Note: our work on “the law” or “every word” is progressing slowly. The preliminary introduction will probably be published soon, in the meantime, it appears that the Lord has every intention to teach us as we go. While this certainly fits within the greater context, it wasn’t a near term objective for study.
This morning as I was concluding my prior day’s fast, I pulled from the microwave a substantial meal full of fresh vegetables from the garden layered over mashed potatoes with a little taco flavored hamburger and a healthy portion of cheese. I was so grateful (it being day 24) that I raised this plate high over my head and offered profound and heartfelt gratitude, even exceeding gratitude. I then experienced a singular spiritual experience as I was made aware that my action very much pleased the Lord. I found this very surprising. It wasn’t planned. I had never entertained such an idea. It just happened. I wasn’t being frivolous, neither was I being sanctimonious. I simply raised the plate, raised my voice, and ended up being lifted.
Q: I asked if this was something that we should incorporate into our understanding of keeping the law.
A: Yes, certainly.
Can you imagine the response if I were to do this in public?
I pondered a couple of scriptures (see below) and wondered if the lifting of an offering had a more special significance because of the Saviors sacrifice and if the raising of offerings in the Law of Moses foreshadowed that aspect of the atonement. I wondered if the lifting of one’s hands in prayer carried this same meaning (among others). I then wondered at why it is that we no longer lift our hands while blessing the sacrament.
I asked if lifting the sacrament bread and wine should be incorporated into the sacrament?
A: Naturally.
Huh.
Can you imagine the response if I were to do this in public? OyVie
Scriptures referenced, above:
And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil — And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. (3 Nephi 27:14–15)
Here are two Old Testament translations, neither of which seems to do justice to the Hebrew (as read by this amateur). The key word is:
תְּרוּמָה
“tĕruwmah” is translated in the KJV as: offering 51, oblation 19, heave 4, gifts 1, offered 1 It has as a root the word:
רוּם
“ruwm” is translated in the KJV as: (lift, hold, etc…) up 63, exalt 47, high 25, offer 13, give 5, heave 3, extol 3, lofty 3, take 3, tall 3, higher 2, misc 24
The point is that the use of both words in verse 19 may well be akin to the repetition of words used in Hebrew as a means of emphasis, in this case we might translate תָּרִימוּ תְרוּמָה, “lift ye up a (lifted) offering.” I highlighted the related words in these translations:
When ye come into the land whither I bring you, Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the Lord. Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it. Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the Lord an heave offering in your generations. (Numbers 15:18–21, KJV)
When you enter the land where I am bringing you and eat bread produced in the land, you are to set aside a portion as a gift for Adonai. Set aside from your first dough a cake as a gift; set it aside as you would set aside a portion of the grain from the threshing-floor. From your first dough you will give Adonai a portion as a gift through all your generations. (Numbers 15:18–21, Complete Jewish Bible)
Note: during the day, I’ve been thinking where this may have come from. I recollect in my younger days that priests would life the sacrament when blessing it, but not up high. In the Messianic Synagogue, they lift their Torahs up when they bless God for His word. I suppose these and other experiences may have lead me in this direction. If so, it most certainly wasn’t conscious. I was simply exceedingly grateful for what was to be a most excellent meal.