In this portion, Moses gives an accounting of all the contributions made for the tabernacle. There is also a retelling of the priestly garments made for Aaron and his sons. Then Moses inspects the tabernacle furnishings and is commanded by Yahweh to set it up on the first day of the first month, Nissan. It has been a year since their deliverance from Egypt and now the Israelites have a sacred place for Yahweh’s Presence to dwell.

Moses sets up the and the glory cloud comes and dwells in the tent of meeting but Moses can not enter. Why? Something to ponder. As we conclude the book of Exodus and move into Leviticus let’s ponder the gracious gift of salvation through our Messiah Yeshua. He has made a new and living way for us to go before the Father because of his sinless sacrifice. Moses could not enter but we can come boldly to the throne of grace…so great is our salvation.

Resources:

Why Moses couldn’t enter the tabernacle by the Bible Project

https://bibleproject.com/podca...

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This portion is about the construction of the tabernacle. It is important to remember that Moses received a vision of the tabernacle and was instructed to build it according to the pattern he was shown by Yahweh. (Exodus 25:9). Moses gathers the people together to give them the instructions from Yahweh. Here Yahweh is calling them together to build a place for His Presence to dwell in their midst, He has given His Spirit to leaders, Bezalel and Oholiab and gifted many other workers as well. The entire community is invited to give freely to the construction of the tabernacle, remember they left Egypt with a bunch of stuff!!! Here we see the heart of the Father, He wants to be with His people and has made provision for that to be accomplished.

In this portion is a very interesting verse: Exodus 38:8 that tells us that there were women serving at the tent of meeting. We share a little about this scripture, too much to try to glean in a short time but we encourage you to check out this article that talks about the women who ministered in the tabernacle. Who knew?

The Hebrew word used in Exodus 38:8 is tzov’ot. There isn’t a lot of common opinion around this scripture and its meaning. 1 Samuel 2:22 confirms there were women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. It just isn’t clear what they did. This Hebrew word used describes levitical jobs and has strong military connotations as it can be used to refer to soldiers, troops or companies. In ancient culture it was common for women to be employed in the office of porters or doorkeepers which might include the house of a high priest in the time of Jesus. (John 18:15-17. The article below discusses the meaning of the Hebrew word and the role of these women as possible gatekeepers.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

"The Hebrew phrase for “the serving women who served” is hatzovot asher tzaveu. You can probably see the repetition of the Hebrew verb tzvah, which means to go forth, wage war, fight, and serve. It is directly related to YHWH Tz’vaot (LORD of Hosts). It carries strong military connotations.” (Kisha Gallagher, see link below for full article)

Resources:
The Mirror Waters and the Gatekeepers by Kisha Gallagher
https://graceintorah.net/2014/...

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This week’s Torah portion is jam packed with plenty of “selah” moments. Moments to ponder and reflect. There is atonement money given as an offering. There is a golden calf made in rebellion. There is a profound theophany on a mountain. In the midst of all of this is a major theme of a man of intercession. Moses was Yahweh chosen deliverer and in this portion we get a glimpse of why he may have been chosen. When his people needed him to go before Yahweh on their behalf he did what was needed to maintain covenantal relationship with Yahweh. He repented and appealed to Yahweh’s name: His character and nature. This podcast was a long one. We hope that you were encouraged. It is so much to glean from this portion, we hope we highlighted enough to pique your interest and cause you to go deeper. We will share some resources below that may assist anyone wanting to take a deeper dive. Shalom.

Resources:

The Bible Project Character of God Series
Visual Commentary Exodus 34:6-7

https://bibleproject.com/explo...

Study Notes on Exodus 34:6-7

https://d1bsmz3sdihplr.cloudfr...

This pdf gives an excellent teaching on this scripture. It also gives you a list of other scriptural references to the passage. That list alone makes it worth a look. You can look at the other places in scripture where Yahweh’s character, His compassion and grace and kindness is mentioned. It is interesting to see how often these words are referenced as part of a prayer.

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In this portion Yahweh is giving a commandment to the Israelites concerning the menorah and then instructions for the sacred garments of for the priests. In the last two portions, Moses has been on the mountain with Yahweh receiving instructions for the mishkan, tabernacle. Yahweh is making his people into a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6) and will come to dwell among them (Exodus 25:8). The heart of the Father is revealed, he always desires fellowship with his people. Yeshua has made a way for us to return to intimacy with the Father and we now have an open invitation to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Walk in your identity and a king and priest to our Father, Yahweh. Rev. 1:6


We briefly mention the priesthood of Yeshua, (Heb. 7:17, Psalm 110:4) and the order of Melchizedek. Time did not permit a full discussion around this mysterious figure in scripture. My understanding around his appearance in Gen. 14 has changed as I have sought understanding from other bible scholars. We should always be willing to expand our understanding of scripture. Scripture is meditative literature. It is to be pondered. For more study on theme of priesthood in the Bible and the mysterious Melchizedek I offer the following as suggestions.



