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This morning’s parasha is entitled Beha’alotecha which is translated, “When you set up”. It covers Numbers 8:1-12:16

Parasha Beha’alotecha begins by discussing the daily lighting of the golden menorah. The Word of God shows that the lamp stand was made exactly like the pattern the Lord had shown Moses. When God gives specific instructions about something, it’s always wise for us to follow those instructions to the letter.

The chapter continues by describing the ceremony of consecrating the Levites. The Levites were specifically set apart by God for His service.

Our God is a Holy God, so before the Levites were allowed to perform their duties, they first had to be cleansed, both physically and spiritually.

This was accomplished by sprinkling them with water, shaving their bodies, and washing their clothes.

This cleansing made the Levites ceremonially pure so that they could handle the holy objects of the Tabernacle. Then they were to be presented to Adonai as a wave offering.

Wave offerings were solemn special presentations to God. The wave offering was the sole duty of the priests. But in this unique case, the Levites themselves were the wave offering. They became the property of Adonai in place of the first-born of every tribe.

Chapter 9 describes the celebration of Passover in the second year in the desert. Those who had become ritually impure during Passover time and were therefore unable to participate, were allowed to celebrate Pesach Shaynee, a Passover celebration held one month later, at which time the Passover lamb was eaten with matzah and bitter herbs.

Chapter 10 describes the pillar of cloud and of fire which stood above the Tabernacle. When it began to move, it was God’s signal to Israel to break camp and follow Him; and wherever it stopped, that was the time and place to set up camp and remain.

This is a beautiful picture of learning to wait on the Lord and allowing Him to lead us according to His will. We often rush forward, only considering our will or our desires. But we need to learn to wait on Adonai and move when He tells us to.

In contrast to the first 10 chapters of Numbers, a major change takes place in chapter 11. Once-obedient Israel becomes discontent, resentful and rebellious. The people were dissatisfied with the manna, their daily portion of bread that literally fell from heaven, and instead cried out for meat. This lack of gratitude angered Adonai.

But before we begin pointing a finger at Israel, think about this: even today in our modern, high-tech society, with so much convenience and comforts, do we not frequently act the same way?

Yeshua has come into our lives and saved us from the judgment of Hell. He provides for our physical and spiritual needs, and yet how often do we find ourselves complaining and grumbling over the things we think we’re lacking? Just like Israel, we leave our own spiritual Egypt, but it takes a while to ‘get the Egypt out of us’.

The complaints of the people and the leaders were loud and brazen. Moses confessed to the Lord that he was not able to provide the meat for the people as they demanded. In response, Adonai did two things: first, He provided 70 men to assist Moses. These 70 elders would eventually form the basis for the Sanhedrin, the court which guided the nation. Next, Adonai sent a wind that drove a massive flock of quail in from the sea. The people gathered more meat than they were able to eat and in divine judgment, those who had complained about the lack of food died.

The Bible states that while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was even chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people and He struck them with a severe plague. The parasha closes with Miriam being judged by Adonai for having slandered Moses. She is stricken with Leprosy and quarantined outside the camp for seven days.

Following God’s instructions carefully; learning to be content with what He has provided us; understanding that we should not be jealous of what God has given to others, especially those in leadership, are all solemn lessons that we can learn from this week’s parasha.

Just as there was only one way to make the Golden Lampstand, so too according to God’s Word is there only one way to salvation. Many today, even some who call themselves followers of Yeshua, suggest that there are many ways, or that it’s up to us to find our own way to God. But Adonai is clear about the path to salvation, and it’s our responsibility to stand on the Word of God which tells us that the only way to salvation is through the blood of our holy Messiah, Yeshua.

I am very thankful that Adonai has preserved His Word through the Jewish people so that I can know who Adonai is, what He expects, and how to please Him in my daily life. Israel’s wilderness trek parallels our own salvation experience: we come to the Lord, still in bondage and He sets us free. We spend the rest of our lives getting Egypt out of our systems through the hearing, reading, and applying of God’s Word and through the Holy Spirit actively working in our lives to change our hearts by the renewing of our minds.

As always, I encourage us all to learn the lessons that God teaches us through His Word, and to apply them to our lives on a daily basis.

May we be good examples to a watching world. May the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob strengthen us to go out and boldly preach His Word to this dying world, and may we all one day hear the words of our Savior saying to us “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Shabbat Shalom.