ChoosingKings

      Like last Sabbath, this Sabbath's reading portion covers two titles: Acharei Mot, meaning "after the death", and K'doshim, meaning "Holy ones." Although they are two different reading portions, as we will see, they go together well in theme.

     As the first reading portion, Acharei Mot, "after the death," begins in Leviticus 16, two of Aaron's sons have died because they offered the LORD "strange fire." In both of our reading portions for this Sabbath, the LORD will forbid the strange fire offerings of the children of the Israelites' in horrifying worship of the false god, Molech (see Lev. 18:21 and Lev. 20:1-5). The offerings by fire to Molech and the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) sacrifices to demons (sa'ir/sa'ar - devil, demon possessed goat, having goat's form or feet, satyr/be horrible afraid, take away as a storm or whirlwind) (see Lev. 17:7) were the abominations that the nations did, both Egypt and the nations of Canaan, which would cause them to be overthrown from the Promised Land. (see Lev. 18:24-29). The LORD said that His people were not to follow the ways of these foreign nations but to follow His word and ways. (see Lev. 18:1-5).

      The name Molech means "king, to induct into royalty and therefore to consult and take counsel from." We see a form of Molech worship today in the destruction of children, both born and unborn, and also in the counsel and consultation we seek and receive from anything and anyone who is not God. By doing so, we make that counselor ruler over us, as a king would be. Some even receive counsel from occultic practices that seen harmless but move through spirits that are not God. The LORD warns in these Sabbath verses not to consult these things (Lev. 19:26, Lev. 20:6, 27). The LORD has given His people the means to consult Him, but more and more of us are consulting and receiving counsel from man (or devils) instead. We hear the counsels of man all around us every day until they become part of our culture and understanding, accepted as truth, while not knowing of what spirit they are. How can we know? The LORD tells His people in these two Sabbath readings to follow His Word and His ways, and not the ways of the peoples around them. (Lev. 18:4-5).

     Who or what have we "inducted into royalty" (see Molech, above) over our lives and land to rule over us as a king that is not the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? To whom or to what are we giving our money, lives, time, children and service? Offerings made were not to reflect the images of demons but the Aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega who is the Messiah/Christ as found in the written Hebrew noted above (see *note below also). The land and the lives within it are defiled by these things according to the scriptures of these two Sabbath portions. We can easily see the evidence of the defilement that is present, and we, the people of God, are the ones who have chosen these spiritual and natural kings. One choice installs kings that lead to death, and the godly choice installs THE King who is life and leads to life. (Jn. 14:5-6).

      In another part of scripture, Moses told the Israelites: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them." (Deut. 30:19-20, see also Josh. 24:15). All creation bears witness to the truth that life is found in God only.

     It is odd that man chooses to induct into royalty the spiritual kings like Molech that ultimately seek our death and destruction, when the LORD is the kind of King who calls His people to a kingship like His own for the purpose of life. One kind of king keeps its subjects in slavery, while the Great and True King has always wanted to elevate His servants to freedom and kingship. 

     From one of our Sabbath portions, after the deaths of Aaron's two sons, the LORD commands Moses to institute the Day of Atonement, also called Yom Kippur. "Thus Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with the blood of a young bull as a sin offering. He shall put the holy (qodes - holy, sanctuary, consecrated, apartness, sacredness) linen (bad/badad - white linen, [woven] flaxen thread or yearn, a thread/withdraw, be separate, be isolated, solitary, disjoin, cutting apart) tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) body in water, and put them on." (Lev. 16:3-4). Unlike his two sons who approached the LORD with strange fire, Aaron and the future high priests could not come before the presence of the LORD whenever or however he chose. They had to be covered in the garments of the LORD's Kingship and holiness. Through Christ, however, we have been given the boldness and permission to enter into His presence. (Heb. 10:19-23, Rom. 5:1-2).

     The LORD repeats in another place: "And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) [himself] to minister as priest in his father's place, shall make atonement, and put on the linen (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) clothes, the holy garments. (Lev. 16:32). The priest wears this clothing to minister the atonement in the Holy Place before the presence of God once a year on the Day of Atonement: "This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day (the priest) shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD." (Lev. 16:29-30). The words "the priest" in the above verse are not present in the original Hebrew.  To me, this is a hint that the atonement is made, not by man, but by Someone else. We know that Person who would appear generations later to be Jesus Christ. Because the priest's clothing is connected to The Aleph-Tav/Alpha and Omega, the holy linen clothing of atonement is connected with the identity of Jesus Messiah/Christ. (see also Rev. 19:6-9 and11-16).

     We also know from scripture that the high priest wore a golden plate or crown on his turban that said "HOLINESS TO THE LORD", "and it shall always be on his forehead..." (Ex. 28:36-38).

     The LORD's Kingship is established in His holiness. In these two Sabbath reading portions, Acharei Mot, "after the death," and K'doshim, "Holy ones," the LORD called His people into His holiness: "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." (Lev. 19:2). The LORD also says: "Consecrate (qadas - be holy, set apart, keep oneself apart or separate [see also "linen" above], to show oneself sacred or majestic) yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. And you shall keep My (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) statutes, and perform them: I am the LORD who sanctifies you...And you shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." (Lev. 20:7-8, 26). Jesus also prayed to His heavenly Father about the separateness that defined His disciples (see Jn. 17:14-15), and their sanctification by God's Word of truth (Jn. 17:17). Our separateness defines us as belonging to God. We live in the world, we minister the truth of the Word and the Blood of the Atoning sacrifice, Jesus, in the world, but we are not of the world. We are spiritually separated for consecration.

     The LORD announced His purpose for His people both in the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the New Testament. His purpose for us is as a kingdom of priests, as a holy nation, being both kings and priests in His Kingdom, which He fulfilled in Jesus Christ (see Ex. 19:6, 1 Pet. 2:9-10, Rev. 1:5-6, Rev. 5:9-10).

      As mentioned above, the high priest's holy crown upon his turban connected the priest to the kingship of God. The LORD spoke of His people's connection to His Kingship when He spoke of Zion's righteousness and salvation: "The Gentiles/nations shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. You shall also be a crown (atara/atar - crown, wreath, wedding crown/crown, crowning, crown bestower) of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem (sanip - turban of the high priest, headdress, piece of cloth wrapped around the head) in the hand of your God." (Isa. 62:2-3). Earthly kings shall see the royal glory of God upon His people, Zion, and His city, Jerusalem.

     Psalm 21, written by David, is written by an earthly king who is giving God praise, not for the natural crown placed upon him, but for the spiritual crown that God has given him. It is the crown of God's salvation (yesua - salvation, deliverance, the Hebrew name of Jesus): "For You meet him (the king) with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. He asked life from You, and You gave it to him - length of days forever and ever. His glory is great in Your salvation; Honor and majesty You have placed upon him." (Ps. 21:3-5). Do we perceive the pure golden crown of salvation that the LORD has placed upon our heads as He welcomes us into His Kingship? The New Testament describes several crowns given - not just one! There is the crown of righteousness to all who love His (Christ's) appearing (2 Tim. 4:8), the crown of life for those who love Him faithfully (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10), the crown of glory from our Chief Shepherd for faithful, willing service to His flock (1 Pet. 5:4), the crown of rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19), and the imperishable crown for those who run with certainty of faith (1 Cor. 9:24-25).

     The LORD shares His holiness and His Kingship with us through Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Why would we choose another king? As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!

     If you would like to learn more about the holiness and Kingship of the LORD in our lives, you can join in my prayer: "Lord of all, You are the King of the universe, and yet You desire to share Your holy Kingship with Your people who will believe Your Word. You have sent Your Son, Jesus, the Son of David, to teach us how to follow Him. Man crowned Jesus with a crown of thorns, but You have crowned Him with glory forever more. He rules and reigns in heaven and on earth, and the nations will come before His throne in worship. Lord, forgive me for choosing any other king over my life. I choose You and Your Kingdom. I choose You and Your holiness. You have clothed me in garments of salvation, pure, white linen. Your Word promises us that we will rule and reign with You, and we are seated with You in the heavenly places. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and lead me in the paths of righteousness. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.

