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Category: Ki Tisa

God Reveals Himself

Shemot (Exodus) 30:11–34:35

This Parasha contains many profound thoughts that are significant for the Redeemed Community. "When you take," the title of this week’s Parasha, begins with the detail of the taking of the census, or the counting of the children of Israel. It is important to note that specific instructions are given as to the method used in the counting. "When you take the census of the people of Israel according to their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul to God, when you count them; that there should be no plague among them, when you count them. This they shall give, every one who passes among those who are counted, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary; a shekel is twenty gerahs; a half shekel shall be the offering of God." (Exodus 30:12–13)

God’s Will is Plainly Revealed

The term "when you count them" is repeated twice in this verse, distinguishing that it is the half shekel that is to be counted, not the men of Israel. This was the very specific method for the taking of the census. In II Samuel 24:15, God brought a judgment against David for numbering the children of Israel without the use of the half shekel as was commanded. David then had a choice of punishments for his violation. He could choose either seven years of famine, or fleeing before his enemies for three months, or a plague from the Lord for three days. He chose the plague from the Lord, saying: "Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man. And the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, form the morning till the appointed time. From Dan to Beersheba, seventy thousand men of the people died." As the angel of the Lord reached over Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented, because of His remarkable mercy. The kings’s disobedience, although apparently minor in its nature, cost Israel the lives of ...

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© 2009 First Fruits of Zion. All rights reserved. We encourage you to share this material with your friends for further personal study. However, This material may not be republished, in print, electronically, or any other form without our prior permission. Adapted from Bikurei Tziyon #62 .

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