Who may speak to the Eternal in the most sacred place?

Naso 35-7

Lift up

Numbers 7:72-89

When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony. And he spoke with him.

 (Num. 7:89 NIV)

Who may speak to the Eternal in the most sacred place?

There is access to the throne of grace in heaven through Messiah Yeshua. All those who dedicated their lives to the Eternal through Yeshua have the right to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth by entering the most sacred place in the heavenly tabernacle.

Just like Moshe was the only one who could enter the most sacred place in the earthly tabernacle at any time, Yeshua is the only one who can do that in the heavenly tabernacle. However, all those who are in the Messiah are able to approach in his name.

Approach the Eternal through Yeshua and speak to Him; listen to His voice speaking to you and you will receive His guidance for your personal life.

Shabbat shalom,

Ketriel

Who wants to stand out from the rest?

Naso 35-6

Lift up

Numbers 7:42-71

On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering.

(Num. 7:42 NIV)

Who wants to stand out from the rest?

Day after day the chiefs of the tribes came to present their offerings for the altar dedication. Each one of them gave exactly the same. Even though the reason behind each object could vary from chief to chief, each one of their offerings was equal to the other chiefs.

This teaches us different things. We first learn that each chief was willing to sacrifice precious things to the Eternal, something expected from a chief of Israel.

We also learn that none of them had the desire of showing off in front of the others. After Nachshon's sacrifice on the first day, anyone of the other chiefs could have given something better to stand out. From the second day on they could have given more than the previous ones, but they didn't. This shows a very nice attitude of solidarity and love for their fellow chiefs. The fact that each offering is exactly the same shows the desire of each chief of not lifting himself above the others but allowing each one of them to be honoured equally.

Dear disciple of the Messiah: be careful with the spirit of competition that lies in the flesh. If you have the opportunity of doing something better than someone else, don't do it if your motivation is being better, more sacred, bigger, more praised, or being seen by men. Seek more noble and pure motives and you'll be honoured before the Eternal. Be faithful to your mates, your friends, don't take advantage of anyone, and don't let anyone be belittled so you may be honoured. A leader who speaks ill of others in order to stand out is not able to serve as a leader in the Kingdom of the Eternal.

May the Eternal deliver us from any attitude of competition and fill us with commitment and loyalty to the group of which we are members.

Ketriel

How may a layman achieve the same level of sanctity as the high priest?

Daily manna from the Torah by Dr Ketriel Blad

Naso 35-4 Lift up Numbers 5:11-6:27 Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. 'During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the LORD is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long. (Num. 6:2-5 NIV) How may a layman achieve the same level of sanctity as the high priest? The Hebrew word translated as "Nazirite" is nezer – נזר  – which means abstention, separation, dedication, consecration, crown. The sacred crown that the high priest wore is called nezer hakodesh – נזר הקדש – crown of sanctity or sacred crown, as it's written in Exodus 39:30: “They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engraving of a signet, "Holy to the LORD." (NIV). The nazir has a sign on his head, he lets his hair grow, which is a sign that he is set apart for HaShem. This shows us that there is a relationship between the high priest and the nazir because of the sign of his consecration over his head. The nazir has the same sanctity than the high priest. So, anyone, man or woman, in Israel has the option of dedicating to HaShem and get to the same level of sanctity than the high priest. Evidently, maximum sanctity is not exclusive of the high priest, but is available to all those who want to live in that level of sanctification, man or woman. What is the price? Sacrifice. And in this case it's not compulsory but voluntary. We could also apply this principle to non-Jews who want to live in a higher state of sanctification that their normal level. Through voluntary abstention of diverse things, he or she may express their devotion to the Eternal in a special way. Full or partial fasting, extra prayer time, sexual abstinence, certain type of food abstinence, are various ways of setting themselves apart for the Eternal. This dedication may be permanent, for life, as it was expressed in Romans 14:6 where it's written: “The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.” (NIV) This dedication may also be temporary as we see in 1 Corinthians 7:5 where it's written: “Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (NIV) One who is not Jewish and decides not to eat animals which are actually not forbidden for him and he does it for the Eternal, is sanctified for his decision, especially when he abstains from animals that are forbidden for the sons of Israel. Blessings, Ketriel

Why are supervisors needed?

Numbers 4:21-37

All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons. You shall assign to them as their responsibility all they are to carry. This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

(Num. 4:27-28 NIV)

Why are supervisors needed?

In order to have efficient management it's necessary to have a person who is responsible for every area. It wasn't up to the Levites to decide what to carry from the sacred objects. Everything was assigned from above. Moshe got the order to assign the duties, including carrying the objects. Under him was Aharon, his elder brother, under Aharon was his son Ithamar and under Ithamar were Gershon's sons.

Each object was carefully assigned to the Levites and each one of them was responsible for carrying out his task depending on the object or objects they were entrusted with. Nothing was left to chance, everything was well organised. Each one received a task from their superior and the supervisors had the responsibility of overseeing that the tasks were carried out in the right way and order.

When each one knows his task and carries it out diligently, there's no need for much supervision, but in order to avoid mistakes and to coordinate the work to be done, it's always necessary that there is some kind of supervision over everyone.

The worker that has an assigned task doesn't have to and can't have control over the whole project. Only those who carry the general responsibility must have a clear vision of everything that must be done, but not so the workers. Everyone, however, must understand that their task and their small area of responsibility is part of something bigger. In this way, a right balance between particular or personal and general vision of the whole project will be kept.      

Not everyone has the ability or the calling to be supervisors; it's just for a minority. The worker must submit to his superior and respect his rules not only when he is on site. One who works diligently only when he's been supervised can't be a good servant in the Kingdom of Heaven.

On the other hand, it's true that there are invisible eyes that watch not only over what one does but also over how he does it and the motivation behind his doing it. The one who is aware and sensitive to the fact that the Eternal is watching at all times, taking note of everything, is more careful in his work making the same effort with or without supervision. The one who fears the Almighty wants to please Him first, and is careful to fulfill the orders and wishes of his superiors when they are being watched and not.

If your emotions rebel when you are under someone's authority so you feel you can do whatever you please and obey when you see fit; or if it simply bothers you that someone tells you what to do, then you need to be delivered of that rebellious attitude. All authority has been established by the Eternal and those who submit in justice according to the rules of the Torah will be rewarded for their faithfulness as it's written in Colossians 3:22-24: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Messiah you are serving.” (NIV revised)

Shavua tov,

Ketriel

Why does the Eternal want the first-borns?

Daily manna from the Torah by Dr Ketriel Blad

BaMidbar 34-6 In the desert Numbers 3:40-51 Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine. I am the LORD. (Num. 3:45 NIV) Why does the Eternal want the first-borns? Abel offered the first-borns of his sheep, what he appreciated the most because it was born first, to the Eternal because in this way, he could offer Him the best. Thus, he showed in a tangible way his love for the Eternal and the Eternal looked with favour on Abel and his offering (Gen. 4:4). When the firstborns of all Egypt were struck by the angel during the night of Pesach, the Eternal consecrated Israel's firstborns to be His in a very special way. The firstborn male is born to become the priest and chief of the family and represent his father. Therefore, the first-born right implies a great responsibility and also certain rights greater than the rest of the brothers'. The first born children represent all the siblings, that is why it's written that the Eternal struck Egypt in their firstborn (Sal. 136:10). Before the golden calf sin all the firstborn sons of Israel were priests (Ex. 19:22) but the Levites were then taken in their stead. So the task of the Levites was actually the first-born males' task if they hadn't sinned. Now, when the people of Israel were called to be an exclusive possession of the Eternal from among all the peoples, there was an implication of being a priestly nation (Ex. 19:5-6). So, the entire people of Israel were called to be priests in relation to the rest of the nations. But within the people, there was also a separation between the priests and the rest of the people. The first-born males, at the beginning, and then the Levites, specially the sons of Aharon, were taken to be priests in relation to the rest of the people. Israel is a priestly nation for the rest of the nations and the tribe of Levi is the priestly tribe for the other tribes. Why does the Eternal want the first-born males to be more exclusive his than the rest? Because not only do they represent the family but they also are the first fruit of a woman's womb and the first fruits are always for the Eternal, because He is the first one in everything. When we give Him the first of anything, the rest is consecrated. When the Levite priests give themselves to the Eternal, the rest of the people are consecrated and when the people of Israel are consecrated, the rest of the nations are consecrated. That's why it's not an offence from the Eternal when He chooses a group to be closer to Him; it is His way of blessing everyone. When the priest is blessed, the blessing passes along to the whole people. When the heavenly High Priest was raised from among the dead, everlasting life became accessible to all. Deliver to the Eternal the first of anything you receive always, and the rest of your possessions will be consecrated. Kol tuv, Ketriel

What does total dedication imply?

BaMidbar 34-4

In the desert

Numbers 3:1-13

And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to him from among the children of Israel.

(Num. 3:9 NKJV)

What does total dedication imply?

The original plan was that all firstborn males were priests and servants in the tabernacle. But due to the golden calf sin, the Levites were taken in their stead.

This text says that the Levites were given entirely to Aharon. This doesn't mean that they were his private personal assistants, but his helpers in everything related to the tasks in the sanctuary service.

