June 21, 2014 Shabbat Bible Study
©2011 Mark Pitrone and Fulfilling Torah Ministries
Exodus 25:1-26:30 – YeshaYahu 66:1-24 – Psalm 57 – Hebrews 9:1-28
Links for today:
http://www.yashanet.com/studies/revstudy/rev4.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvGJnZZjxKo&feature=share
http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm
Ex.25.1-9 – Y’hovah commanded Moshe to lakach, ‘take’ an offering from the people, and specifies what he is to lakach from them, 15 separate types of stuff with which to build the tabernacle, the furniture for it and the priestly garments to be employed in the service of Y’hovah. The purpose of the tabernacle is so that Y’hovah can have ‘spiritual space’ set up inside of the physical time/space universe, so that he can dwell among us
And the Word [Aramaic = Memra] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (Yochanan 1:14)
For an interesting (though very deep) discussion of Spiritual Space, Matter, Time, Light and Energy see http://www.yashanet.com/studies/revstudy/rev4.htm .
There is a book on the market called The Temple at the Center of Time, by David Flynn, which purports that using biblical references to the measurements of Solomon’s Temple that Y’hovah commanded be built, certain time calculations could be reached and that the site of the Holy of Holies is earth’s zero point, the geographical center of the earth. For a much better idea of what I’m speaking about look at this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvGJnZZjxKo&feature=share and if it’s intriguing to you, consider reading the book. You may be able to find it at your library. I just ordered one for my library. I remember having seen a map of the earth with lines drawn east to west and north to south through Jerusalem, and that those lines went through the most land area possible. The east/west line went from the Pacific coast of China through Asia and North Africa to the Atlantic ocean and then extended across the central US to the Pacific. The north/south line went from the Arctic Ocean in the northern Scandinavian peninsula through eastern Europe, Asia across the Temple mount and then across the Sinai and the Red Sea and across it to Egypt and then south to nearly the southern tip of Africa and then across Antarctica and the Pacific Ocean to next landfall is near the longest N/S land line in Alaska. I think our time zones ought to zero at the Temple mount with Kadosh Kedoshim Mean Time. The temple is not just the center of time, as the book title says, but the center of the landmass of the earth. The tabernacle offerings were not given in any kind of earnest until after the Golden Calf.
Of course, beyond what Y’hovah and Moshe had said on Shavuoth and the following morning, Israel would have no way of knowing what Y’hovah wanted done before then, since Moshe was in the Mountain communing with Y’hovah until the day he came down and witnessed their idolatry. But when they DID know what Y’hovah wanted them to do, they did it. The point being that no offering is acceptable in Y’hovah’s sight except the one freely given. We could bring our offerings with all the right motions and in the right sequence, but without a willing heart and a free will, it was good for nothing, just the slaughter of an innocent animal. The letter kills. It is the Spirit that gives life. Bezaleel told Moshe in ch.36 to tell the people to stop giving. I think their guilty consciences contributed to the way they gave. Mine would have, had I been one of them, I’m sure. Everything was built according to the pattern of the Mishkan and the utensils of it, which suggests to me that some already existed for Moshe to use as the pattern. I think Moshe may have gotten to see the entire throneroom of Y’hovah in the heavenlies, the one alluded to in Hebrews 9, and then make physical duplicates according to the spiritual reality. Q&C
Vv.10-22 – Y’hovah next started to tell Moshe in order of importance to him, I think, what he wanted done with the gifts in pretty explicit detail. This is the order of importance, not the order of construction. The most important thing was the Ark of the Testimony and the Mercy Seat, but it figures that the Tabernacle needed to be completed BEFORE the Ark, because the Tabernacle housed the Ark. The Ark, being a physical furnishing with a spiritual function that would reside in Spiritual Space, i.e.; the Kadosh Kedoshim, would need to have the spiritual space ready to receive it before its completion.
