SHEMOTH (EXODUS) 35:1-38:20 – WAYYAQHEL – AND HE ASSEMBLES

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The name of this week’s Torah portion is וַיַּקְהֵל – vayyaqhel which means, ‘And he assembled’ and the root word that is used here, in verse 1, for ‘assembled’ is קָהַל qahal – Strong’s H6950 and means ‘to gather as an assembly or congregation’ and so, this is a word that we typically hear when speaking of an assembly or a group of people who gather for the Shabbat and Feast days of יהוה, known as the ‘qahal’.

One of the reactions that tends to happen, when reading this Torah portion, is that some may say, “Haven’t we read this already?” And what certainly does sound like a repetition, of what has been read in the past 2 Torah portions, is in fact more than just a repetition.

This is not simply a re-run of what has been instructed – but rather, this is now the ‘real deal’, so to speak, where now, the ‘drawing’ becomes a reality, or rather, the instructions get done.

It is no longer just about what יהוה says but rather it is a case of: now that we have heard we must guard to do!

Another thing we should note, is that it is through repetition that we establish to memory, that which we are to do. When we meditate on the Word, which is to continually think upon and fill our minds with the Word, then it helps establish our memory and equips us to function properly!

So, as we go through this Torah portion, we find a great lesson of how the Words of instruction are now put into practice, and this teaches us that we cannot simply just be hearing and hearing and hearing, without the actual doing of what we hear – hearing must translate into doing – for that is a working faith and not a dead one!!!.

CHAPTER 35

Mosheh assembles the people:

After having seen how the face of Mosheh had shone, and how the people were unable to look upon his face, what we now clearly know, is that the people recognised the authority of Mosheh, which was certainly now firmly established.

Mosheh then calls them all together, to once again go over the commands that יהוה had given them to do..

The Greek word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak – O.T.) for ‘assembled’ is συναθροίζω sunathroizō – Strong’s G4867 which means, ‘to gather together, gathered together’ and comes from the two words:

1) σύν sun – Strong’s G4862 which is a primary preposition meaning, ‘with, together with (expresses association with), accompany, companion’, and

2) ἀθροίζω athroizō – Strong’s G120a which means, ‘to hoard, gather together’..

The Greek word that is used in the LXX for ‘congregation’ is συναγωγή sunagōgē – Strong’s G4864 which means, ‘a bringing together, an assembling’ and comes from the verb συνάγω sunagō – Strong’s G4863 meaning, ‘to gather, assemble, be assembled, come together’, which is derived from two words:

1) σύν sun – Strong’s G4862 which is a primary preposition meaning, ‘with, together with (expresses association with), accompany, companion’; and

2) ἄγω agō – Strong’s G71 which is a primary verb that means, ‘to lead, bring, carry’..

Another Greek equivalent of this word, that speaks of the gathering of a people together for service, is ἐκκλησία ekklēsia – Strong’s G1577 which means, ‘assembly or congregation’ and is made up from the two words:

1) ἐκ ek Strong’s G1537 which means, ‘from, from out of, belonging’ and

2) καλέω kaleō Strong’s G2564 which means, ‘call, to call, called out, invited, summoned’..

So, from this we see the reference to a ‘called out, invited people’, a people summoned by His Name, by Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light!

So, when speaking of קָהַל qahal – Strong’s H6950 or ἐκκλησία ekklēsia – Strong’s G1577, in a Scriptural context, we are speaking of the Bride/Body of Messiah – a called out chosen people – Yisra’ĕl – to which we have been grafted into. by the Blood of Messiah!.

Neither קָהַל qahal – Strong’s H6950 or ἐκκλησία ekklēsia – Strong’s G1577 means a building..

The purpose for me sharing this, is simply to emphasise what is being called for in Scripture, with regards to the necessity of our being obedient in gathering/assembling as a group or body of believers at the Appointed Times of our Maker and how we are to be urgent in our encouraging each other, as well as others, to do so… as we see the Day of יהוה coming near!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our expectation without yielding, for He who promised is trustworthy. 24 And let us be concerned for one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as you see the Day coming near.”.

As we consider the root word קָהַל qahal – Strong’s H6950 in the ancient pictographic form, we are able to see the clear call to be a people that gather unto our Master, as this root word is pictured as follows:.

Quph – קָ:

This is the letter ‘quph’, which is pictured as , and is a ‘horizon’ and depicts the elements of ‘time’, as it pictures the sun in its rising and setting. It therefore carries the meaning of ‘circle’ or ‘to go around’, representing for us both, appointed cycles or times as well as eternity and speaks of continual adherence to the Appointed Times and can renderteh understanding of ‘gather, gathering’..

Hey – הַ:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The Hebrew word letter “hey” means “behold, breath, sigh”, as when looking at a great sight, and can also give the understanding of ‘reveal or revelation’; from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!.

Lamed – ל:

The ancient script has this letter as , and is pictured as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority. This represents our Good Shepherd and His authority which yokes us..

As we consider these pictographs, in terms of gathering, it is pretty clear that these pictures help us recognise how we are to continually gather to the Shepherd who we praise and submit our lives too..

GATHERING TO PRAISE THE SHEPHERD

GATHERING THE PEOPLE TO THE SHEPHERD.

This gathering to the shepherd, is done in accordance to His rule and authority of His Word, which leads us and guides us!.

So where does the term ‘church’ come from?

William Tyndale (1492 – 1536) was known for his translation of the Scriptures into English.

Tyndale’s ‘illegal’ translation was the first of the new English Scriptures of the Reformation, and the first to draw directly from Hebrew and Greek texts, and the first to take advantage of the new medium of the print, which allowed for wide distribution.

The 54 scholars who created the KJV in 1611 drew much of their work from Tyndale’s translation and it is estimated that, of the original KJV, as much as 83% of the ‘N.T’ (Second Writings) and 76% O.T. (Tanak) is of Tyndale’s work. Tyndale, in his translation, uniformly translated ekklēsia as “congregation” and only used the word “churches”, to translate Ma’asei/Acts 19:37 for the heathen temples in Ephesos!.

The Following is taken from “Come out of Her My People” by C.J. Koster:

Whence the word “church”, then?

Ecclesiastical sources give the origin askuriakon or kyriakon in Greek.

However, to accept this one has to stretch your imagination in an attempt to see any resemblance.

Also, because kuriakon means a building (the house of Kurios=Lord), and not a gathering or meeting of people, as the words ekklēsia and qahal imply, therefore this explanation can only be regarded as distorted, even if it is true.

Our common dictionaries, however, are honest in revealing to us the true origin.

They all trace the word back to its Old English or Anglo-Saxon root, namely circe.

And the origin of circe?

Any encyclopaedia, or dictionary of mythology, will reveal who Circe was.

She was the goddess-daughter of Helios, the Sun-deity! Again, another form of Sun-worship, this time the daughter of the Sun-deity, had become mixed with the Messianic Faith.

Some interesting facts emerge from the study of the word circe.

The word is related to “circus”, “circle”, “circuit”, “Circean”, “circulate”, and the various words starting with “circum-“. The Latin pronunciation could have been “sirke” or “sirse”.

The Old English word circe may have been pronounced similarly to “kirke”, or even “sirse”.

However, Circe was in fact originally a Greek goddess where her name was written as: Kirke, and pronounced as such—just as in numerous similar cases of words of Greek origin, e.g. cyst and kustis, cycle and kuklos, cylinder and kulindros.

The word “church” is known in Scotland as kirk, and in German as Kirche and in Netherlands as kerk. These words show their direct derivation from the Greek Kirke even better than the English “church”. However, even the Old English circe for “church”, reveals its origin.

Let us rather use the Scriptural “Assembly” or “Congregation”, and renounce the word that is derived from Circe, the daughter of the Sun-deity!

The word “church” which comes via the old forms chirche and cirice from the Greek phrase kuriakê oikia, “lord’s house”, and points to the house of the lord Mithras the “sun-god”, and the religious organisation which the Roman emperor Constantine founded and which then caused people to bow down to Mithras, masquerading Mithras-worship as “Christianity”.

In the phrase kuriakê oikia, the word oikia meant “house”; the part kuriakê meant “of the lord”, and then, the lord (kurios) who is connected to the Catholic phrase kuriakê oikia which is the origin of the word “church”, is not יהושע but the lord Mithras. Likewise, the house (oikia) connected to that phrase is not a house of the true Elohim but the house of the lord Mithras the sun-god, Sol Mithras Deus Invictus..

Back to Shemoth 35 –

The point I want to make here, is that we are a called-out people, chosen and set-apart unto the Master יהושע and when we see here that Mosheh ‘assembled’ the people – we must realise that this is nowhere near the picture of a church meeting or reference to the Church!

What is a powerful reality here, is ‘how’ יהוה assembles or gathers His people together: and the wonderful answer we can get from this account is that: Mosheh assembled!

Mosheh, as a picture for us in Scripture of the Torah is what calls us together as a body:

Ma’asei/Acts 15:21 “For from ancient generations Mosheh has, in every city, those proclaiming him – being read in the congregations every Sabbath.”

Every Sabbath we assemble, as commanded in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23, as a set-apart gathering and Mosheh (Torah) is read and this is how we begin to learn and grow in the instructions of יהוה and hear His commands that we may guard to do them!

We – the body/assembly – assemble/gather together to hear the Torah and that which יהוה has commanded us to do.

The fact is clear – when you refuse to gather and assemble together and hear that which you as a believer are commanded to do then you will not be equipped to serve faithfully in His Tabernacle/Body!.

Verse 2 – The Sabbath

The very first matter that Mosheh discusses with the assembly, is that for 6 days work is to be done but on the seventh day the Sabbath must be kept, which brings order to the world and proper focus to our unity, for this is when we gather together and where we begin to learn how we are to be building the Tabernacle of יהוה.

Anyone who claims to be building the Kingdom of Elohim, yet does not remember to keep Sabbath, is only deceiving himself and others to whom he is falsely proclaiming!.

While this may sound repetitive, especially as we discussed the importance of Sabbath in the last Torah portion, we take note that repetition of the commands highlights our need to be learning and grasping the understanding of how important the Sabbath is.

The emphasis here, is the necessity of placing Sabbath as the key for unlocking the ability to understanding the commands of Elohim, as well as it becoming our sign/mark of worship as a people belonging to יהוה.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 58:13-14 “If you do turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My set-apart day, and shall call the Sabbath ‘a delight,’ the set-apart day of יהוה ‘esteemed,’ and shall esteem it, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, 14 then you shall delight yourself in יהוה. And I shall cause you to ride on the heights of the earth, and feed you with the inheritance of Yaʽaqoḇ your father. For the mouth of יהוה has spoken!”.

The Hebrew root word that is used in Shemoth/Exodus 35:2 for ‘work’ is מְלָאכָה melaḵah – Strong’s H4399 which means, ‘occupation, work, business, craftsmanship’ and comes from the same word as מַלְאָךְ malaḵ – Strong’s H4397 meaning, ‘a messenger, ambassador, envoy’..

The Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘done’ is עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 meaning, ‘to do, work, make, produce, ta act with effect, to observe, to bring about, institute’ and can also mean, ‘celebrate’..

The emphasis on how important the proper keeping of Sabbath is made clear, as we take note that the command comes with a devastating consequence for those who choose to neglect to guard the command to keep the Sabbath.

Anyone doing work one the Sabbath is put to death.

The Hebrew word translated as ‘death’ comes from the root verb מוּת muth – Strong’s H4191 which means, ‘to die, bring about my death, put to death’.

We have been delivered from death, in order to walk in the light of life and the way we continue to work out our deliverance with fear and trembling is to guard the Sabbath day and do no occupational work on it!.

It is very clear – DO NO WORK ON THE SABBATH – that is that you do not do your normal ‘occupation’ or trade, nor do anything in regards to your daily business and work-related dealings that you would be involved in during the rest of the week!.

The emphasis is on the ‘doing’ and on the 7^th day you must not be found ‘doing’ your weekly work!

What is also very clear is how we are not only to be doing our day to day work on the other 6 days of the week, but in regards to us being ambassadors, we are also to be about sowing seed in proclaiming the Besorah (Good News) wherever we find ourselves working during the first 6 days of the week.

On the seventh day we cease from that as we come together as a Bride to be immersed in the presence of our King and be refreshed in His Word that gives us life, enabling and equipping us with the seed that we are to go and sow during the week!.

The 7^th day is to be set-apart to us!

The Hebrew root word that is used for ‘set-apart’ is the noun קֹדֶשׁ qoḏesh – Strong’s H6944 which means ‘apartness/ consecrated/ dedicated/ that which is dedicated and separated unto יהוה’, comes from the primitive root verb קָדַשׁ qaḏash – Strong’s H6942 and means ‘to be set-apart, consecrated, purified, dedicated’..

In the ancient pictographic letter/symbols, these Hebrew words, for set-apart, look as follows:.

Quph – קֹ:

Dalet – דֶ:

This is the letter ‘dalet’ which is pictured as , which is a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of a back and forth movement, as one goes back and forth through a tent door and so speaks of an access point. It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or hanging as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent. It speaks a great deal in terms of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access. And we also know that Messiah is ‘The Door’, for we only are able to have access into the Kingdom through Him!

The commands are also to be written on the doorposts teaching us to remember to guard the commands of Elohim as we go out and come in, so that our going out and coming is in peace!.

Shin – שׁ:

This is the letter ‘shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as, , which is ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’; which is what the teeth do, and also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth as the teeth ‘chew’ or ‘meditate’ on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food..

Looking at the rendering of the Hebrew noun קֹדֶשׁ qoḏesh – Strong’s H6944 and verb קָדַשׁ qaḏash – Strong’s H6942 in the pictographic form that renders set-apartness or to be set-apart, we are able to see what this clearly implies as we take note that these words can render for us the following meaning:.

CONTINUALLY COMING TO THE DOOR OF APPOINTMENT

TO MEDITATE ON THE WORD!.

Our ability to be properly set-apart involves our ability to properly meditate on the Word on a daily basis as well as making sure that we do not neglect the set-apart Appointed Times that are clearly commanded as ‘set-apart gatherings’, which are All the Appointed Times of יהוה, as outlined and instructed in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23, which includes the weekly Sabbath!.

The proper observance of setting apart the 7^th day, the Sabbath, is what sets us apart and causes us to learn how we are to live completely set-apart lives, as we give ear to hear the Torah of Elohim!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 4:9 “So there remains a Sabbath-keeping for the people of Elohim.”

The Greek Word for Sabbath-keeping is σαββατισμός sabbatismos – Strong’s G4520 and clearly refers to a keeping of the Sabbath as it means ‘Sabbath rest, a keeping of the Sabbath’, and at the time of this letter, there was certainly no doubt that the Sabbath was, and always will be, the day of rest, and it is the 7^th day, not any other!.

In the account given to us in Berěshith/Genesis 2 on creation we do not see the specific word שַׁבָּת shabbâth –Strong’s H7676 being used, however we do see the root from which the word is derived in chapter 2:2-3:

Berěshith/Genesis 2:2-3 “And on the seventh day Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And Elohim blessed the seventh day and set it apart, because on it He rested from all His work which Elohim in creating had made.”

The Hebrew word used here for ‘seventh’ is שְּׁבִיעִי shâḇiy`iy – Strong’s H7637 which simply means ‘seventh’.

What seventh?

The word for ‘day’, in Hebrew, is yôm – Strong’s H3117.

Elohim completed His work on the 7^th day and then rested on it the Hebrew word for ‘rested’ used here in verse 3 is שָׁבַת shâḇath – Strong’s H7673) meaning ‘rest’ – that is to desist from exertion – or to desist from the normal day to day workings..

The difference between שַׁבָּת shabbâth –Strong’s H7676 and שְּׁבִיעִי shâḇiy`iy – Strong’s H7637 is that שַׁבָּת shabbâth –Strong’s H7676 is the intensive form coming from שְּׁבִיעִי shâḇiy`iy – Strong’s H7637 which means ‘to rest or observe’, and the intensive form of שַׁבָּת shabbâth –Strong’s H7676 refers specifically to ‘the’ Sabbath as in ‘the’ 7^th day of the week..

