This Torah portion includes the continuation of the counting of the Levites, the last two tribes, Gershon and Merry as well as more instructions around campy purity. It was imperative that the sacred space of not only the Tabernacle but now also the camp be ceremonially clean. It sounds a bit weird to our modern ears, but remember the Holy One has made his home in their midst and in order to keep it holy, there were instructions for the community. There is a strange law of jealousy outlined as well as instructions for the vow of consecration or Nazirite vow. Not to mention the offerings of all the tribes at the end of the portion. However, the highlight I think is the giving of the Priestly blessing. We did our best to hit it all and we chose to leave room for Holy Spirit to invite the listeners to study out the Priestly blessing because the Holy Spirit is the best teacher. You will receive personal revelation on how to accept or take or carry Yahweh’s blessing and His name.

Here are a few links for further study on the Priestly blessing:

Teaching and explanation of the hebraic source of the blessing read in the podcast; teaching by Jeff Brenner
https://www.ancient-hebrew.org...
from-a-hebrew-perspective.htm

Youtube teaching by Jeff Brenner
https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/studies-interpretation/aaronic-blessing_m.htm

Teaching by Rev. William J. Morford
https://www.onenewmanbible.com...

Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes (also available as audiobook)

https://www.ivpress.com/bearin...

https://www.amazon.com/Bearing...=sr_1_1?crid=3DEJSSOX6OONR&keywords=bearing+god%27s+name+why+sinai+still+matters&qid=1685459599&sprefix=bearing+God%27s+%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1




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This first portion of Numbers sets the stage for the rest of the book. Bamidbar is translated “in the wilderness” and it covers the time of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness after refusing to go in and take the Promised Land. It starts with the people of God still at Mt. Sinai then moves to Kadesh, then the wandering then finally concludes in Moab. There is a lot to cover in this book of wanderings, more grumbling, complaining, disobedience and rebellion will occur and yet in the midst of it all Yahweh in his faithfulness uses a pagan to prophesy His redemptive plan for his people. Only our God and King could be so masterful in His plan. Before all of that can happen, the people must be set in the proper encampment for victory as they move from the holy mountain. He positioned them for victory before He sent them forth.

Scripture referencing Moses and the battle with the Amalekites is Exodus 17:8-16. After the battle, Moses builds and altar and called it The LORD is my Banner or Yahweh Nissi. (Ex. 17:15).

Also check out the Bible Project video Torah:Numbers for more teaching around the book of Numbers.
https://youtu.be/zebxH-5o-SQ


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These are the last two portions of Leviticus and we learn how important the Promised Land is to Yahweh. In this portion He declares the land is mine. Yahweh gives Moses instructions to give to Israel about their stewardship of the land He was giving them. There obedience to his laws would affect the fruitfulness and safety of the land. If they obeyed Him and obeyed His sabbaths, then the land would be blessed, if not then the land would be punished and so would the people. Our obedience and acts of faith are important; they affect not only our lives individually but also our communities and our nation.

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In this Torah portion, Yahweh gives intstructions to the priests on how important it is for them to live holy and remain ceremonially clean to minister to Him on behalf of the people. The priesthood is responsible for recognizing between what is clean and unclean, holy and common and teaching the people how to keep the sacred space holy. It was their responsibility to walk a holy and teach the people to do the same. There are instructions about unacceptable offerings and the things that are prohibited for the priests. A major part of this portions discusses Yahweh’s, sacred feasts times, His feasts. These are the appointed times of worship for Yahweh’s people. Sacred space and sacred time for a sacred people.

Here is the resource referenced in the podcast:
Sheepfold Gleanings by Julie Parker
Leviticus
*scroll down to the section on Kedoshim and hit the link to download the pdf. Kedoshim discusses the way in which the sabbath was counted based on the first sighting of the moon or Rosh Chodesh.
https://www.sheepfoldgleanings...

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In this Torah portion, Yahweh calls his people to be holy as He is holy. The portion continues to instruct the people on what holy living looks like. How do they worship Yahweh with holiness? How do they treat others with honor and respect which demonstrates holiness and reverence to Him? It is all reviewed in this portion. Several commands from the Ten Words are repeated here and if it’s repeated it means it’s important. We can learn how our lives are to reflect the Presence of the Lord through our worship and our relationship with others. We are all on a journey of transformation into the likeness of Jesus, imagers of Yahweh, and this portion gives us practical ways to have our daily living reflect holiness to His glory.

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In this portion, Yahweh tells Moses on important instructions for Aaron as he ministers in the Most Holy Place. After the death of his sons, clearly, there needed to be further explanation on how worship is to be given to a Holy God, He had a sacred time set aside in his sacred space for the atonement of His people. The last few portions have had lots of instructions around life with a Holy God in your midst. When we contemplate the offerings, the rules regarding clean and unclean, then we realize that the priesthood was necessary in order for Yahweh to be in the midst of his people. There was no way without a priesthood, that priesthood was integral to His plan of redemption. The same is true today, as his priesthood of believers, we are integral the the completion of His plan and the restoration of all things. We are co-laborers with Christ Jesus and our lives become a living epistle to the lost as we allow Holy Spirit to use us to call the lost home to the Father.


Resources:
The Naked Bible Podcast
https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/podcast/naked-bible-76-leviticus-16/

The Bible Project Podcast
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/what-atonement/?utm_source=web_social_share&medium=shared_podcast




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In this double portion we have a short discussion around clean and unclean and the importance of our speech. These few chapters of Leviticus can be challenging to read and understand in a modern context, but let’s remember our frame of reference is keeping sacred space holy and this required the following of Yahweh’s instructions. When His people became ceremonially unclean or unable to be in sacred space, He provided a means for cleansing and restoration through the priesthood. In terms of our speech, the teaching of lashon hara or evil speech is traditionally connected to the ancient skin disease of leprosy discussed in the Torah portion Metzora. We share some New Testament scripture to confirm the importance of this teaching and how it can be walked out in faith today.

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In this Torah portion Aaron and his sons begin their priestly ministry. It is a lesson in the holiness of Yahweh from start to finish. We must remember that Yahweh has a chosen people set apart and in this book of Leviticus He is detailing all the necessary, instructions, or torah for the people to follow so that He may remain in their midst. It is very sobering reading. We can be thankful for our great salvation found in Christ Jesus. He has brought us near to a throne full of grace by a new living way purchased by His blood that still speaks on our behalf, mercy not judgment. Without His blood we would be recipients of judgment because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory. Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift!!!

For more teaching on Leviticus please check out Bible Projects Podcasts:

https://bibleproject.com/podca...

Resource:
The Torah Story by Gary Schnittjer

https://www.amazon.com/Torah-S...=asc_df_0310248612/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241916856624&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14926026612884568748&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003862&hvtargid=pla-330785990764&psc=1

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In this portion, Moses receives instructions from Yahweh for Aaron and his sons regarding how to appropriately offer the korban in the tabernacle. It seems very repetitive when reading, but this time Yahweh give instructions about how the offerings are received. Then the instructions for the priesthood ordination are repeated. Moses is receiving all of this during that first day when the tabernacle was set up. In the podcast, we shared how much the last two portions have changed our thoughts around the “sacrifices” and their meaning as well as our responsibility as followers of Yeshua and those called to be a holy nation and royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2:9). It is a bit of an emotional broadcast, but as we contemplate so much that is happening in our world, we as his people need to be willing to cry out for Yahweh’s mercy and loyal love. There is a whole world in need of our Savior and as His kings and priests we assist in proclaiming His kingdom as we intercede and appeal to Yahweh’s heart.

PS I forgot to play the outro so we invite you to join us on Thursday evening for our online Torah study called Sweetness of the Scroll. For more information visit our ministry website www.wordofencouragement.org



Resources:

Christ is not a last name. The Bible Project
https://bibleproject.com/podca...

The Naked Bible Podcast: Introducing Leviticus
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/...

Collegiate Day of Prayer: 40-Day Campus Prayer Guide: Day 22 • Devotional
https://www.bible.com/reading-...

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The book of Leviticus begins with the words: The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. Vayikra means and He called, meaning Yahweh continued to give Moses instructions concerning how to worship and serve him. Yahweh had moved his place of encounter from the mountain to the tabernacle. The place of His instruction moved from Mt. Sinai to the tent of meeting in the tabernacle. The instructions are the guidelines for the Israelites to worship a holy God and live as His people and His representatives. Too often we see the book of Leviticus as a bunch of laws and prohibitions when in reality it is the instructions on ways to stay connected to a holy God, Yahweh.

Resources
The Torah Story: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch by Gary Schnittjer

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