SERIES D --- YHVH’S TABERNACLE --- LESSON 16

GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE

ASSEMBLING THE TABERNACLE

From Exodus 40

[Assemble the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, Adonai told Moses. Place the Ark of the Testimony in it and screen the Ark from view with the veil. Put the table in its place and set its utensils on it. Then bring in the lamp stand and light its lamps. Set the golden altar of incense in its place before the Ark and hang the curtains at the entrance to the tabernacle. Place the altar for burnt offerings before the entrance. Put the laver between the altar and the tabernacle and fill it with water. Set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and hang the entrance curtain in its place. Sprinkle the anointing oil upon the tabernacle and all that is in it to consecrate it and all its furnishings to Adonai. Anoint the altar for burnt offering and its utensils, consecrating them to become most holy. Anoint also the laver with its pedestal, and thus consecrate it. Bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tabernacle and wash them with water. Put the sacred garments on Aaron and anoint him, consecrating him to serve Me as My priest. Place robes on Aaron’s sons and anoint them as you have anointed their father Aaron, so that they may serve Me as My priests. This anointing will set them apart for many generations to serve Me as priests.] Moses did everything as Adonai Commanded him. In the first month of the second year the tabernacle was assembled. Moses set up the sockets and put the boards in place in them. He inserted the bars and erected the pillars, then spread the coverings over the top of the frame, just as Adonai had told him to do. Moses put the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments into the Ark, attached the carrying poles and placed the mercy seat, the golden lid of the Ark, into place. He brought the Ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil to screen it from view, just as Adonai had told him to do. Next, Moses put the table on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil and arranged the Bread of Adonai’s Presence on it, as Adonai had Commanded him to do. He also set the lamp stand on the south side of the tabernacle, opposite the table. Then he arranged the lamps on the lamp stand, exactly as Adonai had told him to do. He put the golden altar in the tabernacle in front of the veil. When it was in place, he burned incense on it, as Adonai had Commanded him to do. At the tabernacle entrance, Moses hung the curtains and placed the altar for burnt offerings near the entrance. On this altar he offered a burnt offering and a cereal or meal offering, as Adonai had Commanded him to do. He placed the laver between the altar and the tabernacle and filled it with water for washing. Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons washed their feet in this laver whenever they entered the tabernacle and whenever they came to the altar, as Adonai had Commanded Moses to do. Moses set up the courtyard fence around the tabernacle and the altar and hung the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard. With this, Moses completed the work of assembling the tabernacle. When the work was finished, the pillar of cloud covered the tabernacle and the glory of Adonai filled it. Moses could not enter the tabernacle because the cloud covered it and the glory of Adonai filled it. Whenever the cloud arose from the tabernacle, the people of Israel would move ahead on their journey. But when the cloud did not move from the tabernacle, they would stay where they were until it lifted. By day Adonai’s cloud rested upon the tabernacle and by night the pillar of fire was there. It remained throughout their journeys, so that all of the people of Israel could see it.

COMMENTARY

ARRANGEMENT OF THE TABERNACLE AND ITS FURNISHINGS

The tabernacle was always set up in the centre of the Israelites’ camp. The entrance to the courtyard was on the east, hung with blue, purple and crimson curtains. The front of the courtyard was generally filled with people and the animals they had brought for sacrifice. They waited, holding their frightened animals and talked, in sight of the bronze-plated altar that stood in the centre of the courtyard. The bronze laver, full of water, glistened in the sun behind the altar. In back of the laver was the entrance to the tent of the tabernacle itself. It was a magnificent construction of blue, purple and crimson curtains hung from five gold covered pillars. The people wound their way to the right of the altar. There they would stand as the priest went to the laver and washed his hands and feet in the holy water, purifying himself before he performed a ritual of sacrifice. The priest then killed the animal presented for sacrifice and took the part to be sacrificed over to the altar. The sacrificial portion was placed inside the altar on a bronze grating. Then he performed the ritual. The tabernacle’s entrance with its embroidered curtain and gold pillars was directly behind him. The gold-plated wooden boards of the tent’s sides gleamed in the light. The heavy roof was four layers thick. The top covering of goats’ skins was followed by one of rams’ skins. The next one of goats’ hair protected the innermost layer of linen. Blue, purple and crimson, it was richly embroidered with figures of cherubim. Only priests could enter the tabernacle tent and then only after they had cleansed themselves at the laver. Three things stood toward the front of the tent.

