Post by alon on Feb 25, 2018 13:56:37 GMT -8
Par’shah Tetzaveh
Next week’s reading schedule:
Date of reading: 24 February 2018/9 Adar 5778
Name of Par’shah: Ki Tissa (When you take)
Par’shah: Exodus 30:11-34:35
Haftara: 1 Kings 18:1-39
Brit Chadashah: Luke 11:14-20; Acts 7:35-8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18
This week’s readings:
Date of reading: 17 February 2018/2 Adar 5778
Name of Par’shah: Tetzaveh (You are to order)
Par’shah: Exodus 27:20-30:10
Haftara: Ezekiel 43:10-27
Brit Chadashah: Philippians 4:10-20
D’rash: A significant portion of this par’shah is dedicated to the instruction of the design of the priestly clothing and I would like to use this as a springboard to discuss scriptures symbolic meanings of clothing in general.
The first and obvious need for clothing resulted from the first sin when Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness. Their human efforts in sewing fig leaves together only reveals their shortcoming in covering themselves adequately and it took the intervention of Adonai to provide them animal skins not only to cover their nakedness but for the greater need to cover their sin (Hebrews 9:22). Nakedness is associated with
(in a public sense) and in Genesis 9:20-23 Noach’s sons, Shem and Yefet, respectfully covered him after he became intoxicated with too much wine. The KJV/NKJV describes the engaging in forbidden sexual sin in Leviticus, chapter 18, as “uncovering one’s nakedness.” When the nation of Israel was first being birthed, G-d saw her as a helpless infant which no one pitied. As she grew into a young woman, she was still naked and exposed and it was Adonai who covered her with His cloak and entered into a covenant with her (Ezekiel 16:3-14).
Clothing also gives recognition to an individual’s status or identity. In its most universal form, men and women in each culture dress distinctly different from each other and the
prohibits these boundaries from being violated (Deuteronomy 22:5). In our par’shah the holy garments for the high priest are to be set apart for serving G-d. They are to express dignity and honor since the high priest is to function as mediator between Adonai and man. In the parable of the king who prepared a wedding feast for his son (Matthew 22:1-14), when the invited guests refuse to attend, he commands his slaves to gather all they could find, whether good or bad. After the guests have all arrived, the king notices a man not wearing a wedding garment. In the custom of those times this garment was presented to a guest as a token of honor. In a spiritual sense, those who desire to be a part of the wedding banquet celebrated on the Last Day, it will be a requirement to be clothed with the garment of Yeshua’s redemptive work and obedience to His (Galatians 3:26-29). If not, we will be like that man in the parable who was ultimately cast out.
Clothing also is associated with character traits that individuals take on or are known for, whether in a positive or negative sense. In Psalm 73:6, Asaf laments the prosperity of the wicked, and comments that, “violence clothes them like a robe.” One of the characteristics of the excellent wife described in Proverbs 31 is that she is “clothed with strength and dignity.” (vs. 25). In Ephesians 4:21-24 and Colossians 3:9-10, Sha’ul instructs believers to “put on” or “clothe” themselves with the characteristics of the new nature in Yeshua, and Kefa admonishes us to clothe ourselves in humility towards one another (1 Kefa 5:5b). The prophet Isaiah rejoices that Adonai has clothed him in salvation and dressed him in a robe of triumph (Isaiah 61:10). Clothing expresses a state or condition of purity before G-d. This can be illustrated in the natural sense when one who had leprosy or other skin ailment would likely see the infection spread to his garment (Leviticus 13:47-59). In the spiritual realm, this concept goes back to the time of the Patriarchs. When G-d called Ya’akov to return to Beit El in the land of Kena’an, Ya’akov instructed his household to rid themselves of all the foreign gods they had in their possessions, purify themselves, and put on fresh clothes (Genesis 35:1-2). In other words, repent and obey G-d. Similarly, when Israel came to Mount Sinai, Adonai commanded Moshe to prepare the people to meet Him by having them wash their clothing (Exodus 19:9-15). In the revelation of Yochanan the elder informs him that the multitude standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, and that came out of the Great Persecution, were able to worship and serve G-d because they washed their robes and made them white with the Blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:13-14). Presented here are additional scriptures that illustrate these concepts:
Lamentations 4:13-14----One of the reasons that Jerusalem was destroyed was because of the sins of the prophets and priests, who were so polluted from shedding the blood of the righteous that nobody was able to even touch their clothing.
Zechariah 3:1-7----The prophet, in a vision, saw Y’hoshua the high priest as a burning stick snatched from the fire. His garments, covered in dung which represents guilt, were removed and replaced with fine robes and a clean turban and was exhorted to walk in the ways of Adonai and to perform his duties as high priest righteously.
Ephesians 5:27----As the future bride to Messiah, the Messianic Community is to be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without defect.
Ephesians 6:10-18----we are to put on all of the spiritual armor and weaponry that G-d provides so that we will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary, resist in the evil day, and remain standing after the battle is over.
James 5:2----Ya’akov severely rebukes the rich who are wicked, declaring that their clothes have become moth-eaten.
Jude 23----Jude instructs believers to show mercy to some people, but with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their vices. Let this be a warning to us that we need to be careful when attempting to help others, so that we don’t fall into their sin ourselves.
Therefore, let us wash our garments and live according to Sha’ul’s instructions found in 2 Corinthians 7:1: Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for G-d. And what are these promises? They are mentioned at the end of the previous chapter—For we are the temple of the living G-d—as G-d said, “I will house Myself in them, …and I will walk among you. I will be their G-d, and they will be My people.” Therefore Adonai says, “Go out from their midst; separate yourselves; don’t even touch what is unclean. Then I Myself will receive you. In fact, I will be Your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters.” says Adonai Tzva’ot. Then we will be prepared for the wedding banquet in Revelation 19:6-8: “Halleluyah! Adonai, G-d of heaven’s armies, has begun His reign! Let us rejoice and be glad! Let us give Him the glory! For the time has come for the wedding of the Lamb, and His Bride has prepared herself—fine linen, bright and clean has been given her to wear.” (“Fine linen” means the righteous deeds of G-d’s people).
Various commentaries, Studylight.org; The Complete Word Study Old Testament by AMG International, Inc. copyright 1994; Scriptures taken from The Complete Jewish Bible by David Stearn copyright 1998.
MRD
Next week’s reading schedule:
Date of reading: 24 February 2018/9 Adar 5778
Name of Par’shah: Ki Tissa (When you take)
Par’shah: Exodus 30:11-34:35
Haftara: 1 Kings 18:1-39
Brit Chadashah: Luke 11:14-20; Acts 7:35-8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18
This week’s readings:
Date of reading: 17 February 2018/2 Adar 5778
Name of Par’shah: Tetzaveh (You are to order)
Par’shah: Exodus 27:20-30:10
Haftara: Ezekiel 43:10-27
Brit Chadashah: Philippians 4:10-20
D’rash: A significant portion of this par’shah is dedicated to the instruction of the design of the priestly clothing and I would like to use this as a springboard to discuss scriptures symbolic meanings of clothing in general.
The first and obvious need for clothing resulted from the first sin when Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness. Their human efforts in sewing fig leaves together only reveals their shortcoming in covering themselves adequately and it took the intervention of Adonai to provide them animal skins not only to cover their nakedness but for the greater need to cover their sin (Hebrews 9:22). Nakedness is associated with
(in a public sense) and in Genesis 9:20-23 Noach’s sons, Shem and Yefet, respectfully covered him after he became intoxicated with too much wine. The KJV/NKJV describes the engaging in forbidden sexual sin in Leviticus, chapter 18, as “uncovering one’s nakedness.” When the nation of Israel was first being birthed, G-d saw her as a helpless infant which no one pitied. As she grew into a young woman, she was still naked and exposed and it was Adonai who covered her with His cloak and entered into a covenant with her (Ezekiel 16:3-14).Clothing also gives recognition to an individual’s status or identity. In its most universal form, men and women in each culture dress distinctly different from each other and the
prohibits these boundaries from being violated (Deuteronomy 22:5). In our par’shah the holy garments for the high priest are to be set apart for serving G-d. They are to express dignity and honor since the high priest is to function as mediator between Adonai and man. In the parable of the king who prepared a wedding feast for his son (Matthew 22:1-14), when the invited guests refuse to attend, he commands his slaves to gather all they could find, whether good or bad. After the guests have all arrived, the king notices a man not wearing a wedding garment. In the custom of those times this garment was presented to a guest as a token of honor. In a spiritual sense, those who desire to be a part of the wedding banquet celebrated on the Last Day, it will be a requirement to be clothed with the garment of Yeshua’s redemptive work and obedience to His (Galatians 3:26-29). If not, we will be like that man in the parable who was ultimately cast out.Clothing also is associated with character traits that individuals take on or are known for, whether in a positive or negative sense. In Psalm 73:6, Asaf laments the prosperity of the wicked, and comments that, “violence clothes them like a robe.” One of the characteristics of the excellent wife described in Proverbs 31 is that she is “clothed with strength and dignity.” (vs. 25). In Ephesians 4:21-24 and Colossians 3:9-10, Sha’ul instructs believers to “put on” or “clothe” themselves with the characteristics of the new nature in Yeshua, and Kefa admonishes us to clothe ourselves in humility towards one another (1 Kefa 5:5b). The prophet Isaiah rejoices that Adonai has clothed him in salvation and dressed him in a robe of triumph (Isaiah 61:10). Clothing expresses a state or condition of purity before G-d. This can be illustrated in the natural sense when one who had leprosy or other skin ailment would likely see the infection spread to his garment (Leviticus 13:47-59). In the spiritual realm, this concept goes back to the time of the Patriarchs. When G-d called Ya’akov to return to Beit El in the land of Kena’an, Ya’akov instructed his household to rid themselves of all the foreign gods they had in their possessions, purify themselves, and put on fresh clothes (Genesis 35:1-2). In other words, repent and obey G-d. Similarly, when Israel came to Mount Sinai, Adonai commanded Moshe to prepare the people to meet Him by having them wash their clothing (Exodus 19:9-15). In the revelation of Yochanan the elder informs him that the multitude standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, and that came out of the Great Persecution, were able to worship and serve G-d because they washed their robes and made them white with the Blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:13-14). Presented here are additional scriptures that illustrate these concepts:
Lamentations 4:13-14----One of the reasons that Jerusalem was destroyed was because of the sins of the prophets and priests, who were so polluted from shedding the blood of the righteous that nobody was able to even touch their clothing.
Zechariah 3:1-7----The prophet, in a vision, saw Y’hoshua the high priest as a burning stick snatched from the fire. His garments, covered in dung which represents guilt, were removed and replaced with fine robes and a clean turban and was exhorted to walk in the ways of Adonai and to perform his duties as high priest righteously.
Ephesians 5:27----As the future bride to Messiah, the Messianic Community is to be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without defect.
Ephesians 6:10-18----we are to put on all of the spiritual armor and weaponry that G-d provides so that we will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary, resist in the evil day, and remain standing after the battle is over.
James 5:2----Ya’akov severely rebukes the rich who are wicked, declaring that their clothes have become moth-eaten.
Jude 23----Jude instructs believers to show mercy to some people, but with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their vices. Let this be a warning to us that we need to be careful when attempting to help others, so that we don’t fall into their sin ourselves.
Therefore, let us wash our garments and live according to Sha’ul’s instructions found in 2 Corinthians 7:1: Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for G-d. And what are these promises? They are mentioned at the end of the previous chapter—For we are the temple of the living G-d—as G-d said, “I will house Myself in them, …and I will walk among you. I will be their G-d, and they will be My people.” Therefore Adonai says, “Go out from their midst; separate yourselves; don’t even touch what is unclean. Then I Myself will receive you. In fact, I will be Your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters.” says Adonai Tzva’ot. Then we will be prepared for the wedding banquet in Revelation 19:6-8: “Halleluyah! Adonai, G-d of heaven’s armies, has begun His reign! Let us rejoice and be glad! Let us give Him the glory! For the time has come for the wedding of the Lamb, and His Bride has prepared herself—fine linen, bright and clean has been given her to wear.” (“Fine linen” means the righteous deeds of G-d’s people).
Various commentaries, Studylight.org; The Complete Word Study Old Testament by AMG International, Inc. copyright 1994; Scriptures taken from The Complete Jewish Bible by David Stearn copyright 1998.
MRD
