Service to YHVH as well as bearing necessary burdens for the Kingdom are essential requirements for every Torah Observant Disciple of Yeshua Messiah.

Welcome to “Burdens and Service—Thoughts and Reflections on Parshot Naso—Lift-Up.” Welcome.

The concepts of burdens and service are addressed in the 4th-chapter of Numbers.

The Gershonites’ Burden

Beginning at verse 21, we learn that the Gershonites (2,630 families descended from the Tribe of Levi) were tasked with carrying or bearing the burden “of the dwellings” (ie., the Tabernacle and Tent of Meeting). This would include the coverings and hangings of the Tabernacle (4:21-28).

So Aaron would give his son Ithamar orders to take up the Tabernacles and Tent of Meeting and the Gershonites would pack up and transport the various coverings and hangings to the next location. Upon arrival at the next location, those coverings and hangings would be re-erected.

Ithamar had full authority over the Gershonites as it related to their service as attendants and bearers of the elements of the Tabernacle.

The Merari’s Burden

The Merari (3,200 families) were tasked with bearing the solid parts of the fabric of the Tabernacle and its associated court (4:29-33). Like the Gershonites, Ithamar supervised the Merari.

It should be noted that from a weight and bulk standpoint, the Merari bore the greatest burden of the serving tribes according to J. Hertz (Torah and Haftarah).

The Glory and Prestige of Serving

So did this fact make the Merari more important than the Gershonites or any of the other serving tribes? Absolutely not. You see, in YHVH’s economy, the burden of transporting the elements of the Tabernacle was indeed a honor and a privilege, regardless how great or small one’s service may have been.

Youth and the Aged a Consideration for Service

We also learn in this passage that service fell within 30 to 50 years of age. Certainly, the responsibility of taking down, resurrecting and transporting the elements of the Tabernacle was no trivial matter. Thus, such service required training and time for the youth to be assimilated into the work rotation. It was indeed a monumental task requiring precise logistical and physical support from all the attending tribes if it was to be carried out properly. Thus, the aged (ie., those over 50-years old) would be afforded retirement from the arduous service.

(Is not our God a thoughtful God?)

Reflections on Service and Burdens

When I reflected upon the significance of this section of the Torah Reading, the concepts of “service” and “bearing burdens” caught my imagination and attention.

Messianics Compelled to Serve and Bear Burdens

Contrary to churchianity convention, disciples of Yeshua Messiah are compelled to “serve” and “bear burdens.” And I believe that what we see embodied in this week’s Torah instruction was a shadow of the service and burden we are to take on as disciples of Messiah and children of Yah.

The Fake News Surrounding True Service

Now, much of the confusion around service and bearing burdens seems wrapped up in concerns by many (both within and without our Faith Community) that those who commit themselves to such endeavors are doing so to earn their salvation. Consequently, this is the same pathetic accusation that is leveled at our Faith Community by members of churchianity over our keeping of the Feast Days, the weekly Sabbath and the food laws.

And no matter how many times and ways we respond to this “fake news,” the naysayers stay with the same old allegation.

Salvation Continues to Remain a Free Gift From Yah

Regardless, we know that it is impossible to earn one’s salvation through deeds, service, the bearing of burdens, or for that matter, even the keeping of Torah. Because salvation is a gift from YHVH our Elohim. Nevertheless, we serve and bear burdens, just like we keep Torah, because we love YHVH, and because it’s simply the Godly thing to do.

Service and Burden Bearing Rarely Seen in Faith Today

Sadly, we see much of nothing happening as it relates to service and burden bearing in churches and fellowships these days. Fewer and fewer members of churchianity, as well as a few members in our Faith Community, are simply refusing to serve and bear burdens.

But when we shirk our service and burden bearing responsibilities, are we not despising or rejecting our Master Yahoshua Messiah? Did He not question a multitude of followers on a plain just outside of Kfar Nahum (aka Capernaum):

Yeshua Requires Service and Burden Bearing

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say” (Luk. 6:46; CSB)?

One of the earliest Gospel mentions of bearing burdens is found in Matthew 11. And it was while addressing yet another multitude of followers that Yeshua declared this essential element of discipleship:

“Come to me all who labor and bear burdens and I will give you rest. Bear my “yoke” (Greek=”zugos”) upon you and learn from me. That I am tranquil and I am meek, and in my heart you will find tranquility in your souls. For my yoke is pleasant and my burden is light” (Mat. 11:28-30; AENT).

