Lesson date: 6/27/5854AA

We have talked about most of this before but Mosheh thought important enough to talk about again and I will not argue with Mosheh.

Verse 1 – An animal that has a blemish or defect is unclean for a sacrifice to YHVH that is why they are to be carefully inspected before slaughtering them. Whether it is a bull, goat, sheep or even pigeons or turtledoves, they must be whole, healthy and the best of the flock, herd or dovecote. They are still clean animals to eat but not to slaughter to YHVH.

H3971 – מוּם / מאוּם – m’ûm / mûm – BDB Definition: 1) blemish, spot, defect 1a) of physical defect 1b) of moral stain

Now, what is very interesting is the Greek word for this Hebrew word is momos. Notice how similar the two words are: G3470 – μῶμος – mōmos – mo’-mos Perhaps from G3201; a flaw or blot, that is, (figuratively) disgraceful person: – blemish.

If you do a search in the B’rit Hadasha for the occurrances of G3470 you only find one whereas in the ABP+ you see it used 18 times: 2Pe 2:12  But these, like natural unreasoning beasts, having been born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheme that which they do not know, shall be destroyed in their destruction,

2Pe 2:13  being about to receive the wages of unrighteousness, deeming indulgence in the day of pleasure, spots and blemishes, revelling in their own deceptions while they feast with you,

Please, I encourage you to read the whole chapter and remember who is being spoken of here, deceivers.

But look at the characteristics of the deceivers, one of which is blaspheming: Rev 13:1  And I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads names of blasphemy.

Rev 13:5  And he was given a mouth speaking great matters and blasphemies, and he was given authority to do so forty-two months.

Rev 13:6  And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against Elohim, to blaspheme His Name, and His Tent, and those dwelling in the heaven.

Rev 17:3  And he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast covered with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

And, you know me, I had to look at the word for blasphemy: G988 – βλασφημία – blasphēmia – blas-fay-me’-ah: From G989; vilification (especially against God): – blasphemy, evil speaking, railing. I know it sounds like nothing but this is where etymology gets to be fun, case in point: you and I think of blaphemy as speaking out against YHVH, and it is. That is one part of it. But if you look at the word vilify you will see that it is also vilipendere in Latin. This means to make worthless, empty. Ring a bell? Exo 20:7  “You do not bring the Name of יהוה your Elohim to naught, for יהוה does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.

Remember, when Jethro used to count on the Beverly Hillbillies, he would count naught, naught over naught equals naught, or zero over zero equals zero? That’s right, the KJV has taken the beautiful Name of YHVH – יהוה – and made it into nothing, naught. In fact, the only way we can distinguish between our God and false gods is a capital G, otherwise it could go either way. Look at what Sha’ul said in two different versions: (KJV) Act 17:23  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Act 17:24  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

(ISR) Act 17:23  “For passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN MIGHTY ONE. Not knowing then whom you worship, I make Him known to you:

Act 17:24  “יהוה, who made the world and all that is in it, this One being Master of heaven and earth, does not dwell in dwellings made with hands.

Do you realize how stupid Sha’ul would have sounded had he actually said, my words not his: I have come to tell you the name of the UNKNOWN GOD and His name is God. Can you imagine a bunch of Greeks standing there scratching their heads going, “HUH?” NO!!! He told them His Name, the Name by which we are called, YHVH – יהוה

Satan must be laughing his head off when pagans around the world know the names of their gods, Shiva, Budha, Kokopelli, Jupiter, Zeus, Odin and Christians are ready to fight at the drop of a hat and tell you their god’s name is God: Jer_16:21  “Therefore see, I am causing them to know, this time I cause them to know My hand and My might. And they shall know that My Name is יהוה!”

Eze_20:44  “And you shall know that I am יהוה, when I have dealt with you for My Name’s sake, not according to your evil ways nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Yisra’ĕl,” declares the Master יהוה.’ ”

Eze_36:23  “And I shall set apart My great Name, which has been profaned among the gentiles, which you have profaned in their midst. And the gentiles shall know that I am יהוה,” declares the Master יהוה, “when I am set-apart in you before their eyes.

Eze_39:7  “And I shall make My set-apart Name known in the midst of My people Yisra’ĕl, and not let My set-apart Name be profaned any more. And the gentiles shall know that I am יהוה, the Set-apart One in Yisra’ĕl.

Sorry, back to the study of Debarim 17:1. In the light of verse 1 consider this: Mal 1:8  “And when you present the blind as a slaughtering, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Bring it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favourably?” said יהוה of hosts.

How many times have you seen people make sure everything is perfect for the “boss”, their employer, but when it comes to the worship of our Creator anything goes? Most of us worked 5 or 6 days a week for a human employer but were then too tired to worship our heavenly “Boss”. “Well, He knows my heart.” Yes, He does: Mat 10:28  “And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the being. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both being and body in Gehenna.

Mal 1:13  “And you said, ‘Oh, what weariness!’ and you sneered at it,” said יהוה of hosts. “And you brought in plunder, and the lame, and the sick – thus you have brought in the offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” said יהוה.

Mal 1:14  “But cursed be the deceiver who has a male in his flock, and makes a vow, but is slaughtering to יהוה what is blemished. For I am a great Sovereign,” said יהוה of hosts, “and My Name is feared among nations.

We must make sure we are giving our best to YHVH, our utmost. I have thought about it many times, in my own life, I give leftovers to my dogs. I know I shouldn’t but I do. Am I giving leftovers to my Father? Pro 15:8  The slaughtering of the wrong ones Is an abomination to יהוה, But the prayer of the straight is His delight.

Psa 4:5  Offer slaughterings of righteousness, And trust in יהוה.

The more I learn about what YHVH expects from me, the more I worry that I am just giving Him leftovers: Jos 1:8  “Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely.

Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the Torah of יהוה, And he meditates in His Torah day and night.

Verses 2-7 – Today we hear, “God hates the sin but loves the sinner.” Does He? That is not what is being said here. In the Kingdom of Heaven there is no First Amendment protection of “Freedom of Religion”. In the world today, man interprets  it as “freedom from religion”.

Remember Lot? In Genesis 13:10 we see Lot pull a quick on his dear old uncle. Abram tells him”If you go right I go left” and Lot looks out over the  fertile, green Jordan Valley and goes that way. But was Lot really being smart? Down at the southern end of the Jordan Valley were the five cities of Sodom and Gomarrah. Let’s put it in modern terms: In Sodom was a WalMart and Mrs. Lot didn’t like having to travel so far to go shopping. They had a nice school district as well. So, Lot moves a little closer to Sodom, just for the sake of convenience. Then he moves a little closer and a little closer, until finally we find him sitting at the city gate when YHVH’s angels arrive. Does he lead the angels to his tent outside the gate? No, he takes them to his house inside the city gate. If we dim our eyes to sin it begins to get easier to dim our eyes to the next sin and then the next. Then, we wake up, hopefully, and we are dwelling in the midst of sin.

Look at the decision it forced Lot to make: Gen 19:8  “Look, please, I have two daughters who have not known a man. Please, let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you wish, only do no deed to these men, because they have come under the shadow of my roof.” Look at the final cost of having become numb to sin: Gen 19:26  But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a post of salt.

Was she looking back to her grandchildren? Her other daughters? Maybe it was a new house or one that she had had remodeled. Maybe, it was WalMart. What is our reason for tolerating sin?

Verses 8-11 – seek wisdom and right-ruling and let Torah judge.

Verses 12-13 – This is what I think of when I think of men being arrogant: Rom 1:20  For since the creation of the world His invisible qualities have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, both His everlasting power and Mightiness, for them to be without excuse,

Rom 1:21  because, although they knew Elohim, they did not esteem Him as Elohim, nor gave thanks, but became vain in their reasonings, and their undiscerning heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22  Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:23  and changed the esteem of the incorruptible Elohim into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds and of four-footed beasts and of reptiles.

Rom 1:24  Therefore Elohim gave them up to uncleanness in the lust of their hearts, to disrespect their bodies among themselves,

Rom 1:25  who changed the truth of Elohim into the falsehood, and worshipped and served what was created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amĕn.

I used to live about 35 miles from Washington, D.C. (District of Corruption) and would spend hours upon hours in the Smithsonian museums. I would marvel at all the amazing things located there, wonders of nature, works of art, inventions of men, a testimony to the accumulated knowledge of mankind. Looking back on that time it really grieves me that I spent so much time there and admired the things that I did so much. One day it will all be gone, like a mist. Nothing there brought me any closer to YHVH, it only served to impress me with the knowledge of mankind.

Verses 14-15 – Here is a prophecy being given that the people will one day reject YHVH and set a man as their ruler instead of YHVH: 1Sa 8:7  And יהוה said to Shemu’ĕl, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them.

In times past I would spend hours reading, memorizing the words of Washington, Adams, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lincoln and others. Time wasted.

Verses 16-17 – As godly a man as David was he did not obey these words. As wise a man as Solomon was supposed to be, he did not obey these words and in fact, it caused his downfall and the destruction of Israel as a unified nation.

Verse 18-20 – Do I believe David followed this command? Yes, I do.

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, And shall not stand in the path of sinners, And shall not sit in the seat of scoffers,

Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the Torah of יהוה, And he meditates in His Torah day and night.

Psa 119:11  I have treasured up Your word in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Psa_119:16  I delight1 myself in Your laws; I do not forget Your word.

Psa 119:103  How sweet to my taste has Your word been, More than honey to my mouth!

Psa 119:104  From Your orders I get understanding; Therefore I have hated every false way.

Psa 119:105  Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

This study guide would be incredibly long if I included everything that David said to glorify YHVH’s Word. The sad part is that for so long I believed that everything David believed in and revered was done away with on the cross. I believed a lie.

Jer 16:19  O יהוה, my strength and my stronghold and my refuge, in the day of distress the gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers have inherited only falsehood, futility, and there is no value in them.”

Why did I subtitle this study guide “Coming Out of Her, 101”?

From 1995 through 1998 I spent hours upon hours “coming out of her” in my own eyes. I fought and fought and finally on December 23, 1998 I received letters from the Social Security Administration (actually H.U.D.) and the IRS saying that they understood what I was doing and they were sorry for the misunderstanding. Almost, but not quite, immediately I heard very clearly, “You have wasted three years of your life because I did not tell you to do this.”

How do you think I felt? I thought I had won a major victory, especially in the light that I had lost a son 6 months earlier. So, what does it mean to come out of her my people? Remember, Revelation 18:4 is not the first time YHVH told His people to come out of her: Jer 51:45  “Come out of her midst, My people! And let everyone deliver his being from the burning displeasure of יהוה.

If we genuinely wanted to understand what YHVH was talking about we would have found the answer staring us in the face:  Isa 52:11  Turn aside! Turn aside! Come out from there, touch not the unclean. Come out of her midst, be clean, you who bear the vessels of יהוה.

The word for ‘turn aside’ is sur – H5493 – שׂוּר / סוּר – sûr / śûr – BDB Definition: 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end

What intrigues me about sur is that it is spelled with two different letters for “S”, the samech and the sin (seen).

Samech has the implied meaning of support, a slow twisting (like a trained plant on a support) or, to turn aside. One Hebrew scholar stated that samech carries the meaning of “YHVH supports those who lean on Him.”

Sin(seen) has the implied meaning of to destroy, to chew, to meditate (as through ruminating).

When I read the quote I looked at the words again.

Sur in pictographic, with the samech – r f   O

Sur in pictographic, with the sin –    r    f  s

YHVH supports those attached to our Head (His understanding)

YHVH destroys those attached to their own head (man’s understanding)

Would you believe Sha’ul (paul)? 2Co 6:14  Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness?

2Co 6:15  And what agreement has Messiah with Beliyaʽal? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever?

2Co 6:16  And what union has the Dwelling Place of Elohim with idols? For you are a Dwelling Place of the living Elohim, as Elohim has said, “I shall dwell in them and walk among them, and I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.”

2Co 6:17  Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says יהוה, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you.

