Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain)
& Bechukotai (In My Decrees)

VaYiqra (Leviticus) 21:1–24:3
This week, those in the diaspora read both Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain) & Bechukotai (In My Decrees), but in Israel, we only read Bechukotai (In My Decrees). Starting next week, the reading in Israel and the diaspora will be the same again.

In this week’s reading, there is a very interesting connection between God’s instructions to Israel (through Moses on Mt. Sinai) for when they would enter the Land, and that which Yeshua would ultimately fulfill:

You shall proclaim with a ram’s horn (Shofar Blast) abroad on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the day of atonement you shall sound a horn all through your land. ‘You shall thus sanctify the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.
Leviticus 25:9–10

While the verses above speak of the instructions prior to what is known the “Year of Jubilee”, it has some amazing connections to that which is to come in the future. There is a proclamation with the sound of a trumpet blast that ushers in the Jubilee, which is the year of “release” throughout the Land that occurs every 50 years.

The theme of “release” or being set free is also an important aspect of our Messiah’s return, which will also be heralded by the shofar blast. The fact that the Jubilee is connected to the Day of Atonement is very significant! We understand it to mean that each person will need to have a personal atonement, which again Yeshua Himself has given us as the final atonement for our sins.

There is another important aspect to the “release throughout the Land” that is ushered in by the Jubilee. In Hebrew, the word used for “release” is “דְּר֛וֹר” (Deror). Deror means freedom or independence, which is specifically connected to deliverance from slavery.

Isaiah 61:1–3 uses the same word and expresses the same idea of freedom which we read in Leviticus:

The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty (deror) to captives, and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1–3

It is no coincidence that Yeshua quoted these verses above before He began His ministry of setting people free! Not only did He quote them, but He also said,

Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.
Luke 4:18–21

Yeshua indeed came to deliver all of us who were in slavery to sin, once and for all! I am so thankful; are you, too?

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran

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One Comment on “Parashat Bahar (On the Mountain)
& Bechukotai (In My Decrees)”

  1. Thank you foryour beautiful and encouraging words.

    I appreciate you and all the good work that you are doing for the kingdom of God.

    Blessings to you and to Melissa and your family.
    We love you guys~

    Cindy & Bob Parsons

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