“’Not a single one of these people, this whole evil generation, will see the good land I swore to give to your ancestors, except Kalev the son of Y’funeh – he will see it; I will given him and his descendants the land he walked on, because he has fully followed Adonai.’”
Deuteronomy 1:34
“’We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’”
Numbers 13:33
I want to take a minute to remember the Jewish day known as Tisha B’Av. I would venture to say not many know about this day. It is not a happy day by any means. In fact, many Hebrew teachers agree that if anything could go wrong for the Jewish people, this would be the day in which it would. So then, let us open our Bibles and see what happened on this day in history that causes the Jewish people of today to still mourn and weep, fast, and sit in low chairs. Let us open to Numbers 13.
This is probably a story that we all know pieces of. As Moshe and the Isra’elites neared the Promise Land, spies were sent out to report back not only what the land looked like, but the oppositions that they would have to face in taking the land. For forty days they were away doing just as Moshe had asked. Then finally they returned. When pressed for the details of the people and place, the spies all had something to say. Ten of the spies said that the people of Isra’el were no match for them, that they looked in their own eyes as grasshoppers. Two of the spies, Kalev and Y’hoshua, told different, remembering that Adonai Himself had promised this land, and with Adonai on their side they knew they could defeat the foe. The odds were not in the favor of the two, however, and the report of the ten became the belief of the nation. Yet notice this – the ten spies didn’t say they were grasshoppers, but rather said in their own eyes they seemed like grasshoppers. Their own perception of themselves became the basis of Tisha B’Av.
Tisha B’Av is translated as the 9th day of the Hebrew month, Av. It is agreed by historians that the spies returned on the 9th day of Av. The report they spread became the belief of the people, and as a result they wandered in the desert for forty years. This one instance changed their lives. This one instance set a wheel in motion for the sadness of a nation. Moving forward in history, it was on this day in 422BC that the first temple was destroyed. It was on this day in 70BC that the second temple was destroyed. In 132AD, the Bar Kochba revolt took place which ended in the death of over 10,000 Jews. Likewise, in 1095AD, during the first of the Crusades, another 10,000 Jews would lose their lives. On this day in 1290AD, Jews were expelled from England, followed by their expulsion from Spain and Portugal in 1492AD. With unresolved factors sprouting from World War I, World War II follows in which, on this day in 1942, finds the Jewish people within Warsaw starting to be transported to concentration camps. And most recently, in 1994, it was on this day that the purposed bombing of the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, took the lives of 86 Jews.
Coincidence? No. There is no Hebrew translation for the word coincidence. What it is, though, is the sad fact that when take their eyes off of Adonai and begin to see themselves in a different light, evil creeps in. These spies saw themselves as grasshoppers. No one told them they were grasshoppers; there is no record that they spoke with the people in the Promise Land and were advised, “Hey, you look like a grasshopper.” No, it was their perception of themselves. And this is the point I want to make clear today. The world does have an opinion of you, whether they tell you what it is or not. But the opinion we should be listening to is Adonai’s. Adonai was about to give the people all they needed to defeat the giants of the land, but He was unable because they allowed their perception to be their belief. Let us not be the same, but rather let Adonai’s promise be our perception. In so doing, perhaps the Tisha B’Av’s can be turned around.
Deuteronomy 1:22-38
Deuteronomy 1:38 – 2:1
Sunday, July 29, 2012
D’VARIM
“On the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, Moshe spoke to the people of Isra’el, reviewing everything Adonai had ordered him to tell them.”
Deuteronomy 1:3
I remember back to my days in college, to a Saturday specifically, when all students as a part of the general education requirements had to “Walk Thru the Old Testament”. Some of the key words I can even remember the hand motions to. The book of Deuteronomy is one of those. I remember placing my hands together like a book, then opening them as I said aloud, “Second Law”. Oh what good times. If I had known then what Adonai has been showing me now, however, I may have had a little more respect for those early stages in my theology classes.
But the key words taught to us in the course were correct, and are seen in the opening verses of this final book of Moshe. On the far side of the Jordan, in the desert of ‘Aravah, Moshe collected all the people and gave once more the words of Adonai. But why? Granted the people had been through a lot, and had been exposed to the sun for forty years, but why was the Law having to be given again? If you remember back to Numbers 13, ten spies came back with an ill report of the land, spreading depressing news within the camp. As a result, Adonai pushed the people by demanding a year in the desert for each day the spies were gone. Additionally, the older generation that started the trip from Egypt died in the desert. Adonai was asking Moshe to share with the younger, now still living generation of Hebrews, to make sure that they would recall the same Laws first given.
Beginning with a recollection of the days in Egypt when Moshe first saw the vast number of people, going to the time when he began to judge, Adonai brought the people to Kadesh-Barnea. Now, to the people, Adonai was saying to go up and possess the land.
Deuteronomy 1:1-11
Deuteronomy 1:12-21
Deuteronomy 1:3
I remember back to my days in college, to a Saturday specifically, when all students as a part of the general education requirements had to “Walk Thru the Old Testament”. Some of the key words I can even remember the hand motions to. The book of Deuteronomy is one of those. I remember placing my hands together like a book, then opening them as I said aloud, “Second Law”. Oh what good times. If I had known then what Adonai has been showing me now, however, I may have had a little more respect for those early stages in my theology classes.
