Tzav (Command) Leviticus 6
Torah Portion: Tzav (Command) Leviticus 6:8-8:36
HafTorah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-23
This week we read what could be called the priestly manual concerning the sacrifices. It starts with the word Tzav or command. Usually when G-d wanted Moses to communicate something to the people or priests He would tell Moses to “speak” or “tell.” But here He says “command.” Why? Was He worried they would forget or do something other than what He had told them? This Hebrew word carries with it the urgency of the moment but also to be consistent over time. It would be easy to do things G-d’s way when things were new and fresh, not so much as time went on. Here in lies our lesson as priests. Consistency. Our lives should show that same consistency, that same hunger as the first days. If what we have received from G-d is important we must live like it and carry on doing it until we are gathered together with Him. That thought is carried on with the first “how to” command of the burnt offering. What was unique about this? It indicated a complete sold out-ness to G-d. Everything was consumed on the altar and it was kept on the altar 24/7, even on the Sabbath. Here it is a physical picture of a spiritual reality. We are to live each day burned up for G-d, so to speak, especially as priests.
Messiah in the Five Sacrifices – Vayikra (And He Called)
Torah Portion: Vayikra (And He Called) Leviticus 1:1-6:7
HafTorah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
G-d’s presence had moved from the mountain to the Tent of Meeting and called to Moses from the Tent. This is the third time we see G-d calling to Moses. The first time at the bush, G-d says Moses, Moses. -Exodus 3:4. Here he called Jacob twice Genesis 46:2, and here he called Samuel twice 1 Samuel 3:10. In the New Testament Acts 9:4 we see Yeshua use this same pattern with Shaul. Usually when a name is repeated like this in scripture it is a sign of special affection.
Korach Numbers 16:1
Weekly Torah Section: Korach Numbers 16:1-18:32, HafTorah: I Samuel 11:14-12:22
Tonight I want us to mainly look at the Torah portion, but I do have a few things to say about the Haftorah. In I Samuel we see the greatest of Israel’s judges turning over the nation to their first king – King Saul. What connection do you see between Samuel and the Torah section in Numbers. There are at least two things. Both contain a miraculous sign. In Numbers the earth opens and swallows up 250 people. In Samuel a fierce thunderstorm occurs. Why is the thunderstorm a miraculous sign? When does this thunderstorm occur – during the wheat harvest. So what time of year was that? Near the holiday of Shavuot, which means it was the time of year when rain does not fall in Israel. The other connection was both Moses and Samuel said they had taken nothing from the people. (Numbers 16:15 and I Samuel 12:3)
Bamidbar (In the Desert) and Shavuot
Weekly Torah Section: Bamidbar (In the Desert) Numbers 1:1-4:20, HafTorah: Hosea 2:1-22
Shavuot (Pentecost) Leviticus 23:9-22
Shavuot starts 49 days after Passover at the end of the counting of the Omer. It is known as the time of G-d giving the Torah. And if you look at Exodus you can count the days from Passover until the Mt. Sinai experience and come to this conclusion as well. I want us to take a minute and look at this holiday since some may not be familiar with it. It begins this coming Tuesday evening, May 18th. It is the second of the pilgrimage holidays coming between Passover and Succoth. In Deut. we read a good account of the agricultural background to the holiday of Shavuot. What does it mean to us and can we make some spiritual applications to our lives?
Vayikra (He Called)
Weekly Torah Section: Vayikra (He Called) Leviticus 1:1-6:7, Haftorah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
I would like to begin with the Haftorah reading in Isaiah 43. My question is, why was Israel formed and likewise, by adoption, why were we created? We were created to praise G-d. How do we do that? By living our lives in total dedication to Him. Here I would like to bring in one Hebrew word from the Torah portion, Korban. We will talk more about it later but when you read the Torah in Leviticus this word, or a form of this word appears over and over. So what does it really mean? Usually you think of this word meaning sacrifice but It also means to draw close or draw near. So, to really praise G-d we must draw close to Him. Now back to Isaiah.