Chukat – “Statute”

Today’s Parasha is called Chukat (translated: Decrees or Ordinances) and covers Numbers 19:1-22:1. This morning we will concentrate on Chapter 20 and 21

In chapter 20, the death of Miriam takes place. After 37 years of wandering, the Jewish people are camped at Kadesh. Miriam’s burial is performed quickly, without much said about it. And now, once again, water has become scarce. This is a moment of crisis and testing for Israel. Without water, we would die in the wilderness. Of course, Adonai would never permit this, but instead of trusting Him to provide, the Israelis kvetch that they do not have enough water.

The Lord summons Moses and Aaron, and instructs them to take the staff and to speak to the rock to yield its water. Unfortunately, Moses and Aaron do not heed Adonai’s instructions.  Instead, they gather the assembly before the rock and say to them: “Listen now you rebels, shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses strikes the rock twice. Did God tell him to strike it twice?  No, not even once. Let me mention that in Exodus 17 God did tell Moses to strike the rock but not this time; therefore it was presumptuous of Moses to do this. Adonai allowed the water to flow from the rock for the people, but Moses had transgressed.

Some say that God punished Moses and Aaron because Moses struck the rock. But we must remember what Moses said to the Israelis: “Listen now you rebels, shall WE bring water for you out of this rock?”  Moses was taking credit for the miracle. Had Moses acted privately, God might have dealt with Moses differently. But since this was a public display, El Gibbor, the Mighty God severely punished Moses. He would not be permitted to enter the Promised Land with the rest of Israel – he and Aaron would die in the wilderness. Not long after this, Israel set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. Aaron died there, and Israel mourned thirty days for him. At God’s instruction, Aaron’s son Eleazar became the next High Priest.

Think about this. God gave instructions to His two leaders, but instead of obeying His directive, Moses and Aaron followed their own course of action and suffered serious consequences. This teaches us that those in positions of leadership in the New Covenant Community have a higher calling and therefore greater responsibility, and will be judged more strictly. From those to whom much is given, much will be required.

Unfortunately, pastors or messianic rabbis, seeking approval from the world, often depart from the truth of Scripture and compromise theologically; for example, suggesting there are alternative ways to Heaven than just believing in Messiah. But Yeshua told us in no uncertain terms in John 14:6 that there is no way to the Father but through Him. Don’t be like those who hear the word of God but then disregard it. The consequences of disobedience are just not worth it!

The good news is that El-Chai – the Living God, is gracious and forgiving to His children, though we make mistakes. While Moses didn’t enter the Promised Land with that next generation, he was given the privilege of seeing it; and in a sense he did enter it – since he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Elijah and Yeshua!

Chapter 21 recounts Israel’s complaining about the manna. Again, the Israelis become dissatisfied with the lack of variety of food and begin kvetching about eating only manna. Adonai becomes angry with their attitude and sends poisonous serpents among them. I don’t believe the snakes bit arbitrarily, but zeroed in on the complainers. Many died, and the people came to Moses, confessing their sin and asking him to intercede before God for forgiveness and rescue. God ordered Moses to fashion a bronze serpent, and whoever got bitten needed only to come out of their tent, look up to that snake-on-a-pole, and they would live. Of course, if that was you, it also meant everyone would discover that you were one of the complainers, but it sure beat dying!

Yeshua made reference to this event when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3. The serpent on the pole was a foreshadowing of Messiah’s suffering on a Roman cross. Just as our people had to come out in the open and acknowledge our sins, look up to that standard and live, so it is today – we must come to Yeshua openly, admit our sins, look to Him and live. God is the same merciful God today, but salvation is always on His terms! Repentance – the willingness to come out of one’s tent and admit to being a ‘sinner’ together with faith in God’s gracious provision will save them.

Centuries later, during his reforms in the Land, King Hezekiah had to destroy this bronze snake, because in Israel’s apostasy the people had begun using it for idolatrous purposes. By the way, it is interesting to note that the insignia that the American Medical Association uses is essentially a cross with a snake wrapped around it – a visual reference back to this chapter in Israel’s history.

Brothers and Sisters, let’s draw some applications from Parasha Chukat: Much like the people of Israel who wandered the desert for 40 years, when they sinned, they were humbled and repented.  Eventually, the perfect provision was our Lord Yeshua, as He declared in John 3:16   God’s love for the world was great enough that he gave His Son, for all who believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. There is only one way, and the gate is narrow, but the invitation is extended to all mankind!  God has extended His mercy and grace to everyone in this room.  God’s forgiveness is an incredible gift.  Remember, a gift worth having is a gift worth sharing. The Good News is that there is no better sacrifice or intercessor than Yeshua the real Messiah, once and forever!