Post by Mark on Jun 14, 2008 6:04:08 GMT -8
Often we read the Scripture readings of the Parashah, containing two or three or five individual little stories with the idea that they are two or more little stories that are grouped together just so that we can get through the text in a calendar year. One of the challenges that we are given is to look for a singular message: a message specifically for us in the text. Sometimes, it is a gem that is sparked out of one of these little stories, sometimes a phrase that has little or nothing to do with the context of what is written, sometimes it is a broad concept that is carried through the entire text.
This week, over and over again, as I read over the Parashah and considered what Adonai was speaking to me, regardless of where I was reading, He said clearly to me, "Focus the lamps."
If you read through rabbinical commentaries like www.aish.com or www.chabad.org, you will find that the sages of old were captivated with this idea. More is written about Numbers 8:2 than all the other stories of this Parashah combined. For some, the order of this writing seems a little apropo. The Tabernacle had been erected, and the service initiated, for some time now. The wilderness experience was chronologically past the second anniversary of the Exodus Passover; yet these stories are set into this text as an, "Oh yeah, by the way…" as if maybe the Spirit had forgotten to include these elements earlier and couldn’t think of a better time to fit them in later. At least, that’s the way I often tell stories.
If you’ve read the Bible for some time and you are comfortable with how it reads, you don’t buy this at all. The Spirit of Adonai is a master storyteller. He doesn’t forget important details, nor does He provide information at random. There is something very important here: a line of dots for us to connect which associate these individual stories to one another. He’s telling us to focus the lights.
In Numbers 8:2, when Aaron lights the Menorah in the Holy Place, He is to arrange the lights so that the Light is centered upon the candlestick: all the flames of the outer branches are turned in to bear the light centrally. The seven candlesticks have been, over the centuries, have been given various significance. Most commonly, the center candlestick represents God, or at least the Messiah, or the Holy Spirit, while each of the other candle flames account for two of the tribes of Israel. Another suggestion is that each candle represents the seven sereifot, the angels which are continuously in attendance to Adonai. Each flame is said to represent the seven attributes of wisdom, the seven attributes of the godly man, the seven attributes of the Messiah or the seven attributes of holiness. (I’m sure there must be more.)
Immediately following this text, Moses is commanded to cleanse all the people of Israel. Then he is to separate the Levites out for their holy duties. He is to focus the lights, though all the flames are burning, he draws the attention in singularly.
Next, in chapter 9 is the second celebration of the Passover, where a group of guys were unable to attend because of a death in the family. It is strange how the normal things of life get in the way of our understanding of the supernatural. You’d think that if Adonai is capable of protecting His people against their enemies on His appointed days, then He could stave off someone from dying of natural causes… at least keep them alive for a couple more days. Some rabbis taught that these men made the wrong decision when they considered whether they should tend to the needs of their dead in a timely manner or keep themselves pure for the Passover. Adonai seemed to have no qualm with their actions; but when they had completed what they needed to do, focus the lights. Come back into focus as part of this community.
When the people would move throughout the wilderness, the tabernacle was packed up and carried before them. When they stopped to rest, the Tabernacle was erected. Even if the stop was for one day. The first thing on the agenda was to set up the Tabernacle of God. Focus the lights.
It is interesting about how long-suffering and patient our God is; and yet how, throughout the story of Israel, how little He tolerates complaining. It is noteworthy, even climactic to our point, that the murmuring of the people started on the fringes, the outlying perimeters of the camp: those who were just along, not focused on anything but purposelessly following the crowd. It is not inconsequential that the "mixed multitude" was the source of bitterness in the hearts of the people: those who were not fully part of the community but came along because it seemed to be the best deal in town: those who were not focused in on the Light of our Glory.
It is pretty easy to tell, in a congregation, where the problems are going to start. It’s the guys (and their wives) who are huddled in the fringes, focused on the meat that their not getting, instead of basking in the glory of Adonai’s Light. It is the ones who come to be there but do not come to be part, who have their own agendas. They sit in the fringes and murmur and complain. More than once I’ve peeked up toward heaven and suggested maybe firebrands from heaven might be appropriate. Adonai must sit up on His Righteous throne sometimes and giggle to Himself. If only I knew where I stood in the scheme of things, if I am centered upon His Light or sitting on the fringes in the middle of my own little universe (regardless of what position I am holding in the congregation).
It’s not about us, nor about our perception of things: who appears to be in charge or what appears to be method or focus of worship. It is about Him and focusing in on His Light.
