Sanctified Sacrifice | Parashat Tzav | By His EVERY Word

Shabbat/Erev Pesach | 27 March 2021 | 14th of Nisan 5781

Moedim, Biblical Observances:
פסח PESACH, Passover
and CHAG MATZOT, 
the Festival of UNLEAVENED BREAD 

EREV PESACH 14 Nisan 5781

PASSOVER is observed Saturday, at twilight, 27 March 2021,
and the Feast of Unleavened Bread continues through twilight, Sunday, 4 April, 2021

Check our UNIQUE PASSOVER HAGGADAH (order online)

OR PRINT a FREE COPY for this upcoming PASSOVER

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and PASSOVER GUIDE: Let's Celebrate Passover!

Chag Matzot Sameach!

 RESURRECTION REDUX...

On April 4, traditional Christendom celebrates the day Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) was victorious over death, having given up His life on a cruel executioner's stake to secure redemption to the world. Most Christians will observe Friday, April 2, ("Good Friday") as the day of Yeshua's crucifixion, prior to celebrating His resurrection on Sunday.

A Friday crucifixion, a Sunday resurrection... As we enter the memorial of Messiah's last week, let's explore this curious timeline. Yeshua said "the sign of Jonah," 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth before His resurrection, would be the proof that He is the Messiah... 

This leaves us with a conundrum. A Friday afternoon crucifixion and an early Sunday morning resurrection do not add up to 3 days and 3 nights by any stretch of the imagination...

Therefore we have a problem.

Either Yeshua is NOT the Messiah as evidenced by the traditional observance, or the observance is based on tradition rather than biblical facts...

Sadly, incongruous timelines, unbiblical words ("Easter") and traditions obscure the powerful event that changed the world two millennia ago.

This timeline also divorces Messiah's resurrection from His Passover, the "Last Supper," that instituted the New Covenant! How can this be?

Please see "Resurrection Redux" at the end of our commentary for insights and inspiration ... and a printable TIMELINE From Passover to Resurrection ~ Messiah's Last Week!

As we move on in the yearly cycle of Torah reading we now find ourselves in the Parsha entitled Tzav. This portion of Holy Writ covers from Leviticus 6:8 through 8:36. It deals with instruction for the ordination of Aaron and his sons, in addition to exactly how these priests were to perform certain sacrifices.

This week while we will look at only the Torah reading we still want to encourage you to read both of the Haftarah and Brit Chadashah portions. Our goal here will be to highlight some key points in our Torah portion and next see how they may apply to our lives. So where might we start as we consider our weekly Torah reading?

Last week we launched into the book of Leviticus. As we finished the book of Exodus the week before that we saw the Tabernacle completed and the glory of the Lord filling it. (Ex.40:34) But then the question arose, “Now how were they to use what YHVH had just directed them to build?” That is where Leviticus comes in. It is the “how to” book on the use of the Tabernacle. We get a good idea of where this all goes by considering how repetitious God was with the use of a few words.

Consider: “sacrifice—42 times, Priest—189 times, blood—86 times, holy—87 times, and atonement—45 times. While these are not exact totals one should get the picture of the theme. Holiness is the goal and the Tabernacle is the vehicle used to reach it. The priests are the ones responsible for correctly steering to that goal. So, what are some of the driving instructions? 

A friend of mine was telling me of the complexity of the written driving test they had just taken to renew their license, and how they had failed it on the first and second try. It made me think twice about my having to take it when next I had to renew my license. But then I got to thinking of how inconsequential that test would be if compared to all that had to be memorized, and then performed perfectly in the Levitical sacrificial system. Here is just a sampling of some of their “driving rules.”

“Now this is the law of the guilt offering; it is most holy. In the place where they slay the burnt offering they are to slay the guilt offering, and he shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar. Then he shall offer from it all its fat: the fat tail and the fat that covers the entrails, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, which is on the loins, and the lobe on the liver he shall remove with the kidneys. The priest shall offer them up in smoke on the altar as an offering by fire to the LORD; it is a guilt offering. Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy. The guilt offering is like the sin offering, there is one law for them; the priest who makes atonement with it shall have it. Also the priest who presents any man’s burnt offering, that priest shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering which he has presented.” Leviticus 7:1-8

What makes this even more daunting is that there is no room for NOT doing things God’s way. Next week we will consider the story of Nadab and Abihu  who went a little too far with their own creativity in worship. It cost them their lives. Is there a lesson here for us? I think so.

God’s way is perfect. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is blameless...” meaning in accord with with truth and fact.  While the Bible doesn’t say, God makes no mistakes, it is made very clear that where mistakes are found they are not of God’s doing. Mistakes are made by a creation gone bad as a result of sin entering into the picture (Genesis 3 / Romans 5:12). So what does that have to do with us in relation to the Levitical system of worship? A couple of things I think.

First, the Levitical form of worship was and is perfect. It had and has to be because that which comes from God in its origin, is perfect. Remember it is the creation gone bad because of sin that made that form of worship run off the road. It was sinful man that steered the vehicle of worship away from God’s intended path for it.  However, Messiah took the driver’s seat through His once for all death for sin guilt and His resurrection. It was He that righted the path through which we are to worship. It now sees its path ending up and fulfilled in the heavenly throne room, from which the earthly tabernacle was mapped out. Hebrews 7:23-25, 8:5

And, oh, by the way, the Temple and Levitical system of worship—with human priests—will be once again used in the Millennium. Check out Ezekiel, chapters  40-48. Great reading, especially for those who believe the Law has been done away with, never to be utilized again in spite of what our Lord said in Matthew 5:18. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.” 

SO, Perfect, because God made it. Perfect because it will be used by our Messiah in Millennial Temple worship when He reigns for 1,000 years.

Second, since the Levitical form of worship is part of the Torah—a very large part—and the Torah HAS NOT been done away (Matt. 5:18) we must conclude that the Levitical form of worship is still “in force.” 

But one may retort, “Well then, why aren’t you killing and offering animal sacrifices today?” The answer is that there is a distinct difference between being “in force” and being “in operation.” For something that is “in force” to be “in operation” the means for that operation must exist. Simply put, there is no Temple and no Priesthood that exists right now. Therefore, that which is still “in force” has no present means of being “in operation.”

But one may still say, “Hasn’t Jesus done away with the need for the Levitical Priesthood and Temple sacrifices?” Jesus said in answer to this question, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” Matt.5:17

Two points need to be made. 

ONE: The Messiah could not have been clearer. He did not come to abolish. That means in simple English, He did NOT do away with any of the Law (or Torah, which included the Levitical worship system). So how is it that in the same breath so many can say, “Well yes, but He did do away with the Law. He did this when He ‘fulfilled’ the Law”?  But consider...

TWO: The word “fulfill”  can mean something else besides “conclude” or “finalize” as many erroneously think this word means in this verse. After all if “fulfill” as used here did mean “conclude” or “finalize” then Messiah would have been contradicting Himself. He would be saying in effect, “I did not come to “do away,” I came to “finalize.” And that makes no sense at all. So, is there a better way to understand the word “fulfill’ as used here? I think so.

The Greek word for “fulfill” is translated in the King James Version only twice as “end,” only twice as “complete,” but seven times as “be full,” nineteen times as “fill,” and fifty-one times as “fulfill.” Clearly there are other more often used ways of understanding the usage of this word when one looks at the context in which it is found. So if we don’t think Christ purposely contradicted Himself by saying, “I didn’t come to “abolish”, but I did come to “do away,” then how might we better understand this verse? 

Romans 15:19 shows us I think the best way to view Matthew 5:17. In Romans 15:19 Paul says, “...I have ‘fully preached’ (same Greek word, for ‘fulfill’ as in Matt. 5:17) the gospel of Christ.” Paul preached the whole gospel. He didn’t leave anything out. It was the complete package. Similarly then, Messiah preached the whole of the Law and the Prophets. Messiah did not leave any thing out when it came to the Law and the Prophets. His presentation on the Law and the Prophets was the complete package. 

That’s why He goes on to say in the next verse, “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Matthew 5:18

No, the Levitical system of worship has NOT been done away with, just as none of the Law has been eliminated. Heaven and earth are still here. 

So while that system is still “in force” we will have to wait until Christ’s Millennial reign for it to be once again “in operation.” 

Now here is a question for you. 

What should you and I do with something that is perfect, 

but will not again be in operation for some time to come? 

Is it of any use in our lives right now? 

Well, I believe it is.

What has been laid out for us in our Torah portion is God’s standard—a perfect standard of worship. Those it was given to ultimately failed in handling it correctly. Herein lays an example for us. We have been given a perfect standard to live by today. It begins with Genesis 1:1 and continues through the whole of the Word of God. 

We have a system of worship we are to live out. We too are priests who are to offer sacrifices—spiritual ones—to our God.

“But you are a chosen race

 a royal PRIESTHOOD, 

a holy nation, 

a people for God’s own possession, 

so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him 

who has called you out of darkness 

into His marvelous light...”  

I Peter 2:9

“Through Him then, 

let us continually OFFER UP A SACRIFICE of praise to God, 

that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, 

for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”   

Hebrews 13:15,16

The question we face is, will we as priests before God

 live that perfect standard and thus bring glory to our God. 

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, 

by the mercies of God, 

to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, 

acceptable to God, 

which is you spiritual service of worship. 

And do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

so that you may prove what the will of God is, 

that which is good and acceptable

 and perfect.”

Romans 12:1,2

Now it is you who is in the driver’s seat. Our vehicle is the “spiritual service of worship” that is to be lived today. So, how will YOU steer YOUR vehicle in your spiritual service of worship?

On Friday, April 2, in the calendar year 2021, traditional Christendom will celebrate the day Yeshua, Jesus, was crucified on "Calvary’s cross," (actually executioner's stake in the original Greek) for the sins of the world. Then on Sunday, April 4, Christian churches around the world will celebrate our Messiah’s resurrection from the tomb, a victory over death that He first secured, and now offers all of mankind. A Friday crucifixion, a Sunday resurrection.

We praise an Almighty God for this flow of events that led to the securing of eternal life for any and all who believe on the Name of Jesus the Messiah. For they shall be saved. I believe, however, that this particular timing in the described sequence of events surrounding the death and resurrection scenario has led traditional Christendom to establish some of their “rock solid” beliefs on at best, “sandy soil.” 

On what are those rock solid beliefs resting. In my opinion on nothing more than a flimsy foundation? Well, may we first invite you to examine the presentation below, and then draw your own conclusions.

First and foremost we must never forget that no matter the particular day of the event, the death and resurrection of Messiah/Jesus did take place. It is upon this historical reality, this Biblical certainty that the salvation plan of YHVH/Almighty God rests. 

Praise God for His miraculous work on Calvary’s cross, the executioner's stake (Greek, σταυρός stauros, Matthew 27:40 et.al.) and in the lives of each who place their faith and hope for eternity in the Savior.

So here we find ourselves in the midst of another "Easter" season. It has a whole different meaning for me today than when I was a child.  

Then, it meant a Good Friday church service to remember Jesus’ death on that day of the week. There were your best clothes to get out and ready for the Sunday service ahead, maybe even a new suit for that special occasion. And of course lots of eggs to color, hide, and then hunt for at the appointed time. 

Sunday of course was the big day. It was church and, maybe even Dad or Grandpa would come on that occasion. After all isn’t it the most highly attended Sunday service of the whole year? And when that was over, it was off to Grandma’s house where the whole family would gather for the traditional Easter ham (something I realize now Jesus would have never eaten). Unfortunately for me then, and multitudes today, Easter Sunday never had any more meaning to it than that... But things are different now.

As I checked the internet for just the right things to say as introductory material I found, as you might guess, a raft of stuff. My goodness. There’s information on how we calculate the changing date of Easter Sunday. (It couldn’t be simple like Christmas.) There is stuff on how Christianity came to celebrate Easter as a formal holiday. Why, different parts of the world even have traditions unique only to them. There’s been lots of arguing over Easter. And as you might imagine the Jews take it on the chin a time or two. Why, don’t you know, we Gentiles always have it right ... right on down to our Easter eggs. Now that ought to prove something! Well, considering all that I said to myself, “Why not just skip all this and get right to something really interesting?” After all, anyone can check that other stuff out on the internet. So off we go.

When I was a child and on into my adult years I always took it for granted that it was on a Sunday that Jesus rolled that huge stone away and walked out of the tomb, the tomb in which He had been laid the previousFriday. However, the facts I have since come across have radically assaulted that childhood view most of us have been taught. 

Traditional Christianity places Jesus' death on Friday and His subsequent resurrection on Sunday. But, doesn't that raise a question? We do understand that He was to be buried for three days and three nights. After all, had He not told His disciples in Matthew 12:39-40 that He would be buried for those three days and three nights just as Jonah had spent the same amount of time in the belly of the sea monster?

“An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

The particulars for arriving at the traditional Friday thru Sunday scenario are as follows: The crucifixion it is argued had to be on Friday. This is believed because John 19:31 says the Jews came to Pilate and asked that the bodies should not remain on the crosses. It was the day of preparation and the Sabbath was the next day. Since Saturday is always the Sabbath it had to be on Friday  (the day before / it was the day of preparation) that the crucifixion took place. According to Mark 15:25 it was the third hour or 9:00 AM that He was nailed to the cross.  At 3:00 PM or the ninth hour (Matthew 27:46-50) He died on this Friday before the Sabbath, and was placed in the tomb. But before we go further, a moment's digression on Jewish time keeping, if you please....

The reckoning of Jewish time is different from that which we are familiar with. Our whole day starts at12:00 AM and runs for 24 hours to 12:00 PM. Our “day” is generally thought of as running from 6:00 AM to 6:00PM and our “evening” from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. 

Jewish time—or more correctly, biblical time—differs in that their whole day starts at sunset or roughly 6:00 PM and runs 24 hours to the next sunset or roughly 6:00 PM. The “evening” starts their calendar day at 6:00 PM and runs twelve hours to 6:00 AM. The remaining 12 hours is considered their “day” and runs generally from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Our day starts with the morning. Their day starts with the evening. Genesis 1:13

Their pattern of evening first, then day was established in Genesis One where God concluded each 24 hour period of creation by stating this formula,  “...and there was evening and there was morning...” then giving the day on which the particular acts of creation were done. This pattern is followed even today in Israel.Each calendar day starts at 6:00 PM with the evening. The latter half of the day concludes with the morning which runs from 6:00 AM. to 6:00 PM.

Friday Crucifixion ... Sunday Resurrection?

The traditional church, not in tune with this unique handling of the clock, reasoned that Jesus was placed in the tomb on that Friday day. By Jewish reckoning of time He would have remained there Friday day (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM), Saturday evening (6:00 PM Friday to 6:00 AM Saturday) and Saturday day (6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday) and Sunday evening (6:00 PM Saturday to 6:00 AM Sunday). It is believed that the resurrection happened on Sunday because of Matthew 28:1-6. There we have the account of the two Marys coming to the grave on Sunday morning and finding the grave empty. 

If this had been the course of events, then by Jewish timekeeping Jesus would not have been in the tomb three days and three nights. Let’s look at it one more time. 

     Friday 3:00 PM to Friday 6:00 PM is one partial day, not a full day.

     Friday 6:00 PM to Saturday 6:00 AM is one full night.

     Saturday 6:00 AM to Saturday 6:00 PM is one full day

     Saturday 6:00 PM to Sunday 6:00 AM is is one full night

     Sunday 6:00 AM to the empty tomb discovery is one partial day, not a full day

Even if a partial day was to be considered as a full day as some suggest, we have at the most, Jesus in the grave three days and two nights, not the three nights Jesus said He would be. You’ll recall that Jesus had said in Matthew 12:39-40 that He would be in the grave as Jonah was in the belly of the sea monster, three days and three nights.  

So before you consider me too much of a contrarian let's consider another possible scenario. 

We know that in the Jewish culture every Saturday (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) is the Sabbath. Its foundation is found as far back as creation when God rested on the seventh day. Historical precedence for its ongoing practice is most strongly suggested in Exodus 16:23 where the Sabbath was kept prior to the Ten Commandments being given. God seals the deal on Mt. Sinai when in the fourth of ten commandments He instructs His people to keep the Sabbath holy. Most of the Jewish people kept this day sacred right up to the time of Jesus, and were practicing it religiously at the time of His death. 

The question to be raised is, was there only one Sabbath day the week Jesus went to the cross? Because if there were two such days the question of three full days and three full nights would be easily resolved.

Matthew 28:1 says, “Now after the Sabbath (singular in the English), as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.” 

A number of English Bibles translate “Sabbath” from the original language as a singular (only one Sabbath day that week). Our NASB does this. However, some translations such as Young’s Literal Translation translate Sabbath in the plural. This would mean that in the week Jesus died there were two or more Sabbaths. 

This word is rendered in the plural in Alfred Marshall's Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, Green's Literal Translation, and Ferrar Fenton's Translation. Indeed, even my trusty Nestle Greek Text renders Sabbath in the plural form. We must therefore conclude that there were at least two Sabbaths, not just the one on Saturday following the traditionally believed Friday crucifixion. 

What might the second Sabbath be?

The Hebrew Bible delineates TWO DIFFERENT TYPES of SABBATHS:

One is the seventh day of the week, the day God “rested” in the creation account. It always ran and still does from sunset (the beginning of the Jewish day) on Friday night to sunset (the end of the Jewish day) on Saturday night. Remember, the evening time after sunset was and is the beginning of the next Jewish day.

The only other type of Sabbath was called a “high day.” These seven Sabbaths are listed in Leviticus 23. They are to be treated as the regular weekly Sabbaths were, but each celebrates a particular event different from the regular weekly Sabbath. The presence of this type of Sabbath, “a high day,” is confirmed in John 19:31. It reads, “Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.” Only two possibilities exist as to the timing of these two different Sabbaths. Either they both fell on the same day, Saturday—as the Friday thru Sunday entombment folks hold—or they fell on separate days in the crucifixion week. 

Mark 14 sheds light on this point. The Passover was at hand. During this last week Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem and going to partake of the Last Supper. In verses 12 through 16 we have the account of the preparation of that meal. How fitting that the final sacrifice for sin, the death of the Messiah, was to be offered just a day later. 

This is where the first of the two Sabbaths or the “high Sabbath” would have come in. This particular high Sabbath is spoken of in Leviticus 23:4-8, discussing the Passover celebration. There were two “high Sabbaths” to celebrate here. Verses 7-8 say,  “On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.” 

Here are two Sabbaths, one at the beginning of the seven day period of celebration and one at the end. This would mean that a Sabbath rest would take place on one of the weekdays of the crucifixion week. Then the regular weekly Sabbath would take place on the upcoming Friday evening. And following that, the second high Sabbath for the week of celebration would take place.

Having seen the difficulty of the Friday crucifixion theory not fulfilling the words of Jesus in Matthew 12:39-40 and now seeing that two Sabbaths did occur in the crucifixion week lets consider another format for the events of the week. 

Remember what Jesus had said in Matthew 12:39-40, “But he [Jesus] answered and said unto them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seek after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’” (Emphasis added)

I believe Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday afternoon, and resurrected on Saturday afternoon—three days and three nights later—exactly as our Messiah said. 

The week’s events would look like this:

• Tuesday evening: Jesus and the disciples eat the Passover meal together and He is arrested during the night.
• Wednesday: This is the preparation day spoken of in John 19:31, the day before the  “high day” Sabbath, which comes as a result of Passover. Jesus is crucified, dies at the ninth hour and is placed in the tomb.
• Thursday: This is the high Sabbath day, the first day of Unleavened Bread, Matthew 27:62.
• Friday: Spices are purchased by Jesus‘ female followers.
• Saturday: This was the regular weekly Sabbath, not associated with the two belonging to the Passover celebration. Everyone rested as was prescribed. Jesus is resurrected in the afternoon after the ninth hour, but before sunset 
• Saturday evening—the "dawn" of the new day : The women go to the tomb and find it empty

Does this make the full three days and full three nights in the grave? 

Yes, and only this way:

       Wednesday 3:00 PM to Thursday 3:00 PM 

            (one night / one day)

       Thursday 3:00 PM to Friday 3:00 PM 

            (one night / one day)

       Friday 3:00 PM to Saturday 3:00 PM

            (one night / one day)

According to an article in the Good News Magazine, “Several computer software programs exist that enable us to calculate when the Passover and God's other festivals fall in any given year. Those programs show that in A.D. 31, the year of these events, the Passover meal was eaten on Tuesday night and Wednesday sundown marked the beginning of the 'high day,’ the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.” “Jesus wasn't crucified on Friday—or Resurrected on Sunday!” The Good News magazine, United Church of God, 2006-MAR-APR, Pages 13 to 15 

Obviously more stock can be placed in the Biblical evidence than the above quote. It is interesting, however, to note that many theologians believe that Jesus was crucified  between 29 and 32 CE.

It would be a “hard sell” to get the Christian world to give up Resurrection Sunday, even if they did buy into the above scenario.  After all who wants to give up a good tradition? Don’t we still celebrate Christmas in December even though most know that was not when our Savior was born? But there ARE a couple of things worth pulling out of this study. 

One is that perhaps we should have much more respect for the biblical Sabbath. The roots of the Sabbath date back to creation. And while its tradition is imbedded in a God-given Law, we can also now see it should lay claim to the title of “Resurrection Sabbath.” “Resurrection Sunday,” just doesn’t seem to hold much water  anymore. (Uh-oh, there goes one of those of those sacred cows ... up in smoke on the altar....)

And how about the itch some traditionalists have over churches now having Saturday and even Friday services? They argue, “Haven’t we always had Sunday services because that is the day of the week He rose from the grave?” No, Sunday is the day He was first discovered gone from the grave, having risen from the  grave, the previous day, I believe. 

                    

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” Matthew 28:1-6

By the time the women, the first of His followers to see the empty tomb, got to the tomb, Jesus had already risen, on Saturday. (And I wonder if those guards were shaking as much from the continuing presence of the angel, or from the sight of the risen Christ coming out of the tomb?) 

The book of Acts probably debunks best the Sunday only worship mantra. Acts 2:46 says, “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.” Looks like any day really is a good day to worship.

Another is that the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, paves the way for the free gift of eternal life to any who claim it. And this is regardless of what view one may take on particular days and events.

How simple and yet how true are the words:

“...whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,

but that the world might be saved through Him.

He who believes in Him is not judged;

he who does not believe has been judged already,

because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:15-18

In these days of Wuhan Coronavirus... 

“Chazak! Chazak! Be strong, be strong! And let us strengthen one another!” These words of the ancient warrior, paraphrased from 2 Samuel 10:12, are customarily  proclaimed upon completing the reading of each of the five books of the Torah. 

It is our personal message to each of our readers as well during these days of trial and tribulation. May you be strengthened in the LORD who gives you each breath, and has numbered your days, remembering He alone is your refuge and your fortress. And strengthen others with your certain hope! Under the shadow of His wings, take refuge—that you may not fear the terror by night, the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence, plague, or virus that walks in darkness! (Psalm 91) 

The LORD bless and keep you, now and ever, in His perfect Shalom! (Health, well-being and peace)

His EVERY Word Ministries

   

The Glory of the LORD Fills His Tabernacle! | Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei | By His EVERY Word

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei

פרשת ויקהל 

The Glory of the LORD Fills His Tabernacle! 

Torah: Exodus 35:1 - 38:20
Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:40 - 50 
B’rit Chadashah: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

:: Shabbat HaChodesh ::

Shabbat | 13 March 2021 | 29th of Adar, 5781

In Hebrew, Vayak’hel וַיַּקְהֵל literally means “and he assembled,” as our parashah begins with Moses assembling all the “congregation of the sons of Israel” for instruction from the LORD regarding the Sabbath, the Tabernacle, and congregational life.

Pekudei פְקוּדֵי is translated “accounts," "sum” or “records.” This portion is added some years as a double portion, recounting the stunning generosity of the assembly in over supplying the building of the Tabernacle.

With these final portions we complete the book of Exodus. 

Adonai has formed His congregation of the Sons of Israel, who have devoted their resources, gifts, and talents to preparing a dwelling place on earth for His Divine Presence according to the heavenly blueprint SHOWN to Moses. (This account captivates the imagination! Exodus 25)

Upon completion of this holy enterprise, their efforts are rewarded as His awesome Shekhinah filled the Tabernacle, a celestial acceptance of their labor of love.

Adonai is STILL building His congregation until the final redemption when we will at last see the Heavenly Tabernacle, which is created by His eternal presence. 

As we take the time to read through the Torah, Haftarah, and B'rit Chadashah, we see His plan and pattern—lovingly, painstakingly, and oft times heartbreakingly, wrought in flesh through the millennia—generation to generation.

In these days of growing spiritual darkness...

“Chazak! Chazak! Be strong, be strong! And let us strengthen one another!” These words of the ancient warrior, paraphrased from 2 Samuel 10:12, are customarily  proclaimed upon completing the reading of each of the five books of the Torah—as in today’s parsha, as we complete the book of Exodus.

It is our personal message to each of our readers as well during these days of trial and tribulation. May you be strengthened in the LORD who gives you each breath, and has numbered your days, remembering He alone is your refuge and your fortress. And strengthen others with your certain hope! Under the shadow of His wings, take refuge—that you may not fear the terror by night, the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence, plague, or virus that walks in darkness! (Psalm 91)

The LORD bless and keep you, now and ever, in His perfect Shalom! (Health, well-being and peace)

—His EVERY Word Ministries

Join us now at the Father’s table as we keep the rhythm of Israel for more than two millennia, anticipating fresh manna from our God and King. As followers of Messiah we have added a corresponding New Covenant portion reflecting the fulfillment and crown of the Torah.
 

Exodus 35  The Holy Congregation—Assembled for a Holy Purpose

vv. 1-3 “Then Moses assembled all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and said to them, 'These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do: For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a sabbath of complete rest to the LORD; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the sabbath day.'” 

The Hebrew word assembled is 'kä·hal קהל, meaning to assemble, to gather, to call together.

From kahal is derived the word kehillah, the Hebrew word for ASSEMBLY, SYNAGOGUE, or CONGREGATION. Kahal is also the Old Testament Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word ἐκκλησία or ekklēsia. 

Most are familiar with its English usage in the New Testament: CHURCH—an assembly or gathering of “the called” among the Jews or Gentiles who believed in Yeshua.

Most are familiar with the admonishment in James 2:2-4, regarding treating the wealthy better than the poor:

“...if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?”



However, very few realize that the described scenario—involving believers in Yeshua—takes place in a synagogue.

The word assembly in James 2:2 is συναγωγή synagōgē. It is the Greek word for kehillah from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Tenakh, the Old Testament). 

In the B’rit Chadashah/New Covenant/New Testament, synagogue generally refers to the assembling of the Jews, and ekklesia or church generally speaks to the assembly of believers—Jews and Gentiles. However, in first century lingo, ekklēsia and synagōgē were used interchangeably.

We find another very familiar verse in Hebrews 10:25 that most can quote by heart. Yet it may surprise some to find out it utilizes the word synagogue, not church:

“...not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” 


This is ἐπισυναγωγή episynagōgē, which also occurs in 2 Thessalonians 2:1: “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him...”

Many have a myopic view built around the word “church.” Even those who know the word church does not mean a building that people go to on Sunday, but rather the people who are called [out of the world, together for worship] assembling together, often have somewhat of a skewed or narrow view. This view paints a picture of the glorious church, birthed at Pentecost as an entirely new and unique thing, as contrasted with "the corrupt synagogue of the Jews," an idea graphically portrayed on the edifices of some of the grand cathedrals of Europe in the characters of Ecclesia and Synagoga.

There is no dispute that “the church,” the Body of Messiah, the assembly of believers is a glorious thing! 

Entirely new, however? Not entirely.
For thousands of years, 

Adonai has been forming His Congregation. 

As we take the time to read through the Torah and Haftarah,
we see His plan and pattern—lovingly, painstakingly,
and ofttimes heartbreakingly,
wrought in flesh—generation to generation.

Israel in the wilderness at Mt. Sinai is referred to as "the church" in Acts 7:38 in the KJV, again using the Greek word for church/assembly/congregation: ἐκκλησία ekklēsia.


Something Old, Something New


The believers were together “in one place” on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, oft noted as the “birth of the church.” The reason they were together was not a new thing—this was the ancient practice of the “congregation of the sons of Israel.” Exodus 35:1

In the New Covenant, Shavu’ot is called by the Greek word, Pentecost, but it is the pilgrimage festival from Leviticus 23:15-22, when the men of Israel were called by Adonai to come up to Jerusalem fifty days after Passover. Paul continued to observe this rich festival as noted in Acts 20:16 and I Corinthians 16:8.

The believers were “...continuing with one mind in the Temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47

The life of faith is meant to be shared, as exemplified in this week’s parasha. Each member, alone being limited, contributes an essential piece for the vitality of the “...whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:16

Observe the Sabbath, Do Not Create Fire

In Exodus 35, we see Moses assembling the congregation together to hear the Word of the Lord:



vv. 2-3 “For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a sabbath of complete rest to the LORD; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the sabbath day.” 

The issue of the Sabbath seems to be one of extreme importance to Adonai, as often as He revisits the subject! Embodied in the Sabbath observance is a weekly demonstration of TRUST for provision, thus recognizing and testifying to the world that the LORD God is a faithful provider. How many times do the Scriptures entreat, exhort, and admonish those who fear the LORD to trust the LORD, as in Psalm 115:11? 



It is also a reminder and testimony of His magnificent work of Creation. Why would Adonai command us not to kindle a fire on the Sabbath? 

Making light is an act of creation. God rested from His work of creation on the seventh day, and sanctified it for man to rest with Him. Therefore observant Jews prepare for the Sabbath, lighting their candles before sunset, turning on lights, preparing foods, etc., that they may rest with their Creator on this blessed day—His first appointment with His beloved in the Leviticus 23 list of mo’edim, or "appointed times."

No Fundraising Schemes ... Receive from Those Who Had a Heart to Give

vv. 5-9 “Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD'S contribution: gold, silver, and bronze, and blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goats' hair, and rams' skins dyed red, and porpoise skins (or tanned skins), and acacia wood, and oil for lighting, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastpiece.” 

Adonai must have had faith in His People and His plan, as He didn’t employ persuasive or clever fundraising principles to raise the resources needed to build His Tabernacle!

Let Each Joint Supply Accordingly and Liberally

vv. 10-29 “Let every skillful man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded: the tabernacle, its tent and its covering ... the ark and its poles, the mercy seat ... the table and its poles ... the lampstand also for the light ...the oil for the light ... the woven garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests. 

“Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from Moses' presence. Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD'S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments. Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold; so did every man who presented an offering of gold to the LORD.” 

Skins—cloths of Tekhelet blue and scarlet were brought by every man who had them in his possession, and all who could contribute silver, bronze, and acacia wood brought it forth. 

Women whose hearts were stirred, spun fine linen, goats’ hair, and materials in Tekhelet blue, scarlet, and purple. The onyx stones, and precious stones for the ephod and breastpiece were contributed by the rulers. All that was needed, was given by a “freewill offering to the LORD.” v. 29

vv. 30-33 Moses proclaimed that the LORD had called by name, Bezalel of the Tribe of Judah, filling him “with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship; to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work.” 

vv. 34-35 Not only was Bezalel gifted to do the work, but Adonai “also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan,” filling them with “skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer...” 

Here we see a practical application of the Congregation working together—each one utilizing his skill, and teaching and equipping others—to build the earthly dwelling place for the LORD. Isn’t this an apt picture of Ephesians 4:16 where, “...every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part?”

This is the Body, formed by Adonai to build a habitation for His Divine Presence on earth ... then and now. In the time of Moses, His Glory would reside in the Tabernacle and then the Temple crafted by human hands—“the congregation of the sons of Israel.” Today, Adonai dwells in tabernacles of flesh and blood, who together form His Body for His Kingdom purposes on earth.

Exodus 36  Sufficient Unto His Purpose

Just as in verse 1, where we are told, “Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded,” each member of His Body performs an essential function for Adonai's eternal purposes.

There are those who seek to know what God has for them to enhance their own life, and those who conform the Scriptures to what is comfortable, palatable, culturally relative, or popular. There are those who “go to church” on Sunday and then live the rest of the week for themselves—although they may pray for theirs’ and others’ needs, and seem very "spiritual." 



God, however, is forming a Body for His purposes. A body that only puts forth a foot or an eye for service—on its own terms—and even then, only one day a week is seriously handicapped.

God is seeking a Holy Tabernacle from which His Holy Presence may penetrate this dark world as a beacon, exposing the deadly deceptions of wickedness, compromise, and rebellion. 

He is defining the Way that leads to Life. If we are conformed to the darkness of this age, we have dimmed that light. “If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Mark 6:23

As we are yielded to HIS purposes, HIS desires, and seek HIS will—not ours, we will be sufficiently supplied to fulfill His purposes through the lives He has given us. 

And that chief purpose is this: that God be glorified—in His people ... in the earth.

Dayeinu! It is Sufficient!

v. 7 As suspected, Adonai knew what He was doing in taking an offering from His People “as stirred by their heart.” 

