I’m sure many of you have heard or seen the following statement: “We only follow the Bible!”
It is probably the most commonly given proclamation by any church, fellowship, small home group, or individual. Why does this happen? What causes believers in The Word to disagree on who has the appropriate truth? In this week’s double portion study of Mattot/Massei, I believe we can start to find an answer.
As the Book of Numbers comes to a close, we read about the last days of Moses. His sister and brother have died. He gives up his position and blesses a new leader by the name of Joshua. And to make matters harder, YHVH speaks to Moses and tells him to prepare to go up on the mountain to die. With all of this, you might think that Moses would just stop and feel the grief. But no, during his last days of living, Moses proceeds to accomplish tasks that would last for many generations. He literally does his greatest work by setting up a nation.
At a ripe old age, Moses achieves the following:
1. Takes up the mantle of revenge to the Midianites and destroys them.
2. Clarifies the offerings of Feast Day sacrifice to illuminate the works of Messiah.
3. Establishes the laws of inheritance for families and tribes.
4. Divides up Canaan and defines the borders.
5. Fosters agreements between Rueben, Gad, and Manasseh to protect the borders of the land.
6. Lays down instructions on how to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan.
7. Develops and outlines practices for cities of refuge and for the priesthood.
8. Writes out the historical timeline for Israel’s journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
What ever happened to retirement?
When reading about the accomplishments of Moses, I am struck with an amazing fact. Moses wrote the words of YHVH’s instructions, defining them not as some sort of denomination or belief system set up by men, but a system from God that displayed, clarity, justice, strength, and hope. It wasn’t Moses’s truth. It was Kingdom truth.
These building blocks for a nation did not apply to just one tribe. But they applied to an entire nation called Israel—which included the adopted sons of Israel, Manasseh and Ephraim. “The Land” which was being given was for a people who would cling to the promise and testimony of the Messiah and who would keep His Commands.
“Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of YHWH, and the testimony of Yeshua.” (Rev. 14:12)
In the study of Mattot/Massei there is no Jewish nation going into Canaan. Instead, the people entering the land are those who believe YHVH will fight their battles. They are a people who have come to believe in faith, equal justice, taking care of family, building relations, cherishing commands, and worshipping the King of the Universe. They are a people taken out of bondage (sin) who hold onto the promise of The Messiah and the promise of resting in His land.
We don’t know all the reasons why YHVH chose this particular piece of property. But it is a promised land, where the Messiah was sacrificed and where He will return. (Zech. 14:8-21)
“Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of armies, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of armies, there will be no rain on them.” Zech. 14:16
A nation dedicated to YHVH will be devoted to driving out anything that is not of Yahweh. If this is not done, we are told that the customs of Canaan will be like a “prick in our eyes. . . troubling us.” And, that YHVH will destroy us just as He destroys Canaan. (Num. 33:55-56)
So here is the question. Do you belong to a nation or a denomination?
When we review denominations or world religions, we can see good and bad. As organized groups, they can achieve many positive things for the benefit of a society. But within their quest for goodness, they will add laws outside of Yah’s laws. And this is where we can have problems. Not that the laws are necessarily evil, but that the laws or customs put the eyes of the masses towards a “religion” rather than the workings of a given Holy Spirit.
The nation of YHWH is bigger than any religion. Which means “we” cannot establish a Biblical Nation. But, we can look to a Kingdom Nation, led by Yeshua Messiah. History has taught us that all attempts at creating what we want to be truth always fail. The only truth is Yeshua. For he said, I am the way the truth and the life, no comes to the Father except through Me. ( Jn. 14:6).
My suggestion. If you want truth, seek Yeshua daily and He will bring you into truth. Put yourself aside and listen before, during, and after you read something. Ask Him, what you “should” know. Compare what He shows you to Scripture, then soak in it for a while.
Be blessed,
Rollyn