Roadmap for the soul - Judaism, the bible and the tabernacle

We have just seen that God chose to clothe Adam and Eve in "coverings of skin"
in order to demonstrate that mankind is helpless to restore the unity that was lost in the garden.

But... why is it that we are helpless?
Why is it that we cannot do anything to restore our relationship with God?
Shouldn't we be allowed to learn from our mistake and then move on?

In order to answer this question, we need to consider the biblical concept of "leaven".
A typical use of this word can be found here ---

Galatians 5:9 "A little leaven leavens the whole lump."

"Leaven" basically refers to a fermenting agent such as yeast, and this word is generally used throughout the bible to illustrate the "pervasive character of evil". 13 "Pervasive" meaning that a tiny bit of yeast will grow and grow until it has totally permeated the "whole lump" of dough.

And "a little leaven" of 'sin' apparently works the same way.

Now... here's the real point ---

As seen previously, 'sin' is essentially 'disbelief'...
(All sin stems from a disbelief in God's authority and His boundaries).

Thus, given the fact that the bible uses "leaven" as a metaphor for 'sin', it could be said that just as a little bit of "leaven" is unstoppable and continues to grow until it has spread throughout the "whole lump" of dough, the "leaven" of sin/disbelief that we've chosen is similar. The "leaven" of sin/disbelief is unstoppable, and is destined to spread throughout our spirit, soul, and body, essentially making each and every one of us ---

John 8:34 "... a slave of sin."

So then ... does this 'slavery' mean that we are incapable of ever doing the 'right' thing?

Well, in a sense, there is evidence that people are capable of doing the 'right thing' when and if they choose to. But actually, the bible says that even our ability to judge 'rightly' has itself been twisted by sin, and thus, even our 'best' does not necessarily reflect God's view of what is truly right. 14

In any case, the real point here, is that the spiritual "leaven" of sin (and its 'slavery') renders us incapable of choosing to do the right thing on a consistent basis... Consistency is the real problem.

Here's why ---

As we saw earlier, heaven is a place that can only be truly 'heavenly' if everyone there is totally and completely committed to God's authority and boundaries. A 99% commitment isn't good enough. Why? Because even if you only manifested your sinful nature 1% of the time, your lapse would introduce pain and suffering, and heaven would then cease to be heaven. Only a consistent 100% commitment to God's authority and boundaries will do. Anything less, and you must be 'separated'.

This explains the necessity of 'death' ---

'Death' (or 'separation') is necessitated by the lack of commitment
that results from the 'leaven of sin'.

Once you are infected with the 'leaven of sin', there's no stopping it... inconsistency is a given.
Therefore, you must experience 'death' (or 'separation').

The necessity of experiencing death would seem to pose something of a problem for mankind...
If the 'pervasive leaven of sin' requires that we experience 'death' (or 'separation from God'),
how are we ever going to be restored to relationship with Him?
Clearly, these would seem to be mutually exclusive positions.

Well... as some of you may have guessed, the answer is that ---
God is going to provide a way for us to experience 'separation' (or 'death') and then return from it!

As you will see a little later, although death must be experienced,
ultimately, death is also the doorway through which
one can be restored to relationship with God.

Before we move on, it is worth reiterating that 'death' is not something that God has designed in order to punish mankind... If God were eager to punish mankind, the bible's story would not portray Him as so busily trying to communicate His rescue plan.

'Death' (or 'separation') is simply required, because of the lack of commitment to God's authority that is brought about by the unstoppable 'leaven' of sin.

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