Tag: Exodus 30

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Life With God Prophets and Writings Tithe & Finances Torah

Render to God what is God’s: Identity, ownership and stewardship in Scripture (Exodus 30; 2Kings 12; 2Corinthians 9)

A digital palette knife oil painting created by ChatGPT shows a radiant human heart formed from glowing treasure — gold coins, widow’s mites, half-shekel silver, a vial of anointing oil, and carved Temple stones — suspended above an open ancient scroll with softly blurred Hebrew script. Thick impasto textures and bold strokes in deep blue, crimson, gold, and white light convey spiritual intensity and total heart investment in the Kingdom of Heaven. On the right side, text reads, “Render to God what Is God’s: Identity, ownership and stewardship in Scripture (Exodus 30; 2Kings 12; 2Corinthians 9).” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the lower right corner.

Some thrill at going “all in” on a risky but profitable venture or free-climbing a skyscraper. But what does it really mean to go all-in for the Kingdom of God? From the half-shekel “ransom” in Exodus to the repairs of the neglected Temple in 2Kings, from the widow’s mite to apostle Paul’s call to cheerful giving that’s responsibly managed, we see that God isn’t chasing our money. He’s pursuing our hearts. We’re ransomed from bondage to our past; entrusted with time, talents and treasure; and invited to invest them where they matter most: in eternal, kingdom-building living.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

‘Most holy to the LORD’: What the altar of incense reveals about prayer (Exodus 30; Malachi 1–2; John 17; Revelation 8)

Oil-palette-knife–style digital illustration by ChatGPT showing incense as intercessory prayer across earthly and heavenly realms. On the left, Aaron the high priest ministers at the golden altar of incense inside the tabernacle, with thick smoke rising and a clearly defined seven-branch menorah glowing behind him in warm gold tones. At the center, the Messiah stands as the superior High Priest, hands lifted in prayer, surrounded by intertwined grapevines symbolizing unity and His John 17 intercession, visually bridging earth and heaven. On the right, a Revelation 8 scene unfolds: an angel adds incense to the prayers of the saints before a radiant throne, as stormy skies, fire, and trumpet-judgment imagery emerge in cooler, dramatic hues. The painting uses heavy, expressive strokes and contrasts warm incense light with dark, turbulent judgment clouds. A text overlay in the lower middle reads, “‘Most holy to the LORD’: What the altar of incense reveals about prayer (Exodus 30; Malachi 1–2; John 17; Revelation 8).” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the upper right corner.

In this study we explore Exodus 30 to Revelation 8. They reveal that the altar of incense in ancient Israel’s Tabernacle is a powerful picture of how our prayers rise like incense before God. We learn from Hannah’s heartfelt prayer, the high priestly intercession of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) in John 17, and the prophet Malachi’s warning against empty worship. Together they call us to pure, devoted prayer, genuine repentance, and unity in truth. That’s so our lives become a living offering “most holy to the LORD.”

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Torah readings

Torah reading Ki Tisa (כי תשא): Exodus 30:11–34:35

Studies in Torah

This week’s Torah reading is called כי תשא Ki Tisa (“when you take”), covering Ex. 30:11–34:35. The Torah reading shows us how Messiah Yeshua represents His people before His Father as Aharon walks through the sacrifices and prayers on the Day of Atonement.

We also see Messiah Yeshua in Moshe’s response to the sinful spectacle with the Golden Calf. Moshe’s simple confession of Israel’s sin to the Lord and his willingness to pay the price himself are all echoes of our Messiah Yeshua’s heart. God rejected Moshe’s profound offer of atonement because He has already prepared for Messiah Yeshua to make the atonement Moshe wanted to make for Israel.

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Torah readings

Torah reading Tetzaveh (תצוה): Exodus 27:20–30:10

Studies in Torah

What does is mean that Yeshua (Jesus) is our “high priest” (Hebrews 4:14)? We can learn a lot about that role from the inauguration of the first high priest of the people of God, described in detail in this week’s Torah reading, תְּצַוֶּה Tetzaveh (“you shall command”), covering Exodus 27:20-30:10.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Whose words are chiseled on your heart? God’s or the world’s? (Exodus 34; 2Corinthians 3)

Whose words are chiseled on your heart? God's or the world's? (Exodus 34; 2Corinthians 3). Hands hold a chisel and a hammer to a white rock on which is superimposed a heart symbol.

Christians speak often of the “New Covenant,” but many view it through the lens of replacement theology and supercessionism. Doing so completely disconnects the New Covenant inaugurated in Yeshua HaMaschiach (Jesus the Christ), Who is both priest and king of His people, from the covenants (sealed contracts) God made with His people through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and even Moses.

Without an understanding of those covenants, the New Covenant has no real meaning. The why behind these contracts is at the heart of the Torah reading כי תשא Ki Tisa (“when you take”; Exodus 30:11–34:35).

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Discussions Torah

How the Tabernacle and Messiah ‘show us the Father’ (Exodus 27–30)

How the Tabernacle and Messiah 'show us the Father' (Exodus 27-30)

The Tabernacle, God’s mobile embassy on Earth, was not merely a magic charm to give you the desires of your heart. That is how the surrounding nations engaged with their deities.

Rather, the Torah reading תצוה Tetzaveh (“you shall command,” Exodus 27:20–30:10) teaches that the Tent of the Testimony guides us toward how our hearts are tuned to the harmony of Heaven. How much more, then, would the Tabernacle made man — Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) — reveal the Father to us.

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Discussions Life With God Prayer Torah

From shame to new name: Power to achieve God’s high expectations (Exodus 30–34)

From shame to a new name: Power to achieve God's high expectations (Exodus 30-34)

The slide of ancient Israel from redemption by God from slavery in Mitzraim (Egypt) down to apostasy from God at the golden calf is an important and enduring lesson from the Torah reading כי תשא Ki Tisa (“when you take,” Ex. 30:11–34:35).

And the intercessory prayers of Moshe (Moses) and Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) to redeem after great treachery are examples for how we should view those around us.