Misc. Observations in Re’eh
I wanted to do one post to get the ball rolling a little bit. While reading through the portion this week, I glossed over a few highlights from the “surface level.” Three times in this portion the Father tells us to not eat the blood of the animals, but we are to pour it on the ground like water. I remember a certain Messiah whose side was pierced and blood and water came out. In Deuteronomy 12:23 it says that the blood is the life. Yeshua poured His life out on the earth when He was crucified and His blood was spilled. I talked more about this in the New Testament write-up this week, which I may or may not continue to do. What do you think? You can read it here: www.yourlivingwaters.com/pdf_files/reeh_nt_connections.pdf.
Many subjects are touched on in the portion. We have Deuteronomy 13 with the rules about false prophets. We have much about tithing. Interestingly, I have read about tithing to the Levites, and that not only did the Levites act as priests for the people, but they were also the teachers in the Land. This provides a little guidance for me in my tithing. It seems that teachers deserve some help, as they are there doing what they do for our benefit. Paul talks about this also, about his physical needs, though I don’t have the reference right now.
Those are a couple of thoughts. Thanks for reading.
August 9th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Hey, Cliff. I’ll try this out. I was thinking of the verse - John 6:53 Yeshua said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
I guess that’s the only blood I want to drink! The rest of it can go back into the earth. There’s no life in it after the death of the animal. But the Messiah’s blood…..
August 9th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Cool! Like– Messiah’s blood always has life because He never died.
August 9th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Hmmmm….Messiah did die.
With the sacrifices, atonement for sins was made by the taking of the life of animals as a substitute for one’s own life. The blood was poured out and some was collected. The way I understand it, is some was thrown against the altar where by the nature of the “holy altar”, the blood took on the holiness and brought about atonement for the one bringing the sacrifice….temporary atonement.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
August 9th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Nice. See that’s neat. That’s the kind of thing of why I thought this would be cool. I just got some insight on sacrifices that I had not thought of before.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Another observation: Every 3rd year, the tithe was to be “local”. (2 years at Jerusalem to help the Levites there, and in the 3rd year, the tithe was to help the Levites in your midst.
Perhaps this is a pattern for the $$ distribution of tithe money today: 2/3 to help those in need far off, and 1/3 to help those in need here…
Your thoughts?
August 10th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Interesting, interesting.
Well, no thoughts about that but…. Another thing in the portion it talks about is eating the tithe of the animals in the presence of the LORD, at the place where He will show you (which would be Jerusalem). And it says if it’s too far, exchange your tithe for money, and get what you need. I have always wondered about these verses. Ardelle and some at FFOZ have helped this year. I am now of the conclusion that setting a little aside to help with the big 3 (Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot) is actually allowed and instructed by Elohim. I guess He wants us not only to observe the festivals, but to not be burdoned economically, and to have a good time (we are commanded to rejoice!)
August 14th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Thanks for sharing…I have enjoyed reading all your thoughts and maybe I’ll have some of my own somtime!
August 16th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Cliff, I appreciate this blog because it will help us to be connected to all of you, despite us being in Davenport! I’ve got a question about your comments regarding eating the tithe or exchanging it for money if you’re too far away. I’d like to understand this more. Which verses talk about this? I’m also wondering if you could share how you reached your conclusion about setting aside some of the tithe for the feasts.
August 16th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Hey Angie. Specifically, read Deuteronomy 14:23-26. After reading these verses for the 3rd time this year, I was always confused what this meant. Sorry in advance, as this could get somewhat lengthy.
OK, so we understand that it is really about bringing the firstborn of your flocks and your agricultural “firstfruits” (grain, new wine, and oil) to the place where the LORD chooses to establish His name (i.e. Jerusalem or the temple).
So from there, I have to think, why am I going to Jerusalem? Probably to observe one of the 3 pilgrimage festivals, right? Passover, Pentecost, or Sukkot. So I’m coming to Jerusalem with my special tithes, but wait, I live too far away to bring everything with me. I am still not 100% clear on this, but reading the text literally seems to imply that rather than bringing the stuff, I can exchange it for money and bring it, and then it says to purchase “whatever my heart desires” for food and drink, etc.
And then I asked the question on another forum, I guess Jews going back have always set some money aside for celebrations and the feasts, and even more like weddings and bar mitzvahs, etc. Here is a quote: “The Father commands us to rejoice at his festivals, and a little extra money is needed at those times to buy extra food, drink, sukka materials, seder plates, etc.”
Anyhow, that is the basis of my understanding so far. And I don’t have the definitive answer by any means.
One thing to remember is what did Yeshua say, and He basically said sell everything I have and give to those who need. So there are varying aspects regarding our tithes. Giving 10% to a church or congregation isn’t commanded, although a tithe is a tenth. In our recent Torah portions, it is commanded that we should open our hand to the needy and give to the Levite, sometimes thought of as teachers, since the Levites had no inheritance and were commonly not only the priests but also the Rabbis or teachers in that day. And then there is also this command about coming to Jerusalem [for the festivals] and bringing tithes. There’s so much to learn.