Beha’alotcha (When You Set Up) B’midbar/Numbers 8:1-12:16
Torah Portion: Beha’alotcha(When You Set Up)B’midbar/Numbers 8:1-12:16
Haftorah Reading: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
Today we are studying a portion of scripture that has so much to say to us in our daily walk with the Father. I have several topics to cover, all of which I believe will speak to us. The first has to do with Moses. In this portion we read of the people’s complaints of having only manna to eat. They reminisced about the variety of food they had in Egypt. G-d told Moses He would supply the Israelites with enough meat for a month. In Numbers 11:22 Moshe shared with G-d his doubts that that was possible. G-d’s responded to Moses by asking if the L-rd’s power was limited? In Hebrew, Numbers 11:23 is expressed well, “Has the hand of the L-rd become shortened?” In effect He is reminding Moses how He delivered the people from Egypt, split the sea for them to cross on to dry land, brought them water from a rock and brought mana down each day.
B’Shallach (Had Let the People Go) Exodus/Sh’mot 13:17-17:16
Shelach L’Kha (Send on your behalf) Numbers/B’midbar 13:1-15:41
Shelach L’Kha (Send on your behalf) Numbers/B’midbar 13:1-15:41
Haftorah Reading: Joshua 2:1-24
Messianic Scripture Hebrews 3:7-19
Today we look at one of the most difficult passages we will study all year. It is not difficult because of grammar or use of unfamiliar words. Rather it is difficult to understand because we, looking at it in hindsight, wonder how could these ten men, leaders of the tribes, have made such a serious mistake. How could they have erred in their conclusions? Remember, these men had all seen G-d deliver Israel from Egypt. They had seen the army of Egypt drowned in the Sea while they walked through on dry ground. They sung with all Israel the song of triumph when they were delivered in Exodus 15:1-18. They were all present when G-d came down on the mountain and spoke to them and gave them the Torah.
B’Shallach (He Sent) Sh’mot (Exodus) 10-13
Torah Portion: Sh’mot Exodus 10-13 B’shallach (He Sent)
HafTorah: Judges 4:4-5:31
Tonight we read about the crossing of the Reed Sea, the provision of manna and the attack of the Amalikites. I believe G-d has much to say to us about faith and how to live that faith out everyday of our lives.
Maybe it would be good to start with my second question of the week. What is the connection between manna and Sabbath, if anything? We will end with my first question, How do we glorify G-d? As we look at the connection between manna and the Sabbath, remember the people had been slaves for hundreds of years. Their lives had been lived in a strange land far from the fulfillment of G-d’s promises. So, as they left Egypt, we wonder, what did they know if anything about who they were and what connection did they have with the promises of G-d to Avraham, Yitzak and Ya’acove?
B’shallach (After he had let go) Exodus 13-17
Torah Portion: B’shallach (After he had let go)(Sh’mot) Exodus 13:17-17:16
Haftorah Reading: Judges 4:4-5:31
Tonight we read a Torah portion that has many important themes some of which we will cover tonight. In English this book carries the name Exodus and in this portion we read of the beginning of this forty year process which in and of itself has much to say to us.
To get us started I would like to cover the question I sent out this week which had to do with the waters of Marah and the manna that fell each day, except for Shabbat.
B’Shallach Exodus 13
Torah Portion: B’Shallach Exodus 13:17-17:16
HafTorah: Judges 4:4-5:31
New Testament: Luke 2:22-24; John 6:25-35; 19:31-37; 1Cor. 10:1-13; II Cor. 8:1-15; Revelations 15:1-4
In this weeks Torah section we see Israel enter a state much like a prior time in man’s history. What was it? It was the time of the Garden of Eden. Here in Sinai they did not have to work for their daily bread and G-d was constantly among them. They went through the redemption from slavery and entered, in some ways, a Garden of Eden. How can we compare this to our state spiritually? We too have been set free. G-d has said He is always with us and never leaves us. He provides us daily with our spiritual food. It is up to us to go and gather it but it is there for our gathering.
Re’eh (Behold) Deut. 11
Torah Portion: Re’eh (Behold) Deut. 11:26-16:17
HafTorah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5
John 7:37-52; I John 4:1-6
Tonight I want us to start by looking at the first question I sent out this week. In Deut. 11:29 we read where Moses tells the people, when they enter the land half of the people are to go to Mt. Gerizim and recite the blessings of G-d. The other half would go to Mt. Ebal and recite the curses found in the Torah for obedience to G-d. Later in history Mt. Gerizim was looked at by the Samaritan sect as G-d’s holy mountain and their temple there as the place to worship. In the time of Yeshua their temple was in ruins but sacrifices were still brought there. The Jewish people held them to be heretics and made a point of not having any contact with them. Which brings us to my question. Where do we see this physical setting in the New Testament and whom did Yeshua meet there? Of course we all know her as the Samaritan woman at the well. She, perceiving that Yeshua was a Jewish prophet, presented Him with a question about the main point of conflict between Jews and Samaritans on where they should worship. (John 4:20) In His answer Yeshua firmly comes down on the side of Israel (John 4:22) but goes on to say the time is coming when people will also not be able to pray in Jerusalem. John 4:21 and John 4:23.
Beha’alotkha Numbers 8
Torah Portion: Beha’alotkha Numbers 8:1-12:16
HafTorah: Zechariah 2:10-4:7
Tonight I would first like to look at the first couple of verses in the Torah reading for this week, Numbers 8:1-4. In this we see Aaron the High Priest given the job of arranging the lamps on the Holy Menorah to illuminate the interior of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. I want us to spend a few minutes here and see what we can learn from the standpoint of Yeshua. Here the earthly Menorah radiates light in the presence of G-d. John 1:5 tell us that Yeshua is the light that shines in the darkness. He is the light that emanates from the presence of G-d. Revelations 4:5 tells us of the heavenly Menorah burning before the throne of G-d. Earlier in Revelations 1:20 the seven lamps are connected with seven congregations, and John seeing Yeshua standing among the seven lamps. In Revelations 2:1 Yeshua indentifies Himself as the one who walks among the seven lamps. In Heaven He is our High Priest. He tends the Menorah of G-d in the heavenly Temple. So, as we understand Numbers 8:1-4, we can see the spiritual connection these verses have to the Messiah. He is the light of the world.
Beshalach (When He Sent) Ex 13
Torah Portion: Beshalach Exodus 13:17-17:16
HafTorah: Judges 4:4-5:31
Tonight we look at a Torah section that is packed with spiritual lessons. We can’t cover them all but I would like to look at a couple. The people complain four times in this portion. The second time is at the bitter waters of Marah. Do any of you remember where you have heard this word before? Ruth’s Mother in law said to call her Marah after her husband and sons had died.