VAYAKHEL (And He Assembled) + PEKUDEI (Accountings of)
Parashat Ex. 35:1–40:38; 1 Kings 7- 8:21; 2Cor.9:1-15; Heb.9:1; Rev.11:1-13
Shabbat ha Chodesh – 1st month of Nissan
One of our focuses in this week’s Torah portion concerns the Tabernacle’s construction designed to be the dwelling place of God. Skilled artisans were used in its construction including foreigners and strangers in their midst. God utilised Jew and Gentile with the construction of the tabernacle and later on the temple, (i.e., Hiram, King of Tyre) but the Levites, were chosen for the service of the building and not in its construction. Here we are presented with a picture of Jew and Gentile who, through Yeshua, becomes His habitation and serve Him as priests of the Most High God. This is an unprecedented honour and privilege!
The Creator of the universe considered it worthwhile to demonstrate the fullness of His love by sending Yeshua to suffer and die for our sins who tabernacles with those who worship Him in Spirit and Truth, and serve Him in love and obedience.
We do so in the only way we know how – by offering our lives as living sacrifices for Him as motivated by our love for Him reflected in the manner we love others. The Israelites were given the invitation that “whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring his gift as an offering to the LORD.” (Ex.35:5)
All of God’s commandments are eclipsed by these two as defined by in Matt. 22, when Yeshua quoted from Deut 6:5 and Lev.19:18 in answer to the question about which one He considered to be the greatest: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength and the second is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
In the Hebrew, the word ‘neighbour’ can mean a friend or an acquaintance, but Yeshua extends it to include our enemies as explained in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). There is no greater testimony than when we demonstrate the impossible: loving our enemies – only by the grace of Yeshua who demonstrated it perfectly throughout His life.
Interwoven was God’s command to the Israelites to keep His Shabbat to give Him our undivided attention and worship without work-day distractions (Ex. 35:2). It also provides us opportunity to nurture and express our love for Him in fellowship with others. Only on two occasions in their entire 40 year sojourn (over 2000 Shabbats) was there recorded any violation: (Num. 15:33 – man collecting firewood; Ex. 16 – manna) resulting in serious consequences as compared with neglecting the kosher dietary laws that was considered only a minor offence.
According to the prophet Jeremiah, the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon for 70 years due their violation of the sabbatical year 70 times (490 years of their 850 years in the land from their exit from Egypt to the time of their exile) 2Chron.36:20-21; Jer. 25:11)
The holiness of Shabbat was observed even with regard to construction of the tabernacle! God clearly states the importance He places upon Shabbat. And this is why although throughout most of history only the rich and privileged could afford to the 7-day a week work cycle, the Jewish people have been an exception irrespective of their circumstances.
The Torah has more to say about Shabbat than any other command (mentioned 111 times in the Torah). God intentionally created us physically with limited energy which is why he gives His beloved rest (Psalm 127:2) and Shabbat is symbolic of this reality. It teaches us that work is necessary but not the substance of our existence, but our relationship with God is.
Given this is something of great importance. Yeshua taught that Shabbat was made for man not man for Shabbat because He understood our nature that we so easily become entrapped within legalistic observances characterised by the religious hierarchy of His day, and overlook the substance.
Although more is said about honouring Shabbat than any other command in the Torah, there exists little in Scripture for practical guidance, causing problems and serious divisions. Paul wrote in his letter to the Colossians warning them against some people in their midst who were trying to impose false standards and regulations that were unbiblical including Shabbat observance: “20 For you were included in the death of Christ and have died with him to the religious system and powers of this world. Don’t retreat back to being bullied by the standards and opinions of religion— 21 for example, their strict requirements, “You can’t associate with that person!” or, “Don’t eat that!” or, “You can’t touch that!” 22 These are the doctrines of men and corrupt customs that are worthless to help you spiritually… it is actually nothing more than empty rules rooted in religious rituals!” As Yeshua said: “Shabbat is made for man not man for Shabbat.”
Most times, Shabbat is spoken of in the physical plain sense in terms of providing physical and emotional rest, because without it we will eventually burn-out. But, in Hebrews 4, it describes the spiritual significance of Shabbat that we might enter His fullness through Yeshua – Heb. 49-12. (“Come unto me…” Matt. 11:28-29), described as “Shabbat rest.” It is a shadow of the eternal rest promised for those who know and love Him.
The third and final point I wish to make concerns the aftermath of the episode with the golden calf (Ex.32) where God sought to turn the Israelites into a kehillah. (a community) from being ‘peruah,’ meaning “disorderly, chaotic, unruly, tumultuous.” He “saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies.”
At that point, they were not a community in unity but a chaotic rabble. This can be true also of believers who only pursue their own interests and care about themselves. These days it not uncommon to hear preaching from the pulpit that sanitises ungodly living and promotes things which God despises rather than being a community who represent God well.
It appears strange that so soon following the incident with the golden calf the Israelites built the tabernacle as a symbolic home for God and then focused upon the importance of Shabbat out of all the other many commands.
Why did God specifically issue these two commands? I believe it’s because Shabbat and the tabernacle are the two most powerful ways of building community that demonstrates the unity of God through His Body who we represent. The construction of the tabernacle reveals how the Israelites finally got something right amid all their shortcomings where they constructed it spontaneously and joyfully with generous hearts. And it also demonstrates the forgiveness of God who provides us with new beginnings.
When we compare the time taken to describe the building of the Tabernacle,(hundreds of verse) to the story of the entire creation of the universe, (only around 30 verses) we see how much more difficult it is for mankind to make a home for GOD than it was for Him to create the entire universe.
Every item in the construction of the Tabernacle was significant and the same is true for each person within the Body of Messiah.
In this parasha, we see the mystery of how the eternal God takes up residence within the ‘mishkan’ the tabernacle, a temporary dwelling. The Eternal God who created the universe and everything within it desires to take up residence in us through Yeshua!
Once Moses and the people finished the work of constructing the tabernacle, the glory of God filled it. This was a pivotal moment in Israel’s history. We read here in this torah portion: “So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the meeting and the glory [kavod] of God filled the tabernacle.” (Ex 40:33–34)
Each one of us are clothed in a temporary dwelling, our bodies, as we await an eternal dwelling stored up for us in Heaven that neither rust nor moth can destroy. Everything within us will be infused with the fullness of His glory!
Yeshua is the answer to every dilemma, every impossible situation, every disappointment, every weary, sorrowful and despairing heart. He stands at the door of our lives and invites us to allow Him to take residence offering us His peace that passes all understanding that will keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge of His love.
Raphael ben Levi
