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Bamidbar - Numbers
Started by LovingNeighbor at 05-28-2006 1:35 AM. Topic has 2 replies.
  
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 05-28-2006, 1:35 AM
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LovingNeighbor
 
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Korach Parasha Thoughts, Studies, and Comments
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The goal of this section is to get everybody's studies, thoughts, and opinions on anything in the weeks parasha. This includes, word studies, thoughts on verses, history, related subjects, and anything that may help us to understand this Torah Portion. Even if it's just an observation on the smallest part, it can help others who may not have seen it that way. The goal is then as we visit the parasha (Torah Portion) each year we will create a collection of studies and thoughts on this portion and everyone will benefit by having a broader view of the portion. Shalom!
A disciple should diligently search for the truth and humbly deny and reconsider it's possession.
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06-17-2007, 1:55 PM
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LovingNeighbor
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Korach Parasha 2006-7 Message Lovingneighbor
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Rebellion
For Parasha Korach
By Lovingneighbor 5-25-2007
This weeks Parasha is in the book of Bamidbar also called Numbers, and is called Korach which means 'Baldness'. In this weeks parasha:
- Korach, Datan, and Aviram gathered 250 men against Moshe and Aharon
- Moshe tells the men to meet before YHWH and He will choose who is holy to Him
- Moshe tells Korach he has lightly esteemed what YHWH has given him
- Datan and Aviram accuse Moshe of forcing them to be his followers
- Moshe told Korach to bring his men and come before YHWH with censers tomorrow
- All the men, Moshe, and Aharon gathered at the door with incense in their censers
- YHWH tells Moshe and Aharon to separate from the men so He may consume them
- YHWH tells the people to separate from Korach, Datan, and Aviram
- Moshe said if the Earth opens up and swallows them then YHWH has sent me
- The Earth opened up and swallowed them, Korach and all their households
- Fire came out and consumed the 250 men
- YHWH told Moshe to take the censers of them that died and make a covering for the altar
- The people complained that Moshe and Aharon killed the people of YHWH
- YHWH plagued the people but Aharon and Moshe interceded and stopped the plague
- YHWH commanded that the leaders of each tribe bring a rod with their name and He shall choose one
- Aharon's rod blossomed because he was YHWH's chosen one
- Then the people feared and Moshe told them they shall still serve but not in all things
- YHWH tells Aharon all the things that shall be his and the Levi'im's from the offerings
- YHWH tells Aharon they shall have no inheritance in the land but He shall be their inheritance
- The tithe shall be the Levi'im's and they shall offer a tenth of it to YHWH
- Haftarah - Shemu'el tells the people they have sinned and returned many times and now they ask for a king and it angered YHWH
In this weeks portion we have the classic story of rebellion. The word used for the rebels is meree which is mem, resh, yud which in the ancient Hebrew is the pictographs for water, head, closed hand, or chaos, head, closed hand. This is interesting because the closed hand symbolizes the unblossomed flower or the uncircumcised, unglorified, man. The chaos like the tohu v' bohu that was upon the waters in the beginning was rebellion to authority, it is the early estimation of ones greatness before the real wisdom is achieved. We see this all the time with people who come into a little knowledge. They overestimate themselves which is the puffing up of pride. They also lift themselves up over their brothers. In this torah portion we see this is the root of the word meree which is marah or bitterness. This bitterness comes from our estimation of deserving more and jealously of those who seem to have more than us though we still estimate ourselves more worthy and greater than them.
This story of bitterness grows in the belly of this weeks portions. The root word Marah is spelled Mem, Resh, Hay. The difference in the word used in this portion and the root word is that the word in this portion is spelled with the yud or closed hand in the root it's hay which represents the revealing or spirit. The works of rebellion come from the root of bitterness and pride in a man's spirit. I can relate this story to many stories in my life yet Moshe was humble above all men. He let YHWH lift him up and yet cast himself down for other's who would cast him down and lift themselves. Many people think they are better suited to lead and that they are deserving of a higher position. The lusting over position is one of the roots of pride. Yet what good is the pride of men. Pride oppresses others by nature. Yet over and over again YHWH brought low those who were trying to lift themselves above and he lifted up the lowly. This caused a deeper bitterness to those who thought they were more deserving. We see this especially in the spiritual realm of leadership in Yisra'el. Both in this portion and in Messiah's time the same stories repeat over and over again. Those men who want to rule shouldn't and those who should do so out of responsibility not desire as this weeks haftarah states he 1 Sa 12:13 Behold the king who you have chosen and whom you have desired! Rulers are like a speaker for YHWH and when they start to be corrupt they no longer are just a tool to relay the will of Elohim but there becomes noise in the line. They have started desiring to be the message giver instead of the speaker of the message. Who has something to say let him shut his mouth before he condemns himself and let him who has nothing to say search out his Elohim's words and quietly wait for something to say.
Notice Korach, Datan, and Aviram brought 250 leaders of Yisra'el with them. I mean come on these were the great men of Yisra'el yet they were the ones misled and filled with pride. Why not just follow Elohim, but they had something against the way things were done. They thought they might be the deal. They lightly esteemed what Elohim had already given them. This shows their immaturity spiritually in that they weren't ready yet and yet in this movement and in all religion I see over and over again people who have little knowledge not by their estimation, but that then feel the need to gather followers and to write books, and start ministries. Their own immaturity will lead them into a pit that they may not be able to crawl out of. yet the one not seeking after such things were the ones they wanted to condemn. They mistaked the humility for weakness. Yet YHWH had the final word. Their strength and pride, and knowledge came to nothing and all their followers were consumed also. Only the ones ignorant enough to detach from them may have been spared so that they can re redirected to Elohim. They were misled and those who are misled many times are misled because they are lazy and allow themselves to be misled by trying to follow instead of study. When will people stop following men. They follow vanity and love to be oppressed like Yisra'el who wanted to go back to Egypt. Ley love the nicolaitins. the rulers of people because it allows for laziness. Yet they refuse to be ruled by Elohim. What sadness that men want to be victims to the cruel and not serve the righteous and humble. But they have fallen in love with cruelty and wickedness so who can they love but their father. The only time they should be selfish about how your treated should direct you to a great master, yet they want to be selfish and rebel against the humble and righteous leaders that Elohim appoints. They shall have the ruler they desire.
Finnaly the closeness of serving YHWH was taken from the rebellious children, the thing they desired was taken from them and they were distanced from teaching and ministering in the closest ways to YHWH. I look forward to the day when the rulers and teachers will be taken from the positions they have given themselves and the least among them are set over them so that righteousness may abound and let them be consumed because their venom is the venom of asps and their bitterness will bring destruction to those who follow their ways. Many false teachers have taken the high seats in the churches and synagogues. They are not fit to sit as servants because they have not even done just what their master has commanded them. Shall they eat. I think not. Be warned all who desire to lead and rule, be warned all who have high estimation, and be warned those who will unjustly attack the humble. May YHWH be our shield and keep us from wicked men. Shalom!
A disciple should diligently search for the truth and humbly deny and reconsider it's possession.
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06-28-2008, 11:10 AM
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LovingNeighbor
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Korach Parasha 2007-8 Message - When the Servant Reigns
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When the Servant Reigns
For Parasha Korach
By Lovingneighbor 6-21-2008
This weeks Parasha is in the book of Bamidbar also called Numbers, and is called Korach which means 'Baldness'. In this weeks parasha:
- Korach, Datan, and Aviram gathered 250 men against Moshe and Aharon
- Moshe tells the men to meet before YHWH and He will choose who is holy to Him
- Moshe tells Korach he has lightly esteemed what YHWH has given him
- Datan and Aviram accuse Moshe of forcing them to be his followers
- Moshe told Korach to bring his men and come before YHWH with censers tomorrow
- All the men, Moshe, and Aharon gathered at the door with incense in their censers
- YHWH tells Moshe and Aharon to separate from the men so He may consume them
- YHWH tells the people to separate from Korach, Datan, and Aviram
- Moshe said if the Earth opens up and swallows them then YHWH has sent me
- The Earth opened up and swallowed them, Korach and all their households
- Fire came out and consumed the 250 men
- YHWH told Moshe to take the censers of them that died and make a covering for the altar
- The people complained that Moshe and Aharon killed the people of YHWH
- YHWH plagued the people but Aharon and Moshe interceded and stopped the plague
- YHWH commanded that the leaders of each tribe bring a rod with their name and He shall choose one
- Aharon's rod blossomed because he was YHWH's chosen one
- Then the people feared and Moshe told them they shall still serve but not in all things
- YHWH tells Aharon all the things that shall be his and the Levi'im's from the offerings
- YHWH tells Aharon they shall have no inheritance in the land but He shall be their inheritance
- The tithe shall be the Levi'im's and they shall offer a tenth of it to YHWH
- Haftarah - Shemu'el tells the people they have sinned and returned many times and now they ask for a king and it angered YHWH
In this weeks parasha we have a series of power struggles with Moshe and Aharon and ultimately YHWH though they don't go far against Him. How often has this been the propblem with people. As a matter of fact and a matter of History the world is all about the overthrow, hostile takeover, king of the hill, and people working on position. Like a giant wrestling match for power. This can happen individually and it can happen socially. When the senators killed Ceasar it was an example of social positioning. They were in a lesser position and they decided they would take the rule by force from the one who was in authority. This can also be seen when Yosef was sold by his brethren.
I see this with many religions and Church leaderships. They figure if I start my own group and then I can have authority over it. Then I can also control the social outcome more, so they figure they will take control of the people and they will be exalted among them. Though usually the cycle repeats and then the leader again is overthrown by the masses they were trying to rule over. This is seen in history over and over again. The rebellion gathers people and rises up against those in authority and the tries to re-establish rule under themselves. So the leader must be cuning and ambitious. They must be one who get the people rallied by making them think it's about them and everyone involved is included and has a voice. Later like the antiChrist they will reveal they are the leader and the people's voices don't really matter and then the people will gather together and rise up against that man and another ambitous man will hide among the people to do the same thing. How many times have we seen this in churches that split when someone decides to rule over everyone, then that ambitous person starts another one. It's like cells that split and then for two other cells and they split.
So what does this have to do with Korach. They started as servant who then allured others into believing Moshe was not the only one chosen. Let's jump back to the first occurence of this in my opinion.
Psa 36:12 There are the workers of lawlessness fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
Isa 14:12 How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!
Isa 14:13 For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Elohim: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isa 14:15 Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Isa 14:16 They that see you shall narrowly look upon you, and consider you, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Isa 14:17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
Isa 14:18 All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
Isa 14:19 But you are cast out of your grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
Isa 14:20 You shall not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, and slain your people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
Isa 14:21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the lawlessness of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
Isa 14:22 For I will rise up against them, saith YHWH Tsebaoth, and cut off from Bavel the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith YHWH.
I think the second occurance is when Chavah was allured by this same leader of rebellion who promised her stature for disobediance. This battle has been going on spiritually I belive as the Master says:
Mat 11:12 And from the days of Yochanan the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Cain sought to rise up above his brother by bringing them low. This goes to the source of the problem, it's like the old saying you don't have to put me down to lift yourself up. But this is what these people do. They may start off acting like its about you and what is good for you but this bribe is only to get you in and under their authority.
Churches have promised salvation for membership for so long and just like when the politicians offer their support to the one they were ripping apart, it is because once they know the person might be in power they want to be included. This whole fellowship of bribery and deception is sickening. It is coveting at it's worst. I have not found a congregation yet where the exalted leaders haven't fit this pattern. And they surround themselves with people who think they are important also, but don't ever cross the leader who is covertly in total power.
This disease cropped up in this portion. It is in direct contrast to Moshe who didn't even want the job but humbly took it. Blessed is YHWH who defends it and keeps power from those who are seeking it. The problem is that the leaders are the greatest servants. I have always said those who want to lead shouldn't and those who don't want to lead may be best suited for it.
Luk 9:48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receives me: and whosoever shall receive me receives Him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
1Co 6:4 If then you have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
The servant who starts calling the shots is a continual problem. They are given a job to do and position and then it starts going to their heads. Better is a person of low esteem whom YHWH give a task then a person exalted by the group of men he created. They give their power to him because he gives them power. How many times did Moshe who was given a great position of YHWH get offered to wipe out Yisra'el, who many times wanted to kill Moshe, and He would make a greater nation from him meaning he would have total authority over them as it would be his children. Moshe did not except.
There are 4 reasons the Torah says the earth quakes and all are about the lesser becoming greater.
Pro 30:21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
Pro 30:22 For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with bread;
Pro 30:23 For an hateful woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
They are about people getting more than they should. Which also shows there is a preference to whom has what and who leads. It is usually the humble not the proud and agressive. This is much like a woman trying to rule over a man. The rot of rebellion is when the lesser wants to rule over the greater. When is this OK. When the ruler is wicked. This struggle, this wrestling for rule is much what I believe this protion is about. Even the haftarah speaks of Yisra'el wanting a king over them because other nations had a man king over them. Yisra'el had Elohim king over them and how much greater. But they wanted the servant to reign, not the true king. The people want the servant to reign because he will bribe them with swelling words and promises. I pray that all of us starting at our homes and in our coutries, and organizations will be weary of this pattern of rebellion and rulership and understand when someone comes to you to ask you to join a rebellion that you without bribe seek the answer of whether the current rulership is evil or righteous and then make your decision carefully.
Since the beginning people have struggled over position and tried to rule over others. Rule over yourself in righteousness and let the unseen Elohim rule over you and don't look for things not given to you and don't exalt yourself or be exalted by men. These are traps of pride that will only bring you down. Be happy to serve when given a position and don't seek after it. A good king becomes king to serve the people, not to be served by the people. Shalom!
A disciple should diligently search for the truth and humbly deny and reconsider it's possession.
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