by Rod Thomas | Jul 8, 2023 | Blog, Podcasts
Greetings beloved of Yehovah on this steamy, but beautiful Sabbath here in the DFW.
This week’s Torah Reading is the 91st Reading of the 3-year reading cycle. It is contained in the 21st Chapter of the Book of Leviticus and entails the exclusive and exceeding righteous requirements for becoming and existing as a Levitical Priest of Yehovah.
As we did last Shabbat, we dug into our archives and are bringing to you this week a teaching I did on this reading about 3 years ago entitled “Living the Life of a Priest of God.”
I think the content of this teaching and of this reading, despite there being no actively operating Levitical Priesthood, is very much relevant and applicable today. This so-called woke and inclusive society zeitgeist that seems to have captured the hearts and imaginations of both liberal and conservative souls alike, has served to erase from the minds and hearts of society the cruciality of holiness, righteousness, and obedience to a moral people.
The inception of the Levitical Priesthood was that it would be an exceedingly righteous intermediary/intercessory entity between the Creator of the Universe and His set-apart people. Consequently, in order for this entity to properly fulfill its intermediary/intercessory role, the order had to be holy in every facet of its being, just as Yehovah is holy. There was to be no compromise.
As is the case with almost every aspect of Torah, the Levitical Priesthood serves as an example of the exceeding righteousness that our Master Yahoshua Messiah is requiring of His disciples in order for them to serve Him and His coming Kingdom. Being Kingdom-minded and bound, we as Yah’s chosen ones are destined to be a Kingdom of Priests (Revelation 1:6; 5:10). Contrary to the thinking of most, however, our training to fill that role in Yah’s coming Kingdom begins NOW! And what better time than in the here and now to study and learn of the exacting and exceeding righteous requirements of being a set-apart priest of the Holy One of Yisra’el?
So, I pray that this replay of my teaching on this Torah Portion will not only bless you but equip us all to assume our destiny in the Malchut Elohim.
Until next time beloved, may you be most blessed fellow saints in training. Shabbat Shalom!
by Rod Thomas | Jul 1, 2023 | Blog, Podcasts
Shabbat Shalom
Greetings beloved, on this glorious set-apart day from the DFW. My sincerest hope, trust, and prayer is that this reboot of Torah Reading 90 will be a tremendous blessing to you in these troublesome times were living.
This Week’s Reading as a Reboot
This week’s reading is contained in Leviticus/Vayiqra 19:1-20:27.
I posted a teaching on this reading back in 2019. I entitled it “Being Holy in the Midst of an Evil and Adulterous Generation.” And as I considered whether I should write and post a fresh blog on this reading, I felt led to go ahead and repurpose this discussion.
Are We Living in the End Times?
I fervently believe that as we progress into what I believe to be the End Times, these Readings are indeed for such a time as these.
This reading is extremely pertinent to any with a heart, mind, and soul that is even remotely interested in walking in the Creator’s instructions in righteousness. Why?
Picking-up Where the Church Dropped the Ball
The Church Triumphant has miserably failed in her Messiah-given mandate to make disciples of every nation and people on this planet. In so doing, she was commanded to teach the nations what Yahoshua taught them through His set-apart apostles. To be a perpetual resource and reference for righteous living and to herald the coming Malchut Elohim (Matthew 28:19-20).
The Scourge of Woke Ideology
Today, the moral compass by which most of the Bible-influenced nations of the world once lived has been replaced by today’s abominable “woke” ideology. Sadly, that which Yah established as good is overwhelmingly accepted as bad or evil. And that which Yah established as bad or evil is now accepted by many as good (Isaiah 5:20). Thus, I fear that the Western world has irreversibly crossed the Rubicon, leaving behind true “wokeness” that comes only through Yehovah’s eternal words of truth and righteousness.
Yeshua’s Mandate to His Disciples
Master proclaimed that we, His disciples, are intended to be salt and light to this sick and dying world (Matthew 5:13-16). And so, as we learn of Yah and His ways each week through our reading and study of His instructions in righteousness and walk out these instructions in Spirit and in Truth as He modeled and taught us, we actively do that which the Church has so miserably failed to do.
Beloved, we don’t have to become renowned expositors and preachers of Yah’s Word in order to fulfill the Master’s Gospel mandate for His set-apart ones unless Yah has selected us to do so. For most of us, we are simply called to live/walk in the Faith that He has called us to (Habakkuk 2:4) and reflect the love of the Creator and His Son to all who come into our sphere of influence. More so, we are to remain set apart in the midst of this evil and adulterous generation.
Let’s Us Who are Called by Yah’s Name Persist in Being Set-Apart
My intent in rebooting this post for you on this Shabbat is not so much to inform you as I’m certain that those who are drawn to this ministry website are already very much aware of the instructions contained in this reading. Moreover, my reason for this reboot is to encourage us all to, as the world doubles down in walking in their perverse ways, double down in the righteousness that Yah has called His elect ones to walk in. In a nutshell: Be holy as He is holy (Leviticus/Vayiqra 20:7; 1 Peter 1:14-15).
And with that, here is “Being Holy in the Midst of an Evil and Adulterous Generation.”
Shabbat Shalom Beloved.
by Rod Thomas | Jun 24, 2023 | Blog
Greetings from the DFW on this warm but glorious Shabbat. We commenced the 4th month of Yah’s sacred calendar year earlier this week, and we’re trusting in His keeping mercies as we progress throughout the month.
These are my thoughts and reflections on the 89th reading of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle. It is contained in Leviticus 18: 1-30.
It is one of the more direct and to-the-point readings of the Torah, dealing primarily with forbidden marriages and sexual relationships and the worship of Molech.
Almost 3-years this day, I did a teaching on this reading that I believe, if you are so led to read or listen to, will sum up well that which Abba Yah puts forth to us in today’s reading. It is entitled: “Torah’s Forbidden Sexual Relationships.” So, this week, I have been led to put the link to that teaching here for your reference as opposed to my repeating much of that content and reinventing the wheel, so to speak. I trust and pray that you will be blessed by this teaching.
But before I leave you with that post, let me just say that these weekly readings are so pertinent to us, especially today, as “wokeness” attempts to drown out Yah’s eternal words of truth and righteousness.
Although the general themes of this reading fall within the categories of forbidden marriages and sexual relationships and prohibitions against child sacrifice to Molech (shocking that Yah would have to prohibit such a terrible thing, huh), we clearly see the United States today in critical and terrible transgressing of Yah’s commandments regarding these categories.
Yah was concerned for His bride’s wellbeing, having just brought them out of Egypt and now leading them to the promised land of Canaan. Egypt and Canaan were the most morally corrupted, pagan nations in the world at that time. The nation had just come out of Egypt/Mitsrayim, brought with them terrible pagan worship practices that Yah had to purge out of them while positioning them to reject the equally terrible pagan worship practices they would encounter going into taking possession of Canaan. The nation whom He chose to establish a covenant-marriage relationship with, Yisra’el, would not continue in the ways of their former taskmasters, nor would they be permitted to adopt the ways of the Canaanites that He would flush out of the land.
Regarding this, Abba Yah to our ancient cousins: (2) I Am Yehovah your El. (3) After the doings of the land of Egypt/Mitsrayim, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do, and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. (4) [But rather] ye shall do My judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein, [for I AM] Yehovah your El. (5) Ye shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments: which if a man does, he shall live in them: I AM Yehovah (chapter 18; KJV modified).
The world in which our ancient cousins were existing back in the day was rife with paganism that disgusted Yehovah. As His bride, Yah sought to make it abundantly clear that Yisra’el belonged exclusively to Him. And because she belonged exclusively to Him, she was required to keep only His instructions. In so doing, they would be distinguished among the nations of the known world as His set-apart people. They would image and glorify Yehovah before the nations and be a light to the world.
Most people, in particular those who profess faith in the God of Avraham, Yitschaq, and Ya’achov, see the instructions contained in this and other readings as utterly outmoded or antiquated, having absolutely no relevance to them. But these fail to see the overriding point behind these instructions in righteousness. For Yah is separating His children from the peoples of this world by way of how they conduct themselves. The world possesses its own set of statutes and judgments (just as the Egyptians and Canaanites). Unfortunately, the world’s statutes and judgments run contrary to those of Yehovah. But worse, the world’s ways–i.e., their statutes and judgments and ordinances–tend to be abominable to Yehovah. And because Yah’s children are to be holy/perfect as He is, they are compelled to despise the ways of the world. Thus, they walk contrary to the ways of the world. And in their walking contrary to the ways of the world, they glorify and image Yehovah in the world.
Much of the abominable ways of the world, even the world today, with ancient Egypt and Canaan being clear references, are derived from forms of idolatry or pagan worship: Yes, even the prohibited marriages and sexual relationships were linked to idolatry. And because these nations were so steeped in abominable paganism, Yehovah vowed to have them purged from the land.
The United States, once the beacon of hope for the world in terms of her being entrusted, I believe, with the Word of Yehovah just as Yisra’el was, has forfeited her blessing. In every category of evil outlined in our reading here today, she is found guilty and wanting:
Idolatry: Her people worship “wokeness,” climate change; COVID; politics; decadence and entertainment and technology; violence; and so much more.
Sexual Deviance: Her people have embraced wholly the LGBTQ+ agenda, and in so doing, she has engaged herself in abominable idolatrous sexual sins.
Child Sacrifice: Her people are complicit in child trafficking, and through her lust and demand for abortion–killing the unborn–she effectively is deep in the worship of Molech.
I believe that this nation’s days are very much numbered. The United States has become no different than its predecessor Canaan. And thus, she is subject to Yah’s wrath and judgment. We see clear signs of this already:
- Foreign nationals, many of whom are military-age men, coming into this nation at her unprotected borders and melding into the fabric of this nation. What are their ultimate intentions?
- The United States enemies, such as China, are conducting spying operations against her.
- The world’s nations are demanding that she give over her sovereignty to foreign governing bodies.
- Unfettered violence, in particular violence perpetrated by young people, in many of the nation’s liberal cities.
- Young people dropping dead for inexplicable reasons.
- The nation’s food supplies are being purged.
- The average citizen with limited means is being forced into poverty.
- The church triumphant has become all but persona non grata.
- The justice system has become weaponized and made into an unrecognizable two-tiered system, used to target any and all who oppose the idolatrous ways of the nation’s elite.
- And so forth.
Indeed, if it hasn’t started already, judgment is right at this nation’s door.
But we, who are redeemed of Yehovah, have been called, despite the distress that we see occurring all around us, to walk/live by our faith (Habakkuk 2:4). We are not to succumb to and adopt the ways abominable, idolatrous ways of this so-called “woke” world as the emasculated church has done. We must become that light and salt to this sick and dying world that Yeshua our Master has called us to be (Matthew 5:13-14).
May these sobering words incite us to double down in our commitment to the true Faith once delivered. Let us stay informed of the happenings about us, but also, let us always be “Kingdom-focused” and always in search of Yah’s righteousness. May Yah’s Kingdom come and His Will be done, here on earth, as it is in heaven. Maranatha beloved.
Shabbat Shalom, Shavu’tov, and may you be most blessed fellow saints in training. Take care.
by Rod Thomas | Jun 17, 2023 | Blog
Greetings, Beloved of the Most High, on this warm but glorious Sabbath in the DFW. I pray that you, your families, and your fellowships are well and blessed.
This is the 88th parashah or reading of the 3-year reading cycle. It is contained in Leviticus/Vayiqra 17:1-16, with the Haftarah contained in Isaiah/Yesha’Yahu 66:1-11, and Apostolic in John/Yochanan 6:52-59.
From a 30,000-foot vantage point, the Torah Reading that is before us entails the sanctioned worship of Yehovah that is required by His chosen ones. Specifically, our reading has to do with meats which must not have any connection whatsoever to idolatry.
Our reading was addressed to the Cohen Gadol Aaron/Aharon, his sons, and the whole nation of Yisra’el.
At the time that these instructions (aka these mitzvot) were rendered unto the nation, meat consumption was restricted solely to the provisions that were established by Yehovah through the Levitical sacrificial system. (Recall that portions of the sacrificed animals that were rendered as burnt offerings–aka “peace offerings”– were consumed by the offerer and his family, along with the officiating priests.) But beyond these rare occasions when our ancient wandering Hebrew cousins partook of a meal consisting of meat, the nation received her sustenance from Yehovah in the form of manna (Exodus/Shemot 16; Numbers/Bemidbar 11; Deuteronomy 8; Joshua/Yahoshua 5). Any who would slaughter a domesticated animal outside the sacrificial system was subject to Yah’s punishment: Cut-off from his/her people by the Court of Heaven.
With the giving of these instructions, no longer were the people permitted to sacrifice their domesticated animals in open fields. All sacrifices and lawful consumption of meats fell within the domain of the Levitical sacrificial system.
This would be a temporary ordnance that would be reversed when we entered the Land of Promise-Deuteronomy/Devarim 12:15.
Previous to this ruling by Yehovah, however, the people had, apparently as a result of superstitious and pagan religious practice/habit/custom, sacrificed unto and worshiped entities that were germane to that region of the world. Some English translations of our text refer to these entities as “satyrs.”
This sudden, restrictive move by Yehovah to prohibit any and all slaughtering of the nation’s domestic animal stocks served to inhibit the people from delving back to their previous lives of idolatrous-pagan worship (dating back to their years as slaves in Egypt). Yehovah would henceforth and forevermore be the only Being His chosen people would worship. He would no longer tolerate syncretism-fusing worship of Him and the satyrs.
Yah went even a step further by restricting the location of which all sacrifices and meat consumptions were to be offered to the Tent of Meeting/Tabernacle.
Prohibition Against Blood Consumption
Here in our reading, Yehovah, for a third time, prohibits the consumption of blood (occasion #1: 3:17; occasion #2: 7:26), which was an inevitability of those satyr-focused sacrifices and worship practices. In fact, blood consumption in ancient times, and among certain peoples of that region, was part and parcel of their idolatrous lives. Thus, Yah put forth a full-stop to all avenues that would lead or give the people occasion to worship the satyrs and consume animal blood. (I would encourage you to check out H.C. Trumbull’s “The Blood Covenant.” Trumbull details the ancient mindset behind blood consumption, which sadly has permeated the fabric of modern Western spirituality/paganism today.)
All Animal Sacrifices Become the Domain of the Levitical Priesthood
All slaughtering of domesticated animals would henceforth fall to the Levitical priests, who became adept at the humane slaughtering of animals using the methods passed down to them by Yah. This served to prevent any occurrence of the Hebrew consuming the blood of their sacrificed domesticated animals. In time, slaughtering of all meats for consumption fell to the highly skilled “shochetim,” who followed Yah’s precise method for slaughtering animals. In certain orthodox communities throughout the world, even today, the shochetim still operate. Some of us in the Messianic communities are desirous to locate and patronize kosher businesses that employ the services of such skilled individuals, as concern over the integrity of the nations’ meat supply continues to grow.
The Significance of Blood Repurposed by Yehovah
Yehovah reminded the nation that life was in the blood. And thus, the blood of all living creatures held a special purpose, or sacredness, that was not to be tarnished through human consumption. Its uniqueness was reserved for atonement purposes on the Altar, on behalf of the one seeking atonement and peace with Yehovah.
The prohibition against blood consumption was universal in application. It applied to the Hebrew and sojourner alike.
The blood of Yah’s creatures does not belong to man to do with it as he wills, but instead, it belongs to the Giver of life, which Yah declared is in the blood (17:11).
Blood would be the basis of all human atonement, even leading up to the ultimate sacrifice of Yeshua, our Messiah and High Priest.
The writer of Hebrews penned:
Without the shedding of blood is no remission [of sin] (9:22).
It’s always easy to misplace the importance of sacrifices. The primary focus has been and always will be on the blood that is applied to the Altar, not the carcass of the sacrificed/slaughtered animal.
How Were Game Animals Affected?
Game animals–animals hunted for their meat; non-domesticated animals such as dear–could be consumed outside the Levitical sacrificial system. However, the blood of game animals, like the domesticated animals, had to be drained from the carcass of the animal. That drained blood ultimately would have to be buried in the soil. This was done out of respect for the sanctity of the blood that sustained the life of the creature.
Game that died of natural causes or whose death occurred by another creature could be consumed only on the rarest of occasions (the specific occasions are not delineated in our text). However, consuming dead game made the consumer ritually impure (i.e., they would be ineligible to worship at the Tabernacle until such time that they were restored to a ritually pure state). Such was required to mikveh. They would remain in a state of ritual impurity until sundown of that day.
The Centrality of Worship
Here in our reading today, we find Yah establishing a centrality to His worship. (1) An exclusive, central location, that being the Tabernacle. (2) Worship would be overseen exclusively by Yah’s appointed intermediaries, the Levitical priests. And (3) the sacrifices that would be rendered would be accomplished in accordance with Yah’s exacting Way, the blood of the sacrifices being the focus/focal point of worship.
The penalty for transgressing/violating Yah’s established worship system would be “karat.” He or she would be cut off from Yah’s set-apart people. Heaven-derived justice.
This plays in fully with last week’s Torah Reading discussion entitled “Only One Way to God.” With Yehovah, there is only one way to be reconciled unto Him. He established the manner and means by which those who would be His would come to Him. And the spiritual application to be had here is, of course, the ultimate sacrifice of our Master Yeshua being the only manner and means by which one may be saved and reconciled unto Yehovah through a faith-based-obedient covenant relationship with Him.
Haftarah: Isaiah/Yesha’Yahu 66:1-11–The Acceptable Worship of Yah
In 66:2, Yah reveals the type of individual that He is drawn to (1) One who is humble. (2) One who contrite (i.e., submissive or meek) of spirit, such that their will bends to that of Yah’s will. And (3) the one who trembles at Yah’s Word; he/she who takes Yah’s Word so seriously and reverently that they leave nothing to chance as it relates to their obedience and readiness to receive it. They literally fear mistreating or mishandling Yah’s Word. This type of individual Yah promises to spare from His impending wrath and judgment.
Those to whom the prophet was sent did not fear Yehovah, nor did they tremble at Yah’s Word. They were haughty and unbending to His will. These simply went through the raw motions of worship, but their hearts were far from Yehovah (29:13).
Yehovah described them as people who have “chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations” (66:3).
All this despite Yah continuously calling out to them to teshuvah. Yet these refused to listen nor teshuvah. Thus, these wrought upon themselves Yehovah’s judgment and wrath (66:4).
Nevertheless, Yehovah assures the genuine ones who tremble at His Word that they would no longer be the object of shame and ridicule from these evil ones. It will instead be the wicked ones who would be brought low, and Yah would render recompense to His enemies (66:6).
Regardless of Yah’s dismay over those whose hearts were far from Him, He promised to restore Yisra’el and restore her to wholeness and prosperity.
Apostolic Reading: John/Yochanan 6:52-59-Oh the Blood of Yeshua
Yeshua caused great consternation among his orthodox opponents by insisting that their eternal security was found in their eating of His flesh and drinking His blood. To Yeshua’s opponents, this revelation wreaked of heresy. It was patently contrary to Torah, which Yah strictly prohibited.
But Master’s opponents were devoid of the essential spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear the reality of what He was saying to them. His words were no doubt meant to insight shock among the hearers and get the orthodoxy’s attention.
What the Master was saying was simply this: He was the only sustenance for life eternal. His body and blood would be subject to a coming sacrifice: a sacrifice that, when accepted (vicariously) by the humble, contrite of heart, and the one who trembles at Yah’s Word, would lead to his/her receiving eternal life and reconciliation with his/her Creator.
The exchange of innocent life for the life of the offender, the remission of sin made possible through the shed blood of the sacrifice, is made all the more real to us through Yahoshua HaMashiyach. He, Yeshua, willingly and willfully shed His own blood–He gave His own life–in exchange for ours. This is the real gem behind this week’s Torah Reading that I pray we all think very deeply and hard about throughout the remainder of our Sabbath rest.
Until next time beloved, and as always, may you be most blessed fellow saints in training. Shabbat Shalom. Shavu’tov. Take care.
by Rod Thomas | Jun 10, 2023 | Blog
This week’s reading comes under the General Torah Reading Title of “Acharey Mos,” which covers chapters 16 through 28 in the Cepher of Leviticus/Vayiqra.
Shabbat Shalom on this warm but otherwise beautiful Sabbath in the DFW.
Our reading here today is contained within 16:1-34. The primary topic is “The Day of Atonement.”
Our reading starts off with a reference to the tragic deaths of Aharon’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, as recorded in Leviticus 10:1-3 (16:1). And it seems that Yehovah put forth the content of our reading in response to their deaths. For we will find that it is Yehovah Most High who sets the parameters by which He may be worshiped. Those parameters would entail the manner and time His people may enter the Holy of Holies. The tragedy of Nadab and Abihu serves as a clear lesson and reminder of Yah’s holiness, that it is not to be taken lightly nor for granted by anyone, regardless of their rank in the congregation of Yisra’el. Furthermore, it served to accentuate in the hearts and minds of Yisra’el that there was, and remains even to this day, only ONE for man to approach Yehovah. Nadab and Abihu, regardless of their original intent, approached Yehovah in an unprescribed and unsanctioned manner, which ultimately cost them their lives.
