Haftarah (Conclusion) 1 Kings 18:46 – 19:21 Outline & Summary – Plus – RCS (Renewed Covenant Scriptures) Connections
Torah – Haftarah Connection
Though Eliyahu (‘The God of me (is the) LORD) the Prophet is far better known among Christians, Pinchas also displays a tremendous zeal for the LORD when it comes to stopping the Israelites from idolatry. As one rabbinic commentary points out both took very bold action against the treachery of idolatry.
In the case of Pinchas, it was because the Israelites allowed themselves – actually the Israelite men – to be very inappropriately drawn to Midianite women, following what Bilam (‘Balaam’) in the previous week’s Torah portion had Balak do with Israel.
The LORD was of course very correctly concerned that if the Israelites got involved with other people, they would get involved with other people’s Idols as well. This is why the Israelites are repeatedly told in the Torah – and by the Prophets – “Do not get involved with the Nations!”
In Pinchas’ case, he took immediate and very decisive action against an Israelite man and a Midianite woman of status.
With Eliyahu, the wicked Ezebel (‘Jezebel’) clearly misled Israel’s King Achav (‘Ahab’) and Israel more as a whole, whereas with Pinchas it was only some of the Israelites. No one sought Pinchas’ life, whereas Ezebel wanted Eliyahu dead.
In sum, the Connection between the Torah and Haftarah is that each teaches about brave men with great zeal for the LORD.
RCS (Renewed Covenant Scriptures) Connection
Paul also very much in some instances had to deal with new Gentile followers who had kept the vestiges – or more – of their former pagan lives, while following Yeshua. Cf. 1 & 2 Corinthians especially. Both Peter – particularly in 2nd Peter – and Judah (not ‘Jude’), had to also deal with pagan-based misunderstandings and approaches by Gentile followers. Cf. especially Revelation 2-3 and what Yeshua says to those followers who have gone after or mixed in pagan religion!
RCS Connections with the Torah Reading
Num. 27:16. – Heb. 12:9
Num. 27:17. – Mt. 9:36, Mk. 6:34
The Num. 27:17 citation found twice in the Gospel, should – very much so – be particularly noted. In Numbers, Moshe is concerned that since the LORD has told him that he will not be leading the Israelites into Israel, that the Israelites not be left like sheep without a shepherd. This shows a tremendously, what is called in Hebrew, very high spiritual level, and a character trait of all of the greats of the Bible.
That is, no concern for themselves and great concern for the Jewish People! Yeshua not once but on two different occasions feels in his guts for his fellow Jews, as he sees that they are in a situation of being like sheep without a shepherd.
In Matthew, it is in the context of Yeshua having gone around and taught and healed people in their synagogues. He sees that his fellow Jews of the Galil are like sheep without a shepherd. In Hebrew the word ‘compassion’ comes from a verb meaning ‘to protect; like a soft touch of the womb’. In fact, the Hebrew word compassion and womb have the same root letters.
In Mark, Yeshua has the same feeling for his fellow Jews, who after Yeshua and his beloved Taught Ones arrive, Yeshua is moved to compassion towards the crowds of fellow Jews flocking towards him.
These two citations in particular should be noted for the following key reason.
Unfortunately, Western Tradition teaching typically portrays Yeshua’s opponents as ‘the Jews’. Western Tradition teaching does not though identify that when those crowds seek Yeshua for a positive reason, they are Jews. In that instance, they are always portrayed as somehow generic human beings.
Yeshua’s attitude towards his people is always portrayed by Western Tradition in very negative terms. Christians are never taught – very tragically and unfortunately – that Yeshua does not just castigate or criticize the Jewish People. Yeshua also cares very deeply for them! There are some scholars who are astute enough to recognize that generally, Yeshua’s opponents in the Gospels are often not the people, but leadership.
If my dear Christian brethren were taught that Yeshua cared for his fellow Jews especially in his home area of the Galil, Christians would feel even more for the Jewish People and Jewish Brothers (followers of Yeshua) as their Jewish Savior does. Imagine the tremendous potential possibilities!
Summary & Keys of the Chapters of This Week’s Torah Reading
Chapter 25:10 – 13 – The Opening of the Reading
The LORD wants Israel to know what Pinchas did.
Pinchas is rewarded by the LORD with a covenant for his very decisive action on behalf of the LORD.
A Deeper Taste
Pinchas did not take the ‘correct theological position’ – nor did he ‘pray’ about what he should do, nor did he wait for the LORD to do something about the situation. Pinchas made what is called in Hebrew an ‘effort’. Pinchas was in a position and he was given the ability to do something to stop what was going on – so he took very decisive action!
As we repeatedly repeat in our teaching: Hebrew is action-oriented; Greek is passive and position-oriented. The overwhelming emphasis of Scripture is on action/active.
The covenant of shalom (simple English translation ‘Peace’) that the LORD made with Pinchas, includes the deeper meaning ‘restoration of relationship, concern for the well-being of others; not just a superficial coexistence but a harmony and an organic interaction’. The LORD restored this to Israel because of Pinchas’ action on His behalf. In his role as a descendant of Aharon, he would help bring the Israelites together with the LORD.
What is translated ‘priest’ when it comes to Aharon & his descendants comes from a verb ‘to serve as a leader’. More deeply in Hebrew is the idea of drawing the People together as the thumb draws the fingers of the hand together (In Hebrew the word for the type of priest Aharon and his descendants were is directly related to the Hebrew word thumb, and also the big toe).
There would now be a different attitude towards Midian. The Midianites had harassed and spiritually oppressed the Israelites; now the Midianites would be strongly harassed. This is yet another example of a key Torah principle known in Hebrew as ‘measure like before a measure’, i.e., ‘measure for measure’. This word in Yiddish means ’aggravation’. Yiddish, a mixture of Hebrew and German, was spoken by most European Jews before the Shoah, the Devastation, the Hebrew term for the Holocaust.
The Midianites by their action were spiritually striking the Israelites. The LORD now instructs Moshe that the Midianites must be slain. People of God cannot have people who are totally morally bankrupt around them.
Chapter 26
A new census is taken. As we point out in our audio Getting More from The Book of Numbers, we very much encourage you to read through all these names, for the reason we explained. Don’t approach this with a Western Mind, but rather, with a Hebrew heart! Meaning, it doesn’t matter whether these particular names resonate with you or not. That each of these names was recorded, means that each and every one of them was very special to the LORD. Praise God because of Yeshua so do we!
A census is taken of the the Levi’im (‘Levites’, from the Hebrew verb ‘to fasten, to attach’). The Levi’im’s role was to help the Israelites attached to the LORD. The Levi’im, it must be remembered, were not assigned territory for a heritage. Rather, the People would provide for them from what the LORD provided for the People.
A Deeper Taste
Paul’s Greek in Rom. 15:16 tells us that Paul saw his ministry among the Gentiles like that of a priestly attendant at the Temple. Paul had spent a lot of time at the Temple when he was in Jerusalem. Paul sees his ministry to the Gentiles within a Torah-based framework; not, that of a 21st-century missionary from a Gentile denomination.
Chapter 27
Zelophehad’s daughters do not want to be left out of ‘a possession’, i.e., ‘a heritage’, because their father had died and he had no sons. The Hebrew used here comes from the verb ‘possess’.
The LORD tells Moshe literally yes, meaning that the daughters have spoken properly and that they should possess a possession. The Hebrew used here is that of a possession rather than the Hebrew for a heritage.
The LORD then instructs Moshe in detail regarding various family situations and inheritance
The LORD shows Moshe the land that will become Israel.
Moshe demonstrates a character trait of the greats of the Bible, and most exemplified by Yeshua. Moshe is more concerned for the Jewish People than his Self. As difficult as it will be for Moshe not to enter the land so he’ll continue to lead the Jewish People, his concern is he does not want the Jewish People to be without a leader.
As we pointed out above; please be sure to cf. verse 17 here with Mt. 9:36 and Mk. 6:34!
Moshe wants a successor for him so the Israelites are not like sheep without a shepherd. Moshe is told to take Yehoshua (‘Joshua) who will replace Moshe in leading the Israelites into what becomes the Land of Israel.
Chapters 28 & 29
These two chapters contain the LORD’S commandment for the Israelites when it comes to the Festivals. As we repeatedly repeat in our teaching, ‘commandment’ in Hebrew more deeply means ‘fulfilling of which leads to fullness of life, delegation of authority while the LORD retains control; like being assigned to a (military) post’. ‘Festival’ in Hebrew comes from ‘circle’ and were times the Israelites were told to circle around the LORD.
The LORD gives as fulfilling of which leads to fullness of life, and with it very specific instruction on additional ways of, in Hebrew, drawing near to him, by the Community. As we also have repeatedly repeated in our teaching; the Torah’s Hebrew actually has no words for sacrifice or offering.
God does not need sacrifices and offerings! Cf. Micah 6:8. Sacrifices and offerings were something the pagans did to manipulate, bribe, or assuage the wrath of their no gods. What the Israelites needed – and what Man needs – is a way to draw near to the LORD, and to act for a higher spiritual purpose.
