Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1 - 24:18
February 4th - 10th
"If a bull gores..." Do you gore others with your doctrine? Are you "a pit without water"? Do you give a well without Living Water? Find out how to give Life.
The Sabbath before Pesach is called Sabbath HaGadol: “The Great Sabbath.” This is a great study of our “flesh nature” being a living sacrifice, offered up to Yahweh as His Witness and Bride. The actual understanding of Korban (Offering) is to be in His presence - “to come near."
This week’s study is a powerful picture of Yeshua. The five types of Korban (offerings) listed below are to bring us into HIS presence. We will always have a struggle with the flesh, even as Shaul (Paul) wrote in Romans 5; we continue to “do what we don’t want to do, and we don’t do what we should do.” Why? Our flesh is still alive and it is warring with our Yeshua Spirit in us. Thank Yahweh we have HIS Love, passion and the Korban of HIS flesh life, Yeshua.
Vayak’hel
We are commanded forever and ever to have the oil in the menorah. Don't worry—in His Presence He will light the Fire. It is the same today. (Exodus 27:20-21; Leviticus 24:3)
P’Kudei
This concept of a spiritual accounting plays an important role in this week's Torah portion, P’kudei. A major theme in the Parasha is how Moses gives an accounting of the materials used to build the Tabernacle. The close of Exodus gives us the full picture of Yahweh’s “Redemption.” Nachmanides (Ramban) mentions that “Redemption” should be the name of the book of Exodus. As man lost the right to be in YHVH’s presence at the Garden, it is now restored. Salvation, forgiveness, guidelines on how to live, how to worship, and when to worship are the major themes we’ll see in this week’s study, including HIS presence in HIS sanctuary—us. The Ark of the Testimony brings us into HIS witness.
Waiting on God... Still Waiting... Have you ever waited, and waited, and waited, wondering if He was still there, listening, caring? God's timing is perfect, but what do we do when His plan doesn't fit with our timing? Do we look for guidance elsewhere? Do we give up on Him? Consequences will follow each choice. He sets before us Life and Death, Blessings and Curses. What will we choose?
All of us fear judgment. No one likes to go to traffic court for a violation. Certainly we don't crave hearing our bosses' evaluation of our performance. And when we ponder the fact that God looks down upon us and judges us, it is quite a scary thought.
Jethro is a man of the world, (just like us). Why does Jethro come to Moses? Because the whole world heard about the Red Sea (a disaster for Egypt), and then another nation destroyed - the Amalekites!! Jethro was a seeker of Truth, a man with a heart for God’s truth! He then gives his life to Yahweh, making an offering to Him, and becomes one of the First Fruits of the Gentiles. Yahweh gives us guidance; The Ten Words-Aseret haDevarim. (John 1) Yeshua at Mount Sinai-Horeb.
Yahweh becomes the Guide to the Children, Joseph is honored; It’s all about His presence; Cloud & Fire. Just this section alone has three different examples of our lives; “Murmuring, grumbling, complaining”, all Evil Tongue, La shon Hara. I think we are just like them. Oh, plus there are many signs & wonders. Is that for the believers or the unbelievers? We also have water from the Rock, Yeshua (1Cor 10:4) & the Tree of Life; “Etz Chaim”. Haftarah: Judges 4.4-5.31; Just as the God fearing Moses went to Battle and God prevailed, Devorah was God’s anointed and God miraculously confused and prevailed over the Canaanites and Yahweh prevailed. A Good Summary see Isaiah 43:15-20
These children were promised deliverance and blessings and then they received such hardships, persecution, trials and tribulations, have you experienced any trials and tribulations? We need more straw for the brick! Where are the blessings? After the promise of the blessings and deliverance, have you ever said, “Where are you, Yeshua?” “Those who feared the Word of the Almighty among the servants of Pharaoh brought their servants and their cattle into the houses. And those who did not pay attention to the word of the Almighty left their servants and cattle in the field." (Exodus 9:20-21) Is this the opposite of „The Fear of the Lord? Do you think we have been listening to the „Word of God‟? (Study „Heart‟, „Hearts‟ and where they come from!)