And so, Yehovah, through His grace and steadfast mercies, had Moshe instruct Aharon, and by extension those who would follow after Aharon, that the Cohen Gadol (aka the High Priest) was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies just one time each biblical calendar year. And that assigned day was, of course, the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippurim (the 10th day of the 7th Month). For Yah’s presence dwelt within the Holy of Holies, within the veil, before the Ark’s cover, in the form of a cloud above the Ark itself (16:2). Yah did not leave this critical aspect of worship to question. For He would spell out the whys and wherefores to Aharon so that there would not be a repeat of what happened to his sons.
The Manner by which the Cohen Gadol is to Enter Yah’s Presence
Because the Cohen Gadol was human and subject to his sinful flesh, his sin had first to be dealt with through the prescribed atonement sacrifices (a sin and a burnt offering). For without the proper atonement for his sins, he was not suited to address the sins of the nation and others. And so, in presenting these offerings to Yehovah, he would confess his and his family’s sins unto Yah, enunciating in the process what has been referred to by the Rabbis as Yah’s ineffable Name. (It should be understood that the prohibition against declaring (uttering) the Name of the Creator is a rabbinic invention that has served over the centuries to erase the Creator’s Name from the hearts, minds, and ears of humanity. Even to this very day, orthodox Judaism has endeavored to prevent the world from knowing His Name. This, I believe, was a sin that still today hasn’t been fully dealt with by Yehovah. For Yehovah has determined that He be known among the nation peoples of the world. And that knowing includes the world knowing His Name. Praise Yah, however, for His set-apart people who are called by His set-apart Name are endeavoring to make His Name known throughout and throughout the world. Oh, there may be some disagreement as to how Yah’s Name is pronounced, but in due time, the true and correct pronunciation of His Name will be restored to His people and to the world. The enemy’s plans to deny Yehovah to the people nations of this world are being foiled, and Yah will ultimately gain the victory.)
The Cohen Gadol was to sprinkle the blood of that sin offering with one of his fingers upon and before the Ark of the Covenant 7 times. This served to expiate his and his family’s sins.
Secondly, the Cohen Gadol had to be mikvehed and then properly attire himself in “holy garments“: Not the distinctive garments that Yehovah proscribed for him to wear for “splendor and distinction,” but simple linen garments that would be emblematic, as described by J.H. Hertz, “of the lowliness and purity of thought demanded by the Sacred Day” (Hertz; Torah and Haftarah; pg. 480). These garments were emblematic of the Cohen Gadol’s purity, as well as provided a prophetic shadow picture of Yeshua, who came to affect atonement for humanity in the humbleness of human form. It was not until that sacrifice and atonement were completed that He, like the Levitical Cohen Gadol, would be clothed in majesty, power, and glory by His Father (Hebrews 1:3).
Thirdly, before he could enter into the presence of Yehovah within the veil above the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant, the Cohen Gadol had to create a “smoke screen” of sorts with the burning of the sacred incense. The “smoke screen” would hide the manifestation of Yah from the Cohen Gadol, permitting him to continue with his purification duties within the Holy of Holies. Failure to do this would result in the death of the Cohen Gadol.
Addressing the Sins of the Congregation
Fourth, the Cohen Gadol was to offer up the prescribed sin and burnt offerings on behalf of the Congregation of Yisra’el. This included the selection of two goats that would be presented before the Tent of Meeting. Lots would be cast to determine which goat would be designated as the sin-offering to be slain on behalf of the congregation of Yisra’el. The other goat would be designated as the “Azazel,” some translations giving it the title of the “scapegoat.” Tim Hegg expounds that the deeper meaning of the title or appellation Azazel is “the goat that departs,” and by extension, “the goat that carries away evil” (Studies in the Torah–Leviticus; pg. 112).
The designated goat of the sin offering, like the blood of the Cohen Gadol’s sin offering, was to be sprinkled seven times upon and before the Ark of the Covenant to expiate the sins of the Congregation of Yisra’el.
Additionally, the two bloods (the Cohen Gadol’s offering and the goat offering for the people) that would have been collected in a basin would also be sprinkled upon the Tent of Meeting and applied to the Brazen Altar to address the impurities that would have certainly been incurred by these facilities throughout the year through its continued use.
