The instructions found in this week’s Torah study, including Ezekiel, and portions from Romans, Hebrews, and Galatians are rich in their instruction and understanding. At first glance, I was thinking, “Where can we possibly begin?” One would need a few months to dig deep into Acharei Mot and Kedoshim. But in their meaning of “after death” and “holy ones,” I was drawn to a common thread that I believe needs our attention. That theme centers around defilement and the call for us to come out of her. The question is, “How can we?”
YHWH spends a great deal of time sharing with Moses various laws for His people in the Book of Leviticus. He does so to give them life—boundaries that allow his people to live with confidence and not in fear. Though before He lays out rules for morality, honesty, customs, and impurities, our portion begins with His solution for our sins. Just like the solution found in the Book of Genesis, YHWH is willing and able to provide atonement for His people with a covering found only in the Messiah. Even with this solution, He still asks His people to not defile themselves. He states:
“Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.” Leviticus 18:24
So, what is defilement and why should we be concerned with it? May I suggest it has to do with our heart. When our hearts become defiled, we struggle with basic outcomes that affect our spirit and flesh directly. As many of you know YHWH is Spirit (John 4:24) and our flesh is a temple meant to be given to Him for His good works. (Romans 12:1) When we become defiled our spirit and our temple, naturally come against Yah’s will for us—thus a need for us to be cleansed.
The word defile from our English Thesaurus means: to desecrate, violate, or debase. It is the opposite of respect
The Hebrew Meaning for defile is “anah” found in Strongs H6031. It means, “to be bowed down, humbled or afflicted.” Anah is first used in Genesis 15:13: “where they (Israel) will be enslaved and oppressed.”
When defile is used in Leviticus 18:24 the meaning becomes “tame,” found in Strongs H2929. It means to be unclean or impure sexually, religiously, or ceremonially.
Defilement can also be used in the word “goel” Strongs H1352. In this sense, it means the act of defiling. Goel is used only once in the Scriptures and is found in Nehemiah 13:29, where we read, “They have defiled the priesthood.”
All of these meanings for defilement are found in our study. Whether stated or implied the context of these words are distinct in Archarei Mot and Kedoshaim.
Leviticus 16 starts with:
“Now YHWH spoke to Moses AFTER the DEATH of the two sons of Aaron when they had approached the presence of the Lord and died.”
Notice Yah speaks to the heart of Aaron, for Aaron has been tremendously wounded by the defilement brought by his sons to the temple. Yah seeks to provide a scapegoat for Aaron and for his family (16:6) before including the whole house of Israel (16:17). What does this mean? For me, I see a reflection and need for our royal priesthood status (I Peter 2:9) to be addressed before we address the assembly.
The Hebrew word Ga’al found in Strongs H1350 means to redeem or act as kinsman and is closely related to the root found in “goel”. It is first used in Genesis 48:16, “The angel (messenger) who has redeemed me from evil” and then in Exodus 6:6:
“I will redeem you with an outstretched hand.”
Consequently, we see an action by the Creator to redeem the priesthood as well as the whole house of Israel.
What are we needing to be atoned or redeemed from? Consider the meanings of defilement and we might begin to see our need. We are anah–afflicted or humbled by our sinful past. We are enslaved through cherished guilt. We are tame–impure and unclean through years of accepted methods of worshipping Yahweh on our own terms without considering His terms. We are tame in our sexual thoughts, religious actions, and through ceremonial customs void of Biblical roots.
Praise Yah for His Spirit that wakes us up to the fact of our need. Praise His Name for His willingness to use circumstances and events to bring awareness to His Law so that we can change course and claim the works of atonement though Yeshua. (Romans 3) Praise Yahweh for teachers who open Scriptural viewpoints that are at times hidden due to our blindness.
The customs of the nations do not see a need for atonement. Their customs are centered around self-gratification. The nations are blind to the need for a Heavenly covering. They refuse the gift of atonement. So, when Yah asks us to reject the defilement of the nations, He is asking us to accept a new way of living; a life that is free from the type of bondage that only brings death. Hallelujah!!!!
At the beginning of this blog, I asked the question, “How can we avoid defilement?” Is it as simple as “Just say no to defilement?” If this is true, then there would be no need for atonement. Instead, I believe we should allow The One who knew no sin to change our hearts and ask Him to find the root of our sin, in that someone else is not responsible for our sin. It’s our heart that can cause us to sin. Seek repair for your heart.
I would also suggest that we remain humble with a willingness to come under instruction. The disciples of Yeshua followed His instruction and not the instruction of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Finally, I would suggest that we do our best to practice the words of the Scripture–cherishing not only the redemption found in the Kinsmen Redeemer but to practice Yah’s life-giving rules.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn