Torah reading Beha’alotecha (בהעלתך): Numbers 8–12

This study of the Torah reading בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Beha’alotcha (“when you raise up” [the lamps], Numbers 8–12) explores how the Menorah and Bread of the Presence in Israel’s Tabernacle foreshadowed Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus), the Light and Bread come down from Heaven (John 6:35, 48-51). As the lampstand light shining on the bread illustrated Heaven’s watching Israel’s feeding words of life (Deut. 8:3) to the nations, Yeshua spreads the light and words of Heaven to the nations through His students (Matt. 4:4). Through the miracles of feeding the 5,000 and 4,000, Yeshua calls His disciples to sustain both Israel and…

The prophet Zechariah had a special relationship with God. He received eight prophesies in the same night then additional prophesies and visions as well. Many of these messages reveal important information about the identity and calling of the future Messiah — Yeshua (Jesus). Zechariah was a descendant of Aaron the high priest and most likely born in Babylon or Persia during the Babylonian exile. Zechariah was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai. Both tell us that even when the people of God are in exile and living in subjection to pagan powers, God is in control and remembers His people. He…

In the Torah reading בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Beha’alotcha (“when you raise up” [the lamps], Numbers 8–12) we learn two main lessons: First, what started in Sinai (approaching God’s Presence) won’t stay in Sinai. (Hint: It will travel with the people, in the midst of the assembly.) Second, God is always willing to give us every opportunity to repent and participate fully in His community.

We find in the Torah reading בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Beha’alotcha an interesting juxtaposition of the elders who were picked to be the LORD’s hands and mouth helping Moshe (Moses) in Israel vs. those who wanted to stuff their mouths with the flesh of Mitzraim (Egypt). The latter were “greedy” for “meat” and not the manna bread that came down from Heaven. Yet God provided those ungrateful complainers both. his account helps reveal the important point behind the controversially cryptic words of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ) in John 6: “eat My flesh” and “drink My blood.”

Yogi Berra famously quipped, “It’s deja vu all over again.” And that seems to sum up the beginning of Torah reading בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Beha’alotcha (“when you raise up” [the lamps]). We have read about the Tabernacle menorah and the consecration of the priesthood before in Shemot (Exodus) and Vayiqra (Leviticus), but Bamidbar (Numbers), like Devarim (Deuteronomy), is a thematic rather than a book. And Bamidbar is like a travelogue of Israel’s journey from bondage to freedom, with snapshots of cringe-worthy waypoints that are best not revisited by future generations. In the Beha’alotecha album of snapshots, we see a collection of lessons about remembering…

The Creator of all things, the LORD of Israel, sees what people do, but Heaven also wants to pour out the Spirit to help us become more like the Son of God. That’s the subtext of Torah reading בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Beha’alotcha (“when you raise up” [the lamps]). It starts with Aaron’s lighting the menorah (seven-branch candelabra in the Sanctuary), which represents the fact that God can see all we offer to Him. There was also a lot of complaining, grumbling and jealousy, but the LORD was also able to “download” His Holy Spirit onto 70 of the elders of Israel, equipping them…

As the Torah reading בהעלתך Beha’alotcha begins, the menorah and the Levites are dedicated to God’s service, and the Tabernacle is ready for business. However, this reading is permeated with all sorts of ingratitude and complaining, from the people complaining about the manna to Miriam and Aaron complaining about Moses. God doesn’t put up with any of it. Whether it’s sending down a consuming fire or a plague, God doesn’t put up with people grumbling about His provision.

Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) is called the firstfruits of the resurrection (1st Cor. 15:20), and why are we called firstfruits of creation (James 1:18)? Pentecost originally was a celebration of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest and followed 50 days after the celebration of the firstfruits of the barley harvest. What is God teaching here about Yeshua and us?