Jimmie
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- Mar 5, 2005
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PARASHA: “B’Midbar” (in the wilderness) NUMBERS 1:1-4:20
We are opening the Bible to the Book of “Numbers." The title is such because it discusses “numbering” the tribes of Israel. In Hebrew, the word "B'Midbar" means "In the wilderness or the desert." The last 4 letters "dbar" mean "Word." So, God gave his WORD to his people while in the desert. They would journey for 40 years yet live by HIS Word. Now, we wonder why “numbering the people?” For this reason, we need to go back to the beginning to see.
In Egypt, the Israelites were slaves working for Pharaoh. In Adonai’s timing, He sent Moses, a “Messiah Type” to lead the people out of slavery to freedom. Once out of Egypt, the task was to take the mindset and philosophy of Egypt out of Israel. They came to Mt. Sinai, ready to become a nation united under YHVH. The Ten Commandments served as the document in stone, a “Ketubah” to solidify the covenant. Now, the United Tribes of Israel under YHVH is established. But this is only the first part. Each Shavuot(Pentecost), we remember the giving of the “Torah in Stone” in the midst of thunder and fire.
Now that the nation is established, YHVH takes a count. Why the count? As a nation, like every nation in the world, the Nation of Israel needs an army! So, the count is taken to form the very first IDF (Israel Defense Force). Many of us, including myself, have served in the Armed Forces, and it is an experience as well as a duty. I served in the US Army from 1972 to 1984, as well as six weeks with the IDF in Israel as a support volunteer in 2015.
YHVH takes up the count and “enlists” every man who is 20 years old and older. They will serve in the armies of Israel. All those who are …”20 years old and upward who can go to war.” After the numbering, part of the daily life would have been practicing and learning how to use different combat weapons, back then would have been swords, spears, bows and arrows, and slingshots.
Every soldier has a job to do. 11 tribes were counted to be fighting men, yet the tribe of Levi was called to be the “chaplain tribe.” They were exempt from combat duty; they would attend the Tabernacle and services. There were the Cohenim (the priests) who would be the “chaplains” and the “Levites” who would serve as the “chaplain assistants”, sort of speaking. In the Armed Forces, those are the titles used.
So, you are thinking, what does this numbering have to do with us as born-again believers in Messiah Yeshua? We are all soldiers in God’s army of believers. He’s got us all numbered. Yes, he has your number! We need to go back and look at our lives before and after Messiah Yeshua. Before, we were just a bunch of “hodge-podge lost sinners in the camp of HaSatan. Until Yeshua took us out of that camp by shedding his blood on the cross of Calvary, when we accepted his sacrifice, we were officially “out” of the camp. Yet, there would still be a lot of “HaSatan and worldly influence” still in us, so, like the Israelites, “Egypt” was still in us.
When we accepted Messiah Yeshua as our Mashiach and Goel (Redeemer), we were added to the Commonwealth of Israel, now part of the Community, the “Adat” which began at Sinai 3500 years ago. We are the “olive branches” that have been “grafted into” the Olive Tree.
Now that we are members and citizens of “HIS People,” we are also considered “soldiers” and in the LORD’s Army. However, we fight a different type of war. In this world, armies fight with RPGs, M-16s, Kalashnikovs, Berettas, M-60s, etc. We fight against “spirits and principalities of darkness,” it is a spiritual war against HaSatan and his demons. Only through the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) and the power of His WORD can we overcome the onslaughts of the enemy. He realizes he has lost the war, yet still continues to fight a losing battle, which was won at the cross 2000 years ago.
Just as the Cohenim (priests) ministered and had jobs to do, and the soldiers had theirs, we believers also have jobs within our congregations. That is why the Holy Spirit has given gifts of the Spirit, so that we might all serve in different capacities in the body of Messiah. In this way, the body grows and prospers. Some of us are rabbis, pastors, who also serve as teachers, and we have ministers in music and praise, finances, maintenance, prayer intercessors, counselors, and the list can go on.
The twelve tribes of Israel encircled the Tabernacle, with the tribe of Levi next to it. The “Mishkan” was at the center of the People. So also, YHVH should be the “Center” of our life. The whole purpose of our life is to serve our God and Creator, while loving and supporting our brothers and sisters in the faith, reaching out to others who are lost, and teaching Torah to those who have ears to hear and learn. We are “numbered” in the eyes of Elohim, HE knows who we are, He has numbered the hairs on our head, and there is no such thing as “retirement” in the work of YHVH, well, there is…. It is called d-e-a-t-h.
Another detail that I would like to add to this midrash. When Adonai numbered the people, he chose leaders out of each tribe. In all groups of “chosen” there are “leaders”. We could say "generals" with each tribe being an "Army". The names are important as they convey important spiritual meanings.
“Elizur’ = My God is the rock;” Shelumiel” = At peace with God. Zurishaddai” = My Rock is Shaddai; “Nahshon” = Serpent, “Amminadab” = The (Divine) kinsman is generous; “Nethaniel” = God hath given; “Eliab” = God is Father; “Elishama” = God hath heard, or God hears; “Ammihud” = The (Divine) kinsman is glorious; “Gammaliel” = God is my reward. In later times, it was the name of many famous rabbis, like the rabbi of Apostle Paul; “Pedahzur” = The Rock hath redeemed; “Abidan” = The Father hath judged; “Ahiezer” = The (divine) Brother is a help; “Ammishaddai” = The People of Shaddai; “Pagiel” = The lot (or fate) is given by God; “Eliasaph” = God has added; “Deuel” or “Reuel” = God is a friend; “Ahira” the (divine) brother is a friend. and also it can mean "my brother is evil". So, what is the message of these names?
My God is the ROCK, Yeshua is that SOLID ROCK, who makes us at peace with God (Through his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary). He crushed the head of the serpent prophesied in Genesis. God has given us his generosity in the form of blessings. He is our Father who hears us. His glory is forever, and His Kingdom is our reward. Our Father judged our sin through the Son. We are the people of El Shaddai, and he has given us brethren who help us in our ministry. God, who is our friend, has added us to His family. and pray for those brothers and sisters who might fall into evil through Satan's temptations.
Remember that we ALL have assigned jobs to do in God's Army. Let's be faithful to our calling.
We are opening the Bible to the Book of “Numbers." The title is such because it discusses “numbering” the tribes of Israel. In Hebrew, the word "B'Midbar" means "In the wilderness or the desert." The last 4 letters "dbar" mean "Word." So, God gave his WORD to his people while in the desert. They would journey for 40 years yet live by HIS Word. Now, we wonder why “numbering the people?” For this reason, we need to go back to the beginning to see.
In Egypt, the Israelites were slaves working for Pharaoh. In Adonai’s timing, He sent Moses, a “Messiah Type” to lead the people out of slavery to freedom. Once out of Egypt, the task was to take the mindset and philosophy of Egypt out of Israel. They came to Mt. Sinai, ready to become a nation united under YHVH. The Ten Commandments served as the document in stone, a “Ketubah” to solidify the covenant. Now, the United Tribes of Israel under YHVH is established. But this is only the first part. Each Shavuot(Pentecost), we remember the giving of the “Torah in Stone” in the midst of thunder and fire.
Now that the nation is established, YHVH takes a count. Why the count? As a nation, like every nation in the world, the Nation of Israel needs an army! So, the count is taken to form the very first IDF (Israel Defense Force). Many of us, including myself, have served in the Armed Forces, and it is an experience as well as a duty. I served in the US Army from 1972 to 1984, as well as six weeks with the IDF in Israel as a support volunteer in 2015.
YHVH takes up the count and “enlists” every man who is 20 years old and older. They will serve in the armies of Israel. All those who are …”20 years old and upward who can go to war.” After the numbering, part of the daily life would have been practicing and learning how to use different combat weapons, back then would have been swords, spears, bows and arrows, and slingshots.
Every soldier has a job to do. 11 tribes were counted to be fighting men, yet the tribe of Levi was called to be the “chaplain tribe.” They were exempt from combat duty; they would attend the Tabernacle and services. There were the Cohenim (the priests) who would be the “chaplains” and the “Levites” who would serve as the “chaplain assistants”, sort of speaking. In the Armed Forces, those are the titles used.
