Vayyiqra 19 (Leviticus 19)

Vayyiqra 19 may seem like a list of rules that can be burdensome; however, it is much more than that.  One should meditate on these and other parts of Torah to fully understand where Yehovah is directing the individual.  One must look deeply below the surface to appreciate what is written.  If all one does is implement these and does not keep meditating on them, they will defraud themselves out of something much greater.  These statutes are quite the opposite of what most imagine.  They are freeing and lead the believer to the heart of Yehovah.

Vayyiqra 19:1-2

¹ And Yehovah spoke to Moshe, saying,  ² Speak to all the congregation (edah) of the Children of Yisrael, and say to them, You shall be holy (qadosh): for I Yehovah your Redeemer holy (qadosh).

Within Vayyiqra 19, Yehovah is found 22 times.  Yehovah your Redeemer (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה) is found 8 times.  Redeemer (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם) is used one time in reference to an idol.

When Moshe tells the Children of Yisrael these words, it should become obvious to them that this is coming from Yehovah Himself.  Further, it ought to be obvious to the listener or reader, the enormity of what Yehovah is stating.

One may think that they could boil this all down to one statute, love your neighbor as yourself.  However, the question that comes to my mind is; do most people hate themselves?  Because for the most part, most of us do not treat others very well.  This includes believers and non-believers alike.  Truthfully, there is a lot more here than just love you neighbor.

The purpose of Torah was never to list a collection of rules.  Torah, similar to any other part of the Bible, is a book that one should meditate on.  Often the reader needs to look below the surface for the deeper meaning of the words.  When they find it, they need to discuss it with others who are likeminded.  Then they need to keep meditating, because there is even more to be learned.  Scriptures are a multi-facet book that increases one perspective similar to a gem that is multifaceted.  The understanding of Scriptures should never be concluded.  There is always more that can be absorbed from the word.

One of the major themes of Vayyiqra 19 is Yehovah is holy, we must be holy.  If we would obey and meditate on the words of Vayyiqra 19, it will drive us to a righteousness that would be holy.  Then accessing and being in communion with Yehovah would become easier and easier.  To get to this, we must start by obeying the literal word and work towards the newness of the Spirit, Romans 7:6.

⁶ But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of Spirit, and not the oldness of the letter.

We will find that the literal and the spiritual are dependent upon each other.  We must never discount one for the other.

Vayyiqra 19:3

³ You shall fear every man (ish) his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am Yehovah your Redeemer.

First, one is to fear his mother and father.  This goes back to the 5^th Commandment, Shemos 20:12.

¹² Honor your father and your mother.  That your days may be long upon the land which Yehovah your Redeemer gives you.

Paul refers to this in the New Testament; however, Paul clarifies the meaning for the New Testament believer,  Ephesians 6:1.

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

This is the answer when Shemos and Vayyiqra are used against a person when they do not agree with their physical parents on Spiritual matters.  Yes, we should honor our father and mother, but not if it conflicts with our Father in Heaven and the faith of scriptures, our mother.  Paul is telling the believers to obey their parents in the Lord.  The phrase “in the Lord” makes all the difference.  Our parents in the Lord are not the same as our biological parents.  Paul states in 1 Timothy 5:1-2.

¹Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; ² The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

This is necessary, because often our biological or physical parents are not believers or even likeminded many times.  Further, if our parents are believers in a harlot church, this would present problems.  Paul is referring to our spiritual parents, Ephesians 6:2-3.

² Honor your father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) ³ That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.

The younger believer is to obey those the Lord puts over them.  There is another side to this, Ephesians 6:4.

⁴ And, fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The elders of the congregation are not to provoke the younger believers.  They are not to take control.  Peter warns of this in 1 Peter 5:1-3.

¹ The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Messiah and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: ² Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy profit, but of a ready mind; ³ Neither as being lords over heritage, but being examples to the flock.

One is to never do this for gain or control.  One should do for love to serve Messiah and God’s will.  The elders are to treat the younger as in 1 Corinthians 12:22-24.

²² Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: ²³ And those of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely have more abundant comeliness.  ²⁴ For our comely have no need: but God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that which lacked:

Elders are to treat the younger with just as much honor and respect as we would treat a more mature member.  Often, the needs of the younger are to be placed above that of the elder.  This will be discussed later in Vayyiqra 19.  We must all work together in the body for the common good of the Spirit.  We ought not to prefer one member over another, but honor those that are less for the betterment of all.

Then Yehovah tells us to “keep My Sabbaths”.  This is referring to more than the Seventh Day Sabbath.  Vayyiqra 23 specifies seven more Sabbaths called Holy Convocations.  These are Sabbaths based on the calendar date and not the week day.  These are:

• 1^st day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 15^th of Aviv or Nisan.
• 7^th day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 21^st of Aviv or Nisan.
• Shavous or Pentecost, 6^th of Sivan.
• Rosh Hashanah or the New Year, 1^st of Tishri.
• Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement, 10^th of Tishri.
• 1^st day of Sukkoth or the Feast of Tabernacles, 15^th of Tishri.
• Shemini Atzeres, 8^th Festival, 22^nd of Tishri.

It also includes the Sabbatical Year and the Jubilees.  These are Sabbaths for the land.  It was given as one of the reasons the Children of Yisrael went into exile to Bavel, 2 Divre Hayyamim 36:21.

²¹ To fulfil the word of Yehovah by the mouth of Yirmeyahu, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths.  As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

So we are to observe the Sabbaths.  Yet there are those that would tell you that the disciples of the First Century observed the first day of the week.  They base it on Acts 20:7.

⁷ And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

However, day is in italics.  That means the translator added it to the original text.  Week comes from the Greek word σάββατον sabbaton (G4521).  It is in the Bible 68 times.  σάββατον sabbaton (G4521) is translated sabbath day 37 times, sabbath 22 times and week 9 times.  It seems that the translators indiscriminately translated a Greek word that came from the Hebrew word שַׁבָּת shabbath (H7676) to week to fit a misunderstanding of the Hebrew Festivals.  This was done 9 times.  Week is actually not even in the New Testament.  Acts 20:7 should have been translated:

⁷ And upon the first of the Sabbath, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

The disciples meet on the Sabbath Day to break bread.  We need to keep Yehovah’s Sabbath as He originally stated.  We are not to follow traditions of the church elders that were not even practiced or promulgated by Yeshua.

In addition to these Sabbaths, there are two more that Yeshua referred to in Yochanan 10:22-23.

²² And it was at Yerushalayim the Feast of the Dedication, and it was winter.  ²³ And Yeshua walked in the Temple in Shelomo’s porch.

During Yeshua’s ministry, the only time Yeshua would go to Yerushalayim was for the migratory festivals.  The Feast of Dedication is another name for Chanukah.  It was created by the Maccabees to commemorate the dedication of the Temple in approximately 150 B.C.  If it was merely a tradition of the elders, then why did Yeshua observe it?  Possibly, He was telling us something and we need to look deep into our hearts, Yochanan 10:24-27.

²⁴ Then came the Yehudim round about Him, and said to Him, How long do You make us to doubt?  If You be the Messiah, tell us plainly.  ²⁵ Yeshua answered them, I told you, and you believed not.  The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.  ²⁶ But you believe not, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.  ²⁷ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

This adds an additional two Holy Convocations.  One thing is for sure, Yeshua was not erecting a tree in His house this time of the year.

Vayyiqra 19:4

⁴ Turn you not to idols, nor make to yourselves molten redeemers: I Yehovah your Redeemer.

We are not to turn to idols or make our own.  We are never to look for another Redeemer other than Yehovah.  This includes making images and worshiping them.  Then claiming that these are Yeshua.  As crazy as that seems, there are Christian denominations that do that today.  This includes many Protestant denominations.  We are to worship the unseen God Yehovah.

Vayyiqra 19:5

⁵ And if you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yehovah, you shall offer it at your own will.

This is one of the most important principles of our faith.  There are things that we should do and there are things that should be completely voluntary.  The peace offering is to be completely voluntary.  It is something that an individual does to reconcile their relationship with Yehovah.  This is something beyond salvation.  One cannot reconcile another’s relationship to God.  This is something one should want to do, but not all believers are ready to make that step.  Salvation is done for the individual.  Reconciliation is the step beyond salvation that starts to heal an individual’s life.  One must be prepared to make this step on their own.

This is true of all our relationships.  We cannot force reconciliation between two individuals.  It must be voluntary.  If not, then there will be an issue in the future.  Forcing reconciliation could lead to a more severe breech in the relationship between two individuals.

Vayyiqra 19:6-8

⁶ It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire.  ⁷ And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.  ⁸ Therefore that eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the hallowed thing of Yehovah.  And that soul shall be cut off from among his people (am).

This was previously stated in Vayyiqra 7:15-18.

¹⁵ And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.  ¹⁶ But if the sacrifice of his offering a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offered his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten.  ¹⁷ But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.  ¹⁸ And if of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him that offered it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eats of it shall bear his iniquity.

If the sacrifice is a vow or voluntary offering, it can be eaten on the day of the offering, the next day, but on the 3^rd day it must be burnt.  If someone eats the offering on the 3^rd day, it will not be acceptable and they will bear their iniquity.

This is a shadow of the Restitution of All Things.  The first day is the last 2000 years, the second day would represent the millennium and the third day is those who are determined to be goats in the parable of the Sheep and Goats.  They will not be with believers in eternity.  They will end up going to the Lake of Fire.  Everyone must reconcile prior to eternity.

Vayyiqra 19:9-10

⁹ And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest.  ¹⁰ And you shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and stranger: I Yehovah your Redeemer.

Although the land was theirs to produce, it was never meant to be theirs exclusively.  It does not specify how much you are required to leave behind for others.  This is really up to the individual.  This is a measure of an individual’s heart condition.

This happened with Rut and Boaz in Rut 2:15-16.

¹⁵ And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: ¹⁶ And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave, that she may glean and rebuke her not.

Boaz had become quite the wealthy man.  Others were not so fortunate.  Boaz never had a problem with others gleaning more than what was left behind.  Maybe that is why Boaz had a plentiful supply.  Boaz had a heart for the lost, as we should too.

As believers, we always have more than sufficient.  We should be willing to share what we have with others, Galatians 6:10.

¹⁰ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.

It has always seemed odd to me that Churches will raise money by having a rummage sale or bake sale.  We ought not to be selling these things, we ought to be giving to the less fortunate.  Then possibly, we would have more than sufficient for things that God would have us to do.

Remember that the seed we plant are the words that come forth when done properly, Mark 4:14.

¹⁴ The sower sows the word.

Let us not try to make money off of the less fortunate, Matityahu 10:8.

⁸ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.

Let us be a greater blessing to others than God has been to us.  Let us do so freely, because He has done so for us.

Vayyiqra 19:11

¹¹ You shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

This goes to the very core of one’s heart condition.  One would think this needs no further explanation.  However, what is at issue here; is far beyond the simple words.  One needs to see what is being said here in the newness of the Spirit.  Unfortunately, one can easily deceive themselves on this issue.

One may not be stealing from another in a literal sense; however, many steal because they live behind a false facade.  They misrepresent themselves to others both in character and Spiritual maturity.  Thereby stealing from others, the ability to be likeminded in the spirit in the body.  When we refuse to give of ourselves to the body, the body is hindered in the Spirit.  This often happens, because Christians have been hurt by other well-meaning Christians.  So they withdraw into a false appearance of spiritual prowess.

This happens many times, because a believer has been hurt by other well-meaning immature Christians.  They gave of themselves freely at first, but were taken advantage of by immature leaders.  As such, the relationship required something of the individual, that the individual should have never given.  A part of their soul was sold or taken from them.  It was more than they could afford.  So in future relationships, they hold back the reality of who they are.  As such, they are stealing their soul back from the body of believers.  Thereby isolating themselves and creating a false representation of themselves.  The unfortunately thing when this happens is it prevents the healing of the individual.

Christianity is no different than most organizations.  As long as there are immature people running congregations, other believers will be hurt by well-meaning and sometimes not so well meaning intentions of immature believers.  We cannot give up, just because we have been hurt.  We need to let old things pass away, learn from our experiences and know who we can trust in the Spirit.  It takes time to grow in the faith and find those that can be trusted.  When one does find a mature individual, then it becomes easy to be healed of past hurts and mature in the faith.  If we are willing to give of ourselves one more time.

We should never falsely misrepresent ourselves in the faith, Yaaqov 5:12.

¹² But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest you fall into condemnation.

All our actions and all our words should always be of the truth, as He was of the Truth.

Vayyiqra 19:12

¹² And you shall not swear by My name falsely, neither shall you profane the name of your Redeemer: I Yehovah.

This happens in the faith more often than many realize.  We are told in Shemos 20:7.

⁷ You shall not take the name of Yehovah your Redeemer in vain; for Yehovah will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.

Some equate this to saying a curse word.  It is far more than that.  It is when we claim Yehovah has said something that is outside of His character.  This is not about those that make a mistake, because they had an erroneous understanding.  These are still maturing in the word.  It is one that teaches a doctrine outside of scriptures and the character of Yehovah.

It happens when one claims a prophesy in the name of Yehovah, that was a self-made prophesy.  This happens quite often in the faith.  Often these prophesies do not come true.  Unfortunately for immature believers, the one who said it does not repent of their error or recant they prophesy.

We ought to be careful that when we speak, it is as an oracle, 1 Peter 4:11.

¹¹ If any man speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, as of the ability which God gives.  That God in all things may be glorified through Yeshua Messiah, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.

Oracles comes from the Greek word λόγιον logion (G3051).  It is a brief utterance of God.  Stating no more and no less than what God has stated.  It is not adding or taking aways from the word, Mishlei 30:5-6.

⁵ Every word of God pure.  He a shield to them that put their trust in Him.  ⁶  Add not to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar.

To add is to go beyond God’s word.  That is taking His name in vain.  If more needs to be said, God would have put it in the original word.  If you need to explain or interpret, that is different.  It should be clear where God’s word ends and the commentary begins.

There is another issue related to this I would like to address, because many Messianics are following the Rabbis and missing the point of the statute.  The Rabbis take the 3^rd commandment in Shemos 20:7 pretty serious as we all should.  As a matter of fact, the Rabbis took the 3^rd Commandment so serious that they decided it was best not to even say God’s name.  The Rabbis believe that this would eliminate the chance of accidentally taking God’s name in vain.

Here is what the Rabbis have done.  In the Bible there is the Hebrew word יְהֹוָה Yehovah (H3068).  A rabbinic Jew would pronounce it ADONAY {ad-o-noy’}.  Which is the Hebrew word אָדוֹן ʾadoni (H0113).  However, אָדוֹן ʾadoni (H0113) means Lord.

In reality יְהֹוָה is the Hebrew letters Yod – Hay – Vav – Hay.  It is Yehovah.  There are those that claim יְהֹוָה is pronounced Yhwh.  However that is incorrect too, because we know the vowels.

In the reciting of the Shama, Devarim 6:4.

⁴Hear, O Yisrael: The LORD our God is one LORD:

In Hebrew the transliteration is Sh’mah Yisraw-ayl, Adonoi Ellohaynoo, Adonoi ehchawd.  Twice the word Adonoi is used for the Hebrew word יְהֹוָה Yehovah (H3068).  It should actually be:

 ⁴Hear, Yisrael.  YEHOVAH our God one YEHOVAH.

The Hebrew word יְהֹוָה Yehovah (H3068) is in the text over 6519 times.  However, in the Rabbinic Hebrew translation of the Bible, One would be hard pressed to find Yehovah in the translation.  As for most Christian translations, they have followed the tradition of the Rabbis with a few exceptions.

Another thing that Rabbinic Jews will do to prevent accidentally taking God’s name in vain is how it is spelt in the English.  Instead of writing L-O-R-D, they will spell it L – — – R – D.  They leave the O out and replacing it with a dash.  Or for God instead of G – O – D, they will spell it G – — – D.  Again leaving the O out and replacing it with a dash.

Do these people actually think that God would not know what they mean?  God is much smarter than we give him credit for

Again, Christians, Messianic Jews that claim to follow Yeshua and not the Rabbis, follow the Rabbis in this tradition.  Check out a few Messianic Web sites.  So many the Messianics in part have followed the Rabbis.  We ought to follow Yeshua rather than traditions of the Rabbis.

Vayyiqra 19:13

¹³ You shall not defraud your neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with you all night until the morning.

Some of this seems almost repetitive.  However, it is never too much or too little when God writes it.  Again, we need to be honest in all our dealings.  We ought to never hold wages, Mishlei 3:27.

²⁷ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do.

We should always ensure that we never owe to those in need.  We may think that our needs exceed that of others; however, that is not how God sees it.  If you are able to give, it ought to be done.  We ought to be more than fair in all our dealings with others.  We should never owe.  It ought to be our goal that others would owe us, but that we never collect or remind others that they owe us.  We should be of the heart that we always owe the others because they give their time.  What they give to us is more important than anything we can return to them.

Vayyiqra 19:14

¹⁴ You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am Yehovah.

We should never take advantage of the less fortunate, when they cannot understand what is before them.  In a physical sense, this is easy to understand.  In a spiritual sense, this is violated all too often.  Yeshua states in Matityahu 13:14-15.

¹⁴ And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Yeshayahu, which says, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive: ¹⁵ For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with eyes, and hear with ears, and should understand with heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

There are those in the faith that have a hard time hearing and seeing spiritually.  We should help them by guiding them to a clearer path in Yehovah.  It is the responsibility of the more mature believer to help less fortunate see and hear.  Even if it requires our time and patience.  We owe much more to them then they will ever owe us.  We cannot mature without them.  We ought not to get frustrated with them.  We should be their guide into the kingdom whenever possible.  The best way to do this is to be a righteous example that clears the obstacles that are before others.  Then learning to apply 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; ²⁶ And they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Vayyiqra 19:15

¹⁵ You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: you shall not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty (gadol).  In righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

We are to judge with equity.  We are never to judge based on one’s position, social status or wealth, rich or poor.  However, we are to show appropriate mercy in our judgment.

Vayyiqra 19:16

 ¹⁶ You shall not go up and down a talebearer among your people: neither shall you stand (amad) against the blood of your neighbor: I Yehovah.

Never be a talebear or gossip about another.  This includes whether or not, what is being said is true.  We have not been called to witness others faults.  We are here to help others grow beyond their faults.  We need to be a helping hand and not a slanderous witness.

Stand comes from the Hebrew word עָמַד amad (H5975).  It is in the Bible 521 times.  עָמַד amad (H5975) is translated stood 171 times, stand 137 times, raise, stand… up 42 times, set 32 times, stay 17 times, still 15 times and the rest of the words have the meaning to stand still without moving.  The basic meaning of this verb is “to stand upright”.  It is what a soldier does while on watch.  From this basic meaning comes the meaning “to be established, immovable, and standing upright” on a single spot; the soles of the priests’ feet “rested” (stood still, unmoving) in the waters of the Yardan,  Yehoshua 3:13.

¹³ And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the Ark of Yehovah, the Lord of all the land, shall rest in the waters of Yardan, the waters of Yardan shall be cut off the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand (amad) upon an heap.

In other contexts ‘amad is used as the opposite of verbs indicating various kinds of movement.  The verb can suggest “immovable,” or not being able to be moved.  As such, in the context of Vayyiqra 19:16, one is not to stand still when the blood of another is being spilled outside the law.  This is combined with slander, because to gossip is to commit spiritual assassination of others.  We should not allow slander before us at any time to the detriment of others.  This will not be tolerated very long by Yehovah.

Vayyiqra 19:17-18

¹⁷ You shall not hate your brother in your heart (lebab).  You shall in any wise rebuke your neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him.  ¹⁸ You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.  I Yehovah.

We should all know not to do these.  These sins are all related to each other based on what they do to the individual.  If one does any of the following:

• Hates their brother.
• Finds it necessary to rebuke their neighbor.
• Is willing to avenge rather than allow God to.
• Bear a grudge against another individual even if justified.

These all come from the individual that has allowed bitterness to spring up in their heart.  Anything they do will have a more adverse and lasting effect on themselves rather than the ones that they may hate or avenge.

We should always find a reason to love our neighbor.  We should always find a way to reconcile with others, even when we have been wronged.  Life is not about getting even or ahead.  Life is about serving God in righteousness and being the light that shines forth in love, so that others would be attracted to His righteous ways.  When this happens, more good can come from love than by satisfying our own childish emotions.

Vayyiqra 19:19

¹⁹ You shall keep My statutes (chuqqah).  You shall not let your cattle gender with a diverse kind: you shall not sow your field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woolen come upon you.

We are not to mix seed in any way.  To mix seed is to mix the word of God with something that is not God’s word.  As stated, earlier we are to be as an oracle.  If we are going beyond the word, we ought to be clear what God stated and what is our interpretation.  If not, we are mixing seed.

Neither are we to mix linen with wool.  Yechezqel speaks to this in Yechezqel 44:17-18.

¹⁷ And it shall come to pass, when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.  ¹⁸ They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird with any thing that causes sweat.

Mixing these two materials would cause sweat.  Sweat represents works.  We are not to allow our works in the ministry.  We are to do all things through the power of God, Charis.  Further, linen represents works righteousness, Revelation 19:8.

⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Our righteousness can never be of our own works and power.  It needs to be His works through us by His power.

Vayyiqra 19:20-22

²⁰ And whosoever lies carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.  ²¹ And he shall bring his trespass offering to Yehovah, to the door of the Ohel of the Congregation, a ram for a trespass offering (asham).  ²² And the priest shall make an atonement (kaphar) for him with the ram of the trespass offering (asham) before Yehovah for his sin (chattaah) which he has done: and the sin which he has done shall be forgiven him.

Scourged comes from the Hebrew word בִּקּרֶת biqqoreth (H1244).  It is in the Bible one time and is translated scourged.  It has the meaning of punishment after the investigation.  However, that may be an opinion by the translator; rather than a correct translation.  The woman in this case is investigated for truth.  The man is at fault in this situation.  He must repent for his sin at the Ohel of the Congregation.  The woman in this case was not in a position to avoid such advances.

Vayyiqra 19:23-25

²³ And when you shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then you shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised to you: it shall not be eaten of.  ²⁴ But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy (qodesh) to praise Yehovah.  ²⁵ And in the fifth year shall you eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield to you the increase thereof: I Yehovah your Redeemer.

When trees are planted in the land.  Regardless how the tree produces fruit, the following applies:

• First 3 years no fruit may be eaten.
• Fourth year, no fruit is eaten it is all holy.
• 5^th year fruit may be eaten and yield increase.

It is somewhat similar to the Body of Believers.  The first 3 years represent the last 2000 years plus the millennium.  During this time the Body of Believers have not been completely circumcised.  Many are still in the process of maturing.  The fourth year represents entering Eternity.  This is when the process of all sin is eliminated by the eradication of the carnal nature and the circumcision of the heart.  When this is completed then the Body is completely Holy to Yehovah.  The fifth year represents when we have entered into eternity and God provides to us the increase of the inheritance.  Our lives yield to ourselves in eternity all the blessings and inheritance God has for the Body of Believers.

Vayyiqra 19:26-29

²⁶ You shall not eat with the blood: neither shall you use enchantment, nor observe times.  ²⁷ You shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shall you mar the corners of your beard.  ²⁸ You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I Yehovah.  ²⁹ Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

These are a list of things that were being done during those times.  Many should be obvious; however, it is surprising how many of these are still practiced today in some degree.  Yehovah does not want those that He has set aside to do the following:

• Eat Blood.
• Use enchantments.
• Observe times.
• Round the corners of one’s head.
• Mar the corners of one’s beard.
• Cuttings in the flesh.
• Markings on the body, this is a tattoo.
• Prostitute daughters.

Although, it was expressly forbidden in Acts 15:20.

²⁰ But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood.

The early assemblies told the non-Jewish born believers to not eat blood.  Yet today, that is not always observed.

Enchantments are defined in the Hebrew as to observe the signs or omens.  Many observe signs in an attempt to understand the times they are living in.  However, when one is observing signs that were not designated by God; they are observing what God had prohibited.  We do not need to observe signs in the sky.  We have the Spirit to lead us into all understanding.

Observer of times refers to setting dates based on the stars and celestial objects.  In the Bible, dates are set based upon the agricultural cycle.  Paul speaks of this in Galatians 4:10-11.

¹⁰ You observe days, and months, and times, and years.  ¹¹ I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.

Many believe that this has to do with the Biblical Festivals.  That would make no sense.  To expressly forbid in Vayyiqra 19 and four chapters later, Yehovah tells them to keep the festivals in Vayyiqra 23 seems incomprehensible.  To think that observing times is the biblical festivals demonstrates a total lack of biblical understanding or complete desire to up hold traditions of the Church Fathers as opposed to Yeshua and His Apostles.

Observing times is what is done to observe a festival that is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.  That would be observing times.

We need to be careful that we have not adopted the spiritual equivalents of many of these, let alone the literal.

Vayyiqra 19:30

³⁰ You shall keep My sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I Yehovah.

In the midst of all the things that we should not do, Yehovah tells us to observe the Sabbaths.  The Sabbath more than any other festival teaches us about rest and coming together as a body.  Every significant event in Christianity occurred on a Sabbath.  These are:

• Yeshua was born on the 15^th of Tishri, the first of Sukkoth.
• Yeshua was circumcised on the 22^nd of Tishri Shemini Atzeres.
• Yeshua started His ministry on the 15^th of Tishri, first day of Sukkoth.
• Yeshua was in the grave on the 15^th of Aviv, first day of Matzos (Feast of Unleavened Bread).
• Yeshua rose on the Seventh Day Sabbath.
• Baptism of Holy Spirit came on Shavous, 6^th of Sivan.
• First non-Jewish born believer occurred on the 15^th of Tishri, the 1^st day of Sukkoth.

Vayyiqra 19:31

³¹ Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am Yehovah your Redeemer.

We are never to have anything to do with a spirit that is not Yehovah’s Spirit.  Be very careful.

Vayyiqra 19:32

³² You shall rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear your God: I am Yehovah.

We are to honor those that are elders in the body.  We are not to be too quick to challenge those that have gone before us.  Those who are elders are there to help us, tread lightly.  Yet they are not to provoke the younger ones.  It is a long road for the newly born believer.  As for the elder, they need the younger to keep growing and ensure that they do not become dried out.  We need to help each other.

Vayyiqra 19:33-34

³³ And if a stranger sojourn with you in your land, you shall not vex him.  ³⁴ But the stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Mitzrayim: I am Yehovah your Redeemer.

We are to treat stranger as if they are home born.  We ought to always treat others with love.

Vayyiqra 19:35-36

³⁵ You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measure of length, in weight, or in quantity.  ³⁶ Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall you have: I am Yehovah your Redeemer, which brought you out of the land of Mitzrayim.

We are to use equitable measurements in all we do.

Vayyiqra 19:37

³⁷ Therefore shall you observe all My statutes (chuqqqah), and all My judgments (mishpat), and do them: I am Yehovah.

Start now, come the millennium you will be anyways.

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