2Co 6:18  “And I shall be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says יהוה the Almighty.”

Look at Isaiah one more time: Isa 52:11  Turn aside! Turn aside! Come out from there, touch not the unclean. Come out of her midst, be clean, you who bear the vessels of יהוה.

Now, stop, close your eyes and ask yourself this: How do I come out of her if I do not know what is clean or unclean.How do I present myself to YHVH if I do not know Torah. How do I become a clean vessel of Elohim?

Act 9:15  But the Master said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name before nations, sovereigns, and the children of Yisra’ĕl.

Rom 9:21  Does not the potter have authority over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for value and another not for value?

Rom 9:22  And if Elohim, desiring to show wrath, and to make His power known, with much patience tolerated the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

Rom 9:23  and that He might make known the riches of His esteem on vessels of compassion, which He had prepared beforehand for esteem,

2Ti_2:21  If, then, anyone cleanses himself from these matters, he shall be a vessel unto value, having been set apart, of good use to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.

1Pe_3:7  In the same way, husbands, live understandingly together, giving respect to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the favour of life, so that your prayers are not hindered.

2Co 4:5  For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Messiah יהושע the Master, and ourselves your servants for the sake of יהושע.

2Co 4:6  For Elohim, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts for the enlightening of the knowledge of the esteem of Elohim in the face of יהושע Messiah.

2Co 4:7  And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power might be of Elohim, and not of us –

Without Torah we do not know what is an abomination to YHVH and what is acceptable, which brings us back to Debarim 17:1. We must know Torah so we can “Come out of her, My people.” This is a spiritual battle not a fleshly battle.

Lesson date: 10/06/5857AA

“No Blemished Worship”

Verse 1 – Do not give YHVH what is not your BEST!!! I am as guilty as anyone could be and here are some examples:

1. Not spending the best quality time studying His Word;
2. Not dedicating the best time of the day in prayer like I should;
3. Not meditating on His Word as often as I should;
4. Not meditating on His Will for my life like I should;
5. Doing things that have an impact on my life without first consulting Him;
6. Letting minutia or trivial matters distract me when studying His Word;
7. Taking His Blessing for granted;
8. This one really angers me, looking at the study of His Word as a Duty rather than a Joy;

Are these sins? The answer for me in my life is Yes. H2398 – חטא – châṭâ’ – BDB Definition: 1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to miss 1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty 1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to bear loss 1b2) to make a sin-offering 1b3) to purify from sin 1b4) to purify from uncleanness 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to miss the mark 1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin 1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way 1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness

I can tell when I have missed the mark because I usually start by telling myself, “I should have…; I needed to…; I forgot to…; or Next time I will…”

I bet your thinking, “That’s silly” or “That is nothing major”. The one thing I have learned is the subtle  difference between praising and profaning Yah’s Name:

See how small the difference is between Praising Yah’s Name and Profaning Yah’s Name? I increased the size of the words 3X so you could actually see the difference: חלל  הלל  This is normal size script. Did you notice I reverse their order? This goes back to exactly why I quit using the King James Bible:

Exo 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain

VAIN, a. [L. vanus; Eng. wan, wane, want.]

1. Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance.

This is the true meaning of the Hebrew word used in this passage. Is God’s name God? NO!!!

H3068 – יהוה – yehôvâh – BDB Definition: Jehovah = “the existing One” ((Lord))

H430 – אלהים – ‘ĕlôhı̂ym – BDB Definition: 1) (plural) 1a) rulers, gods ((God))

The KJV completely does away with YHVH’s Name. It is especially important to have YHVH’s Name clearly in the B’rit Hadasha to avoid confusing Yeshu’a with YHVH, especially in Sha’ul’s writings. The KJV is blemished, defective because it has brought YHVH’s Name to naught, empty, worthless, no value, no importance and no substance.

Exo 20:7 “You do not bringa the Name of יהוה your Elohim to naught, for יהוה does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.

“Hey, it is just a word. It is no big deal.” Ever hear that? H1168 – בּעל – ba‛al – BDB Definition: Baal = “lord” . Should we be calling YHVH Lord? Isn’t that a blemish? Isn’t that missing the mark? To miss the path? To miss the goal?

Remember the word study on Prayer? How can we pray effectively if we do not know our god’s name? Do you see why I put a small “g” in the word god? It could be any god.

Mal. 1:8 “And when you present the blind as a slaughtering, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Bring it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favourably?” said יהו ה of hosts.”

Verse 2-7 – If Verse 2 is amplifying what was said in Verse 1 then we are talking about people not  just animals. That is why I am telling you about the blemishes in my worship.

Serving other gods. That is a constant admonition to “not bow down”: Exo 20:5(a) you do not bow down to them nor serve them.

Act 7:43 ‘And you took up the tent of Moleḵ, and the star of your mighty one Kiyyun, images which you made to bow before them. Therefore I shall remove you beyond Baḇel.’

Where do we find this star in today’s society? In the KJV it goes by the Egyptian name of Remphan (G4481) rather that Kiyyun, which is the Hebrew word H3594. Let me give you a hint: Jer 10:1 Hear the word which יהוה speaks to you, O house of Yisra’ěl.

Jer 10:2 Thus said יהוה, “Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be awed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are awed by them.

Jer 10:3 “For the laws of these peoples are worthless, for one cuts a tree from the forest, work for the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

Jer 10:4 “They beautify it with silver and gold, they strengthen it with nails and hammers so that it does not topple.

Jer 10:5 “They are like a rounded post, and they do not speak. They have to be carried, because they do not walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they do no evil, nor is it in them to do any good.”

Right! The star of Remphan goes at the top of an Asherah tree or pole. H842 – אשׁירה / אשׁרה – ‘ăshêrâh / ‘ăshêyrâh – BDB Definition: Ashera(h) = “groves (for idol worship)” 1) a Babylonian (Astarte)-Canaanite goddess (of fortune and happiness), the supposed consort of Baal, her images 1a) the goddess, goddesses 1b) her images 1c) sacred trees or poles set up near an altar

Isn’t it, for the lack of a better word, wild how people will denounce the pope and the Roman Catholic Church but still continue to follow in its teachings instead of Yah’s Word? Deu 12:3 “And you shall break down their slaughter-places, and smash their pillars, and burn their Ashěrim with fire. And you shall cut down the carved images of their mighty ones and shall destroy their name out of that place.

Deu 12:4 “Do not do so to יהוה your Elohim,

We are not to worship YHVH as the pagans worship their gods and the Pope can’t change that.

The whole purpose of Verse 7 is to show us how to keep such evil teachings out of our worship of YHVH. In other words, there are no repeat offenders.

Verses 8-12 – When it is too difficult to sort things out go to an elder or “judge” (spiritual). This would be a good time to go before the Most High Judge in prayer. When you seek out an “authority” or “judge” make sure their advice is in accordance with Torah. Heb 10:26 For if we sin purposely ((Arrogantly in Deb. 17:12)) after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a slaughter offering for sins,

Heb 10:27 but some fearsome anticipation of judgment, and a fierce fire which is about to consume the opponents.

Verse 14 – The biggest lesson for me to remember hear is “Quit trying to be like the nations/pagans.” 1Sa 8:6 But the word was evil in the eyes of Shemu’ěl when they said, “Give us a sovereign to rule us.” So Shemu’ěl prayed to יהוה.

1Sa 8:7 And יהוה said to Shemu’ěl, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them.

Verses 15-20 Laws concerning the kings over Yisra’el. Both David and Solomon had trouble as a result of increasing the number of their wives and Solomon was lead into sin as a result of him listening to his pagan wives, which he should not have had. He did as the pagans did and that was to make alliances by marrying the daughters of other kings. Deu 7:2 “And when יהוה your Elohim gives them over to you, you shall strike them and put them under the ban, completely. Make no covenant with them, and show them no favour.

Deu 7:3 “And do not intermarry with them – you do not give your daughter to his son, and you do not take his daughter for your son,

Deu 7:4 for he turns your sons away from following Me, to serve other mighty ones. Then the displeasure of יהוה shall burn against you and promptly destroy you.