Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.5MB)

The parasha for this Shabbat is entitled Terumah which means “Contribution” or “offering”. With the exception of chapters 32-34, the remainder of the book of Exodus is devoted to one thing: the construction and commission of the Tabernacle. The Hebrew word is Mishkan, from the verb shachan – to dwell or inhabit. The picture is that God wants to dwell in the midst of His people. Yet we are faced with a dilemma: how can an infinitely holy God, “a consuming fire”, dwell in the midst of sinful humanity? We will come back to that question shortly.

The parasha opens with God’s invitation to raise a contribution – a terumah. It was not to be under any compulsion, but rather, “…from every man whose heart moves him”. That contribution included silver and gold and bronze, but also multi-colored fabrics, animal skins, exotic stones, oil and spices. Obviously not everyone had silver or gold to contribute, but some people might have scarlet or purple or blue fabric. Others might have extra oil or an abundance of spices.

We are not told who brought what, but those whose heart stirred them to participate had the extreme satisfaction of knowing that something they contributed resulted in a thing of incalculable value. The same would later be true of those who contributed to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah.

Within the Tabernacle would reside the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Menorat Zahav – the Golden Lampstand and the Bronze Altar – each so rich in symbolism, demonstrating God’s holiness, His desire to draw near us, and the great Redemption that Messiah would bring.

The most significant piece of furniture for the Tabernacle was, of course, the Ark. It was to be constructed of acacia wood; it’s dimensions 45″ long x 27″ wide x 27″ high, and we were to overlay it with pure gold – inside and out. It was never to be picked up and hand-carried, but four cast rings of gold were to be fastened at its four corners, and poles of acacia wood, also overlay with gold, were to be used to carry the Ark whenever God was leading Israel to move out.

The Tabernacle structure included a court 150′ long and 75′ wide. Within that court was the Tabernacle itself, surrounded by curtains, within which only the priests and Levites could go. Within the inner court was the Holy Place, into which only select priests could go, and only at appointed times. And within the Holy Place was the Most Holy Place, into which only the High Priest of Israel was permitted, and only once each year (at Yom Kippur), and only after considerable ceremonial preparations, and only for a very short time.

If you get a sense of separation, you are beginning to understand. God, who is infinitely holy, must separate Himself from fallen, sinful human beings, though it has always been His desire to have fellowship with us. Therefore, Israel had these necessary degrees of separation.

It also helps us to appreciate fully what Matthew wrote – that at the very moment of Yeshua’s death on that Roman cross, the veil which previously blocked the way into the Holy of Holies was supernaturally ripped in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:50-51). The way has been opened for man to have intimate fellowship with God. What’s more, this access to the Throne of Grace is open to Gentiles as well as Jews. God has made us into one flock, Yeshua being our one Shepherd.

Let me conclude this morning by drawing some parallels. I want us to consider the “big picture”.

Think about this: God didn’t ask Israel to make contributions while we were still slaves in Egypt. First of all, as an enslaved people, we were in no position to do anything. Secondly, as slaves in Egypt we had nothing to contribute with which to build a glorious Mishkan. No, my friends, only after we had been set free was there an opportunity to make a terumah – a contribution.

And let’s remember something very important: Israel didn’t overcome Pharaoh or the armies of Egypt by wit or by warfare; we were rescued by divine intervention.

And now think about this: before Yeshua came into your life, you were enslaved to other taskmasters: Not Pharaoh or Egypt, but Satan and the sin nature. You were in no position to do anything. What exactly did you contribute to your salvation? Gornisht (nothing)! You had nothing to offer – zero righteousness. Spiritually dead people have nothing of spiritual worth to offer God.

But as it was then, so it is today; God doesn’t invite an enslaved people to bring a contribution; rather He invites those He has already set free. And just as Israel didn’t overcome Pharaoh by their own strength, we too were helpless. We cannot escape Satan, sin and judgment by our good works. We too are in need of divine intervention – which is precisely what God was doing through the life, death and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua – intervening and bringing us out of bondage into newfound freedom. Now you have something to offer. So what’s it going to be? That’s between you and Him, but everyone has something to contribute, and the result will be something of eternal beauty!