Last week, a good friend was sharing with me on Hebrew Nation Radio, how certain Torah concepts seem hard to understand for casual readers. This of course got us thinking. What if Torah passages were met with a question such as, “Where is Messiah in the particular passage?” We both agreed that this approach allows the reader to dig deeper and explore the workings of the Messiah. But even better, it should prepare them for end-of-day trials and His promised return.
We are reminded of Yehsua’s words to the Jewish spiritual leaders:
“If you believed Moses, you would believe Me for he wrote of Me.” John 5:46.
Imagine for a moment how the Jewish leadership might have taken this statement. In their minds, they knew the writings of Moses inside and out. They were most likely offended by someone speaking to them in this way. But Yeshua wasn’t talking about the specifics of “doing” the law, but He sought to direct them to “see” the pictures of Messiah in the law and what His workings could do for the believer.
How does the question of “Where is the Messiah?” relate to the study of Emor?
At the beginning of the study, we read what YHWH says to the sons of Aaron–the priesthood of Israel: Do not defile yourself among the dead, with immorality, or harlotry. Do not offer offerings to YHWH if you are with a defect. Be careful with the gift offerings brought to you by the people. Do not eat the unclean. Present sacrifices without blemish. Honor the seven-day requirements put before you. Do not profane My Name. Keep my Sabbaths. “For I Am the Lord Your God.”
If we were to add up the words of Yahweh saying “I Am the Lord your God” from the previous study of Archarei Mot/Kedoshim and now Emor, we would see it a total of 35 times in just five chapters. This should grab our attention in that Yah is making Himself known. It is the ultimate statement of self-sufficiency and self-existence. He expresses that His existence is not contingent upon anyone else. His plans are not contingent upon any circumstances. And above all His promises will be; constant, ever-present, and unchangeable. In short, He is the ultimate authority, and that we should prepare ourselves to submit to Him.
“I am who I am” first showed up at the burning bush where Moses was directed to lead Israel. The Name itself means Yod Hey Vav Hey, described as the outstretched hand, behold the clinched nail, behold. Some believe that the Name was given by Yeshua Himself. While others believe that The Father stated to remind Moses of His work through His son Yeshua the Messiah. Either way, the Name implies that “all things can be accomplished through Christ in that His ultimate sacrifice is for man’s redemption. What a reminder to Moses to help in this cause!
Similarly the Apostle John writes of Yeshua’s words when He defined Himself while in human form, not just metaphorically, but with profound declarations within our physical and spiritual world:
“I am the bread of Life” (John 6: 35, 41, 48)
“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12, 9:5)
“I am the door” (John 10: 7, 9)
“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11,14)
“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)
“I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)
“I am the true vine” (John 15:1,5)
“. . . before Abraham was born, I Am!” (John 8:58)
We read from Apostle Peter in I Peter 2, that we are called to be a royal priesthood built on the foundational cornerstone of Messiah. But what does this priesthood look like exactly? The spiritual leadership at the time of Yeshua thought they understood the picture, but yet they missed the mark. I believe the understanding of what a priest looks like is found in the concept of submitting to the I Am.
The duties of the priesthood were to provide a service of receiving gifts from the people and lifting those offerings before YHWH. They were to submit or bring forth offerings of sin, guilt, peace, and thankfulness for others to the court of Heaven. These acts reminded the people of Israel of serving “I Am” to receive mercy. Would a royal priesthood of today still be required to submit?
When YHWH met Israel at Mount Sinai to deliver His Ten Commands, He begins with:
“I Am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of Egypt (bondage of slavery).”
After proclaiming the 10 commands, the first statute given is the statute of the bondservant, where a person has the choice to gladly submit to the one who has given him mercy.
When Moses and Aaron shared the words of YHWH, “I Am Who I Am” to Pharoah he responded with “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go?” In this statement, Pharoah makes the declaration that he will not submit.
Satan and those who follow him make the same kind of statement against YHWH today. They stand in direct opposition to YHWH, failing to recognize that He is the I AM.
Transgenderism is one of those ultimate lies being fed to humans through dark forces. At its very foundation is a lack of submission before YHWH in that those standing against Him declare that they can create themselves to be whom they want to be.
Yeshua is the perfect example of submission for He voluntarily laid up His life to give us mercy. It’s for this reason that we are also called to submit. Not to die like Him to provide salvation, but to submit ourselves to the kingdom work so that others might accept the blood of Messiah for their salvation.
Often, I hear people fretting about the end of days. Worried about how to prepare. Of course, it is wise to prepare for all emergencies. But what would happen if people stopped fretting and started submitting? I wonder what kind of fruit would be produced? The New Testament church had it much worse than any of us and yet, the Apostles consistently write of Messiah and His saving mercy. The emphasis was on the gospel not on fearing the Romans.
Peter writes, “Submit yourselves for YHWH’s sake to every human institution.” Does this mean we are to submit to every human institution such as governments, jobs that we work at, churches we attend, or even our state-approved marriage? You might be thinking, “I do not want to submit to human institutions.” But notice how the text reads at the beginning. We are to submit ourselves for YHWH’s sake. Now the picture takes on a different form. For YHWH’s sake is to bring the message of Messiah to every institution. Can we do this?
Submit means to give over. An example would include: “I submit forms upon request or I submit my service upon a request.” If we were to apply our role as a royal priesthood, we too would submit our lives to do “good works” over “fleshly works” because the blood of the Messiah has given us a more abundant life. His death has shown us mercy. When we submit to this fact and accept Him as I Am, we become a new man—a spiritual man that will not “fade away like the grass.” (I Peter 1:24)
A man of the spirit is no longer afraid of circumstances, events, or even losing his physical life. Instead, he becomes a bondservant of the Kingdom. He becomes a witness to governments, jobs, and church bodies standing for truth and not for evil. In marriage, he will lead as a servant of the King—not angering their spouse or children but instead leading them to the Messiah. (Ephesians 6:4)
Where is Messiah in Emor? I believe you will find Him when you submit to His Name. He is the perfect One, without defect, completely clean, not to be associated with death or imperfection. He is the reflection of the Great I Am, without spot or wrinkle, the Way, the Truth, and The Life. Therefore, we do not profane His Name and will “keep or cherish” His Set apart days. When we do this, He will open the door to light. Hallelujah!
Here is my prayer: Abba Father, I come to you under the Name, for it reflects your mighty hand and the works of salvation. Thank you for this gift. Now, Father, I submit my life to you under the blood of the Lamb. I will allow Yeshua to work in me and thru me. I will purposefully put my life in His hands to offer my allegiance to Your Kingdom. Give me daily strength to follow. Thank you, Father. Amen.
Be blessed,
Rollyn