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Haftarah Mattot

Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

Haftarah Mas’ei

“Consequences”

Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4 (A);
2:4-28; 4:1-2 (S)

excerpted from TorahScope Haftarah Exhortations

This week we come to the concluding double portion for the Book of Numbers, Mattot-Ma’sei (Numbers 30:2-32:42; 33:1-36:13). Our selection of the Haftarah reading (2009) is altered, from a thematic choice to one dictated by the Hebrew calendar. During the Summer period between Shavuot and Yom Teruah/Rosh HaShanah—the months of Tammuz and Av—remembering various traumatic events which occurred in Jewish history takes precedence. So for the three weeks prior to the infamous Ninth of Av, the Sages decided to choose Haftarah readings which would remind the Jewish community about the consequences of sin—manifested by the destruction of the First and Second Temples on the Ninth of Av. These three Haftarah selections begin after the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, which commemorates the breach in the walls of Jerusalem by the Romans, prior to the destruction of the Second Temple.

Rabbinic commentary often refers to the period between the 17th of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av, as bein ha’mitzarim or “between the breaches.” This is derived from Lamentations 1:3, where we see, “Judah has gone into captivity because of affliction and because of great servitude. She dwells among the nations. She finds no rest. All her persecutors overtook her in her distress” (WMB).

Additionally, between these two fasts, the time period is also liturgically referred to as the “Three Weeks of Admonition.” The theme of the three Haftarah readings turns to admonishing the Ancient Jews for falling into sin, resulting in the loss of the Temples.

With all of this in mind, some passages from Jeremiah (1:1-2:3; 2:4-3:4), who witnessed the fall of the First Temple, are traditionally read for the first two Sabbaths during this period. This is followed by Isaiah 1:1-27.[1] This year, with Mattot and Ma’sei being considered together, Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 is read. When Mattot and Ma’sei are read individually, then the Haftarah is Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4; or 4:1-2 (depending on the Ashkenazic or Sephardic preference).

This year the opening verses of Jeremiah will be considered. What does the opening chapter of the Book of Jeremiah communicate to us as Bible students? It encourages us to engage and reflect upon some of the historical tragedies which came upon God’s people. The first chapter of Jeremiah actually spoke about Jeremiah’s call into service as a prophet or mouthpiece for the Holy One of Israel. The Lord stated through these oracles how He will anoint spokespersons who will declare His word, as a means to not only admonish people, but warn them of impending judgment. Note in the opening verses not only Jeremiah’s humble response to his appointment, but the declarative statement how the Lord is watching over His word to perform it:

“The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. The LORD’s word came to him in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. Now the LORD’s word came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.’ But the LORD said to me, ‘Don’t say, “I am a child;” for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,’ says the LORD. Then the LORD stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. Behold, I have today set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.’ Moreover the LORD’s word came to me, saying, ‘Jeremiah, what do you see?’ I said, ‘I see a branch of an almond tree.’ Then the LORD said to me, ‘You have seen well; for I watch over my word to perform it’” (Jeremiah 1:1-12, WMB).

Now that we know Jeremiah had been called of the Lord for service, and that what he stated would be accomplished by the Lord, the word that judgment was coming from the north interrupts the narrative. Babylon was not mentioned by name, but rather a more general declaration regarding all the families of the “kingdoms of the north.” Since many nations of the Earth were at odds with Israel, God would personally pronounce His judgments on them for their idolatrous ways, through the mouthpiece provided by Jeremiah:

“The LORD’s word came to me the second time, saying, ‘What do you see?’ I said, ‘I see a boiling cauldron; and it is tipping away from the north.’ Then the LORD said to me, ‘Out of the north, evil will break out on all the inhabitants of the land. For behold, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north,’ says the LORD. ‘They will come, and they will each set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Judah. I will utter my judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, in that they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. You therefore put your belt on your waist, arise, and say to them all that I command you. Don’t be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them. For behold, I have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you; for I am with you’, says the LORD, ‘to rescue you.’ The LORD’s word came to me, saying, ‘Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, “The LORD says, ‘I remember for you the kindness of your youth, your love as a bride, how you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Israel was holiness to the LORD, the first fruits of his increase. All who devour him will be held guilty. Evil will come on them,’” says the LORD’” (Jeremiah 1:13-2:3, WMB).

The reminder that God will protect His people is comforting, as He recalled their devotion to Him during their youthful sojourns. In fact, the admonition is to return to such a level of devotion to the Holy One of Israel.

So what does this passage from Jeremiah help us imagine, as we read Mattot-Ma’sei, in conjunction with the historical realities of judgment, as seen by the Temple destructions on the Ninth of Av? What about the consequences for sin, which can be simply seen by the principle of reaping what one sows? This foundational principle of God’s created order applies not only to the physical realm, but also the spiritual realm. Just consider a few Proverbs which address this basic truth:

“Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death” (Proverbs 11:18-19, WMB).

“He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed” (Proverbs 22:8, WMB).

“There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself. People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf. He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls. Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!” (Proverbs 11:24-31, WMB).

As you reflect on these wise sayings, consider the consequences which befell Ancient Israel as a direct result of its sin. As the people increasingly became idolaters and fell away from the ways of the Lord, judgment took place. Whether it was the destruction of Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians, or the destruction of Herod’s Temple by the Romans, the consequences of moving away from the Lord were consistent. And even though there may no longer be a physical Temple to graphically destroy, God’s eternal principle of reaping what is sown still applies. So what kind of future judgment can be expected?

It is apparent from Proverbs that the judgment takes place in the very heart and soul, of those who sow iniquity or unrighteousness. This is a serious consequence to consider, because the breadth of Scripture is replete with examples of what happens to those who disregard this reality! Jeremiah reminds Bible readers how there are consequences for one’s actions. May we all be mindful not only during this season of reflection between the 17th of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av, but every day of every year!

God is watching over His Word to perform it—and He will—in His time and with the consequences He desires to achieve.