In years when there is no second month of Adar (leap month), the Torah parashot (readings) וַיַּקְהֵל Vayaqheyl/Vayakel and פְקוּדֵי P’qudey/Pekudei are combined.
Vayaqhel/Vayakel
The Torah reading וַיַּקְהֵל Vayaqheyl/Vayakel (“and he assembled,” Ex. 35:1–38:20) emphasizes that allowing the people to keep the Shabbat is more important than the building of the Mishkan. Moses then “assembled” the people of Israel and asked them for freewill offerings of specific items needed to build the Mishkan to the specifications God showed to Moses. The people responded with an outpouring of generosity.
Readings
- Exodus 35:1–38:20
- 1Kings 7:40–50
- Hebrews 9:1–12
Discussions
Through the Tabernacle door: How Messiah opens access to God’s presence (Exodus 38; Romans 7; Hebrews 8)
What can all the meticulous Bible detail on the architecture and interior design of Israel’s Tabernacle teach us about Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus)? In this study of Torah reading וַיַּקְהֵל Vayaqhel (“and he assembled,” Ex. 35:1–38:20), we’ll focus on the door of that Dwelling Place of God. As the living Tabernacle (Jn. 1:14), Yeshua is the way for native-born (Jew) and foreign-born (Gentile) believers to move from where we all started as “other” from God toward the Presence to see His glory.
Yeshua is the perfect high priest who offers the true sacrifice, the goal toward Whom the essential…
‘I will give you rest’: God’s blueprint for His dwelling among humanity (Exodus 35–40; 1Corinthians 3)
Every believer is a mobile temple — dwelling place — to God. As we build our trust in Heaven’s Anointed One, Yeshua (Jesus), God will test that foundation from time to time. If we are building our faith with strong materials, the building will remain standing. If we are building our faith with weak materials, the building will fall. That’s a key lesson from the parable of the Tabernacle, brought to a crescendo in Torah reading וַיַּקְהֵל/פְקוּדֵי Vayakel/Pekudei, (“and he assembled”/“accounts,” Exodus 35:1–40:38).
Swiss cheese boundaries: Danger of hole-y gates in our house for God (Exodus 35-38)
Why is the Tabernacle so special? When you look at this reading as it’s presented, the events of the Torah reading ויקהל Vayaq’hel (“and he assembled,” Exodus 35:1–38:20) are set in the aftermath of the golden calf (Exodus 32). While the Tabernacle architectural and interior design details in this reading make it seem identical to prior Torah readings before the golden calf incident, the key lesson of these passages is that the primary function of the Tabernacle was to establish the presence of HaShem (“The Name,” i.e., the LORD) in the midst of His people.
The LORD has desired to…
Exodus 35:1–36:7: Can you handle the truth about God’s love?
God doesn’t explain everything, largely because our search for the answers is key to God’s revealing them to us. As paradoxical as that sounds, it’s a key takeaway from the Torah reading ויקהל Vayaqhel (“and he assembled,” Exodus 35:1–38:20). It’s a repetition of the Tabernacle elements, but it does reveal what the LORD really has always wanted — our heartfelt connection.
Exodus 35:1-40:38: Rebuilding your life after Heaven’s Pattern
Why did the LORD call for the building of the Tabernacle? What are we supposed learn from it? How are we supposed to apply the lessons to everyday life today? These are questions answered in the double-header reading ויקהל Vayakhel (“and he assembled”) and פקודי Pekudei (“accounts”), covering the last six chapter of the book of Shemot (Exodus 35:1–40:38).
It’s a second telling about the construction of the Tabernacle, but it’s not just the world’s most lengthy non-IKEA instruction manual. When God repeats Himself, it’s for a good reason. When we look at these plans and compare them to the construction…
Exodus 35–40: Enter God’s rest before building His home
Everything in the Tabernacle is both functional and beautiful, just as the LORD made mankind at the beginning. God made humanity to appreciate beauty, because He appreciates beauty. But He doesn’t want us to worship beauty. Worship belongs to Him alone.
None of the components of the Tabernacle are identified by their looks but by their works — what they do. Humans also are primarily defined by their works, not their looks. We know who Yeshua is the Messiah, not by His looks but by His actions and how they align with the pattern shown Moshe on Mt. Sinai.
In the Torah…
Exodus 35:1–38:20: A weekly reminder from Messiah Yeshua to ‘enter His rest’
We don’t want to get into the trap of making God’s rules rote and mechanical, rather than considering His counsel something that is deep in the heart and coming out in our actions. That’s what’s behind the Torah reading Vayak’hel (“and he assembled,” Exodus 35:1–38:20). The focus on the seventh-day Sabbath and construction of the Tabernacle are closely connected to Messiah Yeshua and the Spirit of God.
Exodus 37-38: Design of the Ark of the Testimony and furniture of Tabernacle holy places
What does all this architectural and interior design detail of the Tabernacle and its furniture mean? What is God showing us? How does this involve us personally? There is a physical building and objects, but every detail is a picture of spiritual reality and the transformation God wants to do in each of us. and it holds lots of meaning. Each item had a function, as does each person in God’s dwelling place — His people.
Exodus 35-36: A rested development of God’s House
Exodus 35-36 is a repetition of the previous chapter about the design of the Tabernacle. It doesn’t emphasize the size or measurements of the Tabernacle, but the finer details. These chapters are all about the work or nonwork in the context of building God’s Tabernacle.
When the people of Israel passed the second test, by being patient while Moses was on the mountain for the second 40 day period, they were ready to start building the Tabernacle. Do we wait for God to work on our hearts before the rest of God’s work for us to be “built” as God’s…
Shabbat and the building of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35-37)
As we continue going through the book of Exodus, Richard Agee discusses the building of the tabernacle according to God’s instructions in Exodus 35-37. He emphasizes that the artisans were not to follow their own artistic interpretations, but precisely follow God’s commands as revealed to Moses. Mr. Agee also notes the importance of precision in the tabernacle’s construction and furnishings. He discusses the significance of the showbread table and the bread placed on it. Agee also highlights the importance of purity in the garments for the high priest and references how our actions should reflect God. He puzzles over some…
P’qudey/Pekudei
The Torah reading פְקוּדֵי P’qudey/Pekudei (“accounts,” Ex. 38:21–40:38) tells us the precise kinds and amounts of talents and money used to make the Mishkan (Tabernacle, the LORD’s tent in the middle of the camp of Israel) and the priestly garments. We also learn about the process of erecting the Mishkan. In the last four verses of the reading, God accepts the Mishkan and begins His occupation of His home on earth.
Readings
- Exodus 38:21–40:38
- 1Kings 7:51–8:21
- Hebrews 8:1–12
Discussions
Moses shows us why Yeshua is a greater priest than Aaron (Exodus 38–40; 1Peter 2; John 5; 1Corinthians 15)
Moses prefigured the role of Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah through their similar leadership styles and tasks given by God. This study of Torah reading פְקוּדֵי Pekudei (“accounts,” Exodus 38:21–40:38) examines how both were chosen directly by God, had authority over the priesthood, delegated work while overseeing God’s house, and turned the house over to God once completed, demonstrating their shared purpose in fulfilling God’s plan of salvation. Studying Moses helps Christians better understand Yeshua.
‘I will give you rest’: God’s blueprint for His dwelling among humanity (Exodus 35–40; 1Corinthians 3)
Every believer is a mobile temple — dwelling place — to God. As we build our trust in Heaven’s Anointed One, Yeshua (Jesus), God will test that foundation from time to time. If we are building our faith with strong materials, the building will remain standing. If we are building our faith with weak materials, the building will fall. That’s a key lesson from the parable of the Tabernacle, brought to a crescendo in Torah reading וַיַּקְהֵל/פְקוּדֵי Vayakel/Pekudei, (“and he assembled”/“accounts,” Exodus 35:1–40:38).
