SHEMOTH (EXODUS) 38:21-40:38 – ‘PEKUDEI’ – INVENTORIES

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We have now come to the final Torah portion in Shemoth (Exodus) and we begin this last portion of Shemoth by taking a look at the inventory of what was collected.

This Torah portion is called פְקוּדֵי pekuḏei, which comes from the root word פָּקַד paqaḏ Strong’s 6485 and can carry the meaning of ‘appointments, musterings, expenses – that is the numbering of things, records, assignments’..

So, in verse 21, when we see the phrase, “these were the appointments of the Dwelling Place”, we see that this section from verse 21-31, actually deals with the amount of gold, silver and bronze that was collected, and is translated in other translations as “these are the records of the Tabernacle”.

There was an inventory of the goods that were brought in as voluntary offerings. .

This word פְקוּדֵי pekuḏei is also used in Scripture with the meaning of ‘paying attention, observe with care and show a practical interest’.

And what we see from this, is that it is of great importance that we pay attention to the Word and observe, with great care, and recognise, that ALL Scripture carries great and vital importance for us.

This word, פְקוּדֵי pekuḏei, in relating to taking an inventory, also helps us realise that we all too must give an account to יהוה, for all that He has entrusted to us.

Romiyim/Romans 14:12 “Each one of us, therefore, shall give account of himself to Elohim.”

The Parable of the talents, from Mattithyahu/Matthew 25:13-30, is also a reminder to us of this fact..

The name בְּצַלְאֵל Betsal’ĕl – Strong’s H1212 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 which means, ‘white or absolutely white’.

He was from the tribe of Yehuḏah, which means ‘praised’.

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

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

All that was prepared and made!!!

The Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘made’ in verses 22, 28 & 30, and as ‘prepared’ in verse 24 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’..

A derivative of this root word עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 is the word מַעֲשֶׂה ma’aseh – Strong’s H4639 which means ‘a deed, work or acts, accomplishments’.

The Book of Acts is known in the Hebrew as ‘Ma’asei’, which is a record of the ‘Acts of the Apostles’! .

The “Acts” of the Apostles, speak of the deeds, or acts, of that which the Apostles did and it records their ‘acts’ of obedience, from which we are able to learn many great and valuable lessons from. .

We shall be known by our fruits based on our proper reverence and submission to our Master, which shall be evidenced in our “acts of obedience”, as we walk in righteousness, guarding to do all He has commanded us to do, all the time!!! .

As we consider how all was made and prepared, according to all that יהוה commanded through Mosheh, we are able to glean some valuable insight, in terms of how we, as living stones that are being built up in the Master, are to ensure that we are guarding to do all that יהוה has commanded, as through Mosheh, so that we can be the perfect Dwelling Place of the Most-High!.

We are to become doers of the Word and not just hearers only!

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:22-25 “And become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, 24 for he looks at himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what he was like. 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.”.

As we consider this root verb עָשָׂה asah in terms of our need to be doers of the Word, we recognise that we can only be proper doers if we are in fact looking intently into the Word, and when we see this word in the ancient pictographic script we gain further understanding of what it is to be a proper doer of the Word!.

In the ancient pictographic script, the verb עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 looks like this:.

Ayin – עָ:

The original pictograph for this letter is: and represents the idea of ‘seeing and watching’, as well as ‘knowledge’ as the eye is the window of knowledge..

Sin – שָׂ:

This is the letter ‘sin/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..

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, as well as ‘praise’ through the lifting up of our hands in complete awe and surrender..

When looking at this word עָשָׂה asah in the ancient pictographic form, we are able to further understand how critical it is for us to be doers of the Word and so perform and do that which is instructed for us to do.

From this picture we can see the meaning of: .

LOOKING AT THE WORD

THAT HAS BEEN REVEALED!.

This clearly teaches us that we are unable to DO or PERFORM the Word if we are not looking intently at the Word!

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us!

The clear revelation of the Word, יהושע Messiah, has been made known to us; and as we look to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief we are able to lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and be enabled to run, with endurance, the race set before us, as we look at the Word and actually DO IT!!!.

All that יהוה has commanded Mosheh!!!

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 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 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 ἐντολή entolē – Strong’s G1785 is used 187 times in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak – O.T.), and is used to translate the following Hebrew words:

1) מִצְוָה mitzvah – Strong’s H4687 which means, ‘commandment, command, obligation, precept’,

2) פִּקּוּד piqquḏ – Strong’s H6490 which means, ‘precepts, commandments, statutes, regulations’, and

3) חֻקָּה ḥuqqah – Strong’s H2708 which means, ‘ordinances, custom, manner, something prescribed, an enactment, statute, fixed order’. .

This 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 of Mosheh 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!!!.

Under the direction, or by the hand, of Ithamar, the 4^th and youngest son of Aharon, an account was made of all that had been given.

The Hebrew term that is used here for ‘under the hand’ is בְּיַד– beyaḏ which comes from the root word יָד yaḏ – Strong’s H3027 which is a primitive root which is translated as, ‘hand, command, authority, power, tenons, side’, and the primary meaning of this noun is “the terminal part of the arm used to perform the functions of a man’s will.”

This has the letter ‘Bĕyth’ – בְְּ – in front of the word for hand, which can be understood to give us the meaning of ‘in, under’ and therefore we are able to see that this speaks of submitting ‘under the authority and leadership’ of another and we are therefore able to see that all that was appointed by the mouth of Mosheh, was directed under the leadership of Ithamar, the son of Aharon, who was appointed to oversee and lead the building process.

It is our Master who appoints those that He chooses, to equip, oversee and lead His Dwelling Place and the building process, so that the entire body can grow to maturity in the Master! (Eph’siyim/Ephesians 4).

Verse 24: The gold of the wave offering

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘wave offering’ is תְּנוּפָה tenuphah – Strong’s H8573 which means, ‘a swinging, waving, offering’ and comes from the word – נוּף nuph – Strong’s H5130 which is used in this verse as ‘wave’ and its fuller meaning is to, ‘move to and fro, shake back and forth, sprinkle, wave’; which, in essence, carries the broader meaning, ‘to present’. .

This is the offering that was lifted up, waved and presented before יהוה, done in a figurative way of giving it, or releasing it fully, to יהוה; and in essence, they were now declaring that this gold fully belonged to יהוה and not to a golden calf, as they had previously done in error. .

This carries great significance for us, as we too need to realise that our lives are to be lifted up as a wave offering before יהוה; and that includes everything that we have, as we lift up our hands in the declaration that all we have is presented to יהוה and that we now belong to Him, and that we will not give of that which is His to the worship, or service, of another false mighty one or idol, which, can take the shape of many forms, as we see today that there are loads of idols in people’s lives, in which they are lifting up their hands and giving of their ‘gold’ to, in a form of false idol worship, while neglecting the building of the House/Body of Messiah!.

Aharon was to ‘wave the Lěwites’ and therefore the Lěwites were ‘presented’ to יהוה by the high priest.

The logistics behind this event is not 100% certain, as there were over 8000 Lěwites!

However, what we see here, as a shadow picture of Messiah, is that He is our High Priest who ‘presents’ us before יהוה as a set-apart priesthood, and we see this picture of the fullness of the body being ‘waved’ before יהוה by the High Priest on Shaḇuoth, when the two loaves of bread are waved on Shaḇuoth!.

In Messiah, we are presented as set-apart priests who have been cleansed and equipped to serve – and we are now His!

The wave offering, in a figurative way, pictures for us that of giving it, or releasing it fully, to יהוה; and this carries great significance for us, as we too need to realise that our lives are to be lifted up as a wave offering before יהוה; and that includes everything we have, as we lift up our hands, in the declaration that all we have is presented to יהוה; and that we now belong to Him, having been bought at a price and betrothed by the Blood of the Lamb; and have been sealed with His Set-Apart Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession!

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “But He who establishes us with you in Messiah and has anointed us is Elohim, 22 who also sealed us, and gave the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”

At Shaḇuoth the High Priest takes two loaves of bread and waves it before יהוה as a wave offering.

The two loaves of Bread symbolically represent the two Houses of Yehuḏah and Yisra’ĕl being brought together as one in the Hands of our Redeemer, High Priest and King, and it is also symbolic of the two tablets of the witness of the Ten Words, that the entire nation of Yisra’ĕl heard in the Wilderness, which then were written on stone as a witness.

With the first two stones having been broken by Mosheh, when he came down and saw the perverted worship in the camp, he was required to make two new stones like the first, upon which יהוה would write the 10 Words again.

This was a powerful shadow picture of the renewal that we celebrate today, here at Shaḇuoth! .

With Yisra’ĕl, a called out, chosen and betrothed Bride, who broke her marriage vows and covenant with יהוה; יהוה was already declaring His promised provision, by Mosheh having to make two stones like the first that יהוה had made and upon which יהוה would once again write His 10 words; prophetically declaring that the very Word of Elohim would be made flesh and come down to be broken for us, taking on the form of the flesh in order to redeem us from the sinful nature, and ‘make new’ the true witness of His Covenant seal and pledge over us, as His called out and chosen Bride in Messiah, who has now made it possible for His Torah to be written upon the fleshly tablets of our hearts by His Spirit through the Blood of Messiah!.

The ‘wave offering’ celebrates the promise of renewal or rather the making of a renewed covenant.

In the ancient pictographic script, the Hebrew word תְּנוּפָה tenuphah – Strong’s H8573 which means, ‘wave offering’, looks like this:.

Taw – תְּ:

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!.

Nun – נ:

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 will be the heir of the promise of continuation, and represents one’s life expectancy, and can carry the meaning of ‘new life or renewal, rebirth’..

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 down of 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’..

Pey – פָ:

This is the letter ‘pey’, which 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 – ‘The Spoken Word’!.

Hey – ה:

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

Therefore, we can see that the wave offering of the two loaves on Shaḇuoth is a proclamation of that which has been renewed, made new, and by the rendering of these pictures, we can see that it declares to us:

THE COVENANT OF LIFE

HAS BEEN SECURED

BY THE REVEALED WORD

WHO IS TO BE PRAISED

or:.

BEHOLD THE SEAL OF THE COVENANT

THAT IS RENEWED AND SECURED

BY THE WORD WHO WAS LIFTED UP

AND WHO IS TO BE PRAISED!

Or:.

BEHOLD THE COVENANT

HAS BEEN RENEWED

AND WE HAVE BEEN ADDED AND SECURED

BY THE REVEALED WORD

WHO IS TO BE PRAISED!.

The wave offering of gold consisted of 29 talents and 730 sheqels, and a talent was equivalent to 3000 sheqels or 75.6lb or 34.3kg.

The gold, therefore, was 29,243 talents, or better understood as 2210.54lb or 1002.93kg!

At today’s gold price (2021) for 24k gold it would make the value of this wave offering to be worth well over R 810 million (South African Rand) or just around $ 60,1 million (US Dollar)!!!.

Verse 25-26: Silver counted from the congregation

The ½ sheqel was given by all the men who were above 20 years of age, who were numbered or registered as per the instructions given to Mosheh by יהוה in Shemoth/Exodus 30:11-16.

This was a contribution that was required to be given as atonement for their lives, so that no plague would come into the camp.

So, this was a ‘tax’ and not of the freewill giving like the gold and bronze, and this as we know represents for us the price of redemption for all who cross over. .

The term ‘everyone passing over’ speaks of those who have ‘crossed over’.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘passing over’ is הָעֹבֵ֜ר haoḇer, which comes from the root verb עָבַר aḇar – Strong’s H5674 which means, ‘to pass over, pass through, cross over’.

It is from this root verb that we get the term עִבְרִי Iḇri – Strong’s H5680 which means, ‘the one from beyond, the one who crossed over’ and is understood and translated into English as ‘Hebrew’. .

From this word עִבְרִי Iḇri – Strong’s H5680 we get the plural word ‘Iḇ’rim’ or Hebrews and this speaks of those who have passed over.

Aḇraham was the first recorded ‘Hebrew’ in Berěshith/Genesis 14:13 as he passed over the Euphrates River into The Promised Land.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light”.

We have ‘passed over’ as by the Blood of the Passover Lamb we have been redeemed at a price and we now belong to our Saviour as we are no longer our own and so we give joyfully of our lives in service to our King as we are together built up in Him.

Anyone can become a ‘Hebrew’, or one who ‘crosses-over’ – if they will but repent and forsake their worldly ways and walk in His Torah, being immersed in יהושע Messiah, having ‘crossed over’ from death to life in Him and redeemed by His Blood, for He has paid the atonement price for our sins!

We too, who have ‘crossed over’, so to speak, have become ‘Hebrews’, as we have responded to the clear call of Elohim who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light; and by the Blood of Messiah, we are grafted in to the Covenants of Promise with Yisra’ĕl, and therefore being ‘Yisra’ĕl’ by definition, we are in fact also called ‘Hebrews’, as our father Aḇraham was, and are a people now belonging to Messiah!.

The Hebrew root word עָבַר aḇar – Strong’s H5674, in the ancient pictographic script, is written as follows:

Ayin – עָ:

The original pictograph for this letter is and represents the idea of ‘seeing and watching’, as well as ‘knowledge’. as the eye is the ‘window of knowledge’ and can also render the concept of knowledge revealed!.

Beyt – בַ:

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..

Resh – ר:

The Ancient picture for this letter is , ‘the head of a man’.

This letter has the meanings of ‘head or man’ as well as ‘chief, top, beginning or first’..

From this pictographic rendering of one who passes/crosses over, we take note that the meaning given here can be understood as:.

LOOKING TO THE HOUSE’S HEAD

THE EYES OF THE HOUSE

ARE ON THE HEAD.

Messiah, is the Head of the Body, that is us, the assembly; which are being up in Him, as living stones that keep their eyes on the Head of the House!

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:4-5 “Drawing near to Him, a living Stone – rejected indeed by men, but chosen by Elohim and precious – 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.”.

The pictographic of the word עִבְרִי Iḇri – Hebrew looks like this:

The extra letter that is used at the end of this word is the letter:.

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!.

As true Hebrew’s, we have our eyes fixed on the Head of the House, because of His work of redemption, as we look to the revealed arm of Elohim! To whom has the arm of יהוה been revealed?

To those who have turned to the Master the veil has been removed and are therefore able to properly see the deliverance that our Head has secured for us, giving us the strength to look to Him and ‘cross over’, so to speak!.

The total sheqels of silver was 301,775 as each one who was counted from 20 years and up was 603,550 and they would each give a ½ sheqel also known as a beqa.

1 sheqel or 2 beqas is approximately 11.4g or 0.4oz and would therefore make the weight of silver given at approximately 3440.23kg and based on today’s silver price per kg the value of silver that was contributed according to the command was just over R40 million (South African Rand) or just under $3 million (US Dollar)!!!.

Verse 29 – Bronze of the wave offering

70 talents and 2400 sheqels – as we have discussed with the gold, the bronze was also a voluntary offering and 1 talent representing 3000 sheqels would put the offering of bronze at 212,400 sheqels or 70,8 talents and based on a talent being equivalent to approximately 34.3kg, the value according to today’s average price of bronze at around R290,000.00 (South African Rand) or just over $19,000.00 (US Dollar)!!!.

Collectively the value of the gold, silver and bronze collected for the Tabernacle would be today, the equivalent of just under R851 million (South African Rand) and just a little under $63 million (US Dollars)!!!

For more on the materials please go back to the Torah portion called ‘Terumah’ (Contributions) which is the portion from Shemoth/Exodus 25:1-27:19.

The essence of this chapter carries with it the significance of that which is accounted for and when it comes to you and me, we are to realise that we all have something to give and it collectively makes up the whole. .

What is worthy of noting is this:

Although we may calculate the value of all the gold, silver and gold to being well over R851 million, in today’s value, which is a very large amount and I believe that the quality of the gold and silver was better than what we see today, which would possibly translate the original value to be more than what we can calculate in today’s monetary terms.

What we can deduce from this is that if we were to take the value at around R851 million, then, when divided up among the 603,550 people, who were counted, then you can see that it would translate into a little over R 1400 per person or family. .

The point I am trying to make is this: often we may think that what we have to give is insignificant and that it would not make a difference, but that is not true – when everyone who is counted brings all they can we would be amazed at what the collective contribution would be!.

What is also a significant fact, is that unless you had paid your half sheqel of silver, you were not counted and as we see so many times today, is that so many people are ‘giving’ so much to what deems to be worthy causes, while their ‘good deeds; will be counted as worthless, if they had not paid the price and counted the cost of following Messiah and having accepted His Atonement Price made for us and receive His Pure Word refined through fire being symbolic of the silver that was paid for Atonement.

Every part matters! Even down to the tent peg – for without the tent pegs the Tabernacle would not be able to stand, especially when the wind comes!.

Bearing in mind that although this portion can sound a little repetitive, what we must not forget is that what we see happening here is not just a hearing of the instructions but now we see the doing of that which was heard – faith with works and so just to recap on what we have discussed in previous portions on the gold, silver and bronze:.

1 – Gold:

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

Gold speaks of the royalty of Messiah – 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:

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

It speaks of the price 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:

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

The purest silver does not tarnish, and most silver products 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, His word has been tarnished, due to the taking away and adding that is forbidden, and so as many dogmas of man and various theologies and doctrines have been formulated, and in doing so, 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, through the institution of programmes and formulas of worship that is 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 whereas 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 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.”.

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. What is also a very powerful and significant picture for us in regards to tent pegs, is that we read in Ezra how יהוה left a tent peg as a remnant:.

Ezra 9:7-8 “Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been very guilty, and for our crookednesses we, our sovereigns, and our priests have been given into the hand of the sovereigns of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to plunder, and to shame of faces, as it is this day. 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.”.

A peg in His Set-Apart Place!

As we are discovering more and more just how we too have been found to be guilty of our crookednesses as we have fallen prey to the inherited lies of tradition; yet in His great mercy יהוה has left us a peg as a remnant to escape the lies of traditions in order that our eyes may be opened as we turn to the Messiah, for when one turns to the True Messiah, יהושע, then the veil is lifted.

The Hebrew word that is used for ‘peg’ comes from the root word יָתֵד yatheḏ – Strong’s H3489 which means, ‘peg, tent peg, take, pin’ and is a word that symbolizes the securing of the Covenants of Promise for the House that יהוה builds!.

That ‘peg’ that He has left us, as a remnant, is sufficient for us to be about rebuilding His Tabernacle as we build on the Chief Cornerstone, The Rock of our Salvation – יהושע Messiah! .

May we all be encouraged in these days, as we are being built up together in Messiah, that although we may seem like we are but just a peg – what we must realise, is that He has left us all we need to cause us to stand up, be counted and serve as a royal priesthood as He has given us His very Living Word that we may look at as looking at a mirror and seeing how we are to be dressed in Him!.

The Hebrew word יָתֵד yatheḏ – Strong’s H3489 which means, ‘peg, tent peg, take, pin’ is pictured in the ancient pictographic text as follows:.

Yod – יָ

In the Ancient Script, this is the letter ‘yad or yod’ which is pictured as – – which is the picture of an arm and hand and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’ from the primary functions of the arm and hand and also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. This also reveals to us a stretched-out arm and hand..

Taw – תֵ:

Dalet – ד:

The ancient script has this letter asand is pictured as 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..

When we consider these pictographic symbols that are used to represent the word יָתֵד yatheḏ – Strong’s H3489, we are able to recognise the clear message of how our Master has secured for us His Covenant, by His own blood!

These pictographs as rendered here can have the understanding of:.

THE WORK OF THE COVENANT

IS SEALED AT THE DOOR.

Our Master is The Door, who has worked a redemption for us, by taking the nails in His hands and feet, as a humble servant, so that we can, in His Blood, come to the Door and declare our love for Him, and become His bondservants that are forever secure in His Covenant! We know that the commands are to written on the doorposts and it was at the door where a servant would come and declare his love for his master and have his ear pierced and be a bondservant in the House forever.

Messiah, the Chief Cornerstone and Door of the House, provided the Way for us to be built up in Him!.

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 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. .

CHAPTER 39:1-31 – Priestly Garments:

The above picture gives you an idea of the garments that the high priest wore, and as we can see from these that there is a great significance in the completeness of the garments of the High Priest and the very work that יהושע, our High Priest, has done and still does as he continues to make intercession for us! .

1 – The Breastplate:

חשֶׁן ḥoshen – Strong’s H2833, translates as ‘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..

2 – The Shoulder garment:

אֵפוֹד ephoḏ – Strong’s H646 – ‘outer garment of priest’.

This was the ‘outer garment’ worn by the priests that was white, however the High Priests ephod was more costly – as it was a garment that was woven of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen threads.

An ephoḏ was a priestly garment, like a shoulder cape or mantle..

In Shemuʼěl Bět/2 Samuel 6:14 we are told that Dawiḏ was wearing a linen shoulder garment when he was dancing before יהוה with all his might when they brought back the Ark of Elohim, after it had been at the house of Oḇĕḏ-Eḏom for three months, and so pictures for us a wonderful reflection of wearing true and pure garments of praise and service unto Elohim as we ‘carry/bear’ His presence daily!.

Shemuʼěl too wore an ephoḏ, even as a youth:

Shemuʼěl Aleph/1 Samuel 2:18 “But Shemuʼěl was attending before יהוה – a youth, wearing a linen shoulder garment.”

The word in verse 18 translated as ‘wearing’ or in other translations as ‘clothed’ is חָגַר ḥagar – Strong’s H2296 and carries the meaning, ‘to gird, gird on, gird oneself, be armed, dressed, come trembling’ and can carry the essence of being ‘belted’ as in girded up and ready!.

What was he ‘wearing’ or ‘girded up with and ready’?

An אֵפוֹד ephoḏ – Strong’s H646 – ‘outer garment of priest’!!!

This verse we see here, describing what Shemuʼěl was doing, is an example of pure devotion in contrast to the wickedness of the sons of Ěli, who defiled their duty as priests..

The ‘ephoḏ’ represents for us the need for us to be girded up and ready to do the good works of the Torah that has been prepared beforehand for us to do and speaks of being ready, attending to the required duty of the royal set-apart priesthood in Messiah, keeping the lamps burning as we wait for His soon return:

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.”.

3 – A Robe:

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘robe’ comes from the root word מְעִיל meil – Strong’s H4598 which means, ‘robe, mantle, cloak, i.e., an exterior garment which covers an inner tunic; and can also be described as a ‘sleeveless coat’’.

This word, in the Hebrew, for ‘robe’, has a very powerful lesson for us, in terms of what we are discussing here, in that we are to be robed in true garments of righteousness and walk in them!

The Hebrew word is מְעִיל me‘il – Strong’s H4598 and means, ‘robe, mantle’. .

What is interesting and worth taking note of, is that this word comes from the root word מָעַל maal – Strong’s H4603 and means, ‘to act unfaithfully or treacherously, violate, break faith’.

This is what got me digging a little deeper and then it struck me, as I looked at the difference between these two words, and that is that the word for robe, which would picture for us robes of obedience, has one more letter than the word that renders one acting corruptly or being unfaithful. .

And so, when we look at these words in the ancient script, we see a clear picture and message being given that we also see being portrayed in the difference between Shemuʼěl and the two sons of Ěli.

Let us look at these two words in the ancient pictographic script:.

מָעַל maal – Strong’s H4603 and means, ‘to act unfaithfully or treacherously, violate, break faith’:

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’..

Ayin – עַ:

The original pictograph for this letter is and is pictured as ‘an eye’ and represents the idea of ‘seeing and watching’, as well as ‘knowledge’, as the eye is the window of knowledge.

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..

מְעִיל meil – Strong’s H4598 which means, ‘robe, mantle, cloak, i.e., an exterior garment which covers an inner tunic; and can also be described as a ‘sleeveless coat’’. .

The difference as you can see is the additional letter:.

Yod – י

In the Ancient Script, this is the letter ‘yad or yod’ which is pictured as – which is the picture of an arm and hand and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’ from the primary functions of the arm and hand and also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. This also reveals to us a stretched-out arm and hand..

Now, when we understand the meaning behind these individual letters, we see what makes the difference between serving faithfully and being unfaithful, or corrupt, in service.

The difference between the two words that we are looking at, is the picture of a hand or arm and hand. .

And so, when we look at the word for robe, we can see the clear message of how יהוה, out of the chaos of the waters, set His order in place through His instructions.

Man had sinned and was naked and exposed and יהוה saw how man needed a covering, which He sent through the work of His Outstretched Arm and Right Hand – יהושע Messiah, in order to redeem us back under His Rod of instructions, being forever robed in righteousness!.

Without the true covering, our works will be exposed for their wickedness!

The covering that makes the difference between a true robe and that which is false and wicked is the Outstretched Hand of יהוה..

When you take away the hand – there is no salvation and it is just a works-based wickedness and treacherous service being delivered, that is abominable before יהוה.

The removal of the commands of Elohim and the idea of the false teachings that the Torah is no longer applicable is a removal of the Hand and Arm of יהוה..

The robe that Shemuʼěl wore each year is a picture of us having been clothed in the robes of righteousness as we walk in the Torah and we follow the Creators cycle each year, starting with every Shabbat! .

Any other attempts at worship that do not follow His clear instructions, are nothing more than man-made traditions and rules that have removed the Hand of יהוה!.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 61:10 “I greatly rejoice in יהוה, my being exults in my Elohim. For He has put garments of deliverance on me, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”.

When Dawiḏ brought back the Ark of Elohim, we are told that not only did Dawiḏ wear a robe of fine line, but so did the Lěwites:

Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 15:27 “And Dawiḏ was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Lěwites who bore the ark, the singers, and Kenanyah the leader of the service with the singers. And Dawiḏ wore a linen shoulder garment.”.

Our robes of righteousness are to guard to do all His commands:

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.”.

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

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

Yoḥanan Aleph 3:10 “In this the children of Elohim and the children of the devil are manifest: Everyone not doing righteousness is not of Elohim, neither the one not loving his brother.”.

Ḥazon/Revelation 7:13-14 “And one of the elders responded, saying to me, “Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Master, you know.” And he said to me, “These are those coming out of the great distress, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”.

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.”

4 – An Embroidered long shirt:

The Hebrew phrase that is translated as ‘an embroidered long shirt’ is written as וּכְתֹנֶת תַּשְׁבֵּץ – ‘uḵethoneth tashbets’ – which comes from two root words:

1) כְּתֹנֶת kethoneth – Strong’s H3801 which means, ‘a tunic, garment, clothing as a covering more complete than a loincloth, a basic garment reaching the knees’ and

2) תַּשְׁבֵּץ tashbets – Strong’s H8665 which means, ‘checkered work, special woven fabric, i.e., a decorative fabric special either because of the variegated pattern of the weaving, or the special threads (silver or gold?) that would be interwoven with it’..

The Hebrew word כְּתֹנֶת kethoneth is used to describe the ‘coat’ that Yisra’ĕl made for his son Yosĕph in:

Berěshith/Genesis 27:3 “And Yisra’ĕl loved Yosĕph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a long robe.”

This kind of robe/coat was not an ordinary coat, but was seen as a royal robe, and was a robe typically worn by the king’s daughters – a robe that went to the wrists and the knees or even to the ankles. .

Tamar, who was raped by Amon, tore her ‘robe’ that was defiled:

Shemuʼěl Bět/2 Samuel 13:18-19 “And she had on a long coat, for the sovereign’s maiden daughters wore such garments. And his servant put her out and bolted the door behind her. 19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her long coat that was on her, and put her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly.”

We again see this word being used in Yeshayahu, which prophesied of what יהוה would do and was a powerful shadow picture of Messiah to come – the deliverance that יהוה would raise up:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 20:20-22 “And it shall be in that day, that I shall call My servant Elyaqim son of Ḥilqiyahu. 21 ‘And I shall put your robe on him, and strengthen him with your girdle, and give your authority into his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Yerushalayim and to the house of Yehuḏah. 22 ‘And I shall place the key of the house of Dawiḏ on his shoulder. And he shall open, and no one shuts; and shall shut, and no one opens.”.

5 – A Turban:

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘turban’ is מִצְנֶפֶת mitsnepheth – Strong’s H4701 which means, ‘turban, head-wrap, headband, i.e., an ornamental headdress cap made by wrapping cloth around and around on the head’ and comes from the primitive root word – צָנַף tsanaph – Strong’s H6801 which means ‘to wrap, wind up together, roll you tightly’. .

6 – A Girdle:

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘girdle’ is אַבְנֵט aḇnet – Strong’s H73 – ‘girdle/sash worn around the waist’.

Above, I have placed the images and details, as previously discussed in Shemoth/Exodus 27-30, just to help being reminded of what the garments may have looked like and the intricate detail and design that the garments had.

As we look now at the garments being made exactly according to the instructions, we are once again reminded that we too are to be woven together and knitted together, as one, in Messiah, according to His written instructions for us as given through Mosheh (The Torah)..

While many argue that the order is also of birth, and others the order grouped by mother, and still others believe that it was grouped according to their blessings received from Ya’aqoḇ, while what we have been given in Scripture is the stones which are in each row. .

Whichever way the tribes are represented on the breastplate according to the stones what we find, in all the various assumptions we see that Yosĕph always ends up being the middle stone in the 4^th row which is the shoham stone, and as stated above is significant in the shadow picture that Yosĕph is of Messiah having the rule on His shoulders.

The above picture has the tribes set out in order according to their birth, which I believe would be in line with the similar pattern instructed on the two shoham stones upon the shoulder garment. So, while there is much debate over the breastplate stones and the relevant tribes, what we do know is that the stones represent the full house of Yisra’ĕl..

Taking the above order regarding each stone we would see it represented as follows:

Row 1:

רְאוּבֵן Re’uḇĕn – Ruby = אֹדֶם oḏem – Strong’s H124

שִׁמְעוֹן Shim’on – Topaz = פִּטְדָה pitḏah – Strong’s H6357

לֵוִי Lewi – emerald = בָּרֶקֶת bareqeth – Strong’s H1304.

Row 2:

יְהוּדָה Yehuḏah – Turquoise = נֹפֶךְ nophek – Strong’s H5306

דָּן Dan – Sapphire = סַפִּיר sappiyr – Strong’s H5601

נַפְתָּלִי Naphtali – Diamond = יַהֲלֹם yahalom – Strong’s H3095.

Row 3:

גָּד Gaḏ – Jacinth = לֶשֶׁם leshem – Strong’s H3958

אָשֵׁר Asher – Agate = שְׁבוֹ shebo – Strong’s H7618

יִשָּׂשכָר Yissasḵar – Amethyst = אַחְלָמָה achlamah – Strong’s H306.

Row 4:

זְבֻלוּן Zeḇulun – Beryl = תַּרְשִׁישׁ tarshish – Strong’s H8658

יוֹסֵף Yosĕph – Shoham = שֹׁהַם shoham – Strong’s H7718

בִּנְיָמִין Binyamin – Jasper = יָֽשְׁפֶה yashepheh – Strong’s H3471.

The breastplate was bound by means of its gold rings to the gold rings of the shoulder garment using a blue cord so that it does not come loose – this is a very powerful picture for us as it clearly pictures for us that we are bound together by the Torah, as the blue reminds us of His Torah!!!.

With Aharon bearing the names of Yisra’ĕl whenever he would go into the Set-Apart Place as a remembrance forever, is a shadow picture for us of how יהושע, our High Priest, bears us continually in the Most Set-Apart Place always being remembered by Him!..

Verse 1 – Set-Apart garments

These garments were only for the service and use in the Set-Apart service in the Tabernacle.

The priests would not wear these garments out on the street, so to speak, and this carries a great picture for us in that the priests would be dressed according to the commands of Elohim, in order to serve before Him as priests. .

Now we, as a chosen people, a called out royal priesthood are to be reminded that we too are to have our garments of righteousness continually on as we serve him daily as a set-apart people!

We cannot ‘dress’ like the world and think we can be of service to Him!

His instructions for our ‘wear’ are clear and are accurately defined in the Torah and we must cleanse ourselves daily and clothe ourselves in His righteousness, as He has instructed us to..

As we see in this verse that the woven garments were made ‘to do service’ in the Set-Apart Place!

The Hebrew word used here for ‘to do service’ is שָׁרַת sharath – Strong’s H8334 which means, ‘to minister, serve, attend, to become a servant, waiter’.

The purpose of these garments is to ‘serve’ and not to be served! .

So many today miss this totally and think that they are to be served hand and foot, while a true servant of the Most–High, a true called out, set-apart, chosen and royal priest is dressed in Messiah in order to faithfully ‘serve’ and attend! .

When we serve, we are to serve one another in love – that is in the doing of the Torah!

יהושע said Himself that He came to serve and not to be served and so should it be with us as we are clothed in His priestly garments of His Word!

Marqos/Mark 10:42-45 “And יהושע, calling them near, said to them, “You know that those who think to rule the gentiles are masters over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 “And whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be servant of all. 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.”.

The heart of this chapter in understanding the garments and how we are to be clothed in Him is about the reality of us coming to grips with the need for us to also say every day, “Not my will but Yours be done!”

Being clothed in Him, comes with the responsibility to serve as He calls for and therefore, we are no longer our own, but are His and we are to do as He says!

Verse 3 – Skilled workman

Here we see the work that was done in making these garments took great skill and precision – this was a work of a skilled workman!

When I saw this wording, my first thoughts were of the words that Sha’ul wrote to Timotiyos in:

Timotiyos Bet/2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your utmost to present yourself approved to Elohim, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth.”

Doing our utmost – this is what we are to be doing – our utmost – it takes everything we have to give ourselves wholeheartedly over to service in the Kingdom.

And for us to do that and not be ashamed, we are to be able to rightly handle the Word of Truth, as opposed to the word of tradition! .

To be a skilled workman you have to be learned in the skill of that which you do and this takes diligent practice, study and meditating on what is required in order to faithfully do that which is required of you!

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 2:4 “But as we have been approved by Elohim to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but Elohim who proves our hearts.”.

The Hebrew wording/phrase that is translated as ‘the work of a skilled workman’ is written in the Hebrew text as מַעֲשֵׂה חֹשֵׁב – ma’aseh ḥasheḇ and is the two root words:

1) מַעֲשֶׂה ma’aseh – Strong’s H4639 which means ‘a deed, work or acts, accomplishments’, which comes from the root word 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’, which we have already discussed, earlier in the notes.

2) חָשַׁב ḥashaḇ – Strong’s H2803 which means, ‘to plait, weave, plot, think, regard, value, compute’.

It is used 124 times in Scriptures and is also translated into English as, ‘intended, thought, the designer’.

This root word חָשַׁב ḥashaḇ – Strong’s H2803 is translated as ‘count’ in:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 25:26-27 “And when the man has no one to redeem it, but he himself becomes able to redeem it, 27 then let him count the years since its sale, and return the remainder to the man to whom he sold it, that he shall return to his possession.”.

In verse 27 we see the instruction for the one who has no one to redeem his possessions!

He is able to redeem it himself and must calculate the years since its sale of his property and return the remainder to the man to whom he sold it in order to be able to return to his possession.

Now, while we have a redeemer who has bought us back and paid the full price, what we can learn from this practical instruction, that would have been literally carried out in the Land every Yoḇel, is that we see a wonderful picture of how we too have a responsibility, in our return, that has been ‘paid’ for by the Blood of Messiah.

That responsibility is simply this – we, as Yisra’ĕlites, have the obligation to fill our proper position in coming home; and in order to do that we must get rid of all the baggage that kept us away from home in the first place, so that we can rightfully reclaim what we have lost!.

This is a wonderful picture of letting go to the things that we have been holding on to for so long in order to get back to the true roots of our faith in Messiah.

The rich man who could not let go of his possessions, is an example of how so many are unwilling to let go of the things that they think gives their life meaning and purpose and as a result are unable to ‘let go’ of worldly baggage, in order to follow our Kinsman Redeemer home!.

Being a ‘skilled workman’ entails the proper ability of being one who has counted the cost of following the Master and making sure that our works of obedience are done with skill, as we guard to do all that our Master has commanded through His Word, not deviating to the left or to the right!.

In further helping us understand the garments of our High Priest, יהושע, we are able to see how He, as a skilled workman and our Master Builder, has made us together in Him, in order to do the good works of righteousness that we are called to do:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah יהושע unto good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”.

The stones on the breastplate as well as the two shoham stones that were to be put on the shoulder garment, were to be engraved like a signet (verses 6 & 14).

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘engraved’ comes from the root word פִּתּוּחַ pittuaḥ – Strong’s H6603 which means, ‘engravings, carved work, inscription’.

The names of the 12 tribes were to be inscribed on the stones, and carries great significance of a chosen, royal priesthood being inscribed on our Master and High Priest – The Rock of our Deliverance!.

In a clear prophecy, given during the time of Zeḵaryah, when Yehoshua, the son of Yehotsaḏaq, was high priest, we see a powerful vision that he was given, which highlights the shadow picture of the promise of deliverance for Yisra’ěl, where we see how it is יהוה who is engraving on the stone:

Zeḵaryah/Zechariah 3:9 “See the stone which I have put before Yehoshua: on one stone are seven eyes. See, I am engraving its inscription,’ declares יהוה of hosts, ’and I shall remove the guilt of that land in one day.”.

The Hebrew word for ‘signet’ is חֹתָם ḥotham – Strong’s H2368 which means, ‘a seal, signet ring’.

The names of the 12 tribes were to be engraved on the shoham stones of the High Priest’s garments, like the engraving of a signet; and the plate of clean gold that was on the turban of the High Priest was to be engraved like the engraving of a signet with the words – SET-APARTNESS TO יהוה, which we will take a closer look at shortly..

The Greek word that is translated as ‘signet, seal’ is σφραγίς sphragis – Strong’s G4973 which means, ‘seal, signet’, and is also used to describe the seal or mark of Elohim on the foreheads of His called-out ones, as we see that those who do not have the seal of Elohim shall be in danger of great harm, as seen in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 9:4 “And it was said to them that they shall not harm the grass of the earth, or any green matter, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of Elohim upon their foreheads.”.

In Scripture we come to understand a great deal about the importance of being sealed and how we are to guard the seal and assurance of deliverance by staying in our Master. .

This Greek word for ‘seal’ – σφραγίς sphragis – Strong’s G4973 – is used 11 times in the LXX (Septuagint), as the equivalent to the Hebrew word חֹתָם ḥotham – Strong’s H2368 which means, ‘a seal, signet ring’. .

Why I am mentioning this, is so that we can be reminded of the clear instructions that were given regarding the garments of the High Priest, and how the names of the 12 tribes of Yisra’ĕl were to be engraved on each of the stones, like the engraving of a signet – חֹתָם ḥotham, that were to be set in the breastplate, according to each tribe. .

The two shoham stones that were to be set in settings of gold and put on the shoulder pieces of the shoulder garment of the High Priest, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Yisra’ĕl, were also to be engraved, like the engraving of a signet; and the plate of clean gold that was on the turban of the High Priest was to be engraved like the engraving of a signet with the words – SET-APARTNESS TO יהוה..

In Sha’ul’s introduction to the believers in Ephesos he was making clear that we not only have, through יהושע Messiah, redemption and forgiveness, but that we have also been sealed with the Set-Apart Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession is fulfilled at His second coming!!!

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 1:13-14 “in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your deliverance, in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Set-apart Spirit of promise, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His esteem.”

The Greek word for ‘redemption’ is ἀπολύτρωσις apolutrōsis – Strong’s G629 which means, ‘to release on payment of ransom, a release effected by payment of ransom, redemption’, which comes from two words:

1) ἀπό apo – Strong’s G575 which is a preposition that carries the meaning, ‘from, away from, against’, and

2) λύτρον Lutron – Strong’s G3083 which means, ‘ransom’, which comes from the primary verb λύω luō – Strong’s G3089 which means, ‘to loose, release, dissolve, annul, break, take off, untie’. .

Messiah came to redeem us and take off the heavy burdens of false traditions and lies, so that we can take up His easy yoke, walking Him and have the full assurance of our redemption to made complete when He comes again, by sealing us with His Set-Apart Spirit of promise.

Being sealed with the Set-Apart Spirit, we must realise the clear responsibility we have in working out our deliverance with fear and trembling, as we do our utmost to not grieve the Spirit, by which we have been sealed, and who is the pledge of our inheritance!.

Why I am mentioning various Greek and Hebrew words, is to highlight for us the clear importance of our need to be sober, alert and watchful as we walk set-apart lives amidst a wicked and adulterous generation!

As the Day of יהוה draws nearer and nearer we are able to clearly see the depravity of man betting worse, as the love of many is certainly growing cold and the pressures of daily living and the ability to makes ends meet is getting increasingly harder.

