Reflections
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 24
Tzav (Command)
A confession. The first TWO Torah portions in Leviticus deal with the FIVE different offerings which were to be made to the LORD. For the sake 0f clarity and convenience, I chose to deal with those offerings as a group in our ‘reflection’ last week, even though, in part, they are also covered in some detail in this week’s portion. But before that, there is an important item, which was not covered last week and to which I now refer.
“If a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of the matter - if he does not tell it, he bears guilt.” (Leviticus 5:1) So what about it? Seems quite innocuous doesn’t it? In Matthew 26, we read that Yeshua stood “on trial” before Caiaphas, and that He remained silent. In desperation and anger Caiaphas said “I put you under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” To have remained silent, Yeshua would have committed the sin referred to in Leviticus 5:1. But He remained “The Lamb without blemish”, by making that confession before his detractors. He bore appalling indignity and pain as a result. The enraged Caiaphas, “tore his clothes”. It has been observed that if these clothes were the ‘Priestly Garments”, Caiaphas immediately became disqualified from that office and could no longer perform the duty of slaying the “Passover Lamb”. But OUR Passover Lamb that year was Yeshua who offered Himself as the sacrifice for many. That is a reminder to us of how perfectly Yeshau upheld and practised Torah. Always our example.
In our portion this week we see examples of some matters which might require men to make a Trespass offering. AND make restitution to the value of 120% of the ‘damage’. We carefully note that this was a mandatory ordinance. It was, and still is. It has never been revoked. A solemn requirement, which is necessary for the functioning of an orderly society. Except, that there is no longer a place to offer such a sacrifice, which constitutes a humble act of repentance. However, we have the great privilege of having our Great High Priest before Whom we may repent, gain forgiveness, and out of a repentant heart, make appropriate restitution. As long as sin remains part of our society, the need for repentance also remains.
A lesson here. There was no provision for establishing a police force!! And what made it work was “the fear of the LORD”. And, my dear friends, when Yeshua comes to establish His rule on earth, there will again be NO police force. Why? Because we will live under a NEW covenant in “the fear of the LORD”. That new covenant cannot be taught. It will be put in our minds, and written on our hearts by God Himself. Unbreakable. And satan will not be around to cause disruption. Well may we ask “Where is the fear of the LORD today? Let that sink in. I provide a common example, which is rife in our society, even in people of faith. It is a trespass against the LORD. Cheating on pension and social security payments, including the non declaration of payments for work done by such recipients. Selah!
It is also significant that the Priests, when presented with a variety of offerings, chose to deal with them in an orderly way, appropriating priority to some over others. Their priority order was:-
1. Sin offering and/or Trespass offering.
2. Burnt offering.
3. Peace offering and Grain offering.
This order is symbolic of the spiritual significance of the sacrificial system. First sin was dealt with. Then the worshipper committed himself completely to God. Finally establishment of fellowship between the LORD, the Priest and the worshipper.
Leviticus 8 repeats, but in more detail, the act of consecration of Aaron as High Priest, and his sons who might one day inherit that position. They were brought before the congregation of the people at the door of the Tabernacle of meeting of the people. It was a solemn moment of consecration. Everyone present witnessed the event. There were no secret ‘deals’. Everything was witnessed by the people, and I believe, as a result, Aaron was given clear authority and status to act as mediator of the people into the future. It is worthwhile for us to again make some comparisons between this ceremony and the experience meted out to Yeshua, as He was ‘prepared’, in full sight of all the people, to become mediator between God and mankind, for all time into the future. It was humiliating. It was degrading. It was devastating for His followers. But it was NOT the end. Aaron would serve faithfully and well as the High Priest for the rest of his life. Yeshua serves well for the rest of His life, which is a life of eternity. And we are His witnesses.
The ‘ordination’ of Aaron continued, Moses anointed him with oil, and sprinkled him with some of the blood of the sacrifice. Then the portion of the sacrifice, the ram of consecration, which Moses offered was eaten at the door of the Tabernacle until it was finished, and if any remained it was burned in the fire. None of that sacrifice left the Tabernacle. Aaron became the living representative of God, interceding for the people, acknowledged by the people and serving faithfully all his days. It is not easy for us, as gentiles, to identify with the sacrificial ordinances which were commanded by God. It is culturally foreign. BUT, it is not to be ignored. There are lessons to be learned, and we will benefit as we learn from them.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 23
Vayikra ( Called )
For the next seven weeks we will ‘reflect’ on this Book of Leviticus! Last week we came to the end of Exodus. The story of the formation of the nation of Israel, and their journey to the land of God’s promise began in Genesis 12 when God called Abram. It continued through Exodus, then it takes a short break, before picking the story up again in Numbers. The Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy are largely instructional. Leviticus for the priestly group, and Deuteronomy for the people. Exodus closed when the Tabernacle was erected and fitted ready for service. Now Moses, following the instruction received on Mt Sinai, revealed detail about how God was to be served and worshipped, and how God expected them to use the Tabernacle in their walk, uprightly, before Him. There is much detail, often seemingly repetitious, quite unambiguous, easy to follow, spelling out the responsibilities of both people and Priests. It deals with the time on the journey they were undertaking, and the time when they would eventually reach the destination, the land of God’s promise.
The portion of Scripture today deals with various offerings the people might bring before the LORD, the reasons for them, and what is to happen to those offerings. There are THREE participants to these FIVE offerings. The one making the offering. The Priest who acts as an intermediary. And God, to Whom the offering is rendered. The offerings are:-
The Burnt Offering
The Grain Offering
The Peace Offering, always referred to as
“sacrifice of the Peace Offering”.
The Sin Offering
The Trespass Offering
These offerings fall into TWO categories.The first THREE mentioned above are ‘voluntary’ and willingly presented. The last TWO are mandatory. The first of them comprising just the offering itself, the second one additionally involving a penalty of restitution. The actual detail is more easily read that explained, and I encourage you to do so. In this ‘reflection’ we will look at some features which provide lessons for us today, where they exist. The sacrificial system we are discussing came to an end when the Herodian Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Emperor Titus in the year 70 C.E. The Scriptures indicate that there will be yet another Temple constructed before the return of Yeshua to this earth, and that one will be desecrated by the ‘man of peace’ (the Beast) when he demands that he alone is to be worshipped there. It will be a time of dreadful persecution and even death for any who remain true to our faith.
The Burnt Offering may be of the herd (a bull) the flock (sheep or goat), or for the very poor a small bird (Dove or Pidgeon). A condition being that the animals must be ‘without blemish’. The lesson here is that we bring to God the very best we have to offer, not a ‘cast off’ or something of no further use to us. The Priest identified with that offering by placing his own hand on it before killing the animal, sprinkling the blood around the Alter, preparing it, and then Burning the whole animal (less the skin) on the Alter. The Priest had no part for himself (other than the skin). The purpose of this offering was to atone for unintentional sin in general, or an act of devotion or commitment.
The Grain Offering provided an act of devotion, or of thanksgiving for God’s bountiful provision. Also as an accompaniment to the peace offering. If it were the Priest’s own offering it was all consumed in the fire. If presented by another, only a token handful was burned and the Priest kept the rest. But it had to be consumed within the boundary of the Tabernacle.
The sacrifice of the Peace Offering was an act of devotion or for sealing a vow to God. Any animal without blemish together with a variety of breads , unleavened of course, was acceptable. The fatty portions, kidneys, lobe of the liver etc were to be burned (God’s portion). The High Priest was given the breast of the animal (a wave offering) and the right leg to the officiating Priest (a heave offering). The remainder was consumed within two days by the one making the offering.
The Sin Offering was for cleansing from unintentional sin, confession of sin, and forgiveness of sin. God’s portion was the same as the peace offering. If the offering was for the High Priest and the congregation itself, the rest of the animal was burnt outside the camp. In the rubbish dump. For other people, it was burnt on the altar and consumed by the Priests, but within the confines of the Tabernacle.
The Trespass Offering was for an unintentional event which the Priest deemed to require restitution, regarding “the Holy things of the LORD”. The Priest would asses the value of the ‘trespass’, and in addition to bringing a Ram without blemish, an amount of 120% of the assessed value was also to be paid. God again received the fatty portions as in the two previous offerings and the rest was to be eaten within the court of the Tabernacle.
Now another lesson. We need to understand that the outstanding element of this whole process was in order to ‘get right with God’. The sacrificial system provided for multiple opportunities to ‘get right with God’. They erred, they repented, they brought a sacrifice. NO, we do not any longer have to present ourselves with ‘the blood of bulls and goats’. We also acknowledge that Yeshua spilt His own blood as a ransom for our sin, ‘once for all time’, YES. But, just as in our ‘reflection’ above, there was no ‘once for all time repentance ’ for them. In our lives, there is no ‘once for all time’ repentance. In our ‘reflection’ God saw the repentant heart, and forgave them, every time. So for us, we know when we have erred. We repent. We bring our pleas before a Holy God. He accepts OUR sacrifice. The fruit of our lips. Seeking His forgiveness. His answer “It’s already paid for”.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 22
Vayak’hel/Pekuda (Assembled/Accounts)
The portion this week starts with yet another reminder and command for the people to “remember and to observe” the Sabbath. Must be important eh? So much has been written about this down through the years which attempt to justify the change of the “seventh day” to the “first day”. This was formalised in 321 C.E. by the Emperor Constantine, and since then, the “church” has appropriated to itself the authority to make such changes to ‘festivals’ and ‘observances’ as it, in its consideration, deemed appropriate. Constantine has been categorised as wanting to put as much distance as possible between his faith (christianity) and Judaism. He succeeded. But there is not a single shred of Scriptural evidence for such change. With the command given to Moses, were examples of practices, like work and lighting fires (presumably for cooking) which were forbidden on the Sabbath day.
Now it is true that in their enthusiasm to keep the Sabbath holy, the sages and Rabbi’s, over a long period of time, put many “hedges” and “fences” around the Sabbath which, to most protestant groups seem to be quite “over the top”. On a tour I took to Israel not many years ago, walking through the Jewish Quarter of the old city, one of our group was asked by a lady from one of the homes there if he were Gentile or Jewish. He is gentile. So she requested that he go into her home to turn on the cooker so she could prepare lunch!! A Rabbinic ruling which prohibits a Jew from ‘lighting fires’. There are many other examples which could be cited. BUT, the principle is to ensure that the commandments of God are not violated. Why? Because the penalty for non observance was death. There is the other extreme too. The view of many christians that God’s “Law” has been made redundant by the sacrificial death of Yeshua. And that flies in the face of Yeshua’s own declaration. Read it. (Matthew 23:2-4) “ The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat (in the synagogues and Temple as teachers) Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do (because it is correct teaching), but do NOT do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Hypocritical. Good time to take stock ourselves eh! Sabbath observance?? Anything else? Evidently Yeshua was a Pharisee both in teaching and in deed. Never once did He teach that the “law” was obsolete. He was “in the beginning” right?
Then followed the command, a repeat of one given in Exodus 25, about willingly bringing offerings to the LORD. And we read “The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the LORD, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done.” How many of our churches today would like to put this notice outside their buildings? “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done - indeed too much.” Bezalal was the chief artisan, but he too had plenty of help, and in the fullness of time, the work was completed.
There are many observations which might be made about this whole process of getting the tabernacle ready for worship of God. We will ‘reflect’ on this and see if there is a lesson for today in that process. Moses was instructed about when and in which order the many elements were to be set in place. “On the first day of the first month”, would be one year after they had left Egypt. First the Tent of meeting. The central structure containing the Holy Place, which had two ‘spaces’. In the inner ‘space’ only the ark of the Testimony. The item in which God said He would dwell among them. The message I get is PUT God first. Before everything else. Whatever He says to you .. DO. Then that space was partitioned off with a veil with access to it only through an intercessor, the High Priest. Who is our High Priest? Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.
In the outer “space” there were three items of furniture. The Table. Destined to have on it the twelve loaves of the showbread. The Bread of the Presence. Consumed by the priests. God declared that His people were to be a “kingdom of priests”. By faith we who believe and trust Him are His people. We are to ‘feed’ on that “Bread of the Presence” that we might be sustained. The Lampstand. Giving light continually in the Holy Place. The light sustained by specially made oil. In Scripture, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We are told to “let our light so shine before men that they may see you good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) The Altar of Incense. Set immediately before the veil. Incense is a symbol of prayer and praise. That which is offered continually before our God. Our “sacrifice of praise offered continually” (Hebrews 13:15). The fruit of our lips. Then the screen which separates that Holy Place from the outer court was erected. Only priests were allowed past that screen. Then in the outer court of the Tabernacle were the Sacrificial Altar and the Bronze Laver.
But finally, I want to ‘reflect’ on the preparation of the High Priest for his task as an Intercessor for the people. Read it carefully in Exodus 40:12-15. Aaron and his sons were brought before the ‘door of the tabernacle’. They were stripped and washed, publicly. Surely a humiliating experience. Then dressed in their Priestly garments ready to intercede for the people. I cannot help but draw a comparison between this and the public humiliation of our High Priest, Yeshua, as He was ‘commissioned’ for His task of representing us before the same God, He Who lived among the people, but now sits in the Throne room of heaven, where one day we will all stand before Him.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 21
Ki Tisa (When you take a Census)
The reading last week ended with the LORD instructing Moses that Aaron must make an annual “offering of atonement with the blood of the sin offering” on the altar in the Holy Place. Immediately after that, we find instructions regarding the taking of a census of the people. The census was related to the payment of a ‘half shekel’ ransom for every person over 20 years of age, as an offering to the LORD. The money so collected was “for the service of the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD , to make atonement for yourselves.” So it was, that God ensured that they had means to maintain the tabernacle of meeting and repair or replace anything that needed attention. This was a duty entrusted to the High Priest, because it was he who had intimate knowledge of anything that might need attention. Much, much later, during the Roman occupation of the land, the collection of this annual census ‘tax’, (which became known as a Temple tax) was so lucrative that the office of High Priest was compromised. It became a much sought after political appointment, totally ignoring the command, in our portion today, that that office be held by a descendant of Aaron. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” said the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:10). The compromise of the priesthood (and even some pentecostal personalities in our day) has its origin right there.
So the High Priest was commanded how to dress, how to prepare, and how to perform his service to the LORD. And he was not the only one. “See, I have called by name Bezalel (Heb: ‘In the protection of God’) the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.” And Olihab of the tribe of Dan was appointed to assist him. “And all that I have commanded you they shall do.” What an assignment! So it was that the Tabernacle construction arrangements were in place.
And now, before Moses completed his 40 day sojourn on the mountain, God had one more instruction. It was not about the Tabernacle of meeting, but about the Sabbath. For the previous couple of months, God had provided the people with “manna”, that bread from heaven, and all of them were aware that on the sixth day they had to collect enough for two days. There was none available on the seventh day. God Himself was resting that day. The example was before their eyes. But now God gave Moses specific instructions regarding Sabbath observance. “Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” That is worthy of our complete attention. To the best of my knowledge, there has never been an annulment of that commandment. YES, it is part of the covenant the people made with the LORD, a covenant which, as a nation they broke (but not that part of it). But the commandment stands. The fact that they broke it does NOT annul it!! It remains “a sign that I am the LORD Who sanctifies you.” Selah!
Then God gave Moses the “two tablets of the Testimony written with His own finger.” Moses was on that mountain for two and half months. No mobile phone to keep in touch. It was a long time, and the people were concerned he might not return. Oooops!
Now the main reaction to the making of that golden calf is “Why on earth did they do that .. after ALL that God had done for them in the past few months. Bringing them out of Egypt and providing food and water for a start. The pillar of cloud and of fire. “ But Moses was the contact man, the connection, and he was not there. So they did the unthinkable. They created their own God. Is there a lesson there? We have the Bible, the account of God’s great dealing with His people. This ‘golden calf’ incident is part of it. We no longer have Moses to speak to us and for us. God has ordained that we have access to Him, through His word and by prayer. Our Moses if you will. His relationship with His people relies on the communication means we already have. So here are some questions. How much do we use those communication channels? And what happens when we don’t use them? I wouldn’t build a golden calf I hear myself saying. But look what God said to Ezekiel. “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?” (Ezekiel 14) Ouch!! Take time to examine yourself. Check what might be your “golden calf’, or “calves”. Trust me, this incident has many modern day applications. And if we follow the story before us we see that there are very serious consequences. Moses went before the LORD and made humble confession to Him, offering to bear the consequences himself. (That sounds a bit familiar to christians doesn’t it?) God answered him “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”
But the LORD is merciful and gracious. Moses met with Him again on the mountain and said “If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.” The Lord said “Behold I make a covenant. I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation.” And more. He spoke about leading then to the land of His promise and warned them again that when He did they should tear down the idols and high places of worship of those idols “For I, the LORD whose name is Jealous am a jealous God.” And He does not change.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 20
Tetzaveh (Will command)
The LORD instructed Moses to make the furniture and the different utensils and articles of worship necessary to complete the Tent of Meeting. I find it interesting that God had already shown Moses what these things would look like (Exodus 27:8) as Moses was on the mountain, and now He was providing the construction detail. How thorough our God is. I see a lesson here. Imagine, if you can, that Moses, having been shown these articles, decided to work from memory to instruct the artisans. What might they have ended up like? Moses would surely have put a few of his own ‘touches’ to the design don’t you think? When we were called by God to be part of His family, we had a glimpse of a new life, we were enthusiastic to follow God’s plan for us weren’t we? He gave us all detailed instructions (actually written in a Book) to show us how to proceed. How often do we refer to those instructions I wonder? How much do we rely on our memory of an experience, sometimes decades ago, to walk the path of life? How much are we “putting our own touches” to the plan God prepared for us? Is the finished article exactly what God intended for us when He called us? Moses followed the instructions to the letter!
Aaron and his four sons were given a special assignment. As part of their recognition Aaron was to have special clothes. Holy garments. Colourful and distinctive. They were ‘for glory and for beauty’. In the desert! There was them .. and God. This was not for show for anyone else. This was personal. Them .. and God. Aaron was the one tasked with presenting sacrifices, gifts, offerings, and prayers on behalf of the people directly to Almighty God. I see an awesome sight enacted here, because the people did not SEE what went on in that Holy Place. Aaron went in alone in person. They went in “by faith”. What an incredible picture that is of OUR High Priest, Yeshua, interceding before Almighty God on our behalf, in person. Our trust, “by faith”, is in Him to represent us before the Father. Unworthy as we are. But a note of caution here. Read it. They are not my words, they are words spoken by Yeshua when He walked this earth, our Great High Priest, the One representing us before His Father in heaven. Matthew 7 : 20-23.
The design of the holy garments and what each element represents is worth noting. The head band of gold inscribed with the words “Holiness unto YHWH”. On his shoulders, two onyx stones set in gold, each stone engraved with six of the tribes of Israel in the border of their birth. The breastplate of Judgement, fine woven linen, artistically decorated with coloured thread and hanging on two gold chains. And on that twelve previous stones set in gold, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes. An amazing sight. Not for public gaze, but in order to present before Almighty God, the gifts, the sacrifices and prayers of the people.
Hidden inside the breastplate, the Urim and the Thummim. Stones which God instructed the High priest to use in the Judgement of the people. It is unclear how this worked, but some have speculated that they were a kind of YES and NO indication as the High priest put his hand into the breastplate to draw one out as an answer to some alternative types of Judgement. Some might wonder about it, but the High Priest didn’t. They were there for the purpose of Judgement and that is what he used.
Around the hem of the blue robe (Ephod) was a decoration of pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, with golden bells in between each of them. The bells ‘tinkled’ as the High Priest walked, so that when he was unseen in the Holy Place he could be heard as he performed his duties. Perhaps the most interesting detail was that the Ephod was of ‘one piece’ with a hole at the top that the High Priest put his head through. It was a very strong construction. We learn later (Leviticus 10) that tearing that garment was expressly forbidden. A key factor relating to Caiaphas (Matthew 26:65) as he stood in judgement of Yeshua.
There are other ordinances specified relating to the High Priest, some relating to the consumption of the sacrificial peace offerings and the weekly loaves of bread which were to be placed on the table in the Holy Place. But the final word is that of the LORD Himself. “I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God when brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.”
And friends, if we make a covenant with Him, as did the children of Israel, He will be our God too.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Image taken from https://www.slideshare.net/bishop01/the-garments-of-the-high-priest
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 19
Terumah (Offering)
Exodus 25:1 to 27:21
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.” Then followed the list of things that were acceptable to God. Do you ever wonder what the list would be today if God were to make such a request? One thing is sure, the conditions would remain the same. “Willingly given” would that condition. The Apostle Paul put it best in his second letter to the Corinthian ‘ekklesia’. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” And as we will discover in a later ‘reflection’ that is exactly what these Israelites did. But they were camping in the desert. Where did all those things come from? Ah! God had promised them that when they left Egypt they would not leave empty handed. And on the day they left He told them (Exodus 12:35,36) to ask for plenty from their Egyptian neighbours. Now we know why. God wanted to give a physical meaning to “being with them”. A tent of meeting to be set right in the centre of their camp. ‘Mishkan’ in Hebrew, a place of dwelling. A constant reminder, to them, of His presence.
The plan was not left to individual preference. The instructions were given in precise detail, and in modern times some have attempted to reconstruct this “Mishkan” using those precise plans. (I have visited two such places in Israel. One in Timnah in the desert north of Eilat, and the other in a ‘biblical garden’ at Eshel Hashomron Hotel in Samaria just outside the city of Ariel. I was surprised to note that they were markedly different in size, one from the other!!) The design is quite simple in shape. An outer court shielded from the outside by a high curtain. A tent standing within that court. And within that tent another curtain (veil) which divides that tent into two separate spaces. The materials and the dimensions are precisely defined.
The whole “Mishkan” is approximately 50m x 25m in area. But the actual size is specified in ‘cubits’. The tent which comprises the two areas of the holy place is approximately 15m x 5m. But the first item described is the “The Ark”. The ‘box’ which is the most holy receptacle, to reside in the Most Holy Place. It is ornately covered with a seat fashioned with two “winged cherubim”, one at each end, their wings extended to cover the seat itself. The whole ‘box’ designed in such a manner as to prevent anyone having to even touch it, borne on poles fixed to it through carrying rings. Both the ‘box’ and the poles overlaid with gold. It was from this “mercy seat” that “There I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two “cherubim” which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.”
Now the detailed instructions continue right to the end of this passage of Scripture. It is tempting to ‘skip over’ things, because we are never likely to have to build such a structure. But there are valuable lessons to be learned for those who wish to learn them. This is to be a place of meeting with a holy God. He is very precise about that meeting place. Nothing sloppy to be found there. Centuries later, the Holy Spirit revealed an interesting parallel to the Apostle Paul. The “Mishkan” had been replaced by a more modern and permanent structure, the Temple, which functioned in similar manner to the Tabernacle. And because we have the historical account, we know that even that Temple would be destroyed not many years later. Writing to the ‘ekklesia’ in Corinth, Paul said “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?” So the question that every believer should be asking is this. If God was so precise and particular about the place where He would meet with His people, as in our passage today, and we learned in our passage last week that God does not change, do we have any reason to think that He is any less concerned now, than He was then, about His place of meeting?
Just last week, we saw how God gave the people Torah, “instructions for living righteously”. The covenant He made with them was conditional upon their adherence to those instructions. They agreed. It is comfortable to think that as gentiles we have no such commitment. Certainly no covenant was made with gentiles, so are gentiles free of any covenant responsibility? We are quite ready to see ourselves, as christians, as the temple of the Holy Spirit aren’t we? And YES, as believers we are washed in the shed blood of Yeshua. John’s gospel, quoting Yeshua says, “IF you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” Twice in Matthews gospel and once in that of Mark, Yeshua is quoted as saying “He that endures to the end will be saved.” Now putting all that together’ as I ‘reflect’ on the implications of a ‘holy place’ in which God meets with His people, I think we should be careful to order our lives in a way that ensures there is no deviation from the high standard which is expected of the meeting place which is prepared for God to talk with us.
Finally, there is to be light in the Tabernacle. It is to burn continually. Here again, not any oil will do. It had to be pure pressed olive oil. And this “shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.” There is a permanence about this meeting place. There are, in my view, both physical and metaphorical applications here. The physical is no longer with us, but Scripture is clear, it will be restored. The metaphorical, our body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, is always with us. Let us pray that God gives us wisdom to understand the conditions under which He readily take His place to speak with us.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 18
Mishpatim (Judgements)
Last week we looked at the instructions God gave to Moses ‘on the mountain’. Those instructions have NEVER been revoked. John’s gospel tells us that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God.” Doesn’t that say that Yeshua, “the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us,” who was One with the Father, gave us the instructions for righteous living?” Has that changed? Have the “Ten Words” changed? Those “ten words” are often seen in two dimensions. The first four having a vertical relationship .. God and man. The last six, a horizontal relationship .. man with fellow man. Has that changed? Through the prophet Malachi, God declared “I am the LORD, I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6) Count on it!
Now there are some, quoting Hebrews 8, who misunderstand the difference between Torah (instructions) and Covenant (agreement). There is a new (better) covenant coming. A new agreement which will be unbreakable. Not like the old, which was breakable, and was broken by the Israelites. And that NEW covenant will be made with the same people as the original covenant. In this week’s portion of Scripture, God puts a great deal, but not all, of the detail about the way He expects His covenant partners to live their lives. And that, to serve, in part, as an example and witness to the pagan nations living around them. Gentile nations. That’s US.
