Parasha Tzav 5783

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Me

This week we read Parasha Tzav, which is Leviticus 6:1-8:36, and is a continuation of the discussion on the various procedures for offerings and sacrifices in the Tabernacle. The parasha opens with the command for Aaron and his sons to keep the fire upon the alter burning at all times, this is the same fire we see come down from heaven on the altar in Exodus, which is why they are expected to keep it lit at all times.

As we continue through Parasha Tzav we see the commands for the grain offerings, sin and guilt offerings, the fellowship offerings for the Kohanim, and lastly the commands for the consecration offerings for the consecration of the Tabernacle, all it’s furnishings and equipment, and the priesthood.

(Talk about wearing Tallit Katan and Kippah all the time)

We

God

As we look at our Parasha this Shabbat we’re going to look a little deeper at one specific part of the text which brings about an important discussion about our walks in Messiah today. This is an even more important and pertinent discussion at this time of year as today is Shabbat HaGadol (the Great Shabbat), the Shabbat immediately proceeding Pesach as we are preparing hearts and minds for the season of our Redemption. As we do so, let’s keep this principle we can take away from Parasha Tzav in mind today…

Principle: In Messiah we are grafted into a Holy Priesthood, as such we are called to be set apart from the world around us—which doesn’t mean separate, but rather set apart so that they see Him in us.

(Repeat)

Let’s dig into the text together…

Leviticus 8:1–5 TLV

Then Adonai spoke to Moses, saying: “Take Aaron and his sons with him, the garments, the anointing oil, the bull of the sin offering, the two rams and the basket of matzot. Then assemble all the congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.” So Moses did as Adonai commanded him. When the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, Moses said to the congregation, “This is what Adonai has commanded to be done.”

(Expound)

Talk about the entire congregation being commanded to witness Aaron and his sons being consecrated.

Leviticus 8:6–13 TLV

Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and tied the skillfully decorated sash of the ephod around him and fastened it on him. He then placed the breastplate on Aaron, and inside the breastplate he put the Urim and the Thummim. He set the turban on his head, and on front of the turban he set the golden plate, the holy crown, just as Adonai commanded Moses. Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the Tabernacle and all that was in it, and so consecrated them. He sprinkled the oil on the altar seven times and anointed the altar and all its utensils, the basin with its stand, to consecrate them. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with tunics, tied sashes on them, and fastened headbands on them, as Adonai had commanded Moses.

(Expound)

Bull for sin offering, ram for burnt offering, second ram for ordination offering. With all three Aaron and his sons placed their hands on the heads of the offerings before Moses slaughtered them. In the process of the ordination procedures some of the blood of the bull and ram was placed on right ear lobe, right thumb, and right big toe, the same was done with the anointing oil.

Leviticus 8:30 TLV

Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, and on his sons, and on his sons’ garments with him. So he consecrated Aaron, his garments, his sons and his sons’ garments with him.

(Expound)

Then some of the blood and the anointing oil was sprinkled on Aaron and his sons and their garments, consecrating all for the service before HaShem and on behalf of Kahal Yisrael.

The Hebrew word translated as consecrate throughout the discussion of the ordination of the Kohanim and the Tabernacle is the word Va’kadeish (וַיְקַדֵשׁ) which is from the root word Kadash (קָדַשׁ) and is a verb meaning to be set apart, consecrated, or holy. Kadash is also the root word from which we get the adjective Kadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) which is a modifier saying something or someone is set apart, consecrated, or holy. Lastly we also have the noun form, Kodesh (קוֹדֶשׁ).

It is from Kadash that we get the term Kedoshim (קֶדוֹשִׁים), holy ones.

(Expound)

This idea of being set apart or consecrated is the idea behind what HaShem told Israel was His desire for the whole nation of Israel at Sinai in Exodus 19:3-6

Exodus 19:3–6 TLV

Moses went up to God, and Adonai called to him from the mountain saying, “Say this to the house of Jacob, and tell Bnei-Yisrael, ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you listen closely to My voice, and keep My covenant, then you will be My own treasure from among all people, for all the earth is Mine. So as for you, you will be to Me a kingdom of kohanim and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you are to speak to Bnei-Yisrael.”

(Expound)

This same promise we read in Exodus 19 at Mt Sinai is reconfirmed to the Commonwealth of Israel through the Blood Atonement of Messiah Yeshua in 1 Peter 2...

1 Peter 2:1–5 TLV

So get rid of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all lashon ha-ra. As newborn babes, long for pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow toward salvation— now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen by God 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 God through Messiah Yeshua.

And skipping down a few verses...

1 Peter 2:9–12 TLV

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’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 “God’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 God in the day of visitation.

(Expound)

Draw out that we have been Kedoshim so that the world will see us set apart, righteous, and holy and be drawn into it. We are not intended to be like the world, but set apart from it… We are to be in the world but not of the world… We must stand apart, stand out so that the world is drawn to us… Our lives and actions, our version of the Gospel should not be presented in a way to make the world “comfortable”.

Romans 12:1–2 TLV

I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy, acceptable to God—which is your spiritual service. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(Expound)

And going back to 1 Peter 2 one more time...

1 Peter 2:21–25 TLV

For you were called to this, because Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in His footsteps: “He committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.” When He was abused, He did not return the abuse. While suffering, He made no threats. Instead, He kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges righteously. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we, removed from sins, might live for righteousness. “By His wounds you were healed.” For you like sheep were going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

(Expound)

It is for this purpose that we have been given the Ruach HaKodesh, through the indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh He has made Adonai has made His Holiness a part of us. He has etched His Word upon the flesh of our hearts. He has caused us to be restored and renewed in Him so that the world may see Him in us, that they may know His Presence is in their midst, that the world may be drawn into the Kingdom because we are made Kadosh.

You

(Call worship back up and UNMUTE)

If you stop and take a survey of your life today, would it be obvious that you are set apart? Would it be obvious that you are living a life that is Kadosh? Would you say you intentionally strive to follow in Yeshua’s footsteps as one who has been made Kadosh?

If not, what is holding you back from the fullness of His holiness in you? What sins have you been unwilling to fully submit to Him? Is there resentment and unforgiveness in your heart? Are you clinging to particular sins rather clinging to the Ruach HaKodesh? Are you more focused on earthly gain than kingdom gain? Are you afraid to stand out? Are you afraid being different, acting different, looking different may make others act different toward you?

We

As we make final preparations for Passover over the coming days, let us make sure we are not only focused on the outward practice of removing Chametz from our homes, but may we also allow the Ruach HaKodesh to remove the Chametz of old from our hearts and lives too.

1 Corinthians 5:6–8 TLV

Your boasting is no good. Don’t you know that a little hametz leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old hametz, so you may be a new batch, just as you are unleavened—for Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast not with old hametz, the hametz of malice and wickedness, but with unleavened bread—the matzah of sincerity and truth.