Some KEY WORDS and TERMS

Hiram חירם Chiyram pronounced khee-rawm’

Hiram / Huram = “noble”

1) the king of Tyre who sent workmen and materials to Jerusalem to build both the palace for David and the temple for Solomon
2) the chief architect and engineer of Solomon’s temple sent by King Hiram to Solomon

6:1 Ziv/Zif = “brightness”

1) name of the 2nd month of the year, corresponding to Apr-May

cubits (Heb) אמה ‘ammah pronounced am-maw’

1) cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (0.5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit, {De 3:11 } the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary {Eze 40:5 }.

Solomon שׁלמה Shᵉlomoh pronounced shel-o-mo’

Solomon = “peace”

1) son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs.

David = “beloved”

1) youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.

Fulfilling David’s dream

“Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find our a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” Ps 132:3-5. It was King David’s passionate desire to build a temple for the glory of the Lord.

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple” (Ps 27:4).

The Lord knew David’s heart but made it clear that He had other plans for His beloved servant (2 Sam7). David was preoccupied with fighting wars and expanding and defending the borders of the kingdom of Israel that he didn’t have time to supervise such a complex and demanding enterprise. Solomon, the man of peace, was God’s choice to build the temple, and his father prepared him for the task and encouraged him. (1 Chron 22 and 28).

Fathers have an awesome responsibility. Prov 22:6  “Train up a child in the way he should go” is a biblical principle suggesting that early, intentional training in righteousness, morality, and God’s ways provides a lasting foundation, ensuring they will not depart from it in adulthood. It emphasizes molding a child’s character through discipline and instruction.

The nations surrounding Israel had temples dedicated to their false gods, and the people of Israel wanted to dedicate a  temple to honor Jehovah of Hosts, the true and living God. In the Year 966, the 4th year of His reign Solomon began the work.

Securing the materials (1 Kings 5:1-12).

David had set aside some of the spoils of battle especially for the Lord (1 Chron 22:14). This amounted to 3 750 tons of gold, 37 500 tons of silver, and unmeasured amount of bronze, iron, wood and stone. All this wealth he presented publicly to Solomon (1 Chron 29:1-5). David also added his own personal treasure and invited the leaders of the nation to contribute (1 Chron 29:1-10). The final totals were 4 050 tons of gold, 38 000 tons of silver, 1 000’s of tons of bronze and iron and precious stones.

David gave Solomon the plans for the temple that had been given to him by the Lord (1 Chron 28). David had assembled artisans and laborers to follow those plans and work in wood and stone to prepare material for the temple (1 Chron 22:1-4). Hiram, King of Tyre, had provided workers and materials for the building of David’s palce (2 Sam 5:11), and David had enlisted their help in preparing wood for the temple (1 Chron 22:4). Solomon took advantage of this royal friendship to enlist Hiram to provide workers and timber needed for the temple. David had told Hiram about God’s covenant (2 Sam 7) and God’s choice of Solomon to build the house of God. Solomon made it clear that he was constructing, not a monument to the glory of his father, but a temple to the homor of the name of the Lord.

Hiram was the son of a mixed marriage, for his father was a Phoenician and his mother was from the tribe of Naphtali. He was gifted as a metal worker and cast the two pillars at the entrance of the temple as well as the metal furnishings within the temple.

Solomon’s letter was really a commercial contract, for in it he offred to pay for the wood by providing food annually for Hiram’s household (5:11), and also to pay the workers one large payment for their labor (2 Chron 2:10). Until the work was completed, King Hiram’s household received annually 125 000 bushels of wheat and 115 000 gallons of pure olive oil. The workers would receive one payment of 125 000 bushels of wheat,  and 125 000 bushels of barley, 115 000 gallons of wine and olive oil, all of which would be divided among them. In his reply, Hirim accepted the terms and outlined the proceedure. His men would cut the trees in Lebanon, prepare the logs and then take them down the coast to Joppa (modern Jaffa); 2 Chron 2:16. At Joppa the timber was transported overland to the building site, about 35 mi/56 kms away.

It was important to have leaders who gave their support to the project.

