B’MID’BAR בְּמִדְבַּ֥ר (In the Wilderness) NUMBERS 1:1-4:20

PROPHETS: HOSEA 2:1-22 | GOSPEL: MATTHEW 4:1-7

by Min. Donald H. Garrett

TORAH:

This parashah starts a new Book, commonly called Numbers, in English, but means In the wilderness, in Hebrew. It begins with the numbering of the 12 tribes of Israel in chapter 1. All males age 20 and up were to be counted (those capable of going to war). No females were counted. At the end of this chapter, the Levites were not counted among the Israelites. Instructions are given that the Levites are to be over the Tabernacle and all its items. The Levites are to encamp around the Tabernacle and the other tribes to surround them by their banners.

Chapter 2 now goes into detail on which tribe is to encamp where and it’s position according to the Tabernacle. Also listed is the order of tribes to begin journeying when they break camp and move out. In this order, it is interesting to notice that the Tribe of Yehudah (Judah) is listed first and is the first to break camp and leave. This is significant as Yeshua was of that Tribe through his earthly father Yoseph (Joseph), meaning He would have associated with that Tribe. Yeshua’s mother was of the Tribe of Levi, the priests and caretakers of the Tabernacle. Also note, the Tribe of Yehudah was to make camp East of the Tabernacle. The East has significance in Scripture as well.

Erected at each Tribe was to be their tribal standard (flag with design). The Star of David, the standard/flag of Israel today, would have possibly been the standard flown by Yoseph (Joseph), since he was from the Tribe of Yehudah (Judah) which is the primary Tribe that survived all these years (known as Jews). Is it possible the flag of Israel, being flown today, is the ancestral flag of Yeshua? At the end of both Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, The Children of Israel did everything that YaHVaH commanded Moses, so did they do.

Chapter 3 now begins with instructions to the Levites and a counting of them according to their father’s households and families. Every male from one month of age and up were to be counted (Note age difference from the other tribes). Again, females are not listed as being counted. Duties of each household of the Levites is then given. Chapter 3 ends with the first redemption of the first-born with 5 shekels (based on the Sanctuary Shekel) per child because the Levites replaced them. The money was to be given to the Levites for their portion.

In the last chapter, the Kohathite tribe from the Levites is singled out with instructions on taking care of the Holy of Holies items along with precautions given to them of not looking and taking directions from the priests on their duties. The Ark of the Covenant would have been one of those items. Notice at the time of David, some of those carrying this Ark of the Covenant dropped it on the ground and were slain by YaHVaH immediately. Probably as a symbol of the sacredness of these items to all.

The Numbering of the Israelites (engraving by Henri Félix Emmanuel Philippoteaux, source: Wikimedia)

(c) Copyright May 2021, May 2023 Min. Donald H. Garrett and Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc.

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