The detail contained in our text today makes excellent reading. It must be viewed as a contrast between living in an orderly and compassionate setting, opposed to a “survival of the fittest”, self absorbed and selfish society. These instructions are given to a people called to be a “Kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” First up it covers a situation of which we have very little contemporary knowledge. Servants and slaves, people sold into bondage. Those who are given in marriage, and the safeguards to protect their welfare. Killing, both accidental and intentional. Treatment of unruly animals. Theft of animals and property. And so on and on. Lending, sorcery, bribery, property taken as surety in a transaction, giving false evidence against another, treatment of widows and the fatherless. This is our God in action. Caring for everyone who belongs to Him. But it only works when we, who are His, live by His rules. And God is NOT to blame for those who deliberately choose not to.
But God is not only concerned with people, but with land use too. He is the originator of conservation and care for the land. And that is tied up with His instruction regarding the Sabbath. The seventh day. And for the land, the seventh year. A “Shemita” (release) year. Sabbath observation which God gave to Moses is pivotal to the health of both people and land. But, except in Israel, it is totally ignored today, to our cost. So the LORD instructed Moses about land use. BUT they weren’t even in the land. And possessed NO land. And to my mind, as I ‘reflect’ on this, I see how God was PREPARING them for the future. Just as I believe He is PREPARING believers today, for the future. It may even be considered a time to “practice”. Getting ready. It’s God’s way.
Here they are, just a few months into their journey and God is giving instruction to Moses, as to how they should conduct themselves when they become a nation living in that land of Promise. He moves on. “Three times you shall keep a feast (mo’ed) to Me in the year.” These are times when God would require the males of each household to appear before Him at His appointed time, in the place of His choosing, to bring sacrifice and offering to Him. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, the seven days immediately following Passover. The Feast of Harvest, seven weeks after Passover, at the time of the Barley harvest. And the Feast of Ingathering, in their Autumn (also known as Tabernacles). Each of these times have a prophetic significance in the life of Yeshua, and two of them have already been fulfilled. The last one, heralded by the sound of the Trumpets ten days earlier when Yeshua returns to this earth as King of kings, signifies that great ingathering of the faithful who are to be invited to the Marriage supper of the Lamb. Then another amazing promise. “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.”
But there are a few conditions. In their case they were very real, practical obstacles. “If you DO all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemy, and an adversary to your adversaries.” Should I expect God to have that relationship with me? Am I prepared to accept the conditions He put on these Israelites of old? It is often the case isn’t it? We are very happy to receive the blessing, but much less ready to accept the responsibility. As indeed did they on occasions when ‘push came to shove’. But God was also cautious to let them know that conquering the land would not be an instantaneous event. It would take time. “Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and you inherit the land.” Exodus 23:31 broadly describes the extent of that land. “Red Sea to the Sea (Mediterranean), Philistia (Gaza) and up the coast, through the desert as far as the ‘River’ (Euphrates).” That is about FOUR times the size of Israel today!! That is the promise of a covenant keeping God. Selah!
Our passage today comes to an end with the actual COVENANT . Referred to as “The Mosaic Covenant”. Moses wrote God’s instructions (Torah) in a BOOK. He called it “The Book of the Covenant”. Then he read it to the people. And they said “All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.” THAT IS THE COVENANT (agreement) they made.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 17
Yitro (Jethro)
It seems evident that Moses, presumably in order to give his FULL attention to the task the LORD had set him, had sent his wife and children back to Midian to be with Zipporah’s father, Jethro (earlier referred to as Reuel). News of the “exodus” had reached Jethro, so he accompanied Zipporah and her children to re-unite with Moses, after that battle with the Amalekites.
Jethro was a priest of Midian. A nomadic group, who had, many years earlier, bought Joseph from his brothers, and with whom Moses spent about 40 years. The last we hear of the Midianites is when Gideon drove them away (Judges 8:28). Interestingly, Midian was Abraham’s son, by Keturah, so there would have been a historic connection to the God of Abraham, and that comes out in Jethro’s actions. I speculate that his connection with Moses over a 40 year period would have strengthened that. In any event, the relationship was cordial and they shared fellowship in worshipping God together. Jethro also observed Moses as he dealt with his daily counsel of the people. A good lesson here. “The thing that you do is not good.” WHAT? Moses is giving himself wholeheartedly to the service of God isn’t he? But in who’s strength was he so doing? Here then is a word to the wise.
“Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws (Heb:Torah), and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.” Then Jethro told Moses he should “select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, … and let them judge the people at all times …” Moses time was to be spent in communion with God, but be available to these ‘elders’ for ‘grievous’ issues.
(Many churches today operate in a hierarchical business model, where a Pastor is the C.E.O. and the Elders, if there are any, are the Directors. That is the model Jethro is wisely counselling Moses to avoid. The model here is a multiplicity of teaching elders. Almighty God being the source of that teaching through His word. It was NOT hierarchical in structure)
“In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt.” The sages have identified this as being coincident with the “mo’ed” of “The feast of weeks”, the time of the giving of Torah to Moses. Let us be clear about “Torah”. It is a word which refers to “teaching or instruction”. At it’s root it also has connection with archery, “yarah”, as in “hitting the mark”. By contrast, the Hebrew word translated “sin” is “chata”, another archery word meaning “to miss the mark”. But the “Torah” is NOT God’s covenant. It is God’s INSTRUCTION for righteous living. So what IS that covenant?
The camp of the Israelites moved on, and came to a place before a mountain. Mount Sinai. From that mountain, God called to Moses with some instructions. “Say this to the people, you have seen that I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to Myself.” There was more. “IF you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant (which had not yet been made), then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for ALL the earth is Mine.” Moses called the elders (the teachers who had been appointed by him) and told them what had occurred. “Then all the people answered together and said ‘All that the LORD has spoken we will do’.” That was the covenant made by the elders of the people. A covenant is an AGREEMENT, and this one was conditional.
What followed was a spectacular demonstration of the very presence of God on that mountain. The people had prepared themselves as God had instructed Moses, they washed themselves and their clothing, CLEAN as they stood before the mountain of God’s appearing. And they watched as Moses was called into the very presence of God. Fire and smoke. A loud trumpet blast. Warn the people. Then God said “bring Aaron with you, but no-one else.”
You shall have NO other god’s before Me
You shall not make any carved image to bow down to them.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.
Honour your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not. Bear false witness against your neighbour.
You shall not covet your neighbour’s house, wife or possessions.
These are God’s INSTRUCTIONS. They are NOT suggestions. They form the basis of the civil, legal, and moral code of every modern Western civilisation. BUT even they are NOT the covenant. We will get to that next week! It would be rare to find anyone who does not recognise the ‘words’, often referred to as “The Ten Words”, which God spoke to Moses on that mountain. And most people would claim that they observe the generality of what is contained therein. But the fourth commandment is also almost universally ignored. The claim being that it has been substituted by another ‘day’. Friday for Muslims, Sunday for Christians. Friends there is no evidence in the Scriptures for the abrogation of ANY of those words which God spoke to Moses. It may provide an enlightening study to ponder why it is that this commandment of God, to ‘Remember’ here, and to “Observe” in Deuteronomy 5:12. is so lightly disregarded. Be blessed in your studies.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 16
Beshalach (Sent out)
So Pharaoh let the people go. Moses took the bones of Joseph with them as their forebears had promised they would. God directed the route they should go. The short route was along the coast, well north of the Red Sea. But that route involved possible conflict with the Philistines, which God said, might have been discouraging enough to cause the people to turn back. In continuation of His miraculous display of might and power, God caused a “pillar of cloud” to guide them by day, and a ”pillar of fire”, giving light, to guide them through the darkness. Eventually they came to a place where they rested, a place where they could see both the desert and the sea. Pi Hahiroth, on the eastern border of Egypt where the terrain was slightly elevated. Read the story. It gave them a good view of the advancing armies of the Pharaoh. At that sight, they had their first (of many) complaints against Moses. IN a most decisive statement of leadership and faith in God, faced, as they were, with overwhelming enemy force. Moses responded, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He WILL accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today (a very large force of armed men with chariots and horses), you shall see again no more FOREVER. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Just consider that.
Well, what followed is very well known by believers the world over. The “pillar of cloud” moved and stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians, so that the Egyptian armies could not see ahead. The “pillar of fire” went ahead of the Israelites giving light in the darkness. Then they came to the Red Sea. I do not need to add words to the text. God wrought another miracle. Summed up in the words “So the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea … Not so much as one of them remained.” (Exodus 14:27,28) And the result of that was “Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.” And that leaves a question for those who read the account of that miraculous event. What is MY view of the God who so miraculously saves His people in covenant keeping love? Selah!
Moses’ reaction? And that of his sister Miriam? “I will sing unto the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” If you know the song from the “Scripture in song” days of the 70’s and 80’s … sing it .. now! You will be in some pretty impressive company! We know that Moses wrote Psalm 90 and another song (Deuteronomy 32). But we also read in Revelation 15, that “seven angels, having the seven last plagues, for in them is the wrath of God is complete.” sing the “song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb.” How about that?
With the threat of the Egyptians gone, they set out across a desert. No water. Anywhere. Eventually they came to an oasis, there was water. Undrinkable. Another miracle of God. The LORD showed Moses a tree, which when cast into the water made in drinkable. Perhaps we should remind ourselves that we are looking at a LARGE group of people here, well over a million, maybe 2 million, plus their cattle. But God needed to get some commitment from the whole group, so He said “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” He then led them to a place, Elim, where there was plenty of water and some shade (but not much). “So they camped there.” At this point they were probably not much more than a couple of weeks into their travels. And they had no idea where they were going, or how long it would take. So when one is tempted to judge them harshly (and one is), try to remember their circumstances.
About a month into the journey the complaining started again. They recalled that they ate well when they were in Egypt (probably minimising some of the hardships). So the LORD told Moses how He would provide “bread from heaven” for the people, every day. Like food falling from heaven, appearing with the morning dew. And a double portion on the sixth day. This is the very first mention to the Israelites of the seventh day having something special about it! No food delivery. God was teaching His chosen people how to trust Him and learn about being special in His sight. The first steps of nationhood. Just one month after rescuing them from slavery in Egypt. “So the people rested on the seventh day.” (Exodus 16:30) And they still do, to this very day. So God instructed Moses to keep a”jar’”of that “bread” as a reminder in the future as to how they were sustained in the wilderness.
Two more miracles sustained them as they journeyed. As they moved along, the issue of water provision was a constant concern. In the first event, God told Moses to take some of the elders of the people as witnesses, and the staff which he had held over the waters of the Red Sea, then to strike a rock with it. Water in abundance gushed from the rock. Then later they were confronted by some hostile Amalekites. You know the story. Moses hands raised, the Israelites prevailed. Hands down, Amalekites prevailed. When the battle was won, Moses built an altar to the LORD. Jehovah Nissi. The LORD is my Banner. But that encounter also sealed the fate of the Amalekites for evermore. Perpetual conflict with the Children of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
TORAH REFLECTION
Torah Reflection 15
Bo (Come)
As I ‘reflect’ on these Scriptures, it “happens’ that today, as in many days prior to this, I am self isolating because of world health issues. And today is the first day of Passover 2020. How remarkable! All over the world, as I write, Jewish families, and christian families who see themselves ‘grafted in’ to the ‘natural olive tree’ Israel (Romans 11:17) are telling the story of this event in the Passover Seder (the telling).
“ Go into Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I might show these signs of Mine before him, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s sons the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and MY signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD.” And friends, that is what Passover is about. That the world may know that “I AM THE LORD.” So be it.
We ended our ‘reflection’ last week after SEVEN plagues. Before the last six, Pharaoh had agreed to let the people go, and six times he broke his word. So Moses and Aaron went again to Pharaoh, reporting the words of God, and said “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me .” Following that, and Pharaoh’s obstinance, the land was plagued twice more. First with locusts and then with darkness. Again, on each occasion, the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, were spared these plagues. Pharaoh’s reaction? “Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!” Moses’ reaction? “You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.” I am reminded as I write of the occasion when Noah’s family were safely on board the “floating box”. God closed the door. I am reminded of the description of Yeshua in the letter to the church at Philadelphia (Rev 3:7) “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no-one shuts and shuts and no-one opens.” The door on Pharaoh was firmly shut, BUT there was one more plague to come, a devastating plague, the death of the firstborn. And having conveyed this message to Pharaoh, Moses left “in great anger”. However, this plague, in God’s plan, affected everyone, no exceptions. Both Egyptians and Israelites included. BUT there was ‘an escape clause’.
When our covenant keeping God visited Moses and told him His plan (Genesis 3:21) He told him that they WOULD leave Egypt, and they would NOT leave empty handed. Now back to our text. God told Moses “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he WILL let you go.” But two important actions for those who would escape the plague. First, He said “Let every man ask from his (Egyptian) neighbour and every woman from her neighbour, articles of silver and articles of gold.” And they did. More about that in a future ‘reflection’.
The second instruction was given so that it would NEVER be forgotten. It is remembered and told every year to this very day. God told Moses “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.” It was to be a new beginning. So He instructed him to tell the people how they should prepare to avoid the plague. The instructions were quite precise. No misunderstanding. Everyone on the “same page”. It would be appropriate here to consider how these steps are replicated in the life of our Messiah Yeshua. Select a lamb without blemish (Yeshua rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9)) on the tenth day of the month, examine it carefully (He was examined by both Jewish and Roman authorities and found blameless) to ensure it is without blemish. Then at twilight on the fourteenth day kill (sacrifice) it, roast it, and eat it together in your family. (SO Yeshua became the embodiment of that lamb, and the conditions of salvation both then and now are the same for everyone.) As God continued his instructions, the blood of the sacrificed lamb was to be painted on the doorposts and lintels of each dwelling, as a sign that those within accepted the conditions the LORD had set. It was a sign of faith.
Now take careful note. We are often told that “An Angel of Death” passed through the land. That is NOT what the Bible says. “For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night.” (Exodus 12:12). “For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians.” (Exodus 12:23) This, my dear friends is the judgement of the LORD. It is not delegated to anyone. It will be the same as we stand before Him in the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation 20:11) I said earlier that there were no exceptions, Egyptian or Israelite, and I believe that because salvation is offered to ALL. But in order to receive that salvation, God needs to see the SIGN. It’s what you DO, not what you SAY.
Well, there is so much more in this portion of Scripture. One question often asked is “Are gentiles allowed to keep Passover?” Certainly it is a solemn duty of Jews to observe the festival and pass on to their offspring the mighty act of salvation wrought on that first Passover. Most gentiles (christians) don’t even know the date when Passover occurs these days. But some do. My understanding is that gentiles are NOT obligated to keep this festival. BUT, for those who claim to be “grafted in” to the natural olive tree, which is Israel, they may partake of the richness and fatness of that experience. (Romans 11:17). If you are not sure, go before the LORD with an open mind, and an open Bible, and ask Him. It is certain that this festival is an “appointed time” (mo’ed) of the LORD. A time when He has promised blessing to those who ‘turn up’. Because He certainly will.
Shabbat Shalom
RS