Exo. 30 : 11 - 34 : 35 Par'shah Ki Tasa

[Mark]

There are a few places in Scripture that I am inclined to roll on the ground laughing out loud- not so much because it was intended to be funny; but because it is the sort of thing that my satirical view of humanity is prone to laugh at. If you enjoy Abbott and Costello, then this Parashah is for you!

This is the story of the golden calf. Many of you will look down at the text and then back up at me and say to yourselves, that's not funny. And truly, the event is a travesty and worthy of all our sobriety. Sorry, but I'm snickering a little already.

I suppose the first thing I laugh at has nothing to do with the text, really; but with what do with what is in the text.
"See, maaaan, it sez right here in Exodus 30:23, pot is in the Bible so it must bo okay to smoke it!" That's funny, isn't it? Usually, I respond to such prepostrity by showing them Ezekiel 4:12 where Ezekiel is commanded by God to eat food that has been cooked over human feces. Care for a bar-be-que? There are a lot of things listed in the Bible for use of many sorts- but not of all sorts. Yet, it is so our inclination to grasp onto the slightest mention of something and turn it into a profound theology... sort of like, dumping our golden earrings into a vat and worshiping a golden calf.

Similarly, we can pick on heavy metal music. It is mentioned here in the Bible in Exodus 32:17, 18. Joshua describes it as the sound of war; but Moses said, no, because it doesn't sound like the shout of victory or the cry of defeat... it must be singing. Okay, so some of the older folk probably think that's funny.

It is not insignificant that the Hebrews would worship a cow. The cow was an object of worship in Egypt for their wealth of providence. This is why Pharaoh's dream was so significant. It is also representative of where the Hebrews' hearts were- they wanted prosperity... and here they were out in the desert of nowhere. I'm sorry; but I live in somewhat rural Oregon. I've spent some time with cows. Worship? That's funny.

My favorite part is the dialogue between God and Moses starting in Exodus 32:7. God says to Moses, "Get down to YOUR people who YOU delievered out of the land of Egypt." Moses likely turned around aghast! "Me???!! You're trying to pin them on me?" reading through the dialogue is like a game of hot potato (or cold mash) that Adonai and Moses are trying to shed responsibility of. Yet, both have such a love for the people, despite them, that they know that the responsibility will be taken and the people will not be forsaken.

Incidently, the out come (or rather outgo) of the golden calf is not insignificant and the ultimate descecration of their chosen deity. Ol Chemosh wound up in the sewage ditch outside the camp. Adonai certainly knows how to deal with His enemies.

[Mpossoff]

Hi Mark,

Yes the dialogue between Adonai and Moses is very interesting. Interesting in a way that is was a real dialogue face to face, physically.

Very 'intimate'.

What really stuck out for me was that Moses 'reminded' Adonai about the Covenant.

Also for me it becomes even more 'concrete' that it was Grace.

Who said there wasn't grace and salvation in the TaNaK?

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’”

So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.


Marc

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

What really stuck out for me was that Moses 'reminded' Adonai about the Covenant.

Also for me it becomes even more 'concrete' that it was Grace.

Who said there wasn't grace and salvation in the TaNaK

Amein!

[Mark]

It’s Not About You…


This week’s Parashah is filled with matches: this’s and thats which work together to complete a whole. It’s as though focus is set upon this idea from the beginning with the offering of the half-shekel. The sages are clear to point out this was not a tax; but an offering, completely voluntary. Every man above age twenty was to put in a half-shekel if he chose to be counted as among the house of Israel. The word "nathan": to give, is used in Exodus 30:12 which suggests that this census was completely voluntary.
Yet, why a half-shekel? Why not a shekel? The shekel was the current rate of exchange (for us it would be the dollar). The tradition would carry that this census would be according to the current rate of exchange. Even a dollar census would be completely within reason; yet would double the financial ability of the Temple service. We are told that the half-shekel was chosen so that we understand that no man is complete in himself. He is part of a community which makes up the whole. This is consistent with the teachings of the Apostle Paul who compared us to the human body, having many parts, all necessary for the health and productivity of the whole.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
(1Co 12:27-28 KJV)

The nation of Israel was the first known to set precedent that all men are created equal. This equality is demonstrated by the half-shekel, that the wealthy will not give more and the humble will not give less. Every man has equal stake in the community of Adonai. This same concept will be repeated later with the strand of blue that must hang from every man’s garment (Numbers 15:38). The strand of blue, culturally, represented royalty; thus every man was elevated to the status of prince of Israel. We can see this same thought in Paul’s letter.

