Scriptures

Exodus 25:1-27:19

Haftorah Reading
1 Kings 5:26-6:13 (12)

B’rit Chadashah
On charitable giving: 2 Corinthians 8:12
On YHVH’s spiritual temple/tabernacle: 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:20–22; Revelation 11:19; 21:3
On coming into YHVH’s Presence: Hebrews 4:16
On the priestly ministry of Yeshua: Hebrews 8:1–6; 9:1–27; 10:1
On being YHVH’s spiritual lights: Matthew 5:14–16; Revelation 1:12,20
On YHVH’s Heavenly Holy of Holies Throne Room: Revelation 4:5; Hebrews 10:19–22
On the Yeshua’s spiritual altar: Hebrews 13:10–12

Etz Chayeem Hoo (He Is a Tree of Life)

Yeshua is a tree of life to those who take hold of Him, and those who support Him are praiseworthy. His ways are ways of pleasantness and all of His paths are shalom. Bring us back YHVH to You, and we shall come, renew our days as of old.

As we begin to study the Torah let us never forget that YESHUA THE MESSIAH is the Living Torah, the Torah-Word of Elohim made flesh. He is the way, the truth and the life — the Living Manna sent from heaven. Without Him living in our lives through the indwelling Presence of his Set-Apart/Kadosh Spirit (Who leads us into all truth and revelation) the Written Torah can become the dead letter of the law!

Outline of This Week’s Parashah (Torah Section):

• 25:1 Collection Taken for Construction of the Sanctuary/Tabernacle (Miqdash/Mishkan)
• 25:8 The Mishkan: A Resting Place For YHVH’s Presence (Kavod)
• 25:10 Specifications for the Ark/Arown
• 25:17 Specifications for the Cover of the Ark (i.e., the Mercy Seat/Kapporet: Place of Atonement)
• 25:23 Specifications for the Table (Shulkahn) of Show Bread
• 25:31 Specifications for the Seven-Branched Lampstand/Menorah
• 26:1 Specifications for the Curtains (Yeriy’ah) of the Mishkan
• 26:15 Specifications for the Walls/Planks (Qeresh) of the Mishkan
• 26:31 Specifications for the Veil/Partition (Parokhet) Separating the Set-Apart (Kadosh) Place From the Most Kadosh Place (D’veer or Oracle)
• 27:1 Specifications for the Altar (Mizbayakh) of Sacrifice In the Outer Court (Chatser)
• 27:9 Specifications for the Courtyard (Chatser)Curtain Surrounding the Mishkan

Study Questions For This Week’s Midrash (Torah Discussion):

1. Scripture devotes 50 chapters to explaining the pattern, construction and service of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle is known by various names with each giving a unique insight into the Tabernacle’s mission. It is called:
   
   • A Sanctuary (Exod 26:36) because it was the set-apart or kadosh place for a kadosh Elohim.
   • The Tabernacle (Exod 25:8) revealing that it was the dwelling place of Elohim among his people.
   • The Tabernacle of the Congregation (Exod 29:42) because this is where YHVH met with his people.
   • The Tabernacle of the Testimony since it contained the Ark of the Covenant housing the Torah-law given to Moses (Deut 10:1–2; 31:26).
   • The Tent (Exod 26:36) denoting that it was the temporary dwelling place of YHVH.
   Discuss the spiritual significance of each of these names and how it relates to the Person and work of Yeshua.
2. The Tabernacle served for nearly 500 years as a place for Elohim to dwell among his people, to counsel them and for his people to commune with him (Exod 25:8; 40:34–37). Why would the Creator of the Universe desire to tabernacle with a motley bunch of ex-slaves turned nomads (or with you and me, for that matter)? Why would he choose to manifest his Presence in a tiny tent in the middle of the desert instead of over a palace in Egypt or Babylon? What does this say about the character and heart of YHVH? What are the corollaries between this and his coming as a babe in a “manger” (sukkah)? In John 1:14, the word dwelt (KJV) in the Greek means “to tent, tabernacle” (Strong’s G4637). In Matthew 1:23, we see that one of Yeshua’s names was Emmanuel (God/El With Us). Again, why would YHVH want to dwell with mortal humans? It is YHVH’s ultimate intention to dwell permanently with his children in the New Jerusalem at the end of the age. Revelation 21:3 says, “Behold, the tabernacle of Elohim is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and Elohim himself shall be with them, and be their Elohim.”
   
