HolyOnes

This Sabbath is a special or unusual Sabbath called K'doshim, meaning "holy ones". The reading for this Sabbath begins in Leviticus 19, where God gave the command: "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." (v. 2). As we can see, it was always God's intention that His people be like Him, so as to be identified as belonging to Him. God's people were to be set apart from the other people of the world: "I am the LORD your God who has separated (badal - set apart, divide, sever out, to make a distinction or a difference) you from the peoples...And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated/severed you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." (Lev. 20:24-26). The Apostle Paul also wrote about this separation or severance: "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (metamorphoo - transfigure, change into another form, adjustment of shape, nature, form) by the renewing (anakainosis - complete change for the better, renewal; to be changed into a new kind of life as opposed to the former corrupt state) of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2). Paul wrote about a change that goes much more deeply than that of adopting a kind of outwardly "holy" behavior or attitude. The change Paul wrote of is about being changed into a completely new form. In verse 1 of Romans 12, Paul begs us to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." The term "reasonable service" comes from the Greek root words logos and latreuo. Jesus is called the Logos, or spoken Word of God, in John 1:1-3. The term latreuo relates to being a menial servant, to serve, to perform sacred services. Paul told us in this verse to sacrifice ourselves and our own identity, in order to be a servant to the Spoken Word, Jesus. It is by the Word of God (Eph. 5:26) that our minds are washed, renewed and changed. This is part of our "transformation" from the profane to the holy. We are not here to be like everyone else, but to become the image of God by belonging to Him through His Son. Jesus is: "...the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation...now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you continue in the faith..." (Col. 1:15, 17, 21-23). Here is change or transformation again: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed (symmorphos - having the same form as another, fashioned like unto) to the image (eikon/eiko - image, figure, likeness/to be like, a copy) of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Rom. 8:29). It is far better to be transformed into the holy identity of the resurrected Christ, conformed to His image, than trying to achieve a holy identity of our own. Man always gets it wrong when they attempt to do that. God did not command us to "act" holy, but to BE holy in the same way, and by the same standard that HE is holy. This is truly what Christ accomplished in our behalf. If we can understand and accept it by faith, then we can become it in truth. New Testament scripture is full of the necessity of our ending, in order for Christ to begin in us, such as: "...you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on (endyo - in the sense of sinking into a garment) the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...Christ is all and in all." (Col. 3:9-11). The holiness of God incorporates a new identity in us, which is begun through His Son, Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God from our innermost being (Eph. 3:14-19, 2 Cor. 4:16-18), progressing outwardly. Jesus wanted to teach this to us about our new identity when He said that you just can't put new wine into old wineskins! (Mk. 2:21-22). It turns out that when the LORD spoke the sentence "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" to the children of Israel, He was really saying a mouth-full, even a book-full. In a look at another complete transformation in the holiness of God, this Sabbath, because of where it falls on the calendar, is also set apart as the Sabbath before Israel's Independence Day, which is on the date of Iyar/Ziv 5, or May 14th on our calendar. In Hebrew, this independence is noted as Atz'ma'ut accompanied by the Sabbath reading of Micah 4, and Isaiah 60. Israel miraculously became an independent nation again in 1948 after 2,000 years. This is an event that will transform not only Israel, but the world. The end time events prophesied in scripture depend upon Israel and Jerusalem existing and being inhabited. The names of the month in which this restoration of Israel as a nation occurred, Iyar/Ziv, have a special meaning dealing with transformation. Ziv means "radiance, light, glow". This same month became known as Iyar after the Babylonian captivity. Iyar is associated with a Biblical event when the bitter water of the wilderness was made sweet. This transformation happened when Moses was shown (yara - point out, teach, instruct, to shoot) by the LORD a tree (es - timber, wooden post, gallows, carpenter) that when thrown into the bitter water, would make it sweet. (Ex. 15:22-26). The LORD made that place and event a statute and ordinance for Israel. The LORD promised to set a difference between the diseases of Egypt and His people, and to be their Healer (rapa - healing of national defects, of personal distress, of hurts of nations involving restored favor, to sew together, to mend), as His people obeyed His ordinances. Therefore the month of Iyar is associated by the Jewish people as providing an opportunity for healing. We can see a prophetic meaning to the transformation of the bitter water by the throwing in of a tree to be related to the transformative work of the cross on which Jesus was later crucified. It is interesting that out of all of the verses in scripture that deal with Israel as a nation, it is the verses from Micah 4 and Isaiah 60 that are applied to this miraculous anniversary of Israel's independence as a nation. Micah 4 speaks about a transformation that will occur in the latter days, the time in which we are now living. Nations shall be transformed because of the Word and Law that flows from Zion and Jerusalem, and the mountain of the house of the LORD will be exalted. The lame and the outcast will become "a strong nation". Redemption will come to God's people, and the stronghold, dominion and kingdom will be with Zion and Jerusalem. In Isaiah 60, though the earth will be covered in great darkness, Zion shall arise in light. They shall become radiant, and the nations with their abundance shall come to them. Their sons and daughters will be brought back to them, and "Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations." (Isa. 60:15), and "...your people shall all be righteous;" (v. 21). In remembering God in the rebirth of Israel after two thousand years, scriptures were chosen in which the blessing and favor of the LORD upon Israel and Zion would transform not just their own nation, but all of the nations of the world. It is difficult sometimes to picture this great transformation considering the conditions in the world today, but God is the God of miraculous transformations, and we will be holy, because He is holy. He is transforming you and me, and He is transforming all creation through His Son. If you would like to learn more about this transformation, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, by Your Son, Jesus, you have brought transformation to my life, and also to Israel and the nations. You have made us holy through Jesus, as we are transformed from our own likeness into His image. You allowed me to be born anew. You showed Moses how to transform the bitter waters, so they would become sweet. You brought Your nation, Israel, back from the dead, and the whole world will be affected by it in these last days. Father, transform Your people from our innermost being to our outer form into the image of Your holiness, Your Son. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who quickens my mortal flesh, raising me from death to life. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Scapegoat

The Sabbath reading this week is titled Acharei Mot, meaning "after the death". This reading is from Leviticus 16, and begins after the deaths of Aaron's two sons, who were killed when they attempted to offer strange fire and incense before the LORD. The LORD begins to tell Moses about the atonement that He has provided for His people to deal with their sins. According to the LORD's instructions, the High Priest, in this case Aaron, could only come before Him behind the veil into the Holiest Place one day in the year to make atonement for the sins of the people with the blood of a special sacrifice (Lev. 16:2-3). The priest was to wear holy linen garments in the tabernacle (v. 4) on the Day of Atonement.This Day of Atonement is called Yom Kippur in Hebrew. The blood of the sarifice was to be sprinkled on the mercy seat above the ark in the Holy of Holies (v. 14). The apostles explained later that this atonement represented Jesus, as He sacrificed Himself to cleanse us of our sins: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (hilasmos - atonement, an appeasing) for our sins...and not for ours only but also for the whole world." (1 Jn. 4:10, 2:2). Paul also wrote that it is not our own righteousness that cleanses us of our sins, but the propitiation (atonement) that God sent in the form of His Son. God justifies those who believe in His Son, and no man can boast of or earn his own righteousness. This is the perfect justice of God (Rom. 3:21-27). The Book of Hebrews gives us a detailed explanation of how Christ fulfilled the yearly sacrifices of the Day of Atonement with His own blood, superior to the blood of bulls and goats offered on that Day (Lev. 16:3, 9; Heb. 10:1-4, 10, 12, 14). Because of Christ's one-time, forever sacrifice: "Therefore brethren having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Heb. 10:19-22, also see Lev. 16:4b). Not only did Christ's atoning sacrifice once and for all atone for our sins, but it allowed us also to enter into the Holy of Holies, where previously only the High Priest could enter, and then, only once a year. The atoning blood of Christ sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of God has given us free and continuous access to the presence and the mercy. The sprinkling of His precious atonement blood is not the whole story however. There is another part of the LORD's commands for the Day of Atonement that is mentioned in our Sabbath reading this week. Along with the bull to be sacrificed for the Day of Atonement, two goat kids were also to be selected. Chosen by lot, one kid would be sacrificed to the LORD, but the other would have a different fate. That goat kid is called in English the "scapegoat", or azazel in Hebrew. When we use the term "scapegoat" today, we use it to describe an innocent person taking the blame for something he didn't do. We will read about this also