It was on this very day – the 7^th day of the week that Elohim set-apart one day from the others and very specifically He blessed this 7^th day to be a day of rest in Him.

This has greater implications for us as we understand how the creation week itself gives us great insight in His redemptive plan and appointed times and so to misunderstand or incorrectly recognise the 7^th day as a clear marker for us could be detrimental to us knowing Him and walking fully in Him.

As we can see from Scripture, Elohim blessed and set apart the 7^th day, not the 1^st or 2^nd or 3^rd etc. – He blessed the 7^th day and set it (7^th day) apart from the rest..

The importance of Sabbath:

Why is the Sabbath so important you may ask and does it really matter which day is the Sabbath?

Well, to answer that bluntly – yes it does matter – it matters a great deal and it is of vital importance for us and that is what I want us to look at – the Truth and validity of the importance of the Sabbath.

We have seen that יהוה had set the Sabbath apart already in the Creation week and this stands firm forever as we, each week, get to ‘rehearse’ by remembering to ‘keep’ His Sabbath as it foreshadows our reign with Him.

But just how important is the Sabbath? What is the significance of us getting it right?.

For many it seemingly does not matter which day is the Sabbath as they erroneously regard ‘every day’ as a Sabbath, but is that what Scripture says? No – Scripture is clear that it is the 7^th day, not the 1^st or 2^nd or 3^rd or any other day but the 7^th! In the hearing of the Ten Words, commonly known today as the Ten Commandments, it is clear that the Sabbath is set-apart from the rest of the week and the direct command is to remember it and to set it apart.

Set the whole day apart not just some of it but the whole day as in a whole 24-hour period or rather from sunset to sunset!

Look at the following verses from the account of the hearing of the 10 Words:

Shemoth/Exodus 20:8-11 “Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart. 9 Six days you labour, and shall do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath of יהוה your Elohim. You do not do any work – you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days יהוה made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore יהוה blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart.”.

As you will notice that in terms of the Ten Words, commonly known to us as the ‘Ten Commandments’ – this 4^th commandment regarding the Sabbath is the longest of the 10. Longest of the 10 spoken to an entire nation!

In the original King James translation into English this command contained 97 words – and that in itself ought to tell us the significance of this day! This was and always is to be a day of rest and a day set-apart unto Elohim.

No work is to be done on this day – no work for you, or your servants or your animals or for any ‘stranger’ or ‘foreigner’ within your gates.

This is a day of rest form your weekly labour – that is that which earns you your wages and keep!.

This is a day set-apart for us to ‘rest’ in Him, יהוה our Elohim and as we see from Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:2-3 in speaking of His Appointed Times and set-apart gatherings, we see clearly the first of these is in fact the weekly Sabbath:

“Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘The appointed times of יהוה, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are these: 3 ‘Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to יהוה in all your dwellings.”.

Sabbath is a day of rest from your daily work, but that does not mean you hide out and sleep it away – no – it is to be proclaimed as a set-apart gathering.

That means we, as the body of Messiah, are to have a set-apart gathering unto יהוה in all our dwellings.

Where two or three are ‘gathered’ there He is in the midst of them!

This is a day when we get to spend intimate quality time with our Maker and as His Bride, we get to engage in fellowship together as a Bride who is preparing herself with her betrothed Husband..

The point is that the Sabbath will always be the Sabbath and will never change and so we had better get in line with the Creator’s reckoning of time or else…!.

When looking at the word שַׁבָּת Sabbath – Strong’s H7676 in the ancient pictographic text we recognise the importance of our proper observance of His Sabbaths as we see the following being rendering in the pictographic letters:.

Shin – שַׁ:

Beyt – בָּ:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself..

Taw – ת

The ancient script has this letter as which is pictured as two crossed sticks, and can represent for us ‘seal, covenant, mark or sign’; as this once again points to the complete work of Messiah in the renewal of the Covenant in His Blood that brings the two Houses of Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah together in Him, as One, for He is not only the ‘aleph’, but is also the ‘taw’ – the beginning and the end of all creation!.

As we consider these pictographs, we can see from the rendering of the word שַׁבָּת Sabbath – Strong’s H7676 in the ancient pictographic lettering, the following:.

THE WORD OF THE HOUSE IS SEALED.

Verse 3 – Do not kindle a fire on the Sabbath

Here, this was a literal command – if you remember, Aharon started a fire to make a golden calf, which brought a whole lot of trouble!

And the emphasis on resting on the Sabbath, is stressed further, as much of the work done for the Tabernacle would require the use of fire and so, we see that this command continues to make clear that no regular work is to be done on the Sabbath – not even the building of the Tabernacle!

There were men who would have been assigned to gather and prepare the wood and start the fires and they too should rest..

The Hebrew word translated as ‘kindle’ is the root word בָּעַר ba‘ar – Strong’s H1197 meaning, ‘to burn, consume, kindle, destroy’.

When mentioning that no fires are to be made in all dwellings, the same thinking applies here when coming to the Sabbath.

By the time we get to the Sabbath, our work must be complete – Sabbath is not the time to start running around and preparing, as it should have all been done and if you have been slacking in your preparation then you go without!

Get your work done so that you can relax in what you already have..

When looking at Ya’aqoḇ/James 3, where he tells us that the tongue is a fire, we can also take from this, a figurative meaning as well, especially in light of the verse quoted above from Yeshayahu/Isaiah 58, which says that we should not be speaking our own words on the Sabbath!

We would do well to watch what we say and how we say it!

The Sabbath is not a day to be debating over one’s own ideas and thoughts, that are in no way related to the Word, for in doing so, the danger of opening up the chances of verbal battles on the Sabbath becomes a possibility.

Ya’aqoḇ/James 3:5-8 “So too the tongue is a little member, yet boasts greatly. See how a little fire kindles a great forest! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. Among our members the tongue is set, the one defiling the entire body, and setting on fire the wheel of life, and it is set on fire by Gehenna. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man is able to tame the tongue. It is unruly, evil, filled with deadly poison.”

What this is implying here, is not that we do not speak, but rather that we do not allow our discussion to go off into matters regarding our weekly activities or work that can or may lead to strife and contentions breaking out.

In other words, the Sabbath is not a time to be discussing business or even strategies for growth; and it is certainly not a time to be speaking negative words or accusative words against others..

The Sabbath is the set-apart day of יהוה, where we delight in Him and focus our thoughts and attentions purely on Him, without getting distracted into thinking of what we will do tomorrow or the next week but delight in embracing His Word and Torah for our lives.

So, practically speaking, we are to guard ourselves from engaging in topics of discussion that may involve our tendency to think about what needs to be done outside of Shabbat and in the process neglect the pure matters of delighting in His Word that refreshes us and equips us to build His Kingdom!.

The Greek word for ‘kindle’ in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak) is καίω kaiō – Strong’s G2545 which means, ‘burn, kindle, light’, and we see this word being used in:

Luqas/Luke 12:35-36 “Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, 36 and be like men waiting for their master, when he shall return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they open to him immediately.”

When we see this clear instruction to have our lamps continually burning, I see another aspect of this command to not kindle a fire on Shabbat; and that is that we are to be a people who are continually keeping our lamps burning, day and night!

Many people go about their daily business each and every day, and do not shine the light of the truth as their loins are not girded about with truth, yet when it comes to Shabbat they quickly light the fire of a so called urgent faith that appears to be obedient, yet the fruit of their lives during the other 6 days proves otherwise..

The Sabbath is not a time to come and put on a show and act like you have been walking in the Torah, by quickly lighting the fire of all the right words and worship that would make one look ‘spiritual’.

Our lamps are to be burning continually, and it is on the Sabbath that we get to bring our lamps collectively together and let the light of His truth bring further encouragement and refreshment to us as a people girded about with His Truth!.

Verse 4 – And Mosheh spoke

Again, we see another verse that simply solidifies how important the Torah of יהוה is, for it is through the Torah that we receive the commands of Elohim, and if we are not giving our ear to the hearing of the Torah, we simply cannot know His clear instructions as well as the realisation that even our prayers are abominable before Him:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 28:9 “He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, Even his prayer is an abomination.”

Once again – when is the Torah ‘heard’ in the assembly? Every Sabbath!!!.

That which יהוה has commanded – Commanded does not mean suggested or requested but commanded!!!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘commanded’ comes from the root word צָוָה tsavah – Strong’s H6680 which means, ‘to lay charge upon, give charge to, command, order, appoint, give command’ and it is very clear that what was being instructed were not something to be considered as a great suggestion but were to be carefully heeded lest they forget what they hear and find themselves on the wrong side of Elohim!

Today, there are far too many people who claim that they are believers, yet they lay aside the commands of Elohim, as if they are not important or necessary and this sadly reveals their lack of a proper love for the Truth and the Truth Giver!

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:3 “For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy.”

The Greek word used for ‘commands’ is ἐντολή entolē – Strong’s G1785 which means, ‘an injunction, order, command, commandment’, and speaks of ‘a prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done’, and is ethically used in Greek to relate to the commands of Elohim as given in the Torah.

This word is used 187 times in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak – O.T.), and is used to translate the Hebrew words מִצְוָה mitzvah – Strong’s H4687 which means, ‘commandment, command, obligation, precept’, פִּקּוּד piqquḏ – Strong’s H6490 which means, ‘precepts, commandments, statutes, regulations’, and חֻקָּה ḥuqqah – Strong’s H2708 which means, ‘ordinances, custom, manner, something prescribed, an enactment, statute, fixed order’, which simply reaffirms for us the clear truth given here by Yoḥanan, even in the Greek text; and that is that he was to guard to commands, precepts, instructions and ordinances of Elohim, blamelessly and spotless, as we express our true ardent and zealous love for Elohim!

What Mosheh speaks (that is: what the Torah says), we are to take heed of and guard to do what it instructs – if we want to be about building the Tabernacle, which we are!!!

Verse 5-19 – Take up a contribution – Materials for the Tabernacle

Here Mosheh calls for a contribution to יהוה from everyone whose heart moves them.

This contribution was over and above the requirements of the Tithes that are commanded.

The Hebrew word that is used here is תְּרוּמָה terumah – Strong’s H8641 and is translated as, ‘contribution, offering for set-apart use, voluntary contribution’ and comes from the primitive root רוּם rum (‘room’) Strong’s H7311 which means, ‘to be high, exalted, rise, raised, set-apart’..

And so, we see that this which was called for was that which was to be given or raised up and given for a set-apart use and it was to be given as a voluntary offering!

This offering was not commanded by all but was called for by all whose heart would move them..

This contribution was to be ‘taken up’, which comes from the root word לָקַח laqaḥ – Strong’s H3947 which means, ‘to lift up, accept, accepted, bring, receive’ and also means ‘marries, married’; and often is used in terms of the Bride of Messiah who is accepted and taken up by Him – as He receives Her to Himself..

When one links this thought process of a Bride bringing Her contribution to Her Husband then we surely are to be encouraged to give gladly from our hearts, as that will result in an overflowing attitude of giving over and above that which is required!

This is exactly how we, the Bride, are to be in our giving freely and gladly to the building of His Kingdom!.

Qorintiyim Bět/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.”

What we are to understand, is that this giving is above the requirements of the Tithe, and so what we often see, is that so many are already, in the giving of their tithes, doing so reluctantly and grudgingly and so, are unable to even be in the position of bringing a joyful contribution, that goes above and beyond that which is clearly required!!!

What we see from what follows, is that it is not only linked to monetary means but also speaks of that which you have in terms of physical means, as well as one’s time and talents and resources..

The Yisra’ĕlites had been enslaved for years and now they have all this booty that they had plundered from Mitsrayim and are called to bring a contribution from what they have!

Most today would have the mind-set that why should they give what they have just obtained.

Many may have thought that the gold and silver and bronze etc. that they had just taken into their possession when coming out of Mitsrayim was too valuable to just give away and may have wanted to hold on tightly to what they had acquired, without realising that the purpose for which they obtained them was now being revealed!.

When יהוה often causes a person to prosper, it may just be that the purpose is far bigger than the individual’s own needs and carried greater purpose for the body – yet the heart must be willing to give!.

In recent times statistics have shown that, on average, only 2% of those who claim to be believers give offerings to יהוה and of that 2% group, only a small portion give a full tithe!

This is clearly a frightening thought, and what it reveals is that the heart of so many is not being moved to service and most have ‘conditional’ hearts.

By that I mean they will only give on the condition that they get to decide what happens with what they give or else they will not!.

A heart that is conditional cannot build the Tabernacle!

The problem with a conditional heart, is that they do not realise who they are bringing their contribution to – it is unto יהוה!.

This word תְּרוּמָה terumah – Strong’s H8641 which is translated as, ‘contribution, offering for set-apart use, voluntary contribution’, is used in Scripture to describe the ‘contributions’ that are taken up as voluntary offerings and we are therefore able to see how we too are to give our all, as a voluntary offering, in order to be counted in Messiah, for He Himself gave of Himself freely, in order for us to be counted!

The Hebrew word for ‘offering’ – תְּרוּמָה terumah – Strong’s H8641 in the ancient pictographic text, looks like this:

Taw – תְּ:

The ancient for of this letter is – meaning ‘two crossed sticks’.

It was a type of a mark as being displayed by two crossed sticks and has the meaning of mark, sign or signature or identification, used as a marker to identify people, places or things.

It can also carry the meaning of ‘seal’ or ‘covenant’..

Resh – ר:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘the head of a man’ and carries the meaning of ‘top, beginning, first, chief’, as in being the top of the body or the head of a tribe and the one who rules; and also speaks of possession or inheritance that is decided by the chief.

Our true life of praise unto יהוה, our Head, begins when we fear Him, for He is the beginning of our strength, and true separated praise entails a true fear of the One who is Chief over us!.

Waw/Vav – וּ:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘waw’ or ‘vav’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items.

The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off.

The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’ as well as ‘bind’..

Mem – מָ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown. We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. Knowing this letter represents ‘water’, we are also able to see how this can render for us the meaning of ‘washing’ or ‘cleansing’.

Hey – ה:

The original pictograph for this letter is , a man standing with his arms raised out.

The meaning of the letter is ‘behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation’ from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!.

When we consider these pictures, that make up the word תְּרוּמָה terumah – Strong’s H8641, giving us the meaning of ‘offering, contribution, offered by lifting’, we can further see how this word shows us unto whom it is that we give our lives as a daily offering:.

THE SEAL OF THE COVENANT AS GIVEN THROUGH OUR HEAD HAS BEEN SEALED IN HIS BLOOD THAT WASHES US FROM OUR SIN, AND EQUIPS US TO LIFT OUR HANDS AND OFFER OUR LIVES CONTINUALLY BEFORE HIM!.

The plans and design of the tabernacle had been revealed and now it would take willing hearts to get that which was required to accomplish the task..

The materials:

What we see here, is that the people brought what had been required, as per the design and plan and each part is mentioned, as this clearly shows that no one part is greater than the other, for each part in its service collectively makes up the Tabernacles and so too it is with us, showing us that there are many parts but one body and all are as important in ensuring the full functionality of the body.

The various materials and their descriptions we have looked at in the previous Torah portions, so let us recap what each of these represent for us..

Let us briefly look at each of these materials that were brought and the significance of each and what it represents for us:.

1 – Gold:

Gold is symbolic of the purity and richness of יהושע and represents for us His supreme position and esteem as Elohim Most High.

Pure Gold speaks of His Mighty-like power that cannot be reproduced by man.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘gold’ is – זָהָב zahaḇ – Strong’s H2091 which is translated as, ‘gold, golden’ and is even translated as ‘fair weather’ and figuratively it speaks of ‘brilliance and splendour’, coming from an unused root which means, ‘to shimmer/shine’!

