“In your going up” of daily living, have you ever considered the “laws” listed in the New Testament? Believe it or not, the gospel of grace comes with a few laws–well over a thousand. But no worries, I’m thinking we should only review a small list – the ones that keep us from dying in the wilderness. Are you interested?
In I Corinthians 10, we are reminded that all of Israel (the mixed multitude that came out of Egypt) were baptized into (through) Moses—cloud & sea drank the same spiritual food, and drank the same spiritual drink. These actions were all about the saving power of Yeshua the Messiah . . . His covering, His body, and His blood. Paul states that “the Rock was Messiah.” But yet, YHWH was not pleased with Israel. Why?
To explain further, Paul reminds the early church that what he is about to share is an example so that we won’t make the same mistake. That mistake was losing sight of the Messiah or losing sight of life. And, to make his point, he clarifies with, “Don’t do the things Israel did while in the wilderness.”
What are these examples?
Example #1: Do not worship idols.
Does this command sound familiar to you? It comes from the 10 commands on Sinai, where YHWH stated, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of bondage. . . do not worship any graven image. . . I am a jealous God.” Why is this important to us today? I believe it’s obvious. YHWH is the source of life. If we are pointed in any other direction we lose life.
Example #2: Do not act immorally.
Again, we see the last half of the ten commands in this statement. But Paul directs his readership towards something more specific. He is talking about sexual perversion that corrupts the soul and spirit. Some might notice that Paul says 23,000 died because of this sin, while the Torah says 24,000. To many scholars, they see this as Paul’s attempt to be more specific towards the church body. In Torah, we know that the two persons that brought these distorted unnatural sexual acts into the camp were killed as well as the leaders who allowed it to occur before the “plague began. Hence, there is the understanding that 998 leaders were put to death along with the two defiant persons before the 23,000 were met with the plague. In other words, Paul makes a distinction between laity and leadership which addresses personal responsibility.
Example #3: Do not try (test) YHWH
The concept of testing Yah was at the core of satan’s temptations against Yeshua: “You’re the Son of God—change these stones, throw yourself down from the pinnacle, and bow to me and you will save the world.” Notice the underlying message? The temptation is centered around what we can do rather than what Yah has in mind. This same temptation was even given to Eve in the Garden—”eat this and you will be like God.” In short, we must wait for His Will over our will. If not, we will be “destroyed by serpents.”
Example #4: Do not grumble
This one caught my attention, in that those who grumbled were destroyed by the destroyer. Think about this for a moment. Grumbling is the opposite of faith. Grumbling shows a lack of appreciation. Grumbling can just make you feel bad. It causes division, and doubt, and is not appreciated by anyone new to the body of Messiah. For if believers in Yah grumble to those who are new, why would those new to the body want to stay? Grumbling destroys the very core of Kingdom testimony.
In this week’s study of Beha’alotcha, I was amazed to see a significant contrast between the New Testament and the Old; in that when the “laws” of the New were evident, Paul references the Torah. But in the preliminary context of this Torah section, before all the grumbling and complaining, there are promises of abundant grace. The first is found in the lighting of the seven lampstands. The second is found in the Passover. The third is found in the cloud of the Tabernacle. The fourth is in the blowing of the silver trumpets. And finally, the fifth picture is found in the names of those who led the tribes of Israel—a significant promise of grace.
In Numbers 10, when the tribes of Israel leave Sinai, there is an obvious order and meaning, “. . . the cloud was lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony and the sons of Israel set out on their journeys”
The first three standards of the camp were led by Nahshon from Judah, followed by Nethanel of Issachar, and then Eliab from Zebulum. Their names take on the following meanings:
- Nahshon—listed in Messiahs Genealogy (Matt. 1), Serpent, bronze, oracle (vision or prophecy)
- Nethanel–God has given. (Natan-to give and el-the Word, God)
- Eliab–God is the father. ( El—God, ‘ab—father.)
After these three tribes, the Tabernacle parts were brought out with the sons of Gershon and Merari, followed by the standards of Elizur representing Reuben, then Shelumeil from Simeon, followed by Elaspah of Gad. Here are their meanings:
- Elizur–God of Rock (El-God, Sur-Rock)
- Shelumiel—At peace with God (Shalem-whole/complete, El-God)
- Eliasaph— God has added. (El-God, yasap—added)
After the above tribes stepped out, we have the Koharites who carry the holy objects from the Tabernacle. They are followed by the last six tribes. Here are their meanings:
- Elishama of Ephraim. God has heard (El-God, Shama—to hear)
- Gamaliel of Manasseh. God is my investment (gamal—to invest, El-God)
- Abidan of Benjamin My father is judge (ab—father, din—to judge or govern)
- Ahiezer of Dan who takes up the rear guard. brother of help (ah-brother azar—to help or support)
- Pagiel of Asher. occurrence of God
- Ahira of Naphtali Brother of purpose and friend (ah brother, ra evil, friend purpose)
Combining the above names and actions without added interpretation we get.
“Vision of the bronze serpent is given by the Father. The tabernacle, God our Rock is whole and complete. YHWH has added holy objects and God has heard. Invest in YHWH our Judge. Guard and support our brother—the occurrence of YHWH purpose and friend.”
If we pay attention, the pictures and promises of grace were abundant for Israel. Not to mention that YHWH dwelt among them. But yet, they still sinned. Paul reminds the early church that this can easily happen, even after Yeshua’s victory over death and the outpouring of the Spirit. It happens in that our flesh has been born into iniquity (Psalm 51). Hence the reason for us to remind ourselves of His promises as well as His laws. The mercies of Yah are to be praised and at the same time, not taken for granted. Step forward with your banner and stay the course!
Be Blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn