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Month 1:13, Week 2:2 (Revee/Shavu'ot), Year:Day 5939:13 AM
2Exodus 1/40, Messianic Countdown 72/17
Gregorian Calendar Wednesday 1 April 2015
The Great 2015 Dedication XIII
The Meal Offering

    Continued from Part 12

    AVIV 13


    PART A - INTRODUCTION

    Why Were We Created?
    (Sermon, 24 May 2015)

    Why did Yahweh create man? For fellowship? To reveal Himself? To replace the malakim (angels) that Heylel (Lucifer, Satan) drew away? To make him a 'free-will agent' to worship Elohim (God)? To give him dominion over all created things?

    Were We an Afterthought?

    None of these answers would be wrong though Yahweh could have made more malakim (angels) to replace the ones who rebelled and became demons - they, after all, had free will to follow Heylel (Satan) or not, just as human beings do. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that Yahweh created man as an afterthought to take dominion over His creation, remembering that those things were created for Him. Yahweh has no 'afterthoughts' because He, being omniscient, knows all things from the beginning to their ending. There are no surprises for Him and therefore no need on His part to tweek any componenent of His Plan to take into account the unexpected. That is what human beings do.

    Man as Dwelling Place or Tabernacle

    So why did Yahweh create man? To provide a dwelling place for Him - to contain Elohim (God). Every aspect of the design and tavnith (pattern) of the Tabernacle - its structure and its contents, its ceremonies and its priesthood - depicts the 'Tavnith or Pattern Son' (Yah'shua/Jesus) after whom all His regenerated sons are predestined to mature if they will trust and obey.

    Why Female Was Created

    Why did Yahweh create female? It is for the same reason that He created Yah'shua (Jesus), and for the same reason that Yah'shua (Jesus) called forth His Body, the Messianic Bride, that in His fullness He might dwell in, and fill, her. Yah'shua (Jesus) is the dwelling place for Elohim (God), and man is the dwelling place for Yah'shua (Jesus). This was His purpose in creating man and his ultimate intention for redeemed man. This was, and is to be, accomplished by His 'Perfect Man' (Yah'shua/Jesus) (Jas.3:2) who is "the head of all principality and power" (Col.2:10, KJV) by whom all principality and power will be restored to the Father.

    That he Might Have a House to Live In

    We will not fully understand all the structures and ordinances of the Tabernacle if we do not understand the overall purpose. Yahweh created mankind, ultimately, so that He might have a House or a Home - a Dwelling Place. Since man was created for that purpose, it is in this that he will find his greatest simcha (joy) and shalom (peace). It is the same reason Yahweh created woman for man so that he might have a home and it is in that that the woman finds her greatest simcha (joy) and shalom (peace). That is why woman is the home-builder, the home-maker and why Satan has sought with greater energy to reverse the gender rôles or to otherwise erode all differences between them, and that is why modern liberal, feminist culture is so disjunctive and why both genders are so unhappy. Nobody knows their purpose anymore. They're all too busy building isolated homes for themselves.

    Complimentary Rôles

    The Tabernacle was constructed to be the home on earth for Elohim (God), His dwelling place, in the same way that the woman was created to be the home and dwelling place of the man. Men and women may challenge this by either reversing rôles or sharing them but they can never find contentment in such a topsy-turvy world - it will leave them lonely and unfulfilled. Why were men made men, and women made women? We cannot answer that. The adherent of reincarnation, of course, believes that he (or she) will swop genders many times round. But then many of them also believe they may become animals or even plants. The only thing we can really be sure of is that neither the male nor the female is in any way inferior to the other. They are complimentary, just as the seven Ruachot haQodesh (Holy Spirits) or Heavenly Mothers are both complimentary to one another in the secondary sense, as well as being complimentary to the Heavenly Father, Abba Yah, from whom they came. This is why there are seven branches to the Tabernacle's Menorah or Candlestick. Great is the mystery of the Heavenlies but truly blessed is the one who understands it, that his or her heart might be properly shaped to receive them, and in receiving them, find completeness, wholeness, simcha (joy), shalom (peace) and echadness (oneness).

    The Home of the Wife and of Mankind

    But is it not also true to say also that the home of mankind is Yahweh, and that the home of a woman is her husband? Yes, but in a different way. The Tabernacle shows us how to receive Elohim (God) and make a home for Him on Earth (to be exact, a Home for the Father in the Holy of Holies and a Home for Messiah in the Holy Place, the two rooms of the Sanctuary). We, who are symbolically in female (submitted, female) position as His servants, prepare that home, tending it according to the tavnith (pattern) revealed and commanded by our metaphorical Heavenly Husband. Likewise, the wife prepares both her body for her husband to dwell in as well as the home to welcome her husband and their children according to the Torah-compliant tavnith (pattern) that the husband commands. So in what sense is Abba Yah our 'home', and in what sense is a husband the 'home' of her wife? In quoting David, I am also including a woman's husband on a secondary level to explain the divine tavnith (pattern):

      "Yahweh (my husband as kinsman-redeemer) is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
      my Elohim (God) (my husband-ruler) is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
      my shield and the horn of my salvation.
      He (Yahweh / my husband) is my stronghold, my refuge and my saviour -
      from violent men You save me.
      I call to Yahweh (my husband), who is worthy of praise,
      and I am saved from my enemies"
      (2 Sam.22:2-4, NIV).

    Fortress-Building

    Yahweh is a fortress-builder, as are husbands. Mankind is a home-builder for Yahweh, just as the wife is the home-maker for her husband. Both are builders but they are building different things, though the home-building is a reflection (in female position) of the fortress-building (in male position). When we get the two mixed up, we fall out of sacred tavnith (pattern) which is followed by confusion, enmity and unhappiness.

    Yahweh Did Not Inhabit Man in Eden

    Now another important principle. When Yahweh-Elohim created man in His own image, and placed him in Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden), He came to him, walked with him, fellowshipped with him but did not take up residence in him. The reason for this is that union with man that comes through dwelling in man is not possible until man's free will has been tested and proven acceptable to Elohim (God). You do not buy a house and live in it until you have studied it thoroughly and determined whether it is a good place to live. You check out all kinds of different things - stable structure, absence of damp, ventillation, lighting, heating, and all sorts of things...including the cost. Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) became man , took the same position as the first man (Heb.2:9), and after being tested and tempted in all points as the first man (Adam) was and found to be without sin, could then say:

      "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9, NKJV).

    Conditions for Indwelling

    He was saying: "I and the Father are Echad (One). I dwell in Him (as a fortress), He dwells in Me (as a home). I am the dwelling place (home) of Elohim (God)".

    And this is why we cannot find our Father, Abba Yah, without first dwelling in the home that is Messiah (Yah'shua).

    Power Through Reconciliation

    Now we would never be able to say that if He, our Master Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), could not have said and experienced the indwelling of Elohim (God). Having reconciled us to Elohim (God) by His Redeeming Blood, He gives us "power to become the sons of Elohim (God)" (John 1:12, KJV), and thus a dwelling place (home) for Elohim (God).

    Reciprocal Indwellings in Marriage: The Presentation

    It should be obvious, once the divine tavnith (pattern) has been grasped, that we are herein also being taught the proper relationship tavnith (pattern) between husbands and wives too. There is reciprocal dwelling but the dwelling places are different as, then, are the gender rôles. As we are to present ourselves before Elohim (God), having made ourselves acceptable by covenant and by sacrifice, so is the wife to present herself to her husband, and so is the husband to therefore present himself and his wife to Yahweh-Elohim.

    Coming to Resemble the Bridegroom

    Likewise, as Yah'shua (Jesus) testified to Philip who demanded to be shown the Father and presented Himself as the window to the Father, so a wife may be asked by another to be shown her husband and, if she has walked faithfully in tavnith (pattern) will need only say, "he who has seen me has seen my husband" because she has become her husband's tabernacle in thought, word, attitude and deed, becoming progressively like him in spirit whilst yet retaining her own identity and character. We too, unlike in the Buddhist system which speaks of total absorption and annihilation of the self into the amorphous 'Nirvana' state, retain our own character whilst coming to resemble our Fortress and Rock, Yah'shua (Jesus), more and more day by day, even as the Son was, in all things, in the image of the Father:

      "Dear friends, now we are children of Elohim (God), and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He (Yah'shua/Jesus) appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this tiqveh (hope) in Him purifies hHmself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:2-3, NIV).

    Conclusion

    Now that we understand why we were created and what our task is, we can more readily understand the purpose of the elements of the Tabernacle whose study is important to a fuller understanding of what Yahweh has done in this Dedication of Messianic Israel and what He will yet do in the months to come.


    PART B1 - EVENING SESSION

    The Meal Offering Expounded
    (Teaching)

      "'When someone brings a grain offering to Yahweh, his offering is to be of fine flour. He is to pour oil on it, put incense on it and take it to Aaron's sons the cohenim (priests). The cohen (priest) shall take a handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to Yahweh. The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most qadosh (holy, set-apart) part of the offerings made to Yahweh by fire.

      'If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven, it is to consist of fine flour: cakes made without yeast and mixed with oil, or wafers made without yeast and spread with oil. If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of fine flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it is to be made of fine flour and oil. Bring the grain offering made of these things to Yahweh; present it to the cohen (priest), who shall take it to the altar. He shall take out the memorial portion from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to Yahweh. The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most qadosh (holy, set-apart) part of the offerings made to Yahweh by fire.

      'Every grain offering you bring to Yahweh must be made without chametz (yeast), for you are not to burn any chametz (yeast) or honey in an offering made to Yahweh by fire. You may bring them to Yahweh as an offering of the bikkurim (firstfruits), but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma. Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the b'rit (covenant) of your Elohim (God) out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.

      'If you bring a grain offering of bikkurim (firstfruits) to Yahweh, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire. Put oil and incense on it; it is a grain offering. The cohen (priest) shall burn the memorial portion of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all the incense, as an offering made to Yahweh by fire" (Lev.2:1-16, NIV).

    Unreserved Surrender

    As we have seen in previous studies, the burnt offering represented Yah'shua (Jesus) giving Himself totally and unreservedly to Abba Yahweh. We, too, are called to unreservedly give ourselves to Elohim (God). There is noone of Him abiding in us, or we in Him, if we do not. At the consecration of Aaron and his sons, when they spent the first 7 days with Yahweh before they served the people, so we must realise first and foremost that we belong to Him. Our consecration here at this Dedication is first and foremost the comittment of our total self to Him. We belong to Yahweh before we belong to our families or to our congregation.

    1. FINE FLOUR

    The meal offering is a bloodless one and in it we see the service, speech, handiwork and Chayim (Life) and character of the Messiah presented. Similarly, we will see how these are, in turn, applied on His sons and servants and we can begin with this observation, namely the offering "is to consist of fine flour".

    A Strange or Unworthy Offering?

    People wonder sometimes at the apparently 'strange' offerings that Yahweh required of His Covenant people - fine flour, oil, frankincense and salt. Others think the offering to 'small' and 'unworthy'. Yet it was not left to man to decide what offerings to make to Elohim (God) - they must be by His design and therefore they must have a divine significance. Even in 'simple' offerings there is profound emet (truth) for Yahweh never deals with the trivial, only the profound.

    The Gift Reflects the Giver

    Whilst it is true to say that the gift reflects the giver, it reflects even more the receiver. If a three year-old child rushes in delight into a field and plucks some dandelions for her mother, the mother would receive the gift with simcha (joy). Were I visiting friends for a few days, staying at their home, and brought a gift of dandelions, do you suppose the gift would be received in the same way (unless I were mentally retarded, of course, in which case if they were gracious they would receive it gracefully). If a multi-millionnaire came to visit with me for a few days and gave me a bunch of dandelions I would seriously wonder what he was trying to say. The gift therefore reflects the giver.

    Thoroughly Ground Fine Powder

    Whatever fleshy reaction someone may initially have toward the Meal Offering we must quickly understand the King of the Universe has a high purpose in it that should merit only our greatest reverence, in emunah (faith), until we come to binah (understanding). We must bring it willingly because the Meal Offering, interestingly, is not mandatory. It was to be of fine flour and the grain had to be thoroughly ground to powder because there were to be no lumps or coarseness or foreign material in it. Preparing it properly would, therefore, require some effort.

    A Thorough, Well-Done Job

    The Meal Offering is a revelation of the nature of Yahweh, something we can only obtain if we want to. The Meal offerings speak of His perfection and fine characteristics. He is not coarse or 'lumpy' but exceedingly fine. Everything that He has done, has ever done, and will do, was, is and will be in perfection. Of Him we learn: "He has done all things well" (Mark 7:37, NKJV) and He expects the same of us. It is never enough for Him that we do a job He asks us to do. He asks us to do it well. There is not, throughout the whole of time, an act that He did or a Davar (Word) that He spoke that He did not do well or which needed to be corrected or which needs an apology. He has always done the right thing at the right time at the right place. He has always been instant in season and out of season. He has never spoken hastily and He has never spoken too late. He has never overdone anything or failed to do what was necessary. There is nothing in the Record of His teachings and acts in Scripture that needs correction or modification. His Devarim (Words) are always applicable. They are timeless and can be applied to any age.

    As Living Letters

    Likewise Yah'shua's (Jesus') talmidim (disciples) are to be living epistles or letters "known and read of all men" (2 Cor.3:2, NKJV) because the life and teachings of Messiah are judged by the world and reflect upon Him as seen in His followers.

    Olive Oil and the Divine Conception

    Olive oil was poured on the fine flour and the two mixed together. Olive oil is a type of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit). As we have seen, fine flour speaks of Yah'shua's (Jesus') perfect humanity. When combined with oil we are led to understand that He was conceived by the power of the Ruach (Spirit):

      "And the malak (angel) answered and said to [Mary], 'The Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Qadosh (Holy) One who is to be born will be called the Son of Elohim (God)" (Luke 1:35-36, NKJV).

    The Anointed One

    The Tanakh (Old Testament) prophesied that a virgin would conceive and bring forth a Son and that He would be anointed for service:

      "The Ruach (Spirit) of Yahweh-Elohim is upon Me,
      Because Yahweh has anointed Me
      To preach good tidings to the poor;
      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
      To proclaim liberty to the captives,
      And the opening of the prison to those who are bound"
      (Isa.61:1, NKJV; cp. Lk.3:23; Ac.10:38)

    2. CHAMETZ or LEAVEN

    The meal offering was to contain no chametz or leaven:

      "No grain offering which you bring to Yahweh shall be made with chametz (leaven), for you shall burn no chametz (leaven) nor any honey in any offering to Yahweh made by fire" (Lev.2:11, NKJV).

    The Thorough Cleansing

    As the Feast of Chag haMatzah teaches us, chametz (leaven) can be a type of sin or false doctrine. Each year, beginning at Pesach (Passover), we are to throughly clean out our homes of chametz (leaven) down, as far as possible, to the last crumb. Though careless Christianity may regard this as a rather bizzare ritual, its purpose is simply to remind us of the diligence with which we must cleanse sin out of our own lives. Moreover, the fact that this is carried over into the New Covenant is clearly evidenced by Paul's reminder to us that we must clearly examine ourselves to ensure no crumb of sin we are conscious of is left undealt with before we approach the Master's (Lord's) Supper through careful self-examination because this is a condition for deep and intimate communion, sin acting rather like deposits on the walls of our arteries and veins which obstruct the movement of blood in our circulatory system, that may, if left untreated, result in strokes or heart attacks.

    Leaven Found in Judas

    When Yah'shua (Jesus) ate the Last Supper with His talmidim (disciples), a search was made and chametz (leaven) was found with Judas. Yah'shua (Jesus) said:

      "For the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me" (John 14:30, NKJV).

    The Purity of Messiah

    There was no chametz (leaven) in the life of Messiah. All His acts, devarim (words) and ministry were totally beyond question, reproach or sin. By means of His spiritual empowerment, we too must be beyond the same so as to be fully qodesh (holy, set-apart) to Him.

    The Purging of the Messianic Body

    This is the great condemnation of the Messianic Community (Church) today and why it is coming under such severe Judgment. The Body must seriously face the question of living above sin or become so consumed by it as to become a testimony that its father is not Yahweh but the devil himself. Hence it must be purged. When it continues to not only repeat sin but multiply it, when it fails to recognise Yah'shua's (Jesus') provision for His people to live and walk by the Ruach (Spirit) according to the precepts of Torah, it fulfils the lust of the flesh and must either fall or be divided - a wall of partition must come into being between those who will not make teshuvah (repent) and the Remnant that will. The former must remain in the Courtyard and at length be overcome by the Enemy whom it is unequippped to rest and overcome because of its spiritual weakness, and the remainder enter into the Sanctuary where it may be safe. So many believers fail to realise that the Body Yah'shua (Jesus) is returning for is without spot or blemish, that is to say, those talmidim (disciples) who are in the Sanctuary:

      "That He might present her to Himself a glorious community (church), not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be qadosh (holy, set-apart) and without blemish" (Eph.5:27, NKJV).

    A Bride of Priests

    That is the definition of the Bride and the Priesthood - He is only coming for those who are priests and priestesses (cohenim) who alone are allowed into the Sanctuary to minister before Him. It does not matter how good your intentions may be for if you do nothing about them practically but not repenting you are going to remain in the Courtyard whose overruning by the unclean hordes of the evil one is prophesied in Scripture:

      "Exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the qadosh (holy, set-apart) city for 42 months (3˝ years)" (Rev.11:2, NIV).

    The Mandatory Appropriation of Bridal Holiness

    It is left unmeasured because it is outside the Kingdom and our Master is only concerned about His Kingdom. So are you ready? Are you ready for the Mishpat or Judgment of Yahweh that is being unleased on the world and all flesh therein, let alone for the Final Judgment when the Bride is collected? This is why great emphasis must be placed on holiness both in living and teaching. Without it no man or woman claiming to be a believer can be a part of the Bride or inherit the first resurrection. Yahweh is a qadosh (holy, set-apart) Elohim (God). He has never compromised His holiness, even when it came to His Son going to the cross. And He will not compromise either by presenting a polluted, unclean Bride to His Son and to Himself. Yahweh has made the provision but the responsibility to appropriate this holiness belongs solely to the talmid (disciple).