Gold speaks of the royalty of Messiah – and it was the first of the 3 gifts brought by the Magi, when they came into the house and saw the Child with His mother – they saw the King of Kings!!!.

2 – Silver:

Silver is symbolic of redemption, as silver is used in Scripture as redemption money.

It clearly represents, and speaks of, the price that יהושע has paid for us.

Silver was used in service of the Tent of Meeting for the Atonement of Yisra’ĕl as a remembrance before יהוה.

The Hebrew word for ‘silver’ is כֶּסֶף keseph – Strong’s H3701 which in translated as, ‘silver, money, purchase price’ and comes from the root word כָּסַף kasaph – Strong’s H3700 which means, ‘to long for, eager, shame’..

Shemoth/Exodus 30:16 “And you shall take the silver for the atonement from the children of Yisra’ĕl, and give it for the service of the Tent of Meeting. And it shall be to the children of Yisra’ĕl for a remembrance before יהוה, to make atonement for yourselves.”

The tabernacle stood upon sockets of silver.

Both Yosĕph and יהושע were sold for silver.

Yehuḏah was paid off in silver, as the Scriptures said.

Silver is redemption money.

Silver is symbolic of the redemption that comes through יהושע Messiah and Him alone.

It prefigures the preciousness of Messiah as the ransom for sinners..

Silver also speaks of service and giving of oneself – the prefect work of Messiah:

Marqos/Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Aḏam did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”.

We also see another wonderful picture of the symbolism of silver, as is also likened to the pure Word of Elohim that has been tried:

Tehillah/Psalm 12:6 “The Words of יהוה are clean Words, silver tried in a furnace of earth, refined seven times.”

Tehillah/Psalm 66:10 “For You, O Elohim, have proved us; You have refined us as silver is refined.”

In the above two verses from Tehillim, it is worth looking at a couple of words..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘tried’ comes from the root word צָרַף tsaraph – Strong’s H6884 which means, ‘to smelt, refine, test, tried’, and we see this root word being used in:

Shemuʼěl Bět/2 Samuel 22:31 “The Ěl – His way is perfect; the Word of יהוה is proven; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”

The one thing we can be sure of, is that the Word of יהוה is proven and is trustworthy!

We are able to fully trust His Word – for it is the only ‘word’ that can be trusted. How many times have you found that the words of friends, families, colleagues and even strangers have failed to meet up with what they spoke?

The Word of יהוה never fails!!!

It is because of this fact that we are able to find complete refuge in Him!!!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘refined’ is זָקַק zaqaq – Strong’s H2212 which means, ‘to refine, purify, distil’.

Mal’aḵi/Malachi 3:3 “And He shall sit as a refiner and a cleanser of silver. And He shall cleanse the sons of Lĕwi, and refine them as gold and silver, and they shall belong to יהוה, bringing near an offering in righteousness.”

יהוה is the One who shall refine and purify us, and cause us to be a pure and set-apart royal priesthood, who is able to bring near to Him an offering of righteousness, having been cleansed in the Blood of Messiah and refined by His Word.

The purest silver does not tarnish, and most silver products that we see being used today, has an alloy mix of up to 92.5% silver and another metal to make up the rest to produce a product that is a little harder and easier to work with..

When looking at this verse above, the concept of silver – pure silver – and the words of יהוה being clean, struck me in a major way, as to what we see happening today!

His Word is pure and clean and is likened to silver tried in the furnace of earth and refined totally – there are no other metals therein and this is just what His Word is to us – it is unadulterated truth..

Sadly, we see that in the world today, that His Word has been tarnished, due to the taking away and adding to it, which is strictly forbidden.

And so, as many dogmas of man and various theologies and doctrines have been formulated, they have each diminished the purity of the silver of His Word, by stripping it of its worth and adding in other words that twist the purity of the Truth and therefore, cause the silver to now become susceptible to becoming tarnished.

When this happens, more and more work is required to polish up that which is not pure, in an attempt to present it as pure, which is craftily and wickedly done through the institution of programmes and formulas of worship that are completely contrary to the design and service of the Tabernacle..

For us to be a Tabernacle for His Spirit to dwell we cannot have a tarnished Word that has manipulated the purity of it in order to control the masses, but rather we need to strip away the impurities of false traditions and lies and turn back to the pure Truth – then we will be built up according to His pattern shown!.

The Hebrew word for ‘silver’ – כֶּסֶף keseph – Strong’s H3701 is pictured in the Early Script as:.

Kaph – כֶּ:

The ancient form of this letter is pictured as – which is an open palm of a hand.

The meaning behind this letter is to bend and curve from the shape of a palm as well as to tame or subdue as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises submission. This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape.

Samech – סֶ:

This letter is pictured as – which is a thorn, and has the meanings of ‘pierce and sharp’ and can also carry the meaning of ‘a shield’, as thorn bushes were used by shepherds to build a wall to enclose his flock in the night against the attack of predators. Another meaning would be ‘to grab hold of’ as a thorn is a seed that clings to hair and clothing..

Pey – ף:

This letter in the ancient script is pictured as , which is an ‘open mouth’ and carries the meaning of ‘speak and blow’, from the functions of the mouth, and can have the meaning of ‘scatter’ by blowing. It can also mean sword or beard as in things with edges, as well as a region in depicting a place with edges or boundaries. It also can represent that which has been spoken forth from the words of one’s mouth, as being established!.

When we consider these 3 letters, in the understanding of the word ‘silver’, as representing the redemption price, brought to us by the Blood of Messiah, we are able to see from these pictures, the following:

THE OPEN HAND OF ELOHIM, AS REVEALED TO US THROUGH יהושע MESSIAH, WAS PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSION AND TOOK THE THORN (SIN) UPON HIMSELF, HAVING BEEN NAILED IN HIS HANDS AND FEET, BECOMING A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO CALL UPON HIM AND GRAB HOLD OF HIS COMMANDS, AS SPOKEN IN HIS WORD! .

After His resurrection, when Messiah showed T’oma (Thomas) His hands that took the nails, T’oma acknowledged the redemptive work of יהושע Messiah and called Him His Master and Elohim.

T’oma now fully believed the Word of Elohim, and he was told that those who believe and have not seen:

Yoḥanan/John 20:27-29 “Then He said to T’oma, “Bring your finger here, and see My hands. And bring your hand and put it into My side – and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And T’oma answered and said to Him, “My Master and my Elohim!” 29 יהושע said to him, “T’oma, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Our True redemption is in יהושע Messiah, who is the open hand of Elohim that took our sin upon Himself, as spoken in His written Word that does not return empty!.

3 – Bronze

Bronze speaks of His judgement and punishment for sin.

Bronze in Hebrew is the word נְחשֶׁת neḥosheth – Strong’s H5178.

Bronze was used in in those places where exceptional strength and heat resistance was important.

Bronze has a melting point of 1,985 degrees. It was important in the Slaughter-Place where intense heat was present.

They brought bronze not brass.

Brass comes from a mixture of copper and zinc where bronze comes from copper and usually tin as an additive.

Bronze represents judgment.

When Mosheh raised the bronze serpent it spoke of the power of the serpent being judged through the raising of the Son of Elohim:

Bemiḏbar/Numbers 21:9 “So Mosheh made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole. And it came to be, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.”

Bronze typifies the divine character of Messiah who took upon Himself the fire of Elohim’s wrath, and justice by becoming a sin offering and making atonement for us.

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.”

Bronze is also symbolic of the suffering that יהושע would face for us and speaks of that which is beaten.

The tent pegs were also made of bronze and also symbolic of his complete work for us in that the pegs would be half in the ground and half out – showing us that He has in fact defeated death and the grave and has conquered sin as He was led as a Lamb to the slaughtering.

Bronze was used to make mirrors in ancient times as opposed to glass and would be made of fine beaten work and polished up – the bronze laver for washing would be like a mirror that the priests would be able to see their reflection in and see if they were clean or not before entering in to the Set-Apart Place.

So here, we again see the bronze also being figurative for us, in being the Word that we look into like a mirror, so that we may see what we need to change in order to become clean and not forget what we look like, but continually look into the mirror of the Word, and allow the Word to shape us and ‘form’ us into His image..

4 – Blue Material

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘blue’ is תְּכֵלֶת teḵeleth – Strong’s H8504.

The colour blue represents His Torah (Instructions), as it would be blue loops that were to be made on the edges of the curtains for the Dwelling Place.

This blue would also remind the children of Yisra’ěl of the heavens above where יהוה dwells and from where His Word comes!

Blue, on the fringes of the curtains of the Dwelling Place, shows how the instruction that we too are to have in wearing blue on the fringes of our garments, as we are the dwelling place of His Spirit and the blue on our ‘tzitzit’ would continually remind us of Him and His instructions for His Dwelling Place and how we are to be a Set-Apart people – just as His presence would dwell in the Set-Apart Place in the Tabernacle:

Bemiḏbar /Numbers 15:38-40 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and you shall say to them to make tzitziyot on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue cord in the tzitzit of the corners. 39 “And it shall be to you for a tzitzit, and you shall see it, and shall remember all the commands of יהוה and shall do them, and not search after your own heart and your own eyes after which you went whoring, 40 so that you remember, and shall do all My commands, and be set-apart unto your Elohim.”

When we walk in obedience to His commands He makes His dwelling with us and we walk in the blessings as described in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy and find healing in walking in and holding on to His Torah (Instructions).

The tzitzit is also a means for us to remember to not go after the evil inclinations of our own hearts but remember to be set-apart to Elohim and remember that which He has written upon our hearts – His Torah..

Now, if we do not know what His Torah says then how will we remember what ought to be on our hearts, and how would we be able to live set-apart lives, so to have tzitzit but be ignorant of the Torah would be a hypocritical show – one that the Pharisees and scribes portrayed as they held fast to their traditions while forsaking the commands of Elohim – yet would wear long tzitzit to be seen by all!.

We have a responsibility – to wear the tzitzit – yes – however we must study the Torah and know what the tzitzit are to remind us of – and that is that we are to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only!.

Tassels/Tzitzit

Scripture gives us clear instruction to wear tassels with a blue thread/cord on our garments, yet does not specifically describe how it ought to look.

The most common way of tying a tzitzit is by the twisting of the blue thread around the white in a 10-5-6-5 pattern which represents the numerical value of the Name יהוה according to the Hebrew Alphabet.

In addition to this five knots between these twisting’s are often used to signify the Torah – the first 5 books of the Scriptures.

5 – Purple Material

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘purple’ is אַרְגָּמָן argaman – Strong’s H713.

This colour speaks of Royalty as kings would wear robes of purple.

The enemies attempt at counterfeiting the kinship also wears purple (think of Rome and the garments of the Pope and the bishops) while they have no blue in their apparel – the enemy has tried to assume the position with rule and law and imposes his own laws upon those who take up his mark and worship his image!

When the Romans mocked יהושע, they put a purple robe on Him and then took it back off; and this pictures how Messiah met all the requirements of the Torah in becoming the perfect sacrifice able to be offered up as the purple wrapper was removed so that He could lay His life down on the Slaughter Place for our sins, and now in Him we are covered and we ‘carry’ in our lives his completed work as He was sacrificed once for all and His work we are able to carry with joy as we count the cost of becoming a daily living sacrifice when we walk according to His commands and put to death the works of the flesh.

Marqos/Mark 15:16-20 “And the soldiers led Him away into the court, which is the palace, and they called together the entire company of soldiers, 17 and decked Him with purple. And they plaited a crown of thorns, put it on Him, 18 and they began to call out to Him, “Greetings, Sovereign of the Yehuḏim!” 19 And they kept beating Him on the head with a reed and were spitting on Him. And bending the knee, they were bowing down to Him. 20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, and put His own garments on Him, and led Him out to impale Him.”.

6 – Scarlet Material

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘scarlet material’ comes from the two root words:

1) תּוֹלַעַת tola‘ath – Strong’s H8439 and

2) שָׁנִי ‘shani’ – Strong’s H8144

תּוֹלַעַת tola‘ath – Strong’s H8439 being ‘worm’ and שָׁנִי ‘shani’ – Strong’s H8144 being ‘scarlet/crimson’.

This scarlet (red) colour is believed by many to have come from the crushed body of an insect (worm) that attached itself to a tree, laid eggs on it, puts a sack of red juice around the eggs to protect them, then died, having emptied itself out for them! This picture in nature is a wonderful picture of יהושע.

The insect ‘coccus ilicis’ is related to the cochineal insect and found on the twigs and branches of evergreen oaks in Southern Europe and North Africa.

They belong to the family of insects known as Coccidae or Scale-insects.

When the female of the species is ready to lay eggs, she attaches her body firmly to the tree.

The eggs are laid beneath her body and following the egg laying the insect dies. Thus, the eggs are protected by the insect’s body until the larvae are hatched.

It was from the dead bodies of these insects that the scarlet dyes used in ancient times were extracted..

Scarlet material speaks of sacrifice and typifies Messiah in His sufferings and His giving of Himself to be crushed for our iniquities:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Messiah also has loved us, and gave Himself for us, a gift and an offering to Elohim for a sweet-smelling fragrance.”

And while scarlet typically refers to blood atonement and sacrifice, we also note how the harlot whore of Baḇelon rides on a scarlet beast and is dressed in purple and scarlet causing many to become drunk on here adulteries and twisted counterfeit teachings!!!

We are to be on guard against false messages and be able to rightly divide the Truth, as the enemy certainly tries to mimic the Truth and causes many to fall for her falsehood!.

7 – Fine Linen

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘fine linen’ is שֵׁשׁ shesh – Strong’s H8336.

Fine white linen in Scripture always speaks of righteousness!

The Greek word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint) for ‘fine linen’ is the noun βύσσος bussos – Strong’s G1040 and from this word we get the adjective βύσσινος bussinos – Strong’s G1039 which is used in reference to the ‘fine linen’ that the Bride of the Lamb is given to be dressed in, in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:8 “And to her it was given to be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the set-apart ones.”

Ḥazon/Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be dressed in white robes, and I shall by no means blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I shall confess his name before My Father and before His messengers.”.

Fine linen speaks of purity, righteousness and the sinless life of Messiah and as we are clothed in Him we are to walk in purity and walk in righteousness which is to do all He commands us to:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”

The Righteous garments we are given to wear has been provided for in His Torah, through the Life, death and resurrection of the Living Torah – the Word made flesh!.

8 – Goats hair

This pictures for us the sin offering and the 2 goats that were brought before יהוה and Aharon would cast lots – one for יהוה and one for Azazel.

The one for יהוה would be prepared as a sin offering and the goat on which the lot for Azazel fell is caused to stand alive before יהוה, to make atonement upon it, to send it into the wilderness to Azazel. This is the removal of sin from the camp and a dual picture of the work of יהושע, who has become the sin offering and also has taken sin away into the Wilderness and speaks of a conquering of death and destroying sin..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘goat’ comes from the root word עֵז ez – Strong’s H5795 which means, ‘female goat, young goat’.

This word is also used in:

Berěshith/Genesis 37:31 “So they took Yosĕph’s robe, killed a male goat, and dipped the robe in the blood”.

The Hebrew word שָׂעִיר sa’yir – Strong’s H6183 which means, ‘male goat, buck, hairy, shaggy’, and also has the meaning of, ‘satyr, demon’, is used in referring to the goat as a male goat, and the Hebrew word for ‘goat’ here is עֵז ez – Strong’s H5795 which means, ‘female goat, young goat’.

It is from this account that we are able to see a shadow picture of the atonement that Messiah would bring on Yom Kippur through His own blood..

9 – Ram’s skins dyed red

The ram skins picture for us the message of a substitutionary sacrifice.

A ram is a grown male sheep and is head of the flock.

A shepherd may have one or two rams in a flock of ewes to promote uniformity.

The ram is forever in the eyes of the Hebrew as the substitute animal, faithful unto death.

This is of course because יהוה provided a ram as a substitute for Yitsḥaq on that day when Aḇraham’s faith was revealed.

Berěshith/Genesis 22:12-14 “And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy, nor touch him. For now I know that you fear Elohim, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 13 And Aḇraham lifted his eyes and looked and saw behind him a ram caught in a bush by its horns, and Aḇraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Aḇraham called the name of the place, ‘יהוה Yireh,’ as it is said to this day, “On the mountain יהוה provides.”

The ram’s skins were dyed red to represent the sacrifice of a substitute. So, יהושע, as the head of the human race, the last Aḏam sacrificed His own life as a substitute for all who would put their trust in Him. And He would be their covering!

The ram skins also represent strength, as it is the same word in Hebrew that is used for the terebinth or mighty, which is the Hebrew root word אַיִל ayil – Strong’s H352 which means, ‘terebinth, chief, pillar, door post, ram’

The word used here for ‘skin’ is the Hebrew word עוֹר oor – Strong’s H5785 meaning, ‘a skin, body, hide, leather’.

Elohim made coats of skin and dressed Aḏam and Ḥawwah. Here we see the clear provision of Elohim in what can be seen as the first animal sacrifice done by Elohim Himself, shadow picturing for us how it is Elohim who will satisfy the necessary sacrifice that will not only cover man’s sin but also redeem man back to Himself!.

10 – Fine leather

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘fine leather’ is תַּחַשׁ taḥash – Strong’s H8476. Some believe that it was a badger, others a porpoise or a sea elephant.

This skin of fine leather would be used as the outer covering of the Dwelling Place that everyone saw. They were tough skins and course and very plain in their appearance.

But how does this speak of יהושע?

It speaks of what יהושע was to man.

There was no outward beauty to the tabernacle that was covered with the fine leather, and so it was with יהושע when He came to earth when He pitched His tabernacle among men, as the prophet foretold:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 53:1-2 “Who has believed our report? And to whom was the arm of יהוה revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or splendour that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should desire Him.”

What was יהושע to the Yehuḏim when He came – nothing but a tough badger skin? What is He to the world today? Nothing but a rough and tough badger skin! But to those of us who have opened up our hearts to Him He is so much more than that! He is our full covering and altogether lovely!.

11 – Acacia Wood

Acacia is the Hebrew word – שִׁטָּה shittah – Strong’s H7848.

The ‘Shittah’ tree grew in the deserts of Sinai, and the deserts around the Dead Sea.

The wood is hard, very heavy, indestructible by insects, and has a fine, beautiful grain.

It was remarkably luxuriant in dry places, sometimes attaining a height of twenty feet.

This pictures for us the indestructability of Messiah and His incorruptibility in the flesh..

The Hebrew name means “sticks” or “piercers“, because its thorny branches do indeed look like a hodgepodge of twigs.

Very few of the branches are thick enough to make boards out of, so articles were made from them by connecting the sticks together to make beams that could support great weight.

This ties in wonderfully to the concept of the “two sticks” of Ephrayim and Yehuḏah being made into “one tree” (Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 37:17), and to Sha‘ul’s explanation of Berěshith/Genesis 18:18 in Romans 11 about branches from other trees being grafted into Aḇraham’s root.

This wood would not rot or be affected by any insects and speak of the purity of Messiah and grafted into Him we will never see decay or rot!

The acacia wood was used in the construction of the Slaughter Place, Bronze Laver, the Showbread Table, the Slaughter-Place of Incense and the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the boards of the Dwelling Place.

All of these were made according to the perfect pattern that was shown to Mosheh, all with the complete purpose of the fully functional Dwelling Place/Tabernacle being set up so that יהוה would dwell amongst His people!

This wood can in many ways picture for us a unity, when the pieces are in fact placed in order!

All of the various pieces of the Tabernacle would be ineffective on their own, but when put in its proper order, they formed the perfect functional design of יהוה. This teaches us that we too need to be in unity in order to be formed and shaped into being a perfectly functional Tabernacle of Elohim, which we are..

12 – Oil

Pressed Olive oil – this oil is obtained through crushing the olive berries. When יהושע went to Gethsemane He sweat blood as He wash ‘pressed’ for our sins.

The word Gethsemane is derived from two Hebrew words:

1) גַּת gath – Strong’s H1660, which means ‘a place for pressing oil (or wine)’ and

2) שֶׁמֶן shemen – Strong’s H8081, which means ‘oils.’.

In the days of Messiah, a Gethsemane was a huge stone weight that was placed on baskets of olive pulp after they had been crushed.

A large beam was placed across the weight and additional weights were suspended on one end while the other end rested in a hole in the wall. The weight put enormous pressure on the olive pulp, and after a while precious oils was squeezed out into a trough.

The image of the Gethsemane on the slope of the Mount of Olives, where יהושע went the night before He was impaled provides a vivid picture of the suffering of יהושע.

The weight of the sins of the world pressed down upon Him like a heavy slab of rock pressed down on olives in their baskets. His sweat, ‘like drops of blood falling from to the ground’, flowed from Him like olive oil as it was squeezed out and flowed into the pit of an olive press.

Luqas/Luke 22:44 “And being in agony, He was praying more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”.

Oil, as we know, represents anointing and the Spirit of יהוה.

Prophets, priests and kings were anointed with oil and carries great significance of the Spirit of יהוה making His presence dwell in those who have been anointed.

The anointing oil was restricted for tabernacle use only; anyone violating the command was put to death.

The olive oil was to be pure and nothing but pure because it represents the purity of Messiah which means Anointed One:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Master יהוה is upon Me, because יהוה has anointed Me to bring good news to the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, 2 to proclaim the acceptable year of יהוה, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn, 3 to appoint unto those who mourn in Tsiyon: to give them embellishment for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. And they shall be called trees of righteousness, a planting of יהוה, to be adorned.”.

13 – Spices for the anointing oil and incense

Shemoth/Exodus 30: 31-38 “And speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘This is a set-apart anointing oil to Me throughout your generations. ‘It shall not be poured on the flesh of a man, and make no other like it, according to its composition. It is set-apart, it is set-apart to you. ‘Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it on a stranger, shall be cut off from his people.’” And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Take sweet spices, fragrant gum and cinnamon and galbanum, and clear frankincense with these sweet spices, all in equal amounts. “Then you shall make of these an incense, a compound, work of a perfumer, salted, clean, set-apart. “And you shall beat some of it very fine, and put some of it before the Witness in the Tent of Meeting where I meet with you, it is most set-apart to you. “And the incense which you make, do not make any for yourselves, according to its composition, it is set-apart to you for יהוה. “Whoever makes any like it, to smell it, he shall be cut off from his people.”

Each of these spices picture for us an aspect of our set-apart worship unto and all of these elements together bring us to remembrance, as we come rejoicing, having an esteemed reverence and receive His deliverance:.

I – FRAGRANT GUM – This comes from the Hebrew word נָטָף nataph – Strong’s H5198, which, as a noun, can be translated as ‘stacte’ – which is to ooze out or drips from an aromatic gum resin of a shrub used in incense.

As a verb it can be translated or is used in the Tanak to describe drop 12 times, prophecy 4 times and prophet once. It simply means, ‘drop, drip, distil, prophesy, or even preach and cause to flow.

From this broad description I can clearly see an aspect of the believer’s life – in the sense of Messiah’s great commission to us all – to go and make disciples – teaching them about Him, preaching to others, prophesying and encouraging others in Messiah; in other words to be the secretion of His aromatic love to others – causing us to flow in the Spirit, constantly bearing witness to the favour of Elohim.

This element to me speaks of REMEMBRANCE.

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 2:11-13 “Therefore remember that you, once gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called ‘the circumcision’ made in the flesh by hands, 12 that at that time you were without Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Yisra’ĕl and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no expectation and without Elohim in the world. 13 But now in Messiah יהושע you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.” Remember where you were, and that through Messiah’s death we have been and redeemed and through His life are equipped to witness for Him.”.

II – ONYCHA (Cinnamon) – This comes from the Hebrew word שְׁחֵלֶת ‘sheḥeleth’ – Strong’s H7827, which is only used here in the Scriptures and is simply thought to be that of an aromatic shell – a shell of a mollusc (snail, clam, oyster etc.) that when burned emits a pleasant odour.

This word comes from the root word ‘shaḥal’ which means to ‘peel off’. This gives me a picture of stripping away through fire, as the shell is burned it releases a fragrance.

This element of the Slaughter-Place incense for me represents REJOICING!

And true discipleship – allowing Elohim to strip away or peel off the junk of sin and evil from our lives! Discipleship without deliverance is not true discipleship – which is part of our daily prayer life taught to us by Messiah – “Master, deliver me from evil”.

As we go through the fires of life or the trials of life יהוה shapes us and moulds us and builds us up. Just as when this ‘onycha’ is burned a pleasant odour is emitted – so too through the trials and fires of life we may omit a pleasing aroma as the dross is burned away.

Ya’aqoḇ/James understood this very well and could confidently teach us to rejoice when we face all kinds of trials – for it is through trials that the testing of our faith develops in us perseverance which must finish its work that we may be complete and lack nothing, aměn! Do you rejoice in your trials, an aspect or a ‘complete part’ of a life of worship pleasing and set-apart to יהוה?.

III – GALBANUM – From the Hebrew word חֶלְבְּנָה ‘ḥelbenah’ – Strong’s H2464, and is a kind of resin or gum. It is from the root word ‘חֵלֶב ḥeleḇ – Strong’s H2459 meaning, ‘fat, or best or finest’ – in other words the choicest parts. You see יהוה desires and commands our best. He wants our all, our best not the leftovers!

This to me speaks of REVERANCE – a total awe of His magnificence, and a desire to give our all for who He is, what He has done and what He is doing.

He never changes and neither should our worship before Him change! If we truly know and understand who He is we will certainly give Him our best, always!.

IV – PURE FRANKINCENSE – Frankincense is a white resin, and for me it represents here purity – to be clean, white as snow – which we can only be through the Blood of יהושע Messiah, hence the word pure going with the substance.

Pure means clean, unmixed, free from foreign substances, flawless and pertains to an upright and innocent state – being free of guilt and standing in a position of justification. Something that we have received from our Saviour!

We have been justified by faith and purchased through the Blood of יהושע to be made set-apart, pure, upright and blameless before יהוה. Through our Master יהושע we are washed whiter than snow, aměn. This spice speaks to me about what we RECEIVE at deliverance, a free gift, received by faith..

These spices were for the anointing oil and the sweet incense:

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘anointing’ is מָשְׁחָה moshḥah – Strong’s H4888 which means, ‘anointing, anointed, consecrated portion, anointing oil, ointment’ and comes from the root verb מָשַׁח mashaḥ – Strong’s H4886 and means, ‘smear, anoint, spread a liquid, consecrate, to be anointed’..

The first time we see this word for ‘anointing’, which is מָשְׁחָה moshḥah – Strong’s H4888, being used, is in:

Shemoth/Exodus 25:6 “oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense”

This verse forms part of the instructions that were given in regards to the contributions that were to be taken up from the children of Yisra’ĕl in order to make the Set-Apart Place of Elohim.

Among the various items that were required we see that this verse speaks of the spices for the anointing oil..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘incense’ is קְטֹרֶת qetoreth – Strong’s H7004 which means, ‘the smoke or odour of (burning) sacrifice; incense, sweet smoke of sacrifice, perfume’, which comes from the root verb קָטַר Qatar – Strong’s H6999 which means, ‘to make sacrifices smoke, burn incense’.

This verb carries the meaning of making a smoke offering, which is to burn an offering of aromatic incense that will smoke in dedication and worship of a deity, with a focus on the smoke that the material produces..

When we think of this word, we take note that the noun קְטֹרֶת qetoreth – Strong’s H7004 is used to describe the ‘incense’ that was to be burned on the slaughter place of incense every morning when Aharon would tend the lamps on the menorah!

Shemoth/Exodus 30:1 “And you shall make a Slaughter-Place to burn incense on, make it of acacia wood”.

Shemoth/Exodus 30:7-9 “And Aharon shall burn on it sweet incense, morning by morning. As he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. 8 “And when Aharon lights the lamps between the evenings, he shall burn incense on it – a continual incense before יהוה throughout your generations. 9 “Do not offer strange incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it.”

What you will notice here, in regards to the clear instructions given to burn incense daily, is that no strange incense was to be burned upon it!.

This Slaughter-Place of incense represents the intercession/prayers of the priests and no strange fire was to be put on it – in other words: we are not to pray with wrong motives:

Ya’aqoḇ/James 4:1-3 “Where do fightings and strivings come from among you? Do they not come from your pleasures that battle in your members? 2 You desire, and do not have. You murder, and are jealous, and are unable to obtain. You strive and fight, and you do not possess, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask evilly, in order to spend it on your pleasures.”

Many today are simply praying in vain, simply because they are not been washed in the Blood of the Lamb and kept clean by the continual washing of the Word and are not clothed/walking in righteousness and claim to have access to the Slaughter-Place of incense..

When understanding the Tabernacle and its service we learn very quickly that we cannot come to the Slaughter-Place with wrong motives and impure hearts.

יהושע also tells us in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:23-24 “If, then, you bring your gift to the Slaughter-Place, and there remember that your brother holds whatever against you, 24 leave your gift there before the Slaughter-Place, and go, first make peace with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Naḏab and Aḇihu offered strange fire and were killed!.

14 – Shoham stones – שֹׁהַם ‘shoham’ – Strong’s H7718.

Shoham stones in the shoulder garment and breastplate – it is interesting to note that it is the shoham stone that represents Yosĕph in the ephod as well as the two that would hold up the whole ephod!

Yosĕph kept all the sons of Ya’aqoḇ alive during a famine through his diminishment to slavery and is a wonderful picture of יהושע who delivered us from slavery and in whom we are kept safe all the tribes names were written on the two shoham stones on the shoulder garment – showing us that the tribes are written in the Rock of their Salvation of which Yosĕph was a shadow picture of also the shoulder garment representing that the rule and reign is upon His shoulders:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 9:6 “For a Child shall be born unto us, a Son shall be given unto us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, Counsellor, Strong Ěl, Father of Continuity, Prince of Peace.”.

Besides the Shoham stones, there was also stones that were to be set in the shoulder garment and in the breastplate of the high priest!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘stones’ is אַבְנֵי aḇney, which comes from the root word אֶבֶן eḇen – Strong’s H68 meaning, ‘stone, corner stone, differing weights, plumb line’.

We know from the breastplate that there were 12 stones that were set into it, with each stone representing one of the 12 tribes of Yisra’ěl.

And so, from the stones that were to be brought we are also able to recognise the clear picture of how we are built up as living stones in the Master..

This root word אֶבֶן eḇen – Strong’s H68 comes from the primitive root verb בָּנָה banah – Strong’s H1129 which means, ‘to build, besieged, construct, fortify, rebuild, establish a family, build up’.

Another word that is derived from the root verb בָּנָה banah – Strong’s H1129, is the Hebrew word בֵּן ben – Strong’s H1121 which means, ‘son, grandson, child, member of a group, children (plural for both male and female)’..

In the ancient pictographic Hebrew alphabet, the word בֵּן ben – Strong’s H1121 looks like this:.

Beyt – בֵּ:

This is the letter ‘beyt’ (בֵּ), which in the ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself and is the Dwelling Place of the Most-High, which we are, as we are as living stones being built up in Messiah..

Nun – ן:

This is the letter ‘nun’ (ן), which in the ancient text is pictured as a , which is a ‘spouting seed’, and gives the idea of ‘continuation or an offspring or an heir’, speaking of that which sprouts forth will be the heir of the promise of continuation, and represents one’s life expectancy..

The combined meaning of these two letters means:.

THE CONTINUING OF THE HOUSE.

When I refer to son or son-ship in reference to our relationship toward Elohim, I am collectively speaking of both male and female children (or sons and daughters) of the Most-High, as the Hebrew word for son – בֵּן ben – Strong’s H1121, which is used over 5000 times, is not exclusively a reference to the male offspring of human parents. It is also used idiomatically for children generally, as well as for descendants, i.e. grandsons; and for people or items belonging in a category or group e.g. sons of prophets..

And we also recognise that, in Scripture, the term בֵּן ben often specifies an intimate relationship between a father and his children. We see the plural of this word – בָּנִים – baniym being translated as ‘children’ in:

Tehillah/Psalm 103:13 “As a father has compassion for his children, so יהוה has compassion for those who fear Him.”

Son-ship in Scripture is not always regarded to being a natural position based on physical bloodline, but rather son-ship of Elohim is that which is conferred to us by an act of Elohim.

Son-ship should not be understood as an assured son-ship based on natural descent or merit; but rather it is based on Elohim’s extended favour and mercy that is received by faith in Messiah; and He extended His great loving-commitment toward His Covenants of Promise by coming in the flesh to redeem us, and to restore to favour all unto Himself – so that we who were once estranged and enemies in the mind by wicked works could be completely restored to favour in the body of His flesh through death, and be presented set-apart and blameless before Him, having received an adoptions as sons of the Living Elohim – if indeed we continue in the belief, not being moved in our fully committed loving obedience to His commands as faithful sons!.

When we consider how we are being built up as living stones in our Master, and are the Dwelling Place of Elohim, we see that we can only be built up in the One who is to be praised, and can only be built up according to His wisdom – the wisdom that He has already made clear and by which all is made, for wisdom has already ‘built Her house’. In other words, the design and pattern and function has been given and the continuing of the House of Wisdom can only be done according to Her standards as set forth in the Word of Elohim!.

This gives fuller meaning and clarity to us when we look at the word for built in the ancient text:

בָּנָה banah – Strong’s H1129 meaning, ‘to build, besieged, construct, fortify, rebuild, establish a family, build up’, therefore, in the ancient pictographic script, it looks like this:.

You will notice that there is one additional letter that is added here to this word that differs from the word for ‘son’.

This additional letter is the letter:.

Hey – ה:

Recognising the clear pictures of this word we can see that the continuing of the House of Elohim, that He has built by His wisdom, is only made possible by the One who is to be praised – that is: our Head, יהושע Messiah!!!

Galatiyim/Galatians 3:26-29 “For you are all sons of Elohim through belief in Messiah יהושע. For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah. There is not Yehuḏite nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Messiah יהושע. And if you are of Messiah, then you are seed of Aḇraham, and heirs according to promise.”.

These shoham stones, along with the other 11 stones would be set in the shoulder garment and in the breastplate, picturing for us how we are ‘set’ in the Master, by His design, equipping us to be the true living stones that are able to praise Him!.

In Hebrew, the word that is translated as ‘shoulder garment’ is אֵפוֹד ephoḏ – Strong’s H646 which means, ‘outer garment of priest’. This was the ‘outer garment worn by the priests that was white, however the High Priests ephoḏ was more costly – woven of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen threads.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘breastplate’ is חשֶׁן ḥoshen – Strong’s H2833, which means, ‘breastplate, breast-piece, pouch’ and it was made of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine woven linen. It held the stones bearing the names of the Yisra’ĕlites safely in place and also carried the urim and tummim..

Verse 10

Here is the call for all the wise-hearted to come and build!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘wise’ comes from the root word חָכָם ḥaḵam – Strong’s H2450 which means, ‘expert, skilled, learned’ and this comes from the primitive root verb חָכַם ḥaḵam – Strong’s H2449 meaning, ‘to be wise, skilful, make wise’..

To be wise means to be one who is skilled or learned and this takes time, determination and discipline!

To be wise is evident of one who is increasing in their learning, as he gives his ear – that is his full attention – to hearing instruction and living as a taught one of the Master:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 1:5 “The wise one hears and increases learning, and the understanding one gets wise counsel”.

In the ancient pictographic alphabet, this Hebrew word for ‘wisdom’ – חָכְמָה ḥoḵmah – Strong’s H2451 looks like this:.

Ḥet – חָ:

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘SEPARATION’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside.

Hence, this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’.

As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!.

Kaph – כְ:

The ancient form of this letter is – meaning ‘the open palm of a hand’.

The meaning behind this letter is ‘to bend and curve’ from the shape of a palm as well as ‘to tame or subdue’ as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises submission.

This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape.

The hand also speaks of one’s work, or under whose hand you submit and obey!.

Mem – מָ:

We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. Knowing this letter represents ‘water’, we are also able to see how this can render for us the meaning of ‘washing’ or ‘cleansing’..

Hey – ה:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The meaning of the letter is “behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation”; from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!.

As we consider these pictographic letters that render for us the term for ‘wisdom’ we are able to clearly see that wisdom entails a separation, as pictured through the tent wall..

We can render the meaning of the construction of this word, in terms of true wisdom, as meaning:

WE ARE BUILT UP IN THE MASTER AS WE SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM THE WORLD AS WE SUBMIT UNDER THE HAND OF OUR MASTER AND DO WHAT HIS WORD INSTRUCTS AS IT WASHES US AND ENABLES US TO LIFT OUR HANDS TO HIM IN CONTINUAL PRAISE!.

Wisdom, at its core, speaks of one’s ability to clearly separate the good from the bad, right and wrong, left and right, and up and down; and this we are to be able to do as we exercise true discipline – the discipline of separation!.

Wisdom is often used in the context of a skilled workman that has been equipped by the Spirit of Elohim:

Shemoth/Exodus 28:3 “And you, speak to all the wise of heart, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, and they shall make the garments of Aharon, to set him apart, for him to serve as priest to Me.”

Wisdom in the ancient text can speak of a clear separation by the washing of one’s hands; and as we consider the design of the Tabernacle, we need to be reminded that the bronze laver was used for the serving priests to wash their hands and feet; and clearly pictures for us how we are to be continually washing our work and walk through being immersed in the Word that transforms us!

The opposite to being wise is to be foolish, and the Hebrew word for ‘fool’ is כְּסִיל kesil – Strong’s H3684 which means, ‘fool, stupid fellow, dullard (which is a stupid and unimaginative person)’, and comes from the root verb כָּסַל kasal – Strong’s H3688 which means, ‘to be or become stupid, foolish’.

So, we can clearly see that while we are able to become ‘wise’ if we pay attention to hear, guard and do the word of Elohim, we also realise that we can quickly become stupid if we do not listen and obey, and refuse to accept the discipline of the Word..

While the wise increase learning and delight in understanding the Truth as he meditates on the Torah of Elohim, the fool couldn’t care less about understanding:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 18:2 “A fool does not delight in understanding, but in uncovering his own heart.”

The Hebrew word used here for ‘delight’ is חָפֵץ ḥaphets – Strong’s H2654 and means, ‘to delight in, desire, take pleasure in’ and carries a similar meaning to the word already mentioned for ‘please’ – רָצָה ratsah..

The reason for me giving all the Hebrew words is so that we are able to clearly link up the Truth of the Word and get a better understanding of what it means to be a wise servant, rather than a fool, for יהוה takes pleasure in the wise, while we are told in:

Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes 5:4 “When you make a vow to Elohim, do not delay to pay it, for He takes no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you have vowed.”

יהוה takes NO Pleasure in fools!!!

The word here for ‘pleasure’ is חָפֵץ ḥaphets, and clearly יהוה does not delight in the fool and his ways – but who then does He take pleasure in…:

Tehillah/Psalm 147:11 “יהוה takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who wait for His kindness.”

It is the wise that are able to faithfully build the proper Dwelling Place of the Most-High, and we are the Dwelling Place of Elohim, which further emphasises the fact that if one does not walk in loving obedience to the Torah of Elohim and guard to do all that is instructed for us, then they cannot be true wise builders, but shall rather be shown up to be fools who have built their house on sand, for when the storms of the wrath of Elohim come they shall be washed away, while those who have built according to the clear instructions of our Master, shall stand firm upon him, our Rock and Refuge!.

Even the tent-pegs matter!

Verse 18 gives reference to the tent pegs and for me this always carries great significance in a number of ways.

One, is that we know and realise that the tent pegs of bronze are also representative of יהושע Messiah in that He came to earth and died and rose again – hence the tent peg being half in the ground and half out – as being symbolic of Messiah going down into the heart of the earth and being raised to life.

Without the tent pegs the Tabernacle would blow away and so again we see that even when the storms of life come – if we build on the Rock, we will remain standing!.

In Ezra we also see the reference to a tent peg in speaking of the remnant that is left:

Ezra 9:8 “But now, for a short while, favour has been shown from יהוה our Elohim, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His set-apart place, that our Elohim might enlighten our eyes and give us a little reviving in our bondage.”.

In representing the remnant, we realise that we have hope that His Tabernacle will again be rebuilt – we Have Messiah as the Chief cornerstone and that one tent peg in the set-apart place is sufficient to enlighten our eyes and give us a reviving in the times of bondage!!!

We may not be the majority in the world, yet in Messiah the building is sure and a promised hope!.

It is a matter of the heart!

As we have already mentioned. that those whose hearts moved them were to bring a contribution – but it does not stop there!

The bringing of the contributions is one thing, but the job of building still needs to get done and here we see mentioned, in this chapter, 5 times, the terms of “those whose hearts were moved or lifted up”; and for me this is a great lesson in that it is all about your heart – if your heart is in it then יהוה will fill you and cause you to be of great value and use in the process of building His Kingdom His way!.

The Hebrew words used here, in this chapter, in regards to hearts being moved and lifted up are:

In verse 5 the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘moves’ is נָדִיב naḏiyḇ – Strong’s H5081 which means, ‘inclined, generous, noble, willing’ and comes from the root verb נָדַב naḏaḇ – Strong’s H5068 which means, ‘to incite, impel, give freewill offering, volunteer, offer willingly’.

This was the name of one of Aharon’s sons who brought profane fire before יהוה and was killed, which teaches us a great lesson in that a willing heart toward יהוה is a heart that is moved to give of themselves according to His design and instructions and not any which way they choose!.

In verse 21 the Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘lifted’ is נָשָׂא nasa – Strong’s H5375 which means ‘lift up, carry, take up, exalt, and accept’.

This term is also used in describing a groom coming to ‘take up’ His Bride and also is used as a term that describes acceptance by a king of his wife, and listening to her voice!.

What we also see here, is that this term symbolises for us a Bride who fervently responds to the call of Our Master and Husband, and takes up the joyfully responsibility of giving Her all!

In this verse we also see the Hebrew word נָדַב naḏaḇ – Strong’s H5068, which is translated as ‘moved’, being used..

The Greek word used in the LXX (Septuagint) for ‘lifted up’ is φέρω pherō – Strong’s G5342 which means, ‘bear, carry, bring forth, uphold’ and this gives a very powerful understanding of hearts that are lifted up in service to the Master, for we are to bear the fruit of righteousness as we stay in Him, lest we are cut off for the lack of the fruit of righteousness:

Yoḥanan/John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that bears no fruit He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit He prunes, so that it bears more fruit.”.

In verse 22 the Hebrew word translated as ‘moved’ is also נָשָׂא nasa – Strong’s H5375, and is again used in verse 26 and is translated as ‘lifted’.

In verse 29 the Hebrew word נָדַב naḏaḇ – Strong’s H5068 is used and translated as ‘moved’.

What we see being emphasised here is the call for willing, generous hearts that will be lifted up to bear the fruit of righteousness with great joy!.

What we are to remember, is that these hearts that were moved and willing, came and gave of themselves, and this was far and beyond the required tithes and other duties they may have had!!!

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 9:7-8 “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not of grief or of necessity, for Elohim loves a joyous giver. 8 And Elohim is able to make all favour overflow toward you, that you, always having all you need in every way, have plenty for every good work.”.

It is a matter of the heart!

The Hebrew word for ‘heart’ is לֵב leḇ – Strong’s H3820 which means, ‘inner man, mind, will thought’, or is often also written as לֵבָב leḇaḇ – Strong’s H3824 which means, ‘inner man, heart, mind, understanding’; and what is interesting to take note of here is that these two letters for ‘heart’ in the ancient Hebrew pictographic Script make it clear that the rule and authority of Elohim is to be upon our hearts!

In the ancient Script the Hebrew word לֵב leḇ – Strong’s H3820 looks like this:.

Lamed – לֵ:

Bet – ב:

In terms of these two pictures, representing the ‘heart’ or the inner man and the will and thoughts of man, we are able to see that a pure heart is one that submits to the authority of the Good Shepherd, having been grafted into His Body, that is the Tabernacle of Elohim, which in Messiah we now are.

It can clearly be expressed as:

THE RULES OF THE HOUSE.

And in recognising this, we see that we, as legitimate sons and daughter of the Most-High, that have been grafted in by the Blood of Messiah, have upon our hearts His Torah, under which we submit to walking in – for His Torah are the rules of His House, WHICH He has written on the fleshly tablets of our hearts!.

Even with the word for heart, being expressed as לֵבָב leḇaḇ, we are able to see in the ancient text a second ‘bet’ (house), showing us the clear picture of the True authority for both Houses of Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah, that collectively make up the entire body of Messiah, or Tabernacle of Elohim, which we now are!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:5-6 “And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might. 6 “And these Words which I am commanding you today shall be in your heart”

To love Elohim with all your heart implies that His commands are written upon your heart, for true love for Elohim is to guard His commands; and if one does not think upon or meditate upon His Torah in order to walk in it, then it shall be very clear that the Truth is not in them!

יהוה knows what is in our hearts, while we may not; and He tests our hearts in order to see if we will obey Him or not:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 8:2 “And you shall remember that יהוה your Elohim led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, prove you, to know what is in your heart, whether you guard His commands or not.”

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 10:12-13 “And now, Yisra’ĕl, what is יהוה your Elohim asking of you, but to fear יהוה your Elohim, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being, 13 to guard the commands of יהוה and His laws which I command you today for your good?”

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 11:18 “And you shall lay up these Words of Mine in your heart and in your being, and shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 30:14 “For the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart – to do it.”.

The reason I am quoting all these verses, is to show that ‘it is a heart thing’ and the Word must be in our hearts and mouths, and not just a vain rendering of a corrupted lips service that has no heart or follow through with obedience and submission to doing the commands with joy!

Guarding the good treasure and deposit of the Truth in our hearts will keep us from sinning and being lawless!

Tehillah/Psalm 119:11 “I have treasured up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

We are called to walk humbly before Elohim, and this is seen in the joyful submission to being led forth by the commands of Elohim as we, His House, are being built up in Him; and any resistance to this, as seen through pride and a hardened heart, is a severe problem, for pride deceives:

Oḇaḏyah/Obadiah 1:3 “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is high, who says in your heart, ‘Who shall bring me down to the ground?’”.

As we let the Truth dwell in our hearts, we will guard to do all to the esteem of our Master and Elohim, and anything that that does not esteem Him, whether in word or deed, we must not do:

Qolasim/Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the Word of Messiah dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing with pleasure in your hearts to the Master in psalms and songs of praise and spiritual songs. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Master יהושע, giving thanks to Elohim the Father through Him.”.

It’s a heart thing, and we who have heard the voice of our Master and Elohim, must receive His Word into our heart and go and proclaim the Reign with our words and the corresponding actions of obedience that reveal that His Word is in fact on our hearts..

When the Torah is truly on one’s heart and in one’s mouth, as it should be, then having a hearts moved to give generously, in the building process of the body of Messiah, will flow naturally!.

Verse 22

The people brought earrings and nose rings and necklaces etc.

In other words, they brought all they had and all that had not been made into a golden calf.

Much of what could have been used for the Tabernacle, was sadly used in the building of a golden calf that was crushed and destroyed.

We cannot bring to יהוה what has been dedicated to a false form of worship or service!.

Sadly, we see how so many are giving so much in order to build a falsified man-made system of religion and programmes as they have major building projects and outreaches that are not building יהוה’s way do not reflect the design or plans of the Tabernacle at all and all their giving be revealed as vain works, being shown up for what it truly is!.

That which Yisra’ĕl brought was brought in terms of being a wave offering – and that indeed is what it was. We have mentioned that the contributions were ‘lifted up’ and so the term wave offering give that picture clarity but carries great insight for us..

We know that at the Feats of Matzot there is the wave offering of the first sheaf of the barley (omer reshiyth) and reflects our giving of our first and best unto יהוה, placing our complete trust in Him for providing the rest!

We cannot give anything less than our best unto יהוה and in doing so our best must naturally be giving with great joy!.

Giving your best and with all your heart shows that a people take responsibility and this Tabernacle was only built as the people took responsibility for it and their hearts were moved to do so!.

CHAPTER 36

Betsal’ĕl and Oholiaḇ and every wise-hearted man did the work completely and correctly.

Betsal’ĕl – בְּצַלְאֵל Strong’s H1212 – his name means ‘in the shadow/protection of El’.

He was the son of אוּרִי Uri – Strong’s H221 which means ‘fiery, or my light’; son of חוּר Ḥur – Strong’s H2353 meaning ‘white or absolutely white’.

He was from Yehuḏah which means ‘praised’.

So, the first one called by name, was meatphorically: the one who is in the shadow of El, who is my Light and is absolutely white is to be praised!.

Oholiaḇ – אָהֳלִיאָב Strong’s H171 – his name means ‘Father’s tent’ and was the son of אֲחִיסָמָךְ Aḥisamaḵ – Strong’s H294 – meaning ‘my brother has supported’ and was from the tribe of Dan which means ‘judge’..

What strikes me here, is that we see the term ‘whom יהוה has given’.

There is no institution that can give what יהוה can!!!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

Only by ‘wisdom’ is a house built – and the ‘House of Elohim’ is only built by His Wisdom – the wisdom that we are to seek out!!!.

Wisdom

In Hebrew, this is the word חָכְמָה ḥoḵmah – Strong’s H2451 which means, ‘wisdom, skill’ and is from the primitive root word חָכַם ḥaḵam – Strong’s H2449 meaning, ‘to be wise, skilful, make wise’, as already discussed above.

Understanding

In Hebrew, this is the word בִּינָה biynah – Strong’s H998 which means, ‘an understanding, consideration, discernment’ and comes from the primitive root word בִּין bin – Strong’s H995 which means, ‘to discern, act wisely, clever, diligently consider’, and is used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:34 “Make me understand, that I might observe Your Torah, and guard it with all my heart.”

Tehillah/Psalm 119:104 “From Your orders I get understanding; therefore I have hated every false way.”

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 2:4-5 “If you seek her as silver, And search for her as hidden treasures, 5 then you would understand the fear of יהוה, and find the knowledge of Elohim.”

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Set-apart One is understanding.”.

In the ancient pictographic script, the Hebrew word בִּינָה biynah – Strong’s H998 which means, ‘an understanding, consideration, discernment’, is depicted as follows:.

Beyt – בִּ:

In the ancient script this letter is pictured as , pictured as a ‘tent floor plan’, and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents ‘family’ and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself. We, as living stones are built up in the Master, and are the Dwelling Place of Elohim..

Yod – י:

The ancient script has this letter as which is ‘an arm and hand’ and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’, from the primary functions of the arm and hand, and it also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!.

Nun – נָ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as , which pictures a ‘sprouting seed’ and gives the idea of continuation or an offspring or an heir, speaking of that which sprouts forth to be the heir of the promise of continuation, and represents one’s life expectancy..

Hey – ה:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is a ‘man standing with his arms raised out’.

This word can mean, “behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation”; from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!.

When we consider this Hebrew root word for ‘understanding’, in its pictographic form, we are able to recognise how important it is for us to be ‘doing’ righteousness and letting our belief be a ‘living belief, with works of obedience to the Master’, as we are His Dwelling Place that is to guard the good deposit of life that He has given us..

These pictographs can render for us the following, in terms of understanding the meaning of ‘understanding’, as:

THE HOUSE WORKS THE LIFE OF HIM WHO IS TO BE PRAISED.

The Torah is not a worthless word, for it is our life!

And as we consider the need for us to be living stones being built up in the Master, we can clearly identify that understanding comes in the proper doing of His Word, equipping us to lift up hands that are set-apart, in complete obedience to the One who gives us life, and life abundantly!.

When a wise servant of the Most-High guards understanding then he finds good, for he draws up the good counsel of the Torah and guards to do the Truth, bearing the fruit of righteousness!.

Knowledge

In Hebrew, this is the word דַּעַת da’ath – Strong’s H1847 and comes from the word used in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 6:9 for describing those who are ‘seeing’ but do not ‘know’, which is the Hebrew word – יָדַע yaḏa – Strong’s H3045 meaning, ‘to know, to acknowledge, clearly understand, to perceive, distinguish and discern’..

In speaking of the Dwelling Place, Sha’ul says in regards to this world’s wisdom in:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 3:19 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with Elohim. For it has been written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.””.

Those who were equipped by יהוה built and did all according to all that יהוה had commanded.

This is of utmost importance for us to realise that no matter how wise we become, we are always to use the wisdom He gives us for Him in order to always be building according to His commands – we cannot try to build our own way when we think we have a little knowledge for knowledge alone simply puffs up, whereas love builds up; and this is love – that we obey His commands!

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of turning.”.

That which each one of us has been gifted with, comes with a responsibility – and that is to use the gifts you have been entrusted with for the edification and building of the body – and how we use these gifts must be within the boundaries of the clear instructions of יהוה..

Betsal’ĕl and Oholiaḇ and the others, built exactly as instructed, while certainly having their ‘flavour’ being brought into the building process as their skills would be seen in their precise work. יהוה can use each and every one of us to build and while we all have different gifts and talents, when we use that for building His Tent His way we get to see the wonderful diverse personalities coming through, for while two people may be called to the same task, each one may come across different while both doing what is commanded!

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 12:4 “And there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.”

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 14:12 “So also you, since you are ardent for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in the upbuilding of the assembly.”.

When the people give too much!

This verse 5 can almost seem unbelievable and unrealistic, especially in light of the times we are living in now – yet what we see here is what we need to see happening again – and that is willing hearts that are so committed that they are giving of their whole beings to the work and service of the Kingdom of Elohim..

Where does this kind of ardent and zealous attitude come from?

It comes from a repentant heart – a truly repentant heart says, “Take all I am!”.

The Yisra’ĕlites had just witnessed 3000 of their own family members die and this was a sobering wakeup call and so, part of this zeal, to bring all they had, was certainly due to recent events, as they were most certainly trying to make up for the fleshly worship that they had all engaged in, by building a wicked golden calf and, as a result, would certainly not want to be found trapped again to the things that got the camp into trouble before, as that which was used for the idol calf was, in fact, supposed to be used for the Tabernacle and now, they had to pay the price and count the cost of true worship – which requires your all!!!.

When one recognises the need to build that which is required by יהוה then one’s interests for self takes a back seat:

Pilipiyim/Philippians 2:21 “For all seek their own interests, not those of Messiah יהושע.”.

The picture of the assembly in Makedonia, who gave out of their poverty, is a classic example of selfless giving:

Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 8:1-4 “Now brothers, we make known to you the favour of Elohim which has been given in the assemblies of Makedonia: 2 that in much trial of pressure the overflowing of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the riches of their generosity. 3 Because I bear witness that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, 4 begging us with much urgency for the favour of taking part in this service to the set-apart ones.”.

The design of the Tabernacle would also carry a reminder of always carrying a repentant heart that guards against the flesh from taking precedence over the spiritual matters that count!

It is when we continually remember the loving-kindness and commitment of יהוה that we become sensitive to the need to give our all and keep our hearts filled with the need to continually being moved to service and giving!.

Giving our all unto יהוה will certainly cost us all, and may cost us our possessions that we often try to hold on to so tightly to and may cost our privacy and our own way of doing things, as we build unity in the body:

Luqas/Luke 14:28-33 “For who of you, wishing to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 “Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation, and is unable to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was unable to finish.’ 31 “Or what sovereign, going to fight against another sovereign, does not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 “And if not, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 “So, then, everyone of you who does not give up all that he has, is unable to be My taught one.”

Unless you give up all you have!!!

If you are not willing to give your all then יהושע makes it very clear – you cannot be His taught one/talmidim/disciple!!!.

His Dwelling Place will get built when we are all ‘giving too much’ in a sense, not that we can ever give too much or out give Elohim – although many have tried and we all ought to be having this heart of giving with the declaration of “Take all I have!”

Yisra’ĕl gave so much that they were instructed to stop and I am sure this may have disappointed some, yet what we need to take from this is that the time has once again come with the call to be giving our all and calling back the lost sheep of Yisra’ĕl, so that the building of His Tabernacle can once again reach the point of abundance and sufficiency that He may come and dwell with His People!.

There will be a time when the ‘door’ will be closed and all that has been given by the givers, will be brought together, as one, and those who have not been dressed with the right heart garments of righteousness and praise, will be thrown out, as those who have not given up their all, will be unable to enter in, where we may just see many who are disappointed as their true hearts are revealed!!!

Now is the time to be giving our all – we cannot procrastinate over this or else it may be too late!.

In verse 7 we see that there was ‘more than enough’ for the work to be done and carries a great picture as we think of the significance of the 12 baskets that were collected up after the feeding of the 5 thousand or the 7 baskets in the feeding the 4 thousand where there was a miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fish..

When we bring our all – no matter how small it may seem – when it is your all then יהוה will cause it to be miraculously multiplied in order to not only meet the requirements but be in excess in order that the fullness of the body may be lifted up and gathered together!.

Verse 8-38 – The Dwelling Place

יהושע said in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Kěpha, and on this rock I shall build My assembly, and the gates of the grave shall not overcome it.”

On this rock – on the very foundation of belief in Messiah, He will build His assembly that will stand forever and overcome death, for the second death has no power over those who are in Messiah.

As we study the Tabernacle that was built in the Wilderness we gain great insight into how we, the living stones are built up in Messiah and every part of the Tabernacle carries wonderful pictures of Messiah and His complete work in His Body bringing us together in Him as one, being a presentable and pleasing wave offering of Bread (assembly) before יהוה..

Let us look briefly at the 4 coverings of the Dwelling Place:

Covering 1 – Fine Linen – Righteousness

10 curtains woven of fine linen and blue and purple and scarlet material and made with keruḇim – (verse 8)

The first covering was embroidered with keruḇim..

Fine Linen – שֵׁשׁ ‘shesh’ – Strong’s H8336.

Fine white linen, in Scripture, as we know, typically speaks of righteousness:

In speaking of the Bride in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:8 “And to her it was given to be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the set-apart ones.”

Fine linen speaks of purity, righteousness and the sinless life of Messiah and as we are clothed in Him we are to walk in purity and walk in righteousness which is to do all He commands us to:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”

The Righteous garments we are given to wear has been provided for in His Torah, through the Life, death and resurrection of the Living Torah – the Word made flesh!.

The curtain was ‘woven’ with fine linen, blue, purple and scarlet material with keruḇim worked in. the word for ‘woven’ is שָׁזַר shazar – Strong’s H7806 and means ‘be finely twisted’, i.e., pertaining to a twisting motion which creates a tight thread or yarn..

This was the work of a skilled workman.

This speaks of being knit together in Messiah and how we, by walking in Him as walking in Righteousness, are strengthened in Him, able to endure and withstand even the toughest pressures as we walk in unity as He by His Word skillfully knits us together:

Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, one lifts his companion up. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they keep warm; but how does one keep warm by himself? 12 Although one might be overpowered, two withstand him. And a threefold cord is not readily broken.”.

The ten curtains signify the reality that we cannot walk alone!

There is no place in the Dwelling Place for ‘lone rangers’ and 10 being representative of that which makes up a quorum shows us the picture of the whole being joined and knit together as one!

Qorintiyim Aleph/ 1 Corinthians 1:10 “And I appeal to you, brothers, by the Name of our Master יהושע Messiah, that you all agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be knit together in the same mind and in the same opinion.”

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 4:16 “from whom the entire body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the working by which each part does its share, causes growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”.

As we consider again the colours that were woven in to the fine linen we understand more and more that necessity of walking in Messiah and embracing His Righteousness that He has worked for us!.

Blue Material – תְּכֵלֶת ‘teḵeleth’ – Strong’s H8504.

The blue represents His Torah (Instructions) as it would be blue loops that were to be made on the edges of the curtains for the Dwelling Place.

This blue would also remind them of the heavens above which יהוה dwells and from where this word comes from!

Blue on the fringes of the curtains of the Dwelling Place shows how the instruction we too are to have in wearing blue on the fringes of our garments, as we are the dwelling place of His Spirit and the blue on our ‘tzitzit’ would continually remind us of Him and His instructions for His Dwelling Place and How we are to be a Set-Apart people – just as His presence would dwell in the Set-Apart Place in the Tabernacle:

Bemiḏbar/Numbers 15:38-40 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and you shall say to them to make tzitziyot on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue cord in the tzitzit of the corners. 39 “And it shall be to you for a tzitzit, and you shall see it, and shall remember all the commands of יהוה and shall do them, and not search after your own heart and your own eyes after which you went whoring, 40 so that you remember, and shall do all My commands, and be set-apart unto your Elohim.”

When the woman who had the issue of blood touched the tzitzit of the garments of יהושע, she was healed and so was fulfilled the prophecy that He would come with healing in His wings (tzitzit) and it carries a wonderful picture for us of our obedience to His commands; for when we walk in obedience to His commands He makes His dwelling with us and we walk in the blessings as described in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy and find healing in walking in and holding on to His Torah (Instructions)..

Purple Material – אַרְגָּמָן ‘argaman’ – Strong’s H713.

This speaks of Royalty as kings would wear robes of purple.

This identifies יהושע as the True King of kings and purple is a mixture of blue and scarlet showing us that He that is from Heaven above (blue) came down and shed His blood (scarlet) and took on the flesh and paid the price and is now exalted on high seated on His Throne. The enemies attempt at counterfeiting the kinship also wears purple (think of Rome and the garments of the Pope and the bishops) while they have no blue in their apparel – the enemy has tried to assume the position with rule and law and imposes his own laws upon those who take up his mark and worship his image!.

Scarlet Material – תּוֹלַעַת tola‘ath – Strong’s H8439 and שָׁנִי ‘shani’ – Strong’s H8144 – ‘tola‘ath’ being ‘worm’ and ‘shani’ being ‘scarlet/crimson’.

This scarlet (red) colour came from the crushed body of an insect (worm) that attaches itself to a tree, lays eggs on it, puts a sack of red juice around the eggs to protect them, then dies, having emptied itself out for them–a wonderful picture of יהושע. Scarlet speaks of sacrifice and typifies Messiah in His sufferings and His giving of Himself to be crushed for our iniquities:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Messiah also has loved us, and gave Himself for us, a gift and an offering to Elohim for a sweet-smelling fragrance.”.

Covering 2 – Goats Hair – Sin Offering

This pictures for us the sin offering and the 2 goats that were brought before יהוה and Aharon would cast lots – one for יהוה and one for Azazel..

This is the removal of sin from the camp and a dual picture of the work of יהושע, who has become the sin offering and also has taken sin away into the Wilderness and speaks of a conquering of death and destroying sin.

Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.”.

Covering 3 – Rams Skins Dyed Red – Substitution

Substitutionary sacrifice!

A ram is a grown male sheep and is head of the flock. A shepherd may have one or two rams in a flock of ewes to promote uniformity.

The ram is forever in the eyes of the Hebrew as the substitute animal, faithful unto death.

This is of course because יהוה provided a ram as a substitute for Yitsḥaq on that day when Aḇraham’s faith was revealed.

