Massei: Journeys — מסעי

Thoughts on Torah for Last Week:
 
See our page on Spiritual Coaching – check for update – Messianic Covenant:
 
Numbers 30-32
In this parsha, we see a recitation of some of the mitzvot/commandments for making vows. Vows or oaths are also integral for making covenants with God.  We discussed the covenant blessings connected to the priesthood in the last post.  So we’ll continue with the theme on covenants here. The priesthood covenant also has a covenant oath.  In fact, all of God’s covenants have oaths whether in an explicit writing or implied.  But before we continue, lets catch up on the mitzvot/commandments. Go to Part 15 at time mark 19:50 minutes HERE:

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What is a Covenant?
Essentially, a covenant is a contract – an agreement between parties.   God uses covenants to define a relationship with Him.  When the children of Israel stood at the foot of Mt. Sinai and Moses descended with the tablets of the Ten Commandments what follows in Exodus 20 is the recitation of the terms of a contract or covenant with His people.  Some covenants are conditional and some are unconditional.  The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants are unconditional meaning that these covenants are permanent and can’t be broken.  Others are conditional like the Sinai covenant meaning that the covenant blessings are predicated on the performance of the covenant law.   Further, we see Israel collectively agreeing or promising to live all the words God has spoken, we will do – Exodus 24, which essentially is an oath – a solemn promise.  Let’s see how these oaths look with other of God’s covenants.
 
Oath of the Messianic Covenant
The New Testament does not include an explicit writing when it comes to a specific oath for accepting Yeshua as the Messiah, the Savior of humanity, but it is implied.  When we accept Yeshua as Messiah, we essentially agree to:
 
                                                   Take upon ourselves the Name of Yeshua,
                                 To remember His sacrifice - His Atonement and Resurrection,
                                                       To turn from our worldly ways, and
                                                  To emulate His perfect life as best we can.
 
These four elements can and probably should be formalized into a vow or oath.

​Oath of the Priesthood Covenant
Last week we considered the priesthood covenant blessings of life and peace.  New Testament Believers can obtain the Melchizedek priesthood that Peter mentions in 1 Peter 2:9 by the taking of an oath. The Oath of the Priesthood is explicit even though the scriptures don’t come right out and give it to us word for word.  We know that this oath is explicit because it is mentioned in Hebrews 7:21. However, we can extrapolate the Oath from patterns and functions set out with the Levitical Priesthood.  This table summarizes these patterns and functions:

Levitical Priesthood (obtained by lineage)	-	Melchidezek Priesthood (fathers obtain by the taking of an Oath)
Kept themselves pure	>	​Fathers to keep themselves pure
​Non-Kohanim Levites were teachers of the Law	>	​Fathers to teach their families the laws of God
​​Kohanim were accountable for the transgressions of Israel	>	​Fathers to be accountable for the transgressions of their families.
​Kohanim performed the ordinances of sacrificial offerings, pronounced the priestly blessing and places the Name of God on the people. ​Numbers 6:22-27	>	Fathers to perform memorials of the Lord’s sacrifice – communion and baptize. Fathers to pronounce the priestly blessing and place the Name of God on their families.

​A father's priesthood oath can be set out in writing like the certificate below.

​Oaths facilitate Moral Obligation
A primary feature that holds a Godly society together is that people honor their agreements not only to one another but with God. These agreements express themselves with solemn promises or oaths that persons pledge to one another.  Consider this excellent video teaching from Lord Rabbi Sacks about the importance of oaths and free societies.

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Hebrew Study

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Isaiah Chapter 42
Jehovah’s appointing his servant as a light to the nations leads to a new exodus or to captivity.

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Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: Numbers 33:1-36:13
GOSPELS: Mark 11:12-23

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon

HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 43

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, Ph