|
Heshvan 6, 5763 / Oct 12, 2002
Heshvan 3, 5766 /
Nov 5, 2005
Heshvan 3, 5769 /
Nov 1, 2008
Heshvan 1, 5772 /
Oct 29, 2011
Heshvan 1, 5775 /
Oct 25, 2014
Heshvan 1, 5778 /
Oct 21, 2017
Tishrei 29, 5781 /
Oct 17, 2020
Qach et-Aharon
/
Take Aaron
SCRIPTURES (should be read first)
On recent Sabbaths, we have studied
God’s instructions for building the Tabernacle, considered their spiritual
implications for us, and then read of the actual construction according to those
instructions. We have studied God’s instructions for the priesthood and
offerings, considered their spiritual implications for us, and today we read of
the beginnings of the Levitical priestly service.
(V.1) Aaron and his sons must enter a
mikvah (baptistery), don the priestly garments. This signifies being born
again, being one of several situations in a man’s life that can be so called. In
other words, it means dying to a previous life and entering in to a new one, in
this case dedicated to God’s service.
They must be anointed with the special
oil. This signifies that they are to be yielded to the Spirit of God.
They must offer a bull for a sin
offering and a ram for an elevation offering. The priests’ sins must be laid
upon Yeshua, and Yeshua’s righteousness imputed to the priests, before they can
be God’s representatives to the people.
A ram of ordination must then be
offered: the priests must be consecrated to God in their hearing (blood applied
to the ear), their actions (blood applied to the thumb), and their goings (blood
applied to the toe). From the forty loaves that were made (last week’s lesson),
the three kinds of unleavened loaves must be waved before Yahweh, then offered
up as smoke from being burnt upon the altar.
|
(Slide 1)
The High
Priest’s garments containing the Urim and Tummim. |
|
 |
The
Urim v’Tumim
/ Urim and Tummim (oo-REEM and toom-MEEM) was is placed in the fold of
the Breastplate, and used to consult God for answers to major questions. It was
called Urim / Lights, because it would cause letters on the breastplate stones
to light up, and it was called Tumim / Completeness, because the letters would
spell answers to the answers of national importance that the High Priest would
ask of God.
The Torah
gives us all of the instruction we need in order to know how to
behave in personal, in family, and in congregational matters.
How Torah is to be applied in varying situations in life is a
matter of halachic judgment – and God has appointed men
for this task. However, national decisions, such as going to
war, require guidance beyond Torah to know God’s will. This is
where the “Lights and Completeness” in the “Breastplate of
Judgment” came into play to show divine judgment. Such decisions
were neither left to individuals nor to “feelings” attributed to
the Holy Spirit.
As God
established certain offices for the functioning of the
Tabernacle and Temple, there are also certain offices for the
functioning of the synagogue/church – which is a local sanctuary
that is to function as an outreach of the Holy Temple. The
Apostles left us instructions that verify these ancient offices,
but today they are interpreted so differently that they are not
recognizable.
In Titus,
we may see that, from qualified elders, an overseer is to be
appointed. Elders are defined as men over 50 or 60 (depending
upon source). Officers are to be chosen from elders who meet
certain qualifications. An overseer is the one who oversees the
Torah readers, to insure that they read correctly.
Titus 1:4-9 4
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from
God the Father and Messiah Yeshua our Savior. 5 For
this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order
what remains and appoint elders (presbuterous) in
every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man
is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who
believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7
For the overseer (episkopon) must be above
reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered,
not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,
8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible,
just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the
faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that
he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute
those who contradict.
1 Peter
5:1-5 1 Therefore, I exhort the elders (presbuterous)
among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of
Messiah, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be
revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you,
exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily,
according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with
eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those
allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the
flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you
will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You
younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders;
Israel was
given offices of High Priest and King. Major decisions, such as
going to war, were made by the High Priest with the Urim &
Tummim – the King carried out the decision. Ultimately, Yeshua
will be both High Priest and King.
Neither
God nor our country’s constitution established separation of
church and state.
Our
country was established on principles of leadership with godly
integrity, but such that no one denomination could control.
Judeo-Christian values were initially the norm. Catholicism
scarcely tolerated because it was formerly the state persecutor.
Atheism was despised.
(Slide 2)
Leviticus 9:1 &
Ezekiel 43:27 – Hebrew lesson
Bayom hashmini
B’ha-Yom
ha-Shemini
In the day, the eighth.
Bayom hashmini – In the Eighth Day.
Ezekiel 43:27 – In the Eighth Day,
God will accept us: we will offer elevation offerings and peace
offerings – thanksgiving offerings, not sin offerings.
The greatest commandment, Loving Yahweh with all our heart,
includes keeping our appointments with God – Yahweh’s appointed
times, which He declared to be eternal (observed as prophetic
and/or memorial).
Lev 23:2 “Yahweh's appointed
times which you shall proclaim as holy assemblies – My appointed
times are these:” . . . . “So Moses declared to the sons
of Israel the appointed times of Yahweh.”
See
FEASTS
.
(Slide 4)
This shows the “Eighth Day” Appointed Time.
See SABBATH for enlargement
Psalm 75
title: “Al-tashcheit” – Do not destroy.
Psalm 75:2 – “When I select an appointed time, it is I who judge with
equity.”
God has
selected the appointed time for final judgment of sinners. For seven millennial
days atonements must be made. Then is the appointed time for judgment: the
judgment of the righteous for rewards will be 1000 years prior; this is the
judgment of the condemned; there is no “judgment” to determine who is or is not
saved.
Moses is the
representative of Yeshua. We all (believers) are priests. We have seven
millennial days when salvation is available, then there will be judgment for sin
at the beginning of the eternal eighth day.
Hebrews
13:11-12
For the bodies of those animals whose blood is
brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are
burned outside the camp. Therefore Yeshua also, that He might sanctify the
people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
Hebrews
4:14-5:6 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the
heavens, Yeshua the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not
have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has
been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw
near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may
find grace to help in time of need. 5:1 For every high priest taken from among
men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer
both gifts and sacrifices for sins; he can deal gently with the ignorant and
misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; and because of it he is
obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself.
And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God,
even as Aaron was. So also Messiah did not glorify Himself so as to become a
high priest, but He who said to Him, "Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten
Thee"; just as He says also in another passage, "Thou art a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek."
So, Yeshua had
no need to offer sin sacrifices for Himself. But we need to keep this
continually in mind: He is sympathetic toward our weaknesses, and stands daily
to aid us in overcoming sin. We need continual exercise to growing in love for
God and neighbor.
Readings:
"Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King
of the Universe,
Who chose us from among all peoples by
giving us Your Torah.
Blessed are You, Yahweh, giver of the
Torah."
Reader 1*
Amen. 1 Then Yahweh
spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the
garments and the anointing oil and the bull of the sin offering, and the two
rams and the basket of unleavened bread, 3 and assemble all the
congregation at the doorway of the tent of meeting." 4 So Moses did
just as Yahweh commanded him. When the congregation was assembled at the doorway
of the tent of meeting, 5 Moses said to the congregation, "This is
the thing which Yahweh has commanded to do."
Reader 2*
Amen. 6 Then Moses had
Aaron and his sons come near and washed them with water.
7 He put the tunic on him and girded him with the sash, and clothed
him with the robe and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the artistic
band of the ephod, with which he tied it to him. 8 He then placed the
breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and Thummim. 9 He also placed the turban on his head, and on the turban, at its front,
he placed the golden plate, the holy crown, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
10 Moses then took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and
all that was in it, and consecrated them. 11 He sprinkled some of it
on the altar seven times and anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the
basin and its stand, to consecrate them. 12 Then he poured some of
the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him, to consecrate him.
Reader 3*
Amen. 13 Next Moses had
Aaron's sons come near and clothed them with tunics, and girded them with sashes
and bound caps on them, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses. 14 Then
he brought the bull of the sin offering, and
Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering.
15 Next Moses slaughtered it and took the blood and with his finger
put some of it around on the horns of the altar, and purified the altar. Then he
poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it, to
make atonement for it. 16 He also took all the fat that was on the
entrails and the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat; and Moses
offered it up in smoke on the altar. 17 But the bull and its hide and
its flesh and its refuse he burned in the fire outside the camp, just as Yahweh
had commanded Moses.
Reader 4*
Amen. 18 Then he
presented the ram of the elevation offering, and
Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 19 Moses
slaughtered it and sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 20 When
he had cut the ram into its pieces, Moses offered up the head and the pieces and
the suet in smoke. 21 After he had washed the entrails and the legs
with water, Moses offered up the whole ram in smoke on the altar. It was an
elevation offering for a soothing aroma; it was an offering by fire to Yahweh,
just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
Reader 5*
Amen. 22 Then he
presented the second ram, the ram of ordination,
and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23
Moses slaughtered it and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of
Aaron's right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his
right foot. 24 He also had Aaron's sons come near; and Moses put some
of the blood on the lobe of their right ear, and on the thumb of their right
hand and on the big toe of their right foot. Moses then sprinkled the rest of
the blood around on the altar. 25 He took the fat, and the fat tail,
and all the fat that was on the entrails, and the lobe of the liver and the two
kidneys and their fat and the right thigh.