concerning Christ. Goats belong to the same family, Bovidae, as sheep and their lambs. In fact for Passover, scripture allowed a goat to be used in place of a lamb (see Ex. 12:4-5). For the Atonement, the "scapegoat" is brought before the High Priest: "Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness." (Lev. 16:21-22). The scapegoat bears not only the burdens of the sins of the people, but it also serves the purpose of physically taking those sins away from the camp. It was later thought that the goat was pushed off a cliff in the wilderness, but as we can see, that was not part of God's original command to Moses regarding the scapegoat. There are some facts about goats that will help us to understand what is happening to the scapegoat here. Goats are not only heard animals for their defense, but they are extremely sociable animals. Buyers are warned never to buy just one goat, because the goat will not do well alone, and may pine away. Not only would this goat kid, or the scapegoat, be left alone in the wilderness, but the predators would surely begin to circle this distressed animal. In considering the connection of the scapegoat to Jesus, some believe that, at an event before His crucifixion, Jesus became the atonement goat, and Barabbas became the scapegoat, the one let loose (Mt. 27:15-21). However, the scapegoat is not let loose to freedom, but to certain death in the mouths of devourers in the wilderness. Isaiah prophesied of the suffering Messiah in this way: "All we like sheep (tso'n - sheep, cattle, goats, flocks) have gone astray; we have turned, every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isa. 53:6). And, "...He was numbered (mana - alloted, appointed, assigned, ordained) with the transgressors, and He bore (nasa - to carry away, take away, bear continuously, endure) the sins of many..." (Isa. 53:12, Lk. 22:37). Isaiah wrote that the Messiah would not suffer because of His own sins, but for the sins of others: "...For the transgressions of my people, He was stricken..." (v. 5, 8). At what point were all of our sins laid upon Jesus? Could it have been in the Garden of Gethsemane (meaning the olive press), when He asked His disciples to watch and pray? While there, scripture said that Jesus felt sorrowful and deeply distressed. He told His disciples that He was "exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death". The burden upon Him was so heavy and grievous that He sweated great drops of blood (Lk. 22:44-45, Mt. 26: 36-39). It was a terrible moment for Him to bear. Paul described the transfer of our sins to Christ this way: "For He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor. 5:21). As we know, Jesus was taken to a place outside the city gate, or outside the camp to suffer (Heb. 13:12-13). He was crucified at a place that is called Golgotha in Hebrew (Mt. 27:33). Scripture tells us that Golgotha means "skull". However, there is more to know. The root words for Golgotha are gulgolet, which means "head", and "to be numbered", and galal. Galal means "to transfer what is rolled away from oneself to another". Jesus became sin, as Paul wrote above, and as sin, He was placed on "the head", as was done with the scapegoat. In the prophetic Psalm 22, which describes in detail, the crucifixion of Christ long before it occurred, the Person being crucified compares His suffering to being attacked by wild animals (v. 12-13, 16, 20-21), as would happen to the lone scapegoat in the wilderness. Some of the root meanings of the animals described as attacking in the Psalm reflect demonic power, such as "mighty, angels, chiefest, fly with wings". The Hebrew word for the scapegoat is azazel. Azazel, according to Enoch in the Apocrypha, is one of the chief rebellious angels that defiled mankind in Gen. 6:2-4, subsequently consigned by God to the desert region and covered in darkness. This fallen angel is considered in rabbinical teaching to be the source of all impurity, and the personification of wickedness. How horrible for the scapegoat sent out on its own into this demonic territory! This seemingly defenseless goat kid alone in the wilderness, Who is our Messiah and Savior, drew in the devourers from all around Him. Paul wrote of this spiritual warfare with the darkest powers: "...having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (the cross)." (Col. 2:14-15). Paul also wrote of this hidden wisdom and mystery: "...which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (1 Cor. 2:6-8). We see again as we read Psalm 22, and the gospels, the terrible isolation of our Scapegoat as He cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (see also Mt. 27:45-46), as the darkness rolled in upon Him. It is impossible to learn about the scapegoat without also considering the torturous, but victorious work of Christ on the cross as my sins were rolled over onto Him, and He became sin so I could have the righteousness of God. If you would like to learn more about Jesus as our Scapegoat, you can pray with me: "Lord Jesus, You, who had no sin, became sin for me. You faced the isolation and rejection, as You were sent out from our midst to carry our sins away. Forgive me, Lord, when I forget what You did for me in Your obedience to our Father. I thank You for being my Scapegoat, and I ask that Your work on the cross continue always in my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so I can continue in Your salvation. I ask these things in Your Name. AMEN."