The Shittim wood of the Ark and the Table of Showbread was from the same kind of tree or bush from which Yeshua’s crown of thorns was plaited, and in which Avraham found the ram caught by his horns at the Akeida of Yitzhak. It was a very hard, dense wood, to be overlaid with gold inside and out. Noah’s ark was made of ‘gopher wood’, likely cypress, while the shittim of the Ark of the Covenant was more likely acacia wood. Cypress is a conifer, a soft wood, like pine or fir. Acacia is a VERY hard wood; some species are called ironwood. Shittim is a very hard, very dense and heavy wood. Add to it the weight of the gold overlayment inside and out, the solid gold rings, the ironwood staves overlaid with gold, the Tables of the Testimony and the solid gold mercy seat and cheruvim, and you are talking about perhaps as much as 4-500 lbs – quite a chunk for 4 Kohanim to even lift off the ground, much less carry for miles at a stretch. Of course, that could account for only 42 encampments in 40 years, and most of those in the last few years of the Wilderness Adventure. But it even better gives credence to the idea of the ark actually carrying the priests as Y’hovah actually carried the ark. As soon as the priests put their hands on the staves and their shoulders under them and moved to lift the ark, Y’hovah took the load – when they acted in faith, he came through for them. But they had to ACT, or they would not receive the miracle. They also had to walk, I think, even if their feet didn’t touch the ground, or they would not move. If this is true, can you imagine the witness to the provision of Y’hovah to his people? And it puts a new light on Matt.11.28-30:
28 Come unto me, all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke easy, and my burden is light.
Vv.23-30 – Next was the Table of Showbread – Lechem haPanay, the Bread of the Presence – where the new warm loaves of bread were laid weekly as the Shabbat dawned at sundown after the Preparation day (cf.Mat.28.1), 12 loaves to represent the tribes of Yisrael in the presence of Y’hovah always.
Vv.31-40 – Next is the candlestick, the 7 branch menorah representing the seven Spirits of Y’hovah (7 signifies divine perfection):
Yochanan to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Rev. 1:4)
And out of the throne proceeded lightning’s and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of Elohim. (Revelation of Yochanan 4:5)
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns (Yehoshua.6.4, 6, 8, 13) and seven eyes (ZecharYah 3.9, 4.10), which are the seven Spirits of Elohim sent forth into all the earth. (Rev.5:6)
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of Elohim, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also ye. 14 And above all these things charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Col. 3.12-14)
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of Y’hovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Y’hovah; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of Y’hovah: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (YeshaYahu 11.1-4)
1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: … 5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, Adonai. 6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Y’hovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith Y’hovah Tsavaoth. (ZecharYahu.4.1-2, 5-6)
The rabbis have a lot to say about the menorah, as is encapsulated in the Chumash on pp.184-185, notes. Notice that the center light is an extension of the stand, and represent Y’hovah, while the 6 side lamps reveal specific attributes of Y’hovah. Colossians shows that Charity, which is from Greek agape, is the stand and the 6 attributes of agape surround it and are supported by it. Agape is the selfless love of Y’hovah for us, and should be the love we have for each other.
BTW, there is no other menorah described in scripture. The 9-lite Hanukkiah is a rabbinic fabrication – a tradition. The candlestick in the Holy Place was beaten out of a single chunk of pure gold weighing between 150-200 pounds. That was made by a superhuman craftsman, the Spirit of Elohim had to literally inspire Bezaleel to make the thing. He was filled with the Ruach, there is no doubt in my mind. Some of the sages say that what Aharon SAID happened with the gold and the calf in ch.32 actually happened with the menorah. Not likely. I’m surprised they thought we wouldn’t make the connexion. Q&C
26.1-6 – The Mishkan itself is the thing that ties all of the furniture together. The curtains are made of linen, signifying the restful purity of the interior of the Mishkan. There are 10 curtains, signifying the ordinal perfection of Y’hovah’s Kingdom. The ratio of length:height, of the curtains = 7:1, 28 cubits:4 cubits. The fact that there are going to be a lot of references to numbers and measurements that may reveal or hint at something of importance led me to StartPage ‘Number in Scripture’. The webpage I looked at was http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm . I will attempt to stay in this one site, simply for ease of retrieval of what may be important insights. 28 is a multiple of 4 and 7. We’ve already seen that 7= divine perfection. 4 represents Y’hovah’s creation, so multiplying 4×7 = the perfect creation, and multiplying THAT x10 = the perfect order of creation. These 10 curtains are called the Mishkan in v.1. They were made of fine linen, with images of cheruvim in techeleth, purple and scarlet thread stitched in them. There were to be 2 sets of 5 curtains with 50 loops of techeleth. The way the ‘loops’ are described it looks like they were techeleth thread reinforced eyelets, like buttonholes in a shirt, in the edges of the 28 cubit end of the curtains that were then coupled together with little gold rings, making for a very small, if any, opening at the seam. The hooks could have been built like cufflinks to join the edges of the curtains in an overlap fashion and completely cover each seam. These were to be draped OVER the boards to be described later that were the walls of the Sanctuary, and the 2 sets were set, one over the kadosh place and one over the Kodesh Kedoshim and connected over the veil that separated the two chambers. The Mishkan was for the ceiling of the Sanctuary.
Vv.7-14 – The next set of curtains, called the ohel or ‘conspicuous’ tent, were made to cover the Mishkan, so The Mishkan couldn’t be seen by any save the priests who were to minister within. The ohel was meant to be seen by the kahal. These were made of goat skin to signify, I think, the atonement to be made under the Mishkan. They were to make 11 goatskin curtains 30 cubits x 4 cubits, attached in a set of 5 and a set of 6 to thoroughly cover the Mishkan with an overlap over the Veil in the Mishkan between the Kadosh and the Kedoshim. The curtains in the ohel are coupled in the same manner as the Mishkan, except that the hooks are made of brass. The ohel was 2 cubits longer than the Mishkan, and it overstretched the Mishkan by 1 cubit all around. The linen curtain and the gold hooks of the Mishkan represent the exalted spirit of the Mishkan, while the goatskin and brass represent the more common status of the ohel, and separated the ‘Spiritual Space’ of the Mishkan from the physical space of the court.
Next there was a covering for the ohel or red-dyed rams’ skins and another of ‘badger’ skin, the Hebrew word xlated badger in the KJV is tachash, which the Chumash explains was a beautiful multi-colored animal that has since gone extinct. If it really existed, it naturally had a ‘coat of many colors’ that would link it to the Tzadik Yoseph. Since there are two covers of 2 different materials, that need to be coupled together it COULD be that they represent the House of Yehudah and the house of Yoseph, joined in Yeshua, our MelchiTzadik High Priest. Or, it could symbolize the nature of the believer, the ‘spirits’ within him are that of Y’hovah which is in most men covered with a human spirit. Q&C
Vv.15-30 – The planks were 10 cubits high and 1.5 cubits wide with 2 tenons at the base to insert into the silver sockets that held the boards steady until the Mishkan could be placed over top of them. There were 20 boards on the north and south sides of the Sanctuary, 8 boards for the east side and 6 boards for the west side + 2 corner boards for the northwest and southwest corners, making the Sanctuary 30 cubits x 10 cubits in area. The boards were then gold plated, like the Ark and the Table had been. There were notches cut in the tops of each board so that a gold ‘ring’ (which was probably square) could hold them together at the top, while the gold plated acacia wood bars were inserted into the gold rings attached to the inner sides of the boards to couple then into a continuous wall.
Vv.31-32 – The veil that separates the Kadosh from the Kedoshim was of linen, had techeleth, purple and scarlet interwoven cheruvim and its size was 10 cubits by 10 cubits. The veil in the 2nd Temple was larger by 4x, twice as wide and twice as high, and reputed to be 4 inches thick and made a LOUD noise when it was torn from top to bottom. The cheruvim of cunning work in techeleth, purple and scarlet probably made it obvious that the tear was in that direction. The Mishkan’s veil was hung on 4 pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. What the priest could see when he entered the Kadosh Kedoshim on Yom Kippur, was the cheruvim all around him as reflected from the pure gold boards in the light of Torah and the kavod of Y’hovah. With NO LIGHT source other than the kavod of Y’hovah and the light of the Torah within the Ark, not even the menorah that was on the other side of the veil, the priest was in the brightest lit place on earth.
Vv.33-37 – The veil is to the Sanctuary as Havdallah is to the Shevua, separating the most kavod from the merely kavod; the Shabbat from the work week. The Mercy Seat was placed on the Ark within the veil, the table of the Bread of the Presence went next to the north wall of the Holy Place, and the menorah next to the south wall. The Incense altar that we’ll see next week goes near the veil. A 2nd veil was to be made of linen and embroidered with techeleth, purple and scarlet figures to be a ‘door’ for the Kadosh that would hang on 5 gold plated pillars with brass (not silver) sockets to set them in. The brass sockets signify the closeness to the world and the judgment that was executed within.
Last week, we saw the ‘congregation’ (Moshe, Aharon, Nadav and Avihu with the 70 elders) in the presence of Y’hovah. This week we see the table of the Bread of the Presence. The congregation was encamped on the eastern side of Horeb, looking west toward the mount of Y’hovah. The plateau on which Y’hovah received the embassage last week, and the Table of the presence are both on the north side as we approach Y’hovah to our west and with our backs to the rising sun. In YeshaYahu 14, the Adversary said, “I will sit upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.” Do you think that he was saying that he would sit in the place of Y’hovah on the plateau AND the people of Yisrael on the Table of Lechem haPanay? Is he likening the Table to the ‘sides of the North’? This table is where the people of Israel are spiritually in Y’hovah’s presence all the time, enlightened by the 7 Spirits of Y’hovah and offering our prayers to him like the sweet savour of incense. I don’t know, but that is the way my mind is working right now. Q&C
YeshaYahu 66 – Y’hovah asks the questions in vv.1-2 as if we have forgotten the answers. Y’hovah was involved in building the Temple, which most of ‘his’ people have forgotten in their idolatry. Only the poor in spirit, the humble and contrite are going to gain Y’hovah’s favor and be his house and resting place.
Vv.3-4 -Does the priest who is offering the animal sacrifices rejoice that Y’hovah has made a provision for his and the people’s sins to be covered? Or does he consider the substitutionary death of the animal an abomination? Is the sacrifice of the animal just a ritual, with no effect? Or do you see the spiritual truth of it; that the wages of sin is death, but that another has paid that price for you? Are you repelled by the death of the animal because it is paying the price for YOUR sin, or because you think it is cruel to the poor critter? Do you see as Y’hovah sees? Think as he thinks? Or do you see and think as man does? YeshaYahu 1 says
11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith Y’hovah: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (YeshaYahu 1.11-15)
If you are just going through the motions of religiosity, you are abomination to Y’hovah. He doesn’t want the sacrifices. He wants your contrition and repentance. He wants your heart. If you don’t turn to him he will decide the best way for you to be deluded into thinking you are kingdom bound, when you are not. Y’hovah uses what we fear, what we regard as true and holy to judge us. If we fear Y’hovah and his Word, he uses it to judge us according to his righteousness. If we fear man or any other creature, he will use it to judge us in THIS life and then use his righteous Word to judge us in the next.
14 Wherefore hear the word of Y’hovah, ye scornful men, that rule this people which in Jerusalem. 15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: 16 Therefore thus saith the Adonai Y’hovah, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. 18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. 19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. 20 For the bed is shorter than that can stretch himself: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself. (YeshaYahu 28.14-20)
V.5- Talk about the ‘Xian’ who will not associate with you and condemns you because you won’t keep the pagan days he keeps, but instead observe Y’hovah’s appointed times, the Shabbat and the Feasts of Lev.23. They hold to the pagan feast days in the name of Y’hovah, and since you won’t partake in those abominations they cast you out. The same applies to Jews who will not associate with other Jews who won’t adhere to ‘oral law’ but follow after the written Word as closely as they are able (and vice versa), but especially to Jews who won’t accept you because you follow the written Word to the best of your ability AND keep the testimony of Yeshua. Don’t fret: Y’hovah has your 6. Q&C
Vv.6-14 – Zion shall be born in a day. This was not fulfilled in May 1948, except in type. Zion is not there, yet. Mashiach will bring Zion to the land in a day. The UN and the US will have NOTHING to do with it, will, in fact work AGAINST such a thing. But Y’hovah is faithful and shall see that which he prophesied come to pass. Zion will not have a long labor time, like Herzl had. Y’hovah will bring Zion to pass in his timing and by his own might. He is NEVER late (nor is he ever early). When we see Zion born in a day, there will be no more than 3½ years until the Kingdom Age begins. I think Zion will be born on a Shavuoth VERY soon, perhaps as soon as next year [in fact it may have been born THIS year]. We’ll have a good idea at Pesach time. When Zion is born we’ll have reason to rejoice because we’ll know how long before Yeshua returns – 1260 days.
Vv.15-18 – are speaking of a coming judgment upon the earth, but more pointedly of people who claim to call on his Name. The reason he is coming down on his professed followers is that they are sanctifying themselves while they are partaking in abominations where noone can see them. HE doesn’t sanctify them when they are eating swine’s flesh or mice or any other thing he calls abomination, so if they are sanctified, it is only in their own minds. The subject has not really changed from vv.1-5. ARE YOU LISTENING, CHURCH?! I am not perfect by any means, but I do not flaunt what I call liberty in the face of him who gave me the perfect Torah of Liberty. I get to repent all the time for what I know to be sin in my life. But the average Xian teacher knows Y’hovah’s requirements – they are few and simple – and he refuses to live by them because his father in the faith told him lies. He knew in his heart of hearts that they were lies, because he was taught those lies by HIS fathers in the faith and then taught them to his children in the faith who further perpetuate the lies. Y’hovah’s Word is true! His requirements do not change. To say they do is to make him just another of the draconian and capricious pagan gods. He receives no honor, majesty or glory in our disobedience. WE DO!! We sanctify our own selves, not our Father or his Mashiach. And he is going to come and execute judgment against those false teachers and false professors. And it will NOT be pretty. Examine yourself [1Cor.11.28, 2Cor.13.5], that it may not be YOU!
V.19-24 – V.19 is the promise of the Greater Exodus. It began in the 1 century CE with the talmidim of Yeshua going to as much of the earth as they were able to reach, teaching others to duplicate their efforts. They went to the ends of the earth to bring their brethren, who were disbursed among the goyim and all those full goyim who would come, if not physically, then spiritually. Watch out for true, biblical tongues to manifest after Zion is born and the 144K are anointed and the 2 witnesses revealed. Look at how the people will be brought home to haAretz in v.20 – in any possible way they can be. Notice that it’s b’nei Yisrael that brings offerings in clean vessels, those not abominated by the offal of vv.15-18. These who have made the conscious effort to obey Y’hovah and to NOT abominate themselves will be those from whom Y’hovah will anoint priests and Leviim. The original Covenant of Sinai will be reinstated with regathered and reconciled Yisrael, with the firstborn of a family acting as its priest, not just those born to the tribe of Levi, but who are also grafted in to the tribe of Levi. And this renewed Covenant priesthood will remain, and maintain its righteousness, forever, as the New Heavens and Earth will. This is speaking of the Kingdom age, but likening the priesthood and service in the Temple to the perpetuity of the New Creation – and v.22 is the basis for the phrase, “World without end”. The New Creation has NOT been created as these events transpire. They are still promised and those who trust their Abba are still looking forward to their completion. V.23 is showing that there will still be at least yearly (and very possibly monthly) and weekly corporate worship in Y’hovah’s presence. EVERYONE will go up for the presentation Feasts in that day. And they will see the result of disobedience in v.24. This will keep those whose hearts are not after Y’hovah’s doing what he expects of them out of sheer will to live, but it will not change hearts. This is Millennial, not Olam haba. There will be a GREAT REBELLION at the end of the Millennium, when the Adversary will be loosed from his prison to separate the chaff from the wheat. The chaff shall be burnt and the wheat gathered into the Moshiach’s barns. Q&C
Tehellim 57- When I was a babe in arms, my friend Deborah and I went to a meeting in which Walter Martin, the forerunner of Hank Hanagraf of ‘Bible Answer-Man’ fame was speaking. Martin had written a book that had become a ‘Xian Classic in the 10-15m years since its publication, The Kingdom of the Cults. At that meeting Dr. Martin related an incident he’d experienced with a Mormon in one of his audiences. The Mormon said that he could prove from scripture that God was definitely a man. Dr. Martin said “Go for it” or whatever the turn of phrase was in the late 60’s. The Mormon came out with
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18)
“There,” the Mormon said, “God writes with his finger, therefore God is a man!”
Martin said, “Now I want you to go to the scripture I tell you and read it, just like you did that one.”
When the Mormon agreed, Martin sent him to Ps.57.1
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (Psalms 57:1)
As soon as the Mormon finished reading, Martin said, “There, you see!? God isn’t a man! He has wings! He’s obviously a chicken!” God uses metaphors and similes to give us an idea of how he cares for us, using things we have either experienced or about which we have a clue.
If we took the numbered sound bite from the next verse out of context, we would see that God is OUR servant who awaits our beck and call, and does whatever we want. But that is NOT how he works. He wants us to command him in things concerning the works of his hands (maybe he IS a man 😉 cf.Is.45.11). But we cannot command him to do what would deny himself or would contramand his character. What v.2 is saying is that David, who was after Y’hovah’s heart, waited on Y’hovah and whatever Y’hovah did while he waited was done for David’s good.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Who are the called according to his purpose? Yisrael, after the spirit, the seed of Avraham in Mashiach. Y’hovah’s mercy and truth are met together in our behalf (85.10).
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Psalms 85:10)
That speaks to the unity of the goodness and severity of Elohim.
In v.4, David says that he has peace even among those who are seeking his life, because he is trusting Y’hovah, who has his 6. In v.5, Y’hovah’s kavod is higher than any on the earth, not so much in altitude as in purpose and wonder. In v.6, we see the application of Deut.19, what David’s enemies had planned for him is what they got themselves.
If our hearts are fixed on Y’hovah and his righteousness (v.7), when we command him, we are merely expressing his will and giving him authority to do it in and through us. When we pray for Y’hovah’s healing of a loved one, we know that it is his ultimate will that they be healed, for “by his striped we are healed” (Is.53.5, 1Pe.2.24). That is a spiritual truth that has an outworking in our physical lives. I, personally, am proof of this! Less than 50 months ago I was kissed by 1000 lbs of locust tree. At least 4 doctors and I can’t tell you how many other health care professionals told me I should have been dead in a few minutes. But Y’hovah is faithful to prove himself. Before I died, the prayers started going up like sweet incense to Avinu and he worked miracle after miracle to preserve my life, my mind (such as it is) and my mobility so that HE could get the kavod of everyone listening today and on the numerous occasions I’ve had to give the glory to him. I have had opportunity to give him the kavod on radio and over the internet, at soup kitchens and city missions. And those of you who were praying for me got to see your prayers answered so that you will have the certain knowledge that Y’hovah ANSWERS the fervent and effectual prayers of his saints, because the time is coming when we will ALL need to know experientially that Y’hovah SHALL do what we command him to do within his will. If you try to command him outside his will; stand by for the consequences. Don’t stop praying for that unsaved sibling until Y’hovah tells you to stop. Keep telling Y’hovah to work on that heart and mind to draw your bro or sis, your mom or dad, your child to himself. He is not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance. DEMAND that soul until he tells you to stop. And when he delivers that soul from death, give all the kavod to Y’hovah, who is faithful to save. His kavod is greater than all his creation. Q&C
Ivrim 9.1- – The context is the MelchiZedek High Priesthood of Moshiach. Look briefly at 8.6-8,
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
What is the antecedent to the pronoun “them”? Number and person will answer for you. Plural 3rd person = in v.4 we have the 3rd person plural noun ‘priests’. The word “covenant” is 3rd person, but singular. If Paul were referring to covenant, he would have said ‘it’. So what is being changed is not the covenant, but the priests. There was no fault in the Covenant. If there were there would be a corresponding fault in the author of the Covenant – Y’hovah. So he is speaking of the human agents of the covenant – the Aharonic High Priests. I submit that all the places where the translators supplied the word covenant, which is attested to with the italics in the KJV (though NOT in a lot of newer translations), the translators let their biases dictate, rather than the context of the book and the natural rendering of the text. The Aharonic High Priesta (9.1) was ordained to perform the serviceb to Y’hovah in the worldly sanctuaryc. This is reiterated in v.7.
But into the secondc the high priesta alone once every year, not without blood, which he offeredb for himself, and the errors of the people:
But even before Aharon had been anointed as High Priest, he helped Israel to break the covenant they had made just 40 days before. It was not the covenant that was the problem, but the weakness of its human priests. The ‘New’ Covenant is better than the ‘Old’ because of the superiority of the human agent, Yeshua, who is able to keep his end of the deal. In Yeshua we are partakers of the Renewed Covenant.
