Messianic devotional

Pinchas

פִּינְחָס

Shabbat · July 24, 2027

Torah: Numbers 25:10–29:40 · Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:46–19:21 · Brit Hadashah: Romans 11:2-32; John 2:13-25

The portion this week

Portion summary

Pinchas's zealous act at Peor is rewarded: the LORD grants him a brit shalom — a covenant of peace — and an everlasting priesthood, because he turned back divine wrath and made atonement for Israel. A census is then taken of the new generation on the plains of Moab, marking the death of the wilderness generation except Caleb and Joshua. Zelophehad's five daughters petition successfully for their father's inheritance, and Moses, forbidden to enter the land, lays hands on Joshua to succeed him. The portion closes with the fixed calendar of daily, Sabbath, monthly, and festival offerings — the moadim — that hold Israel's life together through every transition.

The thread of the parashah

What binds these aliyot is the movement from wrath to order, from crisis to structure. Pinchas's zeal (kannai) halts a plague; but zeal alone does not build a nation — what follows is census, inheritance law, and appointed leadership, all designed to carry Israel forward without collapsing into either apostasy or anarchy. Even the daughters of Zelophehad, who have no natural claim under the existing law, are answered not by suppressing their request but by expanding the Torah itself to include them. Moses's own transition of authority to Joshua — "a man with the Spirit in him" — shows that continuity is not automatic; it is transmitted, deliberately, so the congregation will not be "like sheep without a shepherd" (Numbers 27:17). The daily tamid offerings that close the portion are the quiet answer to all this upheaval: whatever changes in leadership or population, the fire on the altar does not go out.

The haftarah

Elijah uses the very language of Pinchas — "I have been very zealous for the LORD" (1 Kings 19:10, 14) — but his zeal has exhausted him into the wilderness, longing for death under a broom tree. God does not meet him in wind, earthquake, or fire, the dramatic instruments of zeal, but in a still, small voice, and then sends him, like Moses, to anoint a successor. The seven thousand who have not bowed to Baal answer to the census in the parashah: a remnant counted not by strength but by faithfulness.

Messiah in the portion

Paul takes Elijah's exact complaint and God's exact answer and applies them to Israel's present hardening (Romans 11:2–5), showing that a zeal which despairs of the remnant misreads God's patience — the covenant of peace granted to Pinchas was never revoked, and neither is Israel's calling: "God's gifts and His call are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29). The same zeal that consumed Pinchas and exhausted Elijah reappears, undiminished but rightly ordered, in Yeshua: "Zeal for Your house will consume Me" (John 2:17). He drives out the traders as Pinchas drove a spear — not to destroy Israel but to cleanse it — and points beyond the stone Temple to His own body raised in three days (John 2:19–21), the true and lasting place of atonement toward which the tamid offerings of Numbers 28 were only ever pointing.

For the week

Notice where your own zeal is aimed — toward atonement and order, or merely toward being right. This week, choose one steady, unglamorous practice of faithfulness — a fixed time of prayer, a kept Sabbath rhythm — and keep it, the way the daily offering was kept, without needing anyone to see.

AI-generated Messianic devotional reflection on the portion texts, checkable against the cited readings.

Toraheach verse number opens its Hebrew interlinear

Aliyah 1 · Numbers 25:10–26:4

25:10 Then the LORD said to Moses, 25:11 “ Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal. 25:12 Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace. 25:13 It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.” 25:14 The name of the Israelite who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family. 25:15 And the name of the slain Midianite woman was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family. 25:16 And the LORD said to Moses, 25:17 “ Attack the Midianites and strike them dead. 25:18 For they assailed you deceitfully when they seduced you in the matter of Peor and their sister Cozbi, the daughter of the Midianite leader, the woman who was killed on the day the plague came because of Peor.” 26:1 After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, 26:2 “ Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers— all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.” 26:3 So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction, 26:4 “ Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt: The Tribe of Reuben

Aliyah 2 · Numbers 26:5-51

26:5 Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu, 26:6 the Hezronite clan from Hezron, and the Carmite clan from Carmi. 26:7 These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730. 26:8 Now the son of Pallu was Eliab, 26:9 and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who fought against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD. 26:10 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign. 26:11 However, the line of Korah did not die out. The Tribe of Simeon 26:12 These were the descendants of Simeon by their clans: The Nemuelite clan from Nemuel, the Jaminite clan from Jamin, the Jachinite clan from Jachin, 26:13 the Zerahite clan from Zerah, and the Shaulite clan from Shaul. 26:14 These were the clans of Simeon, and there were 22,200 men. The Tribe of Gad 26:15 These were the descendants of Gad by their clans: The Zephonite clan from Zephon, the Haggite clan from Haggi, the Shunite clan from Shuni, 26:16 the Oznite clan from Ozni, the Erite clan from Eri, 26:17 the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli. 26:18 These were the clans of Gad, and their registration numbered 40,500. The Tribe of Judah 26:19 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan. 26:20 These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah. 26:21 And these were the descendants of Perez: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul. 26:22 These were the clans of Judah, and their registration numbered 76,500. The Tribe of Issachar 26:23 These were the descendants of Issachar by their clans: The Tolaite clan from Tola, the Punite clan from Puvah, 26:24 the Jashubite clan from Jashub, and the Shimronite clan from Shimron. 26:25 These were the clans of Issachar, and their registration numbered 64,300. The Tribe of Zebulun 26:26 These were the descendants of Zebulun by their clans: The Seredite clan from Sered, the Elonite clan from Elon, and the Jahleelite clan from Jahleel. 26:27 These were the clans of Zebulun, and their registration numbered 60,500. The Tribe of Manasseh 26:28 The descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim. 26:29 These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead, and the Gileadite clan from Gilead. 26:30 These were the descendants of Gilead: the Iezerite clan from Iezer, the Helekite clan from Helek, 26:31 the Asrielite clan from Asriel, the Shechemite clan from Shechem, 26:32 the Shemidaite clan from Shemida, and the Hepherite clan from Hepher. 26:33 Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 26:34 These were the clans of Manasseh, and their registration numbered 52,700. The Tribe of Ephraim 26:35 These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah, the Becherite clan from Becher, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan. 26:36 And the descendants of Shuthelah were the Eranite clan from Eran. 26:37 These were the clans of Ephraim, and their registration numbered 32,500. These clans were the descendants of Joseph. The Tribe of Benjamin 26:38 These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, 26:39 the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham. 26:40 And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ard and the Naamite clan from Naaman. 26:41 These were the clans of Benjamin, and their registration numbered 45,600. The Tribe of Dan 26:42 These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: The Shuhamite clan from Shuham. These were the clans of Dan. 26:43 All of them were Shuhamite clans, and their registration numbered 64,400. The Tribe of Asher 26:44 These were the descendants of Asher by their clans: The Imnite clan from Imnah, the Ishvite clan from Ishvi, and the Beriite clan from Beriah. 26:45 And these were the descendants of Beriah: the Heberite clan from Heber and the Malchielite clan from Malchiel. 26:46 And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah. 26:47 These were the clans of Asher, and their registration numbered 53,400. The Tribe of Naphtali 26:48 These were the descendants of Naphtali by their clans: The Jahzeelite clan from Jahzeel, the Gunite clan from Guni, 26:49 the Jezerite clan from Jezer, and the Shillemite clan from Shillem. 26:50 These were the clans of Naphtali, and their registration numbered 45,400. 26:51 These men of Israel numbered 601,730 in all. Inheritance by Lot

Aliyah 3 · Numbers 26:52–27:5

26:52 Then the LORD said to Moses, 26:53 “ The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names. 26:54 Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered. 26:55 Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. 26:56 Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.” The Levites Numbered 26:57 Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari. 26:58 These were the families of the Levites: The Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Now Kohath was the father of Amram, 26:59 and Amram ’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. 26:60 Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were born to Aaron, 26:61 but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD. 26:62 The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites. Only Caleb and Joshua Remain 26:63 These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. 26:64 Among all these, however, there was not one who had been numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai. 26:65 For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 27:1 Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached 27:2 the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said, 27:3 “ Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. 27:4 Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father ’s brothers.” 27:5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD,

Aliyah 4 · Numbers 27:6-23

27:6 and the LORD answered him, 27:7 “ The daughters of Zelophehad speak correctly. You certainly must give them property as an inheritance among their father’s brothers, and transfer their father’s inheritance to them. 27:8 Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘ If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 27:9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 27:10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 27:11 And if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the next of kin from his clan, that he may take possession of it. This is to be a statutory ordinance for the Israelites, as the LORD has commanded Moses.’” Moses Requests a Successor (Deuteronomy 3:23–29) 27:12 Then the LORD said to Moses, “ Go up this mountain of the Abarim range and see the land that I have given the Israelites. 27:13 After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was; 27:14 for when the congregation contended in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you rebelled against My command to show My holiness in their sight regarding the waters.” Those were the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin. 27:15 So Moses appealed to the LORD, 27:16 “ May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 27:17 who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” Joshua to Succeed Moses (Deuteronomy 31:1–8) 27:18 And the LORD replied to Moses, “ Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 27:19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight. 27:20 Confer on him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him. 27:21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him — the entire congregation — will go out and come in.” 27:22 Moses did as the LORD had commanded him. He took Joshua, had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 27:23 and laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD had instructed through Moses.

Aliyah 5 · Numbers 28:1-15

28:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 28:2 “ Command the Israelites and say to them: See that you present to Me at its appointed time the food for My offerings by fire, as a pleasing aroma to Me. 28:3 And tell them that this is the offering made by fire you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs. 28:4 Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight, 28:5 along with a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives. 28:6 This is a regular burnt offering established at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. 28:7 The drink offering accompanying each lamb shall be a quarter hin. Pour out the offering of fermented drink to the LORD in the sanctuary area. 28:8 And offer the second lamb at twilight, with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning. It is an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. The Sabbath Offerings 28:9 On the Sabbath day, present two unblemished year-old male lambs, accompanied by a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, as well as a drink offering. 28:10 This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering. The Monthly Offerings 28:11 At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 28:12 along with three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with the ram, 28:13 and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each lamb. This is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. 28:14 Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine with each bull, a third of a hin with the ram, and a quarter hin with each lamb. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon throughout the year. 28:15 In addition to the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented to the LORD as a sin offering. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:14–28; Leviticus 23:4–8; Deuteronomy 16:1–8)

Aliyah 6 · Numbers 28:16–29:11

28:16 The fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD ’s Passover. 28:17 On the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten. 28:18 On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work. 28:19 Present to the LORD an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished. 28:20 The grain offering shall consist of fine flour mixed with oil; offer three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, 28:21 and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs. 28:22 Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you. 28:23 You are to present these in addition to the regular morning burnt offering. 28:24 Offer the same food each day for seven days as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. It is to be offered with its drink offering and the regular burnt offering. 28:25 On the seventh day you shall hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work. The Feast of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9–12) 28:26 On the day of firstfruits, when you present an offering of new grain to the LORD during the Feast of Weeks, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work. 28:27 Present a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, 28:28 together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil — three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, 28:29 and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs. 28:30 Include one male goat to make atonement for you. 28:31 Offer them with their drink offerings in addition to the regular burnt offering and its grain offering. The animals must be unblemished. 29:1 “ On the first day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This will be a day for you to sound the trumpets. 29:2 As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:3 together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil — three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, 29:4 and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven male lambs. 29:5 Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you. 29:6 These are in addition to the monthly and daily burnt offerings with their prescribed grain offerings and drink offerings. They are a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1–34; Leviticus 23:26–32) 29:7 On the tenth day of this seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you shall humble yourselves; you must not do any work. 29:8 Present as a pleasing aroma to the LORD a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:9 together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil — three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, 29:10 and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs. 29:11 Include one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings. The Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13–17)

Aliyah 7 · Numbers 29:12-40

29:12 On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days. 29:13 As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:14 along with the grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil with each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths of an ephah with each of the two rams, 29:15 and a tenth of an ephah with each of the fourteen lambs. 29:16 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 29:17 On the second day you are to present twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:18 along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 29:19 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 29:20 On the third day you are to present eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:21 along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 29:22 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 29:23 On the fourth day you are to present ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:24 along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 29:25 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 29:26 On the fifth day you are to present nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:27 along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 29:28 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 29:29 On the sixth day you are to present eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:30 along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 29:31 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 29:32 On the seventh day you are to present seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:33 along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 29:34 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 29:35 On the eighth day you are to hold a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work. 29:36 As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 29:37 along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 29:38 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 29:39 You are to present these offerings to the LORD at your appointed times, in addition to your vow and freewill offerings, whether burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or peace offerings.” 29:40 So Moses spoke all this to the Israelites just as the LORD had commanded him.

Haftarah (Prophets)

18:46 And the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah, and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. 19:1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 19:2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “ May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like the lives of those you killed!” 19:3 And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 19:4 while he himself traveled on a day ’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “ I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “ Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 19:5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “ Get up and eat.” 19:6 And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. 19:7 A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “ Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” 19:8 So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. The LORD Speaks to Elijah at Horeb 19:9 There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “ What are you doing here, Elijah?” 19:10 “ I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “ but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.” 19:11 Then the LORD said, “ Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 19:12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “ What are you doing here, Elijah?” 19:14 “ I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “ but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.” 19:15 Then the LORD said to him, “ Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 19:16 You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet. 19:17 Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu. 19:18 Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel — all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” The Call of Elisha 19:19 So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. 19:20 So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “ Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “ Go on back,” Elijah replied, “ for what have I done to you?” 19:21 So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen ’s equipment, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.

Brit Hadashah (Renewed Covenant)

11:2 God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: 11:3 “ Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well ”? 11:4 And what was the divine reply to him? “ I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 11:5 In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 11:6 And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 11:7 What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 11:8 as it is written: “ God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” 11:9 And David says: “ May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. 11:10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” The Ingrafting of the Gentiles 11:11 I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. 11:12 But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! 11:13 I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 11:14 in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them. 11:15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 11:16 If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches. 11:17 Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, 11:18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 11:19 You will say then, “ Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 11:20 That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either. 11:22 Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 11:23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 11:24 For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! All Israel Will Be Saved 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “ The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. 11:27 And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” 11:28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. 11:29 For God ’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. 11:30 Just as you who formerly disobeyed God have now received mercy through their disobedience, 11:31 so they too have now disobeyed, in order that they too may now receive mercy through the mercy shown to you. 11:32 For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone. A Hymn of Praise (Isaiah 40:9–31)

2:13 When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2:14 In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. 2:15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 2:16 To those selling doves He said, “ Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father ’s house into a marketplace!” 2:17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “ Zeal for Your house will consume Me.” 2:18 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “ What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” 2:19 Jesus answered, “ Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” 2:20 “ This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “ and You are going to raise it up in three days?” 2:21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. 2:22 After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 2:23 While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the signs He was doing and believed in His name. 2:24 But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. 2:25 He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.