Recognising the signs of the times, the very perilous times we are living in, we take note that the Day draws near and we should not be alarmed at that which must take place, but be strengthened in the Word to stand steadfast and not be moved, as we guard the sealing of our inheritance with our all, by not turning to the right or to the left but walking straight in the Way of our Master and Elohim!.

With Sha’ul giving this clear instruction to not grieve the Spirit, we must take note that there is a danger of actually doing it, or else he would not have instructed this and given the clear warning to ensure we do not grieve the Spirit who has sealed us!

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Set-apart Spirit of Elohim, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”.

TWO = THIRTEEN TIMES!

In verse 16-21 we see the description of how the breastplate was bound to the shoulder garment by means of two gold rings, two settings of gold, and two cords of gold bound by a blue cord.

What is very interesting and worth taking note of, is that in these 5 verses we see the term ‘two’ used thirteen times when speaking of that which is used to bind the breastplate to the shoulder garment.

The breastplate carried the stones of the 12 tribes and on the shoulders we know that the shoham stone is also the stone that represents Yosĕph on the breastplate, and so gives us a wonderful shadow picture of Messiah, as Yosĕph ‘carried’ or bore his brothers on his shoulders as he ruled in Mitsrayim and brought about their deliverance, and so the names of the 12 tribes on the two stones speak of how our names are written in the Rock and the Rock of our deliverance – יהושע Messiah bears us upon His shoulders as High Priest and King:

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.”

יהושע took our burdens upon His shoulders as He came to ‘fulfil’ the Torah, enabling us to walk in His Torah as we follow Him and too bear each other’s burdens..

The term ‘two’ speaks of the two houses that are brought together as one in Messiah.

The term אֶחָד eḥaḏ – Strong’s H259 in Hebrew means ‘ONE’ and carries the numerical value of 13 – אֶ =1 (Aleph); חָ =8 (Het); ד =4 (Dalet).

What binds us together!

Verse 21 makes it clear – so that the breastplate would not come loose from the shoulder garment, a blue cord was used to bind the two together!

The Blue Cord represents the Torah – it is the Torah and living according to it that will keep us as a set-apart people from coming loose from Messiah!.

The Pomegranates and Bells:

On the hem of the robe of the shoulder garment was gold bells and pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet – a significant picture indeed. Although there has been the thought that a pomegranate has exactly 613 seeds, this has not been proven to be the case, certainly not in our day as they range from 200 to 1400.

What is interesting about the pomegranate is the fact that there are many seeds inside and represents the Word that is sown by the Farmer with the expectation of a return – the bells can be symbolic of the trumpet of His Coming – where the question remains as to what will He find?

Will He find faith?

Will he find an active obedient faith that has taken that which has been sown and multiplied?

Luqas/Luke 18:8 “I say to you that He shall do right to them speedily. But when the Son of Aḏam comes, shall He find the belief on the earth?”.

The bells would sound on the hem of Aharon’s robe so that he does not die when he comes before יהוה, and so we see the very symbol of how יהושע, our High Priest never slumbers nor sleeps but is continually making intercession for us in the Set-Apart place..

The Hebrew word for ‘pomegranate’ is רִמֹּן Rimmon – Strong’s H7416 meaning. ‘pomegranate’.

This word reminds me of the 15^th stop of the 42 stops of the Wilderness Journey, which was called Rimmon Perets – רִמֹּן פָּ֑רֶץ Strong’s H7428 = “pomegranate of the breach” or ‘abundant fruit’ or ‘stand in the breach’.

It is from the two words:

1) רִמֹּן Rimmon – Strong’s H7416 meaning. ‘pomegranate’ and

2) פֶּרֶץ Perets – Strong’s H6556 meaning, ‘a bursting forth, breach, breakthrough, outburst, increase, prosperous’..

We are to bear much fruit and we are to be repairers of breaches as we look out for and encourage one another. These two words reflect a fruitful tree that bears much seed but also a breaking.

Any tree that does not bear fruit will be cut off – let us not break others down when they are bearing fruit but rather encourage and build up!

Yoḥanan/John 15:5-6 “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! 6 “If anyone does not stay in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up. And they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”.

The pomegranate is full of seeds, and this reminds us of the promise given to Aḇraham in that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, and what is also interesting about the pomegranate is the red juice that can be symbolic for us of the Blood of Messiah – where the Torah tells us that the life of the flesh resides!

And it is through the Blood of Messiah that the body is brought together and breaches are repaired – יהושע Messiah is the repairer of the breach and in Him the Promise given to Aḇraham is yes and aměn! .

The Hebrew word for ‘bells’ is פַּעֲמֹן pa’amon – Strong’s H6472 which comes from the root verb פַּעַם ‘pa‘am’ – Strong’s H6471 which means ‘a beat, foot, step’ and can also be expressed as how one ‘conduct one’s life, formally – one’s walk, step or footstep, i.e., the patterns of behavior as a figurative extension of a stepping of a foot forward’. .

Herein lies another reminder for us to be continually walking in the footsteps of our Master and keeping His Feasts and Appointed Times!

With the bells and pomegranates being put on the hem of the robe reminds us that we keep these cycles with joy as we press on forward and do not turn back but always moving forward in His cycle.

His Feasts are our rehearsals and we are to be diligent in rehearsing according to His set forth instructions, for in it lies His complete plan of redemption for which we continue to walk in faithfully.

His feasts are in a way a sure roadmap that ensures the Bride’s complete preparation and are eternal appointments for every generation that are prophetic in nature helping the Bride be led in Truth to her wedding with the Master!.

The gold plate on the turban

A gold plate was to be engraved with the words ‘Set-Apartness to יהוה’ and it was attached to the turban by a blue cord (signifying the heavenly connection and a reminder of His commands) and placed on the forehead.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘plate’ is צִיץ tsits – Strong’s H6371 which means, ‘flower, blossom, wings, shining thing (plate)’. .

A derivative of the word צִיץ tsits which is translated as ‘flower or plate’ is צִיצִת tsitsith – Strong’s H6734 which we know means, ‘tassel, fringe, lock’, and we are told in Bemiḏbar/Numbers 15:38-39 that we are to make צִיצִת tsitsith on the corners of our garments and put a blue cord in the צִיצִת tsitsith – which is for the purpose of reminding us to remember all the commands of יהוה and do them and not follow after our own heart and eyes after which we had previously went whoring! .

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘sign of dedication’ comes from the root word נֶזֶר nezer – Strong’s H5145 which means, ‘consecration, dedication, separation’.

This engraving, reminds us that we are to life Set-Apart lives and be diligent in having self-discipline when it comes to our minds as we to think only pure and set-apart thoughts before יהוה continually.

As we are ambassadors of יהושע, our thoughts should always reflect His thoughts and our speech always mirror His speech.

Pilipiyim/Philippians 4:8-9 “For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is righteous, whatever is clean, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any uprightness and if there is any praise – think on these. 9 And what you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, practise these, and the Elohim of peace shall be with you.”

The other significant picture we see, as we are clothed in Messiah, is that the sign on the frontlet between our eyes is the Pěsaḥ and Matzot and we know that the Sabbath is also a sign between us and יהוה forever.

It is when we remain obedient to following His commands and keeping his Set-Apart Times that we are able to consistently guard our minds and wear the ‘helmet of salvation’, able to continually renew our minds and not be conformed to the pattern of the world but be transformed and think as He thinks!.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 52:1 “Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Tsiyon, put on your garments of splendour, O Yerushalayim, the set-apart city! For no more do the uncircumcised and the unclean come into you.”.

It is time for the called out, chosen, set-apart and royal priesthood to put on the garments of splendour and be done with all that is unclean. The instructions are written – and now is the time to get dressed and serve faithfully!

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 6:10-17 “For the rest, my brothers, be strong in the Master and in the mightiness of His strength. 11 Put on the complete armour of Elohim, for you to have power to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies. 13 Because of this, take up the complete armour of Elohim, so that you have power to withstand in the wicked day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand, then, having girded your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; 16 above all, having taken up the shield of belief with which you shall have power to quench all the burning arrows of the wicked one. 17 Take also the helmet of deliverance, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Elohim”

As we clothe ourselves in יהושע, we put on the priestly garments. We wrap ourselves in Him as our hearts and minds transform into His image and nature.

The priestly garments were designed to set יהוה’s people apart from the common world with its worldly system and influence, enabling them to serve in the Heavenly Kingdom system as priests and kings before Him..

With the sign of dedication on the forehead of the High Priest we are able to recognise how important it is for us to continually renew our minds, as we stay in our Master, who is our Head, and pursue apartness, for without apartness no one will see the Master:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with all, and pursue apartness without which no one shall see the Master.”

The term ‘set-apartness’, in Hebrew, comes from the word: קֹדֶשqoḏesh/ko-ḏesh – Strong’s H6944 – and it means ‘apartness/ consecrated/ dedicated/ that which is dedicated and separated unto יהוה’.

This word קֹדֶשqoḏesh is really self-explanatory and carries with it, great weight in its identification of truly setting something or someone apart from another with a clear distinction of being marked as separate and apart from the rest..

Set-apartness/apartness, in the Greek, is ἁγιασμός hagiasmos – Strong’s G38 – ‘consecration, sanctifying’, and the noun is the word ἅγιος hagios – Strong’s G40.

To ‘consecrate’ means ‘to make or declare to be set-apart and be devoted to a purpose with the deepest irrevocable dedication’.

Due to the ‘perfect’ and ‘complete’ work of our Messiah and King, we are able to be perfect and set-apart before Elohim, for that is what we are called to – to set-apartness and having been grafted into the Covenants of Promise by the Blood of Messiah that cleanses and washes us, we are now called to be a called-out people who are ‘perfecting’ set-apartness in the fear of Elohim! .

How then are we to ‘perfect’ our set-apartness in the fear of Elohim?

By walking in THE PERFECT TORAH!!!

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 7:1 “Having, then, these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting set-apartness in the fear of Elohim.”

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.”

Looking into the ‘perfect’ Torah and continuing in it – that is to be one who guards to do what is instructed in it – shall be blessed – for it is the Perfect Torah that enables us, through application, to perfect our set-apartness!

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 “For this is the desire of Elohim: your set-apartness! – that you should abstain from whoring, 4 that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel in set-apartness and respect, 5 not in passion of lust, like the gentiles who do not know Elohim, 6 not to overstep and take advantage of his brother in this matter, because the Master is the revenger of all such, as we indeed said to you before and earnestly warned. 7 For Elohim did not call us to uncleanness, but in set-apartness.”.

How do you excel in your set-apartness?

Well for starters – abstain from whoring – so that you know how to possess your vessel in set-apartness and respect and not do as the nations do. The reason to excel still more in the Master is because of our desire to please Him..

To be set-apart we must not be found to be whoring after the nations as Yisra’ĕl did and were vomited out by the land!

The Greek word that is used here, in Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 4:3, for whoring is πορνεία porneia – Strong’s G4202 which means, ‘fornication, immorality, sexual immorality’ and comes from the word which means harlot or prostitute and we get our English word ‘pornography’ from this word. .

Now, while we must clearly heed the literal and physical meaning here, in that we must not engage in any sexual activities that are unlawful and abominable, what we can also learn from this is that running after the world’s ways of the flesh and doing what the world does can also be seen as whoring after other mighty ones; especially when one’s attempt at worship conforms to a fleshly man-made systemised form of worship that is against the manner of worship that is clearly prescribed in the Torah.

As the Bride of Messiah, we are to keep ourselves ‘pure and undefiled’ and not be found whoring after the flesh..

We are to be found to be doing the desire of Elohim – which is set-apartness, for then we can be built up in Him and be His Dwelling Place and family of our great King:

Marqos/Mark 3:35 “For whoever does the desire of Elohim is My brother and My sister and mother.”

On the turban of the High Priest there was placed a plate of clean gold with the engraving: SET-APARTNESS TO יהוה, and this signet was to always be on the head of the High Priest for acceptance of the children of Yisra’ĕl before יהוה.

As our High Priest and King, יהושע Messiah makes continual intercession for us, we recognise our need to perfect set-apartness, as we His body submit to Him as our head and Master that leads us in set-apartness!.

We are the Dwelling Place/House of Elohim as we are being built up in the Master as living stones and understanding this, we recognise the clear Truth that is declared in Tehillah/Psalm 93, which tells us clearly that set-apartness befits the House of יהוה:

Tehillah/Psalm 93:5 “Your witnesses have been very trustworthy. Set-apartness befits Your house, O יהוה, forever.”

Set-apartness befits His House!

The term ‘befits’, is translated from the Hebrew root word נָאָה na’ah – Strong’s H4998 which means, ‘to be comely or befitting, lovely, be beautiful’.

This verb denotes the state of being beautiful or suitable and is only used 3 times in Scripture.

It is applied in Shir HaShirim/Song of Songs 1:10 to the cheeks of a beautiful woman, and then in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 52:7 to the ‘pleasant’ feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who proclaims deliverance, and who says to Tsiyon, “Your Elohim reigns!”

We are to be proclaiming the reign of our Elohim, and we do so with great beauty as we guard His Word and keep His Feasts, as we recognise that ‘feet’ in Hebrew is often a term that relates to the guarding of the Feasts of יהוה, and the only way to keep His Feasts is to do them as He has commanded us to, in complete set-apartness without compromise! .

Sadly, we find many today who claim to proclaim the reign, yet do not guard His Feasts as commanded, as they try to take shortcuts and excuse their way out of simply doing what is commanded, and think that their actions are deemed acceptable, when we are clearly told that it is only set-apartness that befits His House!