The Hebrew text literally says that the Levites were "given given" – netunim netunim, נתונם נתונם – which shows that their dedication was double, both in public and private. Their dedication wasn't only during their shifts to serve in the tabernacle and later on in the Temple but also during the time in which they didn't serve. Their whole life had to focus in their service in the sanctuary even though they didn't do it directly all the time.

This means that when they slept they did it in order to serve in the sanctuary. When they ate they did it to be able to serve in the sanctuary. When they studied they did it to be able to serve in the tabernacle. Their conversations at the table were focused on their betterment in serving in the tabernacle. When they played they did so to be able to serve better in the sanctuary. Everything they did had a direct or indirect relationship with their service in the tabernacle.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through him... Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (Col. 3:17, 23 NIV revised)”

If there is something you want to do but you can't do it in the name of the Lord Yeshua and for direct or indirect glory of the Eternal, don't do it.

Ketriel

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Can there be unity in diversity?

Daily manna from the Torah by Dr Ketriel Blad

BaMidbar 34-3 In the desert Numbers 2:1-34 The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side. Those to camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah by their companies, the chief of the people of Judah being Nahshon the son of Amminadab. (Num. 2:2-3 ESV) Can there be unity in diversity? The people of Israel were divided in twelve tribes. Each tribe had specific characteristics and blessings. To keep order in the camp, every tribe had their flag and in that way it was easy to see where the identity of each group was. Tribal belonging creates a sub-identity within the higher identity which was the general identity of belonging to the people of Israel. So, within a common identity there may be different identities that divide the people. General unity was kept by the Israelite identity while particularity was kept by tribal identity. In this way, there can be unity in diversity. The flags of the tribes represented their particular identity within the general identity of the whole people. This principle can be transferred to what we could call "all the people of the Eternal", composed of Jews and non-Jews. In Acts 15:14 it's written: "Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.” (ESV) Through faith in the message of salvation the hearts of the gentiles are purified to be able to receive the Spirit of Sanctity. When this happens they become part of the people of the Eternal from among the gentiles. They don't become Israel nor Israelites nor Ephraimites, but a people of the Almighty among the gentiles as it is written in Romans 15:10: “And again it is said, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."” (ESV) These people have been grafted in the heavenly olive, the heavenly Israel, but not in the earthly Israel. There is however, a common element between both peoples: they are both the Eternal's people. But each one has a particular identity which should be kept so that there is order in the people. In Revelation 5:9-10 it's written: “And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (NIVUK) Those who were bought and allowed themselves to be redeemed by the Lamb are part of a heavenly priestly nation that will reign on earth. That nation is Yeshua's congregation and is composed of Jews and gentiles who have a first citizenship in heaven and the second one on earth. The general identity doesn't remove the particular or specific one; and in such way, unity, and at the same time the diversity of each one's calling, can be kept. Dear disciple of the Messiah: don't envy others. Fulfill your calling and be faithful in anything the Eternal has given you. Keep the general identity but don't come out from your specific identity. In this way, we will work better and we'll all reach the goal. Ketriel

Who were able to be delivered from bondage?

BaMidbar 34-2

In the desert

Numbers 1:20-54

The people of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war

(Num. 1:20 ESV)

Who were able to be delivered from bondage?

This verse shows that only those sons of Israel who were faithful in three areas were worthy of being delivered from bondage. It is written first "by their clans, by their fathers’ houses" which shows that they were faithful to their families. Had they assimilated with the Egyptians they wouldn't have been counted as sons of Israel. The second, since it's written "according to the number of names", we learn that they had kept their Hebrew names, not taking Egyptian names. The third thing is that they kept the Hebrew language during their whole time in Egypt.

Since Egypt symbolises the evil system of this age, the worldly, this shows us that it's possible to live hundreds of years in a foreign culture and still remain faithful in the faith and in what the Eternal has given us. We are in this evil world but we are not of this world's system and one day, the Messiah will come and he'll pull us out of the system creating a new world order on earth.

Another thing that we can see in this verse is that everyone was counted individually. The Hebrew word translated as "head by head" is le-gulgelotam – לגלגלתם – which means by their skulls. This leads us to the thought of the place where the Messiah was executed on a tree, called in Hebrew gulgolet – גלגלת – the skull, not because the place had the appearance of a skull but because it was, and still is, a place of tombs, on the Mount of Olives in front of the entrance to the temple.

This shows us that when the Eternal counted the sons of Israel he had the death of the Suffering Messiah in mind. He died for each one of them and that's why they were counted among the righteous ones.

May the Eternal count each one of us among the righteous ones who will inherit the world to come, through the suffering and death of His Lamb.

Ketriel