Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah #34: B’midbar (In the desert) B’midbar (Numbers)1:1-4:20
Haftarah: Hoshea (Hosea) 2:1-2:22
B’rit Chadashah: Luke 2:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Throughout time, the heart of men has not changed. The belief by some that man is essentially “good” is not supported in G-d’s Torah. In fact, the opposite is stated in Genesis 8:21; J Jeremiah 3:25; Jeremiah 22:21, and Jeremiah: 32:30. Fortunately, G-d has not changed (Mal. 3:6); He remains the same yesterday. Today, and forever as does His Word (Matt. 5:18;24:35; Isa. 40:8). With this verifiable knowledge, we can safely say that what G-d told Moshe and to the children of Israel over two thousand years ago is as meaningful and is applicable to Jews and Gentiles who want to be included as those who will one day enter the narrow gate to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14). This is just one reason true believers must study and learn from the Old Testament AND the B’rit Chadashah (Refreshed, renewed Covenants of G-d, mistakenly referred to by Christians as the “New” Testament.
Exhortations and commands found throughout the book of Numbers occurs in the form of legislation that has timeless application both from a historical and legislative perspective. In some cases, both are identical such as “ Remember all the commandments of G-d and do them” (Num. 15:39) where in this context is G-d’s command to the people to wear tzitzit on the corners of their garments to remind them of who they are and that by looking upon them and remembering G-d’s commands, they should not follow the lust of their hearts and/or eyes and prostitute themselves.
One of the first prominent truths about G-d’s character/attributes is his detail, order, and planning. We see this detail and organization along with G-d’s plan for mankind in the book of Genesis. IN Numbers it is the way in which He leads at least two million people through strange lands while protecting and providing for them the entire way. The goal of the Israelites at that time was to occupy the land of Caanan, a promise of G-d who had already performed miracles for his people.
The time to advance had finally arrived. It was the first day of the second month, in the “second year after they had left the land of Egypt (Num. 1:1). It is difficult to impossible to imagine the organization and planning required, an incredible feat of enormous proportions that could only be accomplished by G-d.
To successfully execute a plan of action whether great or small, an inventory must be taken to identify the availability of resources. In the case of our narrative, G-d instructed Moshe to take a personnel inventory. Before Moshe listed the numbers of each tribe, according to G-d’s instructions, it seems as though Moshe was inspired to insert his immediate and steadfast obedience to G-d’s command (Num. 1:19). He didn’t delegate someone else to take the census, he didn’t raise doubts about the ultimate outcome of their journey, he didn’t complain about the labor-intensive task or hesitate in executing G-d’s command.
When we consider that the Levites were not to be counted among those eligible for battle, an interesting but often missed truth emerges. The Levites were to take care of the tabernacle and everything in it and minister in its services even in a war situation. In G-d’s eyes work, war, and worship are an inextricable trio (Num. 1:50-53). In the case of the journey to Canaan, each of the three parts were indispensable to the success of the nation in reaching its goal. If G-d’s blessing depended on worship and communion as I mentioned in our last parashah in the context of observing Shabbat, then work and war in their place and time as G-d may command were and is indispensable to the sanctity of His people. What the people of Israel then, and those who want to be included in the covenants of Israel in the future need to see and understand is that the five-star General who is in charge of the mission, knew what He was doing then, just as He knows what He is doing now. Accordingly, to disobey “orders” (commands/instructions) of G-d will ultimately bring G-d’s punishment and righteous judgment.
At the end of Chapter 2 we read a closing note concerning the obedience of G-d’s people to G-d’s instructions. Moshe uses repetition as does G-d to bring critical objectives along our Torah walk to our attention. By finding their designated places in the camp and adhering to them as assigned by G-d, the people learned to keep their places whether in their marching order or in war, to recognize that they and we need a establish a “field of fire” which ensures in a battlefield situation, all areas of the battlefield are covered by other soldiers, and to keep their eyes on the prize (Phil. 3:14) by keeping their minds on the standards and to follow the commands of their leaders. All soldiers of one army with one objective, with one G-d. The Israelites then would not have achieved victory if they had stopped marching and camping in between as G-d ordered. The demands of moving forward are hard and sometimes seemingly overwhelming. But just as G-d encouraged and provided for his people then, He encourages and provides for true believers now (Rom. 5:3): “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because G-d’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Hold Spirit, who has been given to us.” And James 1:12 reads “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which G-d has promised to those who love him.” These are just two of many scriptures of encouragement we may draw on when we are being tried. G-d will neither leave nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6-8; 1 Kings 8:57).
I submit that possibly the most important lesson G-d was teaching the Israelites then, and true believers today is that He must be the number one priority no matter what our circumstances. The tabernacle was not randomly placed each time it was set up. It was at the center of the camp with all encampments facing it, at the crossroads of all activity, the major focus of attention and a continual reminder of the One who dwelt in the midst of the people physically and spiritually, and rightfully commanded worship and loyalty, just as he does today.
The last area I want to address is the order of ministry. Priests and Levites were two different classes of ministers with the Levites ministering to the priests, and the priests performed the ceremonial exercises of the worship itself. All areas of ministry are important just as having fields of fire in battle covered from all angles.
Being in a position of leadership or ministry carries its own level of responsibility. Recall that Nadav and Avihu were killed by G-d because they decided to do that which they were not commanded to do See (Deut. 4:2; Revelation 22:19). Remember G-d is a G-d of detail. Adding to or subtracting from His Word is not an option for true believers. The truth of the matter is that sin destroys service. The strange fire offered by Nadav and Avihu was a sin of disobedience and presumption. I ask you to think about this when you attend religious services wherever you worship. Soulish behavior exhibited in many religious institutions is not of G-d. Rather it is in direct contradiction to G-d’s Word. Not even G-d’s servants are exempt from judgement. Unfortunately, there are some clergypersons who teach that professing “Jesus” abrogates any judgement or accountability because you are now “free in Christ.” G-d’s Word tells the truth of the matter. The deaths of Nadav and Avihu reduced the number of Aharon’s sons by half! Furthermore, future generations are affected by service today. Nadav and Avihu had no children to carry on the roles of these two men. Only G-d knows the full extent of losses to future generations that result from disobedience on the part of previous generations. May we hold the standard of G-d’s Torah in front of our eyes, in our minds and hearts as we are commanded in Deut. 6:4-9) that we may enter through the narrow gate to the prize of an eternity with our G-d, YHVH/Yahshua. Amein!
Haftarah: Hoshea (Hosea) 2:1-2:22
Hosea prophesies about Israel’s whoring, faithlessness, idolatry, and bringing disgrace to G-d’s Name. Verses 3-15 described what Israel (10 Northern Tribes) will have to endure as a result of her own sin which sadly we are witnessing in America today, a country that was so blessed by G-d. Not only is G-d’s Name being eliminated in the name of secular humanism that knowingly or not teaches lifestyle paradigms consistent with the pagan gods Moloch and Baal, and the pagan goddess Ashtoreth, but there is no obedience or loyalty to the ultimate Authority of the universe, YHVH/Yahshua.
Fortunately, there is hope for those who repent, turn to G-d, and lovingly follow His commands/instructions. G-d will woo Israel in the desert and will take her as his bride for eternity. Israel (all true believers, Jew and Gentile) will be G-d’s people, and He will be their G-d.
The question brought up by some Jews who know that a man cannot marry the same woman twice (Deut. 24:4) is how G-d can take Israel as a bride when He divorced her for her idolatry (Jer. 3:8; Ezek. 16:51).
In this case the marriage is permitted because G-d did not divorce Judah (the Southern Kingdom of Israel), although she too sinned terribly. G-d divorced Israel designating them “not a people.” Although G-d cannot remarry Israel by his own regulations, Yahshua in the role of “Son” aspect of the complex G-dhead (not Trinity), can and will take Israel (all true believers defined in the Seven-fold witness in the book of Revelation)Note that Israel (not the Church) wears white robes which signify repentance.
Nothing is free, including salvation. The plan of salvation follows the process of the Jewish wedding perfectly. In this case, Yahshua as “Son” is now in his Father’s house preparing the marital home for his bride, again all true believers who have been grafted into one stick according to Ezekiel 37 and will return on an unknown day and time to take her to His Father’s house for eternity.
B’rit Chadashah: Luke 2:1-7
Luke’s account in this parashah reading was addressed to primarily to Greeks who would have been interested in politics and familiar with the current political situation. The Roman Empire ruled Palestine at this time in history with Caesar Augustus in power; the first Roman emperor in control. An interesting contrast may be made at this point between Roman rulers who were considered to be like gods compared to a tiny baby who was brought into the world under the most impoverished conditions yet was G-d incarnate.
A Roman registration or census was taken to either increase armed forces or to collect taxes. The Jews were not obliged to serve in the Roman army, but they could not avoid taxes. Caesar Agustus’ decree was publicized at G-d’s perfect timing and plan to bring Yahshua into the world.
While the Romans enjoyed affluence and privilege, Yosef controlled very little. Although he did not agree with the Roman rule, he complied with the order to make a very long trip just to pay taxes. Complicating matters was Miryam’s advanced stage of pregnancy.
Although Roman rule was the order of the day as far as human limits go, the Romans did not realize that they were only in control of certain circumstances at the time at G-d’s bidding. By the decree of Emperor Agustus, Yahshua was born in the very town and place prophesied by Micah (5:2), even though Yosef and Miryam did not live there. They were both descendants of David. The Old Testament is full of prophecies that the Messiah would be born in David’s royal line as evidenced by Isa. 11:1; Jer. 33:15; Ezek. 37:24; and Hosea 3:5). The decree was made just as G-d planned.
There may be times when we wonder why things are not going as we planned, believing that we are doing everything G-d would want us to do. At times like these it would be a good idea to reflect on the arduous journey Yosef and Miryam made at G-d’s instruction. G-d did not make the journey a short or comfortable one. Yahshua was born in a cave in a trough, possibly one carved into the wall, not a Tempurpedic bed at the Hilton.
Expounding on the belief that Yahshua was born in a cave, we may look through the lens of Hebrew culture. We learn that animals were kept in caves, and newborns were often laid in feeding troughs. Being born in a cave was not unusual and it provided the deepest level of humility that applied to Yahshua’s birthplace, and his character. The area surrounding Bethlehem was dotted with caves which shepherds used for livestock and for their own shelter. The early Church Fathers wrote extensively about Yahshua’s birth in a cave (St. Justin Martyr(circa150AD); St. Jerome (circa 400 AD). The ultimate lesson is one of humility, finding beauty in the ordinary and recognizing that G-d shows His love in ways that are beyond our understanding, often in places and through circumstances we least expect.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart