May 31, 2025: Torah Portion Parashat Bamidbar - "In The Desert"

In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Bamidbar - "In The Desert"

• Torah Portion: Numbers 1:1-4:20

• Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-23

• Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Romans 9:22-33; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11

Before you read this wonderful Bible study about this special Torah Portion Bamidbar - "In The Desert" message for this SHABBAT, please HELP us continue to make a positive impact, partner with us in this vision!

How You Can Make a Difference:

1.  Pray for Our Mission: We need your prayers as we move forward with this important ministry. Pray for favor, resources, and divine guidance.

2. PARTNER WITH US - YOUR DONATIONS ARE ALL TAX EXEMPT IN THE UNITED STATES: 

3. We have so many projects and we need your help, for the glory of Adonai! Please DONATE to help keep us going.

4. All of the ministry funds to Restore Israel is for ministerial, educational and charitable purposes. Restore Israel is recognized as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in the United States.

5. Your financial support is crucial to making this vision a reality. Whether you give a one-time gift or set up monthly support, every contribution is an investment into the Kingdom of God as we work in producing MUSIC, MEDIA, MERCY MISSIONS, etc...

6. SHARE the Vision: Help spread the word. SHARE this newsletter with friends, family, and others who might feel called to support this mission!

   
   

PARTNER WITH US

---

Bamidbar - "In The Desert"

📖 Torah Portion: Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1–4:20)

This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Bamidbar - “In the Wilderness”, is scheduled to be read today Shabbat, May 31, 2025 (4 Sivan 5785). It marks the beginning of the Book of Numbers and sets the stage for the Israelites’ journey through the desert.

The portion begins the Book of Numbers, where the story picks up precisely where the Book of Exodus left off, that is, with the glory of the LORD hovering over the Mishkan (Tabernacle) as the Israelites were stationed at Sinai (Exodus. 40:38, Numbers 1:1).

On the first day of the thirteenth month following the Exodus from Egypt – exactly thirty days after the Tabernacle was first consecrated– God commanded Moses to take a census of all Israelite males over 20 years of age who were suitable for military service. Moses and the heads of each tribe recorded the results, with 603,550 men of draftable age (20 to 60 years) in Israel. Of these, 22,273 were firstborn sons.

This number did not include the Levites, however, since they were designated to take care of the Tabernacle during the journeys.

"The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head." Numbers 1:1-2

 Just as a king counts his army on the day of his coronation, so the LORD counted all the men (from age 20 upward) who would serve in the Jewish army and who would be able to help conquer the Promised Land!

The LORD then gave instructions about how the Israelite camp was to be arranged. The Tabernacle would occupy the central location, with three clans of the Levites surrounding it on the north, south, and west.

Moses and the kohanim camped at the entrance on the east. The twelve tribes were divided into four groups of three, each of which had its own colorful degel (flag or standard). The Tribe of Judah was prominent and guarded the entrance to the inner camp of the Levites at the eastern (main) gate. Each tribe's tents were to face the mishkan. This camp formation (of over 2 million people) was maintained while traveling throughout the wilderness. Each tribe had its own nassi (leader) and its own flag with its tribal color and emblem.

All of the tents of the Israelites were to face the Tabernacle on every side. This camp formation was to be strictly maintained while traveling throughout the desert.

The tribes are organized around the Tabernacle in a specific formation, emphasizing order and community structure. The Levites are set apart for service in the Tabernacle, replacing the firstborn sons of Israel, and are assigned specific duties related to the care and transportation of the Tabernacle’s components.

 Each tribe had its own prince (Nassi), its own flag, whose color corresponded with the color of its respective stone in Aaron's breastplate:

“Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes." Exodus 28:15-21

For example, Judah's stone was a sky-blue carbuncle and therefore the color of his flag was like the color of the sky with a "fiery lion" embroidered upon it (Genesis 49:9).

A water-giving rock accompanied the Israelites in the desert (the rock was later called the "Well of Miriam"). Whenever the Israelites prepared to camp, the 12 nesi'im (leaders of the tribes) would sing praises to the LORD, and the rock would gush forth four streams of water.

One stream surrounded the mishkan, another surrounded the camp of the Levites, and another surrounded all the Israelites. The fourth stream marked out the boundaries for each of the 12 tribes of Israel. It is fascinating to note that the Apostle Paul correlated the life-giving Rock that provided supernatural water for the Israelites with MESSIAH YeESHUA!

"2 They all were immersed into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 And all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink—for they were drinking from a spiritual rock that followed them, and the Rock was Messiah. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the desert."

1 Corinthians 10:4

In other words, Yeshua Himself was the source of life for the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness of Sinai. And this is still true for us today!

Divine Order and Community: The census and organization of the tribes underscore the importance of structure within the community and the role each individual plays in society.

When Israel was led (by the pillar of fire) to a new location during their wilderness wanderings, the three Levite clans first dismantled and transported the mishkan and reassembled it at the center of the next encampment.

