TEACHING OF THE PENTATEUCH
FOUNDATION FOR CHRIST
BOOK	THEME	LESSON
GENESIS	THE ELECTION OF ISREAL	SALVATION ESSENTIAL
EXODUS	THE REDEMPTION OF ISREAL	DELIVERANCE ESSENTIAL
LEVITICUS	THE SANCTIFICATION OF ISREAL	HOLINESS ESSENTIAL
NUMBERS	THE DISCIPLINE OF ISRAEL	PERSERVERANCE ESSENTIAL
DEUTERONOMY	THE INSTRUCTION OF ISRAEL	OBEDIENCE ESSENTIAL

Teaching of the Pentateuch

Genesis Summary:

The book of beginnings.  Records the beginning of the universe, man, the Sabbath, marriage, sin, sacrifice, nations, government.  First eleven chapers focus on events, the remainder on people:  Abraham (12-23); Isaac (24-27); Jacob (28-36); and Joseph (36-50).  Book closes in Egypt.

The text between the 2004 NLT and earlier eiditions is slightly different.  Tyndale explains this in their introduction.  So someone holding an earlier edition Bible in their hands and comparing it to any scripture I cut and paste, may see different words. 

"God did not create the earth 'without form and void.'  That state of things came later.  The original language of the Bible reveals this to us.  The Hebrew words translated  'without form and void'  are the rhyming words  tohu va' bohu.  (Pronounced phonetically:  toe-who vah bow-who). 

tohu means:  formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness, chaos, waste.

bohu means: emptiness

va means:  and 

But compare  Deuteronomy 32:4  and  Psalm 111:3 

When God creates, He creates with glorious perfection.  Also note Isa. 45:18,  the word  "vain"  is  also 'tohu'.  

E.W. Bullinger says:  "Not created tohu (Isaiah 45:18 ), but it became tohu (Genesis 1:2 , 2 Peter 3:5-6)."

----- The above quotes are from The Blood and the Glory by Billye Brim,  page 22-23.

My comments:  So you have a case for the Gap Theory.  God created Adam about 6,000 years ago.  But Gen. 1:1 could have been millions of years ago.  This can account for the dinosaurs, etc.  A very interesting idea brought out in this book is the idea that maybe what killed all the dinosaurs and laid waste to the planet was Lucifer being caste down from heaven.  cf Luke 10:18

God may have even given Jeremiah a vision of this in  Jeremiah 4:23-27.

Light was removed, not just natural light, God's light  (1 John 1:5).

So it could very well be that Lucifer was caste down to earth, causing the death of all animal life, total destruction, waste, and darkness as God removed His presence and light from the earth for maybe millions of years. 

Then comes Gen. 1:2

Notice God commanded light to come forth in Gen. 1:3,  but the sun and the moon didn't appeart until the 4th day of creation.

The first recorded question in the Bible is Satan challenging God's Word.  Maybe that is why the  "?"  mark is serpentine. 

This is the first link in the chain of biblical prophecy.  Here is where the record of it begins. 

Notice to the "biological" problem of this prophecy:  Mary's seed - the seed isn't in the woman. 

Here is the first shedding of blood and notice that it comes right on the heals of sin.

Here is the first recorded act of worship.  Notice that it includes the shedding of blood.   cf  Hebrews 11:4   

Notice too that God had apparently given instructions as to how they must worship Him.  Abel and Cain both knew what was required,  Cain wanted to worship God his way, and God wouldn't accept it.

See Chart # 8 in:   B. The Seed of Woman (Gn 4:25–5:32).  

Since man was made in the likeness of God and the next verse says male and female He created them, it isn't physical looks or the attributes of a body that is in mind here.  I believe this speaks of God being 3 in 1 and man being 3 in 1.  That is:  spirit, soul and body. 

Riddle:  Who is the oldest man in the Bible?  If Methuselah  {969 years old} is the oldest man in the Bible, how is it possible that he died before his father?  {Answer: His father was Enoch}

Genealogy of Genesis 5

Adam	Man (is)
Seth	Appointed
Enosh	Mortal
Kenan	Sorrow,  (but)
Mahalalel	The Blessed God
Jared	Shall come down
Enoch	Teaching
Methuselah	His death shall bring
Lamech	The despairing
Noah	Comfort, Rest

Proverbs 25:2

Nephilim   means "the fallen ones"

LXX is where we get the thought "giants"

Cf  Jude 6-7  

"Grieved" is a word of love, care, emotion.  You cannot grieve someone who doesn't love you, who doesn't care about you.  The fact that God was grieved, shows He loved mankind - even if they were evil.

4.1 million cu/feet - about the same as 1,400 railroad cars

Note:  Only three types of people:

[1] Those who perished in the flood.

[2] Those who were preserved through the flood.

[3] Those who were taken out before the flood.

See chart for the chronology of the flood.  B. Protection from the Flood (Gn 7:11–24).    

Why?  Why did the Holy Spirit want us to know this date?

New Beginnings:

·       Crucified on the 14^th of Nisan

·       In the grave 3 days

·       Resurrection on the 17^th of Nisan

Noah left the Ark on the same date as Christ's resurrection.

Notice the Bible makes the point of the exact date Noah removed the covering from the ark.  This date is the same as the Feast of Tabernacles.  When I believe Christ was born and around which time (I believe) the rapture will happen.

How Long In The Ark?

371 days

- 5 months floating

- 7 months on the mountain

As with Abel, worshipping God at the very beginning required blood be shed.  Since the fall, there is no approach, no pleasing of God, without the shedding of blood.    Genesis 4:4  

Also, this is long before Moses - yet Noah already knew what was a "clean" animal and what was an "unclean" animal.

I will have to research this verse.  It doesn't seem to fit in with what has already been said and what I have learned of the Hebrew people.  Does it mean exactly what it says?   Or is the culture previlent here - i.e., not eating unclean animals is so obvious that it doesn't need to be said.  I don't know. 

This verse seems to say that Terah must have been the first one called of God.  It sounds like Terah was called and left Ur, but failed to go all the way to Canaan. 

Notice:   7 "I wills"  of  Gen 12:2-3

Abram was told to leave his family and go where the Lord told him to go.  Now this would not be his wife - as the two become one flesh in the eyes of God.

But Abram was told to leave the rest of his family behind. Instead, he takes Lot with him. 

Think about how many times Lot was to be a problem to Abram.  Had Abram fully obeyed God,  he would not have had those problems.  Abram even had to go and fight a war over Lot.

For God to do something truly significant in the lives of His saints, they often have to be separated and set apart from the status quo.  Sometimes that even includes love ones, family, and friends.

Abram built altars to the Lord BEFORE going into Egypt and AFTER coming out of Egypt.  But not while he was in Egypt. 

I believe this is the first time Abram is referred to as  "the Hebrew."   Notice what had happened in Abram's life prior to this.  Coming out of Egypt, rebuilding altars and worship, separation - choosing God's path.  It takes separation and worship to be called a child of God. 

Melchizedek is not a name like Bill, Frank, or Bob.  It is a title like Ceasar.  So this isn't the name of the man.  Jewish tradition says that Melchizedek was the rigthous son of Noah (who was still alive at that time:   Shem.  The Bible doesn't say for sure.  Many modern day theologians say this was the preincarnate Christ.   I tend to believe it was not someone we know of in the Bible like Shem.  It may well have been Christ Himself. 

Giving a tithe to the Lord pre-dates the Law.  Therefore it is not something that is of the OT Law - but is a principal of God.

Success is often one of the best tests for true character.

The just shall live by faith is always the story of the Bible, even in the OT.

Habakkuk 2:4     Romans 1:17    Galatians 3:11     Hebrews 10:38    

Rabbi Simlai in the third century noted that Moses gave us 365 prohibitions and 248 positive commands. David in Psalm 15 reduced them to eleven: Isaiah—in 33:14, 15—made them six: Micah 6:8 binds them into three: and Habakkuk reduces them all to one, namely—”The just shall live by faith.”

Notice that God alone does all the parts of the Covenant.  This is not an co-equal covenant between God and Man.  This is God's doing.  His love, His power, His bestowal.  Man's part is to receive and enjoy the blessings offered by our Almighty God, Savior, and Lord.

Notice too that this covenant is for all generations as if they were there:   Jeremiah 34:18    

   Hebrews 6:12     The promises of God not only require our faith, but also patience for God's perfect timing.  That is the really hard part for us!!!

Our bodies are to bare the mark of the covenant, just as Christ's body bares the marks of His covenant with us.

God knows very well that Isaac is not Abraham's only son.  The only way that this verse makes sense is that God was empahzing that Isaac was the son of promise.

Isaac carried the wood for the sacrifice on his shoulders, just as Jesus would carry the cross.

The rebellous heart of Esau is shown again in this verse.  He takes a wife from the Hittites - something he should not have done.  Then he takes multipule wives. 

Here is again is another pre-Law tithe.

Being materially wealthy shows no indication of God's favor toward you.  Esau was not in God's favor, did not honor God or his own birthright ... the Bible even says God hated Esau, yet Esau has accumulated great wealth.

Love and honorable intentions do not make sin right.

Also note:  It appears from this verse that there was no repentance.  The sin was still continuing and Dinah was living with Shechem. 

Not just any earrings, but earrings that were fashioned to please foreign gods.  That is why they had to give them up.  Judges 8:22-28    Hosea 2:13    

אֵל    שַׁדַּי    El Shaddai.  "The One Who is sufficient"   He has all the power to proclaim the covenant and to see to it that the covenant is completed.

This verse is not there to say Joseph was a tattle-tail.  This verse is showing that right away, Joseph was a man of honesty and integrity.  He was honorable and wanted to do what was right before God and his father Jacob. 

The bad seed is always trying to destroy the good seed.

This is either a passage showing that Potiphar didn't really believe his wife, or a sign of God's hand upon Joseph.  I suppose it could be both combined.  In any event, had Joseph been guilty of the offense, death should have been his punishment.

This would be a 140% reserve.

Interesting that Joseph (obviously a type of Christ), put them in prison and the Torah records for exactly 3 days.  Could this be an anology to we must all go down to the pit with Him - die with Him - and be resurrected with Him, before we can be set free and live in Him?  

It is interesting to note that this is a good type for the Rapture.  Joseph is a type of Christ.  The Egyptians were all Gentiles.  His brothers all Jews.  So Joseph had all the Gentiles removed before he revealed himself to his brothers the Jews.  Notice too that the length of this famine is 7 years.

Could it be that it will be 2 years into the Tribulation, before the great deliverance and salvation of the Jews?

When you look to the government to provide for you, you will become the government's slave.  The government is not our provider - not our source - God is. 

It appears that Israel did not go into debt with Pharaoh.  So they lived in the land of Goshen and prospered. 

Shiloh is Messiah.  So this must mean that Messiah must come before Judah lost its tribal identity.  Twenty-two years before Jesus was crucified, the scepter was taken from Judah during Roman occupation when they lost the right to govern themselves totally.  John 18:31   Even the Rabbis of that day understood this.  See page 24 of "The Prophets Still Speak" for more information.

Oil discovered in Israel.   Deuteronomy 33:13          Deuteronomy 33:24        Ezekiel 36:11  

See chart on the chronology of the Patriarchs   Joseph’s Death (Genesis 50:22–26)  

TEACHING OF THE PENTATEUCH
FOUNDATION FOR CHRIST
BOOK	THEME	LESSON
GENESIS	THE ELECTION OF ISREAL	SALVATION ESSENTIAL
EXODUS	THE REDEMPTION OF ISREAL	DELIVERANCE ESSENTIAL
LEVITICUS	THE SANCTIFICATION OF ISREAL	HOLINESS ESSENTIAL
NUMBERS	THE DISCIPLINE OF ISRAEL	PERSERVERANCE ESSENTIAL
DEUTERONOMY	THE INSTRUCTION OF ISRAEL	OBEDIENCE ESSENTIAL

Teaching of the Pentateuch

"Here I am"  is always the answer God wants to hear from us.

The "Blood Sign" was first to Israel, then to Egypt.

Those not hearing the Word of the Lord, nor speaking for Him, often want to call down judgement upon those who do.

"...against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment ..."    Exodus 12:12

Water turned to blood:

   Osiris, Isis, Horus, Hapimon, Tauret, Nu

Frogs:

   Hekt

Lice (Sand Flies)

   Geb

Scarabs (Swarms):

   Amon-Ra

Murrain in animals:

   Apis, Hathor, Bubastis

Boils

   Thoth, Apis, Serapis, Imhotep

Hail, Fire

   Shu, Nut, Horus

Locusts:

   Nepri, Ermutet, Anupis, Osiris

Darkness:

   Ra, Aten, Horus, Tem, Shu

Firstborn:

   Pharaoh's own dynasty

It is interesting to note that these two verses seem to say that Moses made the commitment to remove the frogs on an exact date and time before he even talked with God.  After he committed, he then went and pleaded with God to fulfill the word that he had given.

Moses and Aaron must have walked through this storm. They walked through it, but were in no danger of being harmed.  Same thing is true of  v. 10:23.

The Earth determines the Day

The Moon determines the Month

The Sun   determines the Year

I do not believe we must follow the dietary laws - but we should see the picture.   A special 7 day time of meditation and holiness before God and then a special Passover service for worship and thanksgiving for our salvation - our being brought out of "Egypt."

Again, what is the picture here?  Is the blood aplied to your home?  Is Jesus the Christ - the Lord - of your home and family?

Dad & Mom:  are you doing all that you are supposed to to keep the Destroyer out of your home and away from your children?

That very night - i.e., after midnight.  When God delivers you from Egypt - get out now!   Now is the day and the hour of salvation.

Do I have special times of celebrating my salvation?   Do I have special times of thanking God for His deliverence?

Note the mark on the hands or the forehead.  Same place as the mark of the beast!  Interesting - is there any correlation?

Many will say that it is better to live in Egypt than to die to self - to die with Christ. 

God's greatest power and might comes out for you only when you are in a place where if He doesn't do it,  all is lost.  They were in His will, doing exactly what He commanded them to do - then when it was the army or the Red Sea,  God worked a mighty miracle.

God's light is darkness to those who won't repent.  The very Logos that speaks light and life into the redeem's soul, brings the judgement of darkness and death into the unredeemed - unrepentent heart.

Lord Jesus, let this verse be as a prayer from me to You.  Amen.   10/3/03.

The Holy Spirit of God is the water.  The moving of the Spirit is bitter to many in God's house.  But the answer is the Branch - more of Jesus.  When Jesus is applied to the bitter waters, they become sweet.

As great and awesome as they are, miracles will not sustain us.   We must have the meat of the Word and the Bread of Presence to be happy, healthy and whole.  That is the way God has made us.  And then we will know that He is God.    

Moses becomes a living banner:

When the Israelites fought the Amalekites at Rephidim, Moses held up his hand, thus becoming a living banner symbolizing God’s presence to help His people win the victory (Ex. 17:8–16). After the battle, Moses built an altar and called it “Jehovah-nissi” (Ex. 17:15, KJV; The Lord Is My Banner; NKJV).

HaShem through Yeshua has made each of  us incredibly special.  Not a one of us has earned this status, nor do any of us deserve this status.  It is bestowed upon us strictly by the unmerited favor of God.

Notice that this concept of being a kingdom of priests and a holy nation unto God is so important, it is repeated at least 6 times  (making that a full 7 references in the Bible):

Exodus 23:22   Isaiah 61:6   1 Peter 2:9    Revelation 1:6   Revelation 5:10

Revelation 20:6

Notice the direct correlation here between the "consecrate" and the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant.  cf  Leviticus 10:3   and  Leviticus 21:6-8   Compare these verses regarding consecration with the work of the Holy Spirit.  And remember that v6 has already declared that we are ALL to be priests unto the Lord.

Go to this link to compare how the Hebrew, Catholic, and Protestant versions differ:

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Torah/Ten_Cmds/ten_cmds.html

Acts 7:38   Note how the NLT words this verse.

Notice the fear of the people.  Another good difference to point out between this day and the day of Pentecost in  Acts 2:4 .   Perfect love casts out all fear and God is perfect love.  So when the Holy Spirit was given as God Himself indwelling us, we have His perfect love casting out the fear of going behind the veil and drawing close to God.     

