11/01/2024

Parashat 43 Portion 143 ‘’Mas’ei’’ Num 35:9-36:13

Blessed are You, YHVH our Elohim, You have set us apart by Your commandments and have commanded us to actively study Your Torah. Please YHVH, our Elohim, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouths and in the mouths of all Your people Israel. May You open our eyes to see marvellous truths from Your Torah. Thank You for calling us who were once gentiles excluded from the citizenship of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no expectation and without Elohim- but now through the blood of Messiah we have gained access into the covenant and have obtained citizenship into the commonwealth of Israel.  Blessed are You, YHVH, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel.  Amein

והקריתם לכם - ‘’you will appoint’’

This final Torah portion of ‘’Bemidbar’’ concludes by ‘’appointing’’ two critical matters that need to be to make sure your house is in order before you cross over into the Promised Land. It is in our wilderness journey through life that YHVH speaks to us to prepare us for His Kingdom. In fact ‘’bemidbar’’ can literally mean ‘’in the place of speaking’’

Deu 8:3  “And He humbled you, and let you suffer hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, to make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of יהוה.[a] Footnote: aSee also Mat_4:4 – it is a ‘’proceeding’’ word.

In one sense this Torah portion is a ‘’conclusion’’ of the Torah. It is like YHVH makes His closing argument and the turns to Moshe (and to us) and says ‘’what have I just said’’.

Deuteronomy (Gk means a copy or repetition of the law) ‘’Devarim’’ or ‘’words’’ of the first four books of the Torah in Moshe’s words. (Mishna Torah)

What is astounding is that YHVH seems to allow Moshe to make some ‘’additions’’ to His Words. For example ‘’mixture’’ or ‘’shatnes’’ Deut 22:9; ‘’- false prophets – Deut 13; a future prophet like unto Moshe – Deut 18:15; crossdressing – Deut 22:5; parapets for walls -Deut 22:8; concerning divorce Deut 24:1-4; muzzling an ox during threshing - Deut 25:4; Levirate marriage Deut 25:11-12 and many others - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuteronomic_Code

What is also amazing is that Yahshua quotes more from the book of Deuteronomy than any other book in the Torah.

1.        ‘’Appoint’’ Cities of Refuge

Num 35:9  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 

Num 35:10  “Speak to the children of Yisra’ěl, and say to them, ‘When you pass over the Yarděn into the land of Kena‛an, 

Num 35:11  then you shall choose cities to be cities of refuge (ערים ערי מקלט) for you, that the man-slayer who struck someone mistakenly shall flee there. (‘’refuge’’ or asylum)

Num 35:12  And they shall be cities of refuge for you from the revenger, and the man-slayer is not to die until he stands before the congregation for right-ruling. 

Num 35:13  And of the cities which you give, six are to be cities of refuge. 

Num 35:14  Give three cities beyond the Yarděn, and give three cities in the land of Kena‛an, as cities of refuge. 

Num 35:15  These six cities are for refuge for the children of Yisra’ěl, and for the sojourner, and for the settler in their midst, for anyone who mistakenly strikes someone to flee there. 

Num 35:16  But if he has stricken him with an instrument of iron, so that he dies, he is a murderer. The murderer shall certainly be put to death. 

Num 35:17  And if he has stricken him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer. The murderer shall certainly be put to death. 

Num 35:18  Or if he has stricken him with a wooden instrument that could kill, and he does die, he is a murderer. The murderer shall certainly be put to death. 

Num 35:19  The revenger of blood himself puts the murderer to death. When he meets him, he puts him to death. 

Num 35:20  And if he thrusts him through in hatred, or throws an object at him while lying in wait, so that he dies, 

Num 35:21  or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he dies, the one who struck him shall certainly be put to death, for he is a murderer. The revenger of blood puts the murderer to death when he meets him. 

Num 35:22  But if he pushes him suddenly without enmity, or throws an object at him without lying in wait, 

Num 35:23  or uses a stone, by which a man could die, throwing it at him without seeing him, so that he dies, while he was not his enemy or seeking his harm, 

Num 35:24  then the congregation shall judge between him who struck someone and the revenger of blood, according to these right-rulings. 

Num 35:25  And the congregation shall rescue the man-slayer from the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the set-apart oil. 

Num 35:26  But if the man-slayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled, 

Num 35:27  and the revenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the revenger of blood executes the man-slayer, he is not guilty of blood, 

Num 35:28  because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the man-slayer is to return to the land of his possession. (High priests’ death would remove and atone for their sin – sound familiar?)

Num 35:29  And these shall be for a law of right-ruling to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 

Num 35:30  Whoever strikes a being, the murderer shall be executed by the mouth of witnesses, but one witness does not bear witness against someone to die. 

Num 35:31  And take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall certainly be put to death. 

Num 35:32  And take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge to return to dwell in the land before the death of the priest. 

Num 35:33  And do not profane the land where you are, for blood profanes the land, and the land is not pardoned for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. 

Num 35:34  And do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell, for I, יהוה, am dwelling in the midst of the children of Yisra’ěl.’ ” 

 

This Torah portion is more important than we realize – it’s about making sure there are no unresolved conflicts within our communities.

If Your Brother Sins Against You

Mat 18:15  “And if your brother sins against you, go and convict him, between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 

Mat 18:16  “But if he does not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established.’[a] Deu_19:15. Footnote: a Joh_8:17, 2Co_13:1, 1Ti_5:19, Heb_10:28

Mat 18:17  “And if he refuses to hear them, say it to the assembly. And if he refuses even to hear the assembly, let him be to you like the nations and a tax collector. 

Mat 18:18  “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be having been bound in heaven, and whatever you loosen on earth shall be having been loosened in heaven.[b] Footnote: bSee footnote Mat_16:19

Mat 18:19  “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning any matter that they ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in the heavens. 

Mat 18:20  “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in their midst.” 

In fact YHVH is so serious about unresolved conflicts that he requires us to first do all we can to resolve these conflicts before bringing Him peace offerings – Mat 5:23-24 Rom 12:18

2.        The second issue that needs to be in place is ‘’righteous marriages’’

Tselopha and his daughters. 

Num 36:1  And the heads of the fathers of the clans of the children of Gil‛a, son of Mair, son of Menashsheh, of the clans of the sons of Yosěph, came near and spoke before Mosheh and before the leaders, the heads of the fathers of the children of Yisra’ěl, 

Num 36:2  and said, “יהוה commanded my master to give the land as an inheritance by lot to the children of Yisra’ěl, and my master was commanded by יהוה to give the inheritance of our brother Tselopha to his daughters. See Num 27

Num 36:3  “Now if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Yisra’ěl, then their inheritance shall be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry, and taken from the lot of our inheritance. 

Num 36:4  “And if the Yoel of the children of Yisra’ěl takes place, then their inheritance shall be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry, and their inheritance taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”

Num 36:5  And Mosheh commanded the children of Yisra’ěl according to the word of יהוה, saying, “What the tribe of the sons of Yosěph speaks is right. 

Num 36:6  “This is the word which יהוה has commanded, for the daughters of Tselopha, saying, ‘Let them marry who is good in their eyes, but let them marry only within the clan of their father’s tribe.’ 

Num 36:7  “And the inheritance of the children of Yisra’ěl is not to change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Yisra’ěl is to cling to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 

Num 36:8  “And every daughter possessing an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Yisra’ěl is to be the wife of one of the clan of her father’s tribe, so that the children of Yisra’ěl possess each the inheritance of his fathers. 

Num 36:9  “Thus the inheritance is not to change hands from one tribe to another, but every tribe of the children of Yisra’ěl is to cling to its own inheritance.” 

Num 36:10  As יהוה commanded Mosheh, so did the daughters of Tselopha

Num 36:11  For Malah, Tirtsah, and olah, and Milkah, and No‛ah, the daughters of Tselopha, were married to the sons of their father’s brothers. 

Num 36:12  And they were married into the clans of the children of Menashsheh, the son of Yosěph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father’s clan. 

Num 36:13  These are the commands and the right-rulings which יהוה commanded the children of Yisra’ěl by the hand of Mosheh in the desert plains of Mo’a by the Yarděn of Yerio. 

Perhaps one of the most important issues that will face YHVH’s people in the end times is the issue of ‘’righteous marriage covenants’’ The tragic reality of our times is that there appears to be more righteous woman seeking to be in covenant with a short supply of righteous husbands. We see this reality reflected with the daughters of Tzelophad.

Let us take another look at a very contentious verse that has been poorly translated into English that addresses this issue. If we take a closer look at this verse, we see the problem is not caused by the women but by the men.

Isa 3:12  “My people! Youths exert pressure on them, and women rule over them. O My people! Your leaders lead you astray,[a] and swallow the way of your paths.” Footnote: aSee Isa_9:16

A Hebrew - English Bible According to the Masoretic Text and the JPS 1917 Edition

יב  עַמִּי נֹגְשָׂיו מְעוֹלֵל, וְנָשִׁים מָשְׁלוּ בוֹ; עַמִּי מְאַשְּׁרֶיךָ מַתְעִים, וְדֶרֶךְ אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ בִּלֵּעוּ.  {פ}     12 As for My people, a babe is their master, and women rule over them. O My people, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

בְּ is a Hebrew preposition meaning '' in, at; with, by; for’’

מֵעַל, עַל is also a Hebrew preposition and means ‘’over’’

Women don’t rule ‘’over’’ men. They rule ‘’in’’ men because of their immaturity.

עַמִּי מְאַשְּׁרֶיךָ מַתְעִים – my people are content or happy with these ones leading them astray.

 If you read the context of Isaiah chapter three you will become aware of how dysfunctional human society will become in the last days – this chapter concludes with Isa 4:1  And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, “We shall eat our own food and wear our own clothes; only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach.” 

 The scripture clearly teaches that the government of YHVH is always masculine. However, there are many examples in the scripture of righteous woman in righteous relationships with men involved with all kinds of ministry to YHVH.

 1Ti 2:11  Let a woman learn in silence, in all subjection. 

1Ti 2:12  But I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, rather, to be in silence. (not to be contentious or argumentative with men)

1Ti 2:13  Because Aam was formed first, then awwah. 

1Ti 2:14  And Aam was not deceived, but the woman, having been deceived, fell into transgression. 

1Ti 2:15  But she shall be saved in childbearing if they continue in belief, and love, and set-apartness, with sensibleness. (this is the one thing that ensures that women are not inferior to men)

 In fact the apostle Paul felt so serious about this matter, he cautioned that before partaking of the Passover to make sure the family structure and relationships were in order.

 1Co 11:2  And I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in every way and keep the traditions as I delivered them to you. 

1Co 11:3  And I wish you to know that the head of every man is the Messiah,[a] and the head of woman is the man,[b] and the head of Messiah is Elohim.[c] Footnotes: a Eph_1:22, Eph_4:15, Eph_5:23. b Gen_3:16. c 1Co_3:23, Joh_14:28

1Co 11:4  Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, brings shame to his Head. 

1Co 11:5  And every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered brings shame to her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. 

1Co 11:6  For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.[d] Footnote: d Num_5:18

1Co 11:7  For a man indeed should not cover his head, since he is the likeness and esteem of Elohim, but woman is the esteem of man. 

1Co 11:8  For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 

1Co 11:9  For man also was not created for the woman, but woman for the man. 

1Co 11:10  Because of this the woman ought to have authority[e] on her head, because of the messengers. Footnote: eSome say “a symbol of authority.” 

1Co 11:11  However, man is not independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Master. 

1Co 11:12  For as the woman was from the man, even so the man also is through the woman. But all are from Elohim. 

1Co 11:13  Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to Elohim with her head uncovered? 

1Co 11:14  Does not nature itself teach you that if a man indeed has long hair, it is a disrespect to him? 

1Co 11:15  And if a woman has long hair, it is an esteem to her, because the long hair has been given to her over against a veil. 

1Co 11:16  If, however, anyone seems to be contentious, we do not have such a habit, nor do the assemblies of Elohim. 

The Master's Supper

1Co 11:17  And in declaring this I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 

Mal 4:4  “Remember the Torah of Mosheh, My servant, which I commanded him in orě for all Yisra’ěl – laws and right-rulings. 

Mal 4:5  “See, I am sending you Ěliyah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of יהוה

Mal 4:6  “And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with utter destruction.” (note the issue is about fathers and not mothers)

This is one of the reasons there will be 42 stops during the 42 months of the great tribulation. The cloud will not move on until all unresolved issues are settled and only those who have complied will be illegible to be invited to the great marriage supper of the Lamb.

1Th 5:24  He who calls you is trustworthy, who also shall do it. 

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Amein

Chazak chazak ve Nitchezek.

 

10/30/2024

Parashat 43 Parashat 142 ‘’Mas’ei’’ Num 34:1-35:8

Blessed are You, YHVH our Elohim, You have set us apart by Your commandments and have commanded us to actively study Your Torah. Please YHVH, our Elohim, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouths and in the mouths of all Your people Israel. May You open our eyes to see marvellous truths from Your Torah. Thank You for calling us who were once gentiles excluded from the citizenship of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no expectation and without Elohim- but now through the blood of Messiah we have gained access into the covenant and have obtained citizenship into the commonwealth of Israel.  Blessed are You, YHVH, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel.  Amein

זאת הארץ  ‘’this is the land’’ which falls to you as an inheritance….

Destruction comes upon the world when they seek to divide YHVH’s inheritance - Joe 3:2  then I shall gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Yehoshaphat. And I shall enter into judgment with them there for My people, My inheritance Yisra’ěl, whom they have scattered among the nations, and they have divided up My land. See Zech 14:1-7

Zec 14:1  See, a day shall come for יהוה, and your spoil shall be divided in your midst. 

Zec 14:2  And I shall gather all the nations to battle against Yerushalayim.[a] And the city shall be taken, the houses plundered, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into exile, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Footnote: a Joe_3:2, Zep_3:8, Rev_16:14

Zec 14:3  And יהוה shall go forth, and He shall fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. 

Zec 14:4  And in that day (Yom Kippur)His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives, which faces Yerushalayim on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, a very great valley, and half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. (emphasis added)

 

‘’It is interesting to compare the future biblical borders and land division with the current situation in Israel. Clearly, the future borders include both the Gaza strip and the West Bank! They also include significant parts of present-day Syria i.e. up to Hamath, and probably all of Lebanon. Are the politicians listening?’’

Exo 23:31  “And I shall set your border from the Sea of Reeds to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River, for I shall give the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. 

Exo 23:32  “Do not make a covenant with them nor with their mighty ones. 

Exo 23:33  “Let them not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me when you serve their mighty ones, when it becomes a snare to you.” 

 

Before these borders come into affect the earth will become almost completely desolate - Isa 6:11  Then I said, “יהוה, until when?” And He answered, “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, and the houses are without a man, and the land is laid waste, a ruin, Isa 6:12  and יהוה has removed men far away, and the forsaken places be many in the midst of the land. 

Isa 24:3  the earth is completely emptied and utterly plundered, for יהוה has spoken this word. 

Isa 24:4  The earth shall mourn and wither, the world shall languish and wither, the haughty people of the earth shall languish. Isa 24:5  For the earth has been defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the Torot,[a] changed[b] the law, broken the everlasting covenant

 

Modern religion fails to grasp the reality of the post-apocalyptic world as outlined in the scriptures – a renewed world where a remnant of humanity sow and plant and reap and harvest and raise families – when Messiah rules the earth with a rod of iron - Rev 2:26  “And he who overcomes, and guards My works until the end, to him I shall give authority over the nations, Psa_2:8. Rev 2:27  and he shall shepherd them with a rod of iron, as the potter’s vessels shall be broken to pieces.

A world governed by the Torah of YHVH alone – Mat 5:17-19 – far from the current narrative of being ‘’raptured’’ and going to heaven.

 

Rom 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Elohim. 

זאת הארץ

Num 34:1  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 

Num 34:2  "Command the children of Yisra’ěl, and say to them, ‘When you come into the land of Kena‛an, this is the land which falls to you as an inheritance, the land of Kena‛an to its boundaries: 

*Num 34:3  Then your southern border shall be from the Wilderness of Tsin along the border of Eom, and your southern border shall be eastward from the end of the Salt Sea. 

Num 34:4  Then your border shall turn from the southern side of the Ascent of Aqrabbim, continue to Tsin, and be on the south of Qaěsh Barněa, and it shall go on to atsar Addar, and continue to Atsmon. 

Num 34:5  And the border shall turn from Atsmon to the wadi of Mitsrayim, and it shall end at the Sea. 

Num 34:6  As for the western border, you shall have the Great Sea for a border, this is your western border. 

Num 34:7  And this is your northern border: From the Great Sea you mark out your borderline to Mount Hor, 

Num 34:8  from Mount Hor you mark out your border to the entrance of amath, and the edge of the border shall be toward Tsea

Num 34:9  and the border shall proceed to Ziphron, and it shall end at atsar Ěnan. This is your northern border. 

Num 34:10  And you shall mark out your eastern border from atsar Ěnan to Shepham, 

Num 34:11  and the border shall go down from Shepham to Rilah on the east side of Ayin, and the border shall go down and reach to the eastern side of the Sea of Kinnereth. 

*Num 34:12  And the border shall go down along the Yarděn, and it shall end at the Salt Sea. This is your land with its surrounding boundaries.’ ” 

Num 34:13  And Mosheh commanded the children of Yisra’ěl, saying, “This is the land which you inherit by lot, which יהוה has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half-tribe. 

Num 34:14  “For the tribe of the children of Re’uěn according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Ga according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance. And the half-tribe of Menashsheh has received its inheritance. 

Num 34:15  “The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Yarděn of Yerio eastward, toward the sunrise.” 

List of Tribal Chiefs

Num 34:16  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 

Num 34:17  “These are the names of the men who divide the land among you as an inheritance: El‛azar the priest, and Yehoshua son of Nun. 

Num 34:18  “And take one leader of every tribe to divide the land for the inheritance. 

Num 34:19  “And these are the names of the men. From the tribe of Yehuah: Kalě son of Yephunneh. 

Num 34:20  “And from the tribe of the children of Shim‛on: Shemu’ěl son of Ammihu

Num 34:21  “From the tribe of Binyamin: Elia son of Kislon. 

Num 34:22  “And a leader from the tribe of the children of Dan: Buqqi son of Yoli. 

Num 34:23  “From the sons of Yosěph: a leader from the tribe of the children of Menashsheh, anni’ěl son of Ěpho

Num 34:24  “And a leader from the tribe of the children of Ephrayim: Qemu’ěl son of Shiphtan. 

Num 34:25  “And a leader from the tribe of the children of Zeulun: Elitsaphan son of Parna

Num 34:26  “And a leader from the tribe of the children of Yissasar: Palti’ěl son of Azzan. 

Num 34:27  “And a leader from the tribe of the children of Ashěr: Aihu son of Shelomi. 

Num 34:28  “And a leader from the tribe of the children of Naphtali: Peah’ěl son of Ammihu.” 

Num 34:29  These are the ones יהוה commanded to divide the inheritance among the children of Yisra’ěl in the land of Kena‛an. 

This redistribution of the land of Israel finally takes place during the millennial rule of Messiah.

Division of the Land

Eze 47:13  Thus said the Master יהוה, “This is the border by which you inherit the land, according to the twelve tribes of Yisra’ěl, two portions for Yosěph. 

Eze 47:14  “And you shall inherit it, each one the same as his brother. For I lifted My hand in an oath to give it to your fathers, and this land shall fall to you as your inheritance. 

Eze 47:15  “And this is the border of the land on the north: from the Great Sea, the way of ethlon, as one goes to Tsea

Eze 47:16  "amath, Běrothah, Sirayim, which is between the border of Dammeseq and the border of amath, atsar Hattion, which is on the border of awran. 

Eze 47:17  “And the border shall be from the Sea to atsar Ěnan, the border of Dammeseq, and on the north toward the north is the border of amath. This is the north side. 

Eze 47:18  “And the east side is from between awran, and Dammeseq, and Gil‛a, and the land of Yisra’ěl; the Yarděn, from the border to the eastern side of the sea you are to measure. This is the east side. 

Eze 47:19  “And the south side toward the South is from Tamar to the waters of Meriah by Qaěsh, along the Wadi to the Great Sea. This is the south side toward the South. 

Eze 47:20  “And the west side is the Great Sea, from the border to the point opposite amath. This is the west side. 

Eze 47:21  “And you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Yisra’ěl. 

Eze 47:22  “And it shall be that you divide it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves, and for the strangers who sojourn in your midst and who bear children among you. And they shall be to you as native-born among the children of Yisra’ěl – with you they have an inheritance in the midst of the tribes of Yisra’ěl.a Footnote: a Isa_14:1, Isa_56:6-8, Rom_11:17-26, Eph_2:19, Eph_3:6, Rev_21:12

Eze 47:23  “And it shall be that in whatever tribe the stranger sojourns, there you give him his inheritance,” declares the Master יהוה

Cities for the Levites

Num 35:1  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh in the desert plains of Mo’a by the Yarděn of Yerio, saying, 

Num 35:2  "Command the children of Yisra’ěl that they shall give the Lěwites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession. Also give the Lěwites open land around the cities. 

Num 35:3  “And they shall have the cities to dwell in, and their open land for their cattle, and for their herds, and for all their livestock. 

Num 35:4  “And the open land of the cities which you give the Lěwites are from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around. 

Num 35:5  “And you shall measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits. And the city is in the middle. This is to them the open land for the cities. 

Num 35:6  “And the cities which you give to the Lěwites are the six cities of refuge, which you give to the man-slayer to flee to, and to these you add forty-two cities. 

Num 35:7  “All the cities which you give to the Lěwites are forty-eight, these with their open land. 

The concept of prisons is foreign in the Torah. Cities of refuge were ‘’holding places’’ for those suspected of committing crimes, until proven guilty or not guilty. The roads to the cities were meant to be well marked and wide for easy accessibility.

Num 35:8  “And the cities which you give are from the possession of the children of Yisra’ěl. From the larger tribe you give many, from the smaller you give few, each one gives some of its cities to the Lěwites, in proportion to the inheritance that each inherits.” 

The Set Apart District during Millennial Reign of Messiah

Eze 45:1  “And when you divide the land by lot into inheritance, offer a contribution to יהוה, a set-apart portion of the land, in length twenty-five thousand cubits long, and in width ten thousand, this being set-apart throughout its border all around. (Approx 12kmx 5km)

Eze 45:2  “Of this a square plot is to be for the set-apart place, five hundred by five hundred, with fifty cubits around it for an open space. 

Eze 45:3  “And from this measure you are to measure: twenty-five thousand cubits long and ten thousand wide. And in it is to be the set-apart place, the Most Set-apart Place. 

Eze 45:4  “This is to be a set-apart portion of the land, belonging to the priests, the attendants of the set-apart place, who draw near to serve יהוה. And it shall be a place for their houses and set-apart ground for the set-apart place. 

Eze 45:5  “And twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width is for the Lěwites, the attendants of the House, for them for a possession, twenty rooms. 

Eze 45:6  “And give the city as possession: five thousand cubits wide and twenty-five thousand long, beside the contribution of the set-apart portion – it belongs to all the house of Yisra’ěl. 

Psa 16:6  Boundary lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, a good inheritance is mine. 

Psa 16:10  For You do not leave my being in She’ol, Neither let Your Lovingly-committed One see corruption. Acts 2:31-3 (Prophecy about Yahshua who was resurrected’ (His being wasn’t left in She’ol) on the third day before His body could start to decay).

Psa 16:11  You show me the path of life; In Your presence is joy to satisfaction; At Your right hand are pleasures forever. 

Rev 20:6  Blessed and set-apart is the one having part in the first resurrection. The second death possesses no authority over these, but they shall be priests of Elohim and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Rev 3:5

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Amein.

Parashat 43 Portion 141 ‘’Mas’ei’’ Num 33:1-56

Blessed are You, YHVH our Elohim, You have set us apart by Your commandments and have commanded us to actively study Your Torah. Please YHVH, our Elohim, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouths and in the mouths of all Your people Israel. May You open our eyes to see marvellous truths from Your Torah. Thank You for calling us who were once gentiles excluded from the citizenship of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no expectation and without Elohim- but now through the blood of Messiah we have gained access into the covenant and have obtained citizenship into the commonwealth of Israel.  Blessed are You, YHVH, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel.  Amein

אלה מסעי – ‘’these are the journeys’’

Around 70% of the Torah is occupied with the 42 journeys of the Israelites through the wilderness. Beginning with the Egyptian Exodus in Parshat Bo, the remaining 39 (out of 53) Torah portions concern themselves – all take place and are part of – the forty-two journeys, from Ramses in Egypt to the last journey as the people arrive at the East bank of the River Jordan.

This is the calling of an Israelite - Gen 26:25  And he built a slaughter-place there, and called on the Name of יהוה, and he pitched his tent there, and the servants of Yitsḥaq dug a well there. 

Israelites build altars, pitch tents and dig wells.

Clearly this 42-leg journey plays a central and fundamental role in Torah. And as a blueprint of our pilgrimage from bondage to freedom in this life and in the life to come.

Thus, whether it was for two days, a month, or a full year, no matter how long the cloud remained at rest over the Tabernacle the Israelites would remain in one place and not move on. Then, when the cloud rose, they would continue their travels. They thus camped at YHVH’s word and moved on at YHVH’s word, keeping their trust in YHVH.

The secret of knowing when to travel and when to rest, when to make a move, when to stay put, is related in this Torah portion. ‘’When the cloud moved, they moved’’ An end time generation will be blessed and guided by the 144 000 witnesses of Revelation 7&14.

1Co 10:11  And all these came upon them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come,

1Co 10:12  so that he who thinks he stands, let him take heed lest he fall.

“The object of the whole Torah is that man should become a Torah himself.” – Baal Shem Tov.

Joh 1:14  And the Word (Torah) became flesh and pitched His tent among us, and we saw His esteem, esteem as of an only brought-forth of a father, complete in favour and truth. 

When going through these journeys one identifies with the old proverb – ‘’fools rush in where angels are fearful to tread’’ or when someone says they feel like a’’ bull in a China shop’’ These 42 journeys serve as a cryptic code of our final 42 month journey during the great tribulation - this parashah is the map of our journey back to the promised land. Attempting to explain them may appear to be a ‘’fools’ errand’’

So, how will we know these 42 journeys are from YHVH and are relevant for us?

Exo 3:11  And Mosheh said to Elohim, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Yisra’ěl out of Mitsrayim?” Exo 3:12  And He said, “Because I am with you. And this is to you the sign that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Mitsrayim, you are to serve (תעבדון) Elohim on this mountain.” (The word Moshe received from YHVH at the burning bush)

Reflections of my own personal journey in the Sinai wilderness.

Recounting Israel's Journey

Num 33:1  These are the departures of the children of Yisra’ěl, who went out of the land of Mitsrayim by their divisions under the hand of Mosheh and Aharon. 

Num 33:2  And Mosheh wrote down the starting points of their departures at the mouth of יהוה, and these are their departures according to their starting points: 

Disclaimer: The comments and order of the camps as I have presented them are simply midrashic.

Num 33:3  So they departed from Ra‛meses in the first new moon, on the fifteenth day of the first new moon, on the morrow of the Pěsaḥ the children of Yisra’ěl went out with boldness before the eyes of all the Mitsrites, 

Num 33:4  and the Mitsrites were burying all their first-born, whom יהוה had stricken among them. Also, on their mighty ones יהוה had executed judgments

 Ramases – “child of the sun” Before we can even embark on this journey we have got to make a break with all forms of sun worship – “Sunday worship” Everything that has the remotest link to paganism must be severed if we are to make any progress in our pilgrimage into YHVH’s Kingsom. 

Num 33:5  Then the children of Yisra’ěl departed from Ra‛meses and camped at Sukkoth. 

1.Succoth or temporary shelters – camp # 1 – We embark on these journeys because of our desire for him to tabernacle with us and we with him. We want to share the same space. It’s all about intimacy.

Num 33:6  And they departed from Sukkoth and camped at Ětham, which is on the edge of the wilderness. 

2. Etham - camp #2 - plowshare" or a place of “Contemplation.” Luk 9:62  And Yeshua said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God

Num 33:7  And they departed from Ětham and turned back to Pi Haḥiroth, which is east of Ba‛al Tsephon (master of what is hidden) And they camped near Miḡdol (occultic tower)

3. Pi Hahiroth camp #3 (S6367) consists of two Hebrew words – “pi’ which is opening or mouth and “chor” which means a hole – in this case the plural is used. Therefore, we assume it’s a place of holes or caves that served as a reminder of where the Israelites were confronted with demonic powers and strongholds.

Num 33:8  And they departed from before Haḥiroth and passed over through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, went three days’ journey in the Wilderness of Ětham, and camped at Marah. 

4. Marah camp #4 - Drinking the waters of bitterness (Marah) – perhaps to purge their bodies from all non-kosher foods they ate in Egypt. Perhaps also to remind them of the bitterness of disobedience.

Num 33:9  And they departed from Marah and came to Ělim. And at Ělim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, so they camped there. 

5. Elim camp #5 – Elim was a place where there were 12 fountains and 70 palm trees – the fountains speak of the 12 tribes and 70 palm trees speak to us of the seventy elders of the Sanhedrin (and 70 nations of the world). ‘’wilderness of the nations’’ Ezek 20:35  - ‘’the erev rav’’  והבאתי אתכם אל מדבר העמים

Eze 20:35  “And I shall bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and shall enter into judgment with you face to face there. Eze 20:36  “As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Mitsrayim, so I shall enter into judgment with you,” declares the Master יהוה….. And you shall know that I am יהוה.  See Ex 3:11-12.

Num 33:10  And they departed from Ělim and camped by the Sea of Reeds. 

6.The Yam Suf  - Reed Sea - Camp # 6 – Maybe this speaks of Mikveh or immersions.

Num 33:11  And they departed from the Sea of Reeds and camped in the Wilderness of Sin. 

7.(Sin camp #7). (S5512 and 5514) Hebrew -  sîyn or Sin = “thorn’’ Rom 7:13 2 Cor 12:7

Num 33:12  And they departed from the Wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophqah.

8. Dophkah camp #8). – “to strike or to beat (heart)’’

Num 33:13  And they departed from Dophqah and camped at Alush. 

9. (Alush camp #9). - Alush = “I will knead (bread)” (We will be sustained)

Num 33:14  And they departed from Alush and camped at Rephiḏim, and there was no water for the people to drink. 

10. Rephidim camp #10 – Wiki – “At Rephidim, they can find no water to drink, and angrily demand that Moses give them water. Moses, fearing they will stone him, calls on Yahweh for help and is told to strike a certain "rock in Horeb," which causes a stream to flow from it, providing ample water for the people. He names the place Massah (meaning 'testing') and Meribah (meaning 'quarreling').(Exodus 17:1-7)

Num 33:15  And they departed from Rephiḏim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai. 

