Daily Bible Portion (Wednesday)
Daily Bible Portion – 4 of 7
"AFTER THE DEATH"
(Weekly Reading>>Leviticus 16:1-18:30, Ezekiel 22:1-16, Hebrews 9:6-28, Romans 3:19-28; 9:30-10:13, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; 14-17)
The Wedding
Not only is the Day of Atonement(Yom Kippur) a preparation day, it is also referred to as the Wedding Day, the second stage of a Biblical (Hebrew) marriage. On this day The Messiah receives His Bride. Thus we, as part of Israel, who are chosen, redeemed and sprinkled by His blood, will cease from our own works/labors on this day and go forth adorned in His righteousness to meet our Bridegroom. If we have prepared ahead of time for this day our lamp will be full of oil and our priestly garments prepared white and clean to enter in with the King at His calling. This day is one of holiness and sanctification. Nothing unclean enters in.
Eating Blood Forbidden
(Leviticus 17)
We have often wondered why food laws in Leviticus followed the teaching of the Day of Atonement, the holiest teaching for the priesthood. Chapter 17 marks the third time God placed the teaching of food right next to the teaching of the priesthood. As mentioned earlier, blood is to be used for atonement. Blood deals with both clean and unclean. It is the blood that carries the life of the animal. God mentions this four times in eight verses. His instruction was not only to the twelve tribes of Israel but also to the proselyte, the one who sojourns with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This teaching about blood was not for salvation purposes but for our health. We will get sick if we have blood in the foods that we eat. God also mentioned, the life of a creature is in its blood three times in three verses, and the word blood ten times in four verses. The impression that blood plays in this chapter is very important to God; therefore we need to observe His instructions carefully if we are to be a royal priesthood with Christ as our High Priest.
Eating blood was the norm among the Egyptians and also a big part of the cultures that inhabited the land of Canaan where the Israelites were journeying. Blood was used in religious rituals to appease the gods these other cultures served. We are taught that the life of the creature is in its blood. The people who practiced these rituals literally ate and drank the mindset and animalistic behavior of these animals. This behavior led the Israelites into situations such as the incident of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32 and the one in Numbers 25. In Numbers 25 the Moabite women seduced the Israelite men, luring them to participate in their feasts and to bow down to their gods. We may not have been taught that this message on blood relates to our day but God desires a people who will obey His commands. If we are in Jesus, we are called Israel, meaning, this message is for us today. We are commanded not to have blood in our food (John 1:49).
Eating blood contaminates our temple and limits the blessings of God from flowing fully in the life of a believer. This can lead to spiritual death, physical illness and even physical death. Choosing our own ways over His is a rebellious nature. Walking a compromised lifestyle will bring contamination and keep believers from having any genuine freedom. It also hinders believers from celebrating His Sabbaths and Feast Days to any real depth of intimacy as only holiness enters into the tabernacle. Remember, in Matthew 25:1-13, only the wise virgins entered into the sanctuary, they are the bride, and the unwise returned to the outer court missing the wedding all together. They became the wedding guests at the reception (the Feast of Tabernacles/Succot). Scripture clearly instructs us to: "Be holy because I am Holy." (Matthew 25: 1-13; 1 Corinthians 3:16; James 1:14-15)
continues tomorrow...
"AFTER THE DEATH"
(Weekly Reading>>Leviticus 16:1-18:30, Ezekiel 22:1-16, Hebrews 9:6-28, Romans 3:19-28; 9:30-10:13, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; 14-17)
The Wedding
Not only is the Day of Atonement(Yom Kippur) a preparation day, it is also referred to as the Wedding Day, the second stage of a Biblical (Hebrew) marriage. On this day The Messiah receives His Bride. Thus we, as part of Israel, who are chosen, redeemed and sprinkled by His blood, will cease from our own works/labors on this day and go forth adorned in His righteousness to meet our Bridegroom. If we have prepared ahead of time for this day our lamp will be full of oil and our priestly garments prepared white and clean to enter in with the King at His calling. This day is one of holiness and sanctification. Nothing unclean enters in.
Matthew 25:1-13 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight [the Feast of Trumpets/Yom Teruah] a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding [Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur]; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (1 Peter 1:1-2).
Eating Blood Forbidden
(Leviticus 17)
We have often wondered why food laws in Leviticus followed the teaching of the Day of Atonement, the holiest teaching for the priesthood. Chapter 17 marks the third time God placed the teaching of food right next to the teaching of the priesthood. As mentioned earlier, blood is to be used for atonement. Blood deals with both clean and unclean. It is the blood that carries the life of the animal. God mentions this four times in eight verses. His instruction was not only to the twelve tribes of Israel but also to the proselyte, the one who sojourns with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This teaching about blood was not for salvation purposes but for our health. We will get sick if we have blood in the foods that we eat. God also mentioned, the life of a creature is in its blood three times in three verses, and the word blood ten times in four verses. The impression that blood plays in this chapter is very important to God; therefore we need to observe His instructions carefully if we are to be a royal priesthood with Christ as our High Priest.
Eating blood was the norm among the Egyptians and also a big part of the cultures that inhabited the land of Canaan where the Israelites were journeying. Blood was used in religious rituals to appease the gods these other cultures served. We are taught that the life of the creature is in its blood. The people who practiced these rituals literally ate and drank the mindset and animalistic behavior of these animals. This behavior led the Israelites into situations such as the incident of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32 and the one in Numbers 25. In Numbers 25 the Moabite women seduced the Israelite men, luring them to participate in their feasts and to bow down to their gods. We may not have been taught that this message on blood relates to our day but God desires a people who will obey His commands. If we are in Jesus, we are called Israel, meaning, this message is for us today. We are commanded not to have blood in our food (John 1:49).
Ezekiel 33:24-26 "Son of man, they who inhabit those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, 'Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. But we are many; the land has been given to us as a possession.' Therefore say to them, 'Thus says Yahweh: You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and you defile one another's wives. Should you then possess the land?'"
Leviticus 17:10 "Any Israelite or any alien living among them who eats any blood – I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from his people."
Leviticus 17:10 "Any Israelite or any alien living among them who eats any blood – I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from his people."
Eating blood contaminates our temple and limits the blessings of God from flowing fully in the life of a believer. This can lead to spiritual death, physical illness and even physical death. Choosing our own ways over His is a rebellious nature. Walking a compromised lifestyle will bring contamination and keep believers from having any genuine freedom. It also hinders believers from celebrating His Sabbaths and Feast Days to any real depth of intimacy as only holiness enters into the tabernacle. Remember, in Matthew 25:1-13, only the wise virgins entered into the sanctuary, they are the bride, and the unwise returned to the outer court missing the wedding all together. They became the wedding guests at the reception (the Feast of Tabernacles/Succot). Scripture clearly instructs us to: "Be holy because I am Holy." (Matthew 25: 1-13; 1 Corinthians 3:16; James 1:14-15)
1 Peter 1:13-16 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ(Yeshua Ha Mashiach) is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in ALL you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" (Leviticus 11:45).
continues tomorrow...