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 covenants and have obtained citizenship into the commonwealth of Israel. Blessed are You, YHVH, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel. Amein
This week we complete “Parashat
Shelach le cha.” Last week we looked at one of the darkest days in the history
of Yisrael – Tisha B’Av- the ninth day of Av – the day when 10 wicked leaders
caused the nation of Israel to reject YHVH’s instruction and did not enter into
the promised land.
Before we judge the Israelites too
harshly, let us spare a thought and consider their vulnerable state of mind. This
nation had experienced centuries of harsh treatment as slaves, they were a
despised and hated people and to add insult to injury there was a group of
unscrupulous and wicked leaders in their midst continually seeking to cause
insurrection against YHVH’s authority and appointed leadership.
In the following Torah portion
‘’Korach’’ this leadership insurrection was going to go to the next level –
this final section of ‘’Parashat Shelach lecha’’ provides critical instruction
as to how His people were to set themselves apart and prepare themselves for the
huge challenges that they were facing – challenges so big that only YHVH’s
intervention would help them overcome them.
Today, YHVH’s people are faced with similar challenges.
Jer
5:30 “An astounding and horrible matter has come to be in the land:
Jer 5:31 The prophets have prophesied falsely,b and the priests rule by their own hand, and My people have loved it so.c And what are you going to do at the end of it? Footnotes: bSee Jer_27:14-15. c Isa_30:10, 2Ti_4:3.
Joseph de Maistre — 'Every country has the
government it deserves.'
So, what are we going to do when all kinds of government fail?’’ (Apocalypse)
In the coming apocalypse YHVH will raise up 144 000 prepared leaders (Torah teachers) to steer His people through the darkest hour in human history. (Rev 7)
1Ti 2:1
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgiving be made for all men,
1Ti
2:2 for sovereigns and all those who are in authority, in order that we
lead a calm and peaceable life in all reverence and seriousness.
1Ti
2:3 For this is good and acceptable before Elohim our Saviour,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
This week’s Torah portion is laid out in a very systematic way on how YHVH guides His people during difficult times:
1.Offerings made when one enters the
land – vs 1-12
2.Responsibilities and duties
regarding Converts – 13-16
3.Separation of the bread or challah
offering as a permanent practice – 17-21
4.Delineation between intentional
and unintentional transgressions, both corporately and individually and the way
restitution may be made, or the penalty of “karat” being cut off and when the
death penalty is applied – 22 -31.
5.An example of a specific case of
how the death penalty is applied for intentional sin – 32-36.
6.Mitzvah or commandment of Tzit – tzit or fringes is to be kept – 37-41
1. Offerings made when one enters the land – vs 1-12
Num 15:1 And יהוה spoke to
Mosheh, saying,
Num 15:2 “Speak to
the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘When you have come into the land of
your dwellings(moshavim), which I am giving you, (see Josh 24:13-28)(1407BCE)
Num 15:3 and you make an offering by fire to יהוה, a burnt offering or a slaughtering, to accomplish a vow or as a voluntary offering or in your appointed times, to make a sweet fragrance to יהוה, from the herd or the flock, (The first few chapters in Leviticus explain these different offerings)
The focus is on the burnt offering, and it is important to pay careful attention to the details given in these instructions.
Altars are built and used with a specific purpose and application in mind – their purpose is to bring us into the deepest possible place of intimacy with our heavenly Father in order to receive His guidance and councel.
Let us examine the offerings presented on these altars:
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ג וַעֲשִׂיתֶם
אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה, עֹלָה אוֹ-זֶבַח, לְפַלֵּא-נֶדֶר אוֹ בִנְדָבָה, אוֹ
בְּמֹעֲדֵיכֶם--לַעֲשׂוֹת רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, לַיהוָה, מִן-הַבָּקָר, אוֹ
מִן-הַצֹּאן. |
3 and will make an offering by fire unto YHVH, a burnt-offering( olah or ascent
offering), or a slaughter offering,(Heb ‘’zevach’’) in fulfilment of a vow –
“neder” an extra ordinary vow (“pala”), or as a freewill-offering, (volunteer
offering – Ps 110:3)or in your appointed seasons, to make a tranquilizing
(“nichoach”) fragrance (“reiach”)unto YHVH, of the herd, or of the flock; |
Only in His Presence does life make sense – where you can
‘’connect the dots’’
Rom 12:1 I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through
the compassion of Elohim, to present your bodies a living offering – set-apart,
well-pleasing to Elohim – your reasonable worship.
