Matot-Massei - Reading #4

Matot-Massei

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13

Reading #4 - Numbers 32:20-33:49

My Thoughts:

At the end of today’s reading we have a summary of the travels of the Israelites. A journey that would normally have taken a few weeks, turned into 40 years. Along the way there were struggles and joys, miracles and punishment. Kind of like our lives. It is such a wonderful lesson to learn. If we follow Hashem and obey Him our journey to success will be short. If we don’t follow and sin, our journey will be long. The miracle is that either way He will be us! Isn’t that something amazing to ponder?

Challenge:

In verse 23 we read, “If you will not do so, you have sinned against Hashem, and be sure your sin will find you out.” Isn’t this so true? We can’t hide anything from Hashem -- including sin! We may think we have gotten away with something but then “our sin finds us out”. Usually when that happens it is not a good thing. Haven’t you noticed though, that the closer you get to Hashem, the more obvious temptations become. You will get a huge “check in your spirit” when you are about to do the wrong thing. My challenge to you today is to watch out for those “checks” and pay attention. Do not do what you were planning -- it will come back to bite you. And the worst thing is -- it will separate you from Hashem. We don’t want that do we?

Reading #4 - Numbers 32:20-33:49

32:20 Moses said to them: “If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before Hashem to the war, 21 and every one of your armed men will pass over the Jordan before Hashem until he has driven out his enemies from before Him, 22 and the land is subdued before Hashem; then afterward you shall return, and be clear of obligation to Hashem and to Israel. Then this land shall be your possession before Hashem.

23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against Hashem; and be sure your sin will find you out. 24 Build cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which has proceeded out of your mouth.”

25 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, “Your servants will do as my lord commands. 26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock shall be there in the cities of Gilead; 27 but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before Hashem to battle, as my lord says.”

28 So Moses commanded concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers’ households of the tribes of the children of Israel. 29 Moses said to them, “If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, every man who is armed to battle before Hashem, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession; 30 but if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.”

31 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, “As Hashem has said to your servants, so will we do. 32 We will pass over armed before Hashem into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan.”

33 Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan; the land, according to its cities and borders, even the cities of the surrounding land. 34 The children of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35 Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, 36 Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran: fortified cities and folds for sheep. 37 The children of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38 Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities which they built. 39 The children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were therein. 40 Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh; and he lived therein. 41 Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its villages, and called them Havvoth Jair. 42 Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

33 These are the journeys of the children of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2 Moses wrote the starting points of their journeys by the commandment of Hashem. These are their journeys according to their starting points. 3 They traveled from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the next day after the Passover, the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians, 4 while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom Hashem had struck among them. Hashem also executed judgments on their gods. 5 The children of Israel traveled from Rameses, and encamped in Succoth. 6 They traveled from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. 7 They traveled from Etham, and turned back to Pihahiroth, which is before Baal Zephon, and they encamped before Migdol. 8 They traveled from before Hahiroth, and crossed through the middle of the sea into the wilderness. They went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah. 9 They traveled from Marah, and came to Elim. In Elim, there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there. 10 They traveled from Elim, and encamped by the Red Sea. 11 They traveled from the Red Sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin. 12 They traveled from the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah. 13 They traveled from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush. 14 They traveled from Alush, and encamped in Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. 15 They traveled from Rephidim, and encamped in the wilderness of Sinai. 16 They traveled from the wilderness of Sinai, and encamped in Kibroth Hattaavah. 17 They traveled from Kibroth Hattaavah, and encamped in Hazeroth. 18 They traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in Rithmah. 19 They traveled from Rithmah, and encamped in Rimmon Perez. 20 They traveled from Rimmon Perez, and encamped in Libnah. 21 They traveled from Libnah, and encamped in Rissah. 22 They traveled from Rissah, and encamped in Kehelathah. 23 They traveled from Kehelathah, and encamped in Mount Shepher. 24 They traveled from Mount Shepher, and encamped in Haradah. 25 They traveled from Haradah, and encamped in Makheloth. 26 They traveled from Makheloth, and encamped in Tahath. 27 They traveled from Tahath, and encamped in Terah. 28 They traveled from Terah, and encamped in Mithkah. 29 They traveled from Mithkah, and encamped in Hashmonah. 30 They traveled from Hashmonah, and encamped in Moseroth. 31 They traveled from Moseroth, and encamped in Bene Jaakan. 32 They traveled from Bene Jaakan, and encamped in Hor Haggidgad. 33 They traveled from Hor Haggidgad, and encamped in Jotbathah. 34 They traveled from Jotbathah, and encamped in Abronah. 35 They traveled from Abronah, and encamped in Ezion Geber. 36 They traveled from Ezion Geber, and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. 37 They traveled from Kadesh, and encamped in Mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom. 38 Aaron the priest went up into Mount Hor at the commandment of Hashem and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. 39 Aaron was one hundred twenty-three years old when he died in Mount Hor. 40 The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel. 41 They traveled from Mount Hor, and encamped in Zalmonah. 42 They traveled from Zalmonah, and encamped in Punon. 43 They traveled from Punon, and encamped in Oboth. 44 They traveled from Oboth, and encamped in Iye Abarim, in the border of Moab. 45 They traveled from Iyim, and encamped in Dibon Gad. 46 They traveled from Dibon Gad, and encamped in Almon Diblathaim. 47 They traveled from Almon Diblathaim, and encamped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. 48 They traveled from the mountains of Abarim, and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 49 They encamped by the Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth even to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab.

