3/22/2014

Parashat 22 Portion 72: Shemot/Exodus 37:1-38:20 Haftarah: 1 Kings 8:8-22 Second Writings: 1 Pet 2:4-10


Blessing for the Torah Reading:
Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples,and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

What is this Torah portion really about?
It is inviting and describing to us the best and most perfect place to be.
It is about YHVH giving specific instructions as to how He has chosen to relate to us and how we are to relate to Him.
The Ruach of YHVH is not separate from YHVH – The Ruach of YHVH is YHVH revealing Himself to His people and instructing us how to find our way back to Him and His Kingdom.
YHVH has not changed His Covenant – He has caused Messiah to strengthen His Covenant.
The tabernacle was the witness to the fact that YHVH seeks to be seriously engaged with His people. This desire is possibly YHVH’s greatest desire.
Mal 3:6  “For I am יהוה, I shall not change1, and you, O sons of Yaʽaqoḇ, shall not come to an end. Footnote: 1Jas. 1:17.

How do we respond to such an Elohim?

Our Messiah clearly stated that we were first to seek the Kingdom or Reign of YHVH and His Righteousness and then all else that we needed would be added to us.
Mat 6:33  “But seek first the reign of Elohim, and His righteousness, and all these matters shall be added to you.

Shaul went on to define the reign of YHVH.
Rom 14:17  For the reign of Elohim is ….righteousness and peace and joy in the Set-apart Spirit.

    Shaul goes on to say that many seekers after truth have had a zeal for righteousness but have sought it in the wrong way.

    Rom 10:1  Truly brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to Elohim for Yisra’ĕl is for deliverance.
    Rom 10:2  For I bear them witness that they have an ardour for Elohim, but not according to knowledge.
     Rom 10:3  For not knowing the righteousness of Elohim, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not subject themselves to1 the righteousness of Elohim. Footnote: 1Or did not obey.
Rom 10:4  For Messiah is the goal1 of the ‘Torah unto righteousness’ to everyone who believes. Footnote: 1Or end purpose; not termination.

The greatest single tragedy of humanity is that most people who call themselves believers or seekers after truth have not seen or sought this righteousness in the Torah of YHVH. (Messiah is the righteousness of the Torah)
The result of this tragedy is that the earth is about to be turned upside down and emptied of most of its inhabitants.

Isa 24:1  See, יהוה is making the earth empty and making it waste, and shall overturn its surface, and shall scatter abroad its inhabitants.
Isa 24:4  The earth shall mourn and wither, the world shall languish and wither, the haughty people of the earth shall languish.