Some KEY WORDS and TERMS

8:6 mediator (Gk) μεσίτης mesites pronounced mes-ee’-tace

1) one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant
2) a medium of communication, arbitrator

9:23 patterns (Gk) ὑπόδειγμα hupodeigma pronunced hoop-od’-igue-mah

1) a sign suggestive of anything, delineation of a thing, representation, figure, copy
2) an example: for imitation
2a) of the thing to be imitated
2b) for a warning, of a thing to be shunned

10:1 shadow (Gk) σκιά skia pronounced skee’-ah

1) shadow
1a) shade caused by the interception of light
1b) an image cast by an object and representing the form of that object
1c) a sketch, outline, adumbration (A faint sketch; an imperfect portrayal or representation of a thing.)

(Heb) צל tsel pronounced tsale

Ge 19:8 is the 1st mention of shadow. “…they under the shadow of my roof.” ESV. One meaning here is hospitality for guests.

1) shadow, shade
1a) shadow (on dial)
1b) shadow, shade (as protection)
1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life)

צ sade the primary meaning is Humility Righteousness. Another meaning is Submission to the Divine will, Charity, Love. The shadow meaning of sade is self-righteousness, letting failure discourage you. 

ל lamed the primary meaning is Reaching up to God for Divine knowledge, Receiving Divine knowledge into your heart. 

The shadow meaning of lamed is Narrow thinking, Self-Importance, Workaholic.

Every word, every letter, especially in Hebrew has a positive and a corresponding negative connotation. 

James 1:17 is the last mention of the word shadow / darkness.

KEY WORDS AND TERMS

Uzziah = “my strength is Jehovah”. A son of King Amaziah of Judah and king of Judah himself for 52 years. Uzziah was 16 when he became an intelligent and innovative king of Judah. The first 24 years of his reign were as a co-regent with his father, Amaziah. 

Ministering during Uzziah’s reign were the prophets Hosea, Isaiah, Amos, and Jonah. Zechariah is most likely a godly prophet to whom Uzziah listened. Unfortunately, King Uzziah’s fame and strength led him to become proud, and this led to his downfall (2 Chron 26:16). Uzziah became angry with the priests who dared confront him, he died a leper. 

lips = שׂפה saphah or (in dual and plural) שׂפת sepheth

meaning: lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding.

seraphims = שׂרף saraph

1) serpent, fiery serpent
1a) poisonous serpent (fiery from burning effect of poison)
2) seraph, seraphim
2a) majestic beings with 6 wings, human hands or voices in attendance upon God

pistachio/teil/oak tree = אלה ‘elah. A valley where David killed Goliath.

Ahaz = “he has grasped”

1) King of Judah, son Yotam (Jotham), father of Uziyahu (Hezekiah)
2) a Benjamite, son of Micah, and great-grandson of Jonathan

Retzin = “firm”

King of Aram (Damascus), during the reigns of kings Yotam and Ahaz of Judah.

Pekah = “opened”

Son of Remaliah, originally a captain of King Pekahiah of Israel, murdered Pekahiah, usurped the throne and became the 18th king of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Before Isaiah, a prophet announced any “woes” on others, he first confessed his own sin. Note the four states in Isaiah’s experience with God.

Sight: He saw the Lord (Isa 6:1-4). Only here are the seraphim mentioned. The hebrew word here means “to burn” and relates these creatures to the holiness of God. From heavens point of view, “the whole earth” was “full of His glory” (Isa 6:3). See Num 14:21-22; Ps 72:18-19. When circumstances look down, do one’s best to look from a heavenly perspective.

Insight: Great conviction was bought to Isaiah’s heart. Unclean lips are caused by an unclean heart (Mt 12:34-35). Isaiah cried out to be cleansed inwardly (Ps 51:10; 1 Jn 1:9), and God met his need and was verified by the word of the Lord (Isa 6:7). Like many heros of faith one must be humbled before God.

Vision: He saw the need (Isa 6:8). The nation needed the Lord. He accepted the appointment and made himself available. He didn’t discuss his call as Moshe (Ex 3:11-4:15) and Jeremiah (Jer 1:4) did. Each person has an opportunity to share God’s character and nature.

Blindness: The nation couldn’t see. vv 9-10 are quoted six times in; (Mt 13:13-14; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10; Jn 12:40; Acts 28:25-28 and Rom 11:8). The more people resist God’s truth the less able they are to receive. The test was of faithfulness. God informed Isaiah that it would seem as failure, the land ruined and the people taken captive (Isa 6:11-12). A remnant would survive. Isaiah needed a long range perspective.

The B’rit Hadashah suggested readings correlate this these notes.

As we continue from last week, God deserves our praise. This is outlined in (Ex 18:1-12).

After reading about the trials, complaints, its relief to move into a chapter describing a camp that has fellowship and community business. We see here that praise is a good antidote for a complaining spirit.

In Yetro’s message (vv 1-6), we read about Moshe’s father-in-law in 2:11-22, but his presence here raises two questions: (1) How did Yethro hear about the works of God in Egypt? and (2) When did Moshe’s wife and two sons return home?

After the exodus we read Moshe sent a messenger to Yethro asking him to bring Zipporah and the two boys and meet him at Sinai.

Yethro’s arrival (vv 7-8). In the East family members and community greet one another when they meet (Lk 10:4). Hospitality is the first law of the East, hence Moshe invited Yethro and the reat of the visitors to join him in his tent. Moshe gave details to Yethro about what the Lord had done.

Yethro’s worship (vv 9-12). Like Melchizedek (Gen 14:17-24), Yethro was a Gentile priest (Ex 2:16). He said that Egyptians suffered loss because they had “treated Israel arrogantly” (Ex 18:11). (Mal 1:11) For from farthest east to farthest west my name is great among the nations … says ADONAI-Tzva’ot.

Tasks (vv 13-16). The nation had elders (v 13; 4:29), but they weren’t assisting Moshe in daily affairs. There were basic regulations for the management of the camp (Ex 18:16). The phrase “statutes and laws” can refer to God’s will in general as well as to specific ordinances from the Lord. God blessed Abraham for obeying His commandments, statutes and laws, long before the Law was given. (Gen 26:5).

Judicial codes are necessary for oder and security in society. Later the priests would assist in this task (Mal 2:4-7); but the priesthood had not yet been established. From the time of Ezra 7:10), the scribes became the students and interpreteres of the Law.

A danger (vv 17-18). Moshe’s leadership was crucial for the success of the community. Any activity that drained his energy or wasted his time would hold consequences not only to those close to him but to the nation. Yethro shows compassion to his son-in-law. He also didn’t want to see Zipporah become a widow and his two grandsons fatherless. Moshe had confessed that the burden was too much for him to contemplate alone (Num 11:14).

Easier קלל qalal, in (Ex 18:22) means “to take cargo from a ship”. That will make your load lighter. In the shadow meaning, easier can mean, to treat with contempt, bring contempt or dishonour.

vv 19-27 are suggestions. Assisted chosen rulers could help make wise decisions. Moshe was to be an interceder, seeking God’s direction in difficult cases. Yethro urged Moshe to talk to God. In matters of organisation and management, but people can practice policies and principles making sure that all is in agreement with scripture. (James 3:13-18). An important aspects in delegating responsibilites is that leaders have the ability and character, men of truth. (Ex 18:21; Acts 6:1-7). These assistants had to have good reputations, be full of the Spirit and Wisdom, and approved by the people.

According to Dt 1:9-18, Moshe admitted his own weaknesses and weariness. When Israel moved into the Promised Land, they appointed officers in each town to assist in the settling of cases, gatekeepers (Ex 16:18-20). These men were to make listen and make advise wise decisions.

How often today some people do not have a teachable heart to be advised of matters of wisdom. Of course we have to discern the principle behind any practice. Self defeating organisations and individuals embalm their own structure of thinking and refuse to change, even to their own detriment. Then, that injures or causes damage; mischief; harm; diminution; loss; damage; used very generically, one will keep going around that mountain again, and wonder why there is no advancement.

There is a lesson in every statement one makes, just as there are spirits behind every disappointment, being let down, betrayal, deceit, manipulation, coercion, doubt and any emotional strongholds, and of course there are also enabling and enforcing spirits behind them as well.  One has to realign emotions, security and thought patterns to be align with God. One has to be refreshed with the Living Water and not be spiritually enadequate to handle what is assigned to God’s Kingdom.

