Netzarim, Original followers of Yeshua & His 12

Parashah 41: Pinchas (Phineas)

Pinchas (Phineas) - Numbers 25:10 – 30:1 (29:40). Haftarah reading: 1 Kings 18:46-19:21. B'rit Hadasha suggested reading: Matthew 26:1-30; Mark 14:1-26; Luke 22:1-20, John 2:13-22; 7:1-13; 37-39; 11:55-12:1:1; 13:1; 18:28, 39; 19:14; Acts 2:1-21; 12:3-4; 20:5-6; 16; 27:9-11; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; 16:8; Hebrews 11:28. (Tanach Scriptures are from Stern’s Complete Jewish Bible; B’rit Hadasha Scriptures from the AENT.)

Today's lesson: Today's parasha holds many nuggets, and we see that YHWH does not condone “tolerance” as seems to be the buzzword of modern Western society! He is very adamant about purity and righteousness in HIS people! In today's portion we see YHWH making a covenant of peace....

In Numbers 25:10 we see YHWH praising Pinchas (the son of El’azar and grandson of Aharon the cohen), and rewarding him for his act of zealotry in killing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were fornicating in the presence of God and the assembly, and were instrumental in getting YHWH’s people involved in whoring and committing pagan activities (Numbers 25:1-9). The plague that had resulted had already killed twenty-four thousand people, and based on the action of Pinchas an unknown number of lives were saved.

Numbers 25: 12 Therefore say, 'I am giving him (Pinchas) my covenant of shalom, 13 making a covenant with him and his descendants after him that the office of cohen will be theirs forever.' This is because he was zealous on behalf of his God and made atonement for the people of Isra'el."

Numbers 25: 16 ADONAI said to Moshe, 17 "Treat the Midyanim as enemies and attack them; 18 because they are treating you as enemies by the trickery they used to deceive you in the P'or incident and in the affair of their sister Kozbi, the daughter of the leader from Midyan, the woman who was killed on the day of the plague in the P'or incident."

Beginning in Numbers 26:1 (through the entire chapter) we begin to see that, by now, the whole nation of Israel had pretty much been replaced (killed or died off) after their many years in the desert. He orders Moshe and El’azar to take a census of the entire assembly of the people of Isra’el 20 years old and over, by their ancestral clans, all who are subject to military service in Isra’el. A census of the people results in 601,730 men between the ages of twenty and sixty.

Moshe then is instructed on how the Land is to be divided by lottery among the tribes and families of Israel. In Numbers 27:1, we see some of the first “women’s libbers” – five women who dared to speak out and claim their father’s inheritance - The five daughters of Zelophehad who petitioned Moshe that they be granted the portion of the land belonging to their father (who died without sons). YHWH Himself accepted their claim and incorporated it into the Torah’s laws of inheritance, thus revealing that, in certain circumstances, inheritance CAN be passed down through women:

Numbers 27: 1 Then the daughters of Tz'lof'chad the son of Hefer, the son of Gil'ad, the son of Machir, the son of M'nasheh, of the families of M'nasheh, the son of Yosef, approached. These were the names of his daughters: Machlah, No'ah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirtzah. 2 They stood in front of Moshe, El'azar the cohen, the leaders and the whole community at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, 3 "Our father died in the desert. He wasn't part of the group who assembled themselves to rebel against ADONAI in Korach's group, but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be eliminated from his family just because he didn't have a son? Give us property to possess along with the brothers of our father." 5 Moshe brought their cause before ADONAI. 6 ADONAI answered Moshe, 7 "The daughters of Tz'lof'chad are right in what they say. You must give them property to be inherited along with that of their father's brothers; have what their father would have inherited pass to them.

8 Moreover, say to the people of Isra'el, 'If a man dies and does not have a son, you are to have his inheritance pass to his daughter. 9 If he doesn't have a daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers. 11 If his father doesn't have brothers, give his inheritance to the closest relative in his family, and he will possess it. This will be the standard for judgment to be used by the people of Isra'el, as ADONAI ordered Moshe.'"

Immediately afterward, YHWH had Moshe climb a mountain and check over the land which He has given the people is Isra’el, and then He commissioned Y’hoshua, son of Nun, delegating to him some of Moshe’s authority so that the people would not be without a leader when Moshe died….

Numbers 27: 15 Moshe said to ADONAI, 16 "Let ADONAI, God of the spirits of all human beings, appoint a man to be over the community, 17 to go out and come in ahead of them, to lead them out and bring them in, so that ADONAI's community will not be like sheep without a shepherd." 18 ADONAI said to Moshe, "Take Y'hoshua the son of Nun, a spiritual man, and lay your hand on him. 19 Put him in front of El'azar the cohen and the whole community, and commission him in their sight. 20 Delegate to him some of your authority, so that the entire community of Isra'el will obey him.

21 He is to present himself to El'azar the cohen, who is to find out by means of the urim what ADONAI's will is for Y'hoshua's decisions. Then, at his word they will go out, and at his word they will come in, both he and all the people of Isra'el with him, the whole community." 22 Moshe did as ADONAI had ordered him. He took Y'hoshua, put him before El'azar the cohen and the whole community, 23 laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as ADONAI had said through Moshe.

Note verse 21 which tells Moshe that Y’hoshua is to present himself to El’azar the cohen who is to find out by means of the urim what ADONAI’s will is for Y’hoshua’s decisions. Please see http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=52&letter=U to gain a better understanding of Urim and Thummin. (Obviously, there is so much more to God and the Bible than most of us can comprehend….)

In Numbers 28, YHWH (reiterating the commands in Leviticus 23), provides a detailed outline of all His feast days. (Whenever YHWH repeats anything, it means PAY ATTENTION, FOLKS!) This outline was, in essence, a pep talk to tell the people (remember, most of the people who originally started this 40 year journey had died off by that time, and this was a new generation): “Guys, you’re about to enter the Promised Land, and here are the rules and regulations you are to observe.”

Please read Numbers 28 and 29. In brief, these are the feast days and special Shabbats outlined there, along with their respective offerings (please also see http://therefinersfire.org/feasts3.htm):

28:1-3 suggests that EVERY DAY is a special feast to YHWH:

Numbers 28: 1 ADONAI said to Moshe, 2 "Give an order to the people of Isra'el. Tell them, 'You are to take care to offer me at the proper time the food presented to me as offerings made by fire, providing a fragrant aroma for me.' 3 Tell them, 'This is the offering made by fire that you are to bring to ADONAI: male lambs in their first year and without defect, two daily as a regular burnt offering.

Then there is the weekly Shabbat:

Numbers 28: 9 "'On Shabbat offer two male lambs in their first year and without defect, with one gallon of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with olive oil, and its drink offering. 10 This is the burnt offering for every Shabbat, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

Numbers 28:16, Pesach: One the first month, 14^th day (Nisan 14). Also see Leviticus 23:5. Yeshua was our Passover Lamb (John 1:29-34).

Numbers 28:17, First day of the Feast of Matzah/Unleavened Bread, 15^th day (Nisan 15). Messiah Yeshua fulfilled this Feast when he was buried and became our righteousness (Rom. 6:4, II Cor. 5:21).

Numbers 28:25, Matzah/Feast of Unleavened Bread, seventh and last day (21^st) (Nisan 21). On Nisan 16 start counting 50 days of omer (Leviticus 23:15-16) toward Shavuot/Weeks. Also see Exodus 34:22.

Numbers 28:26, Firstfruits (Nisan 16^th). Also see Leviticus 23:9-10. Yeshua, the Firstruits of Creation, rose from the dead (I Corinthians 15:-20-23).

Numbers 29:1, Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashana/Feast of Trumpets/New Year. In the seventh month, on the first day of the month. Also see Leviticus 23:23-25.

Numbers 29:7, Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement, tenth day of the seventh month (10 Tishri). Also see Leviticus 16:29.

Numbers 29:12, Sukkot, while not mentioned here by name, can be found in Deuteronomy 16:13-15. The first and 8^th days are Shabbats.

As you can see by the above, YHWH has certain feasts that He insists be followed by EVERYONE who accepts Him as their God. This is not just a “Jewish” thing, but these observances are something for ALL, including the “grafted-in” believers. (Remember, there were no Jews until Jacob begat the Tribe of Judah, yet every believer up until then was already torah observant.)

Among our B'rit Chadasha readings today was Matthew 26:1-30 which discusses Yeshua, our FINAL SIN SACRIFICE - Halleuyah! I'm going to post it here for your convenience, along with a couple of footnotes from the AENT:

Matthew 26: 1. And it was when that Y’shua finished all of these sayings he said to his disciples 2. You know that after two days will be the Paskha (Pesach/Passover) and the Son of man will be betrayed to be put to the execution stake.[1] 3. Then the chief priests and scribes and elders of the people were gathered at the court of the high priest who was called Qayapa. 4. And they took counsel concerning Y’shua that by deceit they might arrest and kill him. 5. And they were saying, “Not during the feast, or else a riot should occur among the people. 6. And when Y’shua was in Beth Anya, in the house of the potter, Shimon 7. A woman approached him who had with her an alabaster vase of ointment which was a very precious perfume, and she poured it upon the head of Y’shua while he was reclining.

8. And his disciples saw and it displeased them and they said, “Why this waste?” 9. For it was able that this be sold for much money and it be given to the poor. But Y’shua knew this and said to them, Why are you troubling the woman, for she has done a good deed for me. 11. For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12. But the one who poured this perfume upon my body, she did it as though for my burial. 13. And truly I say to you, that wherever my Good News is preached, the thing that which she did this will also be told in all the world as a memorial to her. 14. Then one of the twelve who was called Yehuda Skaryota went to the chief priests. 15. And he said to them, “What are you willing to give me and I will deliver him to you?” And they promised him thirty pieces of silver. 16. And from that time onwards, he would seek an opportunity to betray him.

17. Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples drew near to Y’shua and said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Paskha?” 18. And he said to them, Go to the city, to a certain man and say to him, “Our master says my time it has arrived. With you I will perform the Paskha among my disciples.” 19. And his disciples did as he commanded them. And they prepared Y’shua the Paskha. 20. And when it was evening, he was reclining among his twelve disciples. 21. And while they were dining he said, Truly I say to you, that one of you will betray me.

22. And it made them very sad and they began to say to him, each one of them, “Is it I my Master?” 23. And he answered and said, He who dips his hand with me in the dish, that one will betray me. 24. And the Son of man will go just as it is written concerning him, but woe to the man by whose hand the Son of man is betrayed. It would have been better for him if he had not been born. 25. And the traitor said “Perhaps it is I Rabbi” Y’shua answered and said to him, You have said it! 26. And while they were dining, Y’shua took bread and blessed it and broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, Take eat. This is my body.

27. And he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them and said, Take drink from it all of you. 28. This is my blood[2] of the renewed covenant [3] which for the sake of many is shed for the forgiveness of sins. 29. And I say to you that I will not drink this fruit of the vine from now on until the day in which I drink it anew with you in the Kingdom of my Father, of Elohim. 30. And they offered praise and went out to the Mount of Olives. 31. Then Y’shua said to them, All of you will be offended by me in this night, for it is written, “I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep of his flock will be scattered.”

FOOTNOTES:

1 The Aramaic word, zaqyp means “erect, straightened, and lifted up,” whereas the word “crucify” originates from the Latin “crux” (cross). The Greek “stauros” refers to a “stake” ‑ not a cross ‑ agreeing with Aramaic. Although the crucifix ideology was endorsed and promoted by Christianity, cruciform fertility idols existed thousands of years before Christendom. Y’shua was put on an upright stake, not “cross-ified."

2 See 1 Corinthians 11:27.

3 Both Aramaic “khawdata” and Hebrew “chadasha” means renewed as in Psalm 51:10, “renew a right spirit within me”, Lam. 5:21 “renew our days as of old”. “Chadash” can also be “new” or “repair” as in Isaiah 61:4 “repair the waste places.” YHWH spoke of the Renewed Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-37 that He would, “put my Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts... the seed of Israel also shall never cease from being a nation before me for ever… says YHWH…” This is the “Renewed Covenant”; however, even in Paul’s day, the Kingdom that Y’shua offered was being violently counterfeited by religious traditions into something very contrary. Successive Greek theologians (like Marcion) replaced the meaning and importance of “Renewed Covenant” with the term “New Testament” and made a division of “Old and New” Testaments. Torah was and is taught by mainstream Christians to be either for Jews only, or completely abolished; thus, the “New Testament” became laden with anti-Semitism. The hierarchical values of “modern” pagan cultures were syncretized by Greek Gnostic philosophies into the teachings of Y’shua and Paul to the point that modern day Christianity would be unrecognizable by the original followers of Y’shua as the “Faith which was once delivered.” Yehuda 1:3.

Before I leave you to enjoy the rest of your Shabbat, let's take a look at another of today's B'rit Chadasah readings with a critical eye on "tongues" which some believe to be "babbling"...According to the following passages, “tongues” refers to actual languages:

Acts 2: 6. And when that sound occurred, all the people gathered and were rioting because they were hearing each man among them who were speaking in their own language. 7. Now they were astonished, all of them, and wondered while they were saying one-to-another, “Can’t grasp it!” These, all of them who are speaking, are Galileans. 8. “How do we hear, we each man the tongue in which we were born?” 9. Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those who dwell in Beth-Nahrin, and Cappadocians, and those from the areas of Pontus, and of Asia. 10. And those from the areas of Phrygia, and of Pamphylia, and of Egypt, and of the areas of Libya that are near to Cryene, and those who have come from Rome - Jews and proselytes.

11. And those from Crete, and Arabians. “Behold we are hearing from them that they are proclaiming the wonders of Elohim in our language!” 12. And they were astonished, and all of them were amazed while saying one-to-another, “What’s happening?” 13. But others were mocking them while saying, “These (men) drank new wine and have become drunk!” 14. Afterwards, Shimon Keefa stood up among the eleven Shlichim and lifted up his voice and said to them, “Men, Jews, and all who dwell in Urishlim. Let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words. 15. For (it is) not as you think (that) these (men) are drunk, for behold, it is now (only) until the third hour.

Thank you for reading our Torah study notes for this week, and I pray for you a blessed week ahead, that may you ever grow in your knowledge of YHWH.

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