- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on May 20, 2020 0:57:59 GMT -8
Name of Par’shah- 34.3 Bamidbar- In the Desert
Par’shah- Num 1:1-4:20
D’rash: Numbers 1 is a commandment to take a census, instructions for taking it, and the results of said census. Ch. 2 is instructions for setting up the camp. Numbers 4 just lays out the duties of the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites. However in ch. 3 there are some commandments which could be applicable today.
Numbers 3:6 (ESV) “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. The contemporary “tribe of Levi” can be thought to be the officers and elders in our congregations. Part of their duties is to minister to the Rabbi or leader of the congregation.
Numbers 3:7-8,10 (ESV) They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. … And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.” It is their responsibility to guard the leadership as well as the property of the congregation, all of which belongs ultimately to God. Only in extreme cases would they put anyone to death, however this could be equated to expelling those who are a threat from the congregation. And these days, many churches and synagogues have armed persons strategically stationed to deal with a gunman or other deadly assault. It cannot be stressed enough that these people should be proficient with their firearms and well trained in dealing with assaults of this type.
Numbers 3:15 (ESV) “List the sons of Levi, by fathers' houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” We need clear membership rosters in our congregations.
Numbers 3:45-47 (ESV) “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, you shall take five shekels[c] per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs),” All firstborn should be redeemed by paying 5 shekels.” A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams, so the price would be 55 grams of gold. Gold can be purchased from rare metals dealers. Small amounts are usually sold in strips, and these can be cut to give exact amounts. My old synagogue collected this even if the firstborn was grown and left home.
Interestingly, the list of commandments for Judaism does not take anything from these chapters at all. In fact, there are no commandments from Numbers until ch, 5.
Par’shah- Num 1:1-4:20
D’rash: Numbers 1 is a commandment to take a census, instructions for taking it, and the results of said census. Ch. 2 is instructions for setting up the camp. Numbers 4 just lays out the duties of the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites. However in ch. 3 there are some commandments which could be applicable today.
Numbers 3:6 (ESV) “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. The contemporary “tribe of Levi” can be thought to be the officers and elders in our congregations. Part of their duties is to minister to the Rabbi or leader of the congregation.
Numbers 3:7-8,10 (ESV) They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. … And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.” It is their responsibility to guard the leadership as well as the property of the congregation, all of which belongs ultimately to God. Only in extreme cases would they put anyone to death, however this could be equated to expelling those who are a threat from the congregation. And these days, many churches and synagogues have armed persons strategically stationed to deal with a gunman or other deadly assault. It cannot be stressed enough that these people should be proficient with their firearms and well trained in dealing with assaults of this type.
Numbers 3:15 (ESV) “List the sons of Levi, by fathers' houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” We need clear membership rosters in our congregations.
Numbers 3:45-47 (ESV) “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, you shall take five shekels[c] per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs),” All firstborn should be redeemed by paying 5 shekels.” A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams, so the price would be 55 grams of gold. Gold can be purchased from rare metals dealers. Small amounts are usually sold in strips, and these can be cut to give exact amounts. My old synagogue collected this even if the firstborn was grown and left home.
Interestingly, the list of commandments for Judaism does not take anything from these chapters at all. In fact, there are no commandments from Numbers until ch, 5.
