Welcome to our study of Parasha Pinchas (Dark Skinned).
Pinchas (Dark Skinned)
· Numbers 25:10–29:40 (30:1);
· 1 Kings 18:46-19:21
· Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
· Romans 11:2-32
“Pinchas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal." (Numbers 25:11)
Last week’s Parasha (Balak) concluded with a man named Pinchas ending a devastating plague that had come on Israel and already killed 24,000 Israelites. The plague resulted from the Israelites participating in sexual immorality with the Midianite women.
The death toll ended when Pinchas (the grandson of Aaron) killed the Israelite Zimri, a Simeonite leader who openly brought a Midianite princess into his tent.
Pinchas entered his tent and plunged a spear through both of them.
God Honors Zeal for Himself
In this week’s Parasha, we see that Pinchas’ action not only brings salvation to his people by ending the plague, he also obtains a great reward for himself from ELOHIM.
YEHOVAH honors Pinchas with both the priesthood and an eternal covenant of shalom (peace). (Numbers 25:12–13)
It seems unthinkable that such an act of violence could bring about a covenant of peace with YEHOVAH, but that is what happened.
What might we learn from Pinchas? Certainly, it is not that YEHOVAH honors violence. But what was HE honoring?
YEHOVAH was honoring zeal for HIMSELF.
Pinchas has been compared by the Jews to Elijah, who also walked in Godly zeal and passion for the YAH. He boldly confronted the false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel to prove that YEHOVAH is ELOHIM.
YEHOVAH also honored Elijah’s zeal by promising to send him to usher in our Messianic redemption, as it is written:
“I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the coming of the great and awesome day of YEHOVAH.” (Malachi 4:5)
YAH Honors Those Who Honor Him
After the devastation of this plague, YEHOVAH commanded that a census be taken.
Like a shepherd whose flocks have been depleted by an attack of wolves, when the catastrophe is over, the shepherd lovingly counts his sheep to determine how many are left alive.
As well, the census would help prepare each tribe to receive their fair share of inheritance once they enter their promised land.
The census revealed that some clans survived even though YAH’s wrath had consumed their ancestors. For instance, the ancestors of Korach, the Levite who led a rebellion of 250 chieftains against Moses and tried to take over the priesthood, survived.
Korach, his home, and the men with him were consumed by an earthquake and fire, yet the Scriptures say that “the sons of Korach died not.” (Numbers 26:11; see also Numbers 16:32)
These sons became the founders of a guild of psalmists whose writings are still with us today, filling a portion of the book of Psalms (Tehillim). It is generally believed that Psalms 42, 44–49, 84–85, 87–88 were written by these sons.
Their praises were not just written, they were shouted. In preparation for warfare, they “stood up and praised YEHOVAH, the GOD of Israel, with a very loud voice.” (2 Chronicles 20:19)
Like Korach's descendants, we are not destined to follow in the footsteps of our bloodline. We can choose to rise above our backgrounds — even the sin or rebellion of our own parents — to become devoted followers of YAH.
YEHOVAH Honored the Women with an Inheritance
As Moses prepared to divide up the land, the daughters of Zelophehad asked for their inheritance, as their father had died without sons. YEHOVAH loves men and women equally and, therefore, decreed justice for the daughters by granting them their father's land (Numbers 27:1–11).
Women — even single women — can inherit what is rightfully theirs.
In a spiritual sense, YEHOVAH is our portion — HE is a ELOHIM of justice and will give us our inheritance if we boldly ask for it and believe that we deserve it.
But what if the daughters of Zelophehad didn’t think they were worthy — or that because everyone else who received an inheritance were men, that they shouldn’t even ask? They would not have received their portion of the Land that was due to them.
Let us not be timid, but bold in carrying out YAH’s invitation to ask for what we desire and trust HIM to bring it to pass in HIS way and HIS time, if it is HIS will.
We will not know if it is HIS will unless we ask. YESHUA invites us to ask for what we desire, in HIS Name: “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24)
We see from YAH’s attention to these women’s request that there is nothing so small or big that YEHOVAH does not care about if it is something that concerns us.
HE cares not just for the nation of Israel as a whole, but also for each and every individual within HIS Kingdom: “HE will fulfill the desire of those who fear HIM.” (Psalm 145:19)
In his last days, Moses also had a desire — he asked YEHOVAH to appoint a new shepherd for his sheep.
YEHOVAH Honors Godly Leadership
“YEHOVAH said to Moses, Take you Joshua (Yeshua) the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay [samach] your hand on him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And you shall put some of your honor on him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient." (Numbers 27:18–20)
In this portion of Scripture, YAH delivered news that must have been a devastating blow to Moses. He was told that although he would be allowed to see the Promised Land, he would never be allowed to enter. (Numbers 27:12–14)
Even when Moses knew he would not be the one taking them into the Land, he still showed concern for the flock by asking YAH to appoint a man over the assembly.
YEHOVAH asked Moses to transfer his authority of leadership to Joshua (Yeshua) by the laying on of hands. This is a physical act to symbolize the transference of authority.
In Hebrew, the word for ‘lay’ is ‘samach’, from which is derived the noun ‘smichah’, the act of ‘ordination’.
The related word ‘samchut’ means ‘authority’. The root of this Hebrew word ‘s-m-ch’ means ‘to trust, to support, or to rely on’.
Being anointed for leadership over a group of people is a sacred trust that we may not take lightly.
We all need Godly leadership; we were created to be governed — to come under ‘samchut’ –authority. Without a shepherd, we are scattered and helpless sheep, exposed to attack on all sides.
Even though YEHOVAH is the ultimate authority, and YESHUA is our Great Shepherd, HE will also ordain leaders to help guide and support us in our walk with HIM, as did the great Biblical leadership of Moses and later Joshua.
Moses anointed Joshua, whose name ‘Yeshua’ means ‘YAH saves’, to lead the people of Israel into their Promised Land.
YEHOVAH anointed YESHUA to lead HIS followers into the promised Messianic Era.
Let us pray for the leaders of our nations and especially for the leadership of Israel to govern us with Godly wisdom and integrity in these last days. Let us also pray for the return of YESHUA HAMASHIACH.
YEHOVAH Honors Israel
Between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar (July 21 and August 10, 2019), the Jewish People are observing a period of three weeks to pause and reflect on why so many tragedies have come upon us throughout our history.
We are also to consider our own personal behavior, attitudes, and relationship with YEHOVAH.
On each Sabbath that falls during these three weeks, we read special Prophetic Portions called Haftarot of Admonition, which are meant to disturb our false sense of peace.
In fact, the word translated as ‘admonition’ is ‘d’puranuta’, which means ‘to disturb’.
It is often easy to think that we are living in peace here in the Holy Land. Children play in the streets and most of us dwell in cities without walls and fortifications.
Then a siren blasts, a rocket explodes; our sense of peace is shaken, and we must face the reality of living in a land set apart by YEHOVAH HIMSELF.
In this week's Haftarah (Jeremiah 1:1–2:3), Israel is compared to the first fruits that were set apart as Holy (kadosh), to be offered up to YEHOVAH.
“Israel is the YEHOVAH’s hallowed (kadosh –קדש) portion, His first-fruits of the increase. All that devour him shall be held guilty, evil shall come upon them, says YEHOVAH.” (Jeremiah 2:3)
It is clear that YEHOVAH opposes any person, nation, or force that seeks to destroy Israel.
Today, and throughout history, there is certainly a desire to see Israel – YEHOVAH’s Holy Portion – destroyed through war, terror attacks and slanderous accusations of war crimes, blood libel, human rights violations, and apartheid.
However, the Word out of Zion is this: those who seek to attack Israel are admonished to cease and desist while there is still time before even greater evil comes upon them.
“‘For I am with you,’ says YEHOVAH, ‘to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you.’” (Jeremiah 30:11)
YEHOVAH Honors Truth in Action
We must not think we are too weak or too timid or too young or too old – or whatever excuse we use – to fulfill our mission in YAH’s plan. If YAH is in it, HE will give the strength, grace, wisdom, and boldness to do HIS will.
Pinchas, for instance, was not yet an elder in the community, yet he was the only one who took action against the sin that was destroying his own people.
Others had witnessed the open sin in the community, but they apparently did nothing.
When we stand by and wait for our leaders or friends to confront sin or the slanderous attacks against Israel in front of us, the sin or the lie just grows and infects more people. As it is said — a little leaven leavens the whole lump.
While YAH is not calling us to respond with spears in the backs of sinners or our enemies, we are also not to remain silent and passive.
Sometimes YAH is calling us to help correct a problem by speaking life into the situation – speaking truth, writing truth, living lives filled with truth is a powerful weapon against sin, especially lies.
As well, speaking blessings and words of life over those who are courageously speaking truth can bring anointing and power to them that they may not have had access to before. It builds them up in strength and helps them to persevere in the storm that comes to all who stand for righteousness.
You may be slandered for speaking life, but “even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere MASHIACH as LORD. ... For it is better, if it is YAH’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:14–15, 17)
In addition to speaking the truth about Israel, we can speak the truth that brings eternal life by sharing the truth about who YESHUA HAMASHIACH is with those who do not yet know HIM.
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in the MASHIACH may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15–16)
"Hear the Word of YEHOVAH, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'HE who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over HIS flock like a shepherd.'" (Jeremiah 31:10)
"YOU will again have compassion on us; YOU will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)
