An Offering That Becomes Us
Shabbat Shalom Kol Yisrael. It is our pleasure to present this week's
Torah Parsha commentary by Nazarene Yisraelite Rabbi T. (Mordecai) Mitchell,
Rabbi and Rosh Zaken of B'nai Yeshurun Nazarene Yisraelite Synagogue,
Kittanning, Pa., and board member of the Union of Nazarene Yisraelite
Congregations. It is our sincere hope and prayer that these commentaries
encourage, inspire, and strengthen the body of Messiah in Kol Yisrael. Our
Parsha this week is T'rumah (Offerings) Shemoth
(Exodus) 25:1 27:19. Our Haftarah is Malakim
Aleph (First Kings) 5:26 6:13 Our suggested Brit Chadasha reading is: Ibrim
(Hebrews) 8: 1 6; 9:23 24; 10:1. Also please read Tehillim (Psalms) 61 and
100.
Shemoth 25:1,2 And YHWH spoke to Mosheh, saying, Speak to the
children of Yisrael, that they take up a contribution for Me. From everyone
whose heart moves him you shall take up My contribution.
Although T'rumah begins by speaking about literal
offerings, as with other Parashot it has many spiritual lessons for us as
well.
At the outset, we read what almost seems like a contradiction. Yahweh
tells Mosheh to tell B'nai Yisrael that they are to take up an offering or make
a contribution, but then says that the offering must be made cheerfully and
willingly.
We read a similar injunction in 2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each one give
as he purposes in his heart, not of grief or of necessity, for Elohim loves a
joyous giver.
True giving must come from the heart and can never be coerced. We must
also note the purpose of the giving. The contributions were to build something
for Yahweh. No individual profited from what was given. Sad to say that in some
religious circles today, a good portion of the offerings given go to support
lavish lifestyles of some religious leaders. Although the people who support
such ministries may give cheerfully and willingly, their offerings are
misappropriated. Conversely, if the giver offers his or her gift begrudgingly,
then such offering is tainted and carries great negativity. It is therefore
unacceptable to Yahweh.
I
would like us to consider the first object made with the offerings, the Ark of
the Covenant. We notice that it was made with acacia wood. According to
Wikipedia there are 1,300 species of acacia trees or shrubs world wide. In North
America the black locust tree is a relative species of acacia. Farmers know that
locust wood is the best choice for making fence posts. There was an old joke
circulating about locust wood fence posts when I was a youngster. How do you
know it's time to replace a locust post? When you set the post in the ground end
attach the fence wires, then set a stone on the post. When the stone erodes away
it's time to replace the post.
Well, an exaggerated bit of hyperbole for sure, but it illustrates the
point that locust wood, even when left exposed to the elements, is a very long
lasting wood.
Acacia trees are not, on casual observation, particularly outstanding
trees. In the Middle East an acacia tree might grow to a height of between 15
and 30 feet. Other tree species grow much taller and have considerably wider
trunks. However, acacia trees are known for their deep roots and aromatic wood.
The peculiar odor of the wood makes it immune to ravages of insects, but the
fragrant aroma of acacia flowers are said to be attractive to honey bees. Acacia
honey is a sought after delicacy.
We know that trees often symbolize men (we use the term 'men' in a
generic sense). In Mark 8, where Yahshua healed the blind man from the village
of Beyth-Tsaida (the House of Hunting) at first, the man about to be completely
healed, said in verse 24: ...I see men like trees, walking. It
is no mere coincidence that the symbol of our Two House Message is two
trees.
Suffice it to say that acacia wood, while not particularly towering, is
tough, resilient, yet pleasingly aromatic. I believe that this tree is symbolic
of how Almighty Yahweh wants us, as spiritual Israel, to be deep-rooted, able
to weather any storm, even long-term drought, and yet yielding a sweet nectar
from which to make honey.
So the acacia wood was cut, seasoned and shaped to make the Ark in which
was housed the Tablets of the Law. But despite its toughness even acacia wood is
subject to the ravages of time unless somehow preserved. Therefore, once the ark
was made Yahweh commanded that it be hermetically sealed with gold. Gold we can
understand as being symbolic of Divinity. But the gold plating was poured, if
you will, over all the surface of the Ark. No air or moisture could reach the
wood so encased. Moreover, any small flaws or differences in the wood layers
were forever hidden from view.
