One of the primary lessons that we learned from last week torah portion; is the only way a person can "draw near Adonai; {the Lord} is through the shedding of blood of an innocent substitute; for example.

          Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. Lev 1:4

            The prior verse teaches an individual "draw near G-d;" by mentally transferring his sin onto a blood sacrifice. However it should be pointed out that the "olah or elevated offering;" alluded to in {Lev 1:4 } is not a sin offering. This is significant; because this teaches that even when a person is not guilty of sin per say. Still the only way they can "draw near to G-d;" is through the shedding of blood. Namely Yeshua’s shed blood; for example.

           Remember once the animal or offering was slain; a priest took the blood and sprinkled it on the alter. {Lev 1:5 } Why is this significant?

         When Yeshua said; "it is finished;" then bowed His head and gave up His spirit. {John 19:30 } Meanwhile while this was taking place; a Roman solder was braking the legs of the two thieves that were crucified along with Yeshua. {John 19:32 } Why?

         The law stated a person; who had committed a sin worthy of death; be hung on a tree; in public. Though when death occurred; the body must be remove from the tree; and buried before dark; in order to prevent the land from being defiled. {Deut 21: 22 - 23}

         Hence being remindful of the law then; and with sundown drawing near. The Roman solder broke the legs of the two thieves to ensure their death; before sundown; then their burial. Though upon coming to Yeshua; the Roman solder noted; Yeshua was already died. In turn the Roman solder did not brake Yeshua’s legs. {John 19:33 } This is noteworthy; because "the Passover lamb" foreshadows Yeshua. And Adonai {the Lord} commanded that none of the bones of "the Passover lamb;" {Yeshua} shall be broken.

            They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. Num 9:12

         Hence the reason why; the Roman solder didn’t brake any bone of "the Lamb of G-d;" the Lord had preordain none of His bones to be broken. Though another solder; who thought Yeshua was still alive; pierced Yeshua’s side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. {John 19:34 } Why is this meaningful?

         Remember according to the law; which is G-d’s word. The only way a person can "draw near a holy G-d; is through the shedding of blood. This is significant; because it is through Yeshua’s shad blood that we are redeem and forgiving of our sins. {Eph 1:7 } Yeshua shed blood then redeemed us of our sins.

         Expounding on this thought; when Adam and Eve fell from grace; in the garden. There immediate reaction was to hid from G-d; because they noticed their nakedness. Thus they sewed fig leaves together; in order to cover themselves. { Gen 3:7 } Now lets look at the details here.

        Nakedness in the torah; is often a picture of "shame and guilt." Thus after Adam and Eve ate from "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." Adam and Eve experienced "shame and guilt;" for the first time. Hence in a vain effort to atone or cover their sin; they sewn fig leaves together.

         Adonai {the Lord} then begun to search for them by calling; "where are you?" {Gen 3:9 } Isn’t this a prophetic picture of "the good Shepherd;" {Ps 23} looking for His sheep? Because the prophet Isaiah stated; "we all are like sheep; gone astray." {Isa. 53:6 }

         Remember Adam and Eve had sewn fig leaves; in an effort to cover themselves. Though we know that their efforts was insufficient; because Adonai {the Lord} slain what I believe was a lamb; and covered Adam and Eve; with it’s skin. {Gen 3:21 } What is the point that I am trying to make?

        Obviously Adonai {the Lord} had to sacrifice an animal; in order to provide the coats of skins. Resulting in the spilling of blood of an innocent animal. Though upon a closer look; this event serve as a prophetic picture of the Messiah. Because G-d slain an innocent animal; which foreshadows "the Lamb of G-d;" in order to atone or cover Adam and Eve sins.

       Proving once again that Yeshua was correct; because Moses did indeed write about Yeshua in writing on the sacrificial system.

         Moving on; this week’s torah portion "tzav" begin with the Lord saying to Moses; "command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it."   Lev 6:9

        Remember there were two olah offerings; or bunt offerings. The mourning offering; which consisted of a lamb; was placed upon the alter at sunrise; and the evening offering {lamb} was placed on the alter; at three in the afternoon. Ex 29:39 - 41

       I alluded to this fact; because what the Lord is commanding here; is for the evening offering; to burn throughout the night. Hence the Lord is commanding the alter to burn twenty - four hours a day; seven days a week; three hundred and sixty-five days a year;.

         Thus when the temple was still standing; in order to fulfill this commandment; a priest stayed in the temple; throughout the night. Hence when the flame was beginning burn out; he placed more wood on the alter.

