In my weekly drosh's and teachings I often mention the Temple's of God, both in Israel's history and as they relate to future events when the Kingdom of God is re-established here on the earth. This is another area where there doesn't seem to be a lot of teaching, yet it's critical in our understanding of God, our relationship with Him, and our future relationship when the New Jerusalem descends from heaven upon earth.
Revelation 11:19. Then the Temple of God in heaven was opened, and the Ark of the Covenant was seen in his Temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake and violent hail.
Revelation 15:5. After this I looked, and the sanctuary (that is, the Tent of Witness in heaven) was opened,
Contemporary Religion speaks of two previous temples with a third one to come but this is actually incorrect. There were four and a fifth one is to be reestablished in the future. The first one, the Mishkan or Tabernacle was ordered built by Adonai after His encounter with Israel at Mt. Sinai.
Exodus 25:8. "They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them"
The second one is recorded in Joshua:
Joshua 18:1. The entire community of the people of Isra'el assembled themselves together at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there, after the land had been subdued before them
The portable Tabernacle was permanently established on a stone foundation in Shiloh until King David moved it to Jerusalem. There David's son built the third house of worship known as Solomon's Temple:
I Kings 8:3-6. All the leaders of Isra'el came. The cohanim took the ark 4 and brought up the ark of ADONAI, the tent of meeting and all the holy utensils that were in the tent; these are what the cohanim and L'vi'im brought up. 5 King Shlomo and the whole community of Isra'el assembled in his presence were with him in front of the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen in numbers beyond counting or recording. 6 The cohanim brought the ark for the covenant of ADONAI in to its place inside the sanctuary of the house, to the Especially Holy Place, under the wings of the k'ruvim.
The forth structure which evolved to what became known as Herod's Temple (because of King Herod's massive overhaul and remodeling) was actually rebuilt after 70 years of captivity in Persia beginning in Ezra:
Ezra 5:1-2. The prophets Hagai and Z'kharyah the son of 'Iddo prophesied to the Judeans in Yerushalayim and Y'hudah; they prophesied to them in the name of the God of Isra'el. 2 Then Z'rubavel the son of Sh'alti'el and Yeshua the son of Yotzadak began rebuilding the house of God in Yerushalayim; with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
The first order to build such a place by God is in
Exodus 25:8. "They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them"
The actual connotation of the Hebrew "veshachanti (I will dwell) betocham Bet is house or habitation Cham is you or them-shares the root word for Chaim your life-the house of vessel that contains your life, "among them" or "in them"
The desire of God was to have a portal between heaven and earth so that He may fellowship with His creation, to let His Shekinah rest upon his creation while not destroying us in His perfection because we are imperfect. Influenced by the greater secular society, many believe that to experience God's presence we must be in a synagogue or some sort of structure. This conveys an erroneous assumption that when you're in synagogue you are entering into God's presence and when one departs the synagogue or sanctuary God is left there!
Not only is God not confined to a sanctuary or Temple, He specifically stated that He desires to dwell in us! The Tabernacle/Temple is a blueprint, a model for us to be following in preparing a place within us for His presence. It's incumbent upon each person to prepare a dwelling place within them for God, a meeting place with Him. This is the first of many lessons we learn from the Temple.
The Tabernacle or Temple has several names that are referenced in Scripture.
Sanctuary in Hebrew is Mikdash which means Holy Place, Tabernacle which is Mishkan in Hebrew, and "Ohel Moed" (Tent is Ohel in Hebrew whose root word is Ohen the presentence of love- loves) Moed (divine meeting)" (God loves to have divine meetings with us) or Tent of Meeting. The most commonly used term is Mishkan or Tabernacle whose root word (Shakan-dwell) is the same as Shekhinah which means divine presence in Hebrew which is also the same root word in Sukkah that are built during Sukkot. Mish (feminine form of Who is like God) Mish'al is a request or petition of God while Mishl'ey is a form of wisdom-the Hebrew name of the Book of Proverbs. The dwelling place or "Ohel Moed" (God loves divine appointments ) is where we meet God's divine presences to seek His wisdom or at least to request it and petition God!
Exodus 25:21-22. You are to put the ark-cover on top of the ark. "Inside the ark you will put the testimony that I am about to give you. 22 There I will meet with you. I will speak with you from above the ark-cover, from between the two k'ruvim which are on the ark for the testimony, about all the orders I am giving you for the people of Isra'el.
This is where is gets interesting as another word comes from this root grouping in Hebrew: Mishpocha-Family! Let's put this all together and see what this means in Eschatology-the study of the end times. God says in Amos
Amos 9:11. "When that day comes, I will raise up the fallen sukkah of David. I will close up its gaps, raise up its ruins and rebuild it as it used to be,
God loves divine meetings (Ohel Moed). So the complexities of the "Sukkah of David" revealed here is that it also means Tabernacle in Hebrew. The dwelling place (Shakan) where God's Shekinah (divine Presence) resides. A place where God is sought out for wisdom, the world will petition Him. This place will be restored in the time to come. Root word also refers to Mishpocha or family-the family of David (who the sages view this as a Messianic Reference concerning Messiah) the Messiah will reign as we see that booth or Sukkah in Hebrew also share the same root word and Sukkah refers to the coming Messianic age, the return and rule of Yeshua! Sukkot is the wedding feast and represents the return of the Kingdom of God here on earth:
God says He will raise up the Meeting Place of His divine Glory where He dwells-a place of worship that will restore the Family of David-Those who call upon the Name of the Lord!
Zechariah 14:16. Finally, everyone remaining from all the nations that came to attack Yerushalayim will go up every year to worship the king, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, and to keep the festival of Sukkot.
It is the re-establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Revelation 21:22. I saw no Temple in the city, for ADONAI, God of heaven's armies, is its Temple, as is the Lamb.
So who can enter His presence? David asked this same question and it extremely pertinent to us today and explains why God is restoring so many things.
Psalms 24:3-6. Who may go up to the mountain of ADONAI? Who can stand in his holy place? 4 Those with clean hands and pure hearts, who don't make vanities the purpose of their lives or swear oaths just to deceive. 5 They will receive a blessing from ADONAI and justice from God, who saves them. 6 Such is the character of those who seek him, of Ya'akov, who seeks your face. (Selah)
The Temple teaches the pattern in how to approach God and that pattern has not changed! The layout and process of approaching God and His presence has not changed in over 4,000 years! It has transitioned from the Ohel Moed, Mishkan, or Temple to us but the process and pattern remains the same.
It's the purpose for the sons of Tzadok which means righteous in Hebrew to teach the people and restore God's process of holiness and order because God is a God of order
I Corinthians 14:33. for God is not a God of unruliness but of shalom. As in all the congregations of God's people,
God is not the author of confusion! This pattern is established in heaven and is what He will establish here! The scripture states:
Revelation 11:19. Then the Temple of God in heaven was opened, and the Ark of the Covenant was seen in his Temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake and violent hail.
The Ohel Moed, the Mishkan, The Temple pattern will be re-established on the earth when Yeshua returns. So we should well understand the process now and be prepared for when the Kingdom of God is re-established.
The first step in the pattern to approaching God is the sacrifice at The Altar of Sacrifice in the outer court, the first of two altars:
A sacrifice is an offering made by a worshiper to God of some material item that is of value from the offeror. God Tested Abraham to see if Abraham would sacrifice his greatest possession and gift from God, his son Isaac:
Genesis 22:1-2. After these things, God tested Avraham. He said to him, "Avraham!" and he answered, "Here I am." 2 He said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Yitz'chak; and go to the land of Moriyah. There you are to offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain that I will point out to you."
King David clearly understood this concept:
I Chronicles 21:18-26. Then the angel of ADONAI ordered Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar to ADONAI on the threshing-floor of Ornan the Y'vusi. 19 David went up at Gad's word, spoken in ADONAI's name. 20 Ornan turned back and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. As Ornan was threshing wheat, 21 David approached Ornan. When Ornan looked and saw David, he went out from the threshing-floor and prostrated himself before David with his face to the ground. 22 Then David said to Ornan, "Let me have the parcel with this threshing-floor, so that I can build on it an altar to ADONAI - I will pay you its full value - so that the plague will be lifted from the people." 23 Ornan said to David, "Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. I'm giving you the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing-sledges for firewood and the wheat for the grain offering - I'm giving it all." 24 But King David said to Ornan, "No; I insist on buying it from you at the full price. I refuse to take what is yours for ADONAI or offer a burnt offering that costs me nothing." 25 So David bought the place from Ornan for 600 shekels of gold by weight [fifteen pounds]. 26 Then David built an altar to ADONAI there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called on ADONAI, who answered him from heaven by fire on the altar for burnt offerings.
All too often people do not enjoy the fullness of God because they do not truly sacrifice. All too often gifts are given that have little to no consequence in their lives. When we collect emergency items in times of emergencies, we have to tell people not to bring clothes.
