Commits Breach of Faith תִמְעֹ֣ל מַ֔עַל

We are in chapter five of Leviticus with our word for today which is a phrase made out of both the noun and verb forms of the same word. תִמְעֹ֣ל מַ֔עַל commits a breach of faith. It is used 9 times in the Old Testament. The root word of both the noun and verb forms is מָעַל disloyalty, infidelity, fraud, be untrue, violate one’s legal obligations. The noun is used 29 times and the verb 35. Let’s look at our uses of our phrase with the noun and verb together. We find our word used in the context of people breaking faith with each other. In Numbers within the marriage relationship. Numbers 5:27 She has defiled herself וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל מַ֣עַל and has broken faith with her husband. Another example of people breaking faith with each other is with neighbors. Leviticus 6:2 If anyone sins וּמָעֲלָ֥ה מַ֖עַל and commits a breach of faith against the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor. It is interesting that even in the context of neighbors notice how the breaking of faith is described as being against YHWH. Because he loves people and takes offense when we treat them the opposite of his will. All the other uses of our phrase are in regards to one’s relationship with God. Our chapter is a great example of this where it is also used for the first time in the Bible. Leviticus 5:14-15 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “If anyone תִמְעֹ֣ל מַ֔עַל [literally unfaithfully unfaithful] commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock. Notice how the word sin is accompanied with our phrase for being unfaithful or breaking faith with God. Here is another example of this. Numbers 5:6 Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit לִמְעֹ֥ל מַ֖עַל by breaking faith with the Lord. We also see the consequences of such action spelled out in these passages. Joshua 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah מָ֤עַל מַ֙עַל֙ break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? Ezekiel 15:8 And I will make the land desolate, because מָ֣עֲלוּ מַ֔עַל they have acted faithlessly, declares the Lord God. 2 Chronicles 28:19 For the Lord humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had made Judah act sinfully וּמָע֥וֹל מַ֖עַל and had been very unfaithful to the Lord. In our last use of our phrase notice the influence of the nations around his people that God refers to. 2 Chronicles 36:14 All the officers of the priests and the people likewise לִמְעֹ֥ל מַ֖עַל were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the Lord that he had made holy in Jerusalem. This is a good reminder that God sets up things to protect us and others in our lives. When we follow his will and directions we all experience his love and goodness. But when we break faith with these then things get bad. The good news is that God knows how to bring good out of bad. And even when we break faith God finds a way for us to come back to him. I’ll close with this great passage. Acts 2:23-24, 32-33, 36-39 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing … Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”