Parashah: “T'rumah” (elevated offerings) EXODUS 25:1-27:19
In this Torah (Bible) study we see that a request is made for a “free-will offering” so that the Tabernacle can be built and the furnishings for the same. As we remember, when the Israelites left Egypt, they left with quite a treasure which the Egyptians gave them so that they would leave. We could consider this “back pay” for all their work for four hundred years. The root word for "T'rumah" is "rum" (elevate)
Egypt had quite a wealth in gold, silver, gems, fine fabrics, etc, and now, Egypt remained poor and in ruins while the Children of Israel left with the “spoils of war” a war which YHVH fought against the gods of Egypt, and won. So, in a battle, the spoils of war belong to the victor. So, while the Israelites were protected, God fought against the demonic entities, in the guise of the “gods of Egypt” Pharaoh included. So, rightly, the riches and spoils of Egypt belong to YHVH, being carried by HIS people.
So, where in the desert are the people going to spend it all? they are just carrying it around, a lot of extra weight and burden, might as well put it to good use. The plan is to build a place where YHVH can come down and live with his chosen people. It isn't that YHVH can only live in one place, He is eternal, everywhere, yet He will “rest” with His people, minister to His people right there, visible by a cloud by day and fire by night. The “invisible God” will be “visible” in those two ways.
In “Yitro” The Torah was given to Israel, and the marriage “Ketubah” was given in the form of the Ten Commandments, written in stone, In “Mishpatim” “justice” was given, and some more commandments explained by YHVH through Moshe, and now, YHVH is saying “Take ME into your life, make ME a place to dwell among you”
We look at 25:8, and something is interesting; “.and let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them…” Thus said Adonai speaking to Moshe. The word “to dwell among” is “Shakhn’ti” and it not only means “to dwell among” it also means “to dwell inside” and that is the way it is today, the “Ruach Elohim” the “Spirit of God" dwells “inside” of every born-again believer. God is our “neighbor”. The word “neighbor” in Hebrew is the word; “Shakhein” and we can see those letters in the word “shakhn’ti” The three main letters in the word “Shakhein” are “sheen” “kaph” and “nun” “sh” “k” “n” we can also see those letters “inside” the word “Mishkan” (tabernacle) and the word “Shekinah” (the Shekinah glory) today we know it as the Spirit of God, who dwells inside every believer. So, YHVH is our “neighbor” who dwells inside of us 24-7.
Hebrews 3:6 states that "All believers are the "House of Adonai", so, if we are HIS house, why the Tabernacle? It is a place of "encounter" where God will meet with His appointed leaders (the Levites and priests). Just like we meet in buildings to learn God's Word and to fellowship with other believers. The synagogues and church buildings are for our sake and not for God's sake. HE is everywhere, from the ultimate corners of the universe to our own back yards.
The building project was, one could say, financed by Egypt. For 4 hundred years, Israel worked for a hard taskmaster, “Pharaoh and Company” working as brick masons and field hands, now, Israel has a new master, The Creator of the Universe, the Maker of Man, the future “Yeshua Ha Mashiach” A place will be built for HIM to minister to his people, and every piece of furniture will reflect who HE IS.
Gold, silver, precious stones, fabric, and wood. Now there is a question, where did the wood come from? Is there any Shitim and Acacia trees in the desert? If one looks at the desert of Saudi Arabia today, even through “Google Maps” or “Google Earth” one can see almost no trees, just bare mountains. But we are talking about a desert almost 4000 years ago, it was probably very different, it had to be, remember that the Israelites brought with them cattle and sheep, what are they going to eat? Sand? No, there had to have been vegetation, trees. They could have cut the trees down in the desert and fashioned them into boards for the “Mishkan” (tabernacle) or they might have brought them out of Egypt, already cut and fashioned, perhaps some of the Egyptian lumber yards just gave them all that, since not all of the Egyptians were rich in gold and silver (just an idea)
This is a “free-will offering” Moshe states, “of every man whose heart maketh him willing”. So it was not forced, it was “of free will”. We know that the people gladly gave, so much that later on, Moshe has to say,
“Stop giving already, we have enough”. Can you imagine a pastor or rabbi from a church or synagogue that would say that to his congregation, “OK brothers and sisters, we have enough money for all of our needs, you can stop giving..” I don't think that will ever happen, When one gives of his or her time, talent, and treasure, God gives back many times over. Money is like a conduit, it should flow like water through a pipe, to be spread out, not “backlogged” Today, when we think of "offerings" we are reminded of the three "T"s (Time, Talent, and Treasure) We can offer up our time, our talents (through our spiritual gifts) and our money.
Adonai has promised us that He would provide for ALL of our needs, through his abundance in grace, both in spiritual ways, physical, and material ways, if we will only trust Him. He provided bread (Manna) and water to the Israelites throughout their 40-year journey in the desert. He will provide for us too, if we will trust him for our provisions.
There are two words; "Mishkan" (Tabernacle as a whole) from "Sh'ken" (to dwell close) and "Mikdash" (sanctuary) from the word "Kadosh" (Holy, or Holiness) So, God will dwell with His people in all Holiness, as He dwells with us all the Tabernacles of our bodies and souls.
So, the building project consists of the “tent of meeting” (The tabernacle/Mishkan) with its wooden boards, bars, clamps, and curtains of linen, the furniture that would go inside; The brazen Altar, the brazen Laver, the Menorah, the table of shew-bread, the incense altar, and finally, the Ark of the Covenant, (Aron Ha Kodesh). Each and every one of these pieces reflects who Yeshua is and his finished work on Calvary's cross.
