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Bamidbar - Numbers
Started by LovingNeighbor at 05-28-2006 1:37 AM. Topic has 4 replies.
  
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 05-28-2006, 1:37 AM
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LovingNeighbor
 
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Chukat 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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06-27-2006, 10:15 PM
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LovingNeighbor
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Link to Audio version of Parasha Chukat
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06-30-2007, 12:36 PM
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LovingNeighbor
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Chukat Parasha 2005-6 Message - One Way
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One Way
For Parasha Chukat
By Lovingneighbor 7-15-2006
This weeks Parasha is in the book of Bamidbar also called Numbers, and is called Chukat which means 'Statute'. In this weeks parasha:
- The law of the red heifer sacrifice is given
- The laws of purification for touching a dead body are given
- A clean person shall sprinkle the one defiled with the water of seperation on the 3rd and 7th day
- Miryam dies in Kadesh
- The people complain about not having water
- YHWH commands Moshe to take the rod and speak to the rock and it shall bring forth water
- Moshe told the people they were rebels and smote the rock twice and water came forth
- YHWH told Moshe and Aharon because they didn't believe Him they would not bring the people into the land
- Moshe asks Edom if Yisra'el can pass through their land but Edom refused
- YHWH told Aharon he shall die on Mt. Hor for rebelling and El'azar his son shall replace him
- King Arad the Kena'ani fought against Yisra'el
- Yisra'el vowed to destroy them and YHWH delivered them into their hand
- The people murmered against the food, water, and the manna
- YHWH sent fiery serpents among them and many died
- YHWH commanded Moshe to make the nahushtan
- The journeys of the children of Yisra'el
- Yisra'el went to Be'er and sang a song by the well
- Yisra'el asked to pass through the land of the Amori but they refused
- Sichon fought with Yisra'el and was destroyed
- Og King of Bashan came against Yisra'el and was destroyed
- Haftarah - Yiftach fights the King of Ammon who wants to take back the land of the Ammonites
In this weeks parasha we have some interesting things going on with the Red heifer sacrifice. One point is that there are many people involved in the preparation of the water of purification. Everyone involved in this process becomes unclean so that one person may be made clean. It reminds me of the verse from Mashiach about the shepard and the sheep:
Mat 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Mat 18:12 How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray?
Mat 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
The other ninety nine and the shepard are willing to risk harm to return the one that is lost. In the same way many priests and even the high priest are willing to be made unclean in order to restore the cleanness of one who is unclean. I also think it may imply that Mashiach has other sheep than those in the flesh and he left them to come and restore us to his flock. Either way there is only one way for the lost to return to the flock that was left. That is by the hand of the shepard. He is the restorer, in such a way also only the Red heifer can restore cleanness to someone defiled by a dead body.
I think Peter eludes to this same concept
1Pe 3:18 For Mashiach also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to Elohim, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Yisra'el murmurs and blames Moshe and Elohim that they did not bring them into the Good land. They wouldn't take responsibility for their own sins. Their lack of faith in Elohim is why they were still in the desert. And as Mashiach says if they would say they are blind then they could be healed, but because they don't recognize their own sin they cannot be healed.
Moshe and Aharon on the other hand though it appears are in trouble are better off then the murmurers, because they sinned and received punishment but they continued to serve and obey YHWH even after their sin was revealed. Moshe was to speak to the Rock, it is a relationship where they interact and the result is water for the children. In the same way the Torah and Yahushua work together, they speak of each other and aren't contrary. But when servants of Elohim put them against each other the result is that person not going into the promised land. Many people today teach the Law is contrary to Mashiach and Mashiach taught against it or did away with it, but in doing so they forsake their inheritance in the kingdom. They are striking the rock. We see here again the fathers not going in but the children getting the opportunity. This is all over the scriptures, mercy is shown the children who don't know better yet. A greater responsibility is on those who should know better, for them it's just rebellion, for if after seeing all they had seen and learning all they had learned they still rebelled then the plagues is deeper than the skin.
Notice Elohim destroys and uproots so to say as he is a gardener as spoken of in Yochanan by His son:
Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
He arranges his garden how he chooses and takes out one that bears bad fruit and replaces it with one that is more pleasing. In this way he uproots along the way the Kena'ani, Amori, and the Giants of Bashan from before Yisra'el. Meanwhile the people complain about the bread and Water and the tough way that Elohim has taken them. The fiery serpents are biting them and testing their spirits because that is the problem of those being rooted up. You must make sure that the root is dead so it doesn't come back. This root is a rebellious spirit. One interesting thing is that sometimes the flesh must suffer for the spirit to thrive. Nothing tastes as good as a morsel of bread to the hungry, or a drink to the thirsty. Yet after they are eaten and are full they forget Elohim:
Deu 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore unto their fathers, that flows with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other elohim, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
Yisra'el continues to be unthankful, they said the land had neither bread or water, yet Elohim gave them manna from heaven, and water from the rock, but they loved the things of Egypt and not the things of Elohim. They loved the things of this world and not the things of Heaven. This is why they rejected Mashiach because he was from heaven and they liked the rulers of the world and the literal Torah even more than the spiritual Torah that it was modeled after.
