Torah portion Korach for June 27, 2020

May this find you rejoicing in the day Yehovah has made. This week’s portion is Korach, but I am going to go to our haftarah for this week’s insight because it contains one of the greatest messages of hope in the TaNaKh.

The Children of Israel have rebelled time and again by the time of Samuel. They have gone astray after false gods and have turned away from their Elohim, the El of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They have committed spiritual adultery, they have served Baalim and Ashtaroth, they have done just what Yehovah instructed them not to do, committed all the abominations of the former inhabitants of Canaan.

As a final insult,

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,  And said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto Yehovah. And Yehovah said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say unto you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1Sa 8:4-7)

Samuel anoints Saul king

If you have ever felt that Elohim has rejected you, or that you have done something, or many things, that disqualify you from being His, and from coming back to Him, you are not alone. The Children of Israel in the days of Samuel are right there with you

Even after all their sin, the most grievous sins humans can commit, the people repent (somewhat, at least about their most recent affront to Yehovah) and go to Samuel.

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for your servants to Yehovah your Elohim, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: you have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following Yehovah, but serve Yehovah with all your heart; And turn not aside: for then should you go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For Yehovah will not forsake His people for His great name's sake: because it has pleased Yehovah to make you His people. (1Sa 12:19-22)

Yeshua said, “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Ruach haKodesh hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” (Mar 3:28-29)

Lest you think you have committed that blasphemy against the Ruach haKodesh, keep in mind that even Peter denied Yeshua three times and gained forgiveness. Wherever you have come from, heed Samuel’s advice, “Serve Yehovah with all your heart; and turn not aside.”

Shalom and blessing in Messiah Yeshua’s name

Yochan ben Yaakov