As the third book of Moshe opens, we are right back where we were at the end of Exodus. The Tabernacle is being erected and the detailed instructions for establishing the priesthood are being given. But there is so much else going on in this parsha than details on how to do burnt offerings! Our Messiah Y’shua is literally all over this text, sometimes in very surprising ways. Also find out about the latest calendar controversy literally just in time for Pesach and an counter missionary attack on Messiah that appeared to some so scary, that even a professional NT Greek scholar came to me for help on it. See the tricks and traps the counter missionaries use to twist the Torah and deny Messiah, from one who used to do that very thing (yes I mean me).
Now the book of Exodus (Shemot) wraps up with some of its most amazing secrets, but they don’t reveal themselves easily. How is the approach of this parsha sending a strong message of integrity that echoes straight into our daily headlines? How does Aaron anticipate the end of King David’s life when nearly five centuries separate the two men? And, perhaps most interesting of them all, how is the Renewed Covenant message tied to the colors of the Tabernacle? These and many other revelations await, as I actually show the real math behind all these connections. Enjoy!
They are the most mysterious and most fascinating objects ever built by the hand of man, and three and a half millennia later their blueprints survive in exacting detail and the history remains as powerful and fresh as when these events first happened. To explore the translation issues and versions around these descriptions is like interviewing a series of ancient witnesses to reconstruct what otherwise would seem hopelessly lost. Also explore with me the common thread behind a series of excellent member Q&A that I call “Found in Translation”. Enjoy!
They say the best secrets are the ones that hide in plain sight. The ones in this parsha are no exception, as the most visible and prominent member of the Israelite community–the high priest–literally hides a universe worth of secrets both on and under his own clothes. The fabrics, the colors, the dimensions, not a single detail is without a deeper meaning. Also get a very special calendar update on the challenges that await us in 2019 and find out how one of the most familar parables of them all hides one of the greatest secrets of them all. And feast season returns…the Purim Special is next week!
Clarification for Torah 101 There was one thought I was trying to get out about calendar math that I wish I said a little bit better. I was talking about the tradition that there were 36 bells and 36 pomegranates alternating around the hem of the high priest’s garment, for a total of 72. I was trying to explain how 72 was related to calendar math but since I was talking about 360 months that were 30 days long it distracted me for just a moment and then I just moved on. What I should have said was that 72 was a unit of the full 360 day year, not the 30 day month, since 360 = 72 x 5. So I thought I should just tell all of you this in advance before listening. Enjoy the rest I hope! Andrew
It is literally the blueprint of the Universe itself. This is the parsha where we are told repeatedly “See that you make everything according to the pattern you saw on the mountain”. So every cubit, every talent of gold, every structure large or small is representing on earth what is in the heavens. And, as we will also see, ultimately that will also lead to the ultimate terumah, that Yeshua the Messiah Himself!
Shalom all. Sorry but I am unable to do the parsha this week due to contracting influenza (type A flu) which has been going around lately. I have therefore reissuing 2017’s posts for Yitro and Yah willing will be back next week with “Mishpatim”. I am currently taking medication for this but your prayers as always are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your understanding and I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Andrew
It’s the Ten Commandments being given–what more could possibly need saying after that? The answer is, plenty because this parsha is as much to do with all the drama BEFORE the Big Event as it is about the Torah being proclaimed at Sinai. As we will explore together, there’s a reason why the rabbis call this parsha “Jethro” and not “The Ten Words”. Moshe’s father in law ends up being the quiet hero who saves the day before the Big Day. And then Father Yah Himself descends in the fire to lay down the law before the Law is given to and following those rules is literally a matter of life and death.
It’s also the start of our 7th year of doing Torah portions! Find out how were are celebrating this great milestone!
“And Elohim led Israel out with a mighty hand and with signs and wonders”. Nowhere are the words more true than this week, as Pharaoh’s entire army id destroyed in the Sea of Reeds. It’s the greatest chariot force to be destroyed by Israel—that is, until our Haftorah Portion in Judges 4-5, where Sisera’s fleet of 900 iron chariots is defeated by a woman with a glass of milk. You can’t make this stuff up. Also a special update on the latest Dead Sea Scrolls research that literally broke only a few days ago. Enjoy!
The picture above is a montage of Amenhotep II, whom I believe is the Pharaoh of Exodus. Just look at this guy…especially the shot of him on his own war chariot, and ask yourself: Does he not look the part of the adversary Moshe describes in this section of Exodus? Bear in mind this carving of him was done after he died, but if my identification is correct, the man Moshe confronts is much younger, athletic ruler and seasoned commander all of 26 years old and with 8 solid years of experience on the throne–10 if we count his 2 year co-regency with his father Thutmoses III who may be the greater warrior king of them all. Imagine Moshe going up against this formidable king whose empire is at the peak of its power and experience, more than 1,700 years after his civilization was founded. Egypt is at this moment, quite simply, the greatest human power the world had ever known, but all that counts for nothing when it goes to war, as it does this week, with Father YAH, Master of Hosts!
Joseph is gone and also, apparently forgotten, at least by the Egyptians. Now dark times fall on the Hebrews of Goshen as they go from valued partners to hated enemies and from the pinnacle of power in Egypt to the lowest of the low, slaves who can’t even get straw for their bricks. But a new hero arises too. Moshe is born and begins what may be the most important journey in all of the Tanakh, from prince, to fugitive, to failed leader and then to Lawgiver. Let’s rest the clock again as an entire new adventure is about to begin.