Vyakhel-Pekudei - Reading #1

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI ויקהל/פקודי

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #1 - Exodus 35:1-29 

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about being wise-hearted and having willing hearts. These were the people who gave to the Tabernacle and helped create the items needed. Hashem was only looking for people with these types of giving hearts. He did not make it mandatory to give, and He never does. It makes me think about how I give to Hashem in different ways. I want to do it with a “wise heart and a willing heart”. And it is really important to “listen” to Hashem and He will definitely direct you how to give. He does for me. But, it’s important to listen to Him -- so that you don’t miss out on blessings.

Challenge:

Right in verse 1 we read that it is Hashem that gave Moses the words of the Law, and that we are commanded to do them. What a wonderful honor that Hashem has given us HIS instructions on how to live our lives and how to live in community. And yes, how to serve Him in the Temple (Tabernacle). Maybe we don’t have a Temple right now, but even the “essence” of Temple worship is clear. Obedience, cleanliness, repentance, servitude and righteousness. The Jewish people have passed the Torah down to generation to generation throughout the centuries. They have done it carefully and sacrificially. What a privilege that we can study it and obey. Torah is LIFE. May we be grateful today for Torah and the LIFE it gives us. Amen.

Reading #1 -  Exodus 35:1-29 

35 Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which Hashem has commanded, that you should do them. 2 ‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Hashem: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.’”

4 Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Hashem commanded, saying, 5 ‘Take from among you an offering to Hashem. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Hashem’s offering: gold, silver, bronze, 6 blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, 7 rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, 9 onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

10 “‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that Hashem has commanded: 11 the tabernacle, its outer covering, its roof, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 12 the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen; 13 the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the show bread; 14 the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base; 17 the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords; 19 the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons—to minister in the priest’s office.’”

20 All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Hashem’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Hashem. 23 Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them. 24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Hashem’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. 25 All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. 26 All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair. 27 The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate; 28 with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 29 The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Hashem; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Hashem had commanded to be made by Moses.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Week #10

Vayakhel-Pekudei - He gathered/Countings — וַיַּקְהֵל־פְקוּדֵי

Torah Reading Exodus 35:1 - 40:38

Haftarah:  Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

Apostolic Reading:  John 13:1-19 Luke 16:1-13

First Reading: Exodus 35:1-29

Second Reading: Exodus 35:30-37

Third Reading; Exodus 37:17-29

Fourth Reading: Exodus 38: 1-39

Fifth Reading: 39:2-21 

Sixth Reading: Exodus 39:22-43

Seventh Reading: Exodus 40:1-38

Ha-Azinu - Reading #4

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

My Thoughts:

After Moses explains the “trouble” they are going to be getting into when they abandon Hashem, he says in verse 28, ”For they are a nation void of counsel. There is no understanding in them.” He is predicting that they will have a time in the future when they will no longer “consult” with Hashem. They will be “void” of His counsel. Therefore, since they are not in relationship with Hashem there will be “no understanding”. That’s what is happening today. People no longer believe or communicate with the one true Elohim. They are going it alone. And the end result is that they have no understanding in spiritual matters. People have become totally carnal, devoid of the one true spiritual relationship with Hashem. This is sad. You and I can be a part of changing this. We can be “lights” to His truth and existence and bring His real love to others. We can teach people about Him and how to communicate (pray) with Him. If they do this they will gain understanding. 

Challenge:

In verse 20 we read that the result of disobedience amongst His people is that, “I will hide My face from them.”. Having the face of Hashem “hid” from you means He is no longer visible or tangible in your life. It is like when we sin, the “hand” of Hashem is lifted off our lives -- we can only go it alone. Do you want that? I don’t. And I can feel this happening every time I deliberately sin against Him. It’s like He really does “hide His face” from me. It takes true repentance and teshuvah to regain that personal relationship with Him. My challenge today is for you to assess your spiritual life. Do you feel Hashem’s Hand in upon your life, or do you feel He is “hiding His face” from you? If it is the latter, please do something about it. Repent and return to Him. Make restitution for what you have done and pray that He will return to you. Scripture says He will (Malachi 3:7). Don’t be content with a life absent of Hashem, invite Him back into your life. And show Him that you really mean this. Amen?

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

19 Hashem saw and abhorred,

    because of the provocation of His sons and his daughters.

20 He said, “I will hide My face from them.

    I will see what their end will be;

for they are a very perverse generation,

    children in whom is no faithfulness.

21 They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not Elohim.

    They have provoked Me to anger with their vanities.

I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people.

    I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

22 For a fire is kindled in my anger,

    that burns to the lowest Sheol,

    devours the earth with its increase,

    and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire.

23 “I will heap evils on them.

    I will spend my arrows on them.

24 They shall be wasted with hunger,

    and devoured with burning heat

    and bitter destruction.

I will send the teeth of animals on them,

    with the venom of vipers that glide in the dust.

25 Outside the sword will bereave,

    and in the rooms,

    terror on both young man and virgin,

    the nursing infant with the gray-haired man.

26 I said that I would scatter them afar.

    I would make their memory to cease from among men;

27 were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy,

    lest their adversaries should judge wrongly,

    lest they should say, ‘Our hand is exalted,

    Hashem has not done all this.’”

28 For they are a nation void of counsel.

    There is no understanding in them.

Vayelech - Reading #7

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Haftarah Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Apostolic Reading Matthew 21:9-17

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 31:25–30

My Thoughts:

Moses seems anxious about how the Israelites will fare after his death. In verse 29 he says, “For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves…”. How sad is this? After 40 years of substantial miracles and witnesses of Hashem’s power and glory, the chosen people are still disobeying Him. What is it about humankind that just can’t seem to get it together? How could they have looked upon the pillar of the cloud in the day and the pillar of fire at night? Wouldn’t that miracle alone (His presence) be enough in your life to want to stay on your knees day and night? Why are we so weak? Even today, look at the world. It is crazy. Right is wrong and wrong is right. We are so upside down. Those of us who profess to know Hashem and love Him -- still disobey Him and sin. The beauty of it all is teshuvah. As we are in the ten days of awe leading to Yom Kippur, we must repent and turn around. When we turn around we don’t look back. We must become “lights” for Hashem for the rest of the world. So that He wants to send the Mashiach. Right?

Challenge:

The book of the Law in verse 25 reminds them (us) about how to live. It is a witness. That’s why they carry it in the ark. It needs to be with them at all times. Just like now. We need the Torah by our side every day. It needs to be in plain view where we can study it and learn from it. That is the advantage of doing the daily reading schedule. It is always in your life -- every day. And that is my challenge to you today. Make a promise to yourself that as the new Torah cycle begins (after Sukkot) that you will immerse yourself. Pick a time every day to study and if you happen to miss a study, make it up. Get yourself a journal to record your thoughts. Let the Torah speak to you in powerful ways each day. Remember it is life!

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 31:25–30

31:25 Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Hashem’s covenant, saying, 26 “Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of Hashem your Elohim’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you. 27 For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against Hashem. How much more after my death? 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in Hashem’s sight, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”

30 Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Micah 7:8 contains a beautiful passage, “Who is an Elohim like You, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of His heritage? He doesn’t retain His anger forever,because He delights in loving kindness. ” When we were reading the Torah today we saw how Moses predicted the failure of his people. But, even when we fail -- Hashem is there to forgive us. He actually will “pass over” our disobedience. He doesn’t stay mad for long. This is because He is a kind and loving Elohim! I’m sure you have seen evidence of this in your life. You have done dumb things, confessed and really felt like Hashem has forgiven you. Because He has! Think about it. We should be more like Him. When people do things to upset us and make us angry, we should show loving kindness instead of retaliation! We need to forgive and make things right. When we do this the world will be such a better place. Remember it starts with you and me. 

Challenge:

In Joel 2:27 we read, “You will know that I am among Israel, and that I am Hashem, your Elohim, and there is no one else; My people will never again be disappointed.” What a wonderful promise! We must remember there is no other Elohim, but Hashem! His presence will be known in Israel and around the world. And when that happens there will be no more sin, no more tears, no more wars, no more disappointment. My challenge to you is let us try to be like that now. Let’s try hard to show the world that Hashem is perfect and loving and kind. That we can cast our burdens upon Him and He will carry them for us. Let us try to portray to the world that by following the one true Elohim, that joy and peace will follow. Be that today, and I will join you.

Haftarah Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Hosea 14:2-10 

2 Take words with you, and return to Hashem.

    Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

    and accept that which is good:

    so we offer our lips like bulls.

3 Assyria can’t save us.

    We won’t ride on horses;

    neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’

    for in you the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their waywardness.

    I will love them freely;

    for my anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel.

    He will blossom like the lily,

    and send down his roots like Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread,

    and his beauty will be like the olive tree,

    and his fragrance like Lebanon.

7 Men will dwell in his shade.

    They will revive like the grain,

    and blossom like the vine.

    Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols?

    I answer, and will take care of him.

    I am like a green cypress tree;

    from me your fruit is found.”

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things?

    Who is prudent, that he may know them?

    For the ways of Hashem are right,

    and the righteous walk in them;

    But the rebellious stumble in them.

Micah 7:18-20

8 Who is an Elohim like you, who pardons iniquity,

    and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of His heritage?

He doesn’t retain His anger forever,

    because He delights in loving kindness.

19 He will again have compassion on us.

    He will tread our iniquities under foot;

    and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

20 You will give truth to Jacob,

    and mercy to Abraham,

    as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Joel 2:15-27

Blow the trumpet in Zion!

    Sanctify a fast.

    Call a solemn assembly.

16 Gather the people.

    Sanctify the assembly.

    Assemble the elders.

    Gather the children, and those who nurse from breasts.

Let the bridegroom go out of his room,

    and the bride out of her room.

17 Let the priests, the ministers of Hashem, weep between the porch and the altar,

    and let them say, “Spare your people, Hashem,

    and don’t give your heritage to reproach,

    that the nations should rule over them.

Why should they say among the peoples,

    ‘Where is their Elohim?’”

18 Then Hashem was jealous for His land,

    And had pity on His people.

19 Hashem answered His people,

    “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil,

    and you will be satisfied with them;

    and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

20 But I will remove the northern army far away from you,

    and will drive it into a barren and desolate land,

    its front into the eastern sea,

    and its back into the western sea;

    and its stench will come up,

    and its bad smell will rise.”

Surely He has done great things.

21 Land, don’t be afraid.

    Be glad and rejoice, for Hashem has done great things.

22 Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field;

    for the pastures of the wilderness spring up,

    for the tree bears its fruit.

    The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.

23 “Be glad then, you children of Zion,

    and rejoice in Hashem, your Elohim;

    for He gives you the early rain in just measure,

    and He causes the rain to come down for you,

    the early rain and the latter rain,

    as before.

24 The threshing floors will be full of wheat,

    and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,

    the great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar,

    my great army, which I sent among you.

26 You will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied,

    and will praise the name of Hashem, your Elohim,

    who has dealt wondrously with you;

    and My people will never again be disappointed.

27 You will know that I am among Israel,

    and that I am Hashem, your Elohim, and there is no one else;

    and my people will never again be disappointed.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

In today’s reading we learn how Yeshua did not tolerate sin. Selling anything in the temple was of course forbidden. The temple was the place where Hashem would dwell. There was not to be bartering and exchanging of money and all. How could people get to this point? How could they dishonor the presence of Hashem? Yeshua came to bring people back to Hashem. To remind them of Torah and the commandments. He told the people that if they loved Him they would follow His commandments. That is so true. If we really love Hashem we would delight in following Torah. It would not be drudgery or a burden. It is a blessing and it is life. Let us not become like the “money-changers” in the temple, forgetting the presence and power of Elohim. Let’s be more like Yeshua and remind the world of what is right.

Challenge:

Why were the priests “indignant” that Yeshua was healing people in the temple. Apparently there were people coming to the temple that NEEDED healing! They needed a touch from Hashem. They needed restoration. Yeshua was Hashem’s vehicle to bring that touch. Were the priests jealous, confused, low on faith? Whatever reason that made them so skeptical of Yeshua and who He was, it did not end up well. Yeshua was killed and the temple destroyed. Two huge losses. But here lies the hope. We know from the Torah that the Mashiach will come. That He will rule in the final Temple, where the glory of Hashem goes forth to the world. That is my challenge to you today. Start being used by Hashem to give a “touch” to others. This may be praying for them, helping them or studying Torah with them. Don’t worry about the “priests” around you who don’t understand what you are doing. Just follow Hashem and do what He tells you. We want Mashiach to return. We want the glory of Hashem to fill the earth. So let’s start “doing” Torah for those around us. Let us help to prepare the world for the Olam Haba! Amen!

Apostolic Reading Matthew 21:9-17

9 The multitudes who went in front of Him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 

10 When He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”

11 The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Yeshua, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

12 Yeshua entered into the temple of Elohim and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”Jeremiah 7:11

14 The lame and the blind came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and said to Him, “Do you hear what these are saying?”

