Parasha Chukat: Day 7—Shabbat

Bamidbar/Numbers 19:1-22:1

All of Torah, the Prophets, the books of wisdom and poetry (the Tanach), along with the entire New Covenant/Brit Hadasha are all given as inspiration and admonishments to walk uprightly. With all of these source adjuring YHVH's people to walk in His statutes, there is not excuse as to why Israel should be wayward. The intricate beauty of Scripture is that it all points to itself. More specifically, all of the Prophets and Wisdom books with the Brit Hadasha cite Torah at every turn. Yeshua is the Word come to us; so, Yeshua is the incarnation of Torah in the flesh, just as He is YHVH in a flesh suit. He points to the Word and the Word points to Him. It is an incredible cycle that cannot be fully comprehended with human minds.

Each aspect of Torah has, is or will be fulfilled. Extraordinarily, much of Torah will have all three tenses of fulfillment by the time Israel is with the Father for eternity. All the blessings will have come to pass, along with all the curses. YHVH gave Torah as a Covenant standard with rewards and punishment, a built-in system of checks and balances. Due to the lack of respect for the statues of Elohim, the Father Himself has sent a spirit of derision amongst His children. There disobedience spurned the Master to be true to His Word. He had warned Israel not to play the harlot and to keep all of His commandments. When they did not, He had to uphold His Covenant, even the parts that are curses. While it is a form of severe discipline, it is also a clarion call to repent and return to YHVH Elohim.

As swift as punishment comes upon Israel, so blessings abound for the children of the Book. However, the ability to serve, worship and love YHVH with all of heart, soul and might is quite a task for any being. Even haSatan, one who was so very close to the throne of the Almighty, fell prey to sin. It takes much trial and purification to confirm that Israel really belongs, whole-heartedly, to YHVH as His possession. While the Father owns everything and everyone, He desires His human possession, His counterpart to come before Him willingly and longingly. To force man to love Him would be counter productive in asking for a helpmate. YHVH longs for more than just a slave, even more than a bond-slave. He desires His bride.

An incredible thought occurs when realizing that YHVH does not force His bride or the nations to love Him. At some point in time, even as Torah and all Scripture will be on the verge of complete fulfillment, every knee shall bow to YHVH and every tongue shall give praise to Elohim (Romans 14:11). So, in that vein, every person who has lived, who lives now and who will ever live will recognize the Almighty and give Him the regard and respect and praise afforded only to Him. For many, it will be too little too late. But for those who overcome and praise YHVH in life, theirs will be the recognition of their Husband.

It is quite reasonable to understand and believe that YHVH's statutes, teachings and instructions are for our good. Without them, we would be clueless to choose between right and wrong. Without them we could not clearly recognize Messiah. To ignore them brings about the fate that yielded Torah's revelation—death. But to do them, brings about Life and blessings forever.

Dwell upon Devarim 10:12-13, "Now, Israel, what does YHVH your Elohim require from you, but to fear YHVH you Elohim, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve YHVH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the YHVH's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?"

Parasha Chukat: Day 6

Bamidbar/Numbers 21:21-22:1

Sometimes blessings mean that man is in the will of the Almighty; however, other times blessings are just blessings such as rain being sent on the righteous and wicked alike. It would be great to believe that Israel was walking in the great blessings of YHVH because of obedience. To some extent, that is probably true. Unfortunately, the whole story accounts for Israel still doing what was right in their own sight up until the day the crossed over the Jordan river. A point and case would be the fact that for forty years Israel did not circumcise their boys on the eighth day or any day until the last of the wilderness experience.

Being the people of the Book means that YHVH does favor those that belong to Him. If by favor, one is to understand that His eyes are ever upon His possession. If they do good, they are blessed. If they do evil, then curses encroach around the corner. What may be seen as blessings to Israel, could just be curses to the nations that surround Israel and the beginning of tests for Israel to overcome. Those that are Israel are the apple of YHVH's eye. That means that they are in the center of His attention and the mark for His desire to walk in all of His ways. They are the first to be noticed when they are righteous or when evil abounds.

The people displaced by Israel in the land of the Amorites were passed their time in regards to the days YHVH allowed them to remain in that land. As for Moab and Ammon, they were the sons of Lot and had an inheritance that the Father had granted them until such a day or recompense for their evil deeds occurs. To be honest, many in Israel probably were trying to do walk in some form of the Covenant. Yet, it is showed that many of the children of Israel still lusted after other nations customs and alliances as Phineas stayed one of the last plagues mentioned in Torah to come upon Yah's people.

