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Subject: Parashah: T'rumah and T'zaveh
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 16:48:10 -0800
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From: James Trimm
To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject: Parashah T'rumah
Weekly Parashah (T'rumah)
The Weekly Parashah for the coming Shabbat
Torah: Sh'mot (Ex.) 25:1-27:19
Haftarah: M'lakhim Alef (1Kn. 5:26-6:13)
Ketuvim Netzarim: Matt. 5:33-37
2Cor. 9:1-15
Heb. 8:1-6; 9:23-24; 10:1
Shalom all,
This weeks reading deals with the construction of the Tabernacle and its
contents. We are told that Moshe made them after a pattern that was shown
to him. Paul (in Heb. 9) indicates that all of these things have some
allegorical significance as counterparts of items in the heavenly holy of
holies, but Paul does not tell us what their significance is. However since
Paul has suggested that they have meaning, the following are some
possibilities:
The lampstand - (Ex. 25:31-39; 37:17-25; 39:37) The Lampstand
appears in Zech. 4:2 with two olive trees on each side. In Rev. 11
the two olive trees are two witnesses (see also Rom. 11 on two
olive trees). The lampstand in Zech. 4 may correspond to "the
branch" in Zech. 3:8, its seven branches may correspond to the
seven eyes in Zech. 3:9.
In Rev. 1:12, 20 seven lampstands are seven assemblies which have
seven angels corresponding to seven stars. In Rev. 4:5 seven lamps
before the throne are the Seven Spirits of G-d. The central stalk
of the lampstand may represent the Messiah, the seven candles as
the seven Spirits of G-d. These may be the seven spirits which
rest upon the Branch (Messiah) in Is. 11:1-2 or the seven angels
with seven trumpets (compare Rev. 4:5 & Rev. 8:2). The lampstand
gives light, just as Messiah is the "light of the world" (Jn. 1:1-9; 8:12).
The table - (Ex. 25:23-29; 37:10-16) Unfortunately Paul does not
tell us its meaning, and the scriptures are silent.
The showbread - (Ex. 25:30; Lev. 24:5-10) Again Paul does not
tell us its meaning, and the scriptures are silent. However
the twelve loaves may represent the twelve tribes being
offered up and dedicated to YHWH.
The golden alter of incense - (Ex. 30:1-10; 37:25-29; 30:34-38)
The incense represents the prayers of all the holy ones
(Rev. 8:3-5). The fire of the alter seems to represent the
demand for justice. In Rev. 8:3-5 the fire of the alter is
cast to the earth as a judgement. The parallel passage in
Ezkl. 10:2 has a similar meaning. In Is. 6:6-7, Isaiah's
lips are purified by contact with a coal from its fire. (see note
to Heb. 12:24)
The ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold - (Ex.
25:10-22; 37:1-9) The ark is also pictured in the heavenly
temple in Rev. 11:19. It seems to represent the
covenant. The apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus (sometimes
called the Acts of Pilate) claims that the dimensions of
the Ark of the Covenant revealed that Messiah would come
to earth 5,500 years after creation which it places around the
first century (Nicodemus 12:11-20). While the first century
was not the year 5,500 from creation, there may be
some hidden meaning in the dimensions of the ark.
The golden pot that had the manna - (Ex. 16:11-33; Num. 11:1-9;
Ps. 78:24-25; John 6:31-38; Rev. 2:17) The manna represents
Messiah who "...comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world."(John. 6:31-38).
Aaron's rod that budded - (Num. 16 & 17) Aaron's rod budded to
demonstrate that YHWH had chosen Levites as priests. This
may represent G-d's choice of the Levites,
G-d's will in general, or G-d's authority.
The tablets of the covenant - (Ex. 19; 20:1-17; 34:1-4, 28-29;
Deut. 10:1-5) These contained the ten commandments, the
heart of the Mosaic Covenant. Their counterpart of the
book of the Covenant in the heavenly Temple is the New
Covenant/sealed book (see notes on Heb. 8:1f).
The cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat - (Ex.
25:18-22; 37:7-9; Num. 7:89) YHWH's presence rested above
the mercy seat, between the cherubim (Num. 7:89; 1Sam.
4:4; Is. 37:16; Psalms 80:1; 99:1) This was the place
where the Priest would meet with YHWH on the Day of
Atonement (Lev. 16:2). From Ezekiel's throne
vision of Ezekiel 1:4-3:6 & Ezekiel 10) it seems that this
position between the cherubim represents the throne of YHWH.
There was a meaning to each thing which God told Moshe to have done in this
weeks Torah reading. The Tabernacle was built according to a pattern to
reflect the heavenly sanctuary in which everything also has significance.
I highly recomend an indepth study of the Tabernacle and its contents, as
there is a great deal of meaning often missed when reading these passages.
James Trimm
***********************************************************************
From: James Trimm
To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject: Parashah T'zaveh
The Weekly Parashah for the coming Shabbat
Torah: Shemot (Ex) 27:20-30:10
Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10-43:27
Ketuvim: Phil. 4:10-20, Heb. 13:10-17
Parashah Tetzaveh:
Shalom Brothers and Sisters,
One of the central features of synagogue worship, and our worship
at Beit HaKadosh, is the weekly Torah reading. We have been following
the traditional annual cycle both in our services and in this weekly
commentary. These readings had been fixed by the first century, if
not before, although in the first century there also existed a
triennial cycle, where the Torah would be read over a three or three
and a half year cycle. Even so, the annual tradition has a long
history and the divisions of the Torah that make up the readings were
formulated for very specific reasons. This brings us to our question
for this week. Why was the teaching about the menorah and it's oil
placed with this week's parashah when the more natural division,
at least according to subject, would have placed it in last week's
portion about the Mishkan and we would begin this week's parashah
with the priestly vestments?
There is a very real connection to be made between the priesthood
and the menorah, the light for the Mishkan. The people of Israel were to
be a nation of priests. YHVH had chosen them to bring the light of
His truth to all the nations of the world. That is one of the
primary reasons He gave them Eretz Israel, it was at the crossroads of
three continents and the best place from which to disseminate G-d's
truth. Their role as priests was twofold. They were to represent
G-d to the people (nations) by teaching and instructing them His
perfect ways, the ways of Torah. And they were to represent the
people (nations) before G-d by offering up prayers and sacrifices on
their behalf. The purpose of the priesthood of Israel, both the
Aaronic and the general priesthood, was to shine the light of
G-d's truth to a world that had,to a great extent, forgotten it since
the days of the flood.
Yahushua used the analogy of light all the time, and He
specifically called His talmidim, the current faithful remnant of Israel, to
fulfill this role of being light to the world. You are light for
the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise, when
people light a lamp they don't cover it with a bowl but place it on
a lampstand so that it shines for everyone in the house. In the same
way, let you light shine before people so that they may see you good
works and praise your Father in Heaven. Matt 5:14-16 We have been
chosen for a task and that task is to be a Holy Nation
and a Royal Preisthood. In Yahushua's words, we have been given
light, the light of G-d's truth, the light of revelation, the light of Torah,
the light of Messiah Himself. We are to take that light and let it
shine. We are not to be like the wicked servant who took what he
had been given and bury it in the ground. We are to take it and
display it so that everyone may see. We are to fulfill our role as
priests, teaching people G-d=92s truth and interceding for them before
G-d. And the result of all this is so that they may see our good
works and praise our Father in Heaven. Our obedience to Torah
separates us and glorifies G-d. Therefore it should not be hidden
either. We should proudly display the garments, celebrations and
unique requirements of our priestly position. Then we and our
communities will be a bright menorah before the throne of YHVH (Rev
1:20) whose light will bring pleasure to both our G-d and those around
us.
Blessings in Yahushua
Rav Mikha'el
**********************************************************************
To educate, train and equip for study both the Jew and
Non-Jew in the Rich Hebraic Heritage of our Faith.
Please visit the Hebraic Roots Global Network
Web Site located at:
http://www.hebroots.org/
1999 Feast of Tabernacles Celebration
and
Hebraic Roots of Christianity Conference
September 24 - October 3, 1999
Ocean Shores, Washington
"... the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be
the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord ...
and you shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days
in the year. It shall be a statute FOREVER in your
generations: you shall celebrate it in the seventh month."
(Leviticus 23:34,41)
Plan NOW to attend. Experience the JOY of celebrating the
Feast of Tabernacles while hearing some of the BEST teachers
and leaders of the Hebraic Roots of Christianity. Speakers
include:
Dr Brad Young .... Gospel Research Foundation
Randy Fenton .... Potter's Clay Ministries
Dr John D. Garr .. Restoration Foundation
Ken & Lenore Mullican ... HaKesher Ministries
Doug & George Dolly ..... Messianic Congregation Leaders
Dean Wheelock .......... Hebrew Roots Ministries
Eddie Chumney .......... Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int'l
Robert Somerville ....... Awareness Ministries
Steven Berkowitz ....... Hineni Ministries Int'l
Dr. Danny Ben-Gigi ...... Hebrew Language Instructor
Our target for 1999 is 500 attendees.
The Feast of Tabernacles at Ocean Shores is a non-denominational,
non-sectarian event sponsored by Christian Renewal Ministries
International (CRMI). Attendance is open to all. There is no
conference registration fee and no fee to attend workshops and
seminar's during the festival celebration. It is paid for entirely by
donations to CRMI. All contributions, to CRMI, pay for this event
because our staff are all volunteers. Hotel discounts are available.
More information about the 1999 Feast of Tabernacles at Ocean Shores,
Washington is available at: http://www.Shalom-CRMI.org/html/ftos.htm
E-mail: Rick@shalom-crmi.org
Phone: 1-800-333-5208
P.S. Since CRMI provide's airfare and accomodations for our guest
speakers our expenses are quite high. If you would like to help us in
this effort you can send a tax-deductible donation to:
CRMI
P.O. Box 111
Auburn, WA 97071-0111