"Leprosy - Purification"
Leviticus Lev 12:1-13:59; Lev 14:1-15:33; II Ki 4:42-5:19; II Ki 7:3-7:20; John 6:8-13; Mt 8:1-4; Matt 8:1-17
5767
This week we have a double Parsha, Tazria-Metzora. These two Parshot cover a variety of different cleanliness issues. We could spend our time looking quickly over these scriptures or we could look into the deeper meanings of these commandments. I know that as we study we will find gems of understanding about each commandment and find ways they symbolically affect our walks with G-D and the cleanliness of heart that we are called to walk in. One thing I would like to point out is that according to these verses it is the Priest who judges clean and not clean. We have a High Priest who has made us clean through the offering of the Perfect Sacrifice. It is not up to us to judge who is or is not clean but rather to allow for the truth that Yeshua's sacrifice was enough to make clean all who choose to accept His sacrifice.
5766
In this week’s Parsha we find the discussion on what
has been called Leprosy. There are many thoughts about what this disease was,
but whatever your thoughts on the disease, we know that someone who had this
ailment had to be separated from the rest of the community until such a time as
they were clean. The pronouncement of cleanliness was not made only by the
person himself only, but it also had to be made by a priest. In our Brit
Chadashah parsha we find the following verses at the beginning of chapter 8:
"1 After Yeshua had come
down from the hill, large crowds followed him.
2 Then a man afflicted
with tzara`at came, kneeled down in front of him
and said, "Sir, if you
are willing, you can make me clean."
In this case a man who was still unclean had faith in the delivering power of
Messiah Yeshua to make him clean. As we read this event in the
text it should help us to realize that G-D came to earth to be our
Messiah. To make us clean, however, we must come to him knowing that
only G-D can make us clean. The most wonderful part is that we do not
have to wonder, as this man did, as he asked Yeshua if He was willing to
make him clean. We know that He is not only willing to make us clean,
but He is calling us to come to Him so that He can make us clean.
5765 - Metzora
This weeks Parsha begins with the offering given after a person with Tzara’at is found to be cleansed of the sickness. There are two birds offered as a sacrifice for the one who is being purified. During this weeks Torah service we will be looking at the comparison between these two birds, the two Goats of Yom Kippur and the sacrifice by Abraham. I hope everyone will make all effort to be at service to hear this message.
5765 - Tazria
Within this weeks Parsha we find the commandments referring to Tazria sometimes translated leprosy and the requirements for the restoration of someone who had been infected by this malady. This affliction required the the person with Tazria would first have to be checked out by the priest then if they truly had Tazria they would be separated from the people until such a time as they were clean. After they we proclaimed clean by the priest they would be allowed back into the congregation after fulfilling all of the necessary washings. Many times leprosy is symbolic of sin. It is important for all believers to understand that if someone is involved in sin and refuses to submit to the direction of the Ruach (Spirit of G-D) and repent of their sin, They must be separated from the rest of the people of G-D until such a time as they are clean or repentant. This separation must be done in order to protect the rest of the congregation from the results of this one person’s sin. Remember that sin in the camp affects the entire camp. It is also important to remember that if we confess our sin G-D is faith and just to forgive us and cleans us from all unrighteousness. Our High Priest then proclaims to all that we are clean...