Bamidbar: In the wilderness — במדבר

Thoughts on Torah for Last Week:
 
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Leviticus 26-27
This parsha includes the blessings and cursings for living or not living the law given to the children of Israel.  We see the same concepts set out in Deu. 28.  To review the mitzvot/commandments in this parsha, go to Steven Berkson’s teaching in Part 13 at time mark 14:45 – HERE.  All of these commandments are part of the Sinai Covenant. The Sinai Covenant is the primary focus of the whole of the Torah.  Some may ask whether this covenant has any relevancy today and perhaps in an Endtime context.

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Speaking of the relevancy of this covenant today and in an Endtime context, Dr. Avraham Gileadi said,
 
"The Sinai Covenant—God’s covenant with his people Israel as a nation—although a conditional covenant (whose blessings and privileges depend on whether his people keep the terms of the covenant), was never done away, even when Israel transgressed and ultimately apostatized. Today, the Sinai Covenant still forms the basis on which a nation may become God’s covenant people. The Sinai Covenant, moreover, constitutes a stepping stone toward attaining the spiritual heights attained by Israel’s ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and toward God’s people’s enjoyment—as a nation—of the supernal blessings and privileges they enjoyed."

"Although, to our current knowledge, no descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have yet attained the spiritual heights of their ancestors as a nation—walking and talking with God, playing host to heavenly companions, and so forth—Isaiah predicts that such will indeed occur - as a result of the mission of God’s end-time servant." 
 
So we see that during Endtime events God's servant gathers the righteous and implements a version of the Sinai covenant that leads them to greater spiritual heights.  Moreover, some have the mistaken notion that the Messiah will return and do this.  But what the scriptures sets out is that the Lord returns when there is a people prepared to meet him.  This concept is beautifully presented in the parable of the Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13.

Covenant Sign
All of God’s covenants have a covenant sign.  These signs stand as a witness that a particular covenant is currently in effect and is being actively lived by those so covenanted. The covenant sign for the Sinai covenant is the Sabbath day.  The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week that Believers rest from their worldly cares and worship their God. Every Shabbat Jews throughout the world chant the V’Shamru.  The text of the V’Shamru is taken from Exodus 31:16-17.

"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generation, for a perpetual covenant.  It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed."

Enjoy this video chanting the V'Shamru.

Summary of the Covenant Signs

Covenant	Covenant Sign
Messianic	Nail prints in the Messiah's hands and feet.
Abrahamic	Circumcision
Threshold/Passover	Name of God
Priesthood	Altar
Sinai	Sabbath
Davidic	White Robe
Enochic	Mount/Temple

Isaiah Chapter 34
The nations are slaughtered and their lands laid waste in Jehovah’s day of vengeance on behalf of Zion.

Hebrew Study

Exodus 31:16-17

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Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: Numbers 1:1-4:20
GOSPELS: Matthew 4:1-17

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon

HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 35

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD