Last week we looked at the laws that all of Israel are under, so that we can be clean and set apart for service to YHWH. This week's rules are for the priests that serve in the Tabernacle or Temple, as well as special rules just for the High Priest.
The bottom line is that the closer we get to God, the more we must be set apart from things that defile.
In addition, we are reminded that the priests have the responsibility of
teaching what is clean and unclean to the rest of Israel.
I am reminded of Yeshua's words:
"Do not think that I have
come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-19, ESV).
It is very important to do God's commands. Of course, if we read through all of our Master's teachings in Matthew 5-7, we would also remember that doing them from a pure heart of love to God and others is the foundation of obedience.
- Teaching God's commands is also
important.
When children are young, we teach them *what* to do.
As they get a little older, we are careful to teach them *why* they should do it, giving reasons from Scripture whenever possible.
As they mature toward adulthood, we must finally teach them *to teach others*. This is where they internalize their head knowledge about God and learn how to apply it in
every life situation. - "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews
5:12-14).
- Scripture says that "solid food," which is appropriate for those who can reproduce and teach others, is only for people who are skilled in righteousness. They need constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (See below for a blog post with ideas on how to do this.)
Help your kids apply what they learn, and then pray for practical ways that you can raise up the next generation of a holy nation and a set-apart priesthood.