The common method of building a window, in biblical times was to be trapezoidal with inner frame wider than the outer frame so that light from the room is reflected back into the room. When Solomon built the Temple in Zion, he built the windows opposite, so that the Light would shine out into the world.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)
This week, over and over again, as I read over the Parashah and considered what Adonai was speaking to me, regardless of where I was reading, He said clearly to me, "Focus the lamps."
If you read through rabbinical commentaries like www.aish.com or www.chabad.org, you will find that the sages of old were captivated with this idea. More is written about Numbers 8:2 than all the other stories of this Parashah combined. For some, the order of this writing seems a little apropo. The Tabernacle had been erected, and the service initiated, for some time now. The wilderness experience was chronologically past the second anniversary of the Exodus Passover; yet these stories are set into this text as an, "Oh yeah, by the way…" as if maybe the Spirit had forgotten to include these elements earlier and couldn’t think of a better time to fit them in later. At least, that’s the way I often tell stories.
If you’ve read the Bible for some time and you are comfortable with how it reads, you don’t buy this at all. The Spirit of Adonai is a master storyteller. He doesn’t forget important details, nor does He provide information at random. There is something very important here: a line of dots for us to connect which associate these individual stories to one another. He’s telling us to focus the lights.
In Numbers 8:2, when Aaron lights the Menorah in the Holy Place, He is to arrange the lights so that the Light is centered upon the candlestick: all the flames of the outer branches are turned in to bear the light centrally. The seven candlesticks have been, over the centuries, have been given various significance. Most commonly, the center candlestick represents God, or at least the Messiah, or the Holy Spirit, while each of the other candle flames account for two of the tribes of Israel. Another suggestion is that each candle represents the seven sereifot, the angels which are continuously in attendance to Adonai. Each flame is said to represent the seven attributes of wisdom, the seven attributes of the godly man, the seven attributes of the Messiah or the seven attributes of holiness. (I’m sure there must be more.)
Immediately following this text, Moses is commanded to cleanse all the people of Israel. Then he is to separate the Levites out for their holy duties. He is to focus the lights, though all the flames are burning, he draws the attention in singularly.
Next, in chapter 9 is the second celebration of the Passover, where a group of guys were unable to attend because of a death in the family. It is strange how the normal things of life get in the way of our understanding of the supernatural. You’d think that if Adonai is capable of protecting His people against their enemies on His appointed days, then He could stave off someone from dying of natural causes… at least keep them alive for a couple more days. Some rabbis taught that these men made the wrong decision when they considered whether they should tend to the needs of their dead in a timely manner or keep themselves pure for the Passover. Adonai seemed to have no qualm with their actions; but when they had completed what they needed to do, focus the lights. Come back into focus as part of this community.
When the people would move throughout the wilderness, the tabernacle was packed up and carried before them. When they stopped to rest, the Tabernacle was erected. Even if the stop was for one day. The first thing on the agenda was to set up the Tabernacle of God. Focus the lights.
It is interesting about how long-suffering and patient our God is; and yet how, throughout the story of Israel, how little He tolerates complaining. It is noteworthy, even climactic to our point, that the murmuring of the people started on the fringes, the outlying perimeters of the camp: those who were just along, not focused on anything but purposelessly following the crowd. It is not inconsequential that the "mixed multitude" was the source of bitterness in the hearts of the people: those who were not fully part of the community but came along because it seemed to be the best deal in town: those who were not focused in on the Light of our Glory.
It is pretty easy to tell, in a congregation, where the problems are going to start. It’s the guys (and their wives) who are huddled in the fringes, focused on the meat that their not getting, instead of basking in the glory of Adonai’s Light. It is the ones who come to be there but do not come to be part, who have their own agendas. They sit in the fringes and murmur and complain. More than once I’ve peeked up toward heaven and suggested maybe firebrands from heaven might be appropriate. Adonai must sit up on His Righteous throne sometimes and giggle to Himself. If only I knew where I stood in the scheme of things, if I am centered upon His Light or sitting on the fringes in the middle of my own little universe (regardless of what position I am holding in the congregation).
It’s not about us, nor about our perception of things: who appears to be in charge or what appears to be method or focus of worship. It is about Him and focusing in on His Light.
The common method of building a window, in biblical times was to be trapezoidal with inner frame wider than the outer frame so that light from the room is reflected back into the room. When Solomon built the Temple in Zion, he built the windows opposite, so that the Light would shine out into the world.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)
