Emor, (Say, Strength from the Headwaters)
Vayiqra (Lev) 21:1 – 24:23
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 44:15-31
Kefa Alef (I Peter) 2:4–10
Ever need to stop by a friend’s house, but they didn’t want you to come? Why would that be? Because they’d be embarrassed if you saw their place. But then because of an urgent matter you do come, you step in the house and think ‘This place looks in better shape than mine. So what’s the problem?’
Reflecting on Character
We tend to relate the state of our houses or the cars we drive with our reputations. I think if my house looks bad, then it would make me look bad to anyone stopping by to visit. If my car looks like a wreck, then others may think something’s wrong with me. Isn’t it human nature to evaluate the character of others by such externals?
Character in Hebrew is associated with a name, ‘shem’ in Hebrew; the same word for ‘renown’ is ‘name.’ ‘Shem’ can also mean ‘fame, appellation, honor, authority, character, reputation.’ In ancient Hebrew, the name, the ‘sheen mem’ of someone is seen by what is produced from shining and emanating from the essence of their being. So what happens when someone’s character is poked full of holes by how people judge them?
To Profane the Name - Boring Holes
The Hebrew word for ‘to profane’ is ‘chalal.’ In ancient Hebrew ‘chalal’ means ‘to bore holes, perforate, drill.’ Chalal is akin to the word for to curse – ‘qalal.’ In effect, profaning devalues, cheapens, and makes lighter by poking holes in the character of someone or something. Like cursing, profaning also lessens weight or substance –
A house that’s been perforated with holes is open to all kinds of invaders – rodents, insects, and even thieves. A house sealed off with strong walls and tight doors and windows is far less vulnerable to invaders. A perforated house loses its integrity and sacred space. Perforating a house is a good picture for what it means to be profane.
The Commands NOT to Profane the Character of YHVH
Commandments to not profane the Name of YHWH, nor His house, is emphasized more in this Torah portion and in the last one than in any other place in the Scriptures. To not desecrate His Name, His very character, is essential for us to be walking in holiness. Let’s now study what attributes of His character our Elohim commands us to not profane:
Truth:
‘You shall not swear falsely by My Name, to profane the Name of your God; I am YHWH.’ Leviticus 19:12
Sanctity of Life:
‘You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the Name of your God; I am YHWH.’ Leviticus 18:21
‘I will also set My face against that man and will cut him off from among his people because he has given some of his offspring to Molech, to defile My sanctuary and to profane My holy Name. Leviticus 20:3
High Priestly Service:
‘They (the priests) shall be holy to their God and not profane the Name of their God, for they present the offerings by fire to YHWH, the food of their God; so they shall be holy.’ Leviticus 21:6
“Tell Aaron and his sons to be careful with the holy gifts of the sons of Israel, which they dedicate to Me, so as not to profane My holy Name; I am YHWH.” Leviticus 22:2
Headship of His House:
“Nor shall he go out of the sanctuary nor profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him; I am YHWH.” Leviticus 21:12
Only he shall not go into the veil or come near the altar because he has a defect, so that he will not profane My sanctuaries. For I am YHWH Who sanctifies them.'” Leviticus 21:23
Divine Authority:
“So you shall keep My commandments, and do them; I am YHWH. You shall not profane My holy Name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am YHWH Who sanctifies you, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to be your God; I am YHWH.” Leviticus 22:31-33
Practical Applications for NOT Profaning His Name
What does YHWH teach us about how not to profane His Name? When we bear the Name of YHWH Elohim and Yeshua our Messiah, we are being watched by others, who are looking for reasons not to believe in the God we serve. So what should we be especially careful to do and not do regarding the Name and reputation of our God?
- Always speak the truth, for lying bores holes in the absolute truth of His Word. I’ve noticed certain people who know me are always checking out what I say for what’s not true. Leaders especially need to be careful with what they say to be above reproach. Yeshua said it’s what comes out of a mouth that defiles a man.
- Always uphold the life of our defenseless children. We’d all agree that supporting the pro-life movement is one way to do this. Knowing that ‘Molech’ means ‘king,’ we should be careful not to subject our children to the gods of this world – superheroes and Santa Claus come to mind. All responsible members of the body of Messiah should do everything they can to keep the passions and lusts of this world from consuming and destroying the hearts and minds of children.
- Ministers of the Gospel should not profane the reputation of the generosity and goodness of our God by taking the gifts and offerings of the congregation for purposes that do not glorify Him. Often I hear to not support the lavish lifestyles of the rich and famous ministers. What the leadership of a congregation should support should only be in line with the mission that the Father entrusts to them.
- Leadership who heads up a congregation should always be checking their words and even their attitudes when standing before an assembly of Yah’s people. If there’s an obvious defect in my teaching or my presentation, I probably shouldn’t minister in front of others. The ‘no defect’ command is something I take seriously.
- To uphold the authority of YHWH in my life, I must be careful to guard all His commandments and obey them the best I can. If we don’t, Yeshua said that if I were to teach anyone to break even the least of His commandments, then I’m least in His Kingdom (Matthew 5:19). By boring holes in His commandments, I would profane His Name and authority, and I’d devalue my place in Yah’s Kingdom.
These are serious issues of life, especially for those who stand between Yah and man to minister in His house. Not just in His house, but in the world as well, here are Yeshua’s own words to not profane, but to proclaim His Name, that put the fear of Yah in my soul!
But I say to you, “Everyone who may confess Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God. But he that denies me before man shall be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who shall say a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven Him; but the ones blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.” Luke 12:8-10
Not Profaning His Name When Keeping the Festivals
Now that we see how much emphasis our God, our Mighty Authority, places on not profaning His Name, let’s carry that principle into keeping the festivals of YHWH. On the heels of the series of commands on not desecrating His Name or His house, we read the chapter (Lev 23) on what YHWH calls ‘My festivals,’ ‘My holy convocations’ to be kept.
It’s easy to point fingers at Christians and Jews on how their man-made festivals and traditions mixed with pagan practices profane the Name and character of our God. These things profane our holy Elohim to look not much different than any other god.
But what I haven’t come to terms with directly, I am convicted by the Holy Spirit now as a festivals coordinator, is that Hebrews serving as a ‘royal priesthood,’ shoulder an even greater responsibility to not profane His Name. I believe we have been too cavalier, too unconcerned about how we conduct ourselves during the festivals we keep. I’m not pointing fingers, it’s a broader Hebrew Roots issue. Bill Cloud points out how Hebrews keeping feasts desecrate His Name by revelry and gluttony. Ouch! The truth hurts.
On the other hand, I do not believe stay-at-home isolation from such people is the answer either. We are not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). One of the fruits of the flesh is ‘factions and divisions.’ (Galatians 5:20) How can we be salt and light, even among our mishpocha, and speak the truth in love, covering a multitude of sins, if we stay home? Instead, let’s be more careful about upholding His reputation.
Staying away from everyone for that reason is like staying at home to not catch the flu. If I’m not contagious according to the Scriptures, isolating myself makes my immune system unchallenged and weaker. When I do come out of hiding, my defense is weaker against contagions. Quarantining myself should not be my knee-jerk reaction.
We who are strong ought to bear up those who are weak. If we’re truly spiritually strong, then we won’t let others’ sins drag us into their morass. However, with wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit, we can lift them to a higher experience in keeping the festivals of YHWH.
Proclaim, not Profane the Name!
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Let’s look at another Hebrew word with a double lamed to remind us how not to profane, but to proclaim the great Name!
Let’s look at another Hebrew word with a double lamed to remind us how not to profane, but to proclaim the great Name!
