Num 8:1–9:21
Hebrew paragraph divisions:
8:1-4 {p} Arrangement of the seven lamps of the menorah
8:5-22 {s} Cleansing/ wave offering of the Levites for the work of the tabernacle
8:23-26 {p} Levites work in the tabernacle from 25 to 50 years
9:1-8 {p} Passover keeping prevented by defilement
9:9-14 {s} 2nd month Passover/ one Torah for both stranger and native
9:15-23 {p} Israel encamped + journeyed at the command of YHVH
This section of Scripture falls within a greater chaistic structure from Num 3:5-8:26, with the focus of the central axis on the menorah, the golden lampstand which was in the Holy Place. The original instructions for its design are in Exo 25:31-40. The tabernacle is a multi-layered prophetic picture, and in one interpretation, the Most Holy Place represents the heart, wherein the presence of YHVH dwells; the Holy Place represents the soul, that is, the mind, will, and emotions; and the outer court represents the body.
The instruction in Num 8:1-4 is that the seven-branched menorah, representing the light of YHVH which is never to go out, is in the Holy Place. Accordingly, the light of YHVH is to be placed in the soul or mind to illuminate the soul or mind, and it is to never go out. What is the light of YHVH?
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psa 119:105
The menorah prophesies of Yeshua—He is the Word of God made flesh.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Joh 1:1, 14
Then Yeshua spoke again unto them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Joh 8:12
Num 9:22–10:36
9:15-23 {p} Israel encamped/ journeyed at the command of YHVH
10:1-10 {p} Law of the two silver trumpets
10:11-28 {s} 2nd year, 2nd month, 20th day, Israel broke camp in order
10:29-34 {s} Moses entreats his father-in-law to journey with them
10:35-36 {p} Moses’ blessing when the ark set out and rested
And they departed from the mount of YHVH three days’ journey; and the ark of the covenant of YHVH went before them for the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. Num 10:33
Three is a sign of Messiah in Torah, which we have seen numerous times before. The ark of the covenant of YHVH contained the tablets of stone, the Law of God, covered by the mercy seat. It is Messiah who is the Word of God made flesh (Joh 1:1, 14). Yes, even the Law of God is Messiah, as His Law is also His Word. But His Law, His Word, is always covered by mercy—is that not the Gospel?
The ark of the covenant—Law covered by Mercy—goes on a three days’ journey to search out a place of rest for Israel. On the third day, Messiah, the Word (Law) which put on flesh, full of grace and truth (Mercy) was raised to life in triumph over hell, death, and all the power of the devil, and in Him Israel finds her place of rest.
Num 11:1-35
11:1-15 {p} Complaint against YHVH: intense craving for meat
11:16-22 {p} YHVH will give them meat for 30 days until they are sick of it
11:23-35 {p} Seventy elders commissioned/ quail/ graves of craving
Moses appealed to YHVH, and He instructed him to appoint seventy elders of Israel to help him in bearing the burden of the people. To equip them for this work, YHVH took of the Spirit that is upon Moses—the Holy Spirit of God—and put it upon the seventy also. We know that it was the Spirit of God, because when they received it, they prophesied by that Spirit. When Joshua was shocked that others than the anointed prophet—Moses— prophesied, he said,
“Would God that all YHVH’s people were prophets, that YHVH would put His Spirit upon them!” Num 11:29
Yeshua, the Prophet like Moses, did the same.
After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place, where He Himself would come. Luk 10:1
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject unto us through Your name.” Luk 10:17
The same incident is recorded in Matthew 10, where it is written that He gave them power over unclean spirits, and to heal every sickness and disease.
Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” And Yeshua said unto him, “Forbid him not, for he who is not against us is for us.” Luk 9:49-50
Even the disciples of Yeshua did the same as Joshua, the “disciple” of Moses.
Num 12:1-16
12:1-3 {s} Complaint of Miriam and Aaron against Moses
12:4-13 {p} Miriam becomes leprous
12:14-16 {p} Miriam shut out of the camp 7 days, then received again
“My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all My house.” Num 12:7
Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant.
And Moses truly was faithful in all His house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Messiah as a Son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Heb 3:5-6
And Messiah is faithful in all God’s house as the Son.
NUMBERS 8:1-12:16 ANNUAL BEHA’ALOTECHA “WHEN YOU STEP UP” OUTLINE | NUMBERS in CHIASTIC STRUCTURE
FINDING MESSIAH in TORAH: A MESSIANIC DISCOVERY THROUGH the TORAH PORTIONS
THE LAW of LOVE: THE GOSPEL of GRACE REVEALED in the COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
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