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 2:9 “But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the messengers, יהושע, because of the suffering of death crowned with esteem and respect, that by the favour of Elohim He should taste death for everyone.”.

Covering 4 – Outer Covering – Fine Leather – Protection
Fine leather – תַּחַשׁ ‘taḥash’ – Strong’s H8476. Some believe it was a badger, others a porpoise or sea elephant.

This skin would be used as the outer covering of the Dwelling Place that everyone saw.

They were tough skins and course and very plain in their appearance.

But how does this speak of יהושע?

It speaks of what יהושע was to man.

There was no outward beauty to the tabernacle proper, so it was with יהושע when He came to earth when He pitched His tabernacle among men. As the prophet foretold:

What was יהושע to the Yehuḏim when He came – nothing but a tough badger skin?

What is He to the world today? Nothing but a rough and tough badger skin!

But to those of us who have opened up our hearts to Him He is so much more.

He is our full covering and altogether lovely!.

The fine leather was used to provide for the covering of their feet while in the Wilderness and provides a picture of how being clothed and covered in Messiah and walking in Him we are protected from the filth of the world, as long as we walk in Him and walk as He walked –for then our sandals of righteousness shall not wear out!.

Verse 13 – The Dwelling Place became one

In this verse we see that 50 hooks of gold were made and the curtains were joined to each other with hooks..

As we know 50 is a significant number as it speaks of the Yoḇel – the year of release and a returning to one’s property!

50 is also the number of the counting of the omer from first fruits until Shaḇuoth (Feast of weeks) and we know that 50 days after the resurrection of יהושע (First Fruits – Bikkurim) that His talmidim/disciples were brought together in one accord on Shaḇuoth:

Ma’asei/Acts 2:1 “And when the Day of the Festival of Weeks had come, they were all with one mind in one place.”

On this day there was a unity in which no seam could be found..

At that point the presence of יהוה came and indwelt them visibly in tongues of fire as it had in the pillar of cloud fire over the Tabernacle, which was a model of this single unified community..

In the later Temple which Shelomoh built, stones were put together as the curtains had been in the Tabernacle, and Kěpha uses the analogy of us as “living stones” making up a dwelling place for יהוה.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:5 “you also, as living stones, are being built up, a spiritual house, a set-apart priesthood, to offer up spiritual slaughter offerings acceptable to Elohim through יהושע Messiah.”.

We are his fellow workers that are to be about building His house and establishing His unity through our total obedience and giving of ourselves:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are fellow workers of Elohim, you are the field of Elohim, the building of Elohim.”.

We see here the clear instructions given as regards to the materials of the Tabernacle and Sha’ul speaks of that by which we have built will be proven through fire:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 3:11-17 “For no one is able to lay any other foundation except that which is laid, which is יהושע Messiah. 12 And if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work shall be revealed, for the day shall show it up, because it is revealed by fire. And the fire shall prove the work of each one, what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work remains, which he has built on, he shall receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, but so as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are a Dwelling Place of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys the Dwelling Place of Elohim, Elohim shall destroy him. For the Dwelling Place of Elohim is set-apart, which you are.”.

Boards of the Dwelling Place:

The following illustrations are simply to give a perspective on how the boards were put together

The following illustration is a picture looking at the left rear corner of the tabernacle from an inside perspective illustrating possibly how the upright frames in the corner might have come together and how the silver sockets may have likewise been joined together.

For further info on the Dwelling place see previous Torah portions

CHAPTER 37

יהוה works in our lives from the inside out, beginning first with our heart.

It was the same with the Tabernacle. The Ark was made of acacia wood covered in pure gold.

It contained the Ten Words and stood alone in the Most Set-Apart Place.

The Ark represents our hearts seeking to walk in the lifestyle of the Messiah.

The Ark was of acacia wood and overlaid with gold inside and out. We know that not many people would get to see what was inside the Ark yet the inside was to be the same as the outside – if the outside tells you it is pure then so should the inside be, or else it is simply just a ‘whitewashed tomb’:

What was inside?

What is inside the Ark is symbolic of what must be in our hearts – His Good Word that causes us to bud and bear much fruit that lasts!.

Mattithyahu/Matthew 23:25-28 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are filled with plunder and unrighteousness. 26 “Blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside of them becomes clean too. 27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you are like whitewashed tombs which outwardly indeed look well, but inside are filled with dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 “So you too outwardly indeed appear righteous to men, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

This is a clear picture of how we too are to be clean on the inside and out – overlaid with the purity of His rich and precious Word.

What we see with the Ark, is that is gives us great insight for us who are to be the temple of His Spirit.

As clean gold is refined through fire, so are we through the trials of life which will result in our ability to be made complete if we will but endure; as we carry His Commands upon our heart..

As we consider the location of the Ark in the Tabernacle, we can see that it is in essence at the heart of the Tabernacle. I heard a saying of old that struck me and it goes something like this:

The earth is at the heart of the Universe; Yisra’ĕl is at the heart of the earth; Yerushalayim is at the heart of Yisra’ĕl; The Temple was at the heart of Yerushalayim; The Ark is at the heart of the Temple; The Commands are in the heart of the Ark; The Sabbath is at the heart of the Commands – the heart of the matter is simply this:

יהוה has provided a perfect plan for us to once again be at rest with Him as we guard His Sabbath and Commands in our hearts, that He may dwell with us continually in our midst!.

Noaḥ was also commanded to cover the ark inside and out which would protect them and ‘cover’ them as a great shadow picture of Atonement and also reminds us that we are to guard His commands – that they be written upon our heart and as we guard them by hearing and doing we will be kept safe as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling until the day of our deliverance is made complete!.

The Hebrew word used for the ‘ark’ of the covenant that would be overlaid with gold is אֲרוֹן aron – Strong’s H727 and means ‘chest, box or ark’ and comes from the root word אָרָה arah – Strong’s H717 which means ‘to gather or pluck’ as in gathering crops and plucking produce from plants such as clusters of grapes from a vine.

This is the Ark of the Covenant – a parallel of the Sabbath as it is the sign of the Covenant between יהוה and Yisra’ĕl..

4 Rings in its 4 corners and 2 poles

The number 4 here on the 4 corners can also be symbolic of the 4 corners of the earth from where He will gather His scattered and dispersed people:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 11:12 “And He shall raise a banner for the nations, and gather the outcasts of Yisra’ĕl, and assemble the dispersed of Yehuḏah from the four corners of the earth.”

Marqos/Mark 13:27 “And then He shall send His messengers, and assemble His chosen ones from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.”

The 4 rings were necessary to bring balance in carrying the Ark, and we too are to be well balanced in our walk of obedience, able to carry His presence with joy and delight.

The two poles are also symbolic of the two Houses that are to carry His presence together and speaks of his redemptive plan in bringing back and restoring the Houses of Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah with whom He has made His Covenant with and with whom He has made a renewed Covenant with where the Torah is now written upon the hearts!

These poles were never to be removed from the Ark – showing us that His Covenant is always with, and always will be with Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah!!!.

The poles would extend and press against the veil so as to be seen from the Speaking Place but not from outside providing evidence of its presence in the Most Set-Apart place:

Melaḵim Aleph/1 Kings 8:8 “And the poles extended so that the ends of the poles were seen from the set-apart place, in front of the Speaking Place, but they were not seen from outside. And they are there to this day.”

The poles were not only used to transport it, but also protected the priests who were carrying it from death.

They are therefore, a wonderful shadow picture of יהושע who became flesh (of hard wood) yet pure (overlaid with gold) saves us from the wrath of Elohim as we abide in Him and carry His presence as prescribed..

If the ark had always been carried on poles as יהוה instructed, there then would never have been an occasion where it nearly fell off a cart after the Ark had been returned from the Philistines and Yisra’ĕl made another wagon to transport the ark in (which they should not have done) and lead to the death of Uzzah who touched the Ark when the oxen stumbled:

Shemuʼěl Bět/2 Samuel 6:6-7 “And when they came to the threshing-floor of Naḵon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of Elohim and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the wrath of יהוה burned against Uzzah, and Elohim smote him there for the fault. And he died there by the ark of Elohim.”

A very sobering lesson for us today – we are to carry His presence His way and not however we see fit – His Torah in our hearts must be held up and carried with reverence and obedience..

Lid of Atonement – Mercy seat

It was upon this lid that the blood of the bull and the blood of the chosen goat, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), would be brought in by the high priest and be sprinkled upon on the east side and in front of it 7 times. While the commandments were inside the Ark and covered with gold as symbolic of its purity, this is a shadow picture of the need for man to be atoned for in order to have fellowship with יהוה.

And it is through the Blood on the mercy seat that we have access to His pure Covenant as we have a High Priest who intercedes for us:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 2:2 “And He Himself is an atoning offering for our sins, and not for ours only but also for all the world.”.

The word for lid of atonement, in Hebrew, is כַּפֹּרֶת ‘kapporeth’ – Strong’s H3727 means ‘atonement cover’ and is from the root word כָּפַר ‘kaphar’ – Strong’s H3722 which means ‘to cover over, to pacify, to make propitiation, to pardon’.

This is the same word used in instructing Noaḥ to ‘cover’ the ark with pitch inside and out, and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the Appointed Time of the fulfilment of יהוה’s redemptive plan for the nation of Yisra’ĕl, when our High Priest will come out from the Most Set-Apart place, having made atonement for by His own Blood, and be united with His Bride, after having destroyed the enemy and taking sin out of the world!.

The Hebrew word כָּפַר ‘kaphar’ – Strong’s H3722 literally means to, ‘cover over’ or ‘smear with pitch’ as in the sealing of a ship. Therefore ‘kaphar’ or ‘atonement’ means to cover that which is bare or naked or shamed, and also means to ‘smear the ship so that your ship will not sink and drown all those aboard’!

The understanding of this carries such insight for us as we recognise the work of redemption that our Master has done in becoming the atonement for us and covering us in His Blood so that we may be counted worthy to be built up in Him and equipped to stand and fight as a faithful soldier and ambassador of His reign!.

The mercy seat is also a picture of His Throne for He dwells between the Keruḇim and through the Blood of Messiah we now have boldness to draw near to His Throne:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of favour, in order to receive compassion, and find favour for timely help.”.

Inside the Ark:

The witness that would be placed inside the ark were:

1 – Two Tablets of Stone

Tablets of stone with the Ten words on – this is the Marriage Covenant – Witness of the Torah that is to be upon our hearts.

The 1^st stone tablets were broken when thrown down by Mosheh after Aharon had led Yisra’ĕl in making a golden calf in worship unto יהוה, after which new tablets were made and יהוה once again wrote the 10 Words upon them and this was a shadow picture of His renewing the Covenant with a people who would whore after idol worship and by these new stones being placed under the mercy seat inside the Ark is a picture of our need for the Blood of Messiah to give us access to the renewed Covenant made in His Blood – that would now be written not on stone but on our hearts!.

There were two tablets of stone, or rather 2 ‘copies’ of the Marriage Contract, otherwise known as the ‘Ketuḇah’, where our copy and יהוה’s copy is kept together and guarded for all time.

Any contract has copies for either party and by the two tablets being placed together in the Ark is the promise of His everlasting Covenant with His Bride that He will redeem and never let go!.

We now, as His temple/tabernacle, are to also guard His Word inside of us and keep our eyes fixed upon His Truth being cleansed by His pure Word inside and out..

2 – Aharon’s Rod

This is symbolic of the authority of the Word.

It was Aharon’s rod that budded first, after the rebellion against the leadership of Mosheh and Aharon.

And as high priest, this rod is a shadow picture of יהושע Messiah having come down as the Word made flesh to show us His Right-Ruling and to firmly establish His Authority as He set His ‘plumb-line’ in our midst and would be a witness against all who rebel against the Authority of His Word, for he will bring forth His Judgement with right ruling:

Amos 7:7-9 “This is what He showed me, and see, יהוה stood on a wall made with a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in His hand, 8 and יהוה said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb-line.” And יהוה said, “See, I am setting a plumb-line in the midst of My people Yisra’ĕl, no longer do I pardon them. 9 “And the high places of Yitsḥaq shall be laid waste, and the set-apart places of Yisra’ĕl shall be destroyed. And I shall rise with the sword against the house of Yaroḇ’am.”

Aharon’s rod was the rod that blossomed and bore ripe almonds and is a picture of the true fruit of true leadership based on that which יהוה has chosen and not by man’s standards, and the almonds were symbolic of being watchful and alert – showing us that יהושע, our High Priest is constantly watching over us and never sleeps and the rod would be a witness against future grumblings..

3 – Pot of Manna

An omer of manna was placed in a pot and placed inside the Ark as a witness.

Manna was the bread from heaven that יהוה provided for Yisra’ĕl for the 40 years they were in the Wilderness and this was a shadow of Messiah the True Bread of Life:

Yoḥanan/John 6:48-51 “I am the bread of life. 49 “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. 50 “This is the bread which comes down out of the heaven, so that anyone might eat of it, and not die. 51 “I am the living bread which came down out of the heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever. And indeed, the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”.

In the Wilderness each one was required to go out every day and get their daily portion of manna; and if they kept any of it for the next day it would rot and end up with worms in it, except on the 6^th day, when they were to gather a double portion, so that for the Sabbath they would not go out and gather but would have their portion for the Sabbath already gathered on the 6^th day.

This is a picture for us to also eat daily our Bread (His Living Word) and the pot of manna that would be kept in the Ark was a witness of His provision through His Word, and by placing it in a pot (earthen vessel) we see the picture of the Word coming and taking on the form of flesh and by the manna in the ark as a witness shows us that His Word will never rot or fade and is established forever..

In Ḥazon in the message to the assembly in Pergamos we see the promise of this hidden manna:

Ḥazon/Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I shall give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I shall give him a white stone, and on the stone a renewed Name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

His Bread represents our sustenance and the sure promise of life and he who overcomes will receive eternal life and dwell with The Master forever!.

The Table of showbread:

The Table of showbread that was to be in the Set-Apart place with its jars and ladles and bowls for pouring, was also made of Acacia wood and overlaid with clean gold – all of which we have already discussed in understanding its meanings in regards to the materials used. On this Table was to be fresh showbread daily – there was to be 12 breads in 2 rows of 6 each – representing the whole house of Yisra’ĕl as a community, which is often pictured as bread in Scripture.

This is unleavened Bread and is also symbolic of the Pěsaḥ meal or the Table of יהוה by which we become part of Messiah as we eat of His Bread (Body).

This is one bread but many parts:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 10:17 “Because there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”

The pattern of the 2 rows of 6 each is repeated in the two shoham stones on the shoulders of the High Priest upon which each stone would have the names of 6 tribes and is a reflection of the government on the shoulders of Messiah our High Priest as our King and Ruler!.

The Menorah – the lampstand.

The Menorah has a base and a shaft with 6 branches attached to the middle shaft – 3 on one side and 3 on the other and is a picture of how we are joined to Messiah and that we are the ‘branches’ and the ornamental knobs and blossoms and almond like flowers remind us that we are to bear fruit that will last:

Yoḥanan/John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who stays in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit. Because without Me you are able to do naught!”

At the top of the shaft and on each of the six branches was a bowl which held oil and a wick.

The oil came from olives, and was extracted from the fruit by crushing as we have discussed. Again, we are reminded of יהושע’s suffering.

Oil is symbolic of the presence and anointing of His Spirit. Here it shows you that when you are “crushed” and allow the Spirit to fill and use you, that brings out the best in you, so that you can shine the Light of His presence.

The Lampstand was the only source of light in the Set-Apart Place. יהוה had commanded Mosheh to make it so that the lamps would point toward the Table of Showbread.

Yoḥanan/John 8:12 “Therefore יהושע spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall by no means walk in darkness, but possess the light of life.”.

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:14-16 “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.”

The Menorah also pictures for us the Word as it says in:

Tehillah/Psalm 119: 105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

And so His Word gives us direction, without which we are lost and unable to come into His presence and eat with Him!

