Category: Applied Theology

Imitating Him

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn Applied Theology, InspirationLeave a comment

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘On the first day of the first month, you are to set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.’” (Exodus 40:1-2).

George Bernard Shaw once said, “Imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery – it’s the sincerest form of learning.” As the fabrication of the elements of the tabernacle were completed, the Lord instructs Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons for their positions as priests among the children of Israel for a period of seven days (Ex. 29:35); on the eighth day they would begin their ministry (Lev. 9).

It was during this seven-day period of consecration that Aaron and his sons learned, not only the service of the tabernacle – its sacrifices and offerings – but also how the tabernacle was assembled. They learned this by observing Moses, and they would later imitate him as they matured into their ministry. The rabbis explained that over the seven days of consecration that Moses assembled and disassembled the tabernacle before the eyes of Aaron and his sons – a feat that is actually physically impossible for one man to accomplish.

The priests of Israel did not flatter Moses by imitating him, rather, they fulfilled their solemn duty and learned the pattern of ministry established in heaven. Imitation in our modern culture is often frowned upon – as it is considered “unoriginal.” Yet, in biblical faith imitation of the Lord, Yeshua/Jesus, and elders in the faith is considered a serious matter indeed; as Messiah said:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another (Jn. 13:34; cf. Matt. 16:24).

To fulfill this commandment, we must consider closely just how He loved us, and how to replicate His actions of love. Additionally, we can consider these examples:

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1; cf. 1 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 5:1).

“For to this you have been called, because Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 Jn. 2:6).

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Phil. 3:17; cf. 1 Thess. 1:6).

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Messiah loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:1-2).

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9).

When we consider the above examples from Scripture, we find the same pattern at work in the New Testament model, as we do in the Levitical model; and this for good reason, as the priesthood of Messiah was the original pattern that Moses witnessed upon Mt. Sinai. Just as Aaron and his sons watched and closely observed how to administer the ministry of reconciliation, the Body of Messiah must also closely watch, observe and pattern itself on the examples of godly faith that has preceded us.

The key is that we must, as much as possible, follow His pattern. In Exodus 40:34, when the tabernacle and its furnishing were properly set according to the pattern shown to Moses, the presence of the Living God filled the tabernacle and dwelt among his people. Following that same pattern, whenever two or more are gathered in the name of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, He is in their midst – the fullness of his prophetic name Emmanuel: God with us, God among us, and God in us.

Be well. Shabbat Shalom.

Tending to Your Lamp

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn Applied Theology, Inspiration1 Comment

Psalm 119:105 reads:

נֵר-לְרַגְלִי דְבָרֶךָ; וְאוֹר לִנְתִיבָתִי

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and light to my well-worn path.”

In Proverbs 6:23we find an echoing verse:

כִּי נֵר מִצְוָה, וְתוֹרָה אוֹר

“For the commandment is a lamp, and the instruction (Torah) a light.”

The lamp, in the ancient Near-East, was either a metal or clay dish filled with oil, with a wick of some fashion set in the oil. In order for the lamp to burn properly, both the oil and the wick had to be tended: one filled, the other trimmed or replaced. It was a process that all in a household would know well; because of this familiarity, both the psalmist and Solomon make use of this imagery. Why? The days we are living in should give us a clue.

In this week’s double Torah portion of Vayakhel/Pekudei (Ex. 35:1-40:38), concluding the Book of Exodus, the Tabernacle that has been designed and described, is now constructed in painstaking detail. As this instruction unfolds, we find details regarding the Menorah: a hammered work, with cups, bulbs, flowers and branches, made in the fashion of an almond tree. The Menorah had seven lights in all. Located in the holy place, the inner chamber, it was the only source of light in the Tabernacle. Like smaller household lamps, the Menorah must be tended to: the oil filled and the wicks trimmed and replaced.

The Menorah symbolized: His Presence, His stirring presence, light overcoming darkness, His enduring Word, and His people.

Almonds?

In the Middle East, the Almond tree is the first tree to awake after winter, quick to respond to changing conditions. The word almond comes from the root שָׁקַד, meaning: to be alert, on the lookout, sleepless, watchful; and in the image of the Menorah, the almond branches, cups and flowers speak to His watchfulness, and the quickening of life and His Word. Aaron’s rod/staff was an almond branch – it springing to life (resurrection) signified the Lord’s choice of High Priest – the Almond Branch of Resurrection – by a sleepless branch.

When Titus sacked the Temple in Jerusalem, he took with him the furnishings of the Temple – a scene famously depicted in Rome (see included picture). When he carried away the Menorah, he believed he was taking away, not only the light, but also the Word and hope of God’s people. The enemy attempted to steal the symbol of light and hope. Why? What are many peope facing today? Fear and hopelessness.

To the point.

In Jeremiah chapter 1, as the Lord calls him, He explains that the words given to Jeremiah will either bring judgment or blessing, and the Lord confirms this in an unusual way:

וַיְהִי דְבַר-יְהוָה אֵלַי לֵאמֹר, מָה-אַתָּה רֹאֶה יִרְמְיָהוּ; וָאֹמַר, מַקֵּל שָׁקֵד אֲנִי רֹאֶה

“And it happened that the Word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘What do you see Jeremiah?’ And I said, ‘I see a rod of an almond tree.’”

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלַי, הֵיטַבְתָּ לִרְאוֹת: כִּי-שֹׁקֵד אֲנִי עַל-דְּבָרִי, לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ

“And the Lord said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I watch over My Word do to it.”

The word “almond” and “watch” come from the same root: שָׁקַד, to be alert, on the lookout, sleepless, watchful. The Lord is watching over His Word, to do it: either judgment or blessing. We need to walk in it, and as we do we are quickened in life.

Applying Psalm 119 and Proverbs 6

The Word/commandment is the lamp, needing to be tended to in us. They are a lamp to our life/walk, they inform the way we should go. Usually, Psalm 119:105, the second clause, is translated “and a light to my path,” yet, the Hebrew speaks of the well-worn way that others in faith have gone before: patterns of faith to follow.

The light, the lamp illuminated and set in place informing our walk becomes our worldview – directing us to avoid the same circumstances that once ensnared us. The instruction of the Father aids our walk: look both ways before you cross the street.

The scene of Psalm 119:105 is obviously in darkness, at nighttime, a place of fear. Dear reader, it’s past time to light our lamps: to see and avoid the old trap of fear. As He has commanded, by His Word, He is also watching over it to fulfill it. He is not sleeping or slumbering, and He does not take time off. Therefore, we can take steps with confidence (Heb. 11:1). How so?

Coming together.

The Word, the light, the Resurrected One, the Branch, has not only come, but has joined us to Himself, and sent us the Holy Spirit. Do not let the enemy to carry away your light and hope, extinguishing it.

Now is the time to walk in what we have been studying for, praying about, and rejoicing in; that He: will not leave us, nor forsake us, He is with us always, even to the end of the age, He will be in us. The apostle John writes, “Greater is He that is in me, than he who is in the world” (I Jn. 4:4); and, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear” (I Jn. 4:18).

The Word must be the way we view the world around us, not just when things are well, but when everything is falling to pieces. This is the Word of Jeremiah: “I am still doing My Word.” And as we abide in Him, we can rest in this promise, “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).

Meditation: Matthew 25:1-13

Be well. Shalom.

Unlikely Comfort

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn Applied Theology, Inspiration2 Comments

When Moses did not immediately return (Ex. 32:1), the children of Israel turn to Aaron to make them a god, a leader to go before them:

“And he received it at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it a molten calf; and they said: ‘This is thy god, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (Ex. 32:4).

Israel needed a visible leader, and in their fear of being leaderless, they returned to what they knew: idolatry. With the calf before them, and in their midst, they found a short term, and a tragic form of comfort.

How easy it is for us, in our times of desperation, to turn once again to what we have been delivered from. The familiar is comforting, comfortable, but unfortunately those things that once ensnared and controlled us, do so once again when we turn to them rather than the Lord.

The Lord resolved to destroy the very people He has just delivered when the sin is revealed. Yet, Moses passionately intercedes on their behalf, and the Lord relents. What does Moses say?

שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּךָ וְהִנָּחֵם עַל־הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּֽךָ

זְכֹר לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדֶיךָ

“Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent (reconsider) of this evil against Thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel Your servants” (Ex. 32:12-13).

The Torah then records: וַיִּנָּחֶם, יְהוָה, “the Lord repented” (Ex. 32:14). He turns away from His wrath for the sake of the fathers (Ro. 11:28), and the comfort ministered to Him.

What is the message here? The word translated as “repent” or “reconsider” above is from the root נָחַם/nāḥam meaning comfort, comforter, consolation, or to sigh.

The children of Israel turned to an idol for comfort, and did not seek counsel from Aaron in their time of need. They reconsidered their circumstance and found immediate, but tragic comfort from an inanimate object: the Golden Calf.

In the Lord’s anger, Moses intercedes – literally standing between the Lord and Israel – pleading on their behalf: Lord, Moses is saying, turn from your wrath to comfort. The intercession of Moses was a persuasive comfort to the Lord, and He turned away from judgment.

As I have taught many times, the Tabernacle (Ex. 25-31) was the cure sent before the illness of the Golden Calf (Ex. 32). The Lord would show the way of reconciliation when we fail so terribly so as to believe that we are forever disqualified from His love and presence. He also established a visible minister, in the high priest, who would make intercession for His people.

Still, this was all modeled on what Moses witnessed in heaven, as He saw the intercession of the great High Priest Yeshua/Jesus. Moses would then, through many types and shadows, teaches the hope of the coming Comforter (Deut. 18:15).

Comforter is an important concept in messianic theology. He is promised in the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writing, we find a beautiful example in Isaiah 40:1: נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ, עַמִּי–יֹאמַר, אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, “Comfort, comfort My people says the Lord.” Then Messiah promises to send another Comforter (Jn. 14:16) in the person of the Holy Spirit Who would remain with us until His return. Yeshua by saying “another” reminds us of His position as Comforter.

The Lord, Who had every right to be wrathful at His people, reconsidered, relented and was comforted, not for His own sake or good, but ours. The Father was showing us the good that comes when we change our minds by listening to the comforting words spoken to us. Comfort changes our attitude, our disposition, and our outlook.

We may not have a Moses or Aaron with us today, but, hallelujah, we have someone greater. The Holy Spirit ever present and walking with us. Ministering comfort to our hearts as needed, and inspiring others around us to speak words of comfort as well. He is ever with us. Yeshua, our Savior, Redeemer and Lord, is ever with us. They are the only comfort we need. Idols of immediate remedy will fail us. Returning to what has ensnared us will only lead to greater guilt, shame and remorse.

This is why we must turn away from the golden calf of our own making, and listen to His healing and comforting words of intercession: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jer. 31:3).

Be well. Shalom.