Mas'ei (Stages/Journeys) Parashah 43

Mas'ei (Stages/Journeys) B'midbar 33:1~36:13

26 Tamuz 5769/July 18, 2009

A As we bring the Book of B'midbar (Numbers) to a close this week, being a regular year we have a double parshiyot. At the very onset of the second parashah Mas'ei (Mas'ay) the Torah as if in an effort to compile a tourist's guide, painstkingly lists the 42 stages or sequence of events that give definition to the wilderness journeys that B'nei Yisra'el had made in the last 40 years. Sparing the details of each place of encampment for the most part finds the explicit name of each place mentioned, those which find later mention, as well as those places that are never alluded to again.

Read B'midbar Ch 33

Not unreasonable by any standards, a curious mind might question why each one of the stages of encampment is listed by name. A valid answer would suggest that we look at what the word Torah means and behold, we are reminded that it expresses instruction for our lives. Even in our halachah (walk of faith) today, we have many great examples of what to do and what not to do as expressed through the examples given in Torah. B'nei Yisra'el as a people, as a nation, and certainly not excluding the role that her Divinely appointed Leadership had to assume, all point to life lessons that are applicable for each of us even yet today.

As we mentioned concerning each one of these 42 stages or journeys, reference is made specifically by name, reaquainting the readers mind with the often familiar circumstances that were rendered at each location. Some as we remember were very wonderful and exciting experiences while others were very bitter and excruciating circumstances. In revisiting these place names, we quickly recall the blessings of obedience and the punishment of disobedience, a stark reminder of perhaps even our own life journeys.

It's interesting to note as we read in verse 3, that the very beginning of this 42 stage process begins with redemption by the blood of the lamb in Mitzrayim, and such a proud moment it was; as the B'nei Yisra'el marched with a new spirited self respect in their transition from slavery to the status of redeemed.

The sequence of events and the places where they occured following the factor of Redemption, point to and illustrate clearly the path that is chartered by obedience in contrast to the path of disobedience. Each one of these places mentioned when considered collectively, served to purport a means of spiritual preparation leading up to the last step of the journey into the Promised Land.

The lessons learned were beyond comprehension, and regardless of whether the place echoed tsuris (trouble) or if it resounded with pleasantry, ADONAI was faithful in leading His people. Many valuable lessons were learned and great knowledge was attained. If we apply the knowledge that we gain from life's journeys, we will ultimately gain strength and wisdom that will in turn afford us the coping skills that are so necessary when each step of the journey offers something challenging.

Read D'varim Ch 8:11~16 pg 207

In the current stages of our life's journeys, we do and will experience taxing and testing situations. Like Yisra'el we need to gain the strength and wisdom that comes from these experiences. The very thing that brought Yisra'el to the place of their redemption was their cries and groanings ascending up to the Throne-room of G-d, and He remembered His covenant with Avraham. G-d will still hear the cries of His people today, as a matter of fact, our crying out to G-d is the very first step in the process of our redemption.

We need to view, as hard as it seems, the testing and trials of our journeys as opportunities to enhance spiritual growth, and in reality insn't that the whole point or purpose of difficult tests and trials in our lives, to do good for us in the end? In conjunction with the words of D'varim 8:16, Ya'akov (James) Ch 1:2~3 states an instruction that we adhere to most frequently, he states: "Regard it all as joy, my brothers, when you face various kinds of temptations; for you know that the testing of your trust produces perseverance." He goes on in Ch 5:11 saying: 11 Look, we regard those who persevered as blessed. You have heard of the perseverance of Iyov, and you know what the purpose of ADONAI was, that ADONAI is very compassionate and merciful.

The trials and testings that we often refer to as simply hiccups in the road, or more severely; pot holes, or maybe there's road construction going on and we are on a path of diversion, well, all of these obstructions that we face on our journeys cannot be ascribed to as bad luck, or G-d hating us, buth rather these are necessary and specifically chosen or allowed to affect our lives in such a way that we will grow and become spiritually mature.

In verse 48 of B'midbar Ch 33, we read that the 42nd stage of the journey ended in the Plains of Moav, across from Yericho, with the next step being the Promised Land. So, in retrospect the 42 stages began with redemption and ended with the Promised Land. An interesting phenomeon brings us to the geneology of Yeshua as recorded in Mattityahu Ch 1, we find here that there are 42 generations beginning with the one to whom the Land was promised and ending with the Lamb of Redemption, just the opposite of the Wilderness experience.

Read Mattityahu Ch1:1~17 pg 1223

Each and every of the 42 generations played a significant role in bringing about Redemption to the world. Just as G-d made the Land Covenant with Avraham and starting to set the stage for redemption through Yitzchak, Ya'akov, Yosef and his brothers in Mitzrayim, all of their journeys and generations pointed to the more perfect act of Redemption for all humankind, to be accomplished in the person of Yeshua.

For us here today, whom I trust have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb Yeshua, our journey has begun. As our predecessors before us have seemingly set the standard for us, we have instruction concerning the pitfalls and snares that tend to obstruct our path and the proper as well as the improper way to address these problems.All of this comes through G-d's Word.

Yisra'el's journey began with the redeeming blood of the Lamb in Mitzrayim and ended in the Promised Land. In a reverse sequence, Yeshua's geneology began with Avraham the recipient of the Promise of the Land, and ended with the Redeemer. Once again in an inverted order, our journey begins with the Redeemer and also will end with the promise of a life in a place where there is no more trial or testing. Just as the Redeemer is preparing this place for us even now. Learn from the past, humble yourselves, see testing as opportunity for spiritual growth, and be blessed in the persevering of your faith.

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