Roots of Faith

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

I wanted to post some of my notes this week related to my personal study of the weekly parsha called Be-Ha’alotcha (translated, “When you put up”). It has some key points and some of the most interesting - though seemingly unconnected stories.

It begins with instructions for the “putting up” of the menorah, and speaks of the “purification of the Levites”, who according to the literal reading of the Hebrew (8:16) are “given, yes given” to YHWH.

There is allowance made for a “make up” Passover for those that were on a journey or impure when the Pesach of the first month was kept.

In Chapter 9, we read an interesting point that “there will be one statute for you (pl) and for the stranger and for the citizen of the land”. I love this idea. There are many out there that place artificial distinctions between Israel and humanity. It is my opinion that all of the world will be instructed into the “Way of YHWH”. Indeed this is the reason for Israel serving as a nation of Priests, being given a charge to be a light to the nations, etc. One only has to read Isaiah chapters 2 and 56 (for example) to see that this is the goal for humanity.

Chapter 9:15-23 we read of the cloud and how it guided the travels of the Israelites. I had not noticed it in previous readings of this text, but the movement of the cloud and the reaction to this move by the people following, are closely associated with their obedience to the “word of YHWH” (mouth might be a better rendering).

Chapter 10 deals with the reasons for the sounding of the trumpets and the order of travel for the tribes.

Chapter 11 switches gears on us. Here we meet with much complaining by the people. They long to return to Egypt. I guess this had me thinking. Often, I meet people who have left their “spiritual Egypt”, but for one reason or another they begin to crave the things that they had there. The provision of God begins to lose its flavor and they want to return. These complaints are “bad in the ears of YHWH” and His anger is flared - and subsequently we read that it was bad in Moses’ eyes. The people still direct their complaints to the man Moses and not to God. In this week’s lesson we see that despite Moses’ humility - he is becoming a bit tired. The people lash out at Moses and he unloads on God. He feels that he is carrying the burden alone and asks God to kill him if things continue as they are. I think that it is interesting to note that God does not react…or should I say over-react to Moses when he makes this comment. In fact, he seemingly ignores his drama altogether and just resolves the issues at hand. Often, I think we take comments of others and over-react causing more problems rather than setting forth solutions. This can be a lesson to us all. God does not chide Moses for his exaggerated remark, He merely sets things straight. Read it and see how God “fixes” the problem!

In verse 20 we find that God informs Moses what he should relate to the complainers. If they want what they had in Egypt, then that is what they shall get. Not just a taste of what they had, but enough that it will run out of their noses! It should be noted that this is a result of their “rejecting YHWH”. This is very similar to the later demand for a King like the nations. Often, I find that God fulfills the request of His people, even when they are in rebellion. He allows them what they ask for in order that they will realize what they have done and return to His ways. Be careful what you ask for!

This Torah reading also contains some interesting points on the imparting of the Spirit. Chapter 11:1-18, and 24-25 reveal the solution to Moses carrying the whole burden alone. God takes some of the Spirit that is upon Moses and shares it with the “70″. They prophesy as an indication that the Spirit is on them, but then it says that they did not do so again (v.25). One is reminded of the story in 1 Samuel 10. Of particular note is what is recorded in 1 Samuel 10:6 - When the spirit comes upon you…you will become a different man! How true is this? When people claim to be spirit filled and continue to practice their ungodly behavior, one has to wonder if their claims are true. When Moses is informed that some are in the camp prophesying and that he should make them stop - he says that he wished all YHWH’s people were prophets. This is important. Too often leaders want to be in charge and have others in servitude to themselves. Not so with Moses! Yeshua said that this is the way Gentiles think. Many churches are full of this in their pastor adoration! We should all learn from this. An interesting play on words that shows up in the Hebrew comes next. Moses has just asked the YHWH “put his Spirit on” the people so that they could all be prophets. In the very next verse, the “Ruach” does indeed travel to the people, but translated as “wind”, the Ruach from YHWH brings the quail that the people craved! Be careful what you ask for!

In Chapter 12, we find Aaron and Miriam complaining against Moses. This is a remarkable story! God calls them into account for their challenge against Moses. He would later ask them, “Why did you not fear to speak against my servant Moses?!” We should learn from this that one should be very cautious when speaking words against the meekest man on all the earth. God spoke to him, mouth to mouth and he saw the “form of YHWH”! For her part in this, Miriam is afflicted. I find it very instructive to read the prayer that Moses offers on her behalf. I have been in prayer meetings with many over the years where people petition God with many words. Yeshua talks of this repetitious prayer practice. Do we think that we must go on and on for God to hear us and answer? Moses says 5 Hebrew words and God acts. “God, please heal her please.” We should learn from this. So this is my summary of the Torah reading for this week. Study it and learn from it.

The festival of Shavuoth has just passed. I pray that like the ancient Israelites, we receive the Torah afresh. Put these words in your heart. Be humble, seek God and keep your prayers simple. Plead with God on behalf of others - even when they do wrong to you. Moses wished that all of God’s people were prophets and that He would put his spirit on all of them. I pray that as well.

 Have a great week. Shalom, Ross

In today’s class we cover some of the most intriguing texts from the Hebrew Bible.  On the one hand the Bible clearly states that “no one has seen God at any time”.  This view is found in numerous texts of the torah and prophets, and even the gospel of John (1:18), but on the other hand there are quite a few texts that seem to contradict this view.

We delve into these mysterious texts in this lesson. We also cover several other topics to include:

1) What is a prophet?

2) What was the real sin of Sodom?

3) Entertaining Angels

4) Who is the Angel of the LORD?

You will not want to miss this exciting class.

Shalom, Ross

 

 Seeing God - Genesis 18 [133:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Genesis 18 - Dialogue Session [70:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sabbath Class 12/22

In today’s lesson we read Genesis 16 and 17 from the torah and Isaiah 54 from the prophets. This week, we did something slightly different than you may be used to. After the reading of the torah and the prophets, we had a panel type discussion about the torah reading. Joseph and Debbie Good, and Dr. Walter Oakley came in to participate.  The panel discussion went well and was a fun way to teach the weekly lesson.

I think that you will enjoy this teaching.  Among other things, we talked about the covenant of circumcision and the idea of a circumcision of heart. Many Gentile Christian think that the Torah and prophets teach of a circumcision of the foreskin while the Christian Scriptures speak of a circumcision of the heart. One other primary points brought out in this week’s teaching is that Moses taught about the circumcision of heart in the Torah! (see for instance Deuteronomy chapters 10 and 30). The prophets did as well.  One example is found in Jeremiah 4:4.

I pray that you are blessed by this lesson.

Shalom, Shalom

 

 Genesis 17 and 18 - Teaching [113:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download