Kedoshim or holy ones, is the title of this week’s parsha. For many, this concept is hard to attain. We try our best to be holy, but yet find ourselves lacking due to our sinful human nature and DNA. So why even try to be holy?
The obvious response to this question is very practical. For instance, if we were to play a game of soccer, should we disregard the rules of the game? If we do, the event would result in complete chaos and frustration. Similarly, YHWH’s words in the Torah are teaching us that holiness is not something to be disregarded, but can be something we strive for to bring peace.
The wonderful picture surrounding Yah’s rules is that they bring life to our souls and spirits as well. When we seek Him, the rules are no longer compartmentalized but are instead a seamless integrated way of being.
Kedoshim is not a practice that says, “What I do or say over here matters, but over there it does not.” It is not a practice of being one way at work and another way at fellowship. Instead, Kedoshim is a purposeful way of thinking and acting for how we treat others, how we relate to our friends, and in our intimate family relationships. Kedoshim is a seamless holistic life, where everything has to matter.
How do we then keep Yah’s rules over the rules of men? May I suggest that man’s rules are incapable of mending the heart? Whereas, the rules of YHWH meet our heart’s desire.
“Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Yeshua from Jerusalem, saying, “Do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” And He answered and said to them, “And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of YHWH for the sake of your tradition?”
“You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, ‘This people honors Me with their lips but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.’ “ Matthew 15:1-9
Did you know the phrase; “I am the Lord” is repeated 23 times in Leviticus 18-20? The statement is repeated when YHWH speaks to Moses about staying clear of the abominable customs of surrounding nations. Yah’s commentary to Moses ends profoundly with, “Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord, am holy.” (20:26)
The term “Lord” is actually a title and refers to a King or Ruler. In our response to this term, we can either serve a false lord by the name of Baal or serve the True King by the name of YHWH. Who do you want to serve? In Hebrew, the term Lord means master, proprietor, commander, sovereign, and husband. But lord can also refer to baal meaning to possess or own. Yahweh goes out of His way to make a distinction.
“And you shall not give any of your offspring to pass through for Molech. And you shall not profane the Name of your God. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 18:21 & Leviticus 20:3
The True Lord or Ruler Protects While a False Lord Takes
The prophesied corruption of the priesthood found in the New Testament sought to rule over the masses by instilling traditions that seemed righteous but substituted for heartfelt change. When we keep the rules of men, are we allowing men to be our lord?
The Egyptian Pharaoh was considered to be a “god.” He could enslave a nation, decree genocide, act outside of all reason, and answer to no one. In being “free” to act with impunity, Pharaoh brought widespread death and destruction to his country.
In liberating Israel from slavery, YHWH taught what true freedom looks like. The kind of freedom Yah wanted Israel to embrace was a freedom of true authenticity. Having left Egypt, the Hebrews were slaves no longer, and by definition were “free” from a human exalted as god—Pharaoh.
The Hebrew word for “Egypt” is Mitzrayim, which means “narrowness” or “constraint.” Leaving Egypt for the desert was going from a place of constricted boundaries to a place of no boundaries. To avoid the external chaos of a “free-for-all,” Israel needed to learn “how” to be, as well as “what” to be. Consequently, Yah becomes their husband, their commander, their sovereign King, and their Lord, by teaching them holiness through the sanctuary of sacrifice and the covering of Messiah.
We have been given the gift of freedom through the Messiah in that He became our sacrifice in real time. But to stay free, however, is another story. Staying free means embracing freedom as a responsibility to be earned, integrated, and owned; in other words, staying free is the action of being harmonious with The One who gives freedom. When we become aligned with Him, no one and nothing else can ever enslave us again. This is why Yeshua prefaces the “Law” in the book of Matthew, chapters 5-8 with the statement, “You have heard it said, but I tell you this.”
In closing Let Us Address a “Rubber to the Road” Example
If a person were to wear inappropriate clothing or not much clothing at all, would it be their fault for causing sin or lust? Would it stop you from being holy? Or, is this a heart problem? In my estimation, no one can cause sin, for sin is a personal choice. Typically, when we sin or “miss the mark” a red flag pops up letting us know we have some work to do. In this case, it may be our own heart’s perception.
Yahshua and his disciples met and ministered to many who didn’t wear much clothing. Does the Bible mention them “sinning” over someone else’s burden of being naïve, proud, or hurt? No. Their heart was focused on Kingdom work over man’s interpretation of blame. How often do we discard people who don’t meet our expectations? Something to think about.
I would hope that when we see someone struggling with personal identity that we stop looking at what they wear and think about how to minister to that person. For if we blame them for our sins, then we still haven’t considered our own need for a heart change. For we are all naked before Yahweh and fall short.
David wrote, “Change my heart O Yah, make it ever true.”
Be Blessed,
Rollyn
