Assembled

This week's Sabbath reading is titled Va-yakheil, which in English is "and he assembled". In Exodus 35, Moses assembled or gathered the elders and the congregation of Israel to give them the Word that the LORD had given to him on the mountain. It involved the construction of the tabernacle. The instructions ordained all of the materials, spices, metals, and so on, that would be needed in order to make the outer and inner curtains of the tabernacle, the furniture, utensils, and priestly robes that would be used within it. The LORD had already told Moses to be suure to follow the pattern of the tabernacle shown to him on the mountain, and we read in scripture that the pattern given to Moses by God was a copy and likeness of the tabernacle in heaven (Heb. 8:5). We know that the furnishings of the tabernacle represent the sacrifice of Christ. There is an additional meaning to consider in this Sabbath's reading, which we will look at. In any case, Moses was not to come up with his own design, or change the design of the tabernacle given to him by God. There was also an important condition in the building of the tabernacle that the LORD insisted upon: "Take from among you an offering to the LORD, Whoever is of a willing (nadib - "willing, noble, generous, princely, ready; to offer willingly and freely") heart (leb/labab - "mind, heart, understanding, wisdom; inner part, soul; 'ravished my heart', to make cakes or bread"), let him bring it as an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet thread, fine linen and goats' hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins and acacia (thorn tree) wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate...Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments." (Ex. 35:5-9, 21). Other offerings are brought to the LORD by commandment, but the things concerning the tabernacle were to be offered only by free will and a generous heart, a heart that has been inspired to do so, even a ravished heart. This reminds us of Jesus who said that His life was not taken (by force) from Him, but He offered it freely (Jn. 10:11, 15, 18, 1 Jn. 3:16). Notice also the great variety of items that went into the assembly of the tabernacle: from small colored threads and stones to gold and bronze. None of the items were considered of lesser importance in the construction of the tabernacle, but were necessary to it. Moses was instructed to use certain artisans (see Ex. 35:30, 34) who had been gifted by God with design and crafting skills named Bezalel ("in the shadow of God"), the son of Uri ("fiery, light of fire; shine"), and Aholiab ("Father's Tent/Tabernacle/Dwelling"), the son of Ahisamach ("My brethren are sustained/established/standfast"). One of these craftsmen, Bazalel, had also been gifted by God in the wisdom to teach others. Others, like women, who were gifted, "whose hearts stirred (nasa - "stir up, lift up, forgive, pardon, exalt, armorbearer, marry, be carried off") with wisdom" spun yarns with their hands out of goats' hair, and brought it for the tabernacle (v. 25-26). God gave the special gifts or talents to those who were to build and contribute to His house. No detail was overlooked, no need of the tabernacle went unmet. Let's apply these same truths to the living tabernacle made for the indwelling of God. Addressing the Church of believers in Christ, Paul wrote: "You are God's building...Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?...and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price..." (1 Cor. 3:9, 16, 6:19-20). Peter wrote: "Coming to Him (Jesus) as to a living stone...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. 2:4-5). Paul wrote about the building of this spiritual house: "...members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Eph. 2:19-22). We can see that this living spiritual temple or tabernacle is something being built. The various pieces must be fitted together according to the pattern established by God for His dwelling place. The instructions or pattern has come from God through the prophets and apostles (as He did with Moses), who are still necessary and continuing to minister to the church until the building is finished according to plan, which is the equipping of the saints to do the work of ministry, the unity of faith, the knowledge of the Son of God, the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13). This is the very pattern of the tabernacle. In fact, The Lord gave the gifts (Eph. 4:11) for the purpose of this living building project, as He gave ones among the children of Israel to not only bring their gifted artisan skills to the work of the tabernacle, but to have the ability to teach others, as we saw above. Paul also called himself "a wise master builder" by the grace of God given to him (1 Cor. 3:10). We have already seen that the tabernacle shown to Moses, and its furnishings, represent the identity of Christ. That tabernacle, patterned after the tabernacle in heaven, was also a prophetic representation of the living tabernacle that is being built with us now on earth. Jesus said, "...on this rock (the revelation from God that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18). This spiritual building called the Church will withstand and overcome even the gates of hell. How important it is that this building be built by Christ! As we saw above, all of those who had a stirred, willing heart and spirit brought those things that were necessary for the building of this tabernacle, as specified by God's pattern. Also regarding this living spiritual tabernacle, "...speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things unto Him who is the head - Christ - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Eph. 4:15-16). Each one of us individually is the living temple of the Holy Spirit, but we must keep in mind that our purpose doesn't end there. We are being built together into a spiritual structure that will, as reflected in the tabernacle of Moses, become the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. This living tabernacle cannot be built in whatever way that we want to build it. Skilled master craftsmen have been gifted to the church by God to build us up after the pattern established by God. For us that pattern is Christ, who is the Word of God. Paul begged the believers: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy , acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom. 12:1). We are not built together into this structure by the way the world thinks or acts, for the world is built upon the spirit of self, and selfishness. The only way that we will be able to be built into this living tabernacle is by the mercies of God, and through the transformation accomplished by the renewing of our minds by the Word and Spirit of God (see Rom. 12:2). The title of this Sabbath's reading, translated into English as we saw above, is "and he assembled". This is the very meaning of the church, which is the Greek word ekklesia, and means "gathering, assembly; an assembly of Christians gathered for worship". The Greek root words mean "called forth by name out of, or out from, a place, time or cause, incited by word". We are individual members, but we are also to be a gathered assembly into which we willingly contribute our individual gifts (see Rom. 12:4-8). This is the pattern of the living tabernacle established by God, the assembled believers, being built into the fulness of His Son. If you would like to understand more about being built into the living tabernacle of God, you can join me in prayer: "Lord Jesus, You are building Your Church, Your called out by name and gathered assembly, into the living tabernacle of God, unified in the faith, and having grown into the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Against this Church, the gates of hell cannot prevail. I come to You with a willing heart and spirit. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who teaches me to be transformed, and who shows me where and how I fit into the building of this living and holy tabernacle. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. AMEN."

Delay

We don't always react well to delays - delays in plans, expectations, in satisfying needs, or wants. As we wait for answers to our prayers as well, we can jump to false conclusions if the answer does not come in what we view as a timely manner. No matter whether the delays that we experience are of small or great importance, we don't like to wait. The children of Israel suffered a delay that brought out a shocking response. This week's Sabbath reading includes Exodus 32: "Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come make us god(s) that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." (Ex. 32:1). Moses was up on the mountain in the presence of the LORD. He had been on the mountain for forty days and nights (Ex. 24:18). Moses was considered to have been overdue in the Israelites' view, and they were evidently in a panic caused by his continued absence. The use of the word "delayed" in this verse is the Hebrew word bus, meaning "to delay, paleness, terror, to fail in hope and expectation, shame, put to shame, overwhelmed with unexpected calamity, to be deprived of hope; troubled, disturbed, confused". The reaction of the people to the delay of the return of Moses reflected this extreme meaning of the word, as we will see. There is even shame attached to the word meaning "delay" here. The Concordance mentions that an opposite idea to this meaning is found in the example from scripture, "O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed...Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed..." (Ps. 25:1-3), and "For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame'." (Rom. 10:11). In this case, the people became exceedingly troubled and afraid at Moses' delay in his return, and asked Aaron to fashion a god to lead them. Aaron agreed, and told them to "break off" the golden earrings that they wore in their ears, and bring them to him. He melted them down, and fashioned (sur - besiege, distress, bind, confine, to press upon, to be an adversary) a molten (masseka/nasak - pour out, anoint, offer, cover, image, covering, vail, pour out blood/wine of victim, make a libation) calf. He told the people, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt" (Ex. 32:4), and he built an altar before it. The fact that Aaron ordered the golden (zahab - splendor, brilliant, shimmer) earrings (nezem - ring, nose ring, earring) of the people to be taken out of their ears (ozen/azan - hearing, ears, to reveal, receiver of divine revelation/ to listen and obey; of God: to listen to prayers) has a special meaning. According to the Hebrew meanings of the words, we can say that in removing the golden earrings, they were removing their shining glory in God, and giving it to something else. They exchanged their glory in God for shame (Hos. 4:7, Hab. 2:16). We can see why the LORD said in the Psalms: "They made a calf in Horeb (meaning "dry, waste, desert, desolate, destroyer, decay, to attack), and worshipped the molded image. Thus they changed their glory into the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior Who had done great things in Egypt..." (Ps. 106:19-21). God brought His Word of life and revelation in the middle of a place of waste and destruction, but His people gave that glory to the image of an ox, something common that they could see with their eyes and immediately attain. According to the Hebrew meanings, they were rejecting His divine revelation in their lives, and they were refusing to continue to listen and obey Him. It was also, as a result, a rejection of their covenant, or marriage to God, because as told in scripture, a golden nose ring, (also meaning earring), was given to Isaac's future bride, Rebekah, generations before as a promise of marriage (Gen. 24:22-30). When Aaron received from their hand the golden earrings from the people, this also carries a meaning of marriage: received being the word laqah - "accept, take, taken captive, take a wife, take in marriage". Instead of receiving the Word engraved on stone tablets by the finger of God (Ex. 31:18), they desired the calf that Aaron fashioned with an "engraving tool" (Ex. 32:4) by the hand of man. Aaron had built an altar in front of the golden calf, and the people brought offerings to burn before it (v. 6). They also rose up to "play". This word is sahaq - "laugh, mock, make sport, play, jest". The LORD then said to Moses on the mountain: "Go, get down! For your people...have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them..." (v. 7-8). God's wrath was set to destroy them, and make a great nation of Moses instead, but Moses pleaded with the LORD on their behalf (v. 10-11). This perceived delay of Moses in the minds of the Israelites began a sad set of circumstances that revealed the true hearts of the children of Israel, and became a prophetic lesson for us. In the same way, Jesus prophesied of a "delay" in His return that would also lead to events that revealed the hearts of men. Jesus told the parable of a master delayed from his expected time of return. His servants began to act in a corrupt and abusive manner. The master, Jesus said, will return when they are no longer looking for him, or expecting him, and those corrupt servants will be punished (Mt. 24:44-51, Lk. 12:40-47). Jesus also told a parable about a bridegroom who was delayed, and only half of those who were to take part in the wedding remained expectantly prepared. The others were no longer keeping themselves prepared for the bridegroom's appearing (Mt. 25:1-13). He told His disciples to "watch therefore". Peter warned that there will be those who stop believing that Christ will return in judgment because that return is seemingly delayed. They walk instead according to their own immediate desires, and scoff and mock at the idea of the Lord's return and judgment, not understanding that the "delay" is caused by God's desire to give all an opportunity to repent, and return to Him (2 Peter 3, also Jude v. 17-18). Revelation talks about an angel in heaven who will call out, "There should be time (delay) no longer" in the fulfillment of God's prophesied plan (Rev. 10:5-7). This statement tells us that there was a perceived delay, but that delay is now ended. False Christs will take advantage and declare themselves to be Christ and deceive many, as Christ's return seems to be delayed (Mt. 24:4-5). False teachers flourished in Paul's day as believers looked for the return of Christ. As a perceived delay in the return of Christ caused this fear and confusion, false teachers said that the Day of the Lord, and the resurrection of the dead had already occurred, and those who lived and died afterwards had "missed it". Paul had to give the Church the correct order of events that would occur before the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the catching away of the living in Christ (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 5:1-2, 2 Thess. 2:1-8). Delay, even a planned (by God) and prophesied (by Jesus) delay, can cause even the elect of God to believe heresies and false teachers and prophets. With these warnings from Christ and the apostles, comes the instruction to "wait": "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master...that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately." (Lk. 12:35-36), and "...if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Rom. 8:25), and "...to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." (1 Thess. 1:10). Finally, Isaiah prophesied about a future time of great testing: "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isa. 40:30-31). Even while warning us to wait, Jesus promised, "Surely I am coming quickly'. Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20-21). If you would like to become someone who waits for the Lord, you can pray with me, "Heavenly Father, Your people are called to wait upon You with trust, and we will not be ashamed. The world looks for instant solutions, and quickly fulfilled desires, but Your glory is found in the trust of Your people. Deception heresies may come, but You have told us to remain steadfast in truth. I do not want to exchange Your glory in my life for shame. Your Son prayed that I would share in His glory, and His Father's glory. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to keep me in the paths of righteousness and truth, with all patience and perserverance until the day of Your return. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Incense

Last Sabbath, we read about the golden lampstand, or menora, that was to be placed in the first chamber of the tabernacle called the Holy Place (please see previous post, "Lampstand" for more information). In this week's Sabbath reading portion titled T'tzavveh meaning "You shall command", which includes Exodus 30, another piece of furniture of the tabernacle is discussed. It is the Altar of Incense, and it was placed directly in front of the veil that leads into the second chamber of the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies, which contained only the Ark of the Testimony covered by the Mercy Seat (Ex. 30:6). The Altar of Incense was also connected to the use of the lampstand. Twice a day, in the morning (boqer/baqar - split, penetrate the darkness, the end of night, breaking forth of light), and at twilight (ereb/arab - sunset to deep twilight, the time when the paschal lamb was slain, to give as security as a kind of exchange, to be surety for the life of another, to be liable for another's debt) , when the priests attended to the lampstand, they would burn incense at the Altar of Incense at the same time (Ex. 30:7-8). By doing this, there would always be "a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations." (v. 8). As we can see above, the timing of the offering of incense on this altar, morning and evening, also carried the meaning of resurrection (Lk. 24:1, Jn. 20:1), and Jesus offering of Himself as a surety for us, in exchange for us, and in the exchange of Himself for our debts. The Altar of Incense was a very special item in the tabernacle, which we will see. First, these are some of the commandments that God gave to Moses regarding the Altar of Incense: Aaron could only burn "sweet incense" (sam - sweet spice aroma, sweet perfume, fumigation, sweet smoke of sacrifice) upon the altar, and no "strange incense" (zur - turn aside, to depart, foreigner, stranger, estranged, one alienated, an enemy, profane, of adultery) was allowed. The incense to be burned on this altar was made of very fragrant sweet spices made from certain aromatic gum resins tempered together with salt. While we don't usually consider the burning of incense as a noisy event, the root meanings in Hebrew of the resins used in the making of this fragrant incense (Ex. 30:34-38) are very noisy! One is associated with the roar of a fierce lion. Another means a concussive sound so loud, it can peel off outer coverings. A third root means to speak by inspiration in prophecy. These spices make a great deal of noise in the Spirit. Jesus' sacrifice is described in terms of fragrance also: "And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Eph. 5:2). This incense used on the Altar of Incense is for use in the tabernacle only, because it was holy for the LORD (Ex. 30:34-38). Once a year, on what is called Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement, before the High Priest entered behind the veil to sprinkle the atoning blood upon the Mercy Seat over the Ark of the Testimony, he first had to place the atoning blood on the Altar of Incense. This was to be done because the Altar of Incense "...is most holy to the LORD" (v. 10). On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would also take some of the burning incense from this special altar with him as he entered the Holy of Holies behind the veil to apply the atoning blood there. The incense created a cloud in front of the Ark of the Testimony/Mercy Seat. If the priest did not do this, he would die from being in the presence of God (Lev. 16:12-13). So the cloud of incense also served to cover and protect, and to sanctify. What made this incense so precious to the LORD that the High Priest must also bring it with him in order to enter the Holy of Holies? This sacrificial incense represented the prayers of God's people. David wrote: "LORD, I cry out to you; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening (ereb/arab - see meaning above) sacrifice." (Ps. 141:1-2). In the Gospels, Zacharias was serving as priest before the Altar of Incense, when he received an angelic visitation promising him a miracle son, who would be John the Baptist: "...according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense, when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense." (Lk. 1:9-11). The importance and holiness of our prayers before the Lord cannot be overstated. Jesus is alive in order to make intercessory prayer for us to the Father (Heb. 7:25). His prayers for us save to the uttermost. In His last hours before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for all those who believed in Him, and would come to believe in Him in the future (Jn. 17). Peter called us a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9), and as such it is our role to pray and intercede. Paul wrote: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men...For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:1-4, excerpt). Our prayers for all men impact their opportunity to receive salvation. Do we understand the power of prayer? Why aren't we more constant in prayer? There are many, many references to the prayers of God's people in scripture. We know that all of the tabernacle and its furnishings were given to Moses after the pattern of those things in heaven (Heb. 8:5, Ex. 25:40). We are given a further revelation of the importance and value of the prayers of the saints as incense before God, in the events that unfold in heaven and on earth in these end times. As Jesus the Lamb, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, begins to open the scroll in heaven that will unleash the events, "..the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp (for praise), and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." (Rev. 5:5-8). Great praise to the Lamb then began to break out in heaven. Also: "Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar (in heaven). He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand." (Rev. 8:3-4). After this, judgment in the form of fire breaks out on the earth. The prayers of the saints played a role in both events as an offering. Often times, we believers look to do the miraculous works of Christ, even the greater works that He promised. One of the most important of these works according to scripture is the offering of the sweet-smelling incense, which is our prayers. As the times become more troubling and dangerous before Christ's return, the sacrifice of prayer, rising as incense before the throne of God, and before the Lamb, Jesus, plays a central role. The pattern of the Altar of Incense in the tabernacle teaches us the truth about how God treasures our prayers. Incense from the golden altar represents our prayers, and we discovered how "noisy" incense is within its root meaning (see above). Therefore our prayers, even the silent ones said in the secret place of our hearts, create great noise in the Spirit! If you would like to learn more about the importance of prayer, you can start with a prayer! We can pray together: "Father, You called the Altar of Incense, and the incense burned upon it, "most holy to the LORD". Your Son, Jesus, lives to pray continually in intercession on our behalf. He prayed for us while He was on earth, and He prays for us in heaven. You called Your house a house of prayer for all people. I am Your living house. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who guides me in prayer, and makes my prayers holy before You. Let Your Spirit quicken me to pray always, and for all men, not just for a few, and not just in moments of convenience. Help me to understand the role that my prayers have in affecting all men, and all circumstances, in heaven and here on earth. In Jesus' name, AMEN."

Lampstand

Jesus spoke to those who believed in Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, and told them: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill..." (Mt. 5:14-17). Jesus said, "Let your light so shine...", which means let it shine in the same manner (as being placed on a lampstand). By placing ourselves as light upon the lampstand, we become a very effective light, even to the glorifying of God by men. Our "good works" are seen by men when our light is lifted up and placed on the lampstand. This week's sabbath reading, which includes Exodus 25, is titled T'rumah, which means "offering", and it will help us to understand the meaning and the importance of the lampstand. This is what the Law of Moses, as commanded by God, required in constructing the Lampstand, which would be placed in the first chamber of the Tabernacle, and also later in the Temple in Jerusalem, when it was constructed by the son of David, King Solomon. "You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered/beaten work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece..." (Ex. 25:31). The description continues, but we will start here. The Lampstand is made of pure gold, or taor zahab in Hebrew, which means "clean, pure, purified, purged splendor or brilliance like the golden splendor of the heavens". The Lampstand must be of "hammered or beaten work", in Hebrew, miqsa/qasa. The Hebrew means that the work is beaten out of one piece. The root meaning includes "hardened, stiffnecked, grievous, make severe, ill-treated, be cruel, fierce, be harsh, a heavy yoke, a difficult burdensome thing, the heavy hand of God in punishment". We can already see a pattern of Christ and His sacrifice here in these meanings, and we can understand why the Lampstand is part of a Sabbath reading titled "Offering". Let's continue with the description from Ex. 25. The Lampstand has six branches, three out of one side of the Lampstand, and three out of the other side (v. 32). The Hebrew word and its root used for "branches" is qane/qana, which means "measuring rod, shoulder joint, reed, beam of a balance scale, purchased, redeemed, recover, create, of God originating, creating and redeeming His people. The branches therefore represent the measuring device for the redemption cost to be paid by Christ for God's people. There are to be three bowls shaped like almond blossoms attached to the three branches from one side of the Lampstand, and three bowls shaped like almond blossoms attached to the branches that come from the other side of the Lampstand. In the Hebrew word and its root used for the term "almond blossom", saqed/saqad, we can see the reference to resurrection. The Hebrew word means "early waking, the earliest or first in bloom out of winter's sleep". It makes sense that the almond blossom (resurrection) bowl holds the oil that fuels each individual lamp. Oil represents the Holy Spirit in scripture, and the Holy Spirit is the power that raised Jesus from the dead (Rom. 6:10-11). Also interesting is the fact that the root meaning of the Hebrew word for almond blossom is "watch, wake, hasten, be alert, sleepless, on the lookout". We are reminded of this "almond blossom" root meaning as Jesus instructed His disciples: "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Mt. 25:13, 24:42), and also "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master...that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching...And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch (late in the night), and find them so, blessed are those servants." (Lk. 12:35-38). The Apostle Paul also wrote: "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand..." (Rom. 13:11-12). Continuing our description of the Lampstand from Exodus 25, we find that the Lampstand is decorated with knobs and flowers (v. 34). The flowers are perah/parah in Hebrew, meaning "to flower, bud, sprout, to flourish, break forth, burst forth, abundantly, spreading, to fly (with wings)". We, the light of the world, when placed on the Lampstand of Christ, which is His offering in crucifixion and resurrection, cause the Gospel to break forth and spread