Emor “Speak”
Leviticus 21:1-24:23
We are still journeying along reading about God’s instructions with the focus this week focused on the Priests and the Israelites. In this reading God describes restrictions pertaining to priests’ sexuality and marriage. God gives instructions on what they can and can’t do as functioning priests serving the Lord. The one thing I keep in mind when I read through the “do’s and don’ts” is God Himself was there with them in the temple. Now, please don’t think I am insinuating that God is not here with us today. What I mean, is, the people clearly understood God in as much of a “physical” form that He could be, was there inside the temple. As you and I can imagine, He, God Almighty, could not be near anything that represented death, decay, sickness or disease. I would relate this to, the reverence we have felt entering a sanctuary. Maybe, this is a new experience for you; however, there have been times I enter our sanctuary and can feel the presence of God and I just want to hit my knees out of reverence and respect. It is an overwhelming feeling of His Glory~Amen! As I sit here on my back porch writing this, looking at my pool soaked puppies taking an afternoon nap…. I imagine, as I look back to a time that seems so foreign in many ways, what it would look like if they back then, could see into the future and wonder about me, about us!? My guess would be…they would feel exactly as I do, baffled and infatuated, all at the same time. You know what is crazy!? That Same God back then, is the Same God we have today! And the death and resurrection of His Son, tore that veil and no more was there a physical separation between us and God!
If you are like me, I grew up with little to no knowledge of the feasts that The Lord mentions in chapter 23. If you have read Genesis a time or two, in the 2nd chapter, you probably picked up on “a day of rest”, God Himself, resting on a day (the 7th day). The word “sabbath” is specifically not mentioned….but in the next book, Exodus 16 we read the word in the text. Now, I am not here to debate the Sabbath fellowship vs Sunday fellowship; however, I believe with my whole heart, there is a special blessing in congregating on the Sabbath day. I think we can all agree, that we can certainly worship The Lord any day of the week. There is something special, I feel, about coming together in fellowship on Saturday. And, well, God pretty much mentions “the day of rest” from the beginning, like the beginning.
Let’s dig into the “feasts” the “appointed times”….the days we celebrate (should celebrate) just as God commanded.
The Sabbath - work six days and on the 7th day, is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation.
The Passover - In the first month (according to the Jewish calendar) - which is generally March/April on our calendar. On the 14th day of the month, is Passover.
Unleavened Bread - During the same month, on the 15th day, you shall eat unleavened bread (no yeast) - think flat like a cracker. You shall withstand from leaven (yeast) for (7) days.
The Feasts of First Fruits - When you reap the harvest, you shall bring a sheaf (bundle) of first fruits of the harvest to the priest, the priest will wave it before the Lord, so that you may be accepted.
Feast of Weeks (Shavout/Pentecost) - Bring a grain offering of your grain to the Lord. Also, bring (2) loaves of bread.
The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) - In the 7th month (again on the Jewish calendar) which is generally September/October on our calendar. On the first day, as a memorial, blast your shofars.
The Day of Atonement - This is a holy convocation (no work), you fast on this day as you are making atonement before the Lord. A day to repent of your sins.
The Feast of Booths (Sukkot) - During the same month of Yom Kippur, On the 15th day, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord for (7) days. On the first day, you shall take fruit of splendid trees, palm branches, the branches of willow and build a booth (tent) that you and your Israelite family shall dwell in. This shows future generations that God made the people of Israel dwell in booths (tents) like when He brought them out of Egypt and they were in the desert.
We end this reading with “Lamps”. God asks the people of Israel to bring pure olive oil beaten from olives, for the lamp, that will keep a light burning regularly, which will be outside the veil, in the tabernacle.
The table of “showbread” - 12-loaves total and placed in (2) stacks of (6). On every Sabbath day, Aaron shall arrange it before the Lord. Aaron and his sons are able to eat the bread, so it doesn’t go to waste.
We have all heard, “don’t take The Lords name in vain”. Well, as we read there is a strict instruction on this and a man is stoned for going against God’s plan on this.
The chapter ends with “an eye for an eye”. God is setting a stern warning for the Israelites that do things they really shouldn’t do.
As I close out this week, we clearly see God “speaking” to His people, and continuing to give oral instructions to them. How many of us take heed, when God speaks, we should definetly listen.
Can’t wait to see what next week brings ya’ll!
I didn’t always enjoy history in school. But as I have gotten older, I absolutely love digging in and reading to gain an understanding of what was happening in a space of time, that quite frankly, is hard to understand. But I trust in God and His word and believe it is for the good for us all!
Blessings & Shalom ~ Deena
