These are some of my notes for the Torah portion this week.
This week’s Torah lesson begins with a story about Moses sending out leaders from every tribe (except Levi) to explore the land of Canaan. They are often referred to as “spies”, but the Hebrew word “tur” literally means to seek out or explore. Their purpose is to bring back information - specific information requested by Moses and so in a way, they are to “spy out” the land.
Chapter 13:4-15 gives the names of these leaders.
Two of these leaders (interestingly enough…one from Judah and one from Ephraim) bring back a good report while the others give an “unfavorable report” (see 14:32). They are to search out and report on the following:
1. What is the land like?
2. Are the people weak or strong?
3. Are they few or many?
4. Is the land good or bad?
5. Are the towns walled or not?
6. Are there trees or not?
And finally they are told to “be bold” and bring back some of the fruit of the land (13:17-20).
The reconnaissance mission takes them 40 days. Caleb, the leader representing the tribe of Judah and Hoshea, the leader representing the tribe of Ephraim (whose name is changed by Moses to Yehoshua - 14:16) bring back the good report.
There is a lot of clamor in the camp as the “spies” relate what they saw. Caleb quiets the people before Moses and tries to encourage the people to take possession, but again this week we find the people complaining and even desiring death or a return to Egypt rather than the prospect of pushing onward into the land of promise.
I find that the allure of what one knows can be very distracting to people in the quest. The unknown is not the popular choice for most, and slavery can be difficult to shake off. People can grow comfortable in the most uncomfortable situations.
The valiant two give the people their best arguments to move ahead. They tell the Israelites that the LORD is with them and warn the people not to “rebel against the LORD”, but this only brought them threats of stoning (14:5-10)!
God is angered by the poor choice of the people and wants to destroy them, disinherit them and start over with Moses (14:11-12). Moses intercedes for the people reminding God of His very nature. Notice what he says -
“Let the power of the LORD be great in the way that you promised when you spoke, saying: The LORD is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (hesed), forgiving iniquity and transgressing, but by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children to the third and the fourth generation.” This becomes a repeated description of God throughout the Bible (see Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 145:8, Joel 2:13, and Jonah 4:2). One should study these words closely.
God listens to the voice of Moses and agrees to forgive (14:20) but then says something quite remarkable. He swears that “the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD”. We read elsewhere of this global mission. I understand this to mean that the taking of the land was to be the beginning of something incredible. Israel’s mission would be manifested from this promised land. From there they would become a Light unto the nations! Here we read that the “glory of the LORD” would fill the earth. Notice the following passages from the prophets:
KJV Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
KJV Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
This is the goal and meaning of history - it is the manifestation of God’s Kingdom on earth.
God is persuaded by the intercession of Moses, but the penalty of unfaithfulness will be paid in full. These leaders had “spied out the land for forty days” and brought back a bad report and so they would now bear their iniquity - a year for every day! They would learn God’s displeasure and would die in the wilderness. Ironically, this is what they had requested (14:2).
Chapter 15 describes various offerings that were to be offered when they did finally cross into the land. In 15:14-16, we read that the alien who resides with Israel shall do as the Israelites do. They are to have and keep the same ordinances as every natural Israelite. See also verse 29 for the same idea dealing with “atonement”.
The torah reading ends with a passage requiring the wearing of “fringes - tzittzit” on the corners of their garments(15:37-41). See also Deuteronomy 22:12.
This Torah reading offers some insights into what is expected of those who find themselves in a leadership role among the people of God. Our faith in God must be strong. Even when things look ominous, we must keep our eyes on God and not allow circumstances or situations to influence our walk with God, or keep us from fulfilling His commands.
We should seek to intercede for the people of God. Moses learned to reason with God based upon “knowing” his character. This week’s lesson contains an excellent description of God’s character. We should learn it by heart!
We also learn that God gives us challenges that He will help us through. These may seem impossible, but they often put us in a place to be a light to those around us. Have faith and be bold. Stand on God’s word and you cannot fail.
A valuable lesson is communicated in this Torah portion that is often overlooked. Forgiveness does not free us from the consequences of our sins. We must often bear our iniquity - and this sometimes takes years to play its course.
I hope that you will take the time to read and study this Torah portion. There is much to be gleaned and I have only scratched the surface. Shalom and good reading!
Ross K. Nichols
www.RootsofFaith.org
Loading ...