But the key words taught to us in the course were correct, and are seen in the opening verses of this final book of Moshe. On the far side of the Jordan, in the desert of ‘Aravah, Moshe collected all the people and gave once more the words of Adonai. But why? Granted the people had been through a lot, and had been exposed to the sun for forty years, but why was the Law having to be given again? If you remember back to Numbers 13, ten spies came back with an ill report of the land, spreading depressing news within the camp. As a result, Adonai pushed the people by demanding a year in the desert for each day the spies were gone. Additionally, the older generation that started the trip from Egypt died in the desert. Adonai was asking Moshe to share with the younger, now still living generation of Hebrews, to make sure that they would recall the same Laws first given.
Beginning with a recollection of the days in Egypt when Moshe first saw the vast number of people, going to the time when he began to judge, Adonai brought the people to Kadesh-Barnea. Now, to the people, Adonai was saying to go up and possess the land.
Deuteronomy 1:1-11
Deuteronomy 1:12-21
CITY OF REFUGE
“…you are to designate for yourselves cities that will be cities of refuge for you, to which anyone who kills someone by mistake can flee.”
Numbers 35:11
The Torah is quite clear when it comes to murder. First, according to Exodus 20:13, one was not to murder. But whether by accident or on purpose, murder was something real that people had to face. It is here in Numbers 35, then, that we see the details concerning the result of murder. First let me skip ahead to verse 16 of Numbers 35 that reads the end result for murder was to be death. Perhaps this is why this reciprocal is still in place today. In our times we have seen that if one murders, that one normally stands trial with an end result being the death sentence. But why stand trial? That also may go back to this portion of the Torah and Numbers 35:30, where the testimony of witnesses is called upon as opposed to the testimony of a single witness.
Mistakes are bound to happen these days, just as they were bound to happen in the days of Moshe. For this reason, Adonai required that the Isra’elites set up a total of six cities of refuge. Let’s face it, it could be easy for an axe head to fly off or an animal to go a little crazy. These things would be no different than a car accident due to bad brakes or even passing disease to another person you yourself were unaware you had. While these things could result in the death of another person, they were not meant to be purposed ways of killing someone.
The reason the cities were designed, however, was based on revenge. What may be an accident in my eyes may indeed look purposed in the eyes of another. Since another family may see it as purposed, the cities of refuge were made for the safety of the one who did the accidental deed. To protect an accident from turning into a purpose by another party, Adonai had Moshe declare a total of six cities of protection, three on the east of the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan.
Numbers 35:9 – 36:13
Numbers 35:11
The Torah is quite clear when it comes to murder. First, according to Exodus 20:13, one was not to murder. But whether by accident or on purpose, murder was something real that people had to face. It is here in Numbers 35, then, that we see the details concerning the result of murder. First let me skip ahead to verse 16 of Numbers 35 that reads the end result for murder was to be death. Perhaps this is why this reciprocal is still in place today. In our times we have seen that if one murders, that one normally stands trial with an end result being the death sentence. But why stand trial? That also may go back to this portion of the Torah and Numbers 35:30, where the testimony of witnesses is called upon as opposed to the testimony of a single witness.
Mistakes are bound to happen these days, just as they were bound to happen in the days of Moshe. For this reason, Adonai required that the Isra’elites set up a total of six cities of refuge. Let’s face it, it could be easy for an axe head to fly off or an animal to go a little crazy. These things would be no different than a car accident due to bad brakes or even passing disease to another person you yourself were unaware you had. While these things could result in the death of another person, they were not meant to be purposed ways of killing someone.
The reason the cities were designed, however, was based on revenge. What may be an accident in my eyes may indeed look purposed in the eyes of another. Since another family may see it as purposed, the cities of refuge were made for the safety of the one who did the accidental deed. To protect an accident from turning into a purpose by another party, Adonai had Moshe declare a total of six cities of protection, three on the east of the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan.
Numbers 35:9 – 36:13
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
DRIVE THEM OUT
“…you are to expel all the people living in the land from in front of you. Destroy all their stone figures, destroy all their metal statues, and demolish all their high places.”
Numbers 33:52
We have seen it time and time again in the scriptures – Adonai is a jealous God. We have read it in the Commandments, we have read it in different passages throughout the Torah thus far, and here again we see it once more. Because Adonai doesn’t appreciate competition, His command to the people of Isra’el is to drive the pagan tribes out. Now please note that Adonai is not in the business of killing people, but Adonai does come to a point where He has had enough. In that time He gives them over to the ways of their flesh (Rom 1:24), and the people move outside of His covering. I pray I never find myself outside His covering.
The nations were, however. And it was against them that Isra’el was to expel all the people. The command was simple and the words of Adonai stated that in order to inherit the land they would have to destroy the ba’als and drive out the people. But notice the words of Numbers 33:55. “But if you don’t drive out the inhabitants of the land from in front of you, then those you allow to remain will become like thorns in your eyes and stings in your sides…” Why was Adonai so determined to have the Promised Land clean of these people? The number one answer to this question I believe rests in the fact that the wicked would sway His chosen people away. This was the case with the golden calf. The people reverted to the ways of sin. This is the case with us still today. While there is a bend toward Adonai, there is still out freewill and human nature that, when left alone, we will lean toward sin.
