Parashat Ki Tisa ("when you take") Exodus 30:11-34:35
I want to focus on the fifth Aliyah - Exodus 34:1-9 because
it contains the most sensational appearance of YHVH which captures the
imagination and has birthed many a congregational hymn.
But first a side note to get a few extra points from
our beloved Rabbi Yaakov.
A fairly unknown man, (only mentioned 4 times in the
Bible), Betzalel, has an extraordinary association with the coming Messiah. Exodus 31:1-11. Betzalel played an enormous role in the building
of the Temple; he was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, “with wisdom, with
understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.” (31:3). His name means "in the shadow of Elohim"
and he was born from the tride of Judah.
Betzalel's chief assistant is Oholiab (aholi'Av), whose name means
"the Father's tent" – Oholiab was born of the lowliest tribe, that of
Dan, and some suggest that this was to show that before Elohim "the great
and the lowly are equal".
Betzalel did everything he was commanded to do to build
the sanctuary. Reminds us of a certain Yeshua HaMashiach ey.
But back to the Aliya.
It
was only a few chapters ago that we read about the dreaded Golden Calf
Sin. A moment in time that is still mourned
as a national tragedy. And then Moses,
in desperation, wonders when he is going to get some help, “You have been
telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will
send with me.” (33:12)
And then Moses makes a BIG CALL… “Now show me your glory.” (33:18)
What was he thinking? The Creator of the universe, showing a mere
mortal His glory?
Sometimes when we reach boiling point or desperation,
we cry out to our Maker and thankfully he doesn’t necessarily give in to our
demands. Just like a child throwing a
tantrum in the shopping mall for a candy (we say lolly here in Aus), instead of
reacting out of frustration, a good Father will understand and meet part of the
need.
So to, when we are in the midst of confusion, He
understands and meets our needs. The Lord agrees to Moses’s request, for
reassurance and only in a way that would be good, “you cannot see my face, for
no one may see me and live.” (33:20).
So finally we get to the fifth Aliyah. These thirty-two words (Exod. 34:6-7) have
become known in Jewish tradition as the Shelosh Esrei Middot HaRakhamim, (שָׁלוֹשׁ
עֶשְׂרֵה מִידוֹת הרַחֲמִים) the Thirteen
Attributes of God's Mercy:
"And
the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful
and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy
for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by
no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the
children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth
generation." (KJV)
These attributes were not just for Moses. Earlier
in Chapter 33 we see that Moses made a clear request to know God, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your
ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (v13). How many times have we said that we want to “know
God” and find His favor? Maybe we should
simply learn this Aliyah. Any revelation of the characteristics of YHVH
is for OUR benefit and for us to LIVE out.
Even more so, if these are the attributes of YHVH,
and we are to be “perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” as per the
words of Yeshua in Matthew 5:48, then we are also to be and show these
attributes.
Are we merciful, gracious and longsuffering? Do we do good and live/speak truth? Do we forgive each other iniquities and late
assignments? ;)
According to various traditional interpretations,
these thirteen attributes of God's Name may be understood as follows:
1. Adonai
(יהוה) - I, the LORD; I am the Compassionate Source of all of life.
2. Adonai
(יהוה) — compassion after a person has sinned;
3. El
(אֵל) - I, the LORD, am God the Almighty and Omnipotent and yet mighty in
compassion to give all creatures according to their need.
4. Rachum
(רַחוּם) - I, the LORD, am merciful (rachamim (רַחֲמִים) means
"mercy" and rechem (רֶחֶם) means "womb") and has compassion
for those created in His image.
5. Chanun
(חַנּוּן) - I, the LORD, am gracious.
6. Erekh
Apayim (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם) - I, the LORD, am slow to anger and patient
7. Rav
Chesed (רַב־חֶסֶד) - I, the LORD, am abundant in love – “chesed” (חֶסֶד) to both
the righteous and the wicked. Chesed is
more than just “love”. It is a deep
kindness.
8. Rav
Emet (רַב־אֱמֶת) - I, the LORD, am truthful.
9. Notzer
Chesed La'alafim (נצֵר חֶסֶד לָאֲלָפִים) - I, the LORD, retain chesed (love/kindness)
for thousands of generations.
10. Nosei
Avon (נשֵׂא עָוֹן) - I, the LORD, forgive iniquity.
11. Nosei
Pesha (נשֵׂא פֶשַׁע) - I, the LORD, forgive transgression.
12. Nosei
Chata'ah (נשֵׂא חַטָּאָה) - I, the LORD, forgive sin.
13. Nakkeh
(נַקֶּה) - I, the LORD, will not pardon sin for punishment, but I will clear
the guilt for those who genuinely return to Me in teshuvah.
Moses finishes the Aliyah perfectly with “Although
this (we) is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and
take us as your inheritance.” Amen Amen
Amen.
As I was beginning my early morning prayer with "YOU ARE"...and thinking of all the attributes of Abba El, at that time 'YOU ARE" was enough. He tells us "I AM" and He is so awesome that sometimes "YOU ARE" is all I can speak. Thank you for this teaching. I will print out and put on my fridge as a reminder.
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