The slide of ancient Israel from redemption by God from slavery in Mitzraim (Egypt) down to apostasy from God at the golden calf is an important and enduring lesson from the Torah reading כי תשא Ki Tisa (“when you take,” Ex. 30:11–34:35).
And the intercessory prayers of Moshe (Moses) and Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) to redeem after great treachery are examples for how we should view those around us.
Samson, Elijah and John the Baptizer walk into a prophecy…. It’s no joke. Torah reading נָשֹׂא Nasso (“take up” or “carry,” Numbers 4:21-7:89) helps us see how these three were each witnesses, forerunners who prepared the way for someone greater who came after them. In Yokhanan’s case, he was preparing the hearts of the people to receive Heaven’s greatest gift, Yeshua (Jesus) the Mashiakh (Christ), the Son of God.
The accounts recorded in the Torah reading נשא Nasso (Numbers 4:21-7:89), whether it’s about removing the lepers and those exposed to death from the circumference of the God’s House, dealing with a husband’s jealousy husband, or dedicating the Tabernacle, it’s all about how the people who are near God are to be pure, holy and righteous. That purity only is possible by the work of our “great High Priest,” Yeshua the Mashiakh (Jesus the Christ).
God is careful to make sure that holy things are treated with respect and covered up. Anyone who touched a holy thing unworthily would die. However, if God’s holy people — His assembly — sins, that sin will be uncovered and dealt with by Him. He will make sure it’s exposed. However, if someone is falsely accused, He will vindicate them too.
The inner sanctuary items were so holy that the sons of Aaron had to cover them before the Levites could come an carry them away. The chapter goes on to mention the names of the families of Levi who were designated to perform the various tasks of the sanctuary. Chapter 5 seems to take a divergent path with instructions on how a jealous husband can find out whether his wife committed adultery. In chapter 6, that will be a little more clear.