Adat Yeshua, Kansas City

 

As we enter the portion for this week, it is important to understand where we have come from and where we are going.

In Exodus 40:17 we are shown the beginning time frame,

In Leviticus 8 the consecration of Aaron and his sons occurs, in front of the congregation of Israel.  And in Leviticus 9,

So they took what Moses had commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the whole congregation came near and stood before the LORD.  Moses said, 'This is the thing which the LORD has commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you. ' " Vs.  23 :

 

Chapter 10 :

The other bookend is Numbers 9:1:

The Glory of the LORD revealed to all the congregation of Israel - WOW!  And in the midst of his glory being revealed, there is an act of unholiness, namely Nadab and Abihu, which leads to death.

In our portion - what I call the Middle - the Lord shows his great mercy to Israel and defines for them the distinctions between clean and unclean, holy and profane.  It is for the sake of both Israel, and of the LORD.

In the regulations of childbearing, the mother is set apart for a period of time.  The distinctions and boundaries are set.  And when the time of her purification is completed, she is to bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering.

In the case of a man ho has on the skin of his body a swelling or a scab or a bring spot, and it comes an infection of leprosy on the skin of his body, he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priest.  The priest is to look, and pronounce him unclean.

This passage seems somewhat distant and foreign to us today.  The one thing that remains relevant to most of us is the circumcision of the male child on the eighth day.  But what do we do with the rest?

The ritual purification of the mother after childbirth is played out for us in the gospel of Luke, 2:22 - and when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the LORD.....and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the LORD, "a pair of turtledoves or two pigeons. "

We are pleased to see this being fulfilled in Yeshua -- and it had to be, but what about us??  My thought is, it is hard in our present culture to consider these things because we don't like setting ourselves apart, and taking that time to be purified.  In my community, several new mothers have taken this passage seriously, and not entered the sanctuary until this time of purification was over.  Though they may not have fully understood why, following this prescription renewed their spirits, and gave them a deeper dignity in producing a new child.

Now - Leprosy - or Tzara'a

What is it now, what was it then?  A symbol of death or decay?  But for what purpose?  The sages wrote that tzara'at was the result of slander and haughtiness.  It was sin manifest in the flesh.

As we look at this passage, the duty of priest stands out. He is to look, and examine, not to heal.  He is to SEE.  Upon seeing, he then gives proper words of instruction to follow.  But ultimately, he is making the declaration of distinction between clean and unclean.

If we look for a connection to today, and since we are operating as part of his royal priesthood, then what are we seeing?

I see this passage as an active call - to look into the lives of our community.  Where is the Tzara'at happening?  How does it manifest itself?  Our eyes need to be open to SEE it, and prescribe a correct remedy.  We look at it to make a path to wholeness.  As the passage opens up, the first person is brought to the priest.  When someone in the congregation brings a needy soul to us for help and counsel, it is important to first isolate the "sore" spot.  Isolate the sin that is at the center of the problem.  Then we can offer the prescription to resolve it.  It takes an action of the part of the infected person to receive the wholeness and well being.  As for the safety of the whole community, we as leaders (acting priests) need to SEE what is going on.  WE have to isolate a situation for the benefit of the whole.

Paul says in Cor . 5:9 -

"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons - not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world.  But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber.  Do not even eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging those outside?  Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge?  God will judge those outside.  Drive out the wicked person from among you."

In Paul's exhortation here - he is saying, open your eyes - look and see - is there Tzara'at in your midst?  It needs to be declared "unclean."

In the light of our liberal society, and being politically correct, it is time to examine what things are truly clean or unclean in our own lives, and then also, in the lives of our community.

As we are in the same time frame as this portion - preparing for Passover - there is not a better time to get the sin out of our lives.  Catholics give up 'things' in their lives for lent - in preparation for Easter.  It is an action of sacrifice in recognition of His ultimate sacrifice for us.  We messianics need to give up our unrighteousness (whatever that might be), to make ourselves clean vessels for His holiness.

As we prepare for Passover, and clean the leaven out of our houses, may we also clean the leaven from our lives, and the lives of our community.  It is for the sake of Israel and HASHEM, that His glory would reside in us, because we have taken proper measures and cleansed ourselves.

Shabbat Shalom!