VaYiqra or “And He Called” can be a difficult lesson to understand. It’s all about sacrifices; a topic that seems to be more suited for pagan gods and rituals, not for a God who claims to be a loving God. But here it is in Leviticus 1-6. YHWH calls to Moses and defines a sacrificial system for Israel’s personal lives as well as for their leaders and priests in areas of thanksgiving, peace, sin, and guilt. Why? And why would these sacrifices be described as a pleasing aroma unto Him?
The history of pagan gods describes requirements for sacrifices that seem to be centered around pleasing the gods so nations, tribes, or even families could receive a reward of great crops, riches, or power. These requirements also exemplified the idea of keeping gods quiet from any anger that might be displayed towards people. Human sacrifice was one of the greatest ways to keep pagan gods happy or benevolent. So, is YHWH’s requirement similar?
In Romans 8, the apostle Paul reminds us that if we set our minds on the flesh we will die by the flesh, but if set our minds on the Spirit and live by the Spirit then we will live.
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. . . for you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear. . . for the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Yah.” Romans 8:6,15
So, what is the law of the Spirit? A hint is given to us in Jeremiah 1:5 which states, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” This implies that YHWH knows our spirit—the part of us that was present to Him before our flesh was made. This seems to imply that YHWH is more concerned about our spirit rather than our flesh.
But what does the spiritual life have to do with sacrifice and Yahweh being soothed by sacrifices? The Hebrew definition for soothing aroma is Nichoach נִיחוֹחַ a masculine noun meaning quieting, soothing, or tranquilizing. So, if Yahweh God is “soothed” like all the pagan gods due to sacrifices how is He different from them? I believe this fact will be revealed by looking at what type of tranquility is being rendered.
Our first step in understanding how YHWH is different from a pagan god is that He states He wants us free from bondage. He doesn’t seek slaves, but people who are motivated by a willing heart. Hence, the offerings portrayed in Leviticus represent pictures of people offering sacrifices not out of fear, but by free choice, not to receive power or riches, but to receive spiritual peace. It was a way to lay down or clear the human spirit from sin in the flesh, never to be remembered again.
Yahweh is many times called Abba Father pictured by the Hebrew letters Aleph and Bet—the strong man of the house. So, if we relate this to our own lives made in the image of YHWH, would we be soothed by a sacrifice made by our children out of fear? Of course not. So, what is Yah doing?
In these sacrifices we continually see Yahweh asking for the fat, kidneys, and liver to be given to Him. This seems rather odd. But at a closer look, it demonstrates the nature of Yah, for the portions He requested were the most dangerous parts of the animal, due to the function of these parts.
In the human body, the kidneys and liver are the filters for the body. Like vacuums, they sweep toxins from the blood circulating through the body and provide the elimination of those dangerous elements. We also know fat absorbs and stores various drugs and toxins much longer than other tissue. It’s where forensic pathologists go to discover toxins weeks, months, and sometimes years after death. The fatty tissue is a sponge for many chemicals.
Does YHWH request the dirtiest, most dangerous parts of animals in burnt offerings to demonstrate something? Is He relating to us that He can clean the worst parts of our lives? By taking our sins and removing our “filters of sludge” we can stand in His presence. Hence, He again protects us through this symbolism–acknowledging that He will take our sin and is therefore “soothed” knowing He has saved His children. Would you be soothed or quieted knowing that you took the worst part of your children to protect them?
Acute liver failure can develop quickly and it is life-threatening. If you or someone you know suddenly develops yellowing of the eyes or skin; tenderness in the upper abdomen; or any unusual changes in mental state, personality, or behavior, medical attention must be sought right away. In Biblical times, divination was accomplished by viewing the liver to determine the future of life or death. See Ezekiel 21:21
Likewise, acute kidney failure occurs when your kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste products from your blood. When your kidneys lose their filtering ability, dangerous levels of waste may accumulate, and your blood’s chemical makeup may get out of balance which will move you to a life-threatening position. Yahweh receives these parts so that we may have life.
The Hebrew words for liver and kidneys are occasionally translated as “heart”, “spirit” or “innermost being” and are symbolic of human emotions and conscience. These parts also had a central role in the ordination of the priesthood. (see Leviticus 8:16-17).
Yahweh searches our innermost being. Psalm 139:13.
And therefore, He tackles and cleanses the iniquity that we were born into. Psalm 51.
The law of life and death is the mighty workings of Yeshua the Messiah (Rom. 8:1-3) who came in the flesh to become the sin offering for us. The sacrifices performed (Lev. 1-6) in the temple are a copy from the courts of Heaven—a spiritual place where the “blood of the King” takes away the sins of the world when the accusations of Satan spew forth.
“Life is in the blood” which is why Yeshua is a better sacrifice. See Hebrews 9:25-10:14.
The Messiah completes every aspect of the sacrificial offerings so that we can walk in the Spirit.
Isn’t it amazing that YHWH showed favor over His people by taking on our dirtiest and innermost parts? I am blessed to know that when I put these sinful “flesh” parts on the altar He will be soothed–for my spirit will now live due to His Mighty Hand—Yeshua our Salvation.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn