"Ki Tisa” (When You Take), Exodus 30:11–34:35; 1 Kings 18:1–39; 1 Kings 18:20–39; Matthew 17:1–13
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Welcome to this week’s Torah / B ible study section of Yahweh God’s Law and prophets. This section titled “Ki Tisa” (When You Take), Exodus 30:11 – 34:35; 1 Kings 18:1–39 (Ashk.); 1 Kings 18:20–39 (Seph.); Matthew 17:1–13.
“Then Yahweh said to Moses, ‘When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay Yahweh a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them.” (Exodus 30:11–12).
Our last two Torah studies, Terumah and Tetzaveh, have focused on the design of the wilderness Tabernacle, furnishings, and priestly garments. This week continues with God’s instructions to Moses on the mountain. The Israelites are to create the Sanctuary’s water basin, anointing oil and incense. God tells Moses that He has chosen a “wise-hearted” artisan named Bezalel, along with his associate Oholiab and placed His spirit in him to lead the sacred construction project. "Exo 31:2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, Exo 31:4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, Exo 31:5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship”. In the Old Testament three times persons were “filled” with the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit)( Ex 28:3, 31:3, 35:31); but only once in the New Testament, specifically only the twelve apostles (Acts 2:4. See separate study).
In order to fund the building of the Sanctuary, God commands Moses to take a census of the people of Israel and to instruct them to give a half shekel of silver. “This is what everyone who is numbered shall give: half a shekel ... as a contribution to the LORD.” (Exodus 30:13).