1 Kings 5:12-6:13 and Mark 3:1-4:41

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

1 KINGS 5:12-6:13

The tabernacle was used for many, many years. It followed “B'nei Israel”(The Children of Israel) when they crossed over the Jordan,

480 years later, it was replaced by the first temple that Melech Shlomo (King Solomon) built. It must have been magnificent. The Ark of the Covenant and the furniture that were inside the Mishkan were transferred to the new temple. The question is asked what happened to the Tabernacle after the temple was built? It is believed that it remained in Shiloh, but later, it was destroyed by the Philistines when they captured the Ark of the Covenant. Another belief is that it was taken to the temple and stored there or in the House of David, the pieces of furniture, of course, continued to be used in the temple.

Yet many years later, after the death of Shlomo (Solomon), the priesthood corrupted themselves, and the kings as well. The temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. It was rebuilt by those who returned from captivity in Babylon with Ezra and Nehemiah, yet in 70 AD, destroyed by Emperor Titus, and the furniture taken to Rome.

A believer can walk away from God, we can go astray, and the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) will call for us, to invite us back into fellowship, yet for how long? Will the Spirit of God call us back indefinitely? Or...like the Spirit of God that finally, “Left” the presence of the Temple, leaving it “Ichabod” just an empty building, can we become like an “empty vessel? Just walking around empty and lifeless?

Remember that we are the "temple" of the Holy Spirit, and whatever we do in our bodies can affect our souls and spirit. Sometimes believers are depressed and act carnal. Maybe the Spirit of God is telling us something. "Hey, you're doing wrong, come back to me, I'm waiting on you."

But just as a believer is capable of going astray and walking away from the presence of God, the believer can also return, and be received with open arms by the Father. One day, the third temple will be built, and the presence of YHVH will be there, and Yeshua will be back to rule the earth. We will be there too, to share in this rule for one thousand years, and then...into eternity.

MARK 3:1-4:41

Here we see Yeshua on the Sabbath, and he heals a man with a withered hand, yet receives criticism from the Prushim (Pharisees). Yet Yeshua explains, “doing a good deed on the sabbath is permitted” so, YES, if one works, doing a “mitzvah” on the Sabbath is permitted, if it is to bless another, help another, be it to bring medicine for someone who is sick, help repair a hole in a roof (if you see the rain clouds a-comin'!).

We shouldn't be legalistic when it comes to helping others or doing tasks for others who may be incapacitated. Be it on a Saturday or Sunday or any day of the week, we need to reach out and help whoever needs help, cleaning a garage, bringing food from a food bank, pulling weeds from a garden, etc.

Yeshua went down to the Lake and more people came to be healed. The Sea of Galilee is a peaceful place to swim in. Just standing in the water and feeling the fish nibble at your feet, is quite an experience. I swam down about 10 feet in the lake at Tiberias and brought up a ceramic dish. Still have it, a free souvenir. But just looking at the Lake brings back thoughts of Yeshua there 2000 years ago, healing those with illnesses. He still does, and he heals our souls as well.