I don’t know very many people who enjoy being evaluated. It seems we all enjoy a bit of privacy. The first time I met my vocal coach, he asked me all kinds of questions during his assessment to find out if he wanted me as a student. I was confident he would accept me on my past experiences alone. Instead, he sought to know why I aspired to learn from him and if I would be willing to follow his instructions. After being accepted, I clearly understood his criteria. He required humble students–not unteachable ones.
Do the lessons on inspection and introspection found in Tazria-Metzora, display a picture of students as well? What can we learn about the Master Teacher in this study and what can we learn about ourselves?
In last week’s Torah portion, Shemini, we learned about the value of eight or Chet. The description of guarding or keeping that which is holy in our bodies as well as in our homes can portray the workings of the Messiah. For when we are “In Him” a distinctive change begins to take place. A change from the inside.
The double Torah portion of Tazria-Metzora expounds on this. We are made aware that illness can have a spiritual cause. Tzara’at was a specific malady, resulting from harmful speech. The Hebrew term, metzora (someone afflicted with tzara’at), refers to a spreader of slander or one who brings about harm through their speech. The metzora would then be isolated from the community for an indefinite period to stop the spread of illness.
Many might think that Yahweh is cruel in demanding a separation from others. But in this case, is it Yahweh that separates? In Romans 8:6-7, we read: For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God, for it doesn’t subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.”
When a person is in a sinful state, the need for Yahweh is not visible to them. They do “what is right in their own eyes” and cannot subject themselves to inspection or instruction. Their inward being is out of touch with the Creator which causes an outward result of ugliness.
In this study, I believe we find the necessity to not only take a time out when in sin, but to subject ourselves to the inspector to be healed. In the Biblical context, “This time of separation was viewed as corrective not punitive. The isolation provided the metzora time for introspection, to examine and correct his or her poor behavior. Hence the reason to be also examined by a Kohen (priest) rather than a doctor”. (The Metzora: An Integrated Approach to Healing Body, Mind and Soul, By Katia Bolotin)
But even with this explanation, there still might be a few that quote another statement from Paul that seems to say something entirely different. Paul writes, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in the Messiah, Yeshua, our King.” Romans 8:37-39,
Does this text promote the notion we will never be separated from Yahweh no matter our actions? Notice the distinction between the words love and separation. In the text, we see that His love is everlasting. He never fails. But does this take away the component of separation? Far be it. In that, we can choose to separate ourselves from the One who loves us unconditionally.
Yahweh loves. He grieves when we choose to sin or miss the mark. It’s His love that causes a closer look or inspection of our motives.
A picture of Yahweh grieving for His chosen people is found in Psalms 78:40, “How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert!
The picture of love and sorrow is also found in David’s love for Absalom. Absalom separated himself from his father by speaking false words against the king. But David’s love never stops as he cries, “My son, my son, oh that I had died for you.” 2 Sam. 18:33
In the book of Hebrews, we read that Yeshua is our high priest–better than the priests of old. This concept should be comforting in that the inspection of the One who created us is more just. He not only inspects our outward consequences, but seeks to heal our hearts. We might also take note that being sent outside of the camp while dealing with sin can awaken our hearts to re-ignite our spiritual connection with Him. King David wrote, “Cleanse me Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Government tyranny in the form of tzara’at has made us all aware of physical traits that destroy communities and families. But through this evil attack, I believe we are being moved toward spiritual “inspection” causing us to sharpen our focus on where our true hope comes from. And if taken one step further, addressing tzara’at within our person or family before pointing the finger at governments or their minions is a must. Yah’s inspection starts in His own house first. This process humbles us to become an effective student.
Let us all choose to be “in” the Messiah so that His works would change our minds, soul, and spirit. For when we are “in Him” we no longer desire or express the world’s contamination, but start instead to appreciate the weightier spiritual matters of love, justice, and mercy.
Be blessed,
Rollyn