ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Pulelulu ‘Epeleli 5, 2023

פרכת The Veil

KO E TATAU

EXODUS 26:31, 33

"AND YOU SHALL MAKE A VEIL OF BLUE AND PURPLE AND SCARLET YARNS AND FINE TWINED LINEN. IT SHALL BE MADE WITH CHERUBIM SKILLFULLY WORKED INTO IT... AND THE VEIL SHALL SEPARATE FOR YOU THE HOLY PLACE FROM THE MOST HOLY."

‘EKISOTO 26:31, 33

31 Pea te ke ngaohi ha tatau ‘aki ‘a e lanu langi, mo e kula-po‘upo‘uli mo e kula-aho‘aho, mo e vavae hinehina kuo filo: te ke ngaohi ia ke hā ha ngaahi selupimi ‘i he lalanga:

33 Pea te ke ‘ai ‘a e tatau fe‘unga mo e ngaahi fakama‘u ko ē, kae ‘i lalo; pea te ke fakahū ki hē, ki he loto tatau, ‘a e ‘a‘ake fakamo‘oni‘anga: pea ko homou ‘āvahevahe ia ‘o e Potu Tapu mo e Potu Toputapu.

In creation, God divided (badal) this from that. He badal light from darkness (1:4); waters below from waters above (1:6); day from night (1:14). The verb recurs here for the veil badal the inner sanctum from the outer sanctum. The tabernacle is a minicosmos in which the Creator is putting everything in its proper place. The paroket ("veil") is a lavishly woven, angel-embroidered screen behind which is God's throne room, his "inner heaven" on earth. Only once annually, on the Day of Atonement, did the high priest enter this throne room, and never without blood (Heb. 9:7).

The ripping of the paroket during the crucifixion sacrifice of the great high priest, Jesus, meant that division was eradicated (Matt. 27:51). Two-way traffic was now allowed daily. God exited the temple to bring his glory to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And all nations, in Christ, enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, because through the veil of his flesh, a new and living way was opened for us to enter God's presence (Heb. 10:19-20).

Christ, our great high priest over the house of God, give us confidence to come before you and your Father through the grace of your Spirit.