vendredi 5 juillet 2013

42Parsha Matot – Staffs , Masei - Journey



42Parsha Matot – Staffs -Badmidbar 30:2- 32:42
Masei - Journey - Badmidbar 33:,j1 – 36:13
Yrmeyahu  1:1-2:3, - 2:4-28, 3:4, 4:1-2,
Philippians 3:12-16, Ya’acov (James) 4:1-12
Daniel ben Ya’acov Israel
PART I



Portion Summary

Mattot

The name of the forty-second reading from the Torah is Mattot (מטות), which means "tribes." The name is derived from the words of Numbers 30:1, which says, "Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the sons of Israel." Numbers 30 discusses the laws of vows and oaths. Numbers 31 tells the story of Israel's war with Midian. Numbers 32 relates the story of how the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Mannaseh came to inherit the land east of the Jordan River. Except in biblical calendar leap years, Mattot is read together with the subsequent Torah portion, Massei, on the same Sabbath.

Massei

The last reading from the book of Numbers is called Massei (מסעי), a word that means "journeys." It comes from the first verse of the reading, which begins with the words "These are the journeys of the sons of Israel" (Numbers 33:1). Massei is the end of the continuous narrative of Torah that began in Genesis with the creation of the universe. The narrative does not resume until the end of Deuteronomy, when Moses dies.
The final reading in Numbers settles several last-minute details. In it we find a list of the encampments from Egypt to the plains of Moab. We also find instructions for apportioning the land, as well as the specifics regarding the borders of the land. While explaining the land and its borders, Moses introduces the laws of the cities of refuge and more inheritance laws. In most years, synagogues read Massei together with the preceding portion, Mattot, which accounts for the brevity of this portion's commentary.

Portion Outline

  • TORAH
    • Numbers 30:1 | Vows Made by Women
    • Numbers 31:1 | War against Midian
    • Numbers 31:13 | Return from the War
    • Numbers 31:25 | Disposition of Captives and Booty
    • Numbers 32:1 | Conquest and Division of Transjordan
    • Numbers 33:1 | The Stages of Israel's Journey from Egypt
    • Numbers 33:50 | Directions for the Conquest of Canaan
    • Numbers 34:1 | The Boundaries of the Land
    • Numbers 34:16 | Tribal Leaders
    • Numbers 35:1 | Cities for the Levites
    • Numbers 35:9 | Cities of Refuge
    • Numbers 35:16 | Concerning Murder and Blood Revenge
    • Numbers 36:1 | Marriage of Female Heirs
  • PROPHETS
    • Jer 2:4 | God Pleads with Israel to Repent




Today in our society the rulers of the world have established rules by which women are “equal” to men in all. During the year 1968 and after, we see the rising of a movement called women emancipation”. From this point on, women will begin to be in opposition to men decision, requiring “equality”. The result of it is that for example in the first five year of marriage we have in France a statistic of over fifty five percent divorce!
Num 30:3-15  Num_30:3-15 contain the rules relating to positive and negative vows made by a woman, and four different examples are given. .....The first case (Num_30:3-5) is that of a woman in her youth, while still unmarried, and living in her father's house. If she made a vow of performance or abstinence, and her father heard of it and remained silent, it was to stand, i.e., to remain in force. But if her father held her back when he heard of it, i.e., forbade her fulfilling it, it was not to stand or remain in force, and Yehovah would forgive her because of her father's refusal. Obedience to a father stood higher than a self-imposed religious service...........
Today especially in western countries we see women committing adultery without any fear, it is just accepted that “it can happen”, they are in “competition” with men in evil doing! 
This is HaSatan, the “god of this world” doing. Read what the prophet Hoshea says of Ephraim:----
Hos 4:1 Hear the word of יהוה, you children of Yisra’ĕl (that is Ephraim), for יהוה has a case against the inhabitants of the land: “For there is no truth or kindness or knowledge of Elohim in the land.
Hos 4:2 Swearing, and lying, and murdering, and stealing, and committing adultery have increased. And bloodshed follows bloodshed. (compare with Sh'mot 20:1-17)
Hos 4:6 My people have perished for lack of knowledge (da’at). Because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being priest for Me. Since you have forgotten the Torah of your Elohim, I also forget your children.  
Hos 4:12 “My people ask from their Wood, and their Staff declares to them. For a spirit of whorings has led them astray, and they went whoring from under their Elohim.
Hos 4:13 “They slaughter on the mountaintops, and burn incense on the hills, under oak and poplars and terebinth, because its shade is good. Therefore your daughters commit whoring, and your brides commit adultery.
Hos 4:14I (Elohim) would not punish your daughters when they commit whoring, nor your brides when they commit adultery, for the men themselves go aside with whores, and offer with cult prostitutes – a people that do not understand are thrust down!
Hos 4:17 Ephrayim is joined to idols, let him alone. ---------
Moshe followed יהוה’s command and they killed all the males (verse31:7) they killed also Balaam the son of Beor (verse 8).
The second case (Num_30:6-8) was that of a vow of performance or abstinence, made by a woman before her marriage, and brought along with her (“upon herself”) into her marriage. In such a case the husband had to decide as to its validity, in the same way as the father before her marriage. In the day when he heard of it he could hold back his wife, i.e., dissolve her vow; but if he did not do this at once, he could not hinder its fulfilment afterwards, gossip of her lips, that which is uttered thoughtlessly or without reflection (cf. Lev_5:4). This expression implies that vows of abstinence were often made by unmarried women without thought or reflection............. –
The third case (Num_30:9) was that of a vow made by a widow or divorced woman. Such a vow had full force, because the woman was not dependent upon a husband.
