DifferentSpirit

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Sh'lach L'cha, which means "Send for yourself." The title comes from the first verse of the Sabbath readings: "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Send (salah - send, go, send out, stretch out, sow, let loose, shoot forth) men to spy out (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them." (Num. 13:1-2).

     We will see that the LORD was about to expose something in the hearts of His people that we sometimes call "unbelief" or "disobedience" but is really something far more dark and insidious, something of which we should all be aware.

     I will just summarize the account of the twelve spies, leaders among Israel, whom Moses sent to spy out the land which the LORD had promised to give to Israel. Those twelve included Joshua, right-hand-man to Moses who was from the half-tribe of Ephraim, and Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, who was not called a Hebrew in scripture but a Kenizzite, which was one of the Canaanite tribes. (see Gen. 15:17-21, Num. 32:11-12, Josh. 14:6).

     The twelve tribes remained on their mission to spy out the land of promise for forty days. When they returned, while admitting that the land was very fruitful, ten of the spies brought back the evil report (diba/dabab/dobe' - evil report, slander, infamy, defamation, whispering, secret slanderer/to creep about, a slanderer/the languor of death) that giants were in the land and the Israelites would not be able to win against them. In scripture then, according to the Hebrew meaning above, the LORD described their report as infamous slander against Him and the inheritance that He had promised to the fathers of Israel. Only Joshua and Caleb insisted that with the LORD on their side, the Israelites would be able to overcome the current inhabitants of the promised land. They urged the Israelites not to fear the inhabitants and not to rebel (marad - bold and audacious in acts of rebellion or disobedience, contumacious [meaning willfully resisting authority, unruly, intractable, insubordinate]) against the LORD.

     The Israelites reacted with violence to these words of Joshua and Caleb: "And all the congregation said to stone them with stones." (Num. 14:10). The LORD had to directly intervene, and He was not happy, saying, "How long will these people reject (na'as - despise, abhor, blaspheme, deride, reject with contempt and derision, speak evil of) Me?" (v. 10-11). The command of the LORD to send the twelve spies exposed an abhorrence against Him in the hearts of His people to whom He had shown many signs and wonders. This was not only unbelief and disobedience, but derision and despising according to the Hebrew meaning above. Why this extreme reaction against God and against Joshua and Caleb? We will hopefully find out.

     The LORD said this after Moses interceded to Him for forgiveness and mercy towards the people: "...but truly, as I live, (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-the-earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD - because all these men who have seen (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-glory and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-signs/miracles which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected (see na'as above) Me see it. But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit (ruah - spirit, Spirit, breath) in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it." (v. 20-24).

     The men and leaders of Israel had witnessed the glory of the LORD and His signs and miracles, but still rejected or despised (see na'as above) Him. However, the LORD vowed on His own eternal existence to fill the whole earth with the glory that had been despised by these men. Caleb, however, had a "different spirit" from these other men who despised and rejected the LORD. In fact, the men who rejected and despised the LORD would later die of the plague that comes with the evil report: "But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-land." (v. 36-38).

     The LORD exposed the very deep despising and violent contempt of man for God and His Messiah/Christ (as indicated by the presence of the *aleph-tav in written Hebrew. See *note below) in this account above, but His answering vow was even greater: to fill the whole earth with His glory. Caleb, the LORD revealed to Moses, was of a different spirit. The Feast of Pentecost has recently passed during which the disciples of Jesus Messiah/Christ received the outpouring of the fire of the Holy Spirit (Ruah HaKodesh in Hebrew). If we take a look at this event on Pentecost more closely, we will see something more about man's violent hatred towards God.

     The Feast of Pentecost, or Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, is directly connected and timed from Passover. This Feast of the LORD is to occur fifty days after Passover according to the law of Moses as given by God. The New Testament account of this Feast day, occurring after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension, begins: "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they (referring to the followers of Jesus) were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4).

     The disciples of Messiah/Christ are described as being "all with one accord in one place." It sounds good in English and is even often repeated as a goal to attain, however, the Greek reveals something else that is going on here that is not good. The phrase "in one accord" is the Greek word and roots, homothymadon/thymos/thyo. These are the meanings attached to the Greek: "with one mind, with one passion/boiling up fierceness, passion, anger, to rush, breathe hard/to sacrifice, immolate, slay, kill the pascal (Passover) lamb." Jesus wasn't slain for our sins only because of others' unbelief in Him. He was slain in the fierce and passionate anger of man against God. That same anger towards God, according to these verses was still present in the disciples. All mankind had a hand in slaying the Lamb of God, Jesus. Several times in scripture, violently angry, irrationally angry people tried to kill Jesus for what He was saying, but it was not yet His appointed time to die. 

     The second highlighted phrase from the verses in Acts above, "in one place," is the Greek word and root autos/aer, meaning "themselves, the same/lower air rather than higher rarer air, to breathe unconsciously, to blow the air."

     I know that it may be hard to believe that this kind of anger and fierceness towards God and Christ as noted by the Greek meanings above was present in the disciples who had followed Christ, seen miracles with Christ, seen Him crucified, resurrected and later ascended. However, it is confirmed when we look back into the law concerning the Feast of Weeks/Shavuot/Pentecost: "Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath (from Passover); then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves...They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the LORD." (Lev. 23:16-17). The word "leaven" used here is the Hebrew word hames, which means: "gained by violence and wrong, grieved, cruel, harsh, embittered, sour, oppress, be red or blood-stained, be ruthless, be unjust, violent, to injure." As we can see, the meaning of leaven here is very specific and the hames leaven cannot be a symbol of the Holy Spirit, but just the opposite. The hames leaven of the Feast of Weeks/Shavuot/Pentecost indicates that a violent and unjust cruelty is being lifted up to God as a firstfruits offering. The lifitng up or waving of Jesus on the cross was likewise unjust and atrociously cruel. Jesus sacrificed Himself, in part, to cover and intercede for the very people who were committing this terrible act of hate and violence: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Lk. 23:34).

     However, a "different Spirit" came upon the followers of Jesus that Day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit came upon them. It changed the disciples. They were not the same. Paul explained the difference between the (Holy) Spirit-filled man and the carnal man: "...do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity (ekhthrah/ekhthros - hostility, hatred/hating, odious, enemy, foe, opposing as the devil opposes God, hateful) against God...So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God...Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His...But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you...For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." (Rom. 8:4-14, excerpt). Paul said that the carnal mind of man hates and opposes God in the same manner that Satan hates and opposes God. This is another confirmation of man's natural or fleshly and truly irrational hatred of God. This is what sin does to man - to his mind, to his soul. Paul also wrote about men becoming haters of God. (see Rom. 1:28-31).

     Jesus said to His disciples that it was better for them that He goes away to His Father so that He could send the Helper/Comforter, the Spirit of truth. (see Jn. 16:7-15). Even for the disciples of Messiah/Christ on the Day of Pentecost as we see above, and in us today, the Holy Spirit is not just about receiving spiritual gifts, but He is needed and sent by Jesus Christ to work a transformation in our souls. Paul wrote above that to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Caleb, who, as we saw above, was of a "different spirit" was associated with life and peace in scripture. (see Num. 14:38 and Josh. 14:13-15).

     The Holy Spirit was present and necessary in the work of transformation from the beginning. When the earth was buried in deep darkness and emptiness, the Holy Spirit hovered (rahap -gently cherish, fluttering, brooding meaning incubating and hatching) over it. Then the Word of creation spoke forth and transformed the darkness of death into the teaming of light and life. (see Gen. 1:1-2, Jn. 1:1-5). We need this transformation working in each of us. Not only that, but we need to pray and desire that our love for the Lord never grows cold or is lost. Jesus warned in scripture that this is a possibility as lawlessness increases. (Mt. 24:12-13, Rev. 2:4-5).

     This also helps us to understand what we are seeing in the world today - the irrational hatred of God and the people of God. Jesus spoke of this hatred. (see Jn. 15:18-19). However, the LORD vowed on His own Life after the rejection (see na'as above) of His own people for Him: "...all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD." The prophet Joel confirmed this promise. (see Joel 2:28-29). This starts with each of us as His Spirit of glory fills and transforms us.

     If you would like to learn more about being of a "different spirit", and being filled with the transforming Holy Spirit of God, you can join with my prayer: "Beloved Father, Your commandment to us says: 'You shall love ('ahab - love, long for, breathe after, beloved, to produce fruit, to germinate, putting forth) the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.' Lord, let Your Word and Your Holy Spirit create and continually revive in me a spiritual mind. Place Your protection around my mind, heart and soul, so that I will always walk in love for You. Let my desire be to love and worship You above all and with all. Holy Spirit, as on the Day of Pentecost, come into my life and fill my soul and spirit with the flames of fire of love for the Lord. Change my carnal mind into the mind of Spirit and of Messiah/Christ. Renew my love for the Lord daily as I pray and declare over my heart, and the hearts of all the earth, the commandment above to love You. I ask and receive these things in the name and by the grace 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. 

Appointment

    

      

     If the LORD made an appointment to meet with you and reveal Himself to you, and fellowship with you, would you keep that appointment? Most of us would surely say, "Yes! Of course!" The LORD has provided these appointments, but most of us fail to show up, or if we do show up, the people of God have changed the appointment into something that is done according to tradition or religious obligation, leaving no room for the expectation in faith of encountering the presence of the living God. 

     These appointments with the LORD are composed of the holy saving blood, the cleansing and refreshing of holy water, the holy voice and breath of the LORD, the consuming power of holy fire, the sacrifice of the holy offering, and the glory of His holy presence. They were never meant to be treated as a time of customary ritual.

     This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Emor, which means "Say". The title comes from Leviticus 23:1-2: "And the LORD spoke (dabar - speak, say, promise, pronounce, declare, warn, primary power is to arrange in order, to lead, to guide to pasture, to follow behind) to Moses, saying ('amar - say, speak, command, to be called, to say in one's heart, to avow, to bid, appoint, desire, require, show and declare, to bear forth, to bring light), 'Speak (see dabar above) to the children of Israel, and say (see 'amar above) to them: The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim (qara'/qara' - call and endow, proclaim, appoint, named, invited, bidden, gave, renowned, preach, utter a loud sound, be summoned, be called out, be chosen/meet, encounter, cause to meet) to be holy convocations (miqra/qara' - assembly, calling, calling together, reading, reciting, a rehearsal/see qara' above), these are My feasts (mo'ed/ya'ad - feast, congregation, sacred season, appointed time-meeting-place-sign, solemn, tent of meeting/meet, assemble, appointed, time, agreed, appointment, to be set or fixed, to espouse, betrothed for marriage)."

     We see in the above two verses that there are three different Hebrew words used for something spoken: "speak, say, proclaim", and each of those words has its own powerful emphasis. The LORD is leaving no room for misunderstanding. The letters of the Hebrew word emor, meaning "say", which is the title of this Sabbath, are aleph + mem + reysh. Each letter has its own meaning in this language and can give us an even deeper understanding of what is meant. These three letters when joined together can mean: "Adonai/the Lord is the First, the mighty and massive origin of the water and the blood, the Highest, the Head, the Beginning, the most important." This is the One who is "saying" and issuing the proclamation regarding His feasts.

     This isn't a religious practice that is determined by a man, but it is a command, appointment, invitation, calling, declaration, summons, encounter, desire in the heart of the LORD.

     All of (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-Feasts (written Hebrew in Lev. 23:44) spoken of by the LORD in Leviticus 23 are: the Sabbath, the LORD's Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD, the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot, Pentecost) which will occur later this month, the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah, Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot, Feast of Ingathering), and The Eighth Day (Simchat Torah: "Rejoice in the Torah/Word of God").

     It is revealed in the New Testament that the identity of Jesus, and His appearing and purpose to mankind are found within all of the feasts of the LORD named in Leviticus 23. 

     Jesus directly associated Himself with at least four of the feasts (Sabbath - see Mk. 2:27-28; Passover and Unleavened Bread - see Mk. 14:12-25; Tabernacles [incl. water-drawing ceremony/Nissuch Ha-Mayim] - see Jn. 7:37-39). The apostles also wrote of Messiah/Christ's identification with the Feasts of the LORD mentioned in Lev. 23 including Passover, First Fruits, Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Weeks/Pentecost (Christ's identity is hidden in the Greek root words of Acts 2:1), and Tabernacles. So the feasts are not limited in observance and understanding to Israel or the Jewish people only, but to all who call upon the name of the LORD and receive His Person, His Word and His Voice because these are the Feasts of the LORD.

     Other readings assigned to this week's Emor, or "Say", Sabbath portion record how the LORD moved upon His people in connection with their heart-felt keeping of His feasts. Nehemiah records what happened immediately following the Israelites' keeping of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles and The Eighth Day (Simchat Torah) observance that had not been kept for centuries, since the days of Joshua. (see Neh. 8:16-17). The next day, on the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, the people of God assembled themselves, separating themselves from the foreigners in their midst, and began to repent and confess their sins as the Book of the Law was read to them. The Levites began to sing the song of the LORD, and the people renewed their covenant with God. (Neh. 9 and 10). There was great spiritual revival and commitment among the people.

     In another reading portion, during the Feast of the LORD in the seventh month, which the rabbis teach was the Feast of Tabernacles, Solomon assembled the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-elders and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-heads-of-tribes in Israel, and had (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-ark brought up from the City of David, which is Zion, and placed in the Holiest Place in the newly built temple in Jerusalem. The Levites began to play their instruments and sing as one sound, praising and thanking the LORD, saying, "For He is good, and His mercy endures forever." In that moment, the house of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of God. (2 Chron. 5:2-14 KJV).

     The prophet Ezekiel's prophetic vision of a temple that would be built included the glory of the LORD: "Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of the LORD; and I fell on my face." (Ezek. 44:4).

     As we saw earlier above, the Hebrew word for "feast" is mo'ed which also includes the meaning "the tent of meeting". The tent of meeting was the place where Moses met with God and spoke to Him: "Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, and called it (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that every one who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp...And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses...All the people saw the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-pillar...and all the people rose and worshipped...So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend..." (Ex. 33:7-11).

     Because of Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation (Passover, Day of Atonement), and His sending the Holy Spirit to each of us (part of the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost), we also may meet with the Lord in our spirits, speaking to Jesus and directly to the Father (see Jn. 16:23-24) as speaking face to face with a friend within our tents or tabernacles of meeting, which are our own bodies, as Paul wrote. (see 1 Cor. 3:16-17). These tents of meeting, which are our bodies, have also been filled with the glory of the Lord, according to the Words of Jesus (see Jn. 17:22-23) and Apostle Paul (see Rom. 8:28-30, 2 Thess. 2:13-14).

     The Feasts of the LORD should not be a foreign concept to us as believers in Jesus, because they are the stories of our lives in Jesus Messiah/Christ, as He has manifested His presence and glory within us, as He came the first time, and as He will return again.

     If you would like to know more about how the Feasts of the LORD reflect our walk with Jesus Messiah/Christ, you can pray with me: "Father of the Feasts, You have spoken to Your people and commanded them to keep Your Feasts. You have placed the identity of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus, in the origin and meaning of each Feast.  In Your Feasts, You have shown Your people how to meet with You in Your holy presence through the way provided by Your Son. As I observe Your Feasts at their set times, help me to understand that they are not just tradition or custom, or a date on the calendar, but an appointment with You, and a continuing work of Your Holy Spirit as they reflect the Way of Salvation from its beginning in Passover to its culmination in Your Presence and glory of Tabernacles and The Eighth Day. These Feasts are Your story, Father, Messiah/Christ's story, the Spirit of God's story, and my story in You. As I observe Your Feasts, Lord, let the Holy Spirit continue Your work of perfection and completion in me. Let me draw ever nearer to You, Father, in worship and communion through Jesus. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Messiah/Christ. 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. 

BeHoly

      This week's Sabbath reading portion has a double title: Achariei Mot (see Lev. 16:1), which means "After the death" and K'doshim (see Lev. 19:1-2), meaning "Holy Ones". The LORD spoke to Moses saying: "Speak to all (kol/kalal - everything, all, whosoever, whatsoever, the whole, the totality/to complete, perfect, make perfect, finish, a crown, crowning of the bride, nuptials, to put a crown upon) the congregation of the children of Israel (yisrael = sara + el: have power as a prince. royal, to prevail, to fight + God), and say to them: 'You shall be holy (qados/qadas - sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart, pure, clean, free from defilement/consecrate, sanctify, prepare, be holy, be separate, dedicate, clean, purify, declare holy), for I the LORD your God am holy (qados/qadas - see above)." (Lev. 19:1-2, see also Lev. 11:44-45, Lev. 20:26). Holiness is identified as the quality of the LORD who is called (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-The-Holy-One-of-Israel in the scriptures such as Isa. 1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:17, 20; 12:6, 17:7; 29:19, 23; 30:11-12, 15; 41:14, 16, 20; 43:3, 14, 45:11; 47:4; 48:17. All of these references to The Holy One of Israel are just those found in the Book of Isaiah. There are many more throughout scripture.

     This is quite a concept: The LORD is stating that His people are to be equal in holiness to God's holiness! From this statement, some may believe that we are to achieve this perfect holiness, for there is no partial holiness or almost holiness, by our own strength and methods. However, to me, this statement is saying something different. To me it is saying that this is not possible in the strength of flesh, using man's religious ideas, interpretations, and efforts. This is a far more powerful concept than any religion's efforts. Jesus said that a man is defiled by what proceeds from his own heart: Mt. 15:16-20, Mk. 7:20-23, see also Jer. 17:9-10. Our own ideas are the very things that defile us in the first place, so we cannot rely upon our own hearts and ideas to purify ourselves to the degree of the holiness of God, but should seek the more powerful way to and of His holiness that has been provided to us by God Himself. What is this way provided to the holiness of God?

     If we look at the two titles that have been joined together for this Sabbath, we see an idea: "After the death...the holy ones." There is a death that leads to holiness. This idea begins to lead us to the Rock who is higher than ourselves, who pours out the water of refreshing and cleansing, even the waters of holiness.

     It is written in the Book of Hebrews that Christ's death fulfills God's will, which includes our holiness as stated above in Leviticus, and perfects the sanctified: "By that we will have been sanctified (see qados/qadas above) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (see Heb. 10:4-10).

     Apostle Paul also wrote: "....that no flesh should glory in His (God's) presence. But of Him (God) you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification (see qados/qadas above) and redemption - that as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

     Paul also wrote: "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He (Jesus) has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy (hagios/hag - holy, saints, Holy One, sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, clean [see similarity with Hebrew qados/qadas above]/feast of the LORD, sacrifice), and blameless, and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you continue in the faith...not moved away from the hope of the gospel...which was preached to every creature under heaven." (Col. 1:21-23).

     Paul again wrote: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..." (Eph. 1:3-7). The blood of Christ which achieved all of these things for us, came to all of mankind through His death. There is nothing here that suggests that these results were achieved through my efforts to be holy, but instead by the will of the Father through the death of Jesus Christ. 

     Paul wrote in Ephesians: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loves the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of the water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:25-27).

     Does this mean that nothing is required of us to be holy as the LORD is holy? Well, no. First, we must remain in the faith of the Gospel that declares that Jesus died to make us holy, as Paul wrote above. It is through the eyes of faith that we can see and receive this truth that sanctifies us. (see also Jn. 17:19). Then we remember our hint from above: "After the death...the holy ones." Christ's death established us in holiness, but there is another death involved in the path of holiness. Paul wrote: "For I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20). This refers to a type of death for each of us by which we give up our own imperfect will, ideas, and desires. Now, instead, the holy Christ lives in us and we in Him.

     Paul gives us more detail of this concept in Romans: "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His (Jesus') death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord...present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God." (Rom. 6:5-13).

     "After the death...the holy ones."

     In these words from scripture above, we are not being asked to die physically, but to become united into the death and resurrected life of Christ as He lives. Paul wrote in the above verse from Galatians 2:20, "...it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me...". This is how God makes us holy if we will accept it - by making us one with His holiness, with His life through the death and life of His Son, Jesus.

From the K'doshim, or "Holy ones" Sabbath reading in Lev. 19, the LORD gives us a thought-provoking look into this holiness. The LORD says: "Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father." (v. 3). Why does this reflect holiness? All of us are to come before the Lord like little children, without pride and self-importance, with child-like faith, love, joy, and the reverence that comes as a child naturally depends upon a parent for all things, knowing that the parent will provide for every need. (see Mt. 18:1-5).

     The LORD then commands: "...keep (samar - keep, observe, preserve, watch, save, wait for, retain, guard) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-sabbaths: I am the LORD your God." (v. 3). Why does the LORD's holiness fill His sabbaths? The sabbath represents and contains the completion and perfection of God's restoration, reconciliation and renewal plan established before the beginning for all of creation, but especially for man. For this reason, it is holy in the eyes of God. The sabbath was made to bring this completion to man, Jesus said. Jesus also said that the sabbath has a Lord to reign over it, to be the Master and Administrator of its fulfilment in the completion of God's will to provide for and renew man, and that Lord of the sabbath is Jesus Messiah/Christ. (see Mk. 2:27-28).

     As we look at the other reflections of holiness in verses 4-18, with which the LORD identifies Himself by repeating, "I am the LORD your God" six additional times, we can see the holy heart of God towards man, which He also wants to see in our thoughts and works, as well as man's reverence towards his holy God. We can see by this that we are only able to love God with all of our hearts, soul and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves, which fulfills all the law and the prophets, if we do so out of a heart filled with the holiness belonging to the LORD our God. (see Mt. 22:36-40). These are holy manifestations that appear out of a holy heart.

     If you would like to learn more about walking in the holiness of God, you can join my prayer: "Heavenly Father, through the death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus for all of the world, You opened the door into Your heart of holiness. You called us to be worshippers, but You also called us, and made the way for us, to be partakers of Your own glorious holiness. This is a love and power towards us that is too great to fully comprehend, but You have entrusted us with Your own holiness. Lord Jesus, I never want to reject what You have accomplished for me by the sacrifice of Yourself, including my being made holy in You with the holiness of God. Help me, Lord, through Your Word and the Holy Spirit whom You have placed within me, to perceive and receive this divine gift of holiness. Let the holiness of God be manifested through my life, rather than my own thoughts and will. Let me not live by my own desires but let me live instead by and with Christ in me. There is no greater honor in my life, nor known to man, than Christ, the Holy One, in me. I ask this in Your name, 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. 

Consecrated

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Sh'mini, which means "the eighth day." This title comes from Leviticus 9:1, which says: "It came to pass on the eighth (semini/samen/saman - eight/plenteous, fat, robust, rich/to shine with oil, to cover with fat-oil) day (yom - time, day, daily, year, ever, continually, full, always, whole, day as opposed to night) that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel." At this point, Aaron and his sons had spent seven days in the tabernacle until their consecration had ended. (see Lev. 8:31-36). They spent those seven days of consecration (millu'/mala' - installation of priests, setting stones/gems, dedicatory sacrifice, sacrifice of inauguration/fill, fulfill, full, complete, consecrate, accomplish, replenish, overflow, gather) eating ('akal - eat, devour, consume, destroy, slay, burn up) the burnt offering of consecration (Lev. 8:28) and the bread from the basket of consecration offerings (see Lev. 8:31). 

     The "basket" mentioned above that contained the bread of the consecration offerings, is the Hebrew word and root sal/salal, which means: a slender rod of which baskets are woven, a basket woven from reeds/raise up, lift up, exalt, extol, esteem highly, to gather, to make a way level by casting up stones, make plain. The basket is made of slender rods or reeds that can be woven. The Messiah/Christ, the Elect One in whom the LORD delights, is prophetically connected to a bruised reed by Isaiah: "A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax (linen or cotton used for a wick) He will not quench. He will bring forth justice for truth." (Isa. 42:3). The reed of Egypt and Palestine grows to a great height, and it is jointed in its stem like bamboo. It has a magnificent blossom at the top of the reed. It is so slender and tender that a gust of wind can flatten it, but then it will immediately be raised up to its upright position. Jesus was laid down in death but rose back up again like the reed. The Gospel of Matthew references this prophecy from Isaiah, and Jesus' fulfilment of it. (see Mt. 12:15-21). When the soldiers mocked Jesus' Kingship before His crucifixion, they struck Him with the reed that they had placed in His hand. (Mt. 27:27-31). Jesus is both the Bread (Jn. 6:35, 48-51) and the (reed) Basket that contains the consecrating Bread, which is His Body raised from the dead. Just as Aaron and his sons were told to eat the bread from the basket of consecration offerings, Jesus took bread and broke it and told us to eat it, saying, "Take, eat; this is My body." (Mt. 26:26). The Bread that is His sacrificed body not only feeds us Life but consecrates us as it follows the pattern above. During this time of Passover and the Resurrection, partaking in the elements of Communion with the Lord is especially meaningful.

     Now, on the eighth day, the ministry of Aaron and his sons as priests of the atonement would begin: "And Moses said to Aaron, 'Go to the altar, offer (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-your-sin-offering-and-your-burnt-offering and make atonement (kapar - atonement, purge, reconciliation, forgive, merciful, cleansed, appease, pardon, pitch covering) for yourself and for the people. Offer (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the LORD commanded." (Lev. 9:7).

     The purpose of the seven days of consecration was in order to minister the atoning sacrifice for themselves as priests and for the people. Jesus, as indicated by the Hebrew written *aleph-tav above is our offering for the atonement for sin. 

     As the followers of Messiah/Christ, He also consecrated us with His own body. It is not a consecration for the purpose of religious oppression and hypocrisy, for which Jesus condemned the Pharisees and scribes, but it is a consecration in Messiah/Christ and His atonement blood of mercy and forgiveness, and it was always meant to be so as the prophetic pattern revealed. This consecration requires serious consideration on our parts. Paul wrote that we are called to holiness, called to come out from among the worldly, the profane and the unclean things (as Aaron and sons were commanded to remain in the tabernacle for seven days). (see 1 Thess. 4:7, 2 Cor. 6:17-18)). The Book of Hebrews calls it a heavenly calling. (Heb. 3:1).

     The Lord Jesus told us to take and eat of His body. His body and blood were the one-time and forever offering for the sins of the world, forming a new covenant between God and the people: "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Holy Place once for all, having obtained (for us) eternal redemption." (Heb. 9:11-12). God made Messiah/Christ "who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus fulfilled the will of God to be a sin offering for the world, not out of a religious obligation, but out of the love of the Father for the world, and the love of the Son for the Father and for us. We can understand why the apostle Peter wrote to us that love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Pet. 4:7-8). Our greatest and life-changing gift from God was planned and provided to us out of love through His beloved Son, Jesus.

     Part of the prophetic pattern established by the priesthood under Moses was that they must eat (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the sin-offering which God said was most holy (see Lev. 6:17) in the same way that Christ told us to eat of Him. We eat of Him not for ourselves only, but, if we can see the prophetic pattern of the priesthood which we will read below, we are to eat of Christ, the most holy sin offering, to minister priestly atonement for the sins of the world, for which sins Messiah/Christ substituted Himself and died. 

       Here is that interesting image of the pattern of the priesthood. On one occasion, the two living sons of Aaron had burned up the offering completely but had not eaten any of it, nor applied the blood as it was commanded be done. Moses asked them: "Why have you not eaten ('akal - to eat, devour, consume, destruction of the flesh) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-sin-offering in a holy place, since it is most holy, and God has given it to you to bear the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?...indeed, you should have eaten it in a holy (place), as I commanded." (Lev. 10:16-18). Aaron answered that because of the recent deaths of his two other sons by the fire of the LORD, which devastated Aaron (see Lev. 10:1-3), Aaron feared that the LORD might not have found (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-sin-offering acceptable had he eaten it. Aaron and his remaining two sons might have born the judgment of the LORD because of it. Moses accepted this reason from Aaron. (v. 19-20). The eating of the sin offering by the priest was to make atonement for the sin guilt of the people, which had been placed upon (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-offering.

     Paul wrote of a warning when eating and drinking of the body/bread and blood/wine of Messiah/Christ in Communion. Paul wrote: "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged." (1 Cor. 11:27-31). This is very much like what Aaron told Moses. We cannot correctly understand what Paul was warning us if we do not understand the prophetic pattern of the priesthood established by God with Moses as we read it above. We have received a royal priesthood from God through Messiah/Christ Jesus. It is the priesthood of the light and mercy of the Kingdom of God through Christ, ministered to others as we also have received it ourselves. (see 1 Pet. 2:9-10). It is a Sh'mini "eighth day" (see the meanings at the top of the page) priesthood. While it is a glorious priesthood, it is a priesthood that requires humility, discernment and self-examination. 

     From another reading portion of this Sh'mini "Eighth Day" Sabbath, when David received the prophetic promise of Messiah/Christ, who would come from David's own line, David was moved with great humility, asking the LORD: "Who am I, O LORD God? And what is my house, that you have brought me this far?...What more can David say to You for the honor of Your servant?..." (see 1 Chron. 17:11-20). We have received more than a prophetic promise. We have received all of the "Eighth Day" rich and shining-with-oil fulfilment of that promise in Messiah/Christ Jesus. Let us receive Him with the same humility as David did, and let us receive Him in the holy place.

     If you would like to learn more about our consecration and priesthood in Jesus Christ, you can join my prayer: "Heavenly Father, You have offered Your own Son, Jesus, who was without sin but became my sin, as my most holy eternal sin offering. Help me, LORD, to minister Your Son as the atonement for sin, not only for myself, but for all of the people. LORD, You consecrated Your priesthood in order to begin their ministry of atonement in Your name. As I remember the Lord's death and resurrection this week, and the Table of the Lord that holds the elements of His most holy sacrifice for the sins of the world, let me approach in consecration, please Lord, and with soul-bearing humility and gratitude, on behalf of all of the people, as I proclaim His death until He comes. 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. 

TempleGlory

     "...on this rock I will build My church (ekklesia/kaleo + ek - an assembly of Israelites, an assembly of Christians gathered for worship, the whole body of Christians/to call aloud, to call by name, to call forth + out of, away from, separation from a point of origin of place or time), and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Jesus speaking in Mt. 16:18-19).

and

     "...you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire...Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (Paul writing in 1 Cor. 3:9-16, excerpt).

     The title of this week's assigned Sabbath reading portion is a double title: Va-yakheil and P'kudei. Va-yakheil means "And he assembled", and P'kudei means "Amounts of/Accounting of".  The first title is from Exodus 35:1, which says: "Then Moses gathered (qahal - gather together, assemble, to summon an assembly, to call, to call together) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-congregation of the children of Israel together...". Both titles have to do with the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness and the building of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. Both the tabernacle and the temple began as a vision of a pattern given from heaven and commanded by God to Moses (see Ex. 25:8-9, Heb. 8:5) and then in a later generation the plan given to King David by the Spirit of God (see 1 Chron. 28:11-13) whose son, Solomon, built the temple according to the vision of his father, David. We also see in the verse at the top of the page that the "church" (see ekklesia meaning above) is also built upon a revelation from heaven as Jesus declared, the revelation being Jesus as the Messiah/Christ. (see Mt. 16:15-17).

     The pattern of both the tabernacle and the temple and all of their furnishings were not random, but very specific in detail and the materials to be used. Pages and pages of scripture describe all of the exact details of the items that needed to be constructed to be placed in the tabernacle or temple. Each piece contained individual parts, and each piece was to be set in specific places in the structure. All parts, pieces, components of pieces, priestly garments, materials to be used and their placement were described in intimate detail down to the rings that held the curtains. All pieces and materials used to create the pieces were accounted for and assembled. Nothing was created by the ideas or choices of men. The tabernacle and later the temple were constructed to the exactitude of God.

     As the tabernacle was completed, Moses anointed the tabernacle with oil as the LORD commanded him to do: "And you shall take the anointing (masha/masah - anointing, anointed, consecrate by anointing/smear, anoint, spread a liquid, consecrate, to stroke or spread over, to measure: to spread out and to expand) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-oil, and anoint (see masah above) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle-and-all-that-is-in-it; and you shall hallow it and all its (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-utensils/vessels (keli/kala - vessel, weapon, jewel, furniture, object/finish, end, accomplish, done, fulfil, determined, complete, bring to pass), and it shall be holy." (Ex. 40:9).

     As we can see, everything connected to the tabernacle was identified with the Messiah/Christ Jesus by the use of the written *aleph-tav (see *note below). Everything connected to the tabernacle was anointed with *aleph-tav-oil. The Hebrew words used for anointing/anoint (see above) are the root words for "Messiah" in Hebrew ("Christ" in Greek), which means "the anointed One".

     The Hebrew meanings shown above in the verse from Ex. 40:9 parallel the language used in Eph. 4:12-13 and 16 as being the spiritual identity of the ekklesia church determined by the will of God, as He appointed offices of spiritual leadership in the ekklesia church, which is the Body of Christ in heaven and on the earth, to include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers: "...for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying/perfecting (katartismos/katartizo - complete furnishing/put in order, arrange, perfectly join together, complete thoroughly, fit, frame, make - see meaning of "utensils/vessels" above)) of the body of Christ, until we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (telios/telos - brought to an end, finished, complete/end, that by which a thing is finished, definite point or goal - see meaning of "utensils/vessels" above) man, to the measure (metron - a vessel used to determine a quantity of dry or liquid, a determined extent - see meaning of "anointing" above) of the stature of the fullness (pleroo - to fulfill, to bring to pass, accomplish promises and prophecies, bring to realization, made complete in every particular, to carry through to the end, to fulfill or to cause God's will and promises, to receive fulfilment - see meaning of "utensils/vessels" above) of Christ....from whom the whole body, joined and knit together (see the meaning of katartizo above) by what every joint supplies...by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love"

     Moses, personally arranged or set in order (see katartizo above) the tabernacle and its furnishings according to the pattern that he was shown on the mountain. (Ex. 40:17-33). "So Moses finished the work."

     Moses had also assigned earlier, by specific command of the LORD, two master craftsmen, full of the Spirit of God, to supervise the construction of all of the items of the tabernacle. (Ex. 35:30-35). When Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, he also appointed a master craftsman, Huram, who was filled with wisdom, understanding and skill, sent to him by King Hiram of Tyre to supervise the making of all of the extensive bronze work items that would be used in the temple. (see 1 Kings 7:13-14). In the verses at the top of the page from 1 Cor. 3:9-16, Paul also called himself "a wise master builder" for the purpose of building the spiritual house of God and laying the foundation of Jesus Christ. Although the church leadership at the time did not recognize Paul's apostleship, God did, and Paul was miraculously called (see ekklesia above) in an encounter with Jesus Christ while he was on the road to Damascus. Paul proved his appointment to apostleship every day of his life and still does to this day. His words are still fruitful in the manifestation of the true ekklesia church. Apostles are still appointed to the ekklesia church for the same purpose since God has not changed His Word.

     When both the tabernacle and later the temple were completed, "Then the cloud covered (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of God filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle." (Ex. 40:34-35).  After Solomon's temple was completed there was a similar occurrence: "And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of the LORD." (1 Kings 8:10-11). The glory covered and filled the tabernacle and temple identified with the Messiah/Christ as the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega (see *note below). Jesus prayed to the Father that He had given His believers His own glory so that they/we would be made perfect (teleioo/teleios - see meaning above and also the meaning of "utensils/vessels" above). (see Jn. 17:22-23). Doesn't this follow the pattern established from heaven for the tabernacle/temple?

     At the top of the page, the words written by Paul in 1 Cor. 3:16 state that, as a believer, each of us individually is the temple of God with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Cor. 6:19, Paul again wrote: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" This spiritual temple created within each believer is based upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor. 3 above). The apostle Peter wrote that each believer is also a part of a larger spiritual temple: "...you also as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Pet. 2:5). Jesus said that it is HE who builds His church in Matthew 16 (see the top of the page). Again the apostles wrote that this spiritual tabernacle/temple is directly related to the Messiah/Christ Jesus in agreement with the pattern given many generations earlier by God: the true ekklesia (see meaning above) church of both Jew and Gentile is built of the same heavenly pattern as the tabernacle, the pattern of which was given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, and the temple of Solomon, built upon the plans given to his father, King David, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Both "houses" were directly identified with Messiah/Christ based upon the presence of the written Hebrew *aleph-tav throughout the detailed descriptions given regarding both of the Houses of God.

     The true ekklesia church that is being built into a spiritual House of God was established by God with a foundation identity based only on His Son, the Messiah/Christ Jesus, and led by His Holy Spirit. It is a heavenly pattern that, when completed, becomes a tabernacle/temple filled with the glory of God. The ekklesia church has no other foundation than Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our living faith (see Heb. 12:2). The ekklesia church is not randomness, confusion and division but the completion, perfection and fulfilment of Jesus Christ. (see Eph. 4:13). This is the divine building plan or the blueprint of the ekklesia church.

     The LORD's intricate and exacting heavenly pattern for His tabernacle/temple produces a spiritual, living, resurrection temple made up of Sovereignly purposed and called believers in Jesus Messiah/Christ, both Jew and Gentile. It is a living temple filled with the Holy Spirit and the glory of Jesus Christ and the Father, which glory has been given to us by Christ. It is the same glory that came with the presence of the LORD and filled the tabernacle and later the temple and before which no flesh could stand - not the priests and not even Moses, yet we stand in it and of it. It is the same glory that shone upon the shepherds of the field at Bethlehem when the Messiah/Christ Jesus arrived into the world as a baby. (see Lk. 2:8-14). It is the same glory brightness that destroys the Lord's enemies at His coming/appearing, even the lawless one who is called antichrist. (see 2 Thess. 2:8). This same glory has a voice that is continually declaring the message of Messiah/Christ's return to the world through our testimony: "Surely I am coming quickly (tachy - speedily, without delay, soon, suddenly)," as we respond saying, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20). There is a beautiful and powerful song that begins with the declaration: Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!”.  The pattern of the House of the LORD's glory and habitation is not and cannot be built by human hands or ideas. (Acts 17:24, 2 Cor. 5:1-2, Heb. 9:11).

     If you would like to learn more about being the building of the living temple of God, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You have given Your Son Jesus, and called me in Him, to be built into Your living temple, the place of Your holy and glorious habitation. Lord, let me abide in the true and only foundation of Jesus Christ. This living temple is a house of prayer for all nations, with every kindred, tribe, race, and tongue offering spiritual sacrifices to You, always offering prayers of intercession according to Your will accomplished on earth as it is in heaven. Help me, Lord, to be led by Your Holy Spirit, and not my own will, plans or ideas because I am not my own, but I have been bought with the price of the blood of Jesus Messiah/Christ, the Anointed One. Let that same anointing oil cover my life and purpose in Your holy living temple, the anointing oil of the Messiah/Christ that causes me to shine with Your glory and holiness. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! I ask these things in Jesus' name. 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. 

AltarFire

   

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Tzav, meaning "Command", and comes from Leviticus 6 which says: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it...And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out...A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out." (Lev. 6:8-13, excerpt).

     The word Tzav צָוָ  is made up of two Hebrew letters: Tsadde and Vaw. These two letters when joined together could have the pictographic meaning: "Joined together to the journey pulling toward a righteous harvest." The commands of the LORD always pull us toward and join us to the way of His righteousness, and to the One who fulfills the Law for us. The way of righteousness is not made up of our own failing attempts, but the commands of God pull us toward the Gift of Righteousness, God's own Son, Jesus Christ: "For Christ is the end (telos - termination, the last, purpose, the end to which all things relate, to set out for a definite point or goal) of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (Rom. 10:4. See also Rom. 3:21-23, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Cor. 1:30-31, Rom. 5:17). Jesus said that He came to fulfill the law and the prophets. (Mt. 5:17-18).

     Some of the Jewish interpretations of the always burning altar are that God desires to accept what is offered to Him as He desires to accept us. His arms are always open and awaiting us when we come to Him. This truth was also taught by Jesus in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The younger son took his inheritance and left his father's house, eventually falling into dishonorable ways and hard times. When the son remembered his father's house, he returned home to find that his father had been watching for him and saw him coming from a great way off and received him with a feast and great joy, as if he had received his son back to him from the dead. (see Lk. 15:11-32). In another part of scripture, the LORD also said: "I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good." (Isa. 65:2, Rom. 10:20-21). It is not surprising to know that Jesus died on the cross in a position of outstretched arms and hands. The Lord was and is still ready to receive any and all who would come to Him.

     Another thought from Judaism is that the eternally burning altar is a symbol of the ongoing purification, transformation, refining and elevating that God's people find at His altar. From another reading portion of this Tzav Sabbath, the LORD promises to send His Messenger of the covenant who will suddenly come: "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 launderers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; 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. 3:2-3, see also Lk. 21:34-36 of Jesus prophesying His return, also Rev. 3:18-20). The LORD also said from our Sabbath reading: "...It shall be a statute forever in your generations concerning the offerings made by fire to the LORD. Everyone who touches them must be holy." (Lev. 6:18).

     To me, there is also a duality of meaning to the eternally burning fire of the altar.  Jesus quoted Isaiah when He spoke about the worm that doesn't die and the fire that is not quenched, describing Hell (Isa. 66:24, Mk. 9:42-49). This eternally burning fire is fed by sin until, eventually, the whole earth will be consumed in fire, to be replaced by new heavens and a new earth. (2 Pet. 3:7, 10-13). This is terrible to think about, but the good news is that there is an eternal sacrifice that was made on that burning altar of fire, of much greater power than the sacrifice of animals. This sacrifice given for all of us is the eternal nature of Messiah/Christ's offering of Himself. His sacrifice was made once for all time and that sacrifice will be our righteousness into eternity: "For by one offering He (Christ) has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." (Heb. 10:1-4, 10, 14). Simply by walking into His outstretched arms, we will never have to face the "second death" (Rev. 21:6-8) and the fire that is never quenched, because we have received "the fountain of the water of life." In the same way, the blood of the Passover lamb applied to the doorposts and lintels of the households of the Israelites, spared them from the Angel of Death that struck Egypt. (Ex. 12:21-25). We will see below how the foundational truth upon which the sacrifice that appeases God was revealed.

     The first time the word "altar" is used in scripture was in the account of Noah in Gen. 8. After the flood waters had subsided, Noah, his family and the living creatures left the ark: "So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark. Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a soothing (nihoah/nuah - satisfaction, soothing, quieting, pleasant, restful/to rest, ceased, give comfort, give rest, quiet) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, 'I will never again curse (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) living thing as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." (Gen. 8:18-22).

     The sacrifice burned upon the altar that Noah built brought a certain fragrance up to God. Because of the fragrance of the sacrifice, the LORD was appeased and promised never to utterly destroy the living things of the earth, or the cyclical climate courses of the earth again. The aroma that the LORD smelled is noted in written Hebrew as being associated with Christ, (and with His believers) by the presence of the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega (see note below). According to the meaning of the Hebrew words above, the aroma causes the LORD to enter into a kind of Sabbath rest.

     We see this connection between the aroma of sacrifice and Messiah/Christ revealed in the New Testament: "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Cor. 2:14-16).

     How do we become this fragrance of Christ? Paul wrote in Romans: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice (thysia/thyo - slay and immolate as of the paschal (Passover) lamb, blow, smoke), holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:1-2). Paul is not recommending that we physically die as a sacrifice, although many believers have been and continue to be martyred. Living our lives in a manner that is dedicated to God creates the sacrificial fragrance of Christ as He came in the form of the Passover Lamb of God. Not only is it soothing to God and testifies of God's good and perfect will for mankind, but we are changed or transformed as well. The LORD has allowed us to become this sacrifice and aroma through Messiah/Christ that soothes Him while we are still alive.

     According to another reading portion from this Tzav Sabbath, one fragrance that did not please the LORD at all, but broke His heart, was when the Israelites sacrificed their own sons and daughters on the fires of demon gods. (Jer. 7:30-31). They sowed abomination and they reaped slaughter to themselves. (v. 32-34). 

     This Sabbath is also HaGadol Sabbath, meaning that it is a Great Sabbath. This Sabbath receives this designation because it is the sabbath before Passover. Scripture calls Jesus our Passover Lamb, and the Lord's Table, or Communion, was taken by Jesus from the elements of the Passover meal He shared with His disciples, specifically the bread and the wine, as we will see. The reading portion that is used during this HaGadol Great Sabbath is from Malachi 3, part of which we read above.

     After the refining, purging and purifying of the priesthood so they might "offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness," in Mal. 3, the LORD made this prophetic promise: "Then those who feared the LORD spoke (dabar - commune, pronounce, utter, tell, declare, be spokesman, teach, tell) to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance (zikaron/zakar - reminder, memorial, remembrance/remember, remembrance, mention, record) was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'On the day that I make them My jewels (segulla - possession, peculiar treasure, valued property, closely shut up), and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." (Mal. 3:16-17).

     Immediately before His death, our Passover Lamb, Jesus, told His disciples at the Passover dinner to take the bread and the wine in what we recognize as Communion (see spoke:dabar, above). He also said, "...do this in remembrance of Me." (Lk. 22:14-20, and 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Our Communion is a living Book of Remembrance before the LORD, as prophesied in Mal. 3.

     The LORD desires to give us the saving gift of His own righteousness, a gift that we cannot buy nor earn, through His Son, Jesus.

     If you would like to know more about the open arms of God, you can pray with me: "Father and God of all, You provided a way for me to be spared from the consequences of the sin in my life. Your Son, Jesus, died for me even while I was still in my sins. Help me, by Your Holy Spirit, to be a living sacrifice, the fragrance of Christ, the sacrifice that appeases Your holiness. I thank You that You have made a way for us to run into Your outstretched arms of forgiveness and acceptance. This is Your desire for all mankind. As we remember Your great deliverance and salvation this Passover, and remember Your Son's sacrifice and victory over death on this coming Resurrection Sunday, write our names in Your Book of Remembrance as those who think upon Your holy name with heart-felt thanks and praise. I ask this in Jesus' Name. 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.

          

 

Sent

     This week's Sabbath reading portion, which begins in Genesis 32, is titled Va-yishlach, meaning "And he sent". The title is based upon the Hebrew word, salah, which means "to send [out], send [forth], sow, stretch out, loose, send a messenger, send an angel, weapon [Arabic]."

     In this Sabbath portion, Jacob sent (salah - see above) messengers (malak - angel, messenger, ambassadors, representatives, king, deputy, one sent, messenger of God, prophet, priest, teacher), and then eventually gifts, to his brother Esau as Jacob returns with his family to his homeland from Assyria. When Jacob left twenty years earlier, Esau had sought to kill him. How would Esau receive his brother's return? Jacob was afraid and distressed, and prayed to God on behalf of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) people (see v. 7) with him: "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you...Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children." (Gen. 32:9-11).

     As Jacob sent (salah - see above) presents (minha - gift, tribute, present, sacrifice, offering to God, to apportion) ahead to Esau, who was coming with four hundred men, Jacob bowed before Esau seven times as they neared each other. Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, fell on his neck and kissed him. Esau questioned Jacob about the gifts that he had sent ahead, saying to Jacob, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself." Jacob answered him: "No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me. Please, take my (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.' So he urged him, and he took it." (Gen. 33:1-11). Jacob apportioned (see minha above) to Esau some of the increase that he had gained over his years of service to his father-in-law Laban. The blessing which Jacob brought to his brother Esau was connected to the Messiah/Christ, signified by the presence of *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega in written but untranslated Hebrew before the phrase "my blessing". This is the source of the divine power that delivers from death found in salah "sent".

     The gifts that Jacob had salah "sent" ahead after praying to God, had the power to calm the murderous rage of Esau, and the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) servant Jacob, (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the women and his (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) children came out of the encounter preserved alive. 

   

      Above, Jacob compared seeing Esau with seeing the face of God. Jacob had just had a wrestling encounter with "a Man", demanding a blessing from him, at a place that Jacob would name Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." (Gen. 32:24-31). Jacob had also then seen his brother face to face and his life was preserved. At this time of this wrestling match with "a Man", Jacob's name was changed to "Israel", meaning "God prevails, he will rule as God, contender, soldier for God, have power, persevere, prevail, contend with, have power as a prince, set in order, be a leader, a commander, a prince, a noble." Having had this previous encounter with "the Man" and persevered against him, was God showing Jacob that he would also persevere against Esau successfully?

     From another Va-yishlach Sabbath reading portion, the LORD prophesied that He would send His messenger: "Behold, I send (salah - see above) My messenger (malak - see above), and he will prepare the way before Me, 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 (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) 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 (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering (minha - see above) in righteousness." (Mal. 3:1-3).

     Although three of the same words: salah, malak, minha, are used in the verses above, we are not dealing with a vengeful Esau here. We are dealing with the Holy God and the pure offering/gift due Him from His priests on behalf of His people. A Messenger will be sent by God and the purpose of the Messenger will be to purge and cleanse a negligent priesthood on the day of the LORD so that they do not perish before His face. The LORD is going to appear suddenly, and if they wish to remain alive, they had better accept the Messenger that the LORD will salah send to them.

     We see another example of the preservation power of the salah sent in Psalm 107: "Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted...and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent (salah - see above) His word (dabar - spoken, talk, speech, word, utterance, thing, decree, message, answer, commandment, promise, provision, power, portion) and healed (rapa - to heal, repaired, cure, make whole, mend by stitching, stitch together) them, and delivered (malat - save, deliver, preserve) them from their destructions (sehit - pit, pit-fall, sink down). Oh that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" (Ps. 107:17-21). When God's people were about to perish because of their own wickedness, God sent His spoken Word, and they were preserved from death. We will see who this spoken Word was that was sent by God to heal His people. Jesus is described as the spoken Word (logos in Greek) of God (see Jn. 1:1-5, 14). Jesus also described Himself as having been "sent" by God in order to preserve life: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him (the Son) might be saved." (Jn. 3:17, see also Jn. 5:37-38, Jn. 6:44, Jn. 8:16 and 18). Jesus repeatedly described Himself as being sent (Greek apostello - send out, send forth, to order one to go to a place appointed) by His Father, God. He was sent to save us from destruction, in the same way as we read in the Psalm above.

     The apostle John also wrote: "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 Jn. 4:9-10).

     Again, we see that the thing or Person that is sent by the will of God is for the preservation of life. While we can immediately see without difficulty this truth in the sending of Jesus by the Father for the preservation of life, we need to also see the following mystery that was revealed by Jesus concerning us.

     Jesus sent out His disciples: "And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits...So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them." (Mk. 6:7, 12-13, see also Lk. 9:1-2, 6). Even before the cross, the disciples, being ones who were sent by divine will, brought salvation, deliverance and healing life to many.

     After the resurrection, Jesus said to His disciples: "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.' And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive/remit (aphiemi - to send away, to send forth, to bid going away, forgive, keep no longer, give up a debt) the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain (krateo - hold, keep, take hold, hold fast, get possession of, seize, to have power over) the sins of any, they are retained." (Jn. 20:21-23). In the very same way that Jesus was sent, He then sends us, as His disciples. With our being sent by divine ordinance goes the authority to bring life with the forgiveness of sins, rather than death by the retaining of sins. Jesus was sent that we might have life and that more abundantly (Jn. 10:10), and we are sent by Him with the same purpose. 

     As Jesus sent out His disciples after His resurrection, He also said of all those who believe: "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will be no means hurt them; and they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mk. 16:17-18).

     Some may think that the only ones that Jesus sent were His immediate disciples. However, the New Testament makes clear that all believers in Christ are sent by Him. The apostle James wrote: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man avails much...he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a/his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:14-20, excerpt).

     Jesus commanded us to be salt, as a preservative of truth and life, and light, as showing the way through darkness, so that men would see our works and glorify God (Mt. 5:13-16). This Sabbath's reading portion, Va-yishlach, or "And he sent", brings us into the understanding of what it means in our lives to be sent, filled with the Holy Spirit, by the will of the Father and the Son.

     

     If you would like to know more about being sent by Christ, you can pray with me: "Father in heaven, You sent Your only Son, Jesus, to become life to those who were perishing in their sins. In the same manner, Jesus sent His disciples, and those who would believe because of them, into the world to bring preservation and life through Christ to others. Help me to fulfill this purpose given to me by Jesus Christ as He sends me in His name to be salt and light. Fill me with the Holy Spirit who will guide me and teach me how to live effectively in the commission by which Christ sends me, and to prove with my life "that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:1-2). 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.