SHEMINI (Eighth) Lev 9:1–11:47; Num 19:1-22; 2 Sam 6:1–7:17; Mark 9:1–13
This week’s parasha in Lev. 9:1 states that “…on the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.” The gematria 8 represents covenant and new beginnings and we see many examples in the Bible such as with the sacrificial system that had just been established for the Israelites. When someone transgressed the Law the sacrificial system provided a means whereby one could be restored again into right relationship with God. Yet, although the provision itself was perfect (because it came directly from God) the system was flawed because it could not in itself lead someone into a place of restored relationship permanently; it was only a temporary provision until the next time that person sinned. This is explained in Heb.10:1-10:
“Even with its steady stream of sacrifices offered year after year, there still was nothing that could make (their) hearts perfect before God. 2–3 For if animal sacrifices could once and for all eliminate sin, they would have ceased to be offered and the worshipers would have clean consciences. Instead, once was not enough so by the repetitive sacrifices year after year, the worshipers were continually reminded of their sins, with their hearts still impure. 4 For what power does the blood of bulls and goats have to remove sin’s guilt? 5 So when Yeshua the Messiah came into the world he said, “Since your ultimate desire was not another animal sacrifice, you have clothed me with a body that I might offer myself instead! 6 Multiple burnt offerings and sin-offerings cannot satisfy your justice. 7 So I said to you, ‘God—I will be the One to go and do your will, to fulfil all that is written of me in your Word!’ ” 8 First he said, “Multiple burnt-offerings and sin-offerings cannot satisfy your justice” (even though the law required them to be offered). 9 And then he said, “God, I will be the One to go and do your will.” So by being the sacrifice that removes sin, he abolishes animal sacrifices and replaces that entire system with a newer covenant. 10 By God’s will we have been purified and made holy once and for all through the sacrifice of the body of Yeshua, the Messiah!”
This passage makes a powerful statement. Yeshua has provided us with a better solution that the sacrificial system was unable to provide through His sacrifice on the Cross because the redemption He offers is permanent not temporary. All this was crafted by the Divine hand before the beginning of eternity as a means whereby we can be made righteous – through His blood shed for us. God knew ahead of time the inherent sinfulness of man and provided a solution by sending His own Son into the world as a propitiation for our sins. This Divine intervention is not too good to be true but is most certainly too good to ignore!
Yeshua voluntarily offered Himself as a sinless sacrifice and was crucified, the cruellest of tortures, but conquered death and rose from the dead on the 3rd day, on the 1st day of the week on the 8th day.
It is interesting that there are 8 individual resurrections recorded in the Bible apart from those specifically connected to Yeshua:
- 3 in the OT
- 3 in the Gospels
- 2 in the NT – one in Acts 9 and also Acts 20
And the 3 instances of resurrection recorded in the OT directly correspond to those 3 contained in the Gospels:
- The son of a widow (1Kings 17:17-25) and the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-18)
- The son of the woman of Shunam ( 2Kings 4:32-37) and the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:35)
- An adult In Elisha’s tomb (2Kings 13:20,21) and Lazarus (John 11)
It is also interesting that the miracles Elijah performed in total were 8 although the miracles of Elisha were 16 because he received a double portion of anointing from Elijah. The Greek name for Yeshua ‘Ihsous’ has a gematria of 888 and so also are many other examples we could cite regarding the number 8 in the Bible.
Despite the fact that some within the body of Messiah are bound by condemnation through past failures, the Bible states that God provides us with the availability of new beginnings. In this respect nothing is beyond the scope of God’s forgiveness. As far as the East is from the West, so too has He removed our transgressions from us. And so we can put the past behind us and walk in newness of life. We needn’t be dogged by our past for Yeshua has taken our every sin upon Himself for all those who truly repent and receive His forgiveness and cleansing. Satan is the “father of lies” who seeks to steal kill and destroy and has been well described as the “Accuser of the brethren.” However, Romans 8 states that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Messiah Yeshua who walk in His ways and are called according to His purposes. The genius of God is that He can use everything, even our past failures as a stepping stone to draw us ever closer to Him when we allow Him to. It is His express desire to set us free from the shackles of all condemnation which originates from the pit of hell and this is just one demonstration of the measure of His love for us!
Therefore, refuse all discouragement despite every negative circumstance or situation in the knowledge that though each one of us is imperfect, we have an advocate, Yeshua our Messiah who is standing before the throne of God making intercession for us day and night. And with God on our side, who can be against us!
