Mattai
Numbers 33:1 - 36:13

       All eyes are focused on Israel these days, as the country prepares for the historic pullout from the Gaza Strip and specific locations in the West Bank . Israel is very much divided over this issue. Certainly we need to be praying for God’s will to be done. This Torah portion is all about the land.  We are given the “diary of Moses” describing the wilderness wanderings and then we are given the boundaries of the land. These boundaries have been debated for thousands of years - to this very hour!. In one sense we have specific borders given to us. However, in another sense we see from this portion that the borders are not so “tight”. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and one-half of Mannaseh settle on the other side of the Jordan . If the text says that the border is the Jordan , how can it be that 2 and one-half tribes can settle beyond the Jordan ? This leads to another question: In Genesis chapter 15, we read clearly that the borders of the land stretch from “the river of Egypt ” all the way to the Euphrates . When you add it all up, it seems that the land, in some texts, is very specific while other texts infer that the borders may be larger and expandable. 

It is clear that the land of Israel is like no other land. It is called by such names as the “ Holy Land ” and the “Promised Land”. These names remind us that the land belongs to God but that He has given it to the descendants of Abraham through Isaac. As we read in this Torah portion, the boundaries of the land coincide with the boundaries of the “ land of Canaan ”. In Genesis chapter 17, the land is called the “ Land of Canaan ”.  As I wrote earlier, the fact that some of the tribes can settle on the other side of the Jordan indicates that the borders are flexible.  Some Sages have taught that the land is expandable up to the Euphrates on the West and to Egypt to the Southeast.  While this may indeed be the case, perhaps there is an additional way to understand these borders.  Except for the covenant promise of Genesis 15, one is hard pressed to find other passages that define the borders so wide. Remember that the context of the covenant of Gensis 15 is the affirmation of the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 12. Notice in that passage the very last phrase of verse 3:    And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."   Perhaps the boundaries in chapter 15, speak in one sense of the limits of the expansion of the land but in another sense of the influence that the Jewish people are called to have on the nations of the world. Egypt and Mesopotamia were two great world empires who often represent the “nations” in the Bible.  God gave the land to the Jewish people in order to glorify God and to influence the nations in understanding and knowing the One and Only God of Israel.  it is no coincidence that when Yeshua was asked when Israel would be restored he said    "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;  ⁸ but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8).

    These Jewish men were fulfilling the first fruits of the calling of Israel - influencing the nations toward the One and Only God of Israel.  “ Egypt ” and “ Mesopotamia ” represent the “nations of the earth”.  The fact is, that the day is indeed coming when Israel will  be restored.  Isaiah chapter 19 speaks about “ Egypt ” and “ Assyria ” being influenced by the God of Israel. It is no coincidence that Egypt and Assyria are the borders that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 15.  We read in Isaiah 19:23-25

    In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria , and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.  ²⁴ In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth,  ²⁵ whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance."

In that day, perhaps the boundaries of Israel will be from Egypt to Assyria . One thing we know for sure is that the influence of the God of Israel will spread not only to  these two great empires but all over the world.

Zechariah 14:16  Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.

     Yes, in that day Israel will be the center of the world. Israel will dwell in peace and all of the nations will recognize the God of Israel and Yeshua the Messiah. Today we need to pray for Israel .   Just as in ancient times, the distribution and the settlement of the land is not a finished issue.  May God give wisdom to the leaders of Israel and most importantly, may our people recognize that Yeshua is the Messiah and fulfill her calling of being a light to the nations. As Yeshua said,    "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matt 6:33).

 Shabbat Shalom!