Tetzaveh תְּצַוֶּה - You Shall Command
Exodus:27:20-30:10
Reading #2 - Exodus 28:13–30
My Thoughts:
This is so wonderful in verses 29-30 that Aaron is “covering” his heart with the names of the twelve tribes on his breastplate, so that their “judgment” is in front of Hashem continually! Hashem makes a way for His people to be there with Him, even though not in person. It always is about Hashem’s love for His people. And that is you and me too! May we never doubt His love and protection. Things may get rough sometimes in this world, but our names are forever “in front” of Him. Good times and bad. And some day we will have the privilege of serving and loving Him forever. We don’t know what that looks like, but we do know it will be good.
Challenge:
Do you carry the names of the people who you love “over your heart”? By that I simply mean, do you care enough of those around you to pray for them every day? It is the best way to start the day, along with your cup of coffee, to appeal to Hashem for those you love -- to be safe and full of joy. But, most importantly, they will know Hashem and love and serve Him. This should be your daily prayer, before you start your day. Prayer does make a difference. Just like Aaron physically carrying the names of His people over his heart, be sure you are carrying those who you love over yours. It will make a difference in this world, for sure.
Reading #2 - Exodus 28:13–30
28:13 You shall make settings of gold, 14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work. You shall put the braided chains on the settings.
15 “You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it. 16 It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length, and a span its width. 17 You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row; 18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be enclosed in gold in their settings. 21 The stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes. 22 You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 23 You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 24 You shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 25 The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in its forepart. 26 You shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which is toward the side of the ephod inward. 27 You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28 They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not swing out from the ephod. 29 Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before Hashem continually. 30 You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before Hashem. Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel on his heart before Hashem continually.
