Torah portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Acharei mot (‘after the death’)

In Israel, this Torah portion is read in the spring: a time of warmth and beauty, when the flowers appear and the voice of the turtledove is heard (Song of Solomon 2:11-12). It is at the end of the month of Nisan, with a message for a ‘spring clean’ in our lives, and a renewal of our reverence for God’s awesome holiness.

The Need for Humility

Moses was reminded about the important difference between the holy and the common, the sacred and the profane. The God of Israel expressed His Presence in the Tabernacle as infinite Holiness, and it was only one man, the High Priest, who was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies where God ‘dwelt’, and then only once a year, on Yom Kippur. 

Aaron’s disobedient sons entered the Holy Place to burn incense in a self-motivated way (Lev 10:1) and were consumed by God’s fire. After their deaths (acharei mot), God told Aaron that he could not approach His Presence just whenever he chose, or he would also die. 

He must have made a sin offering, set aside his High Priest’s garments and put on a simple linen tunic (signifying purity and humility). Only then could he enter God’s Presence to represent a flawed community before a God who was both Holy, Holy, Holy(Isa 6:3) and also a consuming fire (Heb 12:29). 

The Need for Submission

There is often in church groups today a great superficiality when entering the holiness of God’s Presence. Believers often come into His Presence as if it were a social gathering, an opportunity to catch up with friends, or to update church business. 

Holy and reverend, literally fear-full (nora, from yare, meaning to be afraid) is His Name (Ps 111:9). There are many distractions to this reverent attitude in the Presence of the Living God, which can prevent us from obtaining cleansing and coming in humility before the Lord of lords. 

Even the reading of His precious Word of truth can be taken lightly and without understanding. His Word simply commands us to submit to God and His righteousness in humility (James 4:7; Rom 10:3).

We need priestly linen garments, and an attitude of humility and submission, lest we fail to learn from Aaron’s sons, who in self-appointed pride or zeal were consumed by God’s fire. When we respond to God’s command to “Choose life”, it is only by daily cleansing and faith in Jesus’ Blood shed for us that we can walk in the awesome holiness of His Presence. 

God has spoken to us through His Son (Heb 3:2), calling us to “Listen to Him” (Matt 17:5) and walk as He did, in the Father’s ways.

Life is Sacred 

Our life is God’s gift, and for Him to dwell in us we must express our love for Him by obeying His teaching. The Torah is Jesus’ way of life for His redeemed people (see Matthew 5), and in this portion we find prohibitions of eating blood (the symbol of sacred life) and of a range of unlawful sexual practices as pursued by pagan nations, which defile both man and the land. For these things God confirmed that He would blow upon them with His fiery wrath and they would be melted (Ezek 22:21). 

As a nation, and as His church, in these days, we need to mark the difference between the holy and the common, the sacred and the profane. If we are to receive the blessings and protection of His Presence, we must follow in His way. 

That is His Truth (Amen). This is a good time for a spring clean.

Author: Greg Stevenson