11. They left Rephidim and camped for the “Wilderness of Sinai camp #11).  Wilderness - Hebrew “Midbar” as in the title of this book of Numbers – Sinai means ‘’thorny’’ this is the place where YHVH’s Words ‘’penetrate’’ His people like a thorn.

Num 33:16  And they departed from the Wilderness of Sinai and camped at Qiḇroth Hatta’awah. 

12. Graves of Craving (Kibroth Hattaavah camp #12 – where your desire for the pleasures of the past will catch up to you and may even cause your death.

Num 33:17  And they departed from Qiḇroth Hatta’awah and camped at Ḥatsěroth. 

13. The Courtyard (Chazeroth camp #13) This is a very, very dangerous place. This is possibly where Korach went into rebellion also where Miriam and Aaron grumbled against Moshe because he married a Cushite woman. You speak judgment against YHVH’s anointed in your self-appointed ‘’courtyard’’.

Num 33:18  And they departed from Ḥatsěroth and camped at Rithmah.

14. Smoldering place (Rithmah camp #14). The spies were sent out from here.

Bamidbar (Numbers) 13:1-3 – Tisah b Av  - the saddest day in Israels history.

Everything seems to go up in smoke – smoulders. One bad decision can bring you great harm and cause your journey to your destiny to be prolonged or even ended.

Num 33:19  And they departed from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perets. 

 15. Spreading, or heavy fruited, Pomegranate Tree (Rimmon Perez camp #15). S7428 “pomegranate of the breakthrough” Almost 613 seeds in pomegranate fruit. Fruitfulness in Torah brings break-throughs.

Num 33:20  And they departed from Rimmon Perets and camped at Liḇnah. 

16. White Brick place. (Livnah camp #16). - Livnah comes from the root meaning “white,” which is often associated with purity

Mat 5:8 “Blessed are the clean in heart,1 because they shall see Elohim. Footnote: 1Ps. 24:3-4.

Num 33:21  And they departed from Liḇnah and camped at Rissah. 

17. The Well Stopped Up With Stones - ruin - (Rissah camp #17). – There will be times when we will have to dig and remove rubble before we get to the truth. We will have to be patient and willing to work hard when necessary.

Num 33:22  And they departed from Rissah and camped at Qehělathah. 

18. The Assembly (Kehelathah or Mak'helath camp #18). Now Israel is becoming a close knit community - a ‘’kehelah’’ – there is unity. They are close to the place where they are about to receive the Torah. Unity brings great blessings from Yahweh.

Psa 133:1 See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity –

For there יהוה commanded the blessing, Life forever!

Num 33:23  And they departed from Qehělathah and camped at Mount Shapher.

19.  Beautiful mountain vs 24 (Shepher camp #19). – Son 8:5  Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? Is this a reference to Mountt Sinai where YHVH enters into a marriage covenant with Israel? Hos 2:14  “Therefore, see, I am alluring her, and shall lead her into the wilderness, and shall speak to her heart,

Isa 52:7  How pleasant (Heb -beautiful) upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings good news, who proclaims deliverance, who says to Tsiyon, “Your Elohim reigns!” 

Num 33:24  And they departed from Mount Shapher and camped at Ḥaraḏah. 

20. Terror – Strongs 2732 (Haradah camp #20). The Korach-incident.

'Trembling' -This is where they trembled because of the plague (Bamidbar 17:12 Targum Yonathan)

Num 33:25  And they departed from Ḥaraḏah and camped at Maqhěloth. 

21.   Assemblies (Makheloth camp #21).Kehelah or assembly. Being part of the righteous assembly is going to extremely important for us to complete our journey. Lone rangers will be in danger of being separated.

Num 33:26  And they departed from Maqhěloth and camped at Taḥath. 

22     To be under (Tahath camp #22). 1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves, then, under(Heb ‘’tachat’’) the mighty hand of Elohim, so that He exalts you in due time, בעתו   שפילו נפשכם תחת יד־אלהים החזקה למען ירומם אתכם

Num 33:27  And they departed from Taḥath and camped at Teraḥ. 

23     (Terah camp #23). Delay – Terah was Abram’s father who he was instructed to leave behind in Mesopotamia.

Num 33:28  And they departed from Teraḥ and camped at Mithqah.

24     The place of Sweet delight (Mithcah camp #24). Vs 29

It’s a place of . “Motke-מֹתֶק” means sweeti or darling in Hebrew. Modern Hebrew use ‘’motek’ 

Num 33:29  And they departed from Mithqah and camped at Ḥashmonah. 

25. Fruitfulness place (Chashmonah camp #25).

Num 33:30  And they departed from Ḥashmonah and camped at Mosěroth.

26. Correction place – chastisement – restraint- (Moseroth camp #26). According to tradition, the Israelites returned as far as Moserah after Aaron's death. This was an act of rebellion, and a large number of Israelites were killed (Yerushalmi, Yoma 2:2, 2a).

There is a real danger that during this journey, some people may feel they have suffered enough trial and simply decide to go their own way.

Num 33:31  And they departed from Mosěroth and camped at Beněi Ya‛aqan. 

27.Wells of the Narrow Path (Bene Jaakan camp #27). Hebrew means “sons of twisting” these refer possibly to the descendents of Esav – who twist the truth and persecute those who seek the truth.

Num 33:32  And they departed from Beněi Ya‛aqan and camped at Ḥor Haggiḏgaḏ. 

28. Hole of the Cleft (Char Haggidgad camp #28). Also called the “cavern of pleasantness”. Yahweh will hide us in the cleft of the Rock when the storms seem most severe.

Num 33:33  And they departed from Ḥor Haggiḏgaḏ and camped at Yotḇathah. 

29. Place of Pleasantness (Yotvathah camp #29). A place described as having flowing brooks. A good, calm place. “Targum Yonathan”

Num 33:34  And they departed from Yotḇathah and camped at Aḇronah.

30. They left the pleasant place (Yotvathah) and camped at the Transitional place (Avronah camp #30).

From the same root as our namesake, Ivrim—Hebrews / Border-Crossers.

Num 33:35  And they departed from Aḇronah and camped at Etsyon Geḇer. 

31. Man's backbone (Ezion Geber camp #31). A place where men are required to be strong and to take responsibility.

Num 33:36  And they departed from Etsyon Geḇer and camped in the Wilderness of Tsin, which is Qaḏěsh.

32.The Sanctuary (Kadesh camp #32) They arrived on Aviv 1/Nisan 1, - a new start.

Num 33:37  And they departed from Qaḏěsh and camped at Mount Hor, on the boundary of the land of Eḏom. 

33. Mountain of mountains vs 38 (Hor camp #33) - Repetition of the same word – ‘’hor harar’’ Mountain of the mountain.  This camp was just before entering the land. Possibly a time to reflect on the enormous challenges YHVH has guided us through during this wilderness period and now we are ready to enter the promised land.

Num 33:38  Then Aharon the priest went up to Mount Hor at the mouth of יהוה, and died there in the fortieth year after the children of Yisra’ěl had come out of the land of Mitsrayim, on the first day of the fifth new moon

Num 33:39  Now Aharon was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor. 

Num 33:40  And the sovereign of Araḏ, the Kena‛anite, who dwelt in the South in the land of Kena‛an, heard of the coming of the children of Yisra’ěl.

Num 33:41  So they departed from Mount Hor and camped at Tsalmonah. 

 34. A place of Shadiness (Tzalmonah camp #34).

This is where the people began complaining again. “Targum Yonathan”

Num 33:42  And they departed from Tsalmonah and camped at Punon. 

 35. Perplexity (Punon camp #35). Vs 43  Or darkness - We are not always going to understand. In fact we will often be perplexed on our journey in the wilderness.

 Num 33:43  And they departed from Punon and camped at Oḇoth. 

 36. Necromancer (Oboth camp #36). Originated from drum beats on a wineskin used to call up ancestral spirits by non believers – pagans.

 Num 33:44  And they departed from Oḇoth and camped at Iyě Ha-Aḇarim, at the border of Mo’aḇ. 

 37. - Desolate Passes (Iye Abarim camp #37  -“ the ruins of those who tried to cross over and never made it”

 Num 33:45  And they departed from Iyim and camped at Diḇon Gaḏ. 

 38. Sorrowing over wastefulness (Divon Gad camp #38).Many will regret wasted opportunities in the past and not repeat them again.

 Num 33:46  And they departed from Diḇon Gaḏ and camped at Almon Diḇlathayemah. 

 39. (Almon Diblathaim camp #39). “Concealing two cakes’ of possibly dry figs – the house of the two figs -  points to hidden resources.

Num 33:47  And they departed from Almon Diḇlathayemah and camped in the mountains of Aḇarim, before Neḇo. 

 40. The regions beyond (Abarim camp #40), near the place called Nebo. (Heb word avar) – regions beyond.

Num 33:48  And they departed from the mountains of Aḇarim and camped in the desert plains of Mo’aḇ by the Yarděn of Yeriḥo. 

 41. (Moab camp #41) Our success has come from our Father – Moav = from father. We are not illegitimate children, we are true sons and daughters of Elohim.

 Num 33:49  And they camped by the Yarděn, from Běyth Yeshimoth as far as the Aḇěl Shittim in the desert plains of Mo’aḇ. 

 42. (Beth Yeshimoth - camp #forty-two) “house of desolation” place in Moab given to Reuben.

 Dan 11:12 Matt 24:15 – Abomination of desolation in the last days.

This is where Balaam tried to curse Israel and also where Phineas killed the two fornicators.

 Drive Out the Inhabitants

Num 33:50  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh in the desert plains of Mo’aḇ by the Yarděn of Yeriḥo, saying, 

Num 33:51  “Speak to the children of Yisra’ěl, and say to them, ‘When you have passed over the Yarděn into the land of Kena‛an, 

Num 33:52  then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and shall destroy all their engraved stones, and shall destroy all their moulded images, and lay waste all their high places, 

Num 33:53  and you shall possess the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 

Num 33:54  And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your clans. To the larger you give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you give a smaller inheritance. Wherever the lot falls to anyone, that is his. You inherit according to the tribes of your fathers. 

Num 33:55  And if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be pricks in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. 

Num 33:56  And it shall be that I do to you as I thought to do to them.’ ” 

 As far fetched from reality as this Torah portion may appear to be – it may well be the only form of sanity available for a faithful remnant to cling to in an end time generation.

We need to remind ourselves that this Torah portion is a summary of 70% of the events of the entire Torah.

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Ameyn