Parasha Matot & Ma’asei Num.30:2–36:13; Jer.1:1–2:3; Matt.23:1–39
By Raphael ben Levi
This week’s Torah portion, Parasha Matot-Masei (Tribes-Journeys), will be read in synagogues around the world during the morning service from the Book of Numbers (B’Midbar) which is a book is that begins with a census for several reasons. One was to prepare the Israelites for entry into Canaan to help establish them to become an organised community with various responsibilities based on age and tribal identity. But they did so in the knowledge that everything they did depended entirely upon His love and grace and their trust and obedience in Him. Each person held a unique function in the community in the same way as we do who are part of the Body of Messiah, and problems arise in congregations when this vital element is disregarded. Paul makes it clear in 1Cor.12: “12 Just as a body is one whole made up of many different parts, and all the different parts comprise the one body,..14 Here’s what I mean: the body is not made of one large part but of many different parts…18 God has meticulously put this body together; He placed each part in the exact place to perform the exact function He wanted.”
This is something of great importance. The Israelite census not only provided for Israel a mechanism for assisting to function as a community but it also demonstrated the uniqueness and precious value of each individual. Each person is unique and special in God’s sight! Satan who wars against God’s people attempts to destroy this in any way he can reducing the Body of Messiah to embrace a false belief system where they believe they are worthless – which has a knock-on effect not only for that person but an entire congregation. Furthermore, this lie from the pit of hell can give rise to some of the most evil manifestations of prejudice giving rise to Holocausts and slaughters of minority groups beyond imagination caused by religious bigotry, suprematism, racism and every conceivable ugly spirit conceived by evil imaginations from satanically possessed groups who view minority groups as less than human who must be annihilated. There is no excuse for those who follow this path of wickedness who will reap their eternal reward in the fullness of time. The fact that everyone has strengths and weaknesses cannot be used as an escape clause to justify all means of negative behaviour and sin.
So let me move on from this now to something fundamentally different yet related concerning our human frailties which Scripture speaks of with clarity and transparency even from among the ranks of the greatest people of God. For example we read of moments when Paul publicly stated: “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia.” He wanted to be sure that they knew about his experience – a weakness, the inner turmoil within him caused by the affliction where he confessed that “…we were so burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.“ (2Cor.1:8-9)
But the point here is that this was not the end of the story for Paul then goes on to share how God used the despair he experienced – even the worst of anything we may experience in life for good. “Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (v 9). Paul’s experience was similar to the Psalmist who could say “…“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” Ps 62:5-6 This provides us with the confidence and assurance that “…the good work that He has begun in us He will (promises) to bring to completion unto the Day of Messiah” (Phil.1:6)
We could share countless other similar examples. We read about Aharon and Miriam’s harsh criticism of their own brother, of the meraglim who lacked courage to return from Canaan with a positive report, and those who rebelled against Moses such as Korach. We have heroes such as Joshua, Caleb, and Pinchas, and anti-heroes such as Balak, Balaam and Judas Iscariot. But the important thing are the choices we make that mould our identity and can transform us either for good or bad – choices that will determine our eternity.
Our individualism is a hallmark of our humanity that becomes crystal clear throughout the Book of Numbers where each person is moulded from the raw material as likened to the potter and the clay or the refiner’s fire. Moses was a man who experienced many tough challenges, but he clung to God even in his vulnerability, and his faith became strengthened. Rather than diminished. Aaron and Miriam criticised Moses in a moment of jealousy but out of it they grew in love and unity towards each other. 10 meraglim, princes among the people, failed to provide their people with a positive report and although there were serious consequences, a new generation emerged under Joshua who learnt from the mistakes of their forebears.
And so we see how God can use even our imperfections and worst circumstances to fulfil His purposes. Who has never experienced such things? What the enemy desires for evil God will turn for good. Every dead-end can become a new beginning as God has proved consistently throughout history for countless people.
Our day-to-day life is not the final destination, but a succession of destinations. What is of greatest significance about our life’s journey is what takes place along the way not the ups or downs or bumps along the way.
I would like to share about one particular and easily overlooked feature that greatly influences our journey through life regarding the promises we make to God and others – a subject contained within our Torah portion when Moses “…spoke to the heads of the tribes (matot) of the people of Israel, saying, ‘This is what the LORD has commanded. If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.’”
Although these words may not outwardly appear particularly significant, Jewish rabbis considered it something so important that the issue of making vows and oaths was adopted in the “Kol Nidrei” (“All Vows”) prayed in synagogues at Yom Kippur, for the annulment of sins. Perhaps the church could do well to pay close attention here.
Moses’ statement comes near the very end of Numbers purposefully, right before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. God always keeps His word and since the Israelites were not so good at this , it makes sense why Moses would now bring this issue to the fore. It serves as a cautious reminder of our sinful inclination and human condition that so often overrides our good intentions. And it highlights the Divine solution to the human dilemma of humanity’s inherent sinful nature. The Israelites like all of us, fell short of God’s glory that originated from the very beginning with Adam and Eve.
And Israel’s vows came into play in the land they were soon to enter made to Him on Mt Sinai, in Ex.19 and later in 24:4;7: “What you have said, we will do!” Initial enthusiasm which is not backed by commitment can lead to terrifying consequences. “Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” Eccl.5:5. The psalmist reflected in Ps.5:4 “Who may dwell in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness… He who swears [vows, promises to God] to his own hurt and does not change.”
In Num.29:30, a vow was included as one of the sacrificial offerings in the Temple. God in His love made Divine provision for anyone who broke a vow. It might be about virtually anything, and even if he forgot about it, when he remembered, he would be required to bring an offering to the Lord for reconciliation. Lev.5,4-5
TWO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM SCRIPTURE: The first is someone who made a vow to God with the full understanding of its implications and in the second, we see the tragic consequences of someone who made a sacred vow impetuously.
1Sam.1 shares the story of Hannah, the wife of Elkanah who was childless and considered to be a curse and the consequence of sin. And yet this was not so with Hannah. Nonetheless her barrenness was a cause of ridicule from Elkanah’s other wife Peninah (who had children).
For some strange reason many of the greatest women in the Bible experienced barrenness and suffered greatly for it – including the matriarchs, Sarah, Rachel, Rebecca, (and also Samson’s mother and Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist). In the case of Hannah, she strongly interceded before God vowing that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate her child exclusively for sacred priestly service in the Temple. (ISam.1:10-11) So God granted Hannah the desire of her heart and she in turn honoured her vow, by which she forfeited her right as a mother to raise her son. And consequently she was mightily blessed and God used her son Samuel mightily and is recognised as one of the greatest of all Israel’s prophets.
In contrast to Hannah was Jephthah, one of the judges of Israel, the son of Gilead the son of a harlot. Jephthah made a rash and impetuous vow to God without considering the cost to himself or others. Although he clearly possessed strong leadership skills, his personal ambitions and a craving for acceptance among his people clouded his judgment through which he made a disastrous error. When his half-brother Amnon threatened war against him, Jephthah told God: “If you will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” Judg.11:30-31
To “offer something up as a burnt offering” was a phrase understood at the time to mean that he would dedicate that specific something totally unto God. In that moment Jephthah basically told God, “Just give me what I am asking for, and I’ll worry about my end of the deal later.”
When he came to his house in Mizpah, he was greeted by his daughter, his only child who came out dancing to meet him with timbrels. What was potentially a cause for great celebration ended in calamity.
Jephthah’s daughter requested to go in mourning for a short period of time. Although she was not literally offered up as a burnt offering, (because that would have been a blatant violation of Torah), the ‘burnt offering’ referred to meant she would sacrifice the rest of her life without husband or children – a type of barrenness out of control with no way out. Her future was likened to being burnt to ashes and the ramifications for Jephthah was that his lineage came to an abrupt end. Jephthah found himself caught in a trap he had himself laid unintentionally through making a rash vow.
Yet, there is a flip side to this story. In Heb.11, Jephthah is mentioned as a hero of faith despite his error of judgement because he stayed true to God even in face of his worst nightmare. So often the promises we make to God originate from good intentions yet may lay in tatters when they are guided by our own logic or emotions rather than primarily by the Holy Spirit. It is a salutary warning of the seriousness that God views the promises we make to Him.
But here is a piece of good news! God provided us with a Divine redeemer 1000 years later through Yeshua who has taken upon Himself our sin willingly paying the ultimate price for our redemption. Does this preclude us from our responsibility to live in close relationship with God? Absolutely not! And in this sense we must exercise caution should we ever consider making a vow to God in order to avoid the consequences of any poor choices made.
An oath is distinct from a vow that was commonly employed in ancient Israel. People would commonly promise another person something and then attach an oath such as, “in the name of the Most High God” supposedly adding authority to it. Interestingly, Yeshua strongly condemned the use of making oaths:
“34 But I tell you, never swear an oath. Don’t swear an oath using the name of heaven, because heaven is God’s throne. 35 Don’t swear an oath using the name of the earth, because the earth belongs to God. Don’t swear an oath using the name of Jerusalem, because that is the city of the great King. 36 Don’t even swear by your own head, because you cannot make one hair on your head become white or black. 37 Say only yes if you mean yes, and no if you mean no. If you say more than yes or no, it is from the Evil One.” (Matt. 5)
Yeshua discouraged believers from adding any emphasis to a promise because it characterises insincerity. It’s not surprising that Yeshua told His disciples, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” (Matt 5:37) because our words carry power even to the point of our salvation. Yeshua warns us that: “…on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin; and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced.” (Matt 12:36-37).
Words hold enormous power. God used words to speak the universe into existence through which He bestows life. Words are never neutral: but either minister life or death: blessings or curses! (Jam.3:7-12) Not least, we should be aware of the words we speak over ourselves as has already been mentioned. Things such as unbelief, low self-esteem, or false humility are enemies from the pit of Hell. We need to counter every lie that seeks to accuse and condemn us, with the Word of God because Satan’s lies hold no power over us unless we choose to believe them. Here are some words of Scripture that we can decree whenever we may come under attack from the demonic realm: 2Cor.5:17 (If anyone is in Mashiach he is a new creation…. “I am a new Creation in Yeshua, there is no condemnation for those in Him for the Law of the Spirit of Life has set me free from the Law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:1-2)
“May His shalom rule in my heart as I give thanks in all things” (Coloss 3:15).
“He strengthens me with all power according to His might – unlimited streaming! – streams of living water” (Coloss 1:11).
“God has not given me a spirit of fear. He gives me power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Tim.1:7).
“The LORD causes my enemies who rise against me to be defeated before my face; they come out against me one way but flee before me seven ways” (Deut.28:7).
“…because the Lord makes me the head and not the tail, above and not beneath.” (Deut.28:13).
“He is the God of hope who fills me with all joy and peace in believing so that I abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom.15:13).
“Therefore, I will hold fast to the word of life. In the day of Yeshua’s return, I will have reason to glory because I did not run or labour in vain.” (Phil.2:16).
“And so I press on, that I may lay hold of that which Yeshua our Messiah has also laid hold of me. I forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead; for the prize of the upward call of God in Yeshua.”(Phil.3:12-14).
“The Lord is my God! He is mighty to save. He rejoices over me with gladness and singing.” (Zeph 3:17).
“For I am no longer called, Forsaken or Desolate, but Hephzibah (my delight is in her) and Beulah (married).” (Isai. 62:4)
“My God rejoices over me as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.” (Isai. 62:5).
“Therefore, I declare God’s word about who I am, what I have, and what I can do in Yeshua who gives me strength. I am established as His child in all ways and I bathe in His light.” (Job 22:8, Isai.60:1).
“As I speak God’s word, He sends it to heal and deliver me from my destruction. Therefore, as I have breath in me I will declare the praises of my God! (Ps.107:20). The incredible grace of God covers even our greatest shortcomings through Yeshua who says, “I (God) will remember their sins no more.” (Heb 8:12)
But let me conclude with this thought. Yeshua, the Fountain of Living Waters, has promised us that whenever we find ourselves in deep waters, He invites us to seek Him for relief: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)
And God will declare to us the following undertaking: See, I am doing a new thing! I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. … to give drink to My people, My chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” (Isa 43:18–21)
God keeps His promises – not one has ever been broken and are all Yes and Amen in Messiah Yeshua! His resurrection stole life from death (death where is your sting…?) and makes it possible for those who live their lives fully unto Him to become living sacrifices to His glory, honour and praise. Through His life we have life and through His death we have life in full abundance – His life that overflows into the hearts and lives of others. It’s a choice that makes full sense we will never regret and continues throughout eternity!
