Post by alon on Mar 6, 2018 23:16:50 GMT -8
Par’shah 22 – Vayak’hel
This week’s reading schedule: PART 2
Date of reading: 10 March 2018/23 Adar 5778
Name of Par’shah: P’kudei (Accounts)
Par’shah: Exodus 38:21-40:38
Haftara: 1 Kings 7:40-8:21
Brit Chadashah: Revelation 15:5-8
This week’s readings: PART 1
Date of reading: 10 March 2018/23 Adar 5778
Name of Par’shah: Vayak’hel (He assembled)
Par’shah: Exodus 35:1-38:20
Haftara: 1 Kings 7:13-26, 40-50
Brit Chadashah: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Hebrews 9:1-14; Revelation 11:1-13
D’rash: Exodus 35:1-3: Moshe assembled the whole community of the people of Israel and said to them, “These are the things which Adonai has ordered you to do. In six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a holy day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest in honor of Adonai. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death. You are not to kindle a fire in any of your homes on Shabbat.”
The first time the Shabbat is mentioned is in Genesis 2:1-3 where Adonai Himself rested after working six days on creation. Not that He gets tired and weary in a physical sense (Psalm 121:4) but to set an example for us to follow. This is such an important day that He blessed it and separated it as holy, a perpetual sign and covenant to be obeyed throughout all generations. It was designed for our benefit, set apart for us so that we may know He is Adonai, who sets us apart for Himself (Exodus 31:12-17; Mark 2:27). As with some commandments (but not all!) there is a grace period associated with learning—as when some of the Israelites were rebuked for going out to gather manna on Shabbat rather than remembering that they gathered twice as much on the sixth day (Exodus 16:4-5, 13-30). But after some time, when it was established and fully observed while still in the desert, we see in the account of Numbers 15:32-36, that the man caught gathering wood on Shabbat was executed. To those who don’t know G-d or are cynical towards Him, this sentence may appear harsh and unfair. However, this man knowingly profaned what G-d set apart as holy, in addition to refusing to rest and likely collecting wood to start a fire which he could have easily done on one or more of the other six days; G-d was completely just in His decision. In relation to what this man did, he may have just as well shaken his fist at G-d and arrogantly tell Him that he was going to do it his own way. But in a positive sense, those who follow G-d out of a love will view Shabbat and the rest of His commandments as blessings and benefits. Yes, the consequences of violation are there but love will attract and draw one towards G-d and obedience to Him; following out of fear also works but it is far from the ideal (1 John 4:18).
Another purpose for Shabbat is found in Deuteronomy 5:15 which says, “You are to remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Adonai your G-d brought you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.” In our culture, some believers may remember their old life of slavery to drugs, alcohol, and debauchery and how they turned to G-d in desperation who, in turn, came and delivered them. Others who have not walked that road but still felt empty inside may remember that Adonai was the missing puzzle piece that gave their life meaning. Still others, who accepted Yeshua early in life and were trained in obedience can certainly recall the blessings of the past. Remembering the works of G-d in our lives will help keep pride from taking hold of us and will also encourage us to keep pressing forward in current times of trials and testing (Deuteronomy 8:11-18; Psalm 42:3-6; Philippians 4:8). King David says it well in Psalm 63:5-6: “I am as satisfied as with rich food; my mouth praises You with joy on my lips when I remember You on my bed and meditate on You in the night watches.”
Shabbat also is a time for the gathering of the Messianic Community and instruction of
. This regular gathering is essential not only for the sake of fellowship but also to strengthen and maintain our faith after being exposed to the world in our normal routines for the previous six days (Hebrews 10:25). Even if our associations in the world are not necessarily evil, this does not negate our need for assembling, given the fact that is usually not a topic of conversation throughout the week. Also, our personal study of is oftentimes enhanced on Shabbat. G-d may teach us something on this day that we would otherwise not have learned on the other six. Even nominal believers or unbelievers can sense the specialness of Shabbat. What student, on a Friday night, did not breathe a sigh of relief from academic instruction, reports, and tests? Whether from school or work, there are lots of people who naturally celebrate Shabbat by getting out and engaging in nonwork activities such as skiing, camping, hiking, bicycling, hunting, fishing, or whatever. Knowingly or unknowingly, they do sense the love of G-d through His creation (Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20). Unfortunately, they miss out on the full blessing by not experiencing a close, personal relationship with G-d and congregational and personal instruction of that would help them strengthen their spiritual walk and feel closer to Him.
And finally, the earthly Shabbat we have now is a shadow of greater things to come, namely the heavenly rest. This is the rest that we all need to strive for diligently (Hebrews 4:11). The generation that came out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness failed to enter into that rest because of their lack of trust and disobedience (Hebrews 3:15-19). We also are warned not to allow within ourselves that same evil heart of unbelief that could cause use to apostatize from the Living G-d (Hebrews 3:12). If we remain faithful and steadfast, then we shall enter into G-d’s rest, and rest also from our works, just as G-d did from His after creation (Hebrews 4:10). Emissary Yochanan confirms this in Revelation 14:13: Next I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: ‘How blessed are the dead who die united with the L-rd, from now on!’ ‘Yes’, ‘Says the Spirit, ‘now they may rest from their efforts, for the things they have accomplished follow along within them.’”
