Preparing for a Purpose

In the last few Parashot, we have been reading about and studying the making of the Tabernacle in the desert and all its individual parts.  But where did the Israelites get such expensive materials as gold, silver, bronze, and precious fabrics and hides since they were slaves in the land they had just fled from?  What’s more, although they had these treasures in their possession, they were still dependent on YHVH to feed and provide them with water.  Doubtlessly, all those material goods were given to them by the Egyptians who were eager for them to leave, especially after the slaying of the latter’s firstborn (see Ex. 11:2, 3; 12:36).  But why did the Elohim of Israel cause this to happen? He obviously knew that one day they would need all those goods to contribute to building His dwelling place.  

Many years later, King David, Solomon’s father, was inspired to prepare all the means for constructing a grand edifice for YHVH (see 1st Chronicles 17:1). David gathered and amassed all the materials beforehand. And although he was prevented from building it himself, he saw to it that all the necessary components would be provided for (see 1st Chronicles 17:4; 22:2-17; 28:11:19; 29:2-9). Thus, Solomon was tasked to build the Temple for YHVH’s dwelling place in Jerusalem.   But as it was in the case of the Tabernacle, preparations were made beforehand by another. 

In the New Covenant, we read about another temple or tabernacle that is being prepared for the Glory of YHVH to dwell in (see 1st Corinthians 3:16-19; 2nd Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21; 1st Peter 2:5).  But this time, it is made up of living stones. Where is YHVH getting these precious stones, and who is preparing them?  This begs another question: Who will YHVH entrust or anoint to construct this last building for His Glorious presence? 

Notice in the following it was not until the structure was finished that the glory fell. “Thus Moses finished the work.  Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of YHVH filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of YHVH filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:33-35).

“Now it came about when Solomon had finished building the house of YHVH”… (1 Kings 9:1).  And after, “the priests brought the ark of the covenant of YHVH to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the holy of holies”… (2 Chronicles 5:7). “And it came about when the priests came out from the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of YHVH, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of YHVH filled the house of YHVH”  (1 Kings 8:10-11). 

It is interesting to note that the glory filled the Tabernacle and the Temple when Moses and Solomon finished building them.  Now, what about the tabernacle/temple that Yeshua is building out of what His Father prepared for Him to build and finish? Revelation chapter 21 gives us a glimpse into that glorious Day.

From these three examples, we can extrapolate the Creator’s original purpose in preparing for His ultimate intention to make Man in His image and according to His likeness, in order for him to become the indwelling expression of Elohim’s unseen presence… 

Rapture and Wrath

 There are two connected subjects that I love staying away from - they are the “rapture” and the “wrath of Elohim”. In a recent discussion with someone who is becoming increasingly interested in the two-house message and the restoration of the whole house of Israel, the latter asked the inevitable question, “Do you believe in the rapture?” (Years ago, when sharing about the two houses of Israel, we would occasionally get this response: “I guess you don’t believe in hell”. To this day I don’t understand the connection.)

Since he had asked the question about the rapture, and we had just finished a conversation about the book of Daniel, I thought to remind him about the three men who were thrown into the fire and, in the midst of the burning furnace, experienced the presence of the Fourth Man. Daniel himself witnessed the 'strange' behavior of hungry lions. How about the Israelites surviving forty years in the desert? Or what about Stephen getting stoned to death while others faced even worse trials (e.g. Hebrews 11:35b-37)?  Was it the "wrath of Elohim" that brought about their suffering or a demonstration of Yah's grace?  And how many times did the Almighty save or preserve His people while simultaneously pouring out His wrath on His/their enemies?

The Spirit of Elohim, residing in us, shelters us from the enemy so that we would come to know Him. However, there are times when that does not happen. But that, too, is designed for us to draw closer to Him. One way or another, our Father’s chief motivation is for us to be bonded to Himself.

 Many of His names/titles relate to our needs during life’s good and bad circumstances. Instead of fearing hardship or even the great tribulation, we should be more confident that He will be our shelter (Elohim Mach’sey’nu). We are assured that even though “ten thousand fall at our right hand” (ref. Ps. 91:7), He can still protect us because of Who He is in us! He is our Miphlatey’nu (our Refuge), our Moshi’ey’nu (our Savior/Deliverer), our M’tzuda’tey’nu (our Fortress) -”a present help in troublesome times” (ref. Ps. 46:1). Indeed, the Psalms provide great encouragement to our faith, hope and trust, as does the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 11. Thus, our relationship with the Almighty Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and our Messiah Yeshua is strengthened. What does it matter to my flesh whether it goes the way of so many martyred believers in history or if we take a fiery Tesla to heaven? What do we have to fear other than fear itself? 

For some, the word “wrath” seems to conjure up the worst of possibilities, but YHVH’s wrath is always poured out on the unrighteous and wicked who practice that which is deserving of such a response. “For the wrath of Elohim is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).  

YHVH has given a New Covenant believer His righteousness via the indwelling Holy Spirit. By His grace, we walk in His righteousness, keeping His commandments and putting our faith, hope, and trust in Him, our Redeemer Elohim and Father. He asks us not to worry about tomorrow because we live in His present Presence. The “now” (this moment) is the time to prepare for any future event. Through this daily relationship, we will grow in our understanding and knowledge of YHVH. He is just in all His ways and stays holy in executing justice. The more we know Him, the less we will be afraid of His wrath, but greater will be our reverence for Him as we learn to rest in the joy of His Shalom. 

“YHVH also will be a refuge – Misgav [a "high tower"] - for the oppressed, a refuge - Misgav - in times of trouble.  And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, YHVH, have not forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to YHVH who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people” (Psalm 9:9-11).