Can we do תפילות prayers for:
Mike Clayton and his ministry?
That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?
 | | February 3, 2011 |
| Joined To Hashem Newsletter |
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TEACHING THE HEBRAIC PERSPECTIVE OF FAITH IN AND OBEDIENCE TO THE ONE TRUE GOD
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| Streaming Video |
| Terumah
"Heave offering"
Exodus 25:1-27:19
1 Kings 5:26-6:13
*Archived teaching from 2010*
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| IT'S A BOY! |
| Yes, I am a grandfather! Hold the jokes please!!!
Congratulations to Krystle and Justin. Chase Yagi was born Tuesday afternoon. For all you ladies, he was 6 lb 10 oz and 19 inches long.
I will try to post a picture next week.
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| Itinerary |
| I will be speaking this Shabbat in Tulsa. Check the web site for details.
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| Torah Commentary |
| Terumah
"Heave offering"
Exodus 25:1-27:19
1 Kings 5:26-6:13
It Is All About Him
The Hebrews have gone through quite a few changes over the past months. One major change is the amount of riches they possess. Just days before they left Egypt they had been slaves and we all know that slaves are not known for having great possessions.
An interesting thing had happened just before they left Egypt. It was something they certainly had not expected and probably had tried to understand during their journey. Why did they now have all this "stuff" from the Egyptians? Gold, silver, fine linen and the like were now theirs. But why? There was not a single place out in the wilderness where they could sell or barter these items. So why were they carrying gold and silver through the desert?
The answer comes just as unexpectedly as the treasures had come, as Moses receives instructions to build a Tabernacle for YH VH to dwell in. It does make sense once we think about it. Everyone except Him has a tent in the camp. Since He is going to be traveling with them, is it not right for Him to have a tent also? But His is not to be just a normal tent. Considering that He is the one who brought them out of slavery, feeds them daily, and gives them unlimited water from a rock that is following them, is it not appropriate that He have the best tent in the camp? I vote yes.
There is one problem that has to be addressed though. Yah does not have any materials to build His tent with. Of course after all the miracles He has done over the past year or so, I am sure He could make a pretty good tent appear out of nowhere. But that would not bring forth His plans. His desire was to have the people involved in building His tent, as an earthly example of His Kingdom. That would not be a kingdom like they had known in Egypt, one where the king rules with hatred. Rather this would be a kingdom in which the King would rule with the love a groom shows toward his bride. He would allow the people to give of what He had already given to them. It would be a way of testing their hearts toward Him once again.
The Hebrews find themselves with a dilemma they had never known before. They now have possessions, but they are being asked to give a portion so that a tent can be built for this God they are now to serve. Many thoughts had to be going through their minds as they pondered this thought. "What if Moses is just trying to steal all our riches and use them for himself?" "Why does this God need a tent?" "Does not the whole plan seem a bit excessive in the first place?" "Why does that lamp thing need to be solid gold?" "Would not gold plating look just as good?" "Who appointed Him king anyway?" "Why does Moses get to say where all of this goes and how it is used?"
In the end the Hebrews would do the right thing and bring the offerings to Moses so that the Deliverer would have a tent to dwell in. The presence of YH VH dwelling in the midst of the Hebrews is what would truly make them different from all other peoples. The Tabernacle would be something that the Hebrews could look to for all ages and know they had built it together. Because everyone had done their part, the Tabernacle would be a witness forever to His glory in their midst.
In the Book of Acts we read of another Tabernacle. This one would not be built with hands or with natural materials, but rather be built as people of flesh and blood came together and made a dwelling place for YH VH to once again inhabit. The common denominator of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and the tabernacle called "Congregation" in Acts is that although the Tabernacle of Acts was a spiritual one, they both called for people to give of natural means. In Exodus, Moses took earthly riches and brought the people together to build a place for YH VH to dwell in. A close look at Acts shows no real difference in the outcome. As the people gave of their possessions, had everything in common and showed forth true love, His Presence came.
There is however a marked difference between the Tabernacle in Exodus and the one in Acts. In Exodus we read about the Tabernacle being finished. In Acts we see its foundation being laid. But from our perspective we can see that is still being built today within each person who comes to redemption in Messiah, Yeshua.
So the question arises, "Is our giving linked to His Presence in our midst?" The pattern certainly points to this being true. Giving was what built the Tabernacle of Exodus so His glory could dwell in their midst. Giving is also linked to His Presence in Acts. I just wonder if giving is somehow linked to His Presence in our midst today? I think I will just let you ponder that one on your own! p> Shabbat Shalom,
Mike
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