    3. HONEY

    Honey is both desirable and palatable to the natural man. It is the reverse of suffering and denial of the self.

    Honeyed Christianity and the Cross

    Today's Christianity is sold on the religious market place with a coating of honey. It is not uncommon to hear the honey-preachers inviting souls to Christ and promising them that all their troubles will end when they receive Him. Certainly, some of our troubles come to an end, those which are the fruit of sin and of sinning, but to receive Yah'shua (Jesus) as Master (Lord) and Deliverer (Saviour) is to invite a whole host of other troubles. The Master told us to take up our cross and follow Him precisely because we would exchange one set of troubles leading to eternal misery for another set leading to eternal glory. Following Messiah may cost us friends and loved ones. Following Messiah may cost us our job and possessions and maybe even our life.

    Denying Self

    Because following the Messiah is all about denying self, it challenges us to make sometimes painful sacrifices in order to receive greater blessings of a less physically tangible nature but which are even more real than what we call physical 'reality'. Following Messiah means tackling sin issues head on and wrestling until we have overcome them in Messiah Yah'shua (Jesus).

    Royal Honey for Moses

    You will remember that Moses was offered honey. He was called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. All the glory, pomp and splendour of the Egyptian kingdom was before him, but he rejected the honey and chose to identity with Yahweh in suffering:

      "By emunah (faith) Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of Elohim (God) than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Messiah greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward" (Heb.11:24-26, NKJV).

    The Honey-Pots of Temptation

    Worldly pastors and evangelists are offered honey today and offer honey to their flocks in exchange for mammon. The proof of their 'faith' is not suffering afflictions along with their people but their wealth - their mansions, cars, jets, expensive houses, Armani suits - and they offer the same honey-pot to those they have fleased for getting that to enjoy wealth you must create wealth.

    When Satan Tried to Honey Yah'shua

    Yah'shua (Jesus) was offered honey by Satan: "Just 'bow down and worship Me' and I will give you 'all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour' (Matt.4:8-9, NIV). Why go through through suffering, all those bitter herbs? Reject them! Here are the kingdoms all coated with honey. You can rule and reign without suffering because you'll be raptured away when the troubles come." Yah'shua (Jesus) rejected the offer but many are buying it today.

    The Honey of Adulation

    So Satan had another go. "If you reject my honey-coated kingdom, why don't you accept some honey from the people? Look at all those people down there walking the streets. Why, if you jump down, and angels will come swooping you up and the people will shout your praises. They will know you are a super-extra person."

    Christendom's Hollyword Stars

    It is pitiful to see stars rising up in the ministry as actors do in Hollyood and in the media. They crash through the doors of Babylon as the honey is smeared on. "Here is God's man of power for the hour!" says the master of ceremonies. If his introduction does not contain enough honey he is soon replaced as he is not eloquent or charismatic enough. Man must be exalted, kept before the people at every opportunity. The whole thing is so sinister that even the servant of Elohim (God) fails to realise that he is licking up the honey.

    From Honey to Stones

    They hailed Yah'shua (Jesus) and prematurely wanted to make Him the temporal King of Israel. They hailed Peter and John as gods coming from another planet. When Peter and John rejected their honey, they got stones thrown at them. And we in our turn need to be very careful not to accept or enjoy the honey of applause, the honey of being recognised or the honey of being well-spoken of:

      "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false nevi'im (prophets)" (Luke 6:26, NIV).

    Fulfilment in Doing the Father's Will

    True simcha (joy), pleasure, fulfilment and satisfaction comes in doing the will of Elohim (God) even if it means the suffering of the cross. Of our Master, facing the cross, it is written:

      "Yah'shua (Jesus), the author and finisher of our emunah (faith), who for the simcha (joy) that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim (God)" (Heb.12:2, NKJV).

    and

      "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done" (Matt.26:42-43, NKJV).

    This is why there is no honey in the meal offering.

    4. SALT

    Instead of honey, salt was to be added to the meal offering as seasoning:

      "And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your Elohim (God) to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt....And you shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it. It is a grain offering" (Lev.2:13,15, NKJV).

    The Salt of Preservation

    Whilst the chametz (leaven) and honey of corruption must be absent, the salt of preservation must not be omitted. Though salt contains many symbols, we shall look at one of these in particular:

      "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Col.4:6, NKJV).

    The Example of Salted Speech as Power

    Our speech conduct is essential to true discipleship. Speech is a gift of Elohim (God) and was given first and foremost that we might praise Yahweh but also that we might exercise divinely ordained power that the will of heaven might be exercised on earth:

      "I tell you the emet (truth), if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:23-24, NIV).

    Creation Spoken into Existence

    When Yahweh-Elohim brought the Creation into existence, nothing happened until He spoke: "And Elohim (God) said..." Nothing came into existence until Elohim (God) "said" it. Speech, therefore, is a very sacred trust.

    Idle Speech

    The chatterbox, never-ending talker is usually uninteresting and generally not worth listening to. Most of the time they are just speaking idle words. There will be a lot of accounting to do in the Yom Mishpat or Day of Judgment:

      "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt.12:36-37, NKJV).

    Words as Life

    Whenever Yah'shua (Jesus) spoke, His devarim (words) were always chayim (life):

      "It is the Ruach (Spirit) who gives chayim (life); the flesh profits nothing. The devarim (words) that I speak to you are ruach (spirit), and they are chayim (life)" (John 6:63, NKJV).

    The Master's Perfect Speech

    Today the devarim (words) of our Master do not need to be altered, corrected or apologised for, even though men and women filled with blasphemy seek to do so. Why? Because He says that the devarim (words) that He spoke were not His own but those which the Father, Yahweh, gave Him:

      "For I have given to them the devarim (words) which You have given Me" (John 17:8, NKJV; cp, John 14:24).

    Job's Treasure

    If Job was careful with the devarim (words) and mitzvot (commandments) of His mouth, esteeming them to be of the greatest importance, then so should we:

      "I have not departed from the mitzvot (commands) of His lips; I have treasured the devarim (words) of his mouth more than my daily bread" (Job 23:12, NIV).

    Accountability in Talking

    Yahweh holds us accountable for the devarim (words) of our mouth - the devarim (words) that we speak. We are supposed to bridle (control, hold back) those from the sinful nature and release those from the Ruach (Spirit). Our devarim (words) are supposed to be from Yahweh and not from our flesh. Thus the Davar Elohim (Word of God) says:

      "A fool vents all his feelings ('gives full vent to anger' - NRSV), but a wise man ['quietly' - NRSV] holds them back" (Prov.29:11, NKJV).

    For Whose Glory Do We Speak?

    If our devarim (words) are from Yahweh, they will season us, and those we speak to, with salt and not offend Him. Our tongue, our speech should be bridled, under control and used for the glory of Elohim (God):

      "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in davar (word), he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body ... And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell ... But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Elohim (God) and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of Elohim (God). Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so ... Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct (conversation) that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom" (James 3:2,6,8-10,13, NKJV).

    The Holiness of Keeping Your Word

    Anciently, when the davar (word) of a man was given, it became "the salt of the covenant". Their word was *yes' or 'No' (Mt.5:37). This still a vitally important emet (truth). In today's society even a signature means little, but in the ranks of Yahweh's talmidim (disciples) a man's davar (word) should be like a signature on a contract - meaningful, reliable and true.

    This is why salt is included in the meal offering.

    5. FRANKINCENSE

    Frankincense was not to be put upon the sin offerings (Lev.5:11) or offering because of jealousy (Num.5:15) but it was mandated in the offering that represented the perfect chayim (life) of Messiah. In the Song of Solomon, the Bride, glorifying in Messiah as Victor, sees Him "perfumed with myrrh and frankincense" (Song 3:6, NKJV). When the three wise men came and presented themselves first in worship, they presented gifts of "gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Matt.2:11, NKJV).

    Burning and Sweet Smell

    Biblical symbolism is never arbitrary. First, as we have seen, frankincense is not associated with sin but rather with burning and a sweet smell. Gold was presented to a King, myrhh was used in burial. When frankincense had fire applied to it, a beautiful fragrance came forth. We observe the fire of Gethsemane, persecution and suffering applied to the Messiah Yah'shua (Jesus) but yet He comes forth with beautiful fragrance. The greater the fire and pressure, the greater the fragrance.

    The Cup of Bitterness

    Throughout His suffering under the strong boughs of the olive trees in the Garden, some of which may still be there today, His weary talmidim (disciples) slept as He wrestled as no other man had or could. The fire burned deep. His soul was in anquish, "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death" (Matt.26:38, ASV). In the cup presented to sinless lips were the dregs of every corruption, every detestible sin conjured up by Satan and his demons. His perfect Being revolted at the thought of 'becoming sin'. It was totally uncharacteristic of holiness to readily grasp such a cup and drink. Yah'shua's (Jesus') intense love for the Father would make Him shrink from becoming sin yet there was no other way: "Not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42, NKJV).

    A Fragrant Life Tested by Fire

    Frankincense is the odour that comes from a life that has been tried and tested by fire. It is that fragrance that comes from a Chayim (Life) that has had its Gethsemanes. It takes but a few minutes with a minister, either in person or under his ministry, to know whether he has had Gethsemanes or not. The haughty, proud, arrogant, flippant, joking or entertaining pulpiteer has not yet had his Gethsemanes:

      "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Messiah, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Phil.1:29, NKJV).

    Frankincense on the Showbread

    The fragrance of a broken spirit (Ps.51:17), a flow of meekness, love and kindness, a compassion that comes from a broken voice and tear-stained eye soon fills the Sanctuary with this aromatic frankincense. How gentle, meek , kind and compassionate were the devarim (words) and actions of our Master. Yes, the frankincense must be on the twelve loaves in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle Sanctuary, on the talmidim (disciples) and on every true Israelite! It is on the meal offering when it is baked in fire to Yahweh:

      "This is the law of the grain offering: The sons of Aaron shall offer it on the altar before Yahweh. He shall take from it his handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil, and all the frankincense which is on the grain offering, and shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma, as a memorial to Yahweh. And the remainder of it Aaron and his sons shall eat; with unleavened bread it shall be eaten in a qadosh (holy, et-apart) place; in the court of the tabernacle of meeting they shall eat it" (Lev.6:14-16, NKJV).

    An Offering to Yahweh First

    While this offering speaks to all the qadosh Chayim (holy, set-apart Life) and characteristics of Messiah, it must be remembered that it was offered to Yahweh. The perfect qualities and the exemplary Chayim (Life) of our Master are not just to be emulated by us. It is ever to be remembered that he was sacrificed upon the Brazen Altar and became the roast Lamb for us to feed upon. Aaron and his sons were to feed upon the meal offering after a handful had been given to Yahweh. It was always first to Yahweh and then for Aaron's sons, who are a type of the Messianic Community (Church) and the New Covenant Royal Melchizedek Priesthood (1 Pet.2:9), to feed on.

    Pesach and the Master's Supper

    Each Pesach (Passover) and each time we partake of the Master's Supper we are privileged to representationally and symbolically [1] eat of Messiah's flesh and blood (Jn.6:55-56). Our spiritual chayim (life) and service is dependant upon this feasting. Israel went in the strength of the Pesach (Passover) feast on their journey in health. Our service, to be successful and acceptable, is dependant upon feasting on this fine flour, anointed with oil, properly salted with frankincense, baked without chayim (leaven) or honey. Let us, therefore, meditate on the perfect sacrifice and receive His Chayim (Life) and strength during our earthly sojourn.

    Acknowledgements

    [1] Alex W. Ness, Pattern for Living (Christian Centre Publications, Ontario, Canada: 1979), pp.469-481


    PART B2 - EVENING SESSION

    The Meal Offering
    (Discussion)

    New vs. Renewed Covenant and Typology

    Brother Ljungstrand, in exposing the false 'Renewed Covenant' doctrine in much of messianism, discoursed on how the difference between the Old Covenant and New Covenants is clearly demonstrated in that the former consisted of types and the latter of anti-types which would not be possible if the New were merely a 'renewal' of the former.

    A Complete Replacement Covenant

    A type, theologically-speaking, is a figure, episode or symbolic factor resembling some future reality in such a way as to foreshadow or prefigure it. As the Old Covenant prefigures or foreshadows the New, what would be the purpose in 'renewing' it? For by definition it would then be left unfulfilled and be little more than self-negation dressed up in the clothes of fulfilment. A real car is not a 'renewed' model car but something entirely different even though it resembles the model in outward form. A chemical like sodium bicarbonate is not a 'renewed' version of its formula written on a chalk board. The New Covenant, though 'renewed' in some respects, is an entirely new and different covenant, fully replacing the old, being based, as it is, on better promises.

    The Call to Spiritual Refinement

    Brother Lev pointed out that the fine flour of the Meal Offering, when baked, made a very soft and fluffy bread unlike that which comes from unrefined flour which gives rise to heavy, coarse bread. We too as talmidim (disciples) are called to be 'fine' and 'refined', not coarse and vulgar. He then went to contrast this 'fineness' and 'beauty' with the horror of the blood sacrifice which may be liked to the kind of 'blunt truth' which can provoke a man to either teshuvah (repentance) or rage. The two operate side by side - we live in a world of harsh realities and must often be jolted out of sin by coming to see and understand its horror and the price the Son of Man had to make to enable our purchase and deliverance from sin.

