Too Much for You!

Sermon Notes Rabbi Ken Alpren by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. Korach was a cousin of Moshe; both descended form Levi. Aviram and Datan were descended from Re’uven, the eldest of the twelve. They were jealous of Moshe regarding the position the L-rd had given him and felt they had been passed over for the prominent position. They accused Moshe and Aharon. Numbers 16:1-3, ‘Now Korach the son of Yitz'har, the son of K'hat, the son of Levi, along with Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli'av, and On, the son of Pelet, descendants of Re'uven, took men and 2 rebelled against Moshe. Siding with them were 250 men of Isra'el, leaders of the community, key members of the council, men of reputation. 3 They assembled themselves against Moshe and Aharon and said to them, "You take too much on yourselves! After all, the entire community is holy, every one of them, and ADONAI is among them. So why do you lift yourselves up above ADONAI's assembly?"’ Moshe didn’t lift himself up, but notice his response was that he fell on his face! Numbers 12:3, ‘Now this man Moshe was very humble, more so than anyone on earth.’ Moshe was G-d’s Servant as is Yeshua. The purpose of godly leadership is not status but function. We are to serve G-d and then people through G-d. As His servants we are vehicles of His life and His word; not source of them. Korach and his followers were jealous of something that wasn’t even attainable for them! Yeshua’s spoke to this principle. Mark 10:44-45, ‘“and whoever wants to be first among you must become everyone's slave! 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve -- and to give his life as a ransom for many."’ When Korach accused Moshe and Aharon that it was too much for them, Moshe responded with G-d direction by turning the accusation back toward Korach and saying no, that it was too much for him! Numbers 16:7, ‘’The one whom ADONAI chooses will be the one who is holy! It is you, you sons of Levi, who are taking too much on yourselves!"’ How do we respond to false accusations or arrogant confrontations? What did Moshe do? By falling on his face, he demonstrated that he went to G-d first; he didn’t overreact, but kept quiet at first. As well, we can apply this principle ourselves by shutting our mouths, keeping quiet and going to G-d asking Him to help us not to react with emotion as our first response. G-d is trustworthy to defend or vindicate us if we are falsely accused. Proverbs 26:4-5, ‘Don't answer a fool in terms of his folly, or you will be descending to his level; 5 but answer a fool as his folly deserves, so that he won't think he is wise.’ Go to G-d first and then we are able to deal with people. Be lead by the Spirit rather than the flesh and we can deal with ‘fools’ and foolish accusations wisely. Do we wrongfully accuse people of what we are really guilty of ourselves? Korach and his followers were projecting onto Moshe and Aharon what they were guilty of themselves. Numbers 16:8-9, ‘Then Moshe said to Korach, "Listen here, you sons of Levi! 9 Is it for you a mere trifle that the God of Isra'el has separated you from the community of Isra'el to bring you close to himself, so that you can do the work in the tabernacle of ADONAI and stand before the community serving them?’ Are we not grateful for what G-d has already has done or do we want more like Korach? With what are we dissatisfied? When is it enough? Am I satisfied with what He has given me? Korach wanted the priesthood as well and was ungrateful for what G-d had given him! Isn’t this the same sin of Lucifer as described in Isaiah 14? He wasn’t satisfied with being a beautiful angel but wanted to be like the Most High! 1 Timothy 6:6, ‘Now true religion does bring great riches, but only to those who are content with what they have.’ Psalm 73:25, ‘Whom do I have in heaven but you? And with you, I lack nothing on earth.’ Numbers 16:11, ‘“That's why you and your group have gathered together against ADONAI! After all, what is Aharon that you complain against him?"’ Aharon was a servant. 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, ‘After all, what is Apollos? What is Sha'ul? Only servants through whom you came to trust. Indeed, it was the Lord who brought you to trust through one of us or through another. 6 I planted the seed, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 So neither the planter nor the waterer is anything, only God who makes things grow.’ We serve and G-d makes things grow. Further in the passage recorded in Numbers 16, verses 12-14, Korach and his followers demonstrated their skewed perceptions and rebelliousness. And Moshe became angry, rightfully. When G-d wanted to bring judgement upon all the people, Moshe intervened out of concern for the people as well as G-d’s reputation and testimony. So the L-rd brought judgement upon Korach, Avarim and Datan specifically. Numbers 16:20-24, ‘ADONAI said to Moshe and Aharon, 21 "Separate yourselves from this assembly; I'm going to destroy them right now!" 22 They fell on their faces and said, "Oh God, God of the spirits of all humankind, if one person sins, are you going to be angry with the entire assembly?" 23 ADONAI answered Moshe, 24 "Tell the assembly to move away from the homes of Korach, Datan and Aviram."’ There are times we need discernment to separate ourselves from those starting discord and unhealthy influence. Romans 16:17, ‘I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put snares alongside the teaching in which you have been trained - keep away from them.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:6, ‘Now, in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we command you, brothers, to stay away from any brother who is leading a life of idleness, a life not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.’ Numbers 16:26, ‘There he said to the assembly, "Leave the tents of these wicked men! Don't touch anything that belongs to them, or you may be swept away in all their sins."” We need to disassociate from those who are poor influences and especially among those who claim to be believers. 2 Corinthians 6:14, ‘Do not yoke yourselves together in a team with unbelievers. For how can righteousness and lawlessness be partners? What fellowship does light have with darkness?’ 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, ‘In my earlier letter I wrote you not to associate with people who engage in sexual immorality. 10 I didn't mean the sexually immoral people outside your community, or the greedy, or the thieves or the idol-worshippers - for then you would have to leave the world altogether! 11 No, what I wrote you was not to associate with anyone who is supposedly a brother but who also engages in sexual immorality, is greedy, worships idols, is abusive, gets drunk or steals. With such a person you shouldn't even eat!’ Numbers 16:28-30, ‘Moshe said, "Here is how you will know that ADONAI has sent me to do all these things and that I haven't done them out of my own ambition: 29 if these men die a natural death like other people, only sharing the fate common to all humanity, then ADONAI has not sent me. 30 But if ADONAI does something new - if the ground opens up and swallows them with everything they own, and they go down alive to Sh'ol - then you will understand that these men have had contempt for ADONAI."’ The earth opened up and the guilty as well as their families went down alive! Fire consumed the 250 who had offered the incense and 14,700 were victims of the plague! Moshe posed the question as to how one would know that indeed the L-rd had sent him or if his leadership was on account of his own will. G-d revealed the answer to everyone that Moshe’s commission was G-d ordained! Likewise, how will people know today that Yeshua is the Messiah? What signs reveal the truth? John 6:38, ‘For I have come down from heaven to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me.’ John 7:16-17, ‘So Yeshua gave them an answer: "My teaching is not my own, it comes from the One who sent me. 17 If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether my teaching is from God or I speak on my own.’ Do we want to know the truth? He knows our hearts and He will reveal Himself to those seeking wholeheartedly. Jeremiah 29:13, ‘When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly.’ 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, ‘For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost; 16 to the latter, we are the smell of death leading only to more death; but to the former, we are the sweet smell of life leading to more life.’ G-d reveals Himself through us! He reveals Himself through His Spirit, His power and His word. How will we know? John 17:23, ‘I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.’ Oneness in humanity is not natural. When believers from all ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds and former beliefs are united in love for the L-rd, the world will know. Further Reading: Isaiah 14:12-15, 1 Corinthians 3:3-9, 4:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 3 John 9, Luke 10:19, Revelation 12, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 3:10, Colossians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Timothy 6:5, John 5:19, 5:30, 8:28,14:10, Romans 15:19, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Psalm 119

G-d Chooses and Uses Who He Wills

