Podcast: Play in new window | Download (7.2MB)
Note: This parasha was a collaboration by Don Sutton and Rabbi Glenn Harris. The audio version is given by Rabbi Glenn.
This week consists of two Parashas. The first is entitled Mattot – “Tribes”. The second one is entitled Masei – “Journeys”. They span Numbers 30:2 – 36:13.
Chapter 30 contains rules governing the making and fulfilling or nullifying of vows. If an individual made a vow, a promise or a pledge to do something or to not to do something, he was obligated to keep it. If an unmarried daughter made such a promise without any contrary counsel from her father, she must keep it. But if her father rejected the vow, her promise was null and void. If she was married, her husband would bear the same kind of authority over her in such matters.
A widow or divorcee was obligated to her vow in the same way as a man. If a husband waited too long a time after his wife made a vow, he would bear any guilt involved in nullifying it; that is, after a certain period the vow was in force and could be revoked only by an appropriate sin offering (which is described in Leviticus 5:4-13).
In chapter 31 Adonai spoke to Moses, saying, “Take full vengeance for the sons of Israel on the Midianites; Choose from every tribe 1,000 men among you for this war, that they may go to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian. Afterward you will be gathered to your people.”
This battle was part of a God-ordained war against the Midianites, who had enticed Israel into idolatry through the prophet Balaam. Certainly the people of Israel bore responsibility for their idolatry and immorality, and the nation was severely punished for it, but now Midian must be reckoned with, those who were the “stumbling block.
And though judgment begins with the house of God, it does not end there. The deceived and the deceiver both are accountable to His judgments.
Idolatry is an offense against a Holy God. But let’s be clear about something: we as New Covenant believers have no mandate from God to engage in “holy wars” (so-called) because our enemies aren’t flesh and blood. Our weapons are spiritual; the Sword of the Spirit – the Scripture – is the only sword we are to use to advance the cause of Messiah.
Although Joshua, son of Nun, had been divinely appointed to succeed Moses as leader of Israel, there is no mention of him leading the nation into this battle. Rather, it is Pinchas, son of Eleazar the priest, who leads this battle; and the army is equipped with the holy instruments and trumpets.
It is interesting to see that the priests are the prominent figures in this battle – especially Pinchas, the very same man who first executed judgment upon this evil. And it is the holy instruments of the Sanctuary that are the prominent weapons.
Some scholars even believe that the Ark of the Covenant was carried into this battle. Perhaps because this battle was part of Israel’s returning to God after having been led astray by Midian, And instead of a military officer with sword and spear, it is a priest with holy instruments that appears in the forefront. Yes, the sword is here; but it isn’t the main thing.
The campaign against Midian was successful and resulted in the death of every Midianite soldier (including the five Midianite kings and the prophet Balaam, the architect of this great seduction). But not a single Jewish soldier died in this conflict!
The commanders of the troops were so grateful for this gracious and miraculous deliverance that they brought a freewill offering of gold ornaments to the Lord. The total weight of their offering was 16,750 shekels, or 420 pounds, worth nearly 8.7 million dollars at today’s gold prices.
All this was brought into the Tabernacle as a memorial for Israel before the Lord, and was a tribute to the faithfulness and mercy of the God of Israel.
In chapter 32 the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh asked permission to settle in the territory recently captured on the east side of the Jordan. Their request was reasonable, but we need to understand that Israel’s rightful place was inside of Canaan.
By choosing this land by the sight of their eyes instead of by faith and according to the will of God, Ruben, Gad, and Manasseh were content to dwell outside the place of the promised blessings.
In chapter 33, Moses recorded the Israelis’ journeys as Adonai had instructed him. These journeys are full of holy memories and needful lessons that provide a record of their spiritual as well as geographic progress. Verses 33-34 tells us that on the 15th day of the first month, Israel left Rameses. That very morning after the Passover, the Israelis left Egypt forever. All the Egyptians saw them, while in the process of burying their firstborn sons – the judgment of Adonai on the false gods of Egypt.
In verses 38-39 Moses records the death of Aaron the High Priest. You may recall that when Israel arrived at Mount Hor, Moses (at the command of God) led Aaron and his son Eleazar to the top of that mountain. There he stripped Aaron of his priestly vestments, and put them upon Eleazar; and on the top of that mountain Aaron died at 123 years of age. All Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.
In verses 50-56, God wanted Israel’s invasion of Canaan to be a total conquest. Israel was to drive out and dispossess the inhabitants, destroy their altars, images, and temples, and then divide the land among the tribes. The destruction of these nations was God’s judgment against their extreme wickedness. God had been patient with them for four centuries, but now it was time for judgment to fall.
In chapter 34 Adonai has Moses direct Israel concerning the boundaries and borders of the land of Canaan; and the division and distribution of it to the tribes of Israel. The division of the territory was determined by sacred lot. No tribe could simply claim its own land. This was an inheritance, a gift from God, but according to His will.
The boundaries declared by God in Numbers 34 are far more expansive than the area currently occupied by Israel. The size of the land shows Gods generosity. He always gives us more than we can ask or think.
The responsibility for overseeing the distribution of the land fell to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua, who in turn selected a leader from each of the 12 tribes to assist them. Of the list of names here, Caleb and Joshua stand out. We are reminded that they alone were faithful among the spies, and the only two from that entire generation who would enter the Land.
In chapter 35 Adonai commands Israel to establish “cities of refuge” – towns to which a person could flee if they had unintentionally killed someone. These cities were essential; they protected the manslayer from revenge by the family of the deceased, and prevented the family from rashly shedding innocent blood in their grief and anger and becoming guilty themselves.
These six cities of refuge are beautiful types of Messiah: they were appointed by God, they embody both grace and justice, and it was no earthly priest who appointed them. Their appointment and the sending of the Messiah both came from the loving heart of Adonai. And just as only these divinely-ordained cities could shelter a man from wrath, only the one true Faith in the divinely-ordained Messiah, Yeshua, can shelter a man from the wrath of God which is soon coming.
Consider even some of the names of the cities. Kadesh means “set apart” or “holy”. When we come to Messiah, He gives us His righteousness and we are set apart. Shechem is from the root word meaning “shoulder” and suggests that we find our strength and rest in Yeshua. Hebron, from the word chaver – a friend or ally, means “fellowship” suggesting our fellowship with God and with one another in Messiah. Bezer means “fortress” suggesting the protection we have in Him. Ramoth means “heights” and reminds us that believers are seated “together in heavenly places in Messiah”. One day we will be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air!
Let me conclude with a few thoughts:
1. The Scriptures say that all these things were recorded for our benefit. The second Parasha is called “Journeys”. Have you made spiritual progress lately? Recording your thoughts about God and the lessons you have learned over a period of time can be a valuable aid to your spiritual growth. It can help you track your progress and help you to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
2. This Parasha shows us Adonai’s faithfulness, His love and concern for Israel, and how He remained with them every step of their journey. It was grace to Israel, and it is grace to Messiah’s people, for our God is the same yesterday, today and forever! He has given us His Word in Messiah, He still fights our battles and He has promised us an even more wonderful City to come. Let our prayer be that we be found faithful in Messiah.