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

 

Parashat 42 Portion 140 ‘’Mattot’’ Num 32:1-42

 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

ומקנה רב – how to create and maintain  large amounts of wealth.

YHVH chose Yakov’s family to be a blessing to all the families of the earth – past present and future – Gen 28:12  And he Yakov dreamed and saw a ladder set up on the earth, and its top reached to the heavens, and saw messengers of Elohim going up and coming down on it. 

Gen 28:13  And see, יהוה stood above it and said, “I am יהוה Elohim of Aḇraham your father and the Elohim of Yitsḥaq. The land on which you are lying, I give it to you and your seed. 

Gen 28:14  “And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall break forth to the west and to the east, to the north and the south. And all the clans of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your seed. 

Gen 28:15  “And see, I am with you and shall guard you wherever you go, and shall bring you back to this land. For I am not going to leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” 

Gen 28:16  And Ya‛aqoḇ awoke from his sleep and said, “Truly, יהוה is in this place, and I did not know it.” 

Yahshua himself quotes this passage in

Joh 1:51  And He (Yahshua) said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, from now on you shall see the heaven opened, and the messengers of Elohim ascending and descending upon the Son of Aḏam.”e Footnote: e Gen_28:12 -daleth in Yehudah

Once again we see Israels ‘’shocking disobedience’’ in not following YHVH’s commands- Rom7

Reuven and Gad Settle in Gilead

Num 32:1  And the children of Re’uḇěn and the children of Gaḏ had much livestock, a large number. And they saw the land of Ya‛zěr and the land of Gil‛aḏ and saw that the place was a place for livestock. 

Num 32:2  So the children of Gaḏ and the children of Re’uḇěn came and spoke to Mosheh, and to El‛azar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 

Num 32:3  “Ataroth, and Diḇon, and Ya‛zěr, and Nimrah, and Ḥeshbon, and El‛alěh, and Seḇam, and Neḇo, and Be‛on, 

Num 32:4  the land which יהוה had stricken before the congregation of Yisra’ěl, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.” 

Num 32:5  And they said, “If we have found favour in your eyes, let this land be given to your servants as a possession, and do not let us pass over the Yarděn.” 

Num 32:6  And Mosheh said to the children of Gaḏ and to the children of Re’uḇěn, “Are your brothers to go into the battle while you yourselves sit here? (this was not going to be a short war)

Num 32:7  “Now why do you discourage the heart of the children of Yisra’ěl from passing over into the land which יהוה has given them? 

Yahoshua/Joshua 13:1–7 reveals that not every bit of territory was ruled by the Yisraelites during Yehoshua's lifetime. Jos 13:1  And Yehoshua was old, advanced in years. And יהוה said to him, “You are old, advanced in years, and still much of the land remains to be possessed. 

Num 32:8  “Thus your fathers did when I sent them away from Qaḏěsh Barněa to see the land. 

Num 32:9  “For when they went up to the wadi Eshkol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Yisra’ěl, so that they did not go into the land which יהוה had given them. 

Num 32:10  “Then the displeasure of יהוה burned on that day, and He swore an oath, saying, 

Num 32:11  Not one of the men who came up from Mitsrayim, from twenty years old and above, is to see the land of which I swore to Aḇraham, Yitsḥaq, and Ya‛aqoḇ, because they did not follow Me completely, מלאו אחרי יהוה׃   לא

Num 32:12  except Kalěḇ son of Yephunneh, the Qenizzite, and Yehoshua son of Nun, for they have followed יהוה completely.’ 

Num 32:13  “So the displeasure of יהוה burned against Yisra’ěl, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the eyes of יהוה was destroyed. 

Num 32:14  “And see, you have risen in your father’s place, an increase of men, sinners, to add still more the burning displeasure of יהוה against Yisra’ěl. (clv - ¹⁴ “And here you are, a brood of sinners, - ‘’criminals’’ (חטאים)standing in the place of your fathers and making YHVH even more angry with Yisrael.)  Remember Tisha b av.

