Tzav - (Command)

Torah Portion:  Tzav (Command)

Torah Reading:  Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Prophetic Reading:  Malachi 3:4-24

“Believers Are Consecrated to Serve HaShem”

This Shabbat is the Shabbat before Passover. It is called the Great Shabbat (Shabbat HaGadol) because while in Egypt it was on a Shabbat that HaShem commanded His people to bring the Passover Lamb into their homes and keep it until the 14^th day of Nissan, when they sacrificed it and placed its blood upon their doorposts and lintel.

One reads at the end of this week’s Torah portion that the Kohanim were consecrated for service. A similar consecration happens to every believer when he or she accepts Yeshua and receives the Holy Spirit— for he too is consecrated to serve HaShem. In First Corinthians Chapter 6, one reads, “For you are bought with a price; therefore, glorify God….” (I Corinthians 6:20) The phrase, “For you are bought with a price” is a reference to redemption, as redemption involves a purchase and a transfer of authority. The point which I want to make in this week’s article is that every person is going to be under authority. The only question is under whose authority? It is important for each individual to realize that there are only two options: either one is going to be under the authority of sin or he is going to be under the authority of Messiah Yeshua.

The problem is that many believers are not being taught that with redemption (a salvation experience) comes an obligation to fulfill the second part of I Corinthians 6:20: “…Therefore glorify God with your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” In order to fulfill this commandment one must bring both his body (fleshly nature) and the spiritual aspect of his being under the will of God. Allow me to ask you a question: In what tangible ways are you demonstrating this? This issue gets to the heart of spirituality and discipleship. I would like to share with you a few things which you can do to reflect the REDEMPTIVE CALL which you have agreed to have placed upon you when you accepted the Gospel. (Remember that you are not saved by your performance of these things; rather it is one of the reasons for which you have been saved).

1) Begin and end your day reading a few Psalms: Do not just read them, but pray through each verse and then listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance to you and write down those things that are given to you by Him.

2) Pray routinely throughout the day, asking God to whom He is calling you to minister.

3) Ask Yeshua to give you a prophetic understanding of what He is bringing about: This involves you taking the time to study prophecy. Begin with the 12 Minor Prophets and as you read, strive to discover what each of the prophets’ primary message was and how this message can be applied today. You might be surprised how this message was actually given for the times in which you are living.

4) Partner with other believers to serve together in these objectives.

5) Be prepared to be used by God and be willing to respond to His call. There is so much that needs to be done. It will be an encouragement to you to see that the Almighty God wants to use you. He will give you opportunities to represent Him in many more ways than you can imagine.