They gave ... and gave ... and gave! In fact, they gave sufficient materials for the entire Tabernacle, and even “more than enough for all the work, to perform it.” 

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Without a fundraising strategy or clever gimmicks—the people gave more than was needed! 

Moses had to issue a command and a proclamation to circulate throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary” (v. 6) to restrain the people from bringing any more!

The Passover Seder (traditional supper) contains a song called Dayeinu (pronounced die-ā-noo), a Hebrew word דַּיֵּנוּ, meaning “it would have been sufficient.”

The song has 14 verses recounting the many wonderful things Adonai did for our people in the Exodus story, “If He had brought us out from Egypt, and had not carried out judgments against them ... Dayeinu! It would have been sufficient! If He would have supplied our needs in the wilderness for forty years, but not given us manna ... given us the Shabbat, but not brought before Mount Sinai, etc., etc. ...Dayeinu!”

Dayeinu is formed from the Hebrew word dai די in verse 7: “they gave sufficient materials...” This is the same word translated as overflows in Malachi 3:10: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”

Exodus 37-39  The Tabernacle Constructed

According to Adonai’s meticulous instructions, with the over-abundant supply of

materials and willing craftsmen, the Wilderness Tabernacle is constructed.

An interesting insight from the Jewish commentaries on Exodus 38:8: “Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.”

In keeping with the theme of consecration for the service of the LORD, it is thought these women sacrificed their mirrors—essentially renouncing their vanity—as a demonstration of their devotion to Adonai and His service. 

“So the sons of Israel did all the work according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses. And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the LORD had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them.” Exodus 39:42-43

Moses had been given a view of the Heavenly Tabernacle—the Divine Blueprints for Adonai’s dwelling place among His People. (Exodus 25:9) He was able to bless the congregation for their zealous dedication to the sacred task of preparing God’s Tabernacle in the Wilderness.

Exodus 40  The Glory of the LORD Fills His Tabernacle































vv. 1-16 “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.’ ...You shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister as a priest to Me. You shall bring his sons and put tunics on them; and you shall anoint them even as you have anointed their father, that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing will qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.’ Thus Moses did; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did.” 

The Tabernacle had been scrupulously prepared for the Almighty.
The priesthood is now to be prepared with holy garments.

Holy garments represent consecration unto Adonai, being undefiled, and separated unto Him for His service and glory. 

“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.”
Psalm 24:3-4

vv. 17-34 “Now in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected. ...He erected the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the veil for the gateway of the court. Thus Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD  filled the tabernacle.” 

Some may say that God is too demanding.

Why so many details?

But this was the reward for the generosity and months of dedication
 in the desert for the congregation of the sons of Israel—the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle they had built for Him!

The awesome Divine Presence was His seal of approval on their completed work.

How many long to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21

v. 35 “Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”

Shekhinah

The Hebrew sages spoke of the manifest Divine Presence as the Shekhinah שכינה (Pronounced: sheh-kee-nah), which has been adopted by Christianity. 

The word Shekhinah does not appear in the the Bible, but is likely derived from the word, shakhan שכן, translated as settled in verse 35. Shakhan is also translated abide, dwell, tabernacle. 

Thus, in Judaic tradition, Shekhinah is defined as the Divine Presence of the Almighty.

Follow Me!

vv. 36-37 “Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.” 

Thus the congregation of the sons of Israel would learn to follow the LORD in the wilderness. Again, we find  a parallel—something old, something new. 

And much like Israel, who had to learn to follow Adonai so many generations ago, we too, are called to follow. For Yeshua entreats us: “follow me!” “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” (John 12:26) Do you hear His voice today?

v. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.”

When we finally see the Heavenly Tabernacle, which is the LORD Almighty Himself, we will finally walk perfectly by His Divine Light...

“The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.” Revelation 21:27

With This We Complete the Book of Exodus!

Chazak! Chazak! Be strong, be strong! And let us strengthen one another! These are the words of the ancient warrior paraphrased from 2 Samuel 10:12, and are customarily  proclaimed upon completing each of the five books of the Torah.

To be continued...

Haftarah Vayak’hel 1 Kings 7:40-50

Well, here we are again with more information on the Tabernacle being given in our Torah portion of Scripture. That which we have already seen in Exodus is a preliminary to what God is going to do when He has Solomon build the first permanent Temple. In the Exodus 35:1-38:20 portion there are some things of note that reflect upon this week’s Haftarah and B’rit Chadashah. First though, some dissimilarities between the Torah (Tabernacle) and Haftarah (Temple) passages.

The first is that the opportunity to contribute to the construction of the Tabernacle was extended to all of the congregation. (Exodus 35:4-5) That’s everyone. “Moses spoke to all the congregation...”(v.4) With Solomon’s Temple there was no contribution of wealth from the people. David had either provided it prior to his death or it came from taxation. 

The second is that the giving for the Tabernacle was done willingly and not out of compulsion. “...whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring...” (v.5)  Moses was quite clear on both of these points when he spoke to the people. “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded, saying, ‘Take from among you a contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze...’” (Exodus 35:4-5) Significant here is that the laborers on Solomon’s Temple were not voluntary, but conscript.

And the third dissimilarity is that this giving to the Tabernacle's construction seemed to just pour out of the proverbial horn of plenty. It just never stopped. “They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning.” (36:3) This could be summed up by saying that with the Tabernacle God’s children were invited to participate and willingly did so; whereas with the building of the first Temple they were commanded to. They had no choice in the matter. Ouch, that must have hurt. And so...

I Kings 7:40-50 is the Haftarah selection of Scripture to which we are comparing the Torah. While these verses deal solely with some construction issues of Solomon’s Temple there are unspoken points of similarity. What might some of them be? Why would the Sages have chosen these verses as a compliment—or substitutionary reading—to the Torah portion?