Num 32:15  “For if you turn away from following Him, He shall once again leave them in the wilderness, and you shall destroy all these people.” (criminal)

Num 32:16  Then they came near to him and said, “Let us build sheep-enclosures here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones, 

Num 32:17  but let us ourselves be armed, hastening before the children of Yisra’ěl until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall dwell in the walled cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 

Num 32:18  “We shall not return to our homes until every one of the children of Yisra’ěl has received his inheritance. (this never happened)

Num 32:19  “For we shall not inherit with them on the other side of the Yarděn and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this eastern side of the Yarděn.” 

Num 32:20  And Mosheh said to them, “If you make this promise: if you arm yourselves before יהוה for battle, 

Num 32:21  and all your armed ones pass over the Yarděn before יהוה until He has driven out His enemies from before Him, 

Num 32:22  and the land has been subdued before יהוה, then afterward you shall return, and be guiltless before יהוה and before Yisra’ěl. And this land shall be your possession before יהוה. 

Num 32:23  “But if you do not do so, then see, you shall sin against יהוה, and know: your sin is going to find you out. (and it did)

Num 32:24  “Build cities for your little ones and enclosures for your sheep, and do what you have promised.” 

Num 32:25  And the children of Gaḏ and the children of Re’uḇěn spoke to Mosheh, saying, “Your servants are going to do as my master commands. 

Num 32:26  “Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock are going to be there in the cities of Gil‛aḏ, 

Num 32:27  but your servants are passing over, every armed one of the army, before יהוה, to battle, as my master says.” 

Num 32:28  And Mosheh gave command concerning them to El‛azar the priest, to Yehoshua son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Yisra’ěl. 

Num 32:29  And Mosheh said to them, “If the children of Gaḏ and the children of Re’uḇěn pass over the Yarděn with you, every man armed for battle before יהוה, and the land has been subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gil‛aḏ as a possession. 

Num 32:30  “But if they do not pass over armed with you, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Kena‛an.” 

Num 32:31  Then the children of Gaḏ and the children of Re’uḇěn answered, saying, “As יהוה has said to your servants, so we do. 

Num 32:32  “We ourselves are passing over armed before יהוה into the land of Kena‛an, but the possession of our inheritance remains with us beyond the Yarděn.” 

Num 32:33  So Mosheh gave to the children of Gaḏ, to the children of Re’uḇěn, and to half the tribe of Menashsheh, son of Yosěph, the reign of Siḥon sovereign of the Amorites and the reign of Oḡ sovereign of Bashan, the land with its cities within the borders, the cities of the land round about. 

Num 32:34  And the children of Gaḏ built Diḇon and Ataroth and Aro‛ěr, 

Num 32:35  and Atroth, Shophan and Ya‛zěr and Yoḡbehah, 

Num 32:36  and Běyth Nimrah and Běyth Haran, walled cities, and enclosures for sheep. 

Num 32:37  And the children of Re’uḇěn built Ḥeshbon and El‛alěh and Qiryathayim, 

Num 32:38  Neḇo and Ba‛al Me‛on – the names being changed – and Shiḇmah. And they gave other names to the cities which they built. 

Num 32:39  And the sons of Maḵir son of Menashsheh went to Gil‛aḏ and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it. 

Num 32:40  So Mosheh gave Gil‛aḏ to Maḵir, son of Menashsheh, and he dwelt in it. 

Num 32:41  And Ya’ir son of Menashsheh went and took its small towns, and called them Ḥawoth Ya’ir. 

Num 32:42  And Noḇaḥ went and took Qenath and its villages, and he called it Noḇaḥ, after his own name. 

Quote: ‘’Israel disobeyed the Lord and broke the covenant. They made covenants with the Canaanites and did not break their altars. The consequence was the failure to complete the conquest of Canaan because the Lord would not continue to help them.’’

Jdg 2:1  And the Messenger of יהוה came up from Gilgal to Boḵim, and said, “I led you up from Mitsrayim and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers, and I said, ‘I do not break My covenant with you, 

Jdg 2:2  and as for you, do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land – break down their slaughter-places.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? 

