3.16.26 ~ Opportunity to Approach

This week, we begin the third book of the Torah, Leviticus (Vayikra – "and He called")—the book directly connected to the evangelistic office of Ephesians 4, for the sake of building up the body into the head. Before starting our studies, we would do well to remember how this book starts: with the word "and," which means it is directly connected to the end of Exodus chapter 40, when the Tabernacle was finished (kala – "bride"; see the six-minute video from yesterday), and the glory of God filled the Tabernacle so much that not even Moses could approach (Ex. 40:33–34). Oddly enough, that creates a really large conundrum. Huh? If God cannot be approached, then why would He want to dwell in the midst of the people in a Tabernacle? Or could it be that in the next nine chapters of Leviticus (Vayikra), we are going to learn how to approach Him at the altar? It is clearly the second option. But that creates another conundrum: what if we do not know the fundamentals of each offering (korbanot)—the means to approach Him?

There are many types of offerings (korbanot, from the word karav – "to draw near"), brought by individuals and by the community. Among the many categories of korbanot (offerings) are:

  • The burnt offering (Korban Olah), brought from cattle, sheep, or fowl, consumed completely on the altar (Lev. 1)

  • The grain offering, consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense (Lev. 2)

  • The peace offering (Korban Shalem) and the thanksgiving offering (Korban Todah) (Lev. 7)

  • The various types of sin offerings brought to address the spiritual damage caused by inadvertent sin (Lev. 4 & 5)

Included from our Exodus studies are the Tamid – the 24/7 daily offering brought on behalf of the entire community each morning and evening (Ex. 29:38) – and the incense offering, consisting of eleven finely ground spices that are burned daily upon the golden altar in the inner sanctuary next to the holy place (Lev. 4).

As you can "feel" just by identifying the essentials of each korban (offering), there is a lot to this topic. There are so many details that need to be understood and studied carefully. We will focus on those details on the Zoom call tonight. Why bother, you ask? Are they not all done away with after Yeshua died on the cross? According to Ezekiel 40–46, Isaiah 56:7, Zechariah 14:9–21, Isaiah 65:17–21, etc., all of these active offerings are within passages dealing with the Millennial Kingdom—still yet to come. Interesting, isn't it?

The Millennial Kingdom is the time when Christ will rule on the earth before the heavens and earth are renewed (2 Pet. 3; Rev. 20:11; 21:1). Citing just two clear passages, Isaiah 65:17–25 and Zechariah 14:9–21 provide important descriptions of the kingdom on earth when Messiah Yeshua will reign from Jerusalem. Joel 3:17–21 provides more evidence. And during this time, Christ will rule and reign as King, and every knee will bow.

The Passover Feast (Ezekiel 45:21–24), the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Ezekiel 45:21–24)—which we will celebrate in a few weeks—and the Feast of Booths (Feast of Tabernacles) are specifically mentioned to be celebrated in the Millennial Kingdom (Ezekiel 45:25; Zechariah 14:16). The Feast of Booths, God's seventh and final prophetic holiday, also known as Sukkot (Tabernacles), symbolizes Christ's Millennial reign. Maybe there is more to this topic than many allude to by saying, "Jesus did away with all the sacrifices with His death on the cross."

The Temple experience and the means to approach God's presence within the Tabernacle/Temple is a vast program designed by God to assist man in grappling with overcoming his own animal nature and refining his human spirit to better reflect the divine image in which he was created (Gen. 1:26–28). Thus, every one of the offerings and every detail of the requirements and preparation represents a different aspect of human potential and another aspect of human personality that needs attention and covering if we are to approach His presence.

These korbanot—means of approaching God—give us a broad picture of the Temple experience. They are intended to work as a toolkit for deepening our relationship with the Creator. We will talk about that through the Zoom calls this week, beginning tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST, 699 858 9149.

As I close out this morning's abundant thoughts, I want to sprinkle a little salty thought your way and let it season your mind throughout the day—especially since we are to be living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1–2) that resemble a burnt offering (Korban Olah) (Eph. 5:1–2):

"And every oblation of thy grain offering shall you season with salt; neither shall you suffer the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering: with all your offerings you shall offer salt."
(Lev. 2:13)

Shalom,
Alan 

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