    The Fine Grinding of Tribulations

    There is a refining process and it is not easy - at times it can even be crude, coarse and hard but this is grinding process "that maketh exceedingly fine":

      "Therefore, having been justified by emunah (faith), we have shalom (peace) with Elohim (God) through our Master Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), through whom also we have access by emunah (faith) into this grace (undeserved loving-kindness) in which we stand, and rejoice in tiqveh (hope) of the glory of Elohim (God). And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, tiqveh (hope)" (Rom.5:1-4, NKJV).

    The Purchase of Our Peace

    Our shalom (peace) has been purchased through the anti-type of the Shalom (Peace) Offering, remembering that a part of the offering is for Yahweh and a part for eating by the one making the offering, his family and the cohenim (priests). We are apt to forget this familial tavnith (pattern) as it applied to the New Covenant for salvation is personal (Pesach/Passover), familial (Shavu'ot/Weeks), tribal and national (Israelite) (Sukkot/Tabernacles).

    The Disciple's Gethsemenes

    The Meal Offering comes before the Burnt Offering - it requires that believers be beaten into fine flour having gone through many Gethsemanes. There is a long process of sanctification, of laying down our lives over time (painful experiences) because no impurity must remain, all must be ground into powder.

    Postive Honey: Deep Truths

    Brother Ljungstrand reminded us that there is also a positive aspect to honey as it pertains to the Promised Land, described as it is as a "good and large land ... a land flowing with milk and honey" (Ex.3:8, NKJV). The milk represents, in the spiritual, foundational doctrines (Heb.6) and we speculated that the honey might possibly represent deeper truths that sweeten and delight the spirit of the talmid (disciple).

    Honey in the Rock

    Brother Lev recalled the time when the famished Israelites in the days of Saul and John fighting the Philistines ate honey from the rock. Yahweh feeds His people with "honey from the rock" (Deut.32:13; Ps.81:15), the rock being a type of the Messiah.

    Honey in Moderation

    Sister Enger recounted Solomon's counsel not to eat too much honey:

      "If you find honey, eat just enough-- too much of it, and you will vomit" (Prov.25:16, NIV; also v.27).

    Unbalancing the Gospel

    Similarly it is possible to get 'too doctrinal' at the expense of other elements of the Besorah (Gospel) like ahavah (love).

    Samson's Riddle

    Brother Ljungstrad recalled the riddle posed by Samson to the Philistines which they could not answer and which he refused to explain:

      "Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet ... What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?" (Judg.14:14,18, NIV)

    The lion is Messiah Yah'shua (Jesus) who arises out of the slaughtered Lamb who brings the sweet taste of salvation.

    The Nature of Rock Salt

    A discussion, led by Brother Lev, followed on the nature and composition of the rock salt which may be found by the Dead Sea that was undoubtedly used both for seasoning and preservation and which is used symbolically in several places in Scripture (e.g. Mt.5:13; Mk.9:50; Col.4:6). It was also used for ratifying agreements so that salt also became a symbol of fidelity and constancy. In the meal offering (Lev.2:13) salt was used, as we have seen, as a preservative to typify the eternal nature of the 'covenant of salt' exisiting between Yahweh and Israel (Num.18:19; 2 Chr.13:5) that comes to completion in Yah'shua (Jesus). Brother Ljungstrand pointed out that this rock salt was not just our common 'table salt' (Sodium Chloride - NaCl) but also contained Magnesium Carbonate which remains even after the NaCl is eluted out.

    The Purpose of Suffering: Sacred Resonance

    The evening session ended with a discussion led by Brother Ljungstrand on the nature of suffering and how this differentiates between the spiritually shallow and spiritually deep people. You cannot share the deep things of the Davar (Word) with those who have not been through testings and sorrows. Thus salt is symbolically added to our lives through these successful overcomings. Suffering puts something in us that allows us to resonate with Messiah Himself and with others who are also suffering:

      "Blessed be the Elohim (God) and Father of our Master Yah'shua the Messiah Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and Elohim (God) of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by Elohim (God). For as the sufferings of Messiah abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Messiah. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation" (2 Cor.1:3-7, NKJV).

    Conviction and Empowerment are Shaped by Suffering

    Suffering therefore allows us to empathically minister to others who are themselves in suffering and tribulation. Without such compassion through identity in suffering (both of Messiah and of others) we will remain very shallow when we try to minister to others because we will not be able to understand not feed them the good Davar (Word) of the Besorah (Gospel) with any real conviction or power.

    Continued in Part 14

    Endnotes

    [1] The Messianic Evangelical position is that of consubstantiation - see Pesach 2008 and the Eucharist of Messiah

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