Jdg 2:3  “Therefore I also said, ‘I am not driving them out before you, and they shall be adversaries to you, and their mighty ones shall be a snare to you.’ ” 

Jdg 2:4  And it came to be, when the Messenger of יהוה spoke these words to all the children of Yisra’ěl, that the people lifted up their voice and wept. (Rom 7:13 – the Torah shows us the exceeding sinfulness of sin)

‘’They paid the price for their choice.

Having remained on the East of the Jordan, they were vulnerable to attack by marauding bands, as they soon found out, and finally found themselves in the path of the cruel King of Assyria.

“In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.” (2Ki 15:29)

In 740 B.C. Tiglath-Pileser III, King of the Great Assyrian Empire, whose capital was a complex of four cities, the composite later named Nineveh, carried away the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half of Manasseh, placing them as captive slaves in cities of Assyria.’’

 

Are we much better than our forefathers?

 Eze 9:4  and יהוה said to him, “Pass on into the midst of the city, into the midst of Yerushalayim, and you shall put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” 

How then does this Torah portion teach us how to protect YHVH’s blessing for Israel and for the nations?

When Brothers Dwell in Unity

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

Psa 133:2  Like the precious oil on the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aharon, Running down on the collar of his robes – (restoration of the Aaronic priesthood)

Psa 133:3  Like the dew of Ḥermon, That comes down on the mountains of Tsiyon. For there יהוה commanded the blessing, Life forever! 

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 42 Portion 139 ‘’Mattot’’ Num 31:25-54 Is 49:24-50:7 Is 51:54:11-55:5

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

שׂא את ראשׁ – ‘’obtain (elevate) the sum of the…’’

Num 31:25  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 

Num 31:26  "Count up the plunder that was taken, of man and of beast, you and El‛azar the priest and the heads of the fathers of the congregation. 

This Torah portion lays a prophetic foundation for an end time redeemed remnant. When YHVH leads His children out from bondage – He provides them with spiritual as well as material blessings so that they do not need to go into bondage again.

Php 4:19  And my Elohim shall fill all your need according to His riches in esteem by Messiah יהושע. 

We see  this principle at work when YHVH delivered the Israelites from Egypt.

Exo 12:35  And the children of Yisra’ěl had done according to the word of Mosheh, and they had asked from the Mitsrites objects of silver, and objects of gold, and garments. 

Exo 12:36  And יהוה gave the people favour in the eyes of the Mitsrites, so that they gave them what they asked, and they plundered the Mitsrites. 

In this Torah portion we see once again that before Israel leaves their wilderness journey YHVH plunders Israel’s enemies inside and outside the land of Israel. These victories bring in large amounts of plunder to the people. Interestingly we see these large amounts of plunder are not hoarded by a few but are redistributed to the many.

Num 31:27  “And you shall divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the battle, who went out on the campaign, and all the congregation. 

Num 31:28  “And set aside a levy for יהוה on the men of battle who went out on the campaign: one out of every five hundred, of man,(humans) and of the cattle, and of the donkeys, and of the sheep. 

Num 31:29  “Take it from their half, and give it to El‛azar the priest as a contribution to יהוה. 

Num 31:30  “And from the children of Yisra’ěl’s half you shall take one of every fifty, of man, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the sheep, of all the livestock, and give them to the Lěwites guarding the duty of the Dwelling Place of יהוה.” 

Num 31:31  And Mosheh and El‛azar the priest did as יהוה commanded Mosheh. 

Num 31:32  And the booty remaining from the plunder, which the people of the campaign had taken, was six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep, 

Num 31:33  and seventy-two thousand cattle, 

Num 31:34  and sixty-one thousand donkeys, 

Num 31:35  and thirty-two thousand human beings in all, of women who had not known a man by lying with a man. 

Num 31:36  And the half, the portion for those who went out on the campaign, was in number three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep, 

Num 31:37  and the levy unto יהוה of the sheep was six hundred and seventy-five. 

Num 31:38  And the cattle were thirty-six thousand, of which the levy unto יהוה was seventy-two. 

Num 31:39  And the donkeys were thirty thousand five hundred, of which the levy unto יהוה was sixty-one. 

Num 31:40  And the human beings were sixteen thousand, of which the levy unto יהוה was thirty-two beings. 

Num 31:41  So Mosheh gave the levy which was the contribution unto יהוה to El‛azar the priest, as יהוה commanded Mosheh. 

Num 31:42  And from the children of Yisra’ěl’s half, which Mosheh divided from the men who campaigned: 

Num 31:43  now the half belonging to the congregation was three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep, 

Num 31:44  and thirty-six thousand cattle, 

Num 31:45  and thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, 

Num 31:46  and sixteen thousand human beings. 

Num 31:47  Then Mosheh took from the children of Yisra’ěl’s half: one out of every fifty, drawn from man and beast, and gave them to the Lěwites, who guarded the duty of the Dwelling Place of יהוה, as יהוה commanded Mosheh. 

Num 31:48  And the officers who were over thousands of the campaign, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, came near to Mosheh, 

Num 31:49  and they said to Mosheh, “Your servants have taken a count of the fighting men under our command, and not a man of us is missing. Rev 7:4 – Ezek 9:4

Num 31:50  “So we have brought an offering for יהוה, what every man found of ornaments of gold: armlets and bracelets and signet rings and earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before יהוה.” 

Num 31:51  And Mosheh and El‛azar the priest received the gold from them, all the fashioned ornaments. 

Num 31:52  And all the gold of the offering that they presented to יהוה, from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty sheqels. (1 shekel gold = 10$ - 16750 x 10 = 167 500 x 17 = R2 847 500)

Num 31:53  The men of the campaign had taken spoil, every man for himself. 

Num 31:54  And Mosheh and El‛azar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the Tent of Appointment as a remembrance for the children of Yisra’ěl before יהוה. 

YHVH’s people have a very sad history of getting themselves into bondage through their disobedience. In their desperation they cry out to YHVH and He hears them and delivers them.

In the last days a remnant of believers who cry out to YHVH for deliverance will finally experience a liberation from bondage, never to return again.

The 144 000 end time witnesses (Rev 7 and Rev 14) will play a central role in this forever deliverance from disobedience. According to the pattern of this Torah portion they will play a central role in every aspect of millennial life under the headship of the Messiah Himself.

Let us consider some of these areas:

Finance and resources.

There will be no unrighteous monopoly of finances and resources by individuals or organizations.

The Future Glory of Israel

Isa 60:1  “Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the esteem of יהוה has risen upon you. 

Isa 60:2  “For look, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness the peoples. But יהוה arises over you, and His esteem is seen upon you. (remnant)

Isa 60:3  “And the nations shall come to your light,a and sovereigns to the brightness of your rising. Footnote: a Isa_60:19-20, Rev_21:23-24. 

Isa 60:4  “Lift up your eyes all around and see: all of them have gathered, they have come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are supported on the side. 

Isa 60:5  “Then you shall see and be bright, and your heart shall throb and swell, for the wealth of the sea is turned to you, the riches of the nation’s come to you. 

Isa 60:11  “And your gates shall be open continually, they are not shut day or night, to bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their sovereigns in procession. 

Isa 60:12  “For the nation and the reign that do not serve you shall perish, and those nations shall be utterly laid waste. 

Zec 14:13  And it shall be in that day that a great confusion from יהוה is among them, and every one of them shall seize the hand of his neighbour, and his hand rise up against his neighbour’s hand. Zec 14:14  And Yehuḏah shall fight at Yerushalayim as well. And the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together: gold, and silver, and garments in great quantities. 

Pro 13:22  A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Pro 13:23  Much food is in the tillable ground of the poor, But lack of right-ruling sweeps it away.

Societies all around the world will function in obedience to the Torah – following Israels example.

