Scriptures

Leviticus 1:1 to 5:26
1 Samuel 15:2-34
Hebrews 10: 1-18
Romans 8:1-13

In our weekly Torah studies we began at ‘the beginning’ with Bereshit/Genesis, traveled through the book of Shemot/Exodus with the Israelites, and are now entering into our study of the book of Vayikra/Leviticus. The five books of Moses are living parables, prophetic in nature for the future of YHVH’s people Israel.

Looking back, the book of Bereshit/Genesis was full of personal testimonies of how the men and families of YHVH walked in His ways. Bereshit/Genesis was where we learned about our identity as part of Israel through His covenants and about our inheritance in His Kingdom. We also learned that there was an order in YHVH’s kingdom, and a pattern for life started to emerge in the story of Noah. YHVH first calls us, and then has us prepare a dwelling place for him, beginning with separating from the unclean influences in our lives. Noah did this before he started to build a place for YHVH and the people and animals that were to join him. The dwelling place, called an ark, was to be made according to the pattern YHVH gave him and not according to Noah’s own pattern. Only upon completion was this ark/dwelling place filled with the people and animals. It was then that the ark was safe for voyage. This vessel, guided by YHVH’s Spirit, kept them preserved above the waters, which were to them waters of deliverance and life, as opposed to the waters of tribulation and death.

In the second book of Moses called Shemot/Exodus, we see this same pattern explained but in much deeper detail. This pattern now became the dwelling place called the Mishkan or Tabernacle. It was so important to YHVH that He dedicated thirteen chapters to it in the Torah. No other subject had such focus as the Mishkan/Tabernacle.

In Exodus we saw that the Israelites separated themselves from the unclean realm first physically then in their attitudes and behaviors. YHVH brought them out of Egypt to bring them forth as a bride betrothed to Himself. The Mishkan/Tabernacle represented the heavenly dwelling of YHVH, a shadow of the Tabernacle already made for His bride. The priestly garments were also described as the armor of YHVH and are the wedding garments of the bride.

The book of Exodus revealed lifestyle for the bride starting with the outer court of the Mishkan/Tabernacle. The book of Leviticus instructs us how to walk and enter the inner courts of the Mishkan/Tabernacle as a royal priesthood and holy nation. Learning to walk in His courts correctly brings abundant life. Leviticus is where we gain understanding of life in Yeshua, called Spirit Life, which provides oil for the bride’s lamp.

The book of Leviticus sets forth life’s moral principles–called commandments–that govern the Mishkan and the earth. With these principles, the bride is given the opportunity to prepare her heart and life as she makes herself ready for the coming of her Bridegroom. These principles of His Mishkan and Kingdom are still in place today as the Bridegroom is returning soon (Hebrews 8:2).

Exodus gave us the pattern of the Mishkan. It is like building a house; you begin with a set of blueprints then gather all the materials before going about the actual work of building it. The structure begins to come together, going from pattern to reality until the builder says, “You can move in now!” The book of Leviticus is a prophetic look at the moving in process with details of how to live in the Bridal Chamber, in Yeshua’s Kingdom.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, and streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:24-27).

Once the Mishkan was set up, YHVH shared the instructions for the continual offerings that the Israelites were to bring to Him in the Tabernacle. The offerings revealed the heart of the people who served Him. They were designed to lubricate the heart to keep it soft toward YHVH, as well as instruct the people walking out a redeemed lifestyle thus support the bride keeping the betrothal covenant she made with Him at Mount Sinai. The principle of the offerings was to elevate the bride and keep sin far from her.

After the Israelites completed YHVH’s dwelling and dedicated it, it was time to learn how to live with Him in His residence. This was the whole purpose of Leviticus. Contained within YHVH’s loving instructions are His steadfastly established principles and appointed times that He predestined and designed to give us maximum life in His House. With YHVH, there is a prescribed way of how to live in His residence (Tabernacle), which now resides in us (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). These instructions are for our benefit to give us unlimited blessings and abundant life with Him. There are areas in the Mishkan that are for common use (Outer Court) and areas that are holy (Holy and Most Holy areas) and both lead to a redeemed lifestyle if walked out properly. The book of Leviticus is directed to the priesthood, as they were the caretakers of the dwelling of YHVH on behalf of the twelve tribes of Israel. In the beginning the priesthood was made up of all twelve tribes. According to Scripture, this priesthood will operate in the order of Melchizedek, serving and representing YHVH to the Nations (Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9). 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to YHVH, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful Light (1 Peter 2:9).

The Abrahamic Covenant is our redemption/salvation. The Mosaic Covenant is our “how-to manual” describing how to walk in our redemption (Abrahamic Covenant). The book of Leviticus is a part of the Mosaic Covenant and is OUR instruction booklet of how to live in the Tabernacle with YHVH. Without Leviticus (our instruction book), we will not know how to live in the bridal chamber as it is a manual for LIFE. Operating in the realms of life, i.e. obeying His instructions, leads to abundant blessings. Doing what He has asked us to do is called “faith” (Hebrews 11). This is how He knows we love Him: when we do what He has asked us to do by walking in obedience to His Word. His love, will and purpose for our lives is found in His Word of Truth (John 13:34-15:17).  

If we do not follow YHVH’s instructions for LIFE, we incur the folly of our own choices and can likewise enter into the realms that bring death. It is our choice. In history, or His-story, some have taught YHVH’s loving instructions in a manner that brought man’s legalism and death upon the people instead of Yeshua’s life. The early church fathers discarded YHVH’s Torah (His loving teaching and instruction) altogether, calling His teaching (Torah) nomos (law) instead of life. Nomos is a word that relates to the law of sin and death, not the law of life. Being separated from YHVH’s teaching and instruction for so long, the people saw Torah as a strange thing. But YHVH said He would bring us back to His loving kindness, His teaching and instruction, and restore us in the last days (Hosea 8:12; Amos 8:11-13; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12).

Yeshua came to show us His life through the prophetic picture of the Tabernacle. He showed us His love by His Word, the Living Torah, Yeshua. This is the heart of YHVH called Spirit Life.

The Book of Vayikra ~ Leviticus

Leviticus opens with the five offerings called corban in Hebrew, meaning: to come near to YHVH. The offerings are: the elevation/burnt offering, the meal/grain offering, fellowship/peace offering, sin offering and guilt offering.

Leviticus 1 ~ Offerings

Who brought these offerings? The Sages say, “the offerings effectiveness depended upon the high moral and spiritual character of those who live by the discipline of His Word, Torah.” The purpose of the offerings was to bring an unclean status of the soul into a clean status and to bring a redeemed people into a holy lifestyle. If we examine the reasons behind each type of sacrifice we cannot fail to note that the sacrificial service was clearly meant to serve YHVH beyond the Outer Court of the Mishkan/Tabernacle. The offerings were to prepare a people to serve Him in the Holy Place.

Leviticus 1:1-17 Elevation Offering: The Olah ~ A Volunteer Offering

In Hebrew the elevation offering is called the olah, meaning: to cause to ascend up to YHVH as a flame and smoke ascent by burning. In Greek olah is holocausta, which conveys its meaning as being wholly burnt. The elevation offering is also called the burnt offering. The olah is brought by a person to atone for his sins of impure thoughts. These thoughts tend to spread out from the mind (soul) to the body and hence lead us astray physically. That is why YHVH designed it as a volunteer offering in the Tabernacle. The other reason for the olah was failing to perform a required action of YHVH.

This first offering helped purify the heart and mind to render the heart clean, and thus keep the Tabernacle clean. The olah was brought–like the offerings of material for the Tabernacle–from a willing heart. “Those whose heart was willing and whose heart moved him to bring to YHVH.” The olah was not to be brought with a hard heart or under duress. Conditional offerings would not be acceptable to YHVH (Exodus 35:5, 21; Isaiah 1:11-20).

The person bringing the sacrifice would bring a male bull, sheep or goat, a dove or a pigeon to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. There he would place his hand on the head of the animal. By doing this the man offering the olah would transfer his sin to the animal and the animal would die in his place to be atonement for the man. It is interesting to note that the hand was placed on the head of the animal, as the mind is where the soul of man is. Then the man would draw a knife across the throat of the animal, cutting the main artery of life-giving blood to that animal. He would then have to watch the life of that animal drain out and the animal die before him. If it were a male from the herd, the priest would catch the blood in a bowl and sprinkle it on all four sides of the bronze altar, but if a sheep or goat was used, the blood was sprinkled on the north side of the altar.

The animal olah offerings could only cover the sin, not take it away permanently. Today it is only Yeshua’s sinless blood sacrificed as an olah on our behalf sprinkled on the altar in the Heavenly Tabernacle that cleanses us. Yeshua’s blood not only covered our sin but also took it away once and for all.

Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself (Hebrews 7:27).

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).  

The Israelites were commanded to place two logs always on the brazen altar morning and evening. The two wood pieces can represent the two ends of a torah scroll. The fire represents YHVH’s word, as it is the altar that cleanses the sin from within the offering. Animals represent people in scripture. His Word is a consuming fire. Our sin is atoned and taken away by the sacrifice of Yeshua. Keeping His word always before us day and night and obeying it burns up refining us by fire. The two logs can also represent the Two Houses of Israel, the House of Israel and the House of Judah, the mouth piece of YHVH’s word. If we continue to offer ourselves on the altar, the sinful nature of the soul will burn away making us fit for life in the bridal chamber. (Acts 10: 9-29; Jeremiah 23:29; Revelation 6:9; Isaiah 44:15-20)

I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, "They are my people," and they will say, "YHVH is our God" (Zechariah 13:9).

John answered them all, "I Mikvah [baptize] you in water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will Mikvah you with Ruach HaChodesh [the Holy Spirit] and with fire" (Luke 3:16).

The olah was washed, skinned, cut in pieces and placed on the fire of the altar to be burned whole, causing it to go up in smoke – a pleasing aroma to YHVH (Leviticus 1:13,17).

Question: Does the olah apply to believers today? Positively, the elevation offering is still in effect. Since the Tabernacle is in us and we are ministering priests before YHVH, what would the offering be today? The olah is how we elevate other people before YHVH. When YHVH dwells in us and we fellowship with each other, YHVH dwells in our midst. This becomes the elevation/olah offering. It is all about how we treat people and how we handle others; this reveals our approach to YHVH. Treating others well is the elevation offering. When we come face to face with others we come presence to presence with YHVH as Yeshua is in us.

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).

Elevation sacrifice first comes from within, from the heart. Before we can love and elevate others we need to love ourselves first. If we have self-respect, this will also cause us to respect others and inspire others to respect themselves. Self-abasement will not elevate others; it will in fact destroy us. Life comes from serving others. If we are depressed or down, serving others will literally deliver us from the death brought on by our thoughts. To elevate and inspire people brings blessings into the lives of others and into our own. Doing so without adding burdens or guilt to anyone is the heart of the olah offering. Serving people with care and sincerity, with respect for one another and not through manipulations of emotions, harshness or evil intent will resurrect the dead.

By not speaking superficially, sarcastically, harshly, or behind people’s backs but personally reaching out to people, treating them lovingly, politely and elevating them higher than ourselves - this is the olah offering today. Loving our neighbor as our self is obeying YHVH’s principles that govern His Kingdom. Even if that person has harmed us in the past, the choice is still ours to forgive and love unconditionally. Herein lies a true test of our character that promotes moving on to higher ground in our walks with YHVH. This is the first sacrifice in His Tabernacle that presents us with the option: Will we offer our olah as a freewill offering to YHVH?

Leviticus 2:1-16 Meal Offering: The Minchah ~ A Volunteer Offering

The meal offering, called minchah in Hebrew, also known as the grain offering, was a freewill, volunteer sacrifice, a gift of gratitude before YHVH. It was made of fine flour, oil and incense. The priest took a handful from the portion offered and burned it on the altar. This was called the memorial offering and represented Yeshua. He is the Bread of Life and is our memorial offering. The rest of the meal offering belonged to the Priesthood and is a most holy part of the offering.

And He [Yeshua Ha Mashiach] took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19).

There were different ways of preparing the minchah. First, as an unleavened cake baked in the oven as a cake or wafer and, second, prepared over the fire in a griddle then “broken” in pieces (representing Yeshua’s body that was broken for us). The third manner was to cook it in a pan.

But He [Messiah Yeshua] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

The presentation of flour as an offering was very labor-intensive. First the wheat had to be planted and cared for by watering and weeding before the harvest. The grains were then crushed and ground into flour that was sifted (13 times) before being offering to YHVH. The meal offering was to be a pleasing aroma to YHVH, made without yeast or honey.

If the offering was made with yeast and honey it was at the time of the Feast of Shavuot/Pentecost and was called the firstfruits offering. Firstfruit offerings were made with crushed heads of the new grain roasted in fire, with oil and incense on them. The memorial portion was also removed, and all where symbols of Yeshua.

One Sabbath Yeshua was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" Yeshua answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of YHVH, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." Then Yeshua said to them, "The Son of Man [supreme Messianic term for YHVH in the flesh] is Lord of the Sabbath" (Luke 6:1-5).

Leviticus 2:13 Salt of the Covenant

Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the Salt of the Covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings (Leviticus 2:13).

As Children of YHVH we are joined to Him through a Covenant of Salt (Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5; Matthew 5:13). Salt is a preservative that prevents decay and corruption. It is eternal, purifying, never changing, and abiding forever. Salt is the very symbol of YHVH’s character and reliability–His faithfulness. The term “Covenant of Salt” is indicative of the everlasting nature of the Covenant relationship between the children of salt, and their Creator YHVH.

The qualities found in salt are the qualities found in the character and attitude of the priesthood, the bride of Yeshua.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men (Matthew 5:13).

For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another (Mark 9:49-50).

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:6).

The teaching on salt reminds us we are to never lose our flavor. Believers are to be preservers of YHVH’s Word. His Torah must be shared with the Spirit of Life. Torah without Spirit brings death. We must worship in SPIRIT (Yeshua) AND TRUTH (Torah: His teaching and instruction). The world system of religion in Yeshua’s day was known by the temporal and shifting doctrines and short-term commitment of the worshipper to the particular god that was in vogue at the time.

It is YHVH’s desire to be sealed with us in an eternal covenant relationship, seasoned with salt. Salt historically symbolized hospitality. YHVH’s people should be the world’s most hospitable people. Salt also heals. In the past, when you settled a dispute with your neighbor you would then invite the person into your home to share a dish of salt. Each of you would lick your finger, dip it in the salt and then eat the salt together. This was the symbol of friendship that healed the rift. This is why the offerings we make to Him are salted, to heal any innocent violation or offence we have made to YHVH or our fellow man.

Salt is pure, germs cannot live in it; in the same way, believers also are to be pure. Salt purifies; as such, believers are called to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). They purify the world by not accepting false philosophies, dishonest ways of doing business, selfish desires, etc. Salt added for the flavor and satisfaction of a meal represents how believers should add spiritual interest, hope and excitement to other people’s lives. Salt produces thirst; the believer should produce spiritual thirst in those around them.

No salt in the diet leads to an energy graveyard; a month without salt and a person would die a slow agonizing death – you consider the (spiritual) analogy! Sodium regulates the passage of nutrients into the cells. Without it, nutrients cannot enter your cells and you have malnutrition and exhaustion no matter how good your diet. Without YHVH we would be spiritually starved and morally exhausted.

Salt is life: One of the best ways to maintain health is to replenish it with natural organic elements contained in real sea-salt, not synthetic substitutes. The body runs on salt. Without salt, we run out of electrolytes, and without electrolytes, our batteries die out. Just a small amount each day recharges the cells, and energizes the mind and body.

Salt Baths: The antiseptic and hygienic healing powers of salt-water baths are well known from the ancient world to modern times. They are rich in minerals and microelements and have wonderful therapeutic properties. The healing properties include rehabilitating the skin, the immune system, circulatory system, respiratory system and much more. People come from all over the world to sit and enjoy the therapy that comes from the high content of salt from the Dead Sea. There are also therapeutic cosmetic companies who sell the mud and cosmetics made from the Dead Sea for their healing qualities.

At Hebrew weddings the Covenant of Salt is shared between the bride and the groom.

Question: Do we do the Meal offering today? Yes we do. The minchah is the communion between YHVH and ourselves and represents the bridal covenant relationship we have with Yeshua, who is the Bread of Life. Coming on the Sabbath to “break” the unleavened bread with Him continually reminds us of the betrothal commitment we made and the Covenant that is between us. During Shabbat, people bring their meal offering to share with one another. They take great care in its preparation, as it is an offering to YHVH. The meal offering always accompanied the elevation offering as a memorial of thanksgiving to YHVH. Today, we purpose to serve each other and bless YHVH!

Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God" (Acts 10:4).

Leviticus 3:1-17 Fellowship/Peace Offering: The Shelamim ~ A Volunteer Offering

Shelamim is a Hebrew word from shalem or shalom, meaning a peace, friendship or fellowship offering to YHVH. This was brought as a freewill offering in thanksgiving for the peace, friendship and fellowship they experienced with YHVH and His faithfulness to fulfill the Covenant to them. It was a volunteer gift to bless YHVH or offered as a praise to Him. This offering was of animals (male or female from the herd or goat); the lives of the animals were substituted for those of the Israelites.

Question: Do we do the Fellowship Offering today? Yes, the Fellowship/Peace offering is still in place today. It was to be “a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.” We are called to assemble to come near to His Presence. This is a volunteer offering of the heart, where brothers come together IN PEACE as a group to praise and worship and offer thanksgiving to YHVH. Staying outside the ekklesia of YHVH (with no fellowship) does not constitute keeping the fellowship offering.

How is our approach to YHVH, His Sabbath, His Feast days and our neighbors? Do we approach with arguments, quarrels or unfinished business called unforgiveness? Do we come grumpy, sloppy or with selfish or envious motives toward our neighbor? Do we entertain bad or unclean thoughts toward others? Have we spoken harshly or unkindly to family or friends in the name of righteousness? Approaching YHVH in a sinful nature contaminates the whole house, ourselves included, as we have touched the unclean realm that brings death. When we come to worship, what type of fellowship gift do we offer? and will it be accepted before a holy God? YHVH had us bring the fellowship offering to check our hearts before approaching Him. These are considerations in respect to the soul. Leviticus is set out to show us how to approach a holy God in His House and others in a holy manner.

The separation that has existed between the Two Houses of Israel is beginning to weaken. The wall of hostility that has existed for generations is coming down, being brought down by those who show a humble and contrite spirit towards others. Forgiveness, healing and restoration are the true heart of the remnant, the bride of the Messiah. The bride prepares herself by making reconciliation. With this, the House of Israel and the House of Judah become one in the Messiah. They are being brought together by the Ruach Ha Kodesh/Holy Spirit and are receiving healing by returning to YHVH’s teaching and instructions. Together, in the Father’s hand, they in turn will bring healing to the Nations (Ephesians 2:14-22).

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24).

Yes, difficulties may arise between brothers who are returning to Torah. However, if we can put aside our differences and move past them, practicing what we are learning through the offerings, and encouraging each other by remembering the salt covenant, the meal offering and the elevation offering in our communication – this will bring healing and health to the whole body of Yeshua. It is our peace offering, a sacrifice, and a gift of worship to YHVH. May we put into practice the offerings YHVH is teaching us today. Selah.

Loving one another can be contagious; this is an aroma before YHVH. May we practice this in our own homes with our own families and in our congregations and see if the situations that may have bothered us before begin to change. It is a question of the heart. Elevating our brothers, breaking bread together and fellowshipping in YHVH’s Name, if done in the right heart of Torah, is health and blessing to all. This is the freewill offering gift we bring to YHVH.

The first three offerings are all voluntary offerings from the heart. They are the heartbeat of the Tabernacle. If we give willingly, from a pure clean heart, we bless YHVH, others and ourselves. This is the key behind the offerings. May we become true servants of YHVH and serve one another, blessing at all times, on all occasions our fellow man.  Selah

This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood (Leviticus 3:17).

Right at the end of the teaching for the three volunteer offerings, YHVH commands us not to eat anything with fat or blood in it. He also adds that this will be a commandment for all generations, which means this principle is still in place today. The reason is that if we ingest fat or blood our behavior and attitudes will alter before YHVH, potentially bringing a hardening of heart upon us. Thus we will cease to bring our freewill offerings to Him (More on this in the next parsha).

Leviticus 4:1-5:13 Sin Offering: The Chatas ~ A Required Offering

The sin offering, or chatas in Hebrew, was the first of the two required offerings we are to bring before YHVH. The chatas was required to atone for unintentional sin resulting from carelessness or laxness, and is to be accepted as a personal responsibility for our lack of judgment that defiles the Tabernacle (our self included). This offering was offered by the priests and the congregation, as well as by individual persons. When the sacrifice was offered for a priest or the congregation, a bull was slaughtered. The blood was applied in three ways, first sprinkled seven times in the Holy Place, toward the veil, in front of the Holy of Holies. Secondly the blood was smeared on the horns of the golden altar of incense and, thirdly, the blood was poured out on the ground at the bottom of the brazen altar where the fat and kidneys were burned. The remainder of the bull was burned outside the camp to complete the atonement for unintentional sin. In an offering for a leader, in which case a male goat was required, or an individual, when a female goat/lamb or bird was to be offered, the blood was placed only on the brazen altar. It was a required offering since no one in Israel was without sin.

Leviticus 5:14- 6:7 Guilt Offering: The Asham ~ A Required Offering

The guilt offering was called asham in Hebrew and spoke of the covering of guilt. A person who unintentionally misappropriated, for personal use, sanctuary property brought the asham. This person would be held responsible and was guilty regardless of his intention. Secondly, the asham was brought when there was a doubt as to whether a sin had been committed or not. And, thirdly, the asham was for an intentional trespass against YHVH in that one lied under oath, defrauded his fellow man by cheating, stealing, lying to or about (lashon hara), or did not return lost property to his neighbor. In so doing he was guilty and his sin was before YHVH. He offered a bull and made restitution for the full amount plus added a fifth as penalty. Basically every case of asham involved some inherent status destruction of some sort, rather than a simple mistake.

Question: Do we do the Sin and Guilt Offerings today? Yes. Yeshua appropriated the sin and guilt offering for us. The way has been made clear for us to approach a Holy God and make restitution for the sinful nature of our souls. If we have sinned against our neighbor, that is toward YHVH as well. We need to repent. In the area of vows for example, if we have made a vow to YHVH or to a person, that which was spoken becomes holy and belongs to the sanctuary. If we do not act on the vow or do not intend to act upon it, then that which was holy is rendered unclean. By our thought or deed we contaminate not only ourselves but the interaction with our fellow man also, bringing defilement into the sanctuary and robbing YHVH. That is why vows and oaths are very serious in YHVH’s Kingdom. We must be very careful what we promise and how we approach each other, as this inherently affects our walks and His Tabernacle on a physical and spiritual level.

An example of the importance of truthful words in scripture is Ananias and Sapphira, who sold a piece of property and promised or vowed the amount they received to YHVH. In the process they decided not to give the full amount promised, but held back a portion for their own personal use. Once given to YHVH it becomes holy. Ananias and Sapphira defiled the offering with their unclean thoughts and deeds, thus bringing death upon themselves (Acts 5:1-11).

Bringing an offering in an unworthy manner is not a freewill offering. There will be consequence if we do, and in so doing we will have misappropriated “YHVH’s property.” If we are believers and we speak behind people’s backs or share negatively about our neighbor, this is a sin before YHVH. If we lie by manipulation of words, by our body language, in wrong deeds to an individual or in business transactions, this is a sin before YHVH. If we vow to give the whole tithe and do not, we lie and rob YHVH. If we are in the Covenant, as a royal priesthood and ministering in YHVH’s House we need to make a distinction between clean and unclean thoughts and practices. If you want your prayers answered, we suggest looking at these offerings very carefully.

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law (Torah)  we become conscious of sin (Romans 3:20-25).

For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Yeshua came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased." Then I said, "Here I am-- it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God" (ref. Psalm 40:6-8).

First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" [although the law required them to be made]. Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first [the sacrificial system] to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Yeshua the Messiah once for all.

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest [Yeshua] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds" (ref. Jeremiah 31:33). Then he adds, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more" (Jeremiah 31:34). And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Yeshua, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the House of YHVH, let us draw near to YHVH with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:2-22).

In closing: Today we are in a world and society deficient of a sense of purity and holiness, full of compromise, loose morals, and lawless living, that is, a society devoid of Torah. Today, through a return to Scripture, we are being shown a better way. Today we are those twelve living stones Moses assembled in the desert, being fitted together to form the Tabernacle of YHVH. YHVH is calling to us from within the Tabernacle between the cherubim to draw closer to Himself. We are in this world but not of it.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to YHVH through Yeshua (1 Peter 2:5).

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Yeshua, he does not belong to Yeshua. But if Yeshua is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Yeshua from the dead is living in you, he who raised Messiah from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:5-15).

“Return, O Virgin Israel, return.”

Prayer of Repentance and Salvation

Confession: “I believe that Yeshua Ha Mashiach / the Messiah is the promised Son of YHVH, the Messiah of Israel. He was crucified for my sins, was buried and arose the third day according to the scriptures. I believe He is ascended up into the heavens and all power in heaven and earth is given unto Him. I believe He has promised to return and all that believe in Him are immersed into His Name will receive remission of sins, the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh / Holy Spirit and citizenship in the Israel of YHVH (the land of our inheritance). I receive and confess this day Yeshua of Nazareth as my personal Lord and Savior.

Lord God, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, I ask You now to forgive me of my disobedience, iniquities and transgressions. I ask You to forgive my forefathers for turning their backs on Your Torah. I forgive all those who hurt me physically, spiritually and emotionally. I ask that all evil influences be bond and not permitted to operate in my life according to Torah, and that your Spirit be loosed to operate in my life according to Torah, to rule and reign in my life, and to help me walk out Your Will. I ask this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Yeshua the Messiah). Amen.”

Once you have prayed this prayer, we suggest a Mikvah, an immersion in water for status change from unclean to clean realm as a final cleansing.

Shabbat Shalom,
Carl and Julie Parker

References:
The Tabernacle by D. Levy

STBM: Leviticus and Prayer of Repentance by R. Messer

Salt: Home Worship 101 from Internet source.

A More Excellent Way by Henry W.Wright

Past Parshot: www.messianicisrael.com/sheepfold-gleanings/
Sheepfold Gleanings written by Carl and Julie Parker: www.sheepfoldgleanings.com
Parsha Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
2008 © Sheepfold Gleanings