Drawing Near To God

*please listen to the beginning of the audio recording of this message to learn of a correction that was made to the prior version of this article*

 

Drawing Near To God

What does it mean to draw near to God and how are we able to do so? I want to start with a section of Scripture that I believe will help to better understand this process. In Leviticus chapters 1-6 (further details continues through chapter 7) there are “5” types of offerings or “korban” as it is known in the Hebrew that are allowed to be given by God. The Hebrew word “korban” is found in Leviticus 1:2 and is commonly translated into the English as “offering”. The Hebrew word “korban” originates from the Hebrew word “karab” meaning “to draw near”. These 5 “korban” given are all the different types of offerings (sometimes referred to as “sacrifices” ) that God had instructed & allowed His people to bring to Him. The Bible clearly states that sin separates us from God so our Heavenly Father gave His people a means of being able to “draw near” to Him again. Below, I have listed the 5 different types of acceptable offerings to the Lord and I only want you to focus on the fact that there are 5 offerings without getting too caught up in the details of each offering for now. You can come back at the end of this message to examine some of the details of each of these offerings.

 

1.) Olah: “to ascend”, Burnt offering/Ascending offering (Leviticus Ch.1)

A.) completely burnt up (with exception of the skin, Leviticus 7:8)

B.) no part is eaten by the priests, as all of the meat of the offering is burnt up or offered up to God.

C.) considered to be the greatest of the offerings

 

2.) Minchah: “gift”, Grain/Meal offering and also translated as Meat offering in KJV (Leviticus Ch.2)

A.) no leaven

B.) no honey

C.) offered with salt, oil & frankincense

D.) offered up twice a day (morning & night) by the Aaron & sons

E.) the remainder portion is eaten by Aaron and his sons.

 

3.) Shelem: Peace/Fellowship offering (Leviticus Ch.3)

A.) eaten inside the courtyard by the one who brought it (BBQ!)

B.) the right thigh is given to the “cohen”, the priest (Leviticus 7:32)

C.) can be male or female

 

4.) Chattat: Sin offering (Leviticus Ch.4)

A.) for the anointed priest (messiah priest) instead of saying the high priest “cohen gadol”. (Leviticus 4:3)

B.) Sin offering for a ruler (chief/prince) See Exodus 18:21 & 25, and Deuteronomy 1:13, these were the appointed heads/judges of the people who were to judge & teach right rulings according to the law of God.

C.) Sin offering for Individuals (female goat).

D.) for unintentional sin only

 

5.) Asham: Guilt/Trespass offering (Leviticus Ch.5-6:7).

A.) differs from the sin offering (Chattat) as it is specifically for certain types of sin only.

B.) a female lamb or goat for the “Individual” trespass offering unless poor.

C.) lying & theft also involves giving an extra 1/5 of the value of what was lied about or stolen on top of the value of what was sinfully taken.

 

How many of the above offerings were for sin?

I used to believe that ALL of the offerings/sacrifices were for sin! How about you? You may currently have this understanding now but I want to share with you that only 3 of the 5 offerings were actually for sin! The Grain offering (Minchah) & the Peace offering (Shelem) were not for sin but meant to be “gift” offerings. The word “Minchah” in Hebrew known as the Grain offering as I stated previously literally means “gift” or “tribute”, keep this in mind going forward. They are voluntary offerings to be brought by those whose hearts moves them to offer to God out of their thankfulness and love for Him!

 

What was the purpose & function of these 5 offerings?

-for temporary atonement for sin

-to help the people understand that there is a very serious cost (a life) & consequence for their sin as it causes death

-sin required the giving one’s unblemished clean animals, the best of their flock & herd which was part of their livelihood & wealth. Even though the one that sinned did not have to give up their own life for their sin they still had to give of themselves!

-a reminder that God is the provider of all good things, even that which was allowed to be brought as an offering of temporary atonement for sin. God did not have to allow & provide a means of a temporary “covering” of their sin to save their lives. The word “atonement” in Hebrew is the word “kaphar” which literally means “to cover”. The life (life is in the blood) of the sin offerings “covered over” the sin that was committed by the being that sinned. This was truly a merciful “gift” of God due to His loving grace for His people!

-to be able to offer God “gifts” of gratitude & love in return as is done with the Minchah (Grain) offering and the Shelem (Peace) offering.

-to be able to draw near to God also due to His love and grace!

 

The Ascending, Sin & Trespass/Guilt offerings all require an animal offering for atonement of sin with the exception of a trespass/guilt offering for a poor person who is not even able to bring two turtle doves or young pigeons for their offering! (Leviticus 5:11-13) In this case, God allows for them to bring an offering of fine flour without oil as their sin offering in order to receive atonement for their sin. Note: Any offering to God that was placed upon His altar was required to never contain “leaven”.

 

Why did God require the life of an animal?

Because the consequence of sin is death and the penalty due is a life in order to pay what is due! God had to provide a means to protect His creation that was made in His image which meant the life of an animal in place of man and we know that His Word states that life is found in the blood. (Leviticus 17:11)

Did God find pleasure in this?

No, God values all His creation but He knew it was either the loss of our lives or the animals and thankfully He chose the animals to take our place so we would seek to be in right relationship with Him and not have to die! We also know that God prefers obedience over these offerings as He does not desire the death of any of His creation!

We read in 1 Samuel 15:22, “And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

We read in Psalm 40:6-8, “In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of Me (Yeshua): 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

As we continue to go through this message I want you to consider that the only thing that God has ever delighted in was a right heart condition of a man/woman that brought an offering. God never desired the death of an animal or the blood.

This temporary atonement process made sure that man did not get off the hook without a cost as the animals were part of their livelihood & financial worth. God wanted mankind to know that there is a severe price for sin and a separation from Him which would lead to death if man didn’t turn back (repent) and get right with Him in order to draw near to Him again and remain “covered” or “atoned for”. This was meant to motivate His people to turn away from sin and to become more obedient to His Word so that less offerings/sacrifices would be required!

 

So, what exactly brought the atonement of sins or in other words what aspect of the offerings brought atonement? (“atonement” means the “covering over” of sin not to be seen anymore by God)

Most would say “the blood” but if it was only just the blood of animals then why does God accept an offering of fine flour as atonement for a Guilt/Trespass offering for a poor person? (Leviticus 5:11-13) If the atonement was only found in the blood then a fine flour offering would have never been accepted by God! Could there be something deeper going on here? Like the deeper things of the heart? (hint hint!)

 

I want to point out that there are “5” offerings/sacrifices that one could bring to God, 5 is a number in Scripture that represents the revelation of God’s divine mercy & grace. The Hebrew letter “hey” which is the 5th letter of the Hebrew alphabet and also used to represent the #5 in Hebrew and is believed by many ancient Rabbis who studied and knew the Hebrew language well, they believed it represented the breath (Spirit) of God. When we receive the free gift of Yeshua (Jesus) Who has fulfilled and represents all the 5 offerings and is our perfect offering we will then receive the Holy Spirit from our faith in Him these are all acts of God’s divine mercy & grace! Pay attention in Scripture as you come across the number 5 and see if you see an act of divine mercy & grace.

If you would like to learn more about the number 5 see the message titled “Give Me 5!”

Give Me 5!

 

Forgiveness/atonement always has to begin with repentance which is a turning away from our sin and turning back to God by submitting to His Word, and coming to Him with a broken & contrite heart so that our offering will be accepted by Him. (Psalm 51:1-17 & Hosea 14:2 & Isaiah 6:5-7). This is what allows us to draw near to God and for Him to draw near to us. It truly was a divine act of mercy & grace that God gave His people a means (being the 5 offerings) to still be able to draw near to Him in their sinful state! Forgiveness/atonement has always come by faith (which is belief in action) in His Word by grace (the acceptable offering which He has given us) and it comes from a repentant heart!

We see in Leviticus 5:11-13 that an offering of fine flour is acceptable to God without the blood (life) of an animal as long as the person is so poor that they are unable to bring even doves or pigeons. So, it is not the blood that specifically brings atonement as it is not required in this circumstance! Our God is not a blood thirsty God! If it was just about the blood then anyone could receive atonement/forgiveness of their sins if they just brought an animal sacrifice even if they had an evil heart toward God! This is never true in Scripture and goes contrary to the character of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

Please don’t hear me claiming that blood is not needed for atonement in general or that the blood of Yeshua (Jesus) is not needed. Remember, in order for ALL sin to be atoned and forgiven for there has to be an offering of a clean perfect life without blemish and since the life is in the blood the blood of a perfect offering has to be shed. Instead of thinking of Yeshua as a sacrifice it better helps to understand Him as an offering, as He willingly offered Himself up for us all with the purest heart of all, a heart without blemish with the law of God written on it, without leaven and full of the greatest love of all.

 

We Read in Acts 2:38, “38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized (professing faith & obedience) in the name of Jesus Christ (the perfect offering of God’s divine mercy & grace) for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (God’s divine mercy & grace)

 

We have seen the requirement by God that no leaven is to be offered to Him upon His altar with any of the offerings. Why does He specify no leaven? Let me suggest that some of the spiritual reasons can be seen in the Hebrew words that are translated as “leaven” being the Hebrew word “sehore” (noun) and the Hebrew word that is translated as that which “has been leavened” (noun) or “to be leavened” (verb) being the Hebrew word “chamets”. We can see these 2 Hebrew words used in the Scripture in the verse located at Leviticus 2:11 (also see Exodus 12:19) . The Hebrew word “sehore” translated into English as “leaven” originates from the Hebrew word “shawar” which is defined as “be left over, to remain” as in a ball of dough that is left out to accumulate with yeast. The Strong’s Concordance refers to this word as meaning “to swell up”, which makes perfect sense when we understand that the function of leaven is to cause the dough to swell up. During the time of the exodus the Israelites did not have yeast packets to carry with them to “leaven” their dough, they instead would need to leave some of their “left over” dough out to be exposed to air in order to naturally accumulate yeast. They would then take pieces of this dough now containing yeast (leaven) to add to new dough so that it would “become leavened” in order for it to “puff up” or rise when baked. What do we mean in our culture when we claim that people have “swollen or puffed up heads”? We are saying that they are full of themselves, focused on themselves and prideful. Leaven is a spiritual picture of being in the flesh, focused on one’s evil desires and thoughts that comes from their flesh and is contrary to God’s instructions (law), His will and His desires!

To go a step further, the verb form of the Hebrew word “chamets” (to be leavened) is the byproduct of leaven being added to something and heat being applied to it. The literal definition of this Hebrew word also provides us with a spiritual picture. The meaning of this Hebrew word “chamets” is the following:

-to be leavened

-to be sour

-to be embittered

-to be grieved

-to be cruel

-to oppress

-to be ruthless

-to be red (wrath/vengeful anger)

 

We can see in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-9) what I believe is a witness to a wrong heart condition causing one’s offering(s) to not be accepted by God. When we read Genesis 4:1–9 we see that God did not accept Cain’s offering. Cain brought an offering (Minchah) from the “fruit” of the ground and we see in verse 3 that Cain was a tiller of the ground or a gardener. From what we can read about Cain’s response to his offering (Minchah) not being accepted by God how would you define Cain’s heart condition?

Was Cain sour (toward God & Abel)? Was he embittered (toward God & Abel)? Was he grieved? Was he cruel (toward his brother Abel)? Was he oppressive (toward Abel)? Was he ruthless (toward Abel)? Was Cain full of wrath and vengeful anger?

I will go out on a limb and suggest that Cain’s heart was leavened, toward God and toward his brother which resulted in Cain murdering his brother. In order for Cain’s heart to be leavened what had to already exist in his heart to get to this point?

Leaven! Cain already had leaven in his heart which spread and multiplied when tested (heated) by God’s rejection of his offering. Cain was walking according to his flesh and tried to bring God a gift, a Minchah offering and just like all humans that are in their flesh when tested their response will always be similar to that of Cain’s response. God tried to warn Cain but Cain was not willing to listen and responded according to his flesh driven by his destructive emotions!

 

Whenever our heart is not inclined to God we are not willing to give Him the best, the best of what we have and of ourselves. When this is the case we are walking according to our flesh and only desiring to serve self, our wants and desires. This means this we are serving & worshipping the god of self! The god of self serves and worships satan as he is the king of self-worship and rebellion toward God. When we fall into this destructive fleshly behavior we are turned away from the face of God and are not able to please God, nor are we able to bring Him gift offerings (Minchah) or any offering for atonement/forgiveness until we repent. Meaning we are not able to draw near to God which only results in death. (Romans 8:5-8)

If our heart is not right (contains leaven or is already leavened) and/or what we bring to Him is not acceptable in His sight then our offerings our ”korban” (that which allows & draws us near to God) is not accepted by God. And just like Cain, God will not regard our offerings until we come to Him with the right heart toward Him willing to give Him our best and willing to love our brothers/sisters. I want to clarify that this is not about coming to God in a state of perfection but coming to Him with a heart that is truly inclined to Him, humble and willing to commit and submit to Him all parts of our life.
We read in Matthew 5:21-24, “21 You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

The “gift” here is a “Minchah” offering!

Have you ever wondered why Yeshua (Jesus) began that section speaking of murder? Does Matthew 5:21-24 remind you of the story of Cain & Able? It should!

 

We read in Mark 11:25-26, “25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”’

 

Our hearts have to be right toward God and our brothers and sisters in order for our offerings to be accepted by Him. Does this mean if someone holds something against us even after we have tried our best to be reconciled with them that God will not receive our offerings? No, we are not responsible for other’s hard hearts but we are responsible to go to them in love and try to bring about forgiveness.

 

Are we to still bring offerings (korban/draw near) to the Lord today?

We read in Matthew 25:34-46, “34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”’

 

We read in Romans 12:1-3, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

 

The offerings given and accepted by God for temporary atonement in Leviticus chapters 1-5 were to teach His people that what they were actually giving to Him was meant to be a reflection of themselves, that what He desires is the offering of ourselves through faith, love & obedience to His Word. From the beginning, our Heavenly Father has always sought for the heart of His people so He can free us from the slavery of this world which is our sin and the oppression of satan so that He can draw us near to Him to bless & protect us! May we have such faith and love in Him and His Word that we are able to draw near (bring korban) to Him with the perfect offering which is Yeshua. We can only do this if we have a heart that truly believes in the unblemished Lamb and is willing to submit and follow after His perfect example of laying down His life out of faith, love and walking according to Father’s truth, to His law.

 

We read in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, “1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler (similar to the deeper meaning of “chamets” to be leavened), drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

The Apostle Paul was identifying the “leaven” in the church of Corinth, it was someone walking according to their flesh and not willing to turn away from their very serious sin when it was exposed! The flesh is rebellious against God and will never submit to God’s law (Romans 8:5-8). I used to think the issue was sexual immorality but Paul was revealing the root cause of this rebellion by the man committing adultery with his stepmother, it was the man’s evil desires of his flesh which can manifest into many different types of sin but this sin is the sin that leads to death because it is defiant sin, the kind that even when exposed the person refuses to turn from their evil ways. This is the worst kind of rebellion against God! Rebellion has to be purged from our hearts, from our families, as well as from our congregations or else it will spread to all those around. Have you ever spent a lot of time around an angry, negative and rebellious person that was never willing to submit to authority, if so, how did it affect you and others that spent time with this kind of person? Did you rub off on them or was it the other way around? This is why we are instructed to not have fellowship with those in the body of Christ that continue to walk according to their flesh and that are not willing to repent when their defiant sin is brought to light.

We read in James 4:6-12: “6 But He (God) gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. 11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” (also read James 4:1-5 for greater context)

 

Anytime that we begin to fall away from God and/or feel like He is moving away from us (losing of our peace & joy) may we check our heart condition toward Him and others and follow the instructions found in James 4:6-11 by humbling ourselves, repenting of our sin thru mourning & weeping, coming to Him with the perfect offering (Yeshua), recommitting and submitting to Him (His law) and resist the enemy by rejecting any evil thoughts, desires or feelings which are not in alignment with our Father’s Word or His character.

When we allow ourselves to focus on our evil desires or evil thoughts which manifests in our words, actions and behavior we have allowed the leaven to spread in our heart. A leavened heart will falsely accuse a brother or sister and lead to further evil and hateful thoughts about them which can and will be spread to all those around a person with a leavened heart. When we are not grateful and thankful to God no matter what our circumstances are this is a strong temptation for us to become leavened or if we are led by our fleshly desires and/or fear. I believe this is the reason the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:8 “finally, brothers (and sisters) whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”. Paul suffered severe persecution by those of his flesh, as he was falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and thrown into jail and eventually killed but he did not allow his heart to become leavened by focusing on God and all that was good because of God! We have to learn to die to our flesh! The enemy has no foothold in our lives if we are not walking according to our flesh, meaning we are not carrying leaven in our hearts in order for it to spread and to become fully leavened. (Note: a good desire can become evil once it becomes more important than anything else especially more important than God and His will as it then becomes an idol!)

If we will guard our mind from the thoughts and lies that the enemy wants us to dwell on (hateful thoughts of ourselves and others) it will also guard our hearts from the emotions that can lead us to think and act contrary to Father’s Word and His character, as well as help us to not judge, think or speak evil of our brothers and sisters. This act of dying to our flesh also fulfills Romans 12:1-3 and is acceptable and pleasing worship to God (offering of ourselves) and He will lift us up and bring us closer to Himself .

Without first humbling ourselves with genuine repentance, then accepting, submitting to and bringing the perfect love offering for sin we are not able to come before the Lord to be able to draw near to Him in the first place. That perfect love offering is Yeshua (Jesus). Praise God for His divine mercy and grace!

We read in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I hope and pray that this message has blessed you and will help you to draw closer to God as you give more of yourself to Him. In doing so, He will lift you up and free you from all the damage and devastation of the past caused by this fallen world and the one who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour with his lies and his attempts to cause anyone he can to doubt what God has said in His Word and to walk according to the desires of their flesh.

Since this message is being shared during Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread I would like to share the words of the Apostle Paul again as written in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, “7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed (offered). 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” May it be so!

Until next time, the Lord bless you and guard you.

 

 

 

Scripture References:

“11 “But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for the sin that he has committed a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it and shall put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 12 And he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take a handful of it as its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, on the Lord’s food offerings; it is a sin offering. 13 Thus the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed in any one of these things, and he shall be forgiven. And the remainder shall be for the priest, as in the grain offering.” (Leviticus 5:11-13)

 

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” (Leviticus 17:11)

 

“1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:1-17)

 

“Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.” (Hosea 14:2)

 

“5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”’ (Isaiah 6:5-7)

 

“No grain offering that you bring to the LORD shall be made with leaven (chamets), for you shall burn no leaven (sehore) nor any honey as a food offering to the LORD” (Leviticus 2:11)

 

“For seven days no leaven (sehore) is to be found in your houses. If anyone eats what is leavened (chamets), that person will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a sojourner or a native of the land.”: (Exodus 12:19)

 

“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”’ (Genesis 4:1-14)

 

“As an offering of firstfruits you may bring them to the LORD, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma” (Leviticus 2:12)

 

“5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5-8)

 

“1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?” (James 4:1-5)