Any deviation from the clear plumb-line of the Word of Elohim is not set-apartness, and this we need to be clearly reminded of..

Anyone who claims to walk in our Master and Elohim yet fails to keep His Sabbaths and Feasts, as they should, are clearly not living set-apart lives and are therefore in severe danger of not being built up as living stones into the Dwelling Place of Elohim and risk the reality of being thrown out into outer darkness as worthless servants, and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth! .

There are many verses that instruct and teach us to bow to יהוה in the splendour of set-apartness, and we are to give thanks at the remembrance of His set-apartness and ascribe esteem to Him is the splendour of set-apartness.

Tehillah/Psalm 29:2 “Ascribe to יהוה the esteem of His Name; bow yourselves to יהוה in the splendour of set-apartness.”

The Hebrew word for ‘splendour’ is הֲדָרָה haḏarah – H1927 which means ‘adornment, beauty, array, attire, honour’, and this highlights for us the need to be adorned with His beauty – His set-apart garments of righteousness, as we worship Him who is set-apart. .

This word also expresses the understanding of something that is seen publicly and not only represents an adornment for royalty but also the actions that are worthy of royalty, highlighting for us the need to be active in our loving-commitment and having the fruit of our lives resulting in the beauty of set-apartness..

In keeping in line with the concept of being adorned with the beauty of set-apartness, as seen in our daily walk I was reminded of a sobering picture that teaches us our need to be bold and steadfast ambassadors who proclaim the reign of the heavens.

This is seen in the life of the prophet Yeḥezqěl who was told the following:

Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 24:15-17 “And the word of יהוה came to me, saying, 16 “Son of man, see, I am taking away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke. But do not mourn, nor weep, nor let your tears run down. 17 “Groan silently, make no mourning for the dead. Bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet. Do not cover your upper lip, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.”

The next day he spoke to the people in the morning and in the evening his wife died, and he did what he was commanded – he bound the turban on his head and put his sandals in his feet, becoming a sign to the wicked and adulterous children! .

The command to have the Torah evident in our lives, and meditating day and night on it, will give us the ability to walk steadfast in the shalom of our King amidst a crooked and perverse people, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in!

This is a sobering picture given to us indeed, and one we should carefully consider! .

We are not to go around moaning and groaning at life’s hardships but rather be immovable in our set-apartness and always ready to give an answer, as faithful ambassadors, for the hope we have in our Master and Elohim that is coming to establish His reign here on earth.

As a royal and chosen, called out priesthood we too are to have set-apartness bound to us, in a manner of speaking, as we walk in the Torah with great joy and delight, being led forth in the peace of our King, and be able to do this faithfully before many who are clearly stubborn and rebellious! .

In Yoḥanan/John 17 יהושע prayed that while we are not of this world and are hated by the world that we should not be taken out of this world but that we would be kept from the wicked one, and be set-apart in Truth, and His Word is Truth! .

This is a very powerful picture, which shows our need to be a light and be the salt of the earth – by being set-apart in His Truth, perfecting our set-apartness in the midst of a world that hates us because of the Word, and bringing the Good News of the Reign, and doing so continually without compromise, as we boldly represent that which proclaims life and not death!.

יהוה reigns, and His reign is coming, and in fact is now already here, as we as faithful ambassadors proclaim His reign in splendour of complete set-apartness – for that is the only thing that befits His House!.

At this point I want us to take a look at this Hebrew word for set-apartness as it was written in the ancient pictographic script..

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:

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..

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!.

As we stay in the Master and remain in Him by continuing to stand firmly dressed in the armour of Elohim then we are able to properly reflect the set-apartness of our Master in the midst of a wicked and depraved world, as we shine the light of His Kingdom Reign that is coming and now is in operation in our own lives!

Fine linen

The Hebrew word for ‘fine linen’ is שֵׁשׁ ‘shesh’ – Strong’s H8336.

Fine white linen, in Scripture, always 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.”

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!.

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.”.

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

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘blue’ is 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

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.

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! .

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.”.

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!.

Verse 32-43 – Work is done

In these verses we see that all the work of the Dwelling Place was now completed and was brought to Mosheh. All had been done according to the commands given to Mosheh by יהוה and nothing was missing.

Everything had now been prepared for the service of the Dwelling Place, for the Tent of Appointment!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘service’ in verse 40 comes from the root word עֲבֹדָה aḇoḏah – Strong’s H5656 meaning, ‘service, labour, servitude, ministry’ and comes from the word – עָבַד aḇaḏ – Strong’s H5647 which means, ‘to work, serve, become slaves, cultivate, perform, serve, worship’; and the word for a servant is עֶבֶד eḇeḏ – Strong’s H5650 meaning, ‘servant, slave, bondservant’, and as a child of Yisra’ĕl, which we have become by the Blood of Messiah, we are servants of יהוה:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 25:55 “Because the children of Yisra’ĕl are servants to Me, they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am יהוה your Elohim.”.

The equivalent Greek word for servant is δοῦλος doulos – Strong’s G1401 and is translated as, ‘slave, servant, bondservant, bondslaves – both men and women’, and is used repeatedly throughout the Renewed Writings (N.T.)..

The Hebrew word עֶבֶד eḇeḏ is used 800 times in the Tanak (O.T.) and is used as a noun and comes from the primitive root verb עָבַד aḇaḏ – Strong’s H5647 meaning, ‘to work, serve, observe, do the work, cultivate, worship’ and carries the understanding of ‘expending considerable energy and intensity in performing a task or function’ – in other words – ‘giving it your all’!

In the ancient pictographic script, the words עֶבֶד eḇeḏ – Strong’s H5650 and עָבַד aḇad – Strong’s H5647 are pictured as follows:

Ayin – עֶ:

Beyt – בֶ:

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

Dalet – ד:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as 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..

When we look at this word, in the ancient script for a servant, or one who serves, we can see that it speaks of: .

ONE WHO WATCHES

AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE!.

This is what our Master calls us to do; and when we consider that יהושע Messiah is The Door, then we further see our need to continually be looking at Him and praising Him as we diligently are serving in spirit and truth, guarding to do all His commands – and this is how we too keep watch over the House/Body of Messiah with true joy!.

All had been prepared so that the service of the House could be done in the prescribed manner.

We are able to glean a clear lesson of readiness that our Master has brought for us as we recognise that we have been given all we need for life and reverence and therefore we have been given all we need to properly serve our Master and Elohim, according to His clearly prescribed instructions for set-apartness unto Him!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘dwelling place’ comes from the root word מִשְׁכָּן mishkan – Strong’s H4908 which means, ‘dwelling place, tabernacle, tents’; which comes from the primitive root verb שָׁכַן shaḵan – Strong’s H7931 which means, ‘to settle down, abide, dwell, establish, make or cause to dwell’.

Mosheh was instructed to build the Dwelling Place exactly according to the ‘pattern’ he was shown – that is the pattern of what he was shown in the heavenlies, where Elohim dwells! .

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘pattern’ is תַּבְנִית taḇniyth – Strong’s H8403 which means, ‘construction, pattern, figure, copy, image, likeness, model, plan’ and comes from the root verb בָּנָה banah – Strong’s H1129 meaning, ‘to build, besieged, construct, fortify, rebuild, establish a family, build up’.

Another word that is derived from this root verb, through the meaning to build, is אֶבֶן eḇen – Strong’s H68 meaning, ‘stone, corner stone, differing weights, plumb line’. .

We are therefore able to see how it is יהוה who builds us up as living stones; and being built up in Him, we are able to stand strong and stand firm in any circumstance, with the full assurance that the Rock upon which we stand will stand firm and not be moved or shaken! .

We are built up as living stones in Messiah, as Kěpha describes in:

Why I am emphasising this is to highlight how it is through the clear pattern of His Word that we are equipped and enabled to be built up as the dwelling Place of Elohim, where He can come and dwell in the midst of.

The way we are built up in the Master is according to the pattern which is in the heavens and so just as Mosheh was told to do exactly according to the pattern we recognise that we can only be properly built up as living stones when we follow the clear pattern given by our Master. .

When we consider these words given to Mosheh, we are further enabled to understand the teaching our Master and Elohim gave us of how we are to pray.

Mattithyahu/Matthew 6:9-10 “This, then, is the way you should pray: ‘Our Father who is in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart, 10 let Your reign come, let Your desire be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The Greek word used here for ‘as it is’ is ὡς hōs – Strong’s G5613 which means, ‘as, like as, even as’ and through this clear teaching we recognise that our Master was teaching us to pray to the Father that His desire be done on earth as it is in the heavens and therefore echoes the same instructions being given to Mosheh, with the pattern shown to him in the heavens, for the Tabernacle was to be a clear representation on earth ‘as it is’ in the heavens..

The pattern of the dwelling place of Elohim has always been one that comes from above and therefore we recognise how important it is for us to take note of, study and meditate on the Torah of Elohim in order to know His pattern for us, His Dwelling Place!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘Tent’, as in ‘Tent of Appointment’, is the word אֹהֶל ohel – Strong’s H168 which means, ‘tent’..

We take note that both these words – אֹהֶל ohel and מִשְׁכָּן mishkan are used for the Tabernacle and there is often the questioned raised of whether one represents the inner part of the Tabernacle while the other the outer, yet this cannot be definitively shown.

What we do recognise however is that in the uses of these two words that are collectively used for the Tabernacle, we may be able to see that the אֹהֶל ohel is often the place where man/congregation meets with Elohim; whereas the מִשְׁכָּן mishkan may be likened to the expression of Elohim dwelling amidst the nation of Yisra’ĕl..

In Shemoth/Exodus 38:21 we see that the word מִשְׁכָּן mishkan being used and linked to ‘the witness’ – ‘ha eduth’:

Shemoth/Exodus 38:21 “These were the appointments of the Dwelling Place, the Dwelling Place of the Witness, which was appointed by the command of Mosheh, for the service of the Lěwites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aharon the priest.”

The Hebrew word for ‘witness’ is עֵדוּת eḏuth – Strong’s H5715 which means, ‘testimony, witness, ordinance, warning’, and this is the word that is used for ‘The Ark of the Witness’..

In Wayyiqra/Leviticus 1:1 we see the word אֹהֶל ohel being used and linked to ‘Meeting’ or ‘Appointement’:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 1:1 “And יהוה called to Mosheh, and spoke to him from the Tent of Appointment, saying”

The Hebrew word for ‘Appointment’ is מוֹעֵד moeḏ – Strong’s H4150 meaning, ‘appointed time, place, meeting, appointed feast’, from which we get the plural word for Appointed Times – מוֹעֲדִים ‘moeḏim’, and right in the beginning, during the Creation Week, Elohim announces to us that He will have ‘appointed times’ and the way we are to know when these times are would be determined by the lights in the expanse of the heavens which were given for us to not only determine the season and day and night but also for His all-important Appointed Times.

His Appointed Times are clearly given to us in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23 (see Torah commentary notes on Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23 for more on the Appointed Times of יהוה).

It is in true Set-Apartness, where יהוה causes His presence to dwell, and it is in true set-apart living that we are caused to dwell in Him, for as we stay/remain in Him He stays/remains in us, in order to bear fruit or else we will be cut off! (Yoḥanan/John 15).

Bemiḏbar/Numbers 24:5 “How good are your tents, O Ya’aqoḇ, your dwellings, O Yisra’ĕl!”

The Hebrew word used here for ‘tents’ is the plural of the root word אֹהֶל ohel – Strong’s H168 and the root word used here for ‘dwelling places’ is from the root word מִשְׁכָּן mishkan – Strong’s H4908..

In verse 43 we see how Mosheh looked over all the work and saw that it was done according to the commands and he blessed the work.

This is a wonderful picture of how living according to the Torah can be and in fact is a blessing! .

So many people view the living according to the Torah as a burden and a curse, simply because they have not listened to and experienced the joy of simply obeying and experiencing the blessing of life that the Torah Way brings!

The Torah is a blessing when done the Torah Way! .

The Hebrew root word that is used here for ‘completed’ is כָּלָה kalah – Strong’s H3615 means ‘finished, completed, come to an end or accomplished’ and is very similar to the root word that כַּלָּה kallah – Strong’s H3618 which means ‘a bride’, and so carries a wonderful picture for us of a bride prepared – a bride who has made herself ready and presents herself as one prepared. Of course, just as Mosheh looks over and inspects so too will יהושע inspect to see if His Bride has prepared Herself according to the instructions and pattern shown in the Torah!.

CHAPTER 40

Setting up the Tabernacle

In verse2, Mosheh is instructed that on the first day of the first month he was to raise up the Tabernacle and set it up, as per the instructions.

What was to be put up first, was the Dwelling Place of the Tent of Appointment and then put the Ark of the Witness in it first and screen it off with the veil.

He would then proceed to put all the articles in place, working outwards from the Most Set-Apart Dwelling Place. .

This is a very powerful picture for us, as what we see is that the Ark of the Witness was at the heart of the Tabernacle and so too it is with us – it begins with us having our hearts prepared and ready to receive His presence.

So many today have simply an outward appearance only – by that I mean they may appear to have the service of the Tabernacle and its function yet the presence of יהוה is not there as they have no regard for His commands!.

In verse 4-5 we see the reference to the order of the placement of the articles in the Set-Apart place:

First was the table which was to have all that was to be upon it arranged and set in place.

Now we know that the 12 breads were to be upon this table of showbread daily and so the Table of showbread represents the 12 tribes of Yisra’ĕl in unity and dressed and ready for dinner in His home! .

The Table is set and the 12 unified tribes are gathered and seated, after which the Menorah (lampstand) is brought in, which is lit to shine light upon the Table. The Menorah is a picture of the fullness of our unity in Messiah.

Next, in place, was the slaughter-place of incense, for once the light is present, we can pray knowledgeably. .

Let us recap on the three items that were places in the Set-Apart Place:

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). .

There 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 the clear pressed 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 the following, 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 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): .

Mem – מְ

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..

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”

Slaughter-place of incense

The gold 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 gold slaughter-place...

The golden slaughter-place is listed last because we cannot come to the slaughter-place of incense until our hearts have come into agreement with יהוה’s ways and our minds having been transformed and set-apart before Him. .

The gold slaughter-place of incense will not function within us until this happens, thus the description of the gold slaughter-place follows after the pattern of the tabernacle furnishings and the garments of the priesthood are taught, as it is the High Priest who approaches the slaughter-place of incense on behalf of the people..

יהושע, having torn the veil that separates the set-apart place from the most set-apart place, has become the One who intercedes for us and our prayers are before Him who sits on the throne with no veil – so that through the Blood of Messiah we can come boldly to the throne and offer up our prayers and petitions with thanksgiving..

This golden 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:

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.”

Naḏaḇ 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.”.

Verse 6 – The Slaughter Place of ascending offering.

The brazen slaughter-place, bronze slaughter-place, or slaughter-place of sacrifice or slaughter place for ascending offering, 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 for ascending offering 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 for ascending offering 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 were 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 for ascending offering.

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 for ascending offering 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.”.

Verse 7 – Bronze Basin for washing

The Laver was a bronze basin stood on a base about midway between the Slaughter Place and the Tent of Appointment (Shemoth/Exodus 40:30). .

It was probably round and of considerable size although its exact shape and size are not stated in scripture. However, we may surmise that the “stand” was separate since it is always mentioned separately.

Verse 8 – The Fence and the Gate

Mosheh was to anoint The Dwelling Place and everything in it, setting it and all the utensils apart; he would then anoint the Slaughter Place and its utensils followed by anointing the wash basin and its stand. .

After all was anointed and set-apart Aharon and his sons were to be brought to the door of the Tent of Appointment and be washed with water and then clothed with the set-apart garments, after which they would now be able to serve as priests to יהוה. .

We can take a great lesson for all of us in respect to this order of events as we see in:.

Verse 12-13 – Bring them to the Tent of Appointment

1 – We all have an appointment with יהוה!

This is the first step, as He calls us unto Himself and knocks at the door of our hearts.

If we open, he will come in and make His dwelling with us!

Yoḥanan/John 14:23 “יהושע answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he shall guard My Word. And My Father shall love him, and we shall come to him and make Our stay with him.”

2 – After accepting Him and repenting from all sin – that is to turn away from sin and turn to Messiah, we are washed with water through immersion in the Name of יהושע.

3 – Next, we see that just as Mosheh would put on the set-apart garments upon Aharon and his sons, so we see the picture of us being clothed in the set-apart garments of righteousness by hearing, guarding and doing the Torah as we learn each week through the hearing of Mosheh, for it is through Mosheh (Torah) that we learn to clothe ourselves in righteousness.

4 – Now, we begin to serve as priests!.

Verse 17 – 1^st day of the second year!

This verse struck me and is very relevant to our walking and serving as a royal priesthood. Yisra’ĕl came out in the first month after they had the Pěsaḥ meal and they went on a journey that brought them to Mount Sinai where they received the Marriage Covenant, had a bit of a slip up in obedience, and were taught for that year all the commands and instructions for worshipping and serving יהוה as asset-apart Nation, who was betrothed to Elohim. .

Now, a year later, on the 1^st day of the second year, Mosheh raised up the Dwelling Place!

This is interesting as we understand the timing hear when we as a people today go through a cycle of the Torah over a year. .

This carries great insight for us, for when one comes out of Mitsrayim/Babylon and starts to learn to hear the true voice of the Creator, what we see is that after one year, as one has gone through the Torah, there needs to be growth from just receiving instruction to physically applying the instruction with joy and precision!

This does not mean that we are to ‘wait’ a whole year before we start serving, but what it does show is that we are to be at the point of being in service and growing from year to year. .

There are many who have been ‘walking in Torah’ for years yet they fail to be found serving the body, so instead of ‘walking’ they have been simply ‘sitting in Torah’ and this is not the way we as priests are to serve.

We are to be washed, clothed and ready to serve.

The basin for washing was used to wash hands and feet before service and so too do we need to cleanse ourselves daily from the defilement of the world and allow the word to wash us, as we submit to the hearing and doing of the Torah! .

The purpose for this bronze basin was for ‘washing’ and is the Hebrew root word רָחַץ raḥats – Strong’s H7364 and means ‘to wash, wash off, bathe, wash away’ and differs to the word also translated as wash כָּבַס kaḇas – Strong’s H3526 which carries the meaning ‘washing by treading or wash by the trampling of the feet’ and carries the picture of washing one’s garments.

Why this is important to understand, is that the bronze basin used for washing was to be used to wash the hands and feet of the priests before they would go into the Tent of Appointment or when they came near the slaughter place to burn an offering to יהוה.

This ‘washing’, being spoken of here, speaks about keeping our walk clean before יהוה, as a people who have been ‘washed’ and cleansed in the Blood of Messiah.

The word כָּבַס kaḇas is used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 51:2 “Wash me completely from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin.”

Tehillah/Psalm 51:7 “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I am clean; wash me, and I am whiter than snow.”.

In Ya’aqoḇ’s blessing of Yehuḏah we see this word used in reference to יהושע and the work of His Blood bringing us pure garments of righteousness as well as the fierce wrath that He will bring upon those who have not been washed in Him as He will tread the winepress in His wrath!

Berěshith/Genesis 49:11 “Binding his donkey to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes.”.

This word was also used in the instructions given to Mosheh to command all Yisra’ĕl to ‘wash themselves’ within 2 days and be ready by the 3^rd day when יהוה would come down and meet with Yisra’ĕl

Shemoth/Exodus 19:10-11 “And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Go to the people and set them apart today and tomorrow. And they shall wash their garments, 11 and shall be prepared by the third day. For on the third day יהוה shall come down upon Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.”

Shemoth/Exodus 19:14 “And Mosheh came down from the mountain to the people and set the people apart, and they washed their garments.”.

We too have been given ‘2 days’ to get ready and on the ‘3^rd Day’ יהוה will come down before the eyes of all the nations!

יהושע, the Light of the World, came in the 4^th day (4^th Millennium) and gave His life as a ransom for many that we may be washed from all our sin and he has given His children 2 days (5^th and 6^th Millennia) to get ready for his return on the 7^th day (7^th Millennium). .

This washing is an acceptance of the Blood of Messiah and our immersion in his Name where He cuts the foreskin of our hearts and we receive the circumcision not done by the hands of men, and we accept and acknowledge His sacrifice and partake of the Pěsaḥ meal that we may be covered and cleansed. This is the first ‘washing’. .

The washing spoken of in this chapter in regards to a washing of hands and feet is NOT כָּבַס kaḇas, but is רָחַץ raḥats, and speaks of our need to constantly – that is daily – being washed in the Word.

The bronze that was used to make this basin and its stand was from the bronze mirrors of the serving women, who did service at the door of the Tent of Meeting (Shemoth/Exodus 38:8) and is a wonderful picture for us of how we are to be continually ‘washed’ in the Word of Truth.

Mirrors in those days were not made of glass, but rather of well beaten and polished bronze that gave a mirror effect and so every time the priests would come to wash their hands and feet, they would be able to see the reflection of themselves in the bronze mirror and make sure that they were cleaned thoroughly before entering into any service unto יהוה..

We see this picture right throughout Scripture – the Word used for cleansing!

Why the priests had to wash their hands and feet only was symbolic of the work and walk. .

We have already been redeemed and washed by the Blood of the Lamb through repentance and immersion in His Name; yet as we walk from day to day in this world our feet pick up dirt and our hands may often engage in worldly affairs that must be dealt with and cleansed as we look intently into the mirror of the Word and allow the Word to wash us clean that we may serve as royal priests of the Most–High!.

Tehillah/Psalm 24:4 asks the following question:

“Who does go up into the Mountain of יהוה; and who does stand in His Set-Apart place?”

And the answer is clear: Innocent hands and a clean heart!

That is, one who has been washed ‘כָּבַס kaḇas’ in the Blood of Messiah and keeps washing ‘רָחַץ raḥats’ daily through the Word!.

Ya’aqoḇ/James 4:8 “Draw near to Elohim and He shall draw near to you. Cleanse hands, sinners. And cleanse the hearts, you double-minded!”

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:23-25 “Because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, 24 for he looks at himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what he was like. 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.”

יהושע washed the disciple’s feet:

Yoḥanan/John 13: 5-10 “After that He put water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the taught ones, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 And so He came to Shimʽon Kěpha, and he said to Him, “Master, do You wash my feet?” 7 יהושע answered and said to him, “You do not know what I am doing now, but you shall know after this.” 8 Kěpha said to Him, “By no means shall You wash my feet, ever!” יהושע answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 Shimʽon Kěpha said to Him, “Master, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 10 יהושע said to him, “He who has had a bath does not need to wash, except his feet, but is clean altogether. And you are clean, but not all of you.”.

Notice the wonderful picture here – יהושע washes their feet and wiped them with the towel which was girded – a picture of the belt of truth or the girdle of the High Priest – washed by the Word (He is the Living Word) and wiped by the girdle (Truth) – it is the Word that cleanses our hands and feet. .

Kěpha, at first, said no to יהושע washing his feet, thinking that there was no way his Rabbi would wash his feet and יהושע tells him plainly that he does not know what was being done, but would afterwards and Kěpha then boldly asks to have his hands and head washed too, and here יהושע reiterates the service in the Tabernacle – we who have been immersed in Him have had a bath, and what still needs to be washed is our feet which speaks of our daily walk. .

We cannot come and serve יהוה as a royal priesthood if our walk has been defiled in any way – we first must wash our hands and feet so that we may serve Him with confidence and joy: Dawiḏ understood this:

Tehillah/Psalm 26:6 “I wash my hands in innocence; and I walk around Your slaughter-place, O יהוה.”.

יהושע was preparing the disciples for service and showed them the necessity of washing each other’s feet, teaching us that we are to look out for each other and encourage each other and be mature enough to tell each other when we have walked in error and bring the cleansing, through the mirror of the Word, and this clearly speaks of our need to be a people who serve and are not waiting to be served – for those who wait ‘hand and foot’ to be served, so to speak, are not the true priesthood of the Tabernacle!

Yoḥanan/John 13:12-15 “So when He had washed their feet and taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 “You call me Teacher and Master, and you say well, for I am. 14 “Then if I, Master and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 “For I gave you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

With יהושע washing their ‘feet’ only, there is another powerful Truth of how we are unable to ‘work’ redemption/atonement for ourselves – it is only by the Blood of Messiah – by His clean hands (pure work) of His Atoning offering of Himself, can we be cleansed and our ‘dead and dirty works’ be redeemed. .

We also see how the feet of יהושע wash washed through the tears of a woman who was a sinner, came with an alabaster flask of perfume and washed His feet and anointed them with oil.

The Pharisee whom יהושע was eating with did not wash יהושע feet when He arrived nor anointed His head with oil – this woman came and did both and was forgiven her sins for her act of faith toward the Master.

Washing of feet, was a form of hospitality, as one’s feet would pick up dirt along the way and also grow tired from walking great distances and washing feet would cleanse them and refresh them, and not bring the ‘dirt’ into one’s home.

Today, we are to be careful as to who we allow to come and bring the ‘dirt’ of the world into our homes as we must be able to ‘wash’ each other’s feet through the Word.

Luqas/Luke 7:38 “And standing behind, at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and wiping them with the hair of her head, and was kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.”.

Another picture of cleansing and anointing for service we see when Miryam anointed the feet of יהושע with expensive perfume:

Yoḥanan/John 12:3 “Then Miryam took a pound of costly perfume of nard, anointed the feet of יהושע, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”.

This was 6 days before Pěsaḥ and as we understand the whole washing of feet and anointing of the High Priest and duties at the Tabernacle, we can see a wonderful picture of just how יהושע, our High Priest, was set-apart as He was immersed by Yoḥanan, had His feet washed and now was anointed with oil – He was ready to serve as High Priest!!!.

Verse 34-35 – esteem of יהוה

In these two verses, we see that after Mosheh had completed the work, that the esteem of יהוה filled the Dwelling Place, so much so, that Mosheh was not able to enter!!!

This, at first, may seem very strange, as Mosheh had previously been in the Tent of Appointment when יהוה was in the Tent, yet what I see here, is once again a wonderful picture of the fact that the Torah is that which leads us to Messiah and it is through Messiah that we are able to enter in to The Dwelling Place of the Most–High!

Galatiyim/Galatians 3:24-25 “Therefore the Torah became our trainer unto Messiah, in order to be declared right by belief. 25 And after belief has come, we are no longer under a trainer.”.

It is Mosheh (Torah) that is our ‘trainer’ unto Messiah and now that he had ‘trained up’ Aharon and his sons, Mosheh would not be the one to enter the Most Set-Apart Place, but rather that was the role of Aharon the High Priest, and so too do we see that Mosheh (Torah) trains us in Messiah and equips us as the body of Messiah to be clothed and enter in by belief in our High Priest and King..

Another picture we see here, that we need to understand, is that יהוה will come and dwell where His commands are heeded and the instructions for worship and service in His Dwelling Place are carefully executed, by His kingdom of chosen and royal priests!

יהוה will not give His esteem to another and what is so sad to see today, is how so many churches are claiming to have the presence and esteem of יהוה, while their adherence to the pure form of worship as prescribed in Torah is not met, and so their claim to his presence is false as He will not share His presence with falsehood and lies. .