After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast there was a news story that showed emergency workers setting fire to a pile of clothing that covered an acre and was 5 feet think. Why such an overabundance? Because the clothing given was no longer desired by the people giving it! It either didn't fit any longer, was out of style, or was of no use so people gave it freely because had no value to them. The real items needed such as ready to eat food, bottled water, cleaning supplies, building materials, and money were in short supply because that required a real sacrifice, few were willing to do so. It is the same in the kingdom of God today! Few will sacrifice their Time, Talent, and Tithes! Most give to God what is of little or no consequence for them or their lives. God tends to receive what's left over in their lives and then only something that will not cause any discomfort or sacrifice! So, it really is not a sacrifice unto God! I often smile when someone shares with me their desire to be in ministry full time because they don't really know what they’re saying! When you become involved in Full Time Ministry you sacrifice your life, your privacy, your heart’s desire, most of your hobbies, and in many cases friends and associates! Not a complaint, just an observation of the sacrifice required to serve God!
Yeshua also taught about sacrifice!
Luke 21:1-4. Then Yeshua looked up, and as he watched the rich placing their gifts into the Temple offering-boxes, 2 he also saw a poor widow put in two small coins. 3 He said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 For they, out of their wealth, have contributed money they could easily spare; but she, out of her poverty, has given all she had to live on."
The personal motives of a sacrifice are varied but in general express an act of repentance, adoration, trust, or all of the mentioned. The sacrifice is meant to be pleasing to God and secure His salvation, His protection, and His blessing. What has your sacrifice been? The sacrifice was given at the altar and is the first step in approaching God because there must be atonement for sin, a cleansing is required in order to be reconciled back unto God and have a relationship with him!
Leviticus 17:11. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for yourselves; for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life.'
The money and material needed to build the Tabernacle including the altar were provided for through sacrifice:
Exodus 25:1-8. ADONAI said to Moshe, 2 "Tell the people of Isra'el to take up a collection for me -accept a contribution from anyone who wholeheartedly wants to give. 3 The contribution you are to take from them is to consist of gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn; fine linen, goat's hair, 5 tanned ram skins and fine leather; acacia-wood; 6 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 onyx stones and other stones to be set, for the ritual vest and breastplate. 8 "They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them.
Notice that God didn't ask for their second-best materials, the things they weren't really using, or things that didn't have any value! God asked to receive the very best! When the pattern is followed and right the fire falls;
Leviticus 9:22-24. Aharon raised his hands toward the people, blessed them and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 Moshe and Aharon entered the tent of meeting, came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of ADONAI appeared to all the people! 24 Fire came forth from the presence of ADONAI, consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Fire is one of the agents of divine will; divine fire consumes the acceptable offering and sacrifice God Himself is called a consuming fire
Deuteronomy 4:24. For ADONAI your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
The appearance of fire on the Tabernacle signifies the divine presence of God. Fire is the instrument of God's wrath Fire descends from heaven when God desires to intervene in human affairs
Exodus 3:1-2. Now Moshe was tending the sheep of Yitro his father-in-law, the priest of Midyan. Leading the flock to the far side of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, to Horev. 2 The angel of ADONAI appeared to him in a fire blazing from the middle of a bush. He looked and saw that although the bush was flaming with fire, yet the bush was not being burned up.
The Divine Presence of God led the Children of Israel in the desert at night by a Fiery pillar:
Exodus 13:21. ADONAI went ahead of them in a column of cloud during the daytime to lead them on their way, and at night in a column of fire to give them light; thus they could travel both by day and by night.
The Fire of the Lord descends and consumes the Sacrifices The dedication of the Temple:
II Chronicles 7:1-3. When Shlomo had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of ADONAI filled the house, 2 so that the cohanim could not enter the house of ADONAI; because the glory of ADONAI filled ADONAI's house. 3 All the people of Isra'el saw when the fire came down, and the glory of ADONAI was on the house; they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the flooring; prostrating themselves, they gave thanks to ADONAI, "for he is good, for his grace continues forever."
When the pattern is right the Glory, no, the Fire Falls! The Fire is God's divine Presence! It requires a sacrifice of value to see the face of God! Moshe, gave up everything, everything to follow God in obedience and after much strife, travail, and interceding he was allowed see God's back after He passed by!
The things that you won't give up become the stumbling block to God moving in your life! Or even worse as Leviticus 10:1-3 records, all too often we attempt to bring strange fire to the altar of the Lord like Nadav and Avhiu did which cost them their lives!