We spoke at some length earlier about the furnishings, so I will only address the differences between what Torah says and what we see here. In v.4, we see that, for the purposes of the midrash, the ark has more than just the tables of testimony. Our Torah portion for today said that only the tables of the testimony were to be put inside the Ark.
10 nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moshe put at Horeb, when Y’hovah made covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. (2Chron.5.10)
V.4 is one example of the midrashic nature of the book of Ivrim. Not every detail of the book is historically accurate, because the whole book is a midrash and NOT an historical treatise. Midrash is a study and application of revealed truth, often steeped in metaphor. If you’ll remember, a pot of manna and also Aharon’s rod that budded were placed before Y’hovah in the Kadosh Kedoshim, but not IN the Ark.
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before Y’hovah, to be kept for your generations. (Exodus 16:33)
And Y’hovah said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’ rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. (Numbers 17:10)
So, you can see how the historical detail isn’t precise, but those things were within the veil; in ‘spiritual space’ and therefore outside of this physical universe in the very presence of Y’hovah, at least until Nebuchadnezzar tore the Temple down in 586 BCE.
In v.8-10, we can see how under the Aharonic Priesthood, our access to the Keporah, the Mercy Seat, was limited by our weakness and the need to make atonement every time we sinned. The tabernacle and the Priesthood that performed the service in it were figures of the reality of Moshiach’s once for all atonement that in fact was accomplished before the foundation of the earth in a better venue (v.11ff), the tabernacle in the heavenlies that Moshe got to see while ‘in the mountain’ and duplicate on earth, creating the ‘Spiritual Space’ in which to commune with Y’hovah in the midst of the camp. Not only did Yeshua offer in a better venue, he offered a better sacrifice; not one that had to be repeated over and over on a yearly basis, but ONCE, thereby obtaining eternal redemption.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which Ruach haKodesh hath made you overseers, to feed the kahal of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts.20.28)
In vv.13-15 we see that the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of the red heifer are good to the purifying of the flesh, but is useless to purify the spirit and soul of man. Even after the atonement on Yom Kippur, we still felt guilty. Under that system, our inheritance was only good for a year, then we had to offer the atonement again. Since this was the only atonement we could see, we had to put our reliance on it instead of the perfect atonement it prefigured. Avraham had told them that Y’hovah would provide himself a lamb, which is foreshadowed by the ram in the thicket. We need the faith of Avraham and Yitzhak in the TRUE Lamb of Elohim, who is the source of eternal inheritance. It is by Yeshua’s blood that we can have our consciences purged. There is no inheritance without the death of he who leaves the inheritance (v.17).
Last week we saw the Covenant dedicated with the blood sprinkled on the book and the people in Ex.24.8. As the blood united the people with the Torah, so the same blood united the tabernacle and all its furnishings with them, as well. The patterns of things in the heavens were purged by blood, but the reality in the heavens were purified by a better offering, Yeshua’s own blood. Yeshua’s better sacrifice purges the better venue in the heavens. And it also sanctifies and unites the better covenant in its better venue, our hearts rather than the tables of stone. While the Aharonic priest represented us in the earthly sanctuary, Yeshua represents us in the heavenly sanctuary, where he appeared ONCE with his own blood.
AS death is appointed once to all flesh, so Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of the world. But he will appear again to those who trust him. The prophecy of v.28 will have at least 2 fulfillments in each of our lives, as most prophecies do. He appears to us each once at the time of our spiritual redemption, when his blood is applied to our hearts and lives. And he will appear to us again ‘after those days’ to deliver us physically from this sinful world system and into his physical Kingdom in whatever capacity he has for us. We are partakers in the spiritual inheritance of life eternal. When he returns we will know the fullness of our inheritance in time and in eternity. He will deliver physically on his promise that we have received spiritually already.
What was Avinu’s perfect will from the beginning? Was it not that Adam obey him and thereby eat from the tree of life? Sacrifices for sin were NEVER Yhwh’s perfect will for us. The sacrifices are and have always been transitory. Yeshua came to do the perfect will of Yhwh
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my Elohim: yea, thy Torah within my heart. (Psalm 40.6-8)
He came to do Avinu’s will and to reckon his own righteousness to those he would sanctify, who would follow him and desire Yhwh’s heart to be his own, as David did. Q&C
End of Shabbat Bible Study
Fulfilling Torah Ministries 
Great one again Mark!!