The way to prevent the sway is to remove the cause. This too is the way it is with us today. When the drunkard wants to be free he doesn’t leave a beer in the fridge. No, he removes it. What happens when it stays there? It will eventually get drank.
We know in looking ahead in the book of Joshua that this was their fate. Because the army of Isra’el failed to remove completely the people of the land, they fell into their ways. Treaties were signed, peoples were allowed to live, and in the end, years later, Isra’el slipped into captivity because it failed to remove the pagan peoples from the land. As we approach the 9th of Av, the day in which we lament over the destruction of both temples, I hope we are leery about what we allow in our land. I hope we see this date as a reminder to ourselves that even a hint of sin, even one person left un-removed, can be the thorn in the eye and the sting in the side.
Numbers 33:50 – 34:15
Numbers 34:16 – 35:8
Numbers 33:52
We have seen it time and time again in the scriptures – Adonai is a jealous God. We have read it in the Commandments, we have read it in different passages throughout the Torah thus far, and here again we see it once more. Because Adonai doesn’t appreciate competition, His command to the people of Isra’el is to drive the pagan tribes out. Now please note that Adonai is not in the business of killing people, but Adonai does come to a point where He has had enough. In that time He gives them over to the ways of their flesh (Rom 1:24), and the people move outside of His covering. I pray I never find myself outside His covering.
The nations were, however. And it was against them that Isra’el was to expel all the people. The command was simple and the words of Adonai stated that in order to inherit the land they would have to destroy the ba’als and drive out the people. But notice the words of Numbers 33:55. “But if you don’t drive out the inhabitants of the land from in front of you, then those you allow to remain will become like thorns in your eyes and stings in your sides…” Why was Adonai so determined to have the Promised Land clean of these people? The number one answer to this question I believe rests in the fact that the wicked would sway His chosen people away. This was the case with the golden calf. The people reverted to the ways of sin. This is the case with us still today. While there is a bend toward Adonai, there is still out freewill and human nature that, when left alone, we will lean toward sin.
The way to prevent the sway is to remove the cause. This too is the way it is with us today. When the drunkard wants to be free he doesn’t leave a beer in the fridge. No, he removes it. What happens when it stays there? It will eventually get drank.
We know in looking ahead in the book of Joshua that this was their fate. Because the army of Isra’el failed to remove completely the people of the land, they fell into their ways. Treaties were signed, peoples were allowed to live, and in the end, years later, Isra’el slipped into captivity because it failed to remove the pagan peoples from the land. As we approach the 9th of Av, the day in which we lament over the destruction of both temples, I hope we are leery about what we allow in our land. I hope we see this date as a reminder to ourselves that even a hint of sin, even one person left un-removed, can be the thorn in the eye and the sting in the side.
Numbers 33:50 – 34:15
Numbers 34:16 – 35:8
Saturday, July 21, 2012
IF YOU WILL ARM YOURSELVES
“Moshe said to them, ‘If you will do this – if you will arm yourselves to go before Adonai to the war, and if every one of your soldiers will cross the Yarden before Adonai, until he has driven out his enemies ahead of him, and if the land has been conquered before Adonai, and only after that do you return – then you will be clear before Adonai and before Isra’el, and this land here will be yours to possess before Adonai.’”
Numbers 32:20-22
To be honest, I always knew that a few of the tribes stayed back to inherit a portion of land that was not in the Promise, but never knew which, or where this account was found. In reading this week’s Parashah, I found it. The details go as such. Starting in Numbers 32:1, the descendants of Re’uven and Gad had a great deal of livestock. When they saw that the land of Ya’zer and Gil’ad were fit for their animals, they came before Moshe asking if they could stay behind. Right away Moshe reminded them of the heartache this could produce within the camp by reminding them of what happened with the spies. When ten of the twelve came back speaking discouragement, the nation as a whole lost hope. Moshe was fearful that the same thing would happen again.
To the credit of the two tribes, though, they approached Moshe a second time and offered to fight. The men of fighting age, over twenty years, would give their services alongside the remaining tribes. As Moshe considered this action, he gave them a warning. They would be allowed to inherit the land and begin building cities for their people, but the men would move forward to fight. If their promise was not kept, Moshe warned that their sin would find them out. Moshe may be dead when this war raged, but the covenant they were making now was between them and Adonai. There was no hiding from Adonai the end result. Let us also keep this truth in mind. Nothing can be hidden from Adonai – nothing.
Numbers 32:1-19
Numbers 32:20 – 33:49
Numbers 32:20-22
To be honest, I always knew that a few of the tribes stayed back to inherit a portion of land that was not in the Promise, but never knew which, or where this account was found. In reading this week’s Parashah, I found it. The details go as such. Starting in Numbers 32:1, the descendants of Re’uven and Gad had a great deal of livestock. When they saw that the land of Ya’zer and Gil’ad were fit for their animals, they came before Moshe asking if they could stay behind. Right away Moshe reminded them of the heartache this could produce within the camp by reminding them of what happened with the spies. When ten of the twelve came back speaking discouragement, the nation as a whole lost hope. Moshe was fearful that the same thing would happen again.