We cannot approach God in steps - there is only 1 step - Jesus Christ.  He is our only way.  Coming to God is not a process - it is a Person.   That is why I am sure the ramp up to the altar in the Tabernacle and the Temple were ramps without steps. 

I think this should still be true today.  Since leaven is always a type of sin in the Bible, we should not offer Communion with leaven. 

In Exodus 25–31 God speaks seven times (25:1; 30:11, 17, 22, 34; 31:1, 12). Scholars have called attention to similarities between this section and the creation narrative of Genesis 1.

Notice here that the light only shines forward.  They are not open wicks or open lights that shine 360 degrees and is usually shown in pictures.

Three cubits high would make it about 18x3 = 54 inches; or over 4 feet high.  You could not walk up to it and place bulls, etc.  It would be too high.  So you must have a ramp to walk up to it.  But that ramp cannot have steps   Exodus 20:26   

Just as now, the Lord Jesus Christ carries a constant reminder of His NT people:  The scars, the strips, the spear whole, the wholes in His hands and feet.  These are constantly before Him, these constantly remind Him of His covenant with His people.  

This is an interesting verse.  What does it mean to us today?  Why does something become holy just because it touches the altar? 

The Daily Continual Burnt Offering

Tetzaveh - תצוה : “You shall command”
Torah : Exodus 27:20–30:10
Haftarah : Ezekiel 43:10–27
Gospel : Mark 12

Thought for the Week:

Yeshua’s sacrifice is continually before the Father. He is the lamb continually on the altar before the throne. He is the “the Lamb of God” whose atoning sacrifice for sin is continually before the Father. Thus the writer of Hebrews states: "Nor was it that He would offer Himself often. … Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:25-26)

Commentary:

Exodus 29:38–42. God ordained a daily worship service in the Tabernacle. The daily worship service was called the “continual burnt offering.” Every day, two male lambs were offered up as burnt offerings for this daily service.

The continual burnt offering (tamid, תמיד) began each morning with a male lamb offered as a burnt offering (olah, עולה). The lamb was slaughtered and placed on the fire on the altar as the first sacrifice of the day. Each subsequent sacrifice that day was placed on top of the continual burnt offering lamb. The lamb burned on the fire all day.

When the day’s service was over, and all the offerings had been brought, a second lamb was slaughtered as an olah and placed on top of the remains of that day’s offerings. The effect was that of sandwiching the whole day’s services between the two lambs of the continual burnt offering. The second lamb was left on the altar to burn through the night. The next morning, the ashes were removed and a new lamb was slaughtered and placed on the altar, beginning the process all over. Thus, a lamb was continually burning on the altar before the LORD. The Temple’s entire sacrificial service began with an olah, was offered on top of the olah, and was concluded with an olah. These olah offerings were called the continual burnt offering because one of them was continually on the altar fire.

The continual burnt offering was the most basic and regular function of the Tabernacle and the Temple. The prayer services, the singing of psalms, the lighting of the menorah, the burning of incense all occurred in conjunction with the continual offering. The continual burnt offering is the very center of the entire worship system.

The continual burnt offering was to be a remembrance of the offering made during the Exodus 24 covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai. For this reason, the burnt offering was to be continually upon the altar as a permanent token of the covenant. Its blood, splashed daily against the altar, was a reminder of the blood Moses splashed against the altar and onto the people. Without the continual burnt offering, no other sacrifices were possible. So too, without the covenant status, no further relationship with God was possible.

It is most likely a reference to the continual burnt offering which prompts Yochanan the Immerser to declare Yeshua as “the Lamb of God.” (John 1:29)

© 2006 First Fruits of Zion, Inc. | All Rights Reserved
Printed from: http://ffoz.org/resources/edrash/tetzaveh/the_daily_continual_burnt_offe.php

Verses like this are ones that really make me wonder if we shouldn't always be praying and specifically going before God twice a day.   You see this in the OT you see this in the NT.  Even if we pray an hour in the morning,  shouldn't we also have afternoon/evening prayers and devotions with God?   A minimum of twice a day sure seems to be the Biblical pattern.     

Again, the Altar of Incense--which stands for the prayers of the saints--incense is specifically to be offered up to the Lord twice per day, morning and evening.

Notice that the Sabbath is spoken of directly to the children of Israel.  Always a sign unto them.  So then the question comes in, do we identify with Israel - and should therefore keep the Sabbath, or since it is only with the children of Israel, as Gentiles, we are not required to keep it?  

Numbers 15:32   God's penalty for breaking His Sabbath was death.

The enemies of the Lord are forever watching the people of God.  They are always ready to use our actions against the Lord and us.

Willful disobedience and sinning before the Lord, always carries a terrible price (consequence).  Note how more than 3,000 died by the Levite sword and now untold more died by the plague. 

As important as Sinai is,  it is not the destination that God has for them.  He commands them to depart, to get moving on toward the Land of Promise.  We must never confuse important milestones, events, happenings, blessings, in our life with God's ultimate goal:  Eternal fellowship with Christ as His bride.  Everthing else is just point in the process, the journey that God has for us. 

Here is the heart of a true worshipper.  Think of how much Moses has been in the mighty presence of God (the burning bush, the 10 Commandments, the Tent of Meeting, etc.), yet it isn't enough -- he desire more.  He wants more of God, he needs more of God.  He is desperate for so much more of God's presence in his life.  That is the heart of a worshipper.   That is the heart of one who will be called "God's friend."    

