Parasha: V’ikra – and He called
Torah: V’ikra 1:1 – 6:7
Our modern judicial system seems to follow the Torah’s prescribed ruling that ignorance of the law does not automatically impute innocence with a plea of ignorance.
Here is what the Torah teaches:
13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of Avinu concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty; 14 When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation. (V’Ikra 4:13-14)
22 When a ruler has sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of Avinu his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty; 23 Or if his sin, wherein he has sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish: (V’Ikra 4:22-23)
5 And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing: 6 And he shall bring his trespass offering (V’Ikra 5:5-6)
17 And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of Avinu; though he knew it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity. 18 And he shall bring a ram without blemish (V’Ikra 5:17-18)
The Torah is clear that once someone recognizes that he has broken the law in the past, he must confess his sin and bring a sacrifice to atone for his past sins. There isn’t a “statute of limitations” nullifying a sin after a period of time.
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (1Jo 3:4 NKJV)
This definition of sin found in 1 John 3:4 is a base line definition for most sins. There are several verses in the Apostolic Writings that expand this definition and our understanding of what sin is under the Messianic Administration.
Salvation in the Messianic Administration
Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is the PROCESS through which a believer is granted access to stand before Avinu to confess his sins, declare his repentance, and ask for forgiveness. This is how the process works. When a Believer becomes aware of a sin in his life, it’s because the Holy Spirit is working within him. This is why it is written,
Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness (kindness) of Avinu leads you to repentance? (Ro 2:4)
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same letter has made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a Avinu like manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For Avinu like sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a Avinu like sort, what carefulness it worked in you, yes, what clearing of yourselves, yes, what indignation, yes, what fear, yes, what vehement desire, yes, what zeal, yes, what revenge! In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2Co 7:8-11)
Notice the “process” from sorrow, to repentance, to salvation. Up to this point, we have recognized a sin in our lives and been moved to a state of “Avinu like sorrow
Shaul explained repentance” when he wrote, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs. (Eph 4:28)
Repentance is the doing of the opposite of sin. Instead of being a thief, we become a giver. The next step in the process is a wonderful revelation of Avinu’s love for us. When the Temple was destroyed, man lost his ability to approach Avinu of His Mercy Seat. This ability to approach (access) required blood atonement.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life.(Le 17:11)
Without a blood atonement, man was forbidden by penalty of death to approach Avinu. Avinu took care of this by shedding His blood to be our permanent atonement (covering) . That is why it is written,
1 Then truly the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show bread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the (ordinary) priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the (daily) service of Avinu. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Spirit signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Meshiach being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Meshiach, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to Avinu, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living Avinu? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which Avinu has enjoined to you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Meshiach is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Avinu for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Meshiach was once offered to bear the sins of many; and to them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin to salvation. 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Why when he comes into the world, he said, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, See, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O Avinu. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you would not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, See, I come to do your will, O Avinu. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Yeshua HaMeshiach once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of Avinu; 13 From now on expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, said the Master, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yeshua, 20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of Avinu; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (Heb 9:1-10:23)
The one time, blood sacrifice of Yeshua provides the way into the presence of Avinu. That is why it is written,
14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both to Avinu in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were near. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of Avinu; 20 And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua HaMeshiach himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows to an holy temple in the Master: 22 In whom you also are built together for an habitation of Avinu through the Spirit. (Eph 2:14-22 )
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in Avinu, who created all things by Yeshua HaMeshiach: 10 To the intent that now to the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the congregation the manifold wisdom of Avinu, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Meshiach Yeshua our Master: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Eph 3:9-12 )
through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of Avinu. (Ro 5:2)
Yeshua summed it up in one verse when He said, “Yeshua said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 )
Now we know that when we pray to Avinu, our prayers are heard. This opens the way to the final step. And so it is written, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)
And he shall confess that he has sinned”—Leviticus 5:5.
One who has sinned is obligated to verbally confess and say, “Please, Avinu, I have sinned by doing…” The individual should then elaborate to the best of his ability and ask Avinu for forgiveness. This mitzvah applies whether the sin was against Avinu or against a fellow man.
Even in the times of the Holy Temple when a person would bring a sin-offering to attain forgiveness, he was still required to orally confess his sin. The same for those who were guilty of capital offenses, they were asked to confess their sin prior to their execution.
The process: Awareness, sorrow, repentance, access and confession result in the forgiveness of our sins. It is a wonderful gift that Avinu has given to us. Salvation is now available to Avinu’s elect. Those that have been called into a special relationship with Avinu. This is why we can joyfully say,
And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name (authority) under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved. (Ac 4:12)
Note: One of the Hebrew words translated “salvation” is Yeshua. It means “the forgiveness of sin”.
Ye worship that which you know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. (John 4:22)
One of the sins atoned for by the guilt-offering is robbery. In order for the sacrifice to atone for this sin, however, the robber had to first return the article that he robbed.
Returning Spiritually Robbed Goods
[Avinu told Moses that if a robber wishes to atone for his sin by offering up a guilt-offering,] he must [first] return the article that he had robbed. Leviticus 5:23 Spiritually, “robbed articles” are anything that we, by sinning, have “robbed” from Avinu and given over to the forces of evil, whether a physical object, a moment in time, or human potential.
Our task in life is to return the world’s robbed entities to their rightful owner, i.e., to reorient everything that has been given over to the cause of evil toward Divinity, beginning with whatever we ourselves have “robbed” from Avinu through our misdeeds. This is the essence of repentance: restoring the world to its natural, Divine state. Through repentance, it is further possible for us to reach even greater heights than we had attained before sinning.
For those who believe that “Salvation” is a one time event, here are a few verses to consider:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jo 1:9 )
We must confess our sins to have them forgiven. We must also ask to have any “unrighteousness” taken away from us.
Whom Avinu has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of Avinu; (Ro 3:25 )
These are the “sins” that we have already committed, acknowledged, repented from and asked to have them forgiven.
But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (2Pe 1:9 )
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