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. 

Offerings

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is T'rumah, meaning "Offering." The title comes from the first two verses of the reading in Exodus 25: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses saying: 'Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering (teruma - see below). From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart (leb/lebab/labab - heart, mind, soul, emotions, understanding, wisdom, inner part [of a man], center, conscience/ravished my heart, be wise, make the heart beat faster, transport with love) you shall take My offering." (Ex. 25:1-2). 

     All of the reading portions for this Sabbath, Ex. 25, Ex. 27, 1 Chron. 22, 1 Kings 5, 1 Kings 8, 2 Kings 12, deal with the building of the tabernacle or the building of the temple of God, the places that housed the presence and glory of God. What kind of offering will build these physical and, as we will see, spiritual sacred places? It is very important for us to understand the kind of willing offering that the LORD is requesting in order to build His house, the place of His dwelling among His people. The tabernacle and temple were the most important physical structures to Israel and also play a major role in scripture. However, for this Sabbath, the title tells us that it is the teruma offering that the LORD wants His people to consider.

     The Hebrew word for "offering", which is also the title of the Sabbath reading, is teruma/rum. Teruma contains both a positive and negative meaning. The positive, powerful and awesome meaning in the Hebrew is: "offering, heave offering, burnt offering, a present offered especially in sacrifice or as a tribute/exalt, lift up, high, offer, give, heave, extol, lofty, rise up, set on high, be lifted up, become powerful, exalt as victor, exalt with praise, be extolled with praise, cause to grow." Jesus said of the willing offering of Himself: "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up (see above) from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.' This He said, signifying by what death He would die." (Jn. 12:31-33). This willing teruma "lifted up" offering of Himself, turned the world upside down. It is this same offering that draws "all peoples" to Him and to salvation. We can see how important it is for us to understand the teruma offering.

     The teruma offering is to come from our heart, our deepest part, according to the above verses. The meaning above for "heart" is beautiful. However, there is also a negative meaning connected to teruma/rum, "offering", including: "rotten, wormy, breed worms, presumptuously, proud, haughty." We will see where this negative meaning in connection to the teruma offering of the heart might come from. 

     The Hebrew words in the verses above that are translated as "heart" can also carry a negative meaning: "be deprived, be void of heart, empty and void, imbecility and dullness of human understanding compared with the divine wisdom, to wound." We need to look into our hearts as we bring our offerings to the LORD. An offering that has the potential to exalt and lift up the LORD, cast out His enemies, and draw all peoples to Him, can just as easily become an offering that is rotten, full of worms and our own self-importance, self-righteousness and pride, empty and void of heart towards the LORD.

     A Perfect teruma Offering for sin, Jesus, was sent by God (see Heb. 10:5-7, 14, 2 Cor. 5:21) to elevate, lift and raise us also from the lowliest state to a state of honor, to a state that causes us to be seated with Messiah/Christ in the heavenly places (see Eph. 2:4-7). This is the power of Messiah/Christ's teruma offering. This is the same offering that builds the House/Tabernacle of God.

     How can an empty heart and, as a consequence, a wormy rotten offering, affect the House of God? 

     The prophets wrote of how the LORD refused the offerings and sacrifices of His people because the condition of their hearts had become corrupt. (see Amos 5:21-24, Isa. 1:11-13). Jesus spoke of the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the time, who congratulated themselves for minutely following the Law of Moses pertaining to tithes (the giving of the tenth to God) but ignored the weightier principles of the Law: justice, mercy and faith... and the love of God. He called them blind guides full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (see Mt. 23:23-28 and Lk. 11:42). Their hearts contained no real love for God or His principles and character.

     While the house of God is built by the teruma offerings brought based upon the obedience, love and worship of God within our hearts, it is also destroyed by the neglectful, rebellious and unloving hearts of God's people as we will see.

     Only the finest and most precious elements were used to build the tabernacle and then the temple by those of willing hearts and according to the heavenly *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega pattern (tabnit - pattern, plan, likeness, form, similitude, figure, resemblance) (see Ex. 25:9) shown to Moses by the LORD. This *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega pattern of the tabernacle and later temple reflected the resemblance and form of the Messiah/Christ (see *note below). Israel carried upon their shoulders the prophetic promise and likeness of Jesus Messiah/Christ with them as they moved the tabernacle from place to place in their journey. The furnishings within the tabernacle were placed in the pattern of the cross and the encampment of the tribes around the tabernacle was in the form of a cross.  However, the people began to depend and take assurance from the presence of the physical edifice, however, rather than the grace, glory and atonement provided by the presence of the LORD who dwelt among them.

     In one instance, the prophet Jeremiah exposed this false assurance of a people who had turned away from God, yet relied upon the physical presence of His temple to keep them safe from their enemies. The prophet wrote the warning Word of the LORD: "Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Do not trust in these lying words, saying, 'The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these." (Jer. 7:3-4).  The Word of the LORD reminded Jerusalem of how He allowed His tabernacle in Shiloh to be destroyed: "And now, because you have done all these works,...and I spoke to you rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer, therefore I will do to the house which is called by My name, in which you trust, and to this place which I gave to you and your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh." (Jer. 7:13-14). The LORD was willing to see the House called by His name destroyed because it no longer contained the love and devotion of His people.

     David wrote that the sacrifices and offerings brought to the LORD meant nothing without coming from a heart of delight in God, in His Word, in His righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, loving kindness and truth as shown by David's declaration of these things before others. (see Ps. 40:6-10). This is the kind of heart-birthed teruma offering that builds the House of the LORD. As David described this kind of offering in the House of God, he included this prophecy concerning the coming Messiah/Christ: "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me." (v. 7). Again we see the true meaning and power of the teruma offering connected to Jesus Christ.

     In a powerful correction to His own people who brought corrupt "wormy" offerings out of a neglectful and corrupt heart, the LORD allowed His house where He placed His name, His House by which His own people identified themselves as different from among the nations, both the tabernacle and two temples, to be destroyed by enemies that overran Israel, such as the Philistines in Shiloh, the Babylonians in Jerusalem and the Romans in Jerusalem. Judgment begins in the house of the LORD based upon the hearts of His people towards Him. (see 1 Pet. 4:17, Ezek. 9:3-11, Mal. 3:5-7).

     In Malachi, the LORD prophesied of sending the coming Refiner, even the Lord Himself, for whom the people were waiting and delighting. Then the LORD asks: "But who can endure (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-sons-of-Levi (the tribe of priests serving in the House of the LORD), and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness." (Mal. 3:1-3). The LORD's own priesthood, the Levites, which served in His House, had to be purged, cleansed, purified and refined in the spiritual fire of the Refiner, the Messiah/Christ. They had become cursed because they did not glorify God and they did not take His Words to heart. (see Mal. 2:1-2).

      In the week of His crucifixion, Jesus broke out into a holy rage of zealousness (Jn. 2:13-17, Ps. 69:8-9) for God's House, as prophesied, when He came to the Temple in Jerusalem and drove out the money-making profiteers who had set up their lending and selling of offerings in the Temple. After Jesus cleansed the Temple in this manner, the blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple to be healed. The priests and other religious leaders were not pleased "and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching." (see Mt. 21:12-16, Mk. 11:15-18). Was Jesus zealous to the point of overturning rage for a physical building only? And especially one that He knew would be destroyed within a generation of His death and resurrection? I believe that He was fighting for much more than the physical temple.

     I have to wonder at the greater meaning of all of the scriptures, only some of which are covered by this Sabbath reading portion, dealing with the House of God and the offerings pertaining to it. Many chapters of scripture are dedicated to revealing the most minute details regarding these things. Ezekiel received a vision of yet another future temple, and both the prophets and Jesus described the role the House of God would play in the events of the latter days before His return. It is not a small topic in the Word of God. It seems to me that both the House of God and the teruma offerings of His people reflect the true heart of the people towards the LORD - do they view Him and His House as an empty but necessary religious obligation, or are they seeking Him, honoring Him and lifting Him out of love, reverence and gratitude?

     How we view the House of the LORD and the teruma offerings that we bring take us to a New Testament revelation: Because of the willing eternal teruma offering of Jesus Messiah/Christ out His love of His Father in heaven, the House of God is now built, not of curtains or stone, but of living people. Those who are part of Messiah/Christ are living stones being built into a spiritual house. We are..."a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5). As Peter compares the believers in Christ to a holy priesthood, then the offerings that we bring are not just on our own behalf, but like the Levitical priests, the offerings are brought to the LORD on behalf of all of the people. Are we able to see the far-reaching effects of the teruma offering? What a wondrous privilege and calling have been given to us!  Is this the way, in the role of holy priests, that we view the offerings that we bring to God? Think of the implications of such teruma offerings, and their effect upon all people.

     Paul wrote that we are temples of the Holy Spirit of God, because the Holy Spirit is within us as believers in Christ: "For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. 3:19-20, see also 1 Cor. 3:16-17). Wormy and rotten offerings from an empty heart without love for God is not acceptable in His spiritual House any more than they were acceptable to Him in His physical House. Paul wrote that our great offering is to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, being transformed from the thinking and ways of the world "...that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:1-2). Are we viewing the offerings that we bring to God with the mind of the world, or with the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit? Not only do we present physical offerings to God but also ourselves as a spiritual offering proving the will of God for and to all men.

     Finally, we are given, in the Book of Revelation, a new heaven and a new earth, a picture of the City of God descending from heaven, and with it, a special tabernacle with God: "Then I, John, saw the holy city (see also Mt. 5:14-16), New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as (hos - even as) a bride (see Rev. 19:6-9) for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with (meta - amid, among, after) men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.'...But I saw no temple in it, for the LORD God Almighty and the Lamb (referring to Jesus) are its temple (naos - sacred edifice or sanctuary at Jerusalem, spiritual temple consisting of the saints from all ages of time joined together by and in Christ)." (Rev. 21:1-5, 22). For the first time, I see this city descending from heaven, not as a city in the usual brick and mortar sense that we may think, but as a Body of living stones, the glorified resurrected believers, the Bride of Christ, and in the heart of this living Body, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have made their dwelling place. This is the ultimate result of the exalting, lifting and rising teruma offering (see meaning above) from the heart that is transported by the love (see leb/lebab/labab above) and delights in God.

     From this I am seeing that the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) pattern of the tabernacle and its furnishings given to Moses was always based upon a living tabernacle which is built from the willing teruma offering of Messiah/Christ and those who are joined with and in Him. 

