Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, June 24, 2021
Shalom,
Many of you have sent me comments to let me know how much you are enjoying the series on the Red Heifer. Me too, as I study it out one question at a time. As you can tell, this is complex. There are both earthly realities and heavenly realities involved. We get into that a lot when we start dealing with subjects like the Bride of Messiah, Yeshua’s return, Communion and the Millennial Reign, just to name a few.
Today, our subject question is… “Why is Eliezer commanded to sprinkle the blood 7 times toward the Tabernacle?” We have to allow the Scriptures themselves to provide the answers we seek. If we don’t use Scripture, all we’re left with is man’s opinions. We can’t base our response to God on what we happen to be thinking at a moment in time. Wouldn’t you hate to lose your salvation because you’re “not in the mood?”
Where else does the Scripture speak of sprinkling blood 7 times? Actually, many times, twice in Leviticus 4 alone. It is mentioned in Leviticus 14:7 regarding the cleansing of Lepers. In Leviticus 16:14 and again in verse 19 the blood is sprinkled 7 times for the cleansing of the Tabernacle.
The Talmud also details instructions to the priest requiring the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat inside the Holy of Holies, one time vertically and 7 times horizontally. Seven is the biblical number of completeness (or wholeness). We must be complete in Him, who cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
In Psalm 51, we ask God to “create in me a clean heart.” As part of that, we ask God for cleansing from sin… Psalm 51:3(2) Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your mercy. According to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 4(3) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. How does God do that? By the blood of Yeshua… 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of His Son Yeshua purifies us from all sin.
To be cleansed by blood is an unusual thought. Blood stains. How can we be made clean with what stains? This is where heaven and earth come together. In earth, it doesn’t make sense, but in God’s heavenly kingdom, it makes perfect sense. We are redeemed by the blood… 1 Peter 1:18 You know that you were redeemed from the futile way of life handed down from your ancestors—not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with precious blood like that of a lamb without defect or spot, the blood of Messiah.
Seven times, complete in Him. Colossians 2:9 For all the fullness of Deity lives bodily in Him, 10 and in Him you have been filled to fullness.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu 24 Jun 2021 14th of Tamuz, 5781
Nu 23:13-26 Ez 4-5 Neh 4 (Lk 11:29-54) Gal 3
The last reading of “Daily Bread” today is Galatians 3. Oh how the detractors of Messianic Judaism love to use Galatians against us. And why wouldn’t they? After calling them “foolish Galatians,” Paul wrote this… Galatians 3:2 I want to find out just one thing from you: did you receive the Ruach by deeds based on Torah, or by hearing based on trust? Notice this (and it is important), the issue is not observance of Torah, but (it is) receiving of the Ruach (Spirit).
Can we work our way into God’s good graces? Certainly not! Can we do enough good to outweigh the bad? No way. Let me assure you, there is nothing in Galatians (or anywhere else in Scripture) that we find inconsistent with Messianic faith. Since when would obeying God be against God? The difference is not in the “doing,” but in the reason behind the “doing.”
Psalm 40:9(8) “I delight to do Your will, O my God. Yes, Your Torah is within my being.” And Who is being quoted there anyway? None other than Yeshua, Who had no issue with being Torah observant (after the spirit and not after the letter).
So much of Christianity seems stuck on the salvation experience. Messianic Judaism is about growing beyond the salvation experience to maturity which involves development of character and a separation from sin. If it were not for the Torah, we would not even know what sin is. What I just described is discipleship. Salvation is the first step. Then we read… Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my loved ones, just as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence—work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For the One working in you is God—both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Did you catch that? As believers, we’re not working, God is.
Week 26
Memory Verse: Daniel 9:19 Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay! For Your city and Your people are called by Your name.’
126 6/24 Monday: Daniel 5-6
127 6/25 Tuesday: Daniel 9-10; 12
128 6/26 Wednesday: Ezra 1-2
*129 6/27 Thursday: Ezra 3-4
130 6/28 Friday: Ezra 5-6
Question of the day: What stands out at the end of Ezra 3?
Answer: Everyone saw that the foundation to the house of the Lord was finished. Both old and young saw the same thing. Yet, there is a significant difference in the response of the different generations. The younger generation had a “glass half full” response. Ezra 3:11 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to Adonai, “For He is good; For His mercy upon Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to Adonai because the foundation of the House of Adonai had been laid.
However; the older generation remembered the former Temple built by Solomon. Ezra 3:12 But many of the kohanim, Levites and patriarchal leaders, older men who had seen the former House, wept loudly at the sight of the founding of this House, while many shouted for joy. Those who “wept loudly” were of the “glass half empty (look what we lost)” generation.
Both points of view reflected the eye of the beholder. Tisha B’Av is coming this year on July 18th. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both Temples. All Israel will mourn on account of the loss, but as Messianic Jews, we know something better is coming, so how much can we mourn when we have every reason to rejoice.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that the Ruach Elohim dwells among you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
We have every reason to celebrate the goodness of God. Shalom.