Apostolic Reading: John 19:38-42, Matthew 21:1-11
Reading #7 - Numbers 23:27-25:9
My Thoughts:
Verse 24:9, “Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed.” Balaam is announcing Hashem’s words to Balaak. And it still stands true today. The nations that curse Israel are cursed themselves, and those who bless are blessed. I remember hearing about a book that talked about the United States and the times it has “cursed” Israel, or not supported them. And there would be a natural disaster within days of some important decision not to support Israel. Israel and it’s people are special and must be blessed and protected. The cool thing is you will be blessed if you bless them. Think about financially supporting Israel today. There are many organizations that help older people, poor people and pregnant women. Organizations that support start up businesses or businesses that have been boycotted. Go online and check it today.
Challenge:
Verse 24:2 we read, “Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of Elohim came on him.” Can you imagine? He looks out and sees Israel and all of its tribes -- and something holy happens. The spirit of Elohim comes upon him. It is interesting that Hashem would allow this to happen to a person who is using divination. I wonder if when people are looking at Hashem’s people/land if something holy does come upon us. When I have gone to Israel this seems to happen. A special feeling comes over you, like nothing you have ever experienced. Is this the Spirit of Elohim? My challenge is to see if Hashem is blessing you in some way today. And to look at your life and see if there are any times when you have felt His Spirit coming upon you. Be grateful and praise Him for these times. Amen.
Reading #7- Numbers 23:27-25:9
Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8
My Thoughts:
Micah is basically talking about the faithfulness of Hashem. Through defense, through love -- He always takes care of us. And what does He require in return? In verse 6:8 we learn “What does Hashem require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” He wants these special things from us. These are traits that Hashem has and that He extends through us. Let us make sure we are loving Him and loving others. Truly loving. Are you?
Challenge:
We are reminded in 6:4 that Hashem has delivered us from bondage. Then and now. Let us never forget that we do not need to live a life of being enslaved to anything. Through prayer and action we can follow Him and be delivered. It’s just finding that path. My challenge to you today is that you praise Hashem for all He has given you and ask Him to help you to be delivered in the areas that you need deliverance. Do it today, so that you can finally find peace and happiness. Don’t give up. Seek Him in this area.
Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8
They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,
and the land of Nimrod in its gates.
He will deliver us from the Assyrian,
when he invades our land,
and when he marches within our border.
7 The remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples,
like dew from Hashem,
like showers on the grass,
that don’t wait for man,
nor wait for the sons of men.
8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,
among many peoples,
like a lion among the animals of the forest,
like a young lion among the flocks of sheep;
who, if he goes through, treads down and tears in pieces,
and there is no one to deliver.
9 Let your hand be lifted up above your adversaries,
and let all of your enemies be cut off.
10 “It will happen in that day”, says Hashem,
“that I will cut off your horses out from among you,
and will destroy your chariots.
11 I will cut off the cities of your land,
and will tear down all your strongholds.
12 I will destroy witchcraft from your hand;
and you shall have no soothsayers.
13 I will cut off your engraved images and your pillars out from among you;
and you shall no more worship the work of your hands.
14 I will uproot your Asherah poles out from among you;
and I will destroy your cities.
15 I will execute vengeance in anger,
and wrath on the nations that didn’t listen.”
6 Listen now to what Hashem says:
“Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear what you have to say.
2 Hear, you mountains, Hashem’s indictment,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for Hashem has a case against his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
3 My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you?
Answer Me!
4 For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you out of the house of bondage.
I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
5 My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised,
and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of Hashem.”
6 How shall I come before Hashem,
and bow myself before the exalted Elohim?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will Hashem be pleased with thousands of rams?
With tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience?
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good.
What does Hashem require of you, but to act justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim?
Apostolic Reading: John 19:38-42, Matthew 21:1-11
My Thoughts:
Yeshua is fulfilling a “Messianic” prophecy by riding a donkey. The week of His death, He exposes to the public who He is. He is the Mashiach they have been praying and waiting for. Some got caught up in the excitement and welcomed Him. But just a few days later, they forget and forsake Him. They allow Him to be crucified without a fight. Is that all He really wanted? Maybe if there had been even a small display of rebellion against the Romans, maybe just maybe, the Mashiach would have reacted to the support and performed some huge miracle of deliverance. But, people did not defend Him, they just watched as He was crucified. They stood -- being scared of the Romans.
Challenge:
When asked who the man on the donkey was they said He was the prophet. They did not announce at this time that He was the Mashiach. Even though He was fulfilling prophecy by riding a donkey, they still only recognized Him as a prophet. They really didn’t understand yet who He was. I think that is true today. Many people have heard or read about Yeshua but they don’t understand who He was. That is where we come in. It is important that we share who Yeshua was and how He taught Torah. Most important how He pointed everything to Hashem. Many people have not been raised in a family that has taught them about Yeshua, and they have not been to a church to learn. We lead by example and by being a “light” -- so that others want to know why we are so happy and content! We need to help the world to know that Yeshua is Mashiach and is coming back again. Right?
Apostolic Reading: John 19:38-42, Matthew 21:1-11
John 19:38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Yeshua, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Yeshua’s body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus, who at first came to Yeshua by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. 40 So they took Yeshua’s body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid. 42 Then because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Yeshua there.
Matthew 21:1 When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage to the Mount of Olives, then Yeshua sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The L-rd needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
behold, your King comes to you,
humble, and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6 The disciples went and did just as Yeshua commanded them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them. 8 A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the L-rd! Hosanna in the highest!”
10 When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
11 The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Yeshua, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
