Numbers 4:21-7:89; Judges 13:2-25; Acts 21:17-26
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As we continue to read through the book of Numbers, we find more information about the different clans or families and their particular positions within the nation of Israel. As a believer in G-D and His word I know He has made me for a purpose and position within His kingdom. We don't have to work our way into our position because G-D has already given us a job to do. We CAN know the will of G-D for our lives. Once we find out what our role is then it is just a matter of walking in that role and knowing that it will bring both enrichment to our lives and enrichment to the greater kingdom of G-D. When we know what we are supposed to do then we can be content within our community and the community can and will be in harmony with what G-D would have it to do.
Within this week's Parsha we find some of the most well-known words from the Torah. In Numbers chapter six beginning with verse number 22 we find the instructions for what has become known as the Aaronic Benediction.
G-D speaks to Moshe and instructs Moshe to speak a blessing over the Children of Israel. This blessing is chanted at our synagogue each week just before we close our service.
May G-D bless you and safeguard you.
May G-D illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you.
May G-D lift His countenance to you and establish peace for you.
This is a powerful blessing, unique in that it is a blessing that G-D specifically gave for the High Priest to speak over the Children of Israel. There is, however, a catch involved in this blessing. Each line begins with the word "May". This word makes this blessing contingent upon something. The use of the word may means there is an option. G-D may or may not bless Israel with these things. The Torah instructs Israel on how they can place themselves in position to receive this blessing from G-D. They must live within the covenant that allows them to qualify as the People of G-D.
As I look at these words I realize how much I desire to be blessed and safeguarded by G-D, how much I want G-D to smile upon me and be gracious to me and how much I want Him to establish peace for me. The more I think about these desires, the more I want to make myself available to these things so that G-D may perform them for and to me.
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Last Shabbat I spoke about the Feast of Shavuot. During my message I shared how one of the most wonderful things about this particular festival was that in its uniqueness the Torah did not assign a specific day to this feast. Instead we are told to count each of the fifty days until we arrive at the appointed time. This counting built up within the Nation of Israel an expectation. Anticipation arose within the People of G-D as Shavuot approached. With each day the anticipation grew stronger as they waited to see what G-D was going to do. While sharing Saturday morning I brought out the point that each week as we prepared for our Shabbat service we should also get a sense of expectation as to what G-D would do during our service. The more I thought about this point of expectation the more I realized how important it is for us to arrive at services expecting not only to worship G-D, but to meet with G-D. The anticipation of meeting with the creator of the universe should build within us all week long as we think about and prepare our hearts for Shabbat. The reason for this great anticipation rises from a promise from G-D that He would meet with us. His word calls Shabbat a Moed (appointed time). This is a time G-D has scheduled to meet with His people. G-D has chosen Shabbat to meet with us. Do we come to service with that in mind? Are we preparing for a personal meeting with the King of Eternity when we prepare to attend services each week? As I think about this I realize that G-D wants to meet with me even more then I want to meet with Him. That He has chosen to meet with me. How Cool is That?!!!