Though first, a warning shot across the bow.

Emor:

            In naval warfare of the 17 & 1800's, prior to engaging in a battle. A naval commander would order a warning shot be shot, across the bow of the ship of the enemy. Expressly to let his fellow commander know, he was going to blow him out of the water. If the enemy did not raise a white flag, the battle then commenced.

         This past Friday night some fifty odd tornados rumbled through the Untied States, leaving destruction in their wake. Why is this significant? Well I have no doubt these tornados, were the Lord's warning shot across our bow. Why do I say this?

          I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. Gen 12:2

          In light of this, when I read where Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had been in Israel, pressuring the Israeli government this past week, to surrender over half of Jerusalem to the Palestinian. I thought of the following verse.

           Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. Zech 12:2-3

         And how if any nation opposes Jerusalem, the Lord will cut that nation into pieces. Yet here's President Bush, who claimed be a Christian, opposing Jerusalem and in doing so, pitting the United States against G-d.

            Why do I perceive the tornados, as being a warning shot across our bow? Well, not only was Secretary of State Rice in Israel, pressuring this process along, on the very day the tornados hit. The place that suffered the most damage from the tornados, was "Damascus," Arkansas. Why is this significant? Well "Damascus," Arkansas' name sake, Damascus, Syria, has aligned itself with the Iranians, and they are currently beating the war drums against Israel.

              What will untimely become of Damascus, Syria? Well like Damascus, Arkansas, Damascus, Syria will be laid asunder.

             The burden against Damascus . "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. Isa 17:1

           Clearly Friday night's tornados was the Lord's warning shot across our bow, as well as Syria's. But sadly no one is listening.

            Before we turn to this week's torah portion "emor," which means "speck." Remember how I thematically related the wheat and the tares of {Matt.13: 24 - 30 and 36 - 43} last week, to the law of forbidden mixture of seeds, which is found in {Lev 19:19 }

               "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." {Matt 5:17 }

          I did so, in order to prove that contrary conventional wisdom, Yeshua didn't do away the Torah (Law) that in fact He fulfilled it, for example.

        If the law was in fact done away with, at the foot of the Cross. Then certainly Yeshua would never have made a statement that in anyway, would have been thematically connected to the law after His resurrection, would He?

          Well Yeshua in addressing the Church of Laodicea said of it's members. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." Rev 3:15-16

        Clearly Yeshua's statement is thematically related to the law of forbidden mixture of seeds, found in {Lev 19:19 } In that Yeshua in describing the Church of Laodicea stated, "it was neither hot nor cold," making it a forbidden mixture. Which in Yeshua's judgement, was profane. Explaining the reason why, Yeshua found the congregation of Laodicea so appalling.

        Remember how in last week's torah portion, the people were instructed to be "holy," or "kadosh," set apart. {Lev 19:2 } Well, in this week's torah portion "Emor," {Lev 21:1 - 24:3 } the Almighty exults the Levite Priests to an even higher level of holiness. In order to do so, the Lord issued, certain standards, which the Levite priests must keep, for example.

           A Levite Priest could not have any contact with the dead. The only exception were his father, mother, daughter, sister, and brother. Though in case of his sister, if she was married, then he was prohibited, from attending her funnel also. She must be a virgin, in order for him to attend.

          Next a Levite Priest couldn't shave his head nor could he trim the edges of his beard, nor could he cut his flesh in anyway. {Lev 21:4 } If a priest violated any of these standards in anyway, he profaned himself, and was prohibited from preforming any other of his priestly duties.

        Neither could a Levite Priest married a devoiced woman, nor an harlot. {Lev 21:7 } Add to this, if the priest's daughter played the harlot and profaned herself. She was burned to death. {Lev 21:9 } Why did the Lord hand down such standards for the priests?

         Well, the Lord prohibited the mixing the holy with evil, for example. Prior to believing Satan's lie, Adam and Eve were holy "kadosh," separated from evil. Thus, the Almighty came and walked in the garden, in the cool of the day, near sundown. {Gen 3:8 } Though when Adam and Eve believed Satan's lie, and partook of the tree of good and evil. They profane themselves. No, longer were they holy, set apart. In turn no longer could a holy G-d dwell in their midst. Hence they were evicted from the garden.

          I didn't intend to ask the following question, but in retelling this story. I feel compel to ask, the following question. What compelled the Lord to evict Adam and Eve?

           The obvious reason was they were evicted, because they disobeyed the Lord's commandment, in partaking of the tree of good and evil. But there's an underlying reason here. That reason being, in partaking of the tree of good and evil. Adam and Eve partook of a forbidden mixture. The tree of good and evil was forbidden, because it was a mixture of good and evil. {Lev 19:19} Why is this significant?

          Remember how the tares are the sons of Satan, and how they were mixed with the wheat. And how the tares will be toss into the fire, upon Yeshua's coming. {Matt 13: 38 & 40} Where am I going?

            He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. Gen 3:24

          Well, the Lord eviction of Adam and Eve from the garden here, is thematically related to the tares {the lost} being tossed in the fire, "she'ol," hell. Why? Because both the lost and Adam and Eve, are profane.

          Back to our question why, did the Lord hand down such standards for the priests? Remember the Lord's presents, dwelt in the tabernacle and later the temple. This is significant, because if a priest violated anyone of these laws, he profaned himself. Thus, no longer could he preform his priestly duties, in the Lord's presents. In turn like Adam, he was banished from the Lord's presents, the temple. No, the priest wasn't lost, he just was "tamei," or ritually unclean.

       Before we move on, remember how the Lord walked in the garden in the cool of the day, or near sunset.

Also remember in six days, the Lord created the heavens and the earth and on the Sabbath, He rested. {Gen 1:31 , 2:2} So, at the end of the week, His work was finish and He rested on the Sabbath, a Saturday not a Sunday.

           In light that "a day is a thousand years, and a thousand years is a day." {1 Pet 3:8 } There is a teaching among the sages which states, the Messiah will return on the seventh day. Meaning Yeshua will return, in the seventh millennium. How is all of this related to the Lord "walking in the garden in the cool of the day?"

          I alluded to this verse in order to states, "G-d's word declares "the end, from the beginning," for example. The term "cool of the day," implies that it was near "sunset, or at the end of the day." When the Lord returned to the garden, to commune with Adam.

         Thus, Yeshua's return at the end of day, is thematically related to the Lord's return to the garden, in the "cool of the day." So, by "walking in the garden in the cool of the day. The Lord was prophesying of His' coming.

            Moving on though, the priests were held to rigid standards. The High Priest was held to even more ridged standards, for example. The High Priest like the priests, was prohibited from having contact with a dead body. But the High Priest unlike the priests, was prohibited from attending the funerals of his immediate family, such as his' father, mother, wife and so on. {Lev 21:11 } Why was the High Priest, prohibited from having contact any with a dead body?

                  He who touches the dead body of anyone shall be unclean seven days. Num 19:11

          According to the law, anyone who touched a dead body, was "tamei," or ritually unclean. That said, one of a priest's duties, was to offered up the mourning and evening sacrifices, on the behalf of the people. However if a priest came in contact with a dead body, they was "tamei," and could not preform a sacrifice, or preform any of their priestly duties.

       That said, "death is associated with sin." Namely because death entered into the world, as a result of Adam's sin. Thus, the stitch of death, is profane to the Almighty. This is significant, because remember the High Priest, was the only one permitted to go behind the veil, into the presents of the Almighty.

          Back to the High Priest! Remember the High Priest, was the only person allowed to enter into the Holy of Holys, to make an atonement for the people, on Yom Kipper. Though if the High Priest had defiled himself, by having contact with a dead body. When he came in the presents of a holy G-d, he ran the risk of being struck died. Why?

         Again death entered into the world, as a result of Adam's sin. This is significant, because whenever the High Priest, or a priest came in contact with a dead body, he was "tamei," or ritually unclean. Thus when the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holys, and the Lord's presents. Being in a state of "tamei," he was mixing holy with evil. In turn the High Priest ran the risk, of being struck died, by the Lord's wrath.

          Which leads me to a question, have you ever wonder why, Yeshua informed Mary, "do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them,'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God," following His resurrection? John 20:17

        I have heard several preachers state the reason, was Jesus was still in His' earthy body, and wasn't adorning His' heavenly body yet. Which is true, but there was another reason why, Yeshua instructed Mary, not to touch Him and His reasoning. And guess what, His' reason was based on the law.

       In that Yeshua was still in His earthy body that the sins of the world were laid on. Thus, had Mary touched Yeshua, she would have been "tamei," or ritually unclean. {Num 19:11 } Knowing the law, Yeshua instructed her, not to touch Him.

        This is significant, because this encounter happened after, Yeshua's death, burial and resurrection. And yet, Yeshua is still following the law. Implying that contrary conventional wisdom, Yeshua didn't do away the law.

        Moving on, the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "no man of your descendants in succeeding generations, who has any defect, may approach to offer the bread of his God. For any man who has a defect shall not approach: a man blind or lame, who has a marred face or any limb too long, a man who has a broken foot or broken hand, or is a hunchback or a dwarf, or a man who has a defect in his eye, or eczema or scab, or is a eunuch." No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, shall come near to offer the offerings made by fire to the LORD. He has a defect; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. Lev 21:17-21

        Just as the Lord prohibited any animal with a blemish to be sacrifice, on the alter. A descendant of Aaron's with a physical defeat, was bared from offering a sacrifice. Or preforming any priestly duty that was preform in public, for example. A descendant of Aaron's with a physical defeat, was even forbidden from pronouncing, the Aaronic blessing on the people.

          Needless to say, being born with Cerebral Palsy, I find this prior passage interesting. Why? Well, if I had lived when the temple was standing, and was a descendants of Aaron's. I would have been prohibited from offering up a sacrifice, or from preforming any priestly duties publically. Simply because of my handicap. Why?

        Well, I can attest having a disability, exert a strong influence on individual's mind. Even mind's of love one's. No matter what he say or do, I'm judged by my appearance. So, the Lord knowing, the thoughts of the people, prohibited any person with a disability, from laboring under such a burden.

         Though, remember the sages alluded to a hidden meaning in the scriptures, as being the "sod level." I mention this fact, because there is a "sod," or hidden meaning as to why, a person with a physical defect, couldn't preform routine priestly duties.

            Remember Yeshua said, "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me." {John 5:46 } Implying the torah teaches us about the Messiah, for example. The law in {Lev 21:17 - 21 } applied to Aaron's descendants only. In turn the Cohen priests foreshadowed the Messiah, in that they didn't have a physical blemish and was undefiled. Why is this significant?

         This is one of the signs for the "lamb of G-d." In that the "lamb of G-d," would be without any spot or blemish, which the Cohen priests were a type of.

         Not many torah teacher, will deal with the subject of the blasphemer. They will all expound on the Lord's appointed times {holidays} and how each of them foreshadow, Yeshua. Not to takeaway from the importance, of the Lord's appointed times. I want to briefly examine the blasphemer and how it thematically related, to an event in the life of Yeshua.

         That said, in reading this week's portion, the story of a fight seems out of contexts, with the subject matter, already dealt with. Because as we have already discern, {Lev 21 & 22} deals with the instructions to the priests and the High Priest. While {Lev 23 } relates to us, the Lord's holy days, and how they are to be observed. Then {Lev 24:1 - 9 } discusses components found in the tabernacle. Then strangely enough this week's portion, ends with a recount of a fight, and how one of the participate, blasphemed G-d. {Lev 24:10 - 23 } How does this story relates, the events that comes before it in this week's portion?

        Read {Lev 24:10 - 16 } what or who is main theme, discussed in this passage? It's the blasphemer, who was involved in the fight. Now read {Lev 24:17 - 22 } note how the subject matter changes. The instructions concerning injury and death, inflected on a person and animal, seems out of context, doesn't it? Though on the "sod level," I can discern how, this passage is related to the blasphemer.

          What is the most obvious way the instructions, concerning injury or death, {Lev 24:17 - 22 ,} is thematically related the blasphemer? In the first part of this week's portion, {Lev 21:1 - 9 } what is the topic being discussed? It's "kadosh," holiness on the part of the priest. According to {Lev 21:6 } what will occur, on a lack of holiness on the part of the priests? It's the Almighty's name will be desecrated. Now, what phase is almost repeated for verbatim in {Lev 21:10 - 15 } in regards to a lack of holiness, on the part of the priests? It's "shall not discrete the sanctuary of his G-d." Then in the third part of this week's portion, {Lev 21:16 - 24 } what phrase is almost a repeat of the two previous phrases that I mentioned? It's "shall not discrete my sacred offering."

        That said, obviously the account of the blasphemer, is thematically related to the previous sections of this week's portion. How?

        Well the fight itself, is not the central theme. The central theme is the blasphemer's anger got the best of him. When he said, the Lord's name in vane,{Lev 24:11} he desecrated or profaned, the Lord. This is significant, because in the previous sections. We have seen how the Lord is concern that His name not be desecrated. Thus, the themes of every sections, is desecration. Explaining why, the account of the blasphemer, is found in this week's torah portion.

         Returning to Yeshua's statement "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me." In light of Yeshua's statement, I like to close on an event in Yeshua's life that is thematically related, to the account of the blasphemer.

       Though, it should be pointed out first that the Lord, ordered the blasphemer stoned to death. {Lev 24:16 , 23} That said, to make a long story short Yeshua said, "I and the Father are One." {John 10:30 } In light of this, the Greek word for Jews, which appear in your King James bible, is " iouda," which imply "Judah."

           This is meaningful, because Yeshua's statement, led men of Judah to say, "for a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." {John 10:33 } So, in the eyes of the men of Judah, Yeshua profaned the Lord and like the blasphemer. In turn they deemed, Yeshua should be stone to death. All for simply stating the truth. The truth being, Yeshua and the Father are One in the same.

         So, if Yeshua and the Father are One and the same. Then it was Yeshua Himself, who gave Moses the law on Mount Sinai. Explaining why Yeshua said, "if you love Me, keep My commandments." { John 14:15 } And why, the men of Judah, were so enraged.

         May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26

              He is my defense; I shall not be moved. Ps 62:2