Then the Azazel Goat, still alive at that time, was to be brought before the Holy Place and the Cohen Gadol. The Cohen Gadol would confer upon the Azazel via a solemn pronouncement and through both of his hands resting upon its head, the sins of the Congregation of Yisra’el. This is the vicarious nature of such offerings and sacrifices. The sins of a people are conferred upon an innocent animal. This conference would include sins of commission and omission, wilfully committed sins, as well as sins committed in ignorance and human error. In particular, the rebelliousness of the people was addressed in this part of the ceremony.
At the conclusion of this part of the ceremony, the Azazel was taken into the wilderness by an able-bodied man and abandoned there. The place in the wilderness had to be remote enough from the encampment of the nation that it would be impossible for it to find its way back to the camp. Symbolically, the Azazel bore upon itself the entirety of the sins of the nation. Its abandonment in the stark wilderness was symbolic of the sins of the nation being cast away, out from the sight of Yehovah. And that able-bodied man who led the Azazel into the wilderness would, upon returning to the camp, be mikvehed, after which he was readmitted into the fellowship of the congregation.
Also, the Cohen Gadol would remove his holy garments and be mikvehed.
The fat of both sin offerings would be burnt upon the Brazen Altar, while that which remained burned outside the camp in their entirety.
The burnt offerings, symbolizing peaceful communion with the Almighty, would also be burnt upon the Altar.
The Efficacy and Applicability of Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement
Yehovah Most High sanctioned and commanded that this ceremony, which became known as the Day of [the] Atonements, in the Hebrew, Yom HaKippurim, be observed in perpetuity. However, Yom haKippurim was not to be observed as an annual ceremony that was to be performed by the Cohen Gadol. The Congregation of Yisra’el had a role to play as well. In fact, it fell to the nation as a whole to “inflict their souls” on that day. The inflicting of one’s soul is commonly understood to be a complete fast (i.e., no food or water is to be consumed). Unfortunately, this fasting or abstaining from all nourishment has been the focus of many who keep this day each year. But the affliction of one’s soul goes well beyond that of a simple fast for the day. It entails, quite frankly, the affliction of one’s soul! That means not just abstaining from nourishment for the day but abstaining from all things that serve to gratify one’s flesh. It means giving up any and all things that address our perceived needs and wants for the day.
I would humbly encourage you, if you’ve not already done so, to either listen to or read my post entitled: “Getting to the Heart of Yom Kippur-Day of Atonement.” In that post, I go into stark detail about what Yehovah expects from His chosen ones as it relates to “afflicting their souls” on this holiest day of the sacred calendar year.
Thus, it fell to the entire nation to afflict their souls on Yom HaKippurim. For the various sin offerings to be of any effect, the people had to undergo solemn introspection, which was to lead to a broken heart and contrite spirit as a result of recognizing how far away they were from Yehovah’s established mark of righteousness. It was a time of confession of sin, repentance, and teshuvah. It was to involve a true and substantive change of each member’s heart and mind. Without any of these, the Day of Atonement would have no true effect upon the state of the people before Yehovah and the court of heaven.
Furthermore, Yom haKippurim was to be a day where work of any kind was prohibited. Since it was a day of complete fasting, not even food preparation was permitted.
Obviously, with the passing away of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle/Temple, and the Levitical Priesthood and her associated sacrificial system, the ceremony, as outlined in our reading here today, is no longer applicable. What does remain, in perpetuity, though, is the soul of the day itself. For Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement is to be kept and honored by Yehovah’s set-apart ones. No, it is not to be kept and honored in accordance with the various rabbinic inventions that have polluted and reduced the day to something that is nothing like that which Yehovah originally intended when He commanded His people to keep the day. Man has this uncanny tendency to take the things and ways of Yehovah and twist them in such a manner as to force those things to fit their particular whims and perspectives.