Rabbi Ken Alpren Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. 6/9/12 Numbers 11:11-15, ‘Moshe asked ADONAI, "Why are you treating your servant so badly? Why haven't I found favor in your sight, so that you put the burden of this entire people on me? 12 Did I conceive this people? Was I their father, so that you tell me, 'Carry them in your arms, like a nurse carrying a baby, to the land you swore to their ancestors?' 13 Where am I going to get meat to give to this entire people? - because they keep bothering me with their crying and saying, 'Give us meat to eat!' 14 I can't carry this entire people by myself alone - it's too much for me! 15 If you are going to treat me this way, then just kill me outright! - please, if you have any mercy toward me! -and don't let me go on being this miserable!" The Israelites were bored with G-d’s menu! They wanted something different and were complaining about was provided for them and reminiscing about Egypt. They thought the former days were better, but were they? We need to be careful to continue being grateful regardless of our circumstances because with ungratefulness comes darkened hearts. Romans 1:21, ‘because, although they know who God is, they do not glorify him as God or thank him. On the contrary, they have become futile in their thinking; and their undiscerning hearts have become darkened.’ G-d can do work in us through the mundane! This includes our every day lives, our jobs and our marriages. He tells us to be content through the mundane. Moshe wants to quit because he is fed up. Maybe he thought he was supposed to do it all himself. He was wrong because G-d responded by giving him help. Numbers 16:16-17, ‘ADONAI said to Moshe, "Bring me seventy of the leaders of Isra'el, people you recognize as leaders of the people and officers of theirs. Bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit which rests on you and put it on them. Then they will carry the burden of the people along with you, so that you won't carry it yourself alone.’ The objective of leadership is not to make people dependent upon you, but to develop more leaders by giving them guidance and help. The L-rd instructs Moshe to choose seventy elders and that G-d will take some of the Spirit from Moshe and place it upon them. Regarding the Spirit or ‘Ruach’, the L-rd puts ‘'seem’, gives it ‘natan’ to the seventy and it rests ‘nuwach’ on them and then what happens? Numbers 11:25-26, ‘ADONAI came down in the cloud, spoke to him, took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy leaders. When the Spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied -then but not afterwards. 26 There were two men who stayed in the camp, one named Eldad and the other Medad, and the Spirit came to rest on them. They were among those listed to go out to the tent, but they hadn't done so, and they prophesied in the camp.’ The Hebrew word for prophesied is ‘nava'’. The meaning is authorized communication from G-d, pouring forth words, divine revelation, authorized spokesperson and power to communicate from G-d. It’s application can include speaking and managing people by communicating G-d’s words to them as well as speaking praise which would then counter the atmosphere of complaining. Two people of the seventy did not come to the tabernacle but remained in the camp and they still received the impartation of the Spirit as well as the manifestation of prophesying. Numbers 11:27-29, ‘A young man ran and told Moshe, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!" 28 Y'hoshua, the son of Nun, who from his youth up had been Moshe's assistant, answered, "My lord, Moshe, stop them!" 29 But Moshe replied, "Are you so zealous to protect me? I wish all of ADONAI's people were prophets! I wish ADONAI would put his Spirit on all of them!"’ Moshe rebuked Y’hoshua. Y’hoshua was exhibiting a spirit of exclusivity. A similar instance is recorded in Luke. Luke 9:49-50, ‘Yochanan responded, "Rabbi, we saw someone expelling demons in your name; and we stopped him because he doesn't follow you along with us.” Yochanan responded, "Rabbi, we saw someone expelling demons in your name; and we stopped him because he doesn't follow you along with us." 50 Yeshua said to him, "Don't stop such people, because whoever isn't against you is for you."’ G-d chooses and uses who He wills and it may be someone else and not you! Philippians 1:15-18, ‘True, some are proclaiming the Messiah out of jealousy and rivalry, but others are doing it in goodwill. 16 The latter act from love, aware that I am put where I am for defending the Good News; 17 while the former announce the Messiah out of selfish ambition, with impure motives, supposing they can stir up trouble for me in prison. 18 But so what? All that matters is that in every way, whether honestly or in pretense, the Messiah is being proclaimed; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.’ Trust G-d and let Him use who he wills and it really isn’t our business. Whatever our frustration we should give Him praise. We don’t need to try to control or limit G-d. He raises up and uses who He wills. Who are we to stand in the way of G-d? When those chosen to lead with Moshe received the Ruach and began to prophesy, they helped him bring people into the will of G-d. 1 Corinthians 14:3, ‘But someone prophesying is speaking to people, edifying, encouraging and comforting them.’ Others were raised up to assist Moshe. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. As G-d leads we are to delegate, empower, guide and educate others letting go so people can grow. Further Reading: Ephesians 4:12, Romans 12:4-8, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Romans 14:19, Isaiah 49:5-6

Me First!

