Post by alon on Apr 11, 2018 22:01:31 GMT -8
From Mark:
Next week’s reading schedule:
Date of reading: 21 April 2018/6 Iyyar 5778
Name of Par’shah: Tazria (She conceives)
Par’shah: Vayikra 12:1-13:59
Haftara: M’lakhim Bet 4:42-5:19
Brit Chadashah: Mattityahu 8:1-4, 11:2-6; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 2:22-24, 5:12-16, 7:18-23
This week’s readings:
Date of reading: 14 April 2018/29 Nisan 5778
Name of Par’shah: Sh,mini (Eighth)
Par’shah: Vayikra 9:1-11:47
Haftara: Sh’mu’el Bet 6:1-7:17
Brit Chadashah: Mark 7:1-23; Acts 5:1-11, 10:1-35; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 2:11-16; 1 Kefa 1:14-16
D’rash: In the last part of the previous par’shah Aharon and his sons were to stay at the entrance of the Mishkan for seven days. The number seven, in relation to scripture, denotes spiritual perfection, or in this situation it can mean completion. Thus, seven days were required to complete their consecration to G-d as priests in His service (Leviticus 8:33). On the eighth day the sin and burnt offerings were performed, first on behalf of Aharon and then for the community (Leviticus 9:6-7). Note that the order of the offerings instructs us of an important concept in the ways of G-d: The leader should always be blameless before Adonai and his life should demonstrate a higher standard of conduct that will set the example for those who follow him and extend to others beyond who will be observing his manner of life (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Luke 12:48b says, “From him who has been given much, much will be demanded—from someone to whom people entrust much, they ask still more.” Since the priest and Levites were to be the representatives for the people regarding the sacrifices and instruction of
, their lives would be held to a higher standard of conduct (Mal’akhi 2:6-7).
In Leviticus 10:1-2 a breach of priestly duties committed by Nadav and Abihu regarding the incense offering cost them their lives, and that in a most dramatic way, being consumed by fire from Adonai. To the modern eye this may seem harsh, but recall that in the days of Moshe and that first generation that came out of Egypt, Adonai’s power and presence were manifested to them in awesome ways: through the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Sea of Suf, the destruction of the Egyptian army, the provision of water, manna, and quail in the desert, the physical manifestation of Adonai’s presence in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, the giving of the at Mount Sinai (Isaiah 42:21), and most recently, the fire of Adonai consuming the offerings right after Aharon’s and his sons’ consecration (Leviticus 9:22-24). And with such great signs and wonders as these will also come fearsome judgements on sin.
Ya’akov 3:1 in the Brit Chadashah warns, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely.” With the first generation that came out of Egypt, Adonai showed much patience and grace towards their murmurings and complaints before pronouncing their forty-year punishment of wanderings in the desert. But with Moshe, G-d was stricter. His first episode of anger occurred when he threw down and broke the tablets of the Covenant in the golden calf incident. His second, when striking the rock to bring forth water for the people,when Adonai commanded him to speak to the rock (Numbers 20:7-11). Either way, he was punished for disregarding the holiness of Adonai before the people and was prevented from entering the Promised Land. With what Moshe had to deal with along with the fact that his sister Miryiam had just recently passed away (Numbers 20:1), one can express compassion and understanding for him becoming angry. But that did not negate G-d’s expectations of him and the punishment he received. In recounting Israel’s early history, Psalm 106:32-33 expresses a similar understanding saying, “They angered him at the M’rivah Spring, and Moshe suffered on their account; for when they embittered his spirit, [Moshe] spoke up without thinking.”
Contrary to what is generally believed today regarding the Brit Chadashah, grace does not nullify G-d’s expectations to walk in reverence and holiness before Him. After Yeshua’s ascension to heaven, His talmidim preached with boldness and performed similar miracles as He had (Acts 2:43, 4:33, 5:12a). In Acts 5:1-12, Hananyah and Shappirah his wife sold property they owned, held back part of the amount, and presented the rest to the emissaries as if it were the full amount. Kefa called Hananyah on his deception and he immediately fell down dead and was carried away. Around three hours later his wife came, unaware of her husband’s fate and Kefa presented her with the same question regarding the sale amount. Essentially, he was giving her the chance to speak honestly but she, too, continued in the same deception and suffered the same fate as her husband. As a result, great fear came upon the Messianic Community. If this happened today, how many people would seriously consider their ways before joining the sect of the Nazarenes? In Kefa’s first letter to the believers, he gives them the same commandment that previous generations followed: “You shall be holy because I [Adonai] am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2).
In spiritual leadership today, any lapse in judgement, responsibility, or action may not receive the intensity of punishment as it did in the time of Moshe or the first century Messianic Community, but the consequences can nevertheless still be felt. We who are older may remember some years before the televised preachers and evangelists who lapsed into serious sin, particularly adultery, and because of the resulting public exposure, never regained the stature they once had. Proverbs 6:33 summarizes it well: “He will get nothing but blows and contempt, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.” Though grace does forgive (Sh’mu’el Bet 12:13b), the question to ask is how deep and thorough was the repentance of these leaders? Was it genuine as was with King David or the prodigal son? (Sh’mu’el Bet 12:13a; Psalm 51:1-19; Luke 15:17-20).
Even today, whether leaders or followers, how many bibles remain barely touched, its treasures waiting to be discovered and the power to be experienced through the journey of obedience, sacrifice and a life of holiness before G-d, and to be a true light to the world? The responsibilities are great but so would be His presence and shalom in our lives.
References: Our Rabbi S.C., Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger, Kregel Publications, 196; Scripture references taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stearn,
MRD
Next week’s reading schedule:
Date of reading: 21 April 2018/6 Iyyar 5778
Name of Par’shah: Tazria (She conceives)
Par’shah: Vayikra 12:1-13:59
Haftara: M’lakhim Bet 4:42-5:19
Brit Chadashah: Mattityahu 8:1-4, 11:2-6; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 2:22-24, 5:12-16, 7:18-23
This week’s readings:
Date of reading: 14 April 2018/29 Nisan 5778
Name of Par’shah: Sh,mini (Eighth)
Par’shah: Vayikra 9:1-11:47
Haftara: Sh’mu’el Bet 6:1-7:17
Brit Chadashah: Mark 7:1-23; Acts 5:1-11, 10:1-35; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 2:11-16; 1 Kefa 1:14-16
D’rash: In the last part of the previous par’shah Aharon and his sons were to stay at the entrance of the Mishkan for seven days. The number seven, in relation to scripture, denotes spiritual perfection, or in this situation it can mean completion. Thus, seven days were required to complete their consecration to G-d as priests in His service (Leviticus 8:33). On the eighth day the sin and burnt offerings were performed, first on behalf of Aharon and then for the community (Leviticus 9:6-7). Note that the order of the offerings instructs us of an important concept in the ways of G-d: The leader should always be blameless before Adonai and his life should demonstrate a higher standard of conduct that will set the example for those who follow him and extend to others beyond who will be observing his manner of life (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Luke 12:48b says, “From him who has been given much, much will be demanded—from someone to whom people entrust much, they ask still more.” Since the priest and Levites were to be the representatives for the people regarding the sacrifices and instruction of
, their lives would be held to a higher standard of conduct (Mal’akhi 2:6-7).In Leviticus 10:1-2 a breach of priestly duties committed by Nadav and Abihu regarding the incense offering cost them their lives, and that in a most dramatic way, being consumed by fire from Adonai. To the modern eye this may seem harsh, but recall that in the days of Moshe and that first generation that came out of Egypt, Adonai’s power and presence were manifested to them in awesome ways: through the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Sea of Suf, the destruction of the Egyptian army, the provision of water, manna, and quail in the desert, the physical manifestation of Adonai’s presence in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, the giving of the
at Mount Sinai (Isaiah 42:21), and most recently, the fire of Adonai consuming the offerings right after Aharon’s and his sons’ consecration (Leviticus 9:22-24). And with such great signs and wonders as these will also come fearsome judgements on sin.Ya’akov 3:1 in the Brit Chadashah warns, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely.” With the first generation that came out of Egypt, Adonai showed much patience and grace towards their murmurings and complaints before pronouncing their forty-year punishment of wanderings in the desert. But with Moshe, G-d was stricter. His first episode of anger occurred when he threw down and broke the tablets of the Covenant in the golden calf incident. His second, when striking the rock to bring forth water for the people,when Adonai commanded him to speak to the rock (Numbers 20:7-11). Either way, he was punished for disregarding the holiness of Adonai before the people and was prevented from entering the Promised Land. With what Moshe had to deal with along with the fact that his sister Miryiam had just recently passed away (Numbers 20:1), one can express compassion and understanding for him becoming angry. But that did not negate G-d’s expectations of him and the punishment he received. In recounting Israel’s early history, Psalm 106:32-33 expresses a similar understanding saying, “They angered him at the M’rivah Spring, and Moshe suffered on their account; for when they embittered his spirit, [Moshe] spoke up without thinking.”
Contrary to what is generally believed today regarding the Brit Chadashah, grace does not nullify G-d’s expectations to walk in reverence and holiness before Him. After Yeshua’s ascension to heaven, His talmidim preached with boldness and performed similar miracles as He had (Acts 2:43, 4:33, 5:12a). In Acts 5:1-12, Hananyah and Shappirah his wife sold property they owned, held back part of the amount, and presented the rest to the emissaries as if it were the full amount. Kefa called Hananyah on his deception and he immediately fell down dead and was carried away. Around three hours later his wife came, unaware of her husband’s fate and Kefa presented her with the same question regarding the sale amount. Essentially, he was giving her the chance to speak honestly but she, too, continued in the same deception and suffered the same fate as her husband. As a result, great fear came upon the Messianic Community. If this happened today, how many people would seriously consider their ways before joining the sect of the Nazarenes? In Kefa’s first letter to the believers, he gives them the same
commandment that previous generations followed: “You shall be holy because I [Adonai] am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2).In spiritual leadership today, any lapse in judgement, responsibility, or action may not receive the intensity of punishment as it did in the time of Moshe or the first century Messianic Community, but the consequences can nevertheless still be felt. We who are older may remember some years before the televised preachers and evangelists who lapsed into serious sin, particularly adultery, and because of the resulting public exposure, never regained the stature they once had. Proverbs 6:33 summarizes it well: “He will get nothing but blows and contempt, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.” Though grace does forgive (Sh’mu’el Bet 12:13b), the question to ask is how deep and thorough was the repentance of these leaders? Was it genuine as was with King David or the prodigal son? (Sh’mu’el Bet 12:13a; Psalm 51:1-19; Luke 15:17-20).
Even today, whether leaders or followers, how many bibles remain barely touched, its treasures waiting to be discovered and the power to be experienced through the journey of obedience, sacrifice and a life of holiness before G-d, and to be a true light to the world? The responsibilities are great but so would be His presence and shalom in our lives.
References: Our Rabbi S.C., Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger, Kregel Publications, 196; Scripture references taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stearn,
MRD
