{"id":2257,"date":"2013-05-05T11:17:27","date_gmt":"2013-05-05T11:17:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=2257"},"modified":"2013-05-05T11:17:27","modified_gmt":"2013-05-05T11:17:27","slug":"bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-bamidbar-taking-a-census-of-my-own-life-is-that-a-sin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-bamidbar-taking-a-census-of-my-own-life-is-that-a-sin\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Bamidbar, Taking a Census of My Own Life; is that a Sin?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This weeks reading is from Parashat Bamidbar (Bamidbar \/ Numbers 1:1-4:20<\/em>), the Lord God speaks to Moshe in the Tent of Meeting (Ohel Moed, \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b5\u05d3<\/span>) saying\u00a0 \u05d1\u00a0 \u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d6\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05bb\u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd:<\/span>\u00a0 1:2 \u2018Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers\u2019 households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. (NASB)<\/em>\u00a0 The men who are to be numbered are those who are able to go to war, twenty years and older, the number of men from each tribe is given in Bamidbar \/ Numbers 1:4-46<\/em>.\u00a0 The Levites however were not numbered because they are given to the service of the Lord in the Tabernacle (1:47-50<\/em>).\u00a0 The scriptures state that the Levites are to camp around the Tabernacle so God\u2019s wrath does not fall upon the congregation of Israel (1:53<\/em>).\u00a0 The Scriptures list who will camp on the north, east, south, and west sides of the Tabernacle (2:1-34<\/em>).\u00a0 The generations of Aaron are given (3:1-4<\/em>), then the Lord commands that the Levites be brought before Aaron and declares 3:13\u2018For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the Lord.\u2019(NASB)\u00a0<\/em> Moshe then numbered Aaron\u2019s sons according to the command of the Lord (3:14<\/em>) and the number of the first born are listed (3:15-50<\/em>).\u00a0 This week\u2019s reading ends with the mitzvot (commandments) on what to do when the Tabernacle moves from one place to another, how the Levites are to prepare the Tabernacle for traveling (4:4-20<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\u05db\u05ea\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e7\u05d5\u05d3\u05e9 \/ The Holy Scriptures<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05de\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d0<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8 \u05e1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b5\u05d3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05d3 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05d0\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8: \u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d6\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05bb\u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd: \u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05df \u05e2\u05b6\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b9\u05e6\u05b5\u05d0 \u05e6\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e7\u05b0\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u05df:<\/span><\/p>\n

Bamidbar \/ Numbers 1:1-3<\/em><\/strong>
\n1:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 1:2 \u2018Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers\u2019 households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head 1:3 from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies. (NASB)<\/em><\/p>\n

In the reading for this week from Bamidbar \/ Numbers 1:1-3<\/em>, God speaks to Moshe telling him to number the people.\u00a0 Studying the Scriptures it is interesting to note that, on occasion, when a king takes a census it is considered a sin to do so before the Lord.\u00a0 Have you ever asked the question concerning the census that is recorded in the books of 1 Chronicles 21:1-4<\/em> and 2 Samuel 24<\/em>; why did David number Israel?\u00a0 Why was it was a sin that king David numbered Israel?\u00a0 Many people look upon this episode as an esoteric commentary not immediately knowing or understanding why God would deal so harshly with King David for simply numbering the people of Israel?\u00a0 Counting the people may be done for various reasons, both good and bad.\u00a0 For example, a country might count its people for a census to see how many new roads need to be built.\u00a0 Numbering the people for this reason would not result in sin by doing so. On the other hand, if a country counted the people to determine how many man are able to draw the sword (as David did) in order to determine whether to invade another country, to attack an enemy, or to glory being great in power, then this is sinful.\u00a0 King David counted for the purpose of satisfying his pride, which was provoked by Satan.\u00a0 Based on the biblical text, the conclusion we are able to make regarding David taking a census of the people, he did his census taking out of human ego and pride.\u00a0 He wanted to know how powerful Israel\u2019s army was.\u00a0 This is confirmed by God declaring plainly that the number of the men that he counted were \u201cthose that drew the sword\u201d<\/em> (2 Samuel 24:9-10<\/em>). The offense to the Lord God Almighty concerning Israel was that David had begun to trust in man rather than the Lord.\u00a0 What was the reason for God asking Moshe to number the people in Bamidbar \/ Numbers<\/em> chapter 1<\/em>?\u00a0 It was not for the purpose of knowing the power of Israel\u2019s army.\u00a0 In fact, Israel was going to spend another 40 years wandering the desert.\u00a0 So why number the people here?\u00a0 The reason was to provide an account of the number of able bodied men who were delivered up out of Egypt.\u00a0 In addition to this, we do not read that Moshe taking a ransom for the people following the census (Shemot \/ Exodus 30:11-12<\/em>).\u00a0 This is most likely because God motivated Moshe\u2019s actions by giving the mitzvah to do so.\u00a0 What is the lesson for us this week?\u00a0 Will we trust in the Lord for all of our needs or will we behave like David, to take account of all that we have and take pride in our wealth believing the work of our hands was something of our own making and not God\u2019s blessing?\u00a0 This is related to our walking humbly before the Lord and with repentant hearts.\u00a0 As we live each day, we should be quick to seek God\u2019s mercy and to seek His Son Yeshua to take away our iniquity.\u00a0 Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (NASB)<\/em>\u00a0 BTT_Parashat Bamidbar-2013<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This weeks reading is from Parashat Bamidbar (Bamidbar \/ Numbers 1:1-4:20), the Lord God speaks to Moshe in the Tent of Meeting (Ohel Moed, \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b5\u05d3) saying\u00a0 \u05d1\u00a0 \u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d6\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05bb\u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd:\u00a0 1:2 \u2018Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2257","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-bits-of-torah-truth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2257"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2257\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}