3. Everything about the Tabernacle, its layout and construction, contents and service shows how a sinful people may come before a righteous Elohim to worship and serve him. It is a graphic portrayal of the steps one must take to be redeemed and brought to a place spiritually where one can have an intimate relation with the Creator of the universe. It all points to the work and person of Yeshua, as we shall see more clearly over the next several Parshiot. Why would YHVH go to such pains to create a physical model to show his plan of salvation or redemption? What other models do we see in Scripture that speak of the Creator building bridges of understanding and reconciliation between the spiritual and the physical planes, between the heavenly and the earthly, between the Creator and the created?
   
4. The Outer Court of the Tabernacle was 150 feet long by 75 feet wide. The Tabernacle itself was only 15 feet wide by 45 feet long. The arrangement of the articles within the Tabernacle formed a cross, which points to Yeshua, while the arrangement of the tribes of Israel around the Tabernacle forms yet another cross (Num 2). An aerial view of everything would reveal a cross on top of a cross. Of what (or whom?) are these two crosses a spiritual picture?
   
5. Where would you place yourself spiritually in the Mishkan? By the Outer Gate just barely inside the Courtyard? Past the Altar and by the Bronze Laver? Inside the Mishkanitself in the Set-Apart Place? By the Altar of Incense before the Veil (Parochet)? In the Oracle in the midst of the shekinah glory of YHVH Elohim? Compare yourself today with where you were spiritually one, two, five, ten years ago. How would you characterize your relationship with your Heavenly Father now as compared to however long ago? What are the tangible fruits in your life that prove you have progressed spiritually?
   
6. Every minute detail of the Mishkanand the accoutrements found therein as well as the construction of the Mishkan are an awesome prophetic picture of the reality of the redeemed believer’s life, walk and relationship with Yeshua. Let’s look at several aspects of this that pertain to Parashat Terumah.
   
   • The curtains of the Outer Court were made of fine twined white linen that separated the Tabernacle from the surrounding drab conditions of the wilderness. What does this represent spiritually? (See Rev 19:6–9; 1 Pet 2:9.)
   • The pillars/posts that held up the curtain were wooden with bronze bases and silver capitals. In ­Scripture, what does silver and bronze represent? Think of other scriptural references to silver and bronze and what they symbolize. (See Lev 27; 1 Cor 6:19–20 [silver] and Lev 26:19; Deut 28:23 [brass/bronze]). What do the posts spiritually represent? Note the references to trees in the following Scriptures Psalm 1:1–3; Ezekiel 34:27; Matthew 8:24 and then relate this to the reference to pillars in the temple of YHVH in Revelation 3:12.
   • The Veil separated the Kadosh Place from the Most Kadosh Place inside the Tabernacle. Why this separation? What does this speak of? (Read Romans 3:23.) Who caused the Veil to be split (Matt 27:51)? What does this represent? (Heb 10:19–22).
   • The Ark of the Covenant was made of acacia wood overlaid in gold. How do these two substances point to the nature of Yeshua (i.e., consider his dual “composition”)? The Ark was YHVH’s throne and ­dwelling place in the Tabernacle. Over it, above the Mercy Seat, was the glowing and radiating presence of YHVH (the kavod) in manifest form. Compare this with the scene John saw of YHVH’s throne room in Revelation 4. Reconcile Hebrews 12:29 with 4:16 in light of Hebrews 10:31 and 12:14.
   • The wooden planks of the Mishkan were upright boards (like pillars) of acacia wood overlaid in gold. What does this represent? (Read 1 Cor 6:19; Eph 2:21–22; 1 Tim 3:15; Rev 3:12.) What does gold covering the wood of humanity represent? (See 2 Pet 1:4; 1 Cor 6:20.)

The Tabernacle of Moses:
YHVH’s Pattern of Salvation for Mankind
The Story of the Bible From Genesis to Revelation

by Ya’acov Natan Lawrence
Waters in the Wilderness, A Teaching Ministry of Hoshana Rabbah Messianic Discipleship Resources
Thy way, O Elohim, is in the Sanctuary (Kodesh). (Psalm 77:13)

The story of man, as recorded in the pages of Divine Scripture, begins in a garden and ends in a garden. In both of these paradises—the Garden of Eden and the Heavenly New Jerusalem, man walks in intimate oneness with his Creator. Paradise was lost in the former and will be regained in the latter.

But between the two—between the books of Genesis and Revelation—is the saga of man’s separation from his loving Creator due to his prideful rebellion against YHVH’s Torah—his life-giving, fatherly and loving instructions in righteousness. Between Genesis and Revelation is the agonizing history of a Father reaching out in every conceivable manner to his prodigal children urging them to repent of their sin, and to turn from the downward path that leads to darkness, separation and eternal death.

YHVH has a plan to redeem man—to save him from his sinful waywardness. The Bible is a big book. Understanding it can be intimidating to those who do not understand the master plan. Once the code is deciphered, however, and the plan unveiled, understanding the Book is a cinch. To understand the Tabernacle is to understand that plan. It is a simple layout and design. But its simplicity is enigmatic. The youngest child can understand it, yet at the same time it contains some of the deepest wisdom of the universe, for in it the mysteries of YHVH’s plan of salvation is revealed. In its furnishings and details one finds in code form the seven-step plan of YHVH’s set-apart annual appointed times, as well as the seven steps of the biblical Hebraic wedding. These all reveal the steps every human must take to reverse the curse of death that fell upon Adam and his descendants. The plan of redemption hidden within the curtains and walls of the Tabernacle show man the way back to the Father—the way of salvation and eternal life.

When Adam and Eve sinned, YHVH thrust them out of the paradise called Eden. They began to wander in search of redemption in a wilderness of separation from Elohim brought on by their sin. From that point on, men continued to wander seeking redemption. Their wanderings have taken them further away from redemption and from YHVH the Redeemer, however.

We pick this story up with the Children of Israel who have left the wilderness of Sin and begun to wander in the wilderness of Sinai in search of their destiny. After having revealed himself to them at their deepest point of despair, YHVH brought them to a mountain in the desert and presented to them an alternative lifestyle—one that would give them hope and lead them to everlasting life replacing the hopelessness and uncertainty about their future. He then gave them a purpose and a destiny. It was a job assignment. It was to build a Tabernacle—a place of rest, healing, cleansing and intimate relationship with him. Whether they realized it or not, that simple tent was their future hope. It was the pathway back to paradise. Outside the tent was a hot, parched and gray wilderness full of serpents, scorpions and the dreaded Amalekite. Inside was redemption, cleansing, life, food, leading to the glorious Presence of the Elohim of Israel—a foreshadow of the New Jerusalem. David understood this when he said, “Thy way, O Elohim, is in the Sanctuary.”

The story of the Children of Israel is your story and mine. It is both an old and new story. It is timeless. The needs of humans and the message of redemption remain the same. Learn the pattern of the Tabernacle, for in it you will find life! (To read the complete article on the Tabernacle of Moses go to this link on our ministry website: http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/pdfs/tabernacle.pdf)

Haftorah Reading—1 Kings 5:26(12)–6:13
In the House of Elohim Lay Down Your Hammers and Chisels and Pick Up the Torah

Both the Parashah and Haftorah portions deal with Israel building a sanctuary for YHVH. Both the Tabernacle in the wilderness and Solomon’s Temple were to be places for YHVH’s people to draw near to him by sacrifice, praise and worship. After all, Scripture tells us that YHVH is set-apart (holy) and inhabits the praises of Israel (Ps 22:3). The question must then be asked, if YHVH is holy, while his people are not, can he dwell in their midst? Let each examine himself or herself in this regard—all that we do, say and think at all times.

1. 6:7 There was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.The Temple rose silently and peacefully. If neither hammer nor axe were used in the building of the House, how then were the stones fitted together? Jewish legend says that a special worm was discovered that when placed between the stones would instantly and noiselessly cleave them as desired. “The great moral truth enshrined in this verse and legend is this: A Temple of [YHVH] cannot exist where there is discord, violence and revolt” (Soncino Penteteuch, p. 338). Matthew Henry states in his commentary on these verses that YHVH’s work should be done with much care and little noise. Clamor and violence often hinder, but never further the work of Elohim. Thus the kingdom of Elohim in the heart of a man grows up in silence (Luke 17:20–21) (Henry’s commentary on 1 Kgs 6:1–10).
   
   If those who are reborn from above are called the spiritual temple of YHVH (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Eph 2:21–22; Heb 3:6 and 1 Pet 2:5), then why is there so much strife, division and rebellion within the spiritual body of Yeshua? Hammers are used to beat down people who stand in our way, chisels are used to chip away at others whom we dislike or with whom we disagree. Can we really be YHVH’s temple when these conditions prevail, and can his glory inhabit such a “building”? What can and must we do to change that to bring honor and glory to our Father in heaven? (Read 1 John 2:3–11; 3:15–18; 4:7.)
2. 6:11–13 Just because the anointed Presence and house of Elohim graced the nation of Israel, what was ­YHVH’s challenge (or perhaps a veiled warning) to Israel? Yeshua said something similar in Matthew 7:21–23 where the word iniquity means “lawlessness”(i.e., “Torahlessness”). Torah-obedience for YHVH’s people was crucial regardless of the nature of the house that YHVH chose to live in, whether a physical or spiritual one. (Read John 14:15.)