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V’yakheil

He assembled
“Stirred and Willing Hearts”

Exodus 35:1-38:20
1 Kings 7:40-50 (A); 7:13-26 (S)

excerpted from TorahScope, Volume I

V’yakheil describes the beginning phases of the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. You should recall how the specific description of the mishkan or Tabernacle had been given to Moses several months earlier, as recorded in previous Torah portions. Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19) detailed the offerings and contributions which were made by the people for its construction. Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10) went into great elaboration about worship related articles and the specific dedication instructions. Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35) related the trials endured by the Israelites, as they could not patiently wait for Moses to come down from the mountain with this wealth of information. Our reading for this week begins with the word,

“Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, ‘These are the words which the LORD has commanded, that you should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to the LORD: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death’” (Exodus 35:1-2, WMB).

If you attempt to understand the chronology between the end of Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18) and the beginning of the construction phase, you see that two forty-day periods had passed (Exodus 24:16-18; 34:28), and probably a number of other days. Various Jewish sources have noted that the construction began on the 11th of Tishri, right after Moses had descended from Mount Sinai after the second set of forty days and forty nights. It occurred on what would later become the Day of Atonement:[1]

“The LORD’s glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud. The appearance of the LORD’s glory was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. Moses entered into the middle of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights…He was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread, nor drank water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments” (Exodus 24:16-18; 34:28, WMB).

Without dissecting the specifics about the actual timing, the Israelites were certainly being prepared for the Lord to dwell in their presence. They had already experienced the trauma at the base of the mountain when the thunder sounded, the lightning flashed, the ground shook, and the blast of shofars issued great warnings. They had already determined that Moses needed to be their spokesperson and representative before the Creator.

In recent weeks, they had impatiently rebelled against the Lord and had worshipped a golden calf. Upon Moses’ first descent from the mountain, judgment came in the form of death by either sword-wielding Levites or the ensuing plague. After Moses’ second descent, the hearts of Israel were definitely prepared for making an offering for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. At this point in the narrative of Exodus, our Torah portion V’yakheil begins.

A Shabbat Reminder

Interestingly, as Moses assembled the people of Israel to begin bringing their freewill offerings and start the construction of the Tabernacle, the admonition to remember Shabbat was declared and further defined.[2] In spite of His dwelling being built, the Lord was very concerned about the need for the people to have a weekly day of rest so they did not get worn out, otherwise He would not have instructed Moses to mention the Sabbath again.

Even a project as significant as the construction of the Tabernacle, and the other implements of worship, did not take precedence over the observance of Shabbat. The Lord declared Shabbat to be a holy day or yom qodesh, and told the Ancient Israelites that those working be put to death. The Lord further defined work for them by stating that the kindling of a fire in one’s habitation was also a violation. We see some of the instructions from our previous parashah (Exodus 31:12-18) repeated:

“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. You shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people’” (Exodus 31:13-14, WMB).

Was the Lord trying to make Ancient Israel aware of the importance of Shabbat? For those of us who are studying the Torah today, the constant repetitions about Shabbat should begin to sink into our hearts. Obviously, our Father is very serious about this sign which is supposed to set His people apart. Even though the sacrifice of His Son may have taken away the physical death penalty originally prescribed to ancient Sabbath-breakers, by not taking a day of rest—could we find that we are cutting ourselves off from being able to rest and bask in His presence?

Collection for Construction

After the Shabbat warning, the whole community of Israel was assembled and the collection of articles for the construction project began.[3] It is evident from the outpouring which is recorded, that the hearts of the people were tenderized for the moment of giving. Certainly, a degree of solemnity circulated among the people, as their hearts were beginning to stir toward their freewill offerings. Just where was their treasure going to be found? It was surely going to be with the purposes of Israel’s God. We can consider the applicability of Yeshua’s later word: “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, WMB).

Throughout Exodus 35, the Hebrew term lev or “heart” is used nine different times.[4] This is very significant, because as we know, the Lord is most concerned about the hearts of His people and how they are to be turned toward Him. Of course, the “heart” is very complicated to understand because it has multiple meanings or an array of applications throughout the Scriptures. The word lev is “usually rendered as heart but whose range of meaning is extensive…it usually refers to some aspect of the immaterial inner self or being since the heart is considered to be the seat of one’s inner nature as well as one of its components” (AMG).[5]

In these passages, we are introduced to at least two different kinds of hearts, if not more. First, we see the “willing heart” which is inclined to make offerings without any strings attached. Here, the Hebrew verb nadav, or a derivative like the adjective nadiv, is coupled in some way with lev. Nadav means “voluntary desire of the heart to give of oneself or of one’s resources to the service of the Lord” (AMG).[6] The following verses bring forth the absolute willingness of the people of Israel to freely offer all which was necessary for the construction project:

“Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing [adj. nadiv] heart, let him bring it as the LORD’s offering: gold, silver, bronze…They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing [verb nadav], and brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted [adj. nadiv], and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to the LORD…The children of Israel brought a free will offering to the LORD; every man and woman whose heart made them willing [verb nadav] to bring for all the work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by Moses (Exodus 35:5, 21-22, 29, WMB).

The other type of heart, which is mentioned in this section of Scripture is a heart of wisdom, which some versions render with either “skill” (NASU) or “ability” (RSV). Here, one of the most common Hebrew terms for wisdom, chokmah, is coupled with lev.[7] Chokmah means “wisdom, skill, experience, shrewdness” (AMG).[8] The following are examples of it being employed in Exodus 34. You can detect from these passages how God Himself endowed these artisans with hearts of wisdom, to help produce the diverse parts of the Tabernacle:

“All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom [chokmah] spun the goats’ hair…He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with wisdom [chokmah] of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful work” (Exodus 35:26, 34-35, WMB).

The people of Israel responded to not only the offering of materials, but also the construction project from what skill or “wisdom” issued forth from their hearts:

“‘Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom the LORD has put wisdom [chokmah] and understanding to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD has commanded.’ Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom [chokmah], even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it. They received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They kept bringing free will offerings to him every morning. All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which he did” (Exodus 36:1-4, WMB).

Many hearts had been stirred during the preceding months. When the opportunity to give to the Lord had arrived, they willfully gave abundantly. In fact, the offering was so overwhelming that Moses had to tell the people to stop bringing materials:

“They spoke to Moses, saying, ‘The people have brought much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded to make.’ Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, ‘Let neither man nor woman make anything else for the offering for the sanctuary.’ So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient to do all the work, and too much” (Exodus 36:5-7, WMB).

Heart Condition

As you consider V’yakheil this week, with its focus on the heart, it might be a good time to reflect upon your own heart condition. The examples I have listed above show how the Ancient Israelites whole-heartedly responded to the challenge of building the Tabernacle. Perhaps what they demonstrated in ancient times can be used to bring some introspection into our own hearts, at this hour of great turmoil in the world. Think of such an examination of the heart like your annual physical, or your car’s regular oil change.

It is not by chance that we are considering this section of Scripture as the world suffers diverse, and rather serious conflicts. Hearts all over the globe are challenged by decisions which are made in high government circles, often without their consent. Many people are filled with questions for which they think there are no answers. Perhaps the Lord will position you to be available to those who are asking about life’s big issues. Be prepared to share the “hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15), this hope being the good news or gospel message of salvation. We should seriously consider having our hearts stirred toward the Holy One of Israel, while imploring Him to give us hearts of wisdom.

Just how do we respond to the opportunities presented each day, to offer ourselves for the work of the Kingdom? Are you mustering, by your freewill, to choose to serve the Lord with your resources and talents? What about those of you who have been given a heart of wisdom with the innate ability to skillfully create things for the King’s use? Are you using your God-given talents for your own benefits, or for the edification of His Kingdom?

These, and a flood of questions, might come to mind as we ponder our hearts, wills, inclinations, resolutions, and determinations. We also might be reminded of how a hardened heart is wickedly deceitful, as described by the Prophet Jeremiah:

“The heart is deceitful above all things and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10, WMB).

Even if you have received salvation in Messiah Yeshua and have a regenerated and transformed heart, we still live in a world where most people do not have regenerated and transformed hearts. We are surrounded by these people every day, and whether we acknowledge it or not, we can be affected by them. The Psalmist declared his need to treasure God’s Word in his heart, to remain unaffected by the power of sin:

“With my whole heart I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:10-11, WMB).

God’s people are similarly instructed in Proverbs how His Word is to be imprinted onto their psyche, as they trust in Him and are led by Him:

“My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace. Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:1-6, WMB).

Trusting in God with all your heart, and not relying upon your own limited human “wisdom,” is critical in maintaining a good life. Letting God direct your path as you acknowledge Him in all your ways, gives Him preeminence in your heart and the course upon which you walk. Such will be a long life of peace and tranquility. It will be a life certainly guided by love for God and neighbor, the foremost of the Torah’s commandments. Yeshua, when asked about the greatest commandment of all, responded to this end:

“‘Rabbi, which is the greatest commandment in the law?’ Yeshua said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind [Deuteronomy 6:5].” This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [Leviticus 19:18].” The whole Torah and the Prophets depend on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:36-40, WMB).

Clearly, the Lord wants all of our hearts, all of our souls, and all of our minds! His description of the greatest commandment expressed the need for one’s heart to be totally dedicated to the imperatives of love—because saying and thinking are not enough. The Apostle John emphasized how the Messiah’s followers must let their love for God manifest itself by positive actions of service:

“But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth and persuade our hearts before him, because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 John 3:17-20, WMB).

As you read and reflect on these words, the contrast between “in word only, or with the tongue only” versus “in deed and in truth” are quite sobering. How are we measuring up to these strong words? How does your heart respond when you see needs among those in the assembly? If we fall short of extending compassion to others, perhaps we need to cry out to the Lord for more of Him and His stirring our hearts. We know that if we are His and we ask in faith, He will pour Himself out for us:

“so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22, WMB).

We thank you, Father, that we can confess to you the condition of our hearts! Stir our hearts, O God! Soften our hearts with the oil of gladness! Fill us with your Ruach! Make us willing vessels which depend upon You for all things. Use us that You may be glorified through all You do through us.