Pekudei פְקוּדֵי - Accounts
Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38
Reading #5 - Exodus 40:1–16
My Thoughts:
It has been a year since the Israelites have left Egypt. And it is the beginning of the new year. This is when everything has been completed for the Tabernacle of Hashem and He is ready to have it raised. Isn’t that interesting that it would be exactly one year? It makes me think about Hashem’s perfect timing. We see that often in the Torah. Let’s apply that to our own lives. It is important to wait on Hashem when asking Him for help and even more importantly to wait for His perfect timing. Waiting is worth it. Trust me. But, really, trust Him!
Challenge:
What would that have felt like for Moses that Hashem is asking him to prepare everything for his brother to be a high priest. Moses could prepare offerings, but it was actually Aaron that would serve Hashem in the Holy of Holies. Even though Hashem regularly spoke with Moses, in a very personal way, he was not chosen to perform the High priestly duties. Think about that. Hashem’s relationship with Moses was very special and personal – and extremely anointed and important. I’m sure he did not feel “slighted” that he was not to serve in the Tabernacle. He had his own “position” with Hashem. I challenge you to look at your life and your relationship with Hashem. Are you in the “position” He has called you to be in? Or are you coveting or striving for another position? Pray and talk to Him about this.
Reading #5 - Exodus 40:1-16
40 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 3 You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps. 5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.
6 “You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 7 You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein. 8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.
9 “You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy. 10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy. 11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.
12 “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 14 You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them. 15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” 16 Moses did so. According to all that Hashem commanded him, so he did.
