June 27, 2026: Torah Portions Parashot Chukat-Balak
- Dr. Hadassah Elia
- 8 minutes ago
- 12 min read
In this study, we will explore the Double Torah Portions Chukat - "Decree of", and Balak - "Devastator"
Double Torah Portions: Numbers 19:1-22 & Numbers 22:2-25:9
Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8
Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Hebrews 9:11-28; John 3:10-21; Romans 11:25-32; Jude 1:1-25
This week's Parashah covers two Torah Portions: Chukat - "Decree of", and Balak - "Devastator"
📖Chukat - "Decree of" – Numbers 19:1-22
Last week's Torah portion: Korach established the authority of Moses (not Reuben) as the leader of Israel, and the authority of Aaron (not other sons of Levi) as God's chosen priestly line. The Israelites (the laymen) were warned to keep their distance from the priestly duties and to allow the appointed representative of the LORD to intercede on their behalf.
The Mystery of the Red Heifer:
In this the first portion: Chukat, the LORD gives the "law of the red heifer," a special whole burnt offering whose ashes were used to purify someone contaminated by contact with a dead body.
The red heifer had to be a perfect specimen that was completely red, "without blemish, in which there is no defect." Numbers 19:2
This is the only sacrifice in the Torah where the color of the animal is explicitly required. Moreover, the cow was never to have had a yoke upon it, meaning that it must never have been used for any profane purposes.
Unlike other sacrifices offered at the altar at the Tabernacle, the red heifer was taken outside the camp to be slaughtered before the priest, who then took some of its blood and sprinkled it seven times before the Tabernacle. Then the heifer would be burned in its entirety: its hide, flesh, blood, and even dung were to be burned (unlike other sacrifices). Also unlike other offerings, the blood of the sacrifice was to be completely burned in the fire.
Hyssop, scarlet yarn, and a cedar stick would then be thrown upon the burning heifer, which were the same items used to cleanse from tzara'at (skin disease). These items, along with the blood of the red heifer, were therefore assimilated into the ashes of the sacrifice, which were gathered and mixed with living water to create what was called the "waters of separation" for the community.
Anyone that came into contact with death (a corpse) was required to be cleansed using these waters. The purification procedure took a full seven days, using three stalks of hyssop dipped into the water and shaken over the defiled person on the third day and then again on the seventh day. After the second sprinkling, the person was immersed in a mikvah and was declared "clean" the following evening.
The mystery of the red heifer sacrifice suggests profound truth about the sacrificial death of Yeshua our Savior!
The kohen (priest) who sprinkled the ashes of the red heifer became tamei (unclean) himself, even though the defiled person became tahor (pure).
The picture of the priest here is one of sacrificial love the giving up of one's own spiritual purity so that another person can regain his purity...
"Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be clean" Psalm 51:7
Just so, Yeshua willingly became unclean on our behalf - through our contact with sin and death - so that we could become clean:
"He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
"He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds." Titus 2:14
Because of Yeshua, the impure become pure, even though He became impure through His offering. Because of Him, we have been cleansed from our sins "by a better sprinkling" than that which the Tabernacle of Moses could afford.
The Copper Snake:
Further along in the same Parashat, Numbers 21:8-9 recounts God instructing Moses to make a copper serpent on a pole so that anyone bitten by a snake could look at it and live.
Upon leaving Mount Hor to go around the land of Edom, the people grew impatient and another rebellion brewed. This time the people murmured not only against Moses, but against the LORD Himself. Consequently, the LORD sent "burning serpents" that bit the people and many Israelites died.
The people confessed their sin and appealed to Moses for help, who then interceded on their behalf. The LORD instructed Moses to make a figure of a snake and mount it on a pole so that "everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." Numbers 21:8
Yeshua the Messiah referred to this episode when He spoke to Nicodemus about the way of salvation:
"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life." John 3:14-15
Humanity as a whole has been "bitten by the snake" and needs to be delivered from its venom. Just as the image made in the likeness of the destroying snake was lifted up for Israel's healing, so the One made in the likeness of sinful flesh was to be lifted up as the Healer of the world.
"For what was impossible for the Torah—since it was weakened on account of the flesh—God has done. Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering, He condemned sin in the flesh—" Romans 8:3
The miraculous healing provided by the bronze serpent, symbolizes God's provision and the importance of faith.