 - The fourth case (Num_30:10-12) was that of a vow made by a wife in her married state. Such a vow was to remain in force if her husband remained silent when he heard of it, and did not restrain her. On the other hand, it was to have no force if her husband dissolved it at once.
(I believe Sha’ul had this Torah passage in mind when writing to the Corinthians in 1st Corinthians chapter 7, especially verses 36-38)
After this there follows the general statement (Num_30:13-16), that a husband could establish or dissolve every vow of performance or abstinence made by his wife. If, however, he remained silent “from day to day,” he confirmed it by his silence; and if afterwards he should declare it void, he was to bear his wife's iniquity, the sin which the wife would have had to bear if she had broken the vow of her own accord. This consisted either in a sin-offering to expiate her sin (Lev_5:4.); or if this was omitted, in the punishment which God suspended over the sin (Lev_5:1). (Keil and Delitzsch)
We see that in a believer’s household, the husband or father’s word is binding. Do you think it is different today? Discuss this point according to the Torah!
Num 30:1 and Mosheh spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, “This is the word which יהוה has commanded:... Num 30:16 These are the laws which יהוה commanded Mosheh, between a man and his wife, and between a father and his daughter in her youth in her father’s house. …………..
Chapter 31.
This chapter deals with the destruction of Midian, which was already commanded by יהוה in Badmidbar 25:16-18. 
Moshe was married to Yethro’s daughter Zipporah (Hebrew meaning is “bird”). Who was Yithro also called “ReuelNum.10:29  And Mosheh said to Ḥoḇaḇ, the son of Reʽuw’ĕl the Miḏyanite, Mosheh’s father-in-law, ……
Read Mattytyahu 7:15-20 יהושע warns from false prophets. The flesh (carnal man) made the children of Israel fall. Sha’ul says: walk in the ruach (Spirit) and you will not fulfil the lust (desire) of the flesh! For the flesh lusteth against the “ruach” (spirit), and the “ruach” against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.
Galatians 5:16-17.  As we have seen many times the plain text, the “peshat” level (literal) shows us what happened to our forefathers. In the Sod (mystery), behind the letter we see the carnal man who was not able to control the flesh. We now have received the Ruach HaQodesh so that he helps us in our infirmities in order to walk in the light following יהושע HaMoschiach. Yude (Jude) speaks also from the way of Balaam: -----
Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core......................
Should we think that things have changed? יהושע gives us a strong warning: ---
Mat 13:40 as therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. .....................
How are we walking today? After the truth spoken of by יהושע or after the doctrines of Balaam’s teachers? The first lead us into everlasting life, the second unto eternal death. ...... Jamieson, Fausset and Brown give us detail concerning Midian and Bala’am:....The Midianites, a distinct people on the southern frontier of Moab, united with them as confederates against Israel, their common enemy. Midian was a descendant of Abraham through Keturah is second wife: ---
Gen 25:1 and Aḇraham took another wife, whose name was Qeturah.
Gen 25:2 And she bore him Zimran, and Yoqshan, and Meḏan, and Miḏyan, and Yishbaq, and Shuwaḥ.
Gen 25:4 And the sons of Miḏyan were Ěphah, and Ěpher, and Ḥanoḵ, and Aḇiḏa, and Eldaʽah. All these were the children of Qeturah.  ..............
They were not included in יהוה promise to Abraham and therefore was the reason of the enmity between their descendants and the children of Israel although they also were taught on the way of יהוהduring their time with Abraham! ------
 Gen 25:5 now Aḇraham gave all that he had to Yitsḥaq,  Gen 25:6 but to the sons of the concubines whom Aḇraham had, Aḇraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Yitsḥaq, eastward, to the land of the east
.We must look in this context today to understand who are those descendants when speaking of “Ishmaelites”, “Edomites”, “Moabites”, “Assyrians”, “Babylonians”, ”Balaamites(midian)” are they not “Arabs” “Romains, i.e. western countries”, all countries surrounding Israel “Syria”, “Iran”, “Iraq”, “Libya”,in the north Turkey and the “corrupted Catholic church”?   What can we say more concerning Midian and Bala’am in the later day we are now? Many so call “teachers” and “pastors” in modern “churches” and even assemblies” do not research and go into error teaching out of their own mind, they are antinomians (rejecters of the Torah).  By reading I found something very interesting. We know that the book of Revelation is for many a book of “confusion”, although יהושע says: “blessed is he that read and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev.1:3). I read from “Vincent’s word study”, not something spiritual but much more factual established on research, which I quote. At first it doesn’t look to point to Bala’am and Midian but read:
Rev 2:6 - The Nicolaitans
From the Greek νικᾶν to conquer, and λαός the people. There are two principal explanations of the term: The first and better one historical.  A sect springing, according to credible tradition, from Nicholas a proselyte of Antioch, one of the seven deacons of Jerusalem (Act_6:5) Act 6:5 AndG2532 theG3588 sayingG3056 pleasedG700 the(G1799) wholeG3956 multitude:G4128 andG2532 they choseG1586 Stephen,G4736 a manG435 fullG4134 of faithG4102 andG2532 of the HolyG40 Ghost,G4151 andG2532 Philip,G5376 andG2532 Prochorus,G4402 andG2532 Nicanor,G3527 andG2532 Timon,G5096 andG2532 Parmenas,G3937 andG2532 NicolasG3532 a proselyteG4339 of Antioch:G491
Nicolas, who apostatized from the truth, and became the founder of an Antinomian (anti-nomian: Opposite to Torah) Gnostic sect. (Gnostic is the teaching of secret knowledge)
They appear to have been characterized by sensuality, seducing “Christians” to participate in the idolatrous feasts of pagans, and to unchastity. Hence they are denoted by the names of Balaam and Jezebel, two leading agents of moral contamination under the Old Testament dispensation (Torah). Balaam enticed the Israelites, through the daughters of Moab and Midian, to idolatry and fornication (Numbers 25; Num_31:16).
Jezebel murdered YHWH's prophets, and set up idolatry in Israel. The Nicolaitans taught that, in order to master sensuality, one must know the whole range of it by experience; and that he should therefore abandon himself without reserve to the lusts of the body, since they concerned only the body and did not touch the spirit. These heretics were hated and expelled by the Assembly of Ephesus (Rev_2:6), but were tolerated by the Assembly of Pergamum (Rev_2:15). The other view regards the name as symbolic, and Nicholas as the Greek rendering of Balaam, whose name signifies destroyer or corrupter of the people. This view is adopted by Trench (“Seven Churches”), who says: “The Nicolaitans are the Balaamites; no sect bearing the one name or the other; but those who, in the new dispensation (covenant), repeated the sin of Balaam in the old, and sought to overcome or destroy the people of God by the same temptations whereby Balaam had sought to overcome them before.” The names, however, are by no means parallel: Conqueror of the people not being the same as corrupter of the people. Besides, in Rev_2:14, the Balaamites are evidently distinguished from the Nicolaitans. Alford remarks: “There is no sort of reason for interpreting the name otherwise than historically. It occurs in a passage indicating simple matters of historical fact, just as the name Antipas does in Rev_2:13.”
Badmidbar 31:22: only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
Num 31:23 every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abides not the fire ye shall make go through the water. ....
Shaul writes:
1Co 3:11 for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is יהושע Messiah. --- 1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Num 31:24 and ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day (read Revel.7:13-14), and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp ......
The seventh day is a Euphemism for the Shabbat pointing to the time of יהושע ruling on earth with the saints...
Let us look a bit to the Gemahra (gematria) in this chapter from verses 32 to 35.....
Num 31:32 and the spoil which the army had taken, was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep,
675 000 = to 6+7+5=18. 18 =6+6+6 (man’s number)…..יהושע say that we are sheep (Yochanan 10: 14, 15, 16). 6 is the number of man, as man was created the sixth day. It looks also very interesting the animals which were brought from the spoil were clean animals, save the ass!
Num 31:33 Seventy-two thousand oxen, …..72 000 = to 7+2= 9 the number for judgment….
Num 31:34 Sixty-one thousand asses: 61 000 = to 6+1=7. Seven is the number for divine perfection on earth; Perfection is only brought on earth when man (6) is joined to יהוה (1)!......
Ass in Hebrew is strong’s # H2543....חמר    חמור  chămôr  chămôr written: chet(8),mem (40),vau(6),resh(200) (254).....kham-ore', kham-ore'....From H2560; a male ass (from its dun red): - (he) ass.....Strong’s # H2560 ר châmar : written chet(8),mem(40), resh(200) (248) khaw-mar'
A primitive root; properly to boil up; hence to ferment (with scum); to glow (with redness); as denominative (from H2564) to smear with pitch: - daub, foul, be red, trouble..
.יהושע was riding an ass when he entered Yerushlayim:
Matt. 21:4 now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet (Yeshayahu 62:11), saying: Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Tzion: Behold thy king cometh to thee, meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt, the foal of her that is used to the yoke. ....
Mat 21:6 and the disciples going, did as Yehoshua commanded them. .....Mat 21:7 and they brought the ass and the colt and laid their garments upon them and made him sit thereon. ...Num 31:35: and thirty-two thousand persons of the female sex that had not known men (were virgins). …….32000 = to 3+2=5 is also 8x4 the number 8 been for behind natural and the number 4 for test and trials!
Also in Hebrew thought it is also taught concerning the thirty two path of wisdom, i.e. thirty two teeth in our mouth; the last one been call “wisdom teeth”!
Five the number for grace and also the number for the Torah, the five books Moshe.
These women didn’t have intercourse with men and therefore could be brought as spoil, their womb remaining closed!
Remember that when a man comes into the wife both become one. Here we have woman having not been joined to men? Women have a special purpose on earth and will carry the progenitor of man they are the vessel to bring life.
1Co 6:15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Messiah? Shall I then take the members of Messiah and make them members of a whore? Let it not be!
1Co 6:16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a whore is one body? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.”

Num 31:50 We have therefore brought an oblation for יהוה, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before יהוה 
Oblation: Strong’s # H7133    קרבּן    קרבּן       qorbân  qûrbân    kor-bawn', koor-bawn'
From H7126; something brought near the altar, that is, a sacrificial present: - oblation that is offered, offering.
The spoil of gold brought by the men was:...... 16750 = 1+6+7+5= 19.that is Ten + nine or the perfection of the sum of all number i.e. the Ten commandments bringing “nine”, that is judgment!......19 = to 1+9=10 (see above). Ten is equal to the divine perfection man can achieve on earth by following the commandments, when this is not done, it brings judgment. Ten is the sum of all number for the oblation brought to יהוה serving as propitiation, atonement for the souls of the men......
Num 31:1 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, ……. Num 31:2 “Take vengeance for the children of Yisra’ĕl on the Miḏyanites. After that you are to be gathered to your people.” Num 31:3 and Mosheh spoke to the people, saying, “Arm some of yourselves for the campaign, and let them go against the Miḏyanites to take vengeance for יהוה on Miḏyan. Num 31:4 “Send a thousand from each tribe of all the tribes of Yisra’ĕl for the campaign.” Num 31:5 so there were supplied from the tribes of Yisra’ĕl one thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed ones for the campaign. Num 31:6 and Mosheh sent them on the campaign, one thousand from each tribe, them and Pineḥas son of Elʽazar the priest on the campaign, with the set-apart utensils and the trumpets for sounding in his hand. …. Num 31:7 and they fought against the Miḏyanites, as יהוה commanded Mosheh, and slew all the males. Num 31:8 and they slew the sovereigns of Miḏyan with the rest of those who were pierced: Ewi, and Reqem, and Tsur, and Ḥur, and Reḇa, the five sovereigns of Miḏyan. And they slew Bilʽam son of Beʽor with the sword. ….Num 31:9 and the sons of Yisra’ĕl took all the women of Miḏyan captive, with their little ones, and took as spoil all their livestock, and all their possessions. …; Num 31:10 and they burned with fire all the cities where they dwelt, and all their settlements. ….Num 31:11 and they took all the spoil and all the booty, both of man and beast.
Num 31:12 and they brought the captives, and the booty, and the spoil to Mosheh, and to Elʽazar the priest, and to the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl, to the camp in the desert plains of Mo’aḇ by the Yardĕn of Yeriḥo. Num 31:13 and Mosheh, and Elʽazar the priest, and all the leaders of the congregation, went to meet them outside the camp. Num 31:14 but Mosheh was wroth with the officers of the army, with the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, who had come from the campaign.
Num 31:15 and Mosheh said to them, “Have you kept all the women alive? Num 31:16 “Look, they are the ones who caused the children of Yisra’ĕl, through the word of Bilʽam, to trespass against יהוה in the matter of Peʽor, and there was a plague among the congregation of יהוה.
Num 31:17 “And now, slay every male among the little ones. And every woman who has known a man by laying with a man you shall slay. Num 31:18 “But keep alive for yourselves all the female children who have not known a man by lying with a man. ….Num 31:19 “And you, camp outside the camp seven days. Whoever has slain any being, and whoever has touched any slain, cleanse yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day. Num 31:20 “And cleanse every garment, and every object of leather and all the work of goats’ hair, and every object of wood.” ….Num 31:21 and Elʽazar the priest said to the men of the campaign who went to the battle, “This is the law of the Torah which יהוה commanded Mosheh: ----- Num 31:22 “Only the gold, and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead, …Num 31:23 every object that passes through fire, you put through the fire, and it shall be clean; only, let it be cleansed with the water for uncleanness. And whatever does not pass through fire you pass through water. ….Num 31:24 “And you shall wash your garments on the seventh day and be clean, and afterwards come into the camp.” Num 31:25 and יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,
Num 31:31 and Mosheh and Elʽazar the priest did as יהוה commanded Mosheh. Num 31:32 and the booty remaining from the plunder, which the people of the campaign had taken, was six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep, Num 31:33 and seventy-two thousand cattle, Num 31:34 and sixty-one thousand donkeys, Num 31:35 and thirty-two thousand human beings in all, of women who had not known a man by lying with a man. Num 31:36 And the half, the portion for those who went out on the campaign, was in number three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep,
Num 31:37 and the levy unto יהוה of the sheep was six hundred and seventy-five. Num 31:38 and the cattle were thirty-six thousand, of which the levy unto יהוה was seventy-two. Num 31:39 and the donkeys were thirty thousand five hundred, of which the levy unto יהוה was sixty-one. Num 31:40 and the human beings were sixteen thousand, of which the levy unto יהוה was thirty-two beings. Num 31:41 So Mosheh gave the levy which was the contribution unto יהוה to Elʽazar the priest, as יהוה commanded Mosheh.
Num 31:42 and from the children of Yisra’ĕl’s half, which Mosheh divided from the men who campaigned:
Num 31:43 now the half belonging to the congregation was three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep,
Num 31:44 and thirty-six thousand cattle,
Num 31:45 and thirty thousand five hundred donkeys,
Num 31:46 and sixteen thousand human beings.
Chapter 32.
The plain text is obvious so I will take some explanations I found in the parasha from the congregation Hoshana Rabba (although in many areas I don’t agree with their teachings) which relate to the character of the people:-----
Quote: 32:1–15, Both Christian commentator Matthew Henry and Jewish ArtsScroll Chumash suggest that materialism played a role in Reuben’s and Gad’s request to settle the east side of the Jordan River. Henry further notes that the request showed disregard for the land of Canaan, distrust for YHVH’s promises, and an unwillingness to encounter the difficulties and dangers of conquering and driving out the inhabitants of that land. Yeshua admonished his disciples to endure to the end (Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Heb. 3:6). What did Yeshua say about getting embroiled in the cares of this life? (Luke 21:34). What does Scripture say about being over comer? (1 John 5:4, 5; Rev. 2:7, 11, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7). Henry continues that ill comes to any of YHVH’s people who sit down unconcerned about the difficult and perilous concerns of their brethren, whether public or personal. Moses then reminds them of the fatal consequences of the unbelief and faint-heartedness of their fathers, when they were, as themselves, just ready to enter Canaan. We might add to Henry’s commentary by asking the question, in the face of self-assured pride and spiritual slackness or reluctance to do our part to move the kingdom of Elohim forward, what dangers await us? (1 Cor. 10:12). Was Paul concerned about these issues for his own life (1 Cor. 10:27)?
What can we learn in Chapter 32 about the needs and wants of the individual or local community versus the needs of the larger community or nation? Is it necessary for us to sometimes forget our personal wants for the greater good of society? (Phil. 2:3; Rom. 12:10) What was Moses’ response to Reuben’s and Gad’s request? Why did he respond so forcefully? What does this teach us about the role of YHVH-ordained leadership to steer (motivate, encourage) YHVH’s people in paths of righteousness and to correct those who err? The two tribes had their interests in mind and not those of the nation. Moses helped them to understand the bigger picture. What was the response of these two tribes in the face of correction? Did they decide to split off from Israel and start their own nation? What often happens today in congregations when leaders attempt to correct those who err?
One verse I want to point to:
Num 32:23But if you do not do so, then see, you shall sin against יהוה, and know: your sin is going to find you out. ……
Your sin is going to find out! This is a powerful statement, sin call for judgment and will require “full payment” according to the Torah. Today people throughout the world have made up their own righteousness. Even in many assemblies people have become lukewarm they are no more able to discern been content with their own ways. Leaders have no courage to correct the believers and to admonish them to turn back to the true light. Sha’ul say that the wage of sin is death (Romains 6:23)….
Num 32:1 and the children of Re’uḇĕn and the children of Gaḏ had much livestock, a large number. And they saw the land of Yaʽzĕr and the land of Gilʽaḏ and saw that the place was a place for livestock. ....Num 32:5 and they said, “If we have found favor in your eyes, let this land be given to your servants as a possession, and do not let us pass over the Yardĕn.”
Num 32:13 “So the displeasure of יהוה burned against Yisra’ĕl, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the eyes of יהוה was destroyed. …
Num 32:23 “But if you do not do so, then see, you shall sin against יהוה, and know: your sin is going to find you out.
Haftorah
Yrmeyahu, a prophet to the House of Yehuda, even though he also spoke to the “all House of Israel” “in the days of Yehoyaqim, son of Yoshiyahu, sovereign of Yehuḏah, until the end of the eleventh year of Tsiḏqiyahu, son of Yoshiyahu, sovereign of Yehuḏah” during the year six hundred after the split between the House of Yehuda and the House of Israel, Ephraim……The name of the prophet Yrmeyahuיהוה thrown” given by his father set the frame on his life as a prophet…..Yrmeyahu and his father belonged to the priests who lived in Anathoth, now called Anâta, a town of the priests, lying 1 1/4 hours north of Jerusalem (see on Jos_21:18), in the land, i.e., the tribal territory, of Benjamin.” (Keil and Delitzsch)............;in the thirteenth year of his reign.” (verse 2).
Thirteen is the number for rebellion in the scripture, and this rebellion is what brought יהוה to call Yrmeyahu as his spokesman to the House of Yehuda……until the end of the eleventh year of Tsiḏqiyahu, son of Yoshiyahu, sovereign of Yehuḏah,”
Eleven is the number for imperfect government between the divine numbers ten and twelve. Eleven is twelve minus one that is the unity of יהוה and one more then ten, the divine number which denote the ultimate perfection on earth which can be achieve by man coming to Elohim. (i.e. the ten commandments).
Keil and Delitzsch give us an interesting approach of the calling in Yrmeyahu’s life and our also:..... Jeremiah's appointment to be a prophet for the nations follows upon a decree of God's, fixed before he was conceived or born. God in His counsel has not only foreordained our life and being, but has predetermined before our birth what is to be our calling upon this earth; and He has accordingly so influenced our origin and our growth in the womb, as to prepare us for what we are to become, and for what we are to accomplish on behalf of His kingdom. This is true of all men, but very especially of those who have been chosen by God to be the extraordinary instruments of His grace, whom He has appointed to be instruments for the carrying out of the redemptive schemes of His kingdom; cf. Jer_44:2, Jer_44:24; Jer_49:5; Gal_1:15.
The man God has chosen before his birth to a special office in His kingdom He equips with the gifts and graces needed for the exercise of his functions. The three clauses of Jer_1:5 give the three moments whereof the choosing consists: God has chosen him, has consecrated him, and has installed him as prophet.
Verses 13-19. יהוה announce judgment with the vision he gave to Yrmeyahu“I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.” יהוה confirms and give the reason of the judgment: “I shall pronounce My judgments against them concerning all their evil, because they have forsaken Me, burned incense to other mighty ones, and bowed themselves to the works of their own hands”.
What is the purpose of the judgment?
Jer 2:3 “Yisra’ĕl was set-apart to יהוה, the first-fruits of His increase. All who ate of it became guilty – evil came upon them,” declares יהוה.’ ”
Jer 2:4 Hear the word of יהוה, O house of Yaʽaqoḇ and all the clans of the house of Yisra’ĕl.
יהוה has chosen Israel, because of the promise he did to Abraham, Itzak and Ya’acov and He will fulfill his promise, He knows how to bring back His children to the path of righteousness.
יהוה has chosen prophets to admonish, correct and bring back His people to him since the time they refused to hear him:----
Exo 20:19 and said to Mosheh, “You speak with us and we hear, but let not Elohim speak with us, lest we die.”
Moshe was a prophet chosen by Elohim.........
4:3-31  ……Threatening of Judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah. - If Judah and Jerusalem do not reform, the wrath of God will be inevitably kindled against them (Jer_4:3, Jer_4:4). Already the prophet sees in spirit the judgment bursting in upon Judah from the north, to the dismay of all who were accounting themselves secure (Jer_4:5-10). Like a hot tempest-blast it rushes on, because of the wickedness of Jerusalem (Jer_4:11-18), bringing desolation and ruin on the besotted people, devastating the whole land, and not to be turned aside by any meretricious devices (Jer_4:19-31). The circumcision should not be in the flesh merely. In the flesh all Jews were circumcised. If they then are called to circumcise themselves to YHWH, this must be meant spiritually, of the putting away of the spiritual impurity of the heart, i.e., of all that hinders the sanctifying of the heart; see in Deu_10:16.(Keil and Delitzsch).....
How it is with us, have put away all spiritual impurity of the heart that hinders us to walk uprightly before יהוה?
Jer 17:9 The heart is crooked1 above all, and desperately sick – who shall know it? Footnote: 1See 7:24, 16:12, 18:12, 23:17....Jer 17:10 I, יהוה, search the heart, I try the kidneys (seat of the emotions), and give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. ….
In Hebrew thoughts the heart is the seat of decision, while the kidneys are the seat of the emotions;
Jer 1:1 the words of Yirmeyahu the son of Ḥilqiyahu, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Binyamin, ...Jer 1:2 to whom the word of יהוה came in the days of Yoshiyahu son of Amon, sovereign of Yehuḏah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. ….Jer 1:3 And it came in the days of Yehoyaqim, son of Yoshiyahu, sovereign of Yehuḏah, until the end of the eleventh year of Tsiḏqiyahu, son of Yoshiyahu, sovereign of Yehuḏah, until the exile of Yerushalayim in the fifth month. …Jer 1:4 Now the word of יהוה came to me, saying,   Jer 1:5 “Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came out of the womb I did set you apart – I appointed you a prophet to nations.” ……Jer 1:6 And said I, “Ah, Master יהוה! See, I do not know how to speak, for I am a youth.” Jer 1:7 And יהוה said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ but go to all to whom I send you, and speak whatever I command you. …Jer 1:8 “Do not fear their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares יהוה. ..Jer 1:9 Then יהוה put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and יהוה said to me, “See, I have put My words in your mouth.
Jer 1:10 “See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the reigns, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. …Jer 1:11 And the word of יהוה came to me, saying, “What do you see, Yirmeyahu?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” …Jer 1:12 and יהוה said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to do it.” Jer 1:13 and the word of יהוה came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.” …Jer 1:14 and יהוה said to me, “Out of the north evil is set loose on all the inhabitants of the land. ..Jer 1:15 “For look, I am calling all the clans of the reigns of the north,” declares יהוה. “And they shall come and each one set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Yerushalayim, against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Yehuḏah. ….Jer 1:16 “And I shall pronounce My judgments against them concerning all their evil, because they have forsaken Me, burned incense to other mighty ones, and bowed themselves to the works of their own hands.
Jer 1:17 “Now, gird up your loins and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not break down before their faces, lest I break you before them. …..Jer 1:18 “For look, I have made you this day a walled city and an iron column, and bronze walls against all the land, against the sovereigns of Yehuḏah, against her heads, against her priests, and against the people of the land.
Jer 1:19 “And they shall fight against you but not prevail against you .for I am with you,” declares יהוה, “to deliver you.” ….
Jer 2:3 “Yisra’ĕl was set-apart to יהוה, the first-fruits of His increase. All who ate of it became guilty – evil came upon them,” declares יהוה.’ ”
Jer 2:4 Hear the word of יהוה, O house of Yaʽaqoḇ (12tribes) and all the clans (mishpachah/family) of the house of Yisra’ĕl.
Jer 2:5 Thus said יהוה, “What unrighteousness have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? …Jer 2:6 “And did not they say, ‘Where is יהוה, who brought us up out of the land of Mitsrayim, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, through a land of drought and the shadow of death, a land that no one passed through and where no one dwelt?’ …Jer 2:7 “Then I brought you into a garden land, to eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My inheritance an abomination. ….Jer 2:8 “The priests did not say, ‘where is יהוה?’ And those who handle the Torah (levites) did not know Me, and the shepherds1 transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by Baʽal, and walked after matters that did not profit. Footnote: 1See 10:21, 12:10-11, 50:6-7…..Jer 2:9 “Therefore I still contend with you,” declares יהוה, “and with your children’s children I contend. …..Jer 2:10 “For, pass beyond the isles of Kittim and see, and send to Qĕḏar and observe well, and see if there has been any like this. …Jer 2:11 “Has a nation changed its mighty ones, which are not mighty ones? But My people have changed My esteem1 for that which does not profit. Footnote: 1Symbolic name for His Ark…..Jer 2:12 “Be amazed, O heavens, at this, and be frightened, be utterly dried up,” declares יהוה. …Jer 2:13 “For My people have done two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters1, to hew out for themselves cisterns, cracked cisterns, which do not hold water. Footnote: 1See 17:13.
Jer 2:14 “Is Yisra’ĕl a servant? Was he born in the house? Why is he given to plunder? …Jer 2:15 “The young lions roared at him, they growled, and made his land waste; his cities have been burned, without inhabitant. Jer 2:16 “Even the sons of Noph and of Taḥpanḥes have shaven the crown of your head. …Jer 2:17 “Have you not done this to yourself, by forsaking יהוה your Elohim when He led you in the way? ….Jer 2:18 “And now why take the way to Mitsrayim, to drink the waters of Shiḥor? Or why take the way to Ashshur, to drink the waters of the River? ….Jer 2:19 “Your own evil instructs you, and your backslidings reprove you. Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter that you have forsaken יהוה your Elohim, and that My fear is not in you,” declares the Master יהוה of hosts. Jer 2:20 “For of old you have broken your yoke and tore of your bonds. And you said, ‘I am not serving You,’ when on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down, a whore. Jer 2:21 “Yet I had planted you a choice vine, all of it a true seed. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of a strange vine?
Jer 2:22 “Although you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your crookedness is ingrained before Me,” declares the Master יהוה. Jer 2:23 “How do you say, ‘I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baʽals’? See your way in the valley, know what you have done: a swift dromedary breaking loose in her ways, Jer 2:24 a wild donkey used to the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the desire of her being – in her time of mating, who turns her away? All those who seek her need not weary themselves; in her month they find her. …Jer 2:25 “Keep your foot from being bare, and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is useless, because I love strangers, and after them I go.’ Jer 2:26 “As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, so is the house of Yisra’ĕl ashamed – they and their sovereigns and their heads, and their priests and their prophets,
Jer 2:27 saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their calamity they say, ‘Arise and save us.’ Jer 2:28 “But where are your mighty ones that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, see if they save you in the time of your calamity. Because your mighty ones have become as many as your cities, O Yehuḏah. ….Comments from Keil and Delitzsch......The nations will bless themselves in or with Jahveh, i.e., will desire and appropriate the blessing of Jahveh and glory in the true God.
the words stand in manifest relation to the patriarchal blessing. If the heathen peoples bless themselves in the name of Jahveh, then are they become partakers of the salvation that comes from Jahveh; and if this blessing comes to them as a consequence of the true conversion of Israel to YHWH, as a fruit of this, then it has come to them through Israel as the channel, as the patriarchal blessings declare. ..... Jeremiah does not lay stress upon this intermediate agency of Israel, but leaves it to be indirectly understood from the unmistakeable allusion to the older promise. The reason for the application thus given by Jeremiah to the divine promise made to the patriarchs is found in the aim and scope of the present discourse. The appointment of Israel to be the channel of salvation for the nations is an outcome of the calling grace of God, and the fulfilment of this gracious plan on the part of God is an exercise of the same grace - a grace which Israel by its apostasy does not reject, but helps onwards towards its ordained issue. The return of apostate Israel to its God is indeed necessary ere the destined end be attained; it is not, however, the ground of the blessing of the nations, but only one means towards the consummation of the divine plan of redemption, a plan which embraces all mankind. Israel's apostasy delayed this consummation; the conversion of Israel will have for its issue the blessing of the nations......
The promise to Abraham was that through him the nations of the world would be blessed. Keil and Delitzsch seem to ignore the fact that the House of Israel i.e. the Northern Kingdom has been scattered among the nations and have received the blessing promised to Abraham through Messiah יהושע: Abundance in harvest, victory in conquest, powerful position, glory which they have turned to themselves.
Today the time of judgment has come upon the all world. Those who are faithful to the Torah through Messiah יהושע, a remnant abide on the shadow of the almighty and will not fear when evil comes, a thousand will fall, ten thousand on their right hand, but to them it will not approach, only with their eyes will they beheld and see the punishment of the wicked (Psalm 91).
Jer 3:4 “Shall you not from now on cry to Me, ‘My father, You are the guide of my youth? ....
Jer 4:1  If you do return, O Yisra’ĕl,” declares יהוה, “return to Me. And if you remove your abominations from My presence, and cease straying, J
Jer 4:2 and shall swear, ‘As יהוה lives,’ in truth, in right-ruling, and in righteousness – then nations shall bless themselves in Him, and they shall boast in Him!” ….
Three requirements: ---
-        Truth= Torah…..     
-        Right-ruling= Justice trhough Torah….
-        Righteousness= Having the Torah in our heart (Yeshyahu 51:7)
Sha’ul say to press on, not to stay on the past, but to forget the past, he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3)to become the head of the Sanhedrin, he was persecuting the disciples of יהושע until he met the master in a visions. Sha’ul had any reason to forget what was past and give himself fully to his call in order to achieve the race made for him…..
How it is with us, are we running as to win or do we look back “nostalgic” to our former life?......“The high calling of Elohim in Messiah יהושע “……….walk by the same rule, be of the same mind.
This is that way we should walk; “same way, same mind” and pray for those who do not follow this principle. Do not let corrupted conversation be among us during our Shabbat, keep the day Qadosh, forget your weekly habits, put everything away, clean your mind from worldly thoughts......
Php 3:12 Not that I have already received, or already been perfected, but I press on, to lay hold of that for which Messiah יהושע has also laid hold of me. ……
Php 3:13 Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it yet, but only this: forgetting what is behind and reaching out for what lies ahead, ….
 Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Elohim in Messiah יהושע. …
.Php 3:15 as many, then, as are perfect, should have this mind. And if you think differently in any respect, Elohim shall also reveal this to you. …..
Php 3:16 but to what we have already attained – walk by the same rule, be of the same mind……..
Ya’acov makes clear that “friendship with the world”is “adultery”, remember we have already seen in past “parasha” that adultery is not only to have intercourse with a non legal married man or woman. As Israel we are already “married” to יהוה we wait for יהושע to come in order that the marriage been consumed......
We should earnestly check our life and ask Aba יהוה if we are not in adultery! How it is with Shabbat keeping, is it a Qadosh day (set apart) for all of us, have we set our mind on Torah from the going down of the sun to the end of the Shabbat, or are we still wandering in our mind, after the world? Do we call the Shabbat a delight, or are speaking our own words, doing our own way? (Read: Yeshayahu 58:13-14)
Ya’acov is very serious saying that “to be a friend to the world makes us an enemy of Elohim”! Have we spend time to think on this verse.
Ya’acov was considered to be the “glue” between the Yehudin who didn’t recognized יהושע and those following him, both having fellowship in the synagogue every Shabbat. After he has been killed, the split was made and a gape built between both communities...... “Brothers do not speak against one another” (verse 11) It is recurrent even in our days and in our midst! Unfortunately there are some who take pleasure to speak against other, hiding behind their self-righteousness, thinking that they are the “good ones” and the others “the bad ones” in particular those above them in position...... Yes I know you will tell me that it is true, that many of those leaders do not do what they should! It might be, but who are thou O man to speak against יהוה people!
I will tell you something which came to my ear this week...... When I was in Germany, still among Christianity, I spent around ten years in a big “church” in Cologne. There were five pastors the head of those Pastor was the founder of the “church”, a man who was boastful and arrogant. He taught heresy and abused many people financially....... The other pastors because of position and security purpose (money) instead of taking a step to speak to their leader and try to bring him to the right way, agreed with his teaching and even closed their eyes when members left, having been hurt badly by reproach in front of the congregation. The list is too long to say what he did...... Anyway, I was among those members, I got a position as “cell group leader” and was in charge of “order” during the Sunday service. I was a young “believer”, without knowledge and like many other, I have been abused financially...... After some years, reading the “bible” I began to see that many teaching were not in harmony with the scriptures, and even worse, against the scripture, the “church” had become a “money machine”.
Many times I spoke with other pastors in particular with the one in charge of my sector, telling him that we had a complete “lack of love” in our “church”, he was seemingly “offended” and rebuked me.
After so many years and many struggles one day I decided to leave this “church”, I went to the mean pastor to let him know the reason why I left. He was very upset with me not because I left, but much more because I told him the reason: “I couldn’t anymore agree with his teaching which from year to year had change”.
Nobody was sad that I left, many before me had left and it didn’t stop the “church growth” because every week many new believers came. The city has around one million people and with a good team i.e. “cell groups meeting” they brought new members every week......The “Church” was grounded in the 80’s and had up to one thousand members. This means an average of seven hundred thousand euro (almost forty five millions pesos) per year between “tithe” and “offering”. All pastors and their family were “fine” and comfortable always having nice clothes and making holidays every year.........When I left I went to another “church” and forgot the past years, unfortunately the new “church” was in the same way, I spent there four years, included two years “Bible school” which in reality are the doctrines of the “Church”, before Aba יהוה took me away and brought me to the faith of my ancestors....... Why do I make mention of all those details. You remember we Ya’acov write “brother do not speak against one another”. Sometime it is hard to be quite when we see brothers doing wrong, more, when the brothers are leaders, but the best way is to pray fro them. Is not יהוה Elohim in charge of his people through Messiah יהושע? Is not He who corrected his people in the wilderness? Yes he is the one who does correct and punish those doing evil......
Read what Shlomo write: ----
Ecc 8:11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is filled in them to do evil.
Ecc 8:12 Although a sinner is doing evil a hundred times, and his life is prolonged, yet I know that there is good to those who fear Elohim, who fear before Him. ..........
Many of us think that because nothing is happening, that יהוה hasn’t seen what is going on: --- Psa 103:8 יהוה is compassionate and showing favour patient, and great in kindness…… 2Pe 3:9 יהוה is not slow in regard to the promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.1 Footnote: 11 Tim. 2:4….. You see יהוה is not like us, but patient and full of mercy, waiting for sinners to repent, until the day comes when there is no more time, and judgment fall……
This week, I wanted to find the telephone number from a former brother and his wife whom I love, they also had been badly abused in this “church”……I came to speak to the secretary, a Lady, I know from the past, she asked straight if I was the “Daniel” from early years? I answered that I was he.
To find the telephone number I look in the internet and “googled” the name of the “church” to find their web site. It was strange, a fully new web side, same address, same telephone number, but different presentation.
Now the Lady on the phone, after having asked where I am now, couldn’t give me the telephone number, but told me something which is the reason I explain you this record….The “church” pastors had been scattered during the year 2007, none of them could escape, two of them, Americans, went back to the US, one to Canada where he came from, the other one was a German with five children, he is now “working” a secular job and his wife also……Not all, the “church “ failed from nine hundred members since the day I left to be today a small fifty members “church”……Do you think it is man’s work or יהוה judging his people who have rejected his truth? You know the answer, even if this pastor and pastors enjoyed position during more than twenty five years, judgment came! I have even met former believer who were in this church and today they have no more “appetite” for the truth and play on philosophy been blind of the truth! What a pity.
What does Ya’acov say: Elohim resists the proud, but gives favour to the humble.”..... יהוה’judgment has started and many are not prepared they have not put on the garment of righteousness and will be taken in their evil ways......Have we check our ways or are we still compromising, going the same way, week after week ignoring the small voice of the Ruach HaQodesh in us, or even not able to listen to the voice, been too busy with our own way!....
Brother it is a very serious matter do not reject correction as many do, because it is יהוה’s doing because of his great love for us. We are call to make every effort to bring change in our life and not to dye in the wilderness of life!
Jas 4:1 Where do fighting and striving come from among you? Do they not come from your pleasures that battle in your members? .....Jas 4:2 You desire, and do not have. You murder, and are jealous, and are unable to obtain. You strive and fight and you do not possess, because you do not ask. .....Jas 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask evilly, in order to spend it on your pleasures.
Jas 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with Elohim?1 Whoever therefore intends to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Elohim. Footnote: 1Mt. 13:22, Lk. 4:5-6, Lk. 14:33, Rom. 12:2, 1 John 2:15-17.
Jas 4:5 or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose? Does the Spirit which dwells in us intensely crave unto envy? ..... Jas 4:6 but He gives greater favour. Because of this He says, “Elohim resists the proud, but gives favour to the humble.”....Jas 4:7 So then subject yourselves to Elohim. Resist the devil1 and he shall flee from you. Footnote: 1Or adversary.
Jas 4:8 draw near to Elohim and He shall draw near to you. Cleanse hands, sinners. And cleanse the hearts, you double-minded!
Jas 4:9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection. ....Jas 4:10 humble yourselves in the sight of the Master, and He shall lift you up. ..... Jas 4:11 Brothers, do not speak against one another. He that speaks against a brother and judges his brother speaks against Torah and judges Torah. And if you judge Torah, you are not a doer of Torah but a judge.
Jas 4:12 There is one Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
May יהוה the Father of us all and our Master יהושע keep you from all evil and guide your way in righteousness, as you walk in the path of life.
 

20 Parasha Tetzaveh - You shall command

  Parsha Tetzaveh -You shall command Sh’mot 27:20, 30:10 Yechezk’el 43:10-27 1 st Shmuel 15: 1-34, Mattityahu 5:14-16 ...