God Called Israel to Sacrifice - But Its Not What You Think!

20 Mar 2026

Vayikra "And He Called”

TORAH: Leviticus 1:1-5:26 | PROPHETS: Isaiah 43:21-44:23 | GOSPEL: Matthew 5:23-30

This week’s Torah portion is Vayikra, which means “And He called.” It’s actually the Hebrew name for the book we know as Leviticus.

Did you know that the first five books of the Bible are named differently in Hebrew? Instead of titles like Genesis or Leviticus, they are named from the opening words of the book.

For example, Genesis is called Bereshit, meaning “In the beginning.” 

In the same way, Vayikra—“And He called”—comes right from the opening line, and it gives us a powerful insight into what this book is really about.

God is calling His people.

As we look at the first five chapters of Leviticus, we see that God is making a way for His people to come near to Him. He does this through the sacrificial system. The people would bring an animal, their sin would be placed upon it, and the animal would be sacrificed. This offering would rise to the Lord as a

sweet-smelling aroma.

Why a sweet-smelling aroma? Because the Lord was pleased—not just with the sacrifice itself, but with the OBEDIENCE behind it. His people were responding to His instructions, making a way for their sin to be atoned for so they could draw closer to Him.

When we look at this through the lens of the New Covenant, we know that there is no longer a need for animal sacrifices. Yeshua has made the way once and for all through His blood. But God’s desire has not changed. He is still calling His people—not just to receive forgiveness, but to draw near.

That has always been the goal.

We are invited into relationship—to come close, to hear His heart, and to walk in His ways.

Jesus Himself modeled this. He would often go into the mountains to pray and speak with His Father. He lived in constant connection, saying, “I only do what I see my Father doing, and I only say what I hear my Father saying.”

That same invitation is extended to us.

As we draw near through His precious blood, our lives become an offering—a sweet-smelling aroma to the Lord. Not through rituals, but through a heart of faith and obedience. A life that is surrendered to Him.

And when we look throughout Scripture—through Jeremiah, Isaiah, and beyond—we see the heart of God clearly. He came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

He is restoring and returning His people. And even more, He is inviting the nations to be part of that story.

He declares that He will

"plant His people in the land with all His heart and with all His soul."

Jeremiah 32:41

So the call of Vayikra is still the same today. He is calling us to draw near.

With faith.

With clean hands.

With a pure heart.

So that we would know His heart—and walk in His ways.

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NEXT PORTION Mar 27 2026 Tsav "Command"

TORAH: Leviticus 6:1-8:36 | PROPHETS: Malachi 3:4-24 | GOSPEL: Matthew 17:9-13