AUGUST 16, 2022 Numbers 14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. That is the question isn’t it — how long will He bear with those who continually resist and walk contrary to Him? In this section of Scripture, […]
January 23, 2022
Exodus 38:22-23
Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord had commanded Moses. And with him was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and [b]designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine linen.
Among all the artisans who brought the Sanctuary and its' furnishings into being, these two men, Bezalel and Aholiab, were the principal figures. Being that Bezalel was from the tribe of Judah and Aholiab was from Dan, an interesting concept develops. The tribe of Judah and its camp alway led the nation as they traversed the wilderness. It was the tribe of Dan and its camp that always brought up the rear when the nation was on the move. So then, together, Judah and Dan represent the “first and last.” In the persons of Bezalel and Aholiab, the “first and “last” brought the Tabernacle into existence.
From the very beginning, it is clear that God always has desired to build a “house” in which He could dwell with His people. In fact, in Hebrew, first word of Genesis begins with the Hebrew letter beit, which in name and in form means “a house.” This desire to dwell with His people is then demonstrated initially in the Garden and eventually in the Tabernacle. So then, that these two men, and the fact that they came from these two tribes is not coincidental — their selection by God speaks to something very important. Christ, who is the First and the Last, is the greater manifestation of God's desire to dwell with His people. Paul said:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:15-17)
Christ, as the First and Last, brought the Creation into existence and it is He who made it possible for you and me to become a new creation. God used Bezalel and Aholiab to construct the Tabernacle and “flesh out” the Creator's desire to build a house. God sent His Son, in the flesh, to bring about the fulfillment of His desire and, accordingly, John said, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us.” Because He did dwell among us, we have the opportunity to commune with the Creator as a Temple of His Spirit with the promise that, one day, we will dwell with Him in a much bigger “house” — the New Jerusalem. So let us remain faithful knowing that what He initiated in our lives, He will bring to its intended fruition because He is the First and the Last, and the Author and Finisher of our faith.
DECEMBER 18, 2021 Exodus 33:11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. One of the reasons that Judaism places so much stock in the first five books of the Bible — the Torah — is because of this statement in the Scripture. Prophets were moved upon by the Spirit […]
NOVEMBER 20, 2021
Exodus 29:20
Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar.
At first glance this instruction seems a bit odd and, for those not inclined to see beyond the surface of things, maybe even bizarre and troubling. Yet, we know that God has a purpose for everything He does and for everything He instructs us to do. First of all, understanding the role of blood in the process of redemption and its necessity for the forgiveness of sins is essential if we are to understand anything about the role of the priests and the Sanctuary itself. Blood is emblematic of life itself and it is through the shedding of blood that the guilt of sin is atoned for.
That something regarded as precious as blood was to be placed upon the priests begs us to consider why it was on placed on their right ear, their right thumb and right big toe. Rabbinical commentary offers an opinion on the matter. Rabbi Raphael Hirsch offered this interpretation: “Through the ear, one hears and understands; through the hand, one acts; through the feet, one moves about. All three are consecrated to show that the Cohen dedicates all his faculties to God's service.”
In other words, as the priests were being inaugurated into service, they were reminded that they were to “hear” what God said and to “do” what God said. Likewise, as representatives of the Messiah, we are consecrated to hear and to do according to His will. Our ears are not to be dull of hearing but are to be sensitive to heed and understand His voice. Our hands and feet must not be polluted with sinful deeds but be dedicated to go and to act according to His will. In short, this ritual was a reminder to them and to us that those who are called to serve the Almighty are to dedicate their entire being to Him without reservation or exception. So then, let us serve Him in the way that He expects and deserves — with all of our heart, soul and strength.
OCTOBER 23, 2021 Exodus 25:32-33 And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of the other side. Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob […]
MAY 25, 2021 Exodus 13:17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” It has been proven that Israel could have […]
MAY 14, 2021 Exodus 12:40-41 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. This verse has been […]
MARCH 12, 2021 Exodus 5:22-23 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.” […]
DECEMBER 17, 2020 Genesis 47:5-6 Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen […]
It was on this day in 1949 that the first permanent government of the State of Israel assumed office. Ironically or not, this was also the same day that the security council recommended Israel’s admission into the United Nations.
Though it was, indeed, the first official government of the new Israeli state, to say that this was a permanent government is not quite accurate. According to the Bible, the nation of Israel is destined to witness an altogether different and most definitely permanent form of government; one that has yet to come into the fullness of its power. The prophet Isaiah shed some light on this coming government and administration, when he wrote in Isaiah 9:6-7:
“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.’ Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
According to this prophecy, this government and its head will indeed be permanent. But unlike the governments of men, it will be a government of justice and peace. To the dismay of those who believe in the will of the people determining the law, this government will not be democratic or republican. It will not be autocratic, communist, socialist or any other form of man-contrived government. This will be a theocratic monarchy, meaning that God, Himself, will be our King, as the Messiah rules and reigns from Jerusalem. In the end, all kingdoms will bow to His Kingdom, as it is written in the book of Revelation:
“And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” (Revelation 11:15)
That means every kingdom, every government, every President, Congress, Parliament and even Knesset will have to submit to His eternal authority. At that time, no more will men make laws that oppress, enslave and manipulate those being governed. But all men will be bound to keep His righteous and just laws, the laws of the One and only God. Isaiah prophesied:
“For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations and rebuke many people.” (Isaiah 2:3-4)
That this Kingdom is coming means that all of us will have to adjust our thinking, our way of doing things and our will in order to conform to His way. Nevertheless, we say collectively, “Maranatha.” Even so, come Lord Jesus, and sit upon Your Holy Throne and establish Your Kingdom – the one that was ordained from the beginning.
