Parashat Chukkat
9 Tammuz 5785 / July 5th, 2025
By Kyle Doberstein
This Week’s Readings:
Torah: Numbers 19:1 - 22:1
Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33
Brit Chadashah: 1 Corinthians 1:20-31
Being a leader is not easy—and I’ll be honest, I don’t consider myself a good one. I actually prefer to work alone or support others in their leadership roles. Collaborating with others and staying focused on a common goal can be quite difficult. But throughout the Bible, we see that many of the leaders G-d chose were far from perfect. Still, He called them. And many of them probably wondered, “Why me?”
In the Torah portion, G-d commands the Israelites to sacrifice a red heifer and use its ashes for purification. He also introduces new laws about ritual cleanliness, especially for those who’ve come in contact with the dead. Eleazar, Aaron’s son, is given the responsibility to slaughter the red heifer and oversee the burning of its body—an act that will provide purification for the people. Later, the Israelites complain about having no water, and they confront Moses. Moses turns to G-d, who instructs him to speak to a rock to bring forth water. Instead, Moses strikes the rock—perhaps out of frustration with the people. As a result, G-d tells Moses and Aaron that they will not enter the Promised Land. Even great leaders like Moses are held accountable. Afterward, when Edom refuses to let Israel pass through their land, G-d instructs Moses to pass leadership to Eleazar on Mount Hor, where Aaron dies. Soon after, when the Israelites complain again, they are attacked by venomous snakes. Moses prays for them, and G-d provides a way for them to be healed. Later in the portion, Israel asks permission to pass through Amorite land, but King Sihon refuses and attacks. Israel defeats him and then conquers Bashan as well. There’s a lot happening in this portion, but one key theme is the burden and bravery of leadership. Moses, Aaron, and Eleazar each faced overwhelming pressure, made sacrifices, and took great risks—all to serve their people under G-d's direction.
In the Haftarah portion, we learn the story of Jephthah. Though a mighty warrior, he was rejected by his family because he was the son of a prostitute. Cast out by his brothers, he fled to Tob. But when Ammon declared war on Israel, the elders of Gilead sought him out, desperate for his leadership. They promised him authority if he returned and led them to victory. Jephthah didn’t immediately go to war—he first tried negotiating. He asked the king of Ammon why he was attacking. The king claimed Israel had stolen their land. Jephthah responded by recounting the truth from the Torah: the land was given to Israel by G-d. Despite this, the king attacked—and lost…again. A rejected and imperfect leader—through G-d's power—defended Israel.
In the Brit Chadashah portion we learn that G-d may call upon the foolish things of the world to put the wise to shame, and call upon the weak to shame the strong, the lowly to be blessed by G-d. That is why Yeshua was sent to be a sacrifice. So that we can be great before G-d. I seem to always come to this conclusion for many drashs with the Good News. It really can't be contained within words how special this Good News is.
Being a leader under G-d is hard. Moses was frustrated and punished, yet still stood up for the people again and again. Jephthah was cast aside by his own family, yet rose to save Israel. And the New Testament reveals why: G-d chooses the humble, the broken, and the unexpected one to do great things. His power is clearly seen here. So, I encourage you: even if you don’t feel like a leader, continue to be a servant of G-d. He may use your faithfulness in ways you can’t yet imagine. Trust that His plan will work, even when the world seems against you.