Text Box: The Parasha taken from Numbers 19:1-22;1 includes a few mysteries for us. The two I wish to address herein are the red heifer and the sin of Moses that results in him not getting to enter the promised land. The scriptures tell us there is to be a statute forever to the children of Israel and to the stranger who dwells among them. It involves the slaughter of a red cow. The sacrifice of the red cow is done outside of the camp. This is the only sacrifice that does not occur at the tabernacle or temple of the L-rd. Why is it done? It is said to purify from sin. Is a person purified from sin by the sprinkling of water with these special ashes? And from what sin are they purified? The ashes of the animal cleanse those who have come into contact with a corpse. But is someone coming into contact with a corpse guilty of sin? There are those who say the sin of the Golden Calf during the time of the giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai is purified by this act, but then why does it have to be a commandment for all generations? This becomes one of the great mysteries of the Torah and I find I must resign the question to the rabbis who say, "An essential component of wisdom is the knowledge that man's failure to understand truth does not make it untrue." The sin of Moses resulting in his not being able to enter the land is much easier to discuss. Our Parasha study group this week found interesting items in this portion. Most people realize that Moses was told to speak to the rock to bring forth water and instead he struck the rock. They see this as the sin. He disobeyed and that was all it took to result in his not being allowed into the promised land. If that was the case, and any sign of disobedience would disqualify a person from entry, how did anyone make it in? I think there is more to it. First of all we must realize Moses' mindset. In Exodus 17:6 Moses took some of the elders with him, and following G-d's command, struck the rock at Horeb as directed by G-d, and water flowed from the rock. Now, however, Moses had seen water from a rock before and he knew what he did at that time to have it come forth. Reading in Numbers chapter 20 we see Moses facing the people who are once again arguing and ready to rebel once more. Moses speaks to them, "Hear now you rebels…" There are those who say this is the key of Moses' sin. They state Moses acted in anger and therein lies the great sin. But many other people demonstrated anger and don't pay such a great price as Moses is to pay. I think the rest of the quote shows the great sin. "Must we bring water for you out of this rock." This was done with Aaron, the high priest, with him. G-d said to speak to the rock and water would come forth, but rather than allow G-d's glory to show forth to the people, Moses took on the place of G-d and stated "Must WE bring forth water." His past experience had him go back to what he "knew" would work, and as before, he struck the rock. In doing so, he stated that he and Aaron were bringing forth water from the rock. Man didn't bring forth the water, G-d did. This is the great sin that resulted in Moses not getting to enter the land of promise. Moses relied upon his own past experiences and determined that he knew what was best and that he would be the one to do the miraculous deed. But...G-d had called him to a new action and one that would give all the glory to G-d. When we choose to act on our own understanding, when we refuse to let G-d call us to new ways to do things, when we take the credit for G-d's actions; we make ourselves as G-d. There it is again, Satan in the Garden, "You can be as G-d." And for this repeat of the sin of Adam, Moses remains outside of the land of Promise as does his brother Aaron. In what ways do we try to take the glory for what G-d is doing in our lives? Do we give credit to the King of Kings and L-rd of L-rds, the one and only G-d of all the universe? The sin of making ourselves to be G-d always carries a great price. Selah —

This week’s Parasha

Standing Strong

A Messianic Jewish Congregation with an outreach to Believers in Israel

June 23—Statute of

Numbers 19:1-22:1

Judges 11:1-33

With additional readings for Christians

John 3:10-21

Phil 2:12-18