Again, a reason not to offer bread with leaven for Communion.

Horns are a sign of power.  So is God having the same wood of the altar used here to show that the power of prayer starts with repentence?  

Notice that the Word stresses that "all the gold was used."  This is a miracle when you consider that forming and building things always creates waste.  Yet here we see "all" was used for the Holy work of constructing the Tabernacle of Testimony. 

TEACHING OF THE PENTATEUCH
FOUNDATION FOR CHRIST
BOOK	THEME	LESSON
GENESIS	THE ELECTION OF ISREAL	SALVATION ESSENTIAL
EXODUS	THE REDEMPTION OF ISREAL	DELIVERANCE ESSENTIAL
LEVITICUS	THE SANCTIFICATION OF ISREAL	HOLINESS ESSENTIAL
NUMBERS	THE DISCIPLINE OF ISRAEL	PERSERVERANCE ESSENTIAL
DEUTERONOMY	THE INSTRUCTION OF ISRAEL	OBEDIENCE ESSENTIAL

Teaching of the Pentateuch

Allis wrote concerning Leviticus, “This is the New Testament gospel for sinners stated in Old Testament terms and enshrined in the ritual of sacrifice; and it finds its fullest expression in the ritual of the day of atonement.”  The typology of Leviticus is evident in four different areas: (1) the sacrifices, (2) the appointed times, (3) the priesthood, and (4) the high priest.

The grain offering is specifically tied to the covenant by salt.  This would probably be an interesting study to try and figure out exactly why.

Matthew 5:13

Thought for the Week:

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." (Matthew 5:13)

Commentary:

When discussing the levitical sacrifices, the Torah says, “all your offerings you shall offer salt” (Leviticus 2:13). In the days of the Holy Temple, a pile of salt was kept on the altar for this purpose. Unlike so many other rituals and so many other commandments, in this instance, the ritual is explained to us. The Torah goes on to explain that the salt symbolizes the “salt covenant of your God.” It is defined as a “covenant symbol.”

In the ancient world, salt was chiefly employed as a preservative. Before chemical additives and refrigeration, salt was the only means of preserving meat. That is why the commandment to salt the offerings is coupled with the prohibition on allowing leaven. Both are intended to avoid fermentation. The Tabernacle sacrifices must be maintained in an imperishable state.

Because salt was the preservative of the ancient world, salt came to represent a state of permanence. A “covenant of salt” was a covenant of perpetual obligation. Two other biblical passages refer to “salt covenants.” Both of the passages describe the salt covenant as everlasting and eternal:

“It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the LORD to you and your descendants with you.” (Numbers 18:19)

“Do you not know that the LORD God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?” (2 Chronicles 13:5)

Salting of the offerings symbolizes the eternal nature of God’s covenant with Israel. Therefore, the offerings themselves represent various aspects of that same covenant. Each sacrifice and each function of worship within the Tabernacle symbolized some characteristic of the covenant. In this sense, the sacrificial services can be seen as visual dramatizations of the covenant between God and His people.

In traditional Jewish observance, the home is regarded as a small temple, and the table within the home is regarded as an altar. Every Sabbath and festival, bread and wine are placed before the LORD on the table. A blessing is pronounced over the cup and the wine is shared. Then a blessing is pronounced over the bread. It is salted, broken and shared. These simple covenant rites have survived over 3,000 years.

By partaking in the cup and the bread on Sabbath and the festivals, we reenact a covenant remembrance that finds its origin on the altar. We eat from the table of the LORD.

© 2006 First Fruits of Zion, Inc. | All Rights Reserved
Printed from: http://ffoz.org/resources/edrash/vayikra/when_discussing_the_levitical.php

120% restoration is required.

Through Moshe, YHVH presented this way to the people. He was saying that if you love Me, you will keep My commandments. The people probably responded the same way they did at the beginning of their wilderness experience in Sh'mot (Exodus) 19:8. "All that the Lord has spoken we will do." They saw the result of worshiping YHVH's way, shouted and fell on their faces. Nadab and Abihu were anointed priests of 'Aaron. They were both trained and educated in their priestly offices. They were both knowledgeable of YHVH's ways. Nadav and Avihu were not ignorant of how to worship and approach their God. However, in spite of their learning and responsibility to teach the people as well, they both made a conscience decision to change His way and offer strange fire to Him. Many commentators have speculated as to what the strange fire was. Some believe that the fire was not taken from the altar, but from another source. Some believe it was an improper mix of the incense. Others believe that because of the following instruction concerning intoxicating drink, they entered the sanctuary drunk. I believe that YHVH is deliberately vague as to what they did. He knows His creation. He knows our very nature. He knows that had He made known what Nadav and Avihu did, that we would fall all over ourselves to avoid that particular sin. We would have set up that iniquity to be the unpardonable sin. A consecrated life, given to our Elohiym, would have taken second place to the eschewing of Nadav and Avihu's sin. According to Vayikra 6:12-13, the fire on the offering was to be perpetual. Nadav and Avihu chose to change His way. YHVH purposely chose not to reveal specifically what that was. The point was that Nadab and Abihu knew that way and chose their own way of doing it. What that way was we are not told. It was foreign to YHVH. An unrecognizable stench to Him. And so the fire comes down from Him and consumes Nadav and Avihu, rather than the offering. How that must have tortured the heart of Him. This incident is the definitive example of obedience being better than sacrifice.

