Tag: Parashat Pinchas

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Discussions Torah

Num. 25:10–30:1: Zeal for God’s house consumed Pinchas, Eliyahu and Messiah Yeshua

Yeshua/Jesus cleanses the Temple of money changers and merchants. (Photo by LUMO project via Freebibleimages.org.)

I used to find Yeshua’s actions in clearing the Temple of commerce very odd and seemingly out of character compared to the common teaching that Yeshua was always “meek and mild.” But the Yeshua (Jesus) in Scripture often shows His zealous side, which matches very well with the zealousness of Pinchas and Eliyahu (Elijah) and even His cousin Yokhanan (John the Baptist). 

As we’ll see in this study of Torah reading פינחס Pinchas (“Phinehas,” Numbers 25:10–30:1), sages of Israel saw a thread of connection between Melchizedek, Pinchas and Eliyahu. And the author of Hebrews connected the same thread to Messiah Yeshua Himself.

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Discussions Torah

Numbers 25:10-29:40: A ‘snake’ again becomes an icon of salvation

Snakes are cautious creatures but will strike with veracity if they feel threatened. Photo by Krys Squires/Freeimages.com under Creative Commons License

Serpents are quiet, cunning, quick to act when a threat is imminent. A serpent bought a curse on mankind (Genesis 3) and we now meet a “serpent” who boldly and decisively saved his people from those who would deceive them to destruction. Later, Eliyahu (Elijah) also learned that God’s preferred way to communicate with His people is not through thunder and lightning but a “still small voice.”

The Torah reading פינחס Pinchas (“Phinehas,” Numbers 25:10–29:40) starts with the culmination of the events in the prior portion (parashah). The culmination of Israel “playing the harlot” with idolatry ended when Pinchas (Phineas), Aaron’s grandson, speared a Shimonite chieftain and a Midianite chieftain’s daughter through with a spear. Both of them were mentioned by name so they were both people of reputation.

This event was so significant, it’s even spoken about in the book of Revelation (Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14). We can miss the why if we don’t understand the why of the original event.

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Discussions Torah

Numbers 25:10–30:1: Losing your first love

A Qashqai nomad tent in Isfahan Province. Photo by Ninara shared via Creative Commons License.

Adultery is seen as no big deal in today’s society. Consider, though, how the hurt person in the relationship feels. That’s why Israel’s running after false gods and treating YHWH with contempt or apathy is compared to adultery many times in Scripture. This kind of unfaithfulness and rebuilding of the relationship between Creator and created is the subtext of the Torah reading פינחס Pinchas (“Phinehas”).

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Did Eliyahu understand what God wanted? (1st Kings 19)

Studies in Prophets and Writings

Just as God didn’t let the prophet Eliyahu (Elijah) quit from the mission, God doesn’t want us to become discouraged and quit our tasks.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Eliyahu of YHWH challenges Ahab and Yezebel of Ba’al and Asherah (1st Kings 18)

The clash on Mt. Carmel between Eliyahu (Elijah) and the priests of Ba’al was part of bigger clash between a rebellious king of the northern kingdom, Ahab, and his foreign queen, Yezebel (Jezebel), and her false gods.

Among the prophets of the north who Eliyahu saves from the purge of YHWH’s servants was ObidaYah (Obidaiah), possibly the same one who wrote a short book of the Bible.

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Appointments With God Discussions Torah

Messiah in offerings on Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles (Numbers 29)

Studies in Torah

Learn how to see Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) in the qorbanot (offerings, sacrifices) presented in the Tabernacle on the moedim (appointed times, festivals) of Yom Teruah (Day of Blowing Trumpets), Yom haKippurim (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Tabernacles).

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Discussions Torah

Meaning behind monthly, Passover and Pentecost offerings (Numbers 28:11–31)

Studies in Torah

Learn how to see Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) in the qorbanot (offerings, sacrifices) presented at the Tabernacle of Israel on each Rosh Chodesh (New Moon), Pesakh (Passover) and Shavu’ot (Pentecost).