Numbers 19:1 - 22:1
Throughout Israel’s journey, YHWH had to discipline them.
They murmured, complained, rebelled, argued, got angry, were ungrateful and so on.
These outward expressions were from a heart of unbelief
Hebrews 4:2 For we also have had Good News proclaimed to us, just as they did. But the word they heard did not help them, because they were not unified with those who listened in faith.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, let us run with patient endurance the race that has been set before us,
When we study the Torah, what or where is our focus?
Is it on the Israelites and what they are doing or not doing?
Is it on what YHWH is doing or on both YHWH and Israel?
Since leaving Egypt YHWH has tried to bring discipline and bring order to Israel. Yet Israel resisted.
Their hearts never left Egypt
The words Torah, Mitzvot, Mishpat, and Chukat when obeyed bring order, correction, and discipline in one’s life.
John 6:66 From this time, many of His disciples left and quit walking with Him. So Yeshua said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to leave also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life! We have trusted and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Hebrews 12:5-7 Have you forgotten the warning addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of Adonai or lose heart when you are corrected by Him, because Adonai disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He accepts.” It is for discipline that you endure. God is treating you as sons—for what son does a father not discipline?
What is the purpose of discipline?
Preparation
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship—created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them.
Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares Adonai, “plans for shalom and not calamity—to give you a future and a hope. “Then you will call on Me, and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Produces Fruit
Hebrews 12:11 Now all discipline seems painful at the moment—not joyful. But later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Isaiah 32:17 The result of righteousness will be shalom and the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in shalom by those who make shalom.
Protection
Deuteronomy 2:7 For Adonai your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand—He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These 40 years Adonai your God has been with you—you have lacked nothing.”’
Psalm 37:28 For Adonai loves justice and does not abandon His godly ones. They will be preserved forever, but the seed of the wicked will be cut off.
Provision
Deuteronomy 11:13-15 Now if you listen obediently to My mitzvot that I am commanding you today—to love Adonai your God and to serve Him with all your heart and soul—then I will give rain for your land in its season—the early rain and the late rain—so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will give grass in your field for your livestock, and you will eat and be satisfied.
Proficiency
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness, so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed.
Hebrews 12:7-10 It is for discipline that you endure. God is treating you as sons—for what son does a father not discipline? But if you are without discipline—something all have come to share—then you are illegitimate and not sons. Besides, we are used to having human fathers as instructors—and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? Indeed, for a short time they disciplined us as seemed best to them; but He does so for our benefit, so that we may share in His holiness.
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