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Numbers 3: BeHe-aloteca
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BeHaaloteca
Numbers 8:1-12:16
s.1
Aaron is instructed to tend the lamps of the Menora.
The menorah had seven branches and was made out of pure gold.
Then the LEVITES were dedicated.
Originally every firstborn of the Israelites was meant to be dedicated to the Divine service. The Levites replaced them.
The Levites were dedicated by ritual immersion in water of body and clothing, being sprinkled with water and ashes of the red bull, shaving their hair. They then brought two bulls forward. The People of Israel put their hands on the Levites to delegate them to serve then the Levites put their hands on the bulls which were sacrificed to atone for any sin or imperfection the Levites might still have been guilty of. This was their dedication to the service of the Almighty.
[Numbers 8:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 8:2] SPEAK UNTO AARON AND SAY UNTO HIM, WHEN THOU LIGHTEST THE LAMPS, THE SEVEN LAMPS SHALL GIVE LIGHT OVER AGAINST THE CANDLESTICK.
[Numbers 8:3] AND AARON DID SO; HE LIGHTED THE LAMPS THEREOF OVER AGAINST THE CANDLESTICK, AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES.
[Numbers 8:4] AND THIS WORK OF THE CANDLESTICK WAS OF BEATEN GOLD, UNTO THE SHAFT THEREOF, UNTO THE FLOWERS THEREOF, WAS BEATEN WORK: ACCORDING UNTO THE PATTERN WHICH THE LORD HAD SHEWED MOSES, SO HE MADE THE CANDLESTICK.
[Numbers 8:5] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 8:6] TAKE THE LEVITES FROM AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND CLEANSE THEM.
[Numbers 8:7] AND THUS SHALT THOU DO UNTO THEM, TO CLEANSE THEM: SPRINKLE WATER OF PURIFYING UPON THEM, AND LET THEM SHAVE ALL THEIR FLESH, AND LET THEM WASH THEIR CLOTHES, AND SO MAKE THEMSELVES CLEAN.
[Numbers 8:8] THEN LET THEM TAKE A YOUNG BULLOCK WITH HIS MEAT OFFERING, EVEN FINE FLOUR MINGLED WITH OIL, AND ANOTHER YOUNG BULLOCK SHALT THOU TAKE FOR A SIN OFFERING.
[Numbers 8:9] AND THOU SHALT BRING THE LEVITES BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION: AND THOU SHALT GATHER THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TOGETHER:
[Numbers 8:10] AND THOU SHALT BRING THE LEVITES BEFORE THE LORD: AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL PUT THEIR HANDS UPON THE LEVITES:
[Numbers 8:11] AND AARON SHALL OFFER THE LEVITES BEFORE THE LORD FOR AN OFFERING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, THAT THEY MAY EXECUTE THE SERVICE OF THE LORD.
[Numbers 8:12] AND THE LEVITES SHALL LAY THEIR HANDS UPON THE HEADS OF THE BULLOCKS: AND THOU SHALT OFFER THE ONE FOR A SIN OFFERING, AND THE OTHER FOR A BURNT OFFERING, UNTO THE LORD, TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THE LEVITES.
[Numbers 8:13] AND THOU SHALT SET THE LEVITES BEFORE AARON, AND BEFORE HIS SONS, AND OFFER THEM FOR AN OFFERING UNTO THE LORD.
Levi and the Full-Time learning of Torah
The Levites represented one of the twelve tribes but they were set aside. They did not have their own territory. They also did not go out to war though they could on occasion be used for "police" work and border defense. Their main function was to serve the Almighty through learning, officiating in the Tabernacle, overseeing the religious practices of the other Israelites.
Today in the State of Israel one has a large number of Ultra-Orthodox who learn full-time. They on the whole really do learn and many learn very well. Never before in the whole of history have so many Jews learned Torah and with such intensity.
By merit of their learning the State of Israel prospers and is protected from its enemies. The whole community benefits. The influence of those who learn Torah full time permeates the whole of Israeli society even though it may not be evident at first to outsiders.
A few Secular and anti-religious Jews sometimes criticize those who learn Torah full time. They say they get out of going to the army meaning that others must serve in their place. They also say that they are parasites and do not contribute to the economy.
These claims are false.
Due to the learning of Torah the Almighty shows favor to Israel and protects the whole country. The learning of Torah elevates and intensifies the intellectual prowess of Israeli scientists and thinkers. The Jewish brain protects the state of Israel much more than Israeli brawn though both are needed and much to be valued.
The IDF in effect has too many conscripts. It wants less but finds it difficult to admit it. About 20% of secular enlistees also get out of serving or are rejected. Nowadays anyone who really does not want to serve in the IDF is released. Girl soldiers are superfluous and cost more than they are worth. They are enlisted for ideological reasons and not because there exists a real need for them.
Economically those who learn also contribute a lot. We will not go into details here. Suffice it to say that the Israeli Government gives each person learning Torah about $200 a month. They expend about $1000 or more. Where does the rest come from? They bring it into the country or produce it here.
All this is just scratching on the surface of the issue.
In reality they who learn Torah give to Israel more than a thousand-fold whatever they take back.
Most secular Israelis KNOW these facts and WANT they who learn full-time to continue doing so.
[Numbers 8:14] THUS SHALT THOU SEPARATE THE LEVITES FROM AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: AND THE LEVITES SHALL BE MINE.
s.2
The Levites were dedicated to Divine Service.
The sacred functions were originally to be performed by firstborns who were sanctified as a result of their being spared in Egypt.
The Torah says below that after the sin of the Golden Calf the regular first-born Israelites were disqualified and the Levites took place. This however seems to be an additional reason since it seems the Levites were set aside for such a purpose from the beginning.
The Levites entered service in the Tabernacle and then had a kind of apprenticeship for 5 years. Only at age 30 were they considered fully qualified.
[Numbers 8:15] AND AFTER THAT SHALL THE LEVITES GO IN TO DO THE SERVICE OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION: AND THOU SHALT CLEANSE THEM, AND OFFER THEM FOR AN OFFERING.
[Numbers 8:16] FOR THEY ARE WHOLLY GIVEN UNTO ME FROM AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; INSTEAD OF SUCH AS OPEN EVERY WOMB, EVEN INSTEAD OF THE FIRSTBORN OF ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, HAVE I TAKEN THEM UNTO ME.
[Numbers 8:17] FOR ALL THE FIRSTBORN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ARE MINE, BOTH MAN AND BEAST: ON THE DAY THAT I SMOTE EVERY FIRSTBORN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT I SANCTIFIED THEM FOR MYSELF.
[Numbers 8:18] AND I HAVE TAKEN THE LEVITES FOR ALL THE FIRSTBORN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
[Numbers 8:19] AND I HAVE GIVEN THE LEVITES AS A GIFT TO AARON AND TO HIS SONS FROM AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, TO DO THE SERVICE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, AND TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: THAT THERE BE NO PLAGUE AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHEN THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL COME NIGH UNTO THE SANCTUARY.
The serve in the Tabernacle averted disasters from Israel. It brought a blessing on the entire community. The Tabernacle equals the Temple. Nowadays we do not have Temple but soon we may have. In the meantime a similar effect to the Temple Service may be achieved through Bible learning and good deeds.
[Numbers 8:20] AND MOSES, AND AARON, AND ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, DID TO THE LEVITES ACCORDING UNTO ALL THAT THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES CONCERNING THE LEVITES, SO DID THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL UNTO THEM.
[Numbers 8:21] AND THE LEVITES WERE PURIFIED, AND THEY WASHED THEIR CLOTHES; AND AARON OFFERED THEM AS AN OFFERING BEFORE THE LORD; AND AARON MADE AN ATONEMENT FOR THEM TO CLEANSE THEM.
[Numbers 8:22] AND AFTER THAT WENT THE LEVITES IN TO DO THEIR SERVICE IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION BEFORE AARON, AND BEFORE HIS SONS: AS THE LORD HAD COMMANDED MOSES CONCERNING THE LEVITES, SO DID THEY UNTO THEM.
[Numbers 8:23] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 8:24] THIS IS IT THAT BELONGETH UNTO THE LEVITES: FROM TWENTY AND FIVE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD THEY SHALL GO IN TO WAIT UPON THE SERVICE OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION:
[Numbers 8:25] AND FROM THE AGE OF FIFTY YEARS THEY SHALL CEASE WAITING UPON THE SERVICE THEREOF, AND SHALL SERVE NO MORE:
[Numbers 8:26] BUT SHALL MINISTER WITH THEIR BRETHREN IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, TO KEEP THE CHARGE, AND SHALL DO NO SERVICE. THUS SHALT THOU DO UNTO THE LEVITES TOUCHING THEIR CHARGE.
s.3
The Second Passover
Pesach (the Passover) was meant to be kept in the month of Nissan. Someone who was impure or far would not have been able to offer up the Passover sacrifice. They were to be given a second opportunity known as "Pesach Sheni" or the Second Passover a month later on the 14th of Iyar.
[Numbers 9:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES IN THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI, IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE SECOND YEAR AFTER THEY WERE COME OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, SAYING,
[Numbers 9:2] LET THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ALSO KEEP THE PASSOVER AT HIS APPOINTED SEASON.
[Numbers 9:3] IN THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF THIS MONTH, AT EVEN, YE SHALL KEEP IT IN HIS APPOINTED SEASON: ACCORDING TO ALL THE RITES OF IT, AND ACCORDING TO ALL THE CEREMONIES THEREOF, SHALL YE KEEP IT.
[Numbers 9:4] AND MOSES SPAKE UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, THAT THEY SHOULD KEEP THE PASSOVER.
[Numbers 9:5] AND THEY KEPT THE PASSOVER ON THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH AT EVEN IN THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI: ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES, SO DID THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
[Numbers 9:6] AND THERE WERE CERTAIN MEN, WHO WERE DEFILED BY THE DEAD BODY OF A MAN, THAT THEY COULD NOT KEEP THE PASSOVER ON THAT DAY: AND THEY CAME BEFORE MOSES AND BEFORE AARON ON THAT DAY:
[Numbers 9:7] AND THOSE MEN SAID UNTO HIM, WE ARE DEFILED BY THE DEAD BODY OF A MAN: WHEREFORE ARE WE KEPT BACK, THAT WE MAY NOT OFFER AN OFFERING OF THE LORD IN HIS APPOINTED SEASON AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL?
[Numbers 9:8] AND MOSES SAID UNTO THEM, STAND STILL, AND I WILL HEAR WHAT THE LORD WILL COMMAND CONCERNING YOU.
[Numbers 9:9] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 9:10] SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING, IF ANY MAN OF YOU OR OF YOUR POSTERITY SHALL BE UNCLEAN BY REASON OF A DEAD BODY, OR BE IN A JOURNEY AFAR OFF, YET HE SHALL KEEP THE PASSOVER UNTO THE LORD.
[Numbers 9:11] THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH AT EVEN THEY SHALL KEEP IT, AND EAT IT WITH UNLEAVENED BREAD AND BITTER HERBS.
[Numbers 9:12] THEY SHALL LEAVE NONE OF IT UNTO THE MORNING, NOR BREAK ANY BONE OF IT: ACCORDING TO ALL THE ORDINANCES OF THE PASSOVER THEY SHALL KEEP IT.
[Numbers 9:13] BUT THE MAN THAT IS CLEAN, AND IS NOT IN A JOURNEY, AND FORBEARETH TO KEEP THE PASSOVER, EVEN THE SAME SOUL SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE: BECAUSE HE BROUGHT NOT THE OFFERING OF THE LORD IN HIS APPOINTED SEASON, THAT MAN SHALL BEAR HIS SIN.
[Numbers 9:14] AND IF A STRANGER SHALL SOJOURN AMONG YOU, AND WILL KEEP THE PASSOVER UNTO THE LORD; ACCORDING TO THE ORDINANCE OF THE PASSOVER, AND ACCORDING TO THE MANNER THEREOF, SO SHALL HE DO: YE SHALL HAVE ONE ORDINANCE, BOTH FOR THE STRANGER, AND FOR HIM THAT WAS BORN IN THE LAND.
There is one law for the native born-Israelite and the foreigner who comes and identifies with Israel and in effects converts to Torah Law.
So too Ezekiel emphasizes that in the end times the non-Israelite who lives amongst Israelites and has identified with them will receive an inheritance in the tribe he lived with.
The non-Israelite stranger who dwells among you will receive an inheritance together with the Tribe he dwelt amongst (47:22).
[Ezekiel 47:21] SO SHALL YE DIVIDE THIS LAND UNTO YOU ACCORDING TO THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL.
The Land of Israel shall be divided amongst the Tribes of Israel. This land stretches from the western Nile Tributary eastward to the Persian Gulf. It includes Kuwait and parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. In the east it also cuts into Iraq and goes northward to the Caucasus taking in parts of eastern Turkey and Island of Cyprus. In the future there will be climatic changes and a bounty of water enabling the settlement of large Israelite populations. Whether all the Israelites will resettle in the Land or only representative (though large) portions from each family (as seems possible) is uncertain.
[Ezekiel 47:22] AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT YE SHALL DIVIDE IT BY LOT FOR AN INHERITANCE UNTO YOU, AND TO THE STRANGERS THAT SOJOURN AMONG YOU, WHICH SHALL BEGET CHILDREN AMONG YOU: AND THEY SHALL BE UNTO YOU AS BORN IN THE COUNTRY AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; THEY SHALL HAVE INHERITANCE WITH YOU AMONG THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL.
Non-Israelites who have settled amongst us, identified with us and shared our trials and tribulations alongside us will be considered as the same as us. They will be part of whatsoever Tribe of Israel they have dwelt amongst.
s.4
From the day that the Tabernacle (Mishkan) was set up, it was covered by a heavenly Cloud during the day and a fiery cloud at night. Only when the cloud would lift would the People travel. And when the cloud rested, the People would camp.
Two silver trumpets had to be made to be used to assemble the People (or their leaders) and to signal their movement.
Different sounds had different meanings.
After the Israelites entered the Land of Israel, the trumpets were to be sounded during times of trouble and also on festive occasions during Temple service.
An attempt has been made to revive this practice.
In present-day Israel, Real trumpets of silver exist and they are blown by Cohens or Levites at the western Wall when public prayer assemblies are held in times of crisis.
[Numbers 9:15] AND ON THE DAY THAT THE TABERNACLE WAS REARED UP THE CLOUD COVERED THE TABERNACLE, NAMELY, THE TENT OF THE TESTIMONY: AND AT EVEN THERE WAS UPON THE TABERNACLE AS IT WERE THE APPEARANCE OF FIRE, UNTIL THE MORNING.
[Numbers 9:16] SO IT WAS ALWAY: THE CLOUD COVERED IT BY DAY, AND THE APPEARANCE OF FIRE BY NIGHT.
[Numbers 9:17] AND WHEN THE CLOUD WAS TAKEN UP FROM THE TABERNACLE, THEN AFTER THAT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL JOURNEYED: AND IN THE PLACE WHERE THE CLOUD ABODE, THERE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL PITCHED THEIR TENTS.
[Numbers 9:18] AT THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL JOURNEYED, AND AT THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD THEY PITCHED: AS LONG AS THE CLOUD ABODE UPON THE TABERNACLE THEY RESTED IN THEIR TENTS.
[Numbers 9:19] AND WHEN THE CLOUD TARRIED LONG UPON THE TABERNACLE MANY DAYS, THEN THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL KEPT THE CHARGE OF THE LORD, AND JOURNEYED NOT.
[Numbers 9:20] AND SO IT WAS, WHEN THE CLOUD WAS A FEW DAYS UPON THE TABERNACLE; ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD THEY ABODE IN THEIR TENTS, AND ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD THEY JOURNEYED.
[Numbers 9:21] AND SO IT WAS, WHEN THE CLOUD ABODE FROM EVEN UNTO THE MORNING, AND THAT THE CLOUD WAS TAKEN UP IN THE MORNING, THEN THEY JOURNEYED: WHETHER IT WAS BY DAY OR BY NIGHT THAT THE CLOUD WAS TAKEN UP, THEY JOURNEYED.
[Numbers 9:22] OR WHETHER IT WERE TWO DAYS, OR A MONTH, OR A YEAR, THAT THE CLOUD TARRIED UPON THE TABERNACLE, REMAINING THEREON, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ABODE IN THEIR TENTS, AND JOURNEYED NOT: BUT WHEN IT WAS TAKEN UP, THEY JOURNEYED.
