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Bible Study-29 (Leviticus 18-20)

LeviticusOur continued study in the book of Leviticus brings us to a seemingly unrelated list of activities forbidden by God. We must remember the context in which these statutes were given. God commanded Israel to build a house so He could dwell in the midst of Israel, hence, in the midst of the human community. Once built, His Glory descended onto/into the house. Finally, in the book we call Leviticus He invited Israel (His human host nation) to come to visit (approach) Him. There was a “proper” moral attire that those approaching should conform to. We saw a progression to spiritual maturity outline in chapters 1-8. Later, God distinguished between ritual clean and unclean. It appears that this subject had to do with life and death. Those approaching God could not bring anything associated with death close to Him. Now we will consider moral qualities necessary for those approaching God.
We should note that much of the moral code embraced by Western civilization was defined by God in the Torah. Statutes concerning sexuality was included in the section currently being considered.

The first subject discussed in incest. God declared,

“None of you shall approach any blood relative of his to uncover nakedness; I am the Lord”. (Leviticus 18:6)

A series of specific prohibited relationships were listed. It appears that any relative closer than first cousins are prohibited. Evidently incest was common in Egypt from which Israel had been delivered and also common in the Canaanite culture where they were going. In addition sexual intercourse with a woman during her menstrual cycle was prohibited. In chapter 20 specific penalties are listed for those guilty of incest.

Homosexuality and Bestiality were also prohibited.

“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female, it is an abomination. Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, not shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion.” (Leviticus 18:22-23)

In recent years, American culture (or lack of it) has rejected the prohibition of homosexuality and to a lesser degree bestiality. Today homosexuality is considered to be “politically correct” and is being embraced widely by the American culture.

Another important area of concern is welfare. How does a society provide for the welfare of those unable to provide for themselves which allows the recipient to survive while maintaining personal dignity?

“Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:9-10)

Also special previsions were made for those working on a daily wage:

“You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.” (Leviticus 19:13)
And,
“You shall not curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:14)

Worship of the false gods of the Canaanites was prohibited. This included the sacrifice of children to Molech. Children were burned in the arms of Molech in an effort to appease this angry god who supposedly had been offended by an individual or by the community. Such a sacrifice supposedly benefited the individual or community so they could return to prosperity. The modern practice of abortion is very nearly the same thing. Children are sacrifices in order for the individual or family to prosper materially.

Finally, a famous rabbi once quoted Leviticus 19:18 as a companion commandment to the great commandment to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul and your strength”. He said a second commandment was to:

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18b and Mark 12:31a)

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Bible Study-28 (Leviticus 16-17)

Book of LeviticusThis week I am going to deal with the subject of Yom Kippur as recorded in Leviticus 16 and 17. We will leave the subject of “clean and unclean” for the moment. Yom Kippur has an extremely important message for all believers.

Yom Kippur occurs on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the tenth day of the first month the Passover Lamb was separated from the flock. It would be slaughtered on the 14th day for the Passover sacrifice. Now exactly seven months later, two goats were taken from the herd and presented to the priest.

“And he shall take from the congregation of the sons of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.” (Leviticus 16:5)

After making a sin offering for himself, Aaron, the high priest, presented the two goats before the Lord.

“And he shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting. And Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat.” (Leviticus 16:7-8)

The goat for the sin offering was slaughtered and the blood sprinkled on the place of covering (the mercy seat) and in front of the mercy seat.

“Then he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering which is for the people, and bring its blood inside the veil, and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat.” (Leviticus 16:15)

Next he would deal with the scapegoat (goat of removal).

“Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands of the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel, and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins, and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness. And the goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a solitary land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.” (Leviticus 16:21-22)

There are two different types of offering being made. The blood of the goat that was the sin offering provided a covering for the tent of meeting (because it sat in the midst of the impurities of the sons of Israel), as well as providing a covering for the sins of the people. This was for transgressions that had been committed during the year since the previous “day of atonement.” The word for sin is “chatah”. On the other hand, their iniquities (ahon) were confessed over the head of the goat of removal. This refers to the tendency of the sons of Israel to sin. Therefore, they confessed that their sins committed during the past year were covered and that their tendency to sin was being removed from them for the year to come. This was an awesome faith statement. If we are living a crucified life and walking in the Spirit we can believe that not only is our sins being covered but God is removing our tendency toward sin. Some would call this sanctification.

We readily understand that the sins of the people needed to be covered for them to continue to live in relationship with God. But why did the tent of meeting require a covering? Because the tent stood in the midst of the people of Israel, it was considered somewhat defiled and hence needed a covering. As believers we should recognize that the tent of meeting is a type for the church. The invisible church also rest in the midst of God’s people and therefore requires a covering.

One final thought on this subject. The mechanism of atonement is stated in Leviticus 17:11.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” (Leviticus 17:11)

The currency in the Kingdom of God is life expended. Paul declared that the wages of sin is death. The only covering for our sins is Jesus’ life poured out on the cross. In this manner the Bible declares that all have been justified to life. (Romans 5:18)

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Bible Study-20 (Exodus 25-27)

God's Blueprint - Tabernacle FurnishingsAs soon as the covenant between God and Israel was consummated, God immediately instructed Israel to build a special house that He could dwell in.

“And let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them”. (Exodus 25:8)

Later God declared that He had brought Israel out of Egypt for this very purpose.

“And they shall know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God.” (Exodus 29:46)

There are many explanations for God bringing Israel out of Egypt but this is His explicitly stated reason. He desires to dwell in the midst of the human community on planet earth. That plan has not changed throughout the ages.

The plans for the tabernacle and its implements are the first revelation of the church that we find in the Bible. Certainly there had already been patterns revealed concerning the Messiah, but the special house foreshadows the real church (in contrast to the institutional church). God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle according to the plan shown him on the mountain.

“And you shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain”. (Exodus 26:30)

How did God show a pattern to Moses? Of course, I am speculating at this point, but I believe we get a glimpse of the process by which prophecy comes about. I believe God showed Moses a vision of a future event or situation. In this case I believe that God showed him the New Creation which would be described by the Apostle John (Revelation 21-22). The Most Holy Place of the tabernacle has the same configuration and purpose as the city, New Jerusalem. According to John, the city of New Jerusalem and the redeemed Church are one and the same.

“And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,…” (Revelation 21:9-10)

The city, New Jerusalem, is the dwelling place of the Holy One and the Lamb (Revelation 22:3b). In the original tabernacle, the Most Holy Place was the throne of God. The outer chamber, the Holy Place, was the throne (ministry) of the Messiah. After the death and resurrection of Messiah Jesus, the Lamb’s throne is also located within the Most Holy Place. This is the reason the veil was torn from top to bottom at the death of Messiah Jesus.

The Ark of the Covenant that was constructed for the tabernacle represents the throne of God. The Ark was a relatively small box made of wood and overlaid with gold. The top of the box was similarly constructed. As a part of the gold overlay of the top were two golden “cherubim” (angelic figures). The top was the place of covering. Blood would be sprinkled there for the covering of sin. The Hebrew name for the top is “Hakaporet”, or the covering.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” (Leviticus 17:11)

One final thought from this section, the Cherubim on the either side of God’s throne were facing one another and looking downward toward (pointing to) the throne of God. The previous reference to the Cherubim was in the “garden account”.

“So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life”. (Genesis 3:24)

The former ministry of the Cherubim was to declare that man cannot approach God on his own. Now the Cherubim are declaring the one approach to God. When the tabernacle was completed, the singular approach to God would be: (a) through the camp of Israel, (b) in the Eastern gate of the tabernacle, (c) past the bronze altar (covering for sin), (d) past the laver (cleansing), (e) in the Holy Place (ministry of Messiah) and finally, (f) into the Most Holy Place to the presence of God (the Tree of Life). This is what Jesus was declaring when He said:

“Jesus said to him, “”I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

Today the institutional church separates Jesus the Messiah from the camp of Israel. However, Messiah is an office in Israel. To fruitfully follow the Messiah today, we still need to enter through the camp of Israel. This is the significance of “Hebraic Roots”.
(Copies of my book “Hebraic Roots” are available through the Tzemach Institute for Biblical Studies in Winter Springs, Florida).

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Bible Study-19 (Exodus 21-24)

Ten Commandments - TabletsGod spoke what we call the “Ten Commandments” in the hearing of all of Israel. The people were terrified and requested that Moses hear from God on their behalf. So God gave the more detailed commandments to Moses who then relayed them to Israel. According to Rabbinical reckoning, there are 613 commandments. These commandments define what I will call a “Biblical lifestyle” for God’s people.

When we consider the commandments, I propose that they fall into two basic categories: the first has to do with commandments defining relationship between God and man, the second category has to do with commandments defining relationship between man and his neighbor. In other words, the first has to do with vertical relationships while the second has to do with horizontal relationships. In a similar manner, we can consider the first five of the “Ten Commandments” are vertical while the last five are horizontal. Jesus recognized these two categories. When asked concerning the most important commandment, He answered:

“The foremost is, “HEAR O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.” “The second is this, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31)

It is obvious that Jesus divided the Law into vertical and horizontal components. I won’t go into detail here but only give reference the Torah II study at the Tzemach Institute for a detailed listing of the commandments and their relationship to the “Ten Commandments”.

Many Christians today have been taught that these commandments are not applicable to the Church. Their teachers maintain that Israel received the “Law” and the Church received “Grace”. The truth is that God has always set forth Law which is always moderated by Grace. There is never Law without Grace and there is never Grace without Law. In reality, the Church’s position on this subject allows itself to pick and choose which of the commandments are to be observed and which are to be ignored. For example, the pattern of tithing set forth in the Torah is maintained while Biblical festivals have been replaced by alternate ones. Certainly there are commandments that pertain to Israel in the Land and specifically to the priesthood in the Temple. Even these commandments reveal spiritual patterns that are relevant for the Christian believer.

Let me quickly add that neither Israel nor the Church was ever justified by their observance of the Law. Justification for Israel is by Grace as it is for Christians. When an Israeli sinned and repented, there was a revealed pattern in the Torah for atonement for the sin. He was forgiven in order to resume a fruitful life of obedience. The same is true for the Christian.

Christian leaders by the second century began to reject the Law in order to establish an identity separate from Israel. Eventually a catholic (universal, non-national) identity was embraced which was distinct from Israel. This is almost universally accepted in Christianity today. This was never God’s plan. The Church was designed to be an anointed subgroup of Israel with a specific purpose both within Israel and in the world but with a common identity with Israel. Paul warned the early Church that if they became arrogant and envisioned themselves separate from Israel that God would cut them off. (Romans 11:17-24)

We are living in the days of the fulfillment of more Biblical prophecy than any preceding generation. Are you, as a Christian, stubbornly holding onto a distinct catholic identity? Jesus is calling a people today who will see what He is doing in the midst of His people Israel and join Him in that work. John Kennedy once declared in Germany “Ich bin ein Berliner” in an effort to identify with the citizens there. Today, I declare that “I am an Israeli” not by birth, not even by religion but by following my Lord, even Messiah Jesus. This is one “cross” that Jesus is asking you to bear today.

A very important revelation is included in this section of the Bible. Moses and the elders of Israel saw a manifestation of God and recorded what I will call “the God of Israel on His throne” although the throne is not specifically mentioned here.

“Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.” (Exodus 24:9-11)

This Scripture should be compared to the revelations recorded in Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, and Revelation 4 and 5. These Scriptures record the very rare visions of God on His throne. Whenever we approach God in worship, these visions alone provide the basis for us to envision the setting for our worship experience.

Who We Are

Fellowship Church is a non-denominational congregation of believers in Messiah Jesus who love, worship and serve the Holy One of Israel with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. We are located in Winter Springs, Florida.

Connect with Us

Fellowship Church
5340 Red Bug Lake Road
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
407.699.1011