Here
are some weird facts about the Bible that you might find interesting:
*
The only domestic animal not mentioned in the Bible is the cat.
(Poor kitties)
* Stephen Langton first divided the Bible into chapters in 1228.
The Old Testament was first divided by verses in 1448 and
the New Testament was first versed in 1551.
King James was not involved in either.
* In a 1631 edition of the King
James Bible, in Exodus 20 verse 14, the word "not" was left out.
This changed the 7th commandment to read, "Thou shalt commit adultery."
Oops!
*The book of Esther does not
contain the name of Yahweh or even a direct reference to Him.
*“Tetzaveh” is the only Torah
portion in the books of Exodus and Leviticus that does not contain
Moshe’s name.
“Tetzaveh,” the title to this week’s Torah portion, literally means,
“you shall command.” In this reading, Yahweh told Moshe to
command bnai Yisra’el to do several specific actions. In the previous chapters of Shemot (Exodus),
Yahweh reveals His will to have a mikdash (tabernacle) built for His
presence. These instructions
for building and worship continue in our weekly reading.
Within the
few short chapters of our reading, detailed words are given concerning
lighting the menorah, the clothes and consecration of the priesthood,
and the building of the incense altar.
Moshe paid
close attention to these instructions given by Yahweh.
Some teach that Moshe had visions of the finished tabernacle
while others say that Moshe saw actual blueprints for how everything
was to be made. Regardless of how the mikdash was presented
to Moshe on the mountain, it must be remembered that Moshe received
very specific instructions.
His building plans were set in stone, you could say.
Moshe could
not shorten his message, compromise on the details, or allow just anything
to be built for Yahweh. Moshe had received from Yahweh exact measurements,
colors, and materials to be used. Moshe was to “tetzaveh” or pass along
these mitzvah to the sons of Yisra’el.
The text of this Parasha brings to mind an important point – Yahweh
is very specific. He is
picky. Yahweh wants things
done His way in His time and by His chosen people. The world says that “g/d works in mysterious
ways,” yet Yahweh does not. He
is not mysterious in the idea that His attributes and works are hidden.
Yahweh has laid out His plan, His instructions, and His ways
in the Torah. Moshe paid close attention to Yahweh’s
words and memorized them to the exact facet and we should do the same.
Too many people have accepted the modern
view of “God on Prozac.” But, Yahweh
has not changed - He is the same
forever. Many people believe
the teaching that the Almighty simply does not care and is not picky.
It seems that the mindset is that the Father who was once very
specific and demanding is now highly medicated on “grace” and doesn’t
require obedience or devotion. What the Father wanted in the past was
too difficult…too hard…and too demanding.
Moshe would disagree with this idea. So would Messiah Yahshua.
Moshe was committed to his call.
He was submitted to Yahweh’s authority and Moshe had an insatiable
desire to please Yahweh. While
Yisra’el “said” they would obey Him, Moshe did obey.
Of Moshe the scripture says that “there has not arisen a prophet
in Yisra’el like unto Moshe, whom Yahweh knew face to face,” Devarim
(Deuteronomy) 34:10.
Yet there is One who is greater than
Moshe…Yahshua HaMoshiach. “And Moshe verily was faithful in all
his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were
to be spoken after; But Moshiach as a son over his own house; whose
house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the
hope firm unto the end,” Ivrim (Hebrews) 3:5-6.
Moshe was detail-oriented while building the dwelling place of
Yahweh, - the people of Yahweh – Yisra’el.
Yahshua also came to build the people of Yahweh into the dwelling
place of His presence.
Part of Yahshua’s ministry was to call
people back to heartfelt Torah obedience through love.
He did not come to do away with Moshe or the Torah but to turn
Yisra’el’s heart back to the Father. Yahshua would say things like “you have
heard it said yet I tell you…”
These comments were made to draw people to the intention behind
the commandment. “You have
heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has
already committed adultery with her in his heart,” Mattitiyahu 5:27-28. Yahshua was not nullifying the Tanakh
commandment on adultery here.
What He was doing was exposing a fuller meaning of the mitzvah. Yahshua was being like Moshe here. Yahshua was being concerned about the
details.
You see, Yahshua
and Moshe were both concerned about “tetzaveh”
or commanding others what they had been commanded. Moshe and Yahshua both were to hear the
commands of Abba Yahweh and relate those to Yisra’el. Yahweh has not changed since Moshe and
Yahshua is proof of that.
So, who
care that Moshe’s name is not mentioned in this Parasha?
It is clear to see that Moshe is present – he is the one receiving
the instructions and he is the one that is to instruct Yisra’el.
He is the one that will pass these words along and relate the
details about the mikdash, the priests, and the sacrifices.
Who cares
that Yahweh’s name isn’t in the book of Esther?
Even a blind man can see Yahweh’s hand present in the book’s
story.
There are many weird facts in the Bible.
Perhaps the weirdest of all is that how a large group of Bible
believers have accepted an un-Biblical view of an Elohim who doesn’t
care. The Almighty who
commanded an exact replica of the heavenly mishkan has been traded for
the “Almighty of Bliss.”
God
on Prozac, now that’s really weird.
