Tag: Animal Sacrifice

Why Did God Say He Loathed Their Sacrifices?

When our Heavenly Father said He loathed their sacrifices concerning the feasts/appointed Times/moedim, and the other requirements, it was not that He despised the ordinances themselves. Why would He? He set them in as the seasons of the annual cycle of life and the prophetic representation of Messiah who would fulfill all the feasts and meanings of them. If Yeshua/Jesus is God the Father in the flesh, He would not, as the Son, change the Fathers ordinances. God, our Heavenly Father does not change His mind, He is not a human; He is Spirit. He perceived that they were performing the sacrifices as an expression of self-righteousness, showing their indifference to the claim that God was in their hearts; and heart motivation is extremely important. Proverbs 21:2,3,4,27.

All His ordinances are good and Holy/ set apart/ in harmony with Himself, but they are to be entered into with deep sincerity and with an honest awareness of their true significance. To sacrifice in carelessness and ignorance will cause damage to our own souls, so we must never allow our spirit to become callous and hardhearted.

Now, is always a good time to check just what is our heart attitude?

The Pharisees and Sadducees were full of themselves, they added laws and ordinances to those given by the Lord. They saw themselves as better than the people, not equal to them; they did not keep a servant hearted attitude and much of what they did was just for show. Look at Yeshua/Jesus’ statement in Luke 11:37 – 44 …Woe to you Pharisees… . it was the same in His day just as at the time referred to in our title, the loathing… pride, arrogance and holier than thou attitude.

They had changed the truth of God to their religious standard for the people, but didn’t keep it themselves. Yeshua/Jesus was hard on this behavior because He knew what He had come to do, as he said in John 17:4. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

His purpose was the Father’s purpose in the process of being fulfilled for 4000 years; which was the redemption of mankind in the fullness of time. No one killed Yeshua/Jesus, no one murdered Him by their choice. The death of Messiah is the fulfillment in history of the very mind and intent of our Heavenly Father. There is no place for seeing Yeshua/Jesus as a martyr. His death was not something that happened to Him, something that might have been prevented. His death was the very specific reason He came, it was His determined purpose.

We must never build our case for forgiveness simply on the thought that God is our Father and He will forgive us just because He loves us; that contradicts the revealed truth of God in Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach; and it makes the cross unnecessary and the redemptive work as nothing.

Our Father God forgives sin only because of the death of Messiah.

A life for a life, because the life is in the blood (Lev 17:11), and He cannot forgive people in any other way than by the death of His Son because of the established covenant. (Abraham and the willingness to offer his son Isaac.)

Hence all of the animal sacrifices and the appointed times which followed until Messiah came. Yeshua/Jesus is exalted as Savior because of His death. We see Jesus/Yeshua in Hebrews 2:9 for the suffering and death crowned with glory and honor. The greatest cry of triumph ever heard in the ears of a shocked universe was that which was released from the cross – it is finished. That is the final word in the redemption of humankind and the fulfillment of the promise in Genesis 1. If the devil had known the fullness of the Fathers plan he wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of Glory. 1Cor. 2:8. This was the hidden mystery of the gospel revealed in His death and resurrection – a whole new being, eternal in nature, unknown until that process was completed/ finished. He was the first born from the dead, both physical and spiritual, no longer separated from the Father.

Anything that lessens, detracts from or completely obliterates the holiness of our Heavenly Father through a false view of His love, contradicts the truth of Him as revealed by Jesus/Yeshua. We view love from a standpoint of a human emotion, a feeling; it’s not the same as the love of our Heavenly Father, His Love is truth. We must never allow ourselves to believe that Jesus/Yeshua stands with us and against the Father out of pity and compassion, or that He became a curse for us out of sympathy for us. Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach, became a curse for us by divine degree, something we often do not fully comprehend. Our part in realizing and understanding the tremendous meaning of the curse which He became is the conviction of sin. Galatians 3:13. Conviction is given to us as a gift, to stir up shame and godly sorrow which leads us to repentance; it’s the great mercy of our Heavenly Father. Jesus/Yeshua hates the sin in people and Calvary’s cross is the measure and extent of His hatred. Ephesians 1:7 in Him we have the forgiveness of sin.

We must be aware of having a too cozy view of the father-hood of God, and our human thinking of Him as ‘daddy’ that we can twist around our little finger; that He is so kind and loving that of course He will forgive us. That thought based solely on emotion, can’t be found anywhere in the New Testament. The only basis on which our Heavenly Father can forgive us, is the incalculable work of what was accomplished on the cross by Messiah. To base our forgiveness on any other ground is unconscious blasphemy and unconscious blasphemy is actually denying Messiah and His victory over sin and death. The only ground on which He can forgive our sin and reinstate us to His presence and favor, is through the cross of Messiah.

There is no other Way, He alone is the Way.

Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the horrendous agony on that cross at Calvary. We should never take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of His Holy Spirit and our sanctification in simple faith, and then forget the enormous cost to Him that made all of this ours for free.

Forgiveness is the divine miracle of His free grace towards us. The cost to the Father was the cross of Messiah. To forgive sin while remaining a Holy God, this is the price that had to be paid. We must never accept a view of the fatherhood of God if it blocks out the atonement because the revealed truth of God is that without the atonement He cannot forgive; He would contradict His nature if He did. The only way we can be forgiven is by being brought back to Him through the atonement of the cross, and His forgiveness is possible only in the supernatural realm. Compared with the miracle of the forgiveness of sin, the experience of sanctification is small, sanctification is simply the wonderful expression or evidence of the forgiveness of sins in a human life. However what awakens the pouring forth of the deepest gratitude in an individual, is that our Heavenly Father has forgiven his or her sin. Paul never got away from this and neither should we. Once we realize all that it costs the Father to forgive each of us, we will be held tight, constrained by the love of God. Luke 11:37 – 44, 45.

Pesach/Passover week may be over but it is the crowning moment in time and eternity and we must not let our remembrance of it be for only once a year. Above all else, we must continue to preach Messiah/Christ and Him crucified, it is the power of God unto salvation....and in His resurrection we can live the new life He died to give us.

Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family

and cheverim/friends!

It’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen

Why Is The Red Heifer In The News?

What is all the talk about the red heifer…

a cow with red-brown hair in Israel?

Readers may have seen the news reports from Israel about the ancient ceremony that requires the sacrifice of a red heifer.

In Hebrew parah adumah. פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה

What is behind the mystery of the

red heifer – parah adumah – פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה

What is it exactly

and

why is it important?

First of all we should remember that this sacrificial ritual given to Moses was applicable before Messiah came and when the Temple still existed. As Messiah was, and remains, the perfect eternal sacrifice for all sin and everything connected to that sacrificial system; these laws are unnecessary for Messianic Jewish believers in Yeshua/Jesus and also for all those who are the born again from above believers/ecclesia.

The attention to this red heifer and the need for one, is connected to the Torah directives/laws governing the Temple and for the covering of sin until Messiah came. The red heifer/cow was specifically needed in a ceremony whose ashes were used in the purification rites, for one who had been contaminated through having come into contact with a dead body; and to purify the priests before they served at the Temple to conduct the sacrificial rituals on behalf of the people. Since the Temple was destroyed in 70AD, there would have to be a new Temple built in order for these ceremonies to be performed; and the red heifer would be needed as a sacrifice to complete the preparedness of the priests who would serve in that 3rd Temple.

According to Jewish tradition, these instructions were given to Moses in the 2nd year of the Exodus on Nisan 1, the day that the Mishkan was first erected. However the instructions appear here at this point in the scripture because of the need to purify the people after Miriam’s death, which is mentioned in the following chapter.

This ritual is considered chok- חֹק- within the Hebrew/Jewish tradition, which basically means that it makes no rational sense.

It is an incomprehensible Mitzvah that could not be understood, a law with an unspoken reasoning, and is supposed to be followed with blind faith.

In fact the Jewish literature states that of all of the 613 commandments in the Torah, this is the only one that King Solomon could not understand, because this sacrifice is the most paradoxical of all the sacrifices found in the Torah.

However the symbolism of the red heifer is a clear foreshadowing of the sacrifice for the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus to deliver us from spiritual death.

 

The red heifer-parah adumah, had to be a perfect specimen that was completely red, without blemish in which there is no defect. The rabbis interpreted the meaning of being without blemish, as referring to the color of the animals hair, that is, without having so much as a single white or black hair anywhere on its body.

This is the only sacrifice in the Torah where the color of the animal is absolutely necessary as required by scripture. The parah adumah was never to have had a yoke upon it, meaning that:

it must never have been used for any profane purposes.

Unlike all of the sacrifices that were offered at the brazen altar, the parah adumah was taken outside the camp to be slaughtered before the priest, who then took some of its blood and sprinkled it seven times before the Mishkan; thereby designating it as a purification offering, in this case it was Eliezer, Aaron son.

‘Outside the camp’, meant:

beyond the city boundaries or walls;

and during the second Temple era, the Kohen haGadol-High Priest performed this ceremony from the top of the Mount of Olives while facing the Temple.

Then the red heifer would be burned in its entirety, it’s hide, flesh, blood and even dung were to be burned in the fire, unlike other Levitical sacrifices.

Recall the blood from the other sacrifices had to be sprinkled on the altar.

Also a hyssop,

a scarlet thread and

a cedar stick

would then be thrown up on to the burning parah adumah; these were the same items used to cleanse leprosy/tzara’at. In this process, the blood was assimilated into the ashes of the sacrifice, which would’ve been gathered and mixed with water to create the water of separation for the Israelite community.

The purification procedure took seven days using small twigs of hyssop dipped into the water with the ashes mixed in. Then it was shaken over the ritually defiled person both on the third day, then again on the seventh day. After the second sprinkling, the person undergoing the purification process would be immersed in a mikveh, and then be clean until the following evening.

 

Note that the word separation refers to menstrual impurity spoken of in Leviticus, and also to Zechariah 13:1. On the day that shall be a fountain open for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and from niddah.

Niddah (Heb. נִדָּה “menstruating woman”; literally, “one who is excluded” or “expelled”) is the practice according to Jewish law where a man is forbidden to maintain sexual relations with his wife.

Numbers 19:1-22

 water of separation — that is, of “sanctification” for the people of Israel.

Anyone or anything that came into contact with a corpse, a dead body whether human or otherwise, it was the physical embodiment of sin and death. Every individual thus contaminated, was required to be purified using the water of separation.

Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

In order to prepare for their God-ordained purpose of being a kingdom of priests and ministers of God, they would need to confess their sins and avail themselves of the waters of separation.

It underscores the Holiness of YHVH and the necessity for His people to be Holy before Him.

The water of separation could be said to be symbolized in other places in the scriptures, food for thought as possible examples:

The main creation work of YHVH, on the 2nd day of His Creation, was the separation of waters by putting a vault or expanse between them. And God separated water above the sky and water below.

Genesis 1:6-7 
6 Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” 7 And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens.

Exodus 14:15-22

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Joshua 3:5-17 through 4:1-18 (NKJV)
5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.”  So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

The uniqueness of the sacrifice and the purification procedure took 7 days, a type and shadow of the creation in Genesis/Bereshit and of the 7000 year Salvation/Redemption plan of our Creator.

 

This sacrificial ceremony of the parah adumah is entirely unique for the following reasons:

It was the only sacrifice that specifically required an animal of a particular color.

This animal was an extremely rare and entirely unique.

Maimonides wrote: “9 parah adumah were prepared from the time the commandment was given until the destruction of the second Temple. Moses our teacher prepared one. Ezra prepared one and seven more were prepared until the destruction of the Temple. The 10th will be prepared by the Messiah.”

We would say… was prepared by the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, as Himself.

It was the only sacrifice where all the rituals were carried out outside of the camp and later outside the Temple precinct. That means, the applying of blood from this sacrifice took place away from the altar. Jewish historians state that the high priest performed the blood applications of the red heifer while gazing at the Temple mount and at the Holy of Holies from a mountain opposite the temple mount.

It was the only sacrifice with a paradox, meaning that:

it contaminated the priest who offered it,

but made the one who was sprinkled by it clean.

It was the only sacrifice where the ashes were preserved and used for a specific purpose, when all of the other sacrifices required that the ashes be disposed of outside the camp.

Messiah Yeshua/Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the parah adumah since:

He was completely without sin or defect. 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 8:46.

He was sacrificed outside the camp. Hebrews 13:13.

He made Himself sin for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21.

The sprinkling of His blood makes us clean. 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 12: 24; Revelation 1:5.

And the water of separation that His sacrifice created, is the means by which we are made clean from the impurity of sin. Ephesians 5:25/26; Hebrews 10:22.

Further reading in Hebrews clearly shows Messiah’s sacrifice is superior to the parah adumah – red heifer.

Who is the fulfillment of the types and shadows of the Torah?

Hebrews 10:1-2.

For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctified for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the Blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

The truth is that

for sanctification, redemption and salvation,

a red heifer

is no longer needed and neither is a third Temple.

Messiah Yeshua/Jesus fulfilled all the Torahs sacrificial requirements. He said Himself in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill, complete them.”

And in 1Cor. 3:16 Paul confirms that, every born from above believer is an individual Temple /Sanctuary of His Holy Spirit.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]? Amp.

The belief of the need for a red heifer and a third Temple in Jerusalem Israel, is what the orthodox Jewish people understand is necessary because they have not yet accepted Yeshua/Jesus as their Messiah.

Shalom shalom

‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His

and are truly born again from above.

Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is

your Redeemer, Savior, Lord

and soon returning King

and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.

I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are We Kings & Priests?

The scriptures say we are

kings and priests

but what does that really mean?

In Revelation 1:6

ESV: and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

NIV: and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

NASB: and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

CSB: and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

NLT: He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

KJV: And athites hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

NKJV: and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

and

Rev 5:10 “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth”

If we look at the role of a king and a priest, it may help us to know if that applies to us or not. Furthermore taken in context and remembering both the old and renewed covenants were made with Abraham, the first Hebrew, and the children of Israel/Jacob. In the renewed testament/covenant, it was first given

from the Jewish Messiah Yeshua

to

all the Israelites

and then to the gentiles/goy.

Romans 1:16 …first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

The Jews have a priority over the Gentiles in that the Messiah himself, Yeshua haMashiach/Jesus Christ, came first as a Jew to the Jews.

Romans 9:5.

Our understanding must be based on the times and culture when it was happening and written, and to whom it was given.

Exodus 19:6a

“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”

The role of kings in the earth is that of sovereign rule over a people or nation, where the people are the subjects and have to live and abide by the rules and regulations set by the king. There are nations/countries today that still retain a monarchy whose ruling king and or queen maintains all or a measure of control over the population. There are those whose overall rule even tells the people who and what to worship and give allegiance to. Some nations have separation between church/religion and state.

To get our understanding correct, we need to look at the scriptures and see that it was YHVH’s people that wanted a king over them so they could be like the other nations.

“We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 1Samuel.

Our Heavenly Father wanted to be their god, their king, their provider and protector; and to reign over them in righteousness and truth. He wanted relationship, their love, worship, their obedience and faithfulness to the covenant that He had made with them. He wanted to dwell among them, which is the reason for the building of the mishkan and the forming of the priesthood; because of mans sinfulness there had to be a way where they could approach a Holy God. The life blood of an innocent, sinless animal was the sacrifice put in place until Messiah fulfilled it by His sacrificial death.

The role of the priests was first given to the firstborn of each of the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 sons of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. We need to remember that the 12 tribes of Israel is not the same as the country named Israel. Not everyone can trace their lineage back to those 12 sons who are the children of Jacob/Israel. Even Messiah Yeshua/Jesus challenged the leaders of His time calling them snakes and vipers and that they were not the true sons of YHVH. They may have had Abraham as their ancestral ‘father’ but were not directly descended from his son Isaac and grandson Jacob/Israel. Recall Abraham had another son, Ishmael, who also had 12 sons. Herod who was the King in Messiahs day, was an Edomite whose lineage was from Esau, Jacob’s brother, who sold his birthright to Jacob. Jacob/Israel became the chosen line through whom Messiah came.

The 12 tribes of the Israelites, apart from the tribe of Levi, were all involved with the sin of the golden calf right after the Sinai covenant had been made. Initially the firstborn sons of each tribe were to be priests before the Lord but after this event the privilege of the firstborn sons was taken away and given only to the tribe of Levi.

Num. 3:11-13

Levi had 3 sons Gershon, Kohath and Merari who became the heads of the clans of the Levites.

However we read in Num. 17:1-10, that YHVH chose Levis great, grandson Aaron and his descendants

to be His Priests from among all the Levites.

Num. 1:47-54.

There are 4 divisions of Levites:

The Gershonites descendants of Levis firstborn. who were responsible for caring for the Mishkans woven articles, the coverings of the walls and roof of the Tabernacle. They dwelt on the west side of the Mishkan.

The Kohanites descendants of Levis middle son Kohath. They carried the the sacred objects of the Mishkan. They dwelt on the south side of the Mishkan.

The Meranites descendants of Levis youngest son Merari. They carried the wooden parts of the Mishkan as well as the ropes and sockets used for the curtain of the courtyard. They dwelt on the north side of the Mishkan.

The Kohanim descendants of Levis great grand son Aaron. This clan were responsible for performing all of the korbanot/sacrifices and other ritual on behalf of all Israel. Only the kohanim were allowed to perform avodah/priestly service on behalf of Israel. They dwelt on the east side of the Mishkan.

The other Levites were employed in more menial tasks, such as the housekeeping of the tabernacle, keeping oil in the lamps, transporting the Ark of the Covenant, taking down and setting up the tabernacle when moving, and related tasks in assisting the priests

The priests could offer sacrifices for the people, burn incense on the altar, and teach the law.

The Aaronic (or Levitical) Priesthood thus functioned only within the tribe of Levi, and the right to have it conferred upon one was determined by lineage and worthiness.

The lineal restrictions of that Aaronic (Levitical) Priesthood were lifted when the law of Moses was fulfilled, and thereafter the offices of the priesthood were conferred upon worthy men without limitation to the tribe of Levi. Numbers 8. (10)

This was the way it was all the years that they travelled through the wilderness and afterwards in the promised land. The priesthood continued after the Temple was built in Jerusalem up until it was destroyed in 70AD. We understand that as Messiah was the perfect sacrifice no more sacrifices are needed.

Under the Old Covenant, repeated sacrifices were necessary because they could not fully remove sin, they could only cover them for a period of time. Hebrews 10:18; Hebrews 10:1-4. However, through Messiah/Christ’s sacrifice, sins are forgiven once and for all. 

In all of the Israelites, Levis sons were not to be enlisted in the army to risk their lives on behalf of the people. By putting themselves in harms way for the preservation all of the innocent. Instead they were called for a service even more important, more holy and sacred than that of their brothers. The Levites were appointed over the Mishkan to carry it and all its vessels and to serve it every time they moved camp. They were set apart for the most important work of all which was manual labor!

As disciples of Messiah we all desire to be closer to our Heavenly Father. What we often don’t realize however it is that the closer we get, the more of the lowly, manual, time consuming work we’re likely to be given. Being close to Him doesn’t necessarily mean that we are offered more visible or celebrated tasks, but on the contrary it means that He can trust us to work in anonymity, joyfully putting our backs into even the most menial of tasks.

The reality of their calling was the equivalent of furniture moving, to serve Him with sweat of their brows and the strength of their hands and backs. They were responsible for carrying all the pieces of the Mishkan from one camping place to the next. Num. 3:5-7. Despite this high calling and position, the Levites soon learned that a life of service to the Lord was a far from glamorous one. Their special place of honor among the sons of Israel may have earned them respect but not so much glory. Instead of an high standing among their brothers, the Levites were set apart as servants…. Their charge was to assist the High Priest and to labor on behalf of the whole Israel community.

Fast forward this to today, if we are believing that we are the kingdom of priests, we too are set apart as servants just as Messiah came as a servant of all.

In Revelation, John contemplates what YHVH has done for believers by making us a kingdom of priests. 

Once we were helpless sinners, but now, as John explains in this verse, we are a royal priesthood 1 Peter 2:9. Once we served sin; now we worship and serve YHVH, as a kingdom of priests. In Old Testament times, priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people of Israel and stood as mediators between them and the Lord. Now we can come directly to our Heavenly Father through Yeshua/Jesus, and we offer ourselves and spiritual sacrifices to Him.

Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5.

Under the New Covenant, Yeshua/Jesus  is the

“high priest”

(the one who makes atonement for our sins) of

“our confession” (the Son of God) is Yeshua/Jesus.

Hebrews 3:1

 He’s was sent to put into effect, to execute, to carry out the words that we say according to the scriptures. 

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus;

He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.…

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God..
This phrase reflects the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel and the Church, echoing Exodus 19:6, where God declares Israel to be a “kingdom of priests.”

Exodus 19:6
And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

It signifies a spiritual transformation and elevation of believers, who are now part of God’s royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9.

The concept of a kingdom implies

governance and authority,

while priests indicate

a role of mediation and service.

This dual role highlights the believers’ responsibility to:

represent our Heavenly Father and Yeshua to the world

and: to intercede on behalf of others.

The imagery of a kingdom and priests also connects to the Davidic covenant, where the Messiah would establish an everlasting kingdom. 2 Samuel 7:16.

Those who have been made a kingdom of priests, refers to believers who have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and are called to serve the Lord.

Believers are called to:

recognize their identity as a kingdom and priests

which is:

not based on personal merit but on the redemptive work of Messiah/Christ.

As priests, believers are called to serve YHVH, to intercede for others, and live lives of holiness and worship.

The promise of reigning on earth, points to the hope of Messiah/Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom. Believers are encouraged to live with this future hope in mind.

The collective identity as a kingdom of priests emphasizes the unity and shared purpose of the church. Believers are called to work together in fulfilling His mission.

While the fullness of this reign is in the future, believers are called to live out the values of His kingdom now, demonstrating His love, justice, and righteousness in the world.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;

Isaiah 61:6
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.

In Messiah/Christ, our High Priest, we have a closeness to the Father, and no earthly mediator is necessary. As priests in His kingdom, we recognize that salvation is not merely an insurance it’s a way of life…

Prophet, Priest and King were the only ones anointed before Messiah came. Now His Holy Spirit is available to all. His presence was only in the Mishkan and inner Sanctuary within the holy of holies in the Temple. When there is a Temple, it is their privilege and obligation to serve.

Messiah came and now we are the sanctuary, the holy of holies in His temple-our bodies, where His Holy Spirit is present.

Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1Cor. 6:19. you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Sometimes we like to think that our Father has something more for us, something grander, or of more of a public display than what we are doing with our lives right now. But if our hearts truly desire to serve Him, we need to serve Him well today, where we are right now; and not neglect our duties where He has called us at present. As His servants, our lives are His to do with as He wills. Our only job is to dedicate ourselves to the service of our calling, not seeking glory or fame but Him only.

Even though the Levites daily bore the weight of their selection, their service was not without reward. For a life of selflessness and sacrifice, a life of lifting and carrying the burdens of others, there is this prize ….they are MINE… Numbers 3 :11–13. By redeeming the lives of the firstborn of Israel, the Levites themselves became the first born of Adonai, owned by no one and nothing, they belong solely to Adonai.

The anointing and privileges of a Priest and a King are now available to every born-again-from-above believer/disciple. We can come into the Lords presence any time, no mishkan or temple required. No sacrifice needed and no high priest to speak for us. We are not literally priests and kings but rather have the same privileges they once had and more because of Messiah.

He gave a Holy Nation access to Himself. He did not give them all the same function, but He did give them all the same rights to

pray, petition and worship.

He made a Nation with

priestly access

and

kingly access to Himself.

Neither are we actual literal Kings because the Kingship was given by Covenant only to David and his descendants through Solomon and Messiah is the King of those kings. All gentiles/goy are grafted into His people Israel by the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father through Messiah.

In the days the scriptures were written, the common people had

no personal relationship

with the king or the priests!

According to Job 22:28

Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

Kings decree and as discipled believers we can decree, or have the king like privilege to declare His words, (not ours) into being. His will, not ours. This is the sword of His Spirit, His word in our mouth, to speak into situations the double edged sword/word to both defend against and destroy the works of darkness and the author of them. Ephesians 6.

As disciples of Messiah we have been charged with carrying the burden for all mankind. The question is, are we willing to relinquish ownership of ourselves that we maybe used to give life to the world? Out of all the people on earth Adonai has taken us for Himself, but not for our sake alone. By submitting our lives completely to His will, the loss of self will be gain for others and we will fulfill the…

sacrifice of service to which we have been called. So now maybe we better understand our positions and roles as, kings, priests and a kingdom of priests.

Matthew 26:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Whoever counts his life of so much value that he will preserve it by sacrificing his godly integrity, or will renounce his beliefs to save his life, will find in the end that he has lost his soul.

For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].

Is the price of our lives too to high to pay for the Master to call us His?

He glorifies Himself through our humility. As we give up our lives daily to Him, taking up our cross to follow Him, are we willing to have our hands calloused and our back broken for the sake of the service for which He has set us apart?

Today is the day to be serious about our commitment to the One Who gave it all for us.

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.

The Mysterious Secret of How a Worm Preached The Gospel

  The Secret of How a Worm Preached The Gospel.

 Yesterday was Nisan 1 and the first day of the Hebrew month that begins the Spiritual New Year and Passover/Pesach is on 14 Nisan (March 31st). This will be the first of the 7 annual Appointed Times of the Lord.

(Click links below for more details on the Feasts)

https://www.minimannamoments.com/palm-sunday-nisan-the-appointed-time-of-the-lamb/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/not-passing-over-passover-week/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/midweek-mannabite-secrets-of-the-seder-plate/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/unleavened-bread-matzot-week/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/first-fruits/

Passover is followed immediately by Unleavened Bread; then First Fruits with Pentecost 50 days later.

Mentioned in previous posts, is how everything is connected and that seemingly unconnected events should not be viewed in isolation. A great comparison is that of a jigsaw puzzle with all the pieces that seem to be scattered about in confusion. Taking the time to focus, we discover the pieces start to come together. Then, as we put the last piece into place, we realize everything we needed to understand was right in front of our eyes all the time.A seemingly random reference, in this case is a tiny worm, which has a more significant meaning than on first glance.

Having examined many aspects of the scriptures over the months, it’s time to tie some of them together… so this post promises to be a hearty meal…

Digging deeper, it becomes clear that the story of the Gospel, Jesus (Yeshua) dying on the cross (for the Lost Sheep of Israel and as the gentiles are grafted in with them making one new man); is told in the life cycle of a specific type of tiny worm. 

Several times in scripture, man is referenced as nothing more than a worm.

There are however two words used in Hebrew for the two instances of the word “worm”. Rimmah and Towla; they both have different meanings.

The first, Rimmah, means maggots. This is symbolic, as we see maggots when something is rotting or decaying. In the Bible, mankind is considered rimmah, not because they are the smallest, and most repulsive of all worms, but because of the decay that man is constantly undergoing.

We start dying from the moment we are born! It does not denote our lowliness, but rather our mortal sorrow in terms of our ever-present knowledge and fear of decay, and death. Reading in Genesis, mankind is decaying because of our sin.

There is a group of people who hold to ‘worm theology’ and only consider its literal translation of ‘maggot’. They believe this is how God literally sees us. This is untrue as we are God’s favorite creation, made in His image; God does not look upon Himself as a worm.

However, within this ‘worm’, is a secret message hidden for those who love to dig and it has nothing to do with our self-esteem. The message that everyone is missing out on is  that we are to seriously refrain from sin; yet (1John 2:1) when we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father in Jesus… Here’s how the worm preaches the gospel of the kingdom.

The second Hebrew translation of worm is Tola, Tolaat, Towla or Tow la ath, and is translated scarlet, which is not the normal Hebrew word for worm as the usual word for worm is rimmah (maggot); found in Psalm 22:2-6

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Vs. 6 but I am a worm (strongs number 8438 (towla).

08438   //  elwt  //  towla`   //  to-law’  //  and (fem) 
  //  helwt  //  towle`ah   //  to-lay-aw’  //  or 
  //  telwt  //  towla`ath   //  to-lah’-ath  //  or 
  //  telt  //  tola`ath   //  to-lah’-ath  //  

from   03216  ; TWOT – 2516b; n m 

AV – scarlet 34, worm 8, crimson 1; 43 

worm, scarlet stuff, crimson 

1a) worm – the female ‘coccus ilicis’ 

1b) scarlet stuff, crimson, scarlet 

1b1) the dye made from the dried body of the female of the 

worm “coccus ilicis” 

2) worm, maggot 

2a) worm, grub 

2b) the worm “coccus ilicis” 

The picture below is of many worms. They are collected for their body fluids the color of which is indicated by its name, the Crimson/Scarlet Worm.

Extracting this dye is a very difficult task, making it extremely valuable. It would have been used only for royal or Holy garments, and palace or temple decorations.In some cases, it has been recorded that it was even used as rent money.Here the worms are harvested.Each worm was carefully removed from the tree, taken back home,and they would crush the worm’s body over a glass of boiling water.

It is interesting to note that the harvesting of the worms prevents it from fulfilling its reproductive cycle.

The scarlet thread which was tied to the scapegoat at Yom Kippur and was also tied to the Temple doors. It turning miraculously white, when the annual sacrifice for sin had been accepted by the Lord on the Day of Atonement; after  the High Priest offered the sacrifice. Yeshua is our High Priest. (As this subject is also connected, see extended explanation at end of this post.)Wool dyed scarlet, a symbol of sin using the tola’at shani – the crimson worm,
(Latin – armenian conchial). Jesus truly proved that He was the towla / scarlet when they stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe.    Matthew 27:28

(Adding yet another piece of the puzzle ***see extra note at end.)

Psalm 22 was written almost 1000 years before the crucifixion. However as we read the entire Psalm, it is clear that it is a prophetic event that would take place one day in the future.

In this Messianic Scripture, it parallels Jesus’s/Yeshua’s crucifixion so much, that many Bible scholars and theologians consider the entire prophetic chapter to be Messiah’s own words.If Psalm 22 is supposed to be Messiah’s own words, why would He say that He was a worm? Was Messiah a worm theologist? No absolutely not! Messiah would not associate Himself with the maggots that represent a sinful life symbolized by the word ‘rimmah’; but rather the Tolaath as the name of a specific worm. This Crimson or Scarlet worm is found in the Mediterranean and the Middle East and Israelites would have been familiar with it.

Psalm 22:6 but I am a (worm), Tow la ath, and no man, a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

In Matthew 27 and in Mark 15 we find Messiah reciting scripture, (as He taught us to do during temptation while suffering. Matt 4, Luke 4) Jesus is on the cross crying out to God, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” “Why have you forsaken me?!”

God cannot look on sin, so for a brief moment Jesus felt the separation that sin brings between man and God. The very definition of hell – being eternally separated from God’s presence.

Our Heavenly Father knows the future better than we can remember the past and He made sure that it was carefully recorded that His only Begotten Son would bear the punishment for our sin and become the redemption for those who would believe and receive His sacrifice.

A thousand years later, every detail was revealed and unfolded as the prophecy came to pass.

The tremendous truth revealed by this description is not obvious until we begin to study the lifecycle and characteristics of the Crimson or Scarlet worm.

It’s full name is Tola’at Shani; or Scarlet Worm (Coccus Ilicis.)

 This worm is actually a pea sized scarlet insect that feeds on tree sap.The scarlet or crimson worm is of a family of insects that live on oak trees. Its lifespan is about 4–14 weeks. For about the last four weeks of its life, the female is ready to be fertilized and lay eggs. It searches for a specific tree called the Kermes Oak, which is very symbolic of its destiny.

Then it chooses willingly to climb on to the tree, there is nobody forcing it to do so. Remembering that Jesus was not forced to go on the cross it was an act of His free will. Jesus fully obeyed a command from His Father to lay down His life for sinners and take it again as He died to display His love for the saints.

John 10:17 says Therefore, doth my Father love me,because I lay down my life, that I might take it again; No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

He died for all of us, seemingly rejected and alone even though He could have called 12 legions of angels from heaven to come to His aid and save Him.  Matt 26:53        (A legion was approx. 6000)

The Scarlet/Crimson worm climbs up the tree knowing that it will never come down alive. Its sole purpose is to go up the tree to give birth to a family and the only way it can do that is by dying.

Jesus/Yeshua of course knowing everything, He too was willing to die on a tree, (the cross made of wood) to give birth to a family.

Having climbed up, the Crimson worm attaches her body to the tree, fixing herself securely and permanently in place, virtually impaling herself on the tree; because when the babies are born her body will become a safe place in which the offspring will shelter. She remains still until death.

During the birthing process, the mother produces and secretes a Crimson gel or red fluid dye which covers and stains not only the eggs she lays, but also her entire body beneath which the eggs are kept safe.

As she dies, this gel or red fluid dye leaves a stain on the tree, which remains even with the passage of time.

Wind can’t fade it, the rain can’t wash it out.

Below is a picture of a kermes oak tree. The permanent red stain left by the Crimson worm can clearly be seen. The Blood of Jesus stained Him, the cross, and all of us, which are saved as the children of God.

The Bible proclaims in Hebrews 13:8 that Jesus the Messiah, (and His blood shed at the cross), is the same yesterday, today, and forever.As the young mature inside the mother, the body swells until it bursts—killing the mother in the birth process and leaving the dark-red stain upon the tree. The newborn young then feed upon the remaining body of the deceased mother; until they finally emerge and enter their own life cycle.

A further connection is to the Hebrew word for “sign” (owth) also means “a banner!” That banner is the “scarlet thread” that was placed on the hand of Tamar’s twin when he stuck his hand out in Genesis 38:29-30.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 38:28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.This twin is named Zarah or “Zerach” in Hebrew (#2226), and he is a prophetic “type” of Messiah whose name means “rising of light.” On Yom Teruw’ah, the first sliver of the crescent moon is rising until it reaches it’s full light on the 15th of the month (at it’s peak) on the Feast of Tabernacles. But this twin stuck his hand out first as a “sign” or a banner that he was the “first-born!”

That first-born son of Tamar was a prophetic picture of the “first-born” son of Miryam who also became the “first-born” from among the dead.

The first-born son of Tamar bore the scarlet thread to symbolize our Messiah who is also the first-born from among the dead.

His blood flowing out of his hands when he was nailed to the tree was the scarlet thread:This female insect is an illustration of the woman giving birth to a man-child with the scarlet thread!

Meanwhile, something truly amazing occurs. This blood stain actually creates a thick, sticky film and for the three days following her death the worm and the crimson gel can be scraped from the tree. A colored dye can be made from this gel also.

It is the same dye that was used both for the garments of the High Priest and in the Tabernacle!

(Exodus) 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.

The garments were Red/Scarlet, Purple and Blue and for specific meaning:

Blue represented Torah/Scripture and the Heavens where Gods throne is.The color Red represents the Blood of the lamb which atones for sins.

The Blue color came from the cerulean mussels were very difficult to find in the sea and thus the dye was very expensive and reserved only for the wealthy and royalty.

Click link for more on Tekhelet snails, the origin of the blue dye, which is the traditional color for Messiah.   https://www.minimannamoments.com/mysterious-secret-of-the-hilazon/

The color Purple is the product of these two colors mixed together, red & blue.

Purple is the color of royalty, as kings often wore purple as a sign of wealth.

Our Messiah symbolizes this worm whose color is mixed with the blue to produce the purple color of royalty; in other words the office of Melchizedek, both king and priest.

The Kings of Judah wrote their own copy of the Scriptures/Torah, (pronounced Towrah), by hand before taking office, so the color of the king is blue, for he executes judgment with the Word of God/Towrah. The priests offered up blood sacrifices for the nation of Yisra’el, hence the color red symbolizes the priesthood.

After the three days the young worms are ready to leave the safety of the shells.The mother is still attached to the shells and to the tree.

On the morning of the fourth day the worm has pulled her head and tail together and is now in the shape of a heart on the tree and begins to change its Crimson color.

When the blood finally dries, as weather affects it, the worm turns into wax which is as white as snow.

The snow white wax resembles a little patch of wool on the side of the tree and it begins to flake off and drop to the ground like snow (or manna).A perfect picture of our saviour! A humble man who should be royalty, leaving a scarlet stain on a tree so that our hearts may become white as snow and as we ‘eat Him’ we receive our daily manna.This wax can also be harvested and made into shellac that is a wood preservative. Just as the resurrection, which serves as the preservative of the message of the cross.The parallel is very clear, Jesus, as the Tolaath, suffered His WAY up the side of Moriah and was attached to the surface of a tree. His Blood stained the tree with a precious, dark crimson. From this sacrificial death, His offspring were given life. 

…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things… but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I Peter 1:18-19 

On the cross, Jesus quoted the first verse of Psalm 22, thus directing the reader to another interesting discovery… 

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent…But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. 

The word “worm” in this text is the word Tolaath. This word was specifically used to illustrate what was actually happening in this mournful cry as He experienced separation from the Father. It was taking our sin upon Himself that separated Him and this is the ‘spiritual death’ the severing; i.e. eternal separation from God’s Holy presence.Yes there is death; yes, there is sorrow; yes, blood is shed; but through it all, new life in abundance is born. 

Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8 

After the emergence of the young, they then feed upon the body of the mother so that they may gain initial sustenance. This picture now brings clarity to the words of Jesus as He institutes the partaking of the communion. Then He took a loaf of bread; and when He had thanked God for it, He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is My body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19 So, by His death, the ecclesia, the called out ones, the Congregation of believers, was born. His body and blood sustain us in our newborn state. 

“This wine is the token of God’s new covenant to save you—an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.” Luke 22:20 

But what if the Tolaa/ Tolaath worm was not to die. Like all maggot larva, it slowly consumes and devours all that is in its path. Not only is there a slow consumption, there is also no new life given. 

“And if your hand makes you sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched; “…where ‘ their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ “And if your foot makes you sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched; “…where ‘ their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ “And if your eye makes you sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire; “…where ‘ their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'” Mark 9:43-48 

Three times Jesus refers to a worm that never dies, but lives on to consume and devour its captive for eternity. Jesus is actually quoting a description of hell described in the final verse of Isaiah. 

“They shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against [the Lord]. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched, they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” 

The word worm used in this quoted passage is once again the Tolaa/ Tolaath. This Tolaa/ Tolaath, however, is different in that it has never died. 

Instead of giving birth through its death, it remains alive as an eternal tormentor. 

Every living human being who has ever heard of Jesus dying on the cross as a payment for our sins has a Tolaa/ Tolaath. This Tolaa/ “Tolaath”, is a reference to knowing that salvation is available and that new life can be ours by receiving this free gift offered. This presents us with a choice. 

Either.. Reject Jesus as our personal savior, thus allowing the Tolaa/ Tolaath to live forever. This would be the knowledge in your conscious memory that you rejected the good news in order to live life according to your own desires and your own worldview. 

Or… Receive Jesus as your personal savior, thus being part of a new birth that results from His sacrificial death. As you emerge from this Tolaa/ Tolaath, you will be covered and stained with the very blood that brought you forth. 

If the Crimson worm does not die on the tree, her children cannot LIVE.

Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

If this tola worm (Jesus) dieth not; we cannot be resurrected into heaven. Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. If we reject what Jesus did on the cross for us, that’s what Mark 9:48 is referring to! Without the Tola’s sacrifice, her children are unable to hatch! Can you imagine burning in Hell, fully understanding you blew it!? You had your chance, but instead rejected your only chance at salvation; which was a sacrifice by someone else?

The similarities are that an individual willingly climbs on to a tree in order to die and birth a family. Jesus willingly went to cross to die so that we can live as His family with Him eternally. The newborn baby worms are covered with the red fluid of the dying mother worm just as we are covered with Jesus red blood and are washed as white as snow. Is 1:18 though they be red like Crimson (tolaath) they shall be as wool.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Is 1:18

In Isaiah 1:18 the words scarlet and crimson refer to red colors that come from certain dyes. Ancient cultures placed great importance on dyes, especially those used for sacred or ceremonial purposes, such as burial clothing or purification rituals (see Leviticus 14:6). The point of a dye is that it is not only colorful but also colorfast, meaning that its rich color will stick to the cloth and not fade or wash away.

Scarlet and crimson are: Bright red, because of the vibrancy of their redness, they are emblems that stand out.

Red has a strong psychological effect on people, and it can be reminiscent of blood, which is sometime a symbol of guilt.

Our sins can can be grievous and obvious. 

Permanent: The colorfast nature of scarlet and crimson dyes is similar to our sins, and the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. According to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish. The Hebrew words for scarlet (shani) and crimson (tola) signify where the colors were derived from—a worm.

Just before the eggs were to hatch, these female insects were gathered, dried, and boiled. Alum was added as a mordant (a chemical that helps the dye stick to the cloth by combining to form an insoluble compound), and the resulting dye was used to make red-colored cloth.

Snow/Wool. Snow is rare but not unheard-of in most areas of Israel.In the northern part of the country, Mount Hermon is covered in snow every winter (there’s even a ski resort there today).

Wool was one of the most common fabrics in ancient Israel, and raising sheep was a common occupation. To make it a purer and brighter white in preparation for dyeing, wool was commonly soaked and washed in a strong soap.

Snow and wool are: Pure, bright white. White represents purity. When Isaiah says that the Lord can change our sins from scarlet or crimson to snow or wool, he is saying that the Lord can do something that is impossible for us to do on our own. A cloth dyed red stays red. But regardless of the stain of our sins, the Atonement of Messiah Yeshua can make us pure again if we repent.

The statement by the Lord when He calls Himself “a worm” is astounding.

At first glance, we know the worm has always portrayed depravity. It was in Gehenna where we are told in the Bible the worm dieth not and it was a worm that Job likened himself unto because he felt the lowliest of all creation.

“How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in His sight. How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?” Job 25:4-6

Picture above of Jonah who was used as bait like a towla worm as he was thrown from a ship and is swallowed by a great fish reminds us about Jesus as the towla worm.

Jonah 1:15 says ‘So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea, and the sea ceased from her raging’. Jonah 1:17 goes on to say, ‘Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights’.

How does the above picture of Jonah being used as a towla worm for a great fish to swallow relate to Jesus?

The answer can be found at Matthew 12:40 where it says ‘For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly (defined as a sea monster or devil’s belly), so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’

     Jonah as a type of towla worm was swallowed by the devil sea monster or great fish. Jesus also as a towla worm was swallowed by the devil at the cross. But, in like manner Jonah, when Jesus was ‘swallowed by the devil,’ Jesus destroyed the devil at the cross and after three days the devil had to let loose of Jesus and of Jonah.

Ephesians 4:9 that says ‘Now that He (Jesus) ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.’

     The devil thought he had defeated Jesus at the cross but Jesus turned the tables on the devil and destroyed the work of the devil at the cross.

Hebrews 2:14 says ‘that through death He (Jesus) might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.’

Jesus totally stripped the devil of his power and proclaimed it in..

Revelation 1:18 ‘now I have the keys of hell and death and I am He that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore; Amen, and have the keys of hell and death.’

The worms also had their part in the death of the wicked king as recorded in the book of Acts. However, we also know that Jesus was sinless! He was never touched by the depravity, which is a part of our nature. He was tempted, yet without sin! Therefore, when He refers to Himself as a worm there must be a deeper meaning and there is!

Worm in Latin it is the “Coccus Illicus” coccus ilicis. (n.d.). Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary.

  1. The dried bodies of the females of a scale insect (Coccus ilicis), allied to the cochineal insect, and found on several species of oak near the Mediterranean. They are round, about the size of a pea, contain coloring matter analogous to carmine, and are used in dyeing. They were anciently thought to be of a vegetable nature, and were used in medicine.

    (Bot.) A small European evergreen oak (Quercus coccifera) on which the kermes insect (Coccus ilicis) feeds. –J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants). 

The crimson worm is also very fragrant when it is crushed. Like the crimson worm Jesus was crushed for our sin. 

Ephesians 5:2 ‘and walk in love as Christ also has loved us and has given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.’And 2 Cor 2:16 To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life-giving perfume.

In the research of this post, it was discovered in

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary.

that the crushed worm is also used to make medicine.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isa 53:5 NIV

“… the crushed ìcoccus ilicisî contains a chemical that is an anti-bacterial agent which is why it was used in two types of purification ceremonies:

  1. When there was a plague, scarlet was included in the purification of the house. And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet. (Lev 14:52).

  2. The scarlet worm was also used in the formula with the ashes of the red heifer. And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. (Num. 19:6)

These ashes were used to cleanse a person when they came into contact with a dead body (a host for bacteria). This crimson, the worm coccus ilicis, was necessary to make one clean, which is symbolic of the blood of Jesus removing the sin of disease and death from us.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised [crushed] for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Is 53:5, Heb 9:13-14).

The word “finished” in the original Greek means “paid in full”.  “We owed a debt we could never pay” and Jesus “paid a debt He didn’t owe” for us.  Sin no longer has dominion over us if we accept His sacrifice for us, Rom. 6:14.

John 19:30 So when Jesus received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Jesus’ last act was to sacrifice His life for us. His last words were, “It is finished”.

“““

Sometimes we are willing to accept interesting stories that we think are evidence justifying our faith, will glorify God, or they just find inspiring, and then pass them on to others, without ever doing a fact check. Hopefully this reference has passed the test of scrutiny with reliable sources referenced for the insect facts and Hebrew language.

Everyday the Holy Spirit will reveal and enlighten to us the Scriptures as we sow them in our heart, we should continue to be thrilled at the new things He shows us in His Word. There is nothing new under the sun but there are some things that suddenly seem to come to life as we read them. Personal research is profitable and always encouraged. The same word Towla is also found in Num 19:6 And the priest shall take Cedar wood and hyssop and Scarlet (towla), and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. (Notice anything unusual about the cow?!)And the priest shall take Cedar wood and hyssop and Scarlet (towla), and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.Three objects were burned with the heifer: cedarwood, hyssop and Scarlet (towla) thread from the sacrificial goat designated as the sin offering.

The Hebrew phrase for “red heifer” is “פרה אדומה” – “parah adumah” and literally means “red cow,” however in the verses quoted above, we read the term “red heifer” because a heifer more specifically describes the kind of cow which was to be brought to Moses and Aaron. A heifer is defined as “a young female cow over one year old that has not produced a calf.” It was to be a particular kind of cow and it was to be a particular color as well, red.The red heifer that the children of Israel were to bring to Moses and Aaron had to meet all of the criteria that the LORD specified:

  1. “unblemished” – “תמימה” – “temimah” – “whole” or “complete”

  2. “no defect” – “אין בה מום” – “ein bo mum” – “no spot or defect in it”

  3. “on which a yoke has never been placed” – “אשר לא עלה עליה עול” – “asher lo alah alei’ah ol” 

This young, female, red cow had to fit these specifications exactly. She could never have worked a day in her life. She needed to be whole and complete, without any spot or defect in anyway. She had to be a perfect, red heifer.

For Jesus to be the red heifer sacrifice, these elements needed to be present at his sacrifice and they were.

     THE WOOD OF THE TREE; THE HYSSOP WITH THE SPONGE AND THE SCARLET ROBE; PLUS HE WAS WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH MEANING HE WAS INNOCENT AND SINLESS.

The Red Heifer was the one mystery hidden even from Solomon who couldn’t understand its significance.Red hyssopWe can declare daily that we are crucified with Messiah and the Blood of Jesus/Yeshua covers us and by which we defeat and overcome the devil as we praise and worship Jesus/Yeshua as God. We believe the blood of Jesus is our most powerful weapon to destroy the works of the enemy and will give us victory daily in our lives. The Blood of Jesus will never lose its power. It continually speaks for us and cries ‘mercies’ -‘rachamim’. Thank you Lord Jesus/Adonai Yeshua, for forever covering your saints with the Blood of Your Covenant that will never fade away.

If you are not sure you are saved..

Please don’t leave this site without assurance in your heart, see prayer at bottom of page.

***Extra note as promised for those still a little hungry:

Miracle Of The Crimson Cord On The Temple Doors…

The Talmudic references (Hebrew commentaries) to the mystery of the scarlet cloth that was tied to the scapegoat and failed to turn white for 40 years after Yeshua died, until the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD. In the same story the Temple doors would open every night until the temple was destroyed. click link below:

 https://www.minimannamoments.com/mystery-of-the-hekel/

In the book of Leviticus chapter 15, the Lord/Adonai/Hashem/The Name; instructed Moses and Aaron to select two goats every year for an offering. One was to be used as a sin offering to atone for the sins and transgressions of the people.Once killed, its blood was to be sprinkled on the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant. There Hashem would view the blood of the sin offering and have Mercy on the people and forgive their sins. The high priest would then lay hands on the second goat which was allowed to live and he would confess the sins of the people putting them on the head of the goat. The goat would then bear the blame of all the transgression of the people and would be set free into the wilderness, where Hashem would remember their sins no more. The goat became known as the scapegoat.

Jewish history records that it was common practice to tie a red strip of cloth to the scapegoat. The red strip represented the sin of the people which was atoned for by the red blood on the mercy seat. According to the Jewish Talmud this red strip would eventually turn white, signaling Hashem’s acceptance of the offering.
There is an amazing reference in the Talmud that verifies that after Yeshua was crucified, Hashem no longer accepted the sin offering and the scapegoat offered by the Jewish high priest.

The Talmud states
       “Forty years before the Temple was destroyed (30 A.D.) the chosen lot was not picked with the right hand, nor did the crimson stripe turn white, nor did the westernmost light burn; and the doors of the Temple’s Holy Place swung open by themselves, until Rabbi Yochanon ben Zakkai spoke saying: ‘O most Holy Place, why have you become disturbed? I know full well that your destiny will be destruction, for the prophet Zechariah ben Iddo has already spoken regarding you saying: ‘Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour the cedars’ (Zech. 11:1).’  Talmud Bavli, Yoma 39b
 
It is important to note that this event recorded in the Talmud occurred approx. 40 years before the destruction of the Temple which was destroyed in 70 AD. The date of this amazing event was approx.30 AD, the same time that Yeshua shed his blood as the final scapegoat offering.

The Day of Atonement in Bible Times. In the ceremony of the two goats, the two goats were considered as one offering. A crimson sash was tied around the horns of the goat marked azazel. At the appropriate time, the goat was led to a steep cliff in the wilderness and shoved off the cliff. In connection with this ceremony, an interesting tradition arose that is mentioned in the Mishnah. A portion of the crimson sash was attached to the door of the temple (Beit HaMikdash) before the goat was sent into the wilderness. The sash would turn from red to white as the goat met its end, signaling to the people that G-d had accepted their sacrifices and their sins were forgiven. This was based upon Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 1:18. As stated earlier, the Mishnah tells us that 40 years before the destruction of the temple (Beit HaMikdash), the sash stopped turning white. This, of course, was when Yeshua was slain on the tree.

But Adonai came as High Priest..not with the blood of lambs, goats and calves,but with HIS own blood

He entered the Most Holy Place once and for all, setting people free forever. 

…And according to the Scriptures/Torah almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is not remission…so Adonai offered once to bear the sins of many.

To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation…For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goat could take away sins… By that while we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Yeshua once for all….this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God…For by one offering He was perfected for ever those who are being sanctified ..says the LORD: I will put My laws in their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”   Hebrew 9:11- 10:17

Shalom and Happy Spiritual New Year. If a worm can reveal so much of the Gospel how much more should we!

Make certain Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. 

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE?

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/welcome-come-taste-some-bread-of-life-bread-from-heaven/life-changing-information-guaranteed/