PARASHAH: “Emor” (say) LEVITICUS 21:1-24:23
Just as the Levite priests in the ancient Bible days were called to be blameless and holy, should we not all strive for the same? being Holy and sanctifying ourselves to do the work that Adonai has set apart for us? I would say YES.
It is interesting when we look at the Hebrew word "Emor" (say) the Hebrew spelling has three letters; "Aleph' "Mem" and "Resh" We might see some symbolism in these three letters. "Aleph" (Adonai) "Mem" (Messiah) and "Resh" (Rosh, the head, or the first). What might God be saying here? Perhaps; "Say to the people of Israel, that here speaks Adonai and the Messiah, who is the head of and first in Creation, with a message and Torah (instruction) for all the people of Israel, so take note and listen, and obey."
In this parashah study we see more details on the sanctity, Holiness, and comportment of priests. When we read in chapter 21, we read that YHVH is very particular and pays much attention to the physical. We might think that God only looks upon the heart, but thousands of years ago, the physical appearance was important, some with any kind of imperfection; like a broken foot, blind in one eye, hunchback, dwarf…It doesn’t say that they could not serve in the tabernacle or later on, the temple, but they couldn’t offer sacrifices.
We must remember that the priest was a kind of mediator between the people and YHVH, Today, YESHUA the Messiah is our mediator, between us and the Father, and Yeshua was/IS without sin, perfect in all ways, both inside and outside. We may not know what he looked like physically, but we can know that he didn’t have any physical deformities, being God in the flesh.
We read about the priest; “offering the food to Adonai” and many regulations in reference to “food”. It is talking about the animal offerings that were offered on the altar, yet the Hebrew word for “food” in this case is “Lechem” (bread). The priest had to be in perfect physical condition because he represented a perfect G-d. To be any less than “perfect” would have probably been a distraction.
Today, Adonai does not look at our physical bodily conditions, as many people are born with physical defects. Adonai looks at the heart and into our spirit being. Before, the priests would offer up the “lechem” (food, bread) to Adonai, 2000 years ago, the “Bread of Life” was offered up for US!
Today, what could be the “bread” that we could “offer to Adonai?” One could say that we offer up our service and spiritual gifts to HIM, through exercising the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, by teaching others, preaching the Word, evangelizing, giving to others, etc…we are in a way, giving back “bread” to HaShem. He has given to us, and we give back to HIM through serving others and being faithful “priests” on earth.
Just as the Levite priests in the ancient Bible days were called to be blameless and holy, should we not all strive for the same? being Holy and sanctifying ourselves to do the work that Adonai has set apart for us? I would say YES.
It is interesting when we look at the Hebrew word "Emor" (say) the Hebrew spelling has three letters; "Aleph' "Mem" and "Resh" We might see some symbolism in these three letters. "Aleph" (Adonai) "Mem" (Messiah) and "Resh" (Rosh, the head, or the first). What might God be saying here? Perhaps; "Say to the people of Israel, that here speaks Adonai and the Messiah, who is the head of and first in Creation, with a message and Torah (instruction) for all the people of Israel, so take note and listen, and obey."
In this parashah study we see more details on the sanctity, Holiness, and comportment of priests. When we read in chapter 21, we read that YHVH is very particular and pays much attention to the physical. We might think that God only looks upon the heart, but thousands of years ago, the physical appearance was important, some with any kind of imperfection; like a broken foot, blind in one eye, hunchback, dwarf…It doesn’t say that they could not serve in the tabernacle or later on, the temple, but they couldn’t offer sacrifices.
We must remember that the priest was a kind of mediator between the people and YHVH, Today, YESHUA the Messiah is our mediator, between us and the Father, and Yeshua was/IS without sin, perfect in all ways, both inside and outside. We may not know what he looked like physically, but we can know that he didn’t have any physical deformities, being God in the flesh.
We read about the priest; “offering the food to Adonai” and many regulations in reference to “food”. It is talking about the animal offerings that were offered on the altar, yet the Hebrew word for “food” in this case is “Lechem” (bread). The priest had to be in perfect physical condition because he represented a perfect G-d. To be any less than “perfect” would have probably been a distraction.
Today, Adonai does not look at our physical bodily conditions, as many people are born with physical defects. Adonai looks at the heart and into our spirit being. Before, the priests would offer up the “lechem” (food, bread) to Adonai, 2000 years ago, the “Bread of Life” was offered up for US!
Today, what could be the “bread” that we could “offer to Adonai?” One could say that we offer up our service and spiritual gifts to HIM, through exercising the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, by teaching others, preaching the Word, evangelizing, giving to others, etc…we are in a way, giving back “bread” to HaShem. He has given to us, and we give back to HIM through serving others and being faithful “priests” on earth.