Tag: Numbers

Categories
Discussions Torah

Numbers 1:1–4:20: Adopted into God’s family

The Numbering of the Israelites by Henri Félix Emmanuel Philippoteaux (1815–1884). Public Domain artwork.

The lesson of the Torah reading בְּמִדְבַּר Bamidbar (“in the wilderness,” Num. 1:1–4:20) is the family of God started with Abraham, then his son Yitskhak (Isaac), his grandson Ya’akob (Jacob) and Jacob’s 12 sons. From that small family, the knowledge of God has spread all over the world.

It is the job of the Messiah — Yeshua (Jesus) — to find and gather all those who want to be adopted as God’s sons and daughters until He returns again. There will be no Gentiles in the Kingdom of God. All those who come in become part of Israel.

Categories
Anger Discussions Torah

Numbers 30–36: ‘Be angry, and yet do not sin’

"Four men, perhaps farmers, make angry gestures while holding an axe, rifle, pitchfork and stick. They typify the traditional Western concept of an angry rural mob protesting something with the threat of violence." Photo by Robert Couse-Baker via Creative Commons License.

The men of Midian used their wives to seduce the Israelites. In the dual Torah readings מטות Matot and מסעי Massei, we learn that Midian did this under the belief that they had to conquer Israel for their own long-term survival, for the sake of their sons.

At some point in our lives, we have all unintentionally “murdered” someone in our hearts. If you hate someone, you are guilty. We should repent, but we still have to deal with that murder guilt. That guilt was paid by the High Priest, our High Priest is Yeshua. It is only the death of Yeshua that pays for that sin.

Categories
Torah readings

Parashat Massei (מסעי): Numbers 33–36

Studies in Torah

When life or our trust in the LORD seems to get too tough for too long, it’s tempting to give up. Yet we should look back on how far we have come in our new life in the Kingdom of Heaven through the mercy given us on the name of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ). Our journey from our old life is much like Israel’s journey from bondage in Mitsraim (Egypt) to freedom at Sinai and rest in the Promised Land, a trek recounted for the second generation in the Torah passage (parashah) Massei (“journeys of”).

Categories
Torah readings

Parashat Matot (מטות): Numbers 30–32

Studies in Torah

Yisrael’s promise to remain faithful to the One Who delivered the people out of bondage in Mitsraim (Egypt) eroded under the temptation of a flesh-friendly religion. So a former ally of 40 years ago became an existential enemy and had to be defeated. The wisdom of being very careful in making promises and seeking the strength to keep them is the subtext of the Torah reading Matot (“tribes”), covering Numbers 30–32.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Numbers 19–21: Mystery of the red heifer reveals the work of Messiah

The Red Heifer was required to be sacrificed on the pit made in the days of Ezra. Underneath this pit was a hollow to protect from a bone in the depth. Photo by Rdusatko via Wikipedia Commons under Creative Commons License.

The Torah reading חֻקַּת‎ Chukat (“statute of”) starts with “the statute (khukat) of the red heifer” and the bronze serpents, which are both symbolic of the role of the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

Categories
Discussions Torah

Numbers 16–18: No shortcuts to authority in God’s kingdom

Incense Burner from Eastern Iran (11th-12th century AD). Photo by Los Angeles County Museum of Art (www.lacma.org).

The Torah reading קֹרַח Korakh/Korach is a study in what it means to rebel against God and opens a window into the destructive power of antichrist.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Numbers 13–15: Don’t give God’s rest a one-star review

Photo art from freeimages.com/elementa1

We can read about how our forefathers in faith in the LORD kept grumbling and rebelling, even as Heaven was blessing them with freedom, purpose and global mission. “There, but for the grace of God, go I”

In the Torah reading (parashah) שְׁלַח Shelakh (“send,” Numbers 13–15), we read about 12 spies from Israel into the Promised land, and 10 one-star reviews of the LORD’s capability to make it happen.