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There are so many elements to this parashah but I will
focus on one important element which relates to us as
believers today-G-d clearly and definitely chooses His
people for His purpose. We see in Ex 31:2-3 that G-d has
filled Bezaleel with His spirit in wisdom, understanding
and knowledge and in all manner of workmanship for specific
tasks in building the tabernacle and all its elements.
Bezaleel has a specific meaning in the Hebrew - "the
shadow of G-d "referring to being under G-d's shade
or covering. He would be the brains of the operation,
the designer and director. Aholiav, also chosen, comes
from "ocheli- av" meaning the "my tent,
the father" continuing with us the same idea of being
under G-d's covering. He would be in charge of the artisans
and gifted to create all the implements for the tabernacle.
G-d has clearly endowed them with the gifts and talents
needed to fulfill their calling. We also will bear fruit
when we allow ourselves to be used for G-d's work prepared
beforehand for us to do.
To
better capture the deeper meaning of chapters 32-34, we
must understand that the Scriptures are not chronological.
It is a pedagogical book. Torah means "Teachings".
Chapter 24 ends with Moses going up Mt. Sinai having left
orders for Aaron, Hur and the elders that they were to
be in charge of the people while he is gone. We know the
story of the golden calf and wonder why could so quickly
become discouraged and convince Aaron to bring them another
god. Most of the sages blame the "erev rav' or the
mixed multitude but clearly the Scriptures do not say
this. It is always easy to blame others for our faults.
This is where the Hebrew Scriptures differ from other
religious which create characters which are not true to
life. In fact, the Bible is the only book which actually
tells things as they were, not trying to cover up to make
the people look good. For instance, modern Egyptologists
have discovered that the Pharaohs would rewrite their
own history so that they were made to always be great
to the point that the Israelite's exodus were removed
from their records so that they could not be put to shame.
The Hebrew Scriptures are not historical although they
contain historical facts; neither are they philosophical
or scientific writings even if these are also there. G-d
wants to demonstrate to us that we are only human and
will always fall into trouble and that He will always
be there to save us in the end. Through these trials we
learn and grow.
Moses
was 40 days and 40 nights in the presence of G-d and when
he descends he found the people worshipping the golden
calf. He went from a mountain top experience to the depths
of discouragement. He threw down the tablets in a rage
but this seemingly horrible experience helped Moses change
his attitude toward his own people. We see that G-d told
Moses that He was going to destroy the Israelites and
make from him a new people. This was similar to the time
when Yeshua himself said that G-d could make a new people
from the rocks. But Moses begged G-d to save them reminding
Him of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. At
first glance, it seemed like Moses is not only kinder
than G-d but strong enough to convince G-d to change His
mind and do it Moses' way. Moses pleads G-d to blot his
name out of the Book of Life to save his people. G-d refuses
because it is He who chooses who will be in His Book.
No human life could atone for all the people; it would
have to come from a supernatural source as we see in the
life of Yeshua, from birth to death.
We
must take into account that when Moses was elected to
liberate the people, he didn't want the job. He was reluctant
for several reasons. First of all, he didn't think anyone
would listen to him but at the same time he was quite
stuck up. He had been raised as royalty while these people
were the lowest of the low. Throughout the period before
and just after the exodus, he kept referring to them as
"Your people". He looked down at them even though
he knew that he was one of them.
Through
this long process Moses was learning to identify with
them. G-d was testing Moses and finally Moses had a change
of heart toward the people. He was appropriating them
as his own community.
Some
people have truly appropriated their own community and
others have not. By their fruits you will know them. Leaders
of a congregation want to see a response from the people
and like Moses can become discouraged to the point of
wanting to leave. Only moments before seeing the people
worshipping the golden calf, Moses had been radiant in
the presence of G-d. Now he was anguished, defeated after
listening to his brother telling him that the calf had
jumped out of the flames. Yet, in spite of the misbehavior
of the Israelites, G-d still saved them. It shows us that
G-d does not love us for what we do but because of who
we are…we are His children.
How
many of you realize how blessed you are being a child
of G-d? Yet you live a pitiful life. There is a story
that came from Peru about a great German scientist, Von
Humbolt who lived in the late 18 to early 19 hundreds
when he made many discoveries. He said this about Peru,
"This country is bountiful and full of great resources,
but it is like a beggar who is sitting on a golden bench".
We spend our time complaining that nothing is happening
all the while we are chosen by G-d, given gifts waiting
to be used by G-d for works that He has already prepared.
Moses
sadly stood and watched 3000 of the leaders died that
day by the hand of the Levites, who acted as G-d's executioners
against their own brothers. The leaders in any community
or congregation are doubly accountable before G-d. From
whom much is given, much is expected. The responsibility
of the rabbi for the congregation before G-d is great.
When he tells you something for your own good, it would
be wise to listen since he wants the best for you.
Moshe
never brought attention to the failure of Aaron who was
never abandoned for his great error. It is believed however
that he lost his two first sons due to this incident.
Moshe
was a man of peace and didn't want problems but we need
to remember that through war we find true peace. Peace
is not found in the absence of conflict rather in the
midst of conflict we learn to rise above it.
Moses points to our Messiah in so many ways. In chapter
33 we see a beautiful picture of Messiah where Moses asked
G-d to show him His face. G-d said that he could not see
His face or he would die but He would show Moses His back.
The idea here is exactly the same as when Yeshua said
that if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Showing
your back means that something is following you or behind
you. Moses literally saw the Messiah in the same way that
Abraham saw Messiah as one of the three angels who came
to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Yeshua was that greater
prophet who Moses spoke about in Dvarim 18. In this portion
through Moses, G-d is revealing the Messiah to Israel
and to the world.
Today
we the Jews are doing the same thing that we did at the
time of the golden calf. We are looking for another god
instead of accepting the G-d of the Scriptures.
How
many of us truly are walking with G-d every day, believing
that He is the One and Only G-d? Or is ours a god of convenience?
I
give you this warning today. No one can play with G-d.
Do you think that you can deceive Him? You may be able
to fool other people with a religious exterior or fashion
your own golden calf but you cannot run from G-d. And
why would you? He is always waiting patiently for you
to return to Him and if you allow Him use the talents
and gifts which He gave to you, you will be blessed beyond
your wildest dreams and so will those around you.
My
prayer is that you will be a true light to the people
outside your small community. May you be as humble as
Moses and may you follow in the footsteps of Messiah Yeshua,
the only man who ever walked the earth as humble as Moses
was!
May
G-d add blessings to His Word!
Rabbi
Percy Johnson
Netanel
ben Yochanan
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©
2008 Use by Permission
Kehilat
She’ar Yashuv
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