B’HA’ALOTHECHA בְּהַֽעֲלֹֽתְךָ֙ (When you set up) NUMBERS 8:1-12:15

PROPHETS : ZECHARIAH 2:14-4:7| GOSPEL : MATTHEW 14:14-21

by Min. Donald H. Garrett

TORAH:

Chapter 8 starts off with how to light the menorah. It then covers the consecration of ALL the Levites into service for the Tabernacle/Temple. Interestingly, it is a 3-part consecration. 1) They must shave off all their hair from their entire body and wash themselves and their clothes, 2) The Israelite people must lay hands on them and they in turn on the heads of bulls. 3) The priests shall then purify them, lay hands on them, and offer them up to YaHVaH’s service.

Chapter 9 is concerned with establishing the Passover (Pesach) after Egypt and how those contaminated can partake one month later when their contamination is no longer. The ending of this chapter talks about the signs of YaHVaH’s presence (cloud by day, fire by day) and when it lifted, the Israelites were to break camp and follow.

Trumpet sounds start off Chapter 10. Each Silver trumpet sound had different meanings: gathering, war, and announcing the journeying of the camp. The remainder of the chapter explains how the encampment was to break up and travel forward. Many pictures have been made of the cloud or fire being overhead of the Israelites while they traveled. However, verses 33 and 34 seem to indicate differently. The Ark of the Covenant was to travel 3 days ahead of the nation to a place where they were to next encamp. Verse 34 seems to indicate the cloud and fire were above the Ark, not the Nation. Verses 35 and 36 appear to back this up with the prayers of Mosheh to YaHVaH when the Ark journeyed and when it rested.

Next, we have a good example about how YaHVaH dealt with complainers. They were receiving a heavenly-life-giving food of manna (a yellowish bread type substance) and yet they complained for meat. YaHVaH not only sent them meat in the form of quail. How many did He send? Not enough for 1 day, 2 days, 5 days, 10 days, or 20 days, but for an entire month to make the complainers nauseated with it. Secondly, we see in verses 33 and 34 that YaHVaH struck down (to death) all those who had been complaining. I’m sure all of Israel gathered in the quail, but only the initial complainers were put to death. It was a significant amount of people because the place was named because of their burial. Yet, only did some people complain, but Mosheh even doubted that the entire nation could be fed with enough meat; to which YaHVaH asks, “Is the hand of YaHVaH limited? Now you will see whether My word comes to pass or not!” (11:23).

As if that was not enough, Miriam and Aharon complain about Mosheh. They had seen the results of others complaining, yet spoke out against Mosheh not realizing YaHVaH was listening. A debate has been made as to why Aharon was not struck with leprosy when Miriam was. Some say he was, but it was left out of the text out of respect for the High Priest office. However, I believe Aharon was spared because he immediately repented for boith of them asking for forgiveness, then for mercy for Miriam. Mosheh then prays for mercy for her and she is only given the leprosy for 7 days and she is to remain quarantined those 7 days.

(c) Copyright May 2021, June 2025 Min. Donald H. Garrett and Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc.

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