#30 — Parshat Bamidbar
Numbers 1-4:20
Overview
The name of the book and the parsha tells us we are: in the desert.
The book as a whole, actually describes a 38-year delay in that wilderness; it ends after initial victories over the Amorites and Midian on the banks of the Jordan river (Numbers 36:13). The book’s other name, “Numbers,” is also fitting as these 38 years are bookended by two censuses of Israel (Numbers 1 and Numbers 26).
The book goes through a deep low point. Unbelief and a lack of trust in G-d bring Israel to the brink of annihilation, but in the end, G-d’s faithfulness prevails. Why does it prevail? Because “The shout of a king” is among Israel (Numbers 23:21). That’s the secret of the L-RD’s triumph.
In Parshat Bamidbar, the thousands of Israel are counted and organized by the companies of their tribes; more than 600,000 men from twenty years old and upward, every man who is able to go to war (Numbers 1:1-46). Excluded is the tribe of Levi, which has a special role as guardians of the tabernacle. (Numbers 1:47-54)
The tribes are organized around the tent of meeting where the L-RD Himself is present. The Levites and anointed priests however, are grouped in the immediate vicinity around this holy place and given special tasks with regard to the portable sanctuary. The Levite clan of the Kohathites carries the most holy things of the tabernacle, but only after they are covered by the priests. Without the blue-cloth covering, the Kohathites absolutely cannot touch the furnishings or utensils, or even look at them (Numbers 2:1 to 4:20).
The Key to Victory
More than an Excel Sheet
We might be tempted to skip the first chapters of Numbers, regard it as a spreadsheet added to the Torah, and continue reading more-interesting passages. However, these chapters in which Moses and Aaron obey G-d’s command to “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel” (Numbers 1:2) actually teach us a lot.
For starters, the many thousands of Israel’s tribes display how faithful the L-RD is to His promises. Abraham's descendants are indeed a vast and numerous people.
But there is still more, because our parsha is not only a census, but also a conscription. “All in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list” (Numbers 1:3). G-d prepares Israel for war – not for a never-ending jihad or an unholy crusade, but for a unique one-time conquest of the Promised Land.
The presence of the L-RD
On top of that there is the deep meaningful way in which the camp of Israel is arranged. It actually shows the secret of victory.
The tribes of Israel are organized around the tabernacle, the place where G-d has come down to dwell among His people. One of the clearest messages of the book of Numbers is that the presence of the L-RD is the only viable way to victory (Numbers 10:35-36). The absence of the L-RD’s holy presence means a complete defeat (Numbers 14:42-45).
The alignment of the anointed priests and the royal tribe
The arrangement of the camp and the order in which Israel has to march also shows the prominent place of Judah. Judah leads the way, prefiguring its royal destiny. Together with the anointed priests, Judah is encamped on the east side, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, the approach of the Holy One.
In the arrangement of the camp, the anointed priests and the royal tribe of Judah are already in alignment. But as G-d’s revelation progresses in the writings of the prophets, we see this alignment coming together into one picture. The ultimate anointed One, the Messiah will be priest and king in One person. (See Psalm 110 and Zechariah 6:11-13.)
The L-RD centered Israel upon the tabernacle, the place of sacrifice. In the same way we should all be centered upon the Messiah whose sacrifice really brings the ultimate presence of G-d (e.g., Isaiah 53:10 and Isaiah 59:20-60:2). It is because “the shout of this King” is among Israel (Numbers 23:21), that Israel one day will be completely victorious.
Personal Representation and Substitution
The Levite Exception
The Levites are not included in the initial census and enlistment. They stand apart. They are encamped immediately around the tabernacle. They are not only guardians but also special representatives of Israel with a special purpose: “so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of Israel” (Numbers 1:53).
In our parsha, the Levites function head for head as personal redeemers of the firstborn of Israel. This shows us the fundamental Torah principle of representation and substitution. Every firstborn Israelite needs a “middle-man” before the L-RD who substitutes for and represents them.
Head for Head
The L-RD reminds Moses that the firstborn of Israel “are sanctified to him.” They belong to Him in a special way, since they were spared when all the firstborn of Egypt were struck (Numbers 3:13). But apparently the firstborn of Israel cannot serve G-d directly. The Levites have to represent them. The L-RD takes them instead of Israel’s firstborn: head for head. As there are 273 more firstborn than Levites, special redemption money has to be paid for each of them (Numbers 3:40-51).
Our Ultimate Personal Representative
The firstborn of Israel were once redeemed by the Passover lamb. Now the lesson is repeated by the personal substitution of the Levites. The same message is underscored again in Parshat Behaalotecha where G-d says in Numbers 8:17-19:
“For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and beast.
On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for Myself.
And I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel.
And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel,
to do service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel,
that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.”
In the same way the Messiah is our ultimate representative. Our parsha shows us clearly that unauthorized access to the L-RD is deadly (Numbers 3:4,10). However with the Messiah as our substitute and representative “there will be no wrath on the congregation of Israel” (1:53) but instead the L-RD’s everlasting kindness and peace (Isaiah 54:8-10).
Just as the firstborn Israelites had to be represented head for head, let us make sure the Messiah is our personal representative.
When Israel cannot be counted anymore
The reversal in the haftarah reading
(Hosea 1:10-2:20)
The haftarah reading that accompanies our parsha is very fitting. It speaks of a future time described with the words “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered” (Hosea 1:10).
However, when we read the haftarah (Hosea 1:10-2:20), we see this promise comes after a deep crisis of sin and spiritual adultery which caused G-d to even to say to Israel, “I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel” and “You are not my people” (Hosea 1:10). Thankfully this is now reversed.
Key to this reversal, when a united Israel will come up out of the land in which G-d will “re-seed” them (יזרע אל), is Israel’s recognition of “One Head” over itself (Hosea 1:10). In the context that is clearly the Messiah (see also Hosea 3:5).
G-d’s remarriage of Israel; the parallel with Numbers
This haftarah is a beautiful parallel to the book of Numbers as a whole. In the book of Numbers we also see Israel going through a deep crisis of sin and rebellion which almost leads to its annihilation, had Moses as their leader and mediator not intervened for them.
In the ultimate Messianic reversal which Hosea describes, the sin has even become more grave – but G-d’s grace is greater still. In spite of everything, He says, “I will betroth you to Me forever. I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy” (Hosea 2:19).
This will all be possible because of the messianic priest-leader about whom Jeremiah prophesied:
“Their prince shall be One of themselves
Their ruler shall be out of their midst;
I will make him draw near and he shall approach me,
For who would dare of himself to approach me?”
Declares the L-RD.
“And you shall be my people
and I will be your G-d” (Jeremiah 30:21,22).
(See also: Messiah is both King and Priest)