Bamidbar is a book is about individuals that begins with a census, revealing that each person is unique and special to God. This is an amazing truth which Satan has attempted to downgrade through deceiving many people into rejecting. All of us are treated by God as individuals with a human face which is what makes every person so relatable – with strengths and weaknesses: Moshe’s despair, Aharon and Miriam’s criticism of him, of the meraglim who lacked courage to return from Canaan with a positive report, and those who rebelled against Moses such as Korach. We read of heroes such as Joshua, Caleb, Eldad and Medad, Datan and Aviram, Zimri and Pinchas, and anti-heroes such as Balak and Balaam.
Our individualism is a hallmark of our humanity that becomes crystal clear throughout the Book of Numbers. What for me is encouraging is that although Moses experienced despair, he clung to God even in his vulnerability that resulted in his faith being strengthened. 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 though there were serious consequences, a new generation emerged under Joshua who learnt from the mistakes of their forebears. Not only does God treat us as individuals with all our strengths and weaknesses, even when we fail Him it does not need to be the end of the matter, a ‘fait accompli’. What the enemy desires for evil God will always turn for good whatever the situation, circumstance even with our failures! God teaches such people to fail well. The one unifying factor in it all was that they allowed God to transform their dead-ends to a new beginning. And so it is with us.
It comes with the understanding that our mortal lives are not the final destination, but a succession of destinations that can be celebrated and embraced in Yeshua. (Phil.1:6) What is of greatest significance about that journey is what takes place along the way.
Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek!
In this week’s teaching I will be sharing about one aspect that greatly influences our journey through life connected to the promises we make both to God and others. Our parasha falls during a 3-week period known as “bein ha’Mizarim” an uncomfortable time that brings to remembrance 16 disastrous events chronicled in Jewish history. What led to each of these events can easily be overlooked yet when we combine and roll each item together we see how it was by ignoring God’s commands collectively that combined to morph into monstrosities. Here is one such example in the opening verses of Num.30: “Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes 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 this instruction may appear benign our Jewish rabbis considered it 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.
Moses’ statement purposefully comes near the very end of Num. right before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. God always keeps his word and since the Israelites were not so good at doing the same it makes sense why Moses would now bring this issue to the fore. It serves as a warning 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 sinful nature. Though packed with good intentions, the Israelites like all of us, still fall short of God’s glory and so often the promises we make to Him – our vows of good intent – lay in tatters. So God provided us with a Divine redeemer at “just the right time!” He could have destroyed Israelites and started over again, He sent His only begotten Son to become the bridge to bring reconciliation between man and God – God’s covering!
The prosperity of the Israelites in the land they were soon to enter was dependant upon honouring their commitment to God through the vows 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 Temple worship. God in His love made provision for those who broke a vow. If someone made a promise to the Lord without thinking whether bad or good – it might be about anything, even if he forgot about it, when he remembered, he would be guilty and required to bring an offering to the Lord as a penalty. Lev.5,4-5
TWO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM SCRIPTURE: The first is someone who made a vow to God with full understanding of its implications and in the second, we see the tragic consequences of someone who made a sacred vow impetuously.
1Sam.1 narrates the story of Hannah, the wife of Elkanah. She was childless which was considered to be a curse caused by sin. And yet this was not the case with Hannah who was righteous yet nonetheless barren and taunted day and night for it by her husband’s (Elkanah) 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). Hannah strongly interceded before God and made a vow 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 who in turn she honoured her vow, by which she forfeited her right as a mother to raise her son.
What if she had decided to revoke her vow? This is something we will never know but we do learn that through her faithfulness God mightily used Samuel (God hears) the last of all the judges of Israel. (2Sam.2:1-10)
In contrast to Hannah was Jephthah, one of the judges of Israel, the son of Gilead who was also the son of a harlot. Jephthah made a rash vow to God without ever 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 rash and disastrous vow. 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 meaning 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 was meant she would sacrifice the rest of her life without husband or children – barrenness out of control, unlike Hannah’s, without escape. Her future was 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 his own rashness. Yet, strangely there is a flip side to this story. In Heb.11, Jephthah is mentioned as a hero of faith despite his rash vow by staying true to God even in face of his worst nightmare.
Oaths are distinct from vows and commonly employed in ancient Israel. People would make a promise to another person and then attach an oath such as, “in the name of the Most High God” supposedly adding authority to a promise. 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 promises made because it characterises insincerity. Jam.5 states: “2 Above all we must be those who never need to verify our speech as truthful by swearing by the heavens or the earth or any other oath. But instead we must be so full of integrity that our “Yes” or “No” is convincing enough and we do not stumble into hypocrisy.”
It’s not surprising that Yeshua would tell 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 very 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 [reflecting your spiritual condition] 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).
Our good deeds alone cannot save us but also by our confession of faith reflected in the life we live. 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) This should make us very cautious about what we speak over others let alone think. (Matt. 5)
Not least, we should be aware of the words we speak over ourselves. Things such as unbelief, low self-esteem, or false humility are our mortal enemies. We need to counter every lie from the pit of hell 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 examples from Scripture we do well to memorise and decree:
2 Cor.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).
PARSHAT MA’ASEI – JOURNEYS
All of the Israelite’s journeys were chronicled from their exit from Egypt up to this point. It was like keeping a photo album of memories and in this parsha we gain a glimpse of why God instructed the Israelites to ‘remember and retell.’ It was to enable future generations to reflect and learn from their forefather’s experiences – to celebrate their victories and avoid repeating mistakes previously made.
And in this regard, the generation who entered Canaan did well under the leadership of Joshua although even they did not obey God’s instructions perfectly. For example, God ordered the entire destruction of the Canaanites (Josh.16:10) because of their corrupting influence but Israel only did so partially and their consequences of their disobedience has dogged them even to the present time.
In this parasha Moses kept a desert itinerary in great detail that consisted of 42 journeys, something that may appear monotonous and tempt us to skip over. For example, “…So the people of Israel set out from Rameses and camped at Succoth. And they set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness. And they set out from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, which is east of Baal-zephon, and they camped before Migdol.…” (Num. 33:5–7) On and on continues the list of places, with a length of stay from less than 24 hours to days, months, and even years.
But it is often the seemingly least interesting parts of the Bible that potentially contain the richest blessings. As with the Israelites, God maintains a spiritual photo album of our journey through life with every detail carefully chronicled in the minutest detail that will be revealed in full technicolour for all of Heaven to celebrate in eternity yet with all the negative parts erased.
The incredible grace of God is here revealed for every believer. All our failures and shortcomings will be completely covered by the shed blood of Yeshua who says, “I (God) will remember their sins no more.” (Heb 8:12 quoted from Isai.43:25) and “As far as the East is from the West, so has He removed our transgressions from us!” (Ps 103:12)
Our own transitions in life can lead us to experience new birth through the One who is the “Living Water” and the antidote to all affliction (Makor Mayim Chayim). On the last day of the Feast of Sukkot Yeshua stood up and boldly proclaimed, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures have said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” (Jn 7:37–39)
Yeshua, the Fountain of Living Waters, has promised that whenever we find ourselves between the straits, 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! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 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)
