Entering Into The Holy Of Holys,

By the blood of the Lamb

Texts: Ex 38: 2 - 5, 40: 21

Preface:

        In light of several TV ministers, extravagant lifestyles. Congress has asked, several of these so call ministers to open up their books, and give an accounting of the money that is donated to their ministry. Those at this present time, none has apply with Congress’ request.

          With that said, the following Hebrew word "pekudei," means "account or inventory." Thus, a "pekudei" is a teller at a bank. I alluded to this fact, because this week’s torah portion, {Ex 38:21 -40:38}opens up by saying.

        This is the inventory of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, which was counted according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest. {Ex 38:21}

        That said, in light of Congress probe, I find it interesting that Moses instructed his nephew Ithamar, to keep a running account of all of the silver and gold that were donated to the building of the tabernacle. Moses did so, to ensue the people that everything, was proper and above board. What can we gleam from this?

       Well every ministers should keep a running account of their donations, and how each cent is spent. Furthermore every ministry’s books, should be open to the public and every ministers should be willing to give an account, of how their donations are spent, upon notice.

        On a personal note, all that we have comes from the Lord. Yes, our finances, our talents, our work, everything comes from the Lord. I mention this fact, because one day we will all stand before the Almighty, where we will give an account for everything, the Lord mercifully has given us. {Rev 20:12 }

      Though, unlike Congress, the Lord won’t endure any stalling tactics ether. In turn we will all give an account, of how we used the talents, the Lord blessed us with. Matt 25: 14 - 26

         Moving on, prior to building the tabernacle, the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship." { Ex 31:2-5}

          Why, of all the people in the camp, did the Lord chose Bezalel. What special traits did Bezalel processed, to earn the honor of constructing the pieces of the tabernacle?

        Well, whenever a Hebrew baby was born into the world, the parents selected a name, with a specific meaning. Expecting their baby’s life to take on the meaning of it’s name, for example.

          Remember desiring a king, the people approached Samiel and said, "look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." In turn Samiel became displeased though, upon seeking the Lord, the Lord stated, "heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them." {1 Sam 8:5 - 7 } Hence Samiel yielded to the people’s request and anointed Saul as king. 1 Sam 10:1

             I briefly alluded to how, the people asked, for a king, in order to say. The life of Saul became intertwine with the meaning, of his name, when the people asked, for a king? Because the meaning of Saul’s name, is "ask for." What can we possibly gleam from this?

          We can beg and plea with G-d, until eventually He may answer our prayers. Though, as with the case of Saul, what’s first appears to be a blessing, may turn into a curse, followed by a heavy price to be paid.

         Returning this week’s torah portion, I find the meaning of Bezalel’s name interesting, because Bezalel’s name means, "in the shadow." Why do I find this fact interesting?

           Well one of my favorite passage within the entire bible, starts out by saying."He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Ps 91:1

        The shadow that is being cast here, is the Almighty’s. That said, in order for Bezelel or anyone to abide in the Almighty’s shadow. They must walk close to G-d.

         With that said, whenever an individual walk in someone’s shadow. They become attune to the other person’s voice, no mater how low the voice maybe. Thus, we can assume that Bezelel was attuned to the voice of the Lord, along with His’ instruction, on how to build the tabernacle.

        Besides this trait, G-d’s word state Bezalel was endowed with, "the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge." Why is this significant?

         Bearing in mind Yeshua said, "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. {John 5:46 } Yes, I know that I allude to this verse quite often. But until I started reading the torah, which Moses wrote, like the Pharisees I didn’t have any idea, how much Moses wrote of Yeshua, for example.

         The Prophet Isaiah wrote, "there shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." Isa. 11:1 - 2

        Briefly Isaiah stated, seven spirits rested upon Yeshua. First we are told, "the Spirit of the LORD shall rested upon Him," for example. Remember upon being baptized, Yeshua came out of the water, then "the Spirit of the LORD," came down and rested on Him. Matt 3:16

         Next note Isaiah stated, "the Spirit of wisdom," rested on Yeshua. "The Spirit of wisdom," is an enact ability to discern things, {Eph 1:17 } this enact ability rested upon Yeshua. Matt 9:4

         Thirdly "the spirit of understanding," rested upon Yeshua as well. Though, it should be noted, "the spirit of understanding, is coupled with "the Spirit of wisdom,"for example. It was"the spirit of understanding, coupled with "the Spirit of wisdom," that informed Yeshua the Pharisees were attempting, to entrap Him. Matt 22:18

         Next Isaiah stated, "the Spirit of counsel and might," rested upon Yeshua. It should be noted, "the Spirit of counsel and might," are coupled together. This explains why, Isaiah in prophesying of Yeshua stated, "for unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." {Isa 9:6 } Specking of "the spirt of might."

           Remember when the disciples found themselves, in the midst of a ragging storm at sea. Yeshua arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "peace, be still." {Mark 4:39 } Thus, conforming the fact that "the spirt of might," rested upon Him.

         Lastly "the fear of the Lord," rested on Yeshua. This is noteworthy because "the fear of the Lord," is the beginning of wisdom.

          Though it should be pointed out, "the spirit of understanding," is given to those individuals, who fellows His commandments. How does this relate to this week’s portion?

         Well liken unto Yeshua, "the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge," rested upon Bezalel also. In turn according to the Jewish sages, "the spirit of wisdom, understanding and knowledge," gave Bezalel the knowledge, in how the Almighty wanted the tabernacle built. Thus, in alluding to the fact that "the spirit of wisdom, understanding and knowledge," rested upon Bezalel, Moses was writing of Yeshua.

           Moving on, besides the free will offering that I talked about in last week’s lesson. Moses instructed every man, over twenty - one years of age, to donate a "bekah," which is a half shackle, towards building of the tabernacle. {Ex 38:26} Why not a full shackle why, a half shackle?

         Well have you ever heard an individual, who hasn’t accepted Yeshua the Messiah as their Lord and Savor, alluded to as "a walking dead person!" Thus, the Lord isn’t dwelling, in his’ hearts. In light of this, according to the sages, the Lord commanded a half a shackle as a donation, in order to teach that "no man is a complete entity unto himself."

A picture of the Messiah: In erecting the tabernacle, Moses placed the table of showbread and all of it’s utensils, {Ex 35:13} to the right of the alter, against the wall. That said, in a previous lesson I explained, how the showbread, is a symbol of the Messiah, for example. {John 6:35 } The manna which came from heaven, {Deut 8:3 } was a symbolic symbol to point to Yeshua’s identity.

           Because Yeshua said, "your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." John 6:49 - 51

       With that said, on the table of showbread, were found 12 loaves of bread, each for the twelve tribes. The showbread were baked every Friday, prior to the Sabbath. {1 Chron 9:32} Though miraculously, the Showbread remained fresh, the entire week! However, it was unlawful for anyone, but the priests to consume the Showbread. Hence, when the old loaves were replaced, the priests themselves ate the old Showbread, which leads us to an interesting story.

        Remember as David was fleeing from Saul. David and his men stopped at Nob, where the tabernacle was located. Though, being on the run, David and his men, were hungry. Thus, upon asking Ahimelech, the High Priest, for food? Ahimelech informed David, there was no common food to be found. {1 Sam 21:3 } In turn David asked, Ahimelech for the showbread, in the tabernacle? {1 Sam 21:5 }

         Though, remember it was unlawful for anyone, but the priests to eat the Showbread. Tho’ the High Priest granted, David’s request anyway. {1 Sam 21: 6 } Which leads us to an interesting question.

       If it was unlawful for anyone, except the priests to partake of the Showbread, and it was. Then why didn’t the Lord, discipline David for his actions?

       The Almighty didn’t discipline David, because David foreshadowed Yeshua, who is our King, along with our High Priest, after the role of Melchizedek. {Heb 7:1 } In turn because of this, the Lord permitted David to partake of the showbread, that was consumed only by the Cohen priests

         Throughout history, there have been times when the Israelites, were banned from reading the torah, which are the first five books in the bible. Though, not to be out done, the Rabbis taught from a passage in the books of the prophets {the Halftorah} that related to that week’s torah portion.

            Bearing in mind that Bezalel, was chosen to build the tabernacle’s accessories. This week’s Halftorah portion, alludes to Solomon, the son of David, being chosen to build the Temple, which was patterned, after the tabernacles itself.

         This is significant, because often in the torah, the father - son relationship, such as Abraham offering up Isaac, {Gen 22 } foreshadow the Messiah. On that note, the Hebrew word for stone, "eban," is a contraction of two words. Those two words are, "father - son."

         Thus says the Lord GOD: "behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily." Isa 28:16

        I find the fact the contraction for the Hebrew word for stone, "eban," interesting. Because the contraction for the word "eban," {father - son} imply "the Father and the Son, are One," {John 14:6 } are One and the same.

