Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah#42: Mattot (Tribes) B’midbar (Numbers) 30:2-32:42
Haftarah: Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 1:1-2:3
B’rit Chadashah: Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:33-37
Just before crossing into Canaan, G-d was about to use the Israelites as his agents in the judgement He had earlier declared against the Midianites (25:16-18). This was the last battle Moshe would witness before his death. The two purposes for the destruction of the Midianites were to judge them for the sin of enticing the Israelites to participate in their idolatry, and to protect the Israelites, especially those who would be living east of the Jordan River, from any future seductions. How merciful is our G-d to protect us from situations in which we would surely fail if not for His interventions to preclude our giving into temptation before we are ever aware of haSatan’s attempts to seduce us away from obedience to G-d.
Every male (3:7,17) and every female except virgins of the woman and children were killed. The virgins were taken captive. So we may wonder how there were enough Midianites in the days of Joshua to prevail against Israel for seven years (Judges.6:1-6)? It is most likely that the Midianites slaughtered during Moshe’s time did not include the entire nation. Rather the population of Midianites were probably those who lived in the vicinity of the Hebrew camp. Their kinsmen, who were most likely separated due to their nomadic lifestyle, were most likely the ancestors of the Midianites in Joshua’s time.
We can know that this war against the Midianites was G-d’s war and not a simple retaliation by the Israelites based on the following information:
1. Pinchas who had recently been rewarded for his zeal for G-d, was one of the attending leaders, carrying the alarm trumpets used in battle.
2. The massive toll on human life; every adult male, five Midianite chiefs and Baalam; every woman except virgins, every male child.
These statistics are justified only in the fact that this was G-d’s holy judgment; the specifics of who was to die determined and commanded by G-d.
3. There were no casualties (31:49).
In gratitude to G-d for the victory against the Midianites without even one casualty, the leaders of the armies offered a sacrificial gist of all the articles of gold. Although the gift is described is described “to make atonement for our souls” (31:50), it was not made to make amends for any guilt, for there was no guilt. It was a gift given and taken into the tent of meeting “as a reminder for the people of Israel before Adonai.” (31:54).
Haftarah: Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) 1:1-2:3
Within these verses we are assured as was Jeremiah that our G-d is with us and will rescue us IF we are but obedient with heartfelt intent to G-d’s Torah (1:6-8). We are reminded that “Israel is set aside for Adonai, the first fruits of His harvest; all that devour him will incur guilt; evil will befall them.” (2:3). However, we are also reminded of how far Israel had fallen away from G-d and that He pronounced His judgments against Israelites and anyone else who abandons Him and chooses his own way. It is an interesting possible parallel to Israel’s idolatry and the destruction of the first two Temples and the increasing tolerance and even promotion of clear abominations described in G-d’s Torah, and the rampant idolatry occurring in the United States today. Tradition attributes the apostasy of the golden calf to the 17th of Tammuz, the same day that the Romans breached the outer walls of the Temple. In the week of 17 Tammuz, Jeremiah warns of catastrophe: “Today I have placed you over nations and kingdoms, to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant” (Jer. 1:10).
Though G-d remembered Israel’s devotion as a young bride first following her beloved “in a land not sown,” now Israel bowed to foreign gods and idols (Jer. 1:16). Although she remains holy, she does not go without punishment, divorce by G-d, only later to be married to Yahshua as His Bride, but only after heartfelt repentance This is the meaning of “and his bride has prepared herself- fine linen, bright and clean has been given her to wear.” (Rev. 19:7-8).
A possible parallel between Israel and the United States is the blessed status America enjoyed for so long when G-d was included in all aspects of American life. Now, America teaches Secular humanism that recognizes no Deity, no rules, no absolutes; completely disregarding the truth of G-d’s Torah that is filled with commands and absolutes designed for our ultimate benefit. Such antinomianism, rejection of G-d and His Word, and the progressive persecution of His people will be dealt with at a time of G-d’s choosing and, in His way, just as He promised. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8; Psalm 102; Mal. 3:6), and His Word never changes (Matt. 24:35; Heb. 4:12; Is.40:8;2 Tim. 3:16; Rev. 1:1-20).
B’rit Chadashah: Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:33-37
This section reiterates the importance of vows, the opening subject of our parashah. We must follow through with our choices to either do something we promise to do or not do what we vowed not to do. For the believer, we know that all our vows are made before G-d as we are His representatives on this earth. Yahshua takes the issue of vows and teaches us that it is better not to make a vow at all, rather than making a vow that we may not keep (Ecc. 5:1-6). After all, only G-d knows what will happen to us from one second to the next. It is arrogant for us to make any vow. It is in our best interest to pray, study, integrate and live G-d’s Torah from day to day, making it our “first” nature over our human desires and tendencies toward selfishness. Striving for a lifestyle that includes loving obedience to G-d’s commands that glorifies Him and makes His Name known among the nations, even if only by one person at a time will result in blessings beyond what we can imagine, including the ability, strength, and power to consistently live what we say we believe.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart