Happy Hanukkah!

“Then came Hanukkah; it was winter in Jerusalem.
Yeshua was walking in the Temple around
Solomon’s Colonnade.
Then the Judean leaders surrounded Him, saying,
‘How long will you hold us in suspense?
If You are the Messiah, tell us outright!’”
(John 10:22-24 TLB*)

Very few know that the Bible records Yeshua (Jesus) in Jerusalem for the joyous celebration of Hanukkah. In most Bible translations, it is called the
"the Feast of Dedication."

A quick look in a concordance will reveal it is indeed the eight day celebration of Hanukkah. In fact, the Hebrew word, Hanukkah means dedication. The holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BC.


Although Hanukkah is not one of the biblical observances found in Leviticus 23,
it is a very significant holiday containing a powerful and timeless message.

It was around 168 B.C. that Antiochus IV Epiphanes and his hoard descended on Jerusalem slaughtering thousands, pillaging and desecrating the Temple, sacrificing a pig on the altar and erecting a statue to Zeus that all Jews were required to bow down to and venerate. All biblical observance was forbidden.

The heartrending account of the siege of Jerusalem, as well as the dramatic record of God's deliverance through a tiny band of God-fearing men is found in the historical book of 1 Maccabees. It's worth a read. It may bring a tear or two to your eyes. Following are a few random quotes:

"...the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed. Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness. ...the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude, and spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel. And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses. But the women and children took they captive... And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein. They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare: For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel. Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:

Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt. And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king. Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.

For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land, And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days: And pollute the sanctuary and holy people: Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts: That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation: To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.

...they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised. And they hanged the infants about their necks ... many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing. Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died. And there was very great wrath upon Israel." 1 Maccabees Ch. 1

The horrendous occupation served to try the hearts of the Israelites. Sadly, many chose compromise and forsaking "the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen." While others defied the wicked ruler's edicts, paying with their lives and abominable punishments. Some pious men fled the blasphemies and lawlessness to the mountains, vowing never to forsake the covenant of the Lord.


In time rebellion arose under the strong leadership of Mattathias Maccabeus who admonished his sons:

"Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time... Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness? Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt. Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions. Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms. To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing. Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory. As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people. Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people. Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law. So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. 1 Maccabees Ch. 2

"Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead. And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel. ...he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel..."1 Maccabees Ch. 3

After about two years of guerilla-like fighting, this small band of zealous Jews led by Judah Maccabeus miraculously routed the vast heathen armies, the enemies of God, thus reclaiming Jerusalem and the Temple.

"It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company: For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from heaven. They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us: But we fight for our lives and our laws. Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of them." 1 Maccabees Ch. 3

The great victory delivered into into the Maccabees hands seemed hollow when they  found Jerusalem "laid void as a wilderness, no children went in or out; the sanctuary was trodden down, and the joy was taken from Jacob, the pipe and the harp had ceased." When they found the holy Torah scroll, they also found the heathens had desecrated them with painted images. They put on sackcloth and ashes and fasted, rent their garments and cried out to the LORD. 

"Then said Judas and his brethren, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse and dedicate the sanctuary. 

And when they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest, or in one of the mountains, yea, and the priests' chambers pulled down; They rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon their heads, And fell down flat to the ground upon their faces, and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven. Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary. So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law: Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place. And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them.

Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former; And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts. They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table. And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple. Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make. And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made. Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success. And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise. Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away. Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu [Chislev], with mirth and gladness. " 1 Maccabees Ch. 4

Thus the miraculous victory was finally realized. The Holy Temple was cleansed and rededicated. Moreover, God's People were cleansed and rededicated—for a time. Zeal for Adonai was returned to Israel. 

Another miracle story emanating from the rededication of the Temple is the story of the oil. When the Temple menorah was restored, which is to burn continually before the LORD (Leviticus 24:2), only one day's worth of oil was found, yet it burned for eight days continuously as new sanctified oil was prepared. Thus, Hanukkah is known by two names: the Feast of Dedication and the Festival of Lights.


The overarching themes that infuse this joyous holiday are timeless and profound:

• DEDICATION & LIGHT Adonai no longer dwells in a Temple of Jerusalem stone, but in temples of living stone. You and I carry His Name before a world populated by Antiochus Epiphanes challenging, coercing, enticing, and sometimes demanding that we compromise His inconvenient Truth or our values, in order to be accepted or avoid loss. Even among "believers," we often face such moral dilemmas. Hanukkah rips away the mask of appeasement. One cannot appease evil or compromise God's Word. Hanukkah bids us to trust valiantly in our God and His holiness. "God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).

Yeshua, the Light of the World, was in the restored Temple in the Jerusalem, at the Feast of Dedication. Would this event have been important to Him? It was vitally important, as the Kingdom, Jerusalem, the Temple, and the Priesthood had to be restored to Israel to set the stage for His appearing! Yeshua would not have come to Antiochus' defiled ruins and a desolate, uninhabited Israel. This was not the redemption plan. Therefore, although the Maccabees historical documents are not considered canonical text, the events that unfolded were certainly prophetic in nature and under the Hand of the Almighty as He continues His infinite engagement in the work of creation ... to complete it to His glory, when all mankind will recognize their loving Father, Creator, Holy Spirit, Son of David, Son of God, when He is One.

Songs, Prayers & Food Tell the Story with Joy
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 says we are to teach our children to love the LORD. This in part is the purpose of the yearly cycle of observances and the traditional ways in which we celebrate, to tell HIS-story from generation to generation. Each Hanukkah, Jewish families tell the story of the brave Maccabees who refused to turn their back on God and Torah, of the families that suffered terribly under the godless Antiochus Epiphanes, the enemy of the God of Israel, and of the Jews who did compromise and joined him, turning their back on God. We tell our children of the miraculous faithfulness of God to the faithful few who trusted, and how God has preserved the Jewish People against all odds throughout millennia. The story of the miracle of the oil is told and objects are used that help the children remember. 

An eight-branched menorah, called a hanukkiah is lit to commemorate the eight days the Temple menorah (a seven-branched lampstand) burned. And foods fried in oil are served: Potato pancakes, called latkes (laht' kez) and jelly doughnuts, called sufganyot (soof' gahn yote). In the ancient world, and in poorer lands, oil is a precious commodity. Thus it is extravagant to prepare such fried foods. The luxurious usage of oil is declaring trust in Adonai for provision, sustenance, and survival. Again, it is a visual lesson of a spiritual truth to be remembered and passed on, generation to generation, not to be lost in this eight day joy-filled holiday of bright decorations, songs and festivities. 

This Hanukkah celebration was taking place as Yeshua spoke and said that it was His works that really tell who He is. In 10:25 Jesus goes on to say, “...the works that I do in  my Father’s name, these bear witness of me.” How intriguing to think that it was works that defeated the Syrians against great odds, that it was works that restored the Temple and re-instituted the sacrifices, and that it was possibly a miraculous work that kept the Menorah lit for eight days. ...And it is works that identify each of us as being a part of God’s family.

Works do tell who we are, don’t they? Each year around the world and for eight days the candles of the hanukkiah are lit in remembrance of this story and in celebration of what doing the work of God once brought. As we reflect on that story why don’t we think on what works we might do for our God, that His light may bring hope through us to a dark world. "For we are His workmanship—created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10 TLB*).

חג חנוכה שמח

Chag Chanukah Sameach! Wishing you a Joyous Hanukkah Festival!

With Love,

Michael and Sarah Lynn

  *Tree of Life Bible New Covenant
CALENDAR: Chanukah 2012 Kislev 25-Tevet 2
HANUKKAH BEGINS at SUNDOWN SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 (1st candle is lit) and is CELEBRATED through SUNDOWN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 (light all 8 candles)

Parashat Vayishlach | Your Weekly Challah

Vayishlach וַיִּשְׁלַח
“And he sent”
“Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.” (Genesis 32:3).

Torah Portion: Genesis 32:3-36:43
Haftarah: Obadiah 1:1-21
B’rit Chadash/New Covenant: Matthew 26:36-45, Hebrews 11:11-20

 

December 10, 2011 |  14 Kislev 5772
______________________
Jacob, the Supplanter, Becomes Israel, Prince of God

It is twenty years since Jacob fled his home in Canaan. At the Voice of the LORD, he finds his exile has come to an end—he can break free from his servitude and trial under the hand of his opportunistic father-in-law, Laban. He leaves Mesopotamia a wealthy man with two wives, eleven sons, and great herds of livestock. Yet, as he nears his home, Jacob is overtaken with fear. He must face his brother Esau—he must face himself—and face up to the sinful act of deception that set Esau’s wrath against him. In tremendous distress, likened to a prey corned by a predator, Jacob empties himself of all he has to face a night alone with a mysterious Heavenly Being, a night that transforms the essence of his being. Jacob will bear the physical wound of his encounter with the Almighty, but he will no longer be known as Jacob, “Supplanter,” but will have a new name, Israel, meaning “Prevails with God,” or “Prince of God.”

Join us now at the Father’s table as we keep the rhythm of Israel for more than two millennia, anticipating fresh manna from our God and King. As followers of Messiah we have added a corresponding New Covenant portion reflecting the fulfillment and crown of the Torah.
______________________
The traditional blessing pronounced before reading the Torah is as follows:
Bar’khoo et Adonai ham’vo’rakh

(Congregation responds)
Ba’rookh Adonai ham’vo’rakh lay’o’lahm vah-ed

Bless Adonai, who is to be blessed.
(Congregation responds)  Blessed is Adonai, who is to be blessed, forever and ever.)
Ba’rookh ah’ta Adonai,
El’o’hay’noo me’lekh ha'olam,
a’sher ba’khar ba’noo mee’kol hah’ah’meem v'nah’tahn lah’noo et torah’tow.
Ba’rookh ah’ta Adonai, no’tayn ha’torah.

Blessed are you Lord, our God, King of the Universe who chose us from all the peoples and gave to us His Torah. Blessed are You, Lord, giver of the Torah.
______________________

Genesis 32  Jacob Wrestles with God, Becomes Israel
“Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, ‘Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: ‘I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.’ Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, ‘We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.’ So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that [were] with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. And he said, "If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape. Then Jacob said, ‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him ... For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’” (Genesis 32:1-12).

It’s interesting to note that last week’s parashah ended with Jacob being met on his way by the angels of God. (Genesis 32:1) He is also returning home both in obedience to the voice of the LORD and with a promise of His protection, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you” (Genesis 31:3).

Yet as he nears his home, Jacob is overwhelmed with the same fear that sent him on his flight twenty years previous—the fear of his brother Esau’s vengeance. Twenty years has not dulled the guilt. In facing Esau, Jacob is facing himself and the failings of his past—where he failed to trust God and took matters into his own hands.

After twenty years of servitude and being taken advantage of by his father-in-law, Laban, Jacob has been humbled. Although he is wealthy and carries the blessing of their father Isaac, he shows great humility, attempting to appease his brother with subservient language and material offerings: “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: ‘I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight’” (vs. 4,5).

The text tells us that when Jacob’s messengers returned with the report that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men, Jacob “was greatly afraid and distressed.”

In Hebrew, the word distressed is yatsar  יצר; which is to be bound (in fear), in a narrow place,  pressed on all sides, commonly known as “in the straits.”

Used only a few times in the Bible, when speaking of extreme circumstances, yatsar is to be compared with the high level of anxiety the prey feels when cornered by a predator, conveying fearful apprehension, even a sense of impending doom. When King David found that the people were speaking of stoning him, he was “greatly distressed—yatsar” (1 Samuel 30:6). And when Israel was delivered into the hands of her enemies because the Hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, “they were greatly distressed—yatsar” (Judges 2:14-15).

So great was his guilt over his deceptive act to obtain Esau’s blessing, that Jacob could only imagine one reason for his coming with four hundred men—to finally realize his vengeance. Resigned to this dire reality, Jacob takes steps to save at least part of his family and estate, dividing the people and livestock into two companies, and then throws himself on the mercy of God.

“‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant ... Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me [and] the mother with the children. For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude’” (vs. 9-12).

Jacob acknowledged his utter dependence on the mercy of God and unworthiness of such grace. Yet he follows this humble contrition by reminding Adonai of His promises, which may seem somewhat cheeky. However, Moses also reminded the LORD of this promise to protect the sanctity of His Name, “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit [it] forever” (Exodus 32:13). And Moses was “very humble, more than all men on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).

Now that Jacob had petitioned the LORD, he set about to do what he could to restore the relationship with his brother. What could compensate him for the loss of blessing and birthright? Unless Adonai softens his heart, probably nothing. Yet, it was Adonai’s choice that Jacob, the second born, inherit the right of the firstborn. Perhaps He will move on Jacob’s behalf.... Jacob prepares a magnanimous gift, hoping to appease his brother’s wrath: more than four hundred goats and sheep, camels, bulls, donkeys, and their foals.

Jacob then took his wives, Rachel and Leah, their two female servants, his eleven sons, and crossed over the brook that leads into the Jordan, midway between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, called Jabbok.

Jacob crossed over the Jabbok (which in Hebrew means “emptying”), then emptied himself, sending his family and all that he had on ahead, and remained the night alone with God.

Jacob Wrestles with God

“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me! So He said to him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Jacob.’ And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.’ Then Jacob asked, saying, ‘Tell me Your name, I pray.’ And He said, ‘Why is it that you ask about My name?’ And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: ‘For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved’” (vs. 24-30).

This is such an enigmatic portion of Scripture, so captivating, while seemingly fraught with contradictions. An epic struggle by our Patriarch, yet a universal parable for all men facing that midnight of crisis, alone and empty, with nowhere to turn but to God, in the light of whose mercy he is forever changed.

In the beginning our text says Jacob is wrestling with a man, in Hebrew iysh איש. Yet, by the end of the passage, Jacob memorializes this place by naming it Peniel, in Hebrew, Penuwel, פנואל, which means literally the face of God, saying: “I have seen God face to face” (v. 30).

Did Jacob actually see the face of Adonai or was this an angel of the LORD? Immediately Exodus 33:20 comes to mind: “But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live’”
The fact that he will not give Jacob his name may be a hint. Judges 13 contains a similar “man” who appears to Manoah and his wife several times, as a man and an angel of the LORD and refuses to reveal his identity. By the time his mission had been accomplished and they had seen him perform wonders, they thought he was Adonai: “...Manoah said to his wife, ‘We will surely die, for we have seen God’” (Judges 13:22).

Yet, Hosea tells us it was God that Jacob wrestled with... “He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he struggled with God” (Hosea 12:3).

So here we have a bit of a theological predicament, sorting out the Theophanies and Christophanies, and various attending doctrinal positions. Needless to say, the Hebraic view would not see Yeshua appearing throughout the Torah or the Tenakh. My husband would say without hesitation, “This is a classic example of a Christophany in the Old Testament!” As I do not have a similar seminary background, nor a concise revelation regarding the issue, I will simply delight in the mysterious and magnificent event and allow the reader to draw his own conclusion!

“I will not let You go unless You bless me!” Jacob’s appreciation of and driving desire for the blessing of Adonai is what set him apart from his brother Esau, who sought only the temporal and earthly.

“Your name...” There’s a reason that Jacob asked the “man” for his name. In Hebrew, as we see repeatedly in the Scriptures, names are not capricious or fanciful. Names reveal the bearer’s nature and/or purpose.

“A good name is better than precious ointment” (Ecclesiastes 7:1).
“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth” (Proverbs 22:1).

It was a monumental thing when Jacob heard, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel” (v. 28). To Hebrew speaking people, Jacob’s name labeled him very negatively. Wouldn’t it be awful to introduce yourself, “Hi, I am Supplanter.” Yet, all who met Jacob knew this name was given him for a purpose! Now, however, from Heaven, his name has been changed to Israel, (Yisra’El ישראל). People will now know him as Prince of God, or Prevails with God. Much better! Most significantly, Jacob’s new name indicates his new nature.

“Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip” (v. 31).
The struggle left its mark—Jacob’s limp would testify to his life-changing encounter. But Jacob emerged victorious, not because he prevailed over God, but because he prevailed with God. This is a pivotal lesson for Jacob, now Israel, and indeed for all Israel (the People) to follow. Israel, the Chosen People, will struggle throughout her history, right up to this very day, learning this very lesson.

Genesis 33  The Grace of God Turns Esau’s Wrath

“Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. ...Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” (vs. 1,3,4)

The ancient manuscripts notate the word “kissed” in such a way to indicate an insincerity on Esau’s part. The commentaries pose the question, “If Esau’s intentions were friendly, why did he come accompanied with such a large army?” The happy consensus is that Adonai changed Esau’s heart in answer to Jacob’s supplication. Esau’s hatred and wrath was turned to forgiveness and love—against his nature!

Esau even refuses the magnanimous gifts of livestock that Jacob had sent to him, and offers some of his own armed men to Jacob. Esau then offers to journey together, but Jacob, knowing the unstable character of his brother is anxious to go their separate ways. (vs. 9-17)

“Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan ... and he pitched his tent before the city. And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money. Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel” (vs. 18-20)

El Elohe Israel אל אלהי ישראל “The Mighty God of Israel!” This is Jacob’s/Israel’s profession of faith as he comes into the Land and places his altar before God and man. It includes his new name. This is HIS God! He has returned from his exile. He has faced his fear, faced his guilt, and found grace, redemption and deliverance! He has come home a new man with a new name, with the favor of Adonai. This is his testimony!

The parcel of land Jacob paid for named Shechem is 30 miles north of Jerusalem in biblical Samaria (now called the West Bank), in the Arab city of Nablus. A city rich in biblical history, it is now Arab and its ancient sites restricted from the Jewish People or destroyed. The Od Yosef Chai (“Joseph Still Lives”) Yeshiva was based there. In October 2000 Arab rioters burnt it down and vandalized Joseph’s Tomb which had been built over the site in 1868. According to the Oslo Agreement the right of all faiths to have access to holy places was to be guaranteed. The site has been off limits to Jewish worshipers since the Intifada of October 2000. Since November 2007, the Israel Defense Forces have provided security for Jews to visit the site once a month.

Shechem is also the location of Jacob’s Well, which dates back to the time our text. Jacob dug the well for his herds on the parcel of land he bought. It is also mentioned in John 4:5-6, where Yeshua met the Samaritan woman. This well is still there today!

Mount Gerezim and Mount Ebal—the biblical mountains of blessing and cursing—tower on either side of Shechem.

In July 2011, the Palestinian Authority proposed a claim against any Jewish historical rights to Shechem, claiming it to be an ancient Palestinian city, its name, Nablus, falsified along with Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Hebron, and many others to erase the historical Palestinian facts: “Even the Torah falsified, changed and forged; this is the way of the Jews—they always try to change the real names to other, false names, in order to erase the [historical] facts.” Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 1, 2011

Genesis 34  Tragedy Strikes the Family of Israel
“Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, "Get me this young woman as a wife." And Jacob heard that defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, a thing which ought not to be done” (vs. 1-7)

This is a painful chapter in the Patriarch’s narrative. Dinah, Jacob’s young daughter is raped by Hamor’s son, Shechem. He truly loved her, but being a heathen, he took her in the way of his people, grievous crime to the followers of the God of Israel—compounded by the fact that the heathen are uncircumcised. Dinah has been irreparably defiled. The language used throughout this text couldn’t be stronger to describe the emotions and what had been done.

The word defiled, in Hebrew tame' טמא, is the same word used throughout Leviticus and Deuteronomy to describe things unclean and defiled—things that must not be touched—things abhorrent to God.

Anger and emotions were running high among Dinah’s brothers. Shechem just wanted Dinah as his wife at any cost. Hamor saw an opportunity to merge their tribes, herds and riches...

Shechem offered anything Dinah’s family would ask as a dowry and a gift. Dinah’s brothers saw an opportunity for revenge and answered deceitfully, asking that all the men be circumcised. Hamor and Shechem “were pleased” and went to the men of their city entreating them to be circumcised:
“These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters. Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us” (vs. 21-23).

They all went for it! Every male was circumcised. But on the third day, while they were weak and in pain, “two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males” (v. 25).

They took Dinah from Shechem’s house and plundered the city to avenge their sister’s honor. They took the women and children and livestock.

Israel was mortified, saying his sons had made him odious among the inhabitants of the land, and they will likely come and kill all of them for what they have done.

Simeon and Levi seem nonplussed. “But they said, "Should he treat our sister like a harlot?" (v. 31)

Genesis 35  Back Up to the House of God

For a fifth time, Adonai will visit Jacob at Bethel. In the face of the great disaster at Shechem, Jacob knows where his help comes from. He must go up to Bethel—up to the House of God.

“Then God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.’ And Jacob said to his household and to all who [were] with him, ‘Put away the foreign gods that [are] among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. ‘Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.’ So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which [were] in their hands, and the earrings which [were] in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which [was] by Shechem. And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob” (vs. 1-5).

All of Jacob’s household had to prepare themselves for an encounter with the Holy God of Israel. His household now included heathen Hivite women and children. Rachel had stolen idols from her father’s home in Padan-Aram. His sons had brought shame on the family slaughtering innocent men and plundering the city in their unrestrained furor. He found himself at another point of crisis. One worry he didn’t have was the danger he expected from the other inhabitants of the land—again, Adonai gave him favor and safe passage!

“And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother” (v. 7).

El Bethel, אל בית–אל, “The God Who Manifested Himself at the House of God.”

Jacob enlarged the name Bethel, to El Bethel, and Adonai met him there, renewing His everlasting covenant (the eighth time the Abrahamic Covenant is repeated), and reaffirmed Jacob’s name change to Israel. (vs. 9-12)

Adonai reveals Himself for the third time as El Shaddai, God Almighty. אֵל שַׁדַּי (v. 11)

The twelfth of Jacob’s sons is born, but Rachel dies while giving birth. Rachel names him Ben-Oni  בן–אוני, which means “Son of My Sorrow,” but Jacob calls him Benjamin, in Hebrew Binyamin בנימין, meaning “Son of the Right Hand,” or “Son of My Old Age,” as translated by the Targum. (v. 18)

Rachel died and was buried on the way to Bethlehem.

Isaac Dies and is Buried by His Sons
Jacob returned home to his father Isaac in Hebron, and at the age of one hundred and eighty years old, “Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him” (vs. 27-29).

Genesis 36  The Family of Esau

"Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite..." (vs. 1,2)

Chapter 36 is dedicated to the generations of Esau, who becomes Edom. Edom will be judged and suffer destruction under the Hand of God. Edom was cruel and arrogant, and had a unnatural hostility toward Israel, their kinfolk. The bitter enmity displayed by the king of Edom toward the Israelites when they pleaded for passage along the edge of his border is a stunning example:

“Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. ‘Thus says your brother Israel: ‘You know all the hardship that has befallen us, ‘how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers. ‘When we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice and sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border. ‘Please let us pass through your country. We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King's Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory.’

“Then Edom said to him, ‘You shall not pass through my land, lest I come out against you with the sword.”

“So the children of Israel said to him, ‘We will go by the Highway, and if I or my livestock drink any of your water, then I will pay for it; let me only pass through on foot, nothing more.’

“Then he said, ‘You shall not pass through.’ So Edom came out against them with many men and with a strong hand.

“Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory; so Israel turned away from him” (vs. 20:14-21).

Edom's cruelty to Israel, his brother has not gone unnoticed by Adonai, as we will read in our Haftarah portion.

"For violence against your brother Jacob,
      Shame shall cover you [Edom],
      And you shall be cut off forever. "
Obadiah 1:10
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Haftarah Vayishlach
Obadiah 1:1-21

This week’s Haftarah selection is Obadiah 1. The entire book is only one chapter, comprising a total of twenty-one verses. The connection between this Haftarah section and the Torah section of Genesis 32:3-36:43 rests on the two brothers, Esau and Jacob. You will recall there existed a great schism between these two.

God chose before they were even born to favor the younger brother, Jacob, over his older brother, Esau; this in a sovereign act of selection. (Romans 9:12-13) A problem arose between the two brothers when Jacob chose to step out ahead of God’s plan for this to be carried out. Instead of waiting on Adonai, Jacob used deception and lying to accomplish what he knew God’s ultimate plan was to be. (Genesis 27)

The upshot of all of this was that Jacob had to flee the homicidal intensions of his older brother, spend twenty years away from home, and then return in all humility, and deathly fear of his older brother. Well, that part of the story did not end so badly. The two brothers met. Esau showed great love for his brother. (It seemed time had healed his wounds, and God had blessed him in other ways.) Gifts were given. The two then went on with their lives with no further sign of hate or revenge between them ever being mentioned again. And so you’d think that would be the end of it. But it wasn’t.