Suggested resources:

Bible Project: The Royal Priests Series

https://bibleproject.com/explo...


Ancient Order of Melchizedek by Ken Johnson, TH.D

https://www.amazon.com/Ancient...=sr_1_1?crid=25XEFT8HMANVI&keywords=ancient+order+of+melchizedek+ken+johnson&qid=1677603816&sprefix=ancient+order+of+me%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1



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In this Torah portion we discuss the heart of the Father, Yahweh, and his instruction to build Him a sanctuary and a place for him to dwell among His people. There is a lot to unpack in one verse in this portion, Exodus 25:8. We could not unpack it all in one podcast, that’s not the purpose of this podcast, we simply share some thoughts around Yahweh’s desire to dwell among His people and what it means to host His Presence. The recent outpouring at Asbury University is a wonderful example of the Father’s heart. Fellowship with Him is why we were created. That fellowship was disrupted in Eden. Yeshua came to restore what had been lost. Now we have a daily invitation to live in His Presence. The experiences at Asbury University are proof of the power of His Presence and His love when He comes to dwell among us. Thank you Holy Spirit for your Presence in our lives, Thank you Jesus that you have made a way and when we gather you come to be in our midst. Thank you Father, that your heart for us has never changed.

Article mentioned in the podcast from Relevant Magazine:

https://relevantmagazine.com/f...

As far as I understand, the outpouring services are being moved to another location. The University does not believe the outpouring is supposed to stay there, revival is mobile like the miskan , the tabernacle was meant to move. Hopefully, we are inspired by the student leadership, faculty and staff of Asbury University, to prepare ourselves to be the dwelling place of His Presence. So that wherever we are our flames are burning and His fiery Presence is manifested.

Shalom

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**IMPORTANT NOTE*******
At the time of this recording, Tuesday, February 21st, we were unaware of the recent passing of Dr. Michael Heiser on Monday February 20, 2023. During the podcast, we mentioned how his book The Unseen Realm had so impacted our understanding of scripture and the supernatural. We had mentioned his battle with pancreatic cancer that had entered its last stages, but did not know that Dr. Heiser had entered into his eternal reward. We are deeply saddened for his family and friends who will cherish his memory and we extend our deepest condolences to them. As a member of the family of God, I am so thankful for the gifts of knowledge that Dr. Heiser shared with us. He will be missed. We will treasure all that he so willingly shared with us that has impacted our hearts, ministry and faith. Thank You Dr. Michael Heiser for your love of scripture, your interest in the supernatural and your brilliant gifts of writing and teaching.


In this special edition we discuss a few insights surrounding Exodus 23:20-33. The Torah portion, Mishpatim covers instructions for Yahweh’s people, things that pertain to community and right relationship. Then in the middle of these instructions, Yahweh gives Moses very important instructions about the angel of the LORD that he is sending before them. This Angel of the LORD has Yahweh’s Name. In this podcast we share some insights and resources that encourage you to receive a deeper understanding of the Angel of the LORD. Don’t want to give it all away here. Listen and check out the resources. Shalom.


Resources:

The Unseen Realm by Dr. Michael Heiser*

https://www.amazon.com/The-Uns...=sr_1_1?crid=18WC6PKA8E9BG&keywords=the+unseen+realm+by+dr.+michael+heiser&qid=1677021018&sprefix=unseen+real%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1

The Bible Project:Spiritual Beings Series Episode 5 Angel of the Lord
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/angel-lord/


Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes

https://www.amazon.com/The-Uns...=sr_1_1?crid=18WC6PKA8E9BG&keywords=the+unseen+realm+by+dr.+michael+heiser&qid=1677021018&sprefix=unseen+real%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1

These links are for audiobooks. I never thought I would enjoy audiobooks. I am a book nerd. But it has grown on me. It helps if you are a multitasker. If you don’t think you have time to read then grab the audiobook. I think it’s best to start with the audiobook of The Unseen Realm. Simply a suggestion.

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In this Torah portion, Yahweh give Moses instructions of life to the Israelites. These are guidelines that the people need to live set apart to Yahweh as His people. He is teaching them how to worship Him and how to relate to one another. It seems that this the part of the Bible that gets hard to interpret because it is written to an ancient people. Rabbinic tradition gives much commentary around these judgments. What is important for us to remember is the teaching of Yeshua, where he says, all of the law and the prophets is summed up in two commandments: Love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Yahweh wanted his people, that would become his bride in the ratifying of the covenant to understand how to live as his kingdom of priests and to be a nation of light in the earth. We as followers of Yeshua are called to the same thing, to be His kingdom of priests and to shine our light for others to see the goodness of the true and living God, the Holy One of Israel.

Resources I would encourage listeners to check out:

Sinai to Zion: The Untold Story of the Triumphant Return of Jesus by Joel Richardson
https://www.amazon.com/Sinai-Z...=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1676400351&sr=8-1

Teachings of the Torah by Kent Dobson
https://www.amazon.com/NIV-Tea...=sr_1_1?crid=JVOK5J7GBF23&keywords=teachings+of+the+torah&qid=1676400450&sprefix=Teachings+of+the+Torah%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1

The Unseen Realm by Dr. Michael Heiser
https://www.amazon.com/Unseen-...=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1676400663&sr=8-1
Chapter 18 What’s in a Name

Yahweh, the Angel and Jesus
Introduction to the Two Powers in Heaven
https://drmsh.com/project/sess...

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In this Torah portion we discover the love of Yahweh for His people. It is a marriage made in heaven and on earth. Interestingly, this portion is named after Moses’ father-in-law. He was a pagan priest who received the revelation of the LORD through Yahweh’s powerful deliverance of the Israelites. He is converted and gives Moses wisdom on how to lead the people. This portion also reveals the Ten Words of Yahweh (Ten Commandments/Decalogue) as the marriage contract between Yahweh and his people. Hashem takes Israel as his bride. (Exodus 19:3-6).There is so much in this portion. We hope as you listen you sense the love of the Yahweh as He calls us all home to his heart. His love knows no bounds. Yahweh, the LORD, really loves us.

Resources for this podcast:

I Led You Like a Bride
https://youtu.be/Jfwo3ukEeSg

Song we mentioned by Crowder is God Really Loves Us.
https://youtu.be/yG-Y9bWlCw8
Song: God Really Loves Us
Artist: Crowder feat. Dante Bowe
Lyric video of God Really Loves Us by Crowder feat. Dante Bowe
we do not have any copyrights to this music and share it to encourage you to experience the love of God

Exodus 19:4-6 NIV
“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

We are loved with an everlasting love.

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In this Torah portion we discover that Yahweh is continuing to reveal His name to Israel and the Egyptians as He demonstrates that He is a mighty warrior willing to fight and defend His people. As Moses and the Hebrews embark on their exodus, they are commanded to encamp at a place Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, so that Yahweh can gain glory in their deliverance. That little bit of information, Yahweh commanded them to encamp there so that He could deliver them through crossing the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds). Our God is a god of Deliverance and He is willing to fight our enemies to ensure of victory. Israel learns that Yahweh is a mighty warrior as He defeats the Egyptians for them! The Lord is the same, yesterday today and forever!


Here is a link to a book we mentioned:

God At War by Gregory A. Boyd
https://www.amazon.com/God-War...

Other scriptures references to Yahweh as divine warrior:
Deut. 33:1-3, 26-29, Psalm 24:8, Psalm 78


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In this portion we learn that Yahweh invites Moses to come (Bo) to Pharaoh and see how He is going to bring a mighty deliverance to the Israelites with His signs and wonders, such that the Isralites will tell their children and grandchildren of His mighty power. In the Exodus from Egypt, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover are commemorated for the generations. Yahweh gave his promise of deliverance, his plan of deliverance and his purpose for his deliverance. His final judgments are executed in this portion which bring about the dismantling of the Egyptian gods. Yahweh knew from the beginning when he cut covenant with Abram that this day of deliverance would come and that this was the opportunity for hm to reveal his name to not only the Israelites and Egypt but to the entire world.

Resources referenced in the podcast:

Naked Bible Podcast #268 Exodus 7:14-25
https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/...

Divine Hardening in the Old Testament by Robert B. Chisholm Jr.
http://evangelicalarminians.or...

Sinai to Zion:The Untold Story of the Triumphant Return of Jesus by Joel Richardson
https://www.amazon.com/Sinai-Z...

Bible Classroom Exodus Overview by Dr. Carmen Imes
www.bibleproject/classroom

Bible Project Podcast Exodus Scroll (Bible Project App)
https://bibleproject.com/app/

We did not have time to thresh out the mention of the threshold covenant. Here is an informative video on the threshold covenant.
https://www.119ministries.com/teachings/video-teachings/detail/the-threshold-covenant/


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