This has been accomplished for us through the coming and the atonement of Yeshua!
What is translated ‘offering ‘ in Num. 28:1 in Hebrew, is the same word in the opening of the Book of Vayikra ‘And Called’, known from its Greek based name as Leviticus. That is, in Hebrew, ‘to draw near’. From this comes the Korban that Yeshua refers to in Mk. 7:11.
The LORD instructs very specifically what the Israelites are to do on a continual daily basis, as well as the Sabbath, the New Moon, and the various Appointed Times. These are given and are part of the Covenant that Israel agreed to with the LORD, in accepting His Torah.
Regarding Gentiles and the Festivals
If you didn’t already, we cannot warmly but strongly encourage you enough to please listen to the audios on the Home page above the weekly Torah reading and teaching: Yeshua, the Torah, and Christians – the Importance of Getting It Right and Why.
Also please: Be sure to check out our teaching further down on the Home page in the section entitled “What Does Scripture Actually Emphasize for Christians”.
Mussar – Ethics, Morals, Discipline, Commitment
As a descendant of Aharon, Pinchas had been assigned an extremely important role. As was pointed out above, the Hebrew for Priest when it comes to Aharon and his descendants, means ‘to serve as a leader’ and also more deeply to draw the people together. That is exactly what Pinchas did without hesitation by acting very boldly and very directly in killing the Israelite man and Midianite woman who were doing something they absolutely should not have been doing!
Those given leadership positions by God today do not have to take – very obviously (!) – the physical action that Pinchas did. Nevertheless, when necessary, when seeing something that is grossly wrong, they must not be afraid to call it out!
Whether it is Christianity’s greatest failure or not can be debated but tragically beyond words evangelical leadership in Germany leading up to and during the time of the Shoah, the Devastation, the Holocaust, overall as a whole failed – completely – to take any action – or even to say anything. Dietrich Bonhoeffer reached out to evangelical leadership, but unfortunately, he was met with hearts of stone….
One thing followers of Yeshua can learn from the example of Pinchas and Eliyahu today? Where the Body is starting to acquiesce towards some of the ungodly agenda in the West, it needs to be spoken against; rather than accommodating it in order or with the hope of reaching more people.
As followers we are supposed to be a godly model and example to society and influence those around us accordingly; not the other way around! Cf. 1 Peter 2.
Speaking the truth in love, I have very frankly been very disheartened and disappointed in the overall lack of bold and direct Christian action at what took place on college campuses and elsewhere, following Israel needing – yet again because they weren’t allowed to finish Hamas in 2014 – or earlier – having to go back into Azza (‘ stronghold’, ‘ Gaza’).
The real test of our ethical and moral core is when push comes to shove, and how we do – or don’t – react. Do we react with the courage of Pinchas and Eliyahu?
Strengthening & Encouragement
There are times when our steadfast trustworthiness as followers of Yeshua will be put to the test. Something will need to be said or done that isn’t comfortable or easy and takes courage and strength of character to do so.
Praise God as followers of Yeshua we are equipped with the Ruach Hakodesh (original Hebrew name of the Holy Spirit)! When the time comes to stand up and be counted, we don’t have to try to rely on our own inner strength. We point out in our teaching that ruach, translated ‘spirit, breath, wind’, comes from a Hebrew verb ‘to force open space’. Cf. Ex. 14:19.
When the time comes, we should be reminded and encouraged that the Ruach will force open the space that we need and will equip, empower, and guide us as to exactly what we need to do in a difficult situation.
We should also be reminded that if there is a specific teaching in the Bible about how to handle a particular situation, we don’t need to pray or wait – but rather to decisively act!
Some years ago an assembly was looking to have a Messianic Passover Seder done, and they were willing to provide a pretty fair amount of regular support for doing so. They wanted the Seder (‘Order’) done in July which was obviously well past the Season. (I won’t get into it here but I had already stopped doing any more of these for several reasons).
I told them I was more than happy to teach on anything at any time; but they very much insisted that it be a Seder. I reiterated that I would be happy to teach them, but I no longer did these, and I most especially was not going to do an actual Seder well out of Season and I explained why. They said in that case they would not consider supporting me. I pointed out some things that Scripture says about supporting the Jew and Jewish Brother, but told them so be it….
Frankly, I very desperately needed the support. But I knew that if I were seeking to do the right thing for the right reason and I was not rewarded in what in Hebrew is known as This World, then I would be in what is known as The World to Come.