Covenant

This sabbath's reading portion is again a double title: Acharei Mot (after the death) and K'doshim (holy ones). It covers Leviticus chapters 16 through 20. The first title, Acharei Mot, or "after the death", begins after the death of Aaron's two sons, who had offered profane fire before the LORD (Lev. 16:1). The LORD begins to give the law of His covenant regarding atonement and forgiveness of the sins of His people - sins that would mean their destruction otherwise. The law given in this sabbath reading portion reflects a Law based upon justice, decency, life, and love, including, "You shall not hate your brother in your heart...You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:18). This verse is sometimes referred to as "the heart of the Law". It was so important that God signed it with His name and being: "I am the LORD". Jesus taught the same (Mt. 22:37-40, Mt. 5:22-24). Jesus said that along with our whole-hearted love of God, love towards our neighbor makes up all the Law and the Prophets. They are so vital that even though heaven and earth may pass away, none of the Law will pass away until all of it is fulfilled (Mt. 5:18-19). Jesus said that these very scriptures, as well as all of the scriptures in the Tanakh (Old Testament), testify directly of Him, the giver of eternal life (Jn. 5:39). Paul also wrote that the love of our neighbor is the fulfillment of the Law (Rom. 13:9-10). Whenever we view the law, we must keep in mind that it is not about acting holy, but being holy as the LORD is holy. (Lev. 19:1-2). Even the double title of this week's sabbath reading begins after a death from a self-righteous work, which is profane before the LORD, and then raises us up into the true meaning of holiness. We get from one point to the other by the blood of the atoning sacrifice (Lev. 16). Outward acts of "holiness" are worthless without the inner work of the Word and the Holy Spirit within each heart. Jesus pointed this out when He compared the religious people of His day to whitewashed tombs that look clean on the outside, but are filled with the corruption of death on the inside (Mt. 23:27-28). We invite the Holy Spirit when we read sripture to bring the truth of God's Word to do a work of change in our hearts (Ps. 119:11). We learn in the New Testament that the Word is not just the legalism of letters on a page, but it is living, and it is a Person, Jesus Christ. The LORD spoke often of His people keeping His statutes as they enter the land that He was giving them, according to the covenant promise He had made to their forefathers: "Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the (aleph-tav) land which you cross over (abar - march over, pass through, overtake and pass, impregnate, perish) to possess (yaras - drive out previous and possess in their place), and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD swore (saba - 7X oath, to seven oneself) to give your fathers, to them and their descendants, 'a land flowing with milk and honey'. For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the LORD your God cares (daras - requires, demands, seeks with care, to beat a path); the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end (aharit/ahar - last, latter times, future, remnant/afterwards, delay, tarry) of the year (sana - year, whole age, do again, transmute)." (Deut. 11:8-12, see also Deut. 4:1-2, 5:29-33, 6:17-19, 7:12-15). "The land" is mentioned often in connection with the covenant made with the forefathers and the covenant of the Law. Why was this connection of the Law to the Land so important? The word "land" in Hebrew is eres, but it not only means a nation or specific territory, but the whole earth. The Hebrew letters that make up the word "land" are aleph, reysh, and tsadhe, which, when their meanings are put together may say, "God (Adonai) the Highest inescapably pulls toward Himself a harvest of the righteous". As we can see in the verses above from Deut. 11, and the Hebrew words used in scripture, this "aleph-tav land" is not being treated as only a natural land by the LORD, but a special land, and He wants His people to understand that there are greater and wider spiritual implications involved in their keeping His Word in the aleph-tav land. [note please: aleph and tav are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with which Jesus described Himself in Revelation, as translated into the Greek language, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.] We will see, in the following portions from this week's sabbath reading, the importance of the Word and commandments of God "in the aleph-tav land" as the prophetic and spiritual key to renewal, not just for Israel, but for THE WHOLE EARTH. We will see that the quickening or resurrection power of the Word of God, including the Law, which became flesh in Jesus (Jn. 1:14, Jn. 11:25), as well as the Spirit of God (Rom. 6:10-11, Rom. 8:11), revived a man, a nation, and will change, revive and renew THE WHOLE EARTH. First, a man was revived: "Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king (Josiah), saying, 'Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.' And Shaphan read it before the king. Now it happened that when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes (sign of repentance and mourning). Then the king commanded...'Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (2 Kings 22:10-12). As a result of hearing the Book of the LAW, that had been previously lost, the king of Judah gathered all the inhabitants of Judah from great to small, and he personally read to them the words of the Book of the Covenant. (2 Kings 23:1-2)."Then the king stood by a pillar (ammud/amad - pillar, upright, platform/take one's stand, endure, become servant of, be steadfast, arise, appear, come on the scene) and made a (aleph-tav) covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments and His (vaw [nail]-aleph-tav) testimonies and His (vaw [nail] -aleph-tav) statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the (aleph-tav) words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took a stand for the covenant." (v. 3). The king then commanded that all places of idolatry be destroyed, and all idolatrous, occultic activity and abominations cease, "...that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book...Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him." (v. 4 - 25). The words of the Book went right through Josiah's soul and heart when he heard them, and he brought a renewal to his nation as well. Josiah's name means "whom Jehovah heals". In another sabbath reading portion, the scripture says that in the latter days: "...out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." (Micah 4:2). Not only will this be in "the land" of Israel, but the Word will affect the nations: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore...and no one shall make them afraid." (v. 3-4). The Word (who is Jesus) will come out of Jerusalem, and from there to THE WHOLE EARTH. If you thought "world peace" was impossible, read the promise of the LORD written in His Word! The LORD reveals the glory that He has commanded for "the land" and its inhabitants in another sabbath portion: ",,,your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified." (Isa. 60:21). All of the nations of the world will come to them bringing their wealth (v. 11). The supernatural blessing of eternal light will replace natural light (v. 19). "The land" and its people are commanded by God to "Arise, shine!" (v. 1). This supernatural shining light is the glorious light that accompanies resurrection, or "the brightness of your rising"...And they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel...You shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob...in your land...you shall call your walls Salvation (Yeshua, which is the Hebrew name of Jesus), and your gates, Praise (root word halal - includes "to shine, to flash forth light, give light").(v. 3, 14, 18). The Words of the Covenant, which Jesus is and fulfilled, bring resurrection newness and glory, peace and wealth, Salvation and Praise, to "the land", with its effects going out to THE WHOLE EARTH. This is the will and plan of God, for God so loved the world, that He gave His Son. This may start with the individual, as it did with King Josiah, but it is not meant to remain limited to the individual (see Mt. 28:19-20, Mk. 16:15-18). Unfortunately, the opposite is true also. When the Words of the Covenant are not kept in the land, the false gods fill the land, and the land becomes desolate: "Then the LORD said to me. 'Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying: 'Hear the words of this covenant and do them...." (Jer. 11:1-14). This is the covenant of the Word, and it is joined to the covenant of "aleph-tav the land". If you would like to know more about this covenant of glory, meant to fill THE WHOLE EARTH, you can join me in my prayer: "Heavenly Father, You have commanded Your people to keep the words of Your covenant. Jesus embodies and inhabits every Word, every jot and every tittle of the Your Word, and the Holy Spirit quickens it to touch, pierce, and transmute the hearts of men. Help me, Lord, to keep Your covenant in the land, and bring it to all the nations of the world, as Jesus said. Let Your resurrection light and glory be seen upon my life, and the land, as I keep Your Word in my heart, in order to be part of the fulfilment of Your eternal plan in the earth. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."