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This week’s parashah is entitled B’ha`alotkha meaning (When you set up.) It covers Numbers chapter 8:1-12:16.
In verse 1, of chapter 8, Adonai said to Moses “Tell Aaron to put the lampstand with the seven lamps in the place I showed you. These lamps will light the area in front of the lampstand.”
The lampstand stood on the south side of the Tabernacle, in full view, or opposite of the table of showbread on the north, having one set of its lamps turned toward the east, and another towards the west. One could say that the table of showbread was the main beneficiary of the light.
Without light in the Tabernacle, the priest could not see because it would be pitch dark, even in the day time because of the coverings of the Tabernacle, which did not allow natural light inside of the Tent, so Adonai decreed the lampstand to provide light in the Tabernacle.
The work of God’s ministers is to light these lamps, by expounding and applying the word of God. Messiah is the only light of our dark, sinful world; by his atonement, by his Word and the Holy Spirit, the light of His truth will penetrate the darkness.
As instructed by God, Aaron lit the lamps that burned of pure olive oil.
The lampstand was made of one talent, or 75 pounds, of pure gold and according to God’s divine design. Numbers 8:4 states that the lampstand was made from hammered, or beaten gold, all the way from the gold base at the bottom to the gold flowers on the top.
This pure gold was beaten, fast-falling and consistent blows hammer it into shape. This image leads us to the stricken Yeshua, stricken and beaten by men before being placed on the Cross.
So, Messiah is bruised. So, the pure gold is beaten. The anvil and the hammer supplied the inflicting blows, the gold is beaten into flawless form. So that worked out, for heaven and us a perfect Savior.
We read in Chapter 9, verse 15, that on the day that the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud of persence covered it.
Imagine Israel’s astonishment as they watch the cloud on Mount Sinai move from the mount, across the plain and then settle over the Tabernacle. Then part of the cloud would enter into the Holy of Holies and rest between the wings of the cherubim that were over the atonement seat, that covered the Ark of the Covenant.
This cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and symbol of Adonai’s presences with Israel. Today we should always want to see God near us, both night and day.
The cloud took on a different appearance at night. In the daytime it would provide shelter from the hot sun; at night it would be like a fire that would warm the cold desert air. The cloud was practical but also a foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit’s leading.
It is humbling to think how God uses clouds; whenever God shows up there will be thundering, lightnings, earthquakes and clouds. We read how Adonai delivered his people with a cloud that separated His chosen people from Pharaoh’s army.
One Scripture says that Adonai rides on the wings of clouds. We know in the New Testament that Messiah was received up into the clouds, we also know that when Messiah Yeshua returns he will come in the clouds with great power and awesome glory and with the warriors of heaven.
Adonai told Moses, in chapter 10, to make two trumpets, of hammered silver. These were used for summoning the community and for sounding the call to break camp and move on.
Let us look at these silver trumpets; they were two in number. This silver metal was carefully prepared. Sanctified fires cleanse it from all dross, they were forged in holy purity. Each was constructed from one piece of metal. Just as the gospel is pure and is of one message. Also only God’s priests may use them.
Their purpose is fourfold.
- Today these silver trumpet represents God’s ministers; from them we must hear the gospel message, which is life to the dead, sight to the blind. It is their work to cry, “Behold the cross, look to the dying Lamb and trust in His finished work.”
- These silver trumpets sounded when the moving cloud calls the tribes to march.
- These silver trumpets sounded for war
- These trumpets were also blown to announce special religious occasions and observances.
In contrast to Numbers chapters 1- 10, a major change takes place at chapter 11:1-25:18. Obedient Israel became complaining and rebellious Israel.
Ultimately Moses and Aaron would rebel against the Lord as well. In response to Israel’s disobedience, the Lord’s anger was aroused, and for the first time He would plague his people as he did Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
The people complained in chapter 11, and God sent fire to chasten them. The judgment of God came upon the complainers in the form of fire which consumed many. Rev 21:8 says God’s judgment for the unrepentant sinner will also be fiery and it will be forever.
Again, in chapter 11, the people lusted, this time for meat, and God provided quail for them. Here Israel rejected the Lord’s manna.
While the flesh was yet between their teeth, the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.
Moses called the place where all of this happened, Kebroth Hattaavah, meaning, “graves of lust” because there they buried the people that lusted.
In chapter 12, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses and God chastened them. Serious things happen when spiritual leaders become envious of one another, because their sin affects the whole congregation.
The criticism of Moses was not only rebuked by Divine counsel, but it was also condemned by Divine chastisement. In verse 10 the Scripture says the cloud departed, and Miriam became leprous.
The degree of her leprosy was “white as snow.” That says her leprosy was the most virulent and incurable of all.
A shocked Aaron and Moses prayed to the Lord for the healing of Miriam, and healing comes, but with a cost. She must remain leprous for 7 days, a penance for her disobedience. While there is mercy, there may also be consequences for transgression.
Closing prayer:
Eternal God and king, the veil has been torn and You invite all to come by faith. Help us dear Lord to not harden our hearts but to let Your magnificent lampstand light our way.
Let Your bread of Life feed us to the full. Let our ears be attentive to the silver trumpets of Your calling for our lives,
so that the incense of our prayers may rise to the heavenly Holy of Holies, so that our conquering King may sit on the throne in the Tabernacle of our hearts.