Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: Bolek
Torah: B’midbar 22:2 – 25:9
“1 And Israel stayed in Shittim, and the people began to commit prostitution with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people to the sacrifices of their idols: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their idols. 3 And Israel joined himself to Baal peor: and the anger of Avinu was kindled against Israel. 4 And Avinu said to Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before Avinu against the sun, that the fierce anger of Avinu may be turned away from Israel. 5 And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Slay you every one his men that were joined to Baalpeor.” (Nu 25:1-5 )
** Israel fell to a “double edged sword” – They turned their backs against Avinu by eating meat that was both “sacrificed to idols” and had “blood” in the meat. Then they began to “fornicate” with the local women. This is why it is written, “…they joined themselves to Baal Peor”. The warning to us is the same as the deceit continues to raise it’s ugly head:
“19 Why my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” (Ac 15:19-21 AKJV)
Several hundred years later, the Psalmist writes: “They joined themselves also to Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.” (Ps 106:28 )
** A thousand years after the Psalmist, baal Peor is still raging. He is now known as HaSatan. Bolder than ever, he decides to go to the “heart” of Israel.
“5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Yeshua answered him, “It is written, “’You shall worship Avinu Elohekah, and him only shall you serve.’”” (Lu 4:5-8 )
** Several years after Yeshua’s death and resurrection, Shaul writes:
“12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Meshiach. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2Co 11:12-15 )
“In their case the ‘god’ of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Meshiach, who is the image of Avinu.” (2Co 4:4 )
“24 And the servant of Avinu must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2Ti 2:24-26)
“14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Heb 2:14-15 )
“You believe that Avinu is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!” (Jas 2:19 )
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1Pe 5:8 )
“Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Bilim’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.” (Jude 1:11 )
** Bilim’s error – He thought that he was truly serving Avinu when in fact he was serving Satan.
“By this it is evident who are the children of Avinu, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of Avinu, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” (1Jo 3:10 )
“14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Bilim, who taught Bolek to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” (Re 2:14-15 )
“9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world — he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our Avinu and the authority of his Meshiach have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before Avinu. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 ¶ Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”” (Re 12:9-12 )
“For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of El Shaddai.” (Re 16:14 )
“And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,” (Re 20:2 )
“and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Re 20:10 )
The final warning comes from Meshiach Himself. I don’t think that He is “talking to someone else”.
“15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Master, Master,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Master, Master, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Mt 7:15-23 )
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