Chukat - Reading #7

Chukat חֻקַּת - Law

Numbers 19:1-22:1

Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33

Apostolic Writing: John 19:38-42

Reading #7 - Numbers 21:21–22:1

My Thoughts:

Today we read how the battles are continuing as the Israelites wander through the wilderness. But one thing that they know for sure is that Hashem will go with them. Verse 34 says, “Don’t fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people, and his land.”  Hashem is literally telling them not to fear -- that He has delivered them and they will have victory! We must remember this as we go through “battles” in our lives. If we are living a righteous life or at least trying to, we can trust that Hashem will go before us and clear the way to victory. Amen!

Challenge:

Interesting in verse 21 that Moses is sending messengers to the enemy to try to work things out before attacking. Sometimes people that do not believe in Torah -- think that Hashem just ruthlessly attacks and kills people. Many times we see that is just not true. There are people that go ahead and try to establish an agreement. And the times we don’t see that, it just may not have been written down. My point is -- in our lives we must do the same. Go to the person(s) you are having a disagreement with and try to work it out, before having a battle! Go with peace and solutions. Pray ahead of time. See how many “battles” can be avoided. Do this at home too with your spouse and kids. If we start this today, we will begin to mend our broken world. It starts with us. That is today’s challenge.

Reading #7 - Numbers 21:21–22:1

21 Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22 “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn away into field or vineyard. We will not drink of the water of the wells. We will go by the king’s highway, until we have passed your border.”

23 Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border, but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz. He fought against Israel. 24 Israel struck him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, even to the children of Ammon; for the border of the children of Ammon was fortified. 25 Israel took all these cities. Israel lived in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages. 26 For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even to the Arnon. 27 Therefore those who speak in proverbs say,

“Come to Heshbon.

    Let the city of Sihon be built and established;

28 for a fire has gone out of Heshbon,

    a flame from the city of Sihon.

It has devoured Ar of Moab,

    The lords of the high places of the Arnon.

29 Woe to you, Moab!

    You are undone, people of Chemosh!

He has given his sons as fugitives,

    and his daughters into captivity,

    to Sihon king of the Amorites.

30 We have shot at them.

    Heshbon has perished even to Dibon.

We have laid waste even to Nophah,

    Which reaches to Medeba.”

31 Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites. 32 Moses sent to spy out Jazer. They took its villages, and drove out the Amorites who were there. 33 They turned and went up by the way of Bashan. Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

34 Hashem said to Moses, “Don’t fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people, and his land. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.”

35 So they struck him, with his sons and all his people, until there were no survivors; and they possessed his land.

22 The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.

Haftarah Reading

My Thoughts:

Jephthah is believing just what Moses believed centuries before. That Hashem would deliver the Ammonites into their hands. That is why Torah is so important. It lays down not only Hashem’s commandments about how to live, but gives examples of how He will defend and protect you in times of need. Jephthah recalls Hashem’s faithfulness and this instills faith in him and the people. Hashem once again delivers, just as he has before. We can depend on Hashem’s faithfulness in our lives too. But, we must know Torah and it’s messages to do this. Amen.

Challenge:

In verse 30 Jephthat makes a very important vow with Hashem, which later turns out to be quite challenging (the first out of his door is his daughter!). We need to take making vows with Hashem very, very seriously. I made a vow once with Hashem because I need immediate help in a situation. Hashem gave me the help and I have kept my vow for over 30 years! Recently, I had a talk with Hashem about trying to end the “deal” or vow I had made with Him. He reminded me about the seriousness of vows and I saw clearly I was to continue this vow until death. This vow was a big one -- I vowed never to drink alcohol again. There have been times it has been difficult to keep this vow. But, Hashem has miraculously provided a way. Every time I have thought of breaking this vow, I am reminded of His faithfulness to me and the importance of being faithful to Him. Review your life and the “vows” or promises you have made to Hashem. Be sure you are keeping them. Repent and go back to them if you must. This is serious to Hashem. Amen.

Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33

11:1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor. He was the son of a prostitute. Gilead became the father of Jephthah. 2 Gilead’s wife bore him sons. When his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, “You will not inherit in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.” 3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. Outlaws joined up with Jephthah, and they went out with him.

4 After a while, the children of Ammon made war against Israel. 5 When the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah out of the land of Tob. 6 They said to Jephthah, “Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.”

7 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Didn’t you hate me, and drive me out of my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?”

8 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “Therefore we have turned again to you now, that you may go with us and fight with the children of Ammon. You will be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.”

9 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight with the children of Ammon, and Hashem delivers them before me, will I be your head?”

10 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “Hashem will be witness between us. Surely we will do what you say.”

11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and chief over them. Jephthah spoke all his words before Hashem in Mizpah.

12 Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, “What do you have to do with me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”

13 The king of the children of Ammon answered the messengers of Jephthah, “Because Israel took away my land when he came up out of Egypt, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok, and to the Jordan. Now therefore restore that territory again peaceably.”

14 Jephthah sent messengers again to the king of the children of Ammon; 15 and he said to him, “Jephthah says: Israel didn’t take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon; 16 but when they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the wilderness to the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh, 17 then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let me pass through your land;’ but the king of Edom didn’t listen. In the same way, he sent to the king of Moab, but he refused; so Israel stayed in Kadesh. 18 Then they went through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they encamped on the other side of the Arnon; but they didn’t come within the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab. 19 Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land to my place.’ 20 But Sihon didn’t trust Israel to pass through his border; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel. 21 Hashem, the Elohim of Israel, delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they struck them. So Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country. 22 They possessed all the border of the Amorites, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok, and from the wilderness even to the Jordan. 23 So now Hashem, Adonai of Israel, has dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and should you possess them? 24 Won’t you possess that which Chemosh your god gives you to possess? So whoever Hashem our Elohim has dispossessed from before us, them will we possess. 25 Now are you anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them? 26 Israel lived in Heshbon and its towns, and in Aroer and its towns, and in all the cities that are along the side of the Arnon for three hundred years! Why didn’t you recover them within that time? 27 Therefore I have not sinned against you, but you do me wrong to war against me. May Hashem the Judge be judge today between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.”

28 However, the king of the children of Ammon didn’t listen to the words of Jephthah which he sent him. 29 Then Hashem’s Spirit came on Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed over to the children of Ammon.

30 Jephthah vowed a vow to Hashem, and said, “If you will indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand, 31 then it shall be, that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be Hashem’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”

32 So Jephthah passed over to the children of Ammon to fight against them; and Hashem delivered them into his hand. 33 He struck them from Aroer until you come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and to Abelcheramim, with a very great slaughter. So the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

Apostolic Writing

My Thoughts:

I’m not sure why this verse was chosen with this week’s portion except you have two prominent Jews taking care of the body of Yeshua after His crucifixion. Remember this is the week of unleavened bread and Pesach (Passover). If you were to touch a dead body you would not be clean and would have to wait to celebrate this Feast in the next month (as described by Torah). The rules of clean and unclean had remained the same of course for this generation. Joseph and Nicodemus believed taking care of the body of the Mashiach was very important, and important enough to delay their honoring the Feast. Hashem knew this ahead of time and provided a way for these two men to remain faithful to Torah. So, they were not only honoring Torah, but honoring the Mashiach. A beautiful message indeed.

Challenge:

Doing what is right. Look over your life and see if you are choosing what is doing right in difficult situations. Remember Hashem always provides a way to do right in Torah. That is why it is so important to study Torah -- even on a daily basis as we do. My challenge is this. If you come across a situation where it is important to do the right thing, but you may be breaking a Torah commandment -- check in with Hashem. Ask Him what you should do. Pray and ask for help from Him. He will show you. He will bring verses to mind that will help you to make your decision. Yeshua always taught the “heart” of Torah. That was a special gift He provided to us. Study the four Gospels and learn greater insight into the teachings of Torah. Yeshua did not add or subtract from Torah. He taught pure Torah and showed the way to become closer to Hashem. It was always His goal -- to bring people back to Torah and to Hashem!

Apostolic Writing: John 19:38-42

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 Yeshuas’ 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 Yeshuas’ 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.

Korach - Reading #7

Korach קֹרַח - Korach

Numbers 16:1-18:32

Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22

Apostolic Writing: John 19:1-17

Reading #7 - Numbers 18:21–32

My Thoughts:

In verse 26 we read about the “tithe of the tithes”. If you think about this it’s really pretty wonderful. Even the priests are to tithe. And if all they have is what the people give them, then they are tithing off of the tithe! We are all to “give back” to Hashem. And sometimes this happens in unusual ways. You may tithe to an organization to help support Israel or the building of the Temple. You may buy groceries for a neighbor in need, or help out a relative. Whatever it is, remember it is all Hashem’s. Really everything we have is Hashem’s! 

Challenge:

The priests are to wave the “best part” of their offerings. So, think about it. Hashem does look at things in degrees of goodness. If there is “best” then there is “worst”. Let’s look at our own lives. Do we have a “best” and a “worst” of how we act and live? I have a simple challenge for you today. Review your life. Make sure you are doing your best. We are only here on the planet for a short time, let us not misuse our talents and our time. Make it your goal to give Hashem your best in all you do -- in worship, prayer, giving and loving. It is required of us. And it will bring us closer to Hashem -- which is our ultimate goal.

Reading #7 -  Numbers 18:21–32

21 “To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the Tent of Meeting. 22 Henceforth the children of Israel shall not come near the Tent of Meeting, lest they bear sin, and die. 23 But the Levites shall do the service of the Tent of Meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. Among the children of Israel, they shall have no inheritance. 24 For the tithe of the children of Israel, which they offer as a wave offering to Hashem, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said to them, ‘Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.’”

25 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Moreover you shall speak to the Levites, and tell them, ‘When you take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall offer up a wave offering of it for Hashem, a tithe of the tithe. 27 Your wave offering shall be credited to you, as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the wine press. 28 Thus you also shall offer a wave offering to Hashem of all your tithes, which you receive of the children of Israel; and of it you shall give Hashem’s wave offering to Aaron the priest. 29 Out of all your gifts, you shall offer every wave offering to Hashem, of all its best parts, even the holy part of it.’

30 “Therefore you shall tell them, ‘When you heave its best from it, then it shall be credited to the Levites as the increase of the threshing floor, and as the increase of the wine press. 31 You may eat it anywhere, you and your households, for it is your reward in return for your service in the Tent of Meeting. 32 You shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have heaved from it its best. You shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, that you not die.’”

Haftarah Reading

My Thoughts:

In verse 12:12 Samuel reminds the people that “Elohim was your king”. Yet they desire an earthly king. It is easy for us to read this and pass judgment on the Israelites -- right? How could they demand a “king” when Hashem was king over all? They already had the best and greatest king of all! How could the Elohim of the universes not be enough? It seems like we could never understand their request. But just think for a minute. Don’t we do the same thing? Don’t we not accept Hashem as final authority in our lives at times? Think of when you make a decision to do something wrong, something you know is against His commands. Aren’t you saying to Him, “You are not king over my life. I can do what I want.” Or we place other “kings” over Him -- like money, government and relationships. Take a moment to review how you view Hashem. Is He the ultimate King over your life? If not follow Him as so, today.

Challenge:

This story of the Chosen people wanting an earthly king just reminds me of how we always want “more”. What Hashem gives us is just not enough. Just as Hashem was the most wonderful King over HIs people, they wanted more. They wanted what their neighbors had. They had kings that told them what to do and they could see them. Our King takes faith to believe that He is telling us what to do and that we can see Him spiritually. For some that is not enough. Think of the times in your life when you called out to Elohim, “Where are you?” and you just had to have faith that He was there. Try to pray and ask Elohim for more faith today. Faith that He is King, He hears you and that you know He loves you. Even when in times you are not able to “feel” like He is. Don’t go on feelings. Go on facts. He does love you and He does listen to you. And He is there for you. And He is King of your life!

Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22

11:14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come! Let’s go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.” 15 All the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before Hashem in Gilgal. There they offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Hashem; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

12:1 Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. 2 Now, behold, the king walks before you. I am old and gray-headed. Behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth to this day. 3 Here I am. Witness against me before Hashem and before His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a bribe to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.”

4 They said, “You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything from anyone’s hand.”

5 He said to them, “Hashem is witness against you, and His anointed is witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.”

They said, “He is witness.” 6 Samuel said to the people, “It is Hashem who appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7 Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Hashem concerning all the righteous acts of Hashem, which He did to you and to your fathers.

8 “When Jacob had come into Egypt, and your fathers cried to Hashem, then Hashem sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt, and made them to dwell in this place. 9 But they forgot Hashem their Elohim; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them. 10 They cried to Hashem, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken Hashem and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve You.’ 11 Hashem sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.

12 “When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when Hashem your Elohim was your king. 13 Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen and whom you have asked for. Behold, Hashem has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear Hashem, and serve Him, and listen to His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Hashem, then both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Hashem your Elohim. 15 But if you will not listen to Hashem’s voice, but rebel against the commandment of Hashem, then Hashem’s hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

16 “Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Hashem will do before your eyes. 17 Isn’t it wheat harvest today? I will call to Hashem, that He may send thunder and rain; and you will know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in Hashem’s sight, in asking for a king.”

18 So Samuel called to Hashem, and Hashem sent thunder and rain that day. Then all the people greatly feared Hashem and Samuel.

19 All the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Hashem your Elohim, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.”

20 Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn away from following Hashem serve Hashem with all your heart. 21 Don’t turn away to go after vain things which can’t profit or deliver, for they are vain. 22 For Hashem will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased Hashem to make you a people for Himself.

Apostolic Writings

My Thoughts:

The people are rebelling against Yeshua, just like the people rebelled against Moses. However, in this story Yeshua is murdered on a stake. The people “win”. Only as we know they really lost. They lost the King that Hashem had sent to change the world. The whole charge against Yeshua was that He was trying to be King. They knew the Romans would oppose this and it was a threat to their existence. They had forgotten that when Yeshua was King, He would take care of everything. They had lost faith and trust. And they eventually lost their King. The good news is that the Mashiach will return and rule as King forever. He will reign from HIs throne in the Temple in Jerusalem and every knee will bow.  Let us not be like the Israelites in this week’s portion and challenge who Hashem has put in authority over us. Let us remember Yeshua as our King.

Challenge:

I have given you this challenge before. Look at your life and who Hashem has placed earthly authority over you. Do you respect him/her or do you complain and plot against them? Instead of spending your time in unhappiness over who is your authority -- pray for them. I did this once for an awful coworker of mine. She wasn’t in authority over me, but I had to work with her several times a week. After I prayed for her for a while, the most amazing thing happened. She changed. Right before my eyes! Instead of being wicked and mean, she turned kind and generous. She was healed from whatever caused her not to be who Elohim called her to be. ANd she was a pleasure to work with. Pray for those in authority over you. It just may change the world -- and certainly your life!

Apostolic Writings:John 19:1-17

19 So Pilate then took Yeshua, and flogged him. 2 The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment. 3 They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.

4 Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”

5 Yeshua therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”

6 When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of Elohim.”

8 When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid. 9 He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Yeshua, “Where are you from?” But Yeshua gave him no answer. 10 Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t You speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release You and have power to crucify You?”

11 Yeshua answered, “You would have no power at all against Me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”

12 At this, Pilate was seeking to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”

13 When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Yeshua out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement”, but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.” 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”

15 They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify Him!”

Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”

The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

16 So then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So they took Yeshua and led Him away. 17 He went out, bearing His cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”.

Shelach - Reading #7

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24

Apostolic Scripture Readings: Matthew 10:1-14

Reading #7 - Numbers 15:27–41 

My Thoughts:

In verse 30 we read about sinning with a “high hand”. I looked this up and apparently it means with pride, arrogance and sometimes with violence. To me this means that the sin that is being acted upon is done so with deliberate malice. It would be like going up to someone you are disturbed about and thinking “I don’t care what Hashem thinks, I'm going to kill him/her!” Where you deliberately defy what Hashem has taught you and commit the act of sin. Wow. Do we ever need to be careful? Because I can think of times, Hashem forgive me please, where I deliberately sinned. I knew I was disobeying Hashem, but did it anyway. This hurts Hashem and hurts (affects) those around us. And this must stop. If you keep the Torah close to your heart, and fresh in your mind every day -- it will definitely help you not to sin. We must do this. The cost is too high. Sin causes separation from Hashem and death. It’s just not worth it. Is it?

Challenge:

In verses 37-41 we learn about the tzitzit. This is a blue string hung on the four corners of your garment. When you look at the tzitzit you are reminded to follow Torah. Some will say this is only for men. But, as a woman I wear one tzitzit on my belt line. It has four blue strings. I don’t wear a four cornered prayer shawl or shirt, so this is how I decided to do it. I challenge you today to study the wearing of tzitzit, and figure out how you are going to fulfill this commandment. Be brave and stand up for the Torah. It is a visual reminder, every day, that you are to follow Torah and not sin. It is really a beautiful commandment.

Reading #7 - Numbers 15:27–41

15:27 “‘If a person sins unwittingly, then he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. 28 The priest shall make atonement for the soul who errs when he sins unwittingly before Hashem. He shall make atonement for him; and he shall be forgiven. 29 You shall have one law for him who does anything unwittingly, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner among them.

30 “‘But the soul who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, blasphemes Hashem. That soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised Hashem’s word, and has broken His commandment, that soul shall be utterly cut off. His iniquity shall be on him.’”

32 While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34 They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.

35 Hashem said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him with stones outside of the camp.” 36 All the congregation brought him outside of the camp, and stoned him to death with stones, as Hashem commanded Moses.

37 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 38 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that they should make themselves fringes on the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue. 39 It shall be to you for a fringe, that you may see it, and remember all Hashem’s commandments, and do them; and that you don’t follow your own heart and your own eyes, after which you used to play the prostitute; 40 so that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your Elohim. 41 I am Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim: I am Hashem your Elohim.”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

This Torah portion has to do a lot with sending out people to do special things for Hashem. Moses sent out the 12 spies, and in this Haftarah reading, Joshua sends out 2 spies to view the land. It is a great story because these two men meet with a dedicated servant, are hidden from the enemy and blessed with a good report. When Hashem sends us out to do special things are we careful to bring back a good report? This means that we have accomplished what He has asked us to do, and that we are blessed to carry out His will. We need to be careful that we do not go out to do something He has asked us -- and complain. Do Hashem’s work with a joyful heart. You will be super blessed in return.

Challenge:

What about Rahab in this story? She risked her life to save the two men from Moses. She saw that they were followers of the one true Elohim, and did all she could to protect them. Let’s look at our lives today. Are we willing to protect and go the extra mile for those who serve Hashem? Or would we risk our lives to save the life of someone else? I am reminded of the people during the Holocaust who helped and risked their lives to hide out Jewish people and children. If that were happening today, would you risk your life and your family’s life to hide someone? It is something to consider ahead of time. What are you willing to do to help your brother or sister in Hashem?

Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24

2 Joshua the son of Nun secretly sent two men out of Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, including Jericho.” They went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and slept there.

2 The king of Jericho was told, “Behold, men of the children of Israel came in here tonight to spy out the land.”

3 Jericho’s king sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered into your house; for they have come to spy out all the land.”

4 The woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I didn’t know where they came from. 5 About the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, the men went out. Where the men went, I don’t know. Pursue them quickly. You may catch up with them.” 6 But she had brought them up to the roof, and hidden them under the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 7 The men pursued them along the way to the fords of the Jordan River. As soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. 8 Before they had lain down, she came up to them on the roof. 9 She said to the men, “I know that Hashem has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10 For we have heard how Hashem dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when you came out of Egypt; and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and to Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 As soon as we had heard it, our hearts melted, and there wasn’t any more spirit in any man, because of you: for Hashem your Elohim, He is Elohim in heaven above, and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, please swear to me by Hashem, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a true sign; 13 and that you will save alive my father, my mother, my brothers, and my sisters, and all that they have, and will deliver our lives from death.”

14 The men said to her, “Our life for yours, if you don’t talk about this business of ours; and it shall be, when Hashem gives us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”

15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window; for her house was on the side of the wall, and she lived on the wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers find you. Hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward, you may go your way.”

17 The men said to her, “We will be guiltless of this your oath which you’ve made us to swear. 18 Behold, when we come into the land, tie this line of scarlet thread in the window which you used to let us down. Gather to yourself into the house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. 19 It shall be that whoever goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood will be on his head, and we will be guiltless. Whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand is on him. 20 But if you talk about this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you’ve made us to swear.”

21 She said, “Let it be as you have said.” She sent them away, and they departed. Then she tied the scarlet line in the window.

22 They went and came to the mountain, and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but didn’t find them. 23 Then the two men returned, descended from the mountain, crossed the river, and came to Joshua the son of Nun. They told him all that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, “Truly Hashem has delivered all the land into our hands. Moreover, all the inhabitants of the land melt away before us.”

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

Yeshua is giving a special command to His disciples to go to the “lost sheep of Israel” (verse 6). Why was this? I have often speculated that Yeshua came during a time when the people of Hashem were straying away from Him. The Temple had been corrupted by the Romans, and the people were under severe oppression. Maybe the Torah was not being taught from the heart and people were not understanding the true meaning of its purpose and plan. But, for whatever reason, the people were “lost”. And Adonai cared so much for His people that He sent a messenger, the Mashiach, to deliver the Truth to them. To restore and redeem their lives back to Him. What a heavy request this was for His disciples. I am sure they did their best to obey His directions.

Challenge:

Verse 13 is very interesting, “If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.” Have you ever gone over to a friend's house and tried to talk about Torah and Hashem? You brought your peace and truth into their home and were rejected? This verse clearly tells us to shake it off, and your peace will return to you. The important thing is that you tried. And you must keep trying. It is so important to be Hashem’s light and a witness to His Torah, His truth. Now you know if you are turned away, that you don’t have to lose your peace over it. Stand strong and love others more than yourself. That is my challenge for you today. Amen!

Apostolic Scripture Readings: Matthew 10:1-14

10:1 He called to Himself His twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; 3 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

5 Yeshua sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. 6 Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. 9 Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. 10 Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor sandals, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. 11 Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on. 12 As you enter into the household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.

Beha'alotcha - Reading #7

Beha’alotcha  בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting

Torah: Numbers 8:1-12:16

Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Apostolic Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:14-21

Reading #7 - Numbers 11:30-12:16

My Thoughts:

Another challenge about authority. Miriam and Aaron are coming to Moses and basically asking him why they can’t be in charge too. They insist they hear from Hashem just as strong as Moses does. Hashem does not like this criticism and punishes Miriam in a public way. Here we learn that if you are going to debate what Hashem says, you could be in serious trouble. It’s important that we all respect those in spiritual authority. Unless they are directly contradicting Hashem’s Word, it is good to support them and trust that they are hearing from Hashem. In other words, be careful who you challenge. 

Challenge:

Moses is humble. Even when his sister condemns him, he goes to Hashem and begs for Him to heal her. He loves her and forgives her and intercedes that Hashem will spare her. And He does. Are you ready to defend someone after they have hurt your feelings? Next time someone close to you offends you, I challenge you NOT to get angry but to understand. Give them a chance, pray for them and forgive them. They will learn and so will you.

Reading #7 — Numbers 11:30–12:16

30 :1 Moses went into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. 31 A wind from Hashem went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day’s journey on this side, and a day’s journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth. 32 The people rose up all that day, and all of that night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails. He who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them all out for themselves around the camp. 33 While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, Hashem’s anger burned against the people, and Hashem struck the people with a very great plague. 34 The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.

35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth; and they stayed at Hazeroth.

12:1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman. 2 They said, “Has Hashem indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn’t He spoken also with us?” And Hashem heard it.

3 Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men who were on the surface of the earth. 4 Hashem spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, “You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!”

The three of them came out. 5 Hashem came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward. 6 He said, “Now hear my words. If there is a prophet among you, I, Hashem, will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream. 7 My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Hashem’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?” 9 Hashem’s anger burned against them; and he departed.

10 The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.

11 Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, please don’t count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned. 12 Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”

13 Moses cried to Hashem, saying, “Heal her, Elohim, I beg you!”

14 Hashem said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, shouldn’t she be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut up outside of the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again.”

15 Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn’t travel until Miriam was brought in again. 16 Afterward the people traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

A story about Joshua, angels, demons and Hashem.  One of my favorite Scriptures for overcoming an enemy is in verse 6:1  “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Hashem of Armies.” In other words, we can’t really depend on ourselves and the things we do, but by Hashem’s Spirit are we able to do things. Think of it. Walking in the Spirit with His power is much better than trying to do things in our own power. Don’t you agree? Think about how you can start transforming from what you do to what He shows you to do! You will see some amazing miraculous things!

Challenge:

Joshua’s angel helps him to be rid of his “filthy garments” or the “sin” in his life. He assists him to find repentance and the way to cleanliness. We know that that can only come from obedience to Torah. It comes from loving Hashem and loving others. And this is daily maintenance and work. Every time we “sin” or disobey Hashem and His Torah we must teshuvah - repent and return. This must be earnest and we must put strong effort into this. If we are to walk in “clean” clothing we must be loving Hashem with our whole heart, soul and strength -- and resisting temptation to fall. Let’s try doing that today and be sure to ask Hashem for His help to do this. 

Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7

3 He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before Hashem’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. 2 Hashem said to Satan, “Hashem rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Hashem who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?”

3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. 4 He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”

5 I said, “Let them set a clean turban on his head.”

So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and Hashem’s angel was standing by. 6 Hashem’s angel protested to Joshua, saying, 7 “Hashem of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by. 8 Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you; for they are men who are a sign: for, behold, I will bring out my servant, the Branch. 9 For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave its engraving,’ says Hashem of Armies, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 10 In that day,’ says Hashem of Armies, ‘you will invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.’”

4;1 The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 He said to me, “What do you see?”

I said, “I have seen, and behold, a lamp stand all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it; 3 and two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl, and the other on the left side of it.”

4 I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?”

5 Then the angel who talked with me answered me, “Don’t you know what these are?”

I said, “No, my lord.”

6 Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, “This is Hashem’s word to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Hashem of Armies. 7 Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace, to it!’”

Apostolic Scripture Reading

My Thoughts:

Today we read about the huge story of the “loaves and fishes”. He starts out with very few, asks Hashem to bless the food, and it multiplies. How wonderful and amazing is that? All the people get fed and everyone is content. This helps them to hear His message. Hungry people can get grumpy, right? But, Yeshua takes care of this -- He feeds them abundantly. Just like in Torah when  Hashem feeds the people with manna and quail. He always takes care of us, sometimes in unusual ways!

Challenge:

Giving thanks. The miracle of multiplying the food does not happen until Yeshua gives thanks. How often do you do that? Do you ask Hashem for something and then give Him thanks. I am asking Him for something huge this week, and I am going to start just giving Him thanks. I thank Him and praise Him that I know Him and that whatever He chooses to do, I will love Him through it. If you have something you are asking for, start praising Him! Bless you!

Apostolic Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:14-21

14:14 Yeshua went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 When evening had come, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.”

16 But Yeshua said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.”

18 He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20 They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces. 21 Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.