Parashat Tetzaveh

Parashat Tetzaveh: Ex 27:20 - 30:10

In last week's Torah portion we spoke about the contributions given to the tabernacle and how these contributions were to be given as the person's heart moved them. What was to be given to provide for the tabernacle was the Israelite's share of the spoil of Egypt. The temple was to be constructed with the spoil of the enemy as a continuing testimony of God's deliverance. Our hearts also bear the tale of victories we have fought through as God testified of his power and love in our lives. Some have come through addictions and found that they had a divine authority to pray and help others who have been addicted. Some have fought through paralyzing hopelessness and found that they were able to stand and speak faith to others. We have the authority to fight the enemy best in those places we have overcome. Our hearts and very souls are adorned with the grace and victory of God and we are triumphant.

In our Torah portion this week Parashat Tetzaveh (you shall command) we continue our discussion of the temple with the consecration of the priests. This ceremony was to be officiated by Moses himself as the priest were being prepared to serve in the Temple and participate in sacrificial offerings. The ceremony was not only a physical ritual, it was a heart matter as well. When someone is consecrated they are set apart. It is not only about putting God first, it is also about letting him be the sole focus of our attention and affections. The blood of the sacrifice had to be applied directly to the priest on his ear, thumb, and toe. These are sanctifying agents of the body, signifying total and complete separation so that they could attend to the things of God. They were to be given to God in their minds (what they thought), their hands (what they did), and their toe (where they went). All of this was important because certain things had to be done in certain places and at certain times.

Have you ever considered what it means that we are called priests to the nations? What it is to have our lives bound and dedicated to living out the word and will of God in every respect. It means that we continually consecrate or separate ourselves so that we can be in the world but not of it. Being a consecrated person is not about being an isolationist as much as it is about how we interact with or confront the culture in which we live. We cannot shelter ourselves and hide our light away from the world in fear that it will be corrupted. That is the wrong view. We are to shine our light for the whole world to see (Matt 5:14-16). Consecration means that we shine it in bold faith and not be afraid. Our consecration means that we have a strong voice in influencing the world. We pray and move nations. We evangelize and champion the moral compass of mankind. Consecration does not make us impotent, it makes us bold.

Consecration helps us in three ways. It helps our mind frame things in faith. The Apostle Paul could have bewailed his circumstances but instead proclaimed, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” (2 Cor 4:6:9)

Consecration helps us make our world small and limit opposing voices that distract or damage us. Listening to the voice of God helps us follow him when he speaks. Yeshua stated, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (Jn 10:27-29).

Our lives are a divine dance with the Creator. Despair and hopelessness are not our dance partners. Neither are sin and unforgiveness or anything that places us into mental, spiritual, or emotional bondage. Consecration helps us center ourselves on the love of God and our pursuit of God as our sole and absolute need. It is not about what we give up. It is about who we embrace. If we are to be holy and consecrated people, as priests to the world, we will bring our covenant love and our amazing God to the farthest reaches of the Earth.

Rav Calev Lehrer Apostolic Messianic International-Gulf Coast Locales, Rumble, Parer, Facebook