Emor

Emor el-hakohanim b’ney A’haron, "Say to the priests, the sons of Aaron". These words were spoken by Adonai to Moshe, which in turn were to be given to the priesthood. G-d was saying that the priests were to avoid being defiled by the death of a loved one other than their parents and immediate unmarried family. G-d expects more of His leaders because they had to be ready to execute the office of priest on behalf of the nation. As leaders, they could not become closely and emotionally involved with the rest of the community in the rights of morning by close contact with the dead or those who have been defiled by direct contact with the dead. (The spirit of grief could be transferred to the priest, disabling him from carrying out his duties.)

The Torah (law) is a picture and type of things to come. Even the defilement of close kin can not prevent our work. This is reflected in the teachings of Yeshua when he said;

Luke 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Adonai, let me first to go and bury my father. 60) Yeshua said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but you go and preach the kingdom of Elohim.

We must learn the importance of delivering the message of the Kingdom of Elohim (G-d). To the flesh, this seems a hard thing to do, even an uncaring response in the case of the death of a loved one. We must recognize, as those who have entered the "spiritual priesthood" the importance of the work we do. It supersedes the cares of this world.

Torah is not that which is perfect, but only a picture of "The Perfect". In the same way, the image you see in a mirror is not you, it is only the reflection of you. We should look beyond the reflection into that which is real. Rabbinu (our rabbi) Yeshua revealed how to see beyond the Torah, to see "The Perfect", to find the direction Torah points us and to continue on to "The Perfect."

Matthew 5:27 You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery: 28) But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

HaShem spoke to Moshe regarding the giving of offerings.

Leveticus 22:19 You shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. 20) But whatever has a blemish, that you will not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Offerings are to be the very best, not giving G-d what is defective, imperfect or left over, but giving the greatest and most meaningful offerings. One must give to G-d first the offerings and tithes, not waiting to give Him what is left over. If we wait to see what is left before giving to G-d, we are falling short of the reflection shown by Torah. If we want our offerings to count we will give the best.

Leviticus 23:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, 2) ... Concerning the feasts of the LORD, ... 3) Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; you shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

Notice that this is not a suggestion. We are to set aside the seventh day of every week as special. Since the Torah is a reflection of "The Perfect", then we are to look where it is pointing to and go there. Where does the Sabbath point us? It says, you are special, chosen of G-d for a purpose. What is the purpose?

Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are an holy people unto the LORD your God: the LORD your God has chosen you to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Exodus 19:6 6 And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which you will speak unto the children of Israel.

Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Acts 13:47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Reach beyond what you read. Take hold of "The Perfect" which is reflected to us in the Torah. Become what G-d intended for you to be. Be more than servants, b'ney Elohim, "Sons of G-d". Baruch haShem!

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