God wants to make you wealthy. It’s just not what you think (Luke 16)
The world doesn’t cancel debts. It seeks vengeance. Only Heaven willingly cancels debts stacked against it. And if we want to be citizens of Heaven, we should willingly cancel the debts against us too. That’s the lesson behind the Torah reading פקודי Pekudei (“accounts” or “countings,” Ex. 38:21–40:38) and the parable by Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1–17).
Exodus 39–40: Gospel of the House God built
Amongst all the details of Israel’s Mishkan (Tabernacle), described yet again in the Torah section פקודי Pekudei (“countings,” Exodus 38:21–40:38), these elements help us see what the LORD is doing to move us from where we were to where we are and on into His presence. The same God Who commissioned the Mishkhan wants to live with us too. That is very good news. That’s the gospel of Yeshua the Mashiakh.
Exodus 35:1-40:38: Rebuilding your life after Heaven’s Pattern
Why did the LORD call for the building of the Tabernacle? What are we supposed learn from it? How are we supposed to apply the lessons to everyday life today? These are questions answered in the double-header reading ויקהל Vayakhel (“and he assembled”) and פקודי Pekudei (“accounts”), covering the last six chapter of the book of Shemot (Exodus 35:1–40:38).
It’s a second telling about the construction of the Tabernacle, but it’s not just the world’s most lengthy non-IKEA instruction manual. When God repeats Himself, it’s for a good reason. When we look at these plans and compare them to the construction…
Exodus 35–40: Enter God’s rest before building His home
Everything in the Tabernacle is both functional and beautiful, just as the LORD made mankind at the beginning. God made humanity to appreciate beauty, because He appreciates beauty. But He doesn’t want us to worship beauty. Worship belongs to Him alone.
None of the components of the Tabernacle are identified by their looks but by their works — what they do. Humans also are primarily defined by their works, not their looks. We know who Yeshua is the Messiah, not by His looks but by His actions and how they align with the pattern shown Moshe on Mt. Sinai.
In the Torah…
Exodus 38:21–40:38: Abomination of desolation vs. glory of habitation
During the course of Israel’s settlements in the wilderness and later in the Promised Land, God’s name rested on several places, including Shiloh and later Jerusalem. The Tabernacle was never desecrated by outside forces but it’s worship was compromised from the outside in.
The Temple, in Jerusalem, on the other hand, was sacked several times by corrupt kings as well as foreign invaders. Sometimes, God blessed the dedications of His temples with a visible sign of His Divine Presence, sometimes he did not. In the Torah reading פקודי Pekudei (“countings,” Exodus 38:21–40:38), we will look at how and why God did…
Exodus 39-40: Designs for the Tabernacle implements shows God has a place for each of us
There is a lot of exactness described in Exodus 39-40 for the design of the furniture and implements of the Tabernacle of Israel. One lesson we can draw from this is every piece of furniture had its own exclusive place. Every item had its irreplaceable function in God’s house. We were all brought to God’s High Priest first. Yeshua the High Priest presented us to the Father. When God calls us to Himself, He calls us to our irreplaceable task too.
Another lesson from the directed precision is God trained the people to stay where He stayed and move when…
Exodus 37-38: Design of the Ark of the Testimony and furniture of Tabernacle holy places
What does all this architectural and interior design detail of the Tabernacle and its furniture mean? What is God showing us? How does this involve us personally? There is a physical building and objects, but every detail is a picture of spiritual reality and the transformation God wants to do in each of us. and it holds lots of meaning. Each item had a function, as does each person in God’s dwelling place — His people.
Second witness of instructions for building the Tabernacle (Exodus 38-40)
The people of Israel being making the different parts of the Tabernacle in Exodus 38-39. In Exodus 40, the people assemble the Tabernacle with Moses handling the final touches. The book of Exodus ends with God’s signaling His approval of the work of the people’s hands by visibly dwelling within the Tabernacle.
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