Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

Me

This week we read a double Parasha, Matot-Masei, Numbers 30:2-36:13, which are the final two Parashot of Bamidbar or Numbers. As we read through Matot-Masei we see a number of events unfold. First in Numbers 30 we begin with the revelation of how serious Adonai takes vows and oaths. Then, in chapter 30 we read about Israel’s (by proxy HaShem’s) vengeance on the Midianites and Bilaam in which He instructs Moses to send in 24,000 warriors, the exact same number as those who died in the Peor Incident, and how every single warrior came back from victory alive. In chapter 32 we see the two and a half tribes choose to remain on the east side of the Jordan rather than enter and possess the Promised Land.

Then in Numbers 33 we see a synopsis of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the shore of the Jordan River. Chapter 34 Adonai recounts the borders of the Promised Land. Chapter 35 deals with the Levite cities set aside from among the other tribes, as well as the cities of refuge where one could run to escape if one accidentally killed another Israelite. Finally, in Numbers 36 we see further instructions for the daughters of Zelophehad who would receive their father’s land inheritance since he died in the wilderness without sons.

We

God

Principle: We must allow the Ruach HaKodesh to rid our lives of all that will lead us astray.

(Repeat)

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

Numbers 33:50–56 TLV

Adonai spoke to Moses along the Jordan in the plains of Moab across from Jericho saying, “Speak to Bnei-Yisrael and say to them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, You must drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. You must destroy all their idols and cast images, and demolish their high places. You will take possession of the land, so you will settle in it, because I have given it to you to possess. “You are to divide the land by lot according to your families. To the large, make their inheritance larger, and to the small, make their inheritance smaller. Whatever comes out of the lot will be theirs. You are to distribute the inheritance according to your ancestral tribes. “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, whoever you allow to remain will become to you barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land in which you will be living. Then what I had intended to do to them, I will do to you.”

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

Deuteronomy 7:16–24 TLV

“You will devour all the peoples Adonai your God gives over to you. Your eye is not to pity them. You are not to serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. Suppose you say in your heart, ‘These nations are more numerous than I—how can I drive them out?’ You are not to be afraid of them. You are to be sure to remember what Adonai your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs and wonders, and the mighty hand and outstretched arm by which Adonai your God brought you out. So will Adonai your God do to all the peoples you fear. “Moreover, Adonai your God will send the hornet against them, until the survivors and those in hiding perish before you. You should not be terrified of them, since Adonai your God is in your midst—a great and awesome God. Adonai your God will drive away those nations before you little by little—you will not be able to put an end to them all at once, or else the beasts of the field will multiply on you. But Adonai your God will give them over to you, and He will throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed. He will hand over their kings to you, and you will blot out their name from under the heavens. No man will stand up to you, until you have destroyed them all.

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

Principle: We must allow the Ruach HaKodesh to rid our lives of all that will lead us astray.

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

Jeremiah 2:4–13 TLV

Hear the word of Adonai, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says Adonai: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They walked after worthless things, becoming worthless themselves? They did not ask ‘Where is Adonai, who brought us up from the land of Egypt and led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and rifts, through a land of drought and distress, through a land where no one travels, where no one lives?’ Yet I brought you into a fertile land, to eat of its fruit and goodness. When you came, you defiled My land. You made My heritage an abomination. The kohanim did not ask, ‘Where is Adonai?’ The Torah experts did not know Me. The shepherds rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and went after unprofitable things. Therefore I will plead with you again!” It is a declaration of Adonai. “I will contend with your children’s children. Cross to the coasts of Kittim and see! Send to Kedar, and observe carefully. See if there has been anything like this. Has a nation changed its gods— even though they are not gods? Yet My people have exchanged their glory for worthless things. Be appalled at this, O heavens! Be utterly horrified and dumbfounded.” It is a declaration of Adonai. “My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me —the spring of living water— and they dug their own cisterns— cracked cisterns that hold no water.

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

Principle: We must allow the Ruach HaKodesh to rid our lives of all that will lead us astray.

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

1 Peter 5:6–14 TLV

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may lift you up at the appropriate time. Cast all your worries on Him, for He cares for you. Stay alert! Watch out! Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour. Stand up against him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being laid upon your brothers and sisters throughout the world. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace—who has called you into His eternal glory in Messiah—will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. All power to Him forever! Amen. Through Silvanus, whom I consider our faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! Messiah’s community in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings. So does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Shalom to you all who are in Messiah. Amen.

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

Romans 12:1–2 TLV

I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy, acceptable to God—which is your spiritual service. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

Principle: We must allow the Ruach HaKodesh to rid our lives of all that will lead us astray.

Parasha Matot-Masei 5784

You

We

If our worship team will make their way back up to the stage.