Scripture tells us that from Esau came the nation of Edom. And Edom was always to be a thorn in the side of the nation of Israel. Their lineage is given in Genesis 36. From there we know that they rejected Moses’ request to pass through their land. (Numbers 20:14-20) They were in opposition to King Saul. (l Samuel 14:47) They warred against David. (l Kings 11:14-17) Their rebellious attitude  reared it ugliness against Solomon (l Kings 11:14-25), Jehoshaphat (ll Chronicles 20:22), and Jehoram (ll Chron. 21:8). For these children of Esau there just seemed to be no end to their antagonism toward the descendants of his brother, Jacob.

And now in his book, Obadiah pronounces certain doom over Esau’s descendants, the nation of Edom. This finally comes as a result of her rejoicing over all the misfortunes that befell Jerusalem. 

Did you know that today Edom is a nation that no longer exists. Its language, its territory, its people, are all gone. Why?

Obviously it is because of their continual opposition to anything good that might have been done for Jacob’s people, Israel. This principle was established in Genesis 12:3 when God said to Abraham, the grandfather of both these brothers, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse.”  But why do you suppose Edom had this proclivity?

Might it be because of the actions of their uncle, Jacob? He had stolen their Dad’s birth right. It had belonged to Esau by historical precedent. And the nation of Edom was not all it could have been had this not of happened, even though because of God’s sovereignty Edom would always be the weaker of the two nations. This obviously was done by trickery and outside the way God would have otherwise had it done. Grudges are easy to come by and unfortunately have long lives.

This grudge—here because of actions taken outside the will of God, because a man could not wait for God’s plan and perfect timing—caused misery to Israel and ultimately brought God’s curse on Edom.

Ever wonder what not waiting on the Lord for His plan in accomplishing His will for your life could bring? What stepping out ahead of Him because you can’t wait, might mean? In this story it was a grudge that brought misery for many generations. Just what might it mean for you...today...and then tomorrow...and how about for generations to come?

The consequences for doing things other than God’s way will come, and will unfortunately sometimes last for an awfully long time.

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B’rit Chadashah Vayishlach
Hebrews 11:11-20 | Matthew 26:36-45

The B’rit Chadashah, or New Testament, portion of this week’s Torah reading is made up of two passages. The one we’ll look at is Hebrews 11:11-20. 

In this section of the great “faith” chapter of the Bible we see the story of Sarah conceiving Isaac, the father of Jacob and Esau. There is mention of the descendants of Jacob recognizing that they were but strangers and foreigners on this earth, looking for a better country, a heavenly one. And there is the highlight on Abraham, who by faith offered up Isaac as a sacrifice, believing that God would raise him up from the dead.

Any of these would be worthy of our addressing, but in keeping with the spirit of our Torah portion, let's give special recognition to verse 20. “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.” Isaac had been told by God that He would make a great people of him and that through his descendants all the families of the earth would be blessed. (Genesis 28:13-14) And so Isaac did believe that all the families of the earth would be blessed through his lineage. Hebrews 11 says he had faith in that promise. But do you suppose he knew the full implication of what that meant?

Early on in man’s history God begins to unfold the story of ultimate redemption. Our first record of it is in Genesis 3:15. The Seed that would ultimately come through Isaac and then Jacob is introduced. We then see that God introduced sacrifices for sin not long after that. In the very next chapter, in the story of Cain and Abel it is the blood sacrifice that is the acceptable one. (Genesis 4:3-4) This practice was carried on up to and through God’s promise to Isaac, that through his descendants all the families of the earth would be blessed.

But do you suppose that Isaac really knew what that fully meant? He believed what God had said, but did he fully understand it? Why even the apostles did not understand the once and for all sacrifice of Yeshua for the forgiveness of sin. Peter even attempted to rebuke Yeshua when He said He had to die and be raised from the dead. (Matthew 16:21-23) This group still didn’t get it when He did die. He had to appear to them and show them His wounds before they understood! (Luke 24:36-48)

So again I ask you, Did Isaac fully understand what it meant that through his descendants all the families of the earth would be blessed? The answer is NO, he did not, but he DID believe God. And that earned Isaac his spot in the greatest faith chapter in the Bible. This begs the question—Can one believe in a promise he does not fully understand? For Isaac the answer was yes. And it should be yes for us as well.

God has made many promises to us, promises He will keep. But I must confess, there are few that I have a full understanding of. You know, as God’s saved children we can only believe by faith that each and every thing He has promised will come to pass, even though we don’t know the full implications of what that promise means.

What struggle is at your door today?
What promise of God’s is it that says victory over it can be yours if you will only believe Him for it?
Friend, you don’t have to fully understand it.
Just in faith believe it.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1)

In Messiah's love,
Michael & Sarah

Parashat Chayei Sarah | Your Weekly Challah

Chayei Sarah
“The Life of Sarah”
“Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years;
these were the years of the life of Sarah.”

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18
Haftarah: I Kings 1:1-31
B’rit Chadash/New Covenant: Matthew 2:1-23, I Corinthians 15:50-57


November 19, 2011 |  Cheshvan 22 5772
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The Legacy of Abraham & Sarah
A Bride for Isaac

The goal of the family is to prepare a dwelling place for the Divine; a tent of meeting where Heaven touches earth for the brief sojourn of all who pass through the gates. In Jewish thought, although a characteristically patriarchal society with men responsible for decisions, provision and spiritual instruction before God, it is said the wife and mother, “makes the home.” While she lights the candles on Friday night—“Shabbat”—her light continues to illuminate the home throughout the week. This week’s parashah begins with the passing of the first Matriarch of Israel, Sarah, and continues with the life of the second, Rebekah.

Above all, it’s about LOVE—the epic love story unfolding across time as Adonai unfolds His-Story of Love for His creation, a Love that is Beyond Love!

Join us now at the Father’s table as we keep the rhythm of Israel for more than two millennia, anticipating fresh manna from our God and King. As followers of Messiah we have added a corresponding New Covenant portion reflecting the fulfillment and crown of the Torah.

