Parashat Beha'alotkha

[debi b]

Weekly Torah reading for June 18, 2005
Bamidbar 8:1-12:16

Bamidbar 8
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 Speak to Aaron, and say to him, When you cause to go up [when you cause to go up = beha’alotkha] the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.

Many messianics read the weekly Torah readings. Generally, Torah is the name given to the first five books of the Bible, although there are times when it refers to a larger body of text. The most basic meaning of the word Torah is teaching. Torah is HaShem’s (G-d’s) teaching to His people. In the Torah, HaShem tells us how to live. They are HaShem’s instructions to us. Each week we read a passage from the Torah. This passage is referred to as a parashah (if used in combination with the name of the passage parashah becomes parashat).

The Hebrew names of the first five books are derived from the first few words of the book. Bereshit = Genesis; Shemot = Exodus; Vayikra = Leviticus; Bamidbar = Numbers; Devarim = Deuteronomy. The Hebrew names for the parashah (passage) comes from the first few words in the reading.

Let us try to understand the Torah,
not as a book of law, and surely not as a book of lore, but as the book of life.
Let us read with our eyes and listen with our souls.
May our lives be transformed to what HaShem intended them to be.

[debi b]

We talked a little bit about this last year. In this verse (Bamidbar 8:1) the lamps were to be set up in such a way that their light shone in front of them. Now what is in front of them?

Shemot (Exodus) 40:23-24
23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the L-rd; as the L-rd had commanded Moses.
24 And he put the lampstand in the Tent of the Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle.

So there is oil in the menorah that shines it light on the bread....

[visionary]

I have always wonder about that.... because there is another verse that says that the menorah is beside the table of shewbread.

Notice that the candle stick is over against the side of the table of shewbread. Light shining down upon the unleaven bread of the Word of God bringing light to all the bounty that the Lord has set before us.

Exodus 26:35 And thou shalt set the table without the veil, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side. It has puzzled me. How can you have the menorah against the table and on the opposite wall?

It does make me think about what the menorah does to the shewbread of my life.

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Messiah, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Messiah Yeshua the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Yeshua' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Yeshua Messiah.

God shines His light upon those Words that we need for our time. May God open up our minds to the original truth from the beginning. It has been known as the old truth from the old testament, but it will always be the eternal truth found in Yeshua in the light of the Holy Spirit that we are walk in.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. The Holy Spirit works like a light upon the Word of God lifting it up so that we may see it in the light of His Holy Presence. It becomes the living word, the hidden manna, the table of shewbread that we are to feast upon.

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Yeshua Messiah, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

[Tishri1]

http://www.templeinstitute.org/gallery_30.htm

[debi b]

It has puzzled me. How can you have the menorah over against the table and on the opposite wall?

The Hebrew word that is being translated as "over against" can also properly be translated as "opposite" and many translations do use the word opposite :)

[debi b]

This reading records something pretty significant about the 70 elders:

Bamidbar (Numbers) 11: 16-17
And the Lord said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take of the spirit which is upon you, and will put it upon them; and they shall carry the burden of the people with you, that you carry it not yourself alone.

Bamidbar 11: 25
And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it to the seventy elders; and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied…

Now these 70 known elders are to be leaders in a new way to help Moshe. Their names are written (in the book of life?) and Adonai will take from the Ruach (spirit) of Moshe and give it to the elders/leaders for a purpose.

It is interesting to me that they were recognized as leaders prior to this situation.

Shemot (Exodus) 24: 1
And he said to Moses, Come up to the Lord, you, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship from far away.

Fast forward

Luke 10:1 After these things Yeshua appointed seventy others also…17 Then the seventy returned…19 … I give you the authority… 20… but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

HMMMM......

[debi b]

John 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

There are people who take this literally - for the Holy Spirit was not yet given.

Luke 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen Adonai’s Messiah (the Lord's Christ). 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple.
We know that the events in Luke 2 occurred before the events in Acts 2.

David understood the Holy Spirit
Psalm 51: 13…do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high…24:53 And were continually in the temple.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…

Is it possible that the Spirit that was given in Acts 2 is connected to the spirit that was given in Bamidbar to the 70 for the purpose of authority? There does seem to be some parallels.

[chunkofcoal]

There are people who take this literally - for the Holy Spirit was not yet given.


We know that the events in Luke 2 occurred before the events in Acts 2.

David understood the Holy Spirit
Psalm 51: 13…do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high…24:53 And were continually in the temple.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…

Is it possible that the Spirit that was given in Acts 2 is connected to the spirit that was given in Bamidbar to the 70 for the purpose of authority? There does seem to be some parallels.

I'm also wondering if this is connected to "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" from Revelation 19:10 and 'Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." John 20:21-22

Pondering that further, maybe He gave of his spirit - when He breathed on them, but the power - like Acts 2 - came from our Father?
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:" from John 17:21
"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one" from John 17:23
?

[Shamash Of Yeshua]

There are people who take this literally - for the Holy Spirit was not yet given.


We know that the events in Luke 2 occurred before the events in Acts 2.

David understood the Holy Spirit
Psalm 51: 13…do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high…24:53 And were continually in the temple.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…

Is it possible that the Spirit that was given in Acts 2 is connected to the spirit that was given in Bamidbar to the 70 for the purpose of authority? There does seem to be some parallels.

I am now thinking...

The Power from on high...
is different then being moved by Ruach HaKodesh to do what is right...

The Power is given to those who are Obedient, not to those who are living a lawless life. We must become obedient before we are given something that is powerful. Like for instance, what mom or dad would let their child have a car until they are mature enough to show themselves approved to have a car. And before that they must have a permit to drive a car, which involves someone else that is mature or rather has the knowledge to drive. Just because one has knowledge doesn't mean they are mature. But they were mature enough to acquire the license. Around and around we go, hopefully this will have meaning :D

Shabbat Shalom,

Tag