TempleGlory

     "...on this rock I will build My church (ekklesia/kaleo + ek - an assembly of Israelites, an assembly of Christians gathered for worship, the whole body of Christians/to call aloud, to call by name, to call forth + out of, away from, separation from a point of origin of place or time), and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Jesus speaking in Mt. 16:18-19).

and

     "...you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire...Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (Paul writing in 1 Cor. 3:9-16, excerpt).

     The title of this week's assigned Sabbath reading portion is a double title: Va-yakheil and P'kudei. Va-yakheil means "And he assembled", and P'kudei means "Amounts of/Accounting of".  The first title is from Exodus 35:1, which says: "Then Moses gathered (qahal - gather together, assemble, to summon an assembly, to call, to call together) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-congregation of the children of Israel together...". Both titles have to do with the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness and the building of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. Both the tabernacle and the temple began as a vision of a pattern given from heaven and commanded by God to Moses (see Ex. 25:8-9, Heb. 8:5) and then in a later generation the plan given to King David by the Spirit of God (see 1 Chron. 28:11-13) whose son, Solomon, built the temple according to the vision of his father, David. We also see in the verse at the top of the page that the "church" (see ekklesia meaning above) is also built upon a revelation from heaven as Jesus declared, the revelation being Jesus as the Messiah/Christ. (see Mt. 16:15-17).

     The pattern of both the tabernacle and the temple and all of their furnishings were not random, but very specific in detail and the materials to be used. Pages and pages of scripture describe all of the exact details of the items that needed to be constructed to be placed in the tabernacle or temple. Each piece contained individual parts, and each piece was to be set in specific places in the structure. All parts, pieces, components of pieces, priestly garments, materials to be used and their placement were described in intimate detail down to the rings that held the curtains. All pieces and materials used to create the pieces were accounted for and assembled. Nothing was created by the ideas or choices of men. The tabernacle and later the temple were constructed to the exactitude of God.

     As the tabernacle was completed, Moses anointed the tabernacle with oil as the LORD commanded him to do: "And you shall take the anointing (masha/masah - anointing, anointed, consecrate by anointing/smear, anoint, spread a liquid, consecrate, to stroke or spread over, to measure: to spread out and to expand) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-oil, and anoint (see masah above) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle-and-all-that-is-in-it; and you shall hallow it and all its (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-utensils/vessels (keli/kala - vessel, weapon, jewel, furniture, object/finish, end, accomplish, done, fulfil, determined, complete, bring to pass), and it shall be holy." (Ex. 40:9).

     As we can see, everything connected to the tabernacle was identified with the Messiah/Christ Jesus by the use of the written *aleph-tav (see *note below). Everything connected to the tabernacle was anointed with *aleph-tav-oil. The Hebrew words used for anointing/anoint (see above) are the root words for "Messiah" in Hebrew ("Christ" in Greek), which means "the anointed One".

     The Hebrew meanings shown above in the verse from Ex. 40:9 parallel the language used in Eph. 4:12-13 and 16 as being the spiritual identity of the ekklesia church determined by the will of God, as He appointed offices of spiritual leadership in the ekklesia church, which is the Body of Christ in heaven and on the earth, to include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers: "...for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying/perfecting (katartismos/katartizo - complete furnishing/put in order, arrange, perfectly join together, complete thoroughly, fit, frame, make - see meaning of "utensils/vessels" above)) of the body of Christ, until we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (telios/telos - brought to an end, finished, complete/end, that by which a thing is finished, definite point or goal - see meaning of "utensils/vessels" above) man, to the measure (metron - a vessel used to determine a quantity of dry or liquid, a determined extent - see meaning of "anointing" above) of the stature of the fullness (pleroo - to fulfill, to bring to pass, accomplish promises and prophecies, bring to realization, made complete in every particular, to carry through to the end, to fulfill or to cause God's will and promises, to receive fulfilment - see meaning of "utensils/vessels" above) of Christ....from whom the whole body, joined and knit together (see the meaning of katartizo above) by what every joint supplies...by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love"

     Moses, personally arranged or set in order (see katartizo above) the tabernacle and its furnishings according to the pattern that he was shown on the mountain. (Ex. 40:17-33). "So Moses finished the work."

     Moses had also assigned earlier, by specific command of the LORD, two master craftsmen, full of the Spirit of God, to supervise the construction of all of the items of the tabernacle. (Ex. 35:30-35). When Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, he also appointed a master craftsman, Huram, who was filled with wisdom, understanding and skill, sent to him by King Hiram of Tyre to supervise the making of all of the extensive bronze work items that would be used in the temple. (see 1 Kings 7:13-14). In the verses at the top of the page from 1 Cor. 3:9-16, Paul also called himself "a wise master builder" for the purpose of building the spiritual house of God and laying the foundation of Jesus Christ. Although the church leadership at the time did not recognize Paul's apostleship, God did, and Paul was miraculously called (see ekklesia above) in an encounter with Jesus Christ while he was on the road to Damascus. Paul proved his appointment to apostleship every day of his life and still does to this day. His words are still fruitful in the manifestation of the true ekklesia church. Apostles are still appointed to the ekklesia church for the same purpose since God has not changed His Word.

     When both the tabernacle and later the temple were completed, "Then the cloud covered (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of God filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle." (Ex. 40:34-35).  After Solomon's temple was completed there was a similar occurrence: "And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of the LORD." (1 Kings 8:10-11). The glory covered and filled the tabernacle and temple identified with the Messiah/Christ as the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega (see *note below). Jesus prayed to the Father that He had given His believers His own glory so that they/we would be made perfect (teleioo/teleios - see meaning above and also the meaning of "utensils/vessels" above). (see Jn. 17:22-23). Doesn't this follow the pattern established from heaven for the tabernacle/temple?

     At the top of the page, the words written by Paul in 1 Cor. 3:16 state that, as a believer, each of us individually is the temple of God with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Cor. 6:19, Paul again wrote: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" This spiritual temple created within each believer is based upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor. 3 above). The apostle Peter wrote that each believer is also a part of a larger spiritual temple: "...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." (1 Pet. 2:5). Jesus said that it is HE who builds His church in Matthew 16 (see the top of the page). Again the apostles wrote that this spiritual tabernacle/temple is directly related to the Messiah/Christ Jesus in agreement with the pattern given many generations earlier by God: the true ekklesia (see meaning above) church of both Jew and Gentile is built of the same heavenly pattern as the tabernacle, the pattern of which was given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, and the temple of Solomon, built upon the plans given to his father, King David, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Both "houses" were directly identified with Messiah/Christ based upon the presence of the written Hebrew *aleph-tav throughout the detailed descriptions given regarding both of the Houses of God.

     The true ekklesia church that is being built into a spiritual House of God was established by God with a foundation identity based only on His Son, the Messiah/Christ Jesus, and led by His Holy Spirit. It is a heavenly pattern that, when completed, becomes a tabernacle/temple filled with the glory of God. The ekklesia church has no other foundation than Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our living faith (see Heb. 12:2). The ekklesia church is not randomness, confusion and division but the completion, perfection and fulfilment of Jesus Christ. (see Eph. 4:13). This is the divine building plan or the blueprint of the ekklesia church.

     The LORD's intricate and exacting heavenly pattern for His tabernacle/temple produces a spiritual, living, resurrection temple made up of Sovereignly purposed and called believers in Jesus Messiah/Christ, both Jew and Gentile. It is a living temple filled with the Holy Spirit and the glory of Jesus Christ and the Father, which glory has been given to us by Christ. It is the same glory that came with the presence of the LORD and filled the tabernacle and later the temple and before which no flesh could stand - not the priests and not even Moses, yet we stand in it and of it. It is the same glory that shone upon the shepherds of the field at Bethlehem when the Messiah/Christ Jesus arrived into the world as a baby. (see Lk. 2:8-14). It is the same glory brightness that destroys the Lord's enemies at His coming/appearing, even the lawless one who is called antichrist. (see 2 Thess. 2:8). This same glory has a voice that is continually declaring the message of Messiah/Christ's return to the world through our testimony: "Surely I am coming quickly (tachy - speedily, without delay, soon, suddenly)," as we respond saying, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20). There is a beautiful and powerful song that begins with the declaration: Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!”.  The pattern of the House of the LORD's glory and habitation is not and cannot be built by human hands or ideas. (Acts 17:24, 2 Cor. 5:1-2, Heb. 9:11).

     If you would like to learn more about being the building of the living temple of God, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You have given Your Son Jesus, and called me in Him, to be built into Your living temple, the place of Your holy and glorious habitation. Lord, let me abide in the true and only foundation of Jesus Christ. This living temple is a house of prayer for all nations, with every kindred, tribe, race, and tongue offering spiritual sacrifices to You, always offering prayers of intercession according to Your will accomplished on earth as it is in heaven. Help me, Lord, to be led by Your Holy Spirit, and not my own will, plans or ideas because I am not my own, but I have been bought with the price of the blood of Jesus Messiah/Christ, the Anointed One. Let that same anointing oil cover my life and purpose in Your holy living temple, the anointing oil of the Messiah/Christ that causes me to shine with Your glory and holiness. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13. 

SabbathMystery

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading is Va-yakheil, which means "And he assembled". This comes from the first verse of this week's reading portion in Ex. 35: "Then Moses gathered (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them, 'These are the words which the LORD has commanded you to do: Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath (sabat - produce of the Sabbath year, to cease, to rest, exterminate, destroy, remove, cause to fail, desist from exertion, be completed, day of rest of heart as in the propitiation of the Deity [meaning to appease and gain the favor and good will of God as by the atonement sacrifice of Jesus Christ], intermission) of rest (sabaton - Sabbath observance, Day of Atonement, Feast of Trumpets, Great Sabbath, solemn Sabbath) to the LORD. Whoever does (asa - execute, work, maker, accomplish, bring about, appoint, institute, bruise, provide, prepare to build) any work on it shall be put to death (mut - slay, dead, kill, die prematurely by neglect of wise moral conduct, perish, be destroyed). You shall kindle (ba'ar - burn, brutish, fierce, barbarous, burn up, consume by fire, God's wrath, be stupid, dull-hearted, unreceptive, to feed upon, eat up, de-pasture a field or a vineyard, remove, exterminate) no fire (es - fire, burning, fiery, flaming hot, God's anger, the fire of God, any destruction, conflagration destroying or endangering crops) throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day." (v. 1-3).

     This is the fourteenth and last mention of the LORD's law dealing with the Sabbath day in the Book of Exodus only. The Sabbath, to me, is a mystery that is not satisfied with the religious rules of men that have surrounded it, obscured it and smothered it. The heavy emphasis that the LORD places on the Sabbath throughout all of the scriptures, and especially in the Book of Exodus, tells me that there is more here concerning the meaning of the Sabbath than meets the eye, and I seek here to have my understanding of that meaning deepened.

     I can start with the verses above. First, I can see that the repetition of the LORD's command regarding the Sabbath is for ALL of the people who are identified with Messiah/Christ, both Jew and Gentile, as indicated by the presence of the Aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega identity of Christ (see note below). This is borne out by Jesus when He taught that the Son of Man, speaking of Himself, is LORD of the Sabbath, because the Sabbath was created by God for the benefit of man, and not man for the benefit of the Sabbath. (see Mk. 2:27-28). We also see the identity of the Messiah/Christ in the fact that the Hebrew meaning of Sabbath includes the rested state of the heart/soul because atoning propitiation has been made (By Jesus Christ) to appease the wrath of God and turn it into His favor towards us instead. With this favor through the propitiation blood atonement also comes the right to be called sons/children of God because they have been born anew by the will of God (Jn. 1:10-13) and to receive eternal life as promised in scripture (Jn. 3:14-17). We can then also understand why death comes to those who do not receive the Sabbath and its holiness in the eyes of God, who gave His beloved Son for this atonement purpose. 

     We see this again in the Book of Hebrews, chapters 3 and 4, where the belief in the Son of God allows the believer to enter into God's rest, His Sabbath, while God had previously told His people that they could not enter His rest because of their unbelief. (Heb. 3:16-19, Heb. 4:1-3, Ps. 95:6-11).

     The Apostle John revealed this: "He who believes in Him (the Son of God) is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned (krino - pronounce judgment, to be judged, summoned to trial, examined and to have judgment passed, to separate, put asunder, to contend at law) already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (Jn. 3:18-19). Here is the death that God referred to in the verses above from Ex. 35. It is the death that comes from the condemnation of unbelief. The rest of the soul has not been entered because of the rejection of the atoning blood of the Messiah/Christ Jesus in rebellion against God.

     Next in our journey of understanding the Sabbath, we can see from the Hebrew meaning of the word Sabbath its connection to "produce", specifically the produce provided not by man but by God during the Sabbath. In fact, man's work to "produce" is strictly forbidden. Not only is there an appointed physical produce represented by this definition, but also a spiritual produce, which the LORD creates in His Sabbath.