To the credit of the two tribes, though, they approached Moshe a second time and offered to fight. The men of fighting age, over twenty years, would give their services alongside the remaining tribes. As Moshe considered this action, he gave them a warning. They would be allowed to inherit the land and begin building cities for their people, but the men would move forward to fight. If their promise was not kept, Moshe warned that their sin would find them out. Moshe may be dead when this war raged, but the covenant they were making now was between them and Adonai. There was no hiding from Adonai the end result. Let us also keep this truth in mind. Nothing can be hidden from Adonai – nothing.
Numbers 32:1-19
Numbers 32:20 – 33:49
YOU LET THE WOMEN LIVE?
“Moshe, El’azar the cohen and all the community leaders went to meet them outside the camp. But Moshe was angry with the army officers, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds coming in from the battlefield. Moshe asked them, ‘You let the women live?’”
Numbers 31:13-15
Perhaps a little background is needed here. Remember not long ago we read the account of Pinchas and how with a spear in the stomach of the Hebrew man and Midyan woman, the camp was saved. It is in Numbers 31 that Adonai said to Moshe that the army of Isra’el was to take vengeance on this people. With this direction, Moshe sent the army out and they killed the kings of Midyan, as well as Bil’am the son of B’or. However, just as King Saul did in his time with the Amaleki by reserving life for the ones he chose despite what Adonai had ordered, so the people of Isra’el did here. When Moshe went to meet up with the army, he found the women and children spared. The command of Adonai was to kill all, not to spare. This disobedience angered Moshe and he questioned, “You let the women live? Why, these are the ones who – because of Bil’am’s advice – caused the people of Isra’el to rebel, breaking faith with Adonai in the P’or incident, so that the plague broke out among Adonai’s community.”
The account continues, but I must stop because I feel so strongly the point that is being made in this account. It is the same holy vengeance that rises in me when I read of Saul in I Samuel 15. Adonai expects to be obeyed. He doesn’t counsel us just because, but because there is purpose. He directs us so that sin is kept from our camp. But in letting these women and children survive, Isra’el was giving themselves the chance to be swayed again. These people, these Midyan’s, did not worship Adonai. They worshiped foreign gods, and they swayed the men of before in disrespecting Adonai along with them and serving idols.
This anger rises in me as I read this account because I know of too many who have done the same. Adonai has commanded they split from this evil, yet they stay connected, they keep a portion back, and they leave the door open. Brothers and sisters, let us be obedient to kill what Adonai tells us to kill, to close the door that Adonai commands us to close. If we fail, we leave ourselves open to another plague.
Numbers 31:13-54
Numbers 31:13-15
Perhaps a little background is needed here. Remember not long ago we read the account of Pinchas and how with a spear in the stomach of the Hebrew man and Midyan woman, the camp was saved. It is in Numbers 31 that Adonai said to Moshe that the army of Isra’el was to take vengeance on this people. With this direction, Moshe sent the army out and they killed the kings of Midyan, as well as Bil’am the son of B’or. However, just as King Saul did in his time with the Amaleki by reserving life for the ones he chose despite what Adonai had ordered, so the people of Isra’el did here. When Moshe went to meet up with the army, he found the women and children spared. The command of Adonai was to kill all, not to spare. This disobedience angered Moshe and he questioned, “You let the women live? Why, these are the ones who – because of Bil’am’s advice – caused the people of Isra’el to rebel, breaking faith with Adonai in the P’or incident, so that the plague broke out among Adonai’s community.”
The account continues, but I must stop because I feel so strongly the point that is being made in this account. It is the same holy vengeance that rises in me when I read of Saul in I Samuel 15. Adonai expects to be obeyed. He doesn’t counsel us just because, but because there is purpose. He directs us so that sin is kept from our camp. But in letting these women and children survive, Isra’el was giving themselves the chance to be swayed again. These people, these Midyan’s, did not worship Adonai. They worshiped foreign gods, and they swayed the men of before in disrespecting Adonai along with them and serving idols.
This anger rises in me as I read this account because I know of too many who have done the same. Adonai has commanded they split from this evil, yet they stay connected, they keep a portion back, and they leave the door open. Brothers and sisters, let us be obedient to kill what Adonai tells us to kill, to close the door that Adonai commands us to close. If we fail, we leave ourselves open to another plague.
Numbers 31:13-54
THE SWORN OATH
“’When a man makes a vow to Adonai or formally obligates himself by swearing an oath, he is not to break his word but is to do everything he said he would do.’”
Numbers 30:3
This portion of the Torah, in all honesty, seems simple. But in looking again, it may only be simple to read and not simple to live. When was the last time we made a commitment and actually followed through with it? When was the last time that our yes was yes, and our no was no? That is in essence what is being spoken of in this section. Adonai told His people through Moshe the rules of making a vow.
When a man made a vow to Adonai, it was meant to be kept. It didn’t really matter what the vow was about. If the man vowed to obey Adonai’s leading, then His leading needed to be obeyed. Failure to keep the vow would bring about consequence. Now for the women, there was a pardon in certain circumstances. If a father or husband heard the daughter or wife vow, he could null and void it is he wanted. But if no null and void was given by the male figure, then like that of the man, the covenant was made and had to be kept.
As a man, trying hard to honor Adonai in all I do, you can bet that I am working hard to fulfill each vow I make. And you can also bet that I am working harder to watch what I vow. I want to honor Adonai in the words I say, but I also want to honor Him in being a man of my word. This is the hard part, because there are times when I speak out of turn, or promise something that I do not keep. The intention is right, but the follow through is lame. Adonai doesn’t want lame follow throughs but rather wants us to keep our covenants.
Numbers 30:2 – 31:12
Numbers 30:3
This portion of the Torah, in all honesty, seems simple. But in looking again, it may only be simple to read and not simple to live. When was the last time we made a commitment and actually followed through with it? When was the last time that our yes was yes, and our no was no? That is in essence what is being spoken of in this section. Adonai told His people through Moshe the rules of making a vow.
When a man made a vow to Adonai, it was meant to be kept. It didn’t really matter what the vow was about. If the man vowed to obey Adonai’s leading, then His leading needed to be obeyed. Failure to keep the vow would bring about consequence. Now for the women, there was a pardon in certain circumstances. If a father or husband heard the daughter or wife vow, he could null and void it is he wanted. But if no null and void was given by the male figure, then like that of the man, the covenant was made and had to be kept.
As a man, trying hard to honor Adonai in all I do, you can bet that I am working hard to fulfill each vow I make. And you can also bet that I am working harder to watch what I vow. I want to honor Adonai in the words I say, but I also want to honor Him in being a man of my word. This is the hard part, because there are times when I speak out of turn, or promise something that I do not keep. The intention is right, but the follow through is lame. Adonai doesn’t want lame follow throughs but rather wants us to keep our covenants.
Numbers 30:2 – 31:12
Saturday, July 14, 2012
GET IT RIGHT
“Adonai said to Moshe, ‘Give an order to the people of Isra’el. Tell them, “You are to take care to offer me at the proper time the food presented to me as offerings made by fire, providing a fragrant aroma for me”’”
Numbers 28:1-2
By no means do I want to override the importance of the remainder of the Parashah, but I do want to point out that this section has been looked at in detail previously. I leave it to you to review past entries concerning the order of the celebrations and the details of the offerings to be given. However, I do want to point out from these remaining three sections one key factor. Adonai is a God of order. As followers of Adonai, we must walk in His order. The key point that He is saying in these verses is that we must get it right. We must worship Him in the ways and fashions He demands. The blessing of Adonai falls on us when we walk in His perfect ways. Let s then; let us find out what pleases Him and walk in it.
Numbers 28:1-15
Numbers 28:16 – 29:11
Numbers 29:12 – 30:1
Numbers 28:1-2
By no means do I want to override the importance of the remainder of the Parashah, but I do want to point out that this section has been looked at in detail previously. I leave it to you to review past entries concerning the order of the celebrations and the details of the offerings to be given. However, I do want to point out from these remaining three sections one key factor. Adonai is a God of order. As followers of Adonai, we must walk in His order. The key point that He is saying in these verses is that we must get it right. We must worship Him in the ways and fashions He demands. The blessing of Adonai falls on us when we walk in His perfect ways. Let s then; let us find out what pleases Him and walk in it.
Numbers 28:1-15
Numbers 28:16 – 29:11
Numbers 29:12 – 30:1
LAND DISTRIBUTION
“Adonai said to Moshe, ‘The land is to be parceled out among these as a possession to be inherited, according to the number of names.’”
Numbers 26:52
Following the actions of Phinehas and the blessing on him by Adonai, the command was given to Moshe by Adonai to once again count the people of Isra’el. The ending result of just the men in the camp age 20 and over was totaled at 601,730. It was then commanded that to these people the land would be divided. Families within the tribes whose numbers were great would be given a larger land of inheritance, while those smaller would receive smaller.
Perhaps the most well known detail within this portion, though, rests in the account of the daughters of Tz’lof’chad. As the land was being distributed, they approached Moshe, El’azar, the leaders, and the whole community at the entrance to the tent of meeting and questioned why they should not also receive land. As the land was being given to the men of the families, and they were themselves fatherless, brotherless, and husbandless, the chances of the daughters receiving any inheritance was slim. Still, Moshe sought Adonai concerning this matter and was answered that the women were correct in their request. It then became law that if a man had no sons, his inheritance would be given to his daughters, then his brothers, then close relative. This became the standard judgment used by the people of Isra’el, as Adonai ordered Moshe.
Numbers 26:5-51
Numbers 26:52 – 27:5
Numbers 27:6-23
Numbers 26:52
Following the actions of Phinehas and the blessing on him by Adonai, the command was given to Moshe by Adonai to once again count the people of Isra’el. The ending result of just the men in the camp age 20 and over was totaled at 601,730. It was then commanded that to these people the land would be divided. Families within the tribes whose numbers were great would be given a larger land of inheritance, while those smaller would receive smaller.
Perhaps the most well known detail within this portion, though, rests in the account of the daughters of Tz’lof’chad. As the land was being distributed, they approached Moshe, El’azar, the leaders, and the whole community at the entrance to the tent of meeting and questioned why they should not also receive land. As the land was being given to the men of the families, and they were themselves fatherless, brotherless, and husbandless, the chances of the daughters receiving any inheritance was slim. Still, Moshe sought Adonai concerning this matter and was answered that the women were correct in their request. It then became law that if a man had no sons, his inheritance would be given to his daughters, then his brothers, then close relative. This became the standard judgment used by the people of Isra’el, as Adonai ordered Moshe.
Numbers 26:5-51
Numbers 26:52 – 27:5
Numbers 27:6-23
PHINEHAS
“’Pinchas the son of El’azar, the son of Aharon the cohen, has deflected my anger from the people of Isra’el by being as zealous as I am, so that I didn’t destroy them in my own zeal.’”
Numbers 25:11
My children enjoy watching the Disney cartoons of Phinehas and Ferb these days. When I mentioned to them the title of this week’s Parashah, the first question my son asked was if Phinehas in the Bible had a triangle head like the boy on the cartoon. After I shared a laugh with him about this, I explained to him the account of Phinehas from Numbers 25. If you remember from my last entry, it was soon after the details of Balak and Bil’am that Isra’el began whoring with the women of Mo’av. They joined in with the worship of Ba’al, and Adonai’s anger festered. Moshe commanded the death of those who had joined themselves to Ba’al-P’or, and the curse was ended at 24,000 people dead when the spear of Pinchas struck the stomach of an Isra’elite and Midian couple.
If we continue from this account we read in Numbers 25:10-19 the blessing of Adonai on Phinehas for this action. In fact, in verse 11 we read Adonai commending him for being as zealous as He was and how this action saved the nation from Adonai’s own wrath. The reward to Phinehas was a covenant of shalom within the office of the cohen, covering him as well as his descendants.
But here is the point I want us to consider in this entry – ZEAL. Phinehas was rewarded for his zeal concerning the sin taking place. What does this mean exactly? The word in Hebrew is QANA’. Qana means to excite to a jealous anger. Think back with me to the listing of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. The second commandment states, “You are to have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:3). The command is broken down stating that no carved image is to be made or bowed down to and then Adonai states why. “…for I, Adonai your God, am a jealous God…” (Ex 20:5). The word used in Exodus 20:5 is QANNA’, from the root QANA’. God is a jealous God. In the moment when Phinehas took the spear and struck the stomachs of the couple, he was acting in the same jealousy that Adonai would have acted in.
I remember back in the late 1990’s singing a song in church with the words, “I want to love what you love / I want to hate what you hate / teach me the fear of the Lord.” These words cannot just be words. These words must be our prayer and decree as they were for Phinehas. It is time that we rise up also, take the stand that Adonai commands, and no longer let sin in the camp.
Numbers 25:10-19
Numbers 25:11
My children enjoy watching the Disney cartoons of Phinehas and Ferb these days. When I mentioned to them the title of this week’s Parashah, the first question my son asked was if Phinehas in the Bible had a triangle head like the boy on the cartoon. After I shared a laugh with him about this, I explained to him the account of Phinehas from Numbers 25. If you remember from my last entry, it was soon after the details of Balak and Bil’am that Isra’el began whoring with the women of Mo’av. They joined in with the worship of Ba’al, and Adonai’s anger festered. Moshe commanded the death of those who had joined themselves to Ba’al-P’or, and the curse was ended at 24,000 people dead when the spear of Pinchas struck the stomach of an Isra’elite and Midian couple.
If we continue from this account we read in Numbers 25:10-19 the blessing of Adonai on Phinehas for this action. In fact, in verse 11 we read Adonai commending him for being as zealous as He was and how this action saved the nation from Adonai’s own wrath. The reward to Phinehas was a covenant of shalom within the office of the cohen, covering him as well as his descendants.
But here is the point I want us to consider in this entry – ZEAL. Phinehas was rewarded for his zeal concerning the sin taking place. What does this mean exactly? The word in Hebrew is QANA’. Qana means to excite to a jealous anger. Think back with me to the listing of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. The second commandment states, “You are to have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:3). The command is broken down stating that no carved image is to be made or bowed down to and then Adonai states why. “…for I, Adonai your God, am a jealous God…” (Ex 20:5). The word used in Exodus 20:5 is QANNA’, from the root QANA’. God is a jealous God. In the moment when Phinehas took the spear and struck the stomachs of the couple, he was acting in the same jealousy that Adonai would have acted in.
I remember back in the late 1990’s singing a song in church with the words, “I want to love what you love / I want to hate what you hate / teach me the fear of the Lord.” These words cannot just be words. These words must be our prayer and decree as they were for Phinehas. It is time that we rise up also, take the stand that Adonai commands, and no longer let sin in the camp.
Numbers 25:10-19
Saturday, July 7, 2012
WHATEVER HE SHOWS ME
“Bil’am said to Balak, ‘Stand by your burnt offering while I go off; maybe Adonai will come and meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you.’ He went off to a bare hill."
Numbers 23:3
At the request of Balak, Bil’am followed him to the high places of Ba’al where from which he could see a portion of the people of Isra’el. The request was made of Bil’am to prepare seven bulls and seven rams to be placed on the seven altars on the high place. Then the two split company as Bil’am went off to a bare hill. His final words repeated to Balak were that he would speak only as Adonai showed him. Away from Balak, Adonai spoke. I like how the Torah reads, “Then Adonai put a word in Bil’am’s mouth…” Adonai put a word in his mouth. Adonai gave him a pronouncement.
“’How am I to curse those whom God has not cursed? How am I to denounce those whom Adonai has not denounced?’” As Balak heard these words and more, he realized that Bil’am was blessing the same nation he had beckoned him to curse. But had not he said he would speak what Adonai showed him?
Balak then took Bil’am to another location, thinking that a different view would bring about a different result. So now, standing on the top of the Pisgah Range, they again built seven altars and offered another seven bulls and goats. Again they split ways and again Bil’am came back with a word from Adonai on his mouth. “’God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind. When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it.” Praise Adonai who called Avraham and promised him both a land and a people. These people, Isra’el, were His promise and Adonai was not going back on his promise. Again Bil’am spoke what he was shown by Adonai.
Thinking still that location would change destiny, Balak took Bil’am to a third place to view the people of Isra’el. Now on top of P’or, overlooking the desert, seven more altars for bulls and goats were made. Seeing the people of Isra’el encamped tribe by tribe, Adonai placed another word on Bil’am’s mouth. “’God, who brought them out of Egypt, gives them the strength of a wild ox. They will devour the nations opposing them, break their bones, pierce them with their arrows.’” Balak was beyond angry, for three times instead of cursing them Bil’am had blessed them. And now, in his rage, Balak demanded Bil’am return home.
This last piece, though, is final say of Adonai in this matter. Knowing he was not getting paid for his blessing of Isra’el, Bil’am spoke the fate of Balak’s kingdom. “’I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not soon – a star will step forth from Ya’akov, a scepter will arise from Isra’el, to crush the corners of Mo’av and destroy all descendants of Shet.’” When he finished speaking the words of Adonai to Balak, and also to Amalek and Keini, he went home. Soon after, Isra’el began whoring with the women of Mo’av. They joined in with the worship of Ba’al, and Adonai’s anger festered. Moshe commanded the death of those who had joined themselves to Ba’al-P’or, and the curse was ended at 24,000 people dead when the spear of Pinchas struck the stomach of an Isra’elite and Midian couple.
Numbers 22:39 – 23:12
Numbers 23:13-26
Numbers 23:27 – 24:13
Numbers 24:14 – 25:9
Numbers 23:3
At the request of Balak, Bil’am followed him to the high places of Ba’al where from which he could see a portion of the people of Isra’el. The request was made of Bil’am to prepare seven bulls and seven rams to be placed on the seven altars on the high place. Then the two split company as Bil’am went off to a bare hill. His final words repeated to Balak were that he would speak only as Adonai showed him. Away from Balak, Adonai spoke. I like how the Torah reads, “Then Adonai put a word in Bil’am’s mouth…” Adonai put a word in his mouth. Adonai gave him a pronouncement.
“’How am I to curse those whom God has not cursed? How am I to denounce those whom Adonai has not denounced?’” As Balak heard these words and more, he realized that Bil’am was blessing the same nation he had beckoned him to curse. But had not he said he would speak what Adonai showed him?
Balak then took Bil’am to another location, thinking that a different view would bring about a different result. So now, standing on the top of the Pisgah Range, they again built seven altars and offered another seven bulls and goats. Again they split ways and again Bil’am came back with a word from Adonai on his mouth. “’God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind. When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it.” Praise Adonai who called Avraham and promised him both a land and a people. These people, Isra’el, were His promise and Adonai was not going back on his promise. Again Bil’am spoke what he was shown by Adonai.
Thinking still that location would change destiny, Balak took Bil’am to a third place to view the people of Isra’el. Now on top of P’or, overlooking the desert, seven more altars for bulls and goats were made. Seeing the people of Isra’el encamped tribe by tribe, Adonai placed another word on Bil’am’s mouth. “’God, who brought them out of Egypt, gives them the strength of a wild ox. They will devour the nations opposing them, break their bones, pierce them with their arrows.’” Balak was beyond angry, for three times instead of cursing them Bil’am had blessed them. And now, in his rage, Balak demanded Bil’am return home.
This last piece, though, is final say of Adonai in this matter. Knowing he was not getting paid for his blessing of Isra’el, Bil’am spoke the fate of Balak’s kingdom. “’I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not soon – a star will step forth from Ya’akov, a scepter will arise from Isra’el, to crush the corners of Mo’av and destroy all descendants of Shet.’” When he finished speaking the words of Adonai to Balak, and also to Amalek and Keini, he went home. Soon after, Isra’el began whoring with the women of Mo’av. They joined in with the worship of Ba’al, and Adonai’s anger festered. Moshe commanded the death of those who had joined themselves to Ba’al-P’or, and the curse was ended at 24,000 people dead when the spear of Pinchas struck the stomach of an Isra’elite and Midian couple.
Numbers 22:39 – 23:12
Numbers 23:13-26
Numbers 23:27 – 24:13
Numbers 24:14 – 25:9
CURSE THEM
“’Therefore, please come, and curse this people for me, because they are stronger than I am. Maybe I will be able to strike them down and drive them out of the land, for I know that whomever you bless is in fact blessed, and whomever you curse is in fact cursed.’”
Numbers 22:6
Under the direction of the fire by night and cloud by day, the people of Isra’el were lead to the plains of Mo’av, beyond the Yarden River, opposite Yericho. When Balak, the son of Tzippor and king of Mo’av saw what Isra’el had done to the Emori, he became scared. His reaction was to send for Bil’am. Bil’am’s fame preceded him as a man whose words came true. When Bil’am blessed someone, blessings fell. When Bil’am cursed someone, the curse fell. So hired by Balak, Bil’am was asked to bring a curse upon Isra’el so that they would be useless in a battle against Mo’av. That night, however, when Bil’am sought God, he was advised not to curse the nation.
When Balak heard Bil’am’s response, he did his best to cancel the words of Adonia. A wealthy price was promised. Bil’am’s response to this was that the price was not the issue, but rather the need to obey. In the evening God came to Bil’am and said that he indeed was now to go, but was only to speak the words of Adonai.
In reading verse 20, we read that God gave Bil’am permission to go as long as he acted in obedience. But in verse 22 we read that God’s anger burned because he went. As such, an angel of Adonai stationed himself on the path. Unable to see this angel, Bil’am beat his donkey in an act to have it get back on the path when it started to veer. A little farther down the road this same action of veering and beating took place again because the donkey saw the angel when Bil’am did not. Twice more this action happened until finally, out of nowhere, the donkey spoke. After a brief conversation between the donkey and Bil’am, the eyes of Bil’am were opened to allow him to see the angel of the LORD, with sword drawn and standing in the middle of the road. Why did Adonai’s anger flare up in verse 22? Because as the angel told Bil’am, he rushed to oppose Adonai. When Bil’am offered to return the angel spoke in reprise that Bil’am was to go, but only speak as directed by Adonai.
I am challenged by this account. It is a simple challenge, yet still one that cuts me deep. Am I one who rushes to oppose Adonai? I have been questioning of myself since the beginning of July that old motto, “What Would Jesus Do?” There are many times when I have rushed to do what I wanted, or what I felt the right response was, but is it safe to say that I have also rushed to oppose Adonai. Sadly, I say yes. How many times has my life been spared by the donkey who sees the angel that I fail to see?
Numbers 22:2-12
Numbers 22:13-20
Numbers 22:21-38
Numbers 22:6
Under the direction of the fire by night and cloud by day, the people of Isra’el were lead to the plains of Mo’av, beyond the Yarden River, opposite Yericho. When Balak, the son of Tzippor and king of Mo’av saw what Isra’el had done to the Emori, he became scared. His reaction was to send for Bil’am. Bil’am’s fame preceded him as a man whose words came true. When Bil’am blessed someone, blessings fell. When Bil’am cursed someone, the curse fell. So hired by Balak, Bil’am was asked to bring a curse upon Isra’el so that they would be useless in a battle against Mo’av. That night, however, when Bil’am sought God, he was advised not to curse the nation.
When Balak heard Bil’am’s response, he did his best to cancel the words of Adonia. A wealthy price was promised. Bil’am’s response to this was that the price was not the issue, but rather the need to obey. In the evening God came to Bil’am and said that he indeed was now to go, but was only to speak the words of Adonai.
In reading verse 20, we read that God gave Bil’am permission to go as long as he acted in obedience. But in verse 22 we read that God’s anger burned because he went. As such, an angel of Adonai stationed himself on the path. Unable to see this angel, Bil’am beat his donkey in an act to have it get back on the path when it started to veer. A little farther down the road this same action of veering and beating took place again because the donkey saw the angel when Bil’am did not. Twice more this action happened until finally, out of nowhere, the donkey spoke. After a brief conversation between the donkey and Bil’am, the eyes of Bil’am were opened to allow him to see the angel of the LORD, with sword drawn and standing in the middle of the road. Why did Adonai’s anger flare up in verse 22? Because as the angel told Bil’am, he rushed to oppose Adonai. When Bil’am offered to return the angel spoke in reprise that Bil’am was to go, but only speak as directed by Adonai.
I am challenged by this account. It is a simple challenge, yet still one that cuts me deep. Am I one who rushes to oppose Adonai? I have been questioning of myself since the beginning of July that old motto, “What Would Jesus Do?” There are many times when I have rushed to do what I wanted, or what I felt the right response was, but is it safe to say that I have also rushed to oppose Adonai. Sadly, I say yes. How many times has my life been spared by the donkey who sees the angel that I fail to see?
Numbers 22:2-12
Numbers 22:13-20
Numbers 22:21-38
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