They then set up camp around it: the Kohathites, who carried the Mishkan vessels (the ark, menorah, etc.) camped to the south; the Gershonites, in charge of its tapestries and roof coverings, to the west; and Merrarites, who transported its wall panels and pillars, to the north. Before the Mishkan's entrance to the east were the tents of Moses, Aaron and the Kohanim. Even afterwards, when Israel went into the promised land under the leadership of Joshua, the land was apportioned to the tribes largely according to their order of encampment in the desert, as has been pointed out by several biblical commentators. Except for the royal tribe of Judah, located in the "center" of the country around Jerusalem, the rest of the tribes remained close to the allotments of their brethren for long periods of time, just as they marched with them in the desert.

The Significance of the Census:

The census, among other things, indicates that the LORD is a God of orderliness who is concerned for each member of the community. Every Jew is uniquely created and known by the LORD, and not one who is unseen or forgotten.

Though each Jew was accounted for before the LORD, all of Israel was mishpachah (a family), a united people with whom the LORD was God and Father. This family had specific roles and functions, each of which was not to be performed by others. For example, the Levites were forbidden to do the work of the Kohanim, and vice-versa. Even within the Levites themselves, each clan was assigned its own unique role.

In the same manner, ADONAI made us each unique, individual, and one-of-a-kind. No one has ever or will ever walk the earth who is exactly the same as us. We are his masterpieces; made in his image and called to live out our God-given identity as his sons and daughters!

The Bible tells us time and time again that we're priceless to ADONAI, yet it's easy to lose sight of just how much we're loved! This is why we need to be constantly reading the Word, to remind us of who we really are in MESSIAH YESHUA:

" For we are His workmanship—created in MESSIAH YESHUA for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Affirming the deep, personal love God has for each of us is super important, as this profound understanding shapes our self-worth and identity, anchoring us in the knowledge that we are valued beyond measure by our Creator, and that we need to do our part to contribute to the work ADONAI calls all of us to accomplish in the life He has given us to live, especially in the midst of those who are in our sphere of influence! What we say matters! What we do maters! How we conduct ourselves matters! Especially since we are called to be ambassadors for the Kingdom of ADONAI!

---

📜 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1–22

The Haftarah from the prophet Hosea draws a parallel between the unfaithfulness of Israel and that of an unfaithful spouse. Despite Israel’s infidelity, God promises restoration and a renewed covenant, highlighting themes of mercy and redemption.

This mirrors the themes in Bamidbar, where structure and covenant are central. We need to understand that when we receive YESHUA into our lives, we enter into covenant with Him, and in so doing, we die to ourselves and begin to live a new life for Him, as it states in Galatians 2:19-20:

"19...I have been crucified with Messiah; 20 and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me. And the life I now live in the body, I live by trusting in Ben-Elohim—who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Unfortunately, the Jewish People are an example of what NOT to do, by hardening their hearts towards ADONAI, and rebelling against Him.

However, the good news is that Israel will again be called "My People" and "Sisters who have regained God's Mercy."

ADONAI will have mercy on Israel yet again, and turn all the harsh punishments into great blessings! The LORD will "speak tenderly" to Israel and restore her to condition when He ransomed her from bondage in Egypt:

"I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion." Hosea 2:19

In the coming millennial kingdom, when YESHUA HA'MASHIACH reigns in Jerusalem, the Jewish people who survived the tribulation will at long last be fully restored as God's covenant people upon the earth! HaleluYAH!

We need to instill in us a deep appreciation for all the the LORD has not only done for His people, but for US as well! As it is so profoundly stated in Psalm 103:

"1Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

15The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

16the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

17But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

18with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

19The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

21Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

22Praise the Lord, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul."

Faithfulness and Redemption: Hosea’s message reminds us of God’s enduring love and the possibility of restoration, even after periods of unfaithfulness.

Preparation and Testing: YESHUA’s time in the wilderness serves as a period of preparation and testing, highlighting the significance of spiritual readiness and dependence on God.

---

Brit Chadasha (New Testament) Reading: Matthew 4:1–17

In Romans 9-11, the Apostle Paul (Rav Shaul) discusses God's great plan for Israel (and the nations). Concerning national Israel and the calling of the Gentiles as partakers of the covenants, the apostle quotes from Hosea (2:23 and 1:10, respectively), and applies them directly to the church of God:

"Those who were not my people (lo ammi) I will call 'my people' (ammi), and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.' And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God' (b'nei el chai)." Hosea 2:23

In other words, there has always been provision for the nations to come into relationship with YHVH through the grace of God. Although the ethnic Jews consider themselves to be am segulah (a treasured people), ever since Abraham (the very first "Jew") the LORD had intended to call out people from every tongue and tribe to be His own children.

In the end there will be "one new man," a redeemed group of peoples - both Jew and non-Jew- who will live in covenant with the LORD forever and ever. In light of the sovereign plan of ADONA, this segment of Romans concludes with the contrast of the ways of justification as adopted by Judaism and Christianity, respectively:

"What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written,

"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." Romans 9:30-33

We pray that the partial blindness that has caused our Jewish people to stumble, be lifted from their eyes so that they may see the Truth of MESSIAH YESHUA that sets them free unto newness, more than abundant life, in Him!

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the perfect sacrifice of YESHUA, who entered the heavenly sanctuary to atone for our sins once and for all. Help us to rest in His finished work and live according to Your Word. Write Your laws on our hearts through the Holy Spirit, transforming us to reflect Your will.

Teach us to live with gratitude and anticipation of YESHUA's return. In YESHUA'S MIGHTY NAME, we pray! Amen.