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 (there is no other way)
The “olah” was an ascent offering – This seems to always be the first kind of slaughter offering mentioned in the Torah and the other offerings flow from this burnt offering. While the burnt offering has been totally consumed on the flames the worshipper bringing the offering must have had an opportunity to deeply reflect on his own condition and the greatness of YHVH’s love to heal and forgive of all his unrighteousness
Amo 5:21 “I have hated,
I have despised your festivals, and I am not pleased with your
assemblies.
Amo 5:22 “Though you
offer Me ascending offerings and your grain offerings, I do not accept them,
nor do I look on your fattened peace offerings. (And I
will not smell in your solemn assemblies.)
Amo 5:23 “Take away from
Me the noise of your songs, for I do not hear the sound of your stringed
instruments.
Amo 5:10 They hated the one who reproves in the gate, and they despise the one who speaks the truth.[a] Footnote: a Isa_59:15, 2Ti_4:4.
The evidence that we have not been in the presence of YHVH is that we have no idea of our true heart condition.
Jer 17:9 “The heart is crooked[a] above all, and desperately sick – who shall know it? Footnote: a Jer_7:24, Jer_16:12, Jer_18:12, Jer_23:17.
This is why we were given the burnt offerings. (Kavannah- revealing our true heart condition and our only protection in a wicked world)
Mat 5:2 And having
opened His mouth, He was teaching them, saying,
Mat 5:3 “Blessed are the
poor in spirit, because theirs is the reign of the heavens.
Mat 5:4 “Blessed are
those who mourn, because they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 “Blessed are
the meek, because they shall inherit the earth.[a]Psa_37:11.
Footnote: a Psa_37:9, Psa_37:11, Psa_37:22, Psa_37:29,
Psa_37:34.
Mat 5:6 “Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,[b] because they shall be filled.
Footnote: b Isa_55:1-2, Mat_4:4, Joh_6:48-51.
Mat 5:7 “Blessed are the
compassionate, because they shall obtain compassion.
Mat 5:8 “Blessed are the
clean in heart,[c] because they shall see Elohim. Footnote: c Psa_24:3-4.
Mat 5:9 “Blessed are the
peacemakers, because they shall be called sons of Elohim. (to fully
surrender)
Mat 5:10 “Blessed are
those persecuted for righteousness’ sake,[d] because theirs is the reign of the
heavens. Footnote: d 1Pe_3:14.
Mat 5:11 “Blessed are
you when they reproach and persecute you, and falsely say every wicked word
against you, for My sake.
Mat 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in the heavens is great. For in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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ג וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה, עֹלָה אוֹ-זֶבַח,
לְפַלֵּא-נֶדֶר אוֹ בִנְדָבָה, אוֹ בְּמֹעֲדֵיכֶם--לַעֲשׂוֹת רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ,
לַיהוָה, מִן-הַבָּקָר, אוֹ מִן-הַצֹּאן. |
3 and will make an offering by fire unto YHVH, a burnt-offering( olah or ascent
offering), or a slaughter offering,(Heb ‘’zevach’’) in fulfilment of a vow –
“neder” an extra ordinary vow (“pala”), or as a freewill-offering, (volunteer
offering – Ps 110:3)or in your appointed seasons, to make a tranquilizing
(“nichoach”) fragrance (“reiach”)unto YHVH, of the herd, or of the flock; |
Num 15:4 then he
who brings near his offering to יהוה shall bring near a grain offering of one-tenth of an ĕphah
of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil, (‘’Hin’’ approx. 6 lit)
Num 15:5 and
one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering you prepare with the burnt
offering or the slaughtering, for each lamb.
Num 15:6 ‘Or for a
ram you prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ĕphah (25 lit dry)
of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil,
Num 15:7 and as a
drink offering you bring one-third of a hin of wine as a sweet fragrance to יהוה.
Num 15:8 ‘And when you prepare a young bull as a burnt
offering, or as a slaughtering to accomplish a vow, or as a peace offering to יהוה,
Num 15:9 then shall be brought with the young bull a
grain offering of three-tenths of an ĕphah of fine flour mixed with half
a hin of oil,
Num 15:10 and bring as the drink offering half a hin of
wine as an offering made by fire, a sweet fragrance to יהוה.
