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Torah readings

Torah reading Shelach (שלח): Numbers 13–15

Studies in Torah

Rebelliousness, laziness and fear lead us to fight against, avoid and run from what we know — or should know — we should do. This week’s reading, שְׁלַח Shelakh (“send,” Numbers 13–15), takes a deep dive into a pivotal moment where all three killers of Israel’s faith in the LORD and His messengers.

The common parallel passage for Shelach is Joshua 2. It covers the infiltration of Caleb and Yoshua (Joshua) into Yericho (Jericho). God favored the trust — faith — of Rakhab (Rahab) in the LORD over faith in the gods of Canaan, putting her in the genealogy of Mashiakh Yeshua (Christ Jesus) and making her a high symbol of faith (Matt. 1:5; Heb. 11:31; James 2:25).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

One bread for one body: Messiah’s mission for Israel to the nations (Numbers 8; Matthew 14–16; Mark 8; John 6)

One bread for one body: Messiah's mission for Israel to the nations (Numbers 8; Matthew 14-16; Mark 8; John 6). Adobe AI image shows baskets full of pieces of flatbread.

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 nations with his message (Matt. 14:13-21; 15:29-39). Yeshua builds upon the Torah lessons, the key of which is the promise that Israel would welcome Gentiles as one new community in Messiah (Eph. 2:11-22).

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Torah readings

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

Studies in Torah

As the Torah reading בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Beha’alotcha (“when you raise up” [the lamps]) 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.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Spiritual secrets of the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6; Judges 13–16; 1Samuel 1; Revelation 14)

Spiritual secrets of the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6; Judges 13-16; 1Samuel 1; Revelation 14). Adobe Firefly AI drawing of a long-haired ancient Middle Eastern man walking away from a cluster of grapes and a glass of wine on the ground, with stone walls of a city in the background.

This study on the Torah reading נָשֹׂא Nasso (“take up” or “carry,” Num. 4:21–7:89) focuses on the Nazarite/Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:2-21), which calls one to dedicate body and soul to God’s service. Samson (Judges 13-16) and Samuel (1Samuel 1:11) exemplified this, though imperfectly. Symbolically avoiding grapes (Revelation 14:19-20), corpses, and cutting hair (Numbers 6:5), Nazarites shunned death from sin (1Corinthians 15:56). Their supernatural strength came through God’s spirit (Judges 14:6), not fleshly power. Ultimately, Yeshua (Jesus) could be seen as the perfect Nazarite (Matthew 2:23), filling up the vow’s purpose perfectly through His death and resurrection (1Corinthians 15:3-4), calling us to die to sin and live for God.

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Torah readings

Torah reading Nasso (נשא): Numbers 4:21–7:89

Studies in Torah

The Torah reading נָשֹׂא Nasso (“take up” or “carry,” Num. 4:21–7:89) continues the census of the priesthood of Israel, caretakers of the earthly embassy of the Creator.

Yes, there’s a Messiah-centered connection between determining who could enter the מִשְׁכָּן Mishkan (“Tabernacle”), testing the faithfulness of a wife, commissioning and decommissioning someone under a Nazirite vow and the 12 days of gifts from each of the tribes of Israel at the dedication of the Mishkan.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Pentecost/Shavuot Prophets and Writings Torah

Loyalty over ancestry: What really matters to God (Ruth 1–4; Exodus 20; John 4)

Loyalty versus ancestry: What really matters to God (Ruth 1-4; Exodus 20; John 4). Adobe Firefly AI image of an young ancient Middle East woman walks along a path holding hands with an older woman, walking past cactus and olive trees.

In this study on Shavuot (Pentecost), we see how we’re reminded annually of Heaven’s mission to call all nations and a promise to do that through His Son as King of Kings over Jew and goy (Gentile) alike. The Book of Ruth depicts a woman of Moab embraced by Israel through her faith: “Your people will be my people; your God my God.”

The Holy One’s promise to bless the world through Abraham was a legacy that stretched through Ruth’s lineage to King David to Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

Yeshua’s visit to Samaria (John 4) ignored long-held social barriers and showed that the good news of the Kingdom includes Gentiles. The Ten Commandments given at Sinai points all those called people to righteousness, starting with Israel.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Numbered but not just a number: The Good Shepherd Who seeks the lost sheep of humanity (Numbers 1; Luke 15)

Numbered but not a number: The Good Shepherd seeks the lost sheep of humanity (Numbers 1; Luke 15). A South American shepherd walks a sheep through a flock toward a sunset over mountains in the distance.

This study on Torah reading בְּמִדְבַּר Bemidbar (“in the wilderness,” Numbers 1:1–4:20) focuses on Heaven’s concern for each individual member of Israel’s tribes. Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) touched on that with His three lost-and-found parables in Luke 15, particularly how a shepherd seeks one lost sheep. Though part of an orderly whole as God’s people, each person is valued. As the tribes were transformed from a multitude to a cohesive unit centered on God’s dwelling — the solution to the world’s anguish — so too may each Israelite accept the role and be renewed to uplift God’s legacy through Messiah. When all work in unison and depend on the Eternal, the salvation promised to the world through Israel will be fulfilled.