Worship And Dedication

The Book of Numbers:

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$ Moses was told to “lift up the heads” of the people of Israel, the Hebrew phrase “nasa eth rosh” that is translated as ‘take the sum of the congregation’ as in a census. The phrase ‘lift up the heads’ is a Hebraic way of honouring someone, elevating them and to be counted as YHVH’s people and to be promoted. What greater honour is there as that? Another phrase is used in verse 2 ‘every male by their heads’, the Hebrew word is “gulgoleth” which is the word from where Golgotha gets it’s name. Why would YHVH use this word for ‘heads’ instead of the normal word for head namely “rosh”? When YHVH inspired this word here He had in mind what will happen a thousand years later where He will elevate and honour His people, calling them by each by their name through the work of the Messiah on the Stake (cross) on Golgotha.

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Altar Dedication 1. Numbers 7 – What thoughts come to your mind as you read about these offerings given during this solemn ritual? What spiritual points from this account can be applied to ourselves today? Where do you see the Stake (cross) represented here? The root word for Altar is “zabach” and means: sacrifice, to kill, to slaughter, to slaughter in divine judgment. The dedication of the Altar happened over a period of 12 days, a day for every tribe. They did a lot of Sacrifices. Sacrifice is the Hebrew word “qorban” that means ‘an offering, gift, to draw near, approach.’ They presented Gifts unto YHVH in the form of animal sacrifices as a sign of worship unto Him so that they can draw closer to Him. Sin is the reason for separation and the sacrifices are the “gifts of peace” to allow us to come into the presence of the Almighty. How do you feel when someone gives you a gift? The Sacrifices and dedication rituals were very complex and detailed and this shows us that YHVH is very complex and detailed. There are 5 types of Sacrifices, 2 were obligated and 3 were voluntary. This sin offering and cleansing offering were obligated and these are the two that Y’shua fulfilled on the Stake (cross). The other three offerings; Peace, Meal and Elevation of Burnt offering are Gifts of Worship unto YHVH and were not obligated. The first two are to enable you to approach the Father, to cleanse you and to take away your sin so that you can draw near and offer up the three voluntary gifts of worship. In context of what Y’shua did for us is that Hi Sacrifice is for us to be cleansed and so that we can draw near into the presence of the Father. The number 2 means “Restoration of Relationships” and these two Sacrifices restored our relationship with our Father. These two sacrifices relate to the Brazen Altar (sin offering) and the Laver (Cleansing Offering)

1. Chatah: • •

Sin Offering (Lev_4:1-35)

Obligated - Work of the Messiah – Repentance/ Forgiveness Offering for sin committed out of ignorance, not for willful sin.

2. Asham: Guilt Offering or Cleansing Offering (Lev_5:6-19) • Obligated – Baptism/Mikvah/Spirit– These two Offerings are “Gifts” form YHVH through His Son Y’shua to enable us to draw near and to present the other three offerings or worship unto Him in the Holy Place. You cannot worship Him unless you have done these two Offerings before Him. These two are obligated and are known as Rebirth and Baptism. ! "#

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The number three represents “Covenant” and we as Covenant people may come into the presence of our Father to offer Him Gifts of Worship. These three offerings represents different places in the Sanctuary:

3. Zebach Sh'lamim: •

No obligation – Spirit of YHVH –

4. Mincah •

Peace Offering (Lev_3:1-17) Food and Drink Offerings (Lev_2:1-16)

No obligation – Word/Law -

5. Olah: Burnt Offering or Elevation Offering (Lev_1:1-17) • No obligation – Prayers/Communication – These three represents our relationship with our father in the Holy Place. They are represented by the Showbread (studying His Word) in the light of the Spirit (Menorah) as well as through your communication and prayers (Golden Altar of insense). The Tabernacle gives us a Pattern on how to approach YHVH and the steps are as follows:

1. You enter in through the Gate, which is Y’shua, the Door and the Way to the Father. 2. The first object you face is the Brazen Altar, which is a symbol of accepting the Sacrifice of the Lamb of YHVH and forgiveness of your sins through repentance. 3. The next step is to get Baptised and this is symbolised by the Laver and the cleansing water. This is where you receive His Spirit and this qualifies you to enter into the Holy Place. 4. The Holy Place is a Place of Intimacy, where one person goes in at a time. Inside is the Showbread (Word of YHVH), the Menorah) Spirit of YHVH, and the Golden Altar of Incense (your prayers). This is where you live out your personal relationship with Him. 5. Between you and the Father’s Presence is the Veil or Y’shua Who is the Way to the Father. No one enters into the presence of the Father unless He comes

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in through the Son. Inside the Holy of Holies is the Ark of the Testimony of YHVH containing His Commandments, the Rod of Aaron and a flask of manna. This is the symbol of the Throne of YHVH in the presence of man.

Communion with YHVH ') *! **

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Commune

davar" - ' to arrange, order, words, to speak, teach, answer,

declare, pasture, plague, pestilence Commandment –

"tsavah" - to give charge, to set in order.

The Commandments that is given when Moses Commune with YHVH has similar meanings in the fact that YHVH wants to set things in order, His Order. He does this through the medium of Words in the form of: • • •

Teaching us, answer our questions declare His Truth and Word and Commandments.

He will answer when you ask a question, He will declare truths, He will direct your actions and your life will be set in order if you listen to Him, ask questions and do what He says. We that say that we are His sheep feeds on His "davar" or pastures and He is the source and we are souly dependant upon Him. The Commandments were inside the Ark, under the mercy seat and YHVH’s mercy is given to us through His Commandments and we can only access it through the Blood of the Messiah (blood sprinkled on Mercy Seat) and we have to live out His Commandments having mercy for others. We should not use the Word which is a Sword, to stab our brother to death, judging them, we should use the Sword of the Word against the enemy. +,- .

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2. Imagine what kind of an experience it would be to have such a close encounter with YHVH as Moses had. What makes you think that you wouldn’t be destroyed completely where you get too close to Him? YHVH spoke to Moses in the Tabernacle, face to face. Moses was one of the greatest Prophets who ever lived because he was the most humble man that ever lived. This is the key of getting close to YHVH; humility.

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YHVH’s presence is like a consuming fire and His Holiness will devour everything that is full of sin. Why didn’t He consume Moses, surely he was not without sin? I believe Moses was in the Holy Place and YHVH’s full presence was in the Holy of Holies and between them was the veil. The veil represents Y’shua, the mediator between YHVH the Father and man. When Y’shua died, the veil was torn as a symbol of His death as well as a symbol that we can directly talk with the Father, but through the Blood of Messiah. 3. In what sense can you today get even closer to the presence of YHVH? How did Y’shua made this possible? 0

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The High Priest back in the days of Moses had to be sinless and to do this he had to undergo a process of serious cleansing and had to make offerings. If he had any sin whatsoever of found to be unclean, he would drop dead in the presence of YHVH inside the Holy of Holies. The people had put their faith in the High Priest, to be sinless and to enter in successfully so that he could present the blood before the Father and make Atonement for them. Y’shua is Elohim and He is sinless and how much more can we have faith in His perfect work in presenting His Blood before the Father so that we can receive His Atonement for our sins and find Grace before Him. By the work of the Messiah He has opened the way to the Father where we can come to Him through true repentance and receive His grace and forgiveness. Our Communion with Him in this context is the fact that we can approach Him to ask forgiveness and receive His Grace and Forgiveness.

Light in the Sanctuary There was no natural light in the Holy Place and the only form of light was through the Menorah. 7

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4. What insights do the following texts give as to the meaning of the Menorah? Child Adult Mature

The Menorah or Seven branch lamp stand represents the Spirit of YHVH as seen in seven attributes detailed in Isa 11:2. These seven attributes of YHVH’s Spirit changes us and are also the seven steps we go through in our relationship with Him. We start of as a new born believer entering into the first two stages; we come to the knowledge of Him and we learn to fear and respect Him. As we grow Spiritually we go through the next phase of our relationship with Him; He give us the Strength to follow His Counsel or Commandments. Lastly we enter into the mature phase of our relationship with him; He gives us wisdom and understanding.

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As we learn and live out His Commandments we gain wisdom about life and about our Father and this gives us a better understanding of Him as well as His Plan and Will for man. The Menorah was the only light in the Holy Place and represents the Spirit of YHVH. The Showbread represents the WORD of YHVH and you can only see the Word and read the Word in the light of His Spirit. YHVH’s Spirit reveals His Word to us and takes away the spiritual blindness (darkness) regarding His word.

Dedication of the Levites 5.1. Numbers 8:6-26 describes the dedication of the Levites to their special work in the service of YHVH. What points impress you regarding this service? Numbers 8 describes how the first born of the Egyptians were slain and taken for YHVH as a offering and since then the first born of every Israelite was to be given unto YHVH as a gift or offering unto Him. Instead of taking every firstborn of the sons of Israel, He commanded that the Tribe of Levi be dedicated and set apart to act in the place of the firstborn of Israel and to present offerings unto YHVH on behalf of the first born of Israel. If you do not choose Him, you will become the sacrifice and have to die for your own sins, just like the Egyptians. If you chose Him, then you will become dedicated (offer yourself up) to do service unto Him (spiritual sacrifices). Offer up (Dedication) The righteous offer themselves up and are set apart. 100% Dedicated Gift to High Priest (Priesthood)

Offering (Sacrifice) The unrighteous does not accept the call and become the offering/die Death Gift as a Sacrifice (qorban)

In other words, the first born of Israel also had to die because of sin that entered into the world but YHVH chose the Levites in their place. Instead of the Levites being offered up YHVH initiated the sacrificial system so that the Levites can offer up animal sacrifices in the place of the first born of Israel. This teaches us that man needs to die for the sin in this world but YHVH initiated the “system of grace” which is the Sacrificial System so that animals can shed their blood in our place. Later on Y’shua, the “First Born” of the Father came to die on behalf of us all so that we might receive Atonement for our sins forever. 5.2. What does this teach us about holiness, sin, purification, and about dedication to YHVH? It also teaches us that YHVH is Holy and that man can only be restored back into the presence of the Father when the price is paid in blood. Why is this, why blood? Sin came into this world through Satan’s lies and brought death upon man. All of this needs to be restored back to it’s original state by replacing the LIE with TRUTH. This is seen in a Hebrew Word Picture. Death is the word “muth” death (represented by an Aleph “emeth”

YHVH had to face

) and by doing this it changed the word “muth” to

or ‘Truth’.