Perhaps the most obvious link the Sages saw between this and the Torah portion is that both speak of the collection of materials for, and the construction of God’s House. But beyond that, this process was to make a place for God to meet His people, and be a place from which God’s people would offer their sacrifices to Adonai.

We must not forget as well that both the Tabernacle and Temple reflected the best that could be given to the task of creating these structures at that time.

At this point, let’s hold off making any application for now and move on to our B’rit Chadashah portion. I think we’ll see the application there.

B'rit Chadashah Vayak’hel
II Corinthians 9:6-11

As we move into our B’rit Chadashah passage of II Corinthians 9:6-11 we are introduced to a portion of the doctrine concerning New Testament giving. As you read these verses see if your able to find similarity and contrast with the previous Tabernacle and Temple passages. Here we go.

“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, ‘HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.’ Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”

The Apostle Paul was on a mission. The believers in the Jerusalem church were in financial need and Paul was committed to meeting that need through offerings from other churches. So he writes to the Corinthian church regarding a commitment they had made to contribute to this circumstance. “So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.” II Corinthians 9:5

With the thought of an impending collection in mind Paul pulls out some of those Tabernacle giving principals. 

• First of all, the opportunity to contribute was extended to all the saints in Corinth. In 8:1 Paul addresses the “brethren.” Paul has been speaking to the whole church in this letter and goes right on doing so as he launches into this portion on giving. No one was to be excluded from this opportunity. All were invited to share in the blessing.

• Secondly, Paul wanted only what was going to be given willingly and not because one felt they had to. In 9:7 he says, ”Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

As the Holy Spirit brought these points to Paul’s thinking for the process of the divinely inspired act of pen to paper, this educated Pharisee’s mind had to leap back to the process whereby the Tabernacle was “funded.”  Both of these points must have reminded Paul of Exodus 35:4-5. Remember how... “Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, ‘This is the thing which the LORD has commanded, saying,  'Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze...’ ” And 35:21 then goes on to say, “Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord’s contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.”

• The third point could be no different in the Apostle’s thinking. He must have recalled how Moses, in recounting this Tabernacle event, wrote of those giving, “They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning.” Exodus 36:3

These giving Israelites, one and all, were first, offered the opportunity to give. Then they were, instructed how to give. It had to be out of a willing heart. And lastly the fruit of this was that they just didn’t stop giving.

What a contrast we see when we consider the construction of Solomon’s Temple. Let’s first understand though, that the building of the Temple was of the Lord. God had instructed King David to prepare much of what would be needed. He just could not do the building himself. Solomon, his son and the next King, was to use what had been assembled along with other materials acquired largely from a foreign country. This was God’s plan. It was a blessed and divinely led endeavor. But there were major differences.

These differences centered around the interaction of the Jewish people with the project of building the Temple. 

• First, there was no offer made to them to contribute goods or wealth to the project. 
• And so, secondly, there could be no giving out of that willing heart so openly seen in the construction of the Tabernacle. 
• This meant that, third, there was no continual giving and no consequential blessing in their lives which would have come as a result of that giving.

As we move on in the story of the Temple building we see that it was successfully finished and it was the grandest of structures. Not only had David planned and then Solomon erected the Temple, but they completed many other building projects in each of their respective reigns. 

The Temple itself was seven years in the making and then after that there was another thirteen years to build Solomon’s house. And after that there was more building.  

II Chronicles 8:1-6 tells us that Solomon built city after city. How this was accomplished was warned of by Samuel. Let’s visit that.

It is in I Samuel 8 that the children of Adonai come to Samuel and ask for a king to  rule over them. Up until then they had what would be called a theocratic kingdom. In other words, God was their King. He ruled over them through appointed representatives. But these Israelites wanted to be like all the other folks and do things the way everyone else did, the world’s way. Samuel warned them of the bad consequences of this desire. We find it in I Samuel 8:1-22, especially verses 9 and 16.

Here God says to Samuel, “Now then listen to their voice; however you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them” (v.9). And then Samuel says to the people speaking of these kings they want, “He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work.” v.16

The people would be used to serve the king. But they insisted, and so God allowed the institution of the monarchy. This system was oppressive and was abused. When Israel finally divided into two separate  kingdoms the specific reason given for initiating its division was the oppressive labor forced on the people by Solomon.

You’ll see this in I Kings 12:1-16. In verse four, Jeroboam, soon to be the first king of the new Northern Kingdom, says to Rehoboam, at that point the next king of Israel after his father Solomon, “Your father made our yoke hard; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you." Ultimately this agreement was not reached and Israel was thus divided into two separate kingdoms.

Suffice it to say that where the Tabernacle was concerned there was much blessing. Where the Temple was concerned that blessing which comes from giving did not exist. Two ways of building, two different outcomes when it comes to the blessing of giving or not giving. The way of blessing came because the process of building the Tabernacle was done under God’s rule, done His way. The missed blessing happened because the people were under a King’s rule and things were just done differently.

So where does all of this lead us? Hopefully as believers in Yeshua and therefore members of the Body of Messiah, it impresses upon us the necessity of giving in a Biblical way.

There are many gimmicks, schemes, programs, rallies, and the like to get believers to give.  Let's recognize them for what they are; man-made substitutes for giving God’s way. But God’s way, the right way, is found in Scripture—a bit of it in our II Corinthians passage.

Why don’t we just stick with that. The opportunity to give is open to all. Those that give willingly and not out of compulsion will be blessed. 

And our God will supply the need, even meet it with excess.

Have a blessed Shabbat!

In Messiah's Love,
His EVERY Word Ministries