T’tsaveh (You Shall Command)

8) Exodus 25:1–27:19

The ministry of presence is powerful. Do you know what I mean?

When someone is sad or in mourning, just being there in person with them, rather than anything you can do or say, often brings great comfort. How much more so with God. His Presence brings great comfort. This why the Holy Spirit is a “Comforting Counselor” (John 14:26).

In last week’s post, we walked through the progressive ways that God’s Holy Presence came from Heaven to earth to dwell among us…

• on a mountain top in the desert

• in a mobile tent travelling around for 40 years

• in a stationary temple that served to anchor Jerusalem as the “belly button of the world” (Ezek. 5:5) as the city that God chose (Deut. 12:8-14; Isa. 62:7)

• and ultimately as God’s redemptive purposes began to be fulfilled 2,000 years ago when His Presence came to dwell among us.

God’s Spirit ministers God’s comfort through the power of Presence.

And God’s Presence shines. God’s Presence warms. God’s Presence brings both light and heat.

“I am the light of the world.” —Yeshua (John 8:12; 9:5)

This week’s portion provides additional instructions for building the Tabernacle to serve as a mobile Mt. Sinai so God’s Holy Presence could come down the mountain and live among unholy people.

There is a special phrase in the opening verses of this portion. Ner Tamid (נֵר תָּמִיד). “Ner” is a Hebrew word that means candle, lamp, or light. “Tamid” is a Hebrew word that means continually. Ner Tamid is thus typically translated “Eternal Light.” Here is a picture of a ner tamid which is a lamp that is continually illuminated within a synagogue. The ner tamid represents the ever-present illuminating Presence of God.

You will find a ner tamid within every synagogue around the world. This “lamp burning continually” represents the Presence of God that gives light and illumination.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

In the opening verse of the portion—Exodus 27:20—God says to Moses,

Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.

Similarly, the ner tamid is commanded in Leviticus 24:2,

You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel.

I was at a prayer meeting last night and after a time of vibrant worship we transitioned to a 5-min time of complete silence. We wanted to hear from God. We were silent to block out natural sounds. We also closed our eyes to block out natural light. We were seeking to see and hear with supernatural clarity. This takes work…the work of faith.

In the middle of this time of silence, I reached my hand out and put my hand on my wife who was sitting silently next to me. What comfort I find in her presence. Without words or eye contact, her mere presence is a comfort to me. While this is a gift, it is not enough. Only God’s Presence can truly satisfy. This is why the first and greatest commandment is first and greatest. Loving God must come before loving others. For truly we cannot do the latter well if we do not do the former well. And the good news is that He takes the initiative in all this and our job is first to receive so we have something to give.

The ner tamid reminds us that God’s Presence is always near. His light is always illuminating the way. And His love is always able to calm every storm in our hearts and satisfy every desire. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 34:8,

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

I invite you to click on the links below to additional commentary on God’s word. Linger. Ponder. Wander. Until you see and hear and receive all that your good and perfect Heavenly Father has for you. Remember…daily bread.

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Readings for the Week:

Torah: EXODUS 27:20–30:10
Prophets: EZEKIEL 43:10–27
Apostolic Writings: HEBREWS 13:10–16

Click HERE for the online Parashah commentary.

Shalom,

Thomas