Blessings and shalom,
Rabbi Eric S Carlson
Revelation 11:19. Then the Temple of God in heaven was opened, and the Ark of the Covenant was seen in his Temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake and violent hail.
Revelation 15:5. After this I looked, and the sanctuary (that is, the Tent of Witness in heaven) was opened,
Contemporary Religion speaks of two previous temples with a third one to come but this is actually incorrect. There were four and a fifth one is to be reestablished in the future. The first one, the Mishkan or Tabernacle was ordered built by Adonai after His encounter with Israel at Mt. Sinai.
Exodus 25:8. "They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them"
The second one is recorded in Joshua:
Joshua 18:1. The entire community of the people of Isra'el assembled themselves together at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there, after the land had been subdued before them
The portable Tabernacle was permanently established on a stone foundation in Shiloh until King David moved it to Jerusalem. There David's son built the third house of worship known as Solomon's Temple:
I Kings 8:3-6. All the leaders of Isra'el came. The cohanim took the ark 4 and brought up the ark of ADONAI, the tent of meeting and all the holy utensils that were in the tent; these are what the cohanim and L'vi'im brought up. 5 King Shlomo and the whole community of Isra'el assembled in his presence were with him in front of the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen in numbers beyond counting or recording. 6 The cohanim brought the ark for the covenant of ADONAI in to its place inside the sanctuary of the house, to the Especially Holy Place, under the wings of the k'ruvim.
The forth structure which evolved to what became known as Herod's Temple (because of King Herod's massive overhaul and remodeling) was actually rebuilt after 70 years of captivity in Persia beginning in Ezra:
Ezra 5:1-2. The prophets Hagai and Z'kharyah the son of 'Iddo prophesied to the Judeans in Yerushalayim and Y'hudah; they prophesied to them in the name of the God of Isra'el. 2 Then Z'rubavel the son of Sh'alti'el and Yeshua the son of Yotzadak began rebuilding the house of God in Yerushalayim; with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
The first order to build such a place by God is in
Exodus 25:8. "They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them"
The actual connotation of the Hebrew "veshachanti (I will dwell) betocham Bet is house or habitation Cham is you or them-shares the root word for Chaim your life-the house of vessel that contains your life, "among them" or "in them"
The desire of God was to have a portal between heaven and earth so that He may fellowship with His creation, to let His Shekinah rest upon his creation while not destroying us in His perfection because we are imperfect. Influenced by the greater secular society, many believe that to experience God's presence we must be in a synagogue or some sort of structure. This conveys an erroneous assumption that when you're in synagogue you are entering into God's presence and when one departs the synagogue or sanctuary God is left there!
Not only is God not confined to a sanctuary or Temple, He specifically stated that He desires to dwell in us! The Tabernacle/Temple is a blueprint, a model for us to be following in preparing a place within us for His presence. It's incumbent upon each person to prepare a dwelling place within them for God, a meeting place with Him. This is the first of many lessons we learn from the Temple.
The Tabernacle or Temple has several names that are referenced in Scripture.
Sanctuary in Hebrew is Mikdash which means Holy Place, Tabernacle which is Mishkan in Hebrew, and "Ohel Moed" (Tent is Ohel in Hebrew whose root word is Ohen the presentence of love- loves) Moed (divine meeting)" (God loves to have divine meetings with us) or Tent of Meeting. The most commonly used term is Mishkan or Tabernacle whose root word (Shakan-dwell) is the same as Shekhinah which means divine presence in Hebrew which is also the same root word in Sukkah that are built during Sukkot. Mish (feminine form of Who is like God) Mish'al is a request or petition of God while Mishl'ey is a form of wisdom-the Hebrew name of the Book of Proverbs. The dwelling place or "Ohel Moed" (God loves divine appointments ) is where we meet God's divine presences to seek His wisdom or at least to request it and petition God!
Exodus 25:21-22. You are to put the ark-cover on top of the ark. "Inside the ark you will put the testimony that I am about to give you. 22 There I will meet with you. I will speak with you from above the ark-cover, from between the two k'ruvim which are on the ark for the testimony, about all the orders I am giving you for the people of Isra'el.
This is where is gets interesting as another word comes from this root grouping in Hebrew: Mishpocha-Family! Let's put this all together and see what this means in Eschatology-the study of the end times. God says in Amos
Amos 9:11. "When that day comes, I will raise up the fallen sukkah of David. I will close up its gaps, raise up its ruins and rebuild it as it used to be,
God loves divine meetings (Ohel Moed). So the complexities of the "Sukkah of David" revealed here is that it also means Tabernacle in Hebrew. The dwelling place (Shakan) where God's Shekinah (divine Presence) resides. A place where God is sought out for wisdom, the world will petition Him. This place will be restored in the time to come. Root word also refers to Mishpocha or family-the family of David (who the sages view this as a Messianic Reference concerning Messiah) the Messiah will reign as we see that booth or Sukkah in Hebrew also share the same root word and Sukkah refers to the coming Messianic age, the return and rule of Yeshua! Sukkot is the wedding feast and represents the return of the Kingdom of God here on earth:
God says He will raise up the Meeting Place of His divine Glory where He dwells-a place of worship that will restore the Family of David-Those who call upon the Name of the Lord!
Zechariah 14:16. Finally, everyone remaining from all the nations that came to attack Yerushalayim will go up every year to worship the king, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, and to keep the festival of Sukkot.
It is the re-establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Revelation 21:22. I saw no Temple in the city, for ADONAI, God of heaven's armies, is its Temple, as is the Lamb.
So who can enter His presence? David asked this same question and it extremely pertinent to us today and explains why God is restoring so many things.
Psalms 24:3-6. Who may go up to the mountain of ADONAI? Who can stand in his holy place? 4 Those with clean hands and pure hearts, who don't make vanities the purpose of their lives or swear oaths just to deceive. 5 They will receive a blessing from ADONAI and justice from God, who saves them. 6 Such is the character of those who seek him, of Ya'akov, who seeks your face. (Selah)
The Temple teaches the pattern in how to approach God and that pattern has not changed! The layout and process of approaching God and His presence has not changed in over 4,000 years! It has transitioned from the Ohel Moed, Mishkan, or Temple to us but the process and pattern remains the same.
It's the purpose for the sons of Tzadok which means righteous in Hebrew to teach the people and restore God's process of holiness and order because God is a God of order
I Corinthians 14:33. for God is not a God of unruliness but of shalom. As in all the congregations of God's people,
God is not the author of confusion! This pattern is established in heaven and is what He will establish here! The scripture states:
Revelation 11:19. Then the Temple of God in heaven was opened, and the Ark of the Covenant was seen in his Temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake and violent hail.
The Ohel Moed, the Mishkan, The Temple pattern will be re-established on the earth when Yeshua returns. So we should well understand the process now and be prepared for when the Kingdom of God is re-established.
The first step in the pattern to approaching God is the sacrifice at The Altar of Sacrifice in the outer court, the first of two altars:
A sacrifice is an offering made by a worshiper to God of some material item that is of value from the offeror. God Tested Abraham to see if Abraham would sacrifice his greatest possession and gift from God, his son Isaac:
Genesis 22:1-2. After these things, God tested Avraham. He said to him, "Avraham!" and he answered, "Here I am." 2 He said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Yitz'chak; and go to the land of Moriyah. There you are to offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain that I will point out to you."
King David clearly understood this concept:
I Chronicles 21:18-26. Then the angel of ADONAI ordered Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar to ADONAI on the threshing-floor of Ornan the Y'vusi. 19 David went up at Gad's word, spoken in ADONAI's name. 20 Ornan turned back and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. As Ornan was threshing wheat, 21 David approached Ornan. When Ornan looked and saw David, he went out from the threshing-floor and prostrated himself before David with his face to the ground. 22 Then David said to Ornan, "Let me have the parcel with this threshing-floor, so that I can build on it an altar to ADONAI - I will pay you its full value - so that the plague will be lifted from the people." 23 Ornan said to David, "Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. I'm giving you the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing-sledges for firewood and the wheat for the grain offering - I'm giving it all." 24 But King David said to Ornan, "No; I insist on buying it from you at the full price. I refuse to take what is yours for ADONAI or offer a burnt offering that costs me nothing." 25 So David bought the place from Ornan for 600 shekels of gold by weight [fifteen pounds]. 26 Then David built an altar to ADONAI there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called on ADONAI, who answered him from heaven by fire on the altar for burnt offerings.
All too often people do not enjoy the fullness of God because they do not truly sacrifice. All too often gifts are given that have little to no consequence in their lives. When we collect emergency items in times of emergencies, we have to tell people not to bring clothes.
After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast there was a news story that showed emergency workers setting fire to a pile of clothing that covered an acre and was 5 feet think. Why such an overabundance? Because the clothing given was no longer desired by the people giving it! It either didn't fit any longer, was out of style, or was of no use so people gave it freely because had no value to them. The real items needed such as ready to eat food, bottled water, cleaning supplies, building materials, and money were in short supply because that required a real sacrifice, few were willing to do so. It is the same in the kingdom of God today! Few will sacrifice their Time, Talent, and Tithes! Most give to God what is of little or no consequence for them or their lives. God tends to receive what's left over in their lives and then only something that will not cause any discomfort or sacrifice! So, it really is not a sacrifice unto God! I often smile when someone shares with me their desire to be in ministry full time because they don't really know what they’re saying! When you become involved in Full Time Ministry you sacrifice your life, your privacy, your heart’s desire, most of your hobbies, and in many cases friends and associates! Not a complaint, just an observation of the sacrifice required to serve God!
Yeshua also taught about sacrifice!
Luke 21:1-4. Then Yeshua looked up, and as he watched the rich placing their gifts into the Temple offering-boxes, 2 he also saw a poor widow put in two small coins. 3 He said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 For they, out of their wealth, have contributed money they could easily spare; but she, out of her poverty, has given all she had to live on."
The personal motives of a sacrifice are varied but in general express an act of repentance, adoration, trust, or all of the mentioned. The sacrifice is meant to be pleasing to God and secure His salvation, His protection, and His blessing. What has your sacrifice been? The sacrifice was given at the altar and is the first step in approaching God because there must be atonement for sin, a cleansing is required in order to be reconciled back unto God and have a relationship with him!
Leviticus 17:11. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for yourselves; for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life.'
The money and material needed to build the Tabernacle including the altar were provided for through sacrifice:
Exodus 25:1-8. ADONAI said to Moshe, 2 "Tell the people of Isra'el to take up a collection for me -accept a contribution from anyone who wholeheartedly wants to give. 3 The contribution you are to take from them is to consist of gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn; fine linen, goat's hair, 5 tanned ram skins and fine leather; acacia-wood; 6 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 onyx stones and other stones to be set, for the ritual vest and breastplate. 8 "They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them.
Notice that God didn't ask for their second-best materials, the things they weren't really using, or things that didn't have any value! God asked to receive the very best! When the pattern is followed and right the fire falls;
Leviticus 9:22-24. Aharon raised his hands toward the people, blessed them and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 Moshe and Aharon entered the tent of meeting, came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of ADONAI appeared to all the people! 24 Fire came forth from the presence of ADONAI, consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Fire is one of the agents of divine will; divine fire consumes the acceptable offering and sacrifice God Himself is called a consuming fire
Deuteronomy 4:24. For ADONAI your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
The appearance of fire on the Tabernacle signifies the divine presence of God. Fire is the instrument of God's wrath Fire descends from heaven when God desires to intervene in human affairs
Exodus 3:1-2. Now Moshe was tending the sheep of Yitro his father-in-law, the priest of Midyan. Leading the flock to the far side of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, to Horev. 2 The angel of ADONAI appeared to him in a fire blazing from the middle of a bush. He looked and saw that although the bush was flaming with fire, yet the bush was not being burned up.
The Divine Presence of God led the Children of Israel in the desert at night by a Fiery pillar:
Exodus 13:21. ADONAI went ahead of them in a column of cloud during the daytime to lead them on their way, and at night in a column of fire to give them light; thus they could travel both by day and by night.
The Fire of the Lord descends and consumes the Sacrifices The dedication of the Temple:
II Chronicles 7:1-3. When Shlomo had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of ADONAI filled the house, 2 so that the cohanim could not enter the house of ADONAI; because the glory of ADONAI filled ADONAI's house. 3 All the people of Isra'el saw when the fire came down, and the glory of ADONAI was on the house; they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the flooring; prostrating themselves, they gave thanks to ADONAI, "for he is good, for his grace continues forever."
When the pattern is right the Glory, no, the Fire Falls! The Fire is God's divine Presence! It requires a sacrifice of value to see the face of God! Moshe, gave up everything, everything to follow God in obedience and after much strife, travail, and interceding he was allowed see God's back after He passed by!
The things that you won't give up become the stumbling block to God moving in your life! Or even worse as Leviticus 10:1-3 records, all too often we attempt to bring strange fire to the altar of the Lord like Nadav and Avhiu did which cost them their lives!
Blessings and shalom,
Rabbi Eric S Carlson
Posted in November 2024
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