Shemini (Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47)
“Now it happened on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron, his sons, and the elders of Israel.” (Leviticus 6:8-10).
The portion of Shemini is one of new beginnings. Moses has sanctified Aaron and his son, by the command of the Lord, for the preceding seven days, as he assembled and disassembled the Tabernacle (Ex. 40). The eighth day, in this order of time, begins the ministry of the Levitical priesthood. Moses will now step back from the priestly duties that he assumed as the leader of Israel; and now, Aaron and his sons will minister on behalf of the children of Israel before the Brazen Altar and the Lord.
In our reckoning of time there are seven days to a week. Yet, time and again in the Scriptures we find an eighth day. The eighth day is associated with new beginnings, a new season, and renewed purpose. The eighth day is the day of circumcision for Jewish males to enter the covenant. The eighth day was the earliest day on which a kid or lamb could be offered as a sacrifice. The eighth day was a day of release for those who had been ritually unclean, or indebted. Messiah Jesus rose on the first day, which is also an eighth day – the fullness of new beginnings.
As we consider more closely the content of portion Shemini, one may be tempted to see only the new beginning for the priests of Israel, as Leviticus chapters 9 and 10 focus on them. However, the focus of the ministry of the Levites is not the priests, but the connection between the people and the covenant Lord. The Levites were to be a conduit for blessing, reconciliation, and hope.
As the offerings of the eighth day were prepared and lifted up, the Torah is careful to include this moment, “Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. Then he stepped down from presenting the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings” (Lev. 9:22). The three offerings atoned for the sins of the people, brought them near, and placed them in a position of fellowship (peace) with the Lord. From this place of sanctification, the children of Israel could receive the priestly benediction of Numbers 6:24-26, “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift his face towards you and give you peace.”
The new beginning for the priests of Israel brought with it a new beginning for the children of Israel, as Leviticus 9 concludes, “Fire came out from the presence of the Lord, and devoured the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces” (Lev. 9:24). The priests had faithfully completed the work of service and the people were accepted.
The Lord, through the Torah, provides us another point of mercy. When we read of the Brazen Altar and the sanctification of the priests of Israel, some may be tempted to feel disconnected from a life of holiness and new beginnings. While the portion of Shemini opens with the ministry and holiness of the Brazen Altar, it concludes with a section on what Rabbi Dr. Joseph Hertz called “everyday holiness.”
Leviticus chapter 11 addresses on issue that every human being can relate to – food. While the particulars of kashrut (kosher laws) are beyond the scope of this devotional, the Lord is revealing to us that every person can pursue a life of holiness by giving thought even to the most mundane of daily chores – eating food. What will we eat? Why will we eat it? From where did it come? How was it prepared? Where was it prepared? Does this please the Lord? While not every person was called to be a Levitical priest, even though all the covenant people of God are called to His priesthood, and be set-apart for that purpose, the covenant community of the Living God must still live daily lives. How then shall we live?
Believers in Messiah are called to His example in all things. Recently I was invited to the home of a family after a Sunday service. As I received the invitation I was given an overview of the menu by my host, who lovingly wanted to ensure that I would be comfortable. I cherish this loving action. I knew that there would be a wonderful time of fellowship, and as I accepted the invitation the Holy Spirit spoke this assurance from the apostle Paul, “For the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Ro. 14:17). It was holy time.
Each day we can choose to live a life of holiness, not one of self-righteousness. Holiness is about position, being “set-apart.” The Lord, through Messiah Jesus, has set those, in Him, apart. This is not conditioned upon food, clothing or any other external appearance, but on the working of the Holy Spirit in us by grace and faith. What we then do in our everyday life is an expression of that holy condition. The apostle Paul gives us these words of encouragement in holy living, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God(1 Cor. 10:31); and, “Whatever you do, work at it from the soul, as for the Lord and not for people(Col. 3:23); further, “Therefore I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you were called – with complete humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).
Everyday holiness is the outworking of relationship with the Lord in moments of life that are transcendent and those which are pedestrian. Holy living is not dependent upon occupation or vocation, but on relationship. Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord, and in that you will experience the thrill of knowing that the fire of God is consuming your life (Ro. 12:1), just as it did the sacrifices offered upon the Brazen Altar, because Messiah was accepted and is now your High Priest.
In Messiah, every day is an eight day. Every day is a new beginning. Get up, by His grace, and walk in it.
Be well, shalom;
Dr. J.D. Elwell