Thoughts on the Messianic Torah Portion Terumah

As I read this portion it is so obvious that Abba intended for there to be a pattern, a very precise pattern for the Tabernacle. One that Moshe took great care to follow to the letter.  Precision.  That is the word that comes to mind.

Exodus 25:8 “They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them. 9 You are to make it according to everything I show you — the design of the tabernacle and the design of its furnishings. This is how you are to make it.

What was the point of the Tabernacle? It was a place for Abba to reside among His people. When you look up the word “pattern” it is Strongs H8403. It’s root word is H1129.  I LOVE the meaning of this word.

ba?na?h: to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue

1a) 1a1) to build, rebuild
1a2) to build a house (i.e., establish a family)

He is going to reside among us… establish a family. How beautiful is that?

In the rest of this Torah portion, we are given very specific details for the construction… almost like a blueprint. But everything has a symbolic meaning. We have to be careful not to stray here and I urge you to seek Abba in this area. We can get to the point where we spiritualize everything and nothing is literal. But we can make it all about the physical and nothing spiritual which is wrong as well. It takes both and the only way we know both is for Abba to reveal it to us. The Ruach, the Holy Spirit, reveals it to us. But you have to be pursuing understanding, reading His Word, learning His Heart!  I love the language of the following verse in the Shocken Bible Translation:

Exodus 25:40 Now see and make, according to their building-pattern which you are granted to see upon the mountain.

So, I encourage you to pray for understanding and then study His word.

The first thing we see being built is the Ark of the Covenant. Today, listening to Rabbi Greg at Beth Yeshua International, I learned that Acacia wood, the wood used, means incorruptible wood. It is like iron… it is so hard. On top of the Ark is a lid or covering. It is not made of wood, but is made of solid gold and the cherubim are to be one with it… so all are one piece.  These Cherubim are not what we see of smiling childlike beings with rosy cheeks and wings. It is dramatically different in Hebraic thought and wow, does it make a difference!

The concept  of Cherubim is represented in ancient Middle East as a lion or bull with eagles’ wings and a human face. (three animals, which together with man, symbolize power and wisdom.) Read Ezekiel 1:5-13 to see this concept for yourself.  AND then go read Revelation 4! Not understanding the basis of our religion, losing the Jewishness has caused us to misinterpret so much of scripture!

This place, between the Cherubim, is where Abba had appointed meetings with Moses. Inside the Ark were the ten words He spoke… better known as the Torah. The gold covering is the footstool and the Torah is said to be the pillar upon which the footstool rests, per Keil and Deliitzsch commentary from

Psalm 97:2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Which makes absolute perfect sense… His judgement has to be righteous and just.  How do we know what is right and just? It is defined by His testimony which is IN the Ark (the Throne)… which is Torah!!!

There is so much more in this portion.  I will end this post here, but may return for part two. Please read it for yourself. Study and research the words. Don’t assume you know their meaning… because chances are, you don’t. These were written by middle eastern men… unless you understand that perspective, you won’t automatically understand the meaning!  Be Bereans!  Search the Word for yourself!

Until next time… Shalom, Shalom!