Every State For Israel

This week’s Torah portion covers Numbers 16:1–18:32. In Numbers 16, a group of leaders in Israel revolted against Moses and Aaron. However, they did so to seek for more power and higher status than they already held as Levites and leaders of Israel (Numbers 16:2,10).

The leaders accuse Moses and Aaron: “You have gone far enough . . . why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” (v.3). Moses senses their motives and says, “Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them; and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking for the priesthood also?” (v.9–11). Moses points out that they are deceitfully seeking for more power even though the Lord had already given them a privileged position in service of the tabernacle.

God later causes the insurrecting leaders to be swallowed by the earth (v.31–33)! This seems extremely harsh; however, not only did this group create strife to seize power, but also, they were already leaders in Israel. This group were “sons of Levi” and “two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation” (v.2,10). Leaders in the faith are judged more harshly (James 3:1) as they can lead others astray when they abuse the power they hold (Matthew 18:6). These leaders would otherwise have abused their power and led Israel even further astray.

This chapter acts not only as a warning against selfishly pursuing power, but also as an opposite example of biblical leadership. Jesus’s example teaches us that to be a godly leader is to be a servant: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant . . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25–28).

In Psalm 23, David writes beautifully about the valley of the shadow of death. It wasn’t just a physical location on a map; it represents the scary, uncertain, and painful seasons we all face.

But notice what happens to David’s language when the lights go out. He stops talking about God and starts talking to Him: "for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4). The valley turns our standard theology into an intimate, direct cry to our Creator.

If you're in a low season today, remember that our good shepherd, Yeshua, doesn't bypass the valley—He walks through it right alongside you.

Discover how the valley changes our perspective: https://bit.ly/4vqegVs

Why do we love superheroes? Discover what we find in Scripture: https://bit.ly/4a0IaH5

Recently in Israel, Chosen People Ministries gathered forty young adults and some of our Israeli staff for a weekend of excellent Bible teaching, worship, and fellowship—it is a program called “Living Waters” that takes place every late spring. It is a unique time to get away from the regular schedule and busyness of life to spend quality time in the Word, prayer, and time with family or friends. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4vbFD5h

Also in this week’s Inside Israel:
🔹Israel Defense Forces Are Watching Hezbollah
🔹Scholarships, Counselling, and Camps Made Available to Israel Defense Forces Widows
🔹Covert Israeli Base on the Border with Iran

Read more stories in this week's edition of Inside Israel: https://bit.ly/4vbFD5h

When it comes to the story of the Israelites spying out the land and their refusal to take it, many readers wonder at the harshness of God’s punishment for what seems to be an honest hesitation because of legitimate fear. After all, the Anakim were giants! Intimidation and terror seem like natural human responses to confronting sinister figures towering mightily above you.

But in text we find deeper, more serious reasons behind the people’s “grumbling.” In their frenzy, they work themselves into a posture that actually considers their bo***ge back in Egypt better than God’s redemptive plan and future promises: “Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt” (Numbers 14:3–4). Not only did they act upon this plan to go backward instead of forward, but the people were ready to kill Joshua and Caleb for objecting and reminding the people of God’s promises to them: “Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones” (Numbers 14:10).

Had it not been for God’s intervening glory that appeared before all the people, Joshua and Caleb would have been dead.

God sees the heart and measures out judgment according to His righteousness, justice—and mercy.

Where do we see the mercy of God here? In what follows.

God listens to Moses’s intercession on behalf of Israel and decides not to give them the judgment they deserve—disinheritance and death (Numbers 14:12). Instead, He pardons and preserves the people while still meting out a disciplinary action that will both humble them and train them. That generation forfeited their entrance into the land and would die in the wilderness, but they would also learn to fight with courage in that same wilderness and train their children to carry forth the promises of God.

The Lord does not deal with us according to our sins . . . (Psalm 103:10)

Israel is a picture of us all—humanity before God. We’ve all fallen to the point of deserving death, but Jesus has done more than intercede for us—He has wiped away our sins by enduring the punishment of death in our place. And we can now not only enter into heaven but enjoy His glorious presence as righteous ones.

How does history shape our mission today?

In his deeply researched and moving new book, "Jewish Missions in the Shadow of the Holocaust," Chosen People Ministries President Mitch Glaser explores the raw history, deep pain, and miraculous endurance of Jewish ministry during and after World War II.

If you want to understand the foundational roots of modern Jewish evangelism and see God’s hand even in the darkest times, this book is essential reading.

We want to invite you to read it with us. Download the first chapter free right now: https://bit.ly/4w1nPtV