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
(1Co 12:14-18 KJV)

As we continue through the Parashah, the Tabernacle and Priesthood are prepared for anointing. It is worth noticing, in this same vein of thought that both the Tabernacle and the Priests are anointed. It is not a this or that but both. The Priests are given equal significance and legitimacy as the articles of the Tabernacle. This was new to the cultural understandings of religious observance.

Next we have something very powerful in the governing structure of the people of God: a delegation of powers. Though he had seen it with his own eyes, Moses had no control over the way in which the Tabernacle would be constructed. This was given over to Bezale’el and Aholiab and to the craftsmen and women that were under their instruction. The typical corporate Church structure (even among many Messianic synagogues) is a hierarchy of control. The vision of the community is the vision of one man, or in some cases, a council. While all things must undergo reasonable scrutiny of appropriateness; it is not the ministry of one man or even one controlling element. Periodically I am asked who is in charge of our fellowship. There is always room for leadership. There is always work that needs to be done and I am not always the one to do it, nor even the one who will see the need for it. The work of the ministry of the body of Messiah is not a one man show.

We see the consequences of placing our focus upon the leadership ability of one man in Exodus 32. The sages suggest that the people rallied together in a mob because there was a void in leadership. They demanded an object of worship. In Aaron’s defense, the story goes that the mob first went to Hur and when he would not make them an idol, they killed him. Then they went to Aaron.

Proverbs 29:18 tells us that where there is no vision the people perish; but he that keeps the Law, happy is he.

The nation of Israel had misplaced their vision, focusing upon the person of Moses far their leadership and not taking responsibility for their personal obedience to Adonai. So, leadership is often guilty of taking too much upon itself (often himself), often basking in the glory of personal significance. That’s an addictive commodity and why Paul is so clear in his instruction that the elders and overseers must not be new (young), "lest being lifted up with pride fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1st Timothy 3:6).

The people must also own their personal responsibility to be committed to their relationship with Adonai. It’s easy to follow and place all the responsibility upon the leadership; yet, Aaron was not held responsible for the decision of the people, though they had set him up as the one being in charge.

Periodically, someone comes to me wanting to start something as a ministry. I’m encouraged by them and often I say, "That’s a great idea." Then nothing happens because they wanted me to do something about it. They had a passion for my ministry. Silly me, I thought Adonai could work through them as powerfully. It was good for them to come to me and talk about it, and I appreciated that; but I’m not God. If it is a ministry that He is calling them to, who am I to stand in the way? You see, it’s not about me. It’s not about my ministry. I’m not in charge and there is plenty of room for more leadership. It’s about God, His love, His Law and our worship and obedience. Not just mine, not just yours, but the whole of our community. Bring your half-shekel. Buy into this community of faith. We are one body. May we be knittly fitted together for His glory.

[Mark]

Slapstick in the Bible

The Hebrew word "ki" means "when". It assumes that specific events will occur and is followed by obedience. The word "tisa" means to take, to hold up or lift up or evaluate, to consider.

I shouldn’t try to count the number of times people, often without ever having in their lives cracked the pages of Scripture, are able to quote to me, "Judge not lest ye be judged…" knowing that these words were spoken by our Messiah and Lord. While the statement has a legitimate context, most often, it is misapplied to "tisa", taking note, making evaluation, exposing to light elements of our society or culture that would prefer not be brought into consideration.

It’s part of our chemical make-up to make evaluation, to lift up and inspect: to "tisa". The smallest child who is follows you with his or her eyes, intrinsically understands and applies the process of "tisa". Messiah’s words are used against us in an attempt to prevent us from doing what we are designed to do.

Messiah said, "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7:24).

Adonai understands that within our created design, we evaluate those things around us. We can’t help it. And those who are offended that with us for it are not offended with the process ut rather with the standard set for the application. sets a standard of righteousness whereby we are to evaluate. Too many people are offended by this, thinking that by setting such a standard (recognizing the validity of sucha standard) we think ourselves better than everyone else. Nothing could be farther from the truth because we realize that it is a standard that not even we are able to fully measure up to. We all therefore stand together as equals, depending upon the mercy of our Father in heaven, and the extension of His grace through Yeshua haMashiakh.

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
(Matthew 7:1-5 KJV)

does not place us in a position of condemning others for not meeting our standard or expectation. sets us all together in the same condition, leveling the playing field, condemned for sin or saved by grace. Beyond that is personally walking in obedience and love.



And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Exodus 30:11 KJV)

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. (Exodus 30:12 KJV)

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) a half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. (Exodus 30:13 KJV)

Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. (Exodus 30:14 KJV)

The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. (Exodus 30:15 KJV)

The shekel became the common medium of exchange for the Hebrew system. The command of the half-shekel became a token of census, whenever census is taken, each man is to give one half of the basic exchange rate (one half dollar for today’s standard in the US).

The rich were commanded not to give any more. The poor must give no less. We are all equal in God’s eyes. For some, it is also a declaration of unity: alone we can give only our part; but together we become whole.

In the articles given for the Sanctuary, there was gold, precious stones (gem stones), wood and various fabrics. One element was distinctively missing, and that was silver. The voluntary offerings, accepted from anyone who was willing to give, composed the ornate displays and the obvious structures that we think of when describing the Tabernacle. The silver, compulsory upon all the men who wished to be numbered as of the House of Israel, laid the foundation and formed the couplings which held the structure together. Anyone can give and feel good about giving. It’s something more to stand and be counted, making the obligatory sacrifices that go with that, no matter how small. Yet, it is the willingness to be counted (and to be counted on) that will hold us together as the Tabernacle of God.

And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. (Exodus 30:16 KJV)

How does paying a ransom make an atonement for our souls? It is in the gesture of being counted, as standing as one of and one with the House of Israel.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Exodus 30:17 KJV)

Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. (Exodus 30:18 KJV)

For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: (Exodus 30:19 KJV)

When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: (Exodus 30:20 KJV)

So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations. (Exodus 30:21 KJV)

"Cleanliness is next to godliness…" so they say. It’s not exactly in the Bible; but Aaron and his sons might tend to agree with the principle of it.

The act of mikvah (baptism) is ceremonial washing that represents re-birth. To enter into worship one must be holy; but the sages were asked, "How can that which is unholy be made holy?" The answer is that it cannot. It must be made anew. Water is a representation of purity: only that which is clean can make something clean. The process of mikvah requires at least 200 gallons of water, this necessary volume will give the average weight man the sense of weightlessness when completely submerged. The image is a representation of new birth.

The washing of one’s hands and feet is a symbolic representation of the whole.

The laver is physically located between the Altar of Sacrifice and the Inner Courts (where the Showbread, the Menorah and Altar of Incense are first found. This may imply that atonement by sacrifice (forgiveness of sins) is a pre-requisite for cleansing (mikvah) for service. While Scripture overwhelmingly supports this doctrine, this may or may not be a consideration of the arrangement. It may simply imply that cleanliness is "next" to godliness, that it doesn’t get you inside; but it is an abomination in the sight of God to attempt to enter into holiness without it.

For the observant, daily washing is a spiritual celebration. Applying cool water to my face and hands is more than just a refreshing habit but an act of remembrance and dedication toward holiness. "Adonai, may my day begin in You with purity and may I be renewed to serve You in holiness."

Moreover the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Exodus 30:22 KJV)

Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, (Exodus 30:23 KJV)

And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive a hin: (Exodus 30:24 KJV)

And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be a holy anointing oil. (Exodus 30:25 KJV)

And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, (Exodus 30:26 KJV)

And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, (Exodus 30:27 KJV)

And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. (Exodus 30:28 KJV)

And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. (Exodus 30:29 KJV)

And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. (Exodus 30:30 KJV)

And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be a holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. (Exodus 30:31 KJV)

Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. (Exodus 30:32 KJV)

Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people. (Exodus 30:33 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: (Exodus 30:34 KJV)

And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: (Exodus 30:35 KJV)

And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. (Exodus 30:36 KJV)

And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. (Exodus 30:37 KJV)

Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people. (Exodus 30:38 KJV)

Up to several hundred animal sacrifices may be given in a single day at the Temple mount. The smell of the Temple grounds, even for a significant distance, would be an all too familiar stench of blood and death, were there not some element to blend with it.

One of the smells, not much considered, is the smell of fat that is roasted on the altar of sacrifice, along with meaty portions with salt and bread and oil. It’s disturbingly irreverent to think that breeze coming off the Temple mount would carry the similarly appealing smells of …McDonalds?

The Temple would then require to not only be visually a representation of the peculiar holiness of God; but a sweet whiff of the air carried a distinctiveness to the Holy Land that would be found nowhere else in the world. When returning from afar, and breathing Jerusalem air, the Jew would know that he is home, and be reminded of the specialness of this place, without even having to lift his eyes. The distinctiveness of the Covenant relationship would pass by at random intervals, would ride on the breeze, reminding His people the sweetness of His promises.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Exodus 31:1 KJV)

See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: (Exodus 31:2 KJV)

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (Exodus 31:3 KJV)

To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, (Exodus 31:4 KJV)

And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. (Exodus 31:5 KJV)

And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; (Exodus 31:6 KJV)

The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, (Exodus 31:7 KJV)

And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, (Exodus 31:8 KJV)

And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, (Exodus 31:9 KJV)

And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office, (Exodus 31:10 KJV)

And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do. (Exodus 31:11 KJV)

Early we have evidence that Adonai doesn’t designate all of His services through one man, nor is His will the product delivered through the understanding of one man. While Moses was given the design and shown the vision of the Tabernacle, the utility of how to bring this into reality was not for Moses to be a part. The Spirit of God speaks and works through whom He wills and not according to the hierarchy that we, who like to think of ourselves as "in charge", determines.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Exodus 31:12 KJV)

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. (Exodus 31:13 KJV)

Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (Exodus 31:14 KJV)

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 31:15 KJV)

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. (Exodus 31:16 KJV)

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. (Exodus 31:17 KJV)

Of all the commands and prohibitions given in , even thus far, the remembrance and observance of the Sabbath day is held as distinctively significant. How amazing that those who claim to worship this God in the deliverance afforded by the Messiah so easily dismiss it as irrelevant.

It is worth noting that the words "sabbaths" is plural. This includes not only the weekly observance; but also the commanded festivals of rest: the first and eighth day of Unleavened Bread, Shavaot (Pentecost), the first and eighth day of Sukkot (Tabernacles), Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The gentile Church actually turns this passage against the Observant so as to declare that Sabbath is not for them, that this is a distinctly Jewish observance. However, Paul’s appeals to the gentile believers to assimilate into the commonwealth of Israel fall of deaf ears. Messiah’s command in Matthew 28 to teach the gentiles to observe "all things" is absolutely ignored.

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18 KJV)

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. (Exodus 32:1 KJV)

Now, forty days is a long time. And when the mountain is covered with smoke and fire and thunderings that already scare you to incontinence, the idea of Moses not ever coming back is a fairly reasonable estimation. Yet, the response of the people is an immediate reversal of the one thing they had established as a single people after having left the bondage of the Egyptians. "All that the Lord has spoken we will do."

In the study of ergonomics, a great deal of emphasis is placed upon establishing "habit strength." Habit strength is the manner in which you revert to the way you do things without thinking about them. Bad habits result in poor performance of a task and often injury. Good habits are sustainable. When separated from the scrutiny of Moses as the external motivator for living righteously, the people reverted to "habit strength": that which felt normal and natural or comfortable.

Paul admonishes Timothy to "continue in the things which you have heard", to develop "habit strength" according to the Word of God. The inclination is to hear the Word as something new, accept it intellectually and then go on. The result is golden calf type stuff, a reversion to a previous habit strength, not having established the correct mode as intuitive habit.

And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. (Exodus 32:2 KJV)

And all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. (Exodus 32:3 KJV)

And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (Exodus 32:4 KJV)

And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD. (Exodus 32:5 KJV)

In many English translations, the Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey, the specific term used to identify the One Most High God is "LORD" in all caps. The scenario is telling. The practical conduct of Aaron and the people is a demonstration of pagan idolatry; but his verbal declaration gives glory to Adonai. This response is what is commonly found in the Christian Church, as well as many structures of religion promoting their own methods of worship: we’re going to do things the way we want to do them; but because we declare the name of God then it must be okay.

And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. (Exodus 32:6 KJV)

The word "tsaw-kak" means "to laugh." It’s the unvarnished, inhibited, down to your toes belly-laugh. In the broadest application, it simply means to cut loose. The image we see, then, around the golden calf is a free-for-all.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: (Exodus 32:7 KJV)

I find this hilarious. "Me?!!" Moses must have thought. "I didn’t bring them up out of Egypt! You’re the One who brought them out of Egypt, not me!"

They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshiped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (Exodus 32:8 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: (Exodus 32:9 KJV)

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (Exodus 32:10 KJV)

And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? (Exodus 32:11 KJV)

Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. (Exodus 32:12 KJV)

Moses may be referring to a statement made by Pharaoh in Exodus 10:10, where he said, "evil is ahead of you." There is noted an Egyptian astrological prophecy that the Hebrews would be slaughtered in the wilderness. The fulfillment of this prophecy is understood by Joshua (in Joshua 5:9) to actually have referred to the circumcision of the people before crossing the Jordan.

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou sworest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it forever. (Exodus 32:13 KJV)

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (Exodus 32:14 KJV)

The word "repented" is unfortunate. The word "nah-kham" means "to sigh or to relax." It is similar to the word "Noakh", found in Genesis 5:29, and is translated "comfort" in that verse. Adonai is not a man that he should repent (Numbers 23:19). While the same word is used, it’s application is not all the same.

The necessary point of this story, though, is that a man was willing and capable of standing between the just wrath of God and the people deserving His judgment. It is in this manner that Messiah is to come after the manner of Moses.

And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. (Exodus 32:15 KJV)

And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. (Exodus 32:16 KJV)

And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. (Exodus 32:17 KJV)

And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. (Exodus 32:18 KJV)

Who said rock music can’t be found in the Bible!

And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount. (Exodus 32:19 KJV)

In breaking the first tablets of stone, some hypothesize that as Moses destroyed the first tablets of stone, Messiah would break the Law of condemnation. There may be some relevance to this, except that the second tablet which will be made is like unto the first. What is more significant is that Moses didn’t smash the tablets over somebody’s head (that the Law is used to destroy), rather the purpose of the Law is to bring about repentance (it’s hard to do that with someone delirious with concussion).

And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. (Exodus 32:20 KJV)

And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? (Exodus 32:21 KJV)

And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. (Exodus 32:22 KJV)

Rabbinical tradition comes to Aaron’s defense to suggest the people first murdered Hur (who is not found later in Scripture). Aaron’s actions are understood to be under duress and as a act of self preservation. This explanation allows us to understand Adonai’s silence concerning this issue and gives no condemnation upon Aaron for his involvement. Sages later build upon this idea to say that can be broken if it is necessary for the preservation of life.

For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. (Exodus 32:23 KJV)

And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. (Exodus 32:24 KJV)

And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their among their enemies:) (Exodus 32:25 KJV)

Nakedness may or may not mean ala-freskae. The casting off of one’s ornaments can easily be an application of this term, also the laying down of their armor so as to participate in the festivities could also be the meaning. The idea of shaming the people before their enemies, literally, making them a spectacle of abhorrence, would not likely be from taking off all their clothes (rather such may be considered an invitation as is later reversed in Numbers 25).

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. (Exodus 32:26 KJV)

And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. (Exodus 32:27 KJV)

And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. (Exodus 32:28 KJV)

For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. (Exodus 32:29 KJV)

Levi had been cursed by his father Israel for his wrath against the people of Shechem (Genesis 34, 49:5). The result is that neither he nor his brother Simeon would be established in the kingdom of Israel. The response of the Levites, in their zeal for God’s righteousness, turned this curse into a blessing: that they would possess inheritance as part of the entire land.

It is said that the Levites rallied to Moses because he, himself, was a Levite. We always get into just a little bit of trouble when trying to figure out the motives of others. Yet, clearly, their obedience and zeal of the Levites is rewarded in the special relationship they will have with Adonai and the remaining tribes.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. (Exodus 32:30 KJV)

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. (Exodus 32:31 KJV)

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. (Exodus 32:32 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. (Exodus 32:33 KJV)

Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. (Exodus 32:34 KJV)

And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. (Exodus 32:35 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I swore unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: (Exodus 33:1 KJV)

And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: (Exodus 33:2 KJV)

Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. (Exodus 33:3 KJV)

And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. (Exodus 33:4 KJV)

For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. (Exodus 33:5 KJV)

And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb. (Exodus 33:6 KJV)

And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. (Exodus 33:7 KJV)

And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. (Exodus 33:8 KJV)

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. (Exodus 33:9 KJV)

And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshiped, every man in his tent door. (Exodus 33:10 KJV)

And the LORD spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. (Exodus 33:11 KJV)

And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. (Exodus 33:12 KJV)

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. (Exodus 33:13 KJV)

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exodus 33:14 KJV)

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. (Exodus 33:15 KJV)

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. (Exodus 33:16 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. (Exodus 33:17 KJV)

And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. (Exodus 33:18 KJV)

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. (Exodus 33:19 KJV)

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. (Exodus 33:20 KJV)

And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: (Exodus 33:21 KJV)

And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: (Exodus 33:22 KJV)

And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. (Exodus 33:23 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou didst break. (Exodus 34:1 KJV)

And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. (Exodus 34:2 KJV)

And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. (Exodus 34:3 KJV)

And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. (Exodus 34:4 KJV)

And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. (Exodus 34:5 KJV)

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, (Exodus 34:6 KJV)

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:7 KJV)

And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. (Exodus 34:8 KJV)

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance. (Exodus 34:9 KJV)

And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. (Exodus 34:10 KJV)

Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. (Exodus 34:11 KJV)

Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: (Exodus 34:12 KJV)

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: (Exodus 34:13 KJV)

For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: (Exodus 34:14 KJV)

Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; (Exodus 34:15 KJV)

And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. (Exodus 34:16 KJV)

Thou shalt make thee no molten gods. (Exodus 34:17 KJV)

The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt. (Exodus 34:18 KJV)

All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male. (Exodus 34:19 KJV)

But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. (Exodus 34:20 KJV)

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest. (Exodus 34:21 KJV)

And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end. (Exodus 34:22 KJV)

Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. (Exodus 34:23 KJV)

For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year. (Exodus 34:24 KJV)

Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning. (Exodus 34:25 KJV)

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk. (Exodus 34:26 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. (Exodus 34:27 KJV)

And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (Exodus 34:28 KJV)

And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. (Exodus 34:29 KJV)

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. (Exodus 34:30 KJV)

And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. (Exodus 34:31 KJV)

And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. (Exodus 34:32 KJV)

And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. (Exodus 34:33 KJV)

But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out. And he came out, and spoke unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. (Exodus 34:34 KJV)

And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. (Exodus 34:35 KJV)

It’d be nice if we could all just get along together and be happy. It’d a really special world if no one ever did anything stupid or offensive, hurtful or shocking, wouldn’t it?

No. It would be boring. It would be plastic. There would be no depth, nor compassion, nor understanding, there would be no comprehension of what it means to love and to be loved.

Israel could not have screwed things up any worse than sacrificing to a golden calf. The Moabite deity known as Chemosh represented all the depravity that condemned the native peoples of the land to wiped away.

Adonai’s response is not to ignore the circumstances. Such is a misunderstanding grace and forgiveness. He rather holds them accountable, corrects the problem and takes the steps of re-establishing relationship: not picking up where they left off as though nothing had happened; but sincerely determining what really needs to be done to get from where we are in relationship to where we really desire to be.

It’s funny that when we bring a couple together for marriage counseling and explain these truths: that your relationship is not what it was when you were dating, that if you want things to get better it’s going to take work, that damage to a relationship requires healing as opposed to overlooking. When we consider the idea of being an offense to God, we figure that He just wipes everything away. Fortunately or unfortunately, He’s not like that. He wants to be in a relationship with us, not simply an administrator.

The steps described in this portion are instrumental in understanding how we deal with relational problems. First, take a step back. Don’t do anything nor allow anything that will cause further offense. Next, offer concession and reconciliation: ask forgiveness and offer it in return as business needing to be done, acknowledging that hurts have been caused and a desire to come together again. Next, identify practical, tangible steps that need to be taken in order to build the relationship in a positive direction. Finally, expose yourself, little by little, with a renewed commitment to intimacy as you begin again to learn who you are in your relationship.

This is a consistent pattern that the Most High follows with us, as we commit ourselves to walk in love and obedience to Him. It is difficult for us to realize that each time we willfully sin against Him, we begin this process over again. It is our common misconception that we sin, ask forgiveness, and pick up where ever we left off as if nothing had happened. The result is that we find ourselves repeatedly walking through the same muck over and over again. When we sin, we must begin the process with asking forgiveness; but then continue to walk through the process, of prayerfully growing toward intimacy, listening to His leading as what specific steps we need to follow in order to rebuild our relationship with Him.

[alon]

Oh, you are all going to hate me. I have combined three of mark's posts (but only one of them is really long) and am bumping them up as this weeks par'shah. 

Dan C