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Recounting the Journey

From the time they left Ramses in Egypt until they reached the plains of Moav (at the border of the Promised Land), Israel camped at 42 named locations. Before the Sin of the Spies, Israel had camped at 14 locations en route to the land, but was then forced to wander for 38 more years until the original generation that sinned had died off. That leaves 28 more places listed. Eight of these, however, are places Israel camped at during their 40th year in the wilderness (after the death of Aaron), so we have 20 places that Israel camped during a period of roughly 38 years -- an average of one place for every two years in the wilderness.

During this entire time, the LORD showed great chesed for Israel, as the people were fed with manna, given water from the Rock that miraculously accompanied them, were unmolested by marauders or wild animals, and were surrounded by the Shechinah glory cloud of the LORD God Almighty.

The Borders of Israel

The boundaries of the Promised Land are then given. Note that the borders of the land do not correspond with the reality of any historical settlement of Israel, so the actual possession of the land by Israel is yet to be fulfilled. Certain parts of present-day Lebanon and Syria (to the north) were never possessed nor annexed, even during the reign of Solomon. This is significant, because (among other things) it disproves the amillennial view that the Church has replaced Israel and that the promise of the land was fulfilled in ancient times.

Cities of Refuge - Arei Miklat

“Cities of refuge” (arei miklat) are then designated as havens and places of exile for those involved in accidental manslaughter. Three cities were to be established east of the Jordan, and three in the west (in the Promised Land itself). If any Israelite was involved in accidental manslaughter, he could escape to an ir miklat for refuge from the goel hadam - the “blood redeemer,” usually the victim’s closest blood relative. The goel hadam could lawfully execute the murderer only if he were outside one of the arei miklat.

Interestingly, the refugee must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the Kohen Gadol, after which he could then return home.  The sages report that murderers in a city of refuge could hardly wait for the death of the High Priest so they could be released!  What a striking analogy for those of us who trust in Yeshua as our great High Priest after the order of Malki-Tzedek! Only the death of a High Priest in Israel could atone for the loss of life and release those who were made captive through sin!

Since they were apportioned no territories in the Promised Land, the Levites were given 48 separate cities (six of which were the arei miklat).  Each of the Levites cities was to have an open area nearly a half mile surrounding it. When they were not on duty for service at the Mishkan (and later at the Temple), the Levites were to teach the people Torah and the ways to please the LORD. In this way God placed Torah teachers throughout the Promised Land. According to the sages, all 48 of the Levitical cities also served as arei miklat and therefore were centers of teshuvah and learning for Israel.

The parashah concludes with the daughters of Tzelafchad (mentioned earlier in Parashat Pinchas) deciding to marry within their own tribe (of Manasseh), so that the estate which they inherit from their father should not pass to the province of another tribe. This was a temporary law which was in force only during the original allotment of the land to the various shevatim (tribes) in the Promised Land.

CHAZAK CHAZAK V’NITCHAZEK

If you have been regulary reading and study Torah with me, let me wish you Yasher Koach and Chazak! (said upon completing a book of the Torah). 

Haftarah Reading Snapshot:

There are three Haftarot that are read during the Three Weeks of Sorrow. Collectively they are sometimes called "the Haftarahs of Rebuke." In all three, Jeremiah describes punishments that will befall the people if they do not return to the LORD, but also promises redemption if they do. The choice is theirs.

This portion from Jeremiah is a plaintive and stinging rebuke of Israel’s apostasy from the LORD.  Therefore judgment is sure, and the people will be taken away into captivity.

Brit Chadashah Snapshot:

Note: The weekly readings from the New Testament come from rather new traditions in the Messianic community (such as David Stern and other Messianic teachers). However, my experience has shown that the connection between their recommended Brit Chadashah passage and the Torah parashah is sometimes obscure. That appears to be  the case for this week’s reading.

The passage from James deals with pride and the spiritual adultery it engenders. Friendship with the world is enmity against God. When we humble ourselves before God He will lift us up. Of course, Israel was to wage war against the seven nations of Canaan and not befriend them, and we can therefore see an application with the Torah reading of this week’s parashah. Thankfully, as recipients of the overcoming life of Yeshua, we operate from a place of victory -- and do not need to fight for it.  He is our Rest and the Victor over all the powers of darkness, blessed be He.


Blessing:

based on the Torah portion

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