TERUMAH תְּרוּמָ֑ה (Heave offering) EXODUS 25:1-27:19

PROPHETS: 1 KINGS 5:26-6:13 | GOSPEL: MARK 12:35-44

by Min. Donald H. Garrett

TORAH:

Although the word translates as heave offering, it can also be translated as portion, which the Tanach uses here. The people were to give portions of their material possessions and time for the building of the Tabernacle and vessels.

The entire parashah is an indepth explanation on how to exactly build and make the Tabernacle and it’s vessels.

PROPHETS:

Described in this reading is the hewing of stone and wood to build the Temple. As the Torah wrote about building the Tabernacle, this writing speaks of Solomon’s Temple. It was built in the 2nd month of Ziv. The dimensions of the Temple and great detail is described here. However, Solomon receives a word from YaH, ” This Temple that you build – if you follow My decrees, perform My statutes, and observe all My commandments, to follow them, I shall uphold My word with you that I spoke to David your father. I shall dwell among the Children of Israel, and I shall not forsake My people Israel.” 1 Kings 6:12-13.

We see here a conditional promise from YaH to Solomon, if you will do these things, then I will keep My Word. Why would YaH speak to Solomon in this fashion instead of just keeping His Word? Because He knew that Solomon would not follow everything and Solomon could not put the blame on YaH afterwards. Think about it, if YaH had upheld His Word when Solomon did evil, would we still see Him as righteous? No.

GOSPEL:

In this reading of the Gospel of Mark, we find Yeshua preaching and teaching in the Temple. Now, only Rabbis and Priests were supposed to do this, yet no one stopped Him. He questions them on how the Messiah can be both David’s Lord and David’s son. They have no answer, but they listened gladly. A warning against the teaching of the Pharisees is next. He chastises them for doing 6 things:

  1. Walk about in grand robes
  2. Greet those in the marketplace with great pompousness
  3. Desire 1st seats in the synagogues
  4. Desire 1st places at the suppers
  5. Devouring the houses of widows
  6. And, pretext to make great prayer for others.

Lastly, is His teaching on the Widow’s Mite.

Widow’s Mite from ancient times

It explains on how rich people give out of their excess rather than out of their need. True faith is realized when someone gives from their need.

(c) Copyright February 2021 Min. Donald H Garrett and Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc.

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