[Numbers 9:23] AT THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD THEY RESTED IN THE TENTS, AND AT THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD THEY JOURNEYED: THEY KEPT THE CHARGE OF THE LORD, AT THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD BY THE HAND OF MOSES.
[Numbers 10:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 10:2] MAKE THEE TWO TRUMPETS OF SILVER; OF A WHOLE PIECE SHALT THOU MAKE THEM: THAT THOU MAYEST USE THEM FOR THE CALLING OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND FOR THE JOURNEYING OF THE CAMPS.
[Numbers 10:3] AND WHEN THEY SHALL BLOW WITH THEM, ALL THE ASSEMBLY SHALL ASSEMBLE THEMSELVES TO THEE AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION.
[Numbers 10:4] AND IF THEY BLOW BUT WITH ONE TRUMPET, THEN THE PRINCES, WHICH ARE HEADS OF THE THOUSANDS OF ISRAEL, SHALL GATHER THEMSELVES UNTO THEE.
[Numbers 10:5] WHEN YE BLOW AN ALARM, THEN THE CAMPS THAT LIE ON THE EAST PARTS SHALL GO FORWARD.
[Numbers 10:6] WHEN YE BLOW AN ALARM THE SECOND TIME, THEN THE CAMPS THAT LIE ON THE SOUTH SIDE SHALL TAKE THEIR JOURNEY: THEY SHALL BLOW AN ALARM FOR THEIR JOURNEYS.
[Numbers 10:7] BUT WHEN THE CONGREGATION IS TO BE GATHERED TOGETHER, YE SHALL BLOW, BUT YE SHALL NOT SOUND AN ALARM.
[Numbers 10:8] AND THE SONS OF AARON, THE PRIESTS, SHALL BLOW WITH THE TRUMPETS; AND THEY SHALL BE TO YOU FOR AN ORDINANCE FOR EVER THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS.
[Numbers 10:9] AND IF YE GO TO WAR IN YOUR LAND AGAINST THE ENEMY THAT OPPRESSETH YOU, THEN YE SHALL BLOW AN ALARM WITH THE TRUMPETS; AND YE SHALL BE REMEMBERED BEFORE THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND YE SHALL BE SAVED FROM YOUR ENEMIES.
[Numbers 10:10] ALSO IN THE DAY OF YOUR GLADNESS, AND IN YOUR SOLEMN DAYS, AND IN THE BEGINNINGS OF YOUR MONTHS, YE SHALL BLOW WITH THE TRUMPETS OVER YOUR BURNT OFFERINGS, AND OVER THE SACRIFICES OF YOUR PEACE OFFERINGS; THAT THEY MAY BE TO YOU FOR A MEMORIAL BEFORE YOUR GOD: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.
s.5
The Cloud lifted from off the Tabernacle. The Israelites moved en masse on their journey through the wilderness. Yehuda, Yissachar and Zevulun went first.
TT (Torah Titbit by Phil Chernofsky):
##The Mishkan was dismantled and the Levi-families of Gershon and M'rari followed with their ladened, covered wagons. Then came the grouping of Reuven, Shimon and Gad. Then the Levi family of K'hat carrying the sacred vessels followed. Next came Efrayim, Menashe, and Binyamin followed by Dan, Asher and Naftali.##
[Numbers 10:11] AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE TWENTIETH DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH, IN THE SECOND YEAR, THAT THE CLOUD WAS TAKEN UP FROM OFF THE TABERNACLE OF THE TESTIMONY.
[Numbers 10:12] AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TOOK THEIR JOURNEYS OUT OF THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI; AND THE CLOUD RESTED IN THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN.
[Numbers 10:13] AND THEY FIRST TOOK THEIR JOURNEY ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD BY THE HAND OF MOSES.
[Numbers 10:14] IN THE FIRST PLACE WENT THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF THE CHILDREN OF JUDAH ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES: AND OVER HIS HOST WAS NAHSHON THE SON OF AMMINADAB.
[Numbers 10:15] AND OVER THE HOST OF THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISSACHAR WAS NETHANEEL THE SON OF ZUAR.
[Numbers 10:16] AND OVER THE HOST OF THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF ZEBULUN WAS ELIAB THE SON OF HELON.
[Numbers 10:17] AND THE TABERNACLE WAS TAKEN DOWN; AND THE SONS OF GERSHON AND THE SONS OF MERARI SET FORWARD, BEARING THE TABERNACLE.