       From an article written by Brad Scott of Wildbranch Ministries

       http://www.wildbranch.org/Articles/index.html

The Belly of the Torah
An oversized Vav marks the “center” of the entire Torah (Leviticus 11:42):



Appropriately enough, the word in which this Vav occurs is nachon, meaning “belly.”

After the blood of atonement is applied, it goes back to the point of former holiness, i.e., as if rebellion and sin had never touched it.

Cf  1 Peter 1:18-19   Exodus 27:1  

Some Messianics debate that Jesus/Yeshua rose right after the end of Sabbath (or during Sabbath) to try and combat the Evangelical Church's argument that we worship on Sunday because Jesus rose on Sunday. 

Well right here gives the answer.  This is a picture of Christ's resurrection.  And when is it done?  On the day after Sabbath, i.e., Sunday.

This is Rosh HaShanah or Yom Teruah.  The 1st of Tishrei. 

Immediately follows the 10 Days of Awe - which ends with Yom Kippur.

See notes at this ref.:   Psalm 81:3   

Here is a verse that backs up the idea of praying for the sins of earlier generations. 

See chart    Organizing the Levites (Numbers 3:1–4:49)     

God's mercy forgives and even restores spiritually.  But there is always a consequence for sin and rebellion. 

God often uses our own words to condemn us. So be careful what you wish for and what you say.  They said a few verses earlier that they wish they had died in the wilderness - and so they shall.

Interesting verse.  So should this be interpreted literally, i.e., a Gentile living in Israel is bound by this?   Or spiritually,  a Gentile that has been grafted in must live by this law?  

Exodus 31:14   God's penalty for breaking His Sabbath was death.

Notice that "being set apart"  =  death and sacrifice.

Those who work in the House of God are to be supported by the tithes of the people.

This is from:   http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Vav/vav.html#Advanced

2. The Broken Vav
   Soferut requires that all Hebrew letters be well-formed - that is, no letters can touch other letters and no letters can be malformed, broken, or otherwise illegible. However, there is a strange exception to these rules regarding the Vav that appears in the word “shalom” Numbers 25:12:
   
   
   
   “Behold, I am giving to him my covenant of peace.”
   
   In a Torah scroll, the word shalom would be written like this:
   
   
   
   What is the significance of this broken Vav?
   
   The story in Numbers chapter 25 is about Phineas (the grandson of Aaron the priest) and his zeal to remove evil from Israel by driving a spear through a man who was fornicating with a Moabite woman. On account of Phineas’ act, God stopped the plague and Israel was delivered from destruction. From a Messianic point of view, we can see that Phineas is a type of Yeshua, since it is written that “he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel” (Numbers 25:13).
   
   On a “sod” level we can further think of this broken Vav as picture of the brokenness of the Messiah for our ultimate deliverance. How so? Well, since Vav represents the number of Man, the broken Vav represents a man that is broken. In this particular pasuk (verse), the man has been broken for the sake of a covenant of peace that brought atonement to Israel - another picture of the Messiah Yeshua and His ultimate deliverance for us.

This is Rosh HaShanah or Yom Teruah.  The 1st of Tishrei. 

Immediately follows the 10 Days of Awe - which ends with Yom Kippur.

See notes at this ref.:   Psalm 81:3    also    Leviticus 23:24  

There is a very good write up of this in The Seven Festivals of the Messiah.

Notice that murder defiles the land and no atonement can be made.  What does this say about abortion and the USA?

Note: It was not God's plan, nor the plan of Moses to send out scouts first.  That was the plan of the people.  God told them to take the land, not send out scouts.  Ultimately, sending out the scouts caused the death of everyone in the 40 years wandering in the wilderness.

Living Torah before the world is a witness to them - a living Torah to all the Nations.

The forgotten Name of God = a jealous God.

God always promises to be available for those who diligently seek Him.  This is a promise we must remind ourselves often of, especially when we don't feel emotionally close to God. 

The Lord had the ability and option here to say something like, "...with the children of Israel ..."  or something that identified only with the Jewish/Hebrew rach.  Instead He says,  "...with those who love Him and keep His commandments..."  This leaves the ID of the "chosen and special people" to be all of the people and nations who ID themselves with the Jews, came up out of Egypt and are keeping His commandments. 

This most certainly includes Native American symbols, items, etc.; as well as; other religions, idols, etc.

What we receive and what we can look forward to with hope - is all based upon His covenant promise.  It is not based upon us.  It is not based upon our faithfulness, but His.

God's place of rest does not mean doing whatever we please.  We must still rest in Him through obedience to Him.

Obedience and sacrifice go hand in hand.  They go together - you must do both to please God.

This verse is a big problem to our NT way of thinking about food laws.  It uses the exact same Hebrew word - translated "detestable" - as does verses dealing with homosexuality, witchcraft, cross-dressing, spell casting, etc.  So how do we say in one breath that these things are sins to God, but then (as D. Thomas Lancaster put it) all go to Red Lobster for the all you can eat shrimp deal?  The same word saying homosexuality is detestable says eating shrimp is detestable to God. 

Now we can try and state that the Apostle Paul talks against homosexuality in the NT, but that falls apart the moment we realize he is using the OT Torah as his authority to do so. 

cf   Leviticus 18:22-30    Romans 1:26-27    

Quote:

"How can we derive unchanging ethical and moral absolutes from a document we routinely disregard and declare irrelevant to life in the modern world? How can we claim that God's Word is eternal and unchanging while at the same time teach that it has changed?"    D. Thomas Lancaster in his book:  Restoration, page 126.

What is not lawful for the children of Israel, is lawful for the foreigner amoung them; even to the point that Israelites may sell or give the unclean meat to the foreigner.

The purpose of tithes.

The tithes are also to be used to bless orphans and widows.

Pierced ears = a servant for life.

Wouldn't it be great if all political leaders in the USA had to do this?  At least from the level of Mayor up.  It would help to remind them that even the President of the United States is subject to God and His laws. 

Daily Bible reading is required and what the benefits are.

Of course this is speaking of Yeshua.

People who call themselves prophets today would do well to read this verse every morning.  There is no wiggle room here.  If you are wrong once, you are not a prophet of God.  And this may be one of the main points about the gift verses the office.  You may have people who from time to time are used and gifted by God's Spirit to give a prophetic word, but that doesn't make them eliable to hold the office of prophet.  A prophet can never be wrong, not once.

The shedding of inocent blood creates the guilt of bloodshed.  In other words - responsibility for shedding inocent blood. 

Think of this for the USA in relation to abortion. 

v 13 - you shall put away the guilt of inocent blood.  Hence you must put to death those who by course of law have been found guilty of murder.

Notice the clear teaching in the last couple of chapters regarding inocent blood.  The Lord God does not take lightly the shedding of inocent blood.  And the people of the land where that blood is shed are guilty.  The guilt rests upon the land and its people until they repent and cover it under the sacrifice (in modern day - the sacrifice of Jesus).

When God speaks of altars and sacrifice, He uses His covenant Name:  YHVH.  He does not use Elohim. 

This verse clearly sets the Palestinian Covenant apart from the Mosiac Covenant.  Although they are closely related, they are two distinct covenants - not just the Mosiac being "renewed." 

Very interesting verse - the Lord has not given them the ability to really understand what He is doing.

It is the Lord who primarily cleans the wayword heart.  Without the Lord's work, anything we do is useless. 

Although we trust in God's promise and ability to fulfill that promise,  although we trust in Him by faith through grace, there is still this point:  We must choose life - we must choose Him over all other things.

Now here is a verse that deserves more study.  God divided up the boundaries according to angelic beings?

LXX says "Angels"   And this is referenced as agreeing with  Acts 7:53    

The Hebrew says:  "Holy ones."   But the Hebrew scholars who wrote the LXX said the proper understanding is Angels. 

"And the deep lying beneath ..."   Black gold, Texas tea.   Oil discovered in Israel. 

  Deuteronomy 33:24       Genesis 49:25         Ezekiel 36:11      

Oil will be discovered in Israel that will bring the world to her doorstep.

   Deuteronomy 33:13          Genesis 49:25       Ezekiel 36:11   

Anna, who held the baby Jesus, is from the tribe of Asher.   Luke 2:36       

This verse gives high honor to Moses - no other prophet like Moses has arisen.  But don't forget the promise of   Deuteronomy 18:15-18     God Himself promises and Moses confirms that there will be another prophet in Israel who will know God face to face.  In fact He will leave the very face of God to dwell among His people. 

This verse is always read at Simchat Torah.

Notice that Joshua knew the waters would role back, he wasn't hoping, he wasn't praying, he knew.  Therefore, this seems a good Tanakh example of the Gift of Faith.    Matthew 9:20-22

It has been said that this is the exact place in the Jordan where Jesus was baptized by John.

Notice that Rahab's faith spared all in her household and her material possessions. 

She is also mentioned in two hall of fame lists:   Matthew 1:5  and  Hebrews 11:2  Hebrews 11:31.

We may draw a blood line around our families and homes by our faith and testimony.    cf  Hebrews 8:6  

You can count on Him!  God will always keep His word.  Whether to pour out blessings or bring judgement, God will do what He says He will do.     

Shalom means more than just peace.   The basic concept of this word is completeness or wholeness.

Zodhiates writes:  "...it is a sense of well being ... to be unharmed or unhurt; ... it expresses completeness, harmony and fulfillment."  

So Jehovah Shalom isn't just: "The Lord is our peace."   It is also:  "The Lord is our wholeness."  And it isn't just for the moment - but for all time.

Dutch Sheets says to notice the beauty in this.  God used the idols, the failures, the sin, to build the altar that would worship Him and bring Him glory.  God uses even our past sin and failures - as we give them to Him.

Notice, not the act of a brave man - a man of valor.  He did this in the dark of night.  But God will take what you can offer, where you are, and build from there. 

We cannot fight the fight in someone else's armor. It must be our own, uniquely fitted to us by the Holy Spirit.

Why does the Bible specifically say 5 stones?   It might be as easy as he picked up extra  "ammo"  just in case.  Could it be that Goliath had 4 brothers as some have said?  Or is this a reference to the 5 books of Torah - that David overcame Goliath with the Truth of God's revealed Word. 

Then in the New Testament God gave us the 5-fold ministry to help us learn the Truth and walk in it.   Ephesians 4:11-12 

This gives us some reference as to time.  It is 480 years since the Exodus. 

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai said,  "It would have been better for Solomon to clean sewers than to have this verse written of him."   (Exodus Rabbah 6:1)

This is the verse that the Lord gave to Pastor Rick for me one day during staff prayer.  He said the Lord gave him this verse and told him to say to me "perseverance".   My words now:  I must not grow weary in doing well;  I must not give up in moving the church the way I believe God wants it to go.  I will run into opposition,  but keep on keepin on!  By the way,  this was in March 2003.

Ezekiel 28:14  Note that Lucifer was anointed of God and yet he fell.

