Pinchas - Reading #2

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas

Numbers 25:10-30:1

Reading #2 - Numbers 26:5–51

My Thoughts:

Hashem is asking Moses to take a census of the men over 20 that would be willing and ready to go to war. It must be that Hashem is anticipating that war is evident in the near future. It would be like our government in the US calling up men for the draft. It’s about preparing and getting ready. That is a strong characteristic of our Elohim. He prepares and gets ready. It is a lesson for all of us to learn. Maybe we are not going into any obvious “battle” but even getting up in the morning to meet the world each day -- we must prepare and get ready for what is to come. This includes prayer and worship of Hashem, and asking Him to be in the middle of it all. Amen.

Challenge:

This was no small group of men. Total count of those over 20 (and probably under 55) are over 600,000. So add in children, elderly and women. Some researchers say this huge number is impossible. Even using the latrine for this amount of people would seem impossible. But, we serve a powerful Elohim. One that does not lie. And if He wants Moses to record this number then it is certainly true. That’s why the whole story is such a great miracle. That so many people were sent to freedom and then journeyed together through the desert. No wonder Hashem gave such a powerful Torah of commandments! To keep order and for protection. My challenge for you today is to think about the Torah regarding your life. How does it bring order and protection to you and your family? Then take time to praise Adonai for giving it to us and preserving it! It truly does bring us eternal life!

Reading #2 -  Numbers 26:5–51

26:5 Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites; 6 of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 7 These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were counted of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thirty. 8 The son of Pallu: Eliab. 9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram who were called by the congregation, who rebelled against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah when they rebelled against Hashem; 10 and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died; at the time the fire devoured two hundred fifty men, and they became a sign. 11 Notwithstanding, the sons of Korah didn’t die. 12 The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites; 13 of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14 These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty-two thousand two hundred. 15 The sons of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites; of Haggi, the family of the Haggites; of Shuni, the family of the Shunites; 16 of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites; 17 of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 18 These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were counted of them, forty thousand and five hundred. 19 The sons of Judah: Er and Onan. Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20 The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. 21 The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22 These are the families of Judah according to those who were counted of them, seventy-six thousand five hundred. 23 The sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Punites; 24 of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25 These are the families of Issachar according to those who were counted of them, sixty-four thousand three hundred. 26 The sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. 27 These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those who were counted of them, sixty thousand five hundred. 28 The sons of Joseph after their families: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. 30 These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the family of the Iezerites; of Helek, the family of the Helekites; 31 and Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and Shechem, the family of the Shechemites; 32 and Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33 Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34 These are the families of Manasseh. Those who were counted of them were fifty-two thousand seven hundred. 35 These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36 These are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites. 37 These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those who were counted of them, thirty-two thousand five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families. 38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites; 39 of Shephupham, the family of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: the family of the Ardites; and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41 These are the sons of Benjamin after their families; and those who were counted of them were forty-five thousand six hundred. 42 These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 43 All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those who were counted of them, were sixty-four thousand four hundred. 44 The sons of Asher after their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Berites. 45 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites; of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 46 The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. 47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were counted of them, fifty-three thousand four hundred. 48 The sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the family of the Gunites; 49 of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50 These are the families of Naphtali according to their families; and those who were counted of them were forty-five thousand four hundred. 51 These are those who were counted of the children of Israel, six hundred one thousand seven hundred thirty.

Pinchas - Reading #1

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas

Numbers 25:10-30:1

Reading #1 -  Numbers 25:10–26:4

My Thoughts:

In verse 11 we read, “He was jealous with My jealousy”. Can you imagine that you would have the same passion and jealousy that Hashem has for certain issues in life? Maybe that is something we should pray for. That our passions for righteousness would be the same as Hashem’s. We would become world changers if this were true. Maybe take a minute to think about some injustice that comes to your attention. Now pray and ask Hashem how you can change and correct it. Then do it. Hashem will give you the direction and strength. And the world will be a better place because of it.

Challenge:

In verse 12 Hashem says to Moses that He is giving Phinehas “My covenant of peace...the covenant of an everlasting priesthood…”. A covenant of peace. Doesn’t that sound so wonderful. To me it says that Hashem is going to be at peace with Phinehas all the days of his life. And that He will bring peace into his life. Isn’t peace what we strive for everyday? When we are discontent or sad, we search for peace. We pray for peace. My challenge to you today is to seek Hashem and ask Him if He would be willing to give you a covenant of peace. Or ask Him what you would have to do to be given this covenant. What injustice would you need to fight for? It’s interesting that Hashem is so interested in securing righteousness in our world that He would reward us with peace. It is a natural reward, don’t you think?

Reading #1 -  Numbers 25:10–26:4

2510 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 11 “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in My jealousy. 12 Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace. 13 It shall be to him, and to his offspring after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his Elohim, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’”

14 Now the name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers’ house among the Simeonites. 15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur. He was head of the people of a fathers’ house in Midian.

16 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “Harass the Midianites, and strike them; 18 for they harassed you with their wiles, wherein they have deceived you in the matter of Peor, and in the incident regarding Cozbi, the daughter of the prince of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor.”

26 After the plague, Hashem spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go out to war in Israel.” 3 Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 4 “Take a census, from twenty years old and upward, as Hashem commanded Moses and the children of Israel.”

These are those who came out of the land of Egypt.

Pinchas - Week #8

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas

Numbers 25:10-30:1

Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

John 2:13-22

1.1 First reading — Numbers 25:10–26:4

1.2 Second reading — Numbers 26:5–51

1.3 Third reading — Numbers 26:52–27:5

1.4 Fourth reading — Numbers 27:6–23

1.5 Fifth reading — Numbers 28:1–15

1.6 Sixth reading — Numbers 28:16–29:11

1.7 Seventh reading — Numbers 29:12–30:1

Balak - Reading #7

Balak בָּלָק - Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8

Apostolic Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

Reading #7 - Numbers 24:14–25:9

My Thoughts:

Chapter 25 we read about Israel “joining” with the prostitutes and sacrificing to the gods of Baal. Hashem is angry and causes a plague that kills thousands. Hashem does not like it when we go to worship other “gods”. This weekend I am at a family reunion. Things are done very differently in my extended family. They eat pork, drink heavily, swear, etc. But, I love them. They are very special people. We try to enjoy time with them, but it almost feels like I am hanging with the Moabites. I justify doing things that I would not necessarily do. We need to be careful. We need to choose Hashem over man. I’m working on it.

Challenge:

Phinehas stands up for righteousness. Some people think that he could have risked being charged for murder. But, he did not. Think about the times you have stood up for what was right. Were you willing to risk your life? There have been times where I have tried to defend the defenseless through the pro-life movement. I counseled young pregnant women for years who wanted abortions and tried to show them a different way. I never risked my life, but I did spend a large part of my life working very hard alongside Hashem to save a baby from being aborted. My challenge to you is to take a look at your life. Watch for opportunities to do what is right, even if it costs you something. Then do it. Hashem will stand with you. 

Reading #7 - Numbers 24:14–25:9

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.

25:1 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.

5:6 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 Writing: 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 Writing: Matthew 21:1-11

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!” Psalm 118:26

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.”

Balak - Reading #6

Balak בָּלָק - Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Reading #6 -  Numbers 23:27–24:13 

My Thoughts:

Verse 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 #6 - Numbers 23:27–24:13

23:27 Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please G-d 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.

24:1 When Balaam saw that it pleased Hashem’s 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’?

Balak - Reading #5

Balak בָּלָק - Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Reading #5 -  Numbers 23:13–26

My Thoughts:

The Word that Balaam gives Balak from Hashem is so strong! Hashem has blessed and it cannot be reversed (verse 20)! There is nothing we can “undo” that Hashem has ordered. Even in our own lives. He is the ultimate source and power of everything, and it is time we realize this. The world can go about thinking the people have the power to take control, but they don’t -- only Hashem has control. He owns it all. And the sooner we realize this the better! In Olam Haba there will no longer be a power struggle. We will no longer have to curse people, lie and cheat. We will serve only One Elohim -- the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Amen!

Challenge:

In verse 19 we read, “...Has He said, and He won’t do it? Or has He spoken, and He won’t make it good?” When Hashem promised His people to give them the Land of Israel, He meant it. He never broke His promise. However, we break our promises to Him all the time. Think of the last time you promised Hashem something you would never do again, and yet you find yourself breaking that promise and do it again? It’s time we begin to change and think about how Hashem wants us to be holy as He is holy. He wants us to be righteous -- at all costs. Let’s start today to try and clean up our lives. Let us try to honor and please Him in all we do. Amen!

Reading #5 -  Numbers 23:13–26

23:13 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 Elohim 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?’”

Balak - Reading #4

Balak בָּלָק - Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Reading #4 - Numbers 22:39–23:12

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 #4 - Numbers 22:39–23:12

2239 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?”