CrosSwords-No Puzzle

An Excerpt from CG Workbook Five Vol III: Bechukotai

Assessments: Human, Animal, Vegetable, Mineral

Ladies, did you ever read this portion and think that the Holy One placed a lesser value on women?  Like so many other words of Torah, one must investigate the spiritual application and context.  Perhaps this passage is actually the reverse of what it seems!

The shekel-value of human beings in Leviticus Chapter Twenty-seven should not be perceived as degrading.  Since the point of a vow may be to rectify a need for the discipline of the nefesh (appetites, emotions, desire, and intellect) with service, the valuation may represent the norm in terms of what a person of that age or gender requires in self-discipline and dedication to the holies he/she seeks.  For instance, children have less experience with habitual sin because their neural pathways are still malleable; therefore, the valuation is lower.

A check of car insurance company tables reflects that men between the ages of 20 and 60 are a higher risk group, demonstrating the struggle between ruach (spirit) and nefesh (soul) that may require a higher valuation; in other words, that age/gender group pays more for the vow.  Women tend to practice less risky behavior, and mature people of both genders pose the least risk.  Insurance tables also indicate that men become less risky as drivers as they age, and interestingly, the valuation of the male over 60 drops proportionately more than the female's.  

The context of the valuations in Chapter Twenty-seven does not reflect the intrinsic value of a human being; it reflects the value of ALL human beings in relation to their need to perform a dedication vow.  Since the value of a field is not in the earth, but in the seed that will be sown, it does not follow that the valuation of shekels is correlated to a person's intrinsic worth.  Since even an unclean or blemished animal may receive a valuation, a good or a bad house, the message is that all the Creation is valued and may be dedicated toward the holy service in some way even if it is not a sacrificial animal.

It is the firstborn, the nefesh, who ties the brotherhood of Israel together, for the Passover Lamb's blood redeemed the firstborn of both man and beast who were under the covering of a house sealed in the blood.  The redeemed firstborn is one brought into subjection to the Spirit of the Torah, not just the letter of the law.  When the firstborn is redeemed, he represents the good of all those who come after him, whether man or beast.  The meat of the firstborn animal is eaten by the kohanim (Munk, p. 337), whereas the tithe is eaten by the animal's owner.  In selecting that tithe, the owner "shall not distinguish between good and bad and he should not substitute for it." (27:32-33)  These two holies demonstrate how the Sanctuary is knit together: redeeming the nefesh and applying value to all within the community.

Holy Ones, Holy Spaces

There are two spaces on earth that are especially important.  Once we come to the knowledge of Elohim and His Word, we are put to a test or a series of tests so that ultimately these two spaces reflect His original design of holiness, for He says, "Be holy because I am Holy."  No explanation.  Just do it.  Accept it.  Incorporate it into your faith.  Don't nullify My Word with your disobedience or self-service in performing it.

Adam's body was a holy space.  That obedient holy body was placed into a garden of Elohim's planting to tend and keep it set apart from the rest of the world, or holy.  When he sinned, not only did his body become full of confusion and doubt as a result of the fruit, it became unfit for the holy space of the garden, and he and his wife were driven away.  Their son Kain was also removed from his place and driven to the East after he killed his brother, which removed him from his place in the Divine plan.  It was an annulment and frustration of the plans of Adonai for the firstborn's redemption.

Being removed from one's place is the consequence of sin that affects the individual and sin that deprives someone else of his place or space, including his very life, or merely his property.  The Ruach HaKodesh may break out on a human being who invades a holier space in His Kingdom without authorization.  For this reason, Moses was told to set boundaries around Sinai so that neither beast nor man could "break through."  The result would be their destruction.  Israel was not holy enough to stand in that space.  What is a "holy one"?

Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.  He said, 'The LORD came from Sinai, and dawned on them from   Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, and He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; at His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.  Indeed, He loves the people; all Your holy ones are in Your hand, and they followed in Your steps; everyone receives of Your words.  Moses charged us with a law (Torah), a possession for the assembly of Jacob.' (Deuteronomy 33:1-4)

The Torah and blessing for the holy ones is a Torah and blessing for the assembly of Jacob.  The assembly of Jacob.  The ASSEMBLY of Jacob.  Without the assembly of the holy ones, where is the blessing?  When the assembly is torn apart by disobedience or hatred toward one another, the result is expulsion from the holy spaces and separation from holy things. Scattering.  Israel simply cannot stand in the holy places of Adonai speaking curses against one another.

There are four altar judgments in Scripture that break out on those who defy the authority of the Holy One:  sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts.  The Hebrew root for "sword" means "to make thirsty."  

Review the characteristics of the holy ones and their role in judgment in Jude.  Scan through Revelation and read how many times the "saints" are mentioned in the context of the seven-judgment pattern and the four-cornered altar of authority.  To the holy ones who have mastered the holies of lovingkindness in the commandments, the altar sacrifices of obedience bring:

            1) seasonal rain and safety from the altar judgment of the sword

            2) food in abundance and deliverance from the altar judgment
                of famine

            3) fulfilled rather than annulled Words of the Torah and
                freedom from the altar judgment of wild beasts

            4) reverence for the people of the Sanctuary expressed in
                good words  and freedom from the altar judgment of pestilence

Yeshua's blood on the cross stands between Israel and the sword.  It's no puzzle.  Cross words among Israel cross the boundary of the sword.  While we may fool others, convincing them that our zealous obedience is to serve the Father, the Sword of the Ruach HaKodesh slices precisely between the ruach (spirit) and nefesh (soul: appetites, emotions, desires, and intellect).  It's impossible to fool the Truth, and Truth of the Ruach discerns between commandment-keepers who take pride in their own correctness and those who humbly love their neighbors with the commandments, rendering them value.  

The Sanctuary of Israel invites the Presence only when the value of each person is respected.  Why would Messiah return when his disciples have not embraced his charge to his disciples to fulfill the Torah:  "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)  A cross word separates brothers, but a Cross Word draws a brother and the Divine Presence near.   

Facebook

Many believers today use social media to communicate and learn.  It think it was Brad Scott who called the internet "The tree of the knowledge of good and evil."  How true.  I must say that I appreciate those who frequent the Creation Gospel Facebook page.  For the most part, there are no crossed swords.  Those who visit and comment there seem to accept it as a site that is not there to engender doctrinal controversy, but to encourage those of like (not identical) kind and mind.   

I post excerpts from workbooks or upcoming teachings, which many could challenge because the information is not there in its entirety.  Facebook is not a college class, but a way of connecting and encouraging, and I work hard to pick out the material that does the best job of standing as an excerpt. I can't think of a forum LESS suited to a respectful doctrinal discussion than Facebook.

Although you can't all come over for an Erev Shabbat meal, I try to post some personal bits so that you can become acquainted with the Alewines.  Thanks to all those who help us to maintain a safe Facebook site to visit.  I rarely have to block or hide comments or unsolicited website posts, which says much about your commitment to preserving respect for one another as well as us.  While the content is not as titillating as a good knock-down-drag-out (yes, that's a Southern expression) on the newest Messianic deal-breaking dogma, I hope that it is always a reminder that stripping the Spirit of the Torah from the Letter is dangerous territory, and it ultimately leads to devaluing those we are commanded to respect. 

We are content to minister to and with those who can hear us, and we wish well to those who can't.  No one teacher "clicks" with everyone.  It is our prayer that the CG method of approaching Scripture is transformational, not merely informational. If we were to be unfaithful to that calling, I am sure the Ruach would quickly send a sword of correction.  We do not want to be responsible for a newcomer or seeker being discouraged by derisive or condescending words.  The students in our Monday night Creation Gospel Trainers class are truly the cream of the crop in respect to this.  Their attitudes are so humble in receiving, discussing, and sharing the Word that I am hopeful that we will soon turn the corner as a people turning to Torah in this generation.  I pray that they are a first fruits of those who are coming soon to teach the Word in patience and kindness to hungry and thirsty sheep. 

Such as I Have Give I Thee...

Thank you to our monthly supporters as well as to those who gave into the special needs at the Children's Centre over the last several months.  The Father tends not to call the richest people on earth to follow Him, but those who are of humble means.  Peter had nothing to give the lame man but a prayer, and that was enough to heal.  Moses had no water, but the Holy One made water pour out the Rock.  May was a difficult month for donations, but all we can do is to pray for water from the Rock to aid the children at the Centre, provide study materials for state inmates, and pay tuition for needy kids. 

I suspect that most of those who faithfully support us in these endeavors are people of humble means, so it is difficult to request a gift each month or advertise a new book.  Be assured however, that we value each gift and giver equally, just as this week's Torah portion teaches.  The one who gives $10 monthly brings as big a smile to our faces as one who gives more.  We don't ask of anyone what we don't do ourselves, and proceeds of the CG always have (and B'azrat HaShem) always will go to missions such as we've described after business expenses are paid.  

            Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
            (Galatians 6:2 NKJV)

            If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture,
            'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well.
            (James 2:8 NKJV)

Whatever you can do, we promise to be good stewards.  The newly expanded and revised version of Workbook Three is in final formatting, so it should be available for purchase by the end of the month.  If you can't attend REVIVE, it will have the Cave of the Couples teaching in this bound edition of Spirit-filled Family.  It will contain another added section called Spirit-filled Singles.  We're hoping this workbook will help get us over the summer slump in donations, so we hope you add it to your reading list this summer.  We can also schedule Spirit-filled Family seminars if that's something your congregation would find valuable. 

The Creation Gospel

PO Box 846

East Bernstadt, KY   40729

From our home to yours,

Shabbat shalom!