Another thing I would like to focus upon that is covered in this parasha is the reoccurring theme of holiness that weaves its way throughout the book of Leviticus. In chapter 11:44, it speaks about individual holiness for every believer. The Israelites were commanded to consecrate themselves and to live a life of holiness as modelled by the Lord. Earlier in ch. 9:6 they were told that holiness comes with the promise of blessing (Lev.9:6). Yeshua reiterated this in Matt. 5 when He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” (Experience the reality of Him in their lives through a living relationship that cannot be broken)
When we choose as believers the narrow pathway holiness we become transformed increasingly into His likeness shining with His glory for which the world has no answer.
Here on the 8th day following a week of purification, God’s glory descended upon Aaron and his four sons after they made sacrifices to Him- the sin offering – burnt offering – and the fellowship offerings. When they came out of the Tabernacle, Aaron blessed the Israelites and the Shekinah Glory appeared to the entire population. The fire of God consumed the burnt offering and the fat parts on the altar. And the people screamed in alarm and fell on their faces because of His manifest and holy presence. It is a terrible thing to come into the holy presence of the living God!
But then, the Bible shares something of great sadness and warning. “Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered strange fire [zarah – carries the connotation of being foreign or another kind.] before the LORD, contrary to His command.” So fire came from the presence of the Lord and consumed them and they died before the Lord.” (Lev10:2)
The fire of God cleanses believers from sin and brings us into His holy presence. But those who subsequently rebel against Him will be ultimately consumed. The higher the ranking a person has in the Kingdom of God, the greater their accountability: no-one is exempt. Nadav and Avihu are a sad example of this. So too, the consequences of leaders who abuse their position of authority through selfish gain: pride or hidden agendas; lack of integrity, seeking approval from men rather than from God; making a pretence of piety whilst nurturing hidden sin; losing their first love whilst living in the lap of luxury and dwelling in the realm of apathy and self centredness; preaching a false gospel that is comfortable and politically correct, whetting the appetites of those who sit in their pews instead of feeding them with the whole counsel of God.
To treat God’s holiness with contempt is a dangerous thing. But within it all there exists a silence louder than a primal scream caused by the collateral destruction of one who scorns the sacred things of God.
Each one of us must give an accountability before God. At that time some will be shocked to discover they face a lost eternity in place of the eternal life they had anticipated, whilst others will slink into Heaven by the skin of their teeth. But my constant prayer for everyone of us present today for which I stand confident is that each one of our small group by the grace of God continues to fight the good fight unto the end for henceforth the Lord, the giver of Life has laid up for us the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will award us on that day. 2 Tim. 4:7–8
God has called us to be holy. As such there can be no compromise. Scripture teaches us to be ‘alert and sober’ at all times that we may not fall prey to Satan’s manifold expressions of deception, and we do so by cleaving within the boundaries God has set for us in His Word.
There is a spiritual principle whereby the closer a person grows to God, the greater are the blessings but so too is our accountability towards Him. One of the saddest moments in Scripture is contained here in this parasha when Aaron received the news about his eldest two sons and we read the words: ‘Aharon kept silent.’ He was not allowed to grieve, or make any excuses for his sons, nor show any emotion, or even question the Divine judgment of God and the whole episode must have been devastating beyond words.
But in all of this we are challenged to walk circumspectly in the pathways of God in accordance to His revealed will wholeheartedly. Whatever we choose will determine our eternal destiny so we need to choose well because there remains the promise of an eternal reward in Scripture for every person who overcomes that will be witnessed by creation and celebrated throughout eternity.
Who can fathom what God has reserved for those who love Him and walk in His ways? Rev 21-22 reveals to us a glimpse as Yeshua describes some of the new heaven’s and earth’s attributes. At that time there will be no seas or oceans, no sun or moon, and no day or night as God’s glory will provide us with His light continuously. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain and this earth will be permanent and last forever. Physical death and decay and the decaying of order into disorder will no longer exist. The current “laws of physics” that currently applies to our world and to our universe will no longer be applicable!
The time is drawing near as the second hand of the clock fast approaches midnight. So let us throw aside every encumbrance and those thing that impedes and let us run the race well unto the end well, with our eyes fixed upon Yeshua the Author and Finisher of our faith, with our hearts filled with steadfast joy and wholehearted love for the One who is our all in all!
