Shalom chaverim.  In this “Daily Perush” audio I provide an exegesis and reading of a significant phrase in King Solomon’s great prayer at the dedication of the First Temple, namely, “Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you” (2 Chron. 6:18), and I then go on to reflect a bit on the meaning of these words in relation to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.  Please note that this topic is primarily designed for those who are studying Biblical Hebrew. I hope you will find it helpful. – John
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Key Verse:

 

• 2 Chron. 6:18b Hebrew page (pdf)

 

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Additional Comments

During his earthly ministry, our Lord Yeshua referred to himself as “the True Temple of God” (המקדש האמיתי של אלוהים) that dwelt among us. The Mishkan (Tabernacle) was a temporary dwelling place as was the physical Bet Hamikdash (Temple). As Solomon said, God never could be contained in a house made of stone, cedar and gold (2 Chron. 6:18). These were shadows of a greater Substance that entirely embodied the Temple’s purpose and essential truth (Col. 2:17).

Yeshua told the Pharisees of his day that he was greater than the Temple in Jerusalem (Matt. 12:6) and challenged them: “Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19-21). Yeshua is the Shekhinah – the Presence of God – manifested in the temple of human form: “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col. 2:9, John 1:1,14).

As the Lamb of God, Yeshua is not only the Kodesh Hakodoshim (Holy of Holies) — embodied within a human heart of flesh — but also the substance and end of all sacrifice (Heb. 10:12). When his flesh was destroyed on the Cross, the curtain of the Temple was likewise rent asunder (Matt. 27:50). Access to the inner sanctum of the LORD was thenceforth available to all who would come in faith. Yeshua alone is the Spirit, Source and the End of the true Temple of God.

 

For more see:

The Significance of Zion and the tragedy of Tishah B’Av

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Shalom chaverim.  In this “Daily Perush” audio I provide an exegesis and reading of a significant phrase in King Solomon’s great prayer at the dedication of the First Temple, namely, “Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you” (2 Chron. 6:18), and I then go on to reflect a bit on the meaning of these words in relation to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.  Please note that this topic is primarily designed for those who are studying Biblical Hebrew. I hope you will find it helpful. – John

Key Verse:

 

• 2 Chron. 6:18b Hebrew page (pdf)

 

…

Additional Comments

During his earthly ministry, our Lord Yeshua referred to himself as “the True Temple of God” (המקדש האמיתי של אלוהים) that dwelt among us. The Mishkan (Tabernacle) was a temporary dwelling place as was the physical Bet Hamikdash (Temple). As Solomon said, God never could be contained in a house made of stone, cedar and gold (2 Chron. 6:18). These were shadows of a greater Substance that entirely embodied the Temple’s purpose and essential truth (Col. 2:17).

Yeshua told the Pharisees of his day that he was greater than the Temple in Jerusalem (Matt. 12:6) and challenged them: “Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19-21). Yeshua is the Shekhinah – the Presence of God – manifested in the temple of human form: “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col. 2:9, John 1:1,14).

As the Lamb of God, Yeshua is not only the Kodesh Hakodoshim (Holy of Holies) — embodied within a human heart of flesh — but also the substance and end of all sacrifice (Heb. 10:12). When his flesh was destroyed on the Cross, the curtain of the Temple was likewise rent asunder (Matt. 27:50). Access to the inner sanctum of the LORD was thenceforth available to all who would come in faith. Yeshua alone is the Spirit, Source and the End of the true Temple of God.

 

For more see:

The Significance of Zion and the tragedy of Tishah B’Av

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Our Torah reading for this week (i.e., parashat Devarim) is the very first portion from the Book of Deuteronomy (i.e., Sefer Devarim: ספר דברים), which is always read on the Sabbath that immediately precedes the somber holiday of Tishah B’Av (תשעה באב). In Jewish tradition, this special Sabbath is called “Shabbat Chazon” (שַׁבַּת חַזוֹן), “the Sabbath of Vision,” since the Haftarah that is read (i.e., Isa. 1:1-25) comes from the vision of the prophet Isaiah (ישעיהו הנביא) regarding the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In both Jewish tradition and liturgy, teshuvah (repentance) and viduy (confession of sin) are the themes of this preparatory Sabbath.

 

Devarim Podcast:

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This week we read a “double portion” of Torah to conclude Sefer Bamidbar, or “the Book of Numbers.” Our first Torah portion, parashat Mattot (מַטּוֹת, “tribes”), begins with the LORD giving laws regarding the making of vows (nedarim). After this, the Israelites were commanded to wage war against the Midianites for seducing the people to sin at the incident of “Baal Peor.” During the ensuing battle, the wicked sorcerer Balaam was killed, as well as five tribal kings of the land of Midian. Our second Torah portion, parashat Masei (מַסְעֵי, “journeys”), provides the boundaries of the land of Canaan that were to be initially occupied by the Israelites. Note that these borders are not the same as those described earlier to Abraham (see Gen. 15:18-21), since that area will be given to Israel only after our Messiah Yeshua returns to establish Zion during the Millennial Kingdom (see Ezek. 47:15-48:35). During that coming time, Jerusalem (i.e., Zion) will be the center of the earth and renamed as “Adonai Shammah” (יְהוָה שָׁמָּה), “the LORD is there.”

 

Mattot-Masei Podcast:

 

I don’t usually post about politics, as most of you know, though in the United States on July 4th we commemorate the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of a Constitutional Republic — matters that many today discount and some even want to overthrow. So this is an opportune time to think about the significance of “Independence Day” and whether it is something we should indeed honor and celebrate…

In this “Daily Dvar” broadcast (see link below) I discuss the meaning and significance of the Fourth of July “Independence Day” observed the United States, particularly in light of the radical agenda to deconstruct American values and to incite a “second American revolution” at the hands of Antifa and globalists. I recorded this back in 2020 but I am reposting it because the issues are even more relevant today.  I hope you find it helpful, chaverim.

 

The Meaning of Independence Day Podcast: