Torah Commentary Archives

Beha'alotcha (When you set up)

Numbers 8:1-12:16

Zechariah 2:14-4:7

John 19:31-37

Hebrews 3:1-6

Moving On!

The children of Israel have been camped at Mt. Sinai for about a year. It is time to move on. Interestingly this Torah portion begins the process of moving on with instructions regarding the Menorah. In those instructions are favorite words of mine which say to build the Menorah in such a way the light shines forward. There is a great message in these words. The Menorah teaches us there is only one direction to go with Yah and it is forward. We are at no time to consider retreat or to even look back at where we came from. Maybe this is a shadow of the words of Saul in 2 Corinthians 5:17 regarding old things passing away and all things becoming new. First we see here the Menorah speaks to us of the direction of our journey.

In any journey there must be a starting point which the Tabernacle reveals to us. As we look further at the Menorah, we find it directs us to Isaiah 11:2 and the seven spirits of Yah. We could say before we begin with the all important first step, we need to have a full revelation of who He is. In this revelation we now understand our journey is not a haphazard walk, but rather one which is illuminated from above. Picture the Menorah in the Tabernacle. Where is the light shining forward to? It is the Table of Shewbread which is also known as the Bread of Faces or Bread of Presence. The Menorah is showing the way to His face. Is it a coincidence that Numbers 9 will bring forth a reminder of the instructions concerning Passover, a place we are to see Him? The answer is obvious.

A journey also needs a destination. The Hebrews were not simply wandering in the Wilderness as some have said, but were guided from place to place by a Pillar of Glory. His Glory eventually guided them to His land called Israel.

Let's put this together. It is a revelation of Yah which will point us to His face and His face will be more clearly seen when the people enter Israel. Could it be this simple? If a people get the pattern of the journey right, not only is the destination achieved, the reason for the journey is achieved which is the maturing of the people so when they enter into the Land, the Land will not vomit them out.

We can now bring this into our present day. To me the pattern is clear. We first need a revelation of who He is. Go back and read Isaiah 11:1-2. In the seven spirits, where are you personally lacking? Make this a point of prayer. How focused are we on the Person of Yeshua, whose face it is we are seeking? Also consider the destination? Is it our heart or just lip service such as Orpah had before she kissed her mother-in-law and returned to her home?

All the above ingredients are not only needed, but essential for us to complete the journey. Without a clear starting point we do not know where we have come from. Without His light shining toward His face, we will not know the power guiding our steps. A quote I have used many times from Rimona Frank is “Without Israel as our destination, we are destined to become just another denomination lost in the wilderness.  Stop for a moment and consider this statement. Just how close are Messianic Congregations, organizations and conferences to becoming just another denomination? The answer is scary to me.

The rest of the book of Numbers will teach us about the successes and failures of our ancestors on their journey. Before we continue next week may I suggest each of us read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.  It may make the difference between us simply reading of the Hebrews journey as an academic exercise or as lessons for our lives. These Scriptures may also help us to not make the same mistakes they did. Not sure about you, but I am not real interested in my bones being carried into His Kingdom. I would just as soon still be walking on my own accord.