Exodus 38:21-40:38
(In a regular year, read with Parashah 22; in a leap year read separately.)
“These are the accounts of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, recorded as Moshe ordered, by the Levites under the direction of Itamar, the son of Aaron, the priest” (Exodus 38:21).
Excerpt:
The Mishkan Rises
On the first day of the first month of the second year after the Israelites had left Egypt, Moshe set up the Mishkan exactly as commanded. One year after they were given Adonai’s ‘appointed times,’ His place of residence rose in the center of camp where He could live with His treasured people. Pesach was arriving in 14 days.
The gold posts, silver sockets, and golden rafters were set up as the frame. The four coverings hung on rings, and the stakes holding the fence in place were pounded into the ground. The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies and concealed behind the Holy Curtain. In the Holy Place, Moshe arranged the loaves of bread on the Table of Presence. Wicks were trimmed and oil was put in the cups of the Menorah; the lamps were lit. The Altar of Incense was placed in front of the Holy Curtain and the smell of burning incense would fill the Holy Place. The entrance screen to the Most Holy Place hung on its five golden posts.
The fine linen curtains that surrounded the entire Tabernacle were hung along with the gate to the Tabernacle. In the Courtyard, the Altar of Sacrifice was set up near the entrance. Between the Altar and the Most Holy Place, the Bronze Laver was filled with water. Everything was anointed with the holy oil.
Aaron was brought to the entrance of the Tabernacle and washed with water. He put on the high priest’s garments and the turban with the golden ornament engraved with ‘Kadosh l’Adonai.’ He was anointed with oil and consecrated to serve as the high priest –– cohen gadol. His sons also washed and put on their priestly garments. They were then anointed to serve as cohanim throughout their generations (Exodus 40).
This rising of the Mishkan culminates the book of Exodus that describes the Israelites’ journey from slavery to freedom. They plundered Egypt and entered the wilderness. They crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, ate manna that appeared like dew, drank water that gushed from the ‘Rock,’ saw Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh in lightning and thunder on a mountain, heard His voice, and received His divine instructions.
They sinned against their Provider and ate quail until they were sick. They sinned against their Deliverer and drank contaminated water. They watched their loved ones die at the hands of the Levites. Though they repented, they did not know what Adonai’s decision would be.
Had Moshe’s intercession been enough? Would Adonai forgive them for the sin of the calf or would He keep His distance? Would He be merciful and compassionate to them? Would they worship the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they had been promised or had they lost that privilege? Would the Shekinah of the One who redeemed them, guided them, protected them, fought for them, and spoke with them, appear and live among them in the Tabernacle they built with their skilled hands and willing hearts? Did Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh still consider Isra’el His treasured possession?
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