KEY WORDS AND TERMS

B’shalach (After he had let go/When He Sent); the sixteenth reading of the Torah.

neshamah Breath (Hebrew); the word used to describe the undying, divine soul of human beings.

omer A unit of dry measure equal to a little more than two quarts (and the dry quart is equal to two dry pints, or 1/32 bushel). The omer is an ancient Hebrew dry measure, defined in the Bible as one-tenth of an ephah (Exodus 16:36). Volume Estimate: Based on archaeological and textual evidence, an omer is approximately 2 to 2.5 liters

sukkot Booths or shelters (Hebrew); the Festival of Tabernacles.

yeshuah Salvation

Some key characters in this weeks Parashah

Yehovah: in charge of the weather and in all things.

Barak: a reluctant Jewish general. Son of Abinoam “my father is delight” of Kedesh.

Deborah: A Jewish judge; a woman of faith and courage

Jabin: King of Hazor in Canaan; a tyrant

Jael: “mountain goat”. Wife of Heber, knew how to handle a hammer.

Sisera: “battle array”. Captain of Jabin’s army, ancestor of a family of temple slaves who returned from exile with Zerubbabel

At this particular time in history, living in a male dominated society, only mature males were in leadership, the challenge of having a woman in this role could be seen as an act of humiliation.

Isa 3:12 suggests that women rule over them (the men). At first could be viewed as not wisdom but as oppressive. When it comes to spiritual things, treating men as little children is belittling. God will use anything and anyone for His purposes. If men do not step up to their rightful place or position, with that responsibility, God will use a woman of courage to obtain what has to be accomplished.

Women have their place to support the man, just like a backbone. But if the man does not have a backbone of doing what is right in Gods sight, He will use a woman to accomplish what is necessary.

Men and women are to be united in doing God’s work. Each has giftings according to His purpose.

Here we have Doborah a judge and a prophetess. Deborah saw herself as a mother to the people (Judg 5:7). The wayward people were as if children. She welcomed them and counselled them.

God revealed to Deborah that Barak “lighting” was to assemble and lead the Israelite army and draw Sisera’s troops near Mt Tabor. Mt Tabor lies at the juncture of Zebulun, Naphtali and Issachar, not far from the Kishon River.

In (Judg 4:8-10) we aren’t told that Barak was a judge, which explains why he got his orders from Deborah, God’s appointed leader in the land. Barak was from Naphtali.

Like Moshe, Gideon and Jeremiah, Barak hesitated when told what God wanted him to do.

We know that God’s commandments are God’s enablement’s, and that we should obey His will in spite of circumstances, feelings or consequences.

The fact that Deborah agreed to accompany Barak suggests that his request wasn’t out of God’s will, although granting it, God took the honour from the men and gave it to the women. In the end God should receive all the honour.

Weapons were scare in Israel (I Sam 13:19-22) and what Deborah and Barak did was an act of faith.

Sisera is warned: (vv 11-12). Heber “comrade”, (grandson of Asher from whom came the Heberites) and his family warned Sisera that the Jews were about to revolt and where the Israelite army was gathering. We met the Kenites “smiths” in 1:16 and discovered that they were distant relatives of the Jews through Moshe. Heber separated himself from the general people and worshipped Yehovah. We also see he was friendly with idolatrous tyrants like Jabin and Sisera (4:17).

Heber’s trade was an itinerant metalworker. Perhaps his association was for business purposes.

Kenites seem to be attached to the tribe of Judah (1:16); but the men of Judah weren’t among the volunteers in Barak’s army. Heber wasn’t an ally of Jabin’s; was he simply trying to maintain a neutral position in a divided society? Once the army was in place at Mt Tabor, Heber gave the news to Sisera.

Sisera is defeated (vv 13-16). The Canaanites depended on their 900 iron chariots to give them the advantage they needed as they met the Jewish army. (1:19; Josh 17:18).

A rainstorm made the Kishon Rover overflow and turn the battlefield into a sea of mud (Judg 5:20-22). The water and mud severely impeded the mobility of the Canaanite chariots and horses. Sound familiar.

Confusion in the minds of the enemy troops, was apparent. In some translations, the word translated ‘routed’ (Ex 13:18) means confused, thrown into panic. This is another occurrence similar to Pharaoh’ charioteers in the Red Sea (Ex 14:24). Again, we see confusion for the Philistines in Samuel’s day (1 Sam 7:10).