Yeshua said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’”

17 He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.

Vayelech - Reading #6

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 31:20–24

My Thoughts:

Oh no! Hashem says when they have eaten of the Land filled with milk and honey, and they have grown FAT and turned to other gods -- they will break His covenant (verse 20)! What is this about growing fat? I hate to admit it but when our bodies get physically fat, we are beginning to “worship” another god -- food. And that is a huge problem. I believe America is the most overweight country in the world. And we may be the most “godless” country in the world. We must ONLY serve the one true Elohim! If you have a weight issue, please think about this today. Go to Hashem, repent and ask for His help to lose weight. Start praising Him and worshiping Him every day. Immerse yourself in the Torah. I encourage you to get back on track! You can do it!

Challenge:

Remember Hashem will be with us (verse 23). He went with Joshua and He will go with us into the “lands” that He calls us to. But we must be “covenant” people. We must join and participate in His covenant with Israel. We must support the Jewish people and their land. There is an incredible project called “Lev Haolam”. Go to their website and consider supporting them: Lev Haolam. That is my special challenge to you today.

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 31:20–24

31:20 For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant. 21 It will happen, when many evils and troubles have come on them, that this song will testify before them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants; for I know their ways and what they are doing today, before I have brought them into the land which I promised them.”

22 So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel.

23 He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them. I will be with you.”

24 When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,

Vayelech - Reading #5

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 31:14–19

My Thoughts:

Verse 17 carries strong discipline, “Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them…”. Hashem is prophesying that after the people begin to live in the Land they will turn from Him and follow other gods. They will be influenced by the people and tempted to live a life outside of Hashem. How does Hashem react to this? He simply leaves them. He forsakes them and hides His face. Kind of like now. When we sin, we are “separated” from Hashem. He is no longer with us. Not until we “teshuvah”. We turn completely from our sin, we repent, and we make restitution. After sinning and repentance we must fully return to Hashem. Not just a part of us but all of us. He is serious when He tells us to love Him with “all your heart, soul and strength”. Remember all this the next time you consider sinning. Remember the cost. And stop in your tracks. Pray each day for Hashem to give you strength to withstand temptation. Amen.

Challenge:

Joshua and Moses “met” Hashem in the Tent of the Meeting (the Tabernacle). Hashem appears in a pillar of cloud. I believe this is because the cloud in a special way, hid His presence from them so that they wouldn’t die. No one can see Elohim. In fact in the Apostolic Scriptures, Yeshua says He is the only one that has ever seen Elohim in heaven. That makes sense. But, here is my challenge for you today. For you and for me. Let’s search for the “cloud” that Hashem can present Himself to us. This “cloud” could be through worship, through prayer and through service. It may not look like a “cloud” but He does present Himself in many ways to us. I see Him work miracles in my life every day. Some small, some large. Just take the time to “look” for Him. You will be surprised how He “shows up” so many times during your day. Really it’s true.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 31:14–19

31:14 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, your days approach that you must die. Call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting, that I may commission him.”

Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the Tent of Meeting.

15 Hashem appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood over the Tent’s door. 16 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land where they go to be among them, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. 17 Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our Elohim is not among us?’ 18 I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.

19 “Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel.

Vayelech - Reading #4

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 31:10–13

My Thoughts:

Can you imagine reading the Torah every 7 years at Sukkot? In front of thousands of people? How long would that take? What does that look like? It is called the “Hakhel Ceremony”. Not all of Torah is read, but selected verses. This is why it is important to join the Jewish people in Israel who have carried on for centuries the Laws and Feasts of Torah. They will instruct us how to do these things. If you research this apparently this particular ceremony has not occurred since the destruction of the Temple. I believe we need to study about this. Connect to Israel and its people and we will learn! And this commandment confirms to us that we must be immersed in Torah every day! Amen.

Challenge:

Why is it important to study Torah every day (just like we do through the portions and daily readings)? In verse 12 we learn it is so that “...the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, learn, fear Hashem your Elohim, and observe to do all the words of this law.” That is my challenge to you today. Stay with these daily readings, every year! So that you HEAR AND LEARN. Share them with your family and friends. It is life to you. Hashem will help you to “hear” and He will teach you so that you “learn”. The end result is that we will “fear” Hashem -- that means we will love Him so much we will want to obey Him in every way! AMEN!

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 31:10–13

3:10 Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of booths, 11 when all Israel has come to appear before Hashem your Elohim in the place which He will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, learn, fear Hashem your Elohim, and observe to do all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to fear Hashem your Elohim, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”