The lampstand has 22 almond blossoms which picture for us again his complete Word as there are 22 letters in the Hebrew Alphabet!.

The use of almond blossoms is a picture of us to be awake and watchful as the word used for almond is שָׁקַד shaqad – Strong’s H8246/H8246 and also carries the meaning of being watchful with the intent on doing!

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 1:11-12 “And the word of יהוה came to me, saying, “What do you see, Yirmeyahu?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 And יהוה said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to do it.”

It was of one beaten work of clean gold – showing how the Word is what ‘beats’ us into shape and become one together in Him!.

The 7 lights of the Menorah also picture for us the 7 Feasts of יהוה that is critical for us as His Body to be keeping as it reveals His wonderful plan of redemption to which we walk in the light as children of light and we also know that lampstand in Ḥazon/Revelation speaks of the 7 assemblies – that is the fullness of His Body among whom He walks in the midst of..

The priests had to tend to the lampstand twice a day and keep in burning and so is a picture for us to be meditating on His Word day and night and also a reminder for us to be likened to the wise virgins who had their lamps filled with oil!.

The lampstand, in Hebrew, is the word מְנוֹרָה menorah – Strong’s H4501 which simply means lampstand; however, what we realise and recognise that the Lampstand speaks of Messiah being the ‘branch’ with us being the branches as also pictured through the parable of the vine and the branches, and without Him we are unable to bear fruit or shine the light of His truth. When one look at the ‘early script’ with the pictographic symbols of this word ‘menorah’ we see a wonderful illustration of the work of Messiah!.

In the early script the Hebrew word מְנוֹרָה menorah – Strong’s H4501 looks like this (remember that Hebrew reads from right to left):

hey resh waw nun .

Mem – מְ

Nun – נ:

This is the letter ‘nun’ (נֵ), which in the ancient text is pictured as , which is a ‘spouting seed’, and gives the idea of ‘continuation or an offspring or an heir’, speaking of that which sprouts forth will be the heir of the promise of continuation, and represents one’s life expectancy..

Waw – וֹ

The ancient pictographic form of this letter is , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’ or nail, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items.

The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’..

Resh – רָ

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of a man’ and has the meaning of the head of a man as well as chief, top, begging or first.

Top as in the top or head of a body and chief an is head of a tribe or people as well as the one who rules the people..

Hey – ה

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a man standing with his arms raised up and out as if pointing to something, and in essence carries the meaning of ‘behold’ as in when looking at something very great. It can also have the meaning to ‘breath’ or ‘sigh’ as when looking at a great sight and having your breath taken away so to speak!

It also has the meaning of revelation or to reveal something by pointing it out..

When we look at these letters, we can see an awesome picture of how the Lampstand clearly speaks of Messiah, our High Priest and Head of the Body.

In the Hebraic mind-set ‘water’ represents not only physical water but also chaos from the storms of the sea.

To the Hebrews, the sea was a feared and unknown place, and for this reason this letter ‘mem’ is used as a question word, who, what, when, where, why and how, in the sense of searching for an unknown.

The letter ‘Nun’ is a picture of a sprouting seed which gives the idea of continuation or an offspring or an heir, speaking of that which sprouts forth will be the heir of the promise of continuation.

The letter ‘waw’, in representing a ‘tent peg’ or a nail or hook, has the meaning ‘to secure or add’.

The letter ‘resh’ is a picture of a head of a man which speaks of headship or beginning or first.

The letter ‘hey’ is pictured as a man with his hands raised in the air and carries the meaning of ‘behold’ when looking at something very great and can also mean to breath or sigh when looking at a great sight and can also give the meaning of revealing or a revelation from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out..

When putting the construct of these pictures together in understanding the work and ministry of יהושע Messiah, our High Priest, we can see the following being declared through the power and presence of the Lampstand in the Set-Apart Place:.

OUT OF THE CHAOS, A SEED SHALL SPRING FORTH, THE SON WHO IS THE APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL, WHO BY HIS RESURRECTION HAS SECURED FOR US THE COVENANTS OF PROMISE, TO WHICH WE HAVE BEEN ADDED THROUGH HIS BLOOD, AND MESSIAH, OUR HEAD, IS THE BEGINNING. AND BEHOLD, WE FIX OUR EYES ON HIM AS WE AWAIT THE FOR THE REVELATION OF OUR MASTER יהושע MESSIAH – THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!.

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 1:2 “has in these last days spoken to us by the Son, whom He has appointed heir of all, through whom also He made the ages”

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 1:7 “so that you are not lacking in any gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Master יהושע Messiah”.

For more insight into the wonderful lessons we are able to learn from the Menorah, please see the notes of a message called, “PICTURES IN THE MENORAH – SHEDDING LIGHT UPON THE FEASTS OF YAHWEH!”, which can be viewed on our site (https://atfotc.com) under the sermons 2020/2021 menu or by clicking on the following link:

https://atfotc.com/pictures-in-the-menorah-shedding-light-upon-the-feasts-of-yahweh-2/.

Slaughter-Place of incense

The Slaughter-Place of incense stood inside the set-apart place before the veil that separated the set-apart place from the most set-apart place and once again as we look at its makeup, we see the picture of Messiah and His intercession that he makes on our behalf.

It was made of acacia wood, overlaid with clean gold with mouldings all around and had rings under the moulding for the poles that would be used to carry the Slaughter-Place.

This Slaughter-Place of incense represents the intercession/prayers of the priests and no strange fire was to be put on it – in other words do not pray with wrong motives;

Many today are simply praying in vain, simply because they are not being washed in the Blood of the Lamb and kept clean by the continual washing of the Word and are not clothed/walking in righteousness and claim to have access to the Slaughter-Place of incense.

When understanding the Tabernacle and its service we learn very quickly that we cannot come to the Slaughter-Place with wrong motives and impure hearts.

יהושע also tells us in:

Naḏab and Aḇihu offered strange fire and were killed!

Romiyim/Romans 13:12-13 “The night is far advanced, the day has come near. So let us put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in wild parties and drunkenness, not in living together and indecencies, not in fighting and envy, 14 but put on the Master יהושע Messiah, and make no provision for the lusts of the flesh.”

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing”

Luqas/Luke 18:1 “And He spoke a parable to them, that they should always pray and not lose heart”

Ya’aqoḇ/James 5:13-17 “Is any of you suffering evil? Let him pray. Is anyone in good spirits? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil in the Name of the Master. 15 And the prayer of the belief shall save the sick, and the Master shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he shall be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, so that you are healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous one accomplishes much. 17 Ěliyahu was a man with feelings like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain. And it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.”

What we also see in Scripture how the shadow picture of this incense Slaughter-Place plays a vital role in the last days regarding the intercession and the prayers of the set-apart ones that are made in Ḥazon:

Ḥazon/Revelation 8:3-6 “And another messenger came and stood at the Slaughter-Place, holding a golden censer, and much incense was given to him, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the set-apart ones upon the golden Slaughter-Place which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the set-apart ones, went up before Elohim from the hand of the messenger. 5 And the messenger took the censer, and filled it with fire from the Slaughter-Place, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, and thunders, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 And the seven messengers who held the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.”.

CHAPTER 38:1-20

The Slaughter Place: 1-7

What is interesting to note here are the measurements of the Slaughter Place – 5 cubits long x 5 cubits wide x 3 cubits high: 5 x 5 x 3 = 75!

Ma’asei/Acts 7:14 “And Yosĕph sent and called his father Yaʽaqoḇ and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people.”

Here we see that the whole house of Ya’aqoḇ, when first coming into Mitsrayim, was 75 people and so the slaughter place would be that by which the work of Messiah would bring back the house of Ya’aqoḇ and redeem them..

Another interesting fact worth noting is the numerical value of the term ‘for Aḏam’. In Hebrew it would look like this:

לְאָדָם.

Broken down as follows:

1) לְ which is the letter ‘lamed’ which is translated as ‘for’ and

2) אָדָם Aḏam.

The numerical values for each of these letters in Hebrew are as follows:

א ‘Aleph’ = 1; ד ‘Dalet’ = 4; ם ‘Mem’ = 40 and therefore, the word אָדָם Aḏam = 45 and the letter ל ‘Lamed’ = 30, making the numerical value of the phrase “for Aḏam” equalling ‘75’.

The word Aḏam means ‘man, mankind’ and in this we see a wonderful picture of the necessity of the Slaughter Place and that sacrifices that it shadow pictured in Messiah who became a Slaughter offering for all mankind!

The brazen Slaughter-Place, bronze Slaughter-Place, or Slaughter-Place of sacrifice or slaughter place was situated right inside the courtyard upon entering the gate to the tabernacle. The Hebrew root for Slaughter-Place means “to slay” or “slaughter.”

The Slaughter-Place was made of wood from the acacia tree and overlaid with bronze (usually symbolic of judgment on sin in the Scriptures), measuring 7.5 feet on all four sides and 4.5 feet deep. Four horns projected from the top four corners and a bronze grating was inside to hold the animal. The Slaughter-Place was the place for burning animal sacrifices. It showed the Yisra’ĕlites that the first step for sinful man to approach a Set-Apart Elohim was to be cleansed by the blood of an innocent creature..

For a sin offering, a person had to bring an animal — a male one without blemish or defect from the flock or herd — to the priest at the tabernacle gate.

By laying his hand upon the head of the offering, the person was identifying with the sacrifice.

His sin and guilt was being moved from himself to the animal.

The priest would then slaughter the animal, sprinkle its blood in front of the veil of the Set-Apart Place, burn the sacrifice, and pour the rest of it at the bottom of the Slaughter-Place. Blood is a significant agent of atonement (covering for sin) and cleansing in the Tanak.

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the Slaughter-Place to make atonement for your lives, for it is the blood that makes atonement for the life.”

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 9:22 “And, according to the Torah, almost all is cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”.

Although this was done each year, as a covering for their sins, Yisra’ĕl had to perform these duties every year as the blood of bulls and goats could not remove the sin – they were simply a covering until that which could remove sin would come and lay down His own life as an offering for all time! This bronze Slaughter-Place represents that upon which יהושע offered up His own life, when Yeshayahu/Isaiah prophesied:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, but He did not open His mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, but He did not open His mouth.”

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 9:13-14 “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the defiled, sets apart for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of the Messiah, who through the everlasting Spirit offered Himself unblemished to Elohim, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim?”

Horns were a symbol power and strength in biblical times.

When the sacrifice was made, blood was dabbed on the horns of the Slaughter-Place, signifying the power of the blood to atone for sins. In the same way, there is mighty power in the blood of יהושע. יהושע is the “horn of our deliverance”:

Tehillah/Psalm 18:2 “יהוה is my rock and my stronghold and my deliverer; My Ěl is my rock, I take refuge in Him; My shield and the horn of my deliverance, my high tower.”

Luqas/Luke 1:68-69 “Blessed be יהוה Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, for He did look upon and worked redemption for His people, 69 and has raised up a horn of deliverance for us in the house of His servant Dawiḏ.”.

The Basin of Bronze was made from the mirrors of bronze given by the woman who served at the door of the Tent of Appointment:.

The Bronze laver represents the Word and that we are to come and allow the Word to wash our hands and feet daily as we look intently into the perfect Torah of Freedom!

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:25 “But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing of the Torah.”.

The courtyard – Verse 9-20

The Screens of Fine linen represents once again righteousness and that we are to continually be in the boundaries of the Torah if we are to serve daily as a royal priesthood unto Messiah!.

The Gate of the Outer Court served as the single entrance leading into the Tabernacle. It was essentially a large multi-coloured curtain, composed of finely twined linen, measuring 35 feet in length, and 8.75 feet in height.

The Gate is best known for its notable colour scheme consisting of blue, purple, scarlet and white.

The gate is the only entrance to the Tabernacle and whoever would want to enter would be met by a priest and would bring their offering and present it before the priest, after which the individual would have to slay the animal and then the priest would take it and offer it upon the Slaughter-Place on their behalf.

יהושע said that He is the Door:

Yoḥanan/John 10:7 “יהושע therefore said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”

Yoḥanan/John 10:9 “I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture.”

The Covering for the gate would be made of fine linen, with blue, purple and scarlet material woven in and all picture יהושע – see reference in regards to the materials mentioned at the beginning of this commentary portion.

The Fence:

If you had suddenly come across the children of Yisra’ĕl in the desert-like wilderness of Sinai, you would have witnessed a sprawling camp of over two million people, probably not unlike a refugee camp, although perhaps a little more orderly in appearance.

The tents belonging to the common man were probably a dreary black and brownish colour, set in contrast with the sandy / rocky desert-like wilderness around them. In the centre of the camp, you would have seen the Fence of the Tabernacle’s Outer Court, measuring 200 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 10 feet high; it was truly an awesome spectacle!

The hot desert sun, shining ever so brightly against the white linen fence, would have been so incredibly noticeable against the drab black and brownish colour scheme of the main camp, and surrounding wilderness. Of course, it would have been absolutely impossible for the common man to see inside the Tabernacle’s Outer Court from the outside camp.

Why is that? The white linen fence surrounding the Tabernacle created a separation (or ‘barrier’) between the outside world and the Set-Apart objects inside the Tabernacle.

The fence was specifically designed with one purpose in mind, to keep out anything offensive to יהוה and was a way to protect sinful man from inadvertently coming in to His presence in an inappropriate manner.

The fence was made up of white linen – a picture of righteousness and we cannot come into His presence in an unrighteous manner and so the only way to enter is through Messiah, who is the Door/Gate.

יהוה is a righteous and perfect Elohim and He calls us to be perfect:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:48 “Therefore, be perfect, as your Father in the heavens is perfect.”

His priests were instructed to wear white linen in their service in the tabernacle and so too do we have to put on righteousness as we live as a royal priesthood offering daily living sacrifices up to Him and render to Him the bull of our lips in praise – and righteousness is to do all He commands and has prescribed according to His Torah and the white linen is the righteousnesses of the set-apart ones!.

In our sinful state we see that our own righteousness is filthy to Him:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 64:6 “And all of us have become as one unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as soiled rags. And all of us fade like a leaf, and our crookednesses, like the wind, have taken us away.”.

And so here what the Tabernacle represents for us is simply this – being outside of the Tabernacle as representative of being outside of Messiah we have no righteousness to offer and therefore יהושע is our only source and entrance into righteousness and as we enter through Him, who is the Door and are washed clean through His Blood must now remain in His righteousness – and that is to do all He commands us to!

And so, we surrender and submit to the hearing of His Word that teaches us righteousness:

Timotiyos Bet/2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness,”

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 2:29 “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone doing righteousness has been born of Him.”

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 3: 7 “Little children, let no one lead you astray. The one doing righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.”

The other aspect we see of this fence is the picture of how walking in His Torah keeps us safe from the outside, as His Word says that He has set our boundaries in pleasant places – His Word is our boundary in which we walk and serve Him daily!.

As bronze is a picture of judgement it makes sense that the sockets of bronze that held up the columns for the linen fence reveal His punishments upon those who rebel against Him and walk in unrighteousness/lawlessness:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 3:4 “Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”.

The height of the curtains that formed the “fence” shows us that the enclosure is set apart from the outside world by white linen, the same thing the priests wore.

It would not make them sweat, thereby symbolizing the inactivation of the flesh’s defilement.

White linen garments also symbolize the righteousness of those set apart and having fled from the lusts of the flesh.

Much of what you have read in this torah portion is a repetition of previous chapters – the difference here is that the instructions turned into application and the following of those instructions 100% and this is also a reminder to us to be a people constantly paying attention to the hearing of the Word and that by repetition we are moved from simply hearing to a people who guard to do all that we hear from the Word!.

And this we learn each and every week as we assemble to hear the Torah of יהוה.

Let us be a people belonging to Elohim who are busy giving our all in building His Tabernacle and remaining pure as we are built up in Him through His clear instructions that equip us to serve with great joy, keeping our garments pure and set-apart!.

Shalom.