It seems that everyone is searching for God. There is a thirst for something or someone meaningful. Some call on a “higher power” or “personal truth” for their god. Others are turning to AI to fulfill their needs. But, for those of us who follow Yeshua (Jesus), we have come to know God as the Great I Am.
Though like Israel, those who follow YHWH, still seek earthly guidance from those deemed holy for insight. The tribes of Israel looked to Moses, priests, Joshua, the prophets, the judges, and then the kings. Who do we follow for direction?
Yeshua states that he is “the truth, the light, and the way.” (Jn.14:6) Is he then to be our only counselor?
And from the Torah, the priestly roles in YHWH’s court are to judge and carry out consequences of sin. The priest participates and performs sacrifices, gifts, punishment, Holy Feast Days, holiness, cleanliness, and defilements. Should priests be our supervisor? If so, what type of priest should we consider worthy?
The Apostle Paul points out in the Book of Hebrews, that Yeshua is the great high priest who tore the curtain between the Holy and the Most Holy in half, making His sacrifice sufficient, better than goats or bulls. But in looking for direction in our lives, what do we have to hold on to? Is it strictly faith or something more tangible?
To help find some answers, I wrote down some key texts from our Emor study, along with a few follow up questions.
From Leviticus 21
31 “Keep my commands and follow them. I am the Lord. 32 Do not profane my holy name, for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the Lord, who made you holy 33 and who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord.”
- Emor or “Speak” begins with the special laws pertaining to the kohanim (“priests”), the kohen gadol (“high priest”) and how they are to present YHWH. Why is the importance of communicating who YHWH is to the people so important?
- Are the commands found in this text applicable to us? How?
- Does following commands and not profaning the Name give us something solid to lean on in our search for direction?
From Matthew 26
59 Now the chief priests and the entire Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I place You under oath by the living God, to tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”
- How many laws are being broken by the religious leadership in this particular text?
- Have they committed blasphemy and if so, how?
- At what other noted time did the religious leaders tear their robes. (Acts 7)
- Who or what is making the religious leaders call for Yeshua’s death?
- Should the example of this text, give us pause as to who we look to for leadership?
From I Peter 2:
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
- What type of institution is Peter referring to? Is it spiritual or earthly?
- Why would Peter ask followers of Yeshua to submit to something that was not generated by Yahweh? Or were these institutions generated by Yah?
From Ezekiel 44
“But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who took responsibility for My sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to serve Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer Me the fat and the blood,” declares the Lord God. 16 “They shall enter My sanctuary; they shall come near to My table to serve Me and assume the responsibility I give them.”
- When “The Prince” comes to set up His Kingdom, why are one set of priests rejected, while another group of priests are accepted to come near to Him? What is the core characteristic displayed by the accepted priests that is pleasing to YHWH?
- Are we called to be responsible? If so, how?
Is there a need for us to address our “feelings” when considering who to listen to? What’s your bottom line? Who or what moves you to follow or lead? Speak!
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn