TETZAVEH (תצוה) - COMMAND -Audio Podcast March 11, 2023
Notes
Transcript
Exodus 27:20-30:10
Review
Review
In our last Torah Portions
We have talked about different topics
The Torah is the manual how to serve God- gives a sense of direction, like a compass
W/o direction you do not know where you are going or what you are doing.
the yes, I do
The unanimous and unhesitating response is to accept, readily and freely, God’s charge—even before hearing the terms of the covenant (cf. 24:3, 7).
Mishpatim
Judgment - Ordinance
Singular Hebrew: Mishpat ( משפט )
Plural Hebrew: Mishpatim ( משפטם )
Which are part of all the devarim given to Israel:
Hang up
the commandments are motivated by love, and depended on the Law and the Prophets
We spoke about 12 ordinances found in Mishpatim and how they are used to make judgments when making a decision.
The exact gift He is about to offer is His dwelling with Israel, and eventually with us.
To bring heaven to earth
He is asking them to build a Tabernacle- a dwelling place
God is about to lay down a blue print, a pattern, for His kingdom down on earth
Terumah - Exo 26:30
This pattern is very specific. It is also called the Celestial Blueprint:
The Celestial Blueprint
A prominent characteristic of the narrative in both its parts is the repeated reference to divinely given instructions and celestial patterns for the terrestrial edifice and for its contents.
We talked about the physical and the spiritual
1- Build a Sanctuary
2- Ransom Money
3- The Bronze Laver
4- The Holy Anointing Oil
5-Altar of Incense
6-Artisans Building the Tabernacle
7- The Sabbath Law
Cornerstone
Jerusalem- Zion, the mountain of God, Moriah, Salem
The point of contact between heaven and earth
The house of God - the gate of heaven- ground [ah damah]
Yeshua the Cornerstone in Jerusalem
Jerusalem Name
Introduction
Introduction
TETZAVEH - Commanded
תצוה
tav
tsadee
vav
hay
Exodus 27:20-30:10
SUMMARY SO FAR:
B’Reisheet (in the beginning), God creates Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden, paradise) and puts Adam there to be present with Him in His unfinished creation. God initiates the work of redemption after the death of Hevel (Abel) by appointing Shet (Seth) as replacement. The tenth generation of Shet is Noach’s son, Shem (name), the start of passing a heritage of monotheism through the Shemite priesthood. The sons of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov (renamed Yisra’el) will be called to this priesthood.
Exodus begins: these are the Sh’mot (names) of Ya’akov’s sons, whom God blesses to be fruitful. They multiply exceedingly, fill the land of Goshen, and threaten the empire of Egypt. Pharaoh oppresses them to stop their growth.
va’Era (and I appeared), says the Lord, to make good on promises to Avraham to liberate the sons of Yisra’el and lead them back to possess the Land of C’na’an (Canaan).
God tells Moshe, Bo (enter!) and negotiate to free the sons of Yisra’el. God punishes Pharaoh, measure for measure. b’Shalach Par’oh (when Pharaoh let go), God leads Yisra’el with His Presence. Near Sinai, father-in-law Yitro (Jethro) advises Moshe to delegate legal cases to a judiciary. The Sefer haB’rit (Book of the Covenant) is read to all. It instructs judges on making wise Mishpatim (judgments). Atop Mt. Sinai, Moshe is told to take T’rumah (an offering) to elevate the nation and build a dwelling for God’s Presence.
Instruction continues: T’tsaveh (you shall command) Yisra’el to keep a light burning in the darkness. The nation is consecrated for holy service. Holiness includes proper attire, so special vestments are prepared for the priests. The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) sacrifices a bull before entering, for it is not possible to enter God’s Holy Presence without the shedding of blood
The only Torah portion where Moses is not mention not even once
Aaron is mentioned 37 times
This Torah portion speaks about consecration
Two major topics to explore are the priesthood, and the consecration of those called to be priests
All Israel, even ourselves, were called to be priests
“And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.
And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Torah Portion
“And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
“Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually.
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;
In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.
High Priest Breastplate of Righteousness=Ephod
Commanded by God - to Moses, Aaron and the gifted artisan
“Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.
So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.
And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.
High Priest
For High Priest of Israel
The chief shepherd of the Tabernacle
Later the chief shepherd of the temple
which later became the church
This is why is Hebrews says
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
High Priest = Kohenin Gadol
Exalted man
Exalted priest
The One who has risen above the rest for the purposes to lead and serve
Ephod
Like a vest w/o leaves, as a body armour
Adorned with 12 precious stones. Each one stone represents each one of the the 12 tribes of Israel
Presentation
Presentation
And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes.
On each shoulder you also see 6 tribes in each stone
This brings the prophecy from Isaiah
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.
Government has to do people, literal identities, and names
That means that the specific names written on the shoulders are the names that are resting on the High Priests shoulders - Messiah Yeshua -Jesus Christ
Each of the stones has a different tribe:
And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.
and they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, artistically worked.
It shall have two shoulder straps joined at its two edges, and so it shall be joined together.
And the intricately woven band of the ephod, which is on it, shall be of the same workmanship, made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen.
“Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:
six of their names on one stone and six names on the other stone, in order of their birth.
With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall set them in settings of gold.
And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial.
Picture of 12 tribes and stones
Gemes
And he put the tunic on him, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the intricately woven band of the ephod, and with it tied the ephod on him.
You shall also make settings of gold,
and you shall make two chains of pure gold like braided cords, and fasten the braided chains to the settings.
Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?
He is speaking about the priesthood given through the Levites
Levites means joined - literally means connected to - this was their portion
The Levites calling comes down through family, through the sons of Aaron.
When Nadab and Abihu died, the only priests descendants will come from Eleazar and Ithamar, all the way down to NT priests: Caiaphas and Ananias, all descendants of Kohath the son of Levi - where the name Kohenim- priest derives
Picture of Priesthood
The ephod is really, in the place of prayer, like someone saying, you are upon my heart, or I feel a burden upon my shoulders for you.
The ephod which is seen represents something unseen
A preacher, a pastor, a teacher, a shepherd who is praying for someone would sometimes feel the burden of the other person on his shoulder, but we are not to call it a burden, but a desire to bless, a blessing, a duty to serve, a gift for the other.
It is a privilege to bring people to God and receive revelation, direction and deliverance for them. They bring their burdens to you, and you bring answers to them.
And this is what is meant by “ I feel a weight on my shoulders”
When somebody says I am taking you upon my heart, or you have been on my heart, the ephod is the physical representation of what that means.
That the shepherd is wearing you on his heart in the presence of God
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
The white stone (ruby) on the ephod is an example of a new name.
This means you will be so close to Him, not just by the proximity of relationship, but by the positioning close to His heart, just like the apostle John did.
CONSIDER THE HIGH PRIEST
The sacred clothing worn by the High Priest consisted of
A - linen undergarments
The undergarments were a two part white linen suit consisting of a long sleeved shirt and breeches “to cover their nakedness.”
And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs.
B - A richly decorated outer garment
Above the undergarments, he wore a solid blue robe with a fringe of alternating golden bells and pomegranates that were made of blue, purple, and scarlet threads.
His breastplate (hoshen) was a kind of pouch which held the Urim (light) and Thummim (completeness). It was supported by shoulder straps attached to an apron called the ephod.
The crown was a miter, a flat hat made of fine linen with a gold plate attached.
Engraved on the plate were the words “Holiness to the Lord.”
Around the waist was a sash woven from the same kind of thread and in the same colors as the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Tabernacle. (Exodus 28:4 – 42).
“You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it.
HOSHEN - Breastplate - חֹשֶׁן
3136 חֹשֶׁן (ḥō·šěn): n.masc.; ≡ Str 2833; TWOT 772a—LN 6.188–6.196 breastpiece, breast-plate, i.e., an ornamental chest covering worn by the priest, holding the Urim and Thummim (Ex 25:7; 28:4–30 passim; 29:5; 35:9–21 passim; Lev 8:8+)11 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
A breastplate of decision
His breastplate (hoshen) was a kind of pouch which held the Urim (light) and Thummim (completeness).
A breastplate of decision
Mishpatim - judgments or decisions
The breastplate is specifically identified with judgement or decision making
The were different ways to consulting the Lord in the ancient times: the prophets and the breastplate
The lights within the stones will give us the answer as they would light up
The kohenim (High Priest) is able to mix the animal matter with the vegetable matter and the minerals (average people were not permitted to do this).
The High Priest Has People to Help Him, just lie a pastor does
The Levitical Priesthood represents that, not only then, but now and into the end times:
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Picture of Priesthood
THE SPIRITUAL ARMOR OF GOD:
This same ritual clothing is referred to by Rabbi Shaul (Paul) in describing the sacral garments as protective armor of God in
Ephesians 6: 11-18
Unfortunately, many with a greko/roman mindset have promoted an image of physical armor of a Roman soldier
when in fact Paul was teaching a spiritual lesson with a Hebraic mindset about spiritual warfare using a very common Hebrew picture of the Priestly Garments of the High Priest
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
That is why one needs protection.
The body is the temple we are to protect the housing the Spirit of God
and we all are called to be holy priests
And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
taking care of mind, body and Spirit to the glory of God,
Paul uses the idea of being protected and being victorious by the sacred clothing and coverings
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
One always stands to make a covenant
Now the king sent them to gather all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem to him.
The king went up to the house of the Lord with all the men of Judah, and with him all the inhabitants of Jerusalem—the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the Lord.
Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took a stand for the covenant.
and the Priest always stood in the temple
and the Torah scroll is always standing when in the ark
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
This is probably a reference to the sash which was woven from the same colors as the veil, known as the belt of truth
Let the prophet clarify
Thus the Lord said to me: “Go and get yourself a linen sash, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water.”
So I got a sash according to the word of the Lord, and put it around my waist.
around the waist
“Take the sash that you acquired, which is around your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole in the rock.”
Now it came to pass after many days that the Lord said to me, “Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the sash which I commanded you to hide there.”
Then I went to the Euphrates and dug, and I took the sash from the place where I had hidden it; and there was the sash, ruined. It was profitable for nothing.
This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing.
For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,’ says the Lord, ‘that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear.’
Context
Jeremiah 12
For even your brothers, the house of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you; Yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, Even though they speak smooth words to you.
“I have forsaken My house, I have left My heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul into the hand of her enemies.
And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.
Sash = אַבְנֵט = abnet = linen around waist
77 אַבְנֵט (ʾǎḇ·nēṭ): n.[masc.]; ≡ Str 73; TWOT 256a—LN 6.178 sash, fine linen girdle worn around waist (Ex 28:4, 39, 40; 29:9; 39:29; Lev 8:7, 13; 16:4; Isa 22:21+), note: in context always a part of the adornment of priestly garments, see also domain LN 6.188–6.19611 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
Thus the Lord said to me: “Go and get yourself a linen sash, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water.”
Sash = אֵזוֹר = ezor = belt
258 אֵזוֹר (ʾē·zôr): n.masc.; ≡ Str 232; TWOT 59a—1. LN 6.152–6.187 belt, sash, i.e., a band around the waist, made of either animal skin or cloth, assumedly with the robe, or covering underneath the belt or sash (2Ki 1:8; Isa 5:27; 11:5; Jer 13:1, 2, 4, 6, 7,10, 11; Eze 23:15+), note: some of these verses may also go under next entry; 2. LN 6.152–6.187 loincloth, i.e., a band of cloth around the waist, assumedly with no other cloth or dress underneath the sash or belt possibly with the associative meaning of being of low social status (Job 12:18+)11 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
The idea that the sash represented truth comes easily when one remembers that behind the veil the Spirit of God dwells above the Ark of the Covenant encapsulating the Torah of Truth
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
The High Priest wore a breastplate (hoshen) in which he kept the Urim (light) and Thummim (completeness)– the source of revelation.
It worked only on the principles of righteousness – “tzedek” – temple correctness: doing the right things, saying the right words, dressed the right way, doing everything according to the character of God
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
“Preparation of the gospel of peace” is the key idea
The gospel of peace is a foundational principle of the character of God
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
This is a reflection of the Prince of Peace
He will be teaching the principles of Peace during the Millennium of peace from the city of peace
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
“faith” is the shield of “pistis” – the tokens of the covenants
4411 πίστις (pistis), εως (eōs), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ DBLHebr 575; Str 4102; TDNT 6.174—1. LN 31.43 what can be believed, a state of certainty with regard to belief (Ac 17:31); 2. LN 31.85 trust, believe to a complete trust (Mk 11:22; Ac 24:24; Eph 4:29 v.r.); 3. LN 31.88 trustworthiness, the state of complete dependability (Ro 3:3); 4. LN 31.102 Christian faith, belief in the Gospel (Ro 1:8; Eph 2:8; Gal 1:23; Jude 3); 5. LN 31.104 doctrine, the content of what is to be believed (Gal 1:23; Jude 3), for another interp, see prior; 6. LN 33.289 promise, pledge to be faithful (1Ti 5:12)
James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
575 אֱמוּנָה (ʾěmû·nā(h)): n.fem.; ≡ Str 530; TWOT 116e—1. LN 31.82–31.101 faithfulness, trustworthiness, steadiness, entrusted, i.e., a state or condition of being dependable to a person or standard (Dt 32:4; 1Sa 26:23; 2Ki 22:7; 1Ch 9:22, 26, 31; 2Ch 19:9; 31:12, 15, 18; 34:12; Ps 33:4; 36:6[EB 5]; 40:11[EB 10]; 88:12[EB 11]; 89:2[EB 1],3[EB 2],6[EB 5],9[EB 8],25[EB 24],34[EB 33],50[EB 49]; 92:3[EB 2]; 98:3; 100:5; 119:75, 86, 90,138; 143:1; Pr 28:20; Isa 11:5; 25:1; 33:6; La 3:23; Hos 2:22[EB 20]; Hab 2:4+); 2. LN 17 steadiness, i.e., pertaining to a state which has no linear or non-linear movement (Ex 17:12+); 3. LN 88.39–88.45 honesty, i.e., a state of being completely truthful (2Ki 12:16[EB 15]; Pr 12:17, 22; Isa 59:4+); 4. LN 21.9–21.13 security, safety, i.e., a state which is free from danger (Ps 37:3+); 5. LN 70 truth, i.e., that which conforms to reality, and the standard it represents (Ps 96:13; 119:30; Jer 5:1, 3; 7:28; 9:2[EB 3]+), see also domain LN 72
James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
The turban by the High Priest was his crown representing his priesthood
A similar crown is worn by the king as a symbol of his kingship
In both cases there is a covering of our head
The Hebrew word for salvation is Yeshua
It is more significant to realize that by wearing the helmet of salvation we are covering our head with the Messiah to think Him as a Priestly intercessor
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
“and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
The covering comes from knowing the word of God
Both the written and revealed word of God
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
The sword refers to the words of one’s mouth when those words are spoken in the power of the Lord
And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.”
“He made my mouth like a sharpened sword…” (Isa. 49:2) and the Lord’s word is sharper than a two-edged sword
This would have been the way Paul’s recommendation in Ephesians would have sounded like:
Put on the complete garments of the Priest of God, that you may be able to stand (in the covenant) against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the all garments of the Priest of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (in the covenant). Stand (in the covenant) therefore, having your loins girt about with the sash of truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness (hoshen); And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of trust in the Lord, by which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the crown turban of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watching to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6: 10-18).
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
(John says, “Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments [Written Torah] and have the testimony of Yeshua HaMashiach [The Living Torah] ” our High Priest!
Paul also says:
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
One last thing about this Torah Portion, before we close
“So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually.
And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually.
Pomegranate
8232 I. רִמּוֹן (rim·môn): n.masc.; ≡ Str 7416; TWOT 2170—1. LN 3.2–3.12 pomegranate tree, i.e., a fruit-bearing tree of the Punicaceae family (Dt 8:8; 1Sa 14:2; SS 4:13; 6:11; 7:13[EB 12]; Joel 1:12; Hag 2:19+); 2. LN 3.33–3.46 pomegranate fruit, i.e., an orange-sized, thick-skinned, several celled, reddish berried fruit of the Punicaceae family (Nu 13:23; 20:5; SS 4:3; 6:7; 8:2+); 3. LN 6.188–6.196 pomegranate-shaped ornaments, i.e., ornamental representations of the pomegranate fruit, made of both fabric and metal (Ex 28:33, 34; 39:24, 25,26; 1Ki 7:18, 20, 42; 2Ki 25:17; 2Ch 3:16; 4:13; Jer 52:22,23+), note: in 1Ki 7:18 for niv text, see 823211 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
These were tassels in the shape of pomegranate fruit. Among the pomegranates were golden bells, each with a ringer.
There were 72 bells, and 72 pomegranate, alluding to the 72 possible shades of white that could make someone a metzora - leprosy - Since the robe atoned for the sin of evil speech, it was appropriate that it reminded people of tzaraas (affliction), the disease that was the penalty for such gossip.
What is important in here is the affliction
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD
And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.
So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.
And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.
So I will consecrate the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests.
I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God.
And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.
Closing
Closing
Paul writing to the assembly in Rome:
He first addresses among other things the redemptive nature of God
even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
“And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.”
Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved.
For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”
And as Isaiah said before: “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”
Regarding his trip to Jerusalem and stop in Spain, Paul also says:
whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.
For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.
But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
The Gentiles have been grafted in and ready to see the Saviour, but
As I hope you remember I said in my introduction this:
Instruction continues: T’tsaveh (you shall command) Yisra’el to keep a light burning in the darkness. The nation is consecrated for holy service.
One important thing to take from this Torah Portion is the paleo-prophecy still found in these five books regarding the things to come that we continually read in the Bible, and have been reading for more than 2k years.
We know we have been called to be priests and kings:
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Let us not forget the study of the tribes and the stones starts in the Tanakh but are culminated again in Revelation.
Israel is set like a stone
The study of the stones is correlated to the study of the tribes of Israel. We have seen that the High Priest will carry the burdens of the tribes on His shoulders.
Also this Torah portion reminds us of the calling of being priests, having been sanctified by the seal of the Holy Spirit
All Israel, even ourselves, were called to be priests
And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Especially in the end times
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
But there are many ways this Torah portion speaks of this paleo prophecy:
One is the priesthood which we have been speaking about and which we will come back to at the end of this study today.
But there seems to be a correlation in two more prophecies:
1-The 12 Tribes of Israel- set in the stones
2- Their Sanctification- T’tsaveh (you shall command) Yisra’el to keep a light burning in the darkness. The nation is consecrated for holy service.
1-The 12 Tribes of Israel- set in the stones
“So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually.
And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually.
The idea of the 12 Tribes was discussed in our Torah Portion Matot last year -
Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded:
If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
We see in the same book, Numbers, that there is a destroyer coming against Israel,
and God “commands” Moses to draw troops from the 12 tribes
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
“Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”
So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm some of yourselves for war, and let them go against the Midianites to take vengeance for the Lord on Midian.
A thousand from each tribe of all the tribes of Israel you shall send to the war.”
So there were recruited from the divisions of Israel one thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
This gives us
1000 from each tribe = 12,000 for war
We are looking at the 1440K, we are not at there yet, but in the book of Revelation you will be picking up a similar pattern.
Immediately after picking up the men for war the Medianite women appear. At the point of crossing to the promised land, idolatry comes
Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.
The Lord keeps His promises in thousands:
but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
12000 x 12 = 1440000
The 12,000 is intensified in the Book of Revelation.
These are to take vengeance on Median specifically for of its sin sending women to corrupt the Israelite men with eating things sacrificed to idols and adultery. - - BALAAM- A FALSE PROPHET - who taught Balak and the Medianite women to do this NUMBERS 25:1-6.
Balaam also was hired to curse and Israel and he could not, because no one can curse what the Lord has blessed.
Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.
They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.
So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the Lord, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.”
So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor.”
And indeed, one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
Balaam is a false Prophet
A false prophet is also found in Revelation 13:11-15
Also:
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
The 12 Tribes of Israel are mentioned again in the Book of Revelation:
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,
saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
Israel (the woman) taken into the wilderness was to test her - giving her food and nourishing she never experienced before (Manna).
who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end—
This test became to substance for Yeshua to answer to the DESTROYER (Balak).
Yeshua, being the High Priest, became the bread against the attack of the enemy.
But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”
Israel was also forced to drink the wine of confusion
O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down; You have been displeased; Oh, restore us again!
You have made the earth tremble; You have broken it; Heal its breaches, for it is shaking.
You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of confusion.
This wine arises the world to undo the burden of the Torah
In revelation a cup of wrath is also forced upon the world
he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.
144000 is emphasized as the first fruits from the earth
These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
The 12 tribes camped in four different directions and each one of the divisions had a banner: LION, MAN, BULL and EAGLE
Also 4 angels, assigned to the 4 corners of the earth ready to execute judgment
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,
saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
The world will also be shattered and the world will not be considered united until Israel is recognized by all nations as the center of the world’s affairs.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
Perez says Jacob is the bond of his state
For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance.
That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me.
Jacob being saved
There are no real nations until Israel is established
In order for Israel to be establish the Lord has to execute judgment, take vengeance, and redeem Israel.
These 144000
12,000 from each tribe.
Special characteristics
Remember our Torah Portion
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD
Remember the sign goes on their forehead
Consider:
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Sang a new song before the throne the four living creatures and the elders
No one could learn the song, except the 144000 who had been purchased from the earth
They have not been defiled with women.
They kept themselves chased
They follow the lamb wherever He goes
They were purchased from the land as first fruits to God and to the LambNo lie was found in their mouth - sash of truth - blameless
Impossible to do this w/o the HS:
2- Their Sanctification
- T’tsaveh (you shall command) Yisra’el to keep a light burning in the darkness. The nation is consecrated for holy service.
The second point is found in reference of this in this Torah portion which is in the beginning of it, in the first verse we read
“And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.
We know the oil in Biblical language refers to the Holy Spirit.
But this Torah portion also seems to indicate this will also pertain to Israel.
I am hoping to demonstrate this as we close, and we come back to the priesthood relevance
Let us begin with another verse in our Torah Portion- keeping in mind that He, the Lord, commanded this:
And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes.
