Torah/Bible portion and Study: "Naso" (take) Numbers 4:21-7:89
This week's portion of Torah/Bible study is centered on the jobs and service of the Levites in the Tabernacle (Mishkan). As we read, we will note that the families of Gershon, Merari, and Kohat have been selected for different tasks in the setting up and taking down, transporting, and setting up again. Remember that the Children of Israel will be taking their journeys in the desert for 40 years (not the original plan of God) but due, to negativity, and rebellion, (the 12 spies) they had to spend 40 years wandering, (but always being guided) by God.
It is interesting to note the roots of the names; Gershon, Merari, and Kohat, as they tell us a story, our story as well. "Gershon" (Ger) a sojourner, "Merari"(maror) Bitterness, and "Kohat" (Kahal) congregation. We are all "sojourners" on this planet called "Earth" because our permanent home is the New Jerusalem, the City of God, and while we go through "bitterness" in our lives, we are still united together by our congregations. Israel wandered in the desert, enduring times of "bitterness" yet still united as ONE people (Am Echad) by the ONE true God (Adonai-Elohim)
The families of Levi were in charge of the service of the Tabernacle (Avodah) is the Hebrew word for "Service" and each of the three families had specific jobs or tasks (Mishmeret) as the Hebrew states in 4:28. Some were to carry the Tabernacle furniture on their shoulders by poles, (being covered at all times) others had the job of taking down the curtains and poles, putting them on carts (also covered) drawn by pairs of oxen. 4 pairs of oxen in all, and 4 carts. They would do this at the commencement of every move, and they would put up the Tabernacle at the next campsite.
These were specific jobs and tasks that God assigned them through the guidance and instruction of Moses. Everyone had a job to do within the service of the Tabernacle. We, as born-again believers, in the body of Messiah, also have jobs and tasks to do as part of "service" There are many gifts of the Spirit that enable us to perform our tasks; Ref: 1 Corinthians 4-11; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-16.
Some believers have the gifts of teaching, while others have that of evangelism, others are pastors and rabbis, and others have the gift of service, intercession, prayer warriors, music, healing, tongues (the ability to speak different languages), and the list can go on, we could expand to missionary aviation pilots, missionary doctors, and nurses, etc.
"Prophecy" is mentioned, and that would come under "teaching" of the WORD. We may not be biblical prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Daniel, but those who teach are in the role of prophets. The prophets of old received the Word from God to relay to the people. There were no Bible bookstores back then, so the only source of God's Word came from the mouths of the prophets. We DO have God's Word in print, so, as teachers, we need to convey and interpret the Word of God accurately within (hopefully) the original Hebraic perspective so that those who listen can understand well.
So, being in the body of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, we all perform and partake in "service" (Avodah) and perform our tasks (Mishmeret) The root of that word is "Mishmor" or the verb "Sh+m+r" (Hebrew verbs consist of three letters) in this case, we could say "Shmar" (to guard or protect) We are guarding and protecting our "service" from the attacks of the enemy (Satan) who wishes to destroy us. In the word "Avodah" there are the letters "AD" which means "witness" There are always witnesses to our service, the angels in Heaven and also, unclean spirits (demonic entities) are watching with rage, wishing to devour and thwart our work. Waiting to throw a monkey wrench into the machinery.
So, just as the families of the Levites were counted and performed their duties in ministry, so we ALL are counted and selected to perform our spiritual gifts within the body of Messiah. We ALL work for the common GOOD as we are all ONE in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus our LORD and Savior)
Chapter 5 deals with expelling from the camp those with skin diseases (Tzara'at) We wonder why. Wouldn't that be cruel? Yet we need to understand the deeper reason. Many times, spiritual rebellion and impurity result in physical revelation. The physical body reveals to others the inner rebellion, gossip, slander, backbiting, hatred, etc. So, as the LORD walks in the camp, YHVH is All Holy, and these people need to taken outside the camp until their diseases are gone, until they repent, and then a priest will examine them, and if they are clean, they will be brought back inside the camp. We can't say that ALL skin diseases result from "Leshon Hara" (evil speech) but there is evidence that in many cases, that was the case.
As believers, we need to be holy inside, have pure thoughts, and walk like the MASTER, being careful never to slander, or speak evil of others, especially those of the faith. Who knows if the "rash" that itches is a result of something like that?
