The 613 Mitzvot: 41-45
We are often asked to do teachings on the 613 commandments found in the Jewish faith. Understandably, such a teaching or teaching series would be an immense undertaking. However, we thought we may be able to go through it, at least in part, in our blogs. This is an ongoing blog series that we will do at different times without any real schedule planned. We will not be going into great depth in this series.
The format for these blog posts will be simple. We will cite a traditional rabbinic commandment as found in the AENT (Aramaic-English New Testament), provide the Scripture that it is supposed to be based from, indicate if we agree that it is a commandment we can do today or if it is one that cannot apply today and then why or why not. Then we will give a few notes or thoughts as to why believe it can or cannot be applied today. Last time we looked at commandments thirty-six through forty, this week we will take a brief look at five more.
Commandment: On the Shabbat additional, musaf, offering
Numbers 28:9 (ESV)
“On the Sabbath day, two male lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with oil, and its drink offering:”
Notes:
This is another commandment that we do not believe can be properly obeyed today. A built temple does not currently exist till the 1000 year reign. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment. An established Earthly priesthood is not currently organized and available to carry out this commandment. For us to attempt to do so as things are would be doing them our own way and not His way.
Commandment: On the New Moon, Rosh Chodesh, additional offering
Numbers 28:11 (ESV)
“At the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to the Lord: two bulls from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish;”
Notes:
As before, we agree this is a commandment to be followed, however it is not one that can be done at this time. There currently does not exist an Earthly Levitical priesthood to carry out this commandment nor is there a temple and altar for it to be done. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment.
Commandment: On the Pesach (Passover/Unleavened Bread), additional offering
Leviticus 23:36 (ESV)
For seven days you shall present food offerings to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present a food offering to the Lord. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work.
Notes:
As before, we agree this is a commandment to be followed, however it is not one that can be done at this time. There currently does not exist an Earthly Levitical priesthood to carry out this commandment nor is there a temple and altar for it to be done. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment.
Commandment: On the second day of Pesach (Unleavened Bread), meal offering of the Omer
Leviticus 23:10 (ESV)
“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest,”
Notes:
As before, we agree this is a commandment to be followed, however it is not one that can be done at this time. There currently does not exist an Earthly Levitical priesthood to carry out this commandment nor is there a temple and altar for it to be done. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment. For more on the counting of the omer and first fruits, please see our Time: Our Creator’s Calendar teaching series.
Commandment: On the Shavuot additional, musaf, offering
Numbers 28:26 (ESV)
“On the day of the firstfruits, when you offer a grain offering of new grain to the Lord at your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work,”
Notes:
As before, we agree this is a commandment to be followed, however it is not one that can be done at this time. There currently does not exist an Earthly Levitical priesthood to carry out this commandment nor is there a temple and altar for it to be done. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment.
We hope this has helped bring a little clarity to the ninth set of 5 commandments and their applicability to our lives today, at least as we currently understand them. Aside from ourselves, keeping the cultural understanding and Scriptural context are our greatest obstacle to understanding, and thus obeying, the ways of our Creator. Each day we must choose whether to obey or disobey thereby choosing whom we are serving.
Shalom