First, on the right, was the table of showbread, holding its twelve loaves. Each Shabbat, the priests entered the tabernacle, ate the loaves and replaced them with fresh bread.

Second, the seven-branched gold menorah stood on the left. Its seven gold lamps burned with the rich glow of the finest olive oil.

Third, the gold-plated incense altar toward the rear filled the area with a sacrifice of holy fragrance.

Behind the incense altar hung a special veil embroidered with cherubim. It hung from four gold-plated posts. Only the high priest was permitted to enter that room. It was the Holy of Holies. The gold Ark of the Covenant rested there, holding the two tablets with the Ten Commandments, a cup of manna and a piece of Aaron’s rod. The high priest was allowed to go into the room only one day of the year, the Day of Atonement. He would enter and leave three times.

First, he carried burning incense, which was to protect him from the power of the presence of YHVH.

Second, he carried the blood of a bull that had been sacrificed on his behalf. He sprinkled the mercy seat seven times for his own sake.

Third time he carried the blood of a goat that had been sacrificed on behalf of all the people of Israel. This too he sprinkled seven times on the mercy seat. In this way the tabernacle was divided into three basic parts; the outer courtyard, the tent of the tabernacle proper and the Holy of Holies.

Thought for Today: Tuesday January 10:

Do not expect to be treated fairly in this life. Many will say and do hurtful things to you, things you do not deserve. When someone mistreats you, try to view it as an opportunity to grow in grace. See how quickly you can forgive the one who hurts you. Do not retaliate or try to get you own back. Instead of others’ opinions of you, keep you focus on Yeshua. Ultimately, it is His view of you that counts. As you concentrate on relating to Him, remember that He clothed you in His Righteousness and Holiness. He see you attired in these radiant garments, which He bought you with His Blood. When others treat you unfairly, remember that Yeshua’s ways with you, are much better than fair. His ways are Peace and Love, which He poured out into your heart by His Spirit.

The Torah Portion reading for this week is up on our app and website. Check it out now!

Was it an angel that appeared to Joshua in Joshua 5 or was it God himself? If it was only an angel, then why didn't he tell Joshua to stop worshiping him?

https://rumble.com/ve5cd3-yhwh....-tsevaot-in-joshua-5

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”
Joshua 5:13

When the angel appeared to Joshua, he didn't immediately know who it was. It can be difficult even for the most faithful to recognize God's actions and agents. In v14, he asked the angel, "Are you for us or our enemies?" However, the angel didn't answer that question. He replied, "I am the commander of the army of YHVH." Meaning "I am not for you, but you had better be for me!"

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SERIES D --- YHVH’S TABERNACLE --- LESSON 15