        Lets now consider the Ark. {Ex 39:35} In a previous lesson, we examine the manna along with Aaron’s rod that were placed in the Ark, in order to show how they are thematically link to the Messiah. Though lets just briefly examine the Ark itself.

        Of all of the furnishing in the Sanctuary, the Ark was the most important. Why? Well between the cherubim over the Mercy Seat, was where Adonia’s {the Lord} presents dwelt. Though where does the Lord dwell now?

        Bearing in mind Yeshua said, "I and my Father, are One." Yeshua currently dwells in believers’ hearts. {Eph 3:12 } Having said that, can you relate the Lord’s current dwelling place, in our hearts, to the Lord’s dwelling place in the tabernacle?

        In the earthly tabernacle, the Lord dwelt between the cherubim, over the Ark. Therefore our hearts are symbolic of the location, where the Ark, namely the Mercy Seat, where the Lord’s presents resided.

       Having establish , the Ark was the most important, of all of the furnishing in the Sanctuary. The tablets with the Ten Commandments written on them, was placed in the Ark.

        That said Paul stated, "clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. {2 Cor 3:3 } What connection is Paul making, between Ten Commandments in the earthy tabernacle, to the tabernacle in our hearts? According to Paul, the writing of the torah {law} on tablets of stones, was a picture of the Lord ultimate purpose, the writing of the torah or law, upon our hearts.

        The prophet Jeremiah conforms this fact by saying, "behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Jer 31:31-33

       If you have been reading my weekly lesson, for a while. Then you should know that I attempt to thematic connect a verse or a passages, within the torah portion, to Yeshua. Because Yeshua said, "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" {John 5:46-47}

That said, once Moses had placed the tables, with the Ten Commandments written on them.

       Along with Aaron’s budding rod, and the pot of manna, inside of the Ark. The Lord instructed Moses to place a veil, over the entrance to the Holy of Holys, from the Holy place. { Ex 40:6} Where am I going with this?

       Well, when Yeshua was nailed to a tree, at the sixth hour, {noon} darkness fell over the entire along with Aaron’s budding rod, and the pot of manna, inside of the Ark. The Lord instructed Moses to place a veil, over the entrance to the Holy of Holys, from the Holy place. { Ex 40:6} Where am I going with this, you ask?

         Well, when Yeshua was nailed to a tree, at the sixth hour, {noon} darkness fell over the entire earth. According to Luke, the darkness fell over the earth, because the sun became darkened. {Luke 23:44 - 45 } Then Yeshua cried out in a loud voice, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit." Then Yeshua breathed in His last breath of air. Luke 23:46

        That said, there is munch speculation, as to where Yeshua, was crucified? However I believe, Yeshua was nailed to a Cross that was attached to a tree trunk, {Deut 21:22 } outside of Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives. Why?

        Well, one compelling piece of evidence that supports this location, is the Roman centurion’s testimony. So, lets roll back the clock, to this historic moment.

          Remember after Yeshua’s death, the centurion witnessed, a resurrection of sorts, when the dead came out of their graves. Plus, he witnessed, "the veil in the Temple to the Holy of Holys, being rent from top to bottom." {Matt. 27:53 - 54 } Where was the centurion standing, to have witnessed, these two mind boggling events?

        Well, an ancient Jewish cemetery adorns the Mount of Olives, along the Kidron valley, separating the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. The tombs are white stone boxes above the ground, with stone lids. Thus, when Yeshua physically died, the centurion standing on the Mount of Olives, looking west towards the Temple, witnessed, both the dead coming out of their graves and the veil being rent. So, Yeshua identical to the Red Heifer, was crucified on the Mount of Olives, outside Jerusalem. Num 19

        In closing, once Moses placed the veil, over the entrance to the Holy of Holys, from the Holy place. No one but the High Priest, could go behind the veil, and that was only on the Day of Atonement. Where the High Priest went to make an atonement for the people’s sins. {Lev 16:14 } Not even David nor Solomon, were allowed to go behind the veil, into the Holy of Holys. Though, upon Yeshua’s death, all of this changed, for example.

             Following Yeshua’s death, "the veil was ripped from top to bottom." Signifying the fact, we now have access to the Lord’s throne of grace, in order to present our petitions to Him. However it should be pointed out, we enter into the Holy of Holys, by "the blood of the Lamb."

         May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26