MRD
References: Our Rabbi; Scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stearn, copyright 1998
This week’s reading schedule: PART 2
Date of reading: 10 March 2018/23 Adar 5778
Name of Par’shah: P’kudei (Accounts)
Par’shah: Exodus 38:21-40:38
Haftara: 1 Kings 7:40-8:21
Brit Chadashah: Revelation 15:5-8
This week’s readings: PART 1
Date of reading: 10 March 2018/23 Adar 5778
Name of Par’shah: Vayak’hel (He assembled)
Par’shah: Exodus 35:1-38:20
Haftara: 1 Kings 7:13-26, 40-50
Brit Chadashah: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Hebrews 9:1-14; Revelation 11:1-13
D’rash: Exodus 35:1-3: Moshe assembled the whole community of the people of Israel and said to them, “These are the things which Adonai has ordered you to do. In six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a holy day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest in honor of Adonai. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death. You are not to kindle a fire in any of your homes on Shabbat.”
The first time the Shabbat is mentioned is in Genesis 2:1-3 where Adonai Himself rested after working six days on creation. Not that He gets tired and weary in a physical sense (Psalm 121:4) but to set an example for us to follow. This is such an important day that He blessed it and separated it as holy, a perpetual sign and covenant to be obeyed throughout all generations. It was designed for our benefit, set apart for us so that we may know He is Adonai, who sets us apart for Himself (Exodus 31:12-17; Mark 2:27). As with some commandments (but not all!) there is a grace period associated with learning—as when some of the Israelites were rebuked for going out to gather manna on Shabbat rather than remembering that they gathered twice as much on the sixth day (Exodus 16:4-5, 13-30). But after some time, when it was established and fully observed while still in the desert, we see in the account of Numbers 15:32-36, that the man caught gathering wood on Shabbat was executed. To those who don’t know G-d or are cynical towards Him, this sentence may appear harsh and unfair. However, this man knowingly profaned what G-d set apart as holy, in addition to refusing to rest and likely collecting wood to start a fire which he could have easily done on one or more of the other six days; G-d was completely just in His decision. In relation to what this man did, he may have just as well shaken his fist at G-d and arrogantly tell Him that he was going to do it his own way. But in a positive sense, those who follow G-d out of a love will view Shabbat and the rest of His commandments as blessings and benefits. Yes, the consequences of violation are there but love will attract and draw one towards G-d and obedience to Him; following out of fear also works but it is far from the ideal (1 John 4:18).
Another purpose for Shabbat is found in Deuteronomy 5:15 which says, “You are to remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Adonai your G-d brought you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.” In our culture, some believers may remember their old life of slavery to drugs, alcohol, and debauchery and how they turned to G-d in desperation who, in turn, came and delivered them. Others who have not walked that road but still felt empty inside may remember that Adonai was the missing puzzle piece that gave their life meaning. Still others, who accepted Yeshua early in life and were trained in obedience can certainly recall the blessings of the past. Remembering the works of G-d in our lives will help keep pride from taking hold of us and will also encourage us to keep pressing forward in current times of trials and testing (Deuteronomy 8:11-18; Psalm 42:3-6; Philippians 4:8). King David says it well in Psalm 63:5-6: “I am as satisfied as with rich food; my mouth praises You with joy on my lips when I remember You on my bed and meditate on You in the night watches.”
Shabbat also is a time for the gathering of the Messianic Community and instruction of
. This regular gathering is essential not only for the sake of fellowship but also to strengthen and maintain our faith after being exposed to the world in our normal routines for the previous six days (Hebrews 10:25). Even if our associations in the world are not necessarily evil, this does not negate our need for assembling, given the fact that is usually not a topic of conversation throughout the week. Also, our personal study of is oftentimes enhanced on Shabbat. G-d may teach us something on this day that we would otherwise not have learned on the other six. Even nominal believers or unbelievers can sense the specialness of Shabbat. What student, on a Friday night, did not breathe a sigh of relief from academic instruction, reports, and tests? Whether from school or work, there are lots of people who naturally celebrate Shabbat by getting out and engaging in nonwork activities such as skiing, camping, hiking, bicycling, hunting, fishing, or whatever. Knowingly or unknowingly, they do sense the love of G-d through His creation (Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20). Unfortunately, they miss out on the full blessing by not experiencing a close, personal relationship with G-d and congregational and personal instruction of that would help them strengthen their spiritual walk and feel closer to Him.And finally, the earthly Shabbat we have now is a shadow of greater things to come, namely the heavenly rest. This is the rest that we all need to strive for diligently (Hebrews 4:11). The generation that came out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness failed to enter into that rest because of their lack of trust and disobedience (Hebrews 3:15-19). We also are warned not to allow within ourselves that same evil heart of unbelief that could cause use to apostatize from the Living G-d (Hebrews 3:12). If we remain faithful and steadfast, then we shall enter into G-d’s rest, and rest also from our works, just as G-d did from His after creation (Hebrews 4:10). Emissary Yochanan confirms this in Revelation 14:13: Next I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: ‘How blessed are the dead who die united with the L-rd, from now on!’ ‘Yes’, ‘Says the Spirit, ‘now they may rest from their efforts, for the things they have accomplished follow along within them.’”
MRD
References: Our Rabbi; Scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stearn, copyright 1998
