The Sin of Substitutes
-- T O R A H P O R T I O N --
Introduction:
Let’s be honest. When life feels uncertain, we all look for something to hold onto. What is the first thing you cling to when your peace is shaken? Now ask yourself: does it draw you closer to God, or does it quietly replace Him?
Last Shabbat, God instructed Moshe that when he took a census of the sons of Israel to number them, each one must give a kofer for himself to God, to avoid the plague among them, since there is danger in taking the census. What God required as the ransom was half a shekel, according to the shekel of the mishkan, from everyone who was numbered, from twenty years old and above.
Next is the making of the bronze laver, where Aaron and his sons were to wash their hands and feet before entering the mishkan, so that they would not die. The instructions for the anointing oil and the incense follow. God gave the same instruction for both: no one was to make anything like them according to their composition.
Yet even as these precise instructions were given, the people of Israel faced a test of faith and patience. While Moshe remained on Mount Sinai, their hearts wavered, and they struggled to wait on God’s timing. This tension sets the stage for Parasha 69 and reveals the danger of replacing God’s timing with human impatience.
Our Torah portion starts with God choosing who would design and build the mishkan and its furnishings. First, God identified Bezalel from the tribe of Judah. His name means “In the shadow of God,” and perhaps that is why God filled him with His Spirit—wisdom (chokhmah in Hebrew, meaning skillful wisdom), understanding (tevunah, meaning the act of understanding skill), and knowledge (da‘at, meaning discernment).
To be filled with God’s Spirit means Bezalel was given a special duty: to design artistic works in cutting jewels and carving wood. Interestingly, when God created the heavens and the earth, His Spirit was moving over the surface of the waters, and then He said, “Let there be light.” In the same way, in the making of the mishkan, a shadow of the heavenly things (Hebrews 8:5), Bezalel needed God’s Spirit.
Because he was appointed by God to make the mishkan, we can see in him a shadow of Yeshua. Perhaps that is why his lineage is mentioned—that he was the son of Uri, the son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah. This Hur was likely the one who helped hold up the hands of Moshe during the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:11–12).
To be filled with the Spirit of God means His Ruach HaKodesh controls us more, transforming us, ministering to us, and helping us become true disciples of Messiah Yeshua.
Next, God identified Oholiab from the tribe of Dan. His name means “Father’s tent,” and he was to assist Bezalel. Along with them, God appointed gifted artisans to make all that He commanded in chapters 25–30. Oholiab is also a type of Yeshua. The Hebrew word for tabernacle is Mishkan, meaning “dwelling place, tent, sanctuary.” From the meaning of his name, “Father’s tent,” Yeshua said in John 6:38, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” Baruch HaShem Adonai YHVH, for the Scriptures point to Messiah Yeshua.
Why was the instruction to observe the Shabbat included in the making of the mishkan? Because Bezalel, Oholiab, and the gifted artisans would surely become very busy in the work, and they too needed rest. Even God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth, and He wanted His people to rest as well. Verse 17 says that Shabbat is a sign between God and His people. The Hebrew word for sign is ot, meaning “a distinguishing mark.” Shabbat is not only about ceasing from work; it is a declaration that we belong to Him.
In chapter 32, the rebellion seen in Genesis 11, when humanity spoke one language and said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top is in the heavens” (Genesis 11:1–4)—happened again. This time, the children of Israel grew impatient while waiting for Moshe to come down from Mount Sinai. They said to Aaron, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us,” and Aaron granted their request. Why was it so easy for them to worship the golden calf?
True worship submits to God's Word no matter what it is. It leads to holiness and obedience. Selective obedience is false worship. So which God are you worshipping? Is it possible that you're redefining God to suit yourself?
They lost their focus while waiting for Moshe (v.1). The Hebrew word for “delayed” is bosh, meaning “to be ashamed or disappointed.” Waiting is crucial in obedience and relationship with God. This incident parallels the second coming of Yeshua. James 5:7–8 and Matthew 24:11–13 remind us that patience and endurance are essential for those who truly love God.
They also could not forget Egypt (vv.4–8). Though God clearly declared Himself as their Deliverer, they credited the golden calf for bringing them out of Egypt. They easily forgot the God of their fathers, yet struggled to forget the land of their bondage. Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 3:13–14 calls us to forget what is behind and press forward toward the upward call of God in Messiah Yeshua.
Impatience always produces substitutes for God.
- How is your service to God? Are you still focused, or do you seem lost?
- Are there things you haven’t let go of that have become obstacles to serving God?
- Where has waiting become uncomfortable enough for you to seek a substitute instead of trusting God’s timing?
Hope these practical suggestions will help you.
Choose Friends Who Are Genuine Believers
1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”
Remember who you hang out with is very important so choose friends wisely who will help you grow spiritually.
Be Consistent in Bible Study
Psalm 119:15–16: “I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.”
When you are consistently in God's Word, no doubt you will only grow closer to Yeshua.
Always Pray
Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Our prayer time helps us to overcome the hardest and busiest times that hinders our focus on serving God.
Let the Spirit Lead You
Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
To be filled with the Spirit of God means His Holy Spirit (Ruach Hakodesh) controls us more, transforming us, ministering to us and helping us to be a real disciple of Messiah Yeshua, and obey His commandments.
-- H A F T A R A H P O R T I O N --
In the Haftarah, elders of Israel approached the prophet Ezekiel, possibly seeking relief from the prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction. Instead, God instructed Ezekiel to confront them by recounting three truths.
First, God reminded them of what He had done for Israel (vv.5–6). God begins with the story of how he brought out Israel from Egypt. He did this not because He is proud, but to inform them that He is true and faithful to His promise with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Genesis 15:13-14: Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions."
Second, God reminded them of His covenant relationship with Israel (v.5). At the beginning of verse 5 God said that He chose Israel. From the two sons of Abraham He chose Isaac. From the twins of Isaac He chose Jacob and He changed his name to Israel. Then at the last part of verse 5 God said that He is their God. This relationship that God has mentioned is not just a relationship, but a covenant relationship. Jeremiah 31:33: “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it in their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Third, God commanded them to cast away their idols (v.7). Here God mentioned Egypt because of its influence on the children of Israel to worship other gods. Again, going back to Exodus 20, after God introduced Himself as the redeemer of Israel, He told them not to make for themselves an idol for He is a jealous God.
Obeying Adonai is never truly difficult when our hearts love Him. What makes obedience seem hard are the traditions of men and the distortion of Scripture by those who add to or twist His words. His Torah, followed as He intended, is perfect and brings life.
Many claim, “I believe in God,” yet their lives tell a different story. They continue to worship idols, embrace worldly ways, and ignore His commands. Ezekiel 20 warns us of the consequences for those who cling to substitutes instead of God:
- They profane His Name by claiming to belong to Him while walking in sin and holding onto idols.
- They experience His judgment, scattering, and separation because of their rebellion.
Faith without obedience is self-deception. True belief always produces action, casting away idols and turning fully to the God who delivers and sustains life.
God’s consistent concern has always been that His people remain free from idolatry. Having lived in Egypt for four hundred years, Israel’s struggle was understandable but not excusable. God’s desire was worship, not bondage.
The greatest danger is not just forgetting God exists, but also forgetting who He is.
- If you look back at the history of your life before you became a Messianic believer, what have you learned?
- Do you think there is any rebellion against God in your life now that you are unaware of?
- Are there influences from your past that still shape your obedience more than God’s covenant truth?
As we read our Haftarah portion about Israel’s failure to honor their Creator, and how they wasted their blessings and the advantage of being God's chosen people to be a witness to the Gentiles, let us be careful in the way we obey God. Let us live to be a credit to the holy name of our Master Yeshua, so that people around us may see His image in us.
-- APOSTOLIC P O R T I O N --
Our Apostolic portion shows how a life raised up with Yeshua should be lived practically. Since God has made us alive in Messiah Yeshua, our old nature has died, and we are called to a transformed life. What we have experienced in our salvation must now shape how we live day to day—our faith is meant to produce action.
First, Paul said we must SEEK the things above. The Greek word for seek is Zeteo, which means “to seek in order to find.” So the center of our seeking is Yeshua Himself, for He is seated at the right hand of His Father. Since we have been raised up with Him, our old nature has died already. 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Probably while Paul was writing this, his inspiration was the word of Yeshua in Matthew 6:33:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
When we seek Yeshua and find Him, there is a treasure attached. Seeking the things above is not only a thought, it is an action. Our priorities reveal what we truly value. Are we building God’s kingdom or advancing our own comfort and desires? Are our daily choices aligned with eternal things, or do earthly matters subtly compete for our attention?
Second, Paul said we must SET our minds on the things above, not on earth. The Greek word for set is Phroneo, which means “to have understanding, be wise.” In Psalm 19:7 CJB it says:
“The Torah of ADONAI is perfect, restoring the inner person. The instruction of ADONAI is sure, making wise the thoughtless.”
So the key for us to be wise is the Torah. And perhaps that's the reason why Paul said to set our minds on the things above where Yeshua is, because He is the Torah who became flesh.
Setting our minds on heavenly things is a conscious choice. Life presents many distractions, and even good things can become idols if they replace God as our first love. Satan often tries to divert our attention with what seems beneficial, but anything that takes Adonai out of first place becomes an idol.
Third, Paul said we must SLAY the earthly things like: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness. The equivalent of these earthly things is idolatry. Romans 8:13 states:
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death (SLAY) the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Being hidden in Messiah means we abide in Him and He in us. Our old selves have died; we now belong to Him. This transformed life requires action: resisting temptation, rejecting earthly idols, and keeping God first. All sins common to earthly people when indulged, are a form of idolatry, because we are saying that our temporary pleasure matters more than God’s commands. Faith without obedience is incomplete. True belief produces action, seeking God, setting our minds on Him, and casting aside anything that would replace Him.
- What you set your mind on will eventually set the direction of your life.
- What earthly attachment must be put to death so my life can truly reflect what is above?
Returning to my introduction question, it's now clear to us that there is a danger of letting substitutes take the place of God. In the Torah, the children of Israel grew impatient waiting for Moshe to descend from Mount Sinai, so they fashioned a golden calf and worshipped it. In the Haftarah, God reminds Israel of their history of idolatry, calling them to throw away their abominations and turn from the idols of Egypt. In the Apostolic portion, Paul instructs believers in Colossae to slay the earthly things in our lives that silently become idols.
Idolatry has many forms. Anything we worship, honor, or prioritize above God: our possessions, relationships, desires, or comforts, becomes a substitute for Him. This is why God commands us to love Him with all our heart, mind, and soul: leaving no room in our lives for anything to quietly take His place.
Psalm 135:15-18 warns us:
“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.”
And 1 Corinthians 10:14 urges:
“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”
Examine your own life,
- What are the “substitutes” you lean on when life feels uncertain?
- Are these things drawing you closer to God or replacing Him in your heart?
- Are you mixing biblical truth with cultural practices that dilute His holiness?
Be wise and take correction now while you can still correct the course of your life, your priority, the way you live. Remember,
Whatever we believe, we obey.
Whatever we obey we worship.
You will always resemble whatever you worship.
So if you say you worship the God of Israel, if you say your Lord and Savior is Messiah Yeshua, do you resemble how He lived?
Let this Parasha remind us that true peace, strength, and fulfillment are found only in God, and that any substitute no matter how harmless it may seem, cannot satisfy the heart the way He does.
Shabbat Shalom,
Topher
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Sources:
blueletterbible.org
thetorah.com
hallel.info
davidschrock.com
days-of-noah.com
compellingtruth.org
versebyverseministry.org
The MacArthur Study Bible
studyandobey.com
Leaving Churchianity Podcast
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