     If you would like to learn more about teruma offerings of the tabernacle, you can join my prayer: "LORD God and Father, You are teaching deeper things about Your tabernacle, the offerings, and the heart of Your people. I know that these things have great significance in Your Word, and in Your plans for all people. By Your Word and Spirit, let my heart and mind be transformed so that I am able to learn, understand and live these things. You are the God of the living, and Your salvation and glory are for the living, and Your desire is to dwell forever among and within living men. Help me to understand the power and prophetic significance of the teruma offering, in the likeness of Your Son, brought to You with a heart of love. I ask these things 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. 

Clouds&Glory

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled P'kudei, meaning "Amounts of or Accounting of". The reading portion begins in Ex. 39, where we read: "Thus all the work (aboda/abad - work, service, serve, bondservant/serve, servant, work, worshippers, serve as a subject, work for another, make oneself a servant) of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Moses; so they did." (Ex. 39:32).

     All of the items that had been crafted with which to assemble and furnish the tabernacle were brought to Moses: "Then Moses looked over (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them." (Ex. 39:43).

     When considering the title of this Sabbath portion, what does the LORD want us to take an accounting of? As we see in the first verse above, the aboda/abad work of the tabernacle was accomplished by servants, even bondservants to God, according to the Hebrew meaning of the word. The offerings of required materials for the building of the tabernacle, as we read two weeks ago, were free will offerings from the heart of all of those who felt the desire to give. The fashioning of the materials into the actual furnishings and walls and coverings of the tabernacle was done as a bond service before the LORD which is a form of worship according to the Hebrew meaning of the word. Moses is described in several verses as being a servant ('ebed - servant, bondman, bondage, slave, worshipper) of God (Deut. 34:5, Num. 12:7-8, Josh. 1:1-2). 

     Moses' service, or making himself a bond servant of God, had farther reaching impact as well: "And Moses was faithful in all His (God's) house as a servant (therapon - a menial attendant, servant), for a testimony of these things which would be spoken afterward..." (Heb. 3:5). The purpose of Moses' bond service or worship to God was not just in accomplishing the vision of God for His tabernacle in the wilderness. Moses' bond service also had a prophetic importance pointing to things that would be revealed in the future, according to Heb. 3:5, above. 

     The apostle Paul also referred to his position as a bondservant or slave in service to God and Christ. However, not only did he commit himself as a bond servant, but Paul's calling and purpose were connected to his bond service (see Rom. 1:1-4, Titus 1:1-3). Paul begged all of us as believers in Christ to offer ourselves in the same manner as living sacrifices to God "which is your reasonable service/spiritual worship." (Rom. 12:1). Paul then warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (v. 3). Our elevation doesn't come from how high our own thoughts are about ourselves, but rather it comes from how low we can bow as bond servants before the LORD. To truly walk in the purpose, gifting and calling of God, it requires us to make ourselves bond servants to Him (1 Cor. 7:22, 1 Pet. 2:15-16). Slavery in bitter service to another person has an ugly meaning to us and we resist it and reject it, but slavery to God elevates us, completes us, sets us free and prophetically impacts future events, as Moses' bond service to God did. We become a living prophecy.

     Keeping the above information in mind, in Ex. 40, also part of this week's Sabbath reading, the LORD gives Moses this command: "On the first day of the first month you shall set up the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) tabernacle of the tent of meeting....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. So Moses raised up (qum - rise up, arise, raise, establish, to stand, to be fulfilled, cause to arise) the tabernacle..."" (v. 1-2, 17-18). The first month of the year is also the month of Passover.

     The surprising fact in this 40th chapter of Exodus is that Moses assembled and activated the tabernacle himself. All of the verses use "he" as indicating Moses as the one who set up the tabernacle. For example: "He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table,...and he lit the lamps before the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses. He put the gold altar in the tabernacle of meeting in front of the veil; and he burned incense on it, as the LORD had commanded Moses." (Ex. 40:24-27). As far as we can tell from the language used here, Moses did all that was required to place and activate the elements that had been fashioned for the tabernacle. Moses was even to bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle, and wash and dress them in their priestly garments himself. (v. 12-15). Generations later, during the same first month, at the time of Passover, Jesus would wash the feet of His disciples and dry them with the towel that He had wrapped around His waist. (Jn. 13:1-9).

      Why was it necessary for Moses to assemble the tabernacle himself, rather than the priests or the children of Israel? The verse from Hebrews above tells us that Moses, as the bond servant of the LORD, did what he did in service as a prophetic action of what was to come later. Moses was a prophet, and his obedient actions were prophetic. In the same manner as the tabernacle was raised up (qum - see above), Jesus would say many generations later around the time of the Passover, that the temple (meaning His body) if destroyed would be raised up in three days. In this case referring to His future death and resurrection (Jn. 2:18-22).

     So the prophetic bond servant of God, Moses (see Deut. 34:10-12, Acts 3:22-23), with every action that he personally took concerning the establishment of the tabernacle, was also prophesying future events. This was his office or calling as a prophet.

     The tabernacle was then completed: "And he (Moses) raised up (qum - see above) the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) court (haser/hasar - enclosure, court/to sound or blow a trumpet, to sound with clarions) all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) screen of the court gate. So Moses finished (&aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the work." (Ex. 40:33).

     When the bond servant, Moses, finished the work of assembling the tabernacle: "Then the cloud (anan - cloud-mass of theophanic cloud, a cloud as covering or veiling over the heaven, to veil over, a large army, a barrier, a cloud of incense, to make appear, to observe times) covered the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) tent (ohel/ahal - tabernacle, dwelling/to be clear, shine, bright) of meeting, and the glory (kabod/kabad - glory, honor, abundance, riches, splendor, reverence/heaviness, grievous, glorious) of the LORD filled the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) 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 the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) tabernacle...For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and the fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all of their journeys (massa/nasa - pulling up stakes, setting out, point of departure, a station on a journey/set forward, depart, remove a camp, to take away, cause to go, to cut out stones from a quarry)." (ex. 40:34-35, 38).

     In another reading portion from this Sabbath, we read again of how the temple of the LORD was filled with His cloud and His glory upon its completion: "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 (bayit/bana - house, home, temple, habitation, family, families, a house as containing a family of descendants, descendants as an organized body/build, builder, establish, repair, built up of children even of the barren wife, obtain children) of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering (sarat - serve, servant, minister to, attend as a menial or worshipper, wait on) because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the house of the LORD. Then Solomon spoke: 'The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud. I have surely built You an exalted house, and a place for You to dwell in forever." (1 Kings 8:10-13).

     As the dwelling place of God went from being a tabernacle to a temple, we can see above from the word bayit/bana meaning temple, the house of the LORD now includes the dwelling place of His family, His children, His descendants. Now, the understanding goes from "the children of Israel" to "the sons (and daughters)" of God through the Messiah/Christ: "But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right/power/authority to become sons (children) of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (Jn. 1:12-13, see also Rom. 8:14-17, Gal. 4:4-7).

     However, both the tabernacle completed by Moses and the temple completed under King Solomon's (selomo/salom/salam - David's son [the King of] Peace/peace, completeness, safety, prosperity, health/recompense, reward, good, restitution, finished) reign, became filled with the cloud and the glory of God, as we see above.

     The manifestation of the cloud and the glory connected to the completion of both of these dwellings of the LORD also has prophetic significance as we also discovered concerning Moses' completion of the work on the tabernacle. We have these scriptures to consider. Jesus said speaking of His return: "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn (see Zech. 12:10-11), and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet (see the meaning of "court"/haser/hasar, above), and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Mt. 24:30-31, see also Mk. 13:24-27, Rev. 1:5-7, 1 Thess. 4:16-17). The prophet Daniel also prophesied: "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancients of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed." (Dan. 7:13-14).

     As we also saw above from Ex. 40, the cloud and the glory of the tabernacle were connected to the "journeys" (see massa/nasa above) or departures of the Israelites. The cloud and glory that Jesus spoke about above, and as Paul wrote of in the New Testament, are also connected to a departure point or removal within our spiritual journey. This removal or pulling up tent stakes in our journey is referred to as "the Rapture", which comes from a Latin word meaning "a carrying off, a snatching away". In the Greek of the New Testament the word used is harpazo which means "caught up, caught away, snatch out or away". This is when the dead in Christ and those still living who believe in Him are changed in substance and caught up to Christ in the clouds. We depart to be with Him forever. It is a defining moment in our journey in Christ.

     The work of Moses in Ex. 40 as the bond servant and prophet of God was not confined to the completion of a physical tabernacle but was also a prophecy of the living tabernacle associated with the Messiah/Christ and the point of departure in the spiritual journey of God's people to come.

     If you would like to know more about the meaning of this prophetic work of God's bond servant Moses, you can pray with me: "Father in heaven, You appointed a great work for Moses to accomplish, not only on behalf of the children of Israel, but on behalf of all of Your future sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. I can see Jesus in the cloud and glory that covered and entered Your tabernacle and, later, Your temple. Who could have imagined all of the things that You have planned for us on our spiritual journey with You?! You have hidden those plans in Your Word for us to search out and be enriched by. Lord, lead me in the way of being Your bond servant so that I may accomplish through my life all of the things that You have given me to do and become. Teach me Your Word and fill me with Your Spirit to change me and prepare me for the wonders ahead. I ask these things 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.

Tabernacles&Passover

      This week's Sabbath reading portion will cover two weeks and is titled Acharei-Mot in Hebrew, which means "After the death". It covers Chapters 16 through 19 in Leviticus. This Sabbath is also the Sabbath after Passover, and it also occurs during the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. This special timing is important to keep in mind as we seek to learn the Word of the LORD for us this week. As I read the Torah and haftorah portions, I thought that much of this reading dealt with the tabernacle and, later in history, the temple of God. The title, "After the death" comes from Lev. 16:1: "Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered profane fire before the LORD and died;" (see also Lev. 10:1-3). The bottom line of that severe lesson involving Aaron's two sons is that we cannot come before the holy God any way that we deem to be good and right. The LORD said that when we do that, we are not acknowledging His holiness, nor glorifying Him before the heathen. 

     In this Sabbath portion, the LORD commanded Moses to tell Aaron following the death of two of his sons not to come into the Holy Place inside the veil just any time, "lest he die". He was to come with his (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) flesh washed, putting on the holy linen tunic and trousers on his body and coming with the blood of sacrifice (Lev. 16:3-4). The LORD then described the practice that must be followed for the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. Not only was Aaron to make atonement for himself and his household, and for the people, but for the Holy Place and tabernacle as well because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel. (v. 16). The LORD added: "There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel. (v. 17). Aaron even had to make atonement with the blood sacrifice for the altar to cleanse it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. (v. 18-19). The uncleanness of God's people defiles not only us but the tabernacle of God as well.

     This Sabbath reading portion also follows Passover this year, so we should consider this as we study this Sabbath lesson. Not only were the Egyptians plagued with the death of their first born that first Passover night, but the LORD judged the gods of Egypt as well (Ex. 12:12). What a dire calamity from which His people were separated out and spared by that blood on their doorposts! This is what Passover (pesah) means in Hebrew: "the feast of Passover or the sacrifice; a sparing immunity from penalty and calamity; the paschal lamb as the sacrifice of sparing [passing over]." You cannot separate the meaning of the day from the sacrifice that defines that day. Considering that the Lord Almighty is about to judge the gods and the nations of this world (Ps. 118:10-14), how should we, the spiritual tabernacle/tent/dwelling or temple of God (see 1 Cor. 6:19-20, Eph. 2:19-22), be thinking of that separating/sanctifying/saving Blood of our Passover Lamb, Jesus (see Jn. 1:29-30, 1 Pet. 1:18-21)? We will see another connection to Passover later in this Sabbath's reading portion.

     What is the spiritual meaning of a tabernacle? Tabernacle is the Hebrew word and root ohel/ahal, meaning "tabernacle, tent, dwelling, covering, home, sacred tent of Jehovah (YHWH, LORD), moveable, portable tent/to be clear, shine, to be bright, so called for a shining vibrating appearance". A tabernacle is also a personal dwelling place, where we dwell with God, and God dwells with and in us (see Ps. 23:6, Rev. 21:3). That dwelling place is supposed to be special, shimmering and vibrating with the brightness of God according to its meaning above. Paul wrote that we, the believers in Christ, are the temples of the Holy Spirit, a spiritual house of God (1 Cor. 6:17-20). Just as the blood of the Passover lamb set apart the Israelites' dwellings and identified those dwellings as belonging to the LORD, or "the sacred tents of Jehovah", we also have been covered with the Blood of the Passover Lamb, Jesus, and have become holy dwelling places or tabernacles of God. In being so, Paul warned us not to defile ourselves, the holy tabernacles of God, as we have become one with Him. Applying what we learned above from Leviticus, we do not want to disparage God's holiness nor profane God's name before the heathen. Let's see when, on another occasion, the uncleanness of God's people also caused His house to be unclean. 

     In another reading from this Acharei-Mot Sabbath portion, King Josiah brought Judah back to a covenant relationship with the LORD after hearing the words of the newly found Book of the Law, which had been discovered in the temple. This Book of the Word of God, now thought to have been the Book of Deuteronomy, had been so long neglected, that it had been forgotten until it was found again. When the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) king heard the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) words of the book, he rent his (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) clothes. (2 Kings 22:8-11). The king called all of the people of Jerusalem and Judah, both small and great, to come to him at the house of the LORD, and he read to them all the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) words of the book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD. The king made a (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) covenant to follow and perform the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) words of the LORD with all his heart, and all his soul: "And all the people took a stand for the covenant." (2 Kings 23:1-3). This was a blessed day for the king and Judah. However, by order of the king, all of the defiling idolatrous vessels that had been placed in the house of the LORD that were used to worship demon gods and idols had to be removed and burned. These things included articles that had been made to worship Ba'al (male divinity of the Canaanites and Philistines), Asherah (meaning groves of idol worship; a Babylonian/Canaanite goddess of fortune and happiness and supposed consort of Ba'al, associated with the planet Venus), and the articles used for worshipping all the hosts (saba - war, army, battle, wage war, angels) of heaven. He had the idolatrous priests removed that had been ordained to serve in the house of the LORD by previous kings. He tore down the ritual booths of the perverted persons that were set up in the house of the LORD. What kind of booths have we set up in the spiritual house of the LORD?

     In turn, the king had the high places defiled with the burned bones of dead men, so idolatry could no longer be practiced there. He had Topheth (topet/tapap - "place of fire" near Jerusalem, place of human sacrifice, to strike, spit upon, smite, kill) defiled in the same manner. It was the place where the people brought their children to pass them through the fire of the god Molech ("king"; chief deity of Ammonites and Phoenicians that required the sacrifice of infants). How many millions of born and unborn infants have been destroyed on our watch? There were even strange altars and chambers on the roof of the house of God that previous kings had used, which King Josiah now demolished. What kind of spiritual chambers have we set above the house of the LORD? The king also defiled the high places that King Solomon had built "for Ashtoreth ("star"; Phoenician female deity of war and fertility) the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh ("subduer"; deity of Moabites and Ammonites) the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom ("great king"; also known as Molech; god of the Ammonites and Phoenicians; demanded infant sacrifice) the abomination of the people of Ammon, as well as various other pillars and wooden images. What kind of idols have we brought into the spiritual house of the LORD with us? There had also been an idolatrous altar built at Bethel, which means "House of God", which the king had to break down, burn and crush into powder. What an abomination the worship in Israel and the house of God had become! These demonic gods and spiritual rulers of wickedness still desire to inhabit and pollute the holy places of God, the tabernacles of God, which we are also. Not only did the king set fire to Judah, but he took the spiritual battle to the high places of Samaria. These abominations are what had become of the house of the LORD and the people of God.

     After King Josiah had performed all of these things, the king commanded (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) all of the people saying: "Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant. Such a Passover surely had never been held since the days of the judges who judged (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was held before the LORD in Jerusalem." (2 Kings 23:21-23). Do we keep the Passover as it is written in the Book of the Covenant?

      What we learn from this is that Passover is a time of battle and warfare, including spiritual warfare, whether against a physical Pharaoh and his house as in the first Passover, or against the false gods that try to hold God's people in spiritual bondage. Scripture says that spring, which is also the time of Passover, is the time when kings go off to battle. That time came for King David, but while he sent his army into battle, he remained in Jerusalem attaining another man's wife for himself instead. It led to the murder of the husband (2 Sam. 11). It cost David the death of his first child from that union, and David would be brought to deep repentance, asking the LORD that he be cleansed of the defiling sin (Ps. 51). We are also called to be kings and priests before God and in service to Him, as Jesus served His Father in heaven faithfully. Have we disregarded the Passover and spring call to spiritual battle in order to follow our own ways? 

     As the first Passover approached, the servants of the LORD, Moses and Aaron, went in to Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler of the greatest kingdom on earth, and threw down the spiritual battle gauntlet before him. They didn't go in their own strength but armed with the Rod and the Word, both of which are associated with the Messiah/Christ, Jesus. They didn't go in with their own words either, but with the Word of the LORD which was: "Let My people go that they may serve Me." The battle is the LORD's but He uses His servants to hear and obey His voice, to run with His vision.

     Most of the church doesn't observe Passover, and we who do, observe it amongst the pleasantness of the family and according to tradition but perhaps not as a day of great spiritual warfare in the present. Perhaps we need to change our thinking regarding this day. It was not a day of pleasantness for Jesus the Messiah/Christ. It was a day when He battled the rulers of this world, a battle that they would not win (1 Cor. 2:7-9). It was a day in which He was betrayed by a disciple. He battled spiritual rulers in the Garden of Gethsemane (meaning "oil press" or "wine press") where that battle almost did Him in. An angel had to come in order to revive and strengthen Him, while His disciples slept (Lk. 22:39-44). He battled through beatings, humiliation, mocking, scourging, and the piercing of the nails of the cross (LORD/YHWH: yod, hey, vav, hey- "behold the hand, behold the nail"). Do we think it was not a battle for Him to descend into hell after His death, leading those who were held captive in death to freedom (Ps. 68:18-20), and wresting away the keys of death, hell and the grave (Rev. 1:17-18)? 

     At the Passover Seder, from which we were given our beloved Communion, Jesus told His disciples that He fulfilled the elements of Passover. They were to take and eat the bread broken as meaning His body broken for them. They were to drink the cup after supper as meaning His blood poured out for them in a new covenant, and we were to remember His death in this way until He comes again (1 Cor. 11:23-26, Mt. 26:26-29, Mk. 14:22-25, Lk. 22:13-20). Paul wrote that we were to examine ourselves when partaking of this powerful Passover bread and cup so to assure that we are not doing it in an unworthy manner but in the discerning of the Lord's body (1 Cor. 11:27-32). Yes, there was a glorious, victorious day of resurrection and rejoicing, but it wasn't on Passover. It came three days later on the day after the Sabbath, which is a Sunday, the first day of the week, on the Feast of First Fruits as it is appointed in the Law of Moses (Lev. 23:9-12) and fulfilled by the Messiah/Christ, Jesus. This appointed date is not the same as "Easter" (what booth have we set up in the house of the LORD?) on which the church has chosen to mark the event. If we are to memorialize the resurrection of Jesus as First Fruits of the Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20-26) according to the Words of the Book of the Covenant, then we should be observing it this Sunday, the day following the Sabbath after Passover (more on this next week). The victory of resurrection was achieved for us, but the spiritual battle in the name of Jesus is ongoing as Paul and the other apostles wrote. Look inward and look outward and see if there still are not overcoming battles to fight for the souls of our nations, for those who are still caught and held prisoners in spiritual darkness, and even for ourselves as we work out our salvation. Look and see if we, the spiritual tabernacles of God, are defiled with idolatry. 

     As we come to the Passover battle, we don't come before Pharaoh, or the other gods ruling our lands and people, or even our own flesh with its sin, in our own strength but with the Word of the LORD saying, as Moses said: "Let My people go that they may serve Me." Thank God that we are not called to fight these battles on our own, but in the name above all names, Jesus (Grk. form of the Hebrew word, Yeshua, meaning "God is salvation"), to which all creation, even the demons and false gods, must bow their knees (Phil. 2:5-11). It is the only name under heaven that has been given by which we must be saved (Acts 4:11-12).

      The LORD gave us the pattern of His tabernacle/temple and the fulfilment of that prophetic pattern, which tells the miraculous journey of our salvation and unification with the LORD through the sacrifice of the Son, and the living tabernacle which we are through Christ and the Holy Spirit within us, and the glorious tabernacle which the LORD will bring down from heaven to dwell among His people (Rev. 21:1-4). This is a three-in-one pattern. The LORD also gave us the pattern of the sacrifice of the Passover lamb in Exodus, the pattern of the spiritual warfare connected to it between Pharaoh/gods of Egypt and Moses who delivered the Word God, the judgment and the deliverance, again, a three-in-one pattern. Through the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus, the Lamb of God, we see the fulfilment of the Passover with the warfare of His suffering, of His death and descent into hell, and of the judgment against death and the deliverance/ascent. We need to see the pattern and its fulfilment in order to walk in it as His servants for the sake of those who are held in any kind of spiritual or physical bondage, and of those, there are many in this world. 

