![]() Thoughts on Torah for Last Week: See our page on Spiritual Coaching: Exodus 25-27 This portion details the construction of the Tabernacle – or God’s dwelling place. The text language goes onto say: "And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel." (25:21-22) This text instructs Moses to meet the Lord in the Tabernacle as they wander through the wilderness and receive instruction from Him. The Tabernacle was then designated as the place where God's presence was to reside. But the Tabernacle is more than a dwelling place for God and His presence. On another level, the Tabernacle stands as a representation or model of heaven. God's Presence God collectively is referred to as the Godhead – God, the Father; God, the Son/Jehovah/Messiah and God, the Holy Spirit. God’s presence in the scriptures can be manifested by one of these three forms. In time and eternity, God’s presence is generally present during the following periods: Our Fallen World - The Holy Spirit Paradise (Millennium) – The Son/Messiah/Jehovah Heaven – The Father Moreover, all three of these manifestations of God continue throughout eternity in heaven. Enduring God’s Presence Though the vast majority of humanity will accept Yeshua as Messiah and be resurrected, our works, the covenants/commitments we make with God will determine the form of God’s presence that we can endure in Heaven. Moreover, even though the veil of the temple was rent subsequent to Yeshua’s death and opened the way for humanity to enter into the presence of God, the level of our spirituality/righteousness/holiness will determine the form of God’s presence we can endure. This principle became evident during the Second Temple period when the High Priest's level of spirituality/holiness had degenerated to the point that he could no longer endure the Lord's presence and died when he entered the Holy of Holies on the day of atonement. Jewish tradition holds that the High Priest was fastened to a cord so that the priests could retrieve the High Priest should he perish while attempting to converse with the Lord. Here are other places in the scriptures that indicate this concept of enduring God's presence: "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." 2 Thessalonians 2:8 “He [God] said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.’” Exodus 33:20 Below is a table summary of this concept:
This is what it looks like with the Tabernacle:
Isaiah 18 God's people’s dread of Assyria’s world conquest is unfounded as Jehovah has prepared a way of escape. Resource Links for this Week's Portion
TORAH: Exodus 27:20-30:10 GOSPELS: Matthew 5:13-20 Listen and Read the Portion First Fruits of Zion Commentary with Nehemia Gordon HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 19 Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD
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