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VAYAKHEL
“He assembled”
26
February 2011
Exodus
35:1-38:20
I Kings
7:40-50 “Ashkenazic”13-26 “Sephardic”
2 Cor.
9:6-11
This
Parasha is basically a repetition of the past portions of Teruma,
Tetzaveh and Ki Tissa, chapters 25-27; 30:1-10; 30:17-21; 31:1-11. In
those portions, Moshe was given instructions regarding the construction
of the Mishakan/Tabernacle. Here, we have the actual construction.
The
HafTorah has the same theme only this time it is the telling of the
construction of the First Temple by King Solomon. Here we also have the
telling of GOD’s people to give generously. They are very willing to
build GOD’s House and to see His Kingdom reign on earth.
The
people were so enthusiastic in their giving. Their hearts and spirits
were moved to bring a portion/contribution for the work of the Tent of
Meeting. The stated amount was twenty-nine talents and seven
hundred-thirty shekels of gold, 2,200 lbs. This was used in the
Tabernacle. The silver weighed one hundred talents, one thousand seven
hundred and seventy-five shekels, or 7,545 lbs. Those people truly
wanted to serve GOD with all joy.
Luke
12:13-35, Yeshua tells the story of the rich fool, who accumulated great
wealth. He did not use it wisely for the Kingdom of GOD. Instead of
seeking the Kingdom of GOD first and bringing his excess wealth for
G-d’s house or for feeding the poor and hungry, he only considered his
own selfish desires. He did not live for GOD and use what GOD had given
him for the advancement of His Kingdom. He was a man possessed by his
riches and how to store more and build another storehouse for his
riches. He would take life easy, and eat, drink and be merry. Perhaps
he had the feeling, like some today, that ‘whoever dies with the most
toys wins’. But GOD said to him, “You fool! You will die this very
night. Then who will get it all?” (Luke 12:20). Further, Yeshua tells
us that a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a
rich relationship with GOD.
This
does not mean that we are to become poor if we are to be blessed. But
we should remember who is the ONE who has blessed us! Scripture tells
us a faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will
not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28:20).
So, how
do we get rich with GOD? Put GOD first. First in the morning: prayer
and study of His Word. First with money: tithing. First with our
abilities: to help others. First with our worship: enter in with our
eyes and hearts on GOD!
We must
not just say, “GOD is our top priority.” We must SHOW it (James
2:14-18).
Shavuah
Tov
Rabbi Z
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