January 30, 2014January 30, 2014
by in Torah Thought
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A “Broken” Ark
 Exodus 25:1 – 27:19

 

In the Torah portion this week, a number of measurements are given, along with this the measurements for the Ark of God’s presence is also presented. The measurements for the ark are as follows, two and a half cubits by one and a half cubit high and wide respectively. All of the measurements for the Ark are known as broken measurements – they are not whole numbers but all are broken. The Ark of YHWH’s presence was of course one of the most important components of the Tabernacle, for it was the place where YHWH sat on – it was the place where His presence emulated from. It was in fact the reason why the tabernacle existed as a Holy sanctuary, because God Himself dwelt in the most Holy Place on His Most Holy throne which we call the Ark of the Covenant.
 
Inside the Ark, were the two stone tablets of Gods covenant, along with the manna and Aaron’s rod which budded in the rebellion of Korah. These components also have deep symbolic meaning for us but we will get to these later on but for now I would like to focus on the broken measurements of the Ark and its meaning for us. The Kotzker Rebbe once taught, “There is nothing more complete then a broken heart.”
How true is this statement? It seems to be a paradox doesn’t it? How can wholeness be present in a broken heart? The answer lies in the definition of brokenness. Modern day psychologists and gurus will advise you to run from brokenness – because brokenness represents a state of deep despair, woundedness and depression. However, this is not Heaven’s definition of brokenness. The brokenness God is looking for is the kind of brokenness that He can fill. Peter tells us that we are the spiritual house of God, He lives within us and we have become His temple and as such we have become living stones that are being built in to something great. The only way I can explain brokenness is to illustrate what a counsellor once shared with me….

In the New Testament days, women had various jars and pots in their homes, one was used to gather water from the well, one was for gathering water from the cistern, others were used to bake bread, to serve food and others were to hold goods and household items. Sometimes a pot would be dropped by mistake and it would shatter in to different pieces. Instead of discarding the pot – the woman of the house would gather the pieces, take it to the potter and he would mend the pot. This pot would be given back to its owner and it would be kept aside for a specific purpose, throughout the rest of its “life” the pot would be “healed” but its cracks although filled, would always be visible.
Brokenness is the place where we end – and God begins, in other words it is a state of knowing and being always aware that we are never enough. We are dust and grass, we are puzzles with pieces missing and the biggest piece is Yeshua. I like what Tommy Tenney says, “Brokenness on the earth creates openness in the heavens.”

Brokenness equals humility, humility comes before servanthood. We cannot serve God and others without humility or without our brokenness. Heavens brokenness means that we are not afraid to walk through the fire of purification and the fire of inner healing for our earthly woundedness. YHWH requires us to walk the walk of purification and He requires of us to lay down EVERYTHING to function in His Kingdom. Which brings me to another point in this week’s Torah portion, Exodus 25 opens up with the following words, “And YHWH spoke to Moshe saying, speak to the children of Israel that they bring me an offering, every person who willingly gives from his heart you shall receive.” The Torah goes on to tell us that, men and women in masses came and gave willingly to the construction of the tabernacle, so much so that the people had to be persuaded to hold back on bringing their goods! This teaches us that – all of us have a role to play in the tabernacle that is being restored in our present day and what we bring to build up the tabernacle are the gifts we have been given.
If we are not willing to be broken by the King – not hurt or destroyed but worked in, humbled in our pride, cleansed of our bitterness and our fakeness, of our hypocrisy and selfishness. Of our desires to be entertained by God, of our evil thoughts and deceitful hearts, of our sins and our faults, of our inner hurts and wounds – then we will not dwell with Gods fullness in us and around us. Only when we are cleaned up and living in Gods light – will we shine and radiate our King, our hearts will become the Throne and our lives will become His tabernacle. But it takes sacrifice and dedication, the process of Holiness is not a one day process, it is a lifetime process.

I urge you to ask YHWH about the components used in the tabernacle and how they relate to your life. Lastly, once you are in this process of holiness, the two most important components which should be established in your life, is the Messiahship of Yeshua (as resembled by the budded rod in the ark) and the Renewed Covenant of God (revealed in the stone tablets which were sealed in the ark). This covenant was spoken about by the prophet Jeremiah, in chapter 31…
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares YHWH, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:32)
 

Brokenness is the path least travelled by believers, but it is the well-watered path of life that Yeshua signposts us to walk down, be the traveller who chooses the path less travelled but don’t get stuck in the brokenness and in the healing. Travail through it and then walk out in holiness, walk and continue to press on towards the prize and the goal of your faith – to reveal Yeshua to this broken world, because everyone needs a touch from a Broken Saviour who is able to heal….

 

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