Access Granted!
At the end of last weeks Torah Portion Tzav, Aaron and his sons had been instructed to remain in the tent of meeting for a total of 7 full days. During this time, each day, Moses erected the Mishkan (Tabernacle). These seven days started on the 23rd of Adar.
On the eighth day, this is where we begin our new Portion of study. Shemini, pronounced: shem-ee-nee. Shemini can be found in the Torah in Leviticus 9:1-11:47. The Haftarah portion is found in Ezekiel 36:16-38. Another great reading that is also a Haftarah portion for Shemini is 2Samuel 6:1-7:17. The Gospel portion can be found in Mark 9: 2-13.
“On the eighth day, Moshe called Aharon, his sons and the leaders of Isra’el,” ~ Leviticus 9:1
Beginning here at chapter 9 of Leviticus and continuing through chapter 24 we will encounter all the events that happened here on what is known as the eighth day. Yom Hash’mini, in Hebrew is translated “the eighth day“. What you will discover as we read through the eighth day is the holiness and consecration that the Holy One expects from His Bride. No spot, wrinkle, or any such thing! The Bridegroom is expecting His bride to be clothed in white linen, pure and bright.
Shemini comes from the verb root shamen, שמן, pronounced: shaw-man. This word means to grow fat, to shine, a surplus above the “perfect” seven. Lets see the word picture. The shin is a picture of teeth, destroy, devour, something sharp, El Shaddai. The mem is a picture of water, massive mighty deep water, flowing water. And the Nun in sofit form is the Ultimate son or heir, “the seed of a woman” Genesis 3:15. Put it together and we see the Holy One flowing mightily to Messiah. Please take note, that whenever you see the word oil (this word also comes from the same root) think transcendence, or new beginning.
So Aaron assumes his new role as Kohanim (High Priest). He is consecrated (here there was oil used), and his first duty…. “Take for yourself a young bull for a sin-offering and a ram for and elevation offering–unblemished; and offer them before the Holy One. And to the Children of Israel speak as follows: Take a he-goat for a sin-offering, and a calf and a sheep in their first year~unblemished~for an elevation offering. (leviticus 9:2-3) It might be interesting to note that this young bull or calf that Aaron must offer as a sin offering is his atonement (covering) for the sin of the Golden Calf and the goat is said to be the atonement (covering) for the Children of Israel and their sin in the sale of Joseph into slavery. It is time for repair.
“Then he took the book of the covenant and read it aloud, so that the people could hear; and they responded, “Everything that the Holy One has spoken, we will do and obey.” Exodus 24:7
One of my favorite verses! Nah ah-say, ah nis-mah! Asah~Shama, means will do and be obedient, accomplish and understand, become and witness! If you notice in verse 5 of Leviticus 9 the entire assembly approached the Holy One. They recognized that the Holy One is ready to accept their atonement (covering) for their sins. The people gathered eagerly and joyfully.
Moses and Aaron, his sons, and the entire assembly are getting ready to fire up the Mishkan for the very first time. Up until this point it has been access denied. This is the eighth day, it is a new beginning. Ever since the Garden the Holy One has been looking to make a tikkun, or repair. Every time you see a disaster in scripture you can find where there is also a repair. Sometimes the repair is quick, but sometimes it can take generations. Matthew 26 shows where Peter denies the Messiah Yeshua three times. Later in John 21 you can read where Peter is ask by the Messiah Yeshua, “Peter, do you love me?”, three times!
As we see here in the opening few verses of this weeks portion, it is the Holy One’s desire to repair. To make a korban, to draw near to the Holy One we must offer our living sacrifices. This is the mechanics behind this high tech portal, this Tabernacle in the wilderness, that is going to be the direct connection to Heaven, to the Holy One. Following the Holy One’s instructions exactly as prescribed and Boom! The fire came out from the presence of the Holy One and devoured the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. Leviticus 9:24.
Access granted! The call of Torah, the call of Messiah Yeshua is Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28
Happy Day! Shalom!
Hallelujah Girl