Text Box: It is only proper that the zealous Pinchas in the sidra is connected with Elijah, an equally zealous man of G-d. But the reading have a great contrast. Pinchas, who went into the tabernacle tent of assembly and killed had ever reason to be afraid for what he had done. G-d had not directed him to do so and to spill blood in the tabernacle…. Elijah on the other hand, Elijah who has done as G-d directed is in sudden fear of Queen Jezebel when she threatens to kill him in the same manner as he killed the prophets of Baal. He does not seek G-d in this situation but runs and hide sin a cave. There he laments, praying for death saying: “It is too much! Take my life now, Eternal One; I am no better than my forebears.” What did Elijah mean by this prayer of being no better than his forebears? Did he mean that because the queen did not repent that he failed in the mission G-d gave him? Did he mean that he didn’t have the ability to stand up to the queen and was sure to die as his forebears did? I think he is lamenting his own failure at having run. Having done so much in G-d’s name, having seen the glory of G-d at work, his fear got the better of him and he did not stand in faith during this time of stress. So many times we think ill of those who don’t have the faith to stand strong during troubles. We frequently say, If I had seen all those things and done all those things in G-d’s name, I would have never run. This level of pride is a danger for all of us. We see with Elijah the frailty of our courage. We need to lay our pride down and realize that we do not know what we will do until the situation arises. We need to pray for strength at the time we will undergo the test. We need to seek G-d for our strength. But where is He to be found. We see the greatness of His might. Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes…. But I still do not see people repenting of the sins of the nation and seeking G-d’s direction. We need to seek G-d as Elijah did. After the wind that shattered rocks, after the earthquake the shook the mountains, after the fire that consumed all in its path. The still small voice. We often seek great signs from G-d to let us know He is near. Yet we see here that G-d can come in a still small voice. When we are yelling for the show of fire, and wind, and earthly wonders to prove G-d is there, we don’t hear the still small voice for all our yelling. When the still small voice comes will we wrap ourselves in our prayer shawls (Tallit) and meet god in the quiet. Do we allow a time each day for Scripture study and quiet to hear His voice direct us. Once Elijah showed this humility, then the L-rd appointed his apprentice. Elijah allows Elisha to honor his father and mother by saying good bye to them. He slaughters the oxen of his old calling so that he can not turn back. Prepares them as Kosher food by boiling to remove all the blood from the meat and then gives it as an offering to all the people to eat. Then he follows G-d. What an incredible model for us to follow when we are called to serve G-d. Selah Shabbat times and candle lighting

This week’s Parasha and HafTorah

Standing Strong

A Messianic Jewish Congregation with an outreach to Believers in Israel

July 19,  2008— Pinchas

Num 25:10-30:1

1 Kgs 18:46-19:21

With additional readings

John 2:13-25

Gal 1:13-21
Text Box: In 2006-7 / 5767 I wrote on the Parashot, Torah portions, on the ponderings and things revealed to me through research and prayer.  To access those writings click here or click on the title of the Parasha above to go to this week's portion  To access all past teachings click here. For 2007-8 / 5768  I will be writing on the Haftorah portions that are read in conjunction with the Torah portion for that week.  If you have a question you wish to have addressed, please write to us at mail@standingstrong.org.