Confusion and fear were caused by the sudden appearance of torrential rain during the traditionally dry season. Possibly June to September. The Canaanite god Baal was the god of storms. The change of weather could have affected the superstitious Canaanites. Had their god turned against them.

Sisera is slain (vv 17-23). The Canaanite captain Sisera was running for his life. Weariness and safety seemed to be his priority. Nearby were the tents of Heber at the oak of Zaanannim (v11), “removings”. This famous oak was on the border of Naphtali (Josh 19:33), about 6 mi. / approx 9.6 kms east of Mt Tabor.

When Heber’s wife Jael, came out to meet Sisera and invite him into her tent he assumed he would be safe. In that culture nobody would enter a wife’s tent except her husband, Jael gave him milk instead of water and then covered him with a blanket.

Sisera telling Jael to lie if anyone asked whether he was there would carry consequences. If she protected Sisera, she would bring family shame in more ways than one. Heber’s clan was friendly to the Canaanites, Jael had shown him hospitality and kindness, and no pursuing soldier was likely to force his way into a woman’s tent. Sisera didn’t seem to know that it was promised that a woman would take his life (Jdg 4:9).

When Sisera as in a deep sleep, Jael pounded a tent peg through his head. In the Eastern nomadic tribes, it was the women who put up and took down the tents. Jael knew how to use a hammer.

When Barak arrived at the camp, he discovered that his enemy was deceased. Doborah’s prediction had been fulfilled.

Jael was partially deceitful. The Kenites were at peace with Jabin, so she violated a treaty. One way to view this episode was, killing a defenceless man while in her protection she became a murderess.

Let us also remember that the Jews were under bondage because of Jabin and Sisera. It was God who wanted the nation to be delivered. Women especially were under brutality at this time. Men were and are to be the protectors not initiators of cruelty.

(Judg 5:1-31). Expression in song. A poem or song isn’t something you can easily outline because it’s a spontaneous emotional expression that often defies analysis and sometimes even logic. Hebrew poetry contains recurring themes, expressed in different ways and frequent outbursts of praise and prayer.

God had raised up Deborah to be a mother in Israel (vv 6-9). The enemy took over because the people had turned from Yehovah to worship false gods. Deborah was concerned about the spiritual life of the people as well as their physical and political welfare. Beginning and ending with all praise to God.

Deborah and Barak summoned the wealthy nobles (those who ride on white asses) and travellers to join the singers at the wells and praise God for victories and His mercy. Deborah and Barak didn’t curse the people of Meroz “refuge”.

When God calls people for His service, some respond immediately, some take time to consider, and others don’t respond at all. Praise Lord for courageous woman (vv 24-31). Deborah’s blessing on Jael reminds us of Gabriel’s words to Mary (Lk 1:42).

Because of Barak’s hesitation, Deborah announced that a woman would get the credit for what was asked (Judg 4:8).

Sisera was killed by Jael, who had given him milk; and his army was defeated by Deborah, whose name means “Bee”. Sisera discovered that, “the land flowing with milk and honey” could be a warning. As with most words and phrases, there is a positive and shadow/negative connotation.

At a closer look at v26, the word “smote” (NKJV) תקע taqa, can mean crushed or smashed.

The passage moves from describing Sisera’s death to protraying Sisera’s mother watching for her son’s return (Judg 5:28-30). She held in hope when there wasn’t any. People today are looking our the window of false assumptions and expectations. The mother and attendants kept telling themselves and each that everything was fine but it wasn’t.

A closing prayerv31, contrasts the enemies of the Lord – who are like Sisera, going out in darkness – with the people who obey and love God, who are like the noon day sun. David compared a godly leader to the rising sun and the sun shining after the rain (2 Sam 23:3-4). When leaders obey God as Deborah and Barak did, there is a dawning of a new day for the people; there will be calm and light after the storm. His mercies are fresh every morning.

The battle at Megiddo was more than opposing conflict between people, it was a conflict between forces of darkness and light. May we all walk in Messiah’s light.

In conclusion: Rom 15:4 For everything written in the past was written to teach us, so that with the encouragement of the Tanakh we might patiently hold on to our hope.