Chapter 6 deals with the "Nazir" or the "Nazarite vow" Back then, a person would "vow" to serve the LORD for "x" amount of months or years. Not cut his hair, not to drink wine or eat grapes, and not to touch any corpse. Samuel was a nazir, and Samson was a nazir. Paul took the "Nazarite vow" to prove to those around him that he lived by the Torah.
Today, we might set aside a period to serve the LORD in some special capacity, for "x" amount of months or years. It doesn't mean we have to let our hair grow or abstain from wine or grape juice, but just be serious in what we wish to do, and honor our word to serve God, according to how the Holy Spirit leads us. But it doesn't mean to go and be a hermit alone on some mountaintop, away from people. Ministry and service is all about PEOPLE.
Also, chapter 6 is where we find the Aaronic Blessing. What is it saying to us? MAY YHVH BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU
This is written in the Hebrew “singular” YOU not the plural YOU, because Israel, and all believers today are as ONE (Echad) in unity and ONE in fellowship, Adonai KEEPS us by “guarding us against curses and calamity, against sickness, poverty, He delivered our souls from the curse of sin, through Yeshua HaMashiach. HOWEVER, we can, through rebellion, bring on to ourselves these curses!
MAY YHVH MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS UNTO YOU. The idea of “shine” is happiness, purity, and friendship so, May “P’nei (faces of) Adonai” bring happiness to you and keep you pure “tahor” and bring to you many friends, also GRACIOUS is from the Hebrew “Chen” (grace) something that is not merited, by GRACE we are saved, not by our own merit, He showed us the “Face of Grace” in YESHUA HaMASHIACH who is our YESHUAH (salvation)
LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE. May YHVH give his “attention” to you and direct to you, and may you rest in HIS SHALOM! When we have Yeshua as Mashiach, we have that internal shalom, despite the world around us being in a lot of “unrest”
So THEY SHALL PUT MY NAME ON THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND I WILL BLESS THEM. We can see that one of the names of God which is EL, is part of the name “YisraEL” and the most sacred name; YHVH is part of “Y’HUdaH (Judah)
The blessing is for all believers since we have all been grafted into the Community/Commonwealth of Israel.
Shalom.
This week's portion of Torah/Bible study is centered on the jobs and service of the Levites in the Tabernacle (Mishkan). As we read, we will note that the families of Gershon, Merari, and Kohat have been selected for different tasks in the setting up and taking down, transporting, and setting up again. Remember that the Children of Israel will be taking their journeys in the desert for 40 years (not the original plan of God) but due, to negativity, and rebellion, (the 12 spies) they had to spend 40 years wandering, (but always being guided) by God.
It is interesting to note the roots of the names; Gershon, Merari, and Kohat, as they tell us a story, our story as well. "Gershon" (Ger) a sojourner, "Merari"(maror) Bitterness, and "Kohat" (Kahal) congregation. We are all "sojourners" on this planet called "Earth" because our permanent home is the New Jerusalem, the City of God, and while we go through "bitterness" in our lives, we are still united together by our congregations. Israel wandered in the desert, enduring times of "bitterness" yet still united as ONE people (Am Echad) by the ONE true God (Adonai-Elohim)
The families of Levi were in charge of the service of the Tabernacle (Avodah) is the Hebrew word for "Service" and each of the three families had specific jobs or tasks (Mishmeret) as the Hebrew states in 4:28. Some were to carry the Tabernacle furniture on their shoulders by poles, (being covered at all times) others had the job of taking down the curtains and poles, putting them on carts (also covered) drawn by pairs of oxen. 4 pairs of oxen in all, and 4 carts. They would do this at the commencement of every move, and they would put up the Tabernacle at the next campsite.
These were specific jobs and tasks that God assigned them through the guidance and instruction of Moses. Everyone had a job to do within the service of the Tabernacle. We, as born-again believers, in the body of Messiah, also have jobs and tasks to do as part of "service" There are many gifts of the Spirit that enable us to perform our tasks; Ref: 1 Corinthians 4-11; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-16.
Some believers have the gifts of teaching, while others have that of evangelism, others are pastors and rabbis, and others have the gift of service, intercession, prayer warriors, music, healing, tongues (the ability to speak different languages), and the list can go on, we could expand to missionary aviation pilots, missionary doctors, and nurses, etc.
"Prophecy" is mentioned, and that would come under "teaching" of the WORD. We may not be biblical prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Daniel, but those who teach are in the role of prophets. The prophets of old received the Word from God to relay to the people. There were no Bible bookstores back then, so the only source of God's Word came from the mouths of the prophets. We DO have God's Word in print, so, as teachers, we need to convey and interpret the Word of God accurately within (hopefully) the original Hebraic perspective so that those who listen can understand well.
So, being in the body of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, we all perform and partake in "service" (Avodah) and perform our tasks (Mishmeret) The root of that word is "Mishmor" or the verb "Sh+m+r" (Hebrew verbs consist of three letters) in this case, we could say "Shmar" (to guard or protect) We are guarding and protecting our "service" from the attacks of the enemy (Satan) who wishes to destroy us. In the word "Avodah" there are the letters "AD" which means "witness" There are always witnesses to our service, the angels in Heaven and also, unclean spirits (demonic entities) are watching with rage, wishing to devour and thwart our work. Waiting to throw a monkey wrench into the machinery.
So, just as the families of the Levites were counted and performed their duties in ministry, so we ALL are counted and selected to perform our spiritual gifts within the body of Messiah. We ALL work for the common GOOD as we are all ONE in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus our LORD and Savior)
Chapter 5 deals with expelling from the camp those with skin diseases (Tzara'at) We wonder why. Wouldn't that be cruel? Yet we need to understand the deeper reason. Many times, spiritual rebellion and impurity result in physical revelation. The physical body reveals to others the inner rebellion, gossip, slander, backbiting, hatred, etc. So, as the LORD walks in the camp, YHVH is All Holy, and these people need to taken outside the camp until their diseases are gone, until they repent, and then a priest will examine them, and if they are clean, they will be brought back inside the camp. We can't say that ALL skin diseases result from "Leshon Hara" (evil speech) but there is evidence that in many cases, that was the case.
As believers, we need to be holy inside, have pure thoughts, and walk like the MASTER, being careful never to slander, or speak evil of others, especially those of the faith. Who knows if the "rash" that itches is a result of something like that?
Chapter 6 deals with the "Nazir" or the "Nazarite vow" Back then, a person would "vow" to serve the LORD for "x" amount of months or years. Not cut his hair, not to drink wine or eat grapes, and not to touch any corpse. Samuel was a nazir, and Samson was a nazir. Paul took the "Nazarite vow" to prove to those around him that he lived by the Torah.
Today, we might set aside a period to serve the LORD in some special capacity, for "x" amount of months or years. It doesn't mean we have to let our hair grow or abstain from wine or grape juice, but just be serious in what we wish to do, and honor our word to serve God, according to how the Holy Spirit leads us. But it doesn't mean to go and be a hermit alone on some mountaintop, away from people. Ministry and service is all about PEOPLE.
Also, chapter 6 is where we find the Aaronic Blessing. What is it saying to us? MAY YHVH BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU
This is written in the Hebrew “singular” YOU not the plural YOU, because Israel, and all believers today are as ONE (Echad) in unity and ONE in fellowship, Adonai KEEPS us by “guarding us against curses and calamity, against sickness, poverty, He delivered our souls from the curse of sin, through Yeshua HaMashiach. HOWEVER, we can, through rebellion, bring on to ourselves these curses!
MAY YHVH MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS UNTO YOU. The idea of “shine” is happiness, purity, and friendship so, May “P’nei (faces of) Adonai” bring happiness to you and keep you pure “tahor” and bring to you many friends, also GRACIOUS is from the Hebrew “Chen” (grace) something that is not merited, by GRACE we are saved, not by our own merit, He showed us the “Face of Grace” in YESHUA HaMASHIACH who is our YESHUAH (salvation)
LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE. May YHVH give his “attention” to you and direct to you, and may you rest in HIS SHALOM! When we have Yeshua as Mashiach, we have that internal shalom, despite the world around us being in a lot of “unrest”
So THEY SHALL PUT MY NAME ON THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND I WILL BLESS THEM. We can see that one of the names of God which is EL, is part of the name “YisraEL” and the most sacred name; YHVH is part of “Y’HUdaH (Judah)
The blessing is for all believers since we have all been grafted into the Community/Commonwealth of Israel.
Shalom.