His GLORY:
In the context of God's glory, this act can be seen as a test of faith for the Israelites, demonstrating that they could receive healing simply by looking at the serpent.
This act also foreshadows the sacrifice of Yeshua, as the serpent on the pole represents the crucifixion, signifying the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. Thus, the bronze serpent serves as a symbol of God's power and the necessity of faith in times of need.
"For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory." Colossians 1:27
He glorifies Himself in us by showing Himself strong to those that are fully committed to Him!
Why does He manifest His glory? To have a relationship with us! To show the power and strength of His presence!
We are transformed from strength to strength and from glory to glory, through His glory that falls on us! Messiah in us the hope of glory!
The weight of His glory:
Paul contrasts temporary suffering with the incomparable “weight” of the glory believers will experience.
“For our light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:17
Moses asks, “Please show me Your glory.” Exodus 33:18–23. God’s glory is so overwhelming that no one can see His full glory and live.
"When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple. 2 The priests could not enter the Temple of the Lord because the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the Lord filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying,
“He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!”
2 Chronicles 7:1-3
From a Messianic perspective, the glory of God is fully revealed in Yeshua:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
What does “the weight of His glory” mean spiritually?
It speaks of:
* The overwhelming reality of God’s presence.
* His holiness and majesty.
* The honor due to Him alone.
* His transforming presence that changes those who encounter Him.
* The eternal inheritance awaiting those who belong to Him.
When believers speak about experiencing “the weight of His glory,” they are often describing a profound awareness of God’s presence that brings reverence, worship, conviction, peace, or joy. While such experiences can be deeply meaningful, Scripture encourages us to evaluate them by their fruit and their faithfulness to God’s Word, rather than by the intensity of the experience itself.
In the end, the weight of His glory is not merely a feeling—it is the reality of who God is.
Balak - "Devastator"
📜 Parashat Balak is named after a fretful Moabite king Balak who sought to curse the Jewish people by hiring the services of a wicked Midianite "prophet" named Balaam.
This week we find Israel encamped near the borders of Moab, east of the Jordan, finally ready to enter the Promised Land.
When Balak, the king of Moab, considered what Israel had done to the Amorites, however, he sought the aid of the neighboring Midianites and sent emissaries to hire an Aramean "seer" named Balaam to curse Israel so that they would be defeated in the forthcoming battle.
Who was Balak?
Abraham's nephew Lot was rescued from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah along with his two daughters. After fleeing the area, they took shelter in a cave, when the two daughters got their father drunk, had sexual relations with him, and became pregnant. The two sons born from this incestuous union would become fathers of the nations of Moav (Moab) and ben-Ammi (Amon), respectively.
When the Moabites heard about the defeat of the Amorite kings Sichon and Og, they decided to join forces with their longtime enemies the Midianites to present a united front.
This sounds very similar to the Muslim world today, who have joined forces, to come against Israel, yet again!
King Balak was a magician, trained in kishuf (the occult and magic). Instead of preparing for a conventional war, however, he hired the services of a renowned magician named Bil'am son of Beor ("Balaam"). His plan was to fight Israel by means of spiritual powers. Perhaps he thought that if he and Bil'am combined their powers, they could defeat Israel.
Who was Balaam?
Balaam son of Be'or was from Aram (ancient Mesopotamia/Syria), the place of Abraham's extended family. Similar in notoriety to Haman in the book of Esther, Balaam is considered one of Israel's greatest foes.
Balaam was regarded as a great seer, magician and an adept in the occult. His notoriety made him famous, and powerful people asked him to invoke curses on their enemies. In fact, it was Balaam who advised the new Pharaoh to enslave the Israelites and to afflict them with brutal taskmasters:
8 "Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses." Exodus 1:8-11
King Balak dispatched a group of noblemen from both Moab and Midian to invite Balaam to curse the Israelites. Initially he refused to go with them, since he did not have the permission of the LORD. However, after repeated delegations and a warning from the LORD, he saddled his donkey and made his way to curse God's chosen people.
King Balak's plan was to employ Balaam's sorcery against the Israelites to prevent them from entering the Promised Land. Similar to the irony that befell the villain Haman in the Book of Esther, however, King Balak's scheme was upended, and the curse he sought to put on the Jewish people was repeatedly pronounced as a blessing by Balaam instead.
Balak received Balaam at Moab's border and repeated his promises of honor and glory, but Balaam reiterated
26 "Balaam answered, “Did I not tell you I must do whatever the LORD says?”
Numbers 23:26
Three times, from three different vantage points, Balaam attempted to pronounce his curses; but each time blessings upon Israel were recited instead.
The third attempt was at the summit of Peor itself, the place noted for Baal worship. The Ruach Ha'Kodesh (Holy Spirit) came upon Balaam and he recited further blessing upon Israel and (ironically) curses upon her enemies. Part of Balaam's blessing is now part of the daily morning service spoken in synagogues all over the world, the Mah Tovu:
The Mah Tovu is a mixture of verses from different places in the Tanach (Old Covenant): Numbers 24:5 and Psalms 5:8, 26:8, 95:6 and 69:14. The theme of Mah Tovu is expressing our appreciation for being able to come together and worship in a makom kadosh (holy place).
After several foiled attempts to curse the Israelites, Balak finally dismissed the prophet from his service, but before departing from the dejected king, Balaam ironically prophesied about the end of days, the destruction of the Moabites and the establishment of Israel:
2"When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him 3 and he spoke his message:
“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,[a]
who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
5 “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,
your dwelling places, Israel!
6 “Like valleys they spread out,
like gardens beside a river,
like aloes planted by the Lord,
like cedars beside the waters.
7 Water will flow from their buckets;
their seed will have abundant water.
“Their king will be greater than Agag;
their kingdom will be exalted.
8 “God brought them out of Egypt;
they have the strength of a wild ox.
They devour hostile nations
and break their bones in pieces;
with their arrows they pierce them.
9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse them?
“May those who bless you be blessed
and those who curse you be cursed!”
Numbers 24:2-9
The shameful story of Balaam reveals that,
"there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel. It now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘Oh, what God has done!’" Numbers 23:23
Indeed, no weapon or scheme devised against God will ever prosper! (Isaiah 54:15-17). HalleluYah! Amen!
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📖 Overview of Parashat Balak
• Setting: King Balak of Moab, alarmed by Israel’s military successes, summons the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites.
• The Donkey Episode: On the way to Balak’s encampment, Balaam’s donkey sees an angel blocking the path. When Balaam beats the donkey, it speaks—rebuking him and opening his eyes to see the angel.
• Balaam’s Blessings: Despite Balak’s wishes, Balaam ends up blessing Israel—not once, but three times—each blessing soaring in poetic grandeur.
• Prophetic Oracle: Balaam’s final prophecy recognises Israel’s strength and divine destiny; he predicts their justice and the downfall of their foes.
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📚 Key Themes & Insights
1. Inner Vision vs. Outer Pressure
Balaam, though hired to curse, listens instead to deeper spiritual truth—his inner vision (via the donkey and angel) overrides external pressure from Balak.
2. The Inversion of Expectation
Intended curses turn into blessings—a powerful reversal that underscores how divine will transcends human designs.
3. Ethical Leadership and Intention
Balaam’s path offers a cautionary tale: even prophets can err when motivated by wealth, fame, or political gain.
4. Divine Sovereignty
The narrative emphasizes that Israel’s fate is overseen by a power beyond human intentions—no mortal scheme can undermine divine purpose.
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📖 Haftarah for Balak
The prophetic reading (Haftarah) is Micah 5:6–6:8, which resonates with Balak by highlighting:
• Divine Protection of Israel
• Critique of empty ritual, contrasting Israel’s inappropriate offerings with Micah’s call to “do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God.”
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Finding Opportunity in Adversity:
Beyond the literal interpretation of curses turning into blessings, the concept can also be understood as finding positive outcomes or lessons from difficult situations. A job loss, for example, might lead to a more fulfilling career path.
Growth and Transformation:
Difficulties can serve as catalysts for personal growth and spiritual development, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and one's relationship with God or a higher power.
Redemption and Forgiveness:
God's ability to forgive sins and offer redemption is understood to be turning a curse (sin) into a blessing (salvation and eternal life). Righteous living and obedience to ADONAI's commandments are seen as factors that can attract God's favor and help in turning curses into blessings.
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