July 13, 2014 / 15 Tamuz, 5774

Dear Berean,

Tzom Tamuz

This week we keep the fast of Tamuz. From sunrise on 17 Tamuz (7/15/14) until sunset, we do not eat or drink (unless for health reasons, pregnancy, etc.). At sundown, 17 Tamuz, we begin the "time between the troubles." Bein Hametzarim [between the narrows, or troubles] is the season of sin and redemption. Bein Hametzarim is the period of three weeks that begins on the 17 Tamuz and ends on 9 Av (Tisha b'Av). The fast of Tamuz is our way of inaugurating this season of repentance and redemption. I'll have more on 17 Tamuz later this week.

Ruminations

Rumination #42: Why is it important for the followers of Messiah to identify not only with Abraham, but with Isaac and Jacob as well?

All stripes of the followers of Messiah, identify with Abraham; especially those who are from Gentile stock. Because of the promise of Genesis 12, and Paul's commentary in Romans 4, it is easy for us all to see Abraham as "our father." The difficulties enter when we identify with Isaac and Jacob. Are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob "our fathers"? Of course much of Judaism has said "no" when Gentiles ask the question. Jacob of course was named "Israel" and clearly "Israel" is not Gentile - or at least so it seems to some. The various answers cover the spectrum from anti-Semitic Replacement Theology to "Two House" theology.

It all boils down to that age old problem that simply will not go away: what to do about all these Gentiles… (some in Messianic Judaism are replaying the First Century controversy all over again - and are failing in that regard). Each time the discussion comes up, various groups throw dust into the air - some to cause clear division between Jew and Gentile, while others do it simply to confuse, and obscure their real position on Gentile inheritance and responsibility.

Beloved, it really is important to identify with all three of the Patriarchs. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob really are "our fathers" - whether we are Jew or Gentile by natural birth. Not merely in some mystical or metaphoric way. So many theologians have difficulty with identifying with Jacob because he is the father of the twelve tribes – which is more difficult to spiritualize as they are prone to do. While the "Olive Tree" from Romans 9 is a metaphor, Israel and the Patriarchs are not. Our Master made it quite clear, the One True G-d, the King of the Universe, is the "G-d of Abraham, the G-d of Isaac, and the G-d of Jacob." His people are sons and daughters of these three. Period. By the work of Messiah, we all are grafted into the Patriarchs. They are our fathers.

Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of HaShem, to the house of the G-d of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of HaShem from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of HaShem.
Isaiah 2:3-6

Clearly, there is no difference between "Jacob" and "Israel" - once again reminding us of this Gospel fact:

Jew and Gentile are fellowheirs. We have One King. We are One People. We have been given One Torah.

Parashat Mattot  - 'Tribes' (Numbers 30:2-32:42)

The title for Parashat Mattot comes from the second verse of the Scripture portion:

Vaydabber Mosheh el-rashei hamattot, livnei Yisra'el lemor: zeh haddavar, asher tzivvah HaShem. Ish ki-yiddor neder LaShem,
o-hishava sh'vu'ah lesor issar al-nafsho -lo yachel, d'varo: k'chol-haiyotze mippiv, ya'aseh.

Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which HaShem has commanded: If a man makes a vow to HaShem, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth."

Numbers 30:2-3

Who are these "tribes"? Through this and the next half-portion we will be reminded repeatedly by their names. These are the descendants of the sons of Jacob. These are the remnant of those that came out of Egypt over three decades earlier. These are the ones whose parents sinned with the Golden Calf. This past week we remembered the Golden Calf incident which occurred on 17 Tammuz. On our own calendar we are in the period "between the troubles" - the three weeks from 17 Tammuz to Tisha B'Av. During this time, we remember the darkest days in Israel's history. Which leads us to the title of the other half-parasha that is sometimes read this week, Parashat Massei.

Mattot means "tribes." It is a word for "branches" - and quite fittingly applies to the tribes of Israel. Massei means "journeys." This portion has the recounting of the journeys in the wilderness.

These half-portions are read during the three weeks between Tammuz 17 and the 9th of Av. Those are the dates that mark the infamous days of our ancestors' sin of the Golden Calf and of the ten spies. These are days of mourning and repentance. These are days that can be misunderstood by the casual bystander. Throughout history, whenever HaShem's people have felt the sting of rebuke, our enemies have thought that our G-d had departed from our midst. The error has been repeated throughout the ages, but sadly still is present. The fact that a significant portion of Christianity still thinks that G-d has departed from the midst of Israel (some qualify by saying "unbelieving" Israel). This is a grave error. It is not only a theological error; if left unchecked it brings spiritual arrogance, and even curses. This line of thinking has real consequence. This line of thinking is mentioned in this week's parasha. Oddly, Aaron's death is mentioned in two places in Numbers. It is mentioned in this week's portion and also in the portion from a few weeks ago. From this week:

Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor. Now the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.
Numbers 33:39-40

This mention is in the midst of the recounting of the stops in the journey of Israel through the wilderness. What is the point? Let's look back at the previous mention of Aaron's death.

Now when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days. The king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South, heard that Israel was coming on the road to Atharim. Then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners. So Israel made a vow to HaShem, and said, "If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities." And HaShem listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of that place was called Hormah.
Numbers 20:29-21:3

Remember the setting here at the end of Numbers. Israel had sinned. First with the Golden Calf (the 17th day of the month of Tammuz). Then the ten spies had led Israel in rebellion against HaShem's command to take the Land (the 9th day of the month of Av). This week's Torah portions recount the wandering in the wilderness. This was how G-d had dealt with our sin against Him. Now, the journey is almost complete. Aaron dies. Our enemies think that since G-d has been dealing with our sin, that He has departed from our midst. You see, tradition holds that it was after Aaron died that the clouds of glory disappeared from the Mish'kan [Tabernacle].

The Canaanite king of Arad must have thought, "The glory has departed. These Israelites no longer have their G-d among them. He has been punishing them - so He is no longer there to protect them." Of course, he was quite wrong.

Haftarot Mattot (Jeremiah 1:1-2:3)

This week's haftarot are from Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a prophet sent to declare the faithfulness of HaShem - but also to remind Israel that G-d is serious about sin. Sadly, many self-professing followers of Messiah think that 1,900 years of wandering means that HaShem has departed from the midst of Israel. They are thinking like the king of Arad. They are quite wrong. We do not need to correct their error. We only need to continue in our repentance. One day, by HaShem's grace, perhaps their eyes will be opened and they will bless Abraham's descendants once again. The bad news, where Jeremiah is told of the coming disaster for sinful Israel, is often highlighted by some. They fail to keep reading.

The glory has not departed. HaShem is in the midst of His people.

Chai HaShem! [HaShem Lives!]
Am Israel Chai! [The People of Israel Live!]

Prayer for "the Tribes" - the Prayer for the State of Israel

From the Siddur, we can read and pray this prayer during these dark days, these days "between the troubles." This time of present calamity that Israel finds herself compels us to appeal to the Almighty on her behalf, on our behalf:

Our Father in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the first manifestation of the approach of our redemption. Shield it with Your lovingkindness, envelop it in Your peace, and bestow Your light and truth upon its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our Holy Land, grant them deliverance, and adorn them in a mantle of victory.

Ordain peace in the Land and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness. Lead them, swiftly and upright, to Your city Zion and to Jerusalem, the abode of Your Name, as is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses: "Even if your outcasts are at the ends of the world, from there HaShem your G-d will gather you, from there He will fetch you. And HaShem your G-d will bring you to the Land that your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your fathers."

Draw our hearts together to revere and venerate Your Name and to observe all the precepts of Your Torah, and send us quickly the Messiah son of David, agent of Your vindication, to redeem those who await Your deliverance. Manifest yourself in the splendor of Your boldness before the eyes of all inhabitants of Your world, and may everyone endowed with a soul affirm that HaShem, G-d of Israel, is King and his dominion is absolute.

Amen forevermore.

May our Messiah come quickly, soon, and in our days. The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" Even so, come quickly L-rd Yeshua.

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Standing in Prayer with all Israel,

Rick Spurlock
Bereans Online
www.bereansonline.org