Your Daily Pesuk Aug. 14, 2018

Parashat Shoftim / פרשת שופטים

• Tue, 14 August 2018 = 3rd of Elul, 5778
• ג׳ בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 18:1-5 (5 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 18:1-5 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18 “The Levitical kohanim, all the tribe of Levi, are to have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the offerings made to Adonai by fire as His inheritance. 2 They will have no inheritance among their brothers—Adonai is their inheritance, just as He promised them. 3 So this will be the share due to the kohanim from the people—from those who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or sheep, they are to give the kohen the shoulder, two cheeks, and the stomach. 4 The firstfruits of your grain, of your new wine, of your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep, you are to give him. 5 For Adonai your God has chosen him from all your tribes to stand and serve in the Name of Adonai—him and his sons forever.

18 לֹֽא־יִ֠הְיֶה לַכֹּהֲנִ֨ים הַלְוִיִּ֜ם כָּל־שֵׁ֧בֶט לֵוִ֛י חֵ֥לֶק וְנַחֲלָ֖ה עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אִשֵּׁ֧י יְהוָ֛ה וְנַחֲלָת֖וֹ יֹאכֵלֽוּן׃

2 וְנַחֲלָ֥ה לֹא־יִֽהְיֶה־לּ֖וֹ בְּקֶ֣רֶב אֶחָ֑יו יְהוָה֙ ה֣וּא נַחֲלָת֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּר־לֽוֹ׃ ס

3 וְזֶ֡ה יִהְיֶה֩ מִשְׁפַּ֨ט הַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים מֵאֵ֣ת הָעָ֗ם מֵאֵ֛ת זֹבְחֵ֥י הַזֶּ֖בַח אִם־שׁ֣וֹר אִם־שֶׂ֑ה וְנָתַן֙ לַכֹּהֵ֔ן הַזְּרֹ֥עַ וְהַלְּחָיַ֖יִם וְהַקֵּבָֽה׃

4 רֵאשִׁ֨ית דְּגָֽנְךָ֜ תִּֽירֹשְׁךָ֣ וְיִצְהָרֶ֗ךָ וְרֵאשִׁ֛ית גֵּ֥ז צֹאנְךָ֖ תִּתֶּן־לּֽוֹ׃

5 כִּ֣י ב֗וֹ בָּחַ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ מִכָּל־שְׁבָטֶ֑יךָ לַעֲמֹ֨ד לְשָׁרֵ֧ת בְּשֵׁם־יְהוָ֛ה ה֥וּא וּבָנָ֖יו כָּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ ס

There are only 5 short pesukim today; however they are profound.  It is stated three times who/what is the inheritance of the Levites.  Adonai Himself is their inheritance, and Israel is commanded to provide their sustenance.  The priests (Kohanim) are to eat of the offerings and sacrifices of the nation.  Finally, and most noteworthy is the statement that the Levitical Priesthood is Eternal.  It is an Eternal Covenant with God and the sons of Aaron.  כָּל־הַיָּמִֽים  Kal Hayamim, is the translation, literally meaning "all the days".  It is a never-ending priesthood.

Now we know that the Book of Hebrews makes clear that the Messiah is not of Levi, and yet he is called a "priest", and actually His priesthood is superior and is what provides our ultimate atonement.  That however, does not negate or nullify the covenant with Levi.

Numbers 25:12 So now say: See, I am making with him a covenant of shalom! 13 It will be for him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood—because he was zealous for his God and atoned for Bnei-Yisrael.”

When God said "forever" He means "forever".  However, that does not mean there was not a need for a "better priesthood" one that can spiritually exceed where Levi has failed...

And yes, Levi did fail...

Malachi 2:7 For a kohen’s lips should guard knowledge,

and instruction must be sought from his mouth.
For he is a messenger of Adonai-Tzva’ot.
8 But you have turned from the way.
You caused many to stumble in Torah by the instruction,
You corrupted the covenant of the Levites,”
—says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
9 “So I also have made you despised and lowly to all the people,
because you are not keeping My ways but show favoritism in Torah.”

This again, does not mean that Levi was "replaced" or that the covenant was nullified.  Just because they failed does not make God's Promises null and void.  Because His promises are NOT based on our ability to "be righteous".  God simply provided a better priesthood...without nullifying the former.

Hebrews 7:11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for based on it the people had been given the Torah), what further need was there for a different kohen to arise—designated according to the order of Melchizedek, not according to the order of Aaron? 12 For whenever the priesthood is altered, out of necessity an alteration of law also takes place. 13 For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord has sprung forth from Judah—concerning this tribe, Moses said nothing about kohanim. 15 And it is even more evident, if another kohen arises like Melchizedek— 16 one made not by virtue of a Torah requirement of physical descent, but by virtue of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is testified,

“You are a kohen forever,
    according to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand, a former requirement is set aside because of its weakness and ineffectiveness— 19 for Torah made nothing perfect. But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

20 Moreover, it was not without a sworn oath. (Others indeed have become kohanim without a sworn oath, 21 but He with an oath—sworn by the One who said to Him, “Adonai has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a kohen forever.’”) 22 How much more then has Yeshua become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 Now on the one hand, many have become kohanim, who through death are prevented from continuing in office.  24 But on the other hand, the One who does remain forever has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, always living to make intercession for them.

26 For such a Kohen Gadol was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need to offer up sacrifices day by day like those other kohanim g’dolim—first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people. For when He offered up Himself, He did this once for all. 28 For the Torah appoints as kohanim g’dolim men who have weakness; but the word of the oath, which came after the Torah, appoints a Son—made perfect forever.

This is a difficult passage to interpret, and the question asked by the author in pesuk 11 "what further need is there for another kohen" -The writer of Hebrews does not ask "what further need is there of "Levi" - he's asking what further need is there of a different kohen? This is answered by the following texts, that the human priesthood of Levi by itself cannot change us or make complete atonement for all of us, because the priests themselves are limited.  It "appears" that Levi is "set aside" in pesuk 18 & 19, but that is not the case...

18 For on the one hand, a former requirement is set aside because of its weakness and ineffectiveness— 19 for Torah made nothing perfect. But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

No where here does it say that Levi's priesthood is therefore "set aside" or "terminated" because of its ineffectiveness.  Rather, a "better priesthood" is ADDED, to bring us all to the goal of "PERFECTION".

There is no conflict, nor is there any contradiction in the Scriptures.  Levi endures.  Levi will always endure, and will be a priesthood "FOREVER". 

Even this is prophesied in the End Times by Isaiah the prophet who speaks of Levites and priests still operating during a time of Israel's full restoration...

Isaiah 66:It is a declaration of Adonai. 18 “For I know their works and their thoughts. It will come about that I will gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. 19 Then I will set up a sign among them, and I will send survivors from them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul and Lud (who pull the bow), to Tubal and Javan, to distant islands that have not heard My fame or seen My glory. Then they will declare My glory among the nations.

20 “Then they will bring all your kinsmen from all the nations, as an offering to Adonai, on horses and in chariots, and on litters, mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says Adonai, “just as Bnei-Yisrael bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the House of Adonai. 21 I will also take some of them as priests and for Levites,” says Adonai.

22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will endure before Me”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“so your descendants and your name will endure.”

23 “And it will come to pass,
that from one New Moon to another,
    and from one Shabbat to another,
all flesh will come to bow down before Me,”
says Adonai.

One last point.  Many non-Messianic Jews argue that Torah is "NEVER" changed or altered.  However, that is not true.  Torah originally appointed the First Born of all Israel to be the original Kohanim (Priests).  Many of the First-born blew it at the Golden Calf incident, but the tribe of Levi proved faithful to Adonai.  It is then God chose them to become the "Priests" of Israel.  However, that did not nullify the FACT - that all Jews (Israel) were to be a "NATION OF PRIESTS".

Exodus 19:3 “Say this to the house of Jacob, and tell Bnei-Yisrael, 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now then, if you listen closely to My voice, and keep My covenant, then you will be My own treasure from among all people, for all the earth is Mine. 6 So as for you, you will be to Me a kingdom of kohanim and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you are to speak to Bnei-Yisrael.”

If God who made this promise to the whole Nation of Israel, and claimed that the Firstborn are to be priests, but later added Levi as a priesthood - how is it that He cannot also add yet even another priesthood to that which Levi cannot provide?  The argument is absurd.

Israel is still a "Nation of Priests", choosing the Firstborn did not change that.  The Firstborn still belong to Adonai and are consecrated to Him, appointing Levi did not change that; and finally appointing Yeshua the Messiah to be a Priest Forever in the Order of Melchizedek, does not negate any of the former promises!

Isn't it good to know our God always keeps His promises.  For if He ever broke them to anyone, how could we expect Him to keep them with us?