Va’Yakhel (And He Assembled) / P’kudei (Accountings Of)
Va’Yakhel (And He Assembled) / P’kudei (Accountings Of)
10/11) Exodus 35:1–38:20 / 38:21–40:38
Welcome to our first double-portion week!! Remember, the Torah is divided into 54 “chunks” or portions called “parishiot” (singular = parashah). Because the holiday portions are added in as replacement readings on occasional weeks, there needs to be double-portion weeks to get through the whole Torah in an annual cycle of 52 weeks.
I’ve tried to help you deepen your engagement with the Scriptures by outlining some reading strategies that you can find HERE. Go to the bottom of this linked page in the Parashah Project for a suggested strategy for adjusting your weekly reading schedule to accommodate a double portion.
As we conclude the book of Exodus this week, below is one more look at the structure of the last 16 chapters of the book (RED font) that correspond to the final 5 parashiot (GREEN font).
The larger thematic development of God’s instructions for building a place for Him to come and dwell (BLACK font) can be further divided into subsections highlighting the slide into disobedience (golden calf) and ascent back into obedience which marks the origin of Levites ascent to the priesthood and the following story of building the place for God’s dwelling according to the exact words of God’s messenger (BLUE font).
Last week, I ended the post on Ki Tisa with this foreshadowing exhortation: “this week is a deep descent into the golden calf debacle. But don’t worry, the bad news is always a platform for God to announce and amplify His Good News! And next week begins with a re-announcement of a Sabbath command designed to point us to the Lord of the Sabbath!” Well, this week includes the two concluding portions (both linked below) of Exodus. Notice how the first portion begins — the other bookended sabbath command in Exodus 35:2…
You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the LORD. (NLT)
Imagine the golden calf debacle, and sin generally, like a deep pit. Now imagine two rope ladders—one on each side of the pit. The sabbath command in Exodus 31:12-17 is like the first ladder and the sabbath command in Exodus 35:1-3 is like the second ladder. These two bookending commands to rest stand out as lifelines around the story of disobedience and the natural descent that will always follow sin. With these two sabbath commands, it is as if God is signaling His rescue plan by trusting Him enough to tithe our time—one day out of seven—that He can accomplish more through us in six days that we can on our own strength in seven. It takes faith to stop working.
It takes faith to take hold of the lifeline God offers in a weekly rhythm of sabbath-keeping to stay tethered to the Lord of the Sabbath—Yeshua! Abide in Him as you delve into the Word this week.
Readings for the Week (Double Portion):
Torah: EXODUS 35:1–38:20
Prophets: 1 KINGS 7:13–26, 40–50
Apostolic Writings: HEBREWS 9:1–10
Torah: EXODUS 38:21–40:38
Prophets: 1 KINGS 7:51–8:21
Apostolic Writings: HEBREWS 8:1–13
Remember, use one or both of the reading strategies from the Parashah Project to guide your daily dose of God’s word.
Click on the picture above or the title name here for the online Parashah commentary for VaYakhel and P’Kudei.
Shalom,
Thomas