VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI
Exodus 35:1-40:38
Reading #3 - Exodus 37:17-29
My Thoughts:
Today we read about incense and light. It is important to have light in the Holy Place and incense to go up before Hashem. I think I read somewhere that the incense smoke penetrated through the curtains of the Holy of Holies where the Shekinah glory rested -- maybe to remind Hashem of the prayers of His people? Both seem necessary, pleasant and pleasing. It reminds us that we are to be a light for Hashem and that our prayers should be like incense going before Him daily.
Challenge:
Everything is either overlaid or created in pure gold. Only the very, very best for Hashem. My challenge to you today is this -- are you giving your very “best” to Hashem? Do you study His Word, do you talk to Him, praise Him and repent often for your mistakes? We know this. That Torah brings eternal life. I believe He created Torah because it is our “service” to Him as we live on this planet of His. By following His instructions for life, we draw closer to Him. We know Him better. Think of it this way. He created you and He created the world you live in. Therefore, follow His instructions closely on how to live your life. It’s all part of the wonderful “package” given by Hashem.
Reading #3 - Exodus 37:17-29
37:17 He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it. 18 There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of its other side: 19 three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the lamp stand. 20 In the lamp stand were four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers; 21 and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of it. 22 Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold. 23 He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold. 24 He made it of a talent[a] of pure gold, with all its vessels.
25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square: its length was a cubit, and its width a cubit. Its height was two cubits. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 He overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides around it, and its horns. He made a gold molding around it. 27 He made two golden rings for it under its molding crown, on its two ribs, on its two sides, for places for poles with which to carry it. 28 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. 29 He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.
