6.24.25 ~ They Didn't See It
Good morning!
What do you think Dathan, Abiram and Korah missed out on? With their unwillingness to 'come up' into the Promised Land (Num. 16: ), a picture of the future bride, we can make the assumption clearly that they had acknowledged their salvation from Egypt, but, and that's a very large BUT...but, they lost focus on the purpose for their salvation (Deut. 6:23-25) and didn't work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12,13; 1 Pet. 1:3-9; Heb. 10:36-39).
Scripture teaches in an incognito way, and the Jewish tradition in an overt way, an individual can only enter the Kingdom of the Lower Garden as a little child. For Naaman, this happened when he came out of the river Jordan. His flesh was restored as a child's. The resurrection is a transformation from a temporary body to one which is squeaky clean, like a baby's tender skin. There's definitely more to becoming like a little child, beyond a cute phraseology of endearment.
And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, 'Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.' And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. (Mk 10:13-16)
Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 18:3)
In our Torah portion this week, Korach/bald, we see the rebels guaranteed their forfeiture by denying that they will inherit a land that flows with milk and honey. A place where there are abundant fields and vineyards.
According to tradition, the four rivers in Eden are said to flow with...
*Milk
*Honey
*Wine
*Balsam
One might say, where's that verse in Scripture! Where are you getting that stuff from? Good question! I can't give you one. I'm just sharing with you a concept that is put together with the witness of dozens of Scriptures from various places, the sages of days gone by, help us see the connection that these products represent a return to Eden...sorry, I can't do better on this one :-)
Unfortunately, the 10 spies, the Korah's, the Dathan's, the Abiram's, and those who are easily influenced by them, those of incredibly low self-esteem, simply don't see anything beyond what they can see. Ironically, just as an example, balsam, a shrub of the field, grows quite well in the Wilderness where the Israelites camped and is connected to the Garden of the bride.
"I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh along with my balsam." (Song 5:1)
Which brings me to the 'giant' (pun intended) questions for the morning: As the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:29), aka Israel (Isa. 41:8), life is a matter of vision towards a higher calling; a destiny, an inheritance. What do you see? Giant problems? Wars? Immorality? Crooked politicians? Closed doors? High ticket prices? Chaotic government?
Out here in the wilderness, are you disappointed that it's not a Land flowing with milk and honey like you expected?
Moses was speaking and teaching the people based on an ideal that they had not yet realized. Tithes from what fields, Moses? What trees? What vineyards? We're in a desert! All we have is this Manna! All the good stuff is in Egypt, not here! Can't you see, Moses? At least in Egypt, we could indulge in normal food and things until we died. And now you're teaching us that when we go into Israel...which is impossible, by the way...we have to start giving tithes and first fruits and keeping these strenuous laws of ritual purity and...and...and then we STILL are going to die!
It's no coincidence that the Torah portion includes a reminder of the Levitical and priestly tithes (Num. 18). "They" would say, as long as we're all equals and holy (Num. 16:3), then why give to anyone else for service? Let's all just keep our own stuff and we'll all be happy Israelite priests!
The script hasn't changed much, has it?
Learning and practicing the Word is sufficient until we go into the Land of our inheritance and are able to do all of it. It's not too high for us. Another question we must ask is, "Are we able to do that without giving an evil report of the Land"? The way we live our lives today, on this 24th day of counting towards the first fruit of the wine will reveal our mindset. We must choose : Korah and his motley crew or the authority of Moses and Aaron given from the Most High?
Have a great 3rd day of the week!
Shalom,
Alan
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