     Next week we will look at part two of this two-week Sabbath reading portion, Acharei-Mot.

     If you would like to learn more about these things, you can join me in my prayer: "Heavenly Father, the LORD's Passover, and Your holy tabernacle are precious in Your sight. Both of these were accomplished through the sacrifice of Your beloved Son, Jesus, as the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world. Help me to understand the depths of Passover, which still affects with power the present and the future, and the glory of Your dwelling place, the tabernacle of the LORD, in and with us, which also still impacts the present and the future. Let me follow You according to Your Word of the Covenant, both the concealed and revealed. Cleanse me and purge me of all ungodliness and fill me with Your Holy Spirit to teach me Your Word and ways so I can walk in Your life-changing truth. 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. In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as Α Ω , 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!"

     

     

Build

       Last week we looked at the kind of offering that God requires to build His Tabernacle/Temple/Spiritual House.  This week I hope that we will be able to see how that House of God is for the purpose of, and containment of His glory, and how the use or misuse of His vessels of glory can affect the building of God's kingdom.

     In a vision of Isaiah the prophet, he saw and heard angelic creatures in heaven who stood above the throne of the Lord, crying, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory (kabode - glory, honor, abundance, splendor, dignity, reputation, reverence, weight, copiousness, heaviness, majesty, magnificent, the heart and soul)!" And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone (dama - to cease, cut off, destroy, perish, to make an end of, to lay waste, to desolate)! Because I am a man of unclean (tame - unclean, impure, defiled, polluted, profane God's name, profane with wickedness) lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega in Greek, as Christ referred to Himself: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13) King, the LORD of hosts." (Isa. 6:3-5). According to Isaiah's vision, the whole earth is full of the glory of the LORD, and the glory of the LORD reflects the magnificent holiness of His heart and soul as we see from the meaning of the Hebrew words. Jesus told His Father in heaven that He had given us the same glory as the Father had given Him (see Jn. 17:22-23)). This is an incredible gift. This week's Sabbath reading portion will teach us about the design and pattern of the glory and our treatment of the glory.

     This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled T'tzavveh, meaning "you shall command", which begins in Exodus Chapter 27 and runs through part of Chapter 30. The title comes from Ex. 27:20, in which the LORD says to Moses: "And you shall command the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) children of Israel that they bring you pure oil (semen/samen - from a primitive root meaning "to shine") of pressed olives (zayit/ziv - as yielding illuminating oil, to adorn, to shine, to be clothed, splendor, brightness, freshness and beaty, clear and brilliant/brightness) for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually." While olive oil is often associated with the Holy Spirit, this Sabbath reading also leads us to connect it to "the glory" by its meaning in Hebrew.

     The next command given to Moses was to take and dress Aaron and his sons in "holy garments" to be made by gifted artisans whom the LORD has filled with the spirit of wisdom (Ex. 28:1, 3). The LORD said: "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty." (v. 2). As the LORD describes in detail the garments for Aaron the high priest, He also says: "...And you shall make hats (migba'a - turban, headgear, mitre) for them, for glory and beauty.  So you shall put them on (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Aaron your brother and on his sons with him..." (Ex. 28:40-41). Although sacrifices and the anointing of sanctification were also commanded regarding the priests and the tabernacle, the LORD said: "...at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. And there will I meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory. So I will consecrate the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) tabernacle of meeting and the altar. I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests. I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God." (Ex. 29:42-45). The glory of the LORD sanctifies His house, and we are the spiritual house of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Not only does the glory sanctify His House, but the garments of the priests, as we are also called to be, were to reflect the glory of the LORD.

     In another reading from this Sabbath, the prophet Ezekiel had a remarkable vision of the building of a Temple of the LORD, which many believe will be the third Temple to be built in Jerusalem, and, as usual, the House of God has a present spiritual application for us as well. After Ezekiel describes the details of this prophetic Temple of God, he also sees the following: "Afterward he (a "man" whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze: see Ezek. 40:3) brought me to the gate that faces towards the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory...and I fell on my face (see also Rev. 1:12-18). And the glory of the LORD came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east. The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.  Then I heard Him speaking to me from the temple, while a man stood beside me. And He said to me, 'Son of man, this is the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name (see Isaiah above - "unclean lips"), they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places."  (Ezek. 43:1-7). The imagery of this glory-filled Temple as Ezekiel would relate it to Israel, would change their profaning ways, just as Isaiah was changed by his vision. In this case, the glory was not confined to the Temple that Ezekiel saw prophetically, but the whole earth shone with that glory, as Isaiah also saw above. We are familiar with the glory as believers in Christ, and as Jesus declared, we are partakers in that same glory. However, this is not to be a point of boasting for us, but a point of change. How can we experience the glory of God and not be changed? The glory that Jesus, the Word, had, was the glory of the only begotten of the Father, and was manifested by His being full of grace and truth, not for His own benefit, but for the benefit of others (Jn. 1:14). So we can also see that the Word of God as Jesus, is directly connected to His glory from this verse in the Gospel of John. Jesus also described Himself as a temple, saying, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'...But He was speaking of the temple of His body." (Jn. 2:18-21, also see Rev. 21:22-23).

     We saw above in Exodus, that the priests' garments were designed for glory and beauty. In another reading portion from this Sabbath, we will see that David's prophetically promised kingdom is preserved by a portion of the priest's garment. In 1 Sam. 23, Saul was the king of Israel, but the report of the attack of the Philistines at Keilah, who were robbing the grain from the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) threshing floors, was brought to David's attention. David had already been anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel, but he was not yet king. Saul hated David as a rival and sought his life. Upon hearing of the attack of the Philistines, "...David inquired of the LORD, saying, 'Shall I go and attack these Philistines?' And the LORD said to David, 'Go and attack the Philistines and save (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Keilah.' (1 Sam. 23:1-2). As the king, it would have been Saul's job to inquire of the LORD and go into battle, but he didn't do it. He was busy seeking David to kill him. David's men were reluctant to go on this mission and expose themselves to Saul's discovery. David inquired again of the LORD, and the LORD told him to go and attack the Philistines (v. 3-4).  The attack was successful, and the inhabitants of Keilah were saved (v. 5). Saul indeed heard about David being at Keilah and prepared to go there and kill David. A priest, Abiathar had fled to David at Keilah, and brought the priest's ephod, the breastplate of the priest's garment (see above), in his hand. David inquired of the ephod that if Saul attacked David at Keilah, would Keilah give him over to Saul. The LORD answered that David would be delivered into Saul's hands, so David and his men fled, and their lives were saved (v. 6-13). David sought the grace and truth of the glory that was in the LORD's spoken Word (Jn. 1:14), and he sought the glory and beauty that was in the priestly garments (Ex. 28:2). This saved his life and built his future kingdom.

     While David's kingdom was being built up, in another reading portion from this Sabbath, Saul's kingdom was about to come crashing down, because he would profane the glory of the LORD. The prophet/judge Samuel came to King Saul with a command of the LORD: "The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the LORD....Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them."  (1 Sam. 15:1-3). According to Jewish oral tradition, the Amalekites were involved in a form of occultism that included changing shapes, even into animal shapes. They had also mistreated Israel. For these reasons the LORD wanted all destroyed, including the animals. As the LORD pronounced judgment on them, they are written in Hebrew as aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega Amalekites (as written in v. 3). This indicates that they had known the LORD but had chosen instead to profane Him and follow after acts of spiritual darkness. We already know that the Word of the LORD, which came in the flesh as Jesus, is full of glory from Jn. 1:14, but Saul did not obey it. He captured (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Agag (meaning "I will overtop", "I shall increase"; flame), the king of the Amalekites, alive, and saved the best of their animals because it seemed like a good idea to him (v. 7-9). The LORD told Samuel that He greatly regretted setting up (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Saul as king, "for he has turned back from following Me." (v. 10-11). Not only did Saul disobey the voice of the Words of God, but he built a monument to himself at Carmel! (v. 12). Samuel heard the sounds of the animals as he approached Saul's camp. He said to Saul: "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?..." (v. 17). Saul still had the hardness of heart to defend his disobedience to Samuel., saying, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD...", and he blamed the people for taking the best of the animals to offer before the LORD (v. 20-21). 

     Samuel announced the fall of Saul's kingdom in this way: "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. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." (V. 22-23). Saul tried to repent, but it was too late (v. 24-26). Saul even tried to physically seize Samuel's robe as he turned away, but Samuel again said, "The LORD has torn the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you (referring to David). And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent/relent. For He is not a man, that He should repent/relent." (v. 27-29). It had seemed right to Saul to bring the huge offering to the LORD, but in the eyes of the LORD it was a despised offering that reflected Saul's rebellion and disobedience to the voice of the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Word of the LORD. It is this Word that is full of His glory (see Jn. 1:14). Saul also showed where his heart truly was when he built, not the temple of God, not the Kingdom of God, but a monument to himself at Carmel (meaning "garden land", fruitful field, planted field, orchard, vineyard, vines, vintage, full ears of corn).

     We should also know that the Amalekite king, Agag, whom Saul left alive against the Word of the LORD, would have a descendant generations later named Haman, described as an Agagite (Esther 3:1-2), who would plot to have all of the Jews of Persia killed because one man had offended him. The genocide order was in place and, except for a miracle of God, would have been carried out. He was one of the most notorious villains in scripture. His destruction, along with all of his sons, is recorded in the Book of Esther, and celebrated by the festival of Purim, which will occur in March. The LORD's commands, which Saul considered to be unreasonable, were also based upon His omniscient knowledge of the future. 

     There is a connection between "obedience" as the LORD speaks of it to Saul above, and His glory. In Phil. 2:5-11, the humble obedience of Jesus Christ towards His Father, even by His death on the cross, caused God to exalt Him highly and give Him a name that is above all others. By this name, all creation is brought into worship and reverence, confessing that Jesus Christ is LORD, "to the glory of God the Father".

     If you would like to know more about building the place and the kingdom of the glory of God, you can pray with me: "Father of all, You have made all things, including me, for Your glory. I pray, Father, that by Your Word and by Your Spirit, You would teach me to glorify You in all that I think, say, and do. Lead me to walk in obedience and to seek and honor Your Word rather than my own will. Forgive me, Lord, when I have sought my own glory and praises. Help me to remain "small in my own eyes" so that I may be made big in Your eyes. Let me be a spiritual temple that is filled with the glory of Almighty God in Christ. I ask these things in Jesus' name, which is the name above all names! AMEN."