Share The Light
and REMEMBER!
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 Tetzaveh (and you shall command) Shemoth
(Exodus) 27:20 30:10. Our Haftarah is
Yechezk'el (Ezekiel) 43: 10 27. Our suggested Brit Chadasha reading is:
Philippians 4: 10 20. Also please read Tehillim (Psalms) 4, 51, and
145.
Shemoth 27:20 And you, you are to command the children of Yisrael
to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to
burn continually.
In last week's Parsha, Terumah, Yahweh asked an offering of
the Israelites who were of a willing heart. The offering, of course, was to
build the physical tabernacle. However, in Tetzaveh, a specific
offering of oil is commanded, not asked. This offering was not to build anything
per se, but rather the oil was used to burn in the tabernacle menorah(s) for
light.
While most of the tabernacle items could be touched or handled, the light
of the burning oil could not (neither of course could the Ark or any object
behind the veil). The light in this case was a hot burning flame. There are an
abundance of Scriptures concerning light and its many functions and
representations. For sake of time, we'll examine only a few. However, I would
encourage our readers to do a full and complete study of light on their own in
order to gain a deeper understanding of this subject.
In Bereshith 1:3, light was the first of Yahweh's creation. This light,
which we may call His Shekinah glory, not only caused a division
between light and darkness, but illuminated the world before the creation of the
sun, moon and stars.
Earlier, in Shemoth 10:23 we read that Israel ...had light in all
their dwellings... while the Egyptians lived in total darkness for
several days. Like the account in Bereshith 1:3, this light was not a natural
phenomena. It was a supernatural light, for it was present only in the homes of
the Israelites and nowhere else.
As we approach Purim, we should be reminded of Esther 8:16 For the
Yehudim there was light and gladness and joy and value. (The KJV
translates 'value' as 'gladness') Notice how Light is tied
in with Joy, one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians
5, and also with value or gladness. We
refer to this verse weekly in the Havdalah service to close the Sabbath.
Not so coincidentally, this Shabbat, the Shabbat before Purim, is known
as Shabbat Zachar the Sabbath of Remembrance. In reading and
reviewing each weekly Parsha, we remember the events of thousands of years
past that have a direct and profound effect on the lives of believers today, and
the invaluable lessons and considerations each Parsha has for us.
Let us continue with several more Scriptures concerning Light
We read in Tehillim (Psalm) 27:1 that Yahweh Himself is Light: YHWH
is my light and my deliverance (salvation). Note how Light is equated
with deliverance or salvation.
In Tehillim 43:3, Light is equated with truth: Send forth Your
light and your truth! Let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your set-apart
mountain, and to Your dwelling places.
In this Psalm, the author asks to be led by the Light, just as Israel was
led by a pillar of smoke fire that gave light by night, as they fled Egypt. To
be led by The Light, into joy and truth and salvation and to the true worship of
Yahweh should also be our prayer.
Light also represents Torah, Mishle 6:23 For the command is a lamp,
and the Torah a light.
This same light shows us the way in which we are to walk (halakah).
Tehillim 119:105 Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my
path.
And 119:130 The opening up of Your words gives light.
The Light that Israel was given, however, and all the blessings it
brought to them, was not meant to be hidden away or kept to themselves. It was
meant to share.
YeshaYahu 42:6 I. YHWH, have called you in righteousness, and I
take hold hold of your hand and guard you for a covenant for a people, for a
light to the gentiles.
The message of YeshaYahu is the very message brought to a later
generation, and by extension to us today, by Yahshua our Messiah. MattithYahu
5:14 You are the light of the world. It is impossible for a city to be
hidden on a mountain. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under
a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines to all those in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works
and praise your Father who is in the heavens.
In Yohanan (John) 1: 4 9 we also read that Yahshua is The Light and the
light of men. In verse 5 we have a Remez, a direct reference to Bereshith 1, The
Light that shined to dispel darkness, the Shekinah Glory, is the same
Light of the World that gives His Light to men..
We must consider that the light of the menorah that illuminated the
inside of the Tabernacle came by the direct command of Almighty Yahweh Himself,
but through the efforts of men. We must make an effort, take positive concrete
action, to bring light into the world, as Yahweh intends that we
should.
We may also not the the light came from oil. This oil was pressed from
olives. Only the first few drops of oil from olives is considered pure enough to
be consecrated or dedicated for oil with which to light the menorah. When we
work to bring forth Yahweh's Light, we become partners with Him in His plan of
salvation.
There is yet one additional consideration of this oil that was used to
give light. In Shir haShirim (Song of
Solomon) 1:3 we read: For fragrance your oils are good.
Your Name is as oil poured forth, therefore
the maidens love you.
Since oil is equated with the Name of Yahweh, and since oil is used to
give light, we must assume that whatever we do must be done in the name of
Yahweh. This includes our praise, worship and witness. Today we have a number of
believers who proclaim to be Torah observant and believers in Messiah Yahshua,
yet who either downplay the importance of using Yahweh's revealed personal Name,
or who refuse to use it altogether. I believe such folks can be compared to the
foolish virgins of MattithYahu 25:1 12. As we know from this account, the
foolish virgins took their lamps but took no oil. Consequently, when the
Bridegroom came quite unexpectedly, their lamps gave no light and they were
barred from the wedding feast.
Through this all we can see a lesson of preparedness. The ancient
Israelites had to prepare to light the menorah by taking action to make adequate
preparation gathering the olives, crushing them to extract the oil, and
consecrating and dedicating the oil for its intended use. In the Purim account
in Esther, we also see preparation. Esther asks her uncle Mordecai and all the
Jews to fast for her as she prepares to reveal her true identity to the king,
and to expose the evil plans of Haman. Her banquets were also preparations for
the ultimate revelation of her identity. As we near the Passover season, we too
must make adequate and proper preparation to partake of the Seder and present
ourselves to Almighty Yahweh.
On this Shabbat, Shabbat Zachar, let us remember the great miracles and
deliverance that Yahweh has bestowed on His people. Let us seek The Light, the
True Light, Yahshua our Messiah, and in turn take that light to ourselves for
the purpose of sharing The Light with those who are in darkness.
Please join 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. Once
signed into Pal Talk go to Religion and Spirituality, then click
on Christianity and our room is Bnai Yeshurun.
We will commemorate the minor festival of Purim
beginning Sunday evening, Feb 28. Yahweh willing, we will deliver a Purim study
on Pal Talk this Erev Shabbat (Friday evening).
Also, please keep in mind that we will
commemorate Yahweh's Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread this April in
central western Pennsylvania. Our Passover Seder this year will be held on the
evening of March 29, with March 30 being a High Day. Please contact us by e-mail
for details. E-mail: yoel@windstream.net
May Almighty Yahweh bless us all as we
seek The Light of His truth. Have a most blessed Shabbat Zachar and a joyful
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