[If you would like to hear/read more on Messianic service, I invite you to listen to/read my post entitled, “Messianics Dedicated to Service.“]

Man-made Religion Places Unreasonable Burdens and Service Requirements Upon It’s Disciples

This essential passage of the Gospel is an example of Master Yeshua comparing His requirements for true discipleship with those of His counterparts—those pesky Pharisees. Master was essentially saying here that comparatively speaking, his followers had up to now been wrongly treated by members of their religion in that their leaders were foisting upon them unreasonable burdens and service requirements; just so they can be in good standing in their religion. But here Master tells them: ‘Hey guys, know what, I can do infinitely better for you.”

Taking Master’s Yoke Upon Us

So in using an agricultural analogy, Master likened the requirements and service of discipleship to that of a “yoke.” Now, a yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that the animals are to pull. The animals could be said, in this situation, to be taking on a burden in the midst of their servitude.

Yoke Defined

Now, the term “yoke” or “zugos” in ancient Greek is a metaphor referring to any burden or bondage (eg., slavery).

Check out this verse in Acts regarding the concept of bearing yokes and maybe we’ll get some clarification as to what Master was referring in Matthew 11:

“And now, why do you test Elohim so as to place a “yoke” upon the neck of the disciples (ie., the newly converted Gentile believers) that which not even our forefathers nor us were able to carry” (Act. 15:10; AENT)?

Gentiles Messianics Spared the Yoke of Religion

Of course, Luke in this passage is actually documenting James’ response to Paul’s report of Gentiles’ coming to Faith through His ministry, defying the conventional wisdom that only Jews were being admitted to Faith. James here, in referring to the “yoke upon the neck of the disciples,” is actually referring to the “oral tradition” (aka, the “oral law” or the “Talmud”).

Now, certain Messianic Jews were defying Paul’s ministry teachings by circling back around to newly converted Gentiles, and demanding that they conform to the Talmud in order to be a part of the Faith Community. And we know James here is referring to the Talmud and not Torah because context confirms this. No true, practicing Jew would ever assert that Torah was “a yoke upon the neck of a Jew.”

The Problem with the Oral Law (Tradition)

The problem with the oral tradition, as alluded to by both Master and James was that it placed additional burden upon the Jew and potentially incoming Gentiles over and above Torah and the teachings of Yeshua. Therefore, those coming into Faith were being burdened with impossible to maintain man-made rules and traditions that, in many cases, superseded and supplanted Torah and the teachings of Yahoshua. And thus every member of the Way was expected to keep the oral tradition if they aspired to be named a member of the Body of Messiah according to the Judaizers.

Religion in Many Cases Subjugates its Members

But Paul referred to the Judaizers’ attaching of the Talmud to the Gospel as subjugation. This subjugation served to force the disciple into a life of servitude (Gal. 5:1; AENT). And servitude in this sense is basically slavery to religion as opposed being servants of Messiah.

Burdensome Rights

And then on the other hand the term “burden” or “phortion” in the Greek, is a metaphor referring to “burdensome rights” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). When we think about burdensome rights, we must consider what things Master Yeshua was asking those who would be His disciples to do. That which He was requiring of His disciples, is of course, recorded throughout the gospel accounts. And frankly, those requirements have not changed one jot or tittle.

The Burden of Torah-Keeping Not Really a Burden After-all

Essentially, Yahoshua is requiring that we, His disciples, keep Torah as He has taught and modeled for us. Plain and simple. No additional burdens or requirements would ever be placed upon His disciples. This, of course, runs contrary to the burdens that the Pharisees placed upon their disciples. (Yes, pharisees did indeed have disciples.)

Churchianity has falsely described Torah as being burdensome and impossible for anyone to keep. Interestingly, however, Jewish sages believed that Torah did not impose upon the Jew any unreasonable burden whatsoever.

According “Pirke Aboth” (aka, “The Sayings of the Fathers.” A compilation of ethical teachings and maxims supposedly passed down to the rabbis from Moses. These sayings are actually part of didactic Jewish ethical literature known as the Mishnah), service in accordance with Torah was not a burden. Hebraic understanding of taking on the burden or yoke of Torah was truly a symbol of obedience. For when one takes on the “Yoke of Torah,” he or she devotes his or herself to the service of YHVH and Yeshua Messiah.

Take-Away: Serve and Bear Your Load

So when considering this section of this week’s Torah Portion, the take away (at least for me) is not that of carrying across a wilderness physical burdens related to our Faith (which we really don’t have today per se) or having to endure the rigors of keeping Torah perfectly. Granted, as Messianic Torah observers, we are compelled to carry burdens (especially spiritual ones) and keep Torah as best we can. It’s a requirement of being a disciple of Messiah.

Rather, it’s about making ourselves available for service to YHVH and to the Body of Messiah.

Thus, when we make ourselves available to Yah’s service, He assigns us specific tasks that certifies the depth and health of our relationship with Him, as well as it brings glory to YHVH and edifies the Body of Messiah.

Until next time, I bid you boundless blessings and warmest Shalom.