Leviticus 22:32: “And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you”
The ‘parsha’ (‘Torah’ portion) this week, ‘Parsha Emor’ (speak), is found in Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 and is the thirty first weekly ‘Torah’ portion in the annual Jewish cycle of ‘Torah’ reading; the corresponding ‘haftorah’ (reading of the prophets) is found in Ezekiel 44:15-31.
‘Parsha Emor’ provides purity rules for priests, recounts the holy days, provides for lights and bread in the sanctuary, and tells the story of a blasphemer and his punishment.
‘Haftorah Emor’ discusses various laws that pertain to the ‘kohanim’ (priests), a topic also discussed at length in the first part of the week's ‘Torah’ portion.
Ezekiel prophesies about the service of the ‘kohanim’ in the Third Holy Temple which will be rebuilt after the Final Redemption. The prophet describes their priestly vestments, their personal care, whom they may and may not marry, and their special purity requirements which preclude them from coming in contact with a corpse, unless it is a next of kin.
He also expounds on their calling as teachers and spiritual leaders.
The prophet conveys G-d’s word: “You shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.” The ‘kohanim’ do not receive a portion in the Land of Israel, instead they partake of the sacrifices as well as various tithes.
Leviticus 22:20-21 declares: “Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf. And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, to fulfill his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.”
Our ‘parsha’ this week focuses on “Are our offerings acceptable to G-d”?
The ‘Torah’ reveals precisely what is and what is not acceptable to G-d. In the book of Amos, we see that ‘Torah’ is the plumb-line that comes from above, revealing the mind of G-d on many varying issues, including the sacrifices.
Throughout the ‘Torah’, the priests were instructed about the sacrifices and rituals that, if carried out exactly according to the revealed prescriptions, would ensure the on-going Divine Presence in their midst.
G-d gives us specific instructions of what He likes and dislikes so that we can come close to Him without displeasing Him - Leviticus 22:32: “And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you”.
What we offer to the L-rd shows what we think of Him, however there is an addendum attached to this: we can bring the exact prescribed sacrifices, but if the inner attitude is wrong, then the offering is flawed - Jeremiah 6:20: “Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.”
The outer actions are easier but it is the inner conviction that counts; and the two must be in synch. We must continually be reminded that the primary emphasis throughout the book of Leviticus has to do with holiness.
Holiness is an inner condition of the heart which is expressed through what we say and do. G-d sees the outer deeds, but His focus is on the condition of our heart - Jeremiah 17:10: “I, the LORD, search the heart; I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
Whatever we do and say must be with the full conviction of the heart and as ‘unto the L-rd’. Our offerings reveal the level of our commitment to G-d. When we offer them perfectly with the correct heart attitude, then we sanctify, bring honour to, and show respect for Almighty G-d.
Our offerings show what we think of our Heavenly Father. He tells us in His ‘Torah’ what He likes and dislikes; what is acceptable and what is abhorrent to Him so that we can consciously determine to offer Him the best because He is worthy “to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing” (Revelations 5:12).
We need to step back from the immediacy of our own lives and needs, and see from a heavenly perspective. This is not about you or me; it is not about our level of spirituality or us becoming more holy than another. It is about our heart attitude to be holy and blameless before almighty G-d.
In ‘Parsha Emor’, we see what happens to a man who blasphemes G-d; he is stoned to death according to G-d’s command, and no mercy is shown to him.
In last week’s ‘parsha’, we saw that G-d has an expectation of people – both Jews and Gentiles to live blameless and holy lives before Him, and this can only happen through the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua.
Scripture records that the holy and blameless Jewish Messiah, Yeshua, became the perfect sacrifice when He died on the cross, shedding every last drop of His blood, thus taking our sins upon Himself, guaranteeing all who believe in His death and resurrection, and who invite Him to become Lord of their lives, forgiveness of sin – thus enabling us to be holy and blameless – as well as atonement for their soul and eternal life in heaven – John 3:14-17: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Yeshua shed every last drop of His blood to usher in the New Covenant that would ultimately result in the redemption of mankind. In other words, the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua, became the ultimate scapegoat and the ultimate sacrifice for mankind - both Jews and Gentiles.
Only by accepting Yeshua and G-d’s gift of salvation can your sins be forgiven you and eternal life in heaven be granted to you. The alternative is eternal separation from G-d and G-d’s judgment…and you don’t want this.
Will you accept G-d’s gift of the forgiveness of sin, salvation and everlasting life in heaven? All you need to do is confess your sins, repent of them and ask Yeshua to come into your life as your L-rd and Saviour; and you can do this by praying the Prayer of Salvation found at the end of this article.
By believing in and following Yeshua, not only will you have the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in heaven, but you will be able to live lives that are holy and blameless before Almighty G-d.
We love you.
Shalom.
Scripture of the week: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
SALVATION PRAYER
Thank you Yeshua for Your love for me.
Thank you for giving up Your life on the cross for me and for taking my sins upon Yourself.
I confess that I have sinned.
I repent of my sins and I turn from everything I know to be wrong.
I invite You to come into my life as my Messiah, my Saviour.
By Your grace I will serve You all the remaining years of my life.