Acharei “After the Death” - Kedoshim “And You Shall Be Holy”
Leviticus 16:1-20:27
Double Portion
Acharei “After the Death” - Kedoshim “And You Shall Be Holy”
This Scripture Portion begins with the Father speaking to Moses concerning the death of Nadab and Abihu in the incorrect presenting of ‘strange fire’ to Yahweh. While reading this portion I used to wonder why these two priests were singled out and what could they had done differently to have avoided this judgment. I wondered what was going on in Aaron’s head when his two sons were struck down by the Most High and then He goes on to tell his brother Moses to tell Aaron and his sons not to uncover or unbind their heads and basically do not grieve, even though Father allows the assembly to grieve for them. Wow, I always thought this to be a hard thing. But as I study the Scripture and learn more concerning the Ways of our Father it makes me understand that there is a right way and a wrong way to approach our Father, as He IS Most Set Apart and we should remember that always.
Since this incident occurred in the 10th chapter of Leviticus it may seem questionable to why Father spoke of it again in the 16th chapter. I don’t know the time lapse between these two events, but it is clear that Father is trying to relay a very important message and that point is that we are to be holy as He is Holy and He expects us to pursue this and in pursuing holiness we will prevent similar occurrences. Reading back through the 10th chapter I noticed that Father spoke directly to Aaron alone after Moses brought the message not to leave the temple duty for the death of his sons. Father gave him further instructions on how they are to approach Him so that they would not perish.
But this is portion is very important as it relates an incident that happened earlier and thus makes a bridge to being holy and set apart from other nations and their traditions and customs. Father wanted to make it real clear concerning the differences between holy and profane and how were are to live in conjunction with Him first, and then our community. As the Scripture portion continues Father tells us not to have sexual relations with family members and to honor and esteem our parents. He tells us again to guard His Sabbath and continues to talk about not stealing from our neighbors and to leave our neighbor’s wife alone. This reminds me of a homeowners association; you have very specific rules and guidelines on how to live in a community and to respect the boundaries of relationships, so everyone in that community will feel safe and secure. Also as you can see He is basically reiterating the Ten Commandments as the guidelines for holy living. As He continues He speaks of the prohibition of pagan rituals to other gods (I challenge you to look up the ritual sacrifices offered the god molek) along with bestiality, homosexuality and again as last week intimacy with a women during her time of separation. Most of these mentioned above are still considered disparities in our society, but some are accepted…food for thought….I think that it is very interesting that some feel comfortable in the acceptance of homosexuality but would cringe at the thought of a man or women having intimacy with an animal.
Finally, it was very appropriate for Him to begin with the bad incident as it reminded them of how Set Apart He Is, and that He is to be approached on His terms and finally that He Is Esteemed above all others. It’s like telling a person that if they walk on the side walk they will not get hit by a car and then someone else telling that same person that if they walk on the side walk they will not get hit by a car like Mr. Fred up the street, the second one carries more weight because of the use of a prior incident. Father also tells us through this portion that if we would respect others as we want to be respected we would not steal from, murder, covet, or take liberties that do not belong to us concerning our neighbors and this would make us feel safe and secure. Messiah Yahshuah in Luke 16 talks about the issue of being deceptive and gives analogies concerning us being in right relationship with others he discusses the ‘good Samaritan,’ the evil worker who cheats others to gain a good name to his master,” Then He speaks of Elazar (Lazarus) and the rich man and how the rich man ends up in eternal torment and Elazar (Lazarus) is in the bosom of Abraham and the rich man begs to have Elazar go back and speak to his brothers who are still living, but Messiah says something very profound here and I hope that you catch this:
Abraham says to the rich man in verses 29-31 ‘They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them (The Laws of God). And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they shall repent. But he (Abraham) said to him (the rich man), ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets (the Laws of God), neither would they be persuaded even if one should rise from the dead.’ ”
Now I ask you…Who rose from the dead? If you won't listen to the teachings and Instructions of God, you won't listen to Jesus either. Because He Is the incarnate Word of God made flesh to condemn the sin in the flesh..He came to teach us clean living, don't be fooled by the false teachings. 1 Corinthians 3:11 says, "For no one is able to lay any other foundation except that which is laid, which is Yashuah (Jesus) Messiah." Messiah is the Word in its totality; no one can take away from that.
We are kingdom people and our thoughts should be of the kingdom and how we are to maintain a lifestyle set apart to the One, True and Living God of the universe. Let’s not take the word and report of this society, but let us accept the homeownership of the kingdom of Israel, so when our King comes to reign over us He will be pleased and will be Esteemed greatly to the nations.
Blessings and Shalom.
Double Portion
Acharei “After the Death” - Kedoshim “And You Shall Be Holy”
This Scripture Portion begins with the Father speaking to Moses concerning the death of Nadab and Abihu in the incorrect presenting of ‘strange fire’ to Yahweh. While reading this portion I used to wonder why these two priests were singled out and what could they had done differently to have avoided this judgment. I wondered what was going on in Aaron’s head when his two sons were struck down by the Most High and then He goes on to tell his brother Moses to tell Aaron and his sons not to uncover or unbind their heads and basically do not grieve, even though Father allows the assembly to grieve for them. Wow, I always thought this to be a hard thing. But as I study the Scripture and learn more concerning the Ways of our Father it makes me understand that there is a right way and a wrong way to approach our Father, as He IS Most Set Apart and we should remember that always.
Since this incident occurred in the 10th chapter of Leviticus it may seem questionable to why Father spoke of it again in the 16th chapter. I don’t know the time lapse between these two events, but it is clear that Father is trying to relay a very important message and that point is that we are to be holy as He is Holy and He expects us to pursue this and in pursuing holiness we will prevent similar occurrences. Reading back through the 10th chapter I noticed that Father spoke directly to Aaron alone after Moses brought the message not to leave the temple duty for the death of his sons. Father gave him further instructions on how they are to approach Him so that they would not perish.
But this is portion is very important as it relates an incident that happened earlier and thus makes a bridge to being holy and set apart from other nations and their traditions and customs. Father wanted to make it real clear concerning the differences between holy and profane and how were are to live in conjunction with Him first, and then our community. As the Scripture portion continues Father tells us not to have sexual relations with family members and to honor and esteem our parents. He tells us again to guard His Sabbath and continues to talk about not stealing from our neighbors and to leave our neighbor’s wife alone. This reminds me of a homeowners association; you have very specific rules and guidelines on how to live in a community and to respect the boundaries of relationships, so everyone in that community will feel safe and secure. Also as you can see He is basically reiterating the Ten Commandments as the guidelines for holy living. As He continues He speaks of the prohibition of pagan rituals to other gods (I challenge you to look up the ritual sacrifices offered the god molek) along with bestiality, homosexuality and again as last week intimacy with a women during her time of separation. Most of these mentioned above are still considered disparities in our society, but some are accepted…food for thought….I think that it is very interesting that some feel comfortable in the acceptance of homosexuality but would cringe at the thought of a man or women having intimacy with an animal.
Finally, it was very appropriate for Him to begin with the bad incident as it reminded them of how Set Apart He Is, and that He is to be approached on His terms and finally that He Is Esteemed above all others. It’s like telling a person that if they walk on the side walk they will not get hit by a car and then someone else telling that same person that if they walk on the side walk they will not get hit by a car like Mr. Fred up the street, the second one carries more weight because of the use of a prior incident. Father also tells us through this portion that if we would respect others as we want to be respected we would not steal from, murder, covet, or take liberties that do not belong to us concerning our neighbors and this would make us feel safe and secure. Messiah Yahshuah in Luke 16 talks about the issue of being deceptive and gives analogies concerning us being in right relationship with others he discusses the ‘good Samaritan,’ the evil worker who cheats others to gain a good name to his master,” Then He speaks of Elazar (Lazarus) and the rich man and how the rich man ends up in eternal torment and Elazar (Lazarus) is in the bosom of Abraham and the rich man begs to have Elazar go back and speak to his brothers who are still living, but Messiah says something very profound here and I hope that you catch this:
Abraham says to the rich man in verses 29-31 ‘They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them (The Laws of God). And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they shall repent. But he (Abraham) said to him (the rich man), ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets (the Laws of God), neither would they be persuaded even if one should rise from the dead.’ ”
Now I ask you…Who rose from the dead? If you won't listen to the teachings and Instructions of God, you won't listen to Jesus either. Because He Is the incarnate Word of God made flesh to condemn the sin in the flesh..He came to teach us clean living, don't be fooled by the false teachings. 1 Corinthians 3:11 says, "For no one is able to lay any other foundation except that which is laid, which is Yashuah (Jesus) Messiah." Messiah is the Word in its totality; no one can take away from that.
We are kingdom people and our thoughts should be of the kingdom and how we are to maintain a lifestyle set apart to the One, True and Living God of the universe. Let’s not take the word and report of this society, but let us accept the homeownership of the kingdom of Israel, so when our King comes to reign over us He will be pleased and will be Esteemed greatly to the nations.
Blessings and Shalom.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ms. Elaine Johnson on
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Blessings and Shalom Rabbi, the insight I received with regard to Nadab and Abihu's death was that Yah so set's apart His own that He would teach us that even the blood of relatives comes second to Him. In telling Aaron 'not to grieve' Yah wasn't being cruel as some would suppose rather, the message is Yah alone, is 'ALL.'
Yah's love and realness if you will, consumes the entirety of the spiritual being He has set apart for His purpose. This consuming fire would teach us that love and devotion to Him supercedes all, even family ties and is rewarded with a eternal, magnificent, holiness. -
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