theWorm

This weekend we remember Passover, the crucifixion, and the Resurrection of Jesus. If you would like to read more about the Passover, and its importance to all believers, please see the previous entry titled "HaGadol". This is an unusual entry for the Passover and Resurrection season, but I found this information very interesting, and I hope you will also. There are several references in scripture in which nature itself, the heavens, the mountains and the hills, the trees of the field, the stones and rocks, the streams and the rivers, all declare the glory of God and the Gospel of salvation through Christ (see Ps. 19:1, Ps. 97:6, Isa. 55:12, Lk. 19:40, 1 Cor. 10:4). Job recognized the testimony of God in the creatures that He created: "But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you; and the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?" (Job 12:7-10). As we read in Genesis, God created all life, even the creeping things that creep upon the earth, and saw that it was "good". (Gen. 1:24-25). Even the creeping things display the goodness of God! We will see how the Gospel, and the salvation provided to us through Christ's sacrifice for us, is expressed in the story of one of the smallest, humblest creatures that creeps - a worm. This worm is called the crimson worm, or tola, in Hebrew. It is this worm that supplied the crimson or scarlet dye that colored the fabric threads used in the tabernacle of Moses. Moses was instructed to receive the following free will offerings from the people in order to construct the items of the tabernacle: "And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goat's hair..." (Ex. 25:3-4). Moses was to follow the pattern that God gave him for the tabernacle exactly: "And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern (tabnit - "pattern, likeness, figure, image, resemblance") of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it." (v. 8-9). There was a resemblance and image being established in the construction of the tabernacle that required even the smallest detail involved to follow God's set plan. That image is the image of His Son, as we have previously discussed. The individual letters of the Hebrew word used for "pattern", tabnit, each have a meaning that when joined together could express: "A house/family of covenant made from the son's or heir's finished work on the cross". This is the pattern of God in all things, including the tabernacle. The tola worm, or crimson worm, supplied the scarlet dye that was required by the pattern given by God. Not only did this humble creature supply a necessary element for the ordained pattern of the tabernacle, but its life cycle proclaims the Gospel of Jesus, as we will see. This is the birth or life cycle of the crimson worm (tola). The male of the species is able to fly, and he hovers over the earthbound female tola worm, and deposits his seed. After conceiving, and when ready to give birth, the female crimson worm climbs, and permanently attaches her body to an oak tree found in Israel (see 1 Pet. 2:24, Gal. 3:13, Deut. 21:22-23). The female then pierces the bark of the tree to suck the sap in order to create a waxy shell or scale of crimson to protect its body. After this, the crimson worm lays her eggs under her body to cover, shelter and protect them until the larvae are hatched (see Ps. 91:1, 4; Mt. 23:37). During the birthing process, the female tola worm secretes a crimson fluid or gel that completely covers her body and her eggs. On the third day of this birthing process, as the eggs under the mother's body transform into larger larvae, the mother's body swells, and the babies feed on their crimson worm mother. Eventually, the mother's body will break open, ending her life. During this stage, the crimson fluid excreted by the tola worm mother completely covers the babies, permanently staining them, and also the wood bark of the tree. On the morning of the fourth day, what is left of the crimson worm mother has lost its red coloring, turned white, and its head and tail have curved around into a heart-shaped form. Her body, that was once covered in crimson color, becomes like a white wax that resembles wool. What is left of the tola worm, this white woolen substance, dries and falls to the ground like snow. The Prophet Isaiah wrote: "...though your sins are like scarlet (reference to the tola worm according to the Strong Concordance), they shall be as white as snow (seleg - snow-white; as linen clothing of the dead; shining like snow in darkness). Though they are red like crimson (tola - worm), they shall be as wool (semer - wool, whiteness)." (Isa. 1:18). Isaiah was referring to the salvation of God in these verses by describing a transformation of sin from scarlet to white. As we can see in the Hebrew words used by Isaiah, this verse refers directly to the tola, or crimson worm. We can also see the picture of Christ's sacrifice for others in the tola worm's giving of her own life to bring life to her many offspring. Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection are also referred to as the Firstfruits of many brethren (1 Cor. 15:20, 23, Rom. 8:29). Even the hovering of the flying male worm over the female crimson worm during conception can be viewed as a likeness to the overshadowing by the Holy Spirit upon Mary in Christ's conception (Lk. 1:35), as well as the hovering of the Holy Spirit over an empty darkness, before life was miraculously created in Gen. 1:2. We see another similarity between the Gospel of Jesus and the tola crimson worm in the establishing of the new covenant in Christ. The larvae babies under the crimson worm mother feed upon her. Jesus specifically told His hearers that they must eat of His body, and drink of His blood to abide in Him, and in the promise of eternal life found in Him (Jn. 6:53-56, Mt. 26:23-26). It was later revealed to Paul by the Word of the Lord, that the Lord Jesus took the bread and broke it, saying, "Take (lambano - "to make one's own, take possession of, receive what is offered"), eat. This is My body broken for you." We enact this specific command from Jesus, remembering His sacrifice and the new covenant in His blood, as we participate in Communion. What we refer to as the Last Supper, and later, as Communion, was a Passover Seder among Jesus and His disciples, with the Passover elements of bread (His body), and wine (His blood), fulfilled by Christ and given to us. (Lk. 22:15, 1 Cor. 11:23-26). The scripture itself also directly links the crucified Messiah to the tola or crimson worm in Psalm 22. This Psalm, written by David, gives a prophetic revelation of the exact details of the crucifixion of Christ found in the Gospel accounts, even though the crucifixion would not take place until one thousand years later. Christ, who is prophetically revealing Himself in this Psalm, says, "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see me ridicule Me;...saying 'He trusted in the LORD; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!" (v. 6-8, and see Mt. 27:41-44). Although there are other Hebrew words translated as "worm" in the scriptures, the "worm" by which Christ prophetically described Himself in this Psalm is specifically the tola or crimson worm, the same worm that supplied the red dye for the pattern of the tabernacle, the same worm that gives its life for its young. As we can see, scripture confirms itself in even the smallest details. Every created thing of God amazingly testifies of Him. If all creation is declaring His glory and salvation, then we should also, especially in this Passover/Resurrection season: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek/Gentile." (Rom. 1:16). If you would like to experience the power and truth of the salvation of Christ, as all nature declares it, you can pray with me: "Lord Jesus, I believe that You came and died for my sin. I believe that You rose again from the dead. I believe that all who receive You as Lord also receive eternal life through You. Forgive me of my sins, and pour out Your grace and mercy to me, and cleanse and renew me by Your blood. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to teach and lead me in the path of Your salvation and righteousness. I pray and receive these things in Your holy Name, AMEN." *note:I would like to thank and acknowledge JP for the great research and overall contribution to this entry.

HaGadol

This Sabbath is called The Great Sabbath, or Shabbat Hagadol in Hebrew. This is because it is the sabbath before Passover. Passover is the ordained feast of the LORD remembering how the LORD miraculously protected His people from the angel of death in the final plague against Egypt, and caused Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of slavery, and out of Egypt. The Israelites were commanded by God to select a lamb for each household on the tenth day of Aviv. On the fourteenth of the month of Aviv, the Passover lamb was sacrificed, and its blood was applied with a hyssop branch to the doorposts (sides) and lintels (crosspiece at the top of the door) of each house. When applied, the blood stains also made the shape of the cross. The lamb itself was to be eaten until there was none left. When the angel of death saw the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts and lintels of the house, he would "pass over", or spare, the house. The Egyptians, whose doorposts wouldn't be marked with the blood, would suffer the death of the firstborn in each household: "For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever." (Ex. 12:23-24). Rabbis teach that when the lamb was selected on the tenth day of Aviv in preparation for that first Passover in Egypt, it took place on Shabbat Hagadol, the Sabbath before the actual Passover, which would occur four days later. On that Shabbat HaGadol, they teach in the Code of Jewish Laws (Orach Chayim 430:1) that a miracle occurred. The Isrelites were able to select the lambs without being stoned to death by the Egyptians (see Ex. 8:25-27). It was considered blasphemy against the Egyptian god Amun-Ra, the sun god, to kill and eat any animal of the ram family, because the depictions of Amun-Ra included ram's heads. However, as a result of a miracle, the Israelites were able to select and keep the lambs to be used for the Passover. In this feast of Passover from Exodus, we see a direct confrontation between the LORD and the oppression of Egypt against His people, which