Abraham was called "God's friend forever."   What a honor!!

cf   Isaiah 41:8   and    James 2:23     

cf the NLT versions of:    Romans 5:11   and  Colossians 1:21-22 

When Cyrus rides in victorious – Daniel presented him with a personal letter from Isaiah addressing Cyrus by name.   (Josephus, Antiquities, XI, I, 2) 

Cf   Isa 44:27,28; 45:1-5

Isaiah died 150 years before Cyrus was born!

Cyrus & Isaiah

When Cyrus rides in victorious – Daniel presented him with a personal letter from Isaiah addressing Cyrus by name.   (Josephus, Antiquities, XI, I, 2) 

Cf   Isa 44:27,28; 45:1-5

Isaiah died 150 years before Cyrus was born!

Mordecai was a descendent of Shimei, of the House of Kish, the father of King Saul … a product of David’s grace.

Note:  This is exactly double what was listed at the begining; except his children, which are the exact same. 

·        Book I       =      1 – 41

·        Book II      =      42 – 72

·        Book III     =      73 – 89

·        Book IV     =      90 – 106

·        Book V       =      107 - 150

What is most interesting about this,  is that  "angels" is not the original text.  In the original text it reads:

"... You have made him a little lower than Elohim " (God).

So now man is ranked just under the Godhead - the Trinity.

God crowned man with His glory and man sinned and fell short of that glory  (Romans 3:23).  Jesus is returning mankind to that same glory, the glory of God  (Hebrews 2:10).  This is the circle of glory!

This is how we feel sometimes.  But the truth is:  God hasn't moved.

This is all we can really do,  trust in God's mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ.  There is no way for us to earn God's favor; there is no way for us to be good enough.  But God's mercy, purchased by Christ's blood is more than enough.  In fact, the mercy had to start before the foundation of the earth, because Jesus is the Lamb slain before that foundation.  

This is a direct prophecy of the Christ - the Messiah.

The Word of the Lord is proven or refined (as gold in a fire).    Psalm 12:16    Proverbs 30:5       

I can't be strong or perfect in myself or by my own abilities and actions.  It is only by God and His Spirit that this is accomplished in me.

Everywhere on the face of the earth - God has a witness of Him.  Language, culture, education, remoteness, none of these things matter.

vv 7-11 Perfect Sermon Outline:

• 6 Titles
• 6 Descriptions
• 6 Results

Psalm 19:7-11
Title	Description	Results
The law of the Lord	Is Perfect	Converting the soul
The testimony of the Lord	Is Sure	Making wise the simple
The statues of the Lord	Are Right	Rejoicing the heart
The commandment of the Lord	Is Pure	Enlightening the eyes
The fear of the Lord	Is Clean	Enduring forever
The judgments of the Lord	Are True and Righteous	Warned and Rewarded

Not only all the words that come out of my mouth ... ALL the words ... but even the meditation (thoughts) of my heart be acceptable in God's sight.  In my flesh, in my own strength, what a totally impossible goal this is!!!     Psalm 34:1 

 Psalm 39:1     

My Shepherd provides times of relaxation and refreshing for me, for my soul, for my ministry, for my marriage, and for my family. 

As I follow my Shepherd and obey His leading,  He will restore my soul.  He will lead me in the right paths for His name's sake!  That doesn't have anything to do with me - other than the following.  My own wisdom and insight may fail, but if I am faithfully doing my best to followi Him,  He will make sure I am on the right path.

Rod = disciplined by love.   Staff = leadership, guidance, protection. 

Food is strength to the warrior.  The full presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit.  All the wisdom, insight, power, strength, etc., need in the presence of your enemies, God will provide as you follow Him and trust in Him.

Because of v 3 - I am on the right path by HIS leadership.  So that puts me on the right path for goodness and mercy to follow me. 

This Psalm is read after each morning and evening liturgy during each of the 30 days of Teshuvah that leads up to Rosh HaShanah  (on Tishrei 1).

The 40 total days of Teshuvah (repentance) end on Yom Kippur. 

The sabbath that falls within the 10 days of awe is called Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return.  

"The message from Elul 1 to Rosh HaShanah is clear (the 30 days mentioned above):  Repent before Rosh HaShanah.  Don't wait until after Rosh HaShanah, or you will find yourself in the Days of Awe."     The Seven Festivals Of The Messiah  by Edward Chumney  Page 104

Note that is doesn't say something like - who never sinned or is sinless.  This speaks of forgiveness by way of covering.  In verse 2 the opposite of what we want, what we need is written.  We want imputed righteousness, not imputed iniquity.

As time goes on in this country, I believe this verse is going to become dear and crucial to many Christians.   I believe we are heading into terrible times in America - many of the terrible events will probably take place before the Rapture.  So we will see them and have to live through them.  Then we must know that God is our hiding place. 

Lord, as for me and my house - let us have such trust and faith in You that mercy surrounds us all the days of our lives.   Amen

Blessing for the Lord should be ever in my heart, thoughts, and on my lips.  Likewise, praise shall always be in my mouth.   This is how every thought and action becomes right in God's eyes.    Psalm 19:14   

I read this as my own pride.  Most of everything else in these verses are about others.  But pride is my own problem - an enemy that (except for the Lord's help), I can't escape from. 

Trust and faith are almost interchangable to a Christian.  And we see over and over again in His Word that faith is linked to doing good - or good works.     Ephesians 2:10    

When you delight in God's way and emerse yourself in Him,  then it is easy for Him to give you the desires of your heart - because those desires are going to match His.     Isaiah 58:14