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The parashas this Shabbat are Vayakhel, meaning And He Assembled and Pekudei, meaning amount or number, and concludes the book of Exodus. We again meet Bezalel and Oholiab and those working with them to skillfully and lovingly craft the articles for the Mishkan. This is a bittersweet passage. Bitter, because it comes right after the golden calf tragedy. In Moses’ absence our people urged Aaron to fashion an idol of gold. So, he took donations of gold from everyone, crafted the idol, and Israel worshiped at an altar dedicated to it. We betrayed the Lord who just weeks earlier delivered us from slavery in Egypt. How quickly we forget! How easily we go astray!
But God’s wonderful grace also shines through these chapters. Although the golden calf incident was catastrophic, and 3,000 men died (those who led the rebellion), God neither abandoned nor disowned his people Israel. Otherwise, why would He tell us to resume building the Tabernacle – the place He intended to meet with us? He is a God who desires us to draw near. Sin interrupts that fellowship with Him, but He doesn’t change. He is and will always be The Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and truth… He disciplines those who are His own, but always with a view toward restoration.
Second (and third, and fourth) chances – the very things we all need, are given us by Eloha Slichot, the God of Forgiveness. As with our ancestors in the wilderness, He offers us the opportunity to return to Him, bringing our talents and resources and this time around putting them to use for good.
In chapters 35 and 36 Moses invited artisans and invited people’s contributions. Nobody was required to come, nor was anyone required to give, but rather the one whose heart stirred him – a phrase repeated four times in this passage. God doesn’t employ coercion or compulsion. And that’s how it should be for us; whether yours is the role of benefactor – the ability to contribute materially or financially, or perhaps the role of craftsman – skilled in artistry and/or mechanics; whatever you do shouldn’t be done grudgingly.
If you have any ambivalence about giving or volunteering, wait until your heart is stirred, assuming of course you’re willing to let the Lord stir your heart. By the way, you don’t need to ‘feel led’ about things He has already commanded; matters such as being immersed (baptized) in Yeshua’s name or doing evangelism or shunning what is evil. This passage is about over-and-above giving and serving.
Well, they ran into a problem – but a good problem. People were bringing much more than what was needed. They brought so much gold and silver, fabrics and precious stones, that Moses finally had to say “dayenu!” and urge people not to bring any more. Israel’s generosity is a portrait of what it means to be a people forgiven and now eager to do God’s bidding.
By today’s standards the cost of constructing the Tabernacle (not including the labor) was staggering! Over 29 talents (3,700 lbs.) just in gold was used, to say nothing of the silver, the wood, the many precious stones, animal skins and fabrics! Where did Israel get all these riches? Simple: Egypt. Remember, God promised Abraham that his descendants would leave Egypt with great riches
One thing that stands out in the design of the Tabernacle is that just as much attention is given to the interior details as to the exterior. For example, the Ark of the Covenant was inlaid with gold both inside and out. Why? Once it was sealed, no one would ever see the inside of the Ark again. I believe it is a picture of what God wants from you and me – integrity. Does your private world correspond to your public persona? If not, you are not alone, and there is a remedy. Confess it before the Lord, and allow Him to cleanse you from the inside out, for we are called to holiness. As Rabbi Paul wrote, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you… and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
In chapter 40 God commanded Moses to anoint all the furnishings of the Tabernacle with the special oil dedicated for this purpose. Moses did so and put the sacred garments on Aaron and his sons, anointing them with oil. Then the Ark was brought in and set behind the veil. The lampstand was put in place and Moses lit that lampstand, which was never to go out. A veil was put in place around the Tabernacle and Moses burned incense on the golden altar. He offered a burnt offering and a meal offering, and washed in the golden laver, and completed the work, and it would be the last time Moses set foot in the Most Holy Place, since Aaron, not he, was the High Priest. Suddenly, the cloud of the Lord covered the Tent of Meeting, and His kavod – His glory filled the place. Thus, Adonai went before Israel in cloud by day and in fire by night all the days of their sojourning.
As wondrous as the Tabernacle was, it pales by comparison to the way in which God manifested His glorious presence on Earth in the person of Messiah Yeshua. The author of Hebrews alluded to this, writing, But when Messiah appeared as a High Priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this Creation. So, what are you investing in? Is your heart stirred within you to do something for God’s Kingdom? We’ve all been entrusted with various gifts and giftings, so let’s be faithful stewards and put them to work to the glory of God… the God of second chances.