This last portion of
Shemot – Vayakel – ends with the construction of the Tabernacle with all its
furniture, coverings, garments and vessels. All the materials had been
collected, now was time to create a “space” where YHVH could dwell with His
people and reveal to them who He was and what He desired them to be.
These events remind us
that YHVH has allowed all the events in our lives to come about so as to
prepare a dwelling place for Himself to dwell in our hearts. Nothing has
happened to us by accident. If YHVH has called you, He is preparing you for a
vessel of His habitation.
The most discussed topic
of the Torah is the “Mishkan” – the Tabernacle.
Where does the
construction of this Tabernacle begin? With the “Ark of the Covenant”.
Is this just a co incidence?
When did our lives really
begin on this earth? The day or time when YHVH introduced Yahshua into our
lives (hearts) and everything about our lives changed. The Father and His Son
came to seek a dwelling place in our hearts. The Torah and all of YHVH’s Word
was also meant to change our thoughts and actions.
And so the construction of
the Tabernacle begins with the “Ark of the Covenant” the very dwelling place of
YHVH amongst men …until the first coming of Messiah.
Exo 37:1 And
Betsal’ĕl made the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, and a cubit
and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. (1.125mx 0.675m x 0.45m)
Exo 37:2
And he overlaid it with clean gold inside and outside, and made a
moulding of gold all around it.
Exo 37:3
And he cast four rings of gold for it, for its four feet, two rings on
its one side, and two rings on its other side.
Exo 37:4
And he made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
Exo 37:5
And he put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark, to lift the
ark.
Exo 37:6
And he made a lid of atonement of clean gold, two and a half cubits long
and a cubit and a half wide.
Exo 37:7
And he made two keruḇim of beaten gold. He made them from the two ends
of the lid of atonement,
Exo
37:8 one keruḇ at one end on this side, and the other keruḇ at the other end on that side. He made the keruḇim from the lid of atonement, from the two ends.
Exo
37:9 And the keruḇim spread out their wings above, and covered the lid of atonement with
their wings, with their faces toward each other, the faces of the keruḇim were turned toward the lid of atonement.
A total circumference of 8 cubits – 8 the number
of new beginnings, only that which is perfect enters into His Presence of
Perfection. From the very beginning of Creation – YHVH had our perfection, our
completeness as part of His plan and purpose for our lives. His Presence
creates – Perfection!
The contents of the ark represent the Messiah –
the perfect one – who would become our perfection.
Messiah would come to teach us the Torah the way it was meant to be taught – two
tablets.
Messiah would come and reveal the priesthood
would show us the truth – rod.
Messiah would come to give life the way life was meant to be received – the pot
of manna.
YHVH takes common wood and covers it with gold –
He takes man, a clay vessel and fills him with His Esteem –