Numbers 8:2 “² “Tell Aharon, ‘When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps are to cast their light forward, in front of the menorah.’” CJB

There is a parasha in numbers call B’ha’alotkha (When you set up)

During the Appointed time of Shavuot or Pentecost; one of the things that the High Priest did was to wave two loaves of leavened bread before the Lord.  Many times, we don’t know the reason behind this action; however, in the parasha B’ha’ alotkha (when you set up) gives us small clues of why the high priest waved the two loaves of bread.

Numbers 8:5-14 “⁵ Adonai said to Moshe, ⁶ “Take the L’vi’im from among the people of Isra’el and cleanse them. ⁷ Here is how you are to cleanse them: sprinkle the purification water on them, have them shave their whole body with a razor, and have them wash their clothes and cleanse themselves. ⁸ Then they are to take a young bull with its grain offering, which is to be fine flour mixed with olive oil; while you take another bull for a sin offering. ⁹ You are to present the L’vi’im in front of the tent of meeting and assemble the entire community of the people of Isra’el. ¹⁰ You will present the L’vi’im before Adonai, the people of Isra’el will lay their hands on the L’vi’im, ¹¹ and Aharon will offer the L’vi’im before Adonai as a wave offering from the people of Isra’el, so that they may do Adonai’s service. ¹² The L’vi’im will lay their hands on the heads of the bulls; the one you will offer as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to Adonai to make atonement for the L’vi’im. ¹³ You are to place the L’vi’im before Aharon and his sons and offer them as a wave offering to Adonai. ¹⁴ In this way you will separate the L’vi’im from the people of Isra’el, and the L’vi’im will belong to me.” CJB

Leviticus 23:17,20 “¹⁷ You must bring bread from your homes for waving — two loaves made with one gallon of fine flour, baked with leaven” “²⁰ The cohen will wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before Adonai, with the two lambs; these will be holy for Adonai for the cohen.” CJB

When we celebrate the time of weeks, Pentecost or Shavuot; it is a time of receiving the Holy Spirit, a new beginning, accepting and allowing Yeshua the Messiah to guide us through the Ruach Hachodesh, to conform us to His image. 

When we receive Yeshua into our lives; we are changed, we no longer want to do the things of this world, but we want to tell other people about the good news of Yeshua.  When we do that, we have become servants of Yeshua and His kingdom, so even though, we are operating in this flesh; once we accept Yeshua, we are set apart.

2 Peter 2:4-5 “⁴ As you come to him, the living stone, rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him, ⁵ you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be cohanim set apart for God to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to him through Yeshua the Messiah.” CJB

When we go back to numbers and look at why the Levites were set apart, we can get some clues of why the high priest had to wave the bread before God.  Today we have Yeshua as our High Priest and we are like the Levites, like the priestly nation, who had been set apart for Him to love Him and serve Him. According to what can be learned from numbers and Leviticus we are waved before God to be: 

They have been atoned

Been purified

Set apart for the work of God

To belong to Him. Psalm 95:7

We are a Holy gift unto Him. Numbers 8:21

Waved to serve to God

Waved for protection and not be struck with a plague

Washed clothes with the blood of Yeshua. Numbers 8:21

As Firstfruits. Numbers 8:16

Given to Yeshua. Numbers 8:

Waved so we can be ONE: John 17:23

Revelation 5:10 “You made them into a kingdom for God to rule, cohanim to serve him; and they will rule over the earth.” CJB

When we go back to the parasha B’ha’alotkha (when you set up). It begins the chapter by setting up the menorahs, and the first menorah was Yeshua.  Lampstands or menorahs are the people and Yeshua is among His people = Revelation 1:20, Exodus 37:17.

We are set apart to set up to be a light unto a dark world and to be one day united with the ultimate light which is Yeshua. 

We are waved; in other words, consecrated, dedicated, ordained, commission to:

Matthew 28:19-20 “¹⁹ Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.” CJB

We encourage you to celebrate Shavuot, Passover, unleavened bread, and all the Appointed times of the Lord because they all have a deep meaning that has to do with Yeshua and with us.

Revelation 22:1-5 “Next the angel showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. ² Between the main street and the river was the Tree of Life producing twelve kinds of fruit, a different kind every month; and the leaves of the tree were for healing the nations — ³ no longer will there be any curses. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him; ⁴ they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ Night will no longer exist, so they will need neither the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because Adonai, God, will shine upon them. And they will reign as kings forever and ever.” CJB

Shalom, May Yeshua continues to bless you.