The true spirit and force of Yom haKippurim are to be found and kept from an inward perspective. That is to say that Yah’s set-apart people are to look deep within their very souls (i.e., introspection), asking Yehovah’s precious Spirit operating within them to aid them in identifying those areas of their lives needing correction and forgiveness. All manner of sin that resides in us must be exposed by the light of Yah’s Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit and dealt with. Dealt with from the perspective of confessing them to Yehovah, repenting of them, asking for His forgiveness, and determining never to repeat those sins again. The fasting from nourishment on that day underscores the reality that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of Yehovah” (Deuteronomy/Devarim 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4). Indeed, the Levitical High Priest has been replaced with THE High Priest of the Order of the Melchizedek, Yahoshua haMashiyach. It is through His atoning sacrifice and ongoing, intercessory work in the heavenly Mishkan that we may realize and receive full atonement for our sins and restoration to and fellowship with the Creator of the Universe (Hebrews 5:1-10).
Haftarah: Isaiah 60:15-22
A picture of the Olam Haba, the World Tomorrow, when Yisra’el will be made into the nation that Yehovah always intended for her to be.
Apostolic: Titus 3:4-7
Paul/Shaul encourages Titus to teach his charges to walk in Kingdom (i.e., good works) with the full knowledge that they have been saved through the grace of Yehovah through Yeshua Messiah.
Practical Netsari Halachah of Today’s Reading
To begin with, it must be firmly understood, in the heart and mind, and soul of the Netzer and disciple of Yeshua Messiah, and the world for that matter, that there is only ONE way for man to be united or come to Him. Despite religiosity’s attempts to establish in the minds of their members a multitudinous pathway to God, Yehovah established just one way. Back in the day of our Torah Reading, that way was through the person and exacting ministry of the Levitical Cohen Gadol/the Levitical High Priest. Although flawed and hindered by sin himself, Yehovah made provision that he, the High Priest, would be made a suitable vessel by which Yisra’el would be “at one” with Him. Now, under the auspices of the renewed covenant, the same principle of one way to Yehovah remains in effect. That one way is through the High Priest, Yeshua ha Mashiach. Yeshua not only atoned for our sin, He being without sin Himself, He also intercedes on our behalf before the Father, serving in the heavenly Mishkan/Temple. The Person and Ministry of Yeshua Messiah is the absolute, exclusive way for humanity to be at peace and commune with the Creator of the Universe.
As is beautifully illustrated in our Reading here today, and through the Person and Ministry of Yeshua, Yehovah has determined and put in place (1) the sacrifice that must be made for humanity to be reconciled unto Him and (2) the mediator/intercessor to administer that atonement. In the days of the Torah, the appointed animal sacrifices–sin and burnt–were delineated to Yisra’el by Him. Under the renewed covenant, Yeshua was determined by His Father to be the only acceptable sacrifice and officiating Priest/Intercessor to affect atonement and reconciliation between His chosen ones and Yehovah.
The smoke of the incense represents the continuous prayers–intercessions–petitions of Yah’s set-apart people, an inextricable element of atonement and communion (Revelation 8:3-4).
In terms of the High Priestly garments we discussed previously, even as they applied to the prophetic shadow picture of the earthly and heavenly mission of Yeshua Messiah, one cannot overlook that we, as Yah’s chosen ones, have been issued a set of glorious, holy, and righteous garments that we are tasked with keeping pristine in anticipation of our Master’s return (Revelation 3:4; 16:15).
The two goats that would be brought before the Cohen Gadol and the Tent of Meeting have tremendous spiritual and prophetic significance that we could spend a great more time and reading space discussing than we are allotted. But suffice it to say that they point to Yeshua as Yehovah’s choice to affect our atonement and reconciliation unto Himself. Master’s sacrifice not only atoned for our sins, but it also removed our sins from our Father’s sight. This, in conjunction with our trusting faith in Him and His Messiah, affords us His righteousness and makes us eligible for eternal life.
The point of the Azazel being led away into the wilderness, away from the nation, is to point the nation to walk in the newness of life. No longer walking in their former ways–i.e., no longer living sinful lives–but finally walking in Yah’s set-apart ways, devoid of rebelliousness and sin. Only then will Yah dwell among and within His set-apart people. Thus, we may joyfully conclude that Yeshua not only atoned for our sins, but He also removed the plight of sin from our lives so that we no longer walk in the flesh but walk in Yah’s Spirit. Sin has been overcome on all accounts and levels. This all comes as a result of Yehovah’s grace and mercy, and love for His chosen ones. Yah has done all the heavy lifting for us. It now falls to us to accept Yah’s free gift and walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Until next beloved, Shabbat Shalom, and may you be most blessed fellow saints in training.
