Behar: On the mountain — בהר

Thoughts on Last Week’s Torah Portion.
 
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Leviticus 21-24
In this review, we will focus on the 23th chapter of Leviticus/Veyikra because there is so much important theology linked to this one chapter.  This chapter outlines God’s appointed times when God’s people are to meet with Him.  Though there are many aspects that can be linked and discussed in connection with God’s Holy days, this review will consider – the stages of a developing relationship with the Messiah and the covenants associated with each stage.

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God’s Appointed Times
We see in the 23rd chapter of Leviticus the Lord outlining the times through the year that Israel is suppose to meet with Him.  But these days are not set out in a happenstance arrangement.  The Lord set these days in an order and with an intentional purpose.  In the spring of the year, there is Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits; followed by Shavuot in the late spring; then in the fall we see Trumpets, Yom Kippur and Tabernacles.  To wrap things up we have the last day of Sukkot – an eight day.  So in summary, this is how these days shape up.

Stages of Relationship
We can link stages of a developing relationship with God with each segment of these Holy Days.  In the spring we have new life springing up from the ground.  This new life is small, young and tender.  So in the spring of the  year, we symbolically have a beginning relationship with God.  These spring days symbolize the initiation and a maturing of a relationship with God.  In the Fall,  this relationship results in living in the physical presence of the Messiah and finally in the late fall in living an eternity with God.  So now our summary looks like this:

​Covenants
Next we can associate God’s system of covenants with each of the Holy Days.  Initiating a relationship with God is connected to the Abrahamic and Threshold/Passover Covenants.  Late Spring is connected to the Priesthood and Sinai Covenants.  In the Millennium we will see a system of Davidic Kings reigning in the Millennium and covenants that are bound and sealed with God – the Enochic Covenant.  And finally,  the Messianic Covenant brings the resurrection and eternal life in eternity - John 7:37-38.  So our summary now looks like this:

Here is great video teaching on the Holy Days by Steve Berkson.

Isaiah Chapter 32
Jehovah guides and protects the just but he turns the tables on perverse preachers and complacent women.

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Hebrew Study

Leviticus 23:2

Speak	דַּבֵּ֞ר	dah-vehr
to	​אֶל־	ehl
the sons	​בְּנֵ֤י	be-nay
of Israel	​יִשְׂרָאֵל֙	yees-rah-ehl
and you say	​וְאָמַרְתָּ֣	ve-ah-mahr-tah
to them	​אֲלֵהֶ֔ם	ah-leh-hehm
the appointed times	​מוֹעֲדֵ֣י	moh-ah-day
of Yehovah	יְהוָ֔ה	Ye-ho-vah
which	​אֲשֶׁר־	ah-shehr
you shall call out	​תִּקְרְא֥וּ	teek-re-u
their	​אֹתָ֖ם	oh-tahm
gatherings	​מִקְרָאֵ֣י	meek-rah-ay
holy	​קֹ֑דֶשׁ	koh-dehsh
these	​אֵ֥לֶּה	eh-leh
their	​הֵ֖ם	hehm
appointed times	​מוֹעֲדָֽי׃	moh-ah-dey

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Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: Leviticus 25:1-26:2
GOSPELS: Luke 4:14-22

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon

HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 33

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD