Parasha Sh'mini 5783

Me

This week we read Parasha Sh’mini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47) which picks up where the discussion of the consecration of the Kohanim left off in Parasha Tzav. Aaron and his sons were consecrated and commanded to stay in the Mishkan for seven days, then Parasha Sh’mini picks up with the eighth day (hence the name in Hebrew) after their consecration, in which their actual ministry begins officially. Aaron makes a series of offerings and then at the end of chapter 9 he blesses B’nai Yisrael (most presume the blessing spoken is likely the Birkat Kohanim). He and Moses go back into the Tent of Meeting and then when they come back out they bless B’nai Yisrael again and the Glory of Adonai appears before the Nation, which was followed by a divine fire coming from the Presence of Adonai and devouring the burnt offering on the altar. All of Israel saw this occur and they immediately fell on their faces before the Lord.

The next thing we see is in Leviticus 10 when Aaron’s oldest two sons, Nadav and Avihu, become overly-eager with a misplaced zeal and rushed into the Presence of Adonai with the Aish Zarah (strange or unauthorized fire) which was not commanded. The fire of the Lord then consumed them and they died on the spot. Moses instructs Aaron and his remaining two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, on how they are to mourn while consecrated. He also instructs them on exactly how they are to approach the Tent of Meeting while in service as Kohanim, which includes not drinking alcohol before going in—and some hypothesize that Nadav and Avihu may have been drunk when they rushed in with Aish Zarah because of Leviticus 10:8-11 (although, I don’t necessary subscribe to this theory).

Then we read Leviticus chapter 11 which closes out Parasha Sh’mini and details with painstaking care the Kashrut laws for Israel, what can be eaten and what can’t be.

(Talk about Danielle being pregnant and glowing, the glowing being from the presence of another person within her, connect to the Presence of God within us and His Presence glowing upon us…)

We

This is what we are called to folks… And as followers of Yeshua this is how we are to live our lives every single day. We have the Power and Presence of the Shechinah of the Lord within us in the indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh. It is time we start living like it while we are in fact living!!!

The Body of Messiah has been crying out for revival for generations upon generations, but there’s only ever been one revival… It began in Acts 2 and it has never ended… We are either living in revival or we are not…

We have something within us that the world around us needs to see, that they need to encounter, likely more now than ever in the history of creation. It is time we start to choose to live in His Presence, to live in revival every waking moment of every single day.

God

As we look a little deeper at Parasha Sh’mini today I want to hone in on a vital concept for our walks with the Lord today, as we do I want us to keep this principle in mind…

Principle: We are the dwelling place for the Ruach HaKodesh so others may see the Presence of God in their midst.

(Repeat)

Now let’s dig into the text together.

Leviticus 9:1–4 TLV

Now it happened on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron, his sons, and the elders of Israel. Then he said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and offer them before Adonai. You are to speak to Bnei-Yisrael, saying: Take a male goat for a sin offering, along with a calf and a lamb, both yearlings without blemish, for a burnt offering, plus a bull and a ram for fellowship offerings, to sacrifice before Adonai, along with a grain offering mixed with oil. For today Adonai appears to you.”

In Jewish tradition eight is a very important symbolic number, and it is directly connected to creation and specifically the idea of re-creation. In Bereshit we see Adonai created for six days and rested on the seventh day, and in this we see seven as the number of perfection and completion. The number eight comes immediately after seven and is symbolic of God’s creation, more specifically humanity taking part in God’s creation. For six days He spoke creation into existence, the seventh day became Shabbat and He rested, and the eighth day Adam and Chava began to care for HaShem’s creation, they began to take part in His creation.

We see this pattern in the priestly consecration as they were consecrated for their ministry and then were commanded to remain in the Tabernacle for seven days following their anointing. Then Sh’mini opens with the eighth day after their consecration as they are called before the Lord and officially begin their service in the Tabernacle by making a series of offerings on the altar and beginning the daily offerings that bookend the day in the Tabernacle (the morning and evening offerings).

It is on this eighth day when Aaron and his sons not only take on the work of the mantle of the priesthood, but they begin to symbolically reenact the eighth day after creation when mankind begins to care for God’s creation. This is a symbolic foreshadowing of the reality of re-creation in Messiah Yeshua.

But in these first few verses of Parasha Sh’mini we see the ultimate reality of what God is trying to reveal to us and what He later solidifies in the divine fire upon the altar at the end of chapter nine.

Verse 1 says that on the eighth day Moses called Aaron, his sons, and the zekenim (elders) of Israel to come forward. In verse two we see the beginnings of the description of the first offerings Aaron is going to make in the service in the Tabernacle. But it is the wording of the last few words of verse 2, especially in Hebrew, that are beginning to setup for us a deeper understanding of what is really happening here.

At the end of verse two in the English in the TLV we see these words:

Leviticus 9:2 (TLV)

…and offer them before Adonai.

In Hebrew this phrase says: וְהַקְרֵב לִפְנֵי יְיָ

V’hak’reiv lif’nei Adonai

—literally: and offer them before the face of Adonai.

Then we read at the end of verse 4 in Hebrew: כִּי הַיּוֹם יְיָ נִרְאָה אַלֵיכֶם

Ki hayom Adonai nir’ah aleichem

—literally: for today Adonai will see or look toward you… Which is translated as we see here in the TLV at the end of verse 4:

Leviticus 9:4 (TLV)

…For today Adonai appears to you.”

What we see is the Lord is telling Moses and Aaron that they will see the Presence, the Shechinah of Adonai. And this is being made possible by the sacrificial work of the Kohanim—which is a symbolic foreshadowing of the work of re-creation in the Sacrifice of Yeshua. Through the re-creation work of Aaron on the eighth day—the day of re-creation—Israel would be able to encounter the Glory of Adonai.

After this we read of the first offerings that Aaron and his sons make in service as the Kohanim in the Tabernacle. Then we come to verses 23 and 24 which say.

Leviticus 9:23–24 TLV

Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came back out and blessed the people, the glory of Adonai appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of Adonai, and devoured the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Remember, as we just read in verse 2, the Lord tells Aaron that today, on this specific eighth day, He would make His Glory appear to Israel. And this is very literally what He does. But, the reality goes so much deeper…

In verse 4 the Hebrew tells us that through the sacrificial work of re-creation of the Kohanim that Adonai would look toward Israel. And here in verse 23 the Hebrew says: וַיֵרָא כְבוֹד–יְיָ אֶל–כָּל–הָעָם Vayeira k’vod-Adonai el-kal-ha’am. Vayeira is from the same root as we see in verse 4 with the word nir’ah—the root word ra’ah meaning “to see”. So, in verse 4 we see that because of the offerings the Kohanim will make before the face of the Lord He will look toward Israel and in verse 23 we see that because of this symbolic work of recreation Israel now can look upon the Glory of Adonai which has filled the Mishkan.

Then, once Israel has seen the Glory of Adonai, once they have encountered His Presence,

וַתֵּצֵא אֵשׁ מִלִּפְנֵי יְיָ

Vateitzei eish miliph’nei Adonai

—literally “fire came forth from the face of Adonai”—

and consumed the burnt offering on the altar. So, in verse 2 Aaron is called to bring the burnt offerings and to offer them before the face of the Lord, then we read in verse 24 that when Aaron made the offerings fire came forth from the face of Adonai and consumed the offerings.

This is followed by the words

וַיַרְא כָּל–הָעָמ וַיָרֹנוּ וַיִפְּלוּ עַל–פְּנֵיהֶם

Vayar’a kal-ha’am vayaronu vayip’lu al-p’neihem.

Leviticus 9:24 (TLV)

When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

The offering is made before the face of Hashem, then fire comes from the face of Hashem and consumes the offerings, and when Israel sees this miraculous reality occur they fall on their faces in worship before the Presence of the Lord.

Principle: We are the dwelling place for the Ruach HaKodesh so others may see the Presence of God in their midst.

Now, why is all of this so important? What are we to take away from all Parasha Sh’mini?

In Exodus 19 we read:

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.”

And this promise for the nation as a whole to be a treasured people, a kingdom of kohanim, a holy nation is reiterated in 1 Peter.

1 Peter 2:9 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.

When we talked about the construction of the Mishkan through the latter half of Exodus we saw the beautiful reality that the Mishkan was a foreshadowing of something greater. It was a temporary dwelling place for the Shechinah of HaShem to dwell among His people. But this was a foreshadowing of the reality that through the work of re-creation in the Sacrifice of Yeshua we would be made the temporary dwelling place for the Presence of God, He would very literally place His Presence within us through the indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh.

In a very real sense, we have seen the fulfillment of the divine promise in Exodus 19 for Adonai’s covenant people to become a nation of Kohanim fulfilled in the realization of 1 Peter 2:9. The Aaronic Kohanim were able to enter the Tabernacle and encounter the Shechinah of the Lord. In the same sense, as Jews and Gentiles bought by the Blood of the Lamb, we have been made able to encounter the Shechinah of the Lord, but not just through the cloud of burning incense as we enter the earthly Holy of Holies. No, His Presence now resides within us in a very literal sense as we are filled with His Ruach HaKodesh.

We see this all come together in a powerful reality in Acts 2 when the Ruach HaKodesh was poured out upon the early Messianic Jewish community.

Acts 2:1–4 TLV

When the day of Shavuot had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues like fire spreading out appeared to them and settled on each one of them. They were all filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh and began to speak in other tongues as the Ruach enabled them to speak out.

In Parasha Sh’mini we see the Aaronic Kohanim participate in the work of re-creation on the eighth day symbolically through the sacrificial work they did in the Tabernacle, and in this he took part in the revelation of the Presence of Adonai before the Nation. Well, Yeshua, our Kohen Gadol in the order of Melchi-Tzedek, became our atonement sacrifice on Pesach. Then after seven weeks of seven, on the eighth day—on Shavuot—because of the work of re-creation He provided for us He revealed His Presence to us once again through the Ruach HaKodesh. Except now, instead of it being contained in the tent in the middle of the Nation of Israel, it now resides within each and every one of us bought by the Blood of Yeshua. And in the same way that His Presence was revealed to B’nei Yisrael by divine fire coming down and consuming the offering on the altar, when the Ruach HaKodesh was poured out upon the early Messianic Jewish community there was again a divine fire that was seen upon the heads of the believers.

And this reality of the divine fire upon the heads of the early Messianic Jewish community in the birthings of this now 2000 year old revival is so important because no longer is our access to the Father through the poured out blood and burning flesh of animals being offered upon the altar in the Tabernacle or Temple. Now our lives have become that living sacrifice and His all-consuming fire is burning within us so that we can draw others into His glorious Kingdom.

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)

Principle: We are the dwelling place for the Ruach HaKodesh so others may see the Presence of God in their midst.

You

(Call worship team back up and unmute)

So what is hindering you from experiencing the fullness of revival and outpouring in your life? What is preventing you from living your life as a living sacrifice before the Face of the Lord? What is blocking you from becoming an offering consumed by the divine fire of the Ruach HaKodesh?

Just as Aaron was called to come and encounter the Presence of the Lord, you have been redeemed, renewed, and restored to live in a continual encounter with His Shechinah. And just as Adonai promised in Parasha Sh’mini to reveal Himself to B’nei Yisrael, He is yearning to reveal Himself through your life to the world around you.

So what is holding you back from experiencing the fullness of revival today? What are you letting stop you?

Is there hidden, unrepented sin? Are there unrestored relationships with other believers? Are you holding onto past hurts? Are you dwelling upon the guilt and shame of sins and mistakes long forgiven and washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb? Are you cleaving to the lies that the enemy and other people have spoken over you instead of latching on to the truth of who you are in Yeshua? Is your identity rooted in this world rather than in the Kingdom of Messiah?

We

See, here’s the thing… We are in fact the King’s Kohanim, we are a part of a spiritual priesthood called forth in Messiah Yeshua to further the Kingdom of Messiah. We are called to make talmidim of all Nations… But this is a reality that is nearly impossible if we are not firmly rooted in the power and presence of the Ruach HaKodesh within us.

You’ve heard me say hundreds of times… The world doesn’t need more talking head believers… The world around us doesn’t need more believers who say one thing but model something entirely different.

What the world around us needs today, more than ever before, are followers of Yeshua who are fully and completely devoted to walking in the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh at all times, in all situations… No matter who we’re with, no matter what others may think, no matter what society tells us they think about it. We must be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God!!!

Today is the day, folks, for us to recalibrate our faith, to recalibrate our walks with the Lord, to recalibrate our lives and hearts to be in alignment with the revival of the Ruach HaKodesh that has been active since Acts 2.

Principle: We are the dwelling place for the Ruach HaKodesh so others may see the Presence of God in their midst.

Are we truly yearning for revival? Are we truly ready to see what the mighty Hand of God has in store for us when we completely submit to His lead? When we are truly walking in humility and faithfulness to being kedoshim? Are we ready to encounter the power of God and see Him use our lives to impact the lives of those around us?

Then let’s allow the Ruach to begin a work of transformation within us that we truly become the King’s Kohanim and live a life that is a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable before the Lord!