What is a Sabbath Day in the Bible?

What is a Sabbath day in Scripture? We know that one of the ten commandments is a directive to honor the Sabbath day by keeping it holy...but when are the Sabbath days and what do you need to do to keep them holy? This post will examine what it means to when the Bible says not to work on Sabbath days, which are sometimes referred to as "no-work days," after verses stipulating that we are not to do any work on these days.

When are the Biblical Sabbath days?
The weekly Sabbath. This is the seventh day of the week because "on the seventh day God rested." (Genesis 2:2)
The first and last days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Shavuot.
Feast of Trumpets.
Yom Kippur.
The first and last days of Tabernacles.

What is a Sabbath day supposed to be like?
These are days to rest; we should avoid ordinary work, professional or otherwise. We get ourselves into trouble when we focus on human ideas about the Sabbath...like saying that your house needs to be spotless or the toilet paper needs to be torn ahead of time or that you need to sit down to a formal dinner complete with ceremonial blessings at an exact time, because those are not commandments. If your house is clean for the Sabbath good for you, but if it isn't you are certainly not doomed to have some sort of lesser Shabbat.

Stick with the commandments: don't work. Rest.

So we should have the no-work days for the feasts off from our jobs, in addition to the weekly Sabbath. Scripture uses the phrase, "ordinary work," or "servile work," regarding what we should steer clear from on these days. This means it's not just a day off from work to do house projects or to spend in the kitchen whipping up a feast for your congregation. I think that's incredibly freeing and beautiful. We've all attended way too many special events or family get-togethers where one or two people sacrifice their day to prepare and organize the meal, while 20 other people relax in the living room. And mostly it's women who are working so hard so that their family can relax. When YHWH pulled work off the table for these days, I have no doubt he meant this as a way to get women celebrating and relaxing with everyone else. And because it's a Sabbath day and work is forbidden, no one has any expectations of being served by them and they have no guilt about keeping this command. What a lovely gift.

Not working is synonymous with not shopping. I, for one, basically always feel like shopping is a lot of work, but even if you don't the idea of a day of rest is to do just that. Rest. Not running errands to cross off the list. Not causing someone else to work on one of YHWH's no-work days. Nehemiah 13:17 calls buying and selling on these days "profaning the Sabbath." Put your wallet away and enjoy these days purchase free.

A holy convocation. 
Don't miss that in addition to resting, we are to have a holy convocation. In other words a gathering with believers to celebrate these set-apart times. You know, a party. This can be a challenge, but if possible get together with people willing to celebrate these days. If there's a time to make a drive to meet with believers, this is it! Make it happen, plan something fun. One of the meanings of convocation in Scripture is reading, so make it a point to read appropriate passages from Scripture as part of your festivities.

That's the gist of a no-work day. Pretty easy, isn't it? It's a major loss that so many have believed the lie that these days are about jumping through hoops or that it's too hard for us. What could be easier or less of a burden than a day off, spent with family and friends? When YHWH gave us these commandments he did so because they are good for us! 

Sabbath days are:
A day to rest!
Time to remember the awesomeness of YHWH.
Celebration of his set apart times.
Level ground for all. No one is stuck serving or in the kitchen on these days.
A happy change of pace from everyday chores.
Restorative.
An opportunity to spend time with others of the Hebrew faith.
Joyful!

Related posts:
Why I'm Still Keeping the Sabbath
Things NOT Required for Sabbath Rest
The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays

Shavuot Provision: Celebrating Enough

Count seven weeks for yourself. Begin to count seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain (First Fruits), and you shall perform the Festival of Weeks to YHWH your Elohim, according to the voluntary offering from your hand, which you give as YHWH your Elohim blesses you. -Deuteronomy 16:9-10

Shauvot. Pentecost. The Feast of Weeks. First Fruits of the Wheat Harvest. The fourth of YHWH's set apart times. Scripture instructs us to count fifty days after First Fruits (this one of the barley harvest) during the Week of Unleavened Bread to arrive at this set apart time. The fifty days is where the name 'Pentecost' comes from with the Greek root of the word being fifty. So if you're familiar with Pentecost in Scripture, just know that it is another name for Shavuot.

What is this holy day?

Shavuot is a party for physical provision. Since it happens in the late Spring, there is joy that winter is over and we made it through the dangerous cold and lack of resources. The wheat was just harvested and there is enough. This was no small thing with wheat taking up a large portion of the Israelite's diet. Since most of us are largely withdrawn from the worries of the harvest we miss what a relief and joy it is to see the provision for us and our families for the next year. Shavuot is about celebrating that YHWH meets our needs. No matter the time and place we can all agree that YHWH's gift of provision is worth celebrating. Give thanks and be glad that your needs are met.

Did you know that this set apart time was kept in the New Testament? Yes, even after the resurrection and ascension of the Messiah, we see the Disciples counting the days diligently to the arrival of Shavuot (Acts 2:1). Indeed, when they received the Holy Spirit they were gathered together celebrating this set apart time of YHWH. And why were they doing this? Don't miss that the Messiah expressly instructed them to wait in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit before heading out of town and country to spread the good news (Acts 1:4-5). With this instruction, Yahusha upheld a commandment of YHWH found in Deuteronomy 16:16 which instructs Israelite men to appear before YHWH at his set apart place on Shavuot.

As a side note, while many of us have heard it was just the twelve disciples in an upper room, Scripture says the a rushing mighty wind filled the house where they were. What house could this be? The Temple of course. In Hebrew this was called the Beit Hamikdash and beit means house in Hebrew. The Disciples were in the house. There is no way this was a family home because we know there were over 3,000 people present! (Acts 2:41) So the Disciples were keeping the commandment found in Deuteronomy even after the Messiah ascended into Heaven.

It's significant that YHWH poured out the Holy Spirit at a time where people were celebrating physical provision. When you rely on wheat for survival, it's worth celebrating and praising YHWH that he provides enough. And what about our needs for spiritual sustenance? By likening the need for physical nourishment we see how desperate our need is for the Holy Spirit in our lives. As the Israelites would have been starved without wheat, what would happen to us without the Holy Spirit? How would your life be if it lacked love, and joy, and peace, and faithfulness? It's a reminder of Moses' words, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of YHWH," (Deuteronomy 8:3) which is especially appropriate because the ten commandments were given at Shavuot as well.

Shavuot is a reminder that there is enough for our needs. Enough in the cupboard. Enough healing for all of us. Enough of the Holy Spirit to go around. Enough joy to overcome sorrow. Enough discernment to make good decisions. There is enough. And there is still more. He provides.

Who is Shavuot for?

Anyone who wants to give thanks for YHWH providing for them. Or anyone who thinks following the example of the Disciples and the instructions of Scripture to serve YHWH in this way. Or anyone looking to have more of the Holy Spirit in their life. While you can ask any day, there is certainly not a time more appropriate than Shavuot!

In Vayikra 23:17 we are instructed to wave two loaves of bread before YHWH. I like the symbolism of the two loaves because it signifies abundance and our needs being provided for. Not one but two. The two houses of Israel are also called to mind, and YHWH expects both the natural born Israelite and those grafted in to celebrate his set apart times. The animals coming two by two to Noah's ark and then multiplying to fill the earth is also symbolized by these two loaves, which YHWH will multiply to provide for us throughout the coming year. Of course the ten commandments were given on two tablets as well.

Shavuot is a time to not only celebrate the word of YHWH being given to us on tablets, but also having it written on our hearts. Once again, YHWH wants to pour out the Holy Spirit to give us a better understanding of his word, ability to walk in the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit, that many would come to him.

Verses to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit:

I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away. Because if I don't go away the Holy Spirit will not come to you. -John 16:7

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my ways and obey my commandments. -Ezekiel 36:26-27

Where the Spirit of YHWH is there is freedom. -2 Corinthians 3:17

So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts, how much more will the Father keep giving the Holy Spirit from Heaven to those who keep asking him. -Luke 11:13

To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for profiting, for to one is given a word of wisdom, to another a word of knowledge, to another belief, and to another gifts of healing, and to another operations of powers, and to another prophecy, to another discernment, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. -1 Corinthians 12:7-10

I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams will cover the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessings on your descendants. -Isaiah 44:3

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustworthiness, gentleness, and self control. -Galatians 5:22

I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. And also on the male servants and on the female servants I shall pour out my Spirit in those days. -Joel 2:28-29

I baptized you with water, but the Messiah will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. -Mark 1:8

Have a very happy Shavuot!

Related posts:

The Beginner's Guide to Shavuot
Seven Ways to Celebrate Shavuot
Shavuot Dessert Ideas

Hebrew School: What is sin?

In today's lesson I want to focus on understanding what sin actually is according to Scripture. Too often the definition gets muddled and people are left thinking that 'sin' is just having a bad attitude or in general "falling short" or that being a 'sinner' is just a vague sense of not being good enough. There is a lot of confusion about what sin is and if we don't stop to define it we can't end up with some very incorrect ideas about Scripture.

In John 8, the Messiah tells the woman who was caught in adultery to, "Go and sin no more." This tells us that the definition of sin to Yahusha is clear cut and easily understandable. This is not like an encounter with an upset boss who tells you not to disappoint him again when you're not sure what he is upset about in the first place. That doesn't leave you with any tangible ways of how to please your superior. But when the Messiah said it, the woman understood that she really could stop sinning because she understood what that was.

What is sin according to Scripture?

1 John 3:4 tells us.

Anyone who commits sin violates Torah, for sin is the transgression of the Torah. RSTNE

Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah - indeed, sin is violation of Torah. CJB

Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. BYNV

Everyone who sins breaks God's law, because sin is the same as breaking God's law. CEV

Scripture defines sin as disobeying the commandments of YHWH. This particular sentence was penned by John, who of course as one of the disciples spent a lot of time with the Messiah. If Yahusha had taught that it was okay to disobey the instructions of YHWH John would have heard him, but he didn't!

Is this just talking about commandments in the New Testament?

First of all, when John wrote this there was no 'New Testament.' At the time the Scriptures consisted of the Tanakh, or what many would call the 'Old' Testament. All of John's basis for commandments would have come from the Tanakh, as did all the Messiah's teachings on the instructions.

Second, when instructions are given in the 'New Testament' they stem from the commandments in the Torah. We see the Messiah do this many times like in Matthew 5:27-28 when he talked about adultery. He acknowledged the commandment to not commit adultery, and then clarified that you shouldn't even think about it. He gave us a better understanding of the commandments, he never did away with them.

What does this mean?

It means we don't have to wonder what sin is or if we're doing it. By studying Scripture we learn the commandments of YHWH and that tells us how we should live. By keeping the commands we are obedient to YHWH. He does not want us to be in the dark, blindly guessing at every decision what his will would be. Understanding what sin is empowers us to walk with confidence in our faith.

Read these passages with a better understanding of sin.

"If you don't do what is right, violating the Torah is crouching at the door - it wants you, but you can rule over it." -Genesis 4:7

"If we confess we have violated his commands he is faithful and just to forgive us." -1 John 1:9

"He bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to Torah violations and live for righteousness." -1 Peter 2:24

"Forgive others when they violate the commandments against you, and YHWH will also forgive you." -Matthew 6:14

"Should we violate the Torah because we have the favor of YHWH? Of course not." -Romans 6:15

"Direct my footsteps with your word. Don't let violating the commandments rule over me." -Psalm 119:133

"We have violated the Torah and done wrong." -Daniel 9:5

Yahusha said, "I tell you that everyone who violates the Torah is a slave." -John 8:34

"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I wouldn't disobey your commands." -Psalm 119:11

"He did not violate the Torah." -Hebrews 4:15

More Hebrew School:
What a Hebrew is
The Set Apart Times of Scripture
Keeping the Law...even if we can't do so perfectly
What a 'no-work day' is
The Northern and Southern Kingdoms
Syncretism!
Why We Don't Sacrifice Animals

What is a Hebrew? (Biblical Meaning)

Today we are taking a look at the Biblical definition of the word 'Hebrew.' While Hebrew is a language, it is also a word that is often used to describe God's people in general, and specific individuals in Scripture. We are also familiar with the New Testament book of Hebrews. When we see the correct understanding of this word as the Creator intended, we will realize that it's not about our bloodline or ancestry, but that God's family is inclusive to all people.

What is a Hebrew in the Bible?

The term 'Hebrew' first appears in Scripture in Genesis 14:13 where it is used to describe Abraham. In addition to Abraham, Jonah, Paul, and Joseph are identified as Hebrews. Joseph's brothers were known as Hebrews when they came to Egypt and Moses often identified YHWH as "God of the Hebrews." And this term appears throughout Scripture as a blanket statement for the people of Israel (those serving YHWH). This did not end in the 'Old Testament' either, since there is literally a book of Hebrews about how to follow the Messiah.

What does this title mean? What does it mean to be identified as a Hebrew?

Hebrew is defined as one who has crossed over to the other side. Strongs says it as, "one from beyond," and I think that's lovely. You aren't where you started. You've come to a new place. We see this in the literal sense in Scripture when Abraham and Sarah journey from their family home in Ur to the Promised Land, and when the Israelites cross the Red Sea leaving Egypt. But it also symbolizes leaving our culture's customs and crossing over to the things of YHWH. It symbolizes arriving in a new place with our faith and lifestyle. The image of journeying is very powerful. A Hebrew is anyone that is walking with YHWH.

Some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, have been grafted in among them. -Romans 11:17

The olive tree analogy is of course a parable for the Hebrew people. Paul is calling our attention to a truth with it: whether or not you can trace your family lineage back to people in the Bible, you can be a Hebrew. The term Hebrew longs predates Judaism, so you don't need to be Jewish to be included. Whether or not you are grafted in, you are still part of the olive tree. Make sense?

In Scripture being a Hebrew is synonymous with being part of Israel. To be part of Israel means that you are walking with YHWH. Israel in the Bible is not the same as the modern nation-state of Israel in the middle east, though the land space itself is similar. Living in modern Israel does not necessarily mean you are part of YHWH's definition of Israel. You are not made a Hebrew by where you live. As Romans 9:6 says, "Not all Israel is truly part of Israel."

Israel is the collective community of those walking with YHWH, those Hebrews who have crossed over to him.

What does it mean to cross over?

-Choosing to examine our faith and valuing truth more highly than tradition.
-Making changes and adjustments in our lives as we better understand truth.

-Getting our values and morals from Scripture instead of the culture.

-Choosing to follow YHWH's ways, even when it's not religiously popular.
-Walking the narrow road instead of the broad.

Hebrews listen to the Word and Holy Spirit to direct their steps. It is Hebrew to implement resting on the Sabbath into your life. Hebrews make the choice to celebrate the Biblical Passover instead of the masquerade of Easter. It is Hebrew to lay aside family or church traditions to try and live more like Scripture says we should. That's crossing over, and that's what we need to think of when Scripture talks about a Hebrew or Israel. People or a person who walked away from the culture to follow YHWH's ways. We are going to get very confused reading Scripture if we make Hebrew to be synonymous with Judaism or the language.

Hebrew is a lifestyle that loves and honors YHWH and Yahusha.

A Hebrew is a person who loves and honors YHWH and Yahusha.

I hope you can see that being a Hebrew has nothing to do with your nationality or family lineage and everything to do with the choices you make in following YHWH. No matter your past or background, you can choose today to follow YHWH's instructions in your life and to become a Hebrew.

"I am a Hebrew, and I worship YHWH, the Elohim of Heaven, who made the sea and the land." -Jonah 1:9

Related posts:

How the Bible Defines Sin
Non Jews in Scripture
How the Bible Defines Food

Call Upon the Name of YHWH

Yahweh. God. Yehovah. Adonai. The LORD. Yahuah. G-d. Elohim. Jehovah. Does what you call YHWH matter? Maybe you have heard that the name of YHWH should not be uttered or that he knows your heart so it doesn't make any difference what you call him. But Elijah believed otherwise.

"And you call on the name of your elohim, 
and I will call on the Name of YHWH." - 1 Kings 18:24

This is from the story where Elijah faced down 450 prophets of Baal; his premise for this challenge was very simple: let's both offer a sacrifice. We'll see which name responds.

The phrasing Elijah chose is extremely interesting and clamors for our attention. He didn't say, "We'll see which God answers," or, "I will call to my God," he made it a point to mention the name of YHWH. Significant? I think so.

Something I never paid much attention to in this story was Baal. Just a strange name for a false god, right? The truth is a little more interesting: Baal is the Hebrew word for Lord. Now glance at the story again - it reads differently! Verse 18: You have forsaken the commandments of YHWH to follow the Lord.

I have a hunch you know the rest of the story; the group of prophets couldn't get the attention of Baal no matter what they tried. But when Elijah called upon YHWH fire immediately consumed the sacrifice. Those who called upon the Lord didn't see a response, but the one who called upon YHWH did.

This story made me see that YHWH distinguishes himself from "the Lord." I want to mention here that there was definitely a time in my life where I called YHWH 'God.' I know many with sincere faith who call upon 'the Lord.' I am not saying someone is a bad person or not saved or whatever else if they use generic words for YHWH. But I do think if you want to get to know someone better you start with learning their name.

In Exodus 34:6 he introduces himself. "I am YHWH." In fact, he says his name twice in a row. My brother's name is a little unusual so when he meets someone he almost always has to repeat it to get their pronunciation even remotely close. And it seems like that is what YHWH is dealing with here. He knew his name would be misunderstood.

Obviously, the Bible was not originally written in English so "YHWH" is actually the transliteration of the Hebrew letters yod-he-waw-he. These letters transliterate into the approximate English equivalents of YHWH. I use this to be as correct as possible to refer to the Living God. (The Hebrew letters are confusing to those unfamiliar and don't translate well onto all devices.) Sounding out the Hebrew letters gets us yah-a-wah or yah-hu-uh. Sounding out the English letters gets us yah-way. Yehovah would be a cousin of this. With the variety of worldwide accents some of us may need to adjust our enunciation as we learn more, and that's okay. Personally I think trying to pronounce someone's name correctly (even if you don't quite get there) is a lot more respectful than not using it, or worse yet, calling them by their enemy's name.

Okay sure, you may say, but my Bible uses LORD all the time. How important can the name be if it's not in there? Hear me out on this because the following is probably the most ridiculous thing Bible translators have ever done. In the original texts of Scripture the name YHWH was in there all over the place, Genesis through Revelation. This is crazy to hear but nonetheless translators have removed the name of YHWH from Scripture over 7,000 times! Many versions (like the ESV) even mention this in the preface, that LORD is used a stand in to 'represent' the name. LORD is not a transliteration of yod-he-waw-he. These letters are not only incorrect, but also the name of the false deity from 1 Kings 18. Exodus 23:13 tells us we aren't to speak the names of false deities at all, let alone substitute for YHWH.

"Do not add to the word which I command you, and do not take away from it." - Deuteronomy 4:2

Replacing the name of YHWH is taking away from Scripture. YHWH distinguishes his name from that of other deities for a reason.

One reason is that there are a lot of things in this world that get worshiped as "God" or "the Lord." When I am in my conservative Christian hometown people talk about "God" and I know they are talking about the one of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But if I am on a college campus, talking with someone from a different religious background, or in a more multicultural city, "God" is used to refer a wide variety of things. I have personally heard the term used to talk about Islam's Allah, the deity behind the Hindu celebration of Diwali, reiki spirit guides, and a new age higher power. Followers of these 'gods' need to know that YHWH is different from their so called god.

YHWH's name is so important to him that reverence for it is included as one of the ten most important commandments. Usually this gets translated as not to take it in vain. Read: don't use it like a swear word. Many rabbis have forbidden use of the name of YHWH so that the name could never be used incorrectly or inappropriately. Unfortunately, not using the name - thus causing people to forget it - is pretty much the opposite of what the command intends. A better translation of Exodus 20:7 would be not to empty his name. Don't bring it to nothing. Don't forget about it. We can see that Elijah clearly had no problem speaking aloud the name of YHWH. The Messiah had no problem using it either, and it got him a lot of push back from the Pharisees. He even says that he has restored the name of YHWH to the earth.

What else does Scripture say about the name of YHWH?

-The Messiah came in the name of YHWH. -John 5:43
-It will be upon his people. -Numbers 6:27
-Righteous people run to the name of YHWH and are safe. -Proverbs 18:10
-We are to esteem his name. -Psalm 29:2
-We are to love YHWH's name. -Isaiah 56:6
-Every generation should know and remember his name. -Psalm 45:17
-Salvation is found in the name of YHWH and Yahusha. -Joel 2:32, Acts 4:12
-We are to praise the name of YHWH. -Psalm 9:2
-We won't see the Messiah until we can say, "Blessed is he that comes in the   name of YHWH." -Matthew 23:39, Luke 13:35
-Disciples should be baptized in the name of YHWH, as well as the Messiah and   Holy Spirit. -Matthew 28:19
-Everyone who calls on the name of YHWH shall be delivered. -Romans 10:13
-The name of YHWH endures forever. -Psalm 135:13

It's amazing to see how important the name of YHWH is and by learning it we can better know our Creator. Like himself, his name is different from any other 'gods' of this world. May we never forget his name or bring it to ruin again.

"And Elijah came to all the people and said, 'How long will you keep hopping between to opinions? If YHWH is Elohim follow him, but if the Lord is God then follow him.'" -1 Kings 18:21

Four Distinctions We Need To Make To Understand Scripture

"Study to show yourself approved before YHWH, a workman that needs to not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

Rightly divide the word of truth. This little verse has enormous ramifications. If you can rightly divide that means you can also wrongly divide. And since you have to study that means most of Scripture isn't readily understood in a cursory reading. And if you don't divide Scripture correctly you have good reason to be ashamed.

These distinctions I'm sharing with you today are just that: distinctions. They are different from the way most read Scripture. If we don't make these distinctions we will be left with huge passages of Scripture that are baffling and contradictory. But we know that YHWH's word is true and when we learn to divide correctly we find more of the treasures he has concealed for us in his word (Proverbs 25:2).

Israel vs. Judah

While the twelve tribes were united through King Solomon they split into two separate kingdoms under the reign of his son Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12. Ephraim was the strongest of the ten northern tribes and had been given the birthright to the name of Israel (see Genesis 48 when Jacob/Israel blesses Joseph's sons), so the Northern Kingdom was called Israel and the southern tribes banned together under their strongest tribe, Judah.

The Kingdom of Israel strayed from YHWH having only evil rulers that led the people into idolatry. The Kingdom of Judah did somewhat better at serving YHWH. Both Kingdoms eventually were exiled as punishment form YHWH; Judah was captive 70 years in Babylon before returning. The House of Israel has still not been regathered, its people scattered amongst every nation on earth (Micah 5:8).

Hebrews 8:8 - The day comes, says the Master YHWH, when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah.

Restoring the two Houses of Israel and Judah back into one is a foundational theme of Scripture, and something all believers should long and pray for. But if we don't make the distinction of the split it is impossible to see.

Book of the Covenant vs. Book of the Law
The Book of the Covenant contains the instructions on feast days, the Sabbath, clean eating, and other instructions on how to live, while the Book of the Law is mostly instructions for the sacrificial system under the Levitical priesthood. Most translations of the Bible lump these together under the word "law" creating much confusion.

Galatians 2:16 - We are declared righteous by faith in Messiah and not by works of the law.

This verse is stating that the Levitical sacrificial system is inferior to the Messiah's sacrifice and cannot make people righteous. It is not saying that we are not to honor YHWH's instructions in the Book of the Covenant for how we live. If we don't treat these books as different, we get Covenant and priesthood very mixed up with terrible consequences of sin against YHWH.

Melchizedek Priesthood vs. Levitical Priesthood
Under the Levitical system only Aaron's descendants were allowed to serve as priests. No special exception was made for our high priest Yahusha. Psalm 110 says that his priesthood is of the Melchizedek order. This is not a carbon copy of the Levitical system with a new high priest. While the Levites needed the blood of bulls and goats, the Melchizedek priesthood's sacrifice is the Messiah.

1 Peter 2:9 - You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a set apart nation.

Melchizedek means 'King of Righteousness' so when Peter penned, "a royal priesthood," he wrote "a Melchi priesthood." He was talking about the Melchizedek priesthood, which is not limited to the tribe of Levi. YHWH calls all believers to participate in the priesthood under Yahusha.

Unclean vs. In Sin
A major theme of the book of Leviticus is clean and unclean. These are the world's oldest instructions on hygiene. A house could become unclean if there was a certain type of mold in it. A woman on her period was considered unclean. Cooking pots were unclean if a forbidden animal fell in. Touch a dead body made a person unclean. But please note, it was not a sin to be in an unclean state!

Matthew 8:3 - Yahusha touched him and said, "I am willing; be clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

The Messiah became unclean to heal this man with leprosy, but that was not sin. Yahusha did not sin or bend the rules of the Torah to heal this man. While you certainly can choose to sin in an unclean state, being unclean doesn't make you to sin. YHWH was not creating worthless hoops to jump through, but giving instructions on healthy living for his people. The Messiah upheld Biblical law regarding cleanness (see Luke 17, when he sent the ten former lepers to be pronounced clean by the priest, as Scripture instructs), just as he upheld the rest of the Bible.

Learning the differences in these concepts will give you a much better understanding of Scripture. It really amazes me how much more sense the Bible makes as I learn more of these truths.

Related posts:

Commandments or Traditions - Understanding the New Testament
The Three Types of Law in Scripture
Comparing the Melchizedek and Levitical Priesthoods

What I'm Doing During Sukkot

I hope everyone's Sukkot is off to a great start! Ours started with a congregational gathering that was lovely, and building our sukkah (I'll share pictures later). Today's weather has been rain, which is a great reminder of how temporal a sukkah and indeed, our existence is since ours isn't waterproof! Hopefully it dries out soon.

Our culture's holidays are all one day and that's what most of us think of when we think of Scriptural based celebrations. A lot of building up to the big day and then a flurry of people, parties, rich food, and presents, and then back to work the next day. However, Sukkot is an eight day celebration and we're meant to enjoy all eight days of it! While only the first and eighth days are no-work days we should still celebrate the entire time and do things that reflect that this is a special and set apart time. Even if you are working this week take some time to enjoy this time that YHWH sanctioned as joyful.

So here's what I'm doing this Sukkot:

Spending time in the sukkah. Scripture does tell us to spend this time in a temporary dwelling. If you made a traditional sukkah or are using a camping tent or something in between, be sure you are dwelling there at least part of your day. Eating meals in the sukkah is a simple way to do something to distinguish this time from the rest of the year. It's also a great place for your Scripture study and prayer time.

Taking a trip to the farmers market. I believe in eating locally for all the normal reasons from supporting organic farmers to cutting down on fossil fuel usage, but the most significant reason to me is the understanding it gives about the word of YHWH. Scripture has deep agricultural roots from the Garden of Eden to the Olive Tree to the tree that bears fruit each month. We miss something when we don't realize that Sukkot is about celebrating the harvest. Appreciate the miracle of YHWH's provision by visiting a farm or seeing what's in season at the farmers market. Go to an orchard and pick apples or pears. Talk about how YHWH provides for our needs each season.

Praying for the Ingathering of Israel. The picture of Sukkot is celebrating the harvest of our gardens and farms. The harvest, of course, is when I go to my garden and select the good fruit and bring it to my home. YHWH promises to do the same and regather Israel (both the Northern Kingdom and the people of Judah) back to him. Prayer that His people would turn and teshuvah to him is extra special during the time of Sukkot.

Star gazing. Sukkahs are traditionally made with imperfect roofs of tree branches so the occupants can still see the stars. It is a reminder of YHWH's promise to Abraham, "Your descendants will be that many." Grab a star chart or a book on astronomy to learn more about the earthly heavens.

Listening to this song on repeat. Obviously. How do you not love Sukkos Style? I reeeeeallllly wish they would do the full song.

Giving what I can. Sukkot called for a huge offering of animal sacrifices, "beside your vows, your terumah offerings, burnt offerings, grain and drink offerings, and shalom offerings." (Number 29:12-40) Because of Yeshua we no longer need the sacrifice of animals, but I think the amount of giving YHWH expected of the ancient Israelites should tell us something. Consider giving extra to your congregation or learning of other ministries that you want to support.

Inviting friends over. This is a great chance to show others the joy of celebrating the Festivals of YHWH. Ask friends over for dinner or coffee and share what you're doing during this time. Invite your Bible study to gather in your sukkah.

Making dessert. This is a feast after all! I don't take the time to prepare fancy pastries very often but I am going to try a couple of new recipes this week. Sukkot is a joyful time and a good dessert will emphasize that and help make great memories to look back on.

What are you guys up to this week? Whatever it is, have a very happy Sukkot!