abundantly, to fly as if it had wings. The Hebrew word used for the Lampstand is menora. The root words that make up the word menora mean "a beam of wood, a yoke used for plowing, the wooden frame of a loom used for weaving, to break up, to freshly plow, the gleam of a freshly plowed furrow". We can see in these meanings that the menora, or Lampstand, is like a tool used to change one thing into something else - into something that will produce a benefit. We often consider what it means for believers to be the light of the world, but we are only effective as that light when it is placed upon the Lampstand of Christ. This is what gives the light in us the ability to have our good works seen by men, and they, in turn, then glorify God. It is only when placed upon the Lampstand of Christ as our offering that the light in us can give light to all in the house. If you would like to experience the meaning of being the light of the world, and the importance of the Lampstand upon which we are to be placed, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, Jesus came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. He fulfilled the Law as He became the Lampstand for the light that He placed in us. He gave Himself as an offering in order to become that Lampstand. By His resurrection, He becomes the almond blossom bowls of oil on the branches of the Lampstand that keep the light in us shining. When I place my light upon Him, as the Lampstand, I can bring light to all in the house, and bring glory to the Father. Father, let my light always be lifted up upon the Lampstand of Your Son, Jesus. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Ordinances

Although not everyone in the world accepts the Bible as the Living Word of God, there is no doubt that this Book has had an overwhelming influence on every nation on earth. Although the Bible does deal with the nations, it was written by God, revealed to men inspired by the Holy Spirit, for His people. This Sabbath's reading titled Mishpatim deals with the ordinances of justice delivered by God to His people. It is according to these ordinances that His people were to deal justly and with charity towards each other, and any strangers in their midst. Regarding justice, scripture says that God's throne is founded upon it: "You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation (makon - habitation, fixed place, basis, to be firmly established, make ready) of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face." (Ps. 89:13-14). It is these ordinances given by God to Moses many thousands of years ago, and later taught and confirmed so often through the prophets and the words of Christ and the apostles, that a difference was established between God's people, and the people of other nations. Many have written about the Bible being the foundation of our civilization, and the starting point and the measurement of our systems of justice. These are some of the comments written throughout history: "We account the scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy.", wrote Sir Isaac Newton; "That Book, Sir, is the Rock upon which our republic rests.", Andrew Jackson; "The whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ, and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.", Herbert Hoover; "Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives.", Ulysses S. Grant; "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God or the Bible.", George Washington; "The moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of our civil constitutions and laws...", Noah Webster; "The Bible is endorsed by the ages. Our civilization is built upon its words...", Dwight Eisenhower; "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in those teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.", Calvin Coolidge; "The Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people...Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.", U.S. Congress, joint resolution, 1983. The principles of God as written in the scriptures have formed the foundation of our civilization. God has taught, and He expects His people to act, justly (Micah 6:8). The LORD also says: "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow." (Isa. 1:17). As His people, we take an active role in praying for, and standing for, impartial and righteous justice. It may be that we have neglected our role in standing in the ordinances of God to advocate and intercede for those who are unjustly afflicted. The LORD's ordinances do not tolerate His people taking advantage of others' weaknesses, or to silently allow others to do so. The ordinances of God which we read this week in Exodus Chapters 21 through 24 require that God's people do not abuse or take advantage of the weak, the poor, or the powerless. The LORD issues a stern warning to His people: "You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless." (Ex. 22:21-24). Because we have disregarded the ordinances of God, the widows, or mothers left alone to fend for themselves, and the fatherless have become victims of injustice and mercilessness. David was also unjustly persecuted by King Saul, who was also one of God's people, chosen to fill a position of leadership and power. David described the LORD's reaction when he cried out to God because of his unjust treatment by Saul: "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundation of the hills also quaked and were shaken. Because He was angry. Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it...The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire...Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were uncovered at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils." (Ps. 18:6-15). David saw in the Spirit that when the afflicted cry out to Him, the LORD hears and responds with great anger. The LORD twists creation inside out to answer the cry of one of His people who has been subjected to injustice. Jesus said of His Father's advocacy against injustice on behalf of one of His people: "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Lk. 18:7-8). We see daily, the violence and oppression against those who are not in a position to defend themselves. So many of our children have become fatherless, and all the lies of hell have been directed at them to destroy them before they are even born, and certainly after their birth. Over 20% of fathers in this country, or about 7 million, do not take any part in parenting their children. This amounts to about 19 million children, or over 20% of all children born in this country, who are without any father figure in their lives. This leaves the mother as the single head of the household, most often as a result of divorce, and over 40% of those households live below the poverty level. This "widowhood" and fatherlessness lead to further sad statistics, including a higher than average suicide rate among high school aged fatherless students. The Ten Commandments, with which all are familiar, includes the blessing of the LORD's holy Sabbath rest in His presence not only to ourselves, but to our sons and daughters, and even the servants and animals connected to our households (Ex. 20:8-10). The children are of great importance to the LORD (Lk. 18:15-17), and He will not excuse our apathy in the face of any affliction or injustice towards them. Do not think that God does not hear the cries of the afflicted, and answer them. As God's people, the custodians to whom His ordinances have been given, this week's Sabbath reading contains the command from God that we follow His ordinances of justice and mercy. Jesus wondered if He would find any on earth who are doing so when He returns. Let Him not find us to be part of the problem in the affliction of the defenseless, but part of the godly solution instead, which is the unwavering justice and mercy of God. We were called by these scriptures to be different from the people of the world who do not know God. Our lives are to reflect these ordinances of the LORD. If you are crying out to God for deliverance from injustice, or you know of someone who is, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, I cry to You, the Just Judge, on behalf of justice and mercy. You hear the cries of Your people, and You answer from Your sanctuary in heaven. When I have turned a blind eye to those who are afflicted and attacked, please forgive me. Forgive me when I have not prayed on their behalf. Forgive Your people when they favor the rich and the powerful, and take advantage of the poor and the weak. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of Righteousness and Truth, and Who leads me in the ways of Your ordinances. I ask You to hear the cries of the afflicted, and send Your help to those, including the strangers, the widows, and the fatherless among us, who have fallen into evil and merciless hands. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Breathe

There are many people who are experiencing sickness at this time, or know a friend, co-worker, or loved one, who is. COVID-19 is touching many lives, as well as other illnesses. During these difficult times, I know and feel that God, Father of us all, is calling us back into a closer, life-saving and life-changing knowledge of, and relationship with Him, with His son, Jesus, our Savior and King, and with the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Comforter. Recently, Fran in NY sent me her short Hebrew word study and intercessory prayer for us as the Body of Christ to pray for ourselves, for each other, and especially for those who are experiencing illness. She has given me her permission to pass this along. This Sabbath, let us enter into the LORD's healing rest together. Here is the information from Fran, and her prayer for healing: "Did you know the root word etymology for "rest" has to do with "breathing?" Yeah, Lord! First mention of "rest" is found in Gen. 8:9, with the Hebrew word "Manowah". The primitive root is "nuwach", meaning, "To rest, sit down. To set oneself down anywhere to take rest. The original idea lies in respiring, drawing breath, to rest, be quiet, draw breath... To kneel down as a camel, a place where camels lie down... to respire, to rest, e.g., Used of an army....". We have breath this day only because of You, Oh Righteous Father, and oh how we thank You for breath this day! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. As we're a body before You, we breathe with and for those who are sick this day, Blessed Jesus. We lift our voice and with our breath, we say, HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU JESUS! With every breath, there is rest, there is quiet peace, and there is healing. With every breath there is rest, quiet peace and healing, with every breath, every breath, every breath, every breath we each take, in and out, every breath we breathe together.... oh wait... Gotta state that again... With every breath we breathe together, there is rest, quiet peace and healing in the Name of Yeshua, the Breath of life. Hallelujah!! Genesis 7:15-16 KJV — "And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in." Thank You Oh Righteous Father, for showing that... In the Ark Who is Christ, there is the breath of life!! We go in together, as You command, and... We breathe, we rest, we dwell in quiet peace, and we are healed, in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen, Lord, Amen....".

Destination

When the LORD led His people out of Egypt, He was also leading them to a destination. We know from scripture that the LORD was leading his people to the Promised Land, the land that He had promised in covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, we have hints, as we will see, that the Israelites were aware that there was a greater destination accomplished spiritually than even the physical homeland they were promised. Abraham, scripture tells us, was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Heb. 11:8-10). While the forefathers passed down the knowledge of the promise of land to their future generations, Abraham was aware from the beginning that there was an even greater promise involved, the promise of the city of God. The title of this Sabbath's reading is B'shallach, which means "When he let go". The Hebrew letters which form the word B'shallach, beth, shin, lamedh and cheth could also form the meaning: "The house of God (El Shaddai) to which He guides by a shepherd's hook into an inner chamber". It is just as important to know where God is leading us to, as well as knowing what He is leading us from. The apostle Peter also revealed this when he wrote: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Pet. 2:9). We were not just brought out of something, but we were brought into something, a destination, at the same time. By the meaning of the letters of the word, B'shallach used this Sabbath, God leads His people into an innermost chamber of His House. As part of this Sabbath's reading, we see, not only how God brought His people out, but also how He brought them in at the same time. After God stood the waters of the Red Sea up like solid walls, His people crossed over the Sea bed as if on dry land. As the Egyptian army and its princes pursued the Israelites through the divided Sea, the walls of water that had stood up solidly became liquified once again and drowned Pharaoh's army (Ex. 14:21-29, Ps. 78:12-13). After this miraculous victory, Moses and the Israelites sang a song rejoicing and praising God for His mighty works on their behalf (Ex. 15). Within this song, the Israelites sing of an accomplished destination beyond the physical land promised to their forefathers: "...You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation...Till the people pass over whom You have purchased. You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever." (v. 13, 16-18). Paul wrote that the Israelites' miraculous experience at the Red Sea was a type of baptism, and the Rock which followed them through the wilderness and provided them with water, was actually Christ (1 Cor. 10:1-4). So there is a spiritual change that took place here, besides the miraculous deliverance from the armies of Egypt. Unfortunately, the Israelites quickly forgot this accomplishment of God, and the destination to which He had guided them, and they began to complain about their current circumstances (Ex. 16:2-4). How easy it is to take our eyes off the miraculous destination into which the LORD has already delivered us, and to get enslaved once again in the things we see as lack! How easily we surrender ourselves once again to the land of bondage, and the Pharaoh who rules it! Jesus also reminded His disciples of the destination that is accomplished for them in the House of God through Himself: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." (Jn. 14:1-4). Not only does Jesus confirm the accomplishment of the promise that Abraham looked to so long ago, but Jesus connected His return to the fulfillment of that promise of being guided into the inner chamber of the House of God, a house whose builder is not man, but God, Himself. Jesus wanted us to have the knowledge of this finished work, and to be assured in it. This destination achieved through Christ is greater than any and all circumstances that we may encounter in our lives. This destination is not only a future habitation with God, but it is an accomplished reality now, as Jesus said: "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?...Therefore do not worry...for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Mt. 6:25, 31-33). In these times of trials and struggles, the knowledge of where we dwell in the Spirit becomes more important than ever. God has brought us to our destination in His House. If you would like to learn more about walking in the promise of the city of God, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You guide Your people into Your House. Through Jesus, Who has made a place for me, I enter into that eternal dwelling place with You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to guide me into, and keep me in this inner most chamber of Your House, and to remind me that now, in this life, I already dwell in this great destination. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."