This concept of a spiritual accounting plays an important role in this week's Torah portion, P’kudei. A major theme in the Parasha is how Moses gives an accounting of the materials used to build the Tabernacle. The close of Exodus gives us the full picture of Yahweh’s “Redemption.” Nachmanides (Ramban) mentions that “Redemption” should be the name of the book of Exodus. As man lost the right to be in YHVH’s presence at the Garden, it is now restored. Salvation, forgiveness, guidelines on how to live, how to worship, and when to worship are the major themes we’ll see in this week’s study, including HIS presence in HIS sanctuary—us. The Ark of the Testimony brings us into HIS witness.
Waiting on God... Still Waiting... Have you ever waited, and waited, and waited, wondering if He was still there, listening, caring? God's timing is perfect, but what do we do when His plan doesn't fit with our timing? Do we look for guidance elsewhere? Do we give up on Him? Consequences will follow each choice. He sets before us Life and Death, Blessings and Curses. What will we choose?
All of us fear judgment. No one likes to go to traffic court for a violation. Certainly we don't crave hearing our bosses' evaluation of our performance. And when we ponder the fact that God looks down upon us and judges us, it is quite a scary thought.
Ha Mishkan: The Tabernacle. This is where God dwells, and loves it, as in Psalms 26:8. In the beginning of Parasha Terumah (Exodus 25:1-7), God tells Moshe (Moses) to collect donations from all Israel for the building materials of the Tabernacle. He mentions the specific materials that they should bring such as gold, silver, copper, turquoise, & wool. Why must they bring specific materials?