So, you are thinking, what does this numbering have to do with us as born-again believers in Messiah Yeshua? We are all soldiers in God’s army of believers. He’s got us all numbered. Yes, he has your number! We need to go back and look at our lives before and after Messiah Yeshua. Before, we were just a bunch of “hodge-podge lost sinners in the camp of HaSatan. Until Yeshua took us out of that camp by shedding his blood on the cross of Calvary, when we accepted his sacrifice, we were officially “out” of the camp. Yet, there would still be a lot of “HaSatan and worldly influence” still in us, so, like the Israelites, “Egypt” was still in us.
When we accepted Messiah Yeshua as our Mashiach and Goel (Redeemer), we were added to the Commonwealth of Israel, now part of the Community, the “Adat” which began at Sinai 3500 years ago. We are the “olive branches” that have been “grafted into” the Olive Tree.
Now that we are members and citizens of “HIS People,” we are also considered “soldiers” and in the LORD’s Army. However, we fight a different type of war. In this world, armies fight with RPGs, M-16s, Kalashnikovs, Berettas, M-60s, etc. We fight against “spirits and principalities of darkness,” it is a spiritual war against HaSatan and his demons. Only through the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) and the power of His WORD can we overcome the onslaughts of the enemy. He realizes he has lost the war, yet still continues to fight a losing battle, which was won at the cross 2000 years ago.
Just as the Cohenim (priests) ministered and had jobs to do, and the soldiers had theirs, we believers also have jobs within our congregations. That is why the Holy Spirit has given gifts of the Spirit, so that we might all serve in different capacities in the body of Messiah. In this way, the body grows and prospers. Some of us are rabbis, pastors, who also serve as teachers, and we have ministers in music and praise, finances, maintenance, prayer intercessors, counselors, and the list can go on.
The twelve tribes of Israel encircled the Tabernacle, with the tribe of Levi next to it. The “Mishkan” was at the center of the People. So also, YHVH should be the “Center” of our life. The whole purpose of our life is to serve our God and Creator, while loving and supporting our brothers and sisters in the faith, reaching out to others who are lost, and teaching Torah to those who have ears to hear and learn. We are “numbered” in the eyes of Elohim, HE knows who we are, He has numbered the hairs on our head, and there is no such thing as “retirement” in the work of YHVH, well, there is…. It is called d-e-a-t-h.
Another detail that I would like to add to this midrash. When Adonai numbered the people, he chose leaders out of each tribe. In all groups of “chosen” there are “leaders”. We could say "generals" with each tribe being an "Army". The names are important as they convey important spiritual meanings.
“Elizur’ = My God is the rock;” Shelumiel” = At peace with God. Zurishaddai” = My Rock is Shaddai; “Nahshon” = Serpent, “Amminadab” = The (Divine) kinsman is generous; “Nethaniel” = God hath given; “Eliab” = God is Father; “Elishama” = God hath heard, or God hears; “Ammihud” = The (Divine) kinsman is glorious; “Gammaliel” = God is my reward. In later times, it was the name of many famous rabbis, like the rabbi of Apostle Paul; “Pedahzur” = The Rock hath redeemed; “Abidan” = The Father hath judged; “Ahiezer” = The (divine) Brother is a help; “Ammishaddai” = The People of Shaddai; “Pagiel” = The lot (or fate) is given by God; “Eliasaph” = God has added; “Deuel” or “Reuel” = God is a friend; “Ahira” the (divine) brother is a friend. and also it can mean "my brother is evil". So, what is the message of these names?
My God is the ROCK, Yeshua is that SOLID ROCK, who makes us at peace with God (Through his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary). He crushed the head of the serpent prophesied in Genesis. God has given us his generosity in the form of blessings. He is our Father who hears us. His glory is forever, and His Kingdom is our reward. Our Father judged our sin through the Son. We are the people of El Shaddai, and he has given us brethren who help us in our ministry. God, who is our friend, has added us to His family. and pray for those brothers and sisters who might fall into evil through Satan's temptations.
Remember that we ALL have assigned jobs to do in God's Army. Let's be faithful to our calling.
