(Continued from "Blemishes?" Page 1)
              . 

No superfluous thing   

"For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous..."  (Lev 21:18-19) The word "superfluous" means to prolong, i.e. (reflex) be deformed by excess of members.1  

1.  The synonyms for "deform" and "excess" 
     a.  Deform - Distort, contort, warp means to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting. 
     b.  Excess - Surplus, glut, overload, overkill, intemperance [lack of moderation], overindulgence.

2.  Watch out for spiritual "excess" (Distortion or warping of the "things of God")
     Just as the natural body is deformed because of excess of members, our spiritual man can
     be deformed (distorted) by excess in one particular area of truth from God's Word. Our doctrine
     must be balanced! (Prov.11:1-2) It must be "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word      
     may be established." (Deut.19:15, Matt.18:16, 2Cor.13:1)
     a.  The apostle Peter 
          He wrote of those..."that are unlearned and unstable wrest, (torture, twist) as they do also 
          the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2Peter.3:16-17)
     b.  The apostle Paul 
          He wrote,"For we are not as many. which corrupt the Word of God."(2Cor.2:17)  "But I fear,
          lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be
          corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2Cor.11:3-4, Col.2:4, 8, 18)
    
          Note: This limited those of "the seed of Aaron" (Lev.21:16-17) not only in their in their 
          daily ministry, but also in the once a year going through the Vail. 
          (Review: "Building Code"/ Restoration of the Church)

 3. Some examples of "anything superfluous." (Spiritually)
     These examples began with the scripture being "wrested" tortured, and ended in excess
     a.  When the serpent said, "Yea hath God said." 
          What the serpent said was true, (Gen.3:1-5, 22) but he "beguiled"(seduced) Eve 
          (2Cor.11:1-3) into revising and adding (Gen.2:16-17; 3:2) to God's Word.  
     b.  The Pharisees which believed          
          They wanted the Gentiles that believed, to keep the Law of Moses and be circumcised,     
          (Acts.15:1-11) when Christ is the only one that can keep the Law. (Rom.8:1-4) They were 
          like the Galatians, that were being "removed" from grace "unto another Gospel; which is not
          another." (Gal.1:6-9) They were being "bewitched." (Gal.3:1)
     c.  Certain men crept in
          These "men" were "turning the grace of...God into lasciviousness ( lewd, lustful, lacking legal
          or moral restraints; marked by disregard for strict rules of correctness)  and denying...the
          Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude.1:4)  
     
     .

4.  Deformities can be corrected as we grow to maturity
     Under the Old Covenant, if you were born with a "superfluous" limb, you were limited and      
     restricted. Under the New Covenant Jesus will remove that blemish with the washing of His
     Word. (Eph.5:26-27)
     a.  We begin as a Babe in Christ and continue to "grow up into Him in all things, which is the
          head, even Christ." (Eph.4:15) The mature / adult Body of Christ with no deformities!
     b.  The apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher have been given the responsibility
          to cause us to grow up properly without spiritual excess limbs. (Eph.4:8-14)
     c.  Who appoints the Eph.4:11 ministries? "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up 
          on high, he (Jesus) led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended,
          what is it but that he (Jesus) also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He
          (Jesus) that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he
          (Jesus) might fill all things.) And he (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
          and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." (Eph 4:8-11)
     d.  Refusal of these ministries will set a wrong course in your growth and cause to you 
          to become spiritual deformed. These Eph.4:11 ministries are the only one's designated to
          mature (perfect) you with no spiritual excess limbs.

          Remember the pattern: Those of the seed of Aaron that had "anything superfluous"  
          could not go into beyond the Vail into the Most Holy Place. (Lev.21:18-19)

            
5.  Spiritual excess in leadership        
      Today, some like the Corinthian Church are "overindulging" on certain ministries. They are
      saying, "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided?"  
      (1Cor.1:12-13)   
      a.  God is no respecter of persons.
           Then "Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
           persons." (Acts 10:34-35)
           (1)  When Aaron and his sons blew the trumpets there was no distinction made among 
                 the sons of Aaron, who blew. (Num.10:1-10) The sound had absolutely nothing to do 
                 with personalities!
           (2)  Paul said of himself. "who then is Paul...but ministers (servants) by whom ye 
                 believed. (1Cor.3:5) 
           (3)  Zadok, the high priest and his sons (the priesthood) were selected "come
                 near to me to minister unto" the Lord (Ezek 44:15) in Ezekiel's future "Glory filled" 
                 Temple (Ezek.43:4) because he choose principle over personality. (2Sam.15:24-29)
      b.  For our spiritual man to grow to maturity without "any thing superfluous."  
           (Lev.21:18-19) there must be input from the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and
           teacher. This will prevent "excess" (i.e. "any thing superfluous)and bring balance to our
           spiritual growth.  

A man that is broken footed, or broken handed

"For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is broken footed, or broken handed." (Lev.21:20)  
       
1.  Broken = defeat, unfaithfulness (not dependable) in time of need
     Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of
     joint.(Prov 25:19-20) The High Priest (the seed of Aaron Lev.21:17) needed to be faithful. 
     Jesus was a "merciful and faithful high priest." (Heb.2:17) Those that measure up the stature 
     of Christ, our High Priest, (Eph.4:11-16) will be faithful / dependable! Broken also carries the
     thought of,
     a.  Sorrow, a dry place
          By "sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." (Prov 15:13-14) "A broken spirit drieth the
          bones."(Prov 17:22-23) 
     c.  Slothful, sleep, poverty
          I "went by the field of the slothful...and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, (Matt.13:22 
          cares of this world) and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof 
          was broken down...Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 
          So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man."
          (Prov 24:31-25:1)
     d.  No discipline
          He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without
          walls.(Prov 25:28-26:1)

2.  Feet / Our walk, lifestyle, behaviour.      
     When "Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, 
     I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." (Gen 17:1-2, Rom.4:12, 2Cor.5:7)

3.  Hands / Our works (Review: "Meal Offering")
     That "ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, 
     as we commanded you." (1Thes.4:11-12)

A man that is a crookbackt

For "whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame,
or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is broken footed, or broken handed, Or crookbackt ..." (Lev 21:18-21) A "crookbackt" is a  hunch-backed4  (Humpback) There would have to be many exceptions made for this priest to minister before the Lord in the Tabernacle. The Bride, (Eph.5:21-33) the Church that has come to the full stature of Christ (Eph.4:11-16) will have no spiritual "crookbackt's."  There will be no exceptions.

1.  Unable to carry load (burden bearer)
     Take "my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find 
     rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden (a task or service)5  is light." 
     (Matt 11:29) i.e. easy.     
     a.  Aaron and his sons had a "service" and a "burden"7 in the Tabernacle. (Num 4:19)
          This is ministering (Exod.28:1) unto the Lord, "bearing" the Tabernacle, (Num.1:50) 
          "keeping charge" of the Tabernacle. (Num.3:38)            
           (1)  Daily (Morning and Evening) Exod.30:1-8
           (2)  Yearly (The Day of Atonement) Lev.23:26-44
     b.  The Body of Christ has a "burden" (tasks or services)
          As a "born again" believer we have been "called according to His purpose..to be 
          conformed to the image of His Son..." the High Priest (Heb.3:1, Rom.8:28-29, Eph.4:11-16)
          with the same "burden" (task / service) 
     c.  The "burden...is light." i.e. easy
          The Old Testament prophets spoke of the "burden"7 of the Word of the Lord that they 
          carried to the people of God. (Zech.9:1; 12:1) Like that of a steward. It was the Spirit of God
          speaking "by the mouth of..." (Note: Acts.1:16) It is "easy" (light) because we are in Christ,
          (2Cor.5:17) yoked together with Him. (Matt.11:28) 
          
           
No Dwarf to come in unto the Vail

For "whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf,..." (Lev 21:18-21) A dwarf, is a person of unusually small stature; especially : one whose bodily proportions are abnormal. Encyclopedia Britannica

1.  The Church is to "grow up into Him."
      Speaking "the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." 
      (Eph 4:15-16, Matt.13:30, 1Peter.2:2)

2.  The Eph.4:11 are given to cause us to grow
      Jesus "gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors
      and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
      body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
      unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Eph 4:11-14)
      a.  Those that refuse these Eph.4:11 ministries will remain spiritual dwarf's (i.e. a person of
           unusually small stature) 
      b.  "Abnormal"- normal is to come to the full stature of the fullness of Christ. (Eph.4:11-16)

   .
 No man that hath a blemish in the eye
      
For "whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or
he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,
Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye..."  (Lev 21:18-20)

1.  Eyes typify our spiritual understanding
     "The eyes of your understanding (in God's Word) being enlightened; that ye may know what 
     is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." 
     (Eph 1:18-19)
     a.  This understanding is not in the "excellency of speech." (1Cor.2:1)
     b.  This understanding is not with "enticing words of man's wisdom." (1Cor.2:4)
     c.  This understanding is not in the "wisdom of this world." (1Cor.2:6)
     
     Note: Therefore, all those that exalt the "excellency of speech," (1Cor.2:1) "enticing words of
     man's wisdom," (1Cor.2:4) and the "wisdom of this world" (1Cor.2:6) will prevent themselves
     from going through the Vail " because they would profane (pollute) the sanctuary! 
     (Lev.21:23)

2.  Some examples of blemished eyes  
      a.  The Laodicean Church had a blemished eye. Their understanding had become so corrupt
           that they had shut Jesus out of the Church. (Rev.3:20) Jesus said, "I counsel thee to...anoint 
           thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see." (Rev 3:18-19)
      b.  When Jesus "came unto His own" their understanding (eyes / ears) had "waxed gross"
           because they had allowed the traditions (wisdom) of men make the Word of God of none
           efect. (John.1:11, Matt.13:10-17; 15:6, 2Cor.3:14, Rom.11:25)
      c.  The two on their way to Emmaus. Their doctrine had given them a blemished eye. They
           were expecting a natural deliverance from Rome. (Luke.24:13-21) When the "blemish" 
           (so-to-speak) was removed,(Luke.24:31-32) they had understanding that God had
           promised a spiritual deliverance

   .
No man that "be scurvy"       

"For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy..." (Lev 21:18-21)

1.  The definition of "scurvy"
     Means to scratch; scurf (from itching). It has also translated into the King James Version as,
     scab.8 The English dictionary describes "scrab" as, " any of various bacterial or fungus 
     diseases of plants characterized by crustaceous spots. A crust of hardened blood and serum
     over a wound."9

2.  There will be those with "itching ears" 
     Preach "the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
     longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
     but after their own lusts (of the flesh that needs to be stratched) shall they heap to themselves
     teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
     turned unto fables.(a tale, i.e. fiction / "myth") (2 Tim 4:2-4) 
     a.  The Athenians had "itching" ears. "For all the Athenians and strangers which were there 
          spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing." (Acts 17:21-22)
          A picture of many of the modern Charismatic Churches today.
     b.  Walk not after the flesh. (Gal.5:16-25) Don't give place to that "itch"
     
          Note: A spiritual "scab" will limit you from going through the Vail " because it would 
          profane (pollute) the sanctuary!  (Lev.21:23) Also review: The blemishes rejected in the offerings.


   .

No broken stones

For "whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken..." (Lev 21:18-21) i.e. a testicle (as a lump):

  .....