Archive for the ‘Biblical Studies’ Category
Just some thoughts on this holy evening…
Two male goats are selected for Yom Kippur, one is “for YHVH” and the other “for Azazel.” Both are said to be “for a sin offering” (v. 5).
One is slain and the other is sent away into the wilderness. What has been confusing to me and many others who have discussed this passage is that BOTH goats are spoken of as somehow providing “atonement,” or better translated “covering.” So why the difference?
Many have favored the interpretations that make the two goats positive and negative, and it is the case that Azazel in ancient Jewish texts (1 Enoch, and various rabbinic traditions, etc.) is the name for an “angel” who opposes YHVH. But if one is negative and one positive, how can both provide “covering”?
What is easy to miss here is that the first goat, the one that is “for YHVH,” that is slain, makes “covering for the Holy Place because of the uncleanness of the people and because of their transgressions, all their sins” (v. 16). In other word, the blood off that goat is to cleanse the Tabernacle that has become unclean because of the sins of the people, NOT to removed the sins of the people per se.
In contrast, the sins of the people themselves are PUT ON the head of the live goat. That goat is not killed, yet that goat too is spoken as a “sin offering” (v.5), ,making atonement/covering (v. 10), and that goat “bears all their iniquities” into a remote area.
This distinction seems to be an important one. There seems to be no evidence in this text that the slain goat is for the forgiveness of the people’s sins as such, yet this is how the many have read this (see Hebrew 9), as applying it to “Christ.” The other goat is not even spoken of in the N.T. texts and yet it seems THAT goat is the “sin bearer.”
A lot of the reason this mystery of the two hairy goats is difficult to grasp, and engenders many opinions, is that we come to the text with presuppositions from our backgrounds, assumptions, and the history of interpretation. It is hard to actually read the text with “new eyes” and allow it to say what it appears to say.
It might well be that the “two hairy goats” represent two related pictures of the “Covering” or redemption from sins that come each year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Covering…One is related to YHVH dwelling in the Tent of Meeting, the other to Azazel…It is the latter that has gotten people confused, because many have transferred the meaning of the latter to the former, and read about the blood of the slain goat as if it brings redemption from moral sins.
According to Leviticus 16 both goats are spoken of as “sin-offerings,” and both “atone,” but one by dying and the other by being driven into the wilderness. They seem to be closely related, rather than one “good” and the other “evil.” This creates a real problem for the view that these two hairy goats represent a good/evil contrast.
An important key might be to look at Lev 16:15-20. The goat that is KILLED and the blood that is shed is specifically said to be for the “covering” (atoning) for the sins of the people, but as related to the “uncleaness” of the HOLY PLACE. In other words, Aaron going in, with blood from the bull for himself and household, and blood from the goat for the people, is related to making the TENT or Tabernacle holy where YHVH dwells–among an unclean people–see v. 16. This seems very clear. This is what we would call “ritual” cleansing. It is specifically related to the Tent/Tabernacle.
Accordingly, the way the slain goat on YK is interpreted by the Christians, as in Hebrews 9, as a picture of the atoning for sins in general, especially for “moral” failures, through the shedding of blood, is incorrect. The statement “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” is often quoted, but seems to be without basis in the Torah. Notice, with the live goat there is no shedding of blood mentioned, and yet there is “atonement” or “covering” by its removal.
The goat that really “bears the sins” is the one sent away, into the desert. Notice v. 22. All the sins and iniquities and transgressions are put on the head of this LIVE goat and he is send away TO Azazel! This seems to be what really brings the thorough REMOVAL of the sins of the people, the ultimate “covering” that comes on Yom Kippur–not the blood of that first goat that was for the cleansing of the Tent of Meeting. It is as if to say–to hell with your sins! They are cast FAR AWAY, to the desert places, where Azazel and the demons dwell.
In 2nd Temple times there is the tradition of casting this second goat off a cliff and killing it. And this might be appropriate. But if one sticks with the text itself, there is an emphasis on the LIVE goat–not a dead one. It is the SENDING forth, to the desert, to Azazel, that seems to be the point. No SHED BLOOD is mentioned or involved.
This insight seems to provide a kind of “breakthrough” in thinking about Yom Kippur in the Biblical texts. What it means is that the MAIN image of ATONEMENT, the one GREAT atonement, on the DAY of atonement/ covering, is the REMOVAL of sins borne by a LIVE animal–NOT the via the shedding of blood. This has implications in taking one beyond the sacrificial system of ritual cleansing that was set up in connection with the Mishkan, upon which so many have put their focus.
This line of understanding makes the Haphtarah readings for Yom Kippur all the more powerful. The story of Jonah is read. And then the passage in Micah 7:18-20–where sins are CAST AWAY…into the depths of the sea. The whole emphasis is on TURNING, and then sins being carried away–on “mercy not sacrifice” as the Prophets put it.
In this week’s class Ross covers the “Song of Moses”. This song is a song of warning that Moses was charged to teach the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 31:19-22; 28-30). It was meant to recall the greatness of Yehovah and the sins of Israel – in their departure from God and His ways. The song was to be passed down “in the mouths of” the children of Israel as a witness against the people for their transgressions. Ross also speaks of the prophesied “Return” since this is a special Sabbath – the Shabbat Shuvah. The Sabbath between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur is a time to prepare people for the solemn Day of Covering. You will not want to miss this teaching.
Click here to listen to this teaching.
http://rootsoffaith.org/2011/10/01/shabbat-shuvah-the-song-of-moses.htm
This week, Ross covers two Torah readings (Nitzavim and Vayelech). The message centers around the return to the covenant. This is an incredible section of the Bible and contains some of the greatest lessons in all of Scripture. Ross begins by digging into the texts that describe the presentation of the covenant. He points out that this is a call to all – past, present and future. He shares his understanding of the meaning of covenant, and then reveals that Israel forsook YHVH and His covenant and that what is required is a “return” to the covenant. “Return to me and I will return to you” declares YHVH to his people. The return of YHVH will only happen after we return to him. Ross works through 9 texts in Deuteronomy that define what that return looks like. Panu derek haAm! Prepare the way of the people. You will not want to miss this teaching.
Click here to listen to this class.
In this week’s class on Torah Reading Ki Tavo, Ross focuses on being a light. He uses texts from the Torah Reading as well as the prophets to remind God’s people of our task to be a light unto the nations. What manner of people should we be? How then should we live before others? You will not want to miss this teaching.
Click here to listen to this class.
In this week’s teaching Ross focuses on the subject of War. The Torah reading this week is called Ki Tetze, which means “when you go forth”. The context is war. The Torah reading begins and ends with the subject of war and so Ross first shows that an eternal struggle has been going on from “a generation to a generation” between the “sons of light” and the “sons of darkness”. He seeks to show that the enemies of Yehovah have waged a war against the very throne of Yah. Working through several texts from the Hebrew Bible, he points out the source of this attack as well as the vision of a world where there is no war. What will it take to transform our world to a place where the implements of battle are beaten into farming tools? Could it be that the transformation is up to each of us fulfilling our roles and doing what God has commanded us to do? Listen to this class and share it with others.
Click here to listen to this class.
In this week’s Torah teaching, Ross teaches on the subject of righteousness and Justice as the foundation of God’s Kingdom. The parsha covers the administration of a government designed by God. Ross teaches on judges, kings and prophets, but then shows that the foundation of all of this is to be built upon two Hebrew words; tzedek and mishpat. He shows how these words are often used together in Scripture. You will not want to miss this class.
Click here to listen to this class.
In this week’s Torah teaching, Ross covers the subject of “seeing” from a Biblical perspective. The Torah reading begins with a command to “see”, and follows with the choices set before each of us of blessing and curse. He shows that this choice is connected to the original covenant with Abraham. Ross points out that from the beginning people have been led astray at times by what they have seen, and by “doing what is right in their own eyes”. He contrasts this with doing what is right in the eyes of God. He points out that we can be deceived if what we see is not aligned with what we have “heard” from the Torah. You will not want to miss this challenging class. What do you see?
Click here to listen to this class.
In this week’s portion, Ross shares his understanding of why Israel is a chosen people. Beginning with a passage in Psalm 135:4 – “For Yah has chosen for himself Yaakov – Israel for his segulah.” In this class, Ross takes you on a journey through the Bible to determine why Israel is the object of Yehovah’s love and affection. Is this an unconditional promise? Keying off of the Hebrew word “Ekev”, Ross answers the reasons for Israel’s chosen status. He looks closely at the “oath sworn to the fathers”. What was it that caused God to love Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Based upon the words of Isaiah in this week’s prophet reading, Ross looks back to Abraham. You will not want to miss this teaching on why God chose Israel and what it will take to retain this position.
Click here to listen to this class.
In today’s class Ross offers a view of life from the Torah. This reading is full of incredible insights. Today is the first of seven Sabbaths of consolation, known as Shabbat nachamu. Ross begins his teaching in the 40th chapter of Isaiah. This passage still speaks to us today – A Voice is crying in the wilderness to prepare the way! Ross offers his listeners a challenge to hear the voice. Working through what he calls “the Greatest Sermon of Moses” Ross shows that within these words we find the path to life. Drawing upon the words of Jesus and the frequent use of these texts by Christians, Ross challenges modern followers of Jesus to rethink their view of eternal life. Does the Torah really bring life? Is salvation based upon works? From the greatest commandment to a repetition of 4 Hebrew verbs, Ross expands our understanding of a life based upon God’s plan for mankind. You will not want to miss this teaching.
Follow this link to the archived class.
http://rootsoffaith.org/2011/08/13/do-this-and-live-a-path-to-life.htm
Don’t miss the latest teaching from Ross Nichols from Roots of Faith in St. Francisville, Louisiana. This link will lead you to the lesson from last Shabbat, just as we begin our reading of Deuteronomy:
In this class, Ross begins his study of the 5th book of the Torah – commonly referred to as Deuteronomy, but known in Hebrew as Devarim. Devarim means “words” in Hebrew. The book is the final word from Moses to the children of Israel. This book of the Torah represents the end of a journey as the Israelites are preparing to enter the promised land, but it also represents a new beginning. The book of Devarim represents 2 weeks of time following 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Ross begins the study by conveying the importance of “hearing” the words of Moses and the consequences both then and now for not hearing these words. You will not want to miss this teaching.
http://rootsoffaith.org/2011/08/06/devarim-the-words-of-moses.htm