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Parashat Becha'alotecha - Bemidbar /Numbers 8:1–12:16 - Haftarah Reading: Zechariah 2:14–4:7

The Biblical Basis For Israel - Studies In End Time Prophecy - Part II

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I. Introduction

A. Rationalization or Revelation?

1. The 70 facets of the Torah
2. Sing praises and rejoice - Zc 2:14

B. Review: "Eretz Yisrael"- God's key to understanding the end times.

1. "Ikvot HaMoshiach" - The Footsteps of the Messiah - Psalm 89:52; Acts 1:6
2. The culmination of history- Zc 12:1-4; Mt: 24:1ff
3. Borders, Promises, and Covenants

C. Parashat Becha'alotecha - Nu 8:1-12-16 Abbreviated Outline

1. Aaron is commanded to raise light in the lamps of the menorah, and the tribe of Levi is initiated into the service in the Sanctuary.
2. A "Second Passover" is instituted in response to the petition "Why should we be deprived?" by a group of Jews who were unable to bring the Passover offering in its appointed time because they were ritually impure. G-d instructs Moses on the procedures for Israel's journeys and encampments in the desert, and the people journey in formation from Mount Sinai, where they had been camped for nearly a year.
3. The people are dissatisfied with their "bread from heaven" (the manna) and demand that Moses supply them with meat. Moses appoints 70 elders, to whom he emanates of his spirit, to assist him in the burden of governing the people. Miriam speaks negatively of Moses and is punished with leprosy; Moses prays for her healing and the entire community waits seven days for her recovery.

D. Holiness, Conquests, & Inheritance as they relate to the concepts of Borders, Promises, and Covenants

II. The Biblical Basis For Israel - Studies In End Time Prophecy

A. Borders & Kedushah (Holiness)

1. Divine intent at the outset of creation

a. God has established the present and the future borders of Eretz Yisrael Gn 1:1-1; Ps 105:44-45 cp Ps 111:6

b. The book of Bereshit was written to provide a response to the nations of the world that God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people - Rashi

c. A holy land for a holy people which is governed by God's holy Torah Lv 18:24 - 30 *

B.  Borders & Yerushah (Conquest/ to take possession of)

1. "Brit Bein HaB'tarim" - The Covenant between the pieces - Gn 15:1ff
   a. National inheritance through conquest cp The book of Yehoshua
   b. A prophetic vision "Fear Not" - v 1
   c. Trusting in HaShem is an act of righteousness - v 6 cp Heb 10:35ff
   d. The sacrifices - Midrashic Interpretations - vss 9-10 cp Jer 34:9
   e. Birds of prey represent the nations that try to prevent Gods covenant with Israel from being established - v 11
   f. God makes His presence known vss 11-17
   g. I have given, not I will give - v 18 cp Gn 12:7
   h. The expanded borders - vss 18 - 21
        • Focuses on the long term historical process to conquer the land
        • Reflects our destiny to become a holy people who will bless mankind by declaring God's name at the crossroads of civilization
   
2. " Brit Milah" - The Covenant of Circumcision - Gn 17:1- 8 - NEXT WEEK
   a. The personal aspect
   b. The journey begins

D. Israel will never cease to be a nation - Jer 31:35- 37; cp Rom 11: 1

III. Conclusion

A. "Ikvot HaMoshiach" - The Foot steps of the Messiah

B.  Yerushah, Kedushah, & Achutzah

C.  Empowered by the Word & empowered by the Ruach

* The difference between land that is conquered and land that is granted to a nation by a controlling power is significant. According to traditional sources, Jewish law viewed the land of Israel as having lost its sanctity when the first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, but retained its sanctity after the second Temple was destroyed by the Romans. This is because the sanctity that derived from Joshua's conquest was based on a military victory, which could be undone, while the sanctity that evolved from Ezra's settling the land could not be undone.