Thursday, May 30, 2013

Shlach Lecha

Parasha 
Shlach Lecha
Numbers 13:1 – 15:41V

Please Pray this
Prayer, before reading

Prayer
In the name of Yahushua
Our Messiyah,
I pray for the Spirit of Understanding
The Spirit pf Knowledge and
The Spirit of Wisdom
As I read through this Parasha
That the Truth of Torah may
Come forth. Amen

The  Torah Portion is Shlach Lecha in the 37th in the Torah cycle, which begins with the verb saying: And YAHVEH spoke to Moses saying “Shlach Lecha,” Send men that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I gave to the Children of Yisrael; of every tribe of their fathers shall you send a man, everyone a prince among them.

In this Torah Portion Moses was told to schlach, or send out a scout from every tribe. When they return, they reported all kind of difficulties, which frightened the camp. The negative report of the twelve scouts resulting in the death of most of them, as well as the forty years of additional wondering in the wilderness.

In order to void the same spiritual mistake today, every believer need to understand where the scouts went wrong. From studying this text, we need to ask, what did they  did wrong? If Moses did indeed told them to go spy out the land and the spies did what was ask of them truthfully, then what did they do wrong?

The first important consideration we can take from this Torah Portion, is the danger of being right! Everything the scout said was accurate, according to how they saw it. But what they forget in their accurate assumption, they did not leave an room for the Will of the CREATOR.

When Missiyah came into the world the first time He like these spies came to spies out the Land spiritually, when the people wanted to crown Him King He refused. They like the spies were only seeing from the physical point of view. Messiyah came first to defeat the Devil spiritually before He would do it physically. The goal of the first set of spies were to establish a spiritual ownership over the Land of Canaan, so that when they enter the land the land would welcome them. They would not have to fight their way to their inheritance.
The spiritual disconnection between what the spies though their job was and the job itself, on the physical level, they were right, but their job had a deeper spiritual dimension, which they neglect. Because the spies thought they were right, their minds was closed to any other possibilities and they were wrong.

In this Torah Portion of Shlach Lecha, the Land of Yisrael is referred to as the Land of Canaan. Indeed, this is not often the case in the Torah. The gift of both the spiritual and physical land of Yisrael is to awaken a level of humility unheard off anywhere else.

In Hebrew, the word Canaan, Kena’an Is similar to the word lehikana’an, which means to surrender. So Moses told the  spies then, as he is telling us today that on this Shabbat, we need to enter the domain of humility and we need to surrender. Those who have spiritually enter the land of Canaan are those who, even if they have achieved something, will view it as nothing.

As the Nation of Yisrael stood at the threshold of the Land of Yisrael, Moses told them that it was time for them to go and conquer it. However, a pivotal incident took place. Twelve of the leaders of the nations, one from each tribe, were sent to survey the land, and bring back a report. However, the report they brought back caused the people to lose faith in their ability to occupy their Divinely ordained inheritance.

As a result the entire generation was condemned to death in the Wilderness and Yisrael’s entry into the Land was delayed for nearly thirty-nine years.
The actions of the spies present many questions. Why was it necessary to send spies, as if EL יהוה YAHVEH’S promise was not sufficient?

After the disastrous outcome of this mission, why did Moses and Joshua themselves send similar expeditions to Jerico? Why did EL YAHVEH allow Moses to send spies? If Moses was in favor of the stratagem, why did he blame the people for having made the decision they made?

Since Moses gave the spies a detail list of questions about the Land, why were they condemned for telling the truth, as they perceived it?

Many years later in Deuteronomy, Moses himself, gave an equally frightening pictures of the awesome power of the Canaanite nations that were waiting to fight the Hebrews; why, then, were the spies punished for saying essentially the same thing?
Such questions will be discussed in the following comment.

The illustration of the spies follows the incident of Miriam’s criticism of Moses and her punishment. Although the spying mission took place some time after, the experience did not taught the nation the gravity of malicious gossip, nevertheless, the wicked spies did not learn their lesson and were not deterred from slandering the possibility of entering the Land (Full Maturity).        

Num 13:1  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, -  

Num 13:2 “Send men if you please and let them spy out the land of Kenaʽan, which I am giving to the children of Yisra’ĕl. Send one man from each tribe of their fathers, every one a leader among them.” - These men were not the leaders of the various tribes, they were obviously prominent men. If I may say so, except of Joshua and Caleb, the rest were not mature believers. This shed light even on today’s church, not everyone who says that they are leaders, they themselves are not mature individual.

Notice in this chapter the term Children of Yisrael was used to describe the people; meaning immature people.
The implication is that EL YAHVEH gave Moses permission to send spies, but left the decision up to him. In Deuteronomy 1:21-23, the Torah provides further information on the sequence of events leading up to the mission.

These leaders were not the one listed earlier, the one who were given the spirit of Moses.
Here Moses chose highly popular leaders, as is indicated by the inclusion of such great men as Joshua and Caleb. Distinguished men, indicates that when they began their journey, all of the men were equally righteous.

Num 13:3 And by the command of יהוה Mosheh sent them from the Wilderness of Paran, all of them men who were leaders of the children of Yisra’ĕl. – The mere fact that they were leaders one would have assumes that they were also mature believers. This was to be proven not to be so.

To clarify this historic event, the names: of the leaders were all given, in the following verses. The leaders were listed in the order of the personal greatness. That Caleb is listed third and Joshua fifth implies that two spies were probably greater than either of them, and is eloquent testimony to the stature of the group.

The tribe of Levites was not represented because the tribe of Levi was not to receive a share of the Land.

Num 13:4 And these were their names. From the tribe of Re’uḇĕn: Shammua, son of Zakkur. -
Num 13:5 From the tribe of Shimʽon: Shaphat, son of Ḥori. -
Num 13:6 From the tribe of Yehuḏah: Kalĕḇ, son of Yephunneh.
Num 13:7 From the tribe of Yissasḵar: Yiḡ’al, son of Yosĕph.
Num 13:8 From the tribe of Ephrayim: Hoshĕa, son of Nun.
Num 13:9 From the tribe of Binyamin: Palti, son of Raphu.
Num 13:10 From the tribe of Zeḇulun: Gaddi’ĕl, son of Soḏi. –

Num 13:11 From the tribe of Yosĕph, from the tribe of Menashsheh: Gaddi, son of Susi. -  Only Manasseh, not Ephraim, is specifically identified with Joseph because the representative of Manasseh was more similar to his ancestor Joseph than was the one of Ephraim.
Just as Joseph reported gossip against his brother, so Gaddi of Manasseh reported slander against the Land of Yisrael.

Num 13:12 From the tribe of Dan: Ammi’ĕl, son of Gemalli.
Num 13:13 From the tribe of Ashĕr: Shĕthur, son of Miḵa’ĕl.
Num 13:14 From the tribe of Naphtali: Naḥbi, son of Wophsi.
Num 13:15 From the tribe of Gaḏ: Geu’ĕl, son of Maḵi. –

Num 13:16 These are the names of the men whom Mosheh sent to spy out the land. And Mosheh called Hoshĕa the son of Nun, Yehoshua. – Moses was preparing Joshua for the position of leadership. Why then would he have sent him on a journey such as this? Suppose something would have happen to Joshua? We can go forward and look at the life of Job, what did he do to deserve the things that would later experience.
Joshua like Job had to prove themselves as leaders, prove themselves worthy of wearing the mantle of leadership.

Num 13:17 And Mosheh sent them to spy out the land of Kenaʽan, and said to them, “Go up here into the South, and go up to the mountains, -  Leadership lead even when they were not there. This is where you should start and this is the limit of your operation.

Num 13:18 and see what the land is like, and the people who dwell in it, whether strong or weak, whether few or many, - Moses asked the spies to look closely into the nature of the lands and its inhabitants. The climate and terrain of some lands are conducive to healthy, vigorous people, while other countries tend to enfeeble their inhabitants.
Moses asked them to look into the nature of the people themselves. Asked if it is good or bad, in the sense that, does the land consume the people, or is it a fertile land of good rainfall. 

Num 13:19 and whether the land they dwell in is good or evil, whether the cities they inhabit are in camps or strongholds, - It is a land with good natural defenses, or is the cities fortified. It is essential to know who our enemies are, in order to make plans to overcome them, as it is essential to know our own strengthen and weakness and how best to apply them. The spies mist the Mark, what could ABBA YAHVEH do with this Land.
This Torah Portion of Shlach Lecha awakens those with the desire to see, with  the awareness that whatever we consider our job in this world to be, may have nothing to do with our spiritual mission. If we allow ourselves to become identified with what we think we are meant to do, if we decide for ourselves that we are always right, it will take us longer to figure out the truth, and in the meantime, we could be wondering in a spiritual wilderness.

Num 13:20 and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are forests there or not. And you shall be strong, and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first fruits of grapes. -  Are there tree? Moses was alluding to righteousness of the people. If the Land had a righteous person in whose merit the inhabitants would be sheltered from attack. Also, the condition of the land would be shown in the fruits it produces.
Similar when we choose a wife, we should spend the same amount of time investagating her family background and her character, that was why in the olden days a matchmaker was employed to do the job, this match,aker carry the same responsibility as a spy.

Num 13:21 So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Tsin as far as Reḥoḇ, near the entrance of Ḥamath. - From the Wilderness of Zin to the expanse at the approach to Hamath. They traversed the entire land, from south to north. The southwestern shore of the dead-sea, Hamath is the Syrian city of Hama, and the expanse at the approach is the Bekaa Valley.

Num 13:22 And they went up through the South and came to Ḥeḇron. And Aḥiman, Shĕshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anaq, were there. Now Ḥeḇron had been built seven years before Tsoʽan in Mitsrayim. -  They ascended and he arrived at Hebron. The change from plural to singular implies that only one of them went to Hebron, to spy out the land. One of the reasons why we are given the Torah is very clear; when I get to Heavens, I will not be surprise with what I will face. If we think that we have seen fruit of the Spirit yet, just wait until we get to the Heavens.

Num 13:23 And they came to the wadi Eshkol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes. And they bore it on a double pole, also of the pomegranates and of the figs. - The land of Yisrael is comparable to the Heavenly Kingdom. The fruits of that Kingdom are seen in the quality of the produce the land produces.
I have notice that all through the mission, there is no mention of them ever stop to pray or to bless the Land. Could it be that they were in too great a rush to see the blessing for the Land, and not the Land for the blessing. We can sometime waste so much time gathering information on the richness of the land and the strength of its inhabitants and not see out blessing in the Land.
By focusing on the letter of their mission, they missed its spirit. Today we are still paying for the same mistake.

Num 13:24 That place was called the wadi Eshkol, because of the cluster which the men of Yisra’ĕl cut down from there. – Probably they furnished themselves with these fruits when they were leaving the country and returning. The cluster of grapes was so large and so heavy that they hung it upon a bar, and carried it between two of them. The place whence they took it was, from this circumstance, called the valley of the cluster, that famous cluster which was to Yisrael both the earnest and the specimen of all the fruits of Canaan. Such are the present comforts which we have in communion with YAHVEH, foretastes of the fulness of joy we expect in the heavenly Canaan. We may see by them what heaven is.

Num 13:25 And they returned from spying out the land after forty days. -  Forty is a time of trial, probation, or testing. These forty days was a test for the leaders who were chosen by the people. It was the people request for this expedition. When the people request anything, our Heavenly Father will always give us the type of teacher or leaders we ought to have.
When the spies came back from their extensive forth day tour of the land, they should have reported to Moses, who had sent them; instead they made their report in a public declaration.
In view of the account in Deuteronomy that the entire people demanded stridently of Moses that he send spies to see the land; it is understandable why the report was made in such a public forum. The people had demanded the mission and they felt entitled to hear the result.
Today, the church send their teachers to bible school, instead of asking them to go through the sixth days of Creation, to full maturity, the report of the Kingdom would not be the same. When I try to preach to the people that we should come to maturity while in the flesh, I have been told that man cannot reach maturity until Messiyah returns. This is the type of false report that people have been given, and they believe it. There are not many people today teaching the people to remember to come to maturity. I get numerous requests from Africa for information on how to reach full maturity in this life. I spend May 12 to the 26 in Kenya doing just that. Yes I experience a lot of obstacles, but it was worth it.

Num 13:26 And they went and came to Mosheh and Aharon and all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl in the Wilderness of Paran, at Qaḏĕsh. And they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. – This verse speaks volume concerning the decrement and perceptions of leaders. The spies who went to the land brought back their interpretation of how they perceive what they saw. This brings into question, the spiritual maturity of these so-called leaders. They saw the fruit of the land! They knew that the land was productive! They knew that the land would be friendly to the people! Yet they brought back a negative view about it. Is the glass half empty or is it half full.
Today, we are admonish by Torah to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is Perfect. Yet, how many leaders teach their congregation that it is impossible to attained perfection in this life. This particular story, illustrate a type of leadership who will show you the fruit of the spirit, but cannot tell anyone how to build their Menorah.

Num 13:27 and they reported to him, and said, “We went to the land where you sent us. And truly, it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. -  They went to the land! They saw it flowing with milk and honey, yet it became only a head knowledge, not a heart condition.

Num 13:28 “But the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are walled, very great. And we saw the descendants of Anaq there too. -  Here is the BUT of the matter. When someone only posses a head knowledge, he or she has no substance behind their conviction. When a person achieves a certain heart condition, their very essence is indwelling in their purpose.
There is a difference between a person who is talented and a person with a mission. The talented person does it because he or she is good at it. However, a person on a mission, act with a purpose. Victory by any means necessary! Who are the descendants of Amalek in our lives? Those small, yet powerful voices, which keep on telling us we can never make it, we are not good enough.
These so-called leaders were advising the nation not even to attempt an assault on Canaan. They compounded the frightening effect of their comments, by mentioning the dreaded Amalekites and the equally powerful nations that would never surrender their land easily.
These dreaded Amalekites are who we are fighting even as we speak, they are the enemy of our Soul, the ones who are trying to stop us from reaching our spiritual Canaan. These Amalekites are the fallen angel who has been defeated by our leader El Yahushua at Calvary. All we have to do is to go in and occupied the land. That land has been given to us as EL YAHVEH as our inheritance gave it to the Nation of Yisrael.
What then is the issue! Like a lot of believer, we tend to listen to negative report about the Kingdom, but never someone who keep reminding us to build our Menorah, learn Torah, so we can go in an occupied our land.

Num 13:29 “The Amalĕqites dwell in the land of the South, while the Ḥittites and the Yeḇusites and the Amorites dwell in the mountains. And the Kenaʽanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Yardĕn.” – Job 1:6 “Now there was a day when the sons of YAHVEH came to present themselves before there King, and Satan came also among them” These sons are apart of the Heavenly counsel. One of the mighty men of Heavens or the land.
Their rebellion have cause them to become unfit for that position. The Creation of Planet Earth is to create faithful sons, to replace those who were deemed unworthy for the Kingdom.
Why then were they not kicked out as yet? It is because we who have been given the Word did not benefit from it, as Hebrew 4:1-5 elucidate to us. Exo 23:29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. The inhabitance who are still in Heavens will not be driven out until those of us, who have the desire to be become a mature believer decided to achieve full maturity, like El Yahushua “Jesus Christ”, so we can go and take our seat in the Throne room with the rest of the Mighty Sons.
Revelations 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the MessiyanicAssembly. Those of us who overcome the desire of the Body are the ones who will achieve this lofty position. This is what this ministry teaches.

Num 13:30 And Kalĕḇ silenced the people before Mosheh, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are certainly able to overcome it.” – I thank EL YAHVEH for the Caleb type ministry, who will remind the people, that we can go up at once and take possession of the land, that which is rightful ours. YAHVEH did not give us a spirit of fear, but of a sound mind.

Num 13:31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” - We cannot ascend. Now, the spies said explicitly what they had only suggested before. Earlier, after the assembled people had gone back to their tents unsure who to believe, the spies spread out among them and spread malicious lies about the land as seen in the next verse, something they had not dared to do in the presence of Moses and Aaron, Caleb or Joshua.
They claimed that the nature of the land and its produce is such that its inhabitant will fight furiously to hold on to it. That is the purpose of the Evil one campaign against humanity and those who have the desire to reach maturity.

Num 13:32 And they gave the children of Yisra’ĕl an evil report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land eating up its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. -  The land that devours its people. Yes! It is not their land; it is for those who choose to earn the right to be there. The men who are there now are squatter. Squatting and my birthright. It is time for a few good men, men of the caliber of Caleb and Joshua to arise and take up or Cross our spiritual Jordon, and finish our journey to perfection, so we can be invited into the Land and take up our rightful position as Mature Sons of EL YAHVEH.

Num 13:33 “And we saw there the Nephilim, sons of Anaq, of the Nephilim. And we were like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so we were in their eyes.” - How sad it is when a leader in the Messiyanic community, can make a comment that we are grasshopper in our own eyes, therefore we must be grasshopper in the eyes of Lucifer.

I am a god, and a proud son of the Most High Elohim. I will not choose to die like a man, but I choose to live like a god, for I was Created in the image of my Heavenly Father who is the King of all the gods in Heavens, who I call Meleck YAHVEH, King GOD.


Chapter 14

The spies or false leaders had done their job well. The entire nation except for a few became convinced that the road to the promise land was block by obstacle to large for them to overcome. They had obviously forgotten the Red Sea.
So convinced were they that they would be doomed if they venture into the Promise Land, that they were ready to replace Moses with a Leader, that would guide them back to the land of their enslavement.
We are also still falling into the same tray, when we wake up in the morning with our ego all wrapped up in whatever we think we are supposed to be doing today, we are behaving like the Spies. When we rigidly stick to our plan, regardless of its spiritual content, we are also behaving like those spies.
Every time we let spiritual works give way to being right, we perpetuate darkness and exile. By being open to the idea that what we think we are supposed to be doing today may not be what the CREATOR wants for us, we prepare ourselves to reveal the Light.
The only way to avoid the trap of the Yisralite spies is to disregard our plans, to disregard our logic, and to let the Holy Spirit show us the way.

Num 14:1 Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. – There is a very well known Hebrew belief that this night was the Ninth of Av, the date when both the Temple were destroyed and many other tragedies took place thought the Hebrew history, as a reminder of there complain. Even though I do not see any Scripture to support this idea, I will not dismiss it as a probable reason for such actions. 

Num 14:2 And all the children of Yisra’ĕl grumbled against Mosheh and against Aharon, and all the congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Mitsrayim! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! – Notice here that this verse says that the Children of Yisrael. Within a nation, there will be children, young men, and Fathers. It was the spiritual immature children who were doing the grumbling, yet it was the whole Nations that paid the price.
It is essential, however, to keep these spiritual children quite in the assembly, when they do speak, like a plaque, their lack of faith spread like wild fire among dry bush.
One of the most hurtful things for any child to say to their parent is: I wish I were never born. After all the pain and suffering to bring a child into the World, to hear these words, is a very dishearten thing.
To have a believer say, that he prefer life in Egypt rater than a future life in the world to come, is very sad for our Heavenly Father, who is trying to create more perfect sons.

Num 14:3 “And why is יהוה bringing us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become a prey? Would it not be better for us to turn back to Mitsrayim?” – The purpose of their lives was never made clear to them, or was it made clear and they refuse to follow the chosen path.
They made the excuse that their wives would fall prey to unscrupulous character. I guess they never really understand the purpose to maturity. The family structure is the basic unity from which a person should develop himself or herself spiritually. The way in which Moses the true man of EL YAHVEH was not good enough for these so-called spiritual expert.
Is it possible that the Amalekites and the others tribes, knew about the missions of the spies, and participate in a bit of covert spiritual deception themselves. I used this idea to drive home a point that is very prevalent today.
The Evil one knows that He as no power over a believer, except how they think. He knows if he can control the mentality of the redeemed community, he can change their goal.

Num 14:4 And they said to each other, “Let us appoint a leader, and let us turn back to Mitsrayim.” – Today most of the church leadership, does not encourage the people to carry their Cross to perfection. They are encouraged; to leave Egypt, the world, just remain in the wilderness for the rest of their lives. Just have faith in El Yahushua, there is no need to go over to Mt. Sinai to learn the Commandments, just stay on the other side of the Jordan spiritually. These types of people are saved, but will never reach spiritually maturity.

Num 14:5 Then Mosheh and Aharon fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl. – Like every true leader, Moses and Aaron fell on their knees and beg for forgiveness from EL YAHVEH. Moses and Aaron assumed the position of supplication, employing the people not to participate in such activity.

Num 14:6 And Yehoshua son of Nun, and Kalĕḇ son of Yephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their garments, - In a display of grief that was calculated to shock the people into recognition of their error, Joshua and Caleb tore their clothing as a sign of mourning, for the loss of faith in EL YAHVEH. Questioning the repudiation of Moses and Aaron was tantamount to the death of a dear one.

Num 14:7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. -  Caled and Joshua made every effort to convince the masses, that they should not follow the report of those who says that we are only grasshoppers in the eyes of the enemy. It is very easy to follow the broad winding road, than to fallow the straight and narrow path to eternal life. We just have to turn on the 6 o’clock new to see the types of new we are drawn to. Negative news is more acceptable than good news. Look who got chop to death last night, instead of reporting who came to a better understanding of Torah?

Num 14:8 “If יהוה has delighted in us, then He shall bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which is flowing with milk and honey.’ – Eze 33:11  Say unto them, As I live, saith EL YAHVEH, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Yisrael? Even in the wicked, יהוה does not even take pleasure, much more His chosen people who He brought out of Egypt. Remember Exodus 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Yisrael, I am YAHVEH, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:  Joshua and Caleb reminder the children of Yisrael of the promise, and the purpose of them leaving Egypt. It was to get to the promise land, if He says He will do, He will do. He is faithful to His Words, which cannot be broken.
     
Num 14:9 “Only, do not rebel against יהוה, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread. Their defence has turned away from them, and יהוה is with us. Do not fear them.” – The first thing Joshua and Caleb ask, is for the children not to rebel against their Heavenly Father. The second is for them not to fear the people in the land. The third is not a request it is a statement: They are our bread! Bread is something we consumed. What we consumed turn into fertilizer eventually. These two wonderful men are what I model my ministry Beyt Lechem Ministry after. We will remind the people not to forget of Ultimate Destination. We must never fear the Evil one, he is only a loud mouth. The position Lucifer and his demons had in Heavens are reserved for those who prove themselves worthy to receive it.

Num 14:10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the esteem of יהוה appeared in the Tent of Meeting before all the children of Yisra’ĕl. – The action of a reprobate childish mind is always to destroy those who we do not agree with. The evil one speaks with the voice of the people. He knows that the objective of Moses is to bring the people to full maturity. That is exactly what Lucifer is afraid will happen, shortening his time in the Heavens.
Then the Glory of יהוה appeared in the Tabernacle, as a sign that Moses was still the main man.

Num 14:11 And יהוה said to Mosheh, “How long shall I be scorned by these people? And how long shall I not be trusted by them, with all the signs which I have done in their midst? – This vote of confidence in Moses by יהוה demonstrates that nothing can stop the Sovereign Will of יהוה . I wonder if the people heard the message that was being transmitted to Moses. Friends, this is a sobering story! How long will the believers continue to scorn the promises EL YAHVEH had made to us?
Let read Hebrews 4:1 YAH’S promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won't enter his place of rest. 2 We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn't help those who heard it in the past because they didn't believe. 3  We who believe are entering that place of rest. As YAHVEH said, "So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest." YAHVEH said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world. 4 Somewhere in Scripture YAHVEH has said this about the seventh day: "On the seventh day YAHVEH rested from all his work." 5 YAHVEH also said in the same passage, "They will never enter my place of rest."  These people who saw the plaque in Egypt, they saw the Red Sea experience, and they saw Mt Sinai. Now they are question the ability of יהוה to complete the journey.

Num 14:12 “Let Me smite them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.” - In all of this יהוה could have been wondering if there any other beside Caleb and Joshua who display their uncompromising loyalty to Moses. So when יהוה said to let Him destroy them all, would this include the seventy elders who went up to Mt Sinai, and Caleb and Joshua also?
I believe this was a test for Moses to see if Moses was still sold out on the idea of bring these people to the Promise Land.
  
Num 14:13 And Mosheh said to יהוה, “Then the Mitsrites shall hear it, for by Your power You brought these people up from their midst, - In his dialog with יהוה Moses used good spiritual logic. Moses reminder יהוה of His promise in Exodus 6:6 "Tell the Yisraelites, 'I am YAHVEH. I will bring you out from under the oppression of the Egyptians, and I will free you from slavery. I will rescue you with my powerful arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 Then I will make you my people, and I will be your Elohim. You will know that I am YAHVEH your God, who brought you out from under the forced labor of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you to the land I solemnly swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your own possession. I am YAHVEH.' Moses was obviously aware of these 4 promises that יהוה made to the people. I will bring you out from under the oppression of the Egyptian, which יהוה certainly did. However, when the Egyptians hear of their destruction, they will say that You were not able to fulfill Your promise to them. By freeing them from slavery to the Egyptian, for see they require to return to their former slave master. יהוה You have failed! With all Your Mighty Power You could not even rescue these people. How do You expect to restore your Kingdom from these people whom You have created?
This was Moses logical argument to EL YAHVEH. This was a pretty convincing argument if I should say so.

Num 14:14 and they shall say to the inhabitants of this land they have heard that You, יהוה, are in the midst of these people, that You, יהוה, are seen eye to eye and that Your cloud stands above them, and You go before them in a column of cloud by day and in a column of fire by night. - That the eyes both of Egypt and Canaan were upon them, and great expectations were raised concerning them. They could not but have heard that thou, Lord, art among this people. The neighboring countries rang of it, how much this people were the particular care of heaven, so as never any people under the sun were. That if they should be cut off great notice would be taken of it. "The Egyptians will hear it , for they have their spies among us, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of the land’’; for there was great correspondence between Egypt and Canaan, although not by the way of this wilderness.
This is that which is written in Isa. 52:8 ‘For they shall see eye to eye,’ When the restoration of the kingdom is complete. It is also written in this verse that ABBA YAHVEH, art seen eye to eye. Unless the bountiful Eyes of ABBA YAHVEH were to look down upon the inferior man, the universe could not exist even for a moment.
Providence ariseth from ABBA YAHVEH Eye when HE  shineth down upon man HIS Shekinah, for from it all things are illuminated.
What is written in this verse is also written in Psalms 33:18 ‘The Eyes of יהוה is upon them that fear Him. ’ It is also written in Zech. 4:10 ‘The eyes of the Lord running to an fro throughout the whole earth.’ The eye of יהוה is upon them that fear HIM, if they be upright. This is the superior eye. On the contrary, when it is said, the eyes of  יהוה run to and fro this is the eye which is below.
It is also called the open eye, the holy eye, the excellent eye, the eye of Providence, the eye which sleepeth not neither slumber or sleep, the eye which is the guardian of all things, the eye which is the subsistence of all things.
 
Num 14:15 “Now if You shall kill these people as one man, then the nations which have heard of Your report shall speak, saying, -  "If these people who have been given such great a promise be all consumed, if their mighty pretensions come to nothing, and their light go out in a snuff, it will be told with pleasure in Gath, and published in the streets of Askelon; and what construction will the heathen put upon it? It will be impossible to make them understand it as an act of YAH’s justice, and as such redounding to YAH’s honor; brutish men know not this (Ps. 92:6).

Num 14:16 ‘Because יהוה was not able to bring this people to the land which He swore to give them, therefore He killed them in the wilderness.’   - but they will impute it to the failing of YAH’s power, and so turn it to his reproach. They will say, He slew them in the wilderness because HE was not able to bring them to Canaan, HIS arm being shortened, and HIS stock of miracles being spent. Now, Master, let not one attribute be glorified at the expense of another; rather let mercy rejoice against judgment than that almighty power should be impeached.’’  The best pleas in prayer are those that are taken from YAH’s honor; for they agree with the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Hallowed be thy name. Do not disgrace the throne of thy glory. YAHVEH pleads it with himself (Deu. 32:27), I feareth the wrath of the enemy; and we should use it as an argument with ourselves to walk so in every thing as to give no occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, 1 Tim. 6:1.

Num 14:17 “And now, I pray, let the power of  יהוה be great, as You have spoken, saying, - Is it possible that a mere mortal, be able to converse withיהוה  I believe it can be done. If we use the argument found only in the Word. Moses was well verse in every aspect of the Word and its purpose. In our argument or conversation with our Heavenly Father, we may debate using the Word as it applies.
Moses knew that by destroying the people is not the only display of true Authority, showing mercy and patience is a more efficient display of Heavenly Authority.

Num 14:18 יהוה is patient and of great kindness, forgiving crookedness and transgression, but by no means leaving unpunished1; visiting the crookedness of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.’ Footnote: 1This is confirmed in Ex. 34:7 and in Jer. 30:11. – Moses went on to elucidate that by showing patient and kindness does not mean that transgression will go unpunished. What this mean is that, punishment may be borne by someone else, until that person learn that their ways were in violation of Torah.
This argument was a foreshadow of the coming of our Messiyah thousand of years later. We do know that He came and bore our sins on the Cross-at Calvary, as we learn to obey the commandment of יהוה.

Num 14:19 “Please forgive the crookedness of this people, according to the greatness of Your kindness, as You have forgiven this people, from Mitsrayim even until now.” – Moses was actually setting the ground work here for the Messiyah to be sent to us. What is the greatest kindness that יהוה have extended to us. It is sending of El Yahushua our Messiyah. In our debate with EL YAHVEH we should apeal to HIS attribute, as the EL YAHVEH SHADDAI the abstainer of Heavens and earth.

Num 14:20 And יהוה said, “I shall forgive, according to your word, - Notice how EL YAHVEH acknowledge the Word of Moses. The question that is begging to be asked? Did Moses knew about the Messiyah, before hand? Was Moses just employing EL YAHVEH to implement a Heavenly Policy, Moses had seen before? Or was it the Spirit of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding that cause Moses to be so bold in his recommendation to EL YAHVEH.

Num 14:21 but truly, as I live and all the earth shall be filled with the esteem of  יהוה, - Listen to יהוה reply; My Kingdom shall be restored, when His esteem once again filled the earth. Once again EL YAHVEH made clear the intention of Creation, for the restoration of all things.

Num 14:22 for none of these men who have seen My esteem and the signs which I did in Mitsrayim”Egypt” and in the wilderness, and have tried Me now these ten times, and have disobeyed My voice, - EL YAHVEH is now setting the ground rules. Anyone who have seen His Esteem and His Signs, and who still find it necessary to still try Him. Shall not enter into His Rest. Hebrew 4.

Num 14:23 shall see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor any of those who scorned Me see it. -  The punishment is that you might even see the land, but you will never set foot on it. Regardless of how close we are to the border of the land, if we choose to follow the practice of the Children of Yisrael, we will see it but we will never enter it. Hebrew 4:6 However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter YAH’S place of rest because they did not obey YAHVEH. 7  So EL YAHVEH set another day. That day is today. Many years after your ancestors failed to enter that place of rest YAHVEH spoke about it through David in the passage already quoted: "If you hear YAHVEH speak today, don't be stubborn.

Num 14:24 “But My servant Kalĕḇ, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me completely, I shall bring into the land where he went, and his seed shall inherit it. – Here we find a remarkable affirmation of the right spirit. Because he had a different spirit, because he had a developed his Menorah, he had complete faith in the promise laid out in Exodus 6:6.
But My servant Caleb, this too, is part of the oath. When Caleb received his personal share of the Land of Yisrael, Joshua said he was giving it because Moses had made an oath to Caleb, Joshua 14:9 On that day Moses swore this oath: 'The land your feet walked on will be a permanent inheritance for you and your descendants because you were completely loyal to YAHVEH my EL.'
The pledge that Caleb receives was Hebron, the part of the land to which only he alone spies out, his family would later conquer the giants whose presence had so frightened the other spies.
Torah did not mention Joshua’s reward, since he was to become Moses successor, it would have been disrespectful to Moses to speak of it while he was still alive.
Num 14:25 “Since the Amalĕqites and the Kenaʽanites are dwelling in the valley, turn back tomorrow and set out into the wilderness by the Way of the Sea of Reeds.” – The overall spirit nature of the entire nations was not conducive to the them having a spiritual confrontation with the Amalekites. Further spiritual development had to be accomplished.
In one sense the incident with the ten spies really open and exposed the spiritual nature or the fighting condition of the nation of Yisrael. Every situation that we go through is to expose our spiritual condition. Some might say it is a bad thing what the ten spies did; yes and no. Yes they should have been more mature and have more faith. No in the sense it exposed the weakness in their spiritual Armour.

The next task was to repair the weakness in their army. The reason why country has spies is to find out weakness in the enemy defense, or to plant subversive ideas. The Amalekites certainly planted some subversive taught in the minds of the ten spies.
The implication is that because of these formidable enemies, Yisrael had to withdraw from the area, as if the spies were right that they could not be defeated.
Because יהוה was no longer with them, the Hebrew could not succeed, but if they had been loyal to יהוה and Moses, these seemingly power forces would have been nothing more than bread, as Caleb and Joshua had describe.

Verse 26 – 38 יהוה spells out the decree. Previously, He had accepted Moses plea, but stated that the nations as then constituted would not entered into the land. Now יהוה specified to Moses what His decree would be, and Instructed Moses to tell it to the people.
But although he would stretch out the punishment of the nation over a period of years, the Spies themselves, who were the immediate cause of the tragedy, did not deserve any consideration. They would die immediately.

Num 14:26 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, and to Aharon, saying, - Moses continue to speak to יהוה about the welfare of the people. Even thought not all the people sinned they all paid the price of disobedience.

Num 14:27 “How long shall this evil congregation have this grumbling against Me? I have heard the grumblings which the children of Yisra’ĕl are grumbling against Me. – We must remember that יהוה is absolutely perfect; no imperfection can reside within His Kingdom. It is His Nature to destroy sin, whenever HE sees it. He will not change is nature for anyone. It is His condescending mercy to forgive sin, but it must eventually be destroyed.

How long, this verse refers to two groups: the spies, the evil assembly, and the rest of the nations. Regarding the spies, יהוה said simply, “how long” implying that they had reached the limits of His Patience and there would be no Divine forbearance towards them.
 יהוה  made it clear why the spies’ sin was so serious: they were content to lack faith themselves, but they provoke others to lose faith and sinned. Indeed, the spies died immediately according to verse 37.

As for the rest of the people, יהוה said that He had heard their complaints, meaning their outspoken protestations against יהוה and Moses. Therefore, they had sinned grievously and could not escape without punishment, but as יהוה went on to say, the judgment would be tempered with mercy in response to Moses’ prayer. 

Num 14:28 “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ declares יהוה, ‘as you have spoken in My hearing, so I do to you: - יהוה swore that the punishment of the entire nation would be predicated on the very tragedy that the people for having believed the spies, predicted for themselves. They said that the Canaanites and their alleys would kill all the men in the Wilderness and that all children would be taken captive.
The men would indeed die in the Wilderness, but the children, the next generation, would enter the Land. As for the women, since they did not participate in the rebellion, there was no decree against them, and they would live out their natural life spans. Surely, therefore, many of them lived to enter the promise land.

Num 14:29 ‘The carcasses of those who  grumbled against Me are going to fall in this wilderness, all of you who were registered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. -  The fear of the wicked shall come upon him. Those who had now grown up  should die in the wilderness, not all at once, but by degrees. They had feared that they might die in the wilderness, and YAHVEH said Amen to their greatest fear, and made their fear their ruin, snared them in the words of their mouth, and caused their own tongue to fall upon them, HE took them at their word, and determined that their carcases should fall in the wilderness.

Num 14:30 ‘None of you except Kalĕḇ son of Yephunneh, and Yehoshua son of Nun, shall enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. – It is only those who have an absolute unbending faith that will reach the Promise land, or full maturity. Our testing is to see if we are truly faithful in every thing, or is there still something in us that will cause us to compromise our values.

Num 14:31 ‘But your little ones, whom you said would become a prey, I shall bring in, and they shall know the land which you have rejected. – The generation that died has a slavery mentality that had to be eradicated from among the people. It was this mentality that causes them and us to fail. It is one of the most difficult characteristic traits to deal with.

When I was a child, I was extremely shy, no one could not convince me that the whole world would not laugh at me because I stuttered. It was the mentality of the Jamaican culture to make fun of other people’s impediment. As I migrate to Canada, I notice that Canadians were more tolerable to other people handicaps. It was no longer an issue if I did stuttered.
The Children of Yisrael were born with the mentality of the slavery mindset of Egyptians, and like myself it took me some time to loose that frame of mind. Today, if someone does not tell me that I stuttered, I do not even remember.

Num 14:32 ‘But as for you, your carcasses are going to fall in this wilderness. – The mindset we carry with us will, determine were we die spiritually. The battleground for humanity is in our mind. The spying campaign was a battle for the minds of the children of Yisrael. May we learn from their mistake?

Num 14:33 ‘And your sons shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your whorings, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness. – Forty is a time of testing. Testing to remove the old mindset, and the renewing of our mind. The logic and the thinking pattern of Egypt cannot function in the Heavenly Kingdom. Like oil and water, light and darkness cannot service in the Kingdom to come.
As grazing sheep are led from place to place and rarely remain in any one area for very long, so will the Hebrew people in the Wilderness, wondering from place to place, from church to church until their forth years are over. Never finding the promise Land.

Num 14:34 ‘According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days – a day for a year, a day for a year – you are to bear your crookednesses forty years, and you shall know My breaking off. – As the sixth days of Creation is an representative of our six years we need to reach spiritual maturity. This verse shows the spiritual connection of a day for a year. As the children of Yisrael had to be punish a day for a year for their crookedness, we will be rewarded a year for a day as we try and build our spiritual Menorah. At the end of our Sixth day, our Heavenly Father will have created a perfect man.
As result of your long years of wondering, you will have all the time to comprehend the magnitude of your sin of having negated the ultimate objective, which is to bring a people into the Promise Land.  

Num 14:35 ‘I am יהוה, I have spoken, I shall do this to all this evil congregation who are meeting against Me: In this wilderness they are consumed, and there they die.’  - How many countless millions of believers have died in their spiritual Wilderness, because of the lack of faith. All these stories are written for our benefits, that we too might not travel down the same pathway.
Hebrew chapter four warns us that is was because those men of old did not believe the word that they heard. They did not entered into the promise land, which is the same as entering into the Sabbath Rest.

Num 14:36 And the men whom Mosheh sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing an evil report of the land, -  The sudden death of the ten evil spies. While the sentence was passing upon the people, before it was published, they died of the plague before the YAHVEH. Now, YAHVEH hereby showed HIS particular displeasure against those who sinned and made Yisrael to sin. They sinned themselves, in bringing up a slander upon the land of promise.  Those greatly provoke YAHVEH who misrepresent religion, cast reproach upon it, and raise prejudices in men’s minds against it, or give occasion to those to do so who seek occasion. Those that represent the service of YAHVEH as mean and despicable, melancholy and uncomfortable, hard and impracticable, needless and unprofitable, bring up an evil report upon the good land, pervert the right ways of the YAHVEH, and in effect make YAHVEH lier.

Num 14:37 even those men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before יהוה. – Friends, it is not everyone who says Master Master is truly a disciple. Remember that even El Yahushua had twelve disciples and one was evil. The most perfect Teacher of all times had one who fails. What about you and I who are just mere mortal. Grumbling against authority is a very serious violation in the Kingdom of Heavens. Those men, who were given a chance to encourage the people to enter into the Rest that we were created for, but fail to do so, are the ones who will die by the plague.
The decree of forth years applied only to the nation as a whole, but the spies themselves died immediately in a plague. Their punishment was measure for measure. They insisted falsely that the land consume the inhabitants, so they died as if been consumed by the land.

Num 14:38 Of those men who went to spy out the land, only Yehoshua son of Nun, and Kalĕḇ son of Yephunneh remained alive. – These Caleb and Joshua type ministers, the ones who encourage the people that we are more than capable to go, and posses the Land. We are more than capable to make it up to the mountaintop.

Num 14:39 And when Mosheh spoke these words to all the children of Yisra’ĕl, the people mourned greatly. – They wept for nothing verse 1 and now they have cause given them to weep; so justly are murmurers made mourners. If they had mourned for the sin when they were faithfully reproved for it verse 9 the sentence would have been prevented; but now that they mourned for the judgment only their grief came too late, and did them no service; they found no place for repentance, though they sought it carefully with tears, Heb. 12:17. Such mourning as this there is in hell, but the tears will not quench the flames, no, nor cool the tongue.
Those believers who have fail to make it into the Holy of holies while they were in the flesh, will mourned when they get to the Heavens and realize what they could have achieved in this life and they were deceaved by foolish leaders. Rev 7:17 Because the Lamb in the midst of the throne will shepherd them, and will lead them on living springs of waters; and Yahushua will wipe off every tear from their eyes. Why would they be crying in the Heavens except over their lack of unbelief?


In verse 40 –45 the chastened of a nation who realize too late. Moses’ words hit the people hard like a hammer and brought them to their senses. Too late, the opportunities have been squandered. They had already decided that the land was indeed theirs and now they wanted it. Like Esau who sold his birth right and later wanted it with all his heart.

יהוה  no longer wished to give it to that generation; they had rebel too often and now their fate are sealed. Nevertheless, they insisted on advancing to the land despite Moses’ warning that they would fail with out’s יהוה help.

In a sense the spies were right: the people of Canaan were too strong for the Hebrew, but, as Caleb had said, יהוה could vanquish them if He so wished. The tragedy was that the people awakened too late from their spiritual stupor; as is all too common, people refuse to move when they can, but are ready when it is too late. 
 
Num 14:40 And they rose up early in the morning and went up to the top of the mountain, saying, “See, we have indeed sinned, but we shall go up to the place which יהוה had spoken of!” - Towards the mountain top. From Deuteronomy, it is clear that this was the mountain of the Amorite, which forms the natural border between the land and Sinai Desert.

Num 14:41 But Mosheh said, “Why do you now transgress the command of יהוה, since it does not prosper? -  Moses utterly disallows their motion, and forbids the expedition they were meditating: Go not up, he gives them warning of the sin; it is transgressing the commandment of the YAHVEH, who had expressly ordered them, when they did move, to move back towards the Red Sea. That which has been duty, in its season, when it comes to be mistimed may be turned into sin. It is true the command he refers to was in the nature of a punishment, but he that has not obeyed the law is obliged to submit to the penalty, for the YAHVEH is our Judge as well as Lawgiver.
The sobering question to all believer is why do you break the commandment of YAHVEH when there is nothing to gain from it.

Num 14:42 “Do not go up, lest you be smitten by your enemies, for יהוה is not in your midst. – Like most children when the parents tell them not to touch the hot stove, it is not until they are burn before they realize that the parents were indeed right. A wise man is not the man with the experience. A wise man is one who learns from the mistake of others, and not makes the same mistake over again.

Num 14:43 “Because the Amalĕqites and the Kenaʽanites are there before you, and you shall fall by the sword. Because you have turned away from יהוה, יהוה is not with you.” – There is a spirit that covers every place were people lives. Before we tend to overcome a people, we need to have spiritual domination over them before we move in. If EL YAHVEH is not with us, our spiritual superiority over our enemy will not be complete. Our spiritual cover is like having air superiority in a military campaign. Spiritual covering above, so that the foot solder on the ground may be successful.  

Num 14:44 But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop, but neither the ark of the covenant of יהוה nor Mosheh left the camp. – Without the Presence of EL YAHVEH in our lives our entire venture in His Name will always fail. The children of Yisrael left the camp with no air support over them, their spiritual airforce was grounded that day, resulting in a crushing defeat.

Num 14:45 So the Amalĕqites and the Kenaʽanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and smote them, and beat them down, even to Ḥormah. - The Canaanites and the Amalekites lived in the valley between these two mountains. The Children of Yisrael now tried to bypass them and go to the mountaintop, from which they would then descend into the promise Land.
The Amalekites and Canaanites were waiting in ambush on the mountain, verse 45, and threw them back.

Chapter 15

This chapter in particular the first sixteen verses deal with the meal offering and its libations. This passage gives a new law: Certain offerings must be accompanied by gifts of meal-offering and wine libations.

This would not apply until thirty-nine years later, when the people entered the Promise Land. However the law was given to them to console the younger generation and give them confidence that יהוה still intended to give them the Promise Land.

Num 15:1 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, - 

Num 15:2 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘When you have come into the land of your dwellings, which I am giving you, - This is a particular offering for those who have reach full maturity. Coming into the Land is a synonym for our spiritual maturity.

Num 15:3 and you make an offering by fire to יהוה, a burnt offering or a slaughtering, to accomplish a vow or as a voluntary offering or in your appointed times, to make a sweet fragrance to יהוה, from the herd or the flock, - This verse defines the offerings to which the passage applies. An Elevation-offering  is one that is burn in its entirety on the Altar. A Feast-offering is offerings that are eaten, such as a Peace and thanksgiving-offerings. What we call a celebration.

They are called feast-offerings because they are generally brought to celebrate happy occasions and their owners would invariably invite others to eat with them. Since our verse refers specifically to offerings that are brought voluntarily, it is clear that the libations do not apply to private offerings that are required in atonement for sins.

This verse mentions private offerings that are brought in celebration of the festivals to imply that even though the Torah requires such offerings, Libations must accompany them.

Num 15:4 then he who brings near his offering to יהוה shall bring near a grain offering of one-tenth of an ĕphah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil, - The term shall bring, implies that the entire meal-offering is burnt on the Altar, in like an ordinary personal meal-offering, which is eaten by the Kohanim after a part of it is place on the Altar.
The wine Libations is poured into a bowl-like vessel that was attached to the southwest corner of the Altar. In the Tabernacle, the wine drained off to the ground; in the Temple, it would flow onto the top of the Altar and into a pipe leading to a ditch under the Altar.

Num 15:5 and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering you prepare with the burnt offering or the slaughtering, for each lamb. – The restriction on the amount of wine was so that it did not become a drunken party. It was a time of celebration, not a time to become impaired.

Num 15:6 ‘Or for a ram you prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ĕphah of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil, - Again in this verse we see the same requirement for a meal that look like a vegetation meal. Whether we eat meat of just vegetable it is ok to have a glass of wine with it.

Num 15:7 and as a drink offering you bring one-third of a hin of wine as a sweet fragrance to יהוה. – The drink of wine is a sweet fragrance to EL YAHVEH.

Num 15:8 ‘And when you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering, or as a slaughtering to accomplish a vow, or as a peace offering to יהוה, -  If the sacrifice was a bullock, the meat-offering was to be trebled, three omers, with five pints of oil, and the same quantity of wine for a drink-offering. For each sacrifice, whether offered by a particular person or at the common charge. Our religious services should be governed, as by other rules, so by the rule of proportion.

Num 15:9 then shall be brought with the young bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ĕphah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil, - We are told to drink more wine when we eat meat than when we eat just vegetable. One third for vegetable to a half for meat offering.

Num 15:10 and bring as the drink offering half a hin of wine as an offering made by fire, a sweet fragrance to יהוה. -  Half a him of wine must be presented with every meat offering.

Num 15:11 ‘This is what is done for each young bull, for each ram, or for each lamb or young goat. -  Our Creator give us the proportion of meat or vegetable when we are drinking wine.

Num 15:12 ‘According to the number that you prepare, so you do for each one according to their number. – The term accordingly to the number, even if someone brings many animals as his offerings, in which case one might think that one libation should suffice for the entire group, he must bring a separate libation for each animal.

Num 15:13 ‘Let all who are native do so with them, in bringing near an offering made by fire, a sweet fragrance to יהוה. -  Every believer prepares a thanksgiving offering as a celebration offering. For those who chose to say we must not drink wine that not what Torah says! It limits us on the quantity of how much we are suppose to consume with each animal.