Matot-Massei - Reading #3

Matot-Massei

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13

Reading #3 - Numbers 32:1-19

My Thoughts:

Today’s reading is about negotiations. Leaders from the tribes of Gad and Reuben come to Moses and ask to stay on some land east of the Jordan. Moses is expressing they are like their ancestors, discouraging the Israelites to go into the Land. However, the leaders agree to let their families stay and they will go and fight for Israel. Moses agrees. Apparently, staying in this particular land was important to these two tribes. Important enough they were willing to negotiate and be flexible. This is a really good lesson to learn from. If you have been told to do something but really feel there is a better plan, then see if you can work something out with leadership. Be flexible and be willing to give and take. Look for Hashem’s solution through it all. And work together peacefully and with fairness.

Challenge:

In verses 11 and 12 we read, “...because they have not wholly followed Me, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, because they have followed Hashem completely.’” Moses is revisiting the reasons why they ended up in the desert for so many years, and why some of the people would not be able to enter the Land. Remember when the 12 spies returned and only two supported Hashem’s vision to enter the Land. In today’s reading we see that it is because they did not “completely follow Hashem”. It makes me think. Am I completely following Hashem? Am I surrendering my plans and my life totally to His direction and following? Are you? That is my challenge today for you and me. Let us make sure we are “completely” following Hashem -- without exception. That we are loving Him with our whole heart, soul and strength. SHEMA.

Reading #3 - Numbers 32:1-19

32:1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock. They saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead. Behold, the place was a place for livestock. 2 Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the princes of the congregation, saying, 3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the land which Hashem struck before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock; and your servants have livestock.” 5 They said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Don’t bring us over the Jordan.”

6 Moses said to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? 7 Why do you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Hashem has given them? 8 Your fathers did so when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which Hashem had given them. 10 Hashem’s anger burned in that day, and He swore, saying, 11 ‘Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; because they have not wholly followed Me, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, because they have followed Hashem completely.’ 13 Hashem’s anger burned against Israel, and He made them wander back and forth in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation who had done evil in Hashem’s sight was consumed.

14 “Behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, an increase of sinful men, to increase the fierce anger of Hashem toward Israel. 15 For if you turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and you will destroy all these people.”

16 They came near to him, and said, “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones; 17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our houses until the children of Israel have all received their inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.”

Matot-Massei - Reading #2

Matot-Massei

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13

Reading #2 - Numbers 31:13-54 

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about dividing the plunder. What is so wonderful is that Hashem provides for the Levites, who did not go out to war. He takes care of everything for all His people. That is important to remember today. He is providing for us and does provide for us every day. All we need is to trust in Him. 

Challenge:

It’s hard for us to understand war, as we have discussed before. This particular war is with the people who swayed the Israelites to sin with the prostitutes. This is the reason they go to war with the Midianites. We can only imagine how upset Hashem is with us when we sin in any area in our lives. He may not impose a “plague” on us, but He does allow us to suffer consequences. I can think of these times in my life and they are not fun. My challenge today is once again to review your life and “fix” your areas of sin. We want to be close to Hashem and not be separated by sin. 

Reading #2 - Numbers 31:13-54 

13 Moses and Eleazar the priest, with all the princes of the congregation, went out to meet them outside of the camp. 14 Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war. 15 Moses said to them, “Have you saved all the women alive? 16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Hashem in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of Hashem. 17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. 18 But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

19 “Encamp outside of the camp for seven days. Whoever has killed any person, and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves on the third day and on the seventh day, you and your captives. 20 You shall purify every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood.”

21 Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who went to the battle, “This is the statute of the law which Hashem has commanded Moses. 22 However the gold, and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23 everything that may withstand the fire, you shall make to go through the fire, and it shall be clean; nevertheless it shall be purified with the water for impurity. All that doesn’t withstand the fire you shall make to go through the water. 24 You shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and you shall be clean. Afterward you shall come into the camp.”

25 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Count the plunder that was taken, both of man and of animal, you, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the congregation; 27 and divide the plunder into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. 28 Levy a tribute to Hashem of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred; of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks. 29 Take it from their half, and give it to Eleazar the priest, for Hashem’s wave offering. 30 Of the children of Israel’s half, you shall take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks, of all the livestock, and give them to the Levites, who perform the duty of Hashem’s tabernacle.”

31 Moses and Eleazar the priest did as Hashem commanded Moses.

32 Now the plunder, over and above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep, 33 seventy-two thousand head of cattle, 34 sixty-one thousand donkeys, 35 and thirty-two thousand persons in all, of the women who had not known man by lying with him. 36 The half, which was the portion of those who went out to war, was in number three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep; 37 and Hashem’s tribute of the sheep was six hundred seventy-five. 38 The cattle were thirty-six thousand, of which Yahweh’s tribute was seventy-two. 39 The donkeys were thirty thousand five hundred, of which Hashem’s tribute was sixty-one. 40 The persons were sixteen thousand, of whom Hashem’s tribute was thirty-two persons. 41 Moses gave the tribute, which was Hashem’s wave offering, to Eleazar the priest, as Hashem commanded Moses. 42 Of the children of Israel’s half, which Moses divided off from the men who fought 43 (now the congregation’s half was three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep, 44 thirty-six thousand head of cattle, 45 thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, 46 and sixteen thousand persons), 47 even of the children of Israel’s half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animal, and gave them to the Levites, who performed the duty of Hashem’s tabernacle, as Hashem commanded Moses.

48 The officers who were over the thousands of the army, the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, came near to Moses. 49 They said to Moses, “Your servants have taken the sum of the men of war who are under our command, and there lacks not one man of us. 50 We have brought Hashem’s offering, what every man found: gold ornaments, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make atonement for our souls before Hashem.”

51 Moses and Eleazar the priest took their gold, even all worked jewels. 52 All the gold of the wave offering that they offered up to Hashem, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred fifty shekels. 53 The men of war had taken booty, every man for himself. 54 Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the Tent of Meeting for a memorial for the children of Israel before Hashem.

Matot-Massei - Reading #1

Matot-Massei

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13

Reading #1 - Numbers 30:2-31:12 

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about vows to Hashem and the husbands/fathers role in all of this. Vows are very sacred to Hashem. We are not to say them without first considering their importance. Hashem with all His grace and mercy has made some considerations for women making “rash” vows without thinking. A husband can actually release his wife from a vow -- as can a father for a daughter. This shows the fairness and equity of Hashem. But, it also shows the seriousness of what words come out of our mouths. Let us be super careful about what we promise to others and what we vow to Hashem. Follow through and make good what you say. Your word “stands” before Hashem. 

Challenge:

A great war is fought between the Midianites and Israelites. These are difficult passages to read. But we must remember this. The Midianites had enticed Israel to sin. Yes, Hashem’s people “fell” into the sin and could have resisted. But they did not not. Hashem inflicted punishment on His people with a plague. Now, there must be punishment on the people that did this to Israel. Sin does not go forward without consequence. We might think we are getting away with something when we sin -- but this is never the case. What we do affects our lives, other people’s lives and our relationship with Hashem. Remember this the next time you are tempted to do something wrong or and to disobey Hashem. Repent quickly and make things right -- make restitution. There will be consequences but most likely not as severe as if you did not repent. Sin separates us from Hashem. We do not want this and neither does He. Let’s be careful about what we do and say. Amen.

Reading #1 - Numbers 30:2-31:12 

30:2 When a man vows a vow to Hashem, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

3 “Also, when a woman vows a vow to Hashem and binds herself by a pledge, being in her father’s house, in her youth, 4 and her father hears her vow and her pledge with which she has bound her soul, and her father says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge with which she has bound her soul shall stand. 5 But if her father forbids her in the day that he hears, none of her vows or of her pledges with which she has bound her soul, shall stand. Hashem will forgive her, because her father has forbidden her.

