20th week
Shabbat Reading and Commentary
“BaMidbar – in the desert”; Numbers 1:1 – 4:20 and Hosea 2:1-22
by Michael Schneider
Commentary:
The fourth book of Mose, of the Torah, describes the 40 years of the wandering of the SECOND generation, who were born in the desert and did not know personally Egypt. Only they were to enter the Promise Land – except Josua and Caleb. Josua and Caleb were LIVING BY FAITH and NOT BY SIGHT! They trusted the LORD despite of fearing the giant – what there eyes also saw. That’s what God is expecting from us too, Living by Faith and not by sight! Like little David with just a sling overcomes the giant Goliath. Also Peter as he wanted to walk on water as his “master” – until the fear and the doubts came up!
Another thing about the desert-generation: they can be compared to children of parents that experienced the salvation from the world (Egypt today). Now God teaches them how to walk while He is the Way. The goal is the same but the way is sometimes different.
In few days the Jewish people will celebrate the feast of weeks, Shavuot (on the 23 May) in remembrance of Giving of the Law at the Mt. Sinai. It’s not a coincident that on the same day and feast we received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). Both symbolize birth, birth of the Nation of Israel and the birth of the Church / Body of the Messiah.
Shabbat Shalom