The question then remains, “What spirit is there in the churches?”

It is not of יהוה, for he dwells where His Torah is upheld!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 42:8 “I am יהוה, that is My Name, and My esteem I do not give to another, nor My praise to idols.”

This verse is very clear – His praise He does not give to idols, including the use of false names as His Name is יהוה..

Another vital shadow picture of the esteem filling the Tabernacle, teaches us a very important lesson of being a ready Bride, for His soon return. One the Tabernacle was ready and the persists were dressed and all was in place, the esteem of יהוה would come and fill the Tabernacle. Mosheh was not able to come into the Tabernacle because of this esteem, and this in many ways, pictures for us that Mosheh was unable to do any intercession on behalf of Yisra’ĕl because of the esteem of יהוה! .

When we see the temple that Shelomoh had built, we are also able to see a similar event:

Melaḵim Aleph/1 Kings 8:10-11 “And it came to be, when the priests came out of the Set-apart Place, that the cloud filled the House of יהוה, 11 so that the priests were unable to stand and perform the service because of the cloud, for the esteem of יהוה filled the House of יהוה.”

Once the priests had come out of the Set-Apart place the House was filled with the esteem of יהוה, and the service of the priesthood could not be performed!.

As we look forward to Ḥazon, we are able to see these events being a shadow picture of what is to come.

Ḥazon/Revelation 15:8 “And the Dwelling Place was filled with smoke from the esteem of Elohim and from His power, and no one was able to enter the Dwelling Place until the seven plagues of the seven messengers were ended.”

No one was able to enter the Dwelling Place until the plagues were ended.

In Chapter 16 we see the plagues being poured out, and one of the clear things we see from those who are not in Messiah, is that they refuse to repent!

What struck me here, is the sobering reality of why they refuse to repent, and that is the clear fact that they are unable to!

Why? Because no one may enter into the Dwelling Place!

In other words, there is no intercession permitted at this time, and this makes perfect sense, as the intercession work of the Master will be done at this point, and His role as High Priest will be completed, for now it is time for His wrath, as the coming King to be poured out on the earth! .

We know that we, who are in Messiah, have boldness to come to the throne of favour in order to find help in our time of need, yet here in Ḥazon/Revelation 15 we are given a clear reality that there will be a time when no one will be able to draw near into the Dwelling Place, for the ‘service of the priesthood’ is done! .

When we recognise this, we need to realise how important it is for us to be sealed or marked in His Spirit, as we have been given His Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance, and our mark/sign that we are His is in our obedience to keeping His Feasts and Sabbaths, and guarding His commands. .

The esteem of יהוה is revealed as the result of the proper esteem that is given to Him!

As we consider the concept of the esteem of יהוה, we can be reminded of the words that יהוה spoke through the prophet Mal’aḵi, to a backsliding people, as seen in:

Mal’aḵi/Malachi 1:6 “A son esteems his father, and a servant his master. And if I am the Father, where is My esteem? And if I am a Master, where is My fear? said יהוה of hosts to you priests who despise My Name. But you asked, ‘In what way have we despised Your Name?’”

יהוה is making a clear statement that the hearers would be able to identify with and not be able to deny its truth and then asks: .

“And if I am the Father, where is My esteem? And if I am a Master, where is My fear?”.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘esteems’ is the root verb כָּבֵד kaḇeḏ – Strong’s H3513 which means, ‘to be heavy, weighty or burdensome, to give high esteem and respect and honour’ and it is from this root verb that we get the noun that is translated as ‘esteem’ which is כָּבוֹד kaḇoḏ – Strong’s H3519 which means, ‘honour, esteem, reverence, splendid’..

The verb כָּבֵד kaḇeḏ – Strong’s H3513 is often translated as ‘praise’, that is to be given to יהוה and this word is used in the 10 Words (Commandments), where we are told to ‘respect’ our parents; and so, what is, in effect, being told to us here, is that we must carefully consider, and ‘give weight to’, the Word of Elohim and guard the Truth, in order that we may live long in the land which יהוה is giving us, and not be kept out or expelled as our forefathers were for disobedience and a lack of faith!

A son treats his father with much respect and considers him to be very important.

The opposite of this is to treat ‘lightly’ and give no honour to the instructions and discipline of a father. .

This question that יהוה was asking of Yehuḏah was clear-

“If I am the Father then where is My esteem?”.

This is a question of identity!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘if’ is אִם im – Strong’s H518 which is a conditional participle or primary conjunction, which renders, ‘if, though, either, neither, when, whenever’.

The basic meaning is “if” and this meaning can be seen in most of its occurrences and usually occurs in conditional clauses, which we are able to see very clearly here! .

If He is the Father… where then is His esteem?.

Many people want to be identified as being children of The Most-High, yet they give no weight to His commands and they so easily cast aside the need to obey His Torah and instructions and, in the process, are unable to properly praise His Name, despite their delusion of thinking otherwise!.

Lots of people today, will even recite the words that our Master and Elohim taught, as a pattern of how we ought to pray, yet their lawlessness and compromised lifestyles, reveal that they are not sons or daughters of Elohim.

Many will recite the following: Our Father who is in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart – yet are not bringing esteem to His Name, as they do not take Him serious enough and have no clue what His Word teaches, about set-apartness! .

Yisra’ĕl had no clue about how they were despising the Name of יהוה, which is to be esteemed!

They did not see their compromised and corrupt worship and festivals as wrong, simply because the priesthood had been corrupted and no proper Torah was being taught.

Blemished offerings were being brought and they even called the Table of יהוה despicable!

In today’s terms, we can see this vivid display of many who say that the table of יהוה is despicable, simply by their refusal to keep the Feast of Pěsaḥ/Passover and Matzot/Unleavened Bread, while they continue in bringing defiled and abominable worship, in the form of the pagan feast of Easter/Ishtar.

Many falsely claim that they are worshipping Elohim, when they observe falsified sun-worship feasts and ‘present defiled food’, so to speak, as they eat yeast products during a feast where no leaven is commanded!!! .

Think about it for a moment – hot cross buns and all the Easter eggs are defiled food, and when confronted about this, most Christians will refuse to hear the truth and will call the True Feast of Pěsaḥ/Passover and 7 days of Unleavened Bread/Matzot ‘despicable’, by their non-compliance..

A כָּבֵד kaḇeḏ – Strong’s H3513 (esteemed) praise of יהוה, reflects a praise life that does not waver from complete set-apartness, and does not give in to the compromised standards of the world, or even to family members who do not walk in the Torah!

Is the weight of His easy yoke upon you, or do you buckle under the pressure of the lawless! .

Does your life reflect true honour unto our Master and Elohim, or are there some dishonourable areas in your life, so to speak?

If there is compromise in your life, your ability to give esteem unto יהוה becomes greatly hindered and the fear of יהוה will be lost! .

As we consider the esteem that is due to our Master, we also recognise that many people lack greatly in having the proper fear of Elohim, as they also fail to acknowledge that the esteem of Elohim was clearly revealed in Messiah. If they did acknowledge this they would obey..

With this is mind, we also take note that the Hebrew word כָּבוֹד kaḇoḏ – Strong’s H3519 can also have the understanding of, ‘the manifestation of power’, which represents the fullness of the power or strength of the One who is lifted up and exalted.

Shemoth/Exodus 33:18 “Then he said, “Please, show me Your esteem.”

These were the words of Mosheh to יהוה, when he asked יהוה to show him His esteem!

In a desperate seeking of the full manifestation of the power and esteem of יהוה, Mosheh was given a clear directive, to stand on the rock and that when the esteem of יהוה passed by, that יהוה would put him in the cleft of the rock and cover him with His Hand – for this is the promise יהוה gave when he declared – “See, there is a place with Me!”.

The Hebrew word for ‘place’ is מָקוֹם maqom – Strong’s H4725 which means, ‘standing place, place, home, country, ground’.

There is a standing ground upon which we can see Him, and that is as we stand on the Rock!

The use of this terminology is clear in declaring the manifestation of the esteem of Elohim, as seen through His Hand that covers us and secures us in Him, as we stand on Him, our Rock and Refuge, which is a clear reference and shadow picture of יהושע Messiah!.

It is upon the Rock that the esteem is revealed!

When we consider this Hebrew word for ‘esteem’ – כָּבוֹד kaḇoḏ – Strong’s H3519 in the ancient script we gain further insight in the revelation of the esteem of יהוה..

In the ancient pictographic script, the word כָּבוֹד kaḇoḏ – Strong’s H3519 looks like this:.

Kaph – כָּ:

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, and can also speak of a covering, as in the covering of a hand..

Beyt – ב:

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..

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’..

Dalet – ד:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as 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..

When we look at these pictographic letters for ‘esteem’ we are able to see some wonderful insight into the esteem of יהוה being revealed to us.

The collective rendering of these pictographic letters can give us the meaning:

THE COVERING OF THE HOUSE

THAT HAS BEEN SECURED

AND ENTRANCE GIVEN!.

We also take note that we are able to recognise that the esteem we are to give to Elohim, and Elohim alone, is because He is the builder of the House!

By His Hand He has built us and by His Mighty Saving Hand He has secured for us an entrance into His presence, as we are built up in Him who is greater than the House!

For the builder of the House is greater that the House!

We are the dwelling Place and He is the Master Builder who covers us as we take our stand upon Him, our Rock and Refuge!.

As we consider the rendering of this word for ‘esteem’ – כָּבוֹד kaḇoḏ – Strong’s H3519 – we are able to see from Scripture a clear revelation of the esteem of יהוה our Elohim. .

We take note of the very striking words of Messiah, as He spoke to the Pharisees who were accusing His taught ones for breaking the Sabbath, when they went through the grain fields on the Sabbath and began to pluck heads of grain, to eat.

Mattithyahu/Matthew 12:6 “But I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the Set-apart Place.”

The One who is greater than the House was in their midst!.

In Speaking of יהושע Messiah, in the letter to the Iḇ’rim/Hebrews, we see, in:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 3:3-6 “For this One has been deemed worthy of more esteem than Mosheh, as much as He who built the house enjoys more respect than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all is Elohim. 5 And Mosheh indeed was trustworthy in all His house as a servant, for a witness of what would be spoken later, 6 but Messiah as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the boldness and the boasting of the expectation firm to the end.”.

Elohim is the builder and the One who built the House is worthy of more esteem than Mosheh!

In a manner of speaking, Mosheh is the House, just as we are the House/Dwelling Place of Elohim, yet our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, is greater than the House, for He is the builder of the House!.

We also read in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 40:5 “And the esteem of יהוה shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see it. For the mouth of יהוה has spoken.”.

At the beginning of this Chapter 40 in Yeshayahu/Isaiah we see the clear words of Elohim saying, “‘Comfort, comfort My people’, says your Elohim”, and this is a very comforting assurance that is given in declaring the promise of a recovery of breath that Elohim would bring and how the Spirit of Ěliyahu would come first in preparing the way and making straight the way in the desert for our Elohim, and then we see in the verses that follow these words:.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 40:9-11 “You who bring good news to Tsiyon, get up into the high mountain. You who bring good news to Yerushalayim, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid. Say to the cities of Yehuḏah, “See your Elohim!” 10 See, the Master יהוה comes with a strong hand, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. 11 He feeds His flock like a shepherd, He gathers the lambs with His arm, and carries them in His bosom, gently leading those who are with young.”

In this clear prophecy, of the esteem of יהוה being revealed, we are told that the one who brings good news to Tsiyon would say to the cities of Yehuḏah, “See Your Elohim!”.

The Master יהוה comes with a strong Hand, revealing the power of His esteem and it is He who feeds the flock as a Shepherd!.

When Yoḥanan the Immerser, who Messiah referred to as being the Spirit of Ěliyahu having come to prepare the way, was asked by the priests and Lěwites that were sent by the Yehuḏim who he was, Yoḥanan proclaimed this passage in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 40:3.

Yoḥanan/John 1:23 “He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of יהוה,’ as the prophet Yeshayahu said.”

We then see the following, written in:

Yoḥanan/John 1:29 “On the next day Yoḥanan saw יהושע coming toward him, and said, “See, the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!”

In a clear fulfilment of prophecy, we see Yoḥanan saying to the cities of Yehuḏah, “See, the Lamb of Elohim”, as the Strong Hand and esteem of יהוה had been revealed in the form of יהושע Messiah!.

Let us all be urgent in rendering the proper fear and esteem unto יהוה as we should, as a called out and set-apart priesthood that has their eyes fixed on our One True Master and Elohim, who is The Good Teacher of Righteousness!!! .

Let us make sure that the true reverent fear is put back into the fear of יהוה and let us not let the esteem of His Name be hindered in any way, as we love Him with all our heart, being and might!

For then we have the assurance of His presence being in our midst!.

The cloud and fire:

Chapter 40 ends with a great Truth and promise for all time:

The cloud of יהוה was on the Dwelling Place by day and fire was on it by night before the eyes of all the house of Yisra’ĕl in all their journeys!.

He never leaves us nor forsakes us!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 4:31 “For יהוה your Elohim is a compassionate Ěl, He does not forsake you, nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.”.

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be afraid of them. For it is יהוה your Elohim who is going with you. He does not fail you nor forsake you.”.

Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 28:20 “And Dawiḏ said to his son Shelomoh, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not fear nor be afraid, for יהוה Elohim, my Elohim, is with you. He shall not leave you nor forsake you, until you have completed all the work for the service of the House of יהוה.”

May these words echo loudly to us too – that we must be strong and courageous for יהוה shall not leave us nor forsake us, until we have completed the work for the service of His House!

Let us serve with confidence, boldness and joy!.

