SHELACH "Send".- When Fear Magnifies Obstacles,Faith Magnifies the Lord.

Today’s Shabbat Torah portion is called “Shelach” (שְׁלַח), which means “send.” It’s comes from Numbers 13:2 of our readings today when the Lord instructs Moses to send twelve leaders of Israel into the Promised Land to scout out the inheritance He had already promised to Israel.

This portion is more than just about spies, giants, and a failed mission of a few. This portion, Shelach, is really about teaching us about faith.

The land the Lord promised Abraham and His descendants (Israel) was exactly as He had promised fruitful, abundant, and ready to be inherited. But the problem was never the land or the obstacles present in the land. The challenge was whether the Lord’s people would trust His promises more than the obstacles they saw with their eyes.

Especially since the Lord had already miraculously delivered them from Egypt and never failed to provide and guide them to their destination.

Today’s portion continues to teach one of the greatest spiritual battles every believer eventually faces in their walk with the Lord: the battle between faith and fear. Between His promises and doubt.

Will we, like some in Israel in the book of Numbers allow obstacles to define the Lord or His plans for us, that will blessing for others bring and glory to

His Name? Or will we trust wholeheartedly in the Lord no matter what we face?

As we move through these readings, we will see that God’s promises are often standing right in front of us, but fear can cause us to miss what faith is ready to receive.

TORAH - Numbers 13-15.

PROPHETS - Joshua 2.

GOSPELS - Matthew 10:1-11.