Rabbi Ken Alpren Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. 5/19/12 Leviticus 25:1-4, ‘ADONAI spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai; he said, 2 "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'When you enter the land I am giving you, the land itself is to observe a Shabbat rest for ADONAI. 3 Six years you will sow your field; six years you will prune your grapevines and gather their produce. 4 But in the seventh year is to be a Shabbat of complete rest for the land, a Shabbat for ADONAI; you will neither sow your field nor prune your grapevines.’ G-d cares about the land and how we steward it. He has specific instructions for it’s care. Caring for the land prescribed in this way required self restraint. Although it was harvested for six years, the L-rd commanded it not be harvested or even worked in the seventh year. This was a cause for concern to the people because they were concerned about how they would survive during the seventh year. How would they make it if they obeyed? Leviticus 25:19-21, ‘The land will yield its produce, you will eat until you have enough, and you will live there securely. 20 "'If you ask, "If we aren't allowed to sow seed or harvest what our land produces, what are we going to eat the seventh year?" 21 then I will order my blessing on you during the sixth year, so that the land brings forth enough produce for all three years.’ Wow! No need to worry about obedience! G-d promised them that if they obeyed, He would command a blessing! He would take care of their needs and provide a triple blessing thus giving them enough for the sixth, seventh and even into the eighth year! Isaiah 55:9, ‘"As high as the sky is above the earth are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ G-d ways are not always our ways. He knows better. The Hebrew word used is this passage for higher is ‘gava’ which means exalted and wiser. His ways are not always sensible to us, convenient or understandable. His ways are perfect! Psalm 19:7-10, ‘The Torah of ADONAI is perfect, restoring the inner person. The instruction of ADONAI is sure, making wise the thoughtless. 8 The precepts of ADONAI are right, rejoicing the heart. The mitzvah of ADONAI is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of ADONAI is clean, enduring forever. The rulings of ADONAI are true, they are righteous altogether, 10 more desirable than gold, than much fine gold, also sweeter than honey or drippings from the honeycomb.’ So in all things whether sensible, convenient or understandable, we are instructed to trust Him! Proverbs 3:5-6, ‘Trust in ADONAI with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths.’ This verse tells us to trust towards Him with all of our hearts, to put our face toward Him and go in His direction because if we lean on our own understanding it will collapse! The Sabbath year reminds us that the Earth belongs to the L-rd. The Yovel or Jubilee year occurs every fifty years and reminds us we are but sojourners here. Some of the functions of the Yovel are that it corrects inequality by forgiving debt and giving land back to original owners. It can also alleviate poverty and correct market errors. If one’s lifetime is seventy years and one’s working life spans fifty years, then it is likely that we will experience only one Yovel year per lifetime. G-d is the landlord and we are the tenants; He is the owner and we are the stewards. G-d wants us to live a supernatural life! He gives us instructions and commands which when obeyed will bring about blessings and when disobeyed will bring about curses. Obedience is up to us. Which do we choose? Isaiah 1:19-20, ‘If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you will be eaten by the sword"; for the mouth of ADONAI has spoken.’ If we disobey by refusing and rebelling we are to be eaten by the sword! He is making it clear that our choice should be clear and that we should follow His ways! Haggai 1:5, ‘Therefore here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot says: 'Think about your life!’ The portion of this scripture ‘Think about your life!’ actually means ‘Put your heart on your ways’. If we put ourselves first and G-d last, then G-d isn’t happy and we arent’ happy. However, if we put G-d first and ourselves last, then G-d is happy and so are we! Malachi 3:10, ‘Bring the whole tenth into the storehouse, so that there will be food in my house, and put me to the test," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot. "See if I won't open for you the floodgates of heaven and pour out for you a blessing far beyond your needs.’ Put Him first! As we walk in the Spirit we are blessed and able to trust. Galatians 5:25, ‘Since it is through the Spirit that we have Life, let it also be through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day.’ We shouldn’t worry as we trust Him because He is faithful to take care of us just like He did for the widow as recorded in 1 Kings 17. Although she was despairing, G-d sent Eliyahu to comfort her and assure her that she would be provided for and that she wasn’t forgotten. Put Him first! Matthew 6:31-33, ‘"So don't be anxious, asking, `What will we eat?,' `What will we drink?' or `How will we be clothed?' 32 For it is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. 33 But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’” As we put Him first let us keep our hearts set on Him and remember there will be a final Yovel yet to come when atonement will be completed. Romans 8:21, Acts 3:21.