This addition makes the burnt
offering very personal – ‘’breaking bread’’
‘’As a curiosity for those who like such things, and
which is missed in many translations, verse 8 says, “when you prepare,” in the
second person singular. Verse 9 then says, “then he shall offer” in the third
person, singular. And then verse 10 says, “and you shall bring,” in the second
person, singular again.
Of this, Keil notes it “is certainly striking and
unusual, but not so offensive as to render it necessary to alter it.” He says
it as if it were any weirder, one would be compelled to change the text to help
things out. The Pulpit Commentary says –
“The rapid interchange of the second and third persons in
these verses is awkward and perplexing. No doubt it is due to some sufficiently
simple cause in the inditing of the original record, but we are not in a
position even to guess at its nature. Meanwhile the broken construction remains
as a witness to the faithfulness with which the record has been handed down.”
Nobody else that I found even commented on it, but it doesn’t seem perplexing at all. There are things the priest does, and there are things expected of the offerer in the process. If one looks at these things in light of Christ, God prepares a body in Christ (Hebrews 10:5), Christ offers Himself to God (Hebrews 10:7), and God brings about the intended effect in Christ (Hebrews 2:17). The Lord is simply instructing as if He were showing Moses and Israel what would occur in Christ. It is treasure tucked away in the detail.’’ End quote
Herein lies one of the greatest mysteries of the sacrificial system – vs 8 – you present and prepare yourself as a living offering vs 9 then He (Messiah) presents your offering (prayers and petitions to the Father (even devout ancient Israelites new of the mediation that the Messiah would bring) vs 10 YHVH brings the intended effect in Messiah - Heb 2:17 So in every way He had to be made like His brothers, in order to become a compassionate and trustworthy High Priest in matters related to Elohim, to make atonement for the sins of the people. Heb 7:25
In this matter religion has brought a great curse upon mankind – it has cut us off from the life blood of the faith – the sacrificial system – the foundation for a profoundly deep life changing devotional life.
Heb
10:26 For if we sin purposely after we have received the knowledge of the
truth, there no longer remains a slaughter offering for sins,[d]
Footnote: dSee also Heb_6:6. This type of sinning is in contrast with
sinning ignorantly – Heb_9:7, Num_15:15-28.
Heb
10:27 but some fearsome anticipation of judgment, and a fierce fire
which is about to consume the opponents. Isa_26:11.
Heb
10:28 Anyone who has disregarded (present tense verb – disregarding)the
Torah of Mosheh dies without compassion on the witness of two or three
witnesses.
Heb 10:29 How much worse punishment do you think shall he deserve who has trampled the Son of Elohim underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was set apart as common, and insulted the Spirit of favour?
Psa 42:7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and breakers passed over me.
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ב דַּבֵּר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאָמַרְתָּ
אֲלֵהֶם: אִישׁ אוֹ-אִשָּׁה, כִּי יַפְלִא לִנְדֹּר נֶדֶר
נָזִיר--לְהַזִּיר, לַיהוָה. |
2 Speak
unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When either man or woman
shall make an extraordinary vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to consecrate himself
unto the YHVH, |
H6381 pâlâ' BDB Definition:1) to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action
Num 15:11 ‘This is what is done for each young bull,
for each ram, or for each lamb or young goat.
Num 15:12 ‘According to the number that you prepare, so
you do for each one according to their number.
2.
Responsibilities and duties regarding Converts – 13-16 (they were never
excluded from the covenant)
Num 15:13 ‘Let all
who are native do so with them, in bringing near an offering made by fire, a
sweet fragrance to יהוה.
Num 15:14 ‘And
when a stranger (Heb ‘’ger’’) sojourns with you, or whoever is among you
throughout your generations, and would make an offering made by fire, a sweet
fragrance to יהוה, as you do, so
he does.
Num 15:15 ‘One law
is for you of the assembly and for the stranger who sojourns with you – a law
forever throughout your generations. As you are, so is the stranger before יהוה.
Num 15:16 ‘One
Torah and one right-ruling is for you and for the stranger who sojourns with
you.’ ”
3.Separation of the bread or challah offering
as a permanent practice – 17-21
Num 15:17 And יהוה spoke to
Mosheh, saying,
Num 15:18 “Speak
to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘When you come into the land to
which I bring you,
Num 15:19 then it
shall be, when you eat of the bread of the land, that you present a
contribution to יהוה.
Num 15:20 ‘Present
a cake of the first of your dough as a contribution – as a contribution of the
threshing-floor you present it.
This first cake is called a “challa” in Hebrew and means
a ‘’pierced or wounded’’ bread. The Hebrew word “chalal” means to pierce and is
also found in Yeshayahu 53:5 ” he was wounded ‘’pierced’’ (chalal) for our
transgressions and crushed for our depravities”
This is a prophetic act reminding us of the Messiah.
Num 15:21 ‘Of the
first of your dough you are to give to יהוה a contribution
throughout your generations.
Before you baked your own bread you took the first part
of dough to bake a ‘’challah’’ for the Levite – it was the Levite who carried
upon himself the burdens of YHVH’s people. The same burdens he presented in
intercession to YHVH- Mat 5:17-19.
4. Delineation between intentional and unintentional transgressions, both corporately and individually and the way restitution may be made, or the penalty of “karat” being cut off, or the death penalty is applied – 22 -31.
Num 15:22 ‘And
when you sin by mistake,(Heb ‘’shagah’’ to go astray) and do not do all these
commands which יהוה has spoken to
Mosheh,
Num 15:23 all that
יהוה has commanded
you by the hand of Mosheh, from the day יהוה gave command
and onward throughout your generations,
Num 15:27 ‘And if a being sins by mistake, then he
shall bring a female goat a year old as a sin offering.
Num 15:28 ‘And the priest shall make atonement for the
being who strays by mistake, when he sins by mistake before יהוה, to make
atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.
Num 15:29 ‘For him
who does whatever by mistake there is one Torah, both for him who is
native among the children of Yisra’ĕl and for the stranger who sojourns in
their midst.
Num 15:30 ‘But the
being who does whatever defiantly,(“beyad rama”- with a high hand)
whether he is native or a stranger, he reviles יהוה, and that
being shall be cut off from among his people. (Heb 10:28)
Num 15:31 ‘Because he has despised the word of יהוה, and has broken His command, that being shall certainly be cut off, his crookedness is upon him.’ ”
“Beyad rama” or sinning intentionally implies sinning without remorse or repentance. To continue with something you know is wrong with no willingness to turn from the transgression as well as a determination to continue in that transgression. There is no forgiveness from such rebellion except deep repentance if YHVH so chooses to grant such repentance. Remember repentance is a gift.
5.An example of a specific case of how the death penalty is applied for intentional sin – 32-36.
Num 15:32 And
while the children of Yisra’ĕl were in the wilderness, they found a man
gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.
Num 15:33 And
those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Mosheh and to Aharon, and
to all the congregation.
Num 15:34 And they
put him in under guard, because it had not been declared what should be done to
him.
Num 15:35 And יהוה said to
Mosheh, “The man shall certainly be put to death, all the congregation stoning
him with stones outside the camp.”
Num 15:36 And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, as יהוה commanded Mosheh, and he died.
Matt 18;15-20 Instructions for a straying brother.
6.Mitzvah or commandment of Tzit – tzit or fringes is to be kept – 37-41
Num 15:37 And יהוה spoke to
Mosheh, saying,
Num 15:38 “Speak
to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and you shall say to them to make tzitziyot1
on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a
blue cord in the tzitzit1 of the corners. Footnote: 1See
Explanatory notes - “Tzitzit” - plural Tzitziyot.
Num 15:39 “And it
shall be to you for a tzitzit, and you shall see it, and shall remember all the
commands of יהוה and shall do
them, and not search after your own heart and your own eyes after which you went
whoring,
Num 15:40 so that
you remember, and shall do all My commands, and be set-apart unto your Elohim.
Num 15:41 “I am יהוה your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim, to be your Elohim. I am יהוה your Elohim.”
When looking at the fringes we remember all the commandments and refrain from following the temptations of the heart. (See our article on Tzitzit (Tzitziyot-plural) under the “Pages” on the right hand side of the BLOG)
מי אשר־אזן לו ישמע את אשר הרוח אמר לקהלות׃ Rev 3:13
שיש לו אוזן ולב לשמוע את הדברים האלה
אנחנו האנשים האלה
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.