          However occasionally the priest that was assigned to keep the alter burning; throughout the night fell asleep. That said the high priest; who processed the keys to the temple; had a ritual of returning to the temple; sometime before sun rise.

       Upon entering the temple the high priest first order of business; was to ensure that the alter was still burning. Because if the priest; who was assigned to keep the alter burning; had dozed off to sleep; likely the alter wasn’t burning.

        If the coals on the alter; were nearly out. The high priest then proceeded to place wood on the alter; in order to ensure the evening sacrifice; would be totally consume; before dawn.

            Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev 21:15

        With that said; remember that I stated last week that the flames consuming the sacrifice served as a reminder that anyone; who name isn’t written in "the book of life;" will be cast into the lake of fire and there will be consume in flames; for an eternity. In turn the flames in the lake of fire will never be extinguish; nor unlike the olah {mourning and evening offerings} the individuals; who are cast in the flames in the lake of fire; will never be consume.

       Moving on; once the high priest had retrieved the fire pan from the alter; and filled it full of hot coals. He then proceeded to search for the sleeping priest; with ash pan of the hot coals in hand.

         Often the high priest found the priest; asleep in the corridors of the temple. Upon finding him; the high priest; placed the hot coals; on the hem of the sleeping priest’s priestly garment.

        With that said; when the priestly garment became worn out; in stead of being discarded; they were used for the wicks; in the lamps inside the temple. So the priestly garment; were highly flammable.

        Thus when the high priest placed the hot coals; on the hem of the priestly garment. The sleeping priest; awoke to find his priestly garment in flames. Hence at this point the priest had only one option; that being to quickly disrobe. Then upon disrobing; the priest had to go home naked. What can we gleam from this?

        Well in returning to the temple before dawn at no set time; the high priest returned as "a thief in the night." Why is this significant?

       Yeshua depicted His second coming as "a thief in the night" for example. Yeshua stated; "behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Rev 16:15

        So the high priest; who returned as "a thief in the night;" is liken unto Yeshua; who like the high priest; who will return as "a thief in the night" also. Whereas the naked priest; is liken unto un faithful individuals; who have shaded their garment; and will be found naked; upon the Messiah’s return.

          Moving on; the high priest returned to the temple; sometime between three and five Am; depending on the time of the year; before dawn. Thus in doing so; the high priest returned to the temple; in the third watch; which was between 3 AM and dawn. Why is this meaningful you ask?

           Well Yeshua stated; "if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."  Luke 12:38-40

         The Hebrew divided the night into three watches, consisting of four hours each. The first watch is mentioned in, {Lam 2:19 } the second watch is mention in, {Judg 7:19 .} Finely the third watch is mention in {Ex 14:24} However the fourth watch; isn’t alluded to anywhere in the torah; or the books of the prophets. So where did the term the fourth watch; come from then?

          Remember during Yeshua’s ministry; the nation of Israel; was ruled by the Roman Empire. I alluded to this fact; because the Roman army divided a day up into four watches. With the first watch beginning at six o'clock in the evening, and continued till nine. The second watch began at nine, and continued till twelve; the third watch began at twelve, and continued till three next morning. The fourth watch began at three, and continued till six. In turn the Roman’s fourth watch; is equivalent to the Hebrew’s third watch.

       Bearing this fact in mind; remember when the disciples; were caught in the midst of a storm; on the sea of Galilee. {Matt 14:24 } I find it interesting that it was between the hours of three and six AM; during the fourth watch. When Yeshua suddenly appeared to His disciples. Matt 14:25

        So liken unto the high priest then; Yeshua appeared to His disciples as "a thief in the night; in the midst of a raging storm; during the third watch. Why do I find this interesting?

       The sleeping priest; is liken unto the foolish virgins. {Matt 25 } In that the sleeping priest didn’t know; what hour of the night; the high priest would return. Because if he had; no doubt he would have been awake; upon the high priest’s arrival. What can we gleam from this?

       Well Yeshua said; "behold, I am coming as a thief . Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." {Rev 16:15 } Clearly Yeshua was alluding to the high priest; who returned to the temple; "as a thief in the night."

         If upon entering the temple; the high priest found the alter unkept; after rekindling the flame; on the alter. He then went in search of the sleeping priest. Upon finding him; instead of waking him; the high priest set the sleeping priest’s; priestly garment on fire. In turn the sleeping priest; walked home ashamed; naked.

        Likewise our High Priest; who is presently seated at the right hand of the Father; {Heb 8:1 } will return; "as a thief in the night." And liken unto the sleeping priest anyone; who is found asleep at His’ coming; will be put to shame.

        Moving on; the alter was to be kept burning perpetually burning; twenty - four hours a day; seven days a week; three - hundred and sixty - five days a year. {Lev 6:9 } In light of this Yeshua taught that we should love Him with all of our heart; soul and might and that we should show our love for Him; by loving our neighbor; as ourselves. {Mark 12:33 }

       Though just as the flames occasionally burned out on the alter; and there wasn’t anything lift on the alter; but coals. So to due to circumstances; whether they be of our doing or not; our love for G-d smolders; effecting our love for our neighbor. What should do at this point?

       Remember when the flames on the alter went out. The priest removed the ashes; then he placed wood on the alter; in an orderly manner. Then he fanned the coals; in order to rekindle the fire.

        Likewise these are the steps we are to take; whenever our love for G-d smolders; for example. Unwarranted ashes; will stiffen the oxygen from reaching the fire Thus; the removing ashes symbolizes the need to; remove the fleshly lust from our lives; that is smoldering our love for G-d.

         I alluded to Yeshua’s statement; because just as the fire on the alter; was fueled by wood on the alter. "Man can not live on bread alone;" for example. Just as the wood fueled the flame on the alter; G-d’s word fuel our spiritual bodies. So placing wood on the alter; teaches us the importance; of reading from G-d’s word daily; in order to fuel our spiritual bodies.

         Finely whenever the flame in our hearts burn low; and in turn we think something spiritually is wrong with us. The alter demonstrates that it is only natural for the fire to burn hot; then burn low. In turn teaching us; whenever our spiritually fire burns low. We need to attend to the alter in our hearts; by removing the ashes and adding fuel {G-d’s word.}Then afterwards we should fan the coals and rekindling the flame.

          The priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen trousers he shall put on his body, and take up the ashes of the burnt offering which the fire has consumed on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. Then he shall take off his garments, put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. Lev 6:10-11

        In closing; when the temple was still standing in Jerusalem; every mourning a priest removed the ashes; from the alter that had accumulated there over night. That said; according to the Talmud; the priests literally fought for the opportunity to remove the ashes. Whenever they didn’t fight; they held foot races up the ramp of the alter; in order to settle the issue.

        The Talmud goes on to depict how one of the priest in racing up the ramp of the alter; pushed a fellow priest off of the ramp; causing him to brake his leg. Thus the high priest instituted a more peaceful way of settling the issue; the casting of lots. To determine which priest; had the honor of removing the ashes. What can we gleam from this?

        In light of the apathy within the body of believers; and even among the clergy today. The priests should be applauded; for their zeal in serving in the temple.

       That said; remember when Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. In building the alter; Elijah placed the wood in orderly manner. {1 Kings 18:31 } What is the point I am trying to make; you ask?

       Well an in depth study of the alter; teaches us the only way to draw near to a holy G-d; is through the shading of blood; which is Yeshua’s. Along with that the worship of G-d; should be conducted in an orderly manner.

        Though the Church ignores this teaching on grounds that the law was done away with at the foot of Cross. This in spite of the fact that G-d’s word; is forever sealed in heaven. Ps 119:89

A footnote: You may have noted the mailing list has more than double; within recent weeks. Consequently I received several E mails asking; where they can find my past torah lessons? They can be found at following two websites.

         www.olivetreemessianicfellowship.com or http://hugginsnet.com/wiley2/

          Finely I don’t normally do this; but when I was asked; to pray for a 15 year old; who was wounded in a bomber in Ariel; Israel; suffering survive neck wound. I felt compelled to ask; for your prayers on this boy’s behalf.

          What is so disturbing; it appears as though; this boy’s belief in Yeshua; in sighted the bomber. With that said; you may read of this horrible act at the following website; and get all of the details.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0;7340L-3521856;00.html

        Upon reading this; I was remindful when several prominent Jewish individuals in Europe; learned of the Contraction Camps. They dismiss the camps thinking; it would never happen to them. Though when Hitler steam rolled Poland and France; then the SS invaded the Warsaw Ghetto; all of that changed..

          I said all of that in order to say this; we take freedom of worship for granted in this country. Though there is coming a day; when we be hated for our belief in Yeshua. This horrible act; only testify of this fact and to dismiss it; would be liken to the prominent Jewish individuals in Europe; who mistakenly thought it wouldn’t happen to them.

          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