Tag: Parashat Ki Tisa

The Torah reading כי תשא Ki Tisa (“when you take”) covers Exodus 30:11–34:35.

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Appointments With God Discussions Prophets and Writings Purim Torah

From captivity to new covenant: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and the how of return (Exodus 33; Ezekiel 36)

Alt-text: Digital painting created by ChatGPT in a bold, textured oil palette knife style, formatted in a 16:9 landscape composition. The image is split evenly into two epic biblical scenes. On the left, Queen Esther, dressed in flowing white and blue garments with gold accents, reverently reaches out to touch the tip of King Ahasuerus’s golden scepter as he sits on an ornate throne in a richly decorated Persian palace. The king wears royal red and gold robes and a crown, and the scene glows with warm gold and amber tones. On the right, men in ancient dress rebuild Jerusalem’s stone wall. Some workers lay large blocks while gripping swords at their sides, and armed guards stand watch on the wall, scanning the distant hills under a dramatic sky streaked with blue and gold. Thick impasto brushstrokes give the entire composition a dynamic, sculpted texture. In the lower left corner, text overlay reads: “From captivity to new covenant: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and the how of return (Exodus 33; Ezekiel 36).” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the lower right corner.

As we celebrate Purim, we explore how God’s presence — more than ritual — was at the heart of the restoration of Israel recorded in Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah. Rebuilding walls parallels the restoring of homes and hearts via practical boundaries, discernment and daily “filters” of the mind. True restoration begins inward (New Covenant), sealed with the blood of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) and empowered by the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit). Esther’s courage and Nehemiah’s rebuilding inspire action amid exile and imperfection. Walk toward Zion by cultivating the Spirit’s work in you.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Golden calf vs. living God: Choosing who dwells in your heart (Exodus 31-32; Deuteronomy 9; 1John 2)

Alt-text: A digital painting generated by ChatGPT in a bold oil palette knife style. Moses stands on a rugged slope of Mount Sinai at left, gripping shattered stone tablets and gazing down in anguish at the camp below. In the valley, a golden calf idol stands elevated on a pedestal, surrounded by flames and dancing figures in chaotic revelry. Above the camp, a faint, radiant vision of the future tabernacle glows with holy light, contrasting divine presence with idolatry. Dramatic lighting and vigorous, textured strokes heighten the emotional intensity. Text overlay in the lower right corner reads, “Golden calf living God: Choosing who dwells in your heart. Exodus 31-32; Deuteronomy 9; 1John 2.” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the lower left corner.

Exodus 31–32 reveals God as the ultimate Artist Who gifts human creativity to build a Tabernacle where He can truly dwell among His people. In this study, we see the contrast between that embassy of the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the golden calf, a human-created false representation of the divine. This calf graphically reveals what happens when we put anything else at the center of our lives. Through Moses’ mediation and New Testament insights about the Messiah, we learn that real repentance, mercy and obedience turn our hearts and communities into God’s living Tabernacle.

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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 Passover Torah Unleavened Bread

God’s grace: It’s more than forgiveness (Exodus 33–34; 1Corinthians 5–6, 10)

A vivid, impressionist-style digital painting bby Adobe Firefly depicts a multitude of people walking along a parted path through the sea, symbolizing the Exodus. The scene is filled with rich colors—blues, greens, oranges, and purples—conveying a sense of movement and divine presence. Bright light shines at the end of the path, suggesting hope and deliverance. Overlaid text reads: “God’s grace – It’s more than forgiveness. Exodus 33–34; 1 Corinthians 5–6, 10.” In the bottom right corner is the logo and website “hallel.info.”

This study explores spiritual maturity through ancient Israel’s journey from Egyptian slavery to freedom. Examining Exodus 13-15 and 33-34, alongside 1Corinthians 5, 6 and 10 reveals how God’s grace requires active participation, not passive acceptance. The Red Sea crossing symbolizes spiritual baptism, while the journey demonstrates the ongoing process of purging spiritual leaven and maintaining God’s presence through obedience, ultimately pointing to Messiah’s redemptive work and the believer’s transformative path.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

From Sinai to Savior: Good news of God’s Presence among us (Exodus 30–34; 1Kings 18; 2Corinthians 3)

From Sinai to Savior: Good news of God's Presence among us (Exodus 30-34; 1Kings 18; 2Corinthians 3). Artwork shows Mt. Sinai with dark clouds and lightning at the top and the golden calf at the bottom.

The story of Israel’s partying around the golden calf at Mount Sinai may seem ancient and completely out of touch with modern sensibilities. But the golden calf incident didn’t happen in a vacuum, and Israel’s repeated dalliances with golden calf deities throughout its history before the Babylonian exile weren’t coincidental either.

In this study on the Torah reading כי תשא Ki Tisa (“when you take”; Exodus 30:11–34:35), we delve into the construction of the Tabernacle and golden calf calamity, Moses’ plea for forgiveness, and the theme of repentance.

Moses asked to see God’s glory on Mount Sinai, and God revealed His character to Moses in his lovingkindness and steadfastness. Moses spoke with God face to face as one speaks to a friend. This close bond between Moses and God and the Tabernacle home for God’s Presence that traveled prefigure Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ), Who lived among us as God in the flesh and fully revealed God’s character (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:3).

We also draw upon the accounts of Jonah’s warning to Nineveh, and the Elijah’s stand against the Baal prophets on Mount Carmel. They teach us the importance of faithfulness to God’s commands amid societal pressures to go along with what’s popular or promoted by those in authority. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of the Tabernacle as teaching spiritual connection and anticipates redemption through the Messiah’s return and the transformation of Jerusalem along with all the world.

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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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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Passover Prophets and Writings Torah Unleavened Bread

Messiah is ‘faithful and righteous to forgive’ our leavened ‘malice and wickedness’

There’s ample reasons to stand in awe of Heaven’s love and mercy as we recall what when Heaven showed the Jail-keeper of humanity Who is boss that “Good Friday” and resurrection day two millennia ago. But we shouldn’t forget the enduring lessons about our salvation from the seven days of Unleavened Bread that surrounded ancient Israel’s deliverance in the Exodus and ours today.