REMINDERS OF YHVH

LINEN GARMENTS FOR THE PRIESTS

From Exodus 39

As Adonai Elohiym had instructed Moses, the craftsmen made beautiful garments for Aaron and the priests, using blue, purple and scarlet fine-twined linen. These garments were to be worn when the priests ministered in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The same material was used to make the ephod. Bezalel hammered gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads then wove the golden threads into the linen with beautiful designs. The top of the ephod was fastened by two shoulder straps. A beautiful sash, made of the same blue, purple, gold and scarlet fine-twined linen, secured the ephod at the bottom. This was done exactly as Adonai had told Moses. Adonai Elohiym had also instructed Moses concerning the shoulder straps of the ephod and the onyx stones on the straps. These stones were set in gold, with the names of the tribes of Israel engraved upon them, as one would engrave a signet ring. The purpose of the stones was to remind the people of Israel that they belonged to Adonai. The breastpiece, like the ephod, was a work of art, made from beautiful fine-twined linen of blue, purple, gold and scarlet. It was a double piece of cloth, nine inches square, which formed a pouch or pocket. Four rows of stones were set on the breastpiece. The first row had a ruby, a topaz and an emerald. The second row had an emerald, a sapphire and a diamond. The third row had a piece of amber, an agate and an amethyst. The fourth row had stones of onyx, beryl and jasper. All of these stones were set in gold filigree mountings. They were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, as the engraving on a signet ring. The ephod and breastpiece were fastened by two strands of golden cord, made of pure gold. At the top, the cord was fastened to the ephod by two golden rings and to the breastpiece by two golden clasps. At the bottom it was fastened to the ephod by two golden rings on the shoulder straps, near where the ephod and sash joined. The bottom rings of the ephod and breastpiece were joined with a blue ribbon at a point just above the woven sash of the ephod. All of these instructions were given to Moses by Adonai. The robe for the ephod was blue, skilfully woven, with an opening for the neck like the opening of a garment, reinforced around the opening so that it would not fray. On the hems of the robe were pomegranates and bells of blue, purple and scarlet fine-twined linen. All around the robe the pomegranates and bells alternated, first a pomegranate, then a bell and so on. As Adonai instructed Moses, this robe was to be worn by the High Priest while serving Him in the tabernacle. Tunics or robes of fine-twined linen were made for Aaron and his sons. The same linen was used to make the turbans, caps and underclothes. The sash also was made of the same linen, with blue, purple and scarlet embroidery, as Adonai had told Moses. A plate of pure gold was fastened by a blue ribbon to the front of the turban, as Adonai had instructed. It was engraved like a signet ring with the words, {Holy to Adonai.} The work of the tabernacle was finally completed. The people of Israel did exactly what Adonai had commanded Moses. They brought the tabernacle to Moses, with all of these pieces and furnishings: the tent, with its clasps, boards, bars, pillars and sockets; the covering made of rams’ skins dyed red; the covering made of tanned goats’ skins; the entrance curtains; the Ark with the tablets of stone in it and its carrying poles; the mercy seat; the table with its utensils and the Bread of the Presence; the golden lamp stand with its lamps and utensils and oil for the lamps; the golden altar; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the veil for the tabernacle; the bronze altar and its bronze grating as well as its poles and utensils; the laver and its base; the curtains for the courtyard with their pillars and sockets; the curtain to cover the opening of the courtyard with its cords and pegs; and all of the utensils used in the tabernacle services. They brought to Moses also the beautiful garments which Aaron and his sons would wear when serving Adonai in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The people of Israel made the tabernacle exactly as Adonai had told Moses. When Moses saw their work and realized that it was exactly as Adonai had Commanded, he blessed them.

COMMENTARY

THE HIGH PRIEST’S CLOTHES

Israelite priests wore clothes that were distinctly different from those of the people around them. All priests wore some of the same things, but the clothing of the high priest was more elaborate. The basic garment was a long-sleeved robe that fell to the ankles. Made of silk-like fine linen, it was bleached a dazzling white. A sash or girdle fastened this robe at the waist. Underneath, the priests wore a loincloth made of the same white linen as the robe. It was their one article of underwear, like present-day shorts. The colour white meant cleanliness and purity to the Israelites, just as it does today. The high priest’s robe was embroidered. He wore a dark blue sleeveless tunic over it that reached to his knees. The tunic was held together by straps at the shoulders. Onyx, a beautiful milky stone with stripes running through it, was fastened to the straps at the top. They were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Tiny gold bells hung from the hem of the tunic. People believed that bells warded off disaster and the jingling was thought to preserve the high priest’s life when he stood before the presence of YHVH. Pomegranates made of blue, purple and scarlet linen dangled on the fringes between the bells. The fruit may have stood for fertility and growth. Another piece of clothing special to the high priest was the breastpiece or ephod. Twelve precious jewels, each set, in gold, were attached to the front. Every jewel was engraved with a name of one of the tribes of Israel. The breastpiece was attached to the blue tunic with blue ribbons strung through gold rings. All priests wore a cone-shaped hat, but only the high priest wore a tall headdress made of linen. Strapped across the front of the high priest’s forehead was a gold band two fingers wide. Called a {ziz,} it was fastened to the headdress with blue ribbons. Gold was used because the metal was a symbol of splendour and light. The ziz was engraved with the words {holiness to Adonai} or {the sacred Name of Adonai.} Because the Name of YHVH was so Holy, the Israelites were forbidden to say it aloud or to write it. It was engraved on the ziz as YHVH. Those letters have come down to the modern world pronounced as {YAH-VEH}. When the high priest wore the ziz, he was said to bear the sins of all to Adonai. He was instructed always to wear it when he went before the altar. No one knows the meaning of all the articles of clothing worn by the priests and the high priest. Whatever they meant, they were considered so special that absolutely nothing else was to be worn; not even a bandage. They seemed almost to have a power of their own. Unless he wore all his special garments and nothing else, the sacrifices and prayers performed by the priest were not considered valid. When the clothing wore out or became too dirty to wear, it was never thrown away. The regular priest’s garments were cut up and made into wicks for the holy lamps. Those of the high priest were considered too sacred to damage in any way and they were carefully kept in permanent storage.