Commands

       This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Tzav which means "Command" and includes Leviticus Chapters 6 through 8. In Lev. 6:8-9, the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Command (sava - command, appoint, order, ordain, send a messenger, set up, cause to exist, to commission) (aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת/Alpha and Omega in Greek as Α Ω , referring to Jesus Christ: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13)-Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the burnt offering...". The Hebrew letters of sava shown above for the word "command" are tsadhe, vaw and heh, which have the combined meanings of "Behold the nail that joins to righteousness."  We believers in Christ can't help but see Him and the nails of His crucifixion in this meaning. We also see Messiah/Christ in the meaning of the word sava/command because in another Sabbath reading from Malachi Chapter 3, the LORD promises to "send My messenger...even the Messenger of the covenant" who will purify the Levites like a refining fire in order to restore righteousness to an offering that will be pleasant to the LORD (Mal. 3:1-4). The attitude of the priests towards the offerings to the LORD had become mixed with a natural or worldly attitude which caused the offerings to become unacceptable, and the priests were not even aware that this had happened. The priests had lost the significance and holy value of the offering. This Messenger (malak - messenger, representative, angel, deputy, priest, prophet, teacher, ambassador, king) of the covenant is described as "the LORD, whom you seek...Behold He is coming".

     Before the Book of Leviticus, there were no offerings specified by God for sin, trespass or peace (for the purpose of thanksgiving). Before the Book of Leviticus, the Law of Moses only mentioned offerings and sacrifices in connection to the Feasts of the LORD (Ex. 23:14-19) including Passover, and for the tabernacle, and for the sanctification of the tabernacle along with Aaron and his sons. At the beginning of Leviticus, the LORD called (cried out) to Moses and began to give him instruction on the various offerings that would be required for sin, trespass and peace.  Why had this sudden development become necessary? The prophet Jeremiah gives us understanding below.

     In another reading portion from this Sabbath, the Word of the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah gives this revelation regarding these offerings: "For I did not speak to your (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-fathers, or command (see sava, above) them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-thing (dabar - speech, word, things, commandment, purpose, promise, oracle, commune, setting or hanging in order, to lead flocks to pasture, involving leading and following) is what I commanded (sava) them, saying, 'Obey My voice (qol - voice, speech, sound, thunderings, call aloud), and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded (sava) you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline (nata - stretch out, extend) their (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-ear (ozen/azan - ear, hearing, receiver of divine revelation/to hear, listen, perceive by the ear, hear and obey), but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward (ahor/ahira/ra/ra'a - back parts, behind, backside, on the back/"brother or kindred of evil, wickedness, mischief, hurt, sore, affliction, grieved, injury, malignant, distress/evildoer, afflict, hurt, be broken in pieces) and not forward (panim/pana - face, presence, turn towards/to face, to turn back)." (Jer. 7:22-24). Jeremiah is referring to the original command that God had intended for and promised to His people as He told Moses: ",,,tell the children of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel...Then all the people answered together and said, 'All that the LORD has spoken we will do'...And the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever." (Ex. 19:3-9). However, when the time came, the people with the aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-ears refused to hear for themselves (Ex. 20:18-19). They did not go forward (turning to face the LORD), but turned backward, as Jeremiah said.

     Jesus repeatedly exhorted the people who came to Him to hear Him: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Mt. 13:9, 43, Mk. 4:9, 23, Lk. 14:35, 8:18, 9:44). Jesus also gave this same command to the seven churches of Revelation who needed to hear by the Holy Spirit either the Lord's correction or encouragement (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17. 29, 3:6, 13, 23). Jesus also spoke of the aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega kind of ears when He said during one of His Sabbath teachings: "My sheep hear My voice (phone/phaino/phos/phao - sound of uttered words/shed light, bring forth into the light, cause to shine, be resplendent, become evident/light, heavenly light, having an extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality, of truth and knowledge together with the spiritual purity associated with it/to shine, make manifest), and I know them, and they follow (see dabar, above) Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand...I and My Father are one." (Jn. 10:27-28, 30). There were also those who "stopped their ears" in order to refuse hearing Stephen as he related God's plan of salvation, and then they stoned him to death (Acts 7:54-60). The Greek language gives us a beautiful picture of the nature of the LORD's spoken voice (see above phone/phaino/phos/phao). This is the same voice that spoke, and the creation was brought into the light and manifested, including the life in men (see Gen. 1:1-28, Jn. 1:1-5, 14). 

     The prophet Isaiah wrote about hearing the voice of the LORD: "Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live (haya - save, quicken, revive, recover, be restored to life, revive from death); And I will make an everlasting covenant with you - The sure mercies of David." (Isa. 55:2-3). Here, the LORD was not just talking about physical life as a result of hearing, but the life of the soul, even revival from death, according to the meaning of the Hebrew above. In another part of scripture, God told the prophet Ezekiel to speak the prophetic Word of the LORD over the valley of dry bones. Those very dry bones, although they didn't have physical ears, "heard" the Word of the LORD and began to manifest flesh, and draw breath, "...and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army." (Ezek. 37:1-10). No wonder the LORD told His people to hear His voice and obey His commands and live! (Deut. 4:1).

     Ezekiel told us that there can even be the resurrection of the dead by hearing. Jesus raised Lazarus after four days of death by commanding in a loud voice: "Lazarus come forth!", and he did (Jn. 11:43-44). Jesus also said: "Most assuredly I say to you, he who hears My word (logos/lego - a word uttered by a living voice, of speech, anything reported in speech, thing spoken of/to say, to speak) and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live...Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (Jn. 5:24-29 excerpt, see also Dan. 12:1-3). Our resurrection from the dead is manifested by our having aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-ears that hear the voice command of the Son of God.

     This Tzav Sabbath is the Sabbath that comes right before Resurrection Sunday this year. Jesus, the righteous offering before God, was crucified on Passover, and raised three days later on the Feast of First Fruits. Because of this, scripture calls Him our Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7-8), and the First Fruits (Lev. 23:9-14) of the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:20-23). The apostle Peter wrote that Jesus had received (lambano - to take with the hand, lay hold of, to take upon one's self) from God the honor and glory "when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' And we heard this voice when we were with Him on the holy mountain (meaning the Mount of Transfiguration)." (2 Peter 1:17-18). This Resurrection Sunday is a time of thanks, triumph and celebration in the resurrection of Jesus, and therefore the promise of our own resurrection. It is also a perfect time to confirm our commitment and understanding that we will hear the resurrection voice of the Son of God with our aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-ears in all that He tells us and obey it.

     If you would like to learn more about hearing the voice of God, you can pray with me:  "Dearest Father, You have called me to have ears to hear and a heart to obey Your Words. Forgive me when I have "stopped my ears", refused to hear You, and turned backward instead of turning forward towards Your face. The wondrous resurrection of Your Son, Jesus, was accomplished so I could follow Him as He commands and calls me by His voice into everlasting life. All creation responds and manifests to the commands of Your voice and, by Your Holy Spirit, so do I. In Jesus' name, I pray and give You thanks. AMEN."

     

SceptersAndOfferings

      This Sabbath occurs right before the holiday of Purim and Palm Sunday. The title of this Sabbath reading portion comes from Leviticus 1:1, and is Va-yikra, meaning "and he called": "Now the LORD called (qara - call, cried, weeping, named, bidden, preach, read aloud, invited, utter a loud sound, cry out, to summon, to be called or chosen, to encounter, meet, to call by name) to Moses, and spoke to him from the midst of the tabernacle of meeting, saying, 'Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock - of the herd and of the flock." Va-yikra is also the Hebrew title of the third Book of the Bible which we call "Leviticus". In general, this Book is about the various types of offerings to be brought to the LORD and the instructions or commands to the priests who minister these offerings on behalf of the people. This Sabbath reading includes Leviticus Chapters 2 through 5. At the end of the Book of Exodus, we read that the LORD filled the tabernacle with the cloud of His glory, and this same glory lead the Israelites through the wilderness. Now we read that the LORD is calling out in a loud voice for Moses. The call dealt with the necessity for offerings to be made by the people. We will look at the topic of offerings later.

      Because this Sabbath reading portion comes before Purim, it is also designated as Zachor which means "Remember". Purim from the Book of Esther commemorates the victory over an enemy named Haman who plotted to wipe out all of the Jews of Persia (Iran/Iraq). The Bride of the King, Esther, who had hidden the fact that she was Jewish, was placed by God in a position to intercede with the King to prevent the execution of this wicked plan. Esther was also "called" by God in a special way. Esther said to her uncle, Mordecai, when he asked her to intercede with the King in his inner (penimi/panim/pana - inner, inward/presence, face, sight, countenance, person/turn to look, prepare, respect, behold, turn oneself ) court (haser/hasar - court, enclosure/sound of a trumpet), that the king had not qara called her into his presence for thirty (Hebrew letter lamed - shepherd's staff representing kingly authority, leadership, rulership: see Gen. 41:46, 2 Sam. 5:4, Lk. 3:23) days. If she entered the inner court without the king's qara call, she would be put to death unless the king held out (yasat - stretch out, extend) his golden (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega in Greek, ref. Jesus Christ: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13) scepter towards her, representing his kingly favor, permission and pardon (Esther 4:10-11). Her uncle, Mordecai, reminded her that her qara call or purpose from the heavenly King, God, was not to be ignored: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent (haras - deaf and dumb, show deafness, speechless, to plow in iniquity and to reap calamity) at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14). Esther told Mordecai to gather the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Jews in a three day fast for her: "And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish (abad - a lost and wandering sheep, to be ready to perish, put to death [of divine judgment]), I perish!". (v. 15-16). Esther approached the inner court of the king: "So it was, when the king saw (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near (qarab - draw near, bring near, approach, enter into, cause to draw near, join, make ready, receive) and touched the top of the scepter." (Est. 5:2). The meaning of scepter (sarbit/sebet) in Hebrew is: "scepter, dart, spear, rod of empire, rod, staff, branch, offshoot, shepherd's hook, mark of authority, mark of a tribe, rod used for beating or to give support, measuring rod."

     As I read this account in Esther, I can see the king tilting his scepter forward towards Esther granting her permission to draw near. The definition of scepter, and the aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega designation written in front of the word "scepter" in Hebrew, brought a picture to my mind of Jesus on the cross, with his upper body and head tilted forward towards us in death, a detail which I found to be confirmed by the findings regarding the image on the Shroud of Turin. This to me is a poignant picture of God tilting His royal Scepter, in the Person of His offered Son, forward towards us to indicate His favor, invitation and pardon to enter His inner court and draw near to Him. It is written in the Book of Hebrews: "But to the Son He (God) says: 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter/rod of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore, God, Your God, has anointed (Hebrew:masakh/Greek:Chrio) You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions." (Heb. 1:8, Ps. 45:6-7). And: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16). We also read in Genesis, as Jacob prophesied over his sons, he said in part over his son, Judah (the tribe of David, the Messiah, Jesus): "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (referring to the Messiah/Christ) comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people." (Gen. 49:10). Balaam, who was hired to bring a curse against Israel, delivered instead a prophecy of the Scepter that will rise out of Israel, referring to the Messiah/Christ, to judge the people (Num. 24:17). In numerous places in scripture, the Messiah/Christ is referred to as a branch (Jer. 33:15-18, Jer. 23:5, Zech. 3:8, Zech. 6:12-13) and as a shoot (Isa. 11:1-5), both of which are mentioned in the meaning of "scepter", above. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday in the week of His crucifixion, He entered as a King (basileus/basis - prince, commander, lord of the land, king/foundation of power, sole of the foot) (Lk. 19:37-38). The rod of rulership (scepter) over the nations, as Jacob prophesied, is with Christ (and us) on His return (see Rev. 2:26-27).

     In another reading portion from this zachor Sabbath before Purim, and also Palm Sunday this year, the prophet Isaiah wrote the Word given to him from the LORD for His people: "But now, thus says the LORD who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called (qara - see above) you by name; you are Mine...Everyone who is called (qara - see above) by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." (Isa. 43:1, 7). Leviticus Chapters 2 through 5 that are included in this Sabbath's reading deals with different kinds of offerings to bring to the LORD for sins, trespasses and guilt. This chapter from Isaiah shows the grief of the LORD that His special people, whom He has qara called by His name, do not call upon Him, and do not bring Him sweet offerings (ola and minha - burnt offering, what is laid on the altar, ascend, go up, go up in smoke, be taken up/gift, offering, sacrifice, tribute) even though He has the power to pardon them: "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins." (v. 22-25).  What is in our hearts regarding offerings to be made to the LORD? Is He grieved with us also as He was with Israel? The LORD holds the scepter for either judgment or favor and pardon.

     If the LORD is looking for an offering, then what offering did Esther bring when, against the law of the kingdom, she presented herself before the king uninvited? She was obedient to the word that Mordecai brought to her although she had been hesitant at first. She participated in a prayerful fast sacrificially to break the yoke of the enemy (see Isa. 58:1-6), and she offered herself, saying: "...if I perish, I perish." What are we who are qara called by His name willing to offer Him during this Purim/Palm Sunday/Resurrection Sunday season? We saw above that the meaning of the Hebrew word for offering, ola, a burnt offering, is "that which is laid on the altar, to ascend, to go up as smoke goes up". This acceptable offering, following the pattern of the tabernacle, is dead flesh, but it is transformed into another form by the holy fire (our God is a consuming fire [Deut. 4:23-24; Heb. 12:28-29; see also 1 Kings 18:37-39]; the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire [Acts 2:1-4]; the Word of God as fire in our hearts and bones [Jer. 20:9]) of the consecrated altar, into a sweet-smelling odor ascending before the LORD. The odor of death has become the odor of ascent. We also know that these offerings for sin under the Law of Moses are a shadow and type of the Offering of the Son of God, Jesus, that was made for all of our sins. We have scriptures that speak of the odor of this type of holy offering: "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Eph. 5:1-2).  Paul also wrote: "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us, diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing...For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity (eilikrineia/eilikrines - purity, cleanness/found pure when unfolded and examined by the sun's light, tasted as genuine), but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ." (2 Cor. 2:14-15, 17). Paul also wrote: "I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:18-19). In Rom. 12:1-2, Paul wrote about offering ourselves as a holy, living sacrifice acceptable to God. Then he speaks of being "transformed". In another place, Paul wrote of being transformed in a moment from corruptible to incorruptible, in what is called in churches "The Rapture" (1 Cor. 15:51-54).

     The nature of the offering in God's eyes as we can see above is the qara calling by which He has called us, but also the oneness of character with Him, with His Spirit, and with His Son, the Word.  In another reading from this Sabbath, we find out about making offerings and sacrifices that are unacceptable to God because they had nothing to do with sacrificial service to God, which is a reflection of His character. King Saul of Israel was commanded by the Word of the LORD from the prophet and judge Samuel, to destroy all of the people and animals of the wicked Amalekites (1 Sam. 15:1-3). However, although Saul's army defeated the Amalekites, he decided to spare their King Agag's life and the best of the enemy's livestock because both he and the Israelites "were unwilling to utterly destroy them." (v. 8-9). They only destroyed what they considered to be "despised and worthless". Saul explained to Samuel: "...for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed." (v. 15). Saul acted like he was doing an honor to God in his actions. Saul finally admitted that he was motivated to disobey the Word of the LORD because he "feared the people and obeyed their voice" instead (v. 24). However, Saul's disobedience could not be pardoned. Then Word of the LORD to Saul (v. 26, 28) was that the LORD had rejected Saul as king. Samuel revealed to Saul the power of the true offering: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." (v. 22). Do we think that an offering to the LORD is only about the money that we choose to give? It is the sacrifice of obedience to the LORD rather than the implementation of our own ideas and choices that is at the heart of the true offering that transforms the corruptible flesh into the smoke and pleasing fragrance that ascends to the throne of God. Contrast Saul's relationship with God to the relationship that Jesus had with His heavenly Father. The pleasing fragrance of Christ's sacrifice is that He did the will of His Father in heaven, saying: "...nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done." (see Lk. 22:41-43, also Jn. 6:38-40, and regarding our obedience: Mt. 7:21-27). What kind of offering are we bringing to God during this Purim, Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday season? Is it an offering of transformation?

     If you would like to know more about offering a holy living sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God, you can join in my prayer: "Heavenly Father, in this season that represents Your defeat of the enemy of Your people, and the defeat of the greatest enemies, sin and death, by Your Son, the King, who rose from the dead for all of us. You tipped Your Scepter, Your Son, towards us on the cross to grant us pardon and favor. I ask that You find my offerings to be acceptable in Your sight, and a pleasing fragrance in Your nostrils. Let me join with My Savior in saying "not my will, but Yours be done" in and through me always. Cleanse my heart and purify me so that I can bring my offerings before You with sincerity and truth. Fill me with the holy fire of Your Word and Your Holy Spirit so that I may offer myself in obedience, in my giving, in service and works, done not in my own name and will, but in Your great name. I ask for this transformation in my life from the corruptible to the incorruptible in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

 Recommended reading:

"The Shroud of Turin: The Perfect Summary"

"Will You Heed the Celestial Warning?"

Neglected

      This is Part 2 of a double Sabbath reading, Va-yakheil and P'kudei, meaning "and he assembled" and "accounting of" that began last week. The Part 1 blog entry is titled "Precious" (click here) and dealt with how Moses' assembly of the items of the tabernacle from the innermost chamber (God's beginning work in our hearts) to the outermost curtains reflected how God's work of salvation through Jesus manifests in us. The LORD also had Moses account for every free will offering that contributed to the construction of the tabernacle, the process of the creation of every piece of the tabernacle, and at the end of the process, Moses also had to examine and account for the finished items before they were installed in the tabernacle according to the pattern that God had given him.

     This week's continuing study will begin in 1 Kings Chapters 7 through 9 with the assembling of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem generations later: "And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth (represented in the Hebrew letter daleth meaning the earth, material creation, a door, a path, way of life, movement into or out of) year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv (month of April-May, month of flowers,  "brightness", splendor, prominent), which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD." (1 Kings 6:1). It took Solomon seven (represented in the Hebrew letter zayin meaning completion, spiritual perfection, to cut, to pierce) years to complete the building of the temple "in all its details and according to all its plans" in the eleventh (represented by the Hebrew letters yod + aleph meaning imperfection, disorder, incompleteness, man's works as opposed to God's works) year of his reign as king (v. 37-38). 

     If we consider the number meanings above, we might be able to see a second or hidden message: The beginning of the building of the temple represented a work that would affect all of creation. the time period of completion of this work represented spiritual perfection and completion accomplished through Christ's finished work of salvation (the use of the word "pierced"). However, we see a problem in the meaning of the eleventh year, and I think that problem lies with Solomon at this point of his life, because it marks a moment in his reign. The LORD doesn't say this directly, but He does have a Word of warning for Solomon: "I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. Now if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, then I will establish the (Hebrew written letters aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega in Greek, representing Jesus Christ : see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13) throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father...But if you or your sons at all turn away from following Me...but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Israel from the land which I have given them; and this house which I consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight..." (1 Kings 9:4-7). To me, these words of solemn warning are directed to Solomon because the LORD knew that there was a problem in Solomon's heart, even if it was not yet apparent to others. The LORD knows the heart (Jer. 17:9-10, Ps. 139:23-24, Prov. 15:11,1 Sam. 16:7). Jesus knew what was in the hearts of those with whom He dealt as well (Jn. 2:23-25).

      King David, Solomon's father also said to Solomon before he died: "As for you, my son Solomon, know the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now (ra'a - see, perceive, have vision, discern, look intently at, look at the face, visions), for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary (miqdas/qadas - sacred place, holy place, holy thing/consecrate, sanctify, be separate, separate oneself, set apart as sacred, clean); be strong and do it." (1 Chron. 28:9-10). David was telling Solomon that he must know aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega God not from a distance but by the experience of spiritual vision and perception, by "seeing" Him face to face, in order to build His house of salvation. 

     We know that Solomon's heart did become divided as he worshipped the foreign gods of his wives (1 Kings 11:1-8). Solomon's son, Rehoboam, did indeed lose the throne over Israel and Israel became a divided nation under two separate kings (1 Kings 11:11-13,1 Kings 12:1-19), only to be restored in the future as the prophet Ezekiel described the kingdom of the Messiah, the descendant of David (Jesus Christ the aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega), who would come, and His tabernacle established in the midst of them (Ezek. 37:24-28). We also know that the temple that Solomon built would later be ransacked and ruined by a foreign invader, and the people taken into captivity. The LORD indeed knows the heart.

     When Solomon completed the temple after seven years, he made an accounting of all of the materials that had been used to build and furnish the temple, and he assembled the furnishings after the same pattern as Moses did with the tabernacle - from the innermost chamber (1 Kings 8:6), outwards (see previous post "Precious" for details). Then the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD so that the priests could not continue ministering (1 Kings 8:10-11). This also occurred when Moses finished the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 40:34-35).

     The innermost chamber of the tabernacle/temple, which was established first in the pattern of assembly, contains both the Ark containing the written Word of God, and the Mercy Seat of the Atoning Blood, reflects the salvation that begins in our hearts and continues outwardly to transform and manifest in our lives. We are the temple of the Spirit of God, and of His glory (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

     From another of this week's Sabbath reading portions, we will see that another King, Joash or Jehoash, restored the worship of God to the southern Kingdom of Judah: "...Jehoash (meaning "given by the LORD"; fire, flames, altar fire, supernatural fire, internal ardor of the mind, splendor, brightness) became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah (sebi/saba - glory, glorious, beauty, honor, pleasant/go forth to battle) of Beersheba (meaning "well of the 7-fold oath"). Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him." (2 Kings 12:1-2). The glorious temple of God that Solomon had built generations earlier had fallen into neglect and disrepair. It was in Jehoash's heart to repair the temple. He told the priests: "All the money of the dedicated gifts that are brought into the house of the LORD - each man's census money (the half shekel of redemption from each person for the upkeep of the tabernacle under Moses' law), each man's assessment money - and all the money that a man purposes in his heart to bring into the house of the LORD, let the priests take it themselves, each from his constituency; and let them repair  (hazaq - strengthen, prevail, become strong, be resolute, be secure, repair, keep hold of, sustain, fortify, mend, behave valiantly, to bind strongly, gird loins) the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) damages/breaches (bedeq/badaq - fissure, rent, breach, leak, gap/mend, repair) of the temple, wherever any dilapidation/breaches (see bedeq/badak above) is found." (v. 4-5). The prophet Isaiah later wrote a similar Word of the LORD, incorporating the Hebrew meanings that we see used here: "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'...Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday...You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In." (Isa. 58:8-12, excerpt). This promise of the LORD was given to those who "build" into others' lives, to those who "repair" the broken hearts, because of their delight and pleasure in the LORD, in His ways and Word, thereby sharing in His salvation character as well.

     So what happened to the repairs to the temple that King Jehoash commanded be made by the priests? Absolutely nothing! The aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega breaches of the temple did not touch the hearts of the priests. The neglected temple continued to lay in disrepair for another twenty-three years after the King's command until the King dealt with it again: "Why have you not repaired the damages on the temple?..." (2 Kings 12:6-7). The King forbad them from receiving any more money from their constituency, but to use the money they had been receiving all of those twenty-plus years for the purpose of upkeeping and repairing the temple. The priests refused to make repairs without being able to continue receiving the money from the people (v. 8). Money seems to be a very good test to determine where our hearts are, or are not, in the LORD! The High Priest, Jehoiada, who had been the one to instruct the King in the LORD, came up with another idea of how to receive the funds from the people, and the repairs were made (v. 9-12).

     From these Sabbath readings, I think that the care and attention to the house of the LORD, or its shameful neglect, is not about a physical building, but it is about what the building represents: the dwelling place of God among His people. Again, God's dwelling place, His throne, is not in the inner chamber of a physical building, but in what the inner chamber, the Holy of Holies or the Most Holy Place, represents - a person's heart. This physical tabernacle or temple represents God's promise to man of His salvation through His Son, Jesus, so that we may dwell with the LORD, and He with us, forever: "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." (Rev. 21:3, see also Ezek. 37:27, Jn. 14:1-4, 6).

     In this double Sabbath reading for these last two weeks, we have seen the important roles of kings and priests in the establishing and upkeeping of the tabernacle or temple of the LORD according to the pattern of His precise instructions. Moses, who was appointed to build the tabernacle, was also considered a prince, as well as a prophet (Heb. 11:24-28, Acts 7:35-36). We also, as believers in Christ, have been made to be kings and priests before God through His Son (Rev. 1:5-6, Rev. 5:9-10, 1 Pet. 2:5, 9, Ex. 19:6).  We may sometimes acknowledge this exalted position with a kind of spiritual pride, but, as we see in this Sabbath double reading portion, the position of king and priest also carries a responsibility to ra'a consider the LORD (see above) and obey His voice, as David told his son, Solomon, to do. Not only are we to be a living part of the assembly of (Va-yakheil) His House of Salvation, but the LORD makes an accounting of (P'kudei) every detail in His House. As the LORD said above in the Hebrew meaning of the words, the establishing of His House according to the pattern which He has ordained has an impact on all of the material creation. Paul also wrote: "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God...the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Rom. 8:19, 21).

     We saw how the House of Salvation was neglected and fell into disrepair, and how the priests were slow and uncooperative to obey the king's command to repair it. The author of the Book of Hebrews wrote: "Therefore we must give heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through the angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience  received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect (ameleo - neglect, make light of, have no regard for, don't care about) so great a salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?" (Heb. 2:1-4). If we have grown neglectful towards our salvation, and the transformation it creates in us from our innermost being, outward, then we need to make a return visit to the Most Holy Place of our spiritual tabernacle, which is our hearts, to reconnect with the life-giving wells of salvation (Isa. 12:2-3, Jn. 4:10-15). Revival starts within our innermost being, and then flows outward: from out of our bellies "shall flow rivers of living water." (Jn. 7:38).

     If you would like to know more about building and repairing the spiritual House of the LORD, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, You have made a way for me to enter into the Most Holy Place of Your tabernacle, where first I received my salvation, and where You established Your tabernacle in my heart. Help me, Lord, by Your Holy Spirit and Your Word in me to be conformed to Your image and character. Help me to be A Repairer of the Breach, and A Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. As Your spiritual tabernacle in and with me is established and also repaired from my neglect, let the material creation also walk in the glorious liberty of the children of God. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN!"

     

     

Precious

     This Sabbath reading portion are two reading portions combined together which will cover two Sabbaths. The first portion is titled Va-yakheil, meaning "and he assembled/gathered", and the second reading portion is titled P'kudei, meaning "amounts of/accounting of". The readings begin in Exodus Ch. 35. Before we begin there, we read at the end of Ch. 34 that Moses' face began to shine because of his presence before God on the mountain: "So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him...And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face." (Ex. 34:29-35). The glory of God was reflected in Moses' face. 

     Immediately thereafter, "Moses gathered all the (Hebrew letters aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega in Greek letters as the reference to Jesus Christ in Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13) congregation (eda/ed/ud - fixture, assemblage, people/witness, testimony, what testifies, evidence, a recorder, prince/surround, bear witness, enjoin solemnly, stand upright, give warning) of the children of Israel together..." (Ex. 35:1). Moses called the aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega congregation as witnesses, and he told them all that the LORD had commanded for His people to do. Moses told them about the offering to be made from willing hearts only for the crafting of the tabernacle of God's presence and the articles to be used in the tabernacle. Moses listed the various items that would be needed to accomplish this command of God (v. 4-19). "And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women..." (v. 20-22, 29). Artisans gifted by God by His Spirit with wisdom and workmanship were assigned, and the work began (Ex. 36:1).

     Every precious item that was used to construct the tabernacle and furnishings, including the priests' robes, were willingly brought. An inventory or an accounting of every item that was used was made at the command of Moses (Ex. 38:21, 24-31). Nothing was considered too small or insignificant to be accounted for, even the dyed threads used to embroider the linen. Everything given by these willing hearts was considered to be most precious to the LORD. Both the tabernacle and the later-built temple, while they were natural tents/buildings, also represent something spiritual. The New Testament tells us that we also, each one, are being built into the spiritual temple of God. Each of us is a living stone set into place in the dwelling of God. Each of us who offer ourselves to stand in place with a willing heart in this spiritual temple is precious to and accounted for by the LORD. Not one of us is insignificant to Him: "(you) Coming to Him (the gracious Lord) as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 2:3-5).

     When all the work on the components of the tabernacle and the priests' garments was finished, the children of Israel brought the unassembled (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) tabernacle to Moses (Ex. 39:32-33). Every item that had been commanded by God for the tabernacle was accounted for and inspected by Moses: "According to all that the LORD had commanded (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. Then Moses looked over all the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) work, and indeed they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them." (Ex. 39:42-43).  "And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was raised up (qum - to rise, rise up, stand, establish, fulfilled, become powerful, to arise as a witness, to raise up a name or posterity)." (Ex. 40:17).

     Keeping in mind that each of us is the spiritual tabernacle in Christ/Messiah, Moses assembled the tabernacle in a certain order. We might picture the tabernacle as something that one enters into from the outside, but this is not how the tabernacle was assembled by Moses. It was assembled from its innermost chamber outward. First, in the most inward chamber, the Holy of Holies, or Most Holy Place, the ark of the covenant was placed (Ex. 40:3). No one would be able to enter this chamber because of the presence of the LORD except the High Priest, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement with the atoning blood of sacrifice. The ark placed in this chamber contained the Word of God written on the two stone tablets and the ark was covered with the solid gold Mercy Seat, also called the Throne of God's Presence. It was on the Mercy Seat that the atoning blood was applied. So the Word of God was the most interior item of the tabernacle. It was contained "within the within". We also know that Jesus is the Word of God (Jn. 1:1-3, 14), and He came to fulfill the Law of the tablets, and the prophets (Mt. 5:17-18). 

     This innermost chamber of the tabernacle, established before the other parts of the tabernacle, is very much like our hearts, and therefore to the LORD it is the most holy of holies because this is where His work of salvation begins in us: "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do (asa - do, make, produce, act with effect, bring about, accomplish, fulfill, fabricate, create:to be made, branches that bring forth fruit, prepare:make ready, offer a sacrifice) it." ..."that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Deut. 30:14, Rom. 10:8-10).  The LORD also promised that He would write His Word on our hearts rather than tablets of stone (2 Cor. 3:3, Jer. 31:33). The Word in our hearts creates, fulfills, prepares to make ready, brings forth fruit as it effectively "does".

     As we read in Ex. 40:3 above, the next item that Moses installed in the tabernacle was the veil or curtain that separated the Holy of Holies where the ark of the covenant rested, from the second most interior area, the Holy Place. It is this veil of separation that was torn in two at the moment that Jesus died on the cross, completing His sacrifice (Mt. 27:51, Mk. 15:37-38). The veil remained intact through the ages of Moses, the Kings, the prophets, and up until the moment when the sacrifice to end all sacrifices was completed by the Son of God, Jesus, and the separation placed before the presence of God was done away. We can now approach God with a "true heart" upon which God's Word has been written (see Heb. 10:16-22). The verses from Hebrews use the term a "true heart". The Concordance explains the Greek meaning of "true" (alethinos) as used in this instance in this way: "that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name; real, true, genuine; the opposite to what is fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended." With God's Word written in our hearts, combined with the salvation work of Christ that ended our separation from God, our hearts are not a resemblance to God's heart, but of the genuine character and name of God Himself. What an awesome work! 

     In another explanation of this amazing work of salvation, Paul wrote: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God...For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct (symbibazo - to cause to join together, to coalesce, to unite or knit together, to cause a person to unite with one in a conclusion, to drive together) Him? But we have the mind (nous - the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and hating evil) of Christ." (1 Cor. 2:12, 16). To know and be united with the mind of God  - Paul said that this was impossible for a natural man by his own spirit, but now is possible because of the Spirit of God whom we have received through Jesus Christ.

     Perhaps we can we see this reality more easily now by seeing our hearts as the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle for the purpose of understanding the spiritual tabernacle that God is building in the earth using each of us. It is not so that we may think more highly of ourselves than we ought to (Rom. 12:3-5), but it is for the purpose of "doing" (creating, fulfilling, making ready, bringing forth fruit) the Word of God, as we saw above. As we are changed in our innermost chamber, we also then bring that change outward into the creation.

   After veiling off the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the tabernacle, Moses assembled the furnishings of the next chamber of the tabernacle moving outward from the center. That chamber was the Holy Place. The three golden furnishings of this chamber represent the Messiah/Christ who was to come: The golden lampstand (menorah) with its seven lamps to be kept lighted continually (Jn. 8:12/Mt. 5:14-16), the golden altar of incense where prayers were offered up by the priests (Heb. 7:24-26), and the golden table of the shewbread or bread of the Presence that was mixed with frankincense (Jn. 6:33, 41, 48-51; Lk. 24:1-4, 1 Cor. 11:23-24). The sacrificial presence of Jesus tore the separating veil which represented His own body torn: "...enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh..." (Heb. 10:19-20). 

     Moving outward from this second chamber, we are in the courtyard of the tabernacle. This courtyard was enclosed about by linen curtains. The tabernacle courtyard is the outermost place of our transformation and assemblage into the living spiritual temple of God. Within this courtyard, the sacrifices and burnt offerings were made at the large brazen altar. Also in this courtyard was the laver where the priests washed themselves and put on their priestly garments. 

