Calvary Christian Fellowship

Drawing Near III

Susy Medeski — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:30:44 +0000

So Israel had YHVH in their midst with no way to draw near Him. YHVH provides instructions that will allow the people to korban with Him. From what I can tell, korban isn’t always about sin. There are 4 different types of korban – burnt or olah, peace or shalem, sin or chattah and guilt or asham. I bring up the Hebrew names for the offerings because they shed light on their individual purposes. The olah offering was a complete offering of which no one but YHVH benefitted. It was the most costly and was given voluntarily. The shalem was a thanksgiving offering that was shared by the priest, the man and his family. A small portion was given to YHVH, and it was also voluntary. The chattah, meaning “miss the mark” was not about sin, but for ritual uncleanness. Example: A woman who had given birth to a child was required to make this korban. Even when a person wasn’t sure if they violated YHVH’s covenant, they could offer a chattah just in case. The chattah was required. The asham, which means “to make payment” was offered as part of the restitution necessary for violations against YHVH’s people and His instructions. It was necessary for relationship to be restore with YHVH and demonstrated the concept that to sin against another was to sin against YHVH. Asham was a mandatory offering.

I’ve learned there are numerous types of korban, but not all had to do with sin. That’s new information for me and gives me new understanding with regards to why it was such an integral part of the people’s daily lives. James 4:8 says -

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

I may not need bulls and goats, but it’s still necessary to be sure I am clean before drawing near to YHVH. Lord, I continue to be open to Your teachings.

Drawing Near – Part II

Susy Medeski — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:00:25 +0000

We left off with the idea that YHVH was giving instruction to Israel so they could korban, or draw near to Him. In our modern culture, the idea of animal sacrifices seems barbaric. I’m learning it seems barbaric because I didn’t have a clear understanding of why it was necessary for animals to die.The idea of death as necessary to draw near is my first mistake. YHVH is not a god of death, but a god of life. The sacrificial system isn’t about the death of the animal as much as it is about the life force of the animal. It’s also about the idea of substitution. Example: A nobleman offends are king who is told he may never enter the presence of the king again. Later the king commands all nobility to attend an event in his honor. What is the nobleman to do? If he attends, he violates a king’s command, and if he doesn’t, he violates another of the king’s commands. A wise nobleman transfers his identity – title and lands – to one of his servants who then appear before the king on his behalf. The nobleman has honored all commands of the king using an acceptable substitute. Such is the case of the animal that stands in place of the person trying to draw near to YHVH. The part that is significant is the blood, for scripture teaches life is found in the blood. Consider this: if a man wanted to draw near to God and the only part to be used was his life force or blood, man could enter YHVH’s presence one time because he would have to die to do it. However, the offerer places his hands on the animal transferring his identity to the animal and then takes its life instead of his own. It’s a provision YHVH made for him. The blood of the animal is collected and taken to the altar. Ancient cultures believed the altar was a doorway or portal between man and his god. By placing the blood of the animal on the altar it was believed the creature whose blood was offered was whisked away to the heavenly presence of YHVH. Since the animal now represents the offerer, God sees the offerer standing in His presence. The instructions for korban made it possible for Israelites to draw near to YHVH as often as they wanted. However, one korban did not make it possible for an offerer to stay in the presence of YHVH. Hebrew 10:1 says -

“For since the law was but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.”

People were given the chance to draw near, but the drawing near was very costly. Continue to teach me Father.

Vacation Bible School 2012

CCFH — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:24:22 +0000

Your 3-10 year old will enjoy an exciting time of learning and fun at this years VBS sponsored by Calvary in Kingwood. For more information

WHERE: Calvary Christian Fellowship Kingwood Texas

WHEN: June 11-15, 2012

TIME: 9-12 noon

AGES: 3-10

No charge for VBS but we encourage a donation towards our mission project in Mali. Read more about the project here.

Information Flyer

Click on link below to download the registration form

Download

Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith

CCFH — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:51:45 +0000

Special Guest Speaker

Sunday Evening May 13th at 5:30 pm

Rabbi Goldsmith is Mayor of Itamar in Israel. He and his wife Leah will join us for an evening of dialogue about the Jewish community in Israel. He will be presenting the facts about living in the land and serving God. This event is open to all in the Christian and Jewish community.

Monday Evening May 14th at 7:30 pm

Rabbi Goldsmith will be presenting commentary on the Torah portion for the week. There will also be a session of questions and answers about Jewish understand of Torah. This event is also open to all within the community.

For more information about Itamar CLICK HERE

Drawing Near – Part I

Susy Medeski — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:49:00 +0000

So let’s talk about the sacrificial system. It’s been an area of frustration for me over the years. In fact, I found it so difficult that I’ve kept it “shelved.” This year I have found some great teaching on the sacrificial system that has made clear what was once utter confusion. First of all, let’s start with a quick word study. The Hebrew word translated offering or sacrifice in English is korban. It actually means “to draw near.” When we consider the fact that Exodus ends with YHVH’s presence entering the tabernacle and no one being able to approach Him, the book of Leviticus and this definition sheds a new light. Leviticus starts off with instructions on how the people would be able to draw near to the Creator of the Universe who decided to make His dwelling among them; an event that hadn’t taken place since the time of Adam. When Adam broke fellowship with YHVH by following the advice of the adversary, YHVH had to make a way to reestablish the relationship, so that Israel could draw near to Him. With Adam, an animal had to die to cover their nakedness; blood had to be shed. The sacrificial system in Leviticus had similar elements, but with different aspects and reasons as we will discuss in future teachings.

For now, I am stuck by the love of YHVH in Leviticus. He came to dwell among His people, but they had no way to draw near to Him. Although He was in the midst of the camp, He was as unapproachable as if He were still in heaven. Leviticus 26:11-12 says -

“I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

Amazing love!