6 “If she has a husband, while her vows are on her, or the rash utterance of her lips with which she has bound her soul, 7 and her husband hears it, and says nothing to her in the day that he hears it; then her vows shall stand, and her pledges with which she has bound her soul shall stand. 8 But if her husband forbids her in the day that he hears it, then he makes void her vow which is on her and the rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul. Hashem will forgive her.

9 “But the vow of a widow, or of her who is divorced, everything with which she has bound her soul shall stand against her.

10 “If she vowed in her husband’s house or bound her soul by a bond with an oath, 11 and her husband heard it, and held his peace at her and didn’t disallow her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge with which she bound her soul shall stand. 12 But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand. Her husband has made them void. Hashem will forgive her. 13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. 14 But if her husband says nothing to her from day to day, then he establishes all her vows or all her pledges which are on her. He has established them, because he said nothing to her in the day that he heard them. 15 But if he makes them null and void after he has heard them, then he shall bear her iniquity.”

16 These are the statutes which Hashem commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between a father and his daughter, being in her youth, in her father’s house.

31 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Avenge the children of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”

3 Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for war, that they may go against Midian, to execute Hashem’s vengeance on Midian. 4 You shall send one thousand out of every tribe, throughout all the tribes of Israel, to the war.” 5 So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand from every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. 6 Moses sent them, one thousand of every tribe, to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand. 7 They fought against Midian, as Hashem commanded Moses. They killed every male. 8 They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. 9 The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones; and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder. 10 All their cities in the places in which they lived, and all their encampments, they burned with fire. 11 They took all the captives, and all the plunder, both of man and of animal. 12 They brought the captives with the prey and the plunder, to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of the children of Israel, to the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by the Jordan at Jericho.

Matot-Massei - Week #9

MATTOT/MASSEI

Numbers 30:2-36:13

Isaiah 66:1-24

Luke 13:1-9; Mark 11:12-23

1: 30:2-31:12 (28 p'sukim)

2: 31:13-54 (42 p'sukim)

3: 32:1-19 (19 p'sukim)

4: 32:20-33:49 (72 p'sukim)

5: 33:50-34:15 (22 p'sukim)

6: 34:16-35:8 (22 p'sukim)

7: 35:9-36:13 (39 p'sukim)

Chukat-Balak - Reading #7

Chukat-Balak Statute/Balak — חֻקַּת־בָּלָק

Torah: Numbers 19:1 - 25:9

Haftarah: Micah 5:6 - 6:8

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 

27 Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please Hashem that you may curse them for me from there.”

28 Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert. 29 Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.”

30 Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.

24 When Balaam saw that it pleased Hashem to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of Elohim came on him. 3 He took up his parable, and said,

“Balaam the son of Beor says,

    the man whose eyes are open says;

4 he says, who hears the words of Elohim,

    who sees the vision of the Almighty,

    falling down, and having his eyes open:

5 How goodly are your tents, Jacob,

    and your dwellings, Israel!

6 As valleys they are spread out,

    as gardens by the riverside,

    as aloes which Hashem has planted,

    as cedar trees beside the waters.

7 Water shall flow from his buckets.

    His seed shall be in many waters.

His king shall be higher than Agag.

    His kingdom shall be exalted.

8 Elohim brings him out of Egypt.

    He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.

He shall consume the nations his adversaries,

    shall break their bones in pieces,

    and pierce them with his arrows.

9 He couched, he lay down as a lion,

    as a lioness;

    who shall rouse him up?

Everyone who blesses you is blessed.

    Everyone who curses you is cursed.”

10 Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times. 11 Therefore, flee to your place, now! I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, Hashem has kept you back from honor.”

12 Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, 13 ‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond Hashem’s word, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I will say what Hashem says’? 14 Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”

15 He took up his parable, and said,

“Balaam the son of Beor says,

    the man whose eyes are open says;

16 he says, who hears the words of Elohim,

    knows the knowledge of the Most High,

    and who sees the vision of the Almighty,

    falling down, and having his eyes open:

17 I see him, but not now.

    I see him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob.

    A scepter will rise out of Israel,

and shall strike through the corners of Moab,

    and crush all the sons of Sheth.

18 Edom shall be a possession.

    Seir, his enemy, also shall be a possession,

    while Israel does valiantly.

19 Out of Jacob shall one have dominion,

    and shall destroy the remnant from the city.”

20 He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said,

“Amalek was the first of the nations,

    But his latter end shall come to destruction.”

21 He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said,

“Your dwelling place is strong.

    Your nest is set in the rock.

22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted,

    until Asshur carries you away captive.”

23 He took up his parable, and said,

“Alas, who shall live when Elohim does this?

24     But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim.

They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber.

    He also shall come to destruction.”

25 Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.

25 Israel stayed in Shittim; and the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab; 2 for they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods. The people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 Israel joined himself to Baal Peor, and Hashem’s anger burned against Israel. 4 Hashem said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up to Hashem before the sun, that the fierce anger of Hashem may turn away from Israel.”

5 Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Everyone kill his men who have joined themselves to Baal Peor.”

6 Behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 7 When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the middle of the congregation, and took a spear in his hand. 8 He went after the man of Israel into the pavilion, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. 9 Those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand.

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.”

Chukat-Balak - Reading #6

Chukat-Balak Statute/Balak — חֻקַּת־בָּלָק

Torah: Numbers 19:1 - 25:9

Reading #6 - Numbers 22:39-23:26

My Thoughts:

This is quite the story and somewhat hard to understand. Except it seems like Balaam does really want to follow Hashem, and not curse the Israelites. It is curious in verse 4 that “Balaam met Elohim”. It almost sounds casual. Like anyone at that time, could “meet with” Hashem. And then Hashem speaks to Balaam. And says He will put “His words” in his mouth. Maybe in a time of less distraction it was easier to “meet” with Hashem. Maybe our world is so busy, so full of other things that if we just got in a peaceful, quiet place -- we too, could “meet” with Hashem. And hear what He has to say. Let’s try it.

Challenge:

Let’s talk briefly about blessing people. In this reading Balaam is blessing people through words. But, there are obvious other ways to bless people. That is my challenge to you today. Think about and pray about, how Hashem wants you to bless others. It could be through listening to someone and their concerns. Or maybe someone needs some authentic financial help. Maybe someone needs prayer and/or an encouraging word. Look around you and see how you can bless someone today. Let’s help make the world a better place today.

Reading #6 - Numbers 22:39-23:26

39 Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him. 41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there part of the people.

23 Balaam said to Balak, “Build here seven altars for me, and prepare here seven bulls and seven rams for me.”

2 Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram. 3 Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps Hashem will come to meet me. Whatever He shows me I will tell you.”

He went to a bare height. 4 Elohim met Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.”

5 Hashem put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”

6 He returned to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, he, and all the princes of Moab. 7 He took up his parable, and said,

“From Aram has Balak brought me,

    the king of Moab from the mountains of the East.

Come, curse Jacob for me.

    Come, defy Israel.

8 How shall I curse whom Elohim has not cursed?

    How shall I defy whom Hashem has not defied?

9 For from the top of the rocks I see him.

    From the hills I see him.

Behold, it is a people that dwells alone,

    and shall not be listed among the nations.

10 Who can count the dust of Jacob,

    or count the fourth part of Israel?

Let me die the death of the righteous!

    Let my last end be like his!”

11 Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them altogether.”

12 He answered and said, “Must I not take heed to speak that which Hashem puts in my mouth?”

13 Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place, where you may see them. You shall see just part of them, and shall not see them all. Curse them from there for me.”

14 He took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar. 15 He said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet Hashem over there.”

16 Hashem met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and say this.”

17 He came to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. Balak said to him, “What has Hashem spoken?”

18 He took up his parable, and said,

“Rise up, Balak, and hear!

    Listen to me, you son of Zippor.

19 Elohim is not a man, that He should lie,

    nor a son of man, that He should repent.

Has He said, and He won’t do it?

    Or has He spoken, and He won’t make it good?

20 Behold, I have received a command to bless.

    He has blessed, and I can’t reverse it.

21 He has not seen iniquity in Jacob.

    Neither has he seen perverseness in Israel.

Hashem his Elohim is with him.

    The shout of a king is among them.

22 Elohim brings them out of Egypt.

    He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.

23 Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob;

    Neither is there any divination with Israel.

Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel,

    ‘What has Elohim done!’

24 Behold, a people rises up as a lioness.

    As a lion he lifts himself up.

He shall not lie down until he eats of the prey,

    and drinks the blood of the slain.”

25 Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”

26 But Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘All that Hashem speaks, that I must do?’”