     The Sabbath provision of "produce" by the LORD is ample, even a double portion, and we will see this ample provision that comes after Moses declared the law of the Sabbath for this fourteenth (7 X 2) time in Ex. 35:1-3 above. This reminder of the importance of the Sabbath comes just before the people of God begin to bring their offerings forth for the building of the tabernacle. They brought forth so much that the master builders who had been given (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) all of the offerings had to come to Moses and asked him to command the people to stop bringing the offerings: "So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, 'Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.' And the people were restrained (kala - restrict, restrain, withhold, shut up, keep back, forbid) from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done - indeed too much." (Ex. 36:2-7, excerpt). The Word of God also says that the LORD is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..." (Eph. 3:20).

    In God's command to Moses in Ex. 35 to give to the people of Israel, God includes a new thought into the observance of the Sabbath as we see above: "You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings (mosab/yasab - habitation, dwelling, seat, assembly, situation, location, territory, habitable places of the land/dwell, abide, inhabit, sit, to marry, seated on thrones of judges and kings, seated at the King's right hand) on the Sabbath day." (Ex. 35:3).

     The Sabbath rest of God produces more than enough for what is needed. Do we understand the real meaning of the Sabbath? Or do we think that it is just a particular day of the week? The Sabbath is not fulfilled with religious rules created by men, but the Sabbath reflects the character, heart and purpose of God.

     We see above that one's "dwelling" can extend from far beyond the personal dwelling and into the wider territory beyond. One's "dwelling" also includes the concept of being seated at the right hand of the King, and having the authority of a king or a judge seated on a throne. There are many references in scripture to the fact that the resurrected Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father (Ps. 110:1-2, Heb. 1:3-4, Acts 2:33, Acts 7:54-56, Rev. 3:21, Mt. 22:41-46, 1 Pet. 3:21-22). Not only does Jesus occupy the right hand of God, but we do also as we are in Him. (Col. 3:1-3, Rev. 3:21).

     The idea of kindling a fire within a dwelling may, or course, be taken literally, as many do, but if we look at the meaning of the words in Hebrew, we will discover a very important principle of the Sabbath. The word "kindle" in Hebrew is ba'ar, which means "burn, brutish, fierce, barbarous, burn up, consume by fire, God's wrath, be stupid, dull-hearted, unreceptive, to feed upon, eat up, de-pasture a field or a vineyard, remove, exterminate". Who would have thought that these extremely destructive thoughts and behaviors would be associated with this word?! God's Sabbath includes the blessing of produce, however, thus kindling consumes those pastures and fields of produce by fire.

     Included in the meaning of "fire", which is the Hebrew word es, is "fire, burning, fiery, flaming hot, God's anger, the fire of God, any destruction, conflagration, destroying or endangering crops". We can see how this kindling of fire would be everything opposite of what is intended by the Sabbath of God.

     One way that we kindle this kind of fire is with the words that we speak. The Apostle James wrote: "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell....no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God." (James 3:5-9). How awful and pervasive is the absence of the Sabbath in our mouths!

     Even the great prophet, Isaiah, when gazing prophetically upon the glory of (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the Lord, the Messiah/Christ in His (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) temple, cried out, "Woe is me, for I am undone (dama - cut off, cease, perish, destroy, cut down, ruined, made silent in death)! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the King, The LORD of hosts." (Isa. 6:1, 5). Here also is the "death". Then one of the angels came to him with a coal from the altar and touched the lips of the prophet to cleanse them. (v. 6-7).

     When Jesus was rejected by a Samaritan town because He intended to head to Jerusalem, His disciples asked Him in pride of their spiritual authority if they should command fire to come down from heaven and consume them. Jesus rebuked them saying: "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." (Lk. 9:51-56). We carelessly kindle fires of destruction with our words thinking that we are doing God a favor, but the Lord of the Sabbath rebukes us as being of another spirit.

     Isaiah wrote the Word of the LORD concerning His Sabbath: "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isa. 58:13-14).

     This is one of the mysteries of the Sabbath revealed by the LORD in order to deepen our knowledge in Him. If you would like to learn more about the depths of the Sabbath, you can pray with me: "Our Father, You sent Your Son to be Lord of the Sabbath for us, and You called us to walk after Him and to be seated with Him in heavenly places. By Your Holy Spirit, help me to understand the depths and blessings of Your Sabbath which You have commanded us to keep holy. By that same Spirit, help me to guard the words of my mouth, not kindling the consuming fires of destruction, but bringing forth instead the fire of Your Spirit, with which I was baptized in the name of Jesus. Let the Lord of the Sabbath be pleased with the words of my mouth, and His Spirit within me. Let the words of my mouth lead others into the rest of God. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.

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!"