The Tabernacle

The Tabernacle

Introduction

"And the Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, theglory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth."

We are going to go through the tabernacle step by step the way YHVH designed it. We will discuss all the symbols and furniture, and how they are a beautiful picture of not only the Messiah, but ourselves.

The very first thing we must define is how YHVH, according to the scriptures, speaks to man. The scriptures reveal to us that there are many ways in which the Creator reveals His will and intellect and Himself to us. We must first grasp the fact that what we read is from the intellect of YHVH and not man. If there is information in the scriptures that is hard to understand, then it is due to the ineptness of the student and not the teacher.

Hoshea 12:10 "I have spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets."

We get the word 'similitude' from the word 'similar'. The Hebrew wordused here is “damah”. This word is used primarily to denote the idea of 'likeness' or 'like unto'.

Let's look at some references to the tabernacle in the Re-New-ed Testament or Brit Chadashah. Ivrim 8:5 and 9:1 - 24 both make clear statements that the 'tabernacle in the wilderness' was a figure or picture of the Messiah, and of a greater and more perfect tabernacle. Paul certainly believed that there was something to be learned about this greater tabernacle from the first tabernacle. When we study the first tabernacle, we learn to express the purpose of a greater tabernacle. But it is just as important that when we understand the function and intention of the greater tabernacle, that we can gain more insight into the first tabernacle.

DNA

It is only recently that this closed loop relationship between the Old and New Testaments and the first and greater tabernacle began to come into better focus. It was found through recent studies of D.N.A.

Scientist Michael Denton puts it this way,

"Although the tiniest bacterial cells are incredibly small, each is in effect a veritable micro-miniaturized factory containing thousands of exquisitely designed pieces of intricate molecular machinery, made up of

100,000,000,000 atoms, far more complicated than any machine built by man and absolutely without parallel in the nonliving world."

This 'simple cell' turns out to be a miniaturized city of unparalleled complexity and adaptive design, including automated assembly plants and processing units featuring robot machines (protein molecules with asmany as 3,000 atoms each in three-dimensional configurations) manufacturing hundreds of thousands of specific types of products. This is only what science has discovered so far.

Is this all by chance? All without a designer? D.N.A. was discovered to be the source or blueprint of this extremely complicated process. Proteins could not be manufactured or functional without the D.N.A. source providing the defining and guiding information. But lately, it has also been discovered that the D.N.A. or source of creative information cannot fully function without the protein molecule. WHAT! The D.N.A. source of information to form the protein cannot fully function without the very thing it's information gives life to? In others words these two entities are a closed loop system. Simply put, they need each other.

This microscopic earthly picture describes the very relationship that exists between the two Testaments. Without the information source of Torah (D.N.A.) we cannot define the words of the New Testament, and once we have defined the New Testament, we can now go back and fully understand the Old.

The Greater Tabernacle, the more perfect tabernacle, cannot be understood outside the first tabernacle. Once we grasp the fullness of the first tabernacle, then we will be able to properly fulfill the purpose of the greater tabernacle. With that information, we can more fully appreciate the first tabernacle. Both tabernacles need each other.

The Structure

Heb 8:5"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of YHVH when he was about to make the tabernacle; for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shown to thee in the mount."

Ex 25:8-9 "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that Ishow thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furnishingsthereof, even so shall ye make it."

The word tabernacle is translated from several words, and there are several other English words that refer to the tabernacle. There are basically two Hebrew words that are translated as tabernacle. These are “mishkan” and “ohel”. These words are used interchangeably throughout the Tenach to speak of the structure in general. They do represent two different aspects of the structure. The word ohel generally speaks of the overhanging or covering the tent apparatus, and the mishkan of all the items that lift it up or supports it.

Covering

The word ohel speaks of a tent like structure or covering. The verbal root of this word is ahal, which means to radiate or shine forth. Ohel is more of a description of what our eyes behold when looking at the tabernacle, the glory of YHVH. The covering aspect was also seen in the Cloud that his the Glory of YHVH. Is Glory is not visible in a common sense but you must enter into the cloud to seek His Glory just like Moses entered the Cloud on the Mount, entering YHVH’s Glory that was hidden from the rest of the people.

Support

The more common word for tabernacle however, is mishkan. This word means, basically, a dwelling place, but has a much deeper and more profound background. The verbal root of mishkan is shakan. This word is translated as to dwell, to remain, to habitat or continue.

What is fascinating to think about is that the “Glory” which is supposed to be inside, contained inside the “dwelling place”, is actually the covering of the dwelling place or tent. The support that should support the “covering”, is the space contained within the tent. My question is now, what supports the tabernacle from the inside and what hid the Glory from the outside? These two concepts are turned around, thinking logically. But, as we know, the Tabernacle is a spiritual concept and must be looked at through spiritual eyes to understand what it is all about.

The support is the empty space that needs to be filled with what it was intended for in the first place. YHVH is the “Object” that fills this space and that is the Structure supporting the covering of the tent. Without Him indwelling the Tabernackle, there is no support and the whole “tent” will collapse, He is the One that holds everything up and together and fills it with Himself, sounds familiar?

Eph 1:22-23(22) And He put all under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all, to the assembly, (23) which is His body, the completeness of Him who fills all in all.

The Glory we expect to be on the inside is actually covering everything, protecting it from the outside. He is not only the structure, holding everything in place, but is the “Covering” and protection, guarding what He is all about and see to it that it stays “set apart” or Holy. Everything inside the Tabernacle is set apart and protected from the worldly things on the outside, where the Tabernacle is build and where we live. If we come into His tabernacle, His ways, we are also under His protection and guard to help us to be “set apart” people for Him. Inside His Glory we can experience Him where we learn His “structured” ways and how to walk “upright” with Him.

The Ark

As stated before, YHVH ALWAYS uses a pattern. YHVH is now going to give His children instructions for life. He begins by giving them an earthly structure that will speak to us as well as them of heavenly things, specifically the Messiah.

YHVH gave specific instructions for the construction of His dwelling place.He started, first of all, describing the very heart of the tabernacle, the ark. The ark is the place where His testimony will be put in, the place of perfection and pure holiness. The Ark also represents man’s heart

As it is with many translated words, the English word "ark" does not fully describe this piece of furniture. In Hebrew, this word is 'aron. We would think of it as a chest. It’s verbal root of this word is 'arah or "gathering". In context here it will be the container or gathering place for the testimony or the Word of YHVH, to be eventually expressed on the tablets. 'Aron is in the feminine gender and not by coincidence. The bearer of the "Word of YHVH" is always in this gender, beginning with the seed of the woman in Gen 3:15. The Word of YHVH is pictured as a child in a womb, to be protected, kept, and nurtured.

From YHVH's point of view this entire structure is constructed around His word. His word was, is, and will always be, the center of His will for man. This is the very reason that Yeshua is first introduced to us by John as the "Word of YHVH".

The ark is to be made of 'tzey shittiym or shittim wood. This word is sometimes translated as acacia wood, which may or may not be the same wood that Yeshua's wreath of thorns were constructed from.

It also was the thorny branches placed over the sheep pens at night and during the winter months that Yeshua referred to in Yochanan 10:8-17. This tree grows very deep roots, draws nourishment from deep in the earth, and survives very well in dry ground. This tree is not an attractive tree such as a mighty oak or a giant redwood. In the Septuagint translation (Greek) of the Scriptures, shittim is translated as aphthartos or incorruptible. This container for the word of YHVH is to be made from a tree that has roots that grow from dry ground.

Yesha'yahu 53:2a."For he shall grow up before him like a tender plant, and like a root out of a dry ground: . . ."

It is an unattractive tree.

Yesha'yahu 53:2b. ". . . he hath no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him."

This tree is translated as incorruptible.

Heb 7:26. "For such an high priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, UNDEFILED, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens."

This shittim wood speaks of the Messiah's perfect humanity. This wood was touched with all that nature could throw against it, as it was, and is, with all trees, yet remained undefiled and incorruptible. Why? Because it housed the word of YHVH.

Ex 25:11"And you shall overlay it with pure gold, within and without shall you overlay it, and shall make upon it a rim of gold round about.".

The ark will be constructed of two principle materials, wood and gold. We have already discussed the "human" picture of the shittim wood, and how the Ruach HaQodesh reveals to us it's (His) kingship nature. YHVH first commands that it be "overlaid" with gold. The word here is “tzaphah”and is translated “to cover”, overlay, and also means, “to watch or watchman”, when in the kal verb stem.

Gen 31:49 we read, "...The LORD WATCH between me and you, when we are absent one from another."

The watchmen of Ez chapter 3 are placed there to warn the wicked, and to guard, protect, and be a cover between YHVH and man. How this overlaying process was accomplished is where the confusion is.

This is the same picture of the Bigger gathering place, the Tabernacle, where the “glory” is the outside covering, and the structure or inside space is filled with Him (His Word).

If this ark is a picture of the Messiah, then it does not surprise me that the exact relationship between the gold (deity) and the wood (humanity) is somewhat puzzling, but as we see more of the tabernacle, the pieces will come together. Gold has always been a picture of royalty or kingship. It is one of the items in Gen chapter 2 called tov or good. Gold or “zahav” means “shining, or brightness”, and Yeshua is declared to be the brightness of YHVH's glory in Heb 1:3. Gold is the mineral of the kings. So we see that this chest is not a combination of various materials but simply two. One is common and one is precious.

The Mercy seat

Now we come to that which surrounds and eternally hovers over the testimony of YHVH, the “kapporeth” or mercy seat.

Gen 25:21-22"And you shall put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony..."

This mercy seat, which is one word in Hebrew, is to be placed above upon the ark. The Hebrew here says, kapperet 'al-ha'aron milema'elah. This literally states that the covering is to be PLACED ON THE ARK FROM ABOVE. That which overshadows the ark can only come from above. The mercy seat is translated from the word ”kapporet” which is from the root ”kopher” which means “to atone, cover, or ransom”. This word is translated as propitiation in Romans 3:25.

This covering was literally placed on top of the testimony from above as the first article you see when approaching the ark. The laws of YHVH can only be accessed going “through” the mercy seat and facing the redemption work of the Messiah. The mercy seat is to be the place where the blood is to be sprinkled by the high priest. The mercy seat AND the ark together form one vessel.

One cannot and will not function wholly without the other. One cannot access the Torah of YHVH without His covering.There are to be cherubim at each end of the covering to be of beaten work of pure gold.

Ex 25:19 "And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubim on the two ends thereof."

These cherubim are to be 'al-hakapporet or from the mercy seat. They are to be part of the covering. It is interesting to note that two cherubim were placed at the east of the garden of Eden along with a flaming sword to guard the way of the tree of life (commandments of life) - Gen 3:24. It can be seen that Torah IS the tree of life and that in YHVH's time took upon flesh and tabernacled among us, and that the Brit Chadashah clearly teaches that believing gentiles are made one with this tree.

These cherubim were to keep man from access to Torah, in the absence of YHVH's redeeming mercy. The cherubim covered the mercy seat with their wings and wings normally speak of trust in the Scriptures. These cherubim picture the act of “batach” or trusting YHVH.

Ps 61:4: "I will abide in thy tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of thy WINGS."

Ps 36:7: "How excellent is thy loving-kindness O YHVH! Therefore, the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy WINGS."

Ps 91:4:"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his WINGS shall thou trust."Listen carefully to the writer of the book of Ruth, chapter 2 verse 12: "The LORDrecompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee by the LORD God of Israel, underwhose wings thou are come to trust."

The Word of YHVH is "under the shadow of thy wings." The ark contained three objects:

The law - (Ten Commandments, or Ten Words) Deut 10:2; Aharon's rod - Num 17:1.Pot of manna - Ivrim 9:4.

All three of these objects are part of the testimony of YHVH, as well as the tabernacle itself, B'midbar 9:15. Specifically however, the ark is the testimony of YHVH. So, what is YHVH's testimony or "the witness"? The Hebrew word is 'edut. This ark was to be YHVH's witness. This is to be HIS witness of HIS character and nature.

The ark is to be constructed first. It will be the center and heart of the tabernacle. The heart of the Mishkan is to be a unity. This one structure is to be a unity of YHVH's mercy and Torah. Torah without mercy is death. It cannot stand alone, and there is no other helpmate for it. Think about it. If Adam (Torah) had no helpmate (mercy), then how would he multiply? How could life flow from him? Mercy without Torah is empty. If Chava (Mercy) has no seed, no source of germination, then how can she produce life? True grace is filled with the seed of life. ". . The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63.

The testimony or witness of the ark is to be the same witness of Yeshua. The same testimony or "good news" to be taught and observed by YHVH's people throughout all generations. The testimony of a Father, inherited by His Son, to be given to His children. "Teaching them to observe all thingswhatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen." Matt 28:20.

The Table of Showbread

Ex 25:23-25"You shall also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shall overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a rim of gold round about. And thou shall make unto it a border of an handbreadth round about, and thou shall make a golden rim to the border thereof round about."

The tabernacle is divided into three areas that typify the Messiah's spirit, soul, and body, and of course our nature as well. This is the area of the mind or the "soulish" area. This will give us the power for ministry, for it is the mind that tells the body what to do. The ultimate source of guidance and direction for the mind is found in the Ark or the heart, the residence for the Word of YHVH. If the Word of YHVH is not in your heart, then the mind must take it's direction from some other source.

The mind or soul area:

Gen 2:7 And Elohim formed the man out of dust from the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils breath (neshamah) of life. And the man became a living soul (nephesh).

Man is formed out of the ground and became a living soul (nephesh) after receiving the breath (neshamah) of YHVH. In Gen 1:24 YHVH created every living animal (nephesh) on the earth. It is the same word as “living soul” of man. What differentiates between man and animal is the “neshamah” life of YHVH that only man received. Man’s soul consists of two parts. “Neshamah” is the spiritual part of the soul land “nephesh” is the physical part of man’s soul. I believe, after sin came, that man lost the “nashamah” part of his soul in the Garden and his spiritual eyes was blind. Man without YHVH’s “nashamah” is the same as an animal and that is why an animal’s blood could atone for man’s sin. It is because the life is in the blood, and blood had to flow to pay for sin. For YHVH to restore man back to his original state, YHVH had to atone with His life so that His blood, having “nashamah” could restore back the spiritual life to man.

Receiving the Sacrifice of Yeshua, and His Spirit, you receive His life giving breath, “nashamash”. It is only through faith in Him, what He has done and through His Spirit, no other way. Then your spiritual side of your soul will be restored and you can have fellowship with YHVH again. Your spiritual eyes will also be opened and you will see the truth.

The meaning of the Table:

YHVH has placed several items in the Holy Place to teach us about this relationship between the heart, mind, and body.

The showbread table is constructed very similarly to the ark itself. It is made of the same wood and gold, only with slightly smaller dimensions. However, it is the same height.

This table is called a shul'chan. ‘́‰¸�º� . The word in this form is always translated in the English as table. It's verbal root is shalach. Shalach is the Hebrew verb meaning to send out or simply to send. This word in Greek is apostello, which is in English, apostle. Now, you might be wondering what a table and an apostle have in common. The bread on this table will be the life sustaining bread. The word “shul’chan” consists of two words; “Shel”, meaning “who” and “chane” meaning, “favor”. These two words show us that it is His favor and grace that is presented on this table, that is sent out into the world.

In the Hebrew culture, as well as many cultures, the table in the home,was the place that the family gathered. There the children learned from their father. It was at this place that every child received life-sustaining words (bread) from him. Apostles are called by YHVH to be carriers and vessels of the Bread of YHVH. Those chosen and prepared by YHVH are called to bring the bread of life to all.

On the Table were two stacks of six loafs of bread, representing the twelve tribes. There were four other items to be placed on this table. The dishes, spoons, covers, and the bowls with which to pour with. The dishes and spoons were used to contain the frankincense and spread it over the bread. The bowls were likely used for the drink offerings. The word frankincense or “levonah" originate from the words for "white" and"moon". The word alone implies pureness as in the white linen given to the saints of YHVH.

Placement of the Table

The table of showbread was to set on the north side of the Holy Place. The entrance to the Holy Place was on the east, so that would mean that when you walked into the Holy Place the table of showbread was to your right.The right side is the spiritual side and is important because the battle is in the arena of the mind, and we need to transform our minds. Our Father has given us His word (bread) to accomplish this.

The very first thing that YHVH chooses to reveal from His design to us about the Holy Place is the table of showbread. When, by faith, you receive the life giving word of YHVH as portrayed in the ark, YHVH then brings you to His life sustaining word, as pictured in the bread in the Holy Place. When our Creator has purified and cleansed our heart, He then begins His work in our mind, which is the fierce battleground that westruggle with every day. We must first be reconciled back to Him and redeemed as His child BEFORE He can go to work on changing our minds and eventually our behavior. This is precisely what Paul was speaking of in Ephesians:

Eph 2:8-10"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of YHVH and not of works, lest any man should boast." This is where most modern "believers" stop quoting. "For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua unto good works, which YHVH hath beforeordained that we should walk in them."

First comes the "creating" in us that only YHVH can do. Now He has, by our faith and kind permission, something to work with. The Potter needs some clay to make a pot. The penalty for sin has been dealt with in the Most Holy Place, and now YHVH is going to deal with the power of sin in the Holy Place, if we will let him.

YHVH’s presence in the bread:

The word showbread or “lechem paniym” is literally the “ bread of His face, or presence”. YHVH uses bread to symbolize or speak of His presence. YHVH's presence is experience in obedience to His word, which is also likened to Himself. Yeshua said in Matt 4:4 that

"Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of YHVH."

The comparison is literal bread that gives life to the body, with the bread of YHVH which gives life to the soul and spirit, and Yeshua quickly verified that in His response to hasatan in the desert. YHVH's presence is in His word. If you are seeking the presence of YHVH in your life, try obeying His words!

Deut 30:11-14."For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not hidden from you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it. But the WORD is very near to you, in thy mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it."

Daily (bread) instruction by the word

2Cor 7:1Having, then, these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting set-apartness in the fear of Elohim.

Paul tells us here how to come out from among them. We do that by cleansing ourselves, flesh and spirit, and perfecting holiness. What or who determines what is clean and not clean? What or who determines what is holy and what is not? Only the written word (Torah) of YHVH does that. Only his bread can show us what is right or wrong, clean or unclean, righteous or unrighteous. The frankincense or “levonah" shows us to become "white" and pure before YHVH.

The Menorah

As we move away from the north side of the Holy Place and the life sustaining bread, we now travel to the south side in which the Menorah stands.

Ex 25:31-32"And thou shall make a lampstand of pure gold: of beaten work shall the lampstand be made; its shaft, and its branches, its bowls, its knobs, and its flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; Three branches of the lampstand out of the one side, and three branches out of the other side”.

Construction of the Menorah

The word candlestick in the King James English is from the Hebrew word

†́šŸ’̧� “menorah”. This word is taken from the word “ner” or light.

The middle of the word “menorah” is the word šŸ’ , “noor” that means “fire”. With the addition of the prefix and suffix the light now becomes the apparatus from which the light shines, illuminates, or exposes.

The lampstand is formed with six branches, however a closer study reveals a middle shaft called a “yarek”. The six branches actually extend from this shaft and all seven branches form the menorah that is one

beaten work. The word Œš‹ “yarek” is generally translated as “thigh, loins, or body”. This shaft “yarek” forms the balancing point between Œš“roke” or “tenderness”, on the left, and š‹ “yawray” or “fear”, on the right. These are the attributes of Yeshua, He is tender and kind, but also need to be feared as the Judge.

The six branches extend out from the shaft and are yet one with the shaft. Is it just a coincidence that believers of the Messiah, whether Jew or Gentile are referred to as branches in Romans 11? Is it just mere happenstance that these branches are all one with the central shaft or tree, and called the BODY of the Messiah?

The Almonds

According to Ex 25:33-38, the single beaten work of the menorah had bowls made like unto almonds at the top of each branch to contain the oil for the light. The bowls were made like unto almonds. The word 'almonds' shares a very interesting root with another word. The word for almonds is “shaqad” which shares the exact same spelling as it's verbal root. The word “shaqad” everywhere else is translated as "watch", "alert", or “to be sleepless”. These almond-shaped bearers of the oil for the light teach us something about the nature of being a light bearer. They, or we, are to be watchful and alert as "sons of the light".

Remember the parable of the ten virgins, five which took oil in their lamps and five which did not? Do you remember the last thing Yeshua says in that parable? "Watch therefore;..." The "sons of light" know the word of YHVH, obey his commandments, and keep his feasts and sabbaths. The very nature of what they are doing during the courses of YHVH's cycles of righteousness makes them alert and watching. In the Hebrew culture the "sons of darkness", or "sons of the night", are those who do not know Torah and have not the light of YHVH.

The flowers, or “perach”, extended downward from the bowls. This word means to blossom, grow, or produce. They added fruitful beauty to the menorah. The true believers of the Lord are spoken of in these terms in many places. The Messiah tells us that we are to be known by our fruit in Matt 7:20. A watchful, ready, and waiting bride captures the attention of all that even glance in her direction.

Function of the Menorah

The inner sanctuaries were dark, very dark. There was no natural light to enter this place. Only the light of the menorah was to illuminate the Holy Place or the place of ministry. Ministry is to be driven by the light of YHVH and not by man's design or desires. Our minds are to be illuminated by YHVH's light. It is this light that is to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

Yeshua, confirming that calling in Yochanan 8:12, claims to be the light ofthe world. Yeshua then calls those who follow Him, whether Jew or Gentile, to be the light of the world in Matt 5:14.

Light was Torah and Torah was light, and every physical activity of YHVH's people was to be guided by this. Many times I wonder what most modern Christians think Yochanan means when he says that we are to walk in the LIGHT. The menorah was never to go out.

In Lev 24:2-3 we read,

"Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually."

The priests obeyed this command because they understood themeaning of the light. It was the word of YHVH that sustained their lives, not to mention the universe.

The six branches of the menorah are to be of one beaten work with the shaft or seventh branch. This lampstand was to be the symbol of Israel. However, it was designed to be the symbol of all that claimed to be one with the seventh branch. This is why Yeshua uses this same image in describing the condition of seven of His kehillot (churches) at the time that Yochanan wrote, and a symbol of the kehillot since then.

The light of the menorah pictures the word of YHVH, and the menorah is the bearer of that light. The light of the menorah is to first irradiate the mind with the testimony of YHVH. That tesimony is then to be taken to the nations. Take this symbol of YHVH's instructions for manand bring it into 1 Yochanan 1:5-7.

"This, then, is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that YHVH is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yeshua the Messiah, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."

John goes on to relate sin to darkness, and light to keeping His commandments. If walking in the light is vital to our "Christian" walk, then would it not be imperative to know what walking in the light means?

"To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no LIGHT in them." Yesha'yahu 8:20

It has been the agreement of most Talmudic authorities that the menorah's light specifically illuminated the table of showbread. The menorah in the Holy Place was to illuminate the mind with the word of YHVH. Then that same light was to be expressed in good works so thatYHVH would be glorified.

This is the way that our wonderful Creator has designed us. First, our hearts must receive His testimony, then our minds are changed through the study of His words, and finally our bodies are to respond to the commands of the mind. YHVH created us, so He knew in advance that this is how we work. If the word of YHVH is not in your heart, then instructions and communication have to come from somewhere else. Fill your mind with the word of YHVH and let your light sine in the dark world.

The Brazen Altar

Ext 27:1-8 "And thou shall make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad: the altar shall be foursquare; and the height thereof shall be three cubits. And shou shall make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: its horns shall be of the same; and thou shall overlay it with bronze. And thoushall make its pans to receive its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its fleshhooks, and its firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shall make ofbronze. And thou shall make for it a grate of network of bronze; and upon the net shall thou make four bronze rings in the four corners thereof. And thou shall put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar. And thou shall make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with bronze. And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it. Hollow with boards shall thou make it; as it was shown thee in the mount, so shall theymake it."

YHVH has now taken us directly to the command for the construction of the brazen altar, which stands in the court, and is the very first thing you would see when entering the tabernacle area. Much of the description of this altar is previously described in earlier accounts of the furniture in the Most Holy Place and Holy place, i.e. the wood and bronze.

Bronze pictures judgment, and this altar is to be the ultimate place of judgment. This altar is to be called the altar of burnt offering (Ex 30:28, Lev 4:7). This altar is to be distinguished from the altar of incense. So, let us begin at the beginning of this altar.

The word for altar is “mizebecha”. This word is built upon the verbal root “zavach”. “Zavach” is the Hebrew word for “sacrifice, or offering”. So, the altar is the noun and the sacrifice is the verb, or the action. The literal meaning of “zavach”, or offering, is to prepare something for a higher purpose. It is directly connected to the preparation of a meal tosatisfy a guest. For example, an earlier event in Gen 31:54 presents this very picture. Here we have the sacrifice being connected directly to the eating of a meal. When a bullock, a lamb, or a goat is offered upon this altar, YHVH is satisfied.

We have the first such occasion of a burnt offering in B'reshith 8:20, when Noach comes out of the ark and builds an altar. In Gen 22:8, 13, we have a wonderful, moving picture of what Yahshua Himself will do on the antitype of the brazen altar, a tree, - a tree that He was nailed upon.

In Gen 22:8 we read that YHVH himself will provide the sacrifice instead of Isaac. Most Christian commentators see this as a statement of prophecy, that YHVH Himself will be that lamb in the form of Yahshua. The Hebrew there says, "'elohiym yir'eh-lo hashsheh." This is literally translated as "'Elohiym will see to it Himself the lamb." In other words,'Elohiym will Himself provide the lamb. This in and of itself does not suggest that He would be the offering. But I would like to add another piece of information that I believe is not placed in the text by chance. It is the substitute for Isaac that I believe sheds some more light on verse eight.

In verse thirteen it reads:

"And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son."

The word for ram is “'ayil”. This word is the verbal root for the word 'ELOHIYM! This phrase means that the ram was sacrificed in place of His son. One of the most oft quoted titles of hasatan is the antichrist. This word in Hebrew is the Mashiach Tachat, or the "instead-of Messiah".

Hasatan's nature, since his fall in Yesha'yahu 14, is to be "instead of YHVH", to be in place of YHVH in every way, and to convince the entire inhabited world of this as well. However, YHVH's plan from the beginning necessitated that He would take upon flesh and die "in place of" man. YHVH must be the lamb. The whole idea of the burnt offering is to satisfy the sin problem before entering anywhere else in YHVH's house or tabernacle. This is the Creator's way. The Father dwells between the cherubim above the mercy seat, keeping watch over the ark of the testimony.

There was only one way the priests could approach the laver, enter the Holy Place, eat the sustaining bread, stand before the light of the menorah, and burn incense on the golden altar. They must give their whole being through the sacrifice of the burnt offering at the entrance to the court. This is one reason why Yahshua said that He was the way, the truth and the life, and only by Him could one come to the Father. The brazen altar was the only way.

This altar is to be carefully distinguished from the altar of incense. One of the differences between the brazen altar and the altar of incense is contained in the nature of the offering. The brazen altar is the place of a "whole" offering. The meaning behind this offering sets the stage for the "strange fire" of Aharon's sons, Nadav and Avihu. I believe there is adistinct reason why YHVH skipped to this altar in his commands to Mosheh, rather than going in the natural order of the altar of incense. If you follow YHVH's pattern of design from the inside out, the altar of incense would be next. However, there is a subtle yet significant step that YHVH reveals to his people first, this would be the altar of the wholeburnt offering. A step, I believe, Nadav and Avihu purposely rejected.

In Yochanan 14:6, Yahshua said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father, but by me." Where does the Father dwell? Between the cherubim, above the testimony and the mercy seat in the Most Holy Place! When you entered the tabernacle, you ran square into the brazen altar. This place of sacrifice, whole sacrifice, stood between you and the abode of YHVH. This is the place of the whole burnt offering. Why a 'whole' offering? Well, the very meaning of the word 'whole' will give us some insight.

The Bride made whole.

The word 'whole' comes from the Hebrew “kaliyl”. The root of this word is kalal which means “to be perfected, finished, or complete”. One of the cognates of this word is kallah, which is the word for 'bride'. The idea behind YHVH's choice of this word is that this offering representscompleteness, or the finished act. All other offerings and "rituals" are to be observed after this offering. The animal offered on this altar gave himself completely. This was to be accomplished before approaching the lavar as well.

When we give our lives to Yahshua through identification with His sacrifice, we are to understand that we are giving ALL our sin to be reduced to ashes. We are handing over all of our life to Him so that He might live through us. We are giving spirit, soul, and body. This is why Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:23:

"And the very God of peace sanctify you WHOLLY; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Yahshua the Messiah."

Romans 12:1-2 alludes to the same thing.

Modern Christian teaching has so typically taught that we plunge our spirit into His spirit, and that only our spirits are to become one with the Holy Spirit. The brazen altar, however, paints a different picture, one of complete identification with the animal that has given it's life. So it is withthe Messiah's sacrifice.

This word “kalal” first appears in Gen 2:1, when YHVH tells us that the heavens and the earth were vayekullu, i.e., finished or completed. The cognate, “kallah”, used for bride also teaches us this identification with completeness. Now why would the root of bride mean "to be complete"? Because the man is not complete without the woman. The literal taking of the side of man to make a woman and the subsequent reunitingthrough scriptural marriage, is a picture of the oneness that YHVH created in his image and called "man". So it is with the teaching of the Lord's bride in Scripture. Our Messiah waits patiently at the right hand of YHVH for His bride, so that He too may be complete. This bride, through the love of her bridegroom, is growing into a "perfect man" according to Ephesians 4:13.

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Sonof God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Messiah."

The husband is to give himself for his wife. He sets aside his desires and his wants for hers. He is designed to give his wife what she needs.She, in turn submits, to her husband. He gave himself completely to her, so she in turn gives herself completely to him. We love him, This is some of the meaning behind identifying ourselves wholly in following the Messiah in his death (Colossians 2:9-13, Romans 6:3-10).

I believe the picture of the brazen altar and Yahshua's fulfillment of it show us a whole offering, spirit, soul, and body. I believe that only those who have given themselves wholly on that altar are "the bride". I believe that Nadav and Avihu did not desire to give themselves wholly because togive yourself wholly means to submit wholly to YHVH. Torah, or YHVH's instructions, are for the whole man.

Strainge fire.

According to Lev 16:11-13, the incense from the altar of incense was to be mixed with a censer full of burning coals of fire from the burnt altar. If the coals of ashes from the whole offering are not offered along WITH the sweet incense, then a "strange fire" has been offered to YHVH. If anyone has already given themselves WHOLLY to the Lord, then the fire of YHVH comes down and consumes the offering

If you stand before YHVH at the altar of incense, lifting up incense without the burning coals of the whole burnt offering, then you are offering a strange fire to YHVH. Here lies the logical question. How does one give themselves wholly on this altar?

From the beginning, YHVH has anticipated the needs of man: spirit, soul, and body. He knew in advance that because of man's fallen nature, that man would desire to fill all these needs himself, without his Creator's intervention. YHVH knew that left alone, these "adamic" desires would break fellowship at best and destroy him at worst. So YHVH began his restoration of man with the sacrifice, a place where man had a second chance, a place where man could lay down his entire life without being destroyed, a place where someone else could pay the price.

Mark 12:30"And thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

The Laver

Ex 30:17 - 21"And YHVH spoke unto Mosheh, saying, Thou shall also make a laver of bronze, and its foot also of bronze, with which to wash. And thou shall put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shall put water therein; For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat. When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto YHVH. so they shall wash their handsand their feet, that they die not; and it shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his SEED throughout their generations."

The laver is made of bronze, or brass in some versions. Bronze speaks of judgment. This will be appropriate for the nature of the laver. It is to be placed between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar. The altar is referring to the brazen altar of sacrifice. After entering into the only gate at the east end of the court, and after sacrificing at the brazenaltar, the priest then proceeds to the Holy Place. However, AFTER the sacrifice has been made but BEFORE he can minister or approach YHVH, he must wash his hands in the laver, lest he die. What in the world is YHVH teaching us here? Let's begin by defining the word laver. In the Hebrew, this word is “kiyor”. This word means “to purify”. It is also the word for “furnace”. In Mishlei 17:3 we read,

"The refining pot is for silver, and the FURNACE for gold; but YHVH tests the heart."

How does YHVH test or cleanse our hearts? Ephesians 5:25 - 26,

"Husbands love your wives, even as Messiah also loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."

To reject the words of 'Elohiym is to reject Him. The God of Israel is to be approached only by those who are clean (1 John 1:9).

What is clean and unclean is ONLY revealed and taught in His WORD or Torah. The laver is a picture of being cleansed by the Word. His gift of salvation, or redemption, is found at the brazen altar. We would now ask if this laver is a picture of baptism. The answer to this is found in the insertion of the consecration of the priests placed between chapter 27 and 30.

Exo 29:4-7 (4) “Then you shall bring Aharon and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and wash them with water. (5) “And you shall take the garments, and shall put on Aharon the long shirt, and the robe of the shoulder garment, and the shoulder garment, and the breastplate, and shall gird him with the embroidered band of the shoulder garment, (6) and shall put the turban on his head, and shall put the set-apart sign of dedication on the turban, (7) and shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head and anoint him.

Aaron and his sons are washed from head to toe (taval) in preparation for their ministry. When this process takes place we are not told. This appears to be a one-time event. I would assume that it occurs sometime after the altar of sacrifice and before they can minister in their priestly office. Based upon this, you can come to your own conclusions as to whenimmersion (baptism, water or otherwise) takes place after sacrifice. The laver, however, is for the daily washing of feet and hands only.

The difference between a taval, a full immersion, and a rachatz, or a daily washing, is pictured beautifully in John 13:4 - 10:

Joh 13:4-10(4) rose from supper and laid aside His garments, and having taken a towel, He girded Himself. (5) After that He put water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the taught ones, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was

girded. (6) And so He came to Shim on Kĕpha, and he said to Him, “Master, do

You wash my feet?” (7) answered and said to him, “You do not know what

I am doing now, but you shall know after this.” (8) Kĕpha said to Him, “By no

means shall You wash my feet, ever!” answered him, “If I do not wash you,

you have no part with Me.” (9) Shim on Kĕpha said to Him, “Master, not my feet

only, but also my hands and my head!” (10) said to him, “He who has had

a bath does not need to wash, except his feet, but is clean altogether. And you are clean, but not all of you.”

All of Yahshua's disciples were ministers of the kingdom except for Judas, who had never been immersed (taval) and clothed with priestly garments, so to speak. However, Yahshua makes it clear that a disciple has no part with him if he or she is not willing to be cleansed daily. So how do we wash in this laver? By immersing ourselves in His word that we maydo the works of the Father! Remember that this laver is placed just outside of the Holy Place. In order for a follower of Messiah to minister in this world, he must be cleansed by the word first. In other words HOW would I know how or what to do if I were not instructed by His word first?

If I attempt to do what I think is right and essentially do my own works, then I am eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil andperforming works of iniquity. The ultimate result of this is death.

A kal v'chomer can be used here. How could YHVH entrust his priests to minister in the vital things of the Holy Place, if they will not obey the simple commands given in the court? "How can I trust you with greater things if you will not do the lesser things?" This is true of many of the ordinances of YHVH. The weekly Sabbath is a picture of an eternal rest we have with Yahshua. The eternal rest is far more important than the weekly Sabbath. But if we will not obey the lesser Sabbath, how can we be trusted to grasp the greater Sabbath? Will YHVH allow me to eat of the showbread and trim the lights of the Menorah if I refuse to wash my hands first?

It is not just the desire to enter the Holy Place that is to be our motivation for cleansing. I believe it is the desire of everyone who calls themselves a child of YHVH to be Yahshua's bride. Perhaps you have been taught that everyone who confesses that He is YHVH, will be the bride. Keep in mind however, that the bride is veiled. The scriptures do tell us the characteristics of the bride. She will be the one who is a chaste virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2). She is washed in the water of the word, not having spot nor wrinkle, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:26 - 27). Virtually all of the prophetic utterances concerning the end times, speak clearly of the difference between those who are His and those who are not His.

Those who are not, did not wash themselves. They profaned His sabbaths and polluted His feasts. They despised His ordinances and rejected His statutes and commandments. They ate swine's flesh and adopted the ways of the nations. They may have stopped between the brazen altar and the laver or perhaps they never made it to the altar at all. This, I am not the judge of. The clothes of righteousness are only put on those who have washed themselves. In the end, many will come to the wedding supper with no wedding garment, and many will have defiled their garments.

Hitgalut 3:5-6 "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches."

The Court

Exo 27:9-15(9) “And you shall make the courtyard of the Dwelling Place: for the south side screens for the courtyard made of fine woven linen, one hundred cubits long for one side, (10) and its twenty columns and their twenty sockets of bronze, the hooks of the columns and their bands of silver, (11) and so for the north side in length, screens one hundred cubits long, with its twenty columns and their twenty sockets of bronze, and the hooks of the columns and their bands of silver.(12) “And the width of the courtyard on the west side screens of fifty cubits, with their ten columns and their ten sockets. (13) “And the width of the courtyard on the east side fifty cubits. (14) “And the screens on one side of the gate fifteen cubits, with their three columns and their three sockets. (15) “And on the other side screens of fifteen cubits, with their three columns and their three sockets.

We have now reached the area of the tabernacle that is most visible. The court pictures the body of Messiah, that part which is seen and heard. This can be seen in the word “chatzer”, which is the word translated as 'court'. This word is from the root, “chatzar”, which means to make a sound. The word for the silver trumpets is “chatzozerah”. These trumpets were used to signal an attack, and sometimes to signal a feast. These two words are directly related because they both express demonstrative activity that can be seen or heard. When notes were sounded in a particular order on the silver trumpets, it signaled to YHVH's people the kind of assembly (mikra - ekklesia - church) that was being called. The sound of the trumpet was synonymous with the nature of the assembly.

The same was true of the design of the court of the tabernacle, keeping in mind that there are three parts of the mishkan, but always referred to as 'one' tabernacle. It was important that the court reflect the holiness of the Holy Places. He surrounded the court with fine-twined linen to express this righteousness, as if to say that the same righteousness that is IN the tabernacle, i.e. the curtains of the inner veil, is the same righteousness that the world sees.

The most important area to keep clean is the court. YHVH, our Father, must be approached beginning with the court. Yashua said that He was the way, the truth, and the life, and that no man can come to the Father but by Him. Yashua is the manifest expression of the word of YHVH. He is that which can be seen, heard, and touched. He is the perfect tabernacle.

There is an order in approaching YHVH. You begin at the gate with thanksgiving, and then enter His courts with praise (Mizmor 100:4). You then stop at the laver and wash, followed by the entrance to the Holy Place of ministry. Just before entering His presence is the Golden Altar of Incense (prayer) where you can then enter boldly into His Most Holy Place. When YHVH approaches you, He begins at the Ark of the Testimony in the Holy of Holies (the heart or the spirit). He then proceeds to theHoly Place or the area of the mind, and only then will He move the body or direct the behavior of His people. Our minds have to be changed by the Spirit of YHVH before His righteousness can be expressed. The court (body) is the expression of YHVH's will. If the court continues to sin, so to speak, then the world sees hypocrisy at best and a perverted view of the Most Holy Place at worst. This is why both Testaments are filled with commandments for the sheep to be holy, as He is holy.

Oneness in the body of Messiah is established by obedience to His word. Only then can the world SEE that there is only one 'Elohiym. Obedience is accomplished in behavior and demonstration, which is an outwardexpression of what is taking place on the inside. The court, or body of Messiah, is as much the tabernacle as the Holy places are, because it is the witness that 'Elohiym is one.

During the time of the kings, the tabernacle was replaced by the temple. A construction that I personally do not believe was 'Elohiym's ultimate desire. The court area was divided into an inner court and the great court. The inner court was for the priests only. It completely surrounded the Holy and Most Holy Places and was itself completely surrounded by what is called the 'great court', the place where gentiles could also roam freely, provided they respected the temple area. However, gentiles were not allowed to even peak over the cedar beam dividers into the inner court area. It was a middle wall of partition. M'lakhim Alef 6:36 to 7:12, describes this court area. In verse 12 we read that the two courts were divided by a row of cedar beams. So, what stood between the court of the priests and the court of the gentiles was a wall of cedar beams, called a kerutot. This word is from the root karat, which means 'to cut', or 'to make', as in a covenant. In Ephesians 2:14, we read, "For He isour peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION (kerutot) between us, . . ." This was the fulfillment of Yirmeyahu 31:31 as well, when YHVH said that He would make (karat) a covenant between the house of Israel and the house of Yehudah and that in the latter days they would be one house.

The removing of this wall was what fulfilled the covenant. In the past, Israel and the gentiles could roam freely in the great court, but now, by trusting and entering the same covenant, both Jew and gentile can access the inner court. The middle wall of partition is NOT the law! It is the enmity, or the penalty contained in the law, i.e. death and separation, that was abolished. I suppose it would be obvious in reading Yirmeyahu 31, Hoshea 1, 1 Kefa 2:9-11, and Ephesians 2, that the "New Covenant" is only between the house of Israel and the house of Yehudah.

If we believe that we as believers are in the new covenant, then common sense drives us to conclude that we must either be the house of Yehudah or the house of Israel!

The Gate, Pillars, and Sockets

Sh'mot 27:16"And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine-twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four."

Placed at the east end of the court is the gate and entry to the tabernacle. This, by the way, is the only entrance to the tabernacle. The gate at the east end follows the instructions for the hangings of the east side (vs. 13-14). The choice of the east side entrance is no coincidence. The etymology of the word 'east' provides some of the best insight. The word in Hebrew is “qedem”. This word is translated as east, “old, and ancient”. A good case can be made to show that the ways, laws, and customs of YHVH come from the east. The garden of YHVH that contained the tree of life was placed eastward in Eden . The coming of the Messiah will be from the east (Matt 24:27). The Messiah was to come from the tribe of Yehudah which was the lead camp on the east side of the tabernacle (B'midbar 2:3). In Mikhah 5:2 we read of where the Messiah was to come from.

"But thou, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Yehudah, yet out of thee shall be come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from OLD (qedem), from everlasting."

The words ancient, old, and east all speak of the source of where all things come from. This is why YHVH is called the one from everlasting or the east (Havakuk 1:12). The word west or “yam” speaks of the direction of the nations and is equally translated as the 'seas', or source of the mass of humanity. This is where we get the term 'the sea of humanity'. Man's ways come from the west and 'Elohiym's ways come from the east. It is no coincidence that the only entrance to the tabernacle is on the east side.

There is a gate placed at the east end which leads immediately to the brazen altar. The word gate is most interesting as well. The word “gate” is translated from the Hebrew word, “sha'ar”. The word literally means “to complete a business transaction”. At this time, surrounding most larger cities were walls. Most walled cities had two gates by which to enter into the city. There was a general, larger entrance and then there was a much smaller gate called the gate of the elders. It is at this smaller gate that several things took place. When entering the city, if you went through the smaller gate, you were met by the city elders who settled disputes and debts.

If you were a debtor to anyone, you could take care of the debt at the 'narrow' gate and then walk freely anywhere in the city. You were not to be harassed or condemned by your creditors. However, if you were not concerned about settled debts or disputes, then you could freely walk through the 'wide' gate, but at your own peril. So, in other words, you could settle your debts now and be free, or you could take your chances and settle them later. These two gates, if it is not obvious already, are the gates referred to in Matt 7:13.

"Enter in at the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be who go in that way; Because narrow is the gate, and hard is the way, which leads unto life, and few be there that find it."

For obvious reasons this gate was also called the 'gate of thanksgiving.'

Mizmor 100:4"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

The gate was the 'way' into the city. In the same way there was only one way to enter the tabernacle, there was and is only one way to enter into the kingdom of 'Elohiym. Yahshua claimed to be the only way in John 14:6. At the end of the revelation of John we are told that there are twelve gates to the New Jerusalem. These gates are the twelve tribesof Israel. It is through one of these gates that one must enter the New Jerusalem. One might ask "Which gate am I going through ' It might be important to know that those who have 'washed their robes', or 'kept the commandments' in other Greek manuscripts, are those who have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Hitgalut 22:14"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

The gate was the only way into the court of the tabernacle, it was the only doorway. If one attempted to enter in any other way, he was considered a thief. Yahshua is the only door to the sheepfold, anyone entering any other way is a thief (Yochanan 10:1-8). The court was surrounded by pillars that were set in sockets. We have covered silver and bronze extensively already, but it is interesting to discover the meaning of the pillars and sockets.

The word pillars used here is the Hebrew word 'ammud. This word is from the verbal root 'amad, which means 'to stand'. The court, as we have previously discussed is a picture of the physical body and our individual resolve. The pillars represent our call to stand firmly without wavering.

Yirmeyahu 6:16"Thus saith YHVH, STAND in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk in it, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it."

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we STAND, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Ephesians 6:13-14"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND. STAND, therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness . . ."

It is clear from these verses that one cannot stand alone, and that it is truth, hope, and 'Elohiym Himself that you can stand firmly in. It is, again, no coincidence that these pillars are to be set in sockets. The Hebrew word chosen here by YHVH for sockets is “'eden”. The root of this word is adon or “master”. Most occurances of this word are in reference to earthly 'lords' or 'masters'. It is the root of the word adonai. Today the Jewish religion, in general, uses the words Hashem or Adonai when referring to YHVH. Our pillars are to be firmly planted in our heavenly Master, and the ways that we are to stand in are the old ways and the old paths. We must also stand together in the traditions of YHVH and not the traditions of man or 'the church'.

1 Thessalonians 2:15"Therefore, brethren, STAND fast. and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle."

We are commanded not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor to stand in the way of the sinners, or to sit in the seat of the scornful (Mizmor 1:1). So, enter in at the narrow gate.

The Altar of Incense

Ex 30:1, 6 - 8"And thou shall make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shall thou make it ... And thou shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. And Aharon shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aharon lighteth the lamps at evening, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before YHVH throughout your generations."

Before YHVH gives instructions for the altar of incense and the laver he gives us the law for the sanctification of the priests. There are two pieces of furniture that stand before each veil. Before the veil of the Holy Place stands the laver. Before the second veil and the Most Holy Place stands the golden altar of incense. I believe that YHVH teaches the standards for His priests before He instructs the craftsman of the design of the place of prayer and the place of the washing of the water of the word. This is why I believe there is a three chapter pause before the design of the altar and the laver.

There are many occasions in this book, and in Vayikra, that this altar could be confused with the brazen altar just inside the gate in the court. The text must be read carefully as not to get these two mixed up, even though they are intimately tied together. This altar apparently stood just inside the Holy place in front of the inner veil which was before themercy seat and the ark of the covenant. Aharon's responsibility at this time was to dress the Menorah and burn incense on this altar every morning and evening.

This will be one of several passages where we will learn of the association of the altar with prayer, and the fact that this altar was NOT in the Most Holy Place. It is also this section of scripture that the Ruach HaQodesh reveals pertinent information concerning the time of Yahshua's birth.We first learn that it is made of the same materials as the ark: gold and shittim wood. We have covered this meaning in the sessions on the ark of the covenant. We see that it is placed before the inner veil.

This means that as you begin your approach to YHVH at the gate, the last place you would stand before entering the Most Holy Place is this altar of incense or prayer. This would mean that you would have full understanding of sacrifice before getting this far.

Lev 16:11-13"And Aharon shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself. And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar which is before YHVH, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil. And he shall put the incense upon the fire before YHVH, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not."

I believe that coals of fire are to be taken from the sin offering in the censer combined with sweet incense and placed upon the altar of incense to be a sweet savor to YHVH. The censer of coals would be the recognition of the sacrifice and that this is the prerequisite to the acceptance of prayer to YHVH. A sweet savor is something that must be smelled.

In Hebrew, the word 'anaph, is the word for 'nose' and the word for 'anger' and 'wrath'. In Lev 9:22 - 10:5 we read that when the sacrifice is offered and the fire of the offering is according to YHVH's instructions then the fire of YHVH comes down and consumes the offering. However, if man chooses do appease YHVH but to do it in his own way, then the fire and wrath of YHVH comes down and consumes the man instead of the sacrifice. When the coals of sacrifice and the sweet incense of the altar rise up to YHVH, then He blesses the people. However, when YHVH smells a strange fire, His anger is kindled against the people.

Mishlei 28:9"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be anabomination."

Mizmor 66:18"If I regard iniquity in my heart, YHVH will not hear me."

Mishlei 15:29"YHVH is far from the wicked, but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."

So, how do we connect this altar with prayer?

Mizmor 141:1 - 2"YHVH, I cry unto thee; make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."

Hitgalut 5:8"And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Prayer, in the pattern of the golden altar, is also associated with the evening and morning. The picture of the altar of incense also speaks of this incense rising continually. This altar of incense is the last stop before entering the presence of YHVH. If the prayers of this altar are mixed with a contrite heart that has been to the altar of sacrifice, then they will be a sweet savor unto YHVH. However, if your prayer is not mixed with the precious blood of the Messiah, LOOK OUT!