[Numbers 10:18] AND THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF REUBEN SET FORWARD ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES: AND OVER HIS HOST WAS ELIZUR THE SON OF SHEDEUR.
[Numbers 10:19] AND OVER THE HOST OF THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF SIMEON WAS SHELUMIEL THE SON OF ZURISHADDAI.
[Numbers 10:20] AND OVER THE HOST OF THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF GAD WAS ELIASAPH THE SON OF DEUEL.
[Numbers 10:21] AND THE KOHATHITES SET FORWARD, BEARING THE SANCTUARY: AND THE OTHER DID SET UP THE TABERNACLE AGAINST THEY CAME.
[Numbers 10:22] AND THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF THE CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM SET FORWARD ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES: AND OVER HIS HOST WAS ELISHAMA THE SON OF AMMIHUD.
[Numbers 10:23] AND OVER THE HOST OF THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF MANASSEH WAS GAMALIEL THE SON OF PEDAHZUR.
[Numbers 10:24] AND OVER THE HOST OF THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN WAS ABIDAN THE SON OF GIDEONI.
[Numbers 10:25] AND THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF THE CHILDREN OF DAN SET FORWARD, WHICH WAS THE REREWARD OF ALL THE CAMPS THROUGHOUT THEIR HOSTS: AND OVER HIS HOST WAS AHIEZER THE SON OF AMMISHADDAI.
[Numbers 10:26] AND OVER THE HOST OF THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF ASHER WAS PAGIEL THE SON OF OCRAN.
[Numbers 10:27] AND OVER THE HOST OF THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF NAPHTALI WAS AHIRA THE SON OF ENAN.
[Numbers 10:28] THUS WERE THE JOURNEYINGS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES, WHEN THEY SET FORWARD.
[Numbers 10:29] AND MOSES SAID UNTO HOBAB, THE SON OF RAGUEL THE MIDIANITE, MOSES' FATHER IN LAW, WE ARE JOURNEYING UNTO THE PLACE OF WHICH THE LORD SAID, I WILL GIVE IT YOU: COME THOU WITH US, AND WE WILL DO THEE GOOD: FOR THE LORD HATH SPOKEN GOOD CONCERNING ISRAEL.
Hobab is considered to be same as Jethro but by another name. The Midianites were a dark people. Moses had married Zipporah who was a Midianitess. Moses was criticized for this but God defended Moses and rebuked those who were criticizing him as we shall see below.
[Numbers 10:30] AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, I WILL NOT GO; BUT I WILL DEPART TO MINE OWN LAND, AND TO MY KINDRED.
[Numbers 10:31] AND HE SAID, LEAVE US NOT, I PRAY THEE; FORASMUCH AS THOU KNOWEST HOW WE ARE TO ENCAMP IN THE WILDERNESS, AND THOU MAYEST BE TO US INSTEAD OF EYES.
[Numbers 10:32] AND IT SHALL BE, IF THOU GO WITH US, YEA, IT SHALL BE, THAT WHAT GOODNESS THE LORD SHALL DO UNTO US, THE SAME WILL WE DO UNTO THEE.
[Numbers 10:33] AND THEY DEPARTED FROM THE MOUNT OF THE LORD THREE DAYS' JOURNEY: AND THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD WENT BEFORE THEM IN THE THREE DAYS' JOURNEY, TO SEARCH OUT A RESTING PLACE FOR THEM.
[Numbers 10:34] AND THE CLOUD OF THE LORD WAS UPON THEM BY DAY, WHEN THEY WENT OUT OF THE CAMP.
s.6
[Numbers 10:35] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN THE ARK SET FORWARD, THAT MOSES SAID, RISE UP, LORD, AND LET THINE ENEMIES BE SCATTERED; AND LET THEM THAT HATE THEE FLEE BEFORE THEE.
[Numbers 10:36] AND WHEN IT RESTED, HE SAID, RETURN, O LORD, UNTO THE MANY THOUSANDS OF ISRAEL.
[Numbers 11:1] AND WHEN THE PEOPLE COMPLAINED, IT DISPLEASED THE LORD: AND THE LORD HEARD IT; AND HIS ANGER WAS KINDLED; AND THE FIRE OF THE LORD BURNT AMONG THEM, AND CONSUMED THEM THAT WERE IN THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE CAMP.
