Tehillim V Tefilah Psalms and Prayer Psalm 105
Shelach " Send שלח " Torah: Numbers 13:1-15:41 Prophets: Joshua 2:1-24 Gospel: Mark 10:1-45
Inheritance in the Torah In this Torah portion, we have what is considered by many the most heinous of all sins committed by Israel in their history: The treason of the 10 spies This is considered the worse of all the rebellions committed by the Children of Israel; worse than the golden calf, Korah s rebellion, the Zimri rebellion, and Ephraim s rebellion we spoke of last week. The punishment meted out by YHVH, is very similar to the Babylonian exile in scope, but not as severe as the consequences of the 10 Tribes. Israel would not enter, the land for another 38 years, and if not for the intense intercessory prayer of Moses the entire nation may have been destroyed. To understand why the spy s report was such an affront to YHVH, we have to look to Isaiah?
Land Grant Isaiah 43: 1 But now, thus says ADONAI the One who created you, O Jacob, the One who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are Mine. 15 I am ADONAI, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. 21 the people I formed for Myself, so they might declare My praise. Of all the millions of people who lived before, and after no nation has ever been created like Israel the King of the Universe, adopted the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As part of that special relationship, he gave them the beautiful land the former Garden of Eden:
Land Grant Genesis 13: 14 After Lot separated himself from him, ADONAI had said to Abram, lift up your eyes, now, and look from the place where you are, to the north, south, east and west. 15 For all the land that you are looking at, I will give to you and to your seed forever. 16 I will make your seed like the dust of the earth so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your seed could also be counted. 17 Get up! Walk about the land through its length and width for I will give it to you. Genesis 15: 7 Then He said to him, I am ADONAI who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans, in order to give you this land to inherit it. 8 So he said, My Lord ADONAI, how will I know that I will inherit it? 16 Then in the fourth generation they will return here for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.. 18 On that day ADONAI cut a covenant with Abram, saying, I give this land to your seed, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River:
The Canaanites The sons of Canaan, as a result of the sin of Ham, were told they would never inherit land as part of their curse: Genesis 9: 25 So he said, Cursed is Canaan: the lowest slave will he be to his brothers. So leave it to HaSatan to always challenge our Elohim s rulings what is the first thing that Canaan does, when the opportunity arises go settle and conquer land that was never meant for them. As we look at the gifts that YHVH gives you whenever you try to reach for them the enemy will attempt to thwart His plan for you in your life.
Land Grant This promise is repeated after both Judah and Israel have been taken from the land here is the land grant defined in the Prophets: Isaiah 14: 1 For ADONAI will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The outsider will join himself with them and will cling to the house of Jacob. Isaiah 49: 8 Thus says ADONAI: In a time of favor I will answer you. In a day of salvation I will help you. I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, to restore the land, to make them possess its desolate inheritances, In the book of Ezekiel it defines the boundaries of the Land Grant:
Was the Land Grant the Garden of Eden?
Land Grant The Northern Boundary According to Ezekiel 47:15-17, the northern boundary squares almost exactly with the previously disclosed boundaries for the north of the Land: from the Mediterranean, through Lebo-Hamath and then close to Damascus. This, of course would include parts of present-day Lebanon and Syria. The Eastern Boundary We are told in Ezekiel 47:19, The east side, from between Hauran, (Ancient Damascus), Gilead and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan..." The modern day province of Ar Raqqah down to the ancient city of Haran, south to Golan Heights.
Land Grant The Southern Boundary The southern border will extend from Tamar, south along the Salt Sea, (this will incorporate most of the Negev) move inland to the west, and finish at the Mediterranean Sea by, the Wadi of Egypt. The Western Boundary Ezekiel 47:20 tells us that the western border will be the Mediterranean Sea from the Wadi of Egypt up to Lebo-Hamath. The Wadi of Egypt is primarily everything up to the eastern side of Goshen. - Abraham, walked the entire land grant, when he left Haran, to include his short stay in Egypt.
Land Grant from Numbers Israel s inheritance is spelled out three times once to Abraham in Genesis 15, the third time in Ezekiel 47, and after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness their inheritance was spelled out to the nation: Numbers 34: 1 ADONAI spoke to Moses saying, 2 Command Bnei-Yisrael and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, these are the boundaries of the land being allotted to you as an inheritance. 3 Your southern side will run from the wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom to the southern end of the Dead Sea on the east. 4 Your border will cross south of the Scorpion Pass and continue to Zin and south of Kadeshbarnea, then go on to Hazar-addar and on to Azmon. 5 Then the border will turn from Azmon to the Wadi of Egypt and end at the sea.
Land Grant from Numbers 6 Your western boundary will be the coast of the Great Sea. This will be your western border. 7 Your northern boundary will be by running a line from the Great Sea to Mount Hor, 8 then from Mount Hor to Levo-Hamath [a], then the boundary will go to Zedad. 9 The border will continue on to Ziphron, ending at Hazar-Enan. This will be your northern border. 10 For your eastern border, run a line from Hazar-Enan to Shepham. 11 From Shepham, the boundary will descend to Riblah on the east side of Ain, continuing along the eastern slopes of Kinneret [b]. 12 From there the border will go down along the Jordan, ending at the Dead Sea. This will be your territory with its surrounding borders.
Land Grants from Numbers and Ezekiel
Estimated land Grant
The Spies So what crime did the spies of Israel commit? Numbers 13:1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them. 3 So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, according to the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the people of Israel. 10 Spies: Reuben Shammua, Simeon Shaphat, Issachar Igal, Benjamin Palti, Zebulun Gaddiel, Joseph/Manasseh Gaddi, Dan Ammiel, Asher Sethur, Naphtali Nahbi, Gad Geuel.
The Spies Last week, we showed how Reuben, Levi, and Simeon had taken control of the leadership in Egypt and until this incident Judah and Ephraim has lost preeminence however because of the faith of Joshua and Caleb leadership was restored to them as Jacob had spelled it out in Genesis 49. Numbers 13: 17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, 18 and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, 19 and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, 20 and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.
The Spies YHVH, instructions were for them to tour the land - Moses, even though well intentioned, gave the 12 five additional instructions: 1) Inhabitants were weak or strong 2) Inhabitants were few or many 3) Land was good or bad 4) Cities were temporary or permanent (fortified) 5) Land/Trees produced or were desolate Sometimes in leadership, we put additional burdens on people, even though well intentioned, they did not come from our King. Those instructions create a tendency to add more to what Elohim wants us to do.
The Spies Remember this was the Garden of Eden the land that where - Adam was made caretaker of this wonderful gift. Spy) (tu r) toor (Translated as ת ור A primitive root; to meander (causatively guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring: - chap [-man], sent to descry, be excellent, merchant [-man], search (out), seek, (e-) spy (out). Our English word for Tour comes from the Hebrew root Tur If I were to tell you, we will go on a 2 week trip to Israel to spy it out it will cost between $1,000 to $2,000 and when your there I want you to bring back some honey, olive oil and, pomegranates oh before I forget, make sure you take your bullet proof vest Anyone interested the price is great! You see words have power they create images Let s see if I can change the instructions.
The Spies If I were to tell you, we will go on a 2 week trip to Israel on a spectacular tour it will cost between $1,000 to $2,000 and when your there I want you to bring back some honey, olive oil and, pomegranates oh before I forget your $1,000 will be part of a down payment for 2 acres of land of your choice anywhere in the land. How about now any takers? All 12 of these men, including the entire congregation has control over the choices we make in life. Whether to have joy, or to complain. To be excited about your future, or fret about the past. Psalm 25: 5-7 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. (NIV).
The Spies Numbers 13: 25 At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land. 26 And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 And they told him, We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.
The Spies So the spies came and did exactly what Moses told them to do Spy out the land, tell me about the cities, the people, the land but like any good spy they added to the additional instuctions. They began to talk of the Anak, the giants in the land. If you told your spouse and children the following: 33 And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them. Generally what will be your families response?
The fact that Israel was about to receive a 400 year promise, inherit the Garden of Eden. No longer be a slave in some other nation, but a Kingdom of Priests in their own land. The fact the Creator and King of the Universe was with them, at every step once the giant word was mentioned chaos insued.
The Rebellion of the People Numbers 14:1 Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt? 4 And they said to one another, Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.
Good leadership in Crisis Numbers 14: 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. 6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them. 10 Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.
Good leadership in Crisis Sometimes the greatest words, from the greatest leaders in a time of crisis are not enough. The mob was going to stone these four men. YHVH had to intercede in such a way that the people needed to realize truly what is to be feared: Deuteronomy 6:24 "So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. Psalms 112: 1 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments.
Good leadership in Crisis What is a giant, or an obstacle, - we should never fear the things of this world. True fear of YHVH, means respect, honor, following His instructions realizing that our Eternal lives are in His hands, not mans. To test YHVH is putting ourselves in the role that was never meant for man: Deuteronomy 8: 2 You are to remember all the way that ADONAI your God has led you these 40 years in the wilderness in order to humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His mitzvot or not.
Types and Shadows of future Exiles There were ten spies representing 10 tribes, two remained loyal to their King. Did this event foreshadow the exile of the 10 tribes absolutely. Numbers 14: 20 Then the Lord said, I have pardoned, according to your word. 21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, 22 none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, What ten times was YHVH referring to?
Israel testing their Elohim 1. Exodus 14:10-12 At the Red Sea where it seemed that Pharaoh s army would destroy them 2. Exodus 15:22-24 At Marah where they found bitter water 3. Exodus 16:1-3 In the Desert of Sin as they hungered 4. Exodus 16:19-20 In the Desert of Sin as they paid no attention to Moses concerning the storing of the manna until the morning 5. Exodus 16:27-30 In the Desert of Sin as they disregarded Moses concerning the gathering of the manna on the seventh day
Israel testing their Elohim 6. Exodus 17:1-4 At Rephidim as they complained for water 7. Exodus 32:1-35 At Mount Sinai as Aaron led the people in making the golden calf 8. Numbers 11:1-3 At Taberah where the people raged against the Lord (fire in the camp) 9. Numbers 11:4-34 At Kibroth Hattaavah in the grumbling provoked by the rabble for quail 10. Numbers 14:1-3 At Kadesh in the Desert of Paran when the people refused to receive the good report of Joshua and Caleb but rather wished themselves dead
Israel testing their Elohim The two things that the 10 spies, along with their generation had with King Hoshea and the 10 Tribes of the Norther Kingdom had in common Rebellion against their King. Putting him to a test, instead of fulling trusting Him. Most importantly when confronted with the truth they never humbled themselves and interceded on their own behalf. If not for the intercessory prayer of Moses they would have been cut off immediately. Do you intercede on the behalf of your family?
Intercessory Prayer Numbers 14: 13 But Moses said to the Lord, Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them, 14 and they will tell the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you, O Lord, are in the midst of this people. For you, O Lord, are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations who have heard your fame will say, 16 It is because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness. 17 And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, 18 The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.
Intercessory Prayer Part of intercessory prayer is being completely humble and transparent in your prayer. Recalling the promises made to you, your family, Israel. Moses reminded YHVH of the wonderful character of our Elohim: slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, forgiving Elohim, 19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now. This is so important Moses reveals the true nature of the Elohim we serve. This prayer should give each one of us Shalom.
Intercessory Prayer Israel, had been pardoned, because of Moses intercessory prayer but the character of the people hadn t changed. They mourned greatly for they knew they wouldn t ever see their Garden of Eden but instead of being patient, and changing their character after deliverance they doubled down. Numbers 14: 39 When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly. 40 And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, Here we are. We will go up to the place that the Lord has promised, for we have sinned. 41 But Moses said, Why now are you transgressing the command of the Lord, when that will not succeed? 42 Do not go up, for the Lord is not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies.
Conclusion Today, ask yourself, are you putting YHVH to a test? Are you keeping His commandments, and changing your rebellious character of the past? Are you blaming Him for the test, and the punishments, or thanking YHVH for His steadfast love, and forgiving your iniquities? We are part of the Congregation of Israel, we are in the Commonwealth will we be like our ancestors, and putting Him to the test, or like those who are promised to inherit the land.