The outcome for us is that we must be very discerning when thinking that we are walking in blessing in stark contrast to just having YHVH's attention focused on us as His people. Just like our ancestral counterparts, we can succumb to blessings for the nations if their obedience is greater than ours, or due to their expulsion from the land in which we currently abide. It is easy to mistake good fortune as blessings. Furthermore, most of us desire to be blessed so it is easily mistaken for approval.

No matter how well we do or how far we come in our journey with the Almighty, we will be expected to continue in Covenant and to improve upon what perfection we have in Messiah. This cannot be done in and of ourselves, but quite the opposite—we must lose ourselves so that Yeshua is gained. The blessings will come to those that do righteousness, but YHVH will by no means allow the guilty to go unpunished.

Dwell upon 2 Peter 7-10, "...and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then YHVH knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority."

Parasha Chukat: Day 5

Bamidbar/Numbers 21:10-20

It is somewhat difficult to completely pinpoint the exact encampments of Israel for their forty year wanderings. Likewise, it is puzzling to find set apart poetry in the middle of an historical account that is already written as a form of narrative poetry as Torah is. Nonetheless, some aspects of significance are picked out of the passages of Torah after Israel is plagued by serpents and death in the camp.

The use of poetry in Torah depicts aspects of Israel's deliverances and provisions, as well as, direct intervention by YHVH in their lives. Sometimes poetry denotes inheritance rights and can be as much prophetic as it is historical and used for praise. The instances of free verse in Bamidbar 21:14-18 give a great record of need, utilization and answered prayer on Israel's behalf.

The need was both a place for lodging and the need for water. The lodging place is quite interesting in that the wadis in the middle east are gorges that become flooded rivers during raining times of the year. Many people drown each year trying to cross the road where a raging wadi empties into the Dead Sea. The dryness that is found in the Wadi of Zered is depicted by the length from Ar to Moab and the account of numerous wadis, not just one. Israel is said to have camped inside Wadi Zered, not just around it. The poetry used accounts for the slopes which indicates both aridness and that Israel could go directly into the Wadi without fear of flooding. Wadis in that area are known for flash flooding, so the time of year is obviously dry. Wadis could have been a great defense for Israel, as some are quite large and long. This could accommodate all of Israel, concealing them from their potential foes while allowing them to travel somewhat under cover.

The dry account of the wadis addresses the need for water and the lack thereof. It is common sense to state that all of Israel continuously needed water to drink and use for their washing, rituals and livestock. During a dry season, the only way to get water was to dig a well and, of course, have a miracle take place. The importance of this account is that Israel is not complaining about water or provision. As a matter of fact, from this point in Torah, Israel's complaining, murmuring and groaning against YHVH and Moshe seem to have come to an end while still in the wilderness. Thus, it is interesting that this would be a point where poetry would be found within Torah and begins more of its kind in the passages about Balaam. It is almost as if Israel grows to trust in YHVH and decides to magnify the providence of their Elohim.

What is indicated by the poetry is the need for protected space to camp, the need for water and the answered prayer for both. In the latter, it was not striking, speaking or finding a rock that would issue forth water. The nobles and elders of Israel used their royal instruments and staffs to dig a well for the nation to use. While many could suppose that man made this well and Adonai had little to do with it, the contrary is true. YHVH provided yet another opportunity for Israel to be in need and seek Him. He answered them by giving them water. Instead of grumbling against authority, even the leaders were willing to dig for life in the midst of hardship.

The description of the wadis and well give rise to man's ongoing struggles and needs but also give YHVH praise and account for a change in Israel's attitude. It should be our description in that we have need and rely on YHVH to show us where water, food and lodging is and how to access it. It would quite certainly be grand to have water just spring forth, to have obstacles moved effortlessly and to just have an easier time in life. Instead, YHVH trains us up to encounter such trials so that we must dig.

From the most royal to the least endowed, each person has to dig for the Water of Life and be satisfied only in Him. There can be no substitutes and others cannot take salvation for us. Deliverance, salvation and redemption must be personal to each individual carrying either scepter or staff. The beauty of each is that they both signify Torah and the personal identification that the nobles and leaders had with YHVH and His Law. The Ruach has given us each our staff, as plain or ornate as it is to us. Since each one should be used to find the Water of Life and each one represents the Word of Yah, each are equal in terms of the Truth and usefulness for our digging and being disciplined. This is the poetry in our lives before YHVH. Each person finding the usefulness of His Word in the hands of His nobles and leaders that reside in His kingdom but are wandering the wilderness and waiting for the call to come home.

Dwell upon Proverbs 4:23, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."

Parasha Chukat: Day 4

Bamidbar/Numbers 20:22-21:9

The sacrifices for sin offerings are hardly something that most civilized people want to imagine. The though of actually partaking in or watching a sacrifice would turn most stomachs. Interestingly enough, Moshe was commanded to ask Israel to do just that, except is was a sacrifice that would take place in the future and not a remembrance of something of ages ago. Or, maybe it was a symbolic redemptive action that was requested as proof that YHVH does and will redeem anything and anyone He desires.

Sin is what caused man to wind up in the shape he is now. Anytime after the Garden incident, man can be found toiling, fighting, grumbling and sinning. Unfortunately, the acts of the righteous are not nearly as prominent or widespread as those of the sinner. Due to mans inability to fully obey YHVH, haSatan was able to coerce man and woman to eat of the forbidden fruit. Through the guise of a serpent, the adversary beguiled YHVH's helpmate to sin and be found in complete uncleanness. While most would believe that all serpents are evil, it should be noted that they were cursed right along side of man and woman for the same sin and at the same time.

One thing should be clear, the adversary is not above or more powerful than Elohim Almighty. He would beguile the whole world, including trying to enchant YHVH, that he is; but, he is not. The precursor to Yeshua's triumphant victory over death and the adversary took place next to Edom. An interesting place considering that it was the land of Esau and would become an arab stronghold for centuries to come. Even King Herod of the time of Yeshua's birth was from this area. All of these have connection in that they derive power from the adversary and have used beguiling techniques to kill the male babies of Israel, sell a birthright, and threaten Israel of the past, present and future.

Israel, themselves, were not immune to the enemy's enchantment. They continued to groan and murmur against Moshe. Not only was Moshe alone, as both Aaron and Miriam were both deceased, but the people had seen and been through so much to just up and rebel once again. Could it be that the serpent was needling them to fear both the inhabitants and the possible lack of future provisions? After all, he did and does come to still, kill and destroy. Due to the continued impertinence and disloyal character of Israel, YHVH sent yet another plague to punish His people. Fiery serpents whose bites must have been like setting fire to the flesh of its victims. A taste hell if you will.

The fix was simple, effective and completely prophetic. YHVH told Moshe to fashion a fiery serpent and set it on a standard. In other words, make a banner that looks like this plague and set it up for all the people to see. Not just see, but to ra'ah and nabat, both meaning to look upon, but also to consider and have regard. The children of Israel were to look and behold, regard and perceive what sacrifice would be done for their complete deliverance.

As mentioned before, none of us desire to necessarily gaze or be involved in real sin offerings; yet, we already have been due to the sin nature each of us is born with and has to be delivered from in Messiah. The innocent animal bleating in the sacrificial rite certainly seems to be cursed since death is the opposite of the blessing of life. As the serpent was raised on a pole and all Israel looked to behold their healing, so Yeshua Messiah was raised upon the stake and shown to all creation as the only Elohim with the power over the grave and the adversary. He is the only one that has the power to heal all of humanity from the sting of death imparted by the serpent, haSatan, in the Garden.

Since we know that cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree, we know that Yeshua was stricken as cursed and bore the curses of humanity, death and sin for all of humanity. All that must be done is to look upon Him, Whom we have stricken and killed by our disobedience, grumbling and complaining. He said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me." To be sure, He has called us to peer upon Him in our stricken state. It is not just our own mire in which we wallow, but it is Yah's doing to bring us to a place of brokenness so that we have no other place to look but up at our Savior.

Dwell upon Revelation 1:7, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen."

Parasha Chukat: Day 3

Bamidbar/Numbers 20:7-21

Yeshua is the Rock of our salvation. He is also the chief cornerstone from where the Water of Life derives. While He is completely set apart from all others, being YHVH incarnate, He is untouchable and unattainable unless He places Himself in the position of vulnerability. As Yeshua did on our behalf, the Rock was beaten, struck and buried in the earth. His humility brought about fulfillment in Torah as He allowed Himself to be mistreated and crucified for the sake of all who would strike the Stone.

Our lot as believers and imitators of Messiah is to either be crushed on the Rock or the be crushed by the Rock. Once we have accepted that Yeshua was/is the Rock that was stricken by men for the sake of redemption and healing, then we must undergo the same process of being crushed and remolded into His image. This means that others will mistreat us and strike us for the sake of defiance and in the name of Messiah.

There are other ways in which man strikes the stone of water source. He abuses and/or ignores the authority and favor bestowed upon him as he uses the YHVH's power and anointing. Moshe had been given the directive to speak to the rock so that water would flow out it abundantly. Instead, he struck the rock, twice. The solution was the same, out of the rock flowed a river that satiated all of Israel and their livestock. YHVH did not diminish the result due to Moshe's anger or disobedience. Many people believe they walk in accordance to YHVH's Word and in His Ruach's unction. Sadly, so many people believe that they can just do the work of Yeshua in any way they desire. If it yields the proper fruit and result, it must be sanctioned by Elohim. Right?

YHVH works on behalf of all that are called in spite of people who do not regard or fear His instructions properly. Thus, the statement that will be made by some in the end, "Did I not prophesy in Your name; and did I not heal in Your name?" will be moot. Yeshua will reply to those that they should depart for He never knew them. This is the result of people hearing what to do, but not doing it by the instructions given.

Think for a moment of an employee that is given tasks in which he always take the shortcut to accomplish. If the shortcut involves immoral conduct and/or the employee gives only the minimal effort required to finish the work, why should the employer reward him? Instead, the working could, and probably should, be fired. Why is it that believers walk in a similar manner in regard to their spiritual, physical and emotional service to YHVH in Yeshua? While Yeshua died and rose again, paying the price for our unrighteous actions, that does not give man the permission to serve in only the ways he desires and decides that is right.

It may seem like semantics, but YHVH is very clear in His teachings and instructions. To do something contrary to His Word or unction that abides by His Word is to rebel. When we decide to take matters into our own hands, we deviate from YHVH's plans, positive promises and assurance of His protection and salvation. Moreover, that deviation makes us god in our own eyes and suggests that we know best in how to work our own lives and how to deal with other people. It not only shows signs of self centered and rebelliousness, but is the epitome of pride. There is no telling who we could hurt or what repercussions might arise due to our lack of due diligence.

Lest we strike Messiah Yeshua by our actions, inactivity or just plain rebellion, the care we take to diligently obey Torah and listen to the leading of the Ruach haKodesh matters greatly. For Moshe, it seemed such a small thing, to strike instead of speak to a rock. Yet, that indiscretion caused Moshe to lose the inheritance of the physical Promised Land in his lifetime. What makes us think that we can discriminately pick and choose what we obey and what we ignore? We cannot lest we lose part of our inheritance. Like Moshe, to those that much has been given much will be, and is, expected.

Dwell upon James 1:21-22, "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."

Parasha Chukat: Day 2

Bamidbar/Numbers 19:18-20:6

Seems like every time the children of Israel moved, they perceived themselves to be in increasingly worse situations, places and circumstances. Never is it said in Torah that "The children of Israel arrived at the new encampment and were in awe of where YHVH had led them." Nor is it stated that the people searched for food and/or water and were ever satisfied to their cravings. 

Many of us do not get what we want, when we want it. The desires of our flesh are not necessarily the desires inspired by the Ruach, nor may the coexist with the longings of YHVH's heart. This may include all kinds of food, soda, material possessions and more. All of which would be great to have in abundance, but if these do not edify YHVH or bring us closer to Him, then they are vanity and necessary. To be sure, the Father has created us as needy people in order to look to Him as the satiation of all need and desire and hope.

Since we know, those that trust in YHVH, that the Father is not maniacal, but loving and nurturing, it stands to reason that the Creator does not give the need to those He created with the need. In other words, YHVH does not withhold that which gives and maintains life to His own people by virtue that He established it to be the ongoing cycle until the Garden is reestablished by Yeshua's establishment of His kingdom on earth.

What the people did not have in regards to what they continuously groaned was taken away. They wanted food and water. This is all they could preoccupy themselves with even after the death of Miriam. Torah does not describe any type of regard to the prophetess of YHVH in her death or any mourning that took place. Instead, Israel rises up in disdain for their surroundings and continued contempt for leadership and hatred for what they have.

The contempt that we feel does not end with other people or the bitterness of lack. It, eventually, exudes far beyond what we might think can be kept in check. Like roots of the worst weeds and invasive plants, the repercussions of contempt, hatred and bitterness reach into the depths of our hearts so that nothing is felt except that which feeds those evil inclinations and resentment. For the children of Israel not to remember Miriam in her passing but to continue to murmur and complain against all that YHVH had done for them was a sure sign that Israel was consumed with hatred.

When YHVH moves us to a new season, some of the best sensations can be a result of escaping the last trial or circumstance. Unfortunately, that which we abandon as undone in our lives will move with us and never disappear until we overcome the worst enemy to YHVH—our flesh. How many times do we complain against what the Father is doing? How often do we abandon the work that Yeshua completed on our behalf and disregard His death even as Israel did Miriam's? It is a lesson to realize as we seemingly have need or desire more of what the world around us has.

While we may not need to mourn for the death of Yeshua since He lives and conquered death, it should continuously occur to us that His life is worth more than all that is tangible in this world. If we can remember that His fulfillment of Torah brings about life, provision and hope in every circumstance, then maybe, just maybe, we can allow the Ruach to rid our hearts of these roots of bitterness that en-strangle so much of the life that Yeshua has given to us. Our journey will continue one way or another. Either we will focus on the Prize, or we will backslide into contempt and complaint. The choice is clear when viewed with the eyes of Messiah. Water, food, and more is waiting for us. It is here for us now, if we can persevere through the stations of life that hone our attention and worship skills.

Dwell upon Hebrews 12:15-16, "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of YHVH; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; hat there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal."

Parasha Chukat: Day 1

Bamidbar/Numbers 19:1-17

Who can tame YHVH? For that matter, who tamed, if anyone, Yeshua? Certainly not His disciples. Nor did he allow the pharisees to break His will. No body on earth or in heaven could subdue Messiah under their authority or rule. YHVH gave Himself to the process freely. He never wore any bit or bridle, yoke or bondage that man placed upon Him. Rather, Yeshua bore His own cross and the burdens of all man upon Himself. This He bore as the sin of the world so as to become the perfect sin offering for all of those that would follow Him and where His yoke and His burden.

Interestingly enough, when YHVH named Adam, the Hebrew word used was adom meaning red or ruddy. It is a depiction of that which comes from the eretz/earth or dust. Obviously, it has to do with the color of mud and dirt, but also skin, blood, even garments. Since Adam and Chavah did not wear clothing at first. Their skin shone beautiful with the natural color from the blood and Life that flowed through them. When they turned their back on the Life of YHVH, they were stained with the color of the earth rather than the color of YHVH.

Cleansing by way of the ashes of the red heifer illustrates the perpetual state of uncleanness that man finds himself over and over again. As righteous as any might be, the necessity to be purified is emphasized by YHVH's command to slaughter the red heifer and collect its ashes for this purpose. The only person that this seems to not apply to would have been Yeshua, during His lifetime. Those He came in contact with that were dead, were resurrected or healed so that death was not touched. Due to the sin nature of man, the law of sin and death resides over humanity. Only within Yeshua does the believer find refuge from this. Unfortunately, even in Yeshua, the flesh literally dies and decays as a remnant left over from Adam's poor choice.

We are submerged into Yeshua's death and resurrection upon immersion/baptism. Likewise, the blood of Messiah has be sprinkled upon us and our garments so as to make our sins, the color of the red heifer, to be white and pure. No longer to we reside in death shrouds, grave clothes or defiled coverings. Yeshua has given Himself to be the purification offering for all of us that enter into His suffering and victory over the grave. Just as the red heifer was not slain for the altar, Messiah was sacrificed outside of camp and buried outside of camp. His body did not undergo decay, however; and He lives to ever make us perpetually clean and alive for the Father.

As Adam was created to live, ever sacrificially, for and before the Father, so we have been restored to Him through the blood, body, death and resurrection of the ultimate sacrifice in Yeshua. It is this yoke which is place upon us even as Yeshua bore it freely for it is His very character to serve His own people. This yoke we now bear show the marks of His suffering. Moreover, it reveals and yields the color of His sacrifice and cleansing. If we are like Him, then we will look like Him in all of His glory, ruddy, white, pure and glorious.

Dwell upon Song of Solomon 5:9-10, "What kind of beloved is your beloved, O most beautiful among women? What kind of beloved is your beloved, that thus you adjure us?"   "My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand."