This week’s Torah portion, Shelach Lecha, reminds us that faith—not fear—is the key to entering God’s promises. Through Israel’s failure and God’s grace, we are challenged to remain steadfast, trusting in His ultimate plan and the coming of His heavenly Kingdom.

Amid all the great events in the book of Numbers, there appears what seems to be a technical detail: the cloud above the Tabernacle.

The light of God, symbolised by the Menorah, fulfilled in Yeshua and shared with His disciples through the gift of the Holy Spirit, must shine ever brighter in an ever darkening world.

The name of our weekly Torah portion is “Nasso,” a word that means “lift up,” “carry,” or “raise.” It begins with the command: “Lift up the head …” In the simple sense, this refers to a census — the counting of the people.

On Shavuot, God’s purpose was to give His people the Ten Commandments, ten things that form the basis of all His Torah, interpretable into the entire life of righteousness before God.

Bamidbar, which means “in the wilderness,” is a portion that is always read in the days before the festival of Shavuot, before the giving of the Torah.

God calls by name and appoints each one He chooses for His purpose. Nowhere in the Bible do we find anyone deciding for himself or herself what to be, in the service of God’s Kingdom.

Who does this land really belong to? Is ownership a matter of power, history and defense — or only a temporary trust?

“The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me.”