Seal = hotam = חוֹתָם
Picture of Seal Old T
2597 I. חוֹתָם (ḥô·ṯām): n.masc.; ≡ Str 2368; TWOT 780a—1. LN 6.54–6.67 seal, signet, i.e., an implement used as a sign of one’s personal official identification mark by impressing in clay or wax, worn on a cord around the neck or on the hand (Ge 38:18; Ex 28:11, 21, 36; 39:6, 14, 30; 1Ki 21:8; Job 38:14; SS 8:6; Jer 22:24; Hag 2:23+), note: usually a cylinder seal design, though if on the hand, then a signet-ring; 2. LN 79.62–79.69 unit: סָגַר חוֹתָם (sā·ḡǎr ḥô·ṯām)1 be tightly sealed together, formally, be shut of a seal, i.e., a feature of an animal’s scales being strong against attack (Job 41:7[EB 15]+)11 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
2598 II. חוֹתָם (ḥô·ṯām): n.pr.; ≡ Str 2369;—LN 93-pers. (male) Hotham: 1. of Asher (1Ch 7:32+), see also 2152 2. father of two great warriors for David’s (1Ch 11:44+)11 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
חָתַם to seal, to seal up, to close by a seal; to seal for confirmation or for secresy; to complete, to finish, as sealing a letter, &c., implies its being finished: Ezek. 28:12, comp. Dan. 9:24, where it is applied to the certainty of the vision being assured according to the fulness of the prophecy. But in the other portion of the same passage, “to make an end of sins,” is to be understood of sealing up sin so that it may not come into view, being fully pardoned by the atoning sacrifice of the Holy One. This meaning of hiding out of sight belongs to other passages, as Job 9:7; Isa. 8:16 (comp. Dan. 8:26); 12:4, 9. To seal up, i.e. to hinder, Job 37:7; to keep secure, as a treasure, Deut. 32:34. Kal a inf. b imp. c fut. d part. Poel. e part. Paül. Niphal f pret. g part. חֲתַם Ch. P’al h pret. i חוֹתָם m. seal or signet.11 William Wilson, “Seal,” Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies (McLean, VA: MacDonald Publishing Co., n.d.), 373.
He commands the sun, and it does not rise; He seals off the stars;
Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame.
‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.
This happens to be the same word with an alignment to the Greek - Hebrew and Greek alignment in:
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,
A seal of righteousness
Seal in NT
5382 σφραγίς (sphragis), ῖδος (idos), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ Str 4973; TDNT 7.939—1. LN 6.54 signet (an object that is used with wax to seal a letter) (Rev 7:2); 2. LN 6.62 seal, the wax impressed by the signet (Rev 5:2), for another focus, see next two; 3. LN 33.483 mark (Rev 9:4); 4. LN 33.47 inscription, the mark or impression made by a seal or stamp (2Ti 2:19); 5. LN 73.9 proof of genuineness (1Co 9:2), note: there may be overlap of verses and entries11 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD
Remember the sign goes on their forehead
Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.
He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work.
Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples.
“Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.
These 144000 were also sealed for righteousness
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
As the paleo prophecy in our Torah Portion:
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD
Remember the sign goes on their forehead
All Israel, even ourselves, were called to be priests
And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Let us go back to the Priesthood we are speaking about, the anointing of this priesthood, and the charge to keep holy for Israel to be established
Aaronic Priesthood picture
Pinchas/Phinehas
Numbers 25
Revelation describes the 144K as having the name of the Father on their foreheads
They needed to be men who obey Torah- men of righteousness
Jewish men would wear frontlets on their foreheads for prayers. Their name will be there
The vengeance of the Lord against idolatry and sexual immorality cause by the Midianite women was appointed to a man: Pinchas a righteous man, with a spear on the man and the woman caught in the act of idolatry, and adultery
Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.
Acacia Grove = Shittim = Italy
Now the name of the Israelite who was killed, who was killed with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of a father’s house among the Simeonites.
And the name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a father’s house in Midian.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
“Harass the Midianites, and attack them;
for they harassed you with their schemes by which they seduced you in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a leader of Midian, their sister, who was killed in the day of the plague because of Peor.”
Zimri = Song of the Lord, and The Lord YHWH helped - my protection
Zimri (zim’-ri) = Song of the LORD; celebrated; vine. My psalm.1
1 Stelman Smith and Judson Cornwall, The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names (North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos, 1998), 252.
The Lord YHWH helped - my protection
Salu = The Restored One
Cozbi= my falsehood
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Shabbat Shalom