3.14.26 – At Cause, at Effect

It seems that this idea of setting up the Mishkan (Tabernacle) is unique for Moses. The text in this week's Torah portion, Pekudei ("accounting"), actually emphasizes that it is only Moses—and nobody else—who could put it all together. Only Moses was able to do this (Ex. 40:1–16). Many people were involved in the furnishings, but when it comes to setting up (qum) the Mishkan, it is all Moses, Moses, Moses—only Moses (Ex. 40:2). Each individual with their willing heart was essential, but only Moses could raise up (qum) the Tabernacle.

How and why would God grant them the ability, with the Spirit, to do all this amazing work, yet they could not build it (Ps. 127:1)? Oddly enough, the people did not know what to do once they finished their respective parts. They never saw the blueprint that allowed the many parts to be assembled into one body (Rom. 12:4–5). I think the first thing we need to realize is that every single wise-hearted, willing person was doing something for the building process. Each one was their own boss. They knew how to build their part. Everyone knows how to do their own job (paqad). One person has a certain talent for doing one thing; another has a talent for doing something else. Each one is a skilled laborer, and they put all of their heart and soul into it. But what none of us can do is build the Tabernacle.

God did not give us the ability to do someone else's part. That is exactly how He designed it—a good reminder to me not to act as though I do! Too often, we think we know best from our perspective about how things should be, about what we know, and what we need to do. What is difficult for many of us not to do is micromanage all the others doing their part. And that is where being "at cause" (C) versus "at effect" (E) comes in, represented by the math equation: C > E. But what does it mean?

"C" (at cause) says: no matter what happens in any situation, instead of blaming, making excuses, complaining with a victim mentality, or self-justifying ("I can't..."), which can all be true realities, they are all "E" (at effect) mindsets. The "C" individual takes personal responsibility for their own actions—being "at cause" in every situation. If any one of us lives E > C (meaning "at effect" is greater than "at cause"), then here is a pretty profound prediction: if there is something in your life you are not happy with, or something in your life that is not going the way you want, then it is likely that you are being "at effect" of something or someone, maybe even yourself (Rom. 2:1–4; Matt. 7:1–4). The best way to move from being "at effect" to "at cause" is to take personal responsibility through action in the physical realm—I recommend praying for clear direction first :-).

Maybe we could see someone else's work. Maybe we could respect someone else because of their diligent, heaven-patterned work. But to actually see how someone else's part—who is different from me and does things differently—actually comes together into one whole is amazing! That is something that each individual cannot see. Even if they respect the other side, that is where we need the One who is like unto Moses (Deut. 18:15)—who is able to see how contradicting things in the world, different things, different sides of things, actually come together into one harmony. Only He, the Creator of the world, knows how to bring order out of chaos.

Moses was not involved in the building of all these structures, but through humility and Spirit-led leadership, he was able to take all the pieces and make Yahweh/the Lord a place to dwell (Ex. 25:8–9). His part is being able to see the full picture—to see how all these pieces come together and create a whole. Sounds like a job for Yeshua, the One who is like unto Moses! The Master Craftsman!!

There is so much more to this moment in time. Simply put, what does Moses do when he sees all the pieces produced according to the pattern in heaven? He blesses them. When he sees that they did what they were supposed to do and that they all come together, then he is able to make the Mishkan stand up (qum) on its own feet. The Mishkan stands on its own. It does not need me to prop it up. The completed structure is not dependent on me; I am dependent on Him. We are supposed to be depending on it. It is supposed to be bigger than us. It is, and it will be. 

Just a side note for the deeper study: Do you not find it interesting that when Moses finished (kala) assembling the Tabernacle (Ex. 40:33), it is the same wording as when God finished (kala) assembling the heavens and the earth (Gen. 2:1–2), which is spelled the same as the "bride" (kala) (Isa. 49:18; 61:10; 62:5; etc.)? And how the Bride is the future New Jerusalem, who has made herself ready (Rev. 21:2, 9; 19:7–8)? Just some food for thought :-)

The $64 million question is, "How could we create something that is bigger than us?" We really cannot. But we can be part of something bigger than us when each of us does our part and it creates a place for the glory of God to dwell, so profoundly and completely that not even Moses could enter. Huh? Yeppers. That is what the book of Leviticus (Vayikra) is all about—how to approach God in His glorified presence. We start that next week. Cannot wait!

I do not understand a lot of things in this life! But one thing I do understand: I have a part of the whole, and it is my responsibility to make sure that my "end product" matches the heavenly pattern. How about you? Are you doing your part for the sake of the whole? Are you "at cause"? Or is your "at effect" leaving His masterpiece undone?

Shabbat Shalom!
Alan