Torah: Exodus 25:1–27:19
PROPHETS: 1 Kings 5:12 [26 TANACH]–6:13  
APOSTOLIC WRITINGS: 2 Corinthians 9:1–15

The devotional below is designed to help you dive deeper into God’s heart by exploring Torah as the gateway into transformational Bible reading.

SUNDAY

Torah 1 & 2

Torah 1: 
Heartfelt Gifts To God (Ark)
Exodus 25:1–16

God’s covenant invitation (19:4–6) culminates in a covenant ceremony (24:3–8) that forever seals and cements God’s covenant relationship with Israel as His firstborn nation among the nations of the world whom He is redeeming from the Fall. Since our relationship with God was disrupted by the Fall, God has been restoring that relationship by providing a way whereby His Presence moves from heavenly dwellings (cf. Psalm 33:13–14 and 1 Kings 8:27) back into earthly ones (Mt. Sinai: Exodus 24:16; Mishkan/Tabernacle: Exodus 40:34 and Leviticus 9:23–24; Temple: 2 Chronicles 7:1–3 and 1 Kings 8:10–11; God’s desire expressed: Ezekiel 37:26–27; with beginning fulfillment: 2 Corinthians 6:16–18; and final goal: Revelation 21:3). Probably during the 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai (24:18), God instructs Moses to call for t’rumah (offering, contribution, gift) for the purpose of building the first such “earthly dwelling,” the moveable Tabernacle.

25:2
According to 25:2, what motive does God require for the offerings to be acceptable (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:7)?

25:8
What light does 25:8 shed on God’s (loving and initiative taking pursuit of) relationship with us (cf. 1 John 4:10)? “Offerings” to God today are still called for to support the work of God’s loving pursuit of relationship with His people. How do you express and act on your commitment to this work (i.e. your time, talents, and treasure, etc.)? In Matthew 6:10, this work is described in terms of praying for this earth to be restored to its Eden-like, Kingdom-of-God reality.

25:10–16
The remainder of this portion involves instructions for building the Tabernacle and filling it with its holy furniture. The first pieces of furniture are the golden Ark (vv. 10–16)…

Torah 2:
Enabling Relationship with God
(Kapporet & Cherubim; Table & Bread)
Exodus 25:17–30 

25:17–22
…with its “Mercy Seat” Cover (vv. 17–22, Kapporet) in the Most Holy Place and the golden Table in the adjoining Holy Place. These two chambers together make up the Mishkan (Tabernacle proper), which is the actual “tent” within the larger Tabernacle complex. Now, imagine a man sitting in a raised up chair with his feet planted on a footrest. God’s Ark, with its cherubim adorned Kapporet (covering), functions as a holy Throne (Psalm 80:1; 99:1) and earthly Footstool (1 Chronicles 28:2) connecting heaven and earth (cf. Jacob’s ladder, Yeshua, and now you!).

Application

Read Exodus 25:9 and Hebrews 9:24. Where is the original Tabernacle from which Moses’ tabernacle is “patterned” and into which Yeshua entered to make atonement for us? How can fixing your eyes on this heavenly dwelling help you become a vessel of grace today while dwelling on the earth (Colossians 3:1–4)? 

MONDAY

Torah 3 & 4

Torah 3: 
The Menorah Illuminates Holy Space
(Menorah & Four-Layer Tent Coverings)
Exodus 25:31–26:14

25:31–40
Besides the Table with the Bread of Presence on it, the Holy Place also housed a pure-gold Menorah. This 7–branched candelabrum is different than the 9–branched one used to celebrate Hanukkah. This 7–branched Menorah has become the emblem of the modern state of Israel. Why do you think they chose this symbol representing divine light?

26:1–14
The Holy and Most Holy Place (comprising the actual “Tent of Meeting”) were covered by four tarp-like layers of materials, thus creating this “tent” in the middle of a larger courtyard complex. The four layers began with the lowest layer of linen (26:1–6), a 2nd layer of curtains made out of goat’s hair (vv. 7–13), followed by a 3rd layer of ram’s skins (v. 14a) and the outermost 4th layer of skin of an animal variously interpreted to be porpoise, dolphin or sea cow (v. 14b).

Read Hebrews 9:1–5. What piece of furniture is mentioned in Hebrews that is absent thus far in the Exodus instructions (cf. Exodus 35:15)? Read Luke 1:5–13. What meaning did this piece of furniture have for the priestly father of John the Immerser/Baptizer?
 

Torah 4:
Golden Planks Frame Holy Space
(Gold Covered Wooden Boards & Bars)
Exodus 26:15–30

The frame of this Tent of Meeting is constructed out of wooden planks: twenty planks standing upright on the north and south sides with eight planks on the western side, which made the back wall of the Most Holy Place. The eastern side is the entrance and thus there are no planks to block the way. There are two curtains/screens/veils that block the entrances into both the Holy and the Most Holy Places, but these are described in tomorrow’s reading.

application

Read Ephesians 5:8–14. How can you become like God’s “Menorah” today (cf. Matthew 5:14–16)?

TUESDAY

torah 5 & 6

Torah 5: 
Veiled Access To God
(outer & inner curtains of Mishkan) 
Exodus 26:31–37

The Mishkan (Tabernacle proper) is only accessible to anointed priests, descendants from the Levitical household of Aaron. A priest would enter the Mishkan from the east and pass through the outer curtain (26:36–37) into the Holy Place. Moving on past the Table (on the right, north) and the Menorah (on the left, south) only the Cohen Gadol (High Priest) could go further, beyond the smoking altar of incense, and through parochet (vv. 31–35, inner curtain; cf. Matthew 27:51). Cherubim are woven onto the parochet (v. 31). Where do cherubim show up (cf. 26:1, 31) and how do cherubim limit access to God (Genesis 3:23–24) or enable such access (Exodus 25:18–22 & Numbers 7:89) for authorized approach of the Holy One of Israel?   
 

Torah 6: 
Approaching God His Way (outer bronze altar of olah) 
Exodus 27:1–8  

The “common” (non–Levitical) Israelite is allowed to approach the Presence of the Lord only as far as the “outer” altar made of bronze, used for animal sacrifices (27:1–8). Passing beyond this altar into the Holy Space beyond is forbidden except by the “holy” Levites (Numbers 8:6, 14–15, 19). Actually passing into the Mishkanis reserved only for the anointed priests from Aaron’s descendents. This “altar of burnt offering” located out in the Tabernacle courtyard is still designated “Most Holy” (29:36–37), despite its distance from the “inner chamber of the Mishkan.

application

Recognizing the various “levels” of holiness are vital to an accurate understanding of the nature of God’s holiness and how we, as unholy people, are set apart and purified so as to stand in His Presence and not fry! How can you “approach God’s throne” today according to Hebrews 4:14–16? Where do you desire most to “hang out” if you could choose? In front of a TV or movie screen…with friends or family…alone…or in the Holy Presence of God where there is fullness of joy (cf. Psalm 16:11; 84:10)? He has made a way for us to be with Him forever, and forever begins now! Draw near now in prayer and receive what He has for you today (cf. James 4:8).