Reader 6*
Amen. 26 From the
basket of unleavened bread that was before
Yahweh, he took one unleavened cake and one cake of bread mixed with oil and one
wafer, and placed them on the portions of fat and on the right thigh. 27
He then put all these on the hands of Aaron and on the hands of his sons and
presented them as a wave offering before Yahweh. 28 Then Moses took
them from their hands and offered them up in smoke on the altar with the
elevation offering. They were an ordination offering for a soothing aroma; it
was an offering by fire to Yahweh. 29 Moses also took the breast and
presented it for a wave offering before Yahweh; it was Moses' portion of the ram
of ordination, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
Reader 7*
Amen. 30 So Moses took
some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar and
sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his
sons with him; and he consecrated Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and the
garments of his sons with him. 31 Then Moses said to Aaron and to his
sons, "Boil the flesh at the doorway of the tent of meeting, and eat it there
together with the bread which is in the basket of the ordination offering, just
as I commanded, saying, 'Aaron and his sons shall eat it.' 32 "The
remainder of the flesh and of the bread you shall burn in the fire. 33
"You shall not go outside the doorway of the tent of meeting for seven days,
until the day that the period of your ordination is fulfilled; for he will
ordain you through seven days. 34 "Yahweh has commanded to do as has
been done this day, to make atonement on your behalf. 35 "At the
doorway of the tent of meeting, moreover, you shall
remain day and night for seven days and keep the charge of Yahweh, so
that you will not die, for so I have been commanded." 36 Thus Aaron
and his sons did all the things which Yahweh had commanded through Moses.
"Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King
of the Universe,
Who in giving us Yeshua, the Living
Torah, has planted everlasting life in our midst.
Blessed are You, Yahweh, giver of the
Torah."
_____________________________________
"Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King
of the Universe,
Who selected good prophets, delighting
in their words which were spoken truthfully.
Blessed are You, Yahweh, Who chose the
Torah, Your servant Moses, Your people Israel,
and the prophets of truth and
righteousness."
Ezekiel
43:27
Reader 8*
Amen.
27
“And when they have
completed the days, it shall be that on the eighth day and onward, the priests
shall offer your elevation offerings on the altar, and your peace offerings; and
I will accept you,” declares Yahweh God.
Psalm 75
(To be sung.) For
the choir director; set to Al-tashcheit. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.
We give thanks to You, O God, we give
thanks, for Your name is near; men declare Your wondrous works. 2 "When
I select an appointed time, it is I who judge with equity. 3
The earth and all who dwell in it melt; it is I who have firmly set its pillars.
Selah. 4 I said to the boastful, 'Do not boast,' and to the wicked,
'Do not lift up the horn; 5 do not lift up your horn on high, do not
speak with insolent pride.'" 6 For not from the east, nor from the
west, nor from the desert comes exaltation; 7 but God is the Judge;
He puts down one and exalts another. 8 For a cup is in the hand of
Yahweh, and the wine foams; it is well mixed, and He pours out of this; surely
all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs. 9
But as for me, I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of
Jacob. 10 And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off, but the
horns of the righteous will be lifted up.
Revelation
20:1-15
Reader 9*
Amen. 1 Then I saw an
angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in
his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who
is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he
threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would
not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed;
after these things he must be released for a short time. 4 Then I saw
thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the
souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Yeshua and
because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his
image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and
they came to life and reigned with Messiah for a thousand years. 5
The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were
completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the
one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no
power, but they will be priests of God and of Messiah and will reign with Him
for a thousand years.
Reader 10*
Amen. 7 When the thousand
years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and
will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth,
Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like
the sand of the seashore. 9 And they came up on the broad plain of
the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire
came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil who
deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast
and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever
and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it,
from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the
throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of
life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books,
according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were
in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were
judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and
Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of
fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of
life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
"Blessed are You, Yahweh
our God, King of the Universe,
Rock of Ages, righteous
throughout all generations.
You are the faithful God,
promising and then performing, speaking and then fulfilling,
for all Your words are true
and righteous.
Faithful are You, Yahweh
our God, and faithful are Your words,
for no word of Yours shall
remain unfulfilled;
You are a faithful and
merciful God and King.
Blessed are You, Yahweh our
God, Who are faithful in fulfilling all Your words."
|