     We also find this courtyard to be present in the spiritual tabernacle into which we are being assembled/gathered. The Apostle Paul wrote about this courtyard in a believer's life: "I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies (oiktirmos -heart/bowels of compassion) of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:1-2). Paul also wrote of our washing (in the spiritual courtyard laver) this way: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:26-27). This is another reason why I think that our being built into the spiritual temple of God is like the pattern of the assembling of Moses' tabernacle: from the innermost first and moving toward the outermost. We cannot even begin to come to the point of offering ourselves, our lives, as a holy and acceptable spiritual sacrifice to God unless we first have received the heart of God, as Paul wrote above, and the mind of Christ. A natural person cannot even comprehend the scope of what this means, much less offer it, without that heart and mind (see 1 Cor. 2:14). With the courtyard laver, we have the washing, preparing and perfecting of the Church as Christ presents His Church/Bride to Himself. This is found at the culmination of our walk with Christ, not at the beginning of our walk with Him. Then we have the outer curtains of fine linen (the whiteness/purity/cleanness of God's righteousness) that surround the courtyard/tabernacle compound (Ex. 27:9-16). This reminds us of Paul's words above that we are not to be conformed to the world around us but transformed. Jesus said that we were sanctified for the purpose of being sent into the world, but not to be of the world (Jn. 17:14-19, also 2 Cor. 6:14-18, 1 Jn. 2:15-17, James 4:4). These fine linen curtains that separate the tabernacle from the rest of the area also remind us of the fine linen garments of righteousness with which the bride of Christ will be clothed for her wedding to Him (Rev. 19:6-9).

     A final thought here. When Moses had finished assembling the tabernacle from the inner part to the outer, the glory of the LORD filled the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) tabernacle. No one, not even Moses who had stood in the presence of God until his face shone with light, could enter the tabernacle of this glory (Ex. 40:34-35).  What kind of glory was this that not even Moses could be present in it? For those of us who are being assembled into God's spiritual tabernacle, Jesus said that He had given us the same glory as He had with the Father from the beginning (Jn. 17:22-24). Paul wrote that this glory is a far greater glory than Moses or Israel had ever experienced (2 Cor. 3:7-11). It is the glory of the Spirit of God which we have been given through Jesus Christ in the new covenant of which Jeremiah wrote. It is the glory of the oneness with God and Christ in the Holy of Holies.

     This is part 1 of a 2-part blog reflecting the double Sabbath reading which will be concluded next week. 

     If you would like to know more about our life in Christ as prophesied by the pattern of the assembling of the tabernacle of Moses, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, Maker of Heaven and earth, Builder of a spiritual house for the families that have been named by Your name, let me be transformed by Your (living) Word, Jesus, in my innermost being according to the assembling of Your tabernacle. Let me have the true heart of Your character and name, and the mind of Christ, according to the promises of your Word. Let my life in Christ be like the walk through Your tabernacle until I am "doing" and being Your Word of creation as I am in the world, but not of the world. Lord Jesus, You have given me the same glory that You had with the Father from the beginning, and Father, You have given me Your Spirit to lead me into the knowledge of the truth. Let my life become a holy and acceptable sacrifice of service before You as I am transformed, and my mind is renewed. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

TheOnlyGod

      The various nations, cultures and individuals around the world today have different forms of worship. Some worship God, meaning the God of Israel, the God of Scripture. Some worship a form of "God" according to their own definitions and desires regarding Him. Some worship their ancestors. Some still worship a pantheon of gods, many gods. Some worship a philosophy or a state system. Some worship a political leader as if he is a god. Some worship nature and the gods that they believe rule over each object in nature. Some worship certain animals as holy. Some worship the idea of atheism. Some worship what is called science, and others worship man's "reason". Then there are the more subtle objects of worship based upon what people view as being the most important thing/person to them such as money, possessions, career, success, power, influence over others, self, fashion, music, sports, and many more such things, ideas, and people who have been elevated into idols.     

     One of the reading portions from this Sabbath is Psalm 96. This Psalm is credited to King David because it is also recorded in 1 Chron. 16:23-33, when the Ark of the Covenant was brought up to Jerusalem by David. The psalm makes clear that the knowledge of the Hebrew God and His salvation is expected to be known by all people, by all nations: "...Sing to the LORD all the earth...Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day...Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all (kol/kalal - all, the whole, any, each, every, anything, totality/make complete, make perfect, to put a crown upon) peoples...He is to be feared above all gods, for all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens...Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations/heathen, 'The LORD reigns....He shall judge the peoples righteously.'...For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth." Jesus also commanded His disciples to proclaim the good news of His salvation to all nations and people (Mt. 28:19, Mk. 16:15, Lk. 24:46-47). When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in Jerusalem fifty days after the crucifixion of Christ on Passover, the multitude who were gathered nearby heard the disciples speaking in every language of every nation (Acts 2:5-12) to their amazement. When the only God offered His gift of salvation, His Son Jesus, it was to the whole world, which He loved (Jn. 3:16-17). When scripture describes those who have become part of the Kingdom of the only God, they are from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (Rev. 5:9, Rev. 7:9-10). When the prophet described God's house, he described it as a house of prayer for all nations (Isa. 56:7).

     Whether the nations or cultures accept the LORD as the only God or not, it is the LORD who created all, and it is He who will judge all of His creation according to the psalm above. None will be exempt from His expectation that they will have this knowledge. The apostle Paul also wrote that the knowledge of the only God, the LORD who is God as identified in the Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament, is expected of all mankind without exception or excuse: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Rom. 1:18-21). People may purposefully reject the knowledge of God, or try to substitute something else for God, but God knows that they know who He is, has always been, and will always be. He is the One who created us, and everything that we see, and scripture says that we all know it, regardless of what man says or chooses to believe instead.

     God has always been God of all of the nations. He has caused even the most powerful kings of various nations throughout history to proclaim Him as God: Pharaoh of Egypt was not a big fan of the LORD, commenting, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go." (Ex. 5:2). During one of the plagues of Egypt (lice), Pharaoh's magicians said to him: "This is the finger of God.' But Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said." (Ex. 8:19).  After the plague of thunder and hail, Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron to him, and said: "I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked. Entreat the LORD, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." (Ex. 9:27). Although Pharaoh went back on his word here, after the tenth plague of death to the first born, Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron and told them to leave Egypt, with the children of Israel and all of their animals, saying: "...go serve the LORD as you have said...be gone; and bless me also." (Ex. 12:31-32). Pharaoh would again go back on his word, but not because he didn't know who the LORD was. He knew.

