Shelach - Reading #5

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Reading #5 -  Numbers 15:8–16

My Thoughts:

This is what I love about Torah. It is not only for His chosen people, the Jews, but also for the stranger that joins with them. In verse 15, 16 we read, “As you are, so the foreigner shall be before Hashem. One law and one ordinance shall be for you and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner with you.” Torah is clearly for everyone who wants to follow and love Hashem. Yes, we have a lot to learn from His people. We have not been studying Torah for centuries upon centuries. So, it is very important to study from the sages and those who live now who are teaching His Word. We must learn from the “native born” and join in with them. By joining I mean -- support the Jewish people with prayer, finances and material things. Support Israel in every way possible. Oppose those who boycott Israel and pray for peace for Jerusalem. Every day I pray this prayer, “Adonai please return the Land to the people. Please return the people’s hearts to you (and people all over the world). And please return the Mashiach to the Temple -- to rule and reign from Jerusalem forever.

Challenge:

If there is one Torah for the stranger and the native born, then it is really important to study, know and follow those Commandments! That’s why I do this daily blog -- going through the Torah portions. It is a one year cycle and every year you study it, I promise you will learn something new. Most importantly, we must apply what we are learning to our lives. Today we study about the offerings and how to do them. We can’t do these offerings without a Temple. But, how about this? Let’s offer our prayers, our giving to others, our repentance, and our love for Hashem to others. We are called to be a “light” to the nations. Let’s begin doing that today.

Reading #5 -  Numbers 15:8–16

15:8 When you prepare a bull for a burnt offering or for a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or for peace offerings to Hashem, 9 then he shall offer with the bull a meal offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil; 10 and you shall offer for the drink offering half a hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem. 11 Thus it shall be done for each bull, for each ram, for each of the male lambs, or of the young goats. 12 According to the number that you shall prepare, so you shall do to everyone according to their number.

13 “‘All who are native-born shall do these things in this way, in offering an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem. 14 If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, or whoever may be among you throughout your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem, as you do, so he shall do. 15 For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner, a statute forever throughout your generations. As you are, so the foreigner shall be before Hashem. 16 One law and one ordinance shall be for you and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner with you.’”

Shelach - Reading #4

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Reading #4 - Numbers 14:26–15:7 

My Thoughts:

In verse 14:42 we read “Hashem isn’t among you”. And they still persisted to conquer the Land. They meet up with the enemy and are defeated. Even the ark of testimony does not go with them. They probably panicked about their sin of doubt and wanted to make things right in their own flesh. Have you ever done that? Where you do something really wrong, and instead of repenting and asking Hashem to help you repair things -- you try on your own to repair them -- and it ends up a disaster! You want Hashem “to be among you” in your life. Especially for big decisions. And if you do sin in a horrible way or even a little way, don’t try to make it up to Hashem in your own way. Ask Him first what you should do! He will show you for sure!

Challenge:

In this Torah study we learn that complaining actually caused ten men their lives! And caused many more to be penalized about going into the Land. So, this tells us that Hashem does not like complaining. And at the time of writing this I can honestly tell you, that’s what I have been doing in my head all day long today. We are in the middle of trying to sell our house and things are going very differently than we thought they would. I am asking Hashem what we are doing wrong, and trying to listen to Him to tell us. But, in the meanwhile, I am super complaining that our house is not sold (like everyone else's has). Then I repent and tell Hashem I am sorry for not having faith that is needed to pull us through. Still, I am sure He is not happy about my complaining. All I can say is “I am so sorry Hashem, please forgive me for complaining. Please show us what to do, very clearly, to sell our house. Help us to be patient and to have faith that You are in the middle of this.” Amen. I hope you can learn from my mistakes today. This is my challenge to you.

Reading #4 - Numbers 14:26–15:7

14:26 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation that complain against me? I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel, which they complain against me. 28 Tell them, ‘As I live, says Hashem, surely as you have spoken in my ears, so I will do to you. 29 Your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all who were counted of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have complained against me, 30 surely you shall not come into the land concerning which I swore that I would make you dwell therein, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 But I will bring in your little ones that you said should be captured or killed, and they shall know the land which you have rejected. 32 But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. 33 Your children shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your prostitution, until your dead bodies are consumed in the wilderness. 34 After the number of the days in which you spied out the land, even forty days, for every day a year, you will bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you will know my alienation.’ 35 I, Hashem, have spoken. I will surely do this to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against me. In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.”

36 The men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation to murmur against him by bringing up an evil report against the land, 37 even those men who brought up an evil report of the land, died by the plague before Hashem. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land.

39 Moses told these words to all the children of Israel, and the people mourned greatly. 40 They rose up early in the morning and went up to the top of the mountain, saying, “Behold, we are here, and will go up to the place which Hashem has promised; for we have sinned.”

41 Moses said, “Why now do you disobey the commandment of Hashem, since it shall not prosper? 42 Don’t go up, for Hashem isn’t among you; that way you won’t be struck down before your enemies. 43 For there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you, and you will fall by the sword because you turned back from following Hashem; therefore Hashem will not be with you.”

44 But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain. Nevertheless, the ark of Hashem’s covenant and Moses didn’t depart out of the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites who lived in that mountain, and struck them and beat them down even to Hormah.

15 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land of your habitations, which I give to you, 3 and will make an offering by fire to Hashem—a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a free will offering, or in your set feasts, to make a pleasant aroma to Hashem, of the herd, or of the flock— 4 then he who offers his offering shall offer to Hashem a meal offering of one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one fourth of a hin of oil. 5 You shall prepare wine for the drink offering, one fourth of a hin, with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.

6 “‘For a ram, you shall prepare for a meal offering two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the third part of a hin of oil; 7 and for the drink offering you shall offer the third part of a hin of wine, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem.

Shelach - Reading #3

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Reading #3 - Numbers 14:8–25

My Thoughts:

Joshua and Caleb defend Hashem’s promise to the Land. They try to tell the people that they can trust in Hashem and His Word. That the Land is good and He will deliver it, just like He delivered them out of Egypt. They beg them not to fear but to trust. But, fear takes over the people and they threaten to stone them. You know the rest of the story. Their fear prohibits them from ever entering the promised Land. Only their children will be able to go. That is what fear does. It paralyzes you and keeps you from God’s blessings. I know I have been there. Trusting in Him is much, much better.

My Thoughts:

In verse 22 we read that the people have “tempted” Hashem 10 times and not listened to His voice. We stand astonished at that because it happens right after they have seen the biggest miracle of the parting of the sea. But, I  challenge you to take a look at your life. How many times has Hashem done a super miracle in your life and then shortly after you doubt Him or complain or just don’t trust He is going to pull through again? Time to repent and to believe. And believe me, I am talking to myself right now! He did a major miracle in my life, and then shortly after I am doubting Him about something else! STUPID!!!!! Right? Hashem I am so sorry for not trusting You in this new situation. Please forgive me and help me to believe in You! Amen.

Reading #3 - Numbers 14:8-25

14:8 If Hashem delights in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us: a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only don’t rebel against Hashem, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them, and Hashem is with us. Don’t fear them.”

10 But all the congregation threatened to stone them with stones.

Hashem’s glory appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel. 11 Hashem said to Moses, “How long will this people despise Me? How long will they not believe in Me, for all the signs which I have worked among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”

13 Moses said to Hashem, “Then the Egyptians will hear it; for You brought up this people in Your might from among them. 14 They will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You Hashem are among this people; for you Hashem are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them, and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if you killed this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of you will speak, saying, 16 ‘Because Hashem was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore He has slain them in the wilderness.’ 17 Now please let the power of Hashem be great, according as You have spoken, saying, 18 ‘Hashem is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’ 19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”

20 Hashem said, “I have pardoned according to your word; 21 but in very deed—as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with Hashem’s glory— 22 because all those men who have seen My glory and My signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted Me these ten times, and have not listened to My voice; 23 surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it. 24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed Me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it. 25 Since the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the valley, tomorrow turn and go into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”

Shelach - Reading #2

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Reading #2 - Numbers 13:21–14:7

My Thoughts:

Caleb is a man of faith. When everyone else was being negative, Caleb remembered the faithfulness of Hashem. When every man (except Joshua) was scared and running, Caleb stood strong and wanted to carry out the charge to go forth. Have you ever gone “against the flow”? Have you ever had to stand up for something and found that you are pretty much alone in your beliefs? Or if you express your beliefs, others around you may be so angry or disagree that you may even lose a friendship? I spent many years working in a pro-life organization, defending the lives of preborn babies. I have encountered many people over the years who disagreed with my stance on “life”. And it has not been fun. People are strong on their feelings about certain issues and take stands. I would recommend we defend the Truth. Whatever that looks like to you. Just like Joshua and Caleb. Hashem will show you.

Challenge:

Last verse in this reading shows the dedication of Moses and Aaron. When people began grumbling strongly about advancing into the promised Land, Moses I’m sure, became worried. Not worried about what they were doing, but worried about what Hashem was going to do to them. This was so serious. After all, the purpose of the whole deliverance from Egypt was so that they could then move on and go to the Promised Land. And now they were ready to turn around and go back -- just because of the “bad report” of a few men. Moses and Aaron fall on their faces and interceded for the people, so that Hashem would not “extinguish” them. It makes me think of my life. We are going through a situation now -- selling our home. It is very stressful and I am trying so hard to put my faith in Hashem, that He has it all in control. I am trying not to worry and have doubts, and it is so hard. I want to be a strong woman of faith. And I am trying (and repenting). I want to be like Joshua and Caleb -- full of faith and confidence! And I challenge you to do the same. If you are going through a stressful time, try really hard to put your faith and trust in Hashem. He cares about you, even in the littlest things. Pray hard, like Moses and Aaron that Hashem will have mercy on you. 

Reading #2 - Numbers 13:21–14:7

13:21 So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath. 22 They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from there. 25 They returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days. 26 They went and came to Moses, to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word to them and to all the congregation. They showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They told him, and said, “We came to the land where you sent us. Surely it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the children of Anak there. 29 Amalek dwells in the land of the South. The Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country. The Canaanite dwells by the sea, and along the side of the Jordan.”

30 Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, “Let’s go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!”

31 But the men who went up with him said, “We aren’t able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” 32 They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the children of Israel, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people who we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim. We were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

14:1 All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “We wish that we had died in the land of Egypt, or that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why does Hashem bring us to this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be captured or killed! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return into Egypt?” 4 They said to one another, “Let’s choose a leader, and let’s return into Egypt.”

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes. 7 They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land.

Shelach - Reading #1

Shelach שְׁלַy to ח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Reading #1 - Numbers 13:1–20

My Thoughts:

This was a simple request. Simply go and check out the Land. This is the Land the people of Hashem had waited to acquire for centuries. Now was the time. But, it had to be looked at first -- so they knew what to expect. Except there is a turn of events. Something totally unexpected happens. The tribal heads go and they get scared. The Land, the people living there and protecting it -- well, it seems to be too much. It must have seemed impossible, because 10 of the leaders came back with a bad report. This event is going to change everything for them, only they don’t know it. A simple command -- go and spy out the Land. Only it becomes very, very complicated. We will shortly see.

Challenge:

Have you made a simple request of you into something complicated? Has someone asked you to do something and you make it into something more? Maybe, just maybe, we can learn from today’s reading. Let’s try to keep things simple. Let’s follow out directions, and not make them more than what they are. For instance, if you are looking for a new home. And your spouse wants something small, and easy to take care of. But, you start looking at big luxurious homes. You really haven’t listened to her/his simple request. And now you have made it complicated. If your boss tells you to do a report. Do it the way he/she asked you. Try to do the good things in your life in a simple, easy way. The world is hard enough as it is.

 

Reading #1 - Numbers 13:1–20

13:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Send men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel. Of every tribe of their fathers, you shall send a man, every one a prince among them.”

3 Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of Hashem. All of them were men who were heads of the children of Israel. 4 These were their names:

Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

7 Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.

8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

10 Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

11 Of the tribe of Joseph, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.

12 Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.

13 Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.

14 Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.

15 Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

16 These are the names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua. 17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country. 18 See the land, what it is; and the people who dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many; 19 and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds; 20 and what the land is, whether it is fertile or poor, whether there is wood therein, or not. Be courageous, and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.

Shelach - Week #5

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Joshua 2:1-24

Matthew 10:1-14

1.1 First reading — Numbers 13:1–20

1.2 Second reading — Numbers 13:21–14:7

1.3 Third reading — Numbers 14:8–25

1.4 Fourth reading — Numbers 14:26–15:7

1.5 Fifth reading — Numbers 15:8–16

1.6 Sixth reading — Numbers 15:17–26

1.7 Seventh reading — Numbers 15:27–41

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.