Parashat Shemini: Priests, Sacrifices, and the Modern Messianic

Torah: Lev 9:1-11:47 

Haftarah: 2 Sam 6:1-7:17

Brit Chadashah: Heb 8:1-6

Main Points:

Aaron draws near to the altar and offers sacrifice.

Fire comes from the altar and consumes burnt offering.

Nadab and Abihu die offering “strange” fire.

The Lord speaks to Moses about Kashrut.

Parashat Shemini begins with Moses calling Aaron and his sons and directing them to offer sacrifices to prepare the priesthood, so that they could begin to serve. The beginning of priestly service marked the institution of the Tabernacle as a staple in Jewish life. Its beginnings, on the eighth day, was just two weeks away from the start of Pesach (Passover), connecting the Temple and the offering of the Lamb to this sacred event (see Jer 7:21-23)

After this began, Nadab and Abihu offered “strange fire” and lit their censers to offer incense, which the Lord did not command them to do. As a result, fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them. Moses responded (Lev 10:3) to this event by quoting something God had said to him, “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.” 

Messianics need to make a culture of seeking and pleasing God in all things. We are not striving for minimalism in our faith. We do not want watered down truth. If we are to be close to God it will take attention, devotion, and sacrifice. If God is to be glorified before all, he needs to be sanctified in our hearts. 

The priest needed a sanctified, protected place for their service that was free from distractions and interference. The Messianic needs a prayer altar and consecrated time to pray and seek God. It takes regular devotion to cultivate spiritual passion. For those who have an intercessory gifting, this is a place where hours will be spent in prayer daily. It is a place of warfare, supplication, crying out, and continually proclaiming God's promises.

There were times when Yeshua spent the whole night in prayer (Luke 6:12). Prayer is a key part of our priestly role. One time we were praying through the night and interceding. A friend of mine began to cry out as if he were in pain. It was shocking and almost frightening. God opened up my vision and I saw him in a cycle of placing his soul on the altar and taking it off. The fire of the altar would burn out impurities and begin to prepare him. Then, he would remove it and put it back again. God had him in a place where he was going to choose where his faith was to stand. He could no longer be in a place of compromise. He had to sell out. We have to prepare for our priestly role by consecrating ourselves for service and lay our hearts before the altar of God. We can no longer wait.

The principles in Leviticus are important to us. The language of serving God as his priests and the offering of sacrifices continues into the Brit Chadashah (New Testament). All of the sacrifices and the service of the priesthood teach us about how we are to live. The Temple and its offerings were a divine model of life and salvation. It was even thought to be a blueprint of creation itself. 

We are Priests before God.

In Rom 15:16, Paul (Sha’ul) spoke of his priestly duties in a mediatorial and teaching role. He ministered the Gospel and led the Gentiles to God. In this role, Paul was focused on helping the Gentiles understand how to serve God appropriately just as the Priesthood was concerned with how to offer appropriate sacrifices in a biblically prescribed/God-defined manner.

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God (in priestly service), that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

In 1 Peter 2:5-9, Peter (Kefa) quoted from Ex 19:5-6 which states that Israel was to be a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests (to the world), and a holy nation. Peter mentioned that we are to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God. What does the scripture tell us about a spiritual sacrifice?

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ…But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Our spiritual offerings come from our devotion and character. They are the godly fruit of our lips and actions as we live out the ways of God and extend his person and influence into the world.

• We offer ourselves (Rom 12:1).

• We offer our praise (Ps 49:14, 23; Heb 13:15).

• We offer ma’saim tovim (good deeds), fellowship, and generosity (Heb 13:16). This is a part of how we walk in love (Hos 6:6, Eph 5:2) with a pure heart (1 Pet 1:22), and commit to do what is right and just (Prov 21:3)

• We offer a broken and contrite heart (Ps 51:17), given to obedience (1 Sam 15:22).

Gut Shabbos (Yiddish),

Rav Calev

Next Holiday:

We are currently in the Counting of the Omer.

Shavuot begins the evening of June 1 and ends the evening of June 3.

Words to Know:

Soul- Nephesh, the part of our soul that is the seat of our character, temperament, thoughts, and emotions.

Soul- Neshama, the holy, God given part of our being that was made to resemble Hashem.

Spirit of Life- Ruach

Study Partner- Chevruta

Sullen Person- Farbissen. A Yiddish word for bitter or sullen person.

Sweetheart- Bubuleh. A Yiddish term.

Synagogue or School- Shul (Yiddish). Also Shtiebl- A small shul in a home or storefront.