Beha'alotcha: When you set up — בהעלותך

Thoughts of Last Weeks Torah Portion.
 
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Numbers 1-7
We are going to cover two parshas this week to catch up on our schedule. To review the mitzvot/commandments for this reading see Steven Berkson’s video teaching Part 13 at time mark 33 minutes – HERE.  The English translation of the fourth book of the Torah is entitled Numbers to recognize the census’ that were taken of Israel.  In comparison,  the Hebrew version of the Torah calls this volume Bemidbar, which means “in the wilderness”.  It is this latter view that is a better description of this volume.  Moreover, the concept of wandering in the wilderness provides a critical theme for Endtime believers. 

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In the prophecy of Isaiah, ancient events repeat themselves in a new Endtime context.  And an Endtime wandering in the wilderness is one of these Endtime events.  Ancient Israel's wandering in the wilderness was a transformative experience whereby the descendants of Jacob began as a doubting and disobedient and unwilling lot to a people of faith that would conquer the possessors of their promised land and live in the presence of God.  This wandering in the wilderness will indeed again occur – God will transform His Endtime Righteous Remnant into His people to experience His presence.  Let us consider some of the other aspects of what we can expect to experience in this Endtime wilderness wandering from Israel's first wandering – consider this excellent video teaching by Lord Rabbi Sacks. 

Endtime Wandering in the Wilderness
The scriptures are not silent about His Endtime Righteous Remnant who His Endtime Servant will take into the wilderness and who will be purified and sanctified. Let's now see what God says about this Endtime Remnant who wander in the wilderness.  Commenting on Ezekiel 20:34-38, Dr. Avraham Gileadi said,

Although the end-time sequel of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness is much briefer in comparison, it has the same purifying and sanctifying effect on God’s people in preparing them to inherit promised lands as Israel’s ancient dwelling in the wilderness: “‘I will bring you out from among the peoples and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, with a mighty hand and with a stretched-out arm and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. As I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you,’ says the Lord God. ‘And I will cause you to pass under the rod and bring you into the bond of the covenant. I will purge out from among you the rebels and those who transgress against me. I will bring them forth out of the country where they dwell and they won’t enter into the Land of Israel. Then will you know that I am Jehovah’” (Ezekiel 20:34–38).​

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Isaiah Chapter 35
God's Endtime People blossom in the Wilderness. 

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Hebrew Study

Hosea 2:14

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Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: Numbers 8:1-12:15
GOSPELS: Matthew 14:14-21

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon

HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 36

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD