Parasha Behaalotekha

Flick on the television or cut up the radio and you’ll hear about wars. The newspaper columns, the TV talking heads, and the radio news broadcasts are all obsessed with the battles of the nations. Wars are raging around the world. Good fights with evil, and patriots clash with terrorists.

WAR – it is an ugly word. Just the mention of this term brings to mind scenes of battlefields, weapons, and flag-draped coffins. The worst of human behavior and sometimes the most heroic of human behavior exhibit themselves during times of combat. To win a conflict there must be a strategy or a plan for success. Victory does not happen by accident. Victory in a war zone occurs when one group overtakes another through struggle. “We struggle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” says Ephesians 6:12.

As Bible believers our primary battle is not against terrorists in the flesh but against terrorist in the spirit. We battle against agents of darkness that oppress and intimidate the nefesh (soul). Though we struggle, we are victorious through Yahweh the mighty Man of War, when we follow His plans of action. One part of this plan is found in the Torah portion entitled “Be’ha’alotekha.” This weekly reading segment takes up chapters 8-12 in the book of Bamidbar (Numbers). Chapter 10 is key if you are looking for a breakthrough in your spiritual life. Victory is yours…just keep reading!

Chapter 10 of Bamidbar begins with the mitzvot of the trumpets. Yisra’el is called to manufacture silver trumpets to “serve you to summon the community and to set the divisions in motion,” 10:2. These metal musical instruments, used interchangeably with shofars or ram’s horns, produce loud vibrating noises when blown. The sound of these instruments call Yisra’el to worship and to war. Furthermore, the wail of the shofar and the shrill of a shout are powerful tools when battling spiritual foes. Notice the order of chapter ten:

First, Yisra’el is commanded to make trumpets

Second, Yisra’el is told that victory is theirs when they blow the shofars

Third, the camp of Yisra’el sets out with Yah’huda leading the way

Fourth, when Yisra’el would move so would the Shekinah of YHWH

Fifth, as YHWH would rise up the enemy would be scattered

Let’s look a little closer on how the experiences of Yisra’el parallel your walk today.

Yisra’el is commanded to make trumpets

These musical instruments are more than just horns; they are visible signs of obedience. Yisra’el is told to make silver trumpets and so they obey. This is the only section of Torah where trumps are made of silver. “And Yahweh spoke unto Moshe, saying, make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,” 10:1-3. In Biblical times the “horn” was a symbol of power and majesty. So, through a simple act of obedience, like fashioning these instruments or shouting out loud, the power of YHWH moves.

Yisra’el is told that victory is theirs when they blow the shofars

This could be one of the most important phrases spoken to the nation – “And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before Yahweh your Elohim, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your Elohim: I am YHWH your Elohim,” 10:9-1. Not only is the sound of the shofar a wake-up call to mankind, it is also a reminder to the Creator of the Universe. YHWH takes note when His people toot their own horns. Victory is promised when reliance is solely upon Elohim.

The sound of the trumpet does not itself defeat the enemy, but it calls to action the defeator of the enemy – Yahweh Himself. The purpose of the horns is for Yisra’el told to blow an alarm or “ruwa.” This word “ruwa” means “to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout (for alarm or joy):--blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an alarm, triumph.” According to its definition a ruwa can be an alarm of the shofar or the vocal chords. It is a high-pitched shrill that shakes the heavenlies and brings victory. It is the sound of a shout of faith that calls out to YHWH. A ruwa transcends the situation, penetrates the darkness, and enters the heavenlies to summon the attention of YHWH. No matter how dark the situation, no matter how dim the battle looms, victory is certain when Yisra’el praises. “Elohim has ascended amid shouts of joy, YHWH amid the sounding of trumpets,” Tehillim 47.

The camp of Yisra’el sets out with Yah’huda leading the way

When Yisra’el is to travel, the tribe of Yah’huda is to go first. This is important because Yah’huda is not just the preeminent family group of the nation; Yah’huda is also the name of praise. The Hebrew term “Yah’huda” means literally “praise Yahweh.” If Yisra’el wants victory then they are to first sound a ruwa of shofars or voices. Then praise of Yahweh, or Yah’huda, should lead their procession into battle. Praise precedes victory when it comes to spiritual battles.

When Yisra’el would move so would the Shekinah of YHWH

“So they set out from the mountain of YHWH and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of YHWH went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. The cloud of YHWH was over them by day when they set out from the camp,” Bamidbar 10:33-34. When Yisra’el shouts, YHWH hears the high shrill and moves on their behalf. It is the cry of the ruwa that brings the Ruach! “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Yisra’el. Our: fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded,” Psalm 22:3-5. Notice here that deliverance comes after they “cried unto thee.” Yahweh is moved when His people move in faith.

Surely you remember the march around Yericho and how the walls of that city fell through shouting and shofars. YHWH arises at the shout and His enemies are scattered! “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead…see, YHWH is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer,” Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 26:19-22.

As YHWH would rise up the enemy would be scattered

Just like mother bear that is shaken by the cry of baby bear, YHWH moves when His children praise. “Whenever the ark set out, Moshe said, "Rise up, YHWH! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you." Whenever it came to rest, he said, "Return, O YHWH, to the countless thousands of Yisra’el," Bamidbar 10:35-36.

The praise of YHWH enthrones Him in the midst of Yisra’el. Yesha’yahu chapter twelve verse six says, that we should “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Yisra’el among you.” At the shout, Yahweh arises and splatters His enemies.

For your spiritual breakthrough notice this pattern found in Tehillim 47: “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to YHWH with cries of joy. How awesome is YHWH Most High, the great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Ya’acov, whom he loved. Selah. Elohim has ascended amid shouts of joy, YHWH amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to Elohim, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For Elohim is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. Elohim reigns over the nations; Elohim is seated on his holy throne.”

The shout of the believer grabs the Almighty’s attention. It reminds Him of His covenant with Yisra’el. “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of YHWH is right and true; he is faithful in all he does,” Tehillim (Psalm) 33:3-4. As YHWH rises from His resting place the enemies scatter in fear.

There is a war being raged. The battleground is your life and your weapon of mass destruction is your ruwa – your shout and your shofar. Death has no more victory. Oppression must end. Confusion and disorder will disappear. Sicknesses can be healed. “He began to shout, ‘Yahshua Ben-David, have mercy on me!’ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Moshiach Ben-David, have mercy on me!’ And Yahshua stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you.’ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Yahshua. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Yahshua asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’ ‘Go,’ said Yahshua, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Yahshua along the road,” Mark 10:47-50.

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