PARASHA: “Tetsaveh” (you shall command) EXODUS 27:20-30:10
In this parashah, we will see the preparation of the Menorah, and the clothing of the priests. The study starts out with preparing olive oil to fill the lamps of the Menorah, The Torah tells us that it was a “permanent light” (Ner Tamid). It would be the only light outside of the “Kadosh Kedoshim” (The HOLY of Holies) where the “Shekinah” illuminated that small area where the only article was the “Aron Ha Kodesh” (The Ark of the Covenant.
The Menorah was “outside” the curtain, yet still inside the tabernacle. In the same room with the Menorah were the Table of Shew bread, where the 12 loaves of bread were, and the Table of Incense. Here we have a three-fold symbolism of Messiah Yeshua. The table of Shew Bread, “Yeshua HaLechem Chaim” (Yeshua the Bread of Life) and the incense altar, where our “Prayers go upward to heaven” and where “Yeshua intercedes on our behalf. The Menorah is “Yeshua HaOr Olam v'ha Or Tamid” (Yeshua the Light of the World and the Eternal Light.
The Menorah was to burn all night, and in the morning, the high priest (Aaron) would come in to trim the wicks and prepare the Menorah for the evening lighting. The Menorah was all about “Light” It was the only light source inside the Tabernacle.
The word “Ad “means “witness” during the evening, the Shekinah Glory was the outside light, while the lamps were the inside lights. During the day, the Shenika glory which was above the Mercy Seat of the Aron Ha Kodesh (Ark of the Covenant) was the inner light of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
There is a difference between light and darkness, Good and Evil, Holiness and Sin, Lost and saved. The olive oil in the lamps symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which the wicks can symbolize every believer. If we are to burn bright, we must be in constant contact with the oil, if not, we will “burn out”
In pagan cultures, darkness was when evil came about, demons, etc. In ancient Egypt, their god “Ra” went to sleep at night, so the Egyptians were without protection against the “evils of the night”. Those who ventured out usually took a cat with them, symbolizing “Bastet” goddess of the night, who would protect the person against “evil”. Wow, what if the cat saw a mouse or a dog, and....ran off? Oh, well.
The Menorah that burned during the night symbolized “Elohim” who would be the “light in the evening” as well as in the day. The light was inside the tabernacle, and also, outside in the form of the “column of Fire”
We are blessed by the presence of the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) at all times, in the day and during the night, inside and out, the believer is NEVER alone, the Light of G-d is forever with us.
The Menorah had seven branches, it was made of pure gold, and the middle branch was called the “Shamash” or the “helper”. “Seven” is the perfect number of holiness. “Six” branches (six is the number of mankind) are on either side of the Shamash, three on the right and three on the left. Mankind needs the presence of Yeshua, to fulfill his destiny, to get right again, into a right relationship with his creator through Yeshua, through the “New birth” (John 3:3) .
The wicks are “all of us” and the oil that goes into the lamps, is the “Holy Spirit” We need to be in continuous contact and communion with the Holy Spirit so that our lamps will “shine brightly” continuously, after all, Yeshua said to his followers, “Ye are the Light of the world” (Atem ha Orot ha olam). Israel's purpose was to be the “light to the Gentiles” to go into the world and teach the pagan peoples who worshipped idols, that there was only ONE GOD, to bring the Torah to the world.
This is what happened during the “scattering” of the tribes of Israel to the nations, now, there are the Jewish people” in all nations, and in all nations, there are many who worship our LORD and God. Even among the Jewish peoples of the world, many Messianic believers who embrace Yeshua HaMashiach.
In the next chapter, it talks about the clothing of the priests. Clothing has always been a thing of importance. Clothing tells a lot about a person. Each article of clothing had a spiritual significance, always pointing to Yeshua.
As you read the parashah chapters and verses, we see the tunic/robe, bonnet, ephod, breastplate, etc., all meaningful. The onyx stones on the priests’ shoulders had the names of the tribes of Israel engraved, the priest would “shoulder the burden” of the nation, taking the animal sacrifices (that represented Yeshua's death) would intercede before YHVH on the nation's behalf. Now, Yeshua intercedes before the Father on our behalf with his “once only” death/sacrifice for all sin for ALL time. The Onyx stone symbolizes stability, healing, strength, purity, and protection—all of which should be part of a believer's life. We are healed of the curse of sin by the blood of Yeshua, we are strengthened through the WORD, and the Living WORD, we need to walk in purity and we are protected by the WORD, that warns us "not to go astray"
The breastplate would have 12 stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, “Israel was/is next to YHVH's heart! As we are too, since we are all part of the commonwealth of Israel. Two interesting things are the “Urim and Thumim” no one knows exactly what they were, there are suggestions, that they might have been two stones that lit up and glowed when the priest would ask YHVH a question, the “Urim and Thumim' (Light and perfections) were placed under the breastplate. When the priest went before YHVH seeking an answer to some judgment concerning the people, the stones would light up “illuminating” the priest with perhaps special wisdom from God, and it would be a “Perfect” response from God.
The other idea is that there was a parchment with the Name of God YHVH with Urim and Tumim of God ( Y H V H ) on it and placed inside the breastplate, and then, some think, that the letters of the names of the tribes of Israel that were engraved on the stones, would glow. The priest under the anointing of the Spirit of God, would then put the letters together and would “read” God's answer. But these are just ideas, nothing 100% certain. In heaven, we will discover what the “Urim and Thumim were/are! “
Today, we have the Word of God. YHVH speaks to us through his written Word, but also, through dreams, at times, through other people who are very sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, YHVH conveys messages through events in our lives. If we look back in our lives, we can see that YHVH has been right there working and preparing events/people to bring us to where we are now.
In chapter 29, we have the anointing/dedication of Aaron and his sons for the ministry. The sacrifices were a bullock and two rams, unleavened bread with olive oil. All these point to Yeshua, these were clean animals, whose blood symbolizes the blood of our Messiah, just like the unleavened bread, “Yeshua the Bread of Life” and the oil, the “Ruach HaKodesh” a little bit of the blood was placed on Aaron's right ear lobe, right thumb, and on the right toe, the same was done to his sons. What does this symbolize? We could say that as priests, “May they always HEAR, LISTEN TO the voice of God, that they might DO his will, and follow his commandments, and WALK in HIS footsteps, FOLLOWING the path of Torah.
The next time you are called to anoint a person with oil. You might anoint in that same way. On the right ear lobe, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe on the right foot (or on the shoe). I always include the forehead, that the person might "think" on the WORD also.
Chapter 30 talks about the altar of incense, which was made of [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]tim wood overlaid with gold, again, the humanity of Yeshua and the purity of HIM who is God. On this altar, the incense was burned, symbolizing our prayers that go up to YHVH as a sweet savor.
It is very interesting that the Word "K'Toret" means "incense. There are 4 Hebrew letters in this word K + T + R + T those form the first letters of 4 other words related: Kedushah (Holiness) Taharah (Purity) Rachamim (mercy and compassion) Tikvah and Tefilah (Hope and Prayer)
What can we make out in this? Our prayers should go up to God in Holiness and Purity, asking for Mercy and compassion as we also should show others mercy, compassion, and hope that there is "light at the end of the tunnel"
However, all believers are "kingly priests" a "royal priesthood" serving Yeshua who is our "High Priest". Our priesthood is not under Aaron, but rather under Melchizedek, The High Priest of old could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year (on Yom Kippur) yet we have free access to the Throne of Grace 24-7 through the Blood of Yeshua. Our priesthood is so much better, wouldn't you say?
Have a blessed week.
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