Jo’s Place

The Second Passover A year after Israel’s departure from Egypt, the Lord spoke to Moses, in the wilderness of Sinai.  In the first month of that year, the Lord said,  “Tell the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, at the prescribed time, at twilight, on the fourteenth day, of the first month.  Be sure to follow all my decrees and regulations, concerning this celebration.” So, Moses told the people, to celebrate the Passover, in the wilderness of Sinai, as twilight fell, on the fourteenth day, of the first month.  And they celebrated the festival, there, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.  But, some of the men had been ceremonially defiled, by touching a dead body, so they could not celebrate the Passover …that day.  They came to Moses and Aaron, that day and said,  “We have become ceremonially unclean, by touching a dead body.  But why should we be prevented, from presenting the Lord’s offering, at the proper time, with the rest of the Israelites?”  Moses answered,  “Wait here, unt

The Levites are Dedicated to the Lord The Lord said to Moses,  “Now set the Levites apart, from the rest of the people of Israel, and make them ceremonially clean.  Do this, by sprinkling them, with the water of purification… have them shave their entire body, and wash their clothing.  Then, they will be ceremonially clean.  Have them bring a young bull, and a grain offering, of choice flour, moistened with olive oil, along with a second young bull, for a sin offering.  Then, assemble the whole community of Israel, and present the Levites, at the entrance of the Tabernacle.  When you present the Levites, before the Lord, the people, of Israel, must lay their hands on them.  Raising his hands, Aaron must then present the Levites, to the Lord, as a special offering, from the people of Israel, thus dedicating them, to the Lord’s service.  “Next the Levites will lay their hands, on the heads, of the young bulls.  Present one, as a sin offering, and the other, as a burnt offering, to the Lo

​ Preparing the Lamps in the Sanctuary   In the Book of Numbers  Chapter 8: verses 1–4 The Lord said to Moses,  “ Give Aaron the following instructions:  When you set up the seven lamps in the lampstand, place them so their light shines forward, in front of the lampstand .”  So Aaron did this.  He set up the seven lamps, so they reflected their light forward, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.  The entire lampstand, from its base to its decorative blossoms, was made of beaten gold.  It was built according to the exact design the Lord had shown Moses. This was done so that the light would shine for all to see! Then, in the Gospel of Mark chapter 4:    verses 21–23, Jesus tells the parable of the lamp on the stand, to encourage his followers to stand out, to be an example, and not to hide away. The message, in this parable, would have been challenging for the first Christians, who were cruelly persecuted.  They may have hidden their faith, as they did not want to be tortured, imprison

The Total of the Dedication Offerings  So, this was the total, of the dedication offering, brought by the leaders of Israel, at the time the sanctuary altar was anointed:  Twelve silver platters, twelve silver basins, and twelve gold incense containers.  Each silver platter weighed 3¼ pounds, and each silver basin weighed 1¾ pounds.  The total weight of the silver was 60 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).  Each of the twelve gold containers, that was filled with incense, weighed four ounces (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).  The total weight of the gold was three pounds.  Twelve young bulls, twelve rams, and twelve one-year-old male lambs were donated for the burnt offerings, along with their prescribed grain offerings.  Twelve male goats were brought, for the sin offerings.  Twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty one-year-old male lambs were donated, for the peace offerings.  This was the dedication offering, for the alta

The Eleventh and Twelfth    Days for the Offerings of Dedication On the eleventh day, Pagiel, son of Ocran, leader of the tribe of Asher, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).  These were both filled with grain offerings, of choice flour, moistened with olive oil.  He also brought a gold container, weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.  He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb, for a burnt offering, and a male goat, for a sin offering.  For a peace offering, he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs.  This was the offering brought, by Pagiel, son of Ocran.  On the twelfth day, Ahira, son of Enan, leader of the tribe of Naphtali, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by t

The Ninth and Tenth Days for the Offerings of Dedication On the ninth day, Abidan, son of Gideoni, leader of the tribe of Benjamin, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).  These were both filled with grain offerings, of choice flour, moistened with olive oil.  He also brought a gold container, weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.  He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb, for a burnt offering, and a male goat, for a sin offering.  For a peace offering, he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs.  This was the offering brought, by Abidan, son of Gideoni.  On the tenth day, Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai, leader of the tribe of Dan, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by th

​ The Seventh and Eighth     Days for the Offerings of Dedication On the seventh day, Elishama, son of Ammihud, leader of the tribe of Ephraim, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).  These were both filled with grain offerings, of choice flour, moistened with olive oil.  He also brought a gold container, weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.  He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb, for a burnt offering, and a male goat, for a sin offering.  For a peace offering, he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs.  This was the offering brought, by Elishama, son of Ammihud.  On the eighth day, Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur, leader of the tribe of Manasseh, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds

​ The Fifth and Sixth Days for the Offerings of Dedication On the fifth day, Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai, leader of the tribe of Simeon, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).  These were both filled with grain offerings, of choice flour, moistened with olive oil.  He also brought a gold container, weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.  He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb, for a burnt offering, and a male goat, for a sin offering.  For a peace offering, he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs.  This was the offering brought, by Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai.  On the sixth day, Eliasaph, son of Deuel, leader of the tribe of Gad, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds (as measu

​ The Third and Fourth Days for the Offerings of Dedication On the third day, Eliab, son of Helon, leader of the tribe of Zebulun, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).  These were both filled with grain offerings, of choice flour, moistened with olive oil.  He also brought a gold container, weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.  He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb, for a burnt offering, …and a male goat, for a sin offering.  For a peace offering, he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs.  This was the offering brought, by Eliab, son of Helon.  On the fourth day Elizur, son of Shedeur, leader of the tribe of Reuben, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin, weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by the wei

​ The First and Second Days for the Offerings of Dedication On the first day, Nahshon son of Amminadab, leader of the tribe of Judah, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).  These were both filled with grain offerings, of choice flour, moistened with olive oil.  He also brought a gold container, weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.  He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb, for a burnt offering, and a male goat, for a sin offering.  For a peace offering, he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs.  This was the offering, brought by, Nahshon, son of Amminadab.  On the second day, Nethanel, son of Zuar, leader of the tribe of Issachar, presented his offering.  His offering consisted of a silver platter, weighing 3¼ pounds, and a silver basin weighing 1¾ pounds (as measured b

Offerings of Dedication On the day Moses set up the Tabernacle, he anointed it, and set it apart, as holy.  He also anointed, and set apart, all its furnishings, and the altar, with its utensils.  Then, the leaders of Israel—the tribal leaders, who had registered the troops—came and brought their offerings.  Together, they brought six large wagons and twelve oxen.  There was a wagon, for every two leaders, and an ox, for each leader.  They presented these, to the Lord, in front of the Tabernacle.  Then, the Lord said to Moses,  “Receive their gifts, and use these oxen and wagons, for transporting the Tabernacle.  Distribute them among the Levites, according to the work, which they have to do.”  So, Moses took the wagons and oxen, and presented them, to the Levites.  He gave two wagons and four oxen, to the Gershonite division, for their work, and he gave four wagons and eight oxen, to the Merarite division, for their work.  All their work was done, under the leadership of Ithamar, son

​ The Priestly Blessing The Lord said to Moses,  “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel, with this special blessing:  ‘May the Lord bless you  and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you  and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you His favor  and give you His peace.’   …from the Book of Numbers  Chapter 6: verses 22–26 (NLT) Traditionally, the priest blessed the people every morning, after the sacrifice at the Temple.  Today, many synagogues end their service, with this blessing, as a benediction. The Torah prescribed that only the descendants of Aaron (the kohanim) were allowed to convey this blessing, upon the people of Israel, and indeed this practice continues, in synagogue services today.  During an (Orthodox) service, for example, the priests first remove their shoes and have their hands ritually washed by Levites (if any are present).  This custom is based on the verse, "Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!"  (Psalm 134: verse 2).

​ Nazirite Laws The Lord said to Moses,  “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel.  “If any of the people, either men or women, take the special vow, of a Nazirite, setting themselves apart, to the Lord, in a special way, they must give up wine and other alcoholic drinks.  They must not use vinegar, made from wine, or from other alcoholic drinks; they must not drink fresh grape juice; and they must not eat grapes or raisins.  As long as they are bound, by their Nazirite vow, they are not allowed, to eat or drink, anything that comes from a grapevine—not even the grape seeds or skins.  “They must never cut their hair, throughout the time of their vow, for they are holy, and set apart to the Lord.  Until the time of their vow has been fulfilled, they must let their hair grow long.  And they must not go near a dead body, during the entire period, of their vow to the Lord.  Even if the dead person is their own father, mother, brother, or sister, they must not defile themsel