     King Nebuchadnezzar, the great king of the Babylonian Empire, asked the prophet of the LORD, Daniel, to include in the prophet's book Nebuchadnezzar's letter to all which begins: "Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. How great are His signs, and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation." (Dan. 4:1-3). The king then continued to write his personal testimony of what he had witnessed and experienced with God.

     Isaiah the prophet spoke of a future king, Cyrus, who would be established by God as a great conqueror of nations, and prophesied to this future king: "That you may know that I, the LORD, who called you by your name, am the God of Israel...I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me." (Isa. 45:1-5). Centuries before Cyrus of Persia was born, the LORD was calling him forth prophetically. Cyrus' existence and success would be for Israel's, the LORD's elect's sake (v. 4), and we will see that. Later in time, Cyrus did become a conquering king of Persia (Iran/Iraq).

     In the first year of Cyrus' rule, he was moved by the Spirit of the LORD to issue a decree in order that the prophetic word of Jeremiah the prophet might be fulfilled ending the captivity of God's people (Ezra 1:1). This was the king's proclamation: "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And he has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem..." (v. 2-3). Cyrus also brought all of the captured holy furnishings and vessels of God's temple out of his treasury, had them accounted for, and gave them to Sheshbazzar (Zerubbabel), the prince of Judah, to take back to Jerusalem with the now former Israelite captives (v. 7-11).

     In this week's Sabbath portion there is a mention of Hiram, King of Tyre (Lebanon), and the help and materials that he agreed to send to King Solomon in Jerusalem for the building of the Temple for the LORD's name in 2 Chron. 2. When King Hiram responded to King Solomon's request, Hiram also wrote: "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son...who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal house for himself." (v. 12). There were also over one hundred thirty thousand foreigners who were living in Judah who were recruited by Solomon to provide labor and to act as overseers for the building of the Temple (v. 17-18). 

     This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Ki Tissa, meaning "when you take" (nasa - lift up, bear up, bear continuously, take, forgive, carry, support, be lifted up, exalted, rise up, marry, magnify). The title comes from a principle in Exodus 30:11-16.  Moses was to take a (aleph-tav in written Hebrew letters, or Alpha and Omega in Greek letters which refer to the identity of Jesus Christ: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13) sum or census of the Israelites, everyone twenty years old and above. Look at how the LORD has magnified His aleph-tav people according to the Hebrew meaning of the word "take", above! However, as much as this Sabbath portion reveals that the LORD is God over all of the earth and its inhabitants, over all of the nations and their peoples, this portion also sadly reveals how God's own people chose to worship the gods of foreign nations and make idols of them.

     In one Sabbath portion from Ex. 34, while Moses was on the mountain receiving the commandments of God written by God's own finger (Ex. 31:18), the Israelites in the camp were demanding that Aaron make them a god to worship. Of these commandments of God that had already been told to the Israelites were: "I am the LORD your God...You shall have no other gods before Me...You shall not make for yourself a carved image...of anything...You shall not bow down to them nor serve them..." (Ex. 20:2-4). The Israelites had witnessed the great wonders of God, but they chose to worship a god that they could see with their eyes, saying to Aaron: "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses...we do not know what has become of him." (Ex. 32:1). Aaron made a golden calf from the gold (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) earrings (nezem - earring, nose ring) that Aaron had told the people to "break off" (paraq - cast away, tear apart, break away, broken in pieces, rent). When Aaron presented the completed golden calf to the people, they said: "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!" (v. 2-4). We saw in Genesis that gold nose rings and jewelry are betrothal and marriage gifts among the Hebrews (Gen. 24:22). The LORD considered Himself betrothed and married to (and jealous of) the aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega sum of His people, and they were "breaking off" this betrothal in favor of an idol of an Egyptian god, Apis/Hapi/Hep, the most popular of the three great bull cults of ancient Egypt, connected to their city of Memphis. The world is expected to know the LORD God of Israel according to scripture, but His own people rejected the knowledge of Him.

     In another portion from this Sabbath, God's people again chose a foreign (Canaanite) fertility god also in the form of a bull called Ba'al, over the LORD God. In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah, in front of the king and all of the people, had a confrontation with the prophets who served Ba'al and demonstrated the omnipotent power of the LORD God. The LORD answered by fire from heaven: "Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, 'The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (v. 38-39).

     If you have been told that because of your nationality, race, heritage or culture, that the LORD God cannot be your God as the only God, this is not what the LORD Himself has said. History also has borne out this truth, as we have seen above. The LORD God has said that He wants to bring you to His holy mountain, and into His house and into His Kingdom with joy (see Isa. 56:7 above). His salvation, His Son Jesus, is also offered freely to all the world, to any and all who will accept and believe Him.

     If we consider ourselves to be part of the aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega sum of the LORD's betrothed people, we cannot allow the worship of false gods and idols into our relationship with Him for He is a jealous God - and anything or anyone can become an idol in our lives.

     If you would like to learn more about the only true God and the people who belong to Him, you can pray with me: "Father and LORD of All, how wonderful and welcoming You are to all of us. The world may be racist, but You are not. The world may exclude persons based upon nationality or culture, but You do not. You hold Your hand out to all of the families of the nations to become Your family. All of us, through Your Son, Jesus, and by Your Spirit, can cry out to you saying, 'Abba, Father'. Cleanse my heart of all idols, Lord, and of any desires and "self" that I have made more important than You, and all false understandings that are not founded in You. You alone are God in my life, the only God. I ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus. AMEN."