

Ha Satan wants our blood. Why? The life of the body is in the blood. If he can get control of our blood, the body is his.

If he can tempt us with the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh or the pride of life he can gain access to us. When we entertain Ha Satan’s thoughts and act upon them, they become one with us and one with our flesh. The fruits of the sinful nature “are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told youin time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:18-21

For the word of YHVH is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).

We know our soul and spirit are two distinctly different and separate parts of our being. Scripture tells us the Word of YHVH is able to separate soul and spirit. How? Here is an example: If we repeatedly entertain spirits of fear of tomorrow, taking our thoughts of tomorrow and what can go wrong and projecting that into the future, eventually we will become one in spirit and soul with that fear. A disease like high blood pressure can be a symptom of fear. The Word of YHVH says His has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Yeshua, the Living Word of YHVH, is Spirit, and He is life. The Spirit of YHVH is in us to bare witness to the truth because He desires to lead us into all truth. At the spirit level, what the spirit of fear has taught is how to be afraid of tomorrow. The Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit brings this negative spirit under the scrutiny of the Word of YHVH, and when Scripture says, “For it is written", they are not merely words to us, they are YHVH Himself saying, "This is what I have said. Listen to My words. No longer listen to the voice of the Enemy." The Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit only acts on what YHVH has said not what our enemies say. He will never agree with the enemy. We may, but He never will.

The Word of YHVH is able to separate the soul from the spirit. Through the washing of water of the Word, our minds are renewed so that the law of YHVH (the realm that brings life) is prominent. When our soul comes into agreement with YHVH’s Word, we become one with it. It is then the Word of YHVH in us that opposes the law of sin and death. While the two laws are both in Torah, in that we incur blessing or the law of life for obedience to His Word and curses or the law of sin and death for disobedience, the Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit moves in power and breathes life on the Torah that is written in our hearts, causing us to choose the law of life. By recognizing the sinful nature in our life, taking responsibility for it by repenting for having entertained it and come out of agreement with it no longer gives authority to the law of sin and death operating in our life. And as such, the law of sin and death no longer has any power. The Word of YHVH is able to take the power of the soul (our mind, will and emotions) and separate it from the spirit so the spirit says, "No! I am not bowing down to that which separates me from YHVH” and “I am really what YHVH says I am!" That is what the Torah can do in us. The Word of YHVH comes in, we mix that with faith (in His Faithfulness) because we believe what He said, and in this way the human spirit becomes sanctified. The process separate from salvation is called redemption that leads to a sanctified, holy life in Yeshua.

Everyone who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah is a child of God (1 John 5:1).

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

What spiritual filthiness and defilement could the above passage be speaking of? In the case of fear, the disease of high blood pressure is a result of fear, stress and anxiety. To be afraid of the future or what might go wrong tomorrow is sin. The Word of YHVH separates the unclean, sinful (realm of death) nature from His nature in us (the realm of life). Then the mind is able to be renewed and participate with YHVH by trusting in His faithfulness as Savior and Provider as promised by His Word. Any problems and challenges we have today are wonderful steps to success in the future. Our changed attitude develops our character to come into order with what YHVH has for our life; His will is to bless us, redeem us and sanctify us.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with YHVH through Yeshua, the Messiah, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of YHVH. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because YHVH has poured out his love into our hearts by the Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:1-5).

For the word of YHVH is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of [our] heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).

What is hidden that Hebrews 4 is referring to? What unknowns does only YHVH see that we need to see? Correspondingly, what causes the immune system to break down? It may be what is behind many of our diseases. The other side to health and nutrition is the spiritual side (Leviticus 11). We are the Temple of the living God, how are we maintaining His Temple? If health were merely a nutritional issue we wouldn’t need YHVH. Our god would be our belly. When we look at disease in Deuteronomy 28:15 we discover the root of disease is sin, with no mention made of nutrition.

The medical field says that fear releases a very damaging hormone in our system called cortisol that causes destruction to the immune system, thyroid, blood sugar levels, bone density and muscle tissue. Other health problems like blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes can also be related. Cortisol will continue to be released into our system in conjunction with any unresolved fear, anxiety and stress we may have. If this is true, we must look at what kinds of fear could be causing destruction to our immune system.

The Causes of a Broken Spirit

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love (1 John 4:18).

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert (Isaiah 35: 3-6).

On Love

Eighty-five percent of the people in America do not remember hearing their father say, "I love you." Instead there are negative memories and scars from emotional, verbal, physical and even sexual abuse. All this and more can lead to one having a driven character type, one who is obsessed with performance, perfection, legalism and control in order to obtain love and be accepted. This produces fear, anxiety and stress. The Bible recognizes this truth, telling us, “There is no fear in love.” So what comes to those who have not been loved in childhood? Fear. And how do we get rid of it? Perfect love, through obedience to Yeshua’s commandments, casts out fear.

What Is Torment?

Torment is called tribulation in scripture. It is a result of unresolved fear, anxiety and stress caused from relationship breakdowns in family, marriages, friends, congregations, work places and so on. Torment sets in motion spiritual, mental and body imbalance. Ninety percent of all pain disorders are spiritually rooted in what the medical field calls psychogenic pain, rooted in a negative view of oneself, along with fear and anxiety. All the enemy needs is one gland to throw people into dis-ease, which can produce well over 100 diseases, either being activated by an imbalance in body chemistry or neurology, all based on how people think.

He that fears is not made perfect in love, and is not able to give or receive love without fear. This can become a foundation that destroys the immune system. When you don’t feel loved, accepted, or nurtured and no one encourages, compliments or tells you they love you, it could lead to a spiritual root of rejection, leading to intimidation, poor self worth, and the list continues. This can all become part of you if rejection is the root. Being in the Word of Yeshua and applying it to our lives daily washes us and renews a right spirit in us.

Create in me a clean heart, O YHVH; and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).

Our thoughts play a profound role in the wellness of our being, including our glands, organs and systems. Our thoughts not only affect us but others as well. Blessings and curses. It all depends on what we allow to influence our thoughts, for from out of the mouth flow messages from three sources: YHVH, our flesh or the Enemy.

The skin diseases in Leviticus are not merely bodily skin diseases but physical manifestations arising from spiritual conditions of the heart. "Skin disease" affects buildings, clothing and people which all relates to our bodies. YHVH, in His wisdom, lets us know when we cross over from the realm of life and touch the realm of death. He is continually teaching us discernment. This is not a salvation issue but a contamination issue. Eating off the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil brings death. Eating from the Tree of Life brings life. Slander and gossip bring defilement, which leads to afflictions that contaminate not only us but spread to other people if not isolated and healed.

What comes out of a man, that defiles a man (Mark 7:20).

YHVH’s Word says that contamination breaks out in three areas: garments, houses and bodies. Gossip and slander is relating "ritually" unclean talk about people to others. The Word says this is not right and will lead to death, spiritually and physically. By studying ritual cleanliness through YHVH’s teaching and instruction, we learn how to live holy, sanctified lives, free from the realms that caused death and destruction in our lives and in others.

How do we go about cleaning contamination out of our lives or prevent it from spreading? We are hidden in the Messiah and He has the victory. Obedience to His Word brings the blessings. Choosing to walk in His Righteousness (right ways) will cause us to return.

Sin is missing the mark - neglecting His ways brings corruption. Applying His Ways will clean us and keep us in the realm of life and on the Highway of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8). His teaching and instruction is Life. Outside His teaching and instruction is contamination and death. To be restored we need to acknowledge our forefather’s sin and our sin, then repent, bathe (mikvah) and be restored by returning to His righteous ways.

The Brit Chadasha/New Testament is written to believers. Believers are called a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). This is why so much of the Brit Chadasha is written on how we are to think and what our attitudes should be. As priests, we are called to be holy. This teaching is for the process of redemption and sanctification of the Priesthood. Those who are in Yeshua are not to entertain the old nature of unclean thoughts and behaviors from the past. We are not to touch the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We are to leave that all behind through forgiveness and repentance to overcome and move forward, letting Yeshua’s peace rule in our hearts.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Philippians 4:6-7).

Leviticus 13:6-9 Inflammations

When the Bible speaks of inflammations, it is a reference to vain imaginations, mind games, slander, and gossip. These contaminate and make us unclean, spreading and inflaming in others, like a forest fire that takes only a spark to start, but so easily spreads and consumes everything in its path. Gossip (called lashon hara in Hebrew, meaning: evil tongue) and murmur scar people. If “the fire” is not contained, it will continue to spread until it consumes the whole house or community. Torah describes this as tzarat (Strong’s # H6879), meaning in Hebrew: the visible manifestation of the contagious impurity, which YHVH will not tolerate in His House. Slander, bloodshed, false oaths and immorality can destroy a whole community.

Furthermore YHVH said to him [Moses], "Now put your hand in your bosom." And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, [tzarat] like snow. And He said, "Put your hand in your bosom again." So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. Then YHVH said, "Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign" (Exodus 4:6-8).

This is Yeshua!

YHVH was teaching Moses clean and unclean, that it was what comes out of the heart that makes a man unclean. YHVH gave these signs to the children of Israel to demonstrate the spiritual manifestation of their unclean hearts. YHVH was calling them to return to Him, the only One who could heal them.

Numbers 12:1-15 records what happened when Moses’ sister Miriam and his brother Aaron spoke against Moses because he had married a “black” Ethiopian woman. YHVH’s judgment fell upon Miriam in the form of a skin condition called tzarat, which turned her “white” as snow. This outward appearance revealed her heart for all to see. In her uncleanness she was led outside the camp where she stayed until her seven days of impurity were completed. Even if she repented at the beginning, she was not allowed to return but had to complete the seven days outside the camp fulfilling the consequence of her sin. The people did not journey until Miriam was brought back into the camp.

Miriam's sin was lashon hara, gossip and slander. If we gossip and slander we render ourselves impure and unclean seven days, “outside the camp” also. During this time we miss the blessings and potential journeys with YHVH until our time is over. This should make us think very carefully about what our approach, our thoughts and our speech will be towards others and ourselves in the future.

Leviticus 13:9-25 Burns

Burns cause inflamed flesh. Anger causes the face to become red, reddish white or white with rage. This is a skin tzarat affliction. What causes a person to be so inflamed with rage and anger?

Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:14, 19-22).

Cleaning Our Ways

The treatment for tzarat was to remove and isolate the contamination. The one spreading gossip, slanderous thoughts and bad reports about other people was to be removed from the camp before it infected the whole camp. During this time they were still contagious. After the seven days the priest inspected them to see if the condition had spread or changed. What the priest was inspecting was the heart condition of the contaminated person. Treating the sickness of the spirit took care of the sickness on the body in the physical dimension. This was the treatment: Once the contaminated person repented, the priest anointed the person with oil and immersed them in water, called the mikvah, for status change from the unclean realm to the clean realm. The person was thus restored back into communion with YHVH and the community of fellowship again. This is called the ritual application of YHVH’s teaching and instruction for Life and is still applicable and works today!!! This is not Judaism or rabbinic teaching but LIFE in Torah!

Many times a community can be too quick to receive a tzarat person back into the fold before the said person has totally repented and cleansed his way as YHVH instructs us in His Word. Or the tzarat/contaminated person may have never been addressed and is still continuing to spread his contamination throughout the community because he has not been properly handled. The way back in is through repentance and forgiveness. Tzara afflictions have been designed by YHVH to redeem His people back into relationship with Him, to keep His camp clean and to have a functioning priesthood and holy nation before Him.

To be continued...

Shabbat Shalom
Carl and Julie Parker

References:
Discovering Wholeness by Dr. Cheryl Townsley, N.D.

A More Excellent Way: Spiritual Roots of Disease by Henry W. Wright

STBM

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