Notes for Parashat B'har - Bechukotai

"Chazak! Chazak! Venischazeik!" Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened!

I. Introduction

A. The year of Jubilee or paralysis by analysis?

1. The foundation of Yeshua's ministry
2. Examples of paralysis by analysis

B. Review: The counting of the omer and ‘Cheshbon Nefesh'

1. Barley and wheat
2. Though the Bible records many instances of Yeshua instantly healing people's illnesses, we know of not even one instance in which he simply waved his hand to immediately fix an ugly habit for one of his disciples.
3. The essence of the Scriptures revolves around the principle of one's relationship with God and others - Mt 22:34-40
4. Insanely great or just good          

C. Parashah Abbreviated Outline

1. On the mountain of Sinai, G-d communicates to Moses the laws of the sabbatical year: every seventh year, all work on the land should cease, and its produce becomes free for the taking for all, man and beast.
2. Seven sabbatical cycles are followed by a fiftieth year -- the jubilee year, on which work on the land ceases, all indentured servants are set free, and all ancestral estates in the Holy Land that have been sold revert to their original owners. Additional laws governing the sale of lands and the prohibitions against fraud and usury are also given.
3. G-d promises that if the people of Israel will keep His commandments, they will enjoy material prosperity and dwell secure in their homeland. But He also delivers a harsh "rebuke" warning of the exile, persecution and other evils that will befall them if they abandon their covenant with Him. Nevertheless, "Even when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away; nor will I ever abhor them, to destroy them and to break My covenant with them; for I am the L-rd their G-d."
4. The Parshah concludes with the rules on how to calculate the value of different types of pledges made to G-d.

D. The restoration of the priesthood - I Peter 2:5-9; cp Ex 32:29; Nu 3:5-13

1. A priestly fellowship that serves together in unity
2. A priestly fellowship that serves in the Palace of the KING!

III Insanely Great or Just Good Enough?

A. The high calling - Lv 21:6

B. The starting place - If in your hearing you will listen to my voice... then - Ex19: 5-6

C. The standard - Voluntarily denying oneself - Lv 21:1-24

1. A dead body - Cohanim must be in a state of "ritual" purity 24/7 in order to serve the KING at a moment's notice - 21:1-4; 10-13 cp. Lv 22:1-7; Nu 19:11
2. Bald spots - Cohanim must not make or imitate Heathen fashion statements - 21:5
3. Marriage regulations - Cohanim must not be unequally yoked - 21: 7-8; 13-15 cp 2 Cor 6:14-7:1
4. Blemishes & deformities- Cohanim must keep themselves pure because they need to be in the same state of purity as the sacrifices that they offer on the altar- 21:16-24 cp Lv 22:17-25 ; 2 Cor 7:1

D. The value of fulfilling a high calling!

III. Conclusion

A. Cheshbon Nefesh - Barley and wheat

B. If in your hearing you will listen

C. Anointed to serve - Lv 21:10