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Y’shua is the Truth and He not only defeated death, He also defeated the lies of Satan and by believing and applying His Truth, you will not have to face death your self, your death will also change into Truth when you accept His Gift or Sacrifice. The Levites were set apart (Holy) to do service in the Temple. Service in Hebrew is the word “abad”

and means “serve, bondservace, to work, worship”. To

work and to worship is one and the same concept and cannot be separated. We worship YHVH in everything we do because we do it through applying His Commandments to everyday life, not trying to sin. 5.3 What principles can we take away from this for our own lives today, regardless of whatever role we play in YHVH’s service? 4 *! < & & & & & & ' "# / ( '!, /0 1 # 2 * * $ 0 3!, * $1 4 5 6 7! 8 8 9 8 8 ( $ :!= & & & & & & 0 0 8% ;! $ According to 1 Peter 2, we are the Temple of YHVH with our Messiah as the Corner Stone. We are also the Holy Royal Priesthood with our Messiah as the High Priest. We serve with Him in the Holy Temple (Congregation and Body of Messiah) in unity together to help people to come in and accept His Atoning Blood that will save their souls. We do service in this “Temple” together as members of One Body to bring many in so that they can become part of this Holy Nation called Israel. Our Offerings are our praises of Him and our prayers for the people who are lost, witnessing for Him and to teach people the Truth so that they can be set free from Sin and Death. 6. Keeping the principles in mind seen in this ceremony, how do we understand what Paul says in Romans 12:1? How can we be a “living sacrifice”? What does it mean in our daily lives? We have seen that we are the Temple, we are also the Body of Messiah and the Holy Priesthood. We see in Romans that we are the sacrifice as well. This is after the pattern the Messiah gave us; He is the Temple, He came in His Body to serve us and to become our High Priest and Sacrifice. To understand what “living sacrifice” means we have to look at what Y’shua’s Sacrifice means. He gave Himself 100%, even unto death and so must we give our selves 100% and even unto death to do the service required in His Holy Temple.

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All the first born of Israel belongs to YHVH, they are Gifts unto Him and they need to dedicate their lives and service unto Him. The Levites were chosen to be substitutes for the first born of Israel and we are chosen to be as substitutes for the people in the world, to serve as a Holy Priesthood for the salvation of many. , -.

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The Levites were regarded as “Gifts” to Aaron. As we have seen before, “Gift” also implies Offerings and Sacrifices and this means that the Levites were to offer up themselves 100% to Aaron for service in the Temple for the benefit of the people. Aaron was the High Priest and is a picture and foreshadow of Y’shua our High Priest. We have seen that we are the Holy Priesthood or Levites that are now given as “Gifts” or “Living Sacrifices” unto our High Priest Y’shua to serve in the “Temple” (Body) for the benefit and salvation of the people. 7. What is meant by the phrase that the Levites were to “make an atonement for the children of Israel”? How are we to understand this in light of the Stake (cross)? 0

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The Levites were the Priesthood that served with the High Priest in the Temple. Once a year they performed sacrifices for atoning for the sin of the nation on the Feast called Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement. By performing this service with the High Priest, they made atonement before YHVH for the Nation of Israel. According to Hebrews, Y’shua is the High Priest Who entered into the Holy of Holies and presented His Blood before the Father and sprinkled it on the Mercy Seat. This was done only once to atone for all mankind in every generation and if you accept Y’shua’s Sacrifice, you will receive His Atonement. This does not mean that the Sacrificial System (Grace) is abolished because it will annul the Sacrifice of Y’shua as well. The Sacrificial System is still in tact and active for you to receive Atonement, not through the blood of animals, but through the blood of the Son of Elohim. 8. Though certainly nothing we do can make any kind of atonement, how can we, by doing our duties, work as the Levites did on behalf of the people? What are you doing in your congregation for the betterment of the assembly and its mission? You must understand that you as a believer in Messiah is now one of the Levites and part of the Priesthood.

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You need to give yourself 100% (living sacrifice) in dedication as a Priest, as a gift unto your High Priest Y’shua the Messiah, in the service of YHVH in His Body (Assembly) for the benefit and atonement for people outside of the faith. You do spiritual sacrifices by speaking the praises of Him; proclaiming His Truth, proclaiming His Character and Plan and giving your own personal testimony what He did for you. You must also become a living stone in his Temple (Body of Messiah) so that His Presence and full stature may be evident in the Assembly as you and your fellow brethren function as one unit representing the Messiah in your community. You do this by expressing the Gifts and Fruit of His Spirit within your Assembly to give life to His Body. Gifts: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers, Shepherds/Pastors, workers of miracles and faith, helpers, hospitality and administration, tongues and interpretation, discernment of Spirits and encouragement, word of knowledge and word of wisdom. Fruit: Love. Joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

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