Bridging Heaven and Earth

"On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel." —Leviticus 9:1

The Torah portion for this week, Shemini, is from Leviticus 9:1–11:47 and the Haftorah from 2 Samuel 6:1–19.

At first glance, it seems that the beginning of this week's Torah reading should have been included in the previous portion,Tzav. In that portion, we read about the first seven days of the inauguration of the Tabernacle. But just as we are about to get to the eighth day, that portion abruptly stops, and this week's portion begins with the eighth day. This is the source of the portion's name – Shemini, meaning "eighth."

The Sages wonder why the eighth day wasn't connected to the first seven, and they conclude that there is something unique about the eighth day of the inauguration. The rabbis wanted to stress the qualitative difference between the seven days and the eighth one, so they completely separated the readings.

For seven days, the representatives of Israel served in the Tabernacle, but on the eighth day, the priests began their service. This is the practical difference between the days, but there is a spiritual differentiation as well.

Spiritually Alive

 

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall be made alive. —1 Corinthians 15:22

The spirit realm is a world greater and more awesome than this world could ever be. We who are spiritually alive can cross into that realm and hear the voice of God. We can live without fear, for we have eternal life by the blood of the Lamb.

The spiritually dead cannot see what we see or hear what we hear. I have seen them wandering the earth by the thousands: milling in and out of theaters and shopping malls, driving on the freeways, mowing their lawns, and dragging themselves through life. Like weary prisoners who march until they drop, the spiritually dead walk without hope, defeated prisoners of a lie. They believe the lie that they will live and die, and nothing lies beyond.

One day the trumpet will sound, but they will go on with their weary lives-.-.-.-typing, welding, baking, and driving as though nothing had happened. Those who are spiritually alive will hear the sound no one else hears and skyrocket into the presence of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Jesus, I long to live daily in Your spiritual realm.
Help me to live without fear and to obey
Your voice each and every day. Amen.

http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/devotionals/daily-breakthroughs/?devFor=2012-09-29