Joh 6:30 They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what does you work?
Joh 6:31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Joh 6:32 Then Yahushua said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moshe gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
Joh 6:33 For the bread of ELohim is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Yahushua said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.
Even those who were on the way to the Promised land loved not the things of Elohim and they did not want to be His children. They chose their own ways and those ways left them in the desert. Just as a baby who is to be born must go through the most traumatic experience of it's life to be born, there is only one way to life and their is no life except you be born.
Joh 3:3 Yahushua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Elohim.
And that is Elohim's way, The womb has been opened by the Firstborn. No one will have as tough a time as the one who opens the womb first. Mashiach is the Firstborn of creation and he has shown us the way we must follow.Shalom!
A disciple should diligently search for the truth and humbly deny and reconsider it's possession.
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06-30-2007, 12:38 PM
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LovingNeighbor
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Chukat Parasha 2006-7 Message - Touching the Dead
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Touching the Dead
For Parasha Chukat
By Lovingneighbor 5-25-2007
This weeks Parasha is in the book of Bamidbar also called Numbers, and is called Chukat which means 'Statute'. In this weeks parasha:
- The law of the red heifer sacrifice is given
- The laws of purification for touching a dead body are given
- A clean person shall sprinkle the one defiled with the water of seperation on the 3rd and 7th day
- Miryam dies in Kadesh
- The people complain about not having water
- YHWH commands Moshe to take the rod and speak to the rock and it shall bring forth water
- Moshe told the people they were rebels and smote the rock twice and water came forth
- YHWH told Moshe and Aharon because they didn't believe Him they would not bring the people into the land
- Moshe asks Edom if Yisra'el can pass through their land but Edom refused
- YHWH told Aharon he shall die on Mt. Hor for rebelling and El'azar his son shall replace him
- King Arad the Kena'ani fought against Yisra'el
- Yisra'el vowed to destroy them and YHWH delivered them into their hand
- The people murmered against the food, water, and the manna
- YHWH sent fiery serpents among them and many died
- YHWH commanded Moshe to make the nahushtan
- The journeys of the children of Yisra'el
- Yisra'el went to Be'er and sang a song by the well
- Yisra'el asked to pass through the land of the Amori but they refused
- Sichon fought with Yisra'el and was destroyed
- Og King of Bashan came against Yisra'el and was destroyed
- Haftarah - Yiftach fights the King of Ammon who wants to take back the land of the Ammonites
In this weeks portion we have a interesting thread that ties all the topics together. The first main point is the sacrifice of the red heifer which is for the waters of purification which purify someone who touches the dead. The Word for touch is Nawgaw which is spelled nun, gimel, ayin. In the ancient Hebrew pictographs that would be Sprouting seed, foot, eye or it could be son, walk, know. The son's walk will know. To know is to draw near like touching, Touching is like experiance. This word means to touch, strike, draw near, join, or plague. The first use of this word is:
Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.
Interesting the command was against eating it and she said Elohim said not to touch it either. It reminds me of the verse:
Pro 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Pro 6:28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Theere is a common theme with this word. It is the transfering of something by comming in contact with it, either in good or bad senses. If you touch the altar you would be holy, if you touch an unclean carcass you would be made unclean. So how does this tie into the Portion? Well the obvious answer is the first part is about touching a dead body and the way you can be made clean after that. See, touching the dead is one of the uncleanesses that doesn't just wear off after a bath or at sundown. It actually stays with you forever until you are purified by the water of purification and the ashes of the Red Heifer. It's interesting that touching a dead person, even more than a dead animal, has a lasting impact on your cleaness or uncleaness. I venture to say that it is not the touching of the dead animal that really affects you long term, but coming in contact with the dead person, dead being not having life or the spirit of Elohim, much like the idols, Touching them has an effect of uncleaness on you. The word touch also means join or draw near. To join with the dead person has long term effects on you because you become a little like them. You know there is an old saying "you are who you hang around" I think it has biblical foundations.
Remember who was in the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The serpent, an unclean animal, but more impotantly in my opinion a dead person. One lacking the spirit of Elohim. The tree has knowledge of good and evil and she chose the fruit of evil. The word for dead, as in touching a dead person, is moot and the first use of it is, you guessed it, 'In the day you eat thereof you shall surely die", when she ate the fruit of evil, also called the fruit of the lips. She listened to the serpent and thus ate of his fruit and she then became like him dead. I believe the whole goal is to redeem ouselves and be born again into life from the death that we are in sin. We have drawn near to idols and vanity and joined to evil and, as the scriptures say, the wages of sin is death. Wages are paid to workers and in this case you're either a worker of lawlessness or a worker of righteousness. Mashiach will come, and it says he brings his reward with him. The reward are the wages.
