Mattot (Tribes) Masa’ei (stages) Numbers/B’midbar 30:2-36:13

Torah Portion: Mattot (Tribes) Masa’ei (stages) Numbers/B’midbar 30:2-36:13
Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 1:1-2:28
Messianic Scripture  Matt. 5:33-37, James 4:1-12
 
Tonight we finish the book of Numbers with these last two Torah portions. I would like to begin by looking at the first portion, Mattot, beginning in Numbers 30:2-17. We will not look at every verse but rather talk about what G-d is saying to us today about the words that come out of our mouth every day.

Acharei Mot (After the death) Leviticus 16:1-18:30 Kedoshim (Holy People) Leviticus 19:1-20:27

Torah PortionAcharei Mot (After the death) Leviticus 16:1-18:30 Kedoshim (Holy People) Leviticus 19:1-20:27

Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 22:1-19

This week we again read two portions of Torah. The first, coming after the death of Aaron’s two sons, and the next addressed to the holy ones, which at the time, was the Jewish people who had just come out of Egypt. Both of these sections are filled with many commandments of how G-d’s people are to live their daily life after being taken out of slavery and beginning their journey to the Promised Land.

Vayeishev(And He Settled) B’resheet/Genesis 37:1-40:23

Torah PortionVayeishev(And He Settled) B’resheet/Genesis 37:1-40:23

Haftorah Reading: Amos 2:6-3:8

 

Over the next four weeks we will read of the brothers and Joseph. This makes up the longest of all narratives in Torah. It includes all the intrigue and suspense of a well written drama. Every detail is important as we read through this story. It includes the first biblical account of forgiveness when Joseph forgave his brothers. We will get to that later as we near the end of B’resheet/Genesis.

D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22

Torah PortionD’Varim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22

Haftorah Reading Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 1:1-27

 

Tonight, we begin the last book of the Torah. First I would like to discuss why we study the Torah each Sabbath and how important it is to know how it connects with the Messianic Scriptures. One scripture we can look at is Acts chapter two. We have mentioned this before but it is worth repeating. In the opening words we read where the believers in Yeshua were gathered together on the holiday of Shavuot in Jerusalem when they were empowered by the Spirit of G-d to speak to the Jews who had come to celebrate this holiday.

Vayelekh(He Went) D’Varim/Deut. 31

Torah Portion:  Vayelekh(He Went) D’Varim/Deut. 31

HafTorah: Hosea 14:1-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Tonight we read the Torah section that always comes between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. This Sabbath has a special name. It is called Shabbat Shuvah. Shuvah is a Hebrew word meaning to return or to repent. We find this word used in the reading of the prophets that goes with this Torah Portion. In Hosea 14:1-10 we read in the first verse, “O Israel return to the L-rd, your G-d for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.”  So here the prophet is calling the people to repent. Remember that to repent means to turn around, to stop sinning and start doing good. These days call to us to take this step. We are called to change how we live. This is really the central idea found in the Messianic scriptures. We see it in the writing such as Matt. 3:2, Luke 13:3, Acts 5:31, Acts 17:30. These are only a small part of the verses that talk to us about repentance, stop, turn around and change how we live.

D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 1-3

Torah Portion:  D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22

HafTorah: Isaiah 1:1-27

This section begins with Moshe speaking to the people before they enter the Land. What do you think was the purpose of G-d freeing them from Egypt and bringing them here to claim their inheritance? Why did He reach out and bring us to Him? Here I think G-d brought the people of Israel for the purpose of being an example of how His people could live life as a G-dly people. A people who were concerned with righteousness and justice, a people who would be a light to the world around them, that it was/is possible to live life, work, marry, raise a family and still be a people who cared for the poor, the widow and orphan. He wanted them to be a people who treated everyone with respect and dignity, so is His wish for us. A people who were able to reflect their Father in the everyday life they lived.  I believe this is the purpose of Moshe’s speech to them.

Chukat Numbers 19

 

Torah Portion: Chukat  Numbers 19:1-22:1

HafTorah: Judges 11:1-33

Tonight I would like to look at a couple of issues that I think will help us to move forward in our understanding of G-d’s word and in our own personal spiritual growth.  We will start with my question of the week. Why did Moses say in Numbers 19:1 that this is the statute of the Torah? What about this would embody the entire Torah? What can this teach us?