In this Torah (Bible) study we see that a request is made for a “free-will offering” so that the Tabernacle can be built and the furnishings for the same. As we remember, when the Israelites left Egypt, they left with quite a treasure which the Egyptians gave them so that they would leave. We could consider this “back pay” for all their work for four hundred years. The root word for "T'rumah" is "rum" (elevate)
Egypt had quite a wealth in gold, silver, gems, fine fabrics, etc, and now, Egypt remained poor and in ruins while the Children of Israel left with the “spoils of war” a war which YHVH fought against the gods of Egypt, and won. So, in a battle, the spoils of war belong to the victor. So, while the Israelites were protected, God fought against the demonic entities, in the guise of the “gods of Egypt” Pharaoh included. So, rightly, the riches and spoils of Egypt belong to YHVH, being carried by HIS people.
So, where in the desert are the people going to spend it all? they are just carrying it around, a lot of extra weight and burden, might as well put it to good use. The plan is to build a place where YHVH can come down and live with his chosen people. It isn't that YHVH can only live in one place, He is eternal, everywhere, yet He will “rest” with His people, minister to His people right there, visible by a cloud by day and fire by night. The “invisible God” will be “visible” in those two ways.
In “Yitro” The Torah was given to Israel, and the marriage “Ketubah” was given in the form of the Ten Commandments, written in stone, In “Mishpatim” “justice” was given, and some more commandments explained by YHVH through Moshe, and now, YHVH is saying “Take ME into your life, make ME a place to dwell among you”
We look at 25:8, and something is interesting; “.and let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them…” Thus said Adonai speaking to Moshe. The word “to dwell among” is “Shakhn’ti” and it not only means “to dwell among” it also means “to dwell inside” and that is the way it is today, the “Ruach Elohim” the “Spirit of God" dwells “inside” of every born-again believer. God is our “neighbor”. The word “neighbor” in Hebrew is the word; “Shakhein” and we can see those letters in the word “shakhn’ti” The three main letters in the word “Shakhein” are “sheen” “kaph” and “nun” “sh” “k” “n” we can also see those letters “inside” the word “Mishkan” (tabernacle) and the word “Shekinah” (the Shekinah glory) today we know it as the Spirit of God, who dwells inside every believer. So, YHVH is our “neighbor” who dwells inside of us 24-7.
Hebrews 3:6 states that "All believers are the "House of Adonai", so, if we are HIS house, why the Tabernacle? It is a place of "encounter" where God will meet with His appointed leaders (the Levites and priests). Just like we meet in buildings to learn God's Word and to fellowship with other believers. The synagogues and church buildings are for our sake and not for God's sake. HE is everywhere, from the ultimate corners of the universe to our own back yards.
The building project was, one could say, financed by Egypt. For 4 hundred years, Israel worked for a hard taskmaster, “Pharaoh and Company” working as brick masons and field hands, now, Israel has a new master, The Creator of the Universe, the Maker of Man, the future “Yeshua Ha Mashiach” A place will be built for HIM to minister to his people, and every piece of furniture will reflect who HE IS.
Gold, silver, precious stones, fabric, and wood. Now there is a question, where did the wood come from? Is there any Shitim and Acacia trees in the desert? If one looks at the desert of Saudi Arabia today, even through “Google Maps” or “Google Earth” one can see almost no trees, just bare mountains. But we are talking about a desert almost 4000 years ago, it was probably very different, it had to be, remember that the Israelites brought with them cattle and sheep, what are they going to eat? Sand? No, there had to have been vegetation, trees. They could have cut the trees down in the desert and fashioned them into boards for the “Mishkan” (tabernacle) or they might have brought them out of Egypt, already cut and fashioned, perhaps some of the Egyptian lumber yards just gave them all that, since not all of the Egyptians were rich in gold and silver (just an idea)
This is a “free-will offering” Moshe states, “of every man whose heart maketh him willing”. So it was not forced, it was “of free will”. We know that the people gladly gave, so much that later on, Moshe has to say,
“Stop giving already, we have enough”. Can you imagine a pastor or rabbi from a church or synagogue that would say that to his congregation, “OK brothers and sisters, we have enough money for all of our needs, you can stop giving..” I don't think that will ever happen, When one gives of his or her time, talent, and treasure, God gives back many times over. Money is like a conduit, it should flow like water through a pipe, to be spread out, not “backlogged” Today, when we think of "offerings" we are reminded of the three "T"s (Time, Talent, and Treasure) We can offer up our time, our talents (through our spiritual gifts) and our money.
Adonai has promised us that He would provide for ALL of our needs, through his abundance in grace, both in spiritual ways, physical, and material ways, if we will only trust Him. He provided bread (Manna) and water to the Israelites throughout their 40-year journey in the desert. He will provide for us too, if we will trust him for our provisions.
There are two words; "Mishkan" (Tabernacle as a whole) from "Sh'ken" (to dwell close) and "Mikdash" (sanctuary) from the word "Kadosh" (Holy, or Holiness) So, God will dwell with His people in all Holiness, as He dwells with us all the Tabernacles of our bodies and souls.
So, the building project consists of the “tent of meeting” (The tabernacle/Mishkan) with its wooden boards, bars, clamps, and curtains of linen, the furniture that would go inside; The brazen Altar, the brazen Laver, the Menorah, the table of shew-bread, the incense altar, and finally, the Ark of the Covenant, (Aron Ha Kodesh). Each and every one of these pieces reflects who Yeshua is and his finished work on Calvary's cross.