We see an interesting thing with the priest who sprinkles the unclean person with the water of purification. He himself becomes unclean though he doesn't touch the person. This has always raised questions in Judaism. But it cuts to the core of the thread that this parasha is all about. The one trying to bring the person who was joined to or touched death would cause himself to be unclean in order to help that person be restored to cleaness. Just like Mashiach made himself unclean to restore our cleaness. As holy as he was, coming around our unholiness like lot vexed his righteous soul in my opinion. And the truth is held that he was made unclean by touching us. So what happens next. The people start complaining about not having water and Moshe was to speak to the rock, but what did he do. He struck the rock twice. The word for touch also means to smite though it is not the same word used in the phrase where he smote the rock. The point is he wasn't suposed to touch the rock but he did. And I believe that like Messiah and like the priest who is dealing with the unclean trying to make them clean that Moshe himself became effected by the rebellion of the people. They were frustrated and complained. Moshe complained about the people and in frustration struck the rock instead of talking to it. That is my interpretation I can't say why he did one thing or another but my feeling is that being around this people and trying to teach them rubbed off on him and for that moment he was unclean and rejected by Elohim as was Mashiach. I do believe both Moshe and Mashiach are righteous an will be in the kingdom, because they gave of themselves to help the dead and in doing so they suffered loss also.
As Moshe said I set before you life and death choose life. We are in death already and have to start to chose life. It is just a choice. And once you find life are you going to try and bring it to others or just keep it for yourself. The problem is the people your trying to help may cause you to fall and may make you unclean. Moshe and Mashiach suffered much for us who were as Moshe said rebellious since the day he knew them. Yet even when YHWH offered to destroy them and make a nation out of Moshe he refused and gave of himself for the people. He was a real shepard giving himself for the flock. He was not a hired hand only concerned with himself. Korach wanted to lead and yet they were selfish and not trying to offer themselves up for the ones rebelling against them. I have learned alot about what it means to be a father, teacher, and shepard from this portion. From Moshe and Mashiach. It isn't easy and being around rebellion because it rubs off on you. Being around people who have low or no standards rubs off on you, but you also rub off on them. Some kings and priests will humble themselves and leave their great position and throne to help those who want to be helped. That is the big difference. Like Avraham and Sodom and Amorah. The city could have been spared if there were enough righteous people there, but once it was determined that there wasn't and the people didn't want to change their ways, then the ones who were righteous left after trying to bring any they could and then the place was destroyed. Like Lot's wife who was on her way out she rebeled to the word of Elohim and was destroyed also. She was already out and almost to safety and she threw it away by rebelling. This reminds me alot of Moshe. How great was the fall for a man so righteous. Yet don't be fooled into thinking yourself any better who have heaps of rebellion. We have not had the high points of Moshe either.
Many people tried to destroy Yisra'el and couldn't raise a hand against them. But Yisra'el itself destroyed themselves more than any outside army could. Their rebellion was the source fo their destruction that contrast was so vividly seen in this portion. They were workers of death and they defiled those who they came in contact with. But some brave men dared to teach them and cleanse them and to those men who became less so their brothers could be more we bless and honor your love and compassion for the sick and for the blind, and for the lame, for the stranger and for the dead. Then comes the Nahushtan the copper serpent and the fiery serpents.
They bit the rebels, or to say the serpents touched the rebels and their contact with the serpents brought death. But Moshe put a copper serpent on a pole and when they would look upon it they were healed. In the ramez copper is like judgment. So when they looked upon the judgement of the serpent the would be healed. Once they recognized they were like the serpent once it touched them and humbled themselves in repentance they could be healed. I think they had to realize they were the serpent and the serpent was vanity. Without the spirit of Elohim judgment would come upon them and death would follow. But once they looked upon themselves realizing they were without the spirit of Elohim and were like an idol then they could be healed and given life. The serpent isn't killing them, they are killing themselves by not having the spirit of Elohim. We become like what we touch and what we join to and what and who we hang around and if we are to hang around people with lower standards than us we have to be extra diligent not to touch their sin. It's easy to justify lowing your standards for your friends and family, or even strangers. But they are already unclean, don't make yourself unclean when dealing with them. Because if the teachers, and healers listen to the people and lower the standards saying what the people want to hear then they also will die like them. The intolerance of Churches and organizations who don't just shut up and agree with the leaders is disgusting. They are the serpents like Yochanan said to the pharisees.
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
They have bitten the people with lies, the people will die becuase they loved the lies and they touched the serpents. When will people realize they are choosing death. No man wants to die yet the choose it for themselves every day and then after being bit themselves they start biting others to make a pit of vipers. Teachers beware and follower beware because unless you choose life you will receive death. Let the righteous ones be careful when walking among snakes to not touch them because if you do not touch them they cannot hurt you. Death requires you to touch it and no one can force you. You can touch life or touch death. What will you put your hand to and what fruit shall you touch. Shalom!
A disciple should diligently search for the truth and humbly deny and reconsider it's possession.
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