When the priests looked at the Ark from the outside, and again inspected
it inside, all was the same. This is what Yahweh expects of us to be the same
inside as we are outside. We can only come close to such a state when we have
the covering (gold) of Yahweh sealing us off from the world. Being the same
inside as well as out means consistency. It also means being honest with
ourselves and those around us. We cannot put on an act for the sake of
impressing others.
In 25:18 it was commanded to make representations of angels.
And you shall make two Kerubim of gold, make them of beaten work,
at the two ends of the lid of atonement.
The Kerubim were in no way idols. They were not made for worship.
Although their presence was common knowledge, the Ark they covered was in the
section of the Tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. Only the High priest could
view them, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement, Yom
Kippur.
According to Jewish mystical teachings the Kerubim are a class of angels
that are the guardians of paradise and also known as dimension travelers or
according to some, windows. Suffice it to say that Yahweh has ordained angels to
aid us in our daily lives, and more often than not, we are completely unaware of
their influence and rarely are we aware of their presence. However, although men
have conversed with angelic beings, we are never to pray to angels or worship
them in any way. The two Kerubim representations covering the Ark with
outstretched wings symbolize that a shield is necessary. When Mosheh went up the
mountain, he saw the ...hinder most parts, of Elohim, but did
not see Him directly, face to face. After this encounter, Moshe's' face radiated
The Light of Yahweh. He was the only person in the history of the world to have
seen such a manifestation and lived. None of us alive today could live through
such an experience. We are completely unworthy and the experience would
physically kill us. Therefore, the Kerubim serve to shield us from the full
effects of The Light, thus giving us all The Light we need and can stand, but
keeping us from the full effects. Angels are also our link between the upper and
lower realms, as symbolized in the book of Bereshith by Ya'aqob's vision of The
Ladder with angels traveling up and down.
Physical light was obtained from the lamp stand, or menorah. This
particular menorah had seven cups in which oil was poured and then lit to give
light. The light of the menorah is available for us today, but we must kindle
this light. We must take direct action to have the light.
Throughout T'rumah we read of walls and curtains. The
Tabernacle was first of all, shielded by a fence made of tahash
skins. This word is incorrectly translated in the KJV and perhaps other versions
as badger skins The badger is an unclean animal and would never have been used
in any part of the tabernacle. The Israelites would have never defiled
themselves with the dead carcase of an unclean animal. The correct translation
of this word is antelope. Antelope are Scripturally clean animals. Suffice it
to say that the various curtains and walls describe in the Parsha represent
clear cut boundary lines. In our daily lives we often encounter so-called gray
areas. But in the worship of Yahweh there are no gray areas. All is clearly
defined. We must know and respect the boundaries set for us.
This is the main reason that we have decided that no unconverted person
will partake of the Passover Seder this year. All people of good will are
welcome to the first High Day of Chag HaMatzah (Feast of Unleavened Bread) but
only Torah observant believers who have made a public confession of committing
their lives to Yahshua and living the lifestyle of the redeemed (Torah
observance) may partake of the Pesach Seder. And speaking of Passover, we will
observe the Pesach Seder on the evening of April 8 and the first High Day on
April 9. The last High Day will be April 15. Any person of goodwill is welcome
to attend High Day services. Any believer may ask for information regarding the
Seder. We are located in central western Pennsylvania, Kittanning, Armstrong
County. For additional information please e-mail: yoel@wiindstream.net or write: B'nai Yeshurun Synagogue, c/o Mitchell's, 210
Garretts Run Road, Kittanning, PA 16201.
At this writing we are a little more than five weeks away from Pesach.
Let us make full use of the time available to prepare ourselves spiritually that
we may partake of Yahweh's Passover in a worthy manner. Let us ask Yahweh to
cover and seal us, as He covered and sealed the Ark and let us ask Him to give
us the character of the acacia wood tough and able to withstand the ravages of
the world, yet offering a pleasing fragrance to Him and to those around
us.
May almighty Abba Yahweh bless us all with His Ahavah and Shalom, b'Shem
Yahshua Meshikaynu as we seek to serve Him and learn more of His
ways.
Please don't forget our Pal Talk Bible studies at 8 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time Erev Shabbat (Friday evening) and again at 1 p.m. EST Shabbat Day.
After tuning in to Pal Talk, click on Religion and
Spirituality then click on Christianity. Our room is Bnai
Yeshurun.
(archive
rss
,
atom
)
E-Letter with teachings from the leaders of the UONYC.
Subscribe to UONYC Teaching Letter:
Powered by Dada Mail 2.9.2
Copyright © 1999-2005, Simoni Creative.