June 2021
Torah Reflections
Torah Reflections 36
Korach (Korah)
It is difficult to put a precise time on this rebellion, but it was not many weeks after the LORD had dealt with Miriam and Aaron over their dispute with Moses. Korah was a Levite, and he conspired with two others, Dathan and Abiram, who were Reubenites, to again challenge Moses’ authority. Were they brave? or foolish? Evidently they had ambition beyond their wisdom! The LORD had dealt decisively and quickly with Miriam and Aaron. Surely all the people would have known about it because Miriam was struck with a leprous condition and expelled from the camp for a week after her indiscretion. Never-the-less, the challenge was made. “You take too much upon yourselves, for the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them.” Now this was indeed true, but it was not about being holy (set apart), it was about leadership. These challengers wanted to have some part in the leadership of the people. And immediately we see a lesson for ourselves. It is God Himself who provides us with various ministry gifts. Every one of those gifts is important within a body of believers, but they are different for a purpose. The purpose is that the body has to be properly served according to God’s plan for growth in faith and understanding. That service for the LORD is distributed according to need. No-one is unnecessarily burdened thereby, but everyone is (or should be) involved.
Note here the wisdom of Moses. No argument, no justification, no fuss. With a simple rebuke “you take too much on yourselves you sons of Levi!” Their own words quoted back to them, Moses said that they would go before the LORD the next morning for Him to settle their dispute. But then Moses reminded them of the task the LORD had assigned to them. It was a most honourable and important task. “Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi with you?” And then another question “And what is Aaron, that you complain against him?” Aaron was after all the High Priest, and the Levites had been assigned to him as helpers.
Dathan and Abiram and their associates had more complaints, about having left Egypt and having to “do it tough” in their wilderness camp. Moses became very angry and instructed them all (there were 250 of them) to present themselves before the LORD complete with incense censers, at the entrance to the tabernacle, the next morning. Another lesson. When disputes arise, ask the LORD for the solution. In this case however, the LORD resolved the matter with a mighty display of awesome power. Please read it. The initial challenge resulted in the death of the 250 people who disputed Moses’ leadership, and another 14,700 lost their lives by challenging God’s response!! As we have commented previously “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
So God then chose to give the people another resounding endorsement of His choice of leadership. A miraculous event was about to occur in the presence of the leaders of each of twelve tribes. Each tribe was instructed to bring to the tabernacle of meeting a rod of wood, and on that rod was written the name of the tribe. But on the rod of the tribe of Levi, Aaron’s name was inscribed. The rods were placed in the Holy Place as instructed. God told Moses “And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you.” The next day, Moses presented all those rods to the people, so that they could see for themselves, The rod which bore Aaron’s name, had not only ‘budded’ but also “had produced blossoms and ripe almonds” That same rod, together with some ‘manna’ and the stones of the commandments, were placed inside the Ark of the Covenant as a permanent reminder of what God had done for the people after they left Egypt. It would be an understatement to say the people were fearful of the LORD. “Surely we die, we perish, we all perish.” was their lament. But that was not God’s plan. What God wanted then, is no different to what He wants today. A people respectful and obedient to His commands and statutes. Faithful in service, using the gifts and talents He has provided for the good of the whole community of faith. This word, on which we ‘reflect’ week by week, shows us His nature and character, His love, mercy and grace, as He communes and relates with His people. But we, like them, also have the option to be disobedient, and many of us are. If we learn nothing else, learn this, that disobedience also comes with consequences.
Our portion ends this week with the promise of God to care for those who are engaged in His service. Specifically, in this case, for Aaron and the priests who serve with him. All the offerings of the people, except those consumed by the fire of the altar, was to be God’s gift of provision for them. “This shall be yours of the most holy things reserved from the fire; every offering of theirs, every grain offering and every sin offering and every trespass offering which they render to Me, shall be most holy (set apart) for you and your sons.” That is a precious promise of God to those He called to serve Him. That is the prosperity God promised His closest servants. It is difficult to comprehend how that simple promise of God’s boundless provision has evolved into the system which has developed today for those who similarly have charge of God’s elect. Or is it just another invention of man ?
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Torah Reflections
Torah Reflections 35
Shelach (Continued)
We ended last week with the LORD having pardoned the people for Moses’ sake, but without repentance by the people themselves, they were told that they would not be allowed to enter the land of God’s promise. “And Moses told these words to all the children of Israel, and the people mourned greatly.” But it was too late. The next morning they arose early and went to the top of the mountain. They could see the way to travel and decided that they would go there anyway. Moses again spoke to them. “Now why do you transgress the command of the LORD? For this will not succeed. Do not go up. Lest you be defeated by your enemies, for the LORD is not among you.” Is this not yet another important lesson for us. How often do we attempt things in our own strength? Sure it might sound like a good idea, but did we check if that is what God wants. Did we pray about it? Did we wait for God’s direction? The word records that in our text today they did indeed ‘go it alone’ and were soundly defeated as Moses had warned them.
Then the LORD spoke to Moses again. “When you have come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving to you ..”. Followed by another detailed set of instructions about how the various offerings made to the LORD were to be made. Burnt offerings, an offering of sacrifice, freewill offerings at the time of celebration of the “mo’edim” of the LORD, were all covered in detail. But then a statement which poses many questions today. It concerns those who were to bring the offerings. “All who are native born”, most people are perfectly comfortable with. But “And if a stranger dwells with you, or whoever is among you throughout your generations, and would present an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD, just as you do, so shall he do.” comes as a bit of a shock. But it goes on. “One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you , an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before then LORD. One law (Torah) and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.”
Now I confess to being brought to attention be reading those words. The statement is unequivocal, unambiguous, very plain, and easy to understand. At least that is how it seems to me. So why does it present such difficulty to so many of us? Well, first of all, the sacrificial system is no longer operative in our day so we couldn’t participate even if we wanted to. But the principle of participation, definitely in regard to the “mo’edim” is still with us. Some have argued that the statement only applies to those who choose to live ‘in the land’. And true enough the statement by the LORD at the beginning of chapter 15 says “When you have come into the land ..”. But the addition of “throughout your generations” later, suggests a permanency to the command too. We note that no-where in the Scriptures has God ever annulled any of the commandments. It is a matter which I brought before the LORD with an open mind and an open Bible some years ago, and received from Him the answer to my question. If you are in any doubt, I commend you to do as I did.
The fact that the sacrificial system is no longer operational, a system which allowed the people to “draw near to God”, does not mean that we have no way of similarly ”drawing near to Him” today. The reasons for the need to “draw near” remain. They are many and various. Often unintentional sin might be the reason, as is described in our text. But we need to keep “short accounts” with God. That seems to me to be the prevailing message here. But the next matter addressed is much more serious. Described as “doing anything presumptuously”. And, as “despising the word of the LORD, and breaking His commandment”. How are we to interpret that today? It is easy to think that those things are not possible, but they are, and more frequently than one would imagine. In our text, the result was to be “completely cut off”. No more chances. How sad. An example is quoted of violating the Sabbath. Most today would consider that trivial. But not our God! It falls into the category of “despising the word of God”. So easy to fall into isn’t it?
But God is gracious. He provided them with the means of reminding them continually of His word. YES, continually. “Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments (it is called a Tzitzit today, which observant Jewish men, and some women, wear under their shirt) throughout their generations and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you do not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God.” Pretty simple eh! And in my personal experience very effective. I do not wear a Tzitzit. But the LORD provided me with a different memory jogger. Very effective, and it works all the time.
It is a truth that if you “train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). Many of the people who read this will have been brought up in a Christian home. As was I. But as I look back, the emphasis was primarily about attending church on a Sunday. (and I do not argue about that) It was expected that one would receive Christian teaching as a result. But churches vary considerably. Countless numbers of people have consequently fallen away. The foundation was not solid. And the Scripture quoted from Proverbs seems to apply only sometimes. Friends, the basis on which that Scripture remains true every time is when that teaching is soundly based on the infallible word of God. Taking heed to such Scriptures that we have just ‘reflected’ upon.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Torah Reflections
Torah Reflections 34
Shelach (Send (men) for yourself)
The time had come when preparations were to be made for the Israelites to go in and possess the land of God’s promise to them. They were still in the Wilderness of Paran, just a few days trek from its southern border. So God instructed Moses to send trusted men with leadership qualities. One representative (excluding the Levites) of each of the twelve tribes, to assess its potential for their occupation. (note that Joseph was now represented by his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh as tribes in their own right) The type of land. What it was capable of producing? Was it forested, hilly, flat? Was it rich land with good soil or poor, rocky, barren etc.? And the people there. Did they dwell in fortified cities or camps? Were they well fortified? How should the Israelites plan to move in? Plenty of things to be assessed as they set out on their spying trip. They were gone for 40 days, bringing back with them some samples of the fruit, and declaring that the land was indeed as God had promised, “flowing with milk and honey”.(Exodus 3:8).
If only they had left it at that!! It’s the “good news, bad news” story isn’t it? They had also seen that the cities were large and fortified (remember they had been living as slaves in Egypt, and for the past year had been in the desert). That the people there were big and strong. And they were well spread out in the whole of the land they had seen, and was made up of a number of different people groups. The result. “We cannot possibly hope to conquer the land. It’s not all that good anyway, and the people are giants! We are like grasshoppers in their sight.” What a depressing report. But Caleb, the one who represented the tribe of Judah, spoke up. “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the damage was done. The people were fearful. They wept and anguished over it all that night. Then the recriminations began. “If only we had died in Egypt! etc.” Then “let us choose another leader and go back to Egypt.” Moses and Aaron were distraught at the outbursts.
Joshua, (who had his name changed from Hoshea by Moses (Num 13:16)) the representative of the tribe of Ephraim on the spying trip, stood with Caleb. They tore their clothes in anguish. They could not believe what they were witnessing. And together they spoke up. “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a ‘land which flows with milk and honey’. Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.” But fear them they did. And the people sought to stone them both. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of meeting. And all the people saw it.
What followed was another of those amazing conversations between the LORD and Moses. It is worthwhile reading it in its correct context. It is very difficult to imagine that Moses was actually telling God something He did not already know. I speculate here, but maybe God was ‘testing’ the wisdom of “His friend” Moses. In any event it is quite remarkable. And as it happens, God was merely delaying what He told Moses what He intended to do anyway, which was not to allow unfaithful and disobedient people from entering the promised land. He expressed His extreme displeasure “ How long will these people reject Me?” As we go through this conversation we should look for the lesson for ourselves, there is one. (it is easy to think we would not have acted as these people did, but most of us do, every day). He continued “And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?” Is that lesson beginning to register? Moses continued to argue that if God were to follow through with His anger with them and immediately ‘cut them off’’, then that would be seen by their enemies as them being abandoned by God. And furthermore, His promise to ‘bring them to the land flowing with milk and honey’ would be seen as an empty promise. Moses reminded God that “The LORD is long-suffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression.”
In His mercy and grace, the LORD said “I have pardoned, according to your word”. But regrettably there was more to it. The lesson for us gets clearer as the LORD continued “because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected (treated scornfully) Me see it”. At first glance, it would seem that God was giving with one hand and taking away with the other. But that is NOT the case. God pardoned (by not ‘cutting off’ immediately’) these people, for His faithful friend Moses’ sake. But seeing the heart of the people, and the deep seated scornful attitude which remained, God allowed them to continue their life to its natural end, but He could not allow them to enter the land. Repentance is an act of a personal nature. No-one can repent for someone else. And that is the lesson we need to understand.
The judgement of God on them was that for every day those spies were in the land, God would let them be “be shepherds in the wilderness’. A journey to the land of promise, that could have been done in about ten days, was now going to take 40 years. One down, thirty nine to go! But the people were not finished with their own plans even then. We’ll discover what they did next week.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Torah Reflections
Torah Reflection 33
Beha’alotcha (continued)
Last week we ended with the Israelites making the first movement of their camp, and they were now in the Wilderness of Paran, to the west of where Eilat is today. Then the complaints began!
We need to keep in mind that there were a lot of people in that company. Six hundred thousand men of military age plus dependants. Close to two million altogether as well as their livestock. They would have been spread out over a sizeable area, and not all proceeding at the same pace. The LORD heard their various complaints, and was displeased. He sent fire around them and some who were at the fringes of the company got burned in the fire. “Moses, where are you? Help!” Can you hear their cries? Moses interceded on behalf of the people. The fire ceased. Does that give you a measure of the stature of this man? And the relationship he had with His God? It does me. But they were a mixed multitude we are told. All kinds of people. And they had different tastes and longings. The LORD was faithfully providing their daily provision of “manna” (a word which literally means ‘what is it?’) So they were not hungry, but they ‘craved’ a more varied diet, including meat and vegetables. The LORD’s anger “was greatly aroused” again. And Moses wasn’t all that happy either.
The exchange of words between the LORD and Moses is remarkable. “Why have You have laid the burden of all these people on me?” Moses asked the LORD. Then in paraphrase, the LORD said “I’ll give you help. Bring seventy men you know to have good standing with the people to the Tent of Meeting and I’ll talk to you there.” Which he did. The LORD continued “tell the people they’ll have their meat. Not for one or two days, but for a whole month. They will have meat until it comes out of their nostrils!” Moses’ response was classic. “Where am I going to get all that meat? Shall I kill all the livestock. Can I produce all the fish in the sea to feed them? There are two million of them!! Then the calm of our LORD. “Has the LORD’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.” What followed was another miracle. First, the LORD came down in the cloud, took the Spirit that was in Moses, and placed the same Spirit upon the seventy elders who were gathered there with him. And they prophesied (I take that to mean they took the message of the LORD to the people with the same authority that Moses had). But it was a one time experience for them. And it was for a particular act of ministry. A lesson right there. We are taught that “receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit’” is a “whole of life, one time” single experience gift. “Have you been ‘Spirit filled’? is the question often asked. It is true that we can live by, and in, the Spirit. That is what God expects of us. But it requires a way of life which is ‘God centred’ to maintain. Selah.
Joshua, Moses’ assistant became alarmed when he saw two of the elders prophesying in the camp. “Moses, my lord, forbid them!” Was his cry. Moses responded “Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets, and the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” Soon the whole area of the camp was filled with quail, brought in by an East wind from the LORD. We are told that he who gathered least collected 10 Homers, enough to fill a small pick-up truck!! And the people GORGED themselves. It’s called gluttony. And for that many of them died! Beware of the sin of gluttony.
Then we learn of the sin of envy and jealousy within the camp. From none other than Moses’ siblings, Miriam and Aaron! The excuse was regarding Moses’ wife, an Ethiopian woman. Evidently not Zippora the Midianite. But the truth is revealed to us in the very next verse of our text. They said “Has the LORD indeed ONLY spoken through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” In my imagination I can see the scene as the LORD hears this. Close your eyes, picture the scene. “YOU THREE, to the tabernacle of meeting, NOW.!!” When they got there, the LORD stood in the door of the tabernacle, in a cloud. WOW!! Aaron and Miriam … step forward. The LORD speaks.
“Hear now My words; if there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak to him face to face, even plainly, not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
The cloud left them. The LORD departed. And in an instant leprosy covered Miriam. “white as snow” we are told. Unclean. Destined to be put outside the camp. Humiliated. Broken. Aaron was dumfounded. Horror stricken. Pouring out his confession of sin and foolishness to Moses. What a scene! Then Moses in his own anguish for his sister, called out to the LORD. “PLEASE heal her, O God, I pray!” (This is the first of only three places in the Scriptures that I can find anyone being ‘prayed for’ to be healed. In every other case of healing, it was the exercise of the GIFT of healing). The LORD in His mercy answered Moses by decreeing that she should be put out of the camp for seven days before being allowed back into the fellowship of the others. We have commented a few times previously “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”. What a way to learn such a lesson. Can we learn from it too? The whole congregation learned it, because they remained in that place for the whole time Miriam was ‘outside the camp’.
Shabbat Shalom
RS