The Hebrew root word for ‘cloud’ is עָנָן anan – Strong’s H6051 meaning, ‘a cloud, cloud mass, heavy mist’, and can also mean, ‘covering’. We know from Scripture that Yisra’ĕl moved camp when the ‘cloud’ moved and pitched camp and stayed where the ‘cloud’ stayed, always teaching them never to go or stay without the presence of יהוה!.

What is interesting to take note of, is that there were times when Yisra’ĕl grumbled, which at times may have possibly arose due to the fact that they had to pack up camp and move on when the ‘cloud’ of יהוה moved! .

In Hebrew, there is a word that sounds similar to this Hebrew word for cloud, yet it carries a negative connotation; and that is the word אָנַן anan – Strong’s H596 which means, ‘to complain, murmur’.

Very similar ‘sounding’ words yet very different indeed! ..

In understanding that the Hebrew word for cloud also means covering, it speaks of our protection and provision – our safety and refers to the presence of יהוה and so, by seeing these two very similar sounding, yet contrasting words which differ only by the first letter – the word for cloud/covering begins with an ע ‘ayin’ and the word for complain begins with the letter א ‘aleph’ – and for me this speaks a very important message for us. .

When people try to assume their own covering – their own ways and means of provision and care they will always come up short and never be satisfied and will always complain!

What does complaining reveal?

It simply reveals ingratitude for יהוה’s care!

This root word עָנָן anan – Strong’s H6051 is used in:

Bemiḏbar/Numbers 11:1 “And it came to be, when the people were as complainers, it was evil in the ears of יהוה. And יהוה heard it, and His displeasure burned. And the fire of יהוה burned among them, and consumed those in the outskirts of the camp.”.

This word אָנַן anan – Strong’s H596 is only used twice in Scripture, here in Bemiḏbar/Numbers 11:1 and in:

Ěḵah/Lamentations 3:39 “What? Should mankind complain, a living man, because of his sins?”

Most seem to grumble and murmur when they are in the wrong!.

Here, the Yisra’ĕlites had all they need, and more than that they had the presence of יהוה in their midst!

They neglected His covering and sought their own in terms of pleasures they would rather have had and so they ended up complaining about what they didn’t have; they complained about what they used to have and they also complained about what they had at the time! .

Have you ever found yourself complaining like this?

You don’t have what you want, you don’t have what you used to have and you don’t like what you have now – does this sound familiar to some?

The danger and problem with complaining is that it is contagious!

Your complaining will affect and even infect others into complaining and before you know it can end up like we have just read – a mixed multitude of grumblers lusting for selfish pleasure!.

Sha’ul tells us in:

Pilipiyim/Philippians 2:14-15 “Do all matters without grumblings and disputings, 15 in order that you be blameless and faultless, children of Elohim without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”

Don’t grumble and complain for then you cannot shine as lights in the world!.

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘grumblings’ comes from the root word γογγυσμός goggusmos – Strong’s G1112 which is a noun that means, ‘a muttering, murmuring, complaint, grumbling’ which comes from the verb γογγύζω gogguzō – String’s G1111 which means, ‘to mutter, murmur, grumble, complain’.

This verb is an onomatopoeic word that is derived from the sound made when murmuring or muttering in a low and indistinct voice, with the idea of complaining.

An onomatopoeic word is a word that is formed in an imitation of a natural sound.

An example of such a word is the word ‘buzz’, which is an onomatopoeic word that is used to describe the sound of bees. .

Why I mention this, is to simply highlight that the Greek word that was formed to describe grumbling was done so as an imitation of what grumbling sounds like, as it is done ‘under one’s breath’, so to speak, and is not usually intended to be something that is done as a proper approach to dealing with an issue..

According to the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the word ‘grumble’ is described as follows: ‘to mutter in discontent’ and ‘to growl or rumble’.

In the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Thesaurus, the word ‘grumble’, as a verb, is described as ‘to complain in a low harsh voice and often in a surly manner’, and as a noun, the word ‘grumbler’ is described as, ‘complainer, faultfinder, growler, sorehead, malcontent’.

A ‘malcontent’ is understood as being one who is in active opposition to an established order or one who bears a grudge from a sense of grievance or thwarted ambition. .

I hope you are able to see why I am giving you all these definitions, in regard to grumbling or being a grumbler, for it is when we can get a better understanding of what it means to be a grumbler or to grumble that we can take careful heed against such actions that are not fitting for a true set-apart believer in Messiah!.

As we consider what a grumbler is, we take note that grumbling is often done as a result of rebellion against authority and many people today grumble against the called for obedience in the Word, as they are opposed to the clear established order of Elohim and instead of simply being obedient, they resort to grumbling, either on their own or finding others who will grumble with them, in order for them to feel validated in their wicked grumbling!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘disputings’ in Pilipiyim/Philippians 2:14 comes from the root word διαλογισμός dialogismos – Strong’s G1261 which means, ‘reasonings, arguments, disputing, speculations’.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘without’ comes from the word χωρίς chōris – Strong’s G5565 which means, ‘without, besides, independent, separate, apart’.

Sha’ul makes it clear, here in his letter to the Philippians, that we are to do ALL without grumbling or disputings!!!

The Greek word that is used here for ‘all’ is πᾶς pas – Strong’s G3956 meaning, ‘all, everything, continually, every kind, everyone’ and what ‘all’ entails is literally just that – ALL – everything!!! .

As we pause to consider these words, let me ask you if you adhere to this very clear instruction and teaching or do you find that, while you do your best to not grumble and dispute with others, to not do so, in ALL matters, is something that you have fallen short of?

Sha’ul was earnestly encouraging the believers in Philippi to make sure that they do not grumble, even though they lived in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, so that they can effectively shine as lights in the world!!!

When you grumble your light does not shine!!! .

Think about this for a moment – when you grumble and your light does not shine it highlights that you are walking in darkness and not in the Light and implies that you may have no oil in your lamp and are therefore not walking according to the Spirit but are walking according to the flesh!!!.

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 10:10-12 “neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 And all these came upon them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come, 12 so that he who thinks he stands, let him take heed lest he fall.”

Sha’ul reminded the believers in Corinth, what happens to those who do not properly submit to walking in obedience and he lists grumbling along with idolatry, whoring, and the trying of Elohim, as the things that clearly displease יהוה and caused them to be destroyed and unable to enter in to the Promised Land! .

Sha’ul reminds us that these are written as examples for us in order to warn us!

Th grumblers who grumbled were destroyed by the destroyer!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘destroyed’ is ἀπόλλυμι apollumi – Strong’s G622 which means, ‘to destroy completely, utterly destroy, put to death’..

The Greek word that is translated as ‘warning’ comes from the root word νουθεσία nouthesia – Strong’s G3559 which means, ‘admonition, instruction, warning’ and is understood as being any word of encouragement or reproof which leads to correct behavior. .

As an instruction, it can carry the understanding of teaching on proper behaviour and belief.

As an admonition, it can be understood as being rebuked for a wrong done and as a warning, it can be used to advise on the consequences of a wrong action. .

Perhaps this word can be understood in all 3 ways, to some, as this teaches us what proper and correct behaviour is expected of us, while at the same time, it can bring about a severe rebuke, for any grumbling we have done, as well as bring about a severe warning if grumbling is not stopped!

Along with this instruction, warning and admonition to not grumble, we take note of the clear call to not be wise in our own eyes, as the clear warning is given to anyone who thinks that they are ok and have no need for proper inspection, thinking that they are fine and standing!

When one does not look intently into the mirror of the Word and learn from the Word, thinking that they have no need to be told what to do, they are in danger of falling!.

The Greek word that is used here for ‘stand’ is ἵστημι histēmi – Strong’s G2476 which means, ‘to make to stand, to stand firm, be established, stand upright, stand ready and prepared, be of a steadfast mind, to uphold and sustain the authority of something’, and is also the word used in Eph’siyim/Ephesians 6 where we are told to ‘stand’ firm in the armour of Elohim; and so we can clearly see that this ‘standing’ is an equipped standing, in that the required dress code (that of righteousness – which is to guard to do all the commands) is adhered to and is functional, in us being a faithful set-apart priesthood that is able, as good stewards with that which He has given us, to stand before our High Priest and King – יהושע Messiah!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘falls’ is πίπτω piptō – Strong’s G4098 which means, ‘to fall, break down, fail, fallen, be destroyed’, and what is interesting to take note of here, is that this word is translated, in Sha’ul’s letter to the Corinthians, as ‘fails’, when he explained what love is and said in Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 13:8 that “Love never fails”!!!

True love never fails, as we recognise that true love displays a steadfast position of uprightness that guards the commands of Elohim and does not become inefficient in doing so, for love for Elohim is to guard His commands:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and guard His commands. 3 For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy”

To pursue love for Elohim is to run in the way of His commands, and flee all lawlessness and sin and this includes the clear need to make sure that there is no grumbling at all!.

In a severe warning, against the wicked ones who pervert the favour of Elohim and deny Messiah and blaspheme like unreasoning beasts, we take note that Yehuḏah tells us that these are grumblers:

Yehuḏah/Jude 1:16 “These are grumblers, complainers, who walk according to their own lusts, and their mouth speaks proudly, admiring faces of others for the sake of gain.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘grumblers’ comes from the noun γογγυστής goggustēs – Strong’s G1113 which means, ‘murmurer, grumbler’ and comes from the root verb already discussed – γογγύζω gogguzō – String’s G1111 which means, ‘to mutter, murmur, grumble, complain’. .

The noun γογγυστής goggustēs – Strong’s G1113 is only used here in Scripture and is clearly used to denote one who discontentedly complains against Elohim!

As we look at these words of Yehuḏah, we are able to recognise some clear characteristics of grumblers being highlighted for us.

Grumblers complain and walk according to their own lusts.

They are proud and are only found to be admiring others when there is something in the relationship for themselves, for they are selfish!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘complainers’ is μεμψίμοιρος mempsimoiros – Strong’s G3202 which means, ‘complainer, complaining of one’s lot, discontent, querulous (habitual complaining)’.

This word describes a person who is discontented and just loves to complain about their lot!

In other words, they are always moaning about their life and how hard it is and fall into the trap of habitually moaning about everything!

Why? Because they are not walking according to the Spirit but are walking according to their own lusts!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘lusts’ comes from the root word ἐπιθυμία epithumia – Strong’s G1939 which means, ‘lust, desire, lust after, desiring what is forbidden, deep desire and longing for, coveting’; and this comes from the word ἐπιθυμέω epithumeō – Strong’s G1937 which means, ‘desire, covet, lust, seek that which is forbidden’ and is translated as ‘lusts’ in

Galatiyim/Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you desire to do.”

How many of you have found yourself looking at or seeking things that you know you should not!

This can cause sin, and bring a breach in the wall which can affect the entire assembly!!!

What happens when you are seeking that which you should not and do not get it? You grumble and complain!.

יהוה is gracious to us and we do know that we can take our burdens and complaints to Him:

Tehillah/Psalm 142:2 “I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble.”

The Hebrew word used here in this Tehillah/Psalm 142 for ‘complaint’ is שִׂיחַ siaḥ – Strong’s H7879 which means, ‘complaint, musing, meditation, talk, communication, prayer, babbling’.

You see we are to be open before Him, bring our complaints to Him, valid complaints that is!

However, יהוה is displeased, when we complain about Him or of Him, when, in fact, there is no cause to complain. .

Being ‘under the cloud’ is the emphasis of Bemiḏbar/Numbers 9 as it is used 11 times in 9:15-22 – 11 times in 8 verses! Being under the cloud highlights a proper submission and a proper esteem being given to יהוה, where there is no room for complaining!.

What really do we have to complain about?

Let me tell you – it is a serious thing to complain against יהוה!

But why is it that we so easily complain?

We know we will face some hardships, but yet why do we still complain?

Well, most of the time, I believe that we so easily complain when we have to change!

I mean, if you really want to see what is inside a person – just make some changes for them – you will quickly discover how mature they are.

Let’s face it – nobody likes change, yet we need change or else we become stagnant and lifeless.

Without change there can be no growth in our lives!

Yisra’ĕl was complaining about their hardships and were reckoning their journey through the Wilderness as evil, and this angered יהוה..

Timotiyos Aleph/1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But reverence with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought naught into the world, and it is impossible to take any out. 8 When we have food and covering, we shall be satisfied with these.”.

Yisra’ĕl had the ‘covering’ of the cloud of יהוה as well as the ‘food’ that יהוה supplied through the manna, and they should have been satisfied with these.

Impatience and complaining will keep you from walking in the promises of Elohim, and when you allow yourself to be consumed by a complaining attitude, even the very Word of Elohim – the ‘Hidden Manna’ – will become detestable to you!!!

Do not allow that which gives you life, become detestable to you, because of a bad attitude as a result of some hardships!!!

Ending:

As we have now come to the end of the book of Shemoth (Exodus), we can clearly see the structure of the instructions that are given to a people who are called out by Name, as the Hebrew word Shemoth means names! .

Just as the Yisra’ĕlites were delivered from slavery and called out, as a people belonging to Elohim, from bondage to the enslavement of Pharaoh and the Mitsrians, so too have we, as children of the Most–High and fellow Yisra’ĕlites, having been grafted in by the Blood of Messiah, have been called out of darkness into His Marvellous Light!

And as we see the progression of this Book, that shows us the receiving of the Marriage Covenant and the instructions that we are to guard, and the need for us to be about building His Way, we see that it fittingly ends with the reality of giving an account for what we have done with what we were entrusted with. .

Have you counted the cost?

You have been called by Name – it is time to give an account and step up and give of yourself, wholeheartedly to the service of the Tabernacle, of which we are all ‘living stones’, that are being up together, in Messiah!.

Shalom!