[Numbers 11:2] AND THE PEOPLE CRIED UNTO MOSES; AND WHEN MOSES PRAYED UNTO THE LORD, THE FIRE WAS QUENCHED.
[Numbers 11:3] AND HE CALLED THE NAME OF THE PLACE TABERAH: BECAUSE THE FIRE OF THE LORD BURNT AMONG THEM.
[Numbers 11:4] AND THE MIXT MULTITUDE THAT WAS AMONG THEM FELL A LUSTING: AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ALSO WEPT AGAIN, AND SAID, WHO SHALL GIVE US FLESH TO EAT?
They wanted food. Some people criticize the Israelites for their complaining and so on but we would probably have been worse if we had have been placed in similar situations.
[Numbers 11:5] WE REMEMBER THE FISH, WHICH WE DID EAT IN EGYPT FREELY; THE CUCUMBERS, AND THE MELONS, AND THE LEEKS, AND THE ONIONS, AND THE GARLICK:
[Numbers 11:6] BUT NOW OUR SOUL IS DRIED AWAY: THERE IS NOTHING AT ALL, BESIDE THIS MANNA, BEFORE OUR EYES.
[Numbers 11:7] AND THE MANNA WAS AS CORIANDER SEED, AND THE COLOUR THEREOF AS THE COLOUR OF BDELLIUM.
[Numbers 11:8] AND THE PEOPLE WENT ABOUT, AND GATHERED IT, AND GROUND IT IN MILLS, OR BEAT IT IN A MORTAR, AND BAKED IT IN PANS, AND MADE CAKES OF IT: AND THE TASTE OF IT WAS AS THE TASTE OF FRESH OIL.
[Numbers 11:9] AND WHEN THE DEW FELL UPON THE CAMP IN THE NIGHT, THE MANNA FELL UPON IT.
[Numbers 11:10] THEN MOSES HEARD THE PEOPLE WEEP THROUGHOUT THEIR FAMILIES, EVERY MAN IN THE DOOR OF HIS TENT: AND THE ANGER OF THE LORD WAS KINDLED GREATLY; MOSES ALSO WAS DISPLEASED.
[Numbers 11:11] AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE LORD, WHEREFORE HAST THOU AFFLICTED THY SERVANT? AND WHEREFORE HAVE I NOT FOUND FAVOUR IN THY SIGHT, THAT THOU LAYEST THE BURDEN OF ALL THIS PEOPLE UPON ME?
[Numbers 11:12] HAVE I CONCEIVED ALL THIS PEOPLE? HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEM, THAT THOU SHOULDEST SAY UNTO ME, CARRY THEM IN THY BOSOM, AS A NURSING FATHER BEARETH THE SUCKING CHILD, UNTO THE LAND WHICH THOU SWAREST UNTO THEIR FATHERS?
[Numbers 11:13] WHENCE SHOULD I HAVE FLESH TO GIVE UNTO ALL THIS PEOPLE? FOR THEY WEEP UNTO ME, SAYING, GIVE US FLESH, THAT WE MAY EAT.
[Numbers 11:14] I AM NOT ABLE TO BEAR ALL THIS PEOPLE ALONE, BECAUSE IT IS TOO HEAVY FOR ME.
[Numbers 11:15] AND IF THOU DEAL THUS WITH ME, KILL ME, I PRAY THEE, OUT OF HAND, IF I HAVE FOUND FAVOUR IN THY SIGHT; AND LET ME NOT SEE MY WRETCHEDNESS.
[Numbers 11:16] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, GATHER UNTO ME SEVENTY MEN OF THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL, WHOM THOU KNOWEST TO BE THE ELDERS OF THE PEOPLE, AND OFFICERS OVER THEM; AND BRING THEM UNTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, THAT THEY MAY STAND THERE WITH THEE.
These seventy elders comprised the first Sanhedrin. They comprised a national council of statesman who made decisions and decided how the Law should be applied in practice. From these decisions precedents were set down and this became the Oral tradition that we need in order to know how to keep the Commandments,
[Numbers 11:17] AND I WILL COME DOWN AND TALK WITH THEE THERE: AND I WILL TAKE OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS UPON THEE, AND WILL PUT IT UPON THEM; AND THEY SHALL BEAR THE BURDEN OF THE PEOPLE WITH THEE, THAT THOU BEAR IT NOT THYSELF ALONE.
The Divine Presence was to settle on the Sanhedrin. They who transmit the Oral Law i.e. the Sages and Rabbis in a sense have been Divinely Inspired.
[Numbers 11:18] AND SAY THOU UNTO THE PEOPLE, SANCTIFY YOURSELVES AGAINST TO MORROW, AND YE SHALL EAT FLESH: FOR YE HAVE WEPT IN THE EARS OF THE LORD, SAYING, WHO SHALL GIVE US FLESH TO EAT? FOR IT WAS WELL WITH US IN EGYPT: THEREFORE THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU FLESH, AND YE SHALL EAT.
[Numbers 11:19] YE SHALL NOT EAT ONE DAY, NOR TWO DAYS, NOR FIVE DAYS, NEITHER TEN DAYS, NOR TWENTY DAYS;
[Numbers 11:20] BUT EVEN A WHOLE MONTH, UNTIL IT COME OUT AT YOUR NOSTRILS, AND IT BE LOATHSOME UNTO YOU: BECAUSE THAT YE HAVE DESPISED THE LORD WHICH IS AMONG YOU, AND HAVE WEPT BEFORE HIM, SAYING, WHY CAME WE FORTH OUT OF EGYPT?
[Numbers 11:21] AND MOSES SAID, THE PEOPLE, AMONG WHOM I AM, ARE SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND FOOTMEN; AND THOU HAST SAID, I WILL GIVE THEM FLESH, THAT THEY MAY EAT A WHOLE MONTH.
[Numbers 11:22] SHALL THE FLOCKS AND THE HERDS BE SLAIN FOR THEM, TO SUFFICE THEM? OR SHALL ALL THE FISH OF THE SEA BE GATHERED TOGETHER FOR THEM, TO SUFFICE THEM?
[Numbers 11:23] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, IS THE LORD'S HAND WAXED SHORT? THOU SHALT SEE NOW WHETHER MY WORD SHALL COME TO PASS UNTO THEE OR NOT.
[Numbers 11:24] AND MOSES WENT OUT, AND TOLD THE PEOPLE THE WORDS OF THE LORD, AND GATHERED THE SEVENTY MEN OF THE ELDERS OF THE PEOPLE, AND SET THEM ROUND ABOUT THE TABERNACLE.
[Numbers 11:25] AND THE LORD CAME DOWN IN A CLOUD, AND SPAKE UNTO HIM, AND TOOK OF THE SPIRIT THAT WAS UPON HIM, AND GAVE IT UNTO THE SEVENTY ELDERS: AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT, WHEN THE SPIRIT RESTED UPON THEM, THEY PROPHESIED, AND DID NOT CEASE.
[Numbers 11:26] BUT THERE REMAINED TWO OF THE MEN IN THE CAMP, THE NAME OF THE ONE WAS ELDAD, AND THE NAME OF THE OTHER MEDAD: AND THE SPIRIT RESTED UPON THEM; AND THEY WERE OF THEM THAT WERE WRITTEN, BUT WENT NOT OUT UNTO THE TABERNACLE: AND THEY PROPHESIED IN THE CAMP.
[Numbers 11:27] AND THERE RAN A YOUNG MAN, AND TOLD MOSES, AND SAID, ELDAD AND MEDAD DO PROPHESY IN THE CAMP.
[Numbers 11:28] AND JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN, THE SERVANT OF MOSES, ONE OF HIS YOUNG MEN, ANSWERED AND SAID, MY LORD MOSES, FORBID THEM.
[Numbers 11:29] AND MOSES SAID UNTO HIM, ENVIEST THOU FOR MY SAKE? WOULD GOD THAT ALL THE LORD'S PEOPLE WERE PROPHETS, AND THAT THE LORD WOULD PUT HIS SPIRIT UPON THEM!
This more or less sums up an important principle.
Being born into a task or having been officially appointed and nurtured in it is important and helpful. Nevertheless the bottom line is that someone who comes and works voluntarily towards doing the will of the Almighty will also make it.
This is an important point.