The Greatest Commandment

Deu 6:1  “And this is the command, the laws and right-rulings which יהוה your Elohim has commanded, to teach you to do in the land which you are passing over to possess, 

Deu 6:2  so that you fear יהוה your Elohim, to guard all His laws and His commands which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days be prolonged. 

Deu 6:3  “And you shall hear, O Yisra’ěl, and shall guard to do, that it might be well with you, and that you increase greatly as יהוה Elohim of your fathers has spoken to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 

Deu 6:4  “Hear, O Yisra’ěl: יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one! 

Deu 6:5  “And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might. (applies to all nations at all times)

Deu 6:6  “And these Wordsa which I am commanding you today shall be in your heart, Footnote: aSee footnote at Deu_5:22. 

Deu 6:7  and you shall impress them upon your children, and shall speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up, 

Deu 6:8  and shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

Deu 6:9  “And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 

Deu 6:10  “And it shall be, when יהוה your Elohim brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Aḇraham, to Yitsḥaq, and to Ya‛aqoḇ, to give you great and good cities which you did not build, 

Deu 6:11  and houses filled with all kinds of goods, which you did not fill, and wells dug which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you shall eat and be satisfied – 

Deu 6:12  be on guard, lest you forget יהוה who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim, from the house of bondage. 

 

Rev 2:25  “But hold fast what you have until I come. 

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, Psa_2:9 as I also have received from My Father. 

Rev 2:28  “And I shall give him the morning star. 

Rev 2:29  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.” ’ 

To the Assembly in Philadelphia

Rev 3:7  “And to the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write, ‘He who is set-apart, He who is true, He who has the key of Dawiḏ, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, Isa_22:22 says this:  (Key of Messiah son of David – bringing the 12 tribes back together)

Rev 3:8  “I know your works – see, I have set before you an open door, and no one is able to shut it – that you have little power, yet have guarded My Word, and have not denied My Name. 

Rev 3:9  “See, I am giving up those of the congregation of Satan, who say they are Yehuḏim and are not, but lie. See, I am making them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 

Rev 3:10  “Because you have guarded My Word of endurance,(Torah) I also shall guard you from the hour of trial which shall come upon all the world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 

Rev 3:11  “See, I am coming speedily! Hold what you have that no one take your crown. 

Rev 3:12  “He who overcomes, I shall make him a supporting post in the Dwelling Place of My Elohim, and he shall by no means go out. And I shall write on him the Name of My Elohim and the name of the city of My Elohim, the renewed Yerushalayim, which comes down out of the heaven from My Elohim, and My renewed Name. 

Rev 3:13  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

1Co 6:2  Do you not know that the set-apart ones shall judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 

1Co 6:3  Do you not know that we shall judge messengers? How much more, matters of this life? 

Php 2:9  Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, 

Php 2:10  that at the Name of יהושע every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 

Php 2:11  and every tongue should confess Isa_45:23 that יהושע Messiah is Master, to the esteem of Elohim the Father. 

Luk 19:17  “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant. Because you were trustworthy in a small matter, have authority over ten cities.’ 

Ecc 3:11  He has made it all, beautiful in its time. Even the ages (eternity) He has put in their hearts, except that no one finds out the work that Elohim does from beginning to end. 

 

 “For all the advantages of science, there remains deep in the soul a persistent and unconscious anxiety that something is missing and there is an overwhelming sense of loss and isolation that undermines many people's efforts to survive and cope with the complexities of modern life.’’ In these last days many of His people will begin to see ‘’the bigger picture’’ and bring great blessings to all the nations.

Isa 49:24  Is prey taken from the mighty, and the captives of the righteous delivered? 

Isa 49:25  Yet thus said יהוה, “Even the captives of the mighty are taken away, and the prey of the ruthless is delivered; and I strive with him who strives with you, and I save your children. 

Isa 49:26  “And I shall feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and let them drink their own blood as sweet wine. All flesh shall know that I, יהוה, am your Saviour, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Ya‛aqoḇ.” 

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