For The Sake Of Life
- Posted on MayamFri, 20 May 2016 08:48:22 -05002016-05-20T08:48:22-05:0008 17, 2016
- in Bible, Emor, God, Hebrew, Messiah, Study, Torah, Yeshua
- by Hallelujah Girl
One who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed–without remedy. ~Proverbs 29:1
The wise Solomon knew human nature so well. Man is subject to temptation, and may be unable at times to resist his drives. But as long as he is receptive to guidance and respects the words of those who are wiser than himself, he need not have a precipitous fall. He can be helped to see the folly of his behavior and can be returned too correct living.
The person whose arrogance leads him to reject any opinions other than his own has no safety net. His desires and passions are unrestrained, and he is likely to become so decadent that restoration to healthy spiritual living is virtually impossible.
If one listens to constructive criticism and retains an open and receptive mind, one is likely to avoid spiritual deterioration. ~Living Each Day
Welcome to parsha Emor, Leviticus 21:1-24:23. Calling all brides! It’s time to go deeper! Anything that hinders bridal love must go! I must warn you, this parsha may be uncomfortable, you may be challenged, your culturally acceptable idols will be exposed!
BEHOLD! The Voice of The Bridegroom! “The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills! ” ~Song of Solomon 2:8
The Hebrew word Emor (aw-mor), אמר, is made up of the three letters: alef, mem, reysh. Alef, is the head, first, that which proceeds everything else. The Mem, is liken to water, a cresting wave, signifying that something is flowing and being shed abroad, like a wave upon a shore. The Reysh tells of the King or head of household, stepping off his throne to become “a person”, accessible in all his glory. Put the letters together you get the word of the Holy One being shed far and wide through the activities, deeds, and rulings by the King’s chief representatives. Beautiful picture of holiness! Psalm 119:130, cries, “The entrance of your Word brings light and understanding to the simple”.
Here is how Emor begins, “Then Adonai said to Moses, “Speak to the kohanim , the sons of Aaron, and say to them: A kohen is not to allow himself to become unclean for the dead among his people,”.. Leviticus 21:1. Notice three times we see “said” “speak” and “say”. All three of these words come from the very same root word “Emor”. When a word is repeated three times in scripture, I believe the Holy One wants us to pay attention. And what is it that the Holy One wants us to hear? “A kohen is not to allow himself to what? (You do realize that we are called to be a Royal Priesthood, and a Holy Nation!) The Holy One commands to His priests, “L’nefesh Lo-yitma b’amov…”.
In our English translations, “L’nefesh lo’yitma b’amov”, is read “for the dead, not to be defiled, among his people”. When you examine the Hebrew L’nefesh comes from the word nefesh and is usually translated as “soul”. Nefesh also means living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion. The first we see this word in scripture is Genesis 2:7, “And the Holy One Elohim formed the man out of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils breath of life (nishmat chayyim). And the man became a living being (nefesh chayyim)”—Genesis 2:7
The last I checked a dead bodies, don’t breathe. Breathing is the very essence of the word nefesh. Nefesh is about life. The phrase lo’yitma is translated not to become unclean, or be defiled. The root of this phrase is tamei, טמא, meaning unclean, pollute self, be/make self unclean, to be foul, contaminated, or defile (self). B’amov is translated among his people, from am, עם, meaning folk, men, nation, or people.
Could the Holy One be telling us for the sake of one’s life, passions, desires, for one’s soul, to stay clear of that which is unclean, dangerous, or that which distracts us. The priests were given the mark of the highest degree of Holiness. They were to represent the essence of the Messiah. They were appointed to show us how to live, to maintain care and purity.
This portion of Torah, Emor, directs the priests in matters of their private lives, matters of public life and their ministry, and what to do with the blasphemer. Beautifully sandwiched in the middle of these instructions are the mo’edm, the “pre-wedding” events for the bride, the Holy Days!
The message seems clear. The covenant is based on holiness. This Covenant has been fulfilled and is perfect. As we move through this season of the Omer we refine our own souls. Continously applying these truths regarding the kohanim (priests) to ourselves, our lives, and our homes. As part of the Holy One’s mispachah (family) we are to be living tablets of stone!
As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen by G-d and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house—a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to G-d through Messiah Yeshua . For it says in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen, precious cornerstone. Whoever trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Now the value is for you who keep trusting; but for those who do not trust, “The stone which the builders rejected— this One has become the chief cornerstone,” and “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they are disobeying the word—to this they were also appointed. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for G-d’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were “not a people,” but now you are “G-d’s people.” You were shown “no mercy,” but now you have been shown “mercy.” Loved ones, I urge you as strangers and sojourners to keep away from the fleshly cravings that war against the soul. Keep your conduct honorable among the Gentiles. Then while they speak against you as evildoers, they may—from noticing your good deeds—glorify G-d in the day of visitation. –1 Peter 2:4-12
Rest in the Words of Torah, beloved. Let the Holy One’s Word burst forth over, through, and among His People like the rays of sun that burst forth each day. Becoming recognizable as Priest of Our G-d!
Shalom,
Hallelujah Girl