The traditional blessing pronounced before reading the Torah is as follows:
Bar’khoo et Adonai ham’vo’rakh
(Congregation responds)
Ba’rookh Adonai ham’vo’rakh lay’o’lahm vah-ed

Bless Adonai, who is to be blessed.
(Congregation responds) Blessed is Adonai, who is to be blessed, forever and ever.)
Ba’rookh ah’ta Adonai,
El’o’hay’noo me’lekh ha'olam,
a’sher ba’khar ba’noo mee’kol hah’ah’meem v'nah’tahn lah’noo et torah’tow.
Ba’rookh ah’ta Adonai, no’tayn ha’torah.

Blessed are you Lord, our God, King of the Universe who chose us from all the peoples and gave to us His Torah. Blessed are You, Lord, giver of the Torah.
______________________
Genesis 23  Sarah and Beyond

vs. 1-7 “Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, ‘I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight.’ The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, ‘Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves; none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead.’ So Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land, the sons of Heth.”

It may seem odd that our parashat is titled Chayei Sarah, the Life of Sarah, as it reports the death of Sarah, and focuses on events following her demise. However, the parshiot take their titles from the first words of the first verse. Of equal weight, as mother of the Hebrew nation, Sarah certainly deserves a special mention.

After Abraham’s period of mourning, he went to Hebron, to the Hittites to secure a burial site for his beloved Sarah. The text reads: “that I may bury my dead out of my sight” (v. 4). However, a better rendering would be, “from before me” or “from before my face.” Even today, the Jewish People have a period of mourning, called “sitting shiva,” from the Hebrew word sheva, which is the number seven. It is a seven day period of intense mourning. Some will observe a thirty day period of less intense mourning and after that there are specific days for remembrance.

Interestingly, the traditional “Mourner’s Kaddish” prayer said at every Jewish funeral and remembrance does not pray for the mourner at all, but glorifies and magnifies God’s Name, prays for the restoration of Israel and the Kingdom of God and asks that peace be granted to all Israel. After the period of mourning, the bereaved is not to focus continually on the departed, but on life.

To Bury Rather than Burn It is significant that Abraham desired to bury his beloved. This would serve to distinguish the Hebrews from the pagans who burned their dead. Later God would speak of burying Israel’s dead, further reinforcing this tradition: “...you shall surely bury him on the same day” (Deuteronomy 21:23). The Jewish People have taken it to be a commandment and considered it a disgrace to burn the body which awaited resurrection. The first century Roman senator and historian, Cornelius Tacitus noted this Jewish distinctive: "They [the Jews] bury rather than burn their dead." (The Histories v. 5)

v. 6 “a mighty prince among us” Literally, Abraham was recognized as a “Prince of God.”

vs. 15-18 The Cave of Machpelah,Today Known as the Cave of the Patriarchs Deeded is to Abraham with Surrounding Land 

“‘My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.’ Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard. So Ephron's field, which was in Machpelah, which faced Mamre, the field and cave which was in it, and all the trees which were in the field, that were within all the confines of its border, were deeded over to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.”

Welcome to the Middle East! It’s really wonderful that the Holy Spirit preserved the record of this quintessentially Oriental bargaining process between Abraham and Ephron! Abraham said he wanted to purchase the cave as a burial site, but the Hittite said, no, he would give him the field and also the cave. Ephron then mentions an extravagantly inflated valuation of the property, adding: “what is that between me and you?” So Abraham winds up having to purchase land he didn’t want or need—plus pay for the trees on the land—in order to obtain the cave of Machpelah, and pay far more than any of it was worth!

An Important Note on Hebron and the Cave of Machpelah

Hebron is the second most sacred site in the world after the Temple Mount, as it still contains the burial place of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham purchased the field of Ephron in Machpelah for four hundred shekels of silver to bury Sarah, and later he was buried there by Isaac, who is also buried in the Cave of Machpelah. (Genesis 23:16, 25:9) Joseph also buried Jacob (Israel) in the Cave of Machpelah. (Genesis 50:1-14) Rebecca and Leah are also entombed in this precious place. Herod the Great built a grand structure which was further enhanced during the Byzantine Empire. Jewish access to this site has been severely restricted over the centuries. In 1929, there was a small Jewish community that lived peacefully among Arabs in Hebron. However, responding to a call from the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, the Arabs rose up and slaughtered their Jewish friends and neighbors in Hebron. After that, the British further restricted Jewish access to the Patriarch’s Tomb as it angered the Arabs who claimed Abraham as their Patriarch. When the entirety of the Land of Israel miraculously came back into Jewish hands following the Six Day War in 1967, the Jewish People enjoyed unrestricted access for the first time in more than 2,000 years to this important biblical and historic site. This was short-lived as violent attacks, bombings of the site and destruction by Palestinians forced the Jews to surrender to a severely restricted schedule of visits rather than see this invaluable site demolished by Arab violence—as happened to Joseph’s Tomb, which was on land purchased by Jacob. according to the Bible (Gen. 33, 48, 50) and stood until October 2,000. (From Parashah Lech Lecha)

Genesis 24:1-67  A Bride for Isaac

“Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, ‘Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac’” (Genesis 24:2-4).

This was a very serious oath between Abraham and his servant. The mission was to find a suitable wife for forty-year-old Isaac—through whom the promise of Adonai would be realized and flow—a woman through whom the Divine Promise would bring forth the Messiah in the fullness of time.

What is a very strange ritual to our sensibilities, was rich in meaning in the ancient world. According to the biblical idiom, children issued from a man’s loins, therefore, an oath sworn while placing one’s hand on or under the thigh signified that the children and children’s children would avenge the party if he violated his oath. This was a solemn oath!

A Note on “Abraham’s servant”—commentaries suggest that he is likely Eliezer of Damascus, spoken of in Genesis 15:2, as our text refers to him as “the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned” (v. 2). However, as he is not named throughout this portion of Scripture, we will leave him unnamed as well.

Abraham could not allow Isaac to choose a wife from the daughters of the Canaanites, who would have been far more convenient than sending his servant hundreds of miles back to Mesopotamia. The Canaanite women were likely intriguing and tempting to Isaac, however, Abraham knew how important it was that Isaac carry the burden of righteousness and not be led astray by the people who worship Baal and Asherah.

A Love Worthy

How does one find a worthy bride for Isaac—a woman who would become the second matriarch of Israel? In today’s western culture, we rely heavily on “attraction,” and “love at first sight”—both recipes for failure.

Relying on “attraction” to sustain a marriage is as successful as relying on the magnetic attraction of a refrigerator magnet to hold important papers affixed to our kitchen appliance indefinitely. They both fall prey to the law of entropy—the deterioration process at work since the fall of man in the Garden of God’s Delight!

“Love at first sight” and the feeling of “attraction” primarily fall under the category of the “lust of the eyes,” which is not of the Father, but the world (1 John 2:15-16). Therefore it is not likely to produce lasting fruit. “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:6-8)

Proverbs 6:25 warns young men: “Do not desire her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelids.” In contrast, biblical wisdom places high value on virtues perhaps missed by the world’s shallow standards, but rich by Heaven’s: “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:29-30)

This was caliber the of wife Abraham’s servant was to find for Isaac, the Son of the Covenant. Abraham assured his servant that Adonai, YHVH would be with him: “‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give this land,’ He will send His angel before you...’” (v. 7)

So Abraham’s servant traveled to Mesopotamia, to Haran where Abraham’s family lived, with ten camels and many gifts. But how would this faithful servant find the right young woman? He devised a plan—he prayed to Abraham’s God.

vs. 11-27  God Answers Prayer!

“He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. He said, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; now may it be that the girl to whom I say, 'Please let down your jar so that I may drink,' and who answers, 'Drink, and I will water your camels also'—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master” (vs. 11-14).

“I will water your camels also”—Hebrew commentaries note that offering to care for the camels of her own initiative would give evidence of a tender heart and beauty of character. Kindness to animals is also considered an important virtue.

The text says that before he had finished praying, behold, Rebekah came out with a jar on her shoulder! (Rebekah was the daughter of Abraham’s nephew, Bethuel, the son of his brother Nahor.)

“The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up” (v. 16).

The word translated as “beautiful” in this verse is the phrase in Hebrew, “tov meod,” commonly used to express, “very good!” Tov meod can also be rendered: very pleasant (to the higher nature), most agreeable, very becoming, very right (ethical), and very good (morally). Had Abraham’s servant found his Proverbs 31 woman for his master?

Abraham’s servant asked for a little water from her, which she proffered graciously, then said, “‘I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking.’ ...quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels” (vs. 20-21)

You can imagine the incredulous servant watching a miracle of answered prayer unfolding before his eyes! The text says he gazed at her in silence as she drew water for all of his ten camels. That is probably close to 150 gallons of water! Finally he asked the burning question: “Whose daughter are you?” (v. 23)

“She said to him, ‘I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor’” (v. 24).

What are the chances? The first maiden to come out to the well and meet the exact criteria Abraham’s servant was praying to Adonai about—before he had even finished praying—is from Abraham’s family!

Our text tells us that not surprisingly, “...the man bowed low and worshiped the LORD” (v. 26).

And he thanked Adonai! "Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master's brothers" (v. 27).

vs. 28-67 Rebekah Journeys to Become Isaac’s Bride

Rebekah immediately runs and tells her family of this amazing meeting and shows them the gold ring and bracelets that Abraham’s servant gave her after she had watered his camels. Rebekah’s brother Laban runs to the spring and says, “Come in, blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?” (v. 31)

Rebekah’s family welcomed him and the men who were with him as honored guests. But Abraham’s servant refused to eat until he had “told his business” (v. 33).

 He then spoke of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac, the son of her old age, and recounted all that Abraham had told him—and the oath he had sworn to, and his mission to find this very family and a wife for Isaac. He shared with them his prayer to find the right maiden—one who offer to water the camels, and how Rebekah came forth as an answer to that prayer. When he told them how moved he was to find that she was the daughter of his master’s kinsman, and how he bowed and worshiped the LORD, Laban and Bethuel were also astonished and moved: “The matter comes from the LORD; so we cannot speak to you bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken” (vs. 50-51).

Once more, Abraham’s servant, “bowed himself to the ground before the LORD” (v. 52).

Rebekah’s mother and brother wanted Rebekah to remain for a few days before leaving, however, Abraham’s servant felt the journey was so blessed, he should return to his master, having completed the mission. The family decided to allow Rebekah to make the decision. So strong was the Hand of God on this mission, that almost unbelievably this young girl didn’t even hesitate to immediately leave her family and travel with strangers to be wed to a stranger in a strange land. She said, “I will go” (v. 58).

Her family blessed her she left: “They blessed Rebekah and said to her, ‘May you, our sister, Become thousands of ten thousands, And may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them’” (v. 60).

Upon their journey’s end, they encounter Isaac toward evening as he has gone out to pray in the field. Isaac “lifted his eyes” and sees the caravan of camels approaching...

“Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from the camel” (v. 64).

She asks the servant, “Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?” (v. 65) And when she is told it is Isaac, she took her veil to cover herself in humility and modesty.

The servant told Isaac the details of his amazing journey.

“Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother's death” (v. 67).

“brought her into his mother Sarah's tent” means Rebekah was installed as mistress of the household, taking Sarah’s place.

“Took” is the Hebrew word, laqach, which also means: marry, take a wife.

Rebekah would become Isaac’s “house” in the Jewish way of thinking.
We weren’t told before this verse that Isaac was also mourning his mother’s death. This was a sad and desolate home. As mentioned in Parashah Lech Lecha, when Sarai offered Hagar to Abram saying, “perhaps I may obtain children through her,” the word obtain is actually “to be builded.” The family is pictured in Hebrew thought under the image of a house; with the wife spoken of as the husband’s house; her house is built through her children.

