Torah Portion Week 19 – Terumah “Gift/offering” 26 -27
Exo 25:1 – 27:19
25)
Acacia wood
- A wilderness tree: Likely acacia species grew naturally from Sinai into Arabia, thriving in arid, hostile terrain where many larger trees could not. It was literally wood produced in the wilderness.
- Strong enough for structural use: Acacia supplied the Ark, table, altars, carrying poles, boards, bars and pillars—the framework and load-bearing portions of the sanctuary (Exodus 25–27).
- Durable: Some likely regional acacia species produce hard, heavy wood that resists insects and water and takes a high polish. However, the exact biblical species is uncertain, so popular claims that it was completely “incorruptible” go beyond what can be proven botanically.
- Thorny and outwardly unimpressive: The tree was commonly gnarled, thorny and shaped by harsh desert conditions—not naturally majestic like cedar. Yet YHWH chose it to form His holy dwelling.
- Workable and transformable: The raw wilderness wood could be cut, fitted together, stood upright and overlaid with precious metal. Its natural form was completely transformed for holy service.
Possible spiritual picture
- Life arising from the wilderness
- The common chosen for holy service
- Thorns and hardship producing endurance
- Human frailty strengthened and covered by heavenly glory
- Many individual boards joined into one dwelling
- Something naturally crooked being cut, shaped and made to “stand upright” before YHWH—Exodus 26:15
25:1-7 – Cheerful giver (do you think there were some stingy amongst them?) – Sirach Verses
- Luke 6:30-38
- Yahuah just filled them with riches, perhaps he wanted to test their hearts concerning it?
- Natsarim 4:37-38 (pdf 51)
- Natsarim 3:34-35 (pdf 40)
- Can’t be stingy, even if wronged – Sirach 29:1-13
25:8 – Dwelling with us (Temple) – Multiple verses
25:10 – 4.3 feet long by 2.5 feet
25:16 – Tablets (Torah) Rod (authority of the priesthood and the power of YHWH) and Manna (Yahusha is the true bread from heaven)
Ark story in 1 Samuel 4&5, Rev 11
25:19-20 – Cherubim – Distinction between artwork and idolatry – link
- Throne bearers – Anointed cherub – Eze 28
25:23 – showbread table
25: 36 – Lampstand of one piece (echad) – Lev 24
- Two sticks coming together – link
- What two offices were anointed with oil? (King and Priest)Rev 5:9-10
- Standing before YHWH – Verses
Vessels (representation in general) 2 Tim 2
26)
While it may seem boring on the surface, this is some of the most detailed instructions in all of scripture.
- Future city – Heb 8:5, 1 Pet 2:5, Rev 21
Shape of Tabernacle?
- Standard Shoebox understanding:
26:19
Exodus 38:25–28 later explains that this silver came from the atonement money of the congregation. Therefore, the dwelling literally stood upon silver associated with ransom and atonement.
26:34 Ark, most holy place
27
Building in the wilderness
Building the sanctuary in the wilderness – verses
- Ruling in the midst of enemies – link
- Rev 2,3 & Davidic promise – link
- Hidden servant – link
- Viceroy concept – Natsarim 13:13-14 (pdf 121)
Moab was the staging area before inheriting the promised land
- Moses reiterated the Torah
- Where Israel was tested by Balaam to turn
- Covenant renewed
Is 19 altar – link
Each piece was important to build YHWH’s house – Rom 12 & 1 Cor 12