Num 15:14 ‘And when a stranger sojourns with you, or whoever is among you throughout your generations, and would make an offering made by fire, a sweet fragrance to יהוה, as you do, so he does. -  There is no difference between a visitor and a native. There is no two-tier law, as some would like you to believe, one for the Native Hebrew and one for the none Hebrews.

The term throughout your generations simply means as long as there are believers, as long as time still exists, this must be done.
In the plain sense, this verse reiterates the point that a proselyte has the same libations as a native and must bring the same libations as his fellow Hebrews.

Based on the apparent redundancy, that a proselyte is required to bring an offering as part of his conversion procedure. If so, one might reason that conversions cannot be valid when the Temple is not standing. To refute such an argument, our verse discusses anyone who converts from Creation until the end of time, this process is still applicable in any generation.

Num 15:15 ‘One law is for you of the assembly and for the stranger who sojourns with you – a law forever throughout your generations. As you are, so is the stranger before יהוה. – Many Christian’s today claims that the Old Testament is for the Hebrews and the New Testament is for the Christian. In light of this verse, it is clearly not so.

Num 15:16 ‘One Torah and one right-ruling is for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.’  - Torah here stresses the point over the last three verses, the universality of the Torah.

Verse 17 to 21 describe the law of Challah. The Torah now commands that from every batch of dough, a portion, commonly known as challah is given to the Kohanim, just as they must receive a part of the produce of the field.

By making the servants of יהוה  dependent on the gifts of the nation, and obligating the national to provide for them, יהוה ties together the people who enjoy the Land’s prosperity and those who devote themselves to Torah study, the temple service, and matters of the spirit. Believers are blessed by virtue of the sustenance they provide for יהוה devoted servants.

Num 15:17 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, - 

Num 15:18 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘When you come into the land to which I bring you, - The term coming into the land is synonymous to when we reach the promise land, when we reach full maturity. When we are in position of our own land, we can plant our own crops, vineyard, gardens ect.

Num 15:19 then it shall be, when you eat of the bread of the land, that you present a contribution to יהוה. – This is also indicative of the kingdom to come. This verse seems to imply that we will be paying tithes to those above us, as they will also pay tithes to those above them.

Num 15:20 ‘Present a cake of the first of your dough as a contribution – as a contribution of the threshing-floor you present it. – The paying of tithes is a sign of respect to those who is above me. I believe that I will be paying my tithes to El Yahushua who will be paying His tithes to EL YAHVEH.
The first use of the dough is the separation of Challah for the Kohen, and its owner is forbidden to eat of the dough before setting that portion aside. Alternatively, the word may be rendered as the choicest part, for just as the Torah asks a Hebrew to give the Kohen the choicest part of his produce, so too, they are asked to give of the dough.

The commandment to separate challah goes into effect from the moment the mixture become dough. From the possessive form your dough from which challah must be taken is the amount that was familiar to the people in the Wilderness to whom this verse was originally addressed. Your dough, consequently, means the volume of Manna that fell daily for each Hebrew, which was an omer.
Since the Torah refers to the Kohen’s portion as challah, the Hebrew people have taken to call their Sabbath bread, from which they separate this Divinely commanded portion Challah.
This illustrates Hebrew people loyalty to the Torah. The main focus of our lives must be seen in the performance of the commandments, so much so that we call our bread by the same name of the commandment associated with it.
This is similar to the terumah, the first fruit of the crop given to the Kohen from the crops of the field. By comparing challah to terumah, the verse indicates that just as the Torah does not specify a minimum percentage of the crop that must be given.

Num 15:21 ‘Of the first of your dough you are to give to יהוה a contribution throughout your generations. – This command speaks to a certain principal, one which we are to give a portion of every meal unto EL YAHVEH. 

Verse 22 to 26 illustrate the atonement principle for public, unintentional idol worship. Since the aftermath of the tragedy of the spies, the Torah turns to another possibility of a national downfall that would be a denial of Yah’s Sovereignty over His people: mass idol worship.
Although the Torah does not say explicitly that the topic of the passage is idolatry, verse 22, which speaks of a transgression of all of these commandments. Since it cannot be a violation of every single one of the 612 commandments, it must refer to a sin of idolatry, for by worshiping another deity, a person shows that he denies the very existence or the authority of YAHVEH, and he considers himself not to be bound by anything EL YAHVEH has commanded.

The Torah requires every believer to perform the commands because they are the one, which the King has spoken to Moses. To obey any of them because of personal or social considerations, without believing in the other, is to dough a portion, commonly know as Challah.

By giving to the Kohanim, just as they must receive a part of the produce of the field, By making the servant of YAHVEH dependent on the gifts of the nation, and obligating the nations to provide for them, YAHVEH ties together the people who enjoy the Land’s prosperity and those who devote themselves to Torah study, the Temple service and matters of the spirit.
Believers are bless by virtue of the sustenance they provide for YAHVEH devoted servants.

Num 15:22 ‘And when you sin by mistake, and do not do all these commands which יהוה has spoken to Mosheh, - It is not if we sin, but, when we sin even by mistake to do even this commandment.

Num 15:23 all that יהוה has commanded you by the hand of Mosheh, from the day יהוה gave command and onward throughout your generations, - This verse illustrate a point that all commandments given by the hand of Moses from that day, the day it was first given, and every subsequent generation after that.

Num 15:24 then it shall be, if it is done by mistake, without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall prepare one young bull as a burnt offering, as a sweet fragrance to יהוה, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the right-ruling, and one male goat as a sin offering. -  If it is done in ignorance or by mistake, this is the penalty the whole assembly must pay.
They must give today the price of one young bull, since El Yahushua is our sin offering. We are still required to pay the price for the bull. This bull must accompany a grain offering and a drink offering. This is not a celebration, for it is a sin offering.

Num 15:25 ‘Then the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl, and it shall be forgiven them, for it was by mistake. And they shall bring their offering, an offering made by fire to יהוה, and their sin offering before יהוה, for their mistake. – When we confess our sin to El Yahushua, He will make atonement for us, or else it will not be forgiven. If we do not bring this offering, as it is describe here there will be no forgiveness. If the whole church should say we are sorry, is not good enough, this sin offering must be brought, which is approximate $800.00 for a young bull.
Num 15:26 ‘And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Yisra
’ĕl and the stranger who sojourns in their midst, because all the people did it by mistake. – Here is another qualifier, because all the people done it by mistake. Suppose the leader did it not by mistake and the people follow. Then the leader will have to face the consequence, while the people may make this sacrifice.

Verse 27 to 29 illustrate a unintentional individual idolatry.

Num 15:27 ‘And if a being sins by mistake, then he shall bring a female goat a year old as a sin offering. -  The sacrifice for an individual who mistakenly sin, is the price of a female goat. Approximate  $30.00
Num 15:28 ‘And the priest shall make atonement for the being who strays by mistake, when he sins by mistake before יהוה, to make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. – Then this offering is brought, El Yahushua (Jesus Christ) will make atonement for us.

Num 15:29 ‘For him who does whatever by mistake there is one Torah, both for him who is native among the children of Yisra’ĕl and for the stranger who sojourns in their midst. – This is the law for every believer, in any generation.

Verse 30 to 31 discribe intentional idolatry. One who worship idols intentionally, is describe a high-handedly, he or she cannot be atone for his sin through an offering.
If he sinned despite being warned that his actions would incur the death penalty, and witnesses reported his act to the court, he suffers death by stoning.
This passage refers to one who worshiped an idol intentionally, but who had not received a valid warning, or whose act did valid witnesses not see.
EL YAHVEH punishes such a person by cutting off his soul from the nation and denying him a share in the World to Come.
The very act of worshiping an idol constitutes the blasphemy described in this passage.
When anyone claims that a particular commandment does not apply to him or that he has the right to pick and choose among the commandment is blasphemous and worthy of condemnation stated in this passage.

Num 15:30 ‘But the being who does whatever defiantly, whether he is native or a stranger, he reviles יהוה, and that being shall be cut off from among his people. – Any act of defiance against anyone of the commandment is an act against the Kingdom of Heavens. That person will no longer be consider apart of it. That person is consider to be worshiping another mighty one.

Num 15:31 ‘Because he has despised the word of יהוה, and has broken His command, that being shall certainly be cut off, his crookedness is upon him.’  – The Word of יהוה refer to the sin of idolatry this way, The Torah alludes to the first two of the Ten Commandments, which demand faith in יהוה and prohibit idolatry.
These two commandments were heard by the people directly from יהוה not thought Moses, and can therefore be called the Word of  יהוה.

The term his sin is upon him means that even after death, the spiritual corruption of sin adheres to the soul and keeps it out of the world to come. This term implies further that only as long as the sin is upon the person, meaning that he did not repent, the soul was not excised. Repentance however removes the sin and punishment.
Removal of the sin means to remove the root cause, that human desire to be rebellious, that evil inclination that is so prevalent in humanity.

Verse 32 to 36 explains one such sin, the desecration of the Sabbath in the Wilderness. The Torah put next to the sins of idolatry and Sabbath desecration because they represent the same concept. Just as the idolater denies the sovereignty of יהוה, so, too, one who flouts the Sabbath, which testifies to יהוה ‘s Creation of the universe, and mans desire to come into His fullness, declares his lack of faith in the Creators ability to bring them into His fullness.
Because of the vital importance of the Sabbath in the heart of a mature believer belief, the Torah place this incident here, although it did not necessary happen immediately after the rebellion of the spies.

Num 15:32 And while the children of Yisra’ĕl were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. -  The terms were in the Wilderness. This incident could have taken place at the very beginning of the journey in the Wilderness, the fact that the Torah did not mention the exact location, means that it was not time to mention this incident.
The fact that such a thing could have happen so soon is to the Hebrew people discredit, for the nation had just learn to observe the Sabbath and this individual desecrated the Sabbath is the point of this story.
The term gathering wood, means that he took part in the actions related in gathering wood. This include, traveling to the location were the wood were; gathering the wood, including breaking or chopping; binding up the wood; and carrying it back home. All labor intensive work.

Num 15:33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Mosheh and to Aharon, and to all the congregation. -  Since the Torah stress that he was found while committing the sin, implies that he was warned that he was in violation of the Sabbath, a capital offence and he persisted in continuing.

Num 15:34 And they put him in under guard, because it had not been declared what should be done to him. – Since this was a new law and the penalty of violating it was not given. The violator of the command had to be place in a holding area, under guard, until a judgment was determine. Only the nature and procedure of the death penalty had been clarified, but they knew, as stated in Exodus 31:14, that Sabbath desecration incur the death penalty.
Had it not been known that Sabbath desecration was a capital offense, the transgressor would not have been executed, because part of the necessary warning is notification of the gravity of the penalty.

Num 15:35 And יהוה said to Mosheh, “The man shall certainly be put to death, all the congregation stoning him with stones outside the camp.” – The clarification of the judgment was that he was to be stoned to death.

Num 15:36 And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, as יהוה commanded Mosheh, and he died. -  The penalty was he was to carry out of the assembly as a sign of separation, so that others would see the consequence of sin and be deterred from committing any further violation.

Num 15:37 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, - We must remember that we need to get to the place spiritually were we will hear the Voice of EL YAHVEH audible.
Verse 38 – 41 is the commandment for the people to wear Tzitis. This chapter concludes wit a passage that brings home to the Hebrew people the obligation to remember all of the commandments, for it is fallacious to think that Judaism can rest only on the foundation of such primary commandments as belief in יהוה and observance of the Sabbath, vital though they are.

The commandment of Tzitze, the Torah states, is a vehicle that enables the Hebrew people to remember all the Torah’s: precepts, judgments, statues, and laws
This passage contains other general commandments that are essential to maintaining an allegiance to יהוה, and conclude with the often-repeated statement that He took us out of Egypt and as a consequence of that, we are obligated to accept Him as our יהוה.

Num 15:38 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and you shall say to them to make tzitziyot1 on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue cord in the tzitzit1 of the corners. Footnote: 1See Explanatory notes - “Tzitzit” - plural Tzitziyot. – Tzitzis, fringes, the word refers not to the fringes themselves, but to what they are called upon those who wear them. The related Hebrew word means to peer at something intently as Songs of Solomon 2:9 elucidate, and as stated in the following verse, one should look at the tzitzis in order to help remember all the commandments.

The corner of their garments in those day were accessible and visible, which is important in the context of this commandment, since the fringes must be seen in order to serve as a reminder.
Garments are a person’s means of playing a role, of presenting himself to the world, as he would like to be perceived. It is important, therefore, that garment be consecrated, as it were, with reminders of  יהוה, so that they do not become the means to entice people away from His service.

When someone is sincere about using even his garment as a means of achieving devotion to יהוה, he can imbue his children and succeeding generations with the same dedication. People should never underestimate the effect their actions can have on others, especially upon those who are closest to them and who are able to see whether their deeds are motivated by a genuine dedication.

One of the strings in the fringe is to be dyed blue. This treed helps its wearer focus on his duty to יהוה because, blue represent Heavenly character, the color of the Heavens. This roundabout means of focusing on Heavenly Throne teaches that people should look for a way to direct their attention towards higher aspirations.

Those who search for holiness will find inspiration in many experiences. Conversely, in the same situation, those who seek only human pleasure will not see even a possibility of spiritual elevation.
Therefore, a familiar way of testing what different people are like is to see how they react to the same stimuli; what someone sees is an indication of ones spiritual maturity.

Num 15:39 “And it shall be to you for a tzitzit, and you shall see it, and shall remember all the commands of יהוה and shall do them, and not search after your own heart and your own eyes after which you went whoring, - The blue thread in the fringes are for us and other to see that he have made a commitment to follow all that Torah have command. Let see hoe El Yahushua carry out this command. Mat 9:20 A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years approached him from behind and touched the tzitzit on his robe. How did she knew who He was, it was the garment that he wore. Like every good Hebrew man, El Yahushua fulfills Scripture. The fringes are like a royal insignia, reminding their wearers that they are always in the service of the King.

The term not explores means like spies in this chapter; the heart and eyes are like the body spies, brokering for it the sins sought by its animal nature. The heart covets and the eyes seek out, and the body sins.
We are enjoined to avoid any thought that could entice us to uproot a fundamental of the Torah. Human intelligence is limited and not everyone can ascertain the truth, so that a person can destroy his spirit or soul if he follows his own random thoughts. For example, if a person ruminates on whether or there is a  יהוה, whether the prophecies are true, or whether the Torah is of an Heavenly origin, and he does not have the spirit of understand and knowledge to help him find the truth, he will be opening himself to heretical beliefs.

Therefore, the Torah commands that one not explore after the desire of the eyes and heart, lest he become controlled by them.
This chapter conclude with the statement that it is not enough merely to remember, one must perform all the commandments and not pick and choose among them: One must remember the commandments and perform them all with equal enthusiasm. We must be scrupulous in performing a minor commandment as a major one, for you do not know the reward given for the respective commandments.

Such a realization makes a person holy, for it separates him from the lusts and passion that so corrupt people and brings them down.
This was יהוה purpose in taking Yisrael out of Egypt; the deliverance from Egypt was conditional upon Yisrael’s acceptance of the commandments.

Num 15:40 so that you remember, and shall do all My commands, and be set-apart unto your Elohim. -  The whole concept of tzitzit is to help us remember to keep Torah and to remember that we are a set Apart people.
 
Num 15:41 “I am יהוה your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim, to be your Elohim. I am יהוה your El.” - The Torah commands that we remember the Exodus and our ultimate objective, the Holy of Holies every day.

In conclusion. The kabbalist Rabbi Yonatan BenUziel says the CREATOR promise that whoever has humility will be able to finish the correction of their ego in this life time.
Humanity is a phenomenal spiritual achievement, like counting the Omer, humility is available to use all year round, if we only recognize its power. We can study, pray all day, we can even help an old lady across the street. If however, we achieve humility, the CREATOR promise that we will finish othe correction of our ego, in our life time.

Arvei Nachal say that prayer that contain ego cannot be heard by the CREATOR. Because these prayer cannot enter the Kingdom of Heavens, they will remain in the natural world.
So what can we do? All of us have egos. The Kabbalist tell us the very act of trying to minimize our ego creates hope. When we make an effort to learn from the story of the spies in Shlach Lecha, we awaken ourselves to the Truth that the only way to enter our Spiritual Cana’an, the Tree of Life, is to replace our ego the desire to receive, the desire to be right with humility. This way, we make room for the Holy Spirit. This way, we merit the blessing of full maturity.



Haftarah
Joshua 2:1 – 24

Jos 2:1  And Yehoshua son of Nun secretly sent out two men from Shittim to spy, saying, “Go, see the land, and Yeriḥo.” And they went, and came to the house of a woman, a whore, and her name was Raḥaḇ, and they lay down there. – The prudence of Yahoshua, in sending spies to observe this important pass, which was likely to be disputed at the entrance of Yisrael into Canaan. Go view the land, even Jericho. Moses had sent spies (Num. 13) Yahoshua himself was one of them and it proved of ill consequence. Yet Yehoshua now sent spies, not, as the former were sent, to survey the whole land, but Jericho only; not to bring the account to the whole congregation, but to Yahoshua only, who, like a watchful general, was continually projecting for the public good, and, was particularly careful to take the first step well and not to stumble at the threshold.

It was not fitting that Yahoshua should venture over Jordan, to make his remarks incognito, in disguise; but he sends two men (two young men, says the Septuagint), to view the land, that from their report he might take his measures in attacking Jericho, and secondly to remove from Jericho the Rahabs of the city. 

There is no remedy, but great men must see with other people’s eyes, which makes it very necessary that they be cautious in the choice of those they employ, since so much often depends upon their faithfulness.

Faith in YAH’s promise ought not to supersede but encourage our diligence in the use of proper means. Yahoshua is sure he had YAHVEH with him, and yet sends men before him. We do not trust YAHVEH, but tempt him, if our expectations slacken our endeavors.
See how ready these men were to go upon this hazardous enterprise. Though they put their lives in their hands yet they ventured in obedience to Joshua their general, in zeal for the service of the camp, and in dependence upon the power of that YAHVEH who, being the keeper of Yisrael in general, is the protector of every particular Yisraelite in the way of his duty.

Jos 2:2 But it was reported to the sovereign of Yeriḥo, saying, “See, men from the children of Yisra’ĕl have come here tonight to search out the land.” – No marvel that the king of Jericho sent to esquire after them; he had cause to fear when the enemy was at his door, and his fear made him suspicious and jealous of all strangers. He had reason to demand from Rahab that she should bring forth the men to be dealt with as spies.

Jos 2:3 And the sovereign of Yeriḥo sent to Raḥaḇ, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” -  The providence of YAHVEH directing the spies to the house of Rahab. How they got over Jordan we are not told; but into Jericho they came, which was about seven or eight miles from the river, and there seeking for a convenient inn were directed to the house of Rahab, here called a harlot, a woman that had formerly been of ill fame, the reproach of which stuck to her name, though of late she had repented and reformed.

Simon the leper (Mt. 26:6), though cleansed from his leprosy, wore the reproach of it in his name at long as he lived; so Rahab the harlot; and she is so called in the New Testament, where both her faith and her good works are praised, to teach us,
That the greatness of sin is no bar to pardoning mercy if it be truly repented of in time. We read of publicans and harlots entering into the kingdom of the Messiyah, and being welcomed to all the privileged of that kingdom, Mt. 21:31.

That there are many who before their conversion were very wicked and vile, and yet afterwards come to great eminence in faith and holiness.
Even those that through grace have repented of the sins of their youth must expect to bear the reproach of them, and when they hear of their old faults must renew their repentance, and, as an evidence of that, hear of them patiently. YAH’s Israel, for aught that appears, had but one friend, but one well-wisher in all Jericho, and that was Rahab a harlot. YAHVEH has often served HIS own purposes and HIS church’s interests by men of different morals. Had these scouts gone to any other house than this they would certainly have been betrayed and put to death without mercy. 

But YAHVEH knew where they had a friend that would be true to them, though they did not, and directed them thither. Therefore that which seems to us most contingent and accidental is often over-ruled by the divine providence to serve its great ends. And those that faithfully acknowledge YAHVEH in their ways he will guide with his eye. See Jer. 36:19, 26.

According the Hebrew rendition of the word harlot, it could also means a business woman, for she had a inn where visitor would stay over night. It is unheard of to see to holy Hebrew men going to the house of a whore, but they could be seen going to an Inn.

Jos 2:4 But the woman had taken the two men and hid them. So she said, “The men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. - but Rahab not only disowned that she knew them, or knew where they were, but, that no further search might be made for them in the city, told the pursuers they had gone away, and in all probability might be overtaken.

Jos 2:5 “Then it came to be as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, so that you overtake them.” – Rahab must have been a very excellent spoke person, who was able to give instruction in details to the police as to what might have happen to the two men, and what they should do. This showed the police that she was on their side. Go quickly and find them, after all my flourishing hospitality business is at stake here. Convincing argument for a business woman or a Harlot, I would say a business woman, who knew how to conduct herself.

Is it surprising that Rahad was describe in Proverbs 31, as victorious woman. Is it any wonder that she was able to differentiate righteousness from unrighteousness and aligned herself on the right side? It seem like virtuousness is not only in business, it is a spiritual condition.

Jos 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid out on the roof. - Perceiving that they were observed coming into the city, and that notice was taken of there presence, she hid them upon the roof of the house, which was flat, and covered them with stalks of flax, so that, if the officers should search for them, there they might lie undiscovered among the flax. By these stalks of flax, which she herself had lain in order upon the roof to dry in the sun, in order to the beating and making it ready for the spinning wheel, it appears she had one of the good characters of the virtuous woman, that why I say she was a business woman, for an harlot sits by the wayside every day doing business. The virtuous woman she was she sought wool and flax, and wrought willingly with her hands, Prov. 31:13.
There are circumstance in which it is not easy to justify, and yet it must be justified, or else it could not be so good a work as to justify her.

It is plain that she betrayed her country by harboring the enemies, and aiding those that were designing its destruction, which could not consist with her allegiance to her prince and her affection and duty to the community she was a member of.
But that which justifies her in this verse is that she knew YAHVEH had given Yisrael this land  verse 9, knew it by the indisputable miracles YAHVEH had wrought for them, which confirmed that grant; and her obligations to YAHVEH were higher than her obligations to any other.

If she knew YAHVEH had given them this land, it would have been a sin to join with those that hindered them from possessing it. But, since no such grant of any land to any people can now be proved, this will by no means justify any such treacherous practices against the public welfare.
It is plain that she deceived the officers that examined her with an inaccurate statement, but it was not a lie. A lie is any statement that is against the Word of YAHVEH.

That she said that she knew not whence the men were, that they had gone out, that she knew not whither they had gone. What shall we say to this? If she had either told the truth or been silent, she would have betrayed the spies, and this would certainly have been a great sin; and it does not appear that she had any other way of concealing them that by this ironical direction to the officers to pursue them another way, which if they would suffer themselves to be deceived by, let them be deceived. None are bound to accuse themselves, or their friends, of that which, though inquired after as a crime, they know to be a virtue.

This case was altogether extraordinary, and therefore cannot be drawn into a precedent; and that by been justified here which would be by no means lawful in a common case. Rahab knew, by what was already done on the other side Jordan, that no mercy was to be shown to the Canaanites, and thence inferred that, if mercy was not owing them, truth was not; those that might be destroyed might be deceived.

Yet divines generally conceive that it was a sin, which however admitted of this extenuation, that being a Canaanite she was not better taught the evil of lying; but YAHVEH accepted her faith and pardoned her infirmity. However it was in this case, we are sure it is our duty to speak every man the truth to his neighbor, to dread and detest lying, and never to do evil, that evil, that good may come of it, Rom. 3:8.
Telling evil things is to speak against the Written Word. Rahab did not speak against Yah’s People, therefore she did not lie. YAHVEH accepts what is sincerely and honestly intended towards HIS people as good, though there be a mixture of frailty and folly in it, and is not extreme to mark what we do amiss. Some suggest that what she said might possibly be true of some other men.

There is a lot of people who tell the truth and other people suffer for it, because they feel they were telling the truth. Consider 1939 Germany, a Nazi solder come into your house when you are having dinner with three Jewish guest at your table. The solder ask if there are any Jews in the house. What would you say?
Consider this someone come to you and tell you that the Sabbath is done away with. What would you call the later consideration? I call it a lie! The first consideration I would deny that there were any Jews in my house. When is a lie a lie? When it is against the Word of YAHVEH.

Jos 2:7 And the men pursued them by the way to the Yardĕn, to the fords. And they shut the gate afterwards as soon as the pursuers had gone out.

Jos 2:8 And before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, - during world war II thousand of people who we have not heard about protect Jew from been slaughtered by the Nazi, men like Shindler, falls in the same category as Rahab the business woman.

Jos 2:9 and she said to the men, “I know that יהוה has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of you. -  We are sure this was a good work: it is canonized by the apostle (James 2:25), where she is said to be justified by works, and this is specified, that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way, and she did it in faith, such a faith as set her above the fear of man, even of the wrath of the king.

She believed, upon the report she had heard of the wonders wrought for Yisrael, that their Elohim was the only true EL, and that therefore their declared design upon Canaan would undoubtedly take effect and in this faith she sided with them, protected them, and courted their favor. Had she said, "I believe YAHVEH is yours and Canaan yours, but I dare not show you any kindness,’’ her faith had been dead and inactive, and would not have justified her. But by this it appeared to be both alive and lively, that she exposed herself to the possibility of great repercussion, even of life, in obedience to her faith.

Those only are true believers that can find in their hearts to venture for YAHVEH; and those that by faith take the YAHVEH for their EL take HIS people for their people, and cast in their lot among them. Those that have YAHVEH for their refuge and hiding-place must testify their gratitude by their readiness to shelter HIS people when there is occasion. Let my outcasts dwell with thee, Isa. 16:3, 4. And we must be glad of an opportunity of testifying the sincerity and zeal of our love to YAHVEH by hazardous services to his Messiyanic Assembly and kingdom among men.
Jos 2:10 “For we have heard how יהוה dried up the water of the Sea of Reeds for you when you came out of Mitsrayim, and what you did to the two sovereigns of the Amorites who were beyond the Yardĕn, Siḥon and Oḡ, whom you put under the ban. - Having got clear of the officers, she comes up to them to the roof of the house where they lay hid, finds them perhaps somewhat dismayed at the peril they apprehended themselves in from the officers, and scarcely recovered from the fright, but has that to say to them which will give them abundant satisfaction.

She saved them, and by them sends to Yahoshua and Yisrael, all the encouragement that could be desired to make their intended descent upon Canaan. This was what they came for, and it was worth coming for.

She lets them know that the report of the great things YAHVEH had done for them had come to Jericho, not only that they had an account of their late victories obtained over the Amorites in the neighboring country, on the other side of the river, but that their miraculous deliverance out of Egypt, and passage through the Red Sea, a great way off, and forty years ago, were remembered and talked about in Jericho, to the amazement of every body.

Jos 2:11 “And when we heard, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in anyone because of you, for יהוה your Elohim, He is Elohim in the heavens above and on earth beneath. - This Yahoshua and his fellows were men wondered at, Zec. 3:8. See how YAHVEH makes HIS wonderful works to be remembered (Ps. 111:4), so that men shall speak of the might of HIS terrible acts, Ps. 145:6.
 She tells them what impressions the tidings of these things had made upon the Canaanites: Your terror has fallen upon us verse 9; our hearts did melt. If she kept a Inn, this would give her an opportunity to hear from the numerous travelers an understanding off the sense of various companies and of travelers from other parts of the country, so that they could not know this any way better than by her information.

It would be of great use to Yahoshua and Yisrael to know it; it would put courage into the most cowardly YIsraelite to hear how their enemies were dispirited, and it was easy to conclude that those who now fainted before them would infallibly fall before them, especially because it was the accomplishment of a promise YAHVEH had made them, that he would lay the fear and dread of them upon all this land (Deu. 11:25), and so it would be an earnest of the accomplishment of all the other promises YAHVEH had made to them.

Let not the stout man glory in his courage, any more than the strong man in his strength; for YAHVEH can weaken both mind and body. Let not YAH’s Yisrael be afraid of their most powerful enemies; for their YAHVEH can, when YAHVEH pleases, make their most powerful enemies afraid of them. Let none think to harden their hearts against YAHVEH and prosper; for HE that made man’s soul can at any time make the sword of HIS terrors approach to it.

She hereupon makes profession of her faith in YAHVEH and HIS promise; and perhaps there was not found so great faith (all things considered), no, not in Yisrael, as in this woman of Canaan. who believes YAH’s power and dominion over all the world verse 11: "YAHVEH your EL, whom you worship and call upon, is so far above all gods that HE is the only true Elohim; for YAHVEH is EL in the heavens above and in earth beneath, and is served by all the hosts of both.’’ A vast distance there is between heaven and earth, yet both are equally under the inspection and government of the great YAHVEH EL- Elion. The Heavens is not above HIS power, nor is earth below HIS cognizance.

Jos 2:12 “And now, please swear to me by יהוה, since I have shown you kindness, that you also show kindness to my father’s house, and shall give me a true token, - She believes YAHVEH promise to HIS people Yisrael verse 9: I know that YAHVEH hath given you the land. The king of Jericho had heard as much as she had of the great things YAHVEH had done for Yisrael, yet he cannot infer thence that YAHVEH had given them this land, but resolves to hold it out against them to the last extremity; for the most powerful means of conviction will not of themselves attain the end without divine grace, and by that grace Rahab the harlot, who had only heard of the wonders YAHVEH had wrought, speaks with more assurance of the truth of the promise made to the fathers than all the elders of Yisrael had done who were eye-witnesses of those wonders, many of whom perished through unbelief of this promise. Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet have believed; so Rahab did. O woman, great is thy faith!

Jos 2:13 and shall spare my father, and my mother, and my brothers, and my sisters, and all that they have, and shall deliver our lives from death.” - She engaged them to take her and her relations under their protection, that they might not perish in the destruction of Jericho. 

It was evidence of the sincerity and strength of her faith concerning the approaching revolution in her country, that she was so solicitous to make an interest for herself with the Yisraelites, and courted their kindness. She foresaw the conquest of her country, and in the belief of that bespoke in time the favor of the conquerors. As Noah, being moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, and the condemning of the world, Heb. 11:7. Those who truly believe the divine revelation concerning the ruin of sinners, and the grant of the heavenly land to YAH’s Yisrael, will give diligence to flee from the wrath to come, and to lay hold of eternal life, by joining themselves to YAHVEH and to HIS people.

The provision she made for the safety of her relations, as well as for her own, is a laudable instance of natural affection, and an intimation to us in like manner to do all we can for the salvation of the souls of those that are dear to us, and, with ourselves, to bring them, if possible, into the bond of the covenant. No mention is made of her husband and children, but only her parents, and brothers, and sisters, for whom, though she was herself a housekeeper, she retained a due concern.

Her request that they would swear unto her by YAHVEH is an instance of her acquaintance with the only true Elohim, and her faith in HIM and devotion towards HIM, one act of which is religiously to swear by his name.
Her petition is very just and reasonable, that, since she had protected them, they should protect her, and since her kindness to them extended to their people, for whom they were now negotiating, their kindness to her should take in all hers.

It was the least they could do for one that had saved their lives with the hazard of her own. Those that show mercy may expect to find mercy. She does not demand any preferment by way of reward for her kindness to them, though they lay so much at her mercy that she might have made her own terms, but only indents for her Life, which in a general destruction would be a singular favour.
Therefore YAHVEH promised Ebed-Melech, in recompense for his kindness to Jeremiah, that in the worst of times he should have his life for a prey, Jer. 39:18. Yet this Rahab was afterwards advanced to be a princess in Yisrael, the wife of Salmon, and one of the ancestors of Messiyah, Mt. 1:5. Those that faithfully serve Messiyah and suffer for him he will not only protect, but prefer, and will do for them more than they are able to ask or think.

Jos 2:14 And the men said to her, “Our lives for yours, if you do not expose this matter of ours, then it shall be, when יהוה has given us the land, that we shall treat you in kindness and truth.” - They solemnly engaged for her preservation in the common destruction: "Our life for yours. We will take as much care of your lives as of our own, and would as soon hurt ourselves as any of you.’’ They imprecate YAH’s judgments on themselves if they should violate their promise to her.

She had pawned her life for theirs, and now they in requital pawn their lives for hers, and (as public persons) with them they pawn the public faith and the credit of their nation, for they plainly interest all Yisrael in the engagement in those words, When YAHVEH has given us the land, meaning not themselves only, but the people whose agents they were.

No doubt they knew themselves sufficiently authorized to treat with Rahab concerning this matter, and were confident that Yahoshua would ratify what they did, else they had not dealt honestly; the general law that they should make no covenant with the Canaanites (Deu. 7:2) did not forbid them to take under their protection a particular person, that had heartily come into their interests and had done them real kindnesses. The law of gratitude is one of the laws of nature. Now observe here. The promises they made her. In general, "We will deal kindly and truly with thee.

Jos 2:15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall and she dwelt on the wall. – The manner in which we rescue other will eventually be the very means of our own salvation.

Jos 2:16 And she said to them, “Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers come upon you. And you shall hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned, and afterwards go on your way.” - She also directed them which way to go for their own safety, being better acquainted with the country than they were. she directs them to leave the high road, and escape by the way  of the mountains till the pursuers returned, for till then they could not safely venture over Jordan. those that are in the way of YAHVEH and their duty may expect that Providence will protect them, but this will not excuse them from taking all prudent methods for their own safety.

Jos 2:17 And the men said to her, “We are released from this oath of yours which you have made us swear, - YAHVEH will keep us, but then we must not willfully expose ourselves. Providence must be trusted, but not tempted. Their charge to Rahab to keep this matter secret, and not to repeat it, was intended for her safety, lest she, boasting of her security from the sword of Yisrael, should, before they came to protect her, fall into the hands of the king of Jericho and be put to death for treason: thus do they prudently advise her for her safety, as she advised them for theirs. And it is good advice, which we should at any time be thankful for, to take heed to ourselves.

Jos 2:18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, and your mother, and your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. – Covenants must be made with care, and we must be careful when we swear in judgment, lest we find ourselves perplexed and entangled when it is too late after vows to make inquiry  Those that will be conscientious in keeping their promises will be cautious in making them, and perhaps may insert conditions which others may think frivolous.
Their promise is here accompanied with three stipulations, and they were necessary ones. They will protect Rahab, and all her relations always, provided, That she tie the scarlet cord with which she was now about to let them down in the window of her house.

This was to be a mark upon the house, which the spies would take care to give notice of to the camp of Yisrael, that no soldier, how hot and eager soever he was in military executions, might offer any violence to the house that was thus distinguished. This was like the blood sprinkled upon the door-post, which secured the first-born from the destroying angel, and, being of the same color, some allude to this also to represent the safety of believers under the protection of the blood of Messiyah sprinkled on the conscience. The same cord that she made use of for the preservation of these Yisraelites was to be made use of for her preservation. What we serve and honor YAHVEH with we may expect he will bless and make comfortable to us.
That she should have all those whose safety she had desired in the house with her and keep them there, and that, at the time of taking the town, none of them should dare to stir out of doors.

Jos 2:19 “And it shall be that anyone who goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood is on his own head, and we are innocent. And anyone who is with you in the house, his blood is on our head if a hand is laid on him. – We will not only be kind in promising now, but true in performing what we promise; and not only true in performing just what we promise, but kind in out-doing thy demands and expectations.’’ The goodness of YAHVEH is often expressed by his kindness and truth (Ps. 117:2), and in both these we must be followers of him.
In particular, "If a hand be upon any in the house with thee, his blood shall be on our head,’’. If hurt come through our carelessness to those whom we are obliged to protect, we thereby contract guilt, and blood will be found a heavy load.
The provisos and limitations of their promises. Though they were in haste, and it may be in some confusion, yet we find them very cautious in settling this agreement and the terms of it, not to bind themselves to more than was fit for them to perform.

Jos 2:20 “And if you expose this matter of ours, then we shall be released from your oath which you made us swear.” – Like wise in a marriage covenant, the covent become nul-and-void when the terms of the covenant is broken.

Jos 2:21 And she said, “Let it be according to your words.” And she sent them away, and they went. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. – She then took effectual care to secure her new friends, and sent them out another way, James 2:25. Having fully understood the covenant they made with her, and consented to it, she then let them down by a cord over the city wall verse 15, the spiritual situation of her house cause the two spies to escape: it was a similar situation Paul made his escape out of Damascus, 2 Co. 11:33.

Jos 2:22 So they left and came to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. And the pursuers sought them in all the way, but did not find them. - We have here the safe return of the spies Yahoshua had sent, and the great encouragement they brought with them to Yisrael to proceed in their advance upon Canaan. Had they been disposed to discourage the people, as the evil spies did that Moses sent, they might have told them what they had observed of the height and strength of the walls of Jericho, and the extraordinary vigilance of the king of Jericho, and how narrowly they escaped out of his hands; but they were of another spirit, and, depending themselves upon the divine promise, they animated Joshua likewise.

Their return in safety was itself an encouragement to Joshua, and a token for good. that YAHVEH provided for them so good a friend as Rahab was in an enemy’s country, and that notwithstanding the rage of the king of Jericho and the eagerness of the pursuers they had come back in peace, was such an instance of YAH’s great care concerning them for Yisrael’s sake as might assure the people of the divine guidance and care they were under, which should undoubtedly make the progress of their arms glorious. He that so wonderfully protected their scouts would preserve their men of war, and cover their heads in the day of battle.

Jos 2:23 Then the two men returned and came down from the mountain, and passed over. And they came to Yehoshua son of Nun, and related to him all that had befallen them. – When the two witnesses finish there ministry here on earth, they will return to YAHVEH to give an account of there ministry.

Jos 2:24 And they said to Yehoshua, “Truly יהוה has given all the land into our hands, and also, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away because of us.”  - The report they brought was much more encouraging: "All the inhabitants of the country, though resolved to stand it out, yet do faint because of us, they have neither wisdom to yield nor courage to fight,’’ whence they conclude, "Truly YAHVEH has delivered into our hands all the land, it is all our own; we have nothing to do, in effect, but to take possession.’’ Sinners’ frights are sometimes sure presages of their fall. If we resist our spiritual enemies they will flee before us, which will encourage us to hope that in due time we shall be more than conquerors.


Brit Chadasha
Hebrew 3:7 – 19

In these verses we have the application of the doctrine laid down in the close of the last chapter concerning the priesthood of our Messiyah Yahushua.
How fervent and affectionate a manner the Apostle exhorts Messiyanic to have this High Priest much in their thoughts, and to make Hm the object of their close and serious consideration; and surely no one in earth or heaven deserves our consideration more than He. That this exhortation might be made the more effectual, observe.

Heb 3:7 Therefore, as the Set-apart Spirit says, “Today, if you hear His voice, - Here the apostle proceeds in pressing upon them serious counsels and cautions at the close of the chapter; and he recites a passage fro Ps. 95:7. What he counsels them to do, to give a speedy and present attention to the call ofMessiyah. "Hear His Voice, assent to, approve of, and consider, what YAHVEH in Messiyah speaks unto you; apply it to yourselves with suitable affections and endeavours, and set about it this very day, for to-morrow it may be too late.’’

Heb 3:8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, - What he cautions them against, hardening their hearts, turning the deaf ear to the calls and counsels of Messiyah: "When he tells you of the evil of sin, the excellency of holiness, the necessity of receiving Messiyah by faith as your Saviour, do not shut your ear and mind against such a voice as this.’’ The hardening of our hearts is the spring of all our other sins.

Heb 3:9 where your fathers tried Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years. – Whose example he warns them by, that of the Yisraelites their fathers in the wilderness: As in the provocation and day of temptation; this refers to that remarkable passage at Massah Meribah, Ex. 17:2-7. Days of temptation are often days of provocation.
To provoke YAHVEH, when he is trying us, and letting us see that we entirely depend and live immediately upon him, is a provocation with a witness.
The sins of others, especially our relations, should be a warning to us. Our fathers’ sins and punishments should be remembered by us, to deter us from following their evil examples. Now as to the sin of the fathers of the Jews, here reflected upon.

The state in which these fathers were, when they thus sinned: they were in the wilderness, brought out of Egypt, but not got into Canaan, the thoughts should have restrained them from sin.
The sin they were guilty of: they tempted and provoked YAHVEH; they distrusted YAHVEH, murmured against Moses, and would not attend to the voice of YAHWEH.

The aggravations of their sin: they sinned in the wilderness, where they had a more immediate dependence upon YAHVEH: they sinned when YAHVEH was trying them; they sinned when they saw his works, works of wonder wrought for their deliverance out of Egypt, and their support and supply in the wilderness from day to day. They continued thus to sin against YAHVEH for forty years. These were heinous aggravations.

(The source and spring of such aggravated sins, which were:
  • They erred in their hearts; and these heart-errors produced many other errors in their lips and lives.
  • They did not know YAH’s ways, though HE had walked before them. They did not know HIS ways; neither those ways of HIS providence in which HE had walked towards them, nor those ways of his precept in which they ought to have walked towards YAHVEH; they did not observe either his providences or his ordinances in a right manner.

Heb 3:10 “Therefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’ – The just and great resentment YAHVEH had at their sins, and yet the great patience he exercised towards them: Wherefore I was grieved with that generation.

§  All sin, especially sin committed by YAH’s professing privileged people, does not only anger and affront YAHVEH, but it grieves him.
§  YAHVEH is loth to destroy HIS people in or for their sin, HE waits long to be gracious to them.
§  YAHVEH keeps an exact account of the time that people go on in sinning against HIM, and in grieving HM by their sins; but at length, if they by their sins continue to grieve the Spirit of YAHVEH, their sins shall be made grievous to their own spirits, either in a way of judgment or mercy.

Heb 3:11 “As I swore in My wrath, ‘If they shall enter into My rest...’ ”1 Footnote: 1Ps. 95:7-11. – The irreversible doom passed upon them at last for their sins. YAHVEH swore in HIS wrath that they should not enter into his rest, the rest either of an earthly or of a heavenly Canaan.

§  Sin, long continued in, will kindle the divine wrath, and make it flame out against sinners.
§  YAH’s wrath will discover itself in its righteous resolution to destroy the impenitent; HE will swear in his wrath, not rashly, but righteously, and HIS wrath will make their condition a restless condition; there is no resting under the wrath of YAHVEH.

Heb 3:12 Look out, brothers, lest there be in any of you a wicked heart of unbelief in falling away from the living Elohim, - What use the apostle makes of their awful example. He gives the Hebrews a proper caution, and enforces it with an affectionate compilation statement; the word is, Take heed, blepete, look to it. "Look about you; be upon your guard against enemies both within and without; be circumspect.

You see what kept many of your forefathers out of Canaan, and made their carcasses fall in the wilderness; take heed lest you fall into the same sin and snare and dreadful sentence. For you see Messiyah is the Head of Yisrael, a much greater person than Moses, and your contempt of Him must be a greater sin than their contempt of Moses; and so you are in danger of falling under a severer sentence than they.

The ruin of others should be a warning to us to take heed of the rock they split upon. Yisrael’s fall should forever be a warning to all who come after them; for all these things happened to them for ensamples (1 Co. 10:11), and should be remembered by us. Take heed; all who would want to get safely into the holy of holies must look about them.

He enforces the admonition with an affectionate compilation: "Brethren, not only in the flesh, but in Messiyah; brethren whom I love, and for whose welfare I labor and long.’’ Here Paul enlarges upon the matter of the admonition: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living Elohim.

A heart of unbelief is an evil heart. Unbelief is a great sin, it hardens the heart of man.
An evil heart of unbelief is at the bottom of all our sinful departures from YAHVEH; it is a leading step to apostasy; if once we allow ourselves to distrust YAHVEH, we may soon desert him.
Yisraelite brethren have need to be cautioned against apostasy. Let those that think they stand take heed lest they fall.

Heb 3:13 but encourage one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened by the deceivableness of sin. – He opened to good counsel to the caution, and advises them in that which would be a remedy against this evil heart of unbelief, that they should exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day.

We should be encouraging one another while we are together, which will be but a short and uncertain time. Since to-morrow is none of ours, we must make the best improvement of to-day.

If Messiyanics do not exhort one another daily, they will be in danger of being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. There is a great deal of deceitfulness in sin; it appears fair, but is filthy; it appears pleasant, but is pernicious; it promises much, but performs nothing.

The deceitfulness of sin is of a hardening nature to the soul; once sin allowed prepares for another; every act of sin confirms the habit; sinning against conscience is the way to sear the conscience; and therefore it should be the great concern of every one to exhort himself and others to beware of sin.

Heb 3:14 For we have become partakers of Messiyah if we hold fast the beginning of our trust firm to the end, -  He comforts those who not only set out well, but hold on well, and hold out to the end: We are made partakers of Messiyah, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end. 
The saints’ privilege: they are made partakers of Messiyah, that is, of the Spirit, nature, graces, righteousness, and life of Messiyah; they are interested in all that is Messiyah’s, in all that He is, in all that He has done, or can do.
The condition on which they hold that privilege, namely, their perseverance in the bold and open profession and practice of Messiyah and Yisrael unto the end. Not but they shall persevere, being kept by the mighty power of YAHVEH through faith to salvation, but to be pressed to it is one means by which Messiyah helps His people to persevere. This tends to make them watchful and diligent, and so keeps them from apostasy.

The same Spirit with which Yisrael set out in the ways of YAHVEH they should maintain and evidence to the end. Those who begin seriously, and with lively affections and holy resolutions and humble reliance, should go on in the same spirit.

There are a great many who in the beginning of their profession show a great deal of courage and confidence, but do not hold them fast to the end. Perseverance in faith is the best evidence of the sincerity of our faith.

Heb 3:15 while it is said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” – The apostle resumes what he had quoted before from Ps. 95:7, etc., and he applies it closely to those of that generation. While it is said, To-day if you will hear, etc.; as if he should say, "What was recited before from that scripture belonged not only to former ages, but to you now, and to all who shall come after you; that you take heed you fall not into the same sins, lest you fall under the same condemnation.’’

Heb 3:16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Was it not all who came out of Mitsrayim, led by Mosheh? – The apostle tells them that though some who had heard the voice of YAHVEH did provoke him, yet all did not so.
Though the majority of hearers provoked YAHVEH by unbelief, yet there were some who believed the report.

Though the hearing of the word be the ordinary means of salvation, yet, if it be not hearkened to, it will expose men more to the anger of YAHVEH.
YAHVEH will have a remnant that shall be obedient to HIS voice, and HE will take care of such and make mention of them with honor.
If these should fall in a common calamity, yet they shall partake of eternal salvation, while disobedient hearers perish forever.

Heb 3:17 And with whom was He grieved forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? – The apostle puts some queries upon what had been before mentioned, and gives proper answers to them: But with whom was he grieved forty years? With those that sinned. And to whom did he swear? .

YAHVEH is grieved only with those of his people who sin against HIM, and continue in sin.
YAHVEH is grieved and provoked most by sins publicly committed by the generality of a nation; when sin becomes epidemic, it is most provoking.
Though YAHVEH grieves long, and bears long, when pressed with the weight of general and prevailing wickedness, yet HE will at length ease HIMSELF of public offenders by public judgments.

Heb 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter into His rest, but to those who did not obey? – Those who have heard the word and continue in the sin will never reach Maturity. Those who sin and learn from their mistake are the wise virgins. Those who sin and continue in their sins are the foolish virgins. The foolish virgins were not invited to the wedding feast.


Heb 3:19 So we see that they were unable to enter in because of unbelief. ­ Unbelief (with rebellion which is the consequent of it) is the great damning sin of the world, especially of those who have a revelation of the mind and will of YAHVEH. This sin shuts up the heart of YAHVEH, and shuts up the gate of heaven, against them; it lays them under the wrath and curse of YAHVEH, and leaves them there; so that in truth and justice to Himself HE is obliged to cast them off forever.


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