resulted in the plague of death. Another part of this week's Sabbath reading is from Malachi 3, and is specifically to be read for The Great Sabbath before Passover. Although the Passover is not mentioned in this portion of reading from Malachi, it has been assigned as part of the Passover understanding. Therefore it is a mystery, and we must uncover its pertinence to Passover. It is no coincidence that like the first Passover in Exodus, we are given a prophetic promise concerning the appearing of the Lord, the preparation necessary by His people, and the judgment on the wicked that will accompany His appearing. According to these verses in Mal. 3, there is one who is going to come to prepare the way for the Lord, and then: "And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,' says the LORD of hosts. 'But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderer's soap...He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness." (Mal. 3:1-3). Here we have the announcement of the appearing of the Lord, and the preparation of His people for the event, as we had with the Passover and the applying of the lamb's blood to the doorposts. Again, His people have to prepare themselves becauae judgment will be carried out with the Lord's appearing, as it was with the Egyptians: "And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien - because they do not fear Me,' says the LORD of hosts. 'For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed , O sons of Jacob....Return to Me, and I will return to you,' says the LORD of hosts." (Mal. 3:5-7). Because this reading portion is included as a reading for Shabbat HaGadol, I am beginning to see that the first Passover as a warfare event that is repeated in the Gospels' appearance of Jesus, as well as in the prophecies of His return, as we will see. We read that Jesus and His disciples observed the Passover, and shared a Passover meal, or Seder, together. On that Passover before Jesus died, scripture says that Satan entered into Judas Iscariot at the same time that the chief priests sought how they might kill Jesus (Lk. 22:1-3). It is the unleavened bread of the Passover meal that Jesus identified as His body broken for us, and the wine of the Passover Seder as His blood given for the New Covenant of salvation: "Then He (Jesus) said to them, 'With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer...And He 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.' Likewise, He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." (Lk. 22:15-20). Our communion remembrance comes from that Passover Seder. Jesus died on the cross on the Passover, at the same time of day when the Passover lambs were being sacrificed in the temple court. Paul later made sure that we understood that Jesus was not just, as John the Baptists proclaimed, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29, 36), but that Jesus was specifically our Passover Lamb.(1 Cor. 5:7). We can see the warfare of the Passover as Satan actively entered the traitor, Judas, and as the religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus. The warfare is engaged, and the battle is won by the blood of our Passover Lamb. The blood is like a two-edged sword: on one hand, providing its protection for those covered by it, and, on the other hand, excluding from its protection those not covered by it. We see the warfare of our Passover Lamb again in the Book of Revelation. The only One considered worthy to be able to open the seals of judgment against the wicked in heavens and the earth is the Lamb (Rev. 5:1-6, 6:1). All creatures, both in heaven and of the earth proclaim in that moment: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing!' (Rev. 5:11-14). Jesus is also identified as "the Lion of the tribe of Judah", and as "the Root of David", but it is the Lord as the Passover Lamb who executes the judgment. It is the Lamb who goes to war. We are told of a great warfare in heaven in which the serpent, that is the devil, or Satan, is cast down out of heaven with his angels, and it is made clear how this mighty victory was won: "And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Rev. 12:7-11). On this Shabbat HaGadol, the Sabbath before the Passover, and during the Passover itself, let us keep in mind the appearing of the Lord, the preparation of His people for that appearing, and His execution of judgment against the oppressors. However, most of all, let us understand the warfare of the Passover Lamb. If you would like to know more about our Passover Lamb, Jesus, you can pray with me: "Lord Jesus, as my Passover Lamb, You died for my sins. You died to protect me from death. Because of the covering of Your blood, death has passed over me, and spared me. Your Passover Lamb's blood that has protected me, also testifies against those who have refused the work and protection of Your blood. It is as my Passover Lamb that You do warfare in the heavens and on earth, and execute judgment. Fill me with the Holy Spirit Who guides me through Your refining and purging process in order to prepare me in righteousness for Your appearing. I depend upon the work of the Passover Lamb in me, and in the earth. I ask this in Your holy Name, AMEN."

Birth

The Sabbath reading for this week is titled Tazri'a, which means "she bears seed", or "childbirth". This is also the Sabbath before the new month of Nisan begins. "Nisan" is a Babylonian word. The Hebrew word for this new month is Aviv. It is designated by God to be the first of the months of the year (Ex. 12:2). The Passover Feast, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread take place in this month. The new month of Aviv also represents the ripening of the barley harvest, and so it is also associated with the spring season, renewal, and, as we will see, birth. Aviv also means "to bring forth shoots", and the root word of Aviv, is the word av, meaning "Father". Not only is human birth mentioned in this Sabbath's reading, but a powerful spiritual birth as well. We will see that in all of these cases, the birthing process is very special in the eyes and purpose of God. Our understanding of the Hebrew words used in the commands of God regarding birthing offer a special view into His thoughts. Scientifically, we know that the woman's body becomes a filtering process for the life in the womb. The placenta removes toxins from the blood going to the fetus, and produces antibodies for the benefit of the unborn child. After the birth, the mother's body continues healing and cleansing for about six to eight weeks. Man did not have this biological knowledge at the time, but the LORD did, and He made the necessary allowance for this physical and spiritual cleansing process to continue for a specific number of days, either forty (gimel - meaning to ascend a level) or eighty (Pe - meaning an opening, an entrance, a beginning), in Leviticus 12. The LORD then said in Lev. 12:6: "When the days of her purification are fulfilled...". The Hebrew language used here reflects great beauty and delight. The Hebrew word translated as "purification" is tohar/taher. and means "glory, splendor, brightness, majesty, clearness, to purify, to shine, to be bright". The word "fulfilled" is the Hebrew word mala, meaning "consecrate, replenish, gather, overflow, abundance, to satisfy, complete, to make full". The mother's glory is made full to overflowing in this process. As the new mother completed her days of purification as mentioned above, she was to bring offerings to God. The first offering she must bring was that of a lamb (keber - to dominate, a ram just old enough to butt, sheep in general). She also had to bring a pigeon (yona - a dove/pigeon, endearment, gentle, ardor), or a turtledove (tor/tur - term of endearment, to be especially dear to, also a circlet or ornament for the hair made of pearl, gold, or silver; succession; to search out, select, to follow after, to show the way in an unknown place). The offerings made here show us a very special endearing love, not in weakness and helplessness, but in strength. There is an acknowledgement of royal succession and the diadem of honor between the new mother and the LORD. We see this same respect, marvel, and glory from God regarding birth in another reading for this special Sabbath before the month of Aviv. In Isaiah 66, the LORD revealed how far His people's hearts had gone from him. Their offerings were made worthless to God because of their lack of love, respect, and reverence for the God who called them, redeemed them, and delivered them (v. 3). The LORD said that He looks instead "...on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." (v. 2). The LORD said that when He spoke, no one answered or heard (v. 4). However, in the middle of these sad observations, the LORD declared a great birth: "The sound of noise from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the LORD, who fully repays His enemies! 'Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before her pain came, she delivered a male child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?', says the LORD. 'Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?' says your God." (Isa. 66:6-9). What the LORD, who marvels in birth, was causing to be born in this prophetic word would affect Jerusalem, as well as the Gentiles: "Rejoice in Jerusaalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her; all you who mourn for her; That you may feed and be satisfied with the consolation of her bosom, that you may drink deeply and be delighted, with the abundance of her glory...on her sides shall you be carried, and be dandled on her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." (v. 10-13). This is not the end of the birthing, however, as the LORD spoke of the abundance of her glory (see above regarding the new mother's completion of purification). "For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,' says the LORD, 'So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one new moon (Rosh Chodesh) to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me', says the LORD." (v. 22-23). The beginning of the new month of Aviv is signified by the appearance of a new moon, or Rosh Chodesh. We can never doubt, especially in this coming month of Aviv, that God will be birthing something in the earth, not only to restore the hearts of His people back to Him, but to also accomplish the defeat of His enemies, as He said in Isaiah. Warfare is won through birth! As the fulfillment of His prophetic promise to the Serpent of his defeat (Gen. 3:14-15), the LORD caused His Salvation to come to the world through the miraculous and enduring birth of a Child in Bethlehem to a virgin (Lk. 2:6-7). This same birth will impact spiritual and world events of these last days also (Rev. 12:1-17). Birth is not just a natural individual event, but it is full of spiritual importance in the timing and purpose of the LORD. If you would like to be part of what God is birthing in your life, and in the world, you can pray with me: Heavenly Father, in this Aviv season of birth, renewal and resurrection, I pray that Your purpose be birthed in Me and in the earth. I pray for the ripening of the harvest of God. Because of Your Son, Jesus, I have experienced the new birth by faith in Him, and in His resurrection. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I am able to "bring forth shoots", and be fruitful for Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name I pray, AMEN."