Torah Cycle – March 15, 2008

By Paul Sides

This Torah Cycle tells the story of salvation through substitutional sacrifice for the atonement of sin.  What was first displayed when YHVH provided a spotless of Lamb in place of Abraham’s first born son Isaac delivering Isaac from death by substituting a lamb, later was demonstrated as Law in the covenant of Moses.  This Law foreshadowed the final fulfillment in The Passover Lamb Yahshua.

This Torah Cycle begins with the covenant of Moses where burnt offerings are commanded to be offered yearly to atone for sin, through the breaking of the covenant by Israel by being disobedient to the Law and the prophesied restitution of Israel.  It ends with Paul explaining how Israel has been restored in the Messiah who is the reality of “things to come” and fulfilled the requirement of the sacrificial system.

Leviticus is describing The Law of the Priests and how burnt offerings are to be killed and prepared on the alter to make atonement for sin.

Isaiah is speaking in future prophetic terms concerning Israel turning from YHVH and how YHVH would dissolved the Leviticus Priesthood and send Israel and Judah into captivity for failing to maintain the Sacrificial Laws and Laws concerning the Priesthood.   Notice in verse 28 below, the result of Israel’s disobedience is that YHVH brings an end to the Levitical Priesthood (who were the princes of His sanctuary), and casting out Judah and Israel into captivity.

Isaiah 43

       21 This people I have formed for Myself;
      They shall declare My praise.

Pleading with Unfaithful Israel

    22 “ But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob;
      And you have been weary of Me, O Israel.
       23 You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings,
      Nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices.
      I have not caused you to serve with grain offerings,
      Nor wearied you with incense.
       24 You have bought Me no sweet cane with money,
      Nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices;
      But you have burdened Me with your sins,
      You have wearied Me with your iniquities.
       25 “ I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
      And I will not remember your sins.
       26 Put Me in remembrance;
      Let us contend together;
      State your case, that you may be acquitted.
       27 Your first father sinned,
      And your mediators have transgressed against Me.
       28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary;
      I will give Jacob to the curse,
      And Israel to reproaches.

Now, we see Isaiah prophesying a renewed covenant at the end of days where Israel will be restored by YHVH.  Both houses, the House of Israel and the House of Judah will be reunited into Remnant Israel and YHVH will make atonement for their sins.

Isaiah 44

God’s Blessing on Israel

 1 “Yet hear me now, O Jacob My servant,
      And Israel whom I have chosen.
       2 Thus says the LORD who made you
      And formed you from the womb, who will help you:

      ‘ Fear not, O Jacob My servant;
      And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
       3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
      And floods on the dry ground;
      I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,
      And My blessing on your offspring;
       4 They will spring up among the grass
      Like willows by the watercourses.’
       5 One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’;
      Another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
      Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
      And name himself by the name of Israel.

There Is No Other God

    6 “ Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,
      And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:

      ‘ I am the First and I am the Last;
      Besides Me there is no God.
       7 And who can proclaim as I do?
      Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
      Since I appointed the ancient people.
      And the things that are coming and shall come,
      Let them show these to them.
       8 Do not fear, nor be afraid;
      Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?
      You are My witnesses.
      Is there a God besides Me?
      Indeed there is no other Rock;
      I know not one.’”

Israel Is Not Forgotten

    21 “ Remember these, O Jacob,
      And Israel, for you are My servant;
      I have formed you, you are My servant;
      O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!
       22 I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
      And like a cloud, your sins.
      Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
       23 Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!
      Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
      Break forth into singing, you mountains,
      O forest, and every tree in it!
      For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
      And glorified Himself in Israel.

Judah Will Be Restored

    24 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
      And He who formed you from the womb:

      “ I am the LORD, who makes all things,
      Who stretches out the heavens all alone,
      Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;
       25 Who frustrates the signs of the babblers,
      And drives diviners mad;
      Who turns wise men backward,
      And makes their knowledge foolishness;
       26 Who confirms the word of His servant,
      And performs the counsel of His messengers;
      Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’
      To the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’
      And I will raise up her waste places;
       27 Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry!
      And I will dry up your rivers’;
       28 Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd,
      And he shall perform all My pleasure,
      Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,”
      And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”’

Hebrews then picks up with how YHVH fulfilled this prophecy by replacing the Leviticus Priesthood with the Melchizedek Priesthood, and the old sacrifices of animals with the prefect sacrifice of His firstborn.  Bringing full circle the meaning of Abraham sacrificing Isaac and the “types and shadows” found in the Law.  These were portraits teaching Israel the significance of sacrifice pointing to the coming Messiah who would be one sacrifice for all.

Hebrews 10 (NIV)

Christ's Sacrifice Once for All

 1The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

 5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
   "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
      but a body you prepared for me;
 6with burnt offerings and sin offerings
      you were not pleased.
 7Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
      I have come to do your will, O God.' "^[a] 8First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Previously in Hebrews 5, Paul clearly defines the role of Yahshua as High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek which replaced the human priesthood of Levi and Aaron.  And how the “sacrificial system” is now continued as Yahshua as High Priest offers himself to YHVH continually at the throne of YHVH on our behalf as the spotless Lamb eternal…  Therefore there is no longer a need for the sacrifice of animals or a human priesthood serving in a physical temple. The sacrifice of the Messiah was sufficient once for all as he now is a living sacrifice!  As High Priest, Yahshua offers both gifts and sacrifices according to The Law in its perfect form in Heaven in the role of Melchizedek or “Made Righteous High Priest and King of King”.  Below is Hebrews 5 with my comments in red…

Hebrews 5

Qualifications for High Priesthood

the Messiah Our High Priest Forever
¹ For every high priest taken from among men (Yahshua was a man not YHWH and appointed High Priest by YHWH upon resurrection) is appointed for men in things pertaining to God (Yahshua was appointed on our behalf in things pertaining to YHWH in other words Yahshua mediates between you and YHWH), that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices (defined in the Law, outside of the Law there is no definition for such gifts and sacrifices) for sins (transgressing the Law). ² He can have compassion on those who are ignorant (of God’s Law, His Grace is very sufficient but that is no excuse to remain ignorant) and going astray (from the commands of God and not seeking YHWH through obedience), since he himself (Yahshua too was human, High Priests are taken from among men they are not God as stated in vs. 1) is also subject to weakness (bound by sinful flesh, Yahshua was baptised by John for repentace of such weaknesses). ³Because of this (his own guilt of transgression) he is required (to repent) as for the people (he makes sacrifices), so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for (his) sins (Yahshua offered his own life and blood to atone). ⁴And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

A Priest Forever
⁵ So also Yahshua did not glorify himself to become High Priest, but it was YHWH who said to Yahshua (upon Yahshua’s baptism for repentance, and filling with the Spirit of Truth, and final resurrection):

        "You are My Son,
        Today I have begotten You."

⁶As YHWH also says (of Yahshua) in another place:

        "You are a priest forever
        According to the order of Melchizedek" (Melchizedek was the first King of Zadok (Righteousness) Priest, a title and order of Priest held by Yahshua as the Eternal High Priest);

⁷who (Yahshua), in the days of his flesh (he was human prior to resurrection), when he had offered up prayers and supplications (for Israel and himself vs. 3 above), with vehement cries and tears to YHWH who was able to save Yahshua from death, and was heard (by YHWH) because of his (Yahshua’s) godly fear (of YHWH), ⁸though he (Yahshua) was a Son (of many in the family of Elohim), yet he (Yahshua) learned obedience (to the Torah over time through a life on Earth) by the things which he suffered (being disciplined by YHWH as are all men of YHWH). ⁹And having been perfected (over time through discipline), he (Yahshua) became (perfected through obedience to the Torah and) the author (demonstrating The Way, 3 witnesses of water/spirit/blood of 1 John) of eternal salvation to all who obey him (by keeping the commands of YHWH), ¹⁰(Yahshua was) called by God (YHWH) as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," ¹¹of whom (Yahshua) we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing (mind not set on the Spiritual Law of God but on the flesh which transgresses the Law).

Spiritual Immaturity
¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers (of the Torah, at that time there was no such thing as the "New" Testament), you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God (the Torah); and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk (the entire religion of Christianity that has abolished the Torah) is unskilled in the word of righteousness (the Torah/Law which is Holy, Righteous, and Good), for he is a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are of full age (mature Saints with minds set on Spiritual Law), that is, those who by reason of use (by obedience to the Torah/Spirit of the Law) have their senses exercised (trained by the Torah) to discern both good and evil (which is defined by the Law of God).  

Now in Romans 5, Paul explains the fulfillment of the type and shadow of a substitution sacrifice of lambs.  The Messiah, as the Passover Lamb, fulfilled that role as substitute on our behalf…

Romans 5

Faith Triumphs in Transgression of Law -  Death in Adam, Life in the Messiah

¹ Therefore, having been justified by faith (in the promises of YHWH made in the Torah), we have peace with YHWH through our King Yahshua the Messiah (by whose blood we are in covenant with YHWH for forgiveness of transgressing the Law, making complete the Torah), ² through whom (the blood of Yahshua, the Eternal High Priest) also we have access (to YHWH) by faith into this grace (forgiveness of our transgressions) in which we stand (keeping the commands but falling short i.e. the battle between Flesh/Spirit), and rejoice (crying Abba Father) in hope of the glory of YHWH (that we will be forgiven and resurrected Elohim promises made in the Torah). ³ And not only that (hope in future glory found through faith in the promises made in the Torah), but we also glory in tribulations (witnessing that Yahshua became perfected through them by obedience to the Torah), knowing (by Yashua’s example) that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of YHWH has been poured out in our hearts (the Law of Love, the Torah has been written on the ‘tablets’ of our hearts) by the Holy Spirit (of Truth) who was given to us (as a deposit of future glory in Elohim in fulfillment of the promise of the Feast of Weeks found in the Torah fulfilled at Pentacost).

the Messiah in Our Place

⁶ For when we were still without strength (to fully obey the Law of God), in due time (as proclaimed by the Prophets and promises made in the Torah) Yahshua died (in fulfillment of the Passover Lamb promise found in the Torah) for the ungodly (the transgressors of the Law). ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die (it is an amazing thing that someone would even die for a righteous man); yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die (even more rare to die for a good man). ⁸ But YHWH demonstrates His own love toward us (sons of God), in that while we were still sinners (defined as transgressors of the Law), Yahshua died for us (the perfect example of obedience in love). ⁹ Much more then (Yahshua made whole the Law as the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb promise found in the Law, providing Grace), having now been justified (made just before and one with YHWH in faith by obedience to the Torah) by His (Yahshua's) blood (of the Passover Lamb, the consummation of the marriage covenant), we shall be (upon resurrection) saved from wrath (the second death, the Spiritual meanng of The Passover) through him (Yahshua, by the blood of the Passover Lamb). ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies (hostile to the Law of God) we were reconciled to YHWH through the death of His Son (Yahshua, The Passover Lamb of YHWH), much more, having been reconciled (found perfect in obedience to the Law through faith in the covenant with YHWH through Yahshua), we shall be saved (from the second death) by his (eternal) life (Yahshua defeated death in the resurrection). ¹¹ And not only that, but we also rejoice in YHWH (that we are sons) through (faith in) our King Yahshua the Messiah, through whom we have now received the reconciliation (to YHWH as future begotton sons of Elohim as we are saved through faith in the promise that YHWH would send a Passover Lamb through which sacrifice we would be found 100% obedient to His Law and receive eternal life promised in the Torah and adoption as sons).

Death in Adam, Life in the Messiah

¹² Therefore, just as through one man (Adam disobeyed YHWH’s commands bringing death as promised in the Torah for transgression) sin entered the world, and death through sin (the penalty of sin is death), and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—¹³ For until the law came sin was still in the world, but sin is not imputed (we were not aware of sin without the Law, but the Law was still valid even though we weren't aware of it and the penatly for breaking it was active) when there is no law (the Law teaches us what is Holy and what is sin). ¹⁴ Nevertheless (even without the Law, the penalty of the Law was active) death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam (God’s Holy Law was more than just what Adam did), who (Adam) is a type of (son of God) him (Yahshua) who was to come.

¹⁵ But the free gift (of eternal life through Grace to complete the Law) is not like the offense (of transgressing the Law). For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of YHWH and the gift (of grace in light of transgressing the Law) by the grace of the one man, Messiah Yahshua, abounded to many (who would be saved through faith in the promises found in the Law). ¹⁶And the gift (of grace in light of transgressing the Law) is not like that (penalty of death for transgressing the Law) which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation (to death of the physical body), but the free gift (of life through obedience and grace in light of transgressing the Law) which came from many offenses resulted in justification (through the fulfillment of the promise of a Passover Lamb and High Priest, right standing before YHWH and resurrected eternal life of the physical body).

¹⁷ For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness (which leads to Eternal Life by obedience to the Torah) will reign in (everlasting) life through (blood covenant in and faith in) the one (man), Yahshua who is the Messiah (the Passover Lamb of YHWH).

¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation (to death of the physical body), even so through one man's righteous act (of self denial, obedience, and love unto death to fulfill the Passover promise) the free gift (of grace in light of transgressing the Law leading to the promise of resurrected life the result of grace bridging the gap to obedience to the Torah and the promise of obedience is Life Eternal) came to all men (who have faith in the promises of YHWH), resulting in justification (before YHWH) of life (after death). ¹⁹ For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one man's obedience many (not ALL men ever created but many who have faith in the promises of YHWH) will be made righteous (you are saved through faith).

²⁰Moreover the (Holy, Righteous, Good) law entered (was given by YHWH) that the offense might abound (God’s Holiness was made clear by the Law as well as our need and the promise of a savoir). But where sin (transgression of the Law) abounded, grace (forgiveness of those transgressions) abounded much more (as YHWH delivered us who have faith in His Promises found in the Torah through His Son and freely reconciled us to Himself), ²¹ so that as sin reigned in death (transgressing the Torah), even so grace (forgiveness of transgression) might reign through righteousness (keeping the Torah) to eternal life through (the blood of and faith in) Yahashua the Messiah (who made whole the Law providing Grace in light of transgression by fulfilling the promise of the Passover)