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This week’s parasha is entitled T’rumah, which means “contribution.” from Exodus chapter 25:1 through 27:19.

This Torah reading focuses on the materials needed for the building of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

The Lord said to Moses, ^“Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to give.”

Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; onyx stones, and other gemstones.

The purpose of the contribution was to make the Tabernacle and everything in it. This included the ark and its cover, the table for the bread of God’s Presence, the lampstand, the altar of incense, the anointing oil and sweet incense, the altar of burnt offering, the washbasin, and the garments for the priests who served in the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle expressed the compassion and eternal desire of Adonai for His people. God is ever seeking to dwell with His chosen people. So much so that “the Word became human and tabernacled among us.”

The first item discussed is the ark with its cover. This was the most sacred and the only piece that was placed within the veil of the Holy of Holies – the Most Holy Place. The ark was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold both inside and out.

The cover for the ark was made of solid gold. On the cover were two cherubim facing each other but looking down on the ark; they also were made of a solid piece of pure gold. This is the place where God chose to meet and talk with His people.

The table of the Bread of the Presence was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. It was carried by gold-covered poles in the same manner as the ark.

On the table, 12 loaves of bread were placed. The bread represented God’s ongoing provision for His people, reminding them that He was their sustainer. Bread symbolizes fellowship and communion. The loaves were placed in God’s presence, signifying that Israel was spiritually “dining” with Him.

The Golden Lampstand was made of about seventy-five pounds of gold. It was undoubtedly a beautiful work of art with its seven branches which were fed pure olive oil and decorated with almond flowers, buds, and blossoms.

The golden lampstand was the only source of light available in the Holy Place which enabled the priests to serve before the Lord.

Today, believers are priests. We “must have” the oil of the Holy Spirit to serve the Lord and bring the light of His Word to this dark, wicked, and lost world.

Chapter 26: Within the Tabernacle were colorful curtains of linen, hung on a wooden framework. God built beauty into the walls and ceiling of the Tabernacle, not only with the colors used, but also with the images of the cherubim on the curtains.

The next covering was woven goat’s hair. Then came two protective coverings of ram skins and goatskin leather.

The framework of the Tabernacle was made of boards and crossbars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The boards were placed on silver bases. All that gold would make the inside of the Tabernacle splendorous and magnificent in appearance.

The last part of this chapter focuses on the two veils which served as curtain doorways: The outer veil was the doorway into the Tabernacle; the inner veil was the doorway into the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle.

Chapter 27 discusses the altar for the sacrifices, the court of the Tabernacle and further information on the olive oil for the golden lamp.

The purpose of the altar, which was made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze, was for burning the sacrifices.

The court of the Tabernacle was enclosed by curtains made of finely woven linen which surrounded the Tabernacle.

Final thoughts:                                                           

The Tabernacle no longer exists. Everything that was once in it is missing or destroyed. The priests are no longer serving there. However, the Tabernacle and its various furnishings point to and are fulfilled in a greater way through the Messiah.

Messiah is our Ark and Ark Cover, the place where God and man meet.

The Veil that allowed entrance into the Most Holy Place represents Messiah’s body. When Yeshua died, the Veil was torn in two from top to bottom, making the way into God’s presence accessible for all mankind.

Yeshua is like the Table of the Bread of the Presence. He will meet our needs and enable us to have communion with God.

He is our Golden Altar of Incense, enabling our prayers to ascend into the presence of God.

He is our Golden Menorah, who gives us light, truth, victory, happiness, and the presence of God.

He is our Bronze Altar, where the Ultimate Sacrifice – Himself, was offered, enabling us to be right with God.

Like the Bronze Washbasin, Messiah cleanses us so that we may serve God in purity.

He is our High Priest, who makes us into a kingdom of priests, giving each one of us skills and abilities that bring God closer to men and women, and bring men and women closer to God!

Praise, glory, and thanks be to God for Messiah who tabernacles among us!