T and T

 Is Tribulation necessary for a Testimony?

The Greek word for tribulation is “thlipsis,” also translated as “affliction, anguish, distress, persecution.”  In present-day Christianity, it is often used in relationship to the prevalent subject of Yeshua’s return.  But one must admit, this term signifies a scary experience, especially as described in the following: “for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall” (Matthew 24:21).  A portrayal of the “tribulation” overcomers is found in Revelation 7:14-15: "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of Elohim; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them” (emphasis added). Not a bad deal after enduring such inconceivable hardship during the most horrendous time on earth! But who wants to stick around for the occasion?  Wouldn’t it be better if we could avoid or skip it, and still end up with the reward? "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and Elohim shall wipe every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7:16-17).

Is washing the robes (from the above quote) “in the blood of the Lamb” the same as the action of those who “overcame him [the accuser of the brethren] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death” (Revelation 12:11)?  The Greek word for testimony is “marturia”, from which the English “martyr” is derived. Scripture points to a linkage between tribulation and testimony/martyrdom.  How else is our faith tested and matured in the knowledge of the One who gave up His life for us? Yes, we are supposed to ‘image’ Yeshua. Still, if that means giving up our life for others, as He did, often our natural tendency is to do the opposite, unlike the definition of, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).  Some will protect the old self life even unto death. We certainly don’t like it when others take advantage of us or disagree with our beliefs, ideas, or opinions. Examining the emotions that arise when someone or something challenges our “self-life” very soon reveals our inner heart’s motivation and beliefs. 

But, as we know, the only way to have a true testimony of the life of Yeshua is to “pick up the cross” and let the dying of Yeshua be worked into us every day through light afflictions or heavy-duty trials. In this world, we cannot escape suffering, nor can we escape the sentence of death - the “cross” - which is a principal principle in the life of a believer.  It is the only way to the rewards above.

The truth of the finished redemptive work of the Messiah must be experienced in real-life situations. To bring out a testimony of “not I but Messiah,” Elohim uses “tribulation.” And so, the power of the Holy Spirit works in us to transform us from what we were in Adam into who we are (supposed to be) now in Messiah. Through daily experiential pressure we are being convinced to believe Elohim’s truth. The process would be much easier if we were to believe in our hearts that “it is no longer I who lives, but Messiah lives in me” (Galatians 2:20) or “that I have died and my life is hidden in Messiah” (Colossians 3:3). This reality may take our entire lifetime until the day we see Him “face to face”. “We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2).  “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Total Victory

 “A Psalm of David. Contend, O YHVH, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of buckler and shield, and rise up for my help. Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.' Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me. Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of YHVH driving them on. Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of YHVH pursuing them” (Psalm 35:1-6 emphasis added).

Many Psalms, like the one above, are relevant today, not just for oneself or the corporate body of Messiah, but also for the nation of Israel. But when we pray this Psalm, do we have YHVH’s New Covenant perspective? That the Father and Yeshua are in sovereign control of everything in the heavens and upon the earth is a given. Indeed, the Psalmist points to his dependence on YHVH and dealings with his enemies. It is the Almighty’s buckler, shield, spear, battle-axe, and angel that accomplish the mission, while the one making the request rests in confident trust.

Total and complete victory over our enemies was accomplished in Yeshua’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Right Hand of the Father.  His blood sealed the New Covenant promised to us and to all of Israel, laying a foundation for the restoration and rebuilding of the House of Jacob and for the establishment of His Kingdom. Our minds may agree with this good news, but do we believe it in our hearts? Does our being evidence peace and rest? Are we in His presence, manifesting His righteousness? 

How we perceive our present life circumstances may be a far cry from His perspective. But as believers in the New Covenant, we have to take the same posture as the Psalmist and prayerfully ask our Heavenly Father to reveal to us His viewpoint, both on the spiritual and the natural levels. What we believe becomes our reality. Thus, if we truly believe the Gospel that YHVH sent His Son to be our salvation, we realize that He has already answered the prayer petition in the above-quoted Psalm. This prayer, therefore, is totally appropriate for a person who has entered His rest and victory.  At this moment (in timeless eternity) we are “raised and seated with … in heavenly places, in Messiah Yeshua” (Ephesians 2:6).  

But on the other hand, if we are full of fear, frustration, and anxiety, what should we request from our Heavenly Father? Should it not be an appeal to Him to reveal His perspective on our situation or experience where fear is felt and for us to believe in our heart the truth of His disclosure?  If our hearts and emotions are not at rest, and His peace is not ruling, then it is time to enquire what lies or half-truths we have been believing.

The Holy Spirit (the Helper) is in us to accomplish YHVH’s purposes and transform us. He is not in us to help us escape the fires that are to take out the dross of lies that we have believed. He is there to establish the truth. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our hearts constitutes YHVH’s kingdom of “righteousness, peace, and joy” (Romans 14:17).

Therefore, why is this not our constant reality? The book of Hebrews provides an answer: “Therefore I was angry with this generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart; and they did not know My ways' (perspective); As I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'" (Hebrews 3:10-11).   ^“And to whom did He swear that they should not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?  And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:18-19 emphasis added). Only through the obedience of faith do we enter His rest. It, therefore, behooves us to take the required test of a New Covenant believer.   “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Yeshua the Messiah is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  The one sure sign of having passed this test is that we have entered His rest; peace rules our heart.  That is why almost every apostolic letter begins with: “Grace to you and peace from Elohim our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah” (Ephesians 1:2).  All four gospels declare that Yeshua came to fulfill the covenant of peace, spoken through the prophets of old (Isaiah 54:10; Ezekiel 34:25; 37:26). Therefore, “let the peace of Messiah rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).  

2222

 On Wednesday, June 26^th, we received an email requesting our thoughts about, among others, the “Nephilim”. It so happens that they are also mentioned in this week’s Parasha (Numbers 13:33). Some of you may remember that a couple of years ago, I had an ‘encounter’ with Time. The number 333 kept popping up several times during the week, resulting in an article by that name. Not remembering the date I posted it, I opened up the blog site, and the first thing that stood out was the number of postings: 333. When I searched for the article mentioned above, I was surprised that it was posted on June 26^th, 2020. For the past week, the number phenomenon has recurred again, only this time the digits were 222 or 2222.  This begs questions about the Nephilim, and their connection to the reoccurrence of 2’s.   

In recent years, there has been a growing fascination in Christian/Messianic circles with enigmatic-supernatural phenomena, such as extra-terrestrials, the Nephilim (first mentioned in Genesis 6:4), and more… Numerous efforts are being made toward that end. Dreams, visions, and extra-biblical narratives are melded together and presented in a variety of ways in order to satisfy the interest in these topics. As mentioned, the subject of Nephilim, and even their “return”, has been primary. The root meaning of “Nephilim” in Hebrew is “fallen ones”, with the principal consonants being n.ph.l (noon, pey/phey, lamed). Even though we are not about to delve here into the subject of the ancient Nephilim, as such, it’s worthwhile examining the literal meaning of Genesis 6:4 (as translated in the NRS version): “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days-- and also afterward-- when the sons of Elohim went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown”. Notice that the children of the sons of Elohim and the daughters of humans are not classified as being the same as the Nephilim. Yet, the former, as well as the latter are all defined as “heroes/mighty men of renown” of that era. However, the text informs us that the Nephilim continued to exist beyond that era. We meet them again in the Promised Land, during the exploratory journey of the twelve spies who were dispatched by Moses (Numbers 13:1ff).

As we know, ten of the twelve spies “gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, ‘the land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size.  There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight’" (Numbers 13:32-33 emphasis added).

Again, what does this have to do with 222 or 2222?  To find out, I turned to 2^nd Peter 2:22 (2222).   “It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A dog returns to its own vomit’, and, ‘A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire’".  Who are the “them”? I prayed. Going back and reading the whole chapter opened the door to further understanding of today's “Nephilim” (the fallen ones).

In 2^nd Peter 2:20 (222), we read: “For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first”.  These are the same ones who are mentioned in Hebrews: “For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of Elohim and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of Elohim, and put Him to open shame” (6:4-6 emphasis added).  Paul also mentions “falling” in Galatians: “You have been severed from Messiah, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (5:4 emphasis added).

Peter warns the true believers that: “there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves” (2^nd Peter 2:1). The most dangerous of all the false prophets and teachers are those who have “tasted the good word of Elohim and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away”. Along the way many of those have gained the status of “men of renown”. 

With all that said, I now understand why the Holy Spirit drew my attention to numbers marking time and to other digits. YHVH was making clear to me how intimately He is involved in every millisecond of our lives. We are warned not to be like the ten spies who saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the Nephilim (and also imagined that the latter were perceiving them thusly).  Some of the fallen false teachers are extremely intelligent, gifted, and charismatic, so much so that you may feel like a grasshopper by comparison.  Be careful not to be distracted by the ancient unseen Nephilim, while at the same time being deceived by the ones you see, thus getting dangerously close to an impending fall. 

Invasion

 Invasion

1“Ask rain from YHVH at the time of the spring rain-- YHVH who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man. 2 For the teraphim speak iniquity, and the diviners see lying visions, and tell false dreams; they comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep, they are afflicted, because there is no shepherd” (Zechariah 10:1-2).  

Two weeks ago, we published an article centered on this scripture, but going over these words again, we discovered an emphasis that needs to be added from the literal Hebrew rendering.  Thus, where it says “for” in the English translation, the Hebrew word is “ki” (caf yod), which, if translated literally, is “because”.  Why must we “ask” the Almighty to send this latter-day rain? It is because of the reality described in the following verse (v. 2). If we examine our world, especially in its most recent displays, we must admit that this particular word of YHVH to Zechariah is very applicable now. Some of what characterizes our world, its opinions, and actions is brought to bear very accurately in the following interview with Douglas Murray, which is a ‘must’. He is a true watchman and is not afraid to state the facts as they are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTXB8sWfCDE

In the past, we encouraged you to watch the documentary “Farewell Israel”, which gives a perspective on the agenda of Islam, and that is to avenge the Western civilization for what they inflicted upon the Caliphate of the Ottoman Empire.  In the 1990s Saddam Hussein stated that he would start the “mother of all wars,” and being true to his word, he did so by dragging the most powerful nation on earth into the Middle East conflict.  Since that time, the Muslim army of civilian refugees has been flooding, by the millions, the countries of the three main armies that chopped up the Caliphate: Britain, France, and the US.  While this invasion was going on, the enemy threw up a smoke screen called the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  Under this fog, no one seemed to notice that the refugees were not going to other Muslim countries but only to the West.  Sadly, the Biblical word called to, “Look and see what I will speak to you” (Habakkuk 2:1), but only a few of Elohim’s people had ears to hear or eyes to see.  Instead of paying attention to “thus says YHVH”, they were blinded by lying spirits. The Jews and Christians alike were sympathetic toward those fleeing the wars in the Middle East and Africa (caused by Islamic Jihad). The former unwittingly “comforted in vain” these refugees and were deceived by lying spirits, false prophets, and teachers who left the sheep without shepherds. 

Thankfully, we may still have a window of time as the Great Shepherd of Israel will, as prophesied, come for His sheep: “For thus says YHVH Elohim, ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day’” (Ezekiel 34:11-12 emphasis added).  

We are to ask for the latter rain because we are grieving over the condition of YHVH’s flock, the whole House of Israel. We are grieving over the condition of Western civilization as we watch it self-destruct by YHVH’s righteous judgments. Jews and Christians alike should know that there are consequences to sin and iniquity - no rewards, only punishments. The sword of Islam just may be the curse that falls on the decadence of Western civilization (see Mal. 4:6 and Hab 1:5-11).

Some time ago, a very prominent Islamic thinker (an Israeli citizen who had betrayed the State and was eventually arrested) boasted that although the Jews have become very influential in democratic nations, the Muslims will outdo them.  What did he mean? Simply, ‘we will educate our young people to become lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, scientists, bankers, politicians, etc., areas where the Jews have excelled, but we will become better at it.’ This is a new form of Jihad, a takeover that will eventually end up in the rule of Islamic Law. Cutting off the heads of the sinners and maybe even a few of the saints may become the norm. On October 7^th, the Almighty One of Israel sent a stern warning and a gauge to test men’s hearts.  

The Rain's Reign

Zechariah chapter 10 is a synopsis text which contains information about each house of Israel, and its respective destiny. In a mere 7 and a half verses (3b-12) the prophet menages to compress some of the history of each house, that which has already been fulfilled centuries past the life of Zechariah, and that which is yet to come. What's more, the prophet even refers to previous prophecies regarding, especially, the northern house of Israel, and responds to them. Only a word breathed by the Elohim of Israel, albeit through a human agency, can hit the mark in so few words, and be so comprehensive and detailed.

Zechariah's words about Judah's military prowess (vs. 3b, 4b, 5, 6a) have seen their fulfillment in our day and age. As to the "cornerstone" (v. 4a), that can easily be a reference to Yeshua ("the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone" Ps. 118:22; Luke 20:17).  The "tent peg" has to do with taking over the land, if we compare the usage of this imagery to Isaiah 54:2: "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes". This word is still waiting to come to its fullness in the future. In verse 6b we encounter the "house of Joseph" who is qualified by "being saved", and by being "brought back" (to the land). And whereas in Hosea YHVH is said to have had "no mercy" on them, and that they would be "not My people", here it says "I have mercy on them", and "they shall be as though I had not cast them aside; For I am YHVH their Elohim".  Without a doubt, these words echo Hosea's. But while the latter's statements about Israel's northern house are still a fait accompli, this is not so in Zechariah's prophecy. Chapter 10 of his book goes on to describe Ephraim's future prowess, their joy, and their ingathering (v. 7). In the following verses there is even a reference to their "Jezreel" identity (see Hosea 1:4,5), also to their redemption, and their 'memory recall' (no longer being in the state of forgetfulness – Menashe). Those parts of the land of Israel, destined to be their inheritance, are also enumerated. Verses 11 and 12 end the chapter by stating that after going through a "sea of troubles" (echoing the Exodus and the crossing of the Sea of Reeds), Joseph will be further strengthened by their Elohim.

As mentioned, many more references (and elaborations) on these words may be attached to this brief account, especially so from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. However, there is one part of the chapter that we have completely ignored up to now:

"Ask YHVH for rain in the time of the latter rain. YHVH will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.  For the idols speak delusion; the diviners envision lies, and tell false dreams; they comfort in vain. Therefore the people went their way like sheep; They are in trouble because there is no shepherd.  My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the goatherds… " (vs. 1-3a).

YHVH is adjuring us to ask for the "malkosh", which is the latter rain. Moreover, He is said to be engaged in making flashing clouds and promises to give rain. What is the connection of "rain", especially the latter rain, to the prophecy about Judah and Joseph? Let's continue…. YHVH points out the obstacles to the restoration of all of Israel. The leaders of the nation-in-the-making have been misleading the people, to the degree that their presence is as though they were absent (both Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel elaborate much on this topic). Thus, without righteous leadership, what has been tolerated, or accepted are "idols, delusions, diviners, lies, false dreams" all of which "comfort in vain" causing YHVH's people to go astray. Isn't Elohim able to deal with all of these, and obliterate them for the sake of His people? If so, why is He commanding His people to ask for the latter rain, and what kind of rain?

It seems that Elohim has a task for His people. He is desiring cooperation. "Ask for rain at the time of the latter rain….!" The latter rains are those that come at the end of the rainy season, in the spring of the year. But no doubt these rains, mentioned here, are referring to the rains of the Spirit for the purpose of demolishing the above-mentioned falsehoods.  Not having reliable leaders, YHVH is positioning Himself as the Leader who is calling upon His people to actively look to Him to send the Spirit of Holiness, the same Spirit that fell upon the disciples at Shavuot (during the season of the – literal – latter rain in Israel).

Let us now hear/read what Yeshua has to say about seeking the Spirit:  "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?  Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:9-13 emphasis added).  

In another place Yeshua says the following about this very matter: "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.  Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:31-32).

Hosea, whose message focuses greatly on Joseph and its reunion with Judah, says the following:   ^"Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of YHVH. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth" (Hosea 6:3 emphases added).

Perhaps during this time of chaos and confusion, this season of violence characterized by the departure from all moral standards, what is 'left' to do, is that which Abba is beckoning us to, and that is to ask for the double portion of the Spirit's rain. With every area of life being in such disarray, natural solutions are far from being satisfactory. On the global level, things are even worse. But is it possible that YHVH's Spirit of Holiness – Ruach HaKodesh – is busy making use of every intent and action, be they good or evil, placing them in their rightful position jigsaw puzzle-fashion, thus bringing forth His Kingdom out of the present darkness that His Spirit is hovering over? If we seek Him for that greater measure of the Spirit so as to lead and guide us in removing the obstacles along His path (see Is. 40:3; 62:10), surely, He will not deny us.

 

 

 

Exclusivism

 It seems that when one comes to understand the history of the Word of Elohim and its connection to the two houses of Israel, as is stated, for example, in the following: "Then He shall become a sanctuary; but to the two houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over” (Isaiah 8:14 emphasis added), one is often accused of “exclusivism.”  Yet it was YHVH who chose to make a covenant with the one father - Abraham - through whom a seed was born from a dead womb - Sarah’s.  This fact is also confirmed by Paul: “Neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: ‘through Isaac your seed will be named’.  That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are regarded as the seed/sperm. For this is a word of promise: ‘At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son’" (Romans 9:6-9 emphasis added).  YHVH also declared that this seed would be anointed and separated from all other seeds (see Amos 3:1-2; Deut. 7:6). "For you are a holy people to YHVH your Elohim; YHVH your Elohim has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deut. 7:6). How? By His “Word” and through an oath, covenants, and promises.   No other seed in humanity received this special and peculiar calling. It was an election of race, “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for Elohim’s own possession” (1 Peter 2:9).  But because YHVH sowed the life/germ of that seed into many races, tribes, and tongues of humanity, the only way to find out who the members of this race are is through the election of grace. ^“For this reason, it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the seed/germ, not only to those who are of the Law/Torah, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all…” (Romans 4:16 emphasis added).  

Israel was destined to experience multiplication by the Creator of the Universe, to be watched over by Him, and to be brought through a time of planting into a season of harvesting the first fruit of the sons of His new creation. “In the exercise of His will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures” (James 1:18). Nevertheless, if one preaches or teaches this great mystery, one stands to be accused of exclusivism. However, another gospel, other than the one that the Father ordained through His Son Yeshua, the Anointed One, may turn out to be a message of ‘anti-Christ.’

The Almighty sowed just one seed of one father in the field of humanity, but the enemy came and sowed another seed.  Thus, in the end, only two seeds are in the field remain. We are all familiar with the parable that Yeshua taught on this subject (see Matt. 13:24-30). David describes the tares growing alongside the wheat: “The wicked are estranged from the womb; these who speak lies go astray from birth. They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers, or a skillful caster of spells” (Psalm 58:3-5).  Again, believing that YHVH will be harvesting both seeds, mixing His with the enemy’s, is not in accordance with YHVH’s redemption plan as is delineated in His Word. Another example of YHVH’s ‘exclusiveness’ is illustrated by the parable of the fishing net that yielded a multitude of fish, but then the fishermen had to sort them out, discarding the “bad” ones (see Matt. 13:47-49).

YHVH’s love toward all mankind has no confines or bounds. In His wisdom, righteousness, and mercy, having sown the seed mentioned above into many races, tribes, and tongues, He has included a great variety within His called-out first-fruit remnant.

“O seed of Abraham, His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is YHVH our Elohim; His judgments are in all the earth. He has remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac. Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant…” (Psalm 105:6-10).

Pesach's Invitation

 Parashat Metzorah, the “leper” which we read this Shabbat seems particularly appropriate for this time of year, for the soon-coming Feast of Pesach with Yeshua as its central figure.  The affliction, named tzara’at, is described in terms that we also encounter in Isaiah 53, regarding the Messiah of Israel, who was afflicted when He gave up His life (during Pesach), to forgive, redeem and heal His people. Several other terms used in the Parasha, such as “outside the city” are akin to “outside the camp”. “For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.  Therefore Yeshua also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:11-13).

When honoring Pesach, we do not generally call to mind the invitation to come and drink from Yeshua's cup of suffering.  Hebrews 12:4 states: “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4). There is only one place where we can be released from the bondage to sin and death and that is, as we know, outside the camp, at the cross, by faith receiving what the Father has offered us through Yeshua’s shed blood. For “according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). 

A person who was afflicted by what was called tzraat (which is not the literal sickness that is known as leprosy), was manifesting in his body an internal, sinful, condition.  Sin has a tormenting effect on the soul. The afflicted person had to be examined by the priest who determined whether the latter was unclean and as such had to go outside the camp.  But, surprisingly, when the leper's body turned completely white he was declared clean! 

 ^"And the priest shall look at the raw flesh, and he shall pronounce him unclean; the raw flesh is unclean, it is leprosy. Or if the raw flesh turns again and is changed to white, then he shall come to the priest, and the priest shall look at him, and behold, if the infection has turned to white, then the priest shall pronounce clean him who has the infection; he is clean”  (Leviticus 13:15-17 emphasis added). What an amazing picture of what the blood of Yeshua does to our leprosy!  When we are completely covered with the “(white) tzara’at" the priest declares us clean.  To reiterate, even though the white skin indicates having had leprosy, yet we are declared clean!  This is why we must present ourselves  to our High Priest and repent, shedding off the old blood/life. Knowing that we have been separated from the raw flesh and the power of sin, we are now under the covering of the blood of Yeshua. His blood heals the infection which allows to be declared, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18; See also Psalm 51:5-7).  But if we (as sons) participate with sin, we will be loved in a very special way:  "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Father, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord/Father loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives" (Hebrews 12:5-6). 

During the Pesach “seder” four cups are lifted, based on Exodus 6:6-7:  The Cup of Sanctification – “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (principalities and powers); The Cup of Judgment or Deliverance – “I will deliver you from slavery to them” (laws of sin and death); The Cup of Redemption – “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm”; The Cup of Praise or Consummation (of marriage) – “I will take you to be My people, and I will be your Elohim”.*

However, according to the Gospels, Yeshua and the disciples drank only three of these cups, omitting the cup of Judgment (Matt. 26:27-29; Mark 14:23-25; Luke 22:17-18,20; 1^st Cor. 11:25).  But soon after, the Father did present Yeshua with this cup. With blood, sweat, and tears Yeshua agonized in Gat Shmanim in submission to the will of His Father:   "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not My will, but Your will be done" (Matthew 26:39).  There was no judicial way of getting around the Law of Redemption. The Redeemer had to give up His life. Thus, Yeshua consumed to the full the Cup of Judgment, as His body was torn with whips and beatings until His flesh was as raw as that of a leper.  He had to take on the Cup of the Wrath of Elohim that was upon the Adamic race. “Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup” (Psalm 11:6).  “You who have drunk from YHVH's hand the cup of His anger; the chalice of reeling you have drained to the dregs” (Isaiah 51:17).   Indeed, YHVH's anger and wrath for all the ills committed by mankind became Yeshua's lot. Today we are witnessing and experiencing everywhere, and particularly in Israel, an avalanche of evil and violence, as well as deception and gross injustice. There is a natural desire to get back at the enemies who are committing such atrocities, but no matter how evil their actions and the wrath of Elohim that is due them, Yeshua has already taken all of that upon Himself when He drank to the dregs that Cup of Judgment. 

It is not only during the Pesach season that we are invited to go outside the camp. It remains a place that we can come to in order to repent at any time, as this first feast accompanies us all year round. Regardless of which calendar we use, the truth is eternal. To KNOW Yeshua and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering means being thankful every day for YHVH’s feast, giving Him glory for His loving discipline which brings us into the law of liberty/freedom that Pesach offers. 

Credit to *https://saintjohnneumann.org/documents/2020/4/THE%20FOUR%20CUPS%20OF%20THE%20PASSOVER.pdf for inspiration on Yeshua's cup and general info on the four cups