The order of the words, “he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her” calls for comment. In modern life we would place “he loved her” first, and write: “he loved Rebekah, he took her, and she became his wife.” But, however important it is that love shall precede marriage, it is far more important that it shall continue after marriage. The modern attitude lays all the stress on the romance before marriage; the olden Jewish view emphasizes the life-long devotion and affection after marriage.
S.R. Hirsch, PENTATEUCH AND HAFTORAHS, SONCINO PRESS, 1936

Amen. Whereas romantic love is a carnal (and often selfish) emotion that wanes, true love born of mutual commitment and devotion grows, develops, matures, and becomes more mutually satisfying. As children of Abraham and followers of Messiah, the love men are to have for their wives is to be a visible witness to the world of Messiah’s everlasting love for the Body of Believers. Wives are to exhibit respect for their husbands—something that should set a distinctive standard apart from the unbelieving world. Marriage is important to God as exhibited by this parashah. It is God’s institution, not man’s. Perhaps that’s why it is a prime area of attack.

God, Husband & Wife— A Threefold Cord
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

Genesis 25  Abraham is Buried with Sarah

“Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east” (v. 5-6).

Our text records Abraham taking another “wife” named Keturah for the purpose of establishing the people groups that sprang from her children, i.e., the Midianites among others. Keturah was actually a concubine, which was clarified in verse 5. The word rendered “wife” is “ishah” in Hebrew, which is “woman” or “female” or “wife.”

Although Abraham provided for all in his vast household, the text notes that he “gave all that he had to Isaac,” which refers to the covenantal blessings and his estate (v. 5).

Abraham then sent his concubines and their sons away to the “land of the east” so that Isaac could administer his household before the LORD as patriarch. The Hebrew commentaries note the “land of the east” to be Arabia as used in Job 1:1-3.

Abraham was 175 years old when he died: “Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people” (v. 8).

“Gathered to his people” is an idiom. Not to be taken literally, it is an allusion to the enduring hope and belief in the resurrection of the dead.

“Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife” ((vs. 9-10).

The Modern Structure Protecting the Cave of the Patriarchs, the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron, Israel

To this day, you can visit this very spot where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah and Leah are entombed. The cave and surrounding land was paid for by and deeded to Abraham. (It is also deeded to him by Adonai in the everlasting covenant!) Sadly, Jews are allowed very limited access to visit this invaluable site where their ancient patriarchs and matriarchs lay, linking ancient biblical history with today’s world.

“It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi” (v. 11)

Isaac is blessed of Adonai as the promises of Abraham will flow through him and his descendants after him—culminating in the realization of the Crown of the Torah, Messiah ben David, Yeshua (Jesus) Son of David, Lion of Judah, who finishes the work of creation by completing the redemption and welcoming the resurrection of the faithful!

“Beer-lahai-roi” means “well of the Living One seeing me,” so named as it was the well where the LORD appeared to Hagar.

Verses 12-18 Is the genealogical record of Ishmael’s generations. They bear witness that the blessing promised to Hagar for her son was realized. He was the father of twelve princes, twelve nations. At the age of 137, Ishmael “breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people” (v. 17).

This chapter concludes the Biblical account of the first of the Patriarchs. It is difficult, indeed, because of our lifelong familiarity with the story, rightly to estimate the nobility and grandeur of the personality revealed in the these chapters.
    He was the pioneer of the monotheistic faith. Undazzled by the heathen splendour of a Nimrod or Hammurabi, he broke away from the debasing idol-worship of his contemporaries, and devoted his life to the spread of the world-redeeming truth of the One God of Justice and Mercy. He forsook home and family to brave unknown dangers because the Voice of God bade him do so; and, throughout his days, he showed that faith in God must manifest itself in implicit and joyful surrender to the Divine will. He set an example to his children to sacrifice the dearest things in life and, if need be, life itself, in defence of the spiritual heritage entrusted to their care. While he preached renunciation in the service of God, he practised lovingkindness and truth towards his fellow men. Witness his magnanimity in his treatment of Lot; his fine independence in the refusal to accept any of the spoils won by the men of his household; his benevolence in the reception of strangers; his stand for justice, when pleading for the doomed cities; and his all-embracing human pity which extended even to those who had forfeited all claim to human pity. Finally, the closing stage of his life shows his anxiety that the spiritual treasures he has acquired should be transmitted unimpaired through his son to future generations. Verily, he is the prototype of what the Jew should aim at being. “Look unto the rock whence ye were digged, look unto Abraham, your father,” is the Divine exhortation addressed to Israel (Isaiah LI, I).
Chief Rabbi Dr. J.H. Hertz, PENTATEUCH AND HAFTORAHS, SONCINO PRESS, 1936

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Haftarah Chayei Sarah
M’lakhim Aleph (I Kings) 1:1-31

The Throne of David, the Seat of the Messiah

The whole of our Parashat for this week has the theme of lineage running through it. In the Torah reading we saw that the Hebrew nation was preserved by Adonai through Isaac, not Ishmael. This is as God said it would be (Genesis 17:2,15-19). Isaac now marries and is in place to father Jacob who we shall see fathers the Twelve Tribes of the Hebrew Nation. This to bring forth the Messiah through the coming throne of David.

The haftarah which we are examining here gives us the story of how Solomon almost does not become the second king of Israel in the line of David. His ascension to the throne was an essential step in establishing the lineage that would bring forth the Messiah (l Chronicles 28:5-7).  David’s throne, promised to Solomon, was however almost usurped by his older brother. Read it. While we will not recount much of it, it is a story of intrigue and political skullduggery. In the beginning it looked as though everything was stacked against Solomon, but he was, in the end, made king of the Hebrew Nation. This too, to bring forth the Messiah through the throne of David.

The B’rit Chadashah is as well all about lineage. In Matthew is seen Yeshua’s (Jesus’) legal birth right to the throne of David. This passage completes the lineage process thus establishing the legal right of Jesus of Nazareth to the throne of David through Solomon.  It is from this throne that Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah will rule over restored Israel, and the whole earth in the Millennium (Isaiah 9:6-7).

As you read through l Kings 1:1-31 you’ve got to wonder how in the world could Solomon ever overcome all that was stacked against him and ascend his father’s throne. As our story picks up we see that David is now old and infirm. Adonijah was King David’s oldest surviving son and as such had the historically established right as next in line to the throne. So he throws a celebration, invites all the right people and then declares himself King. Solomon was the only son of David not invited. But then neither were Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, or Nathan the prophet. The rest of our story is how that which God originally and always intended, did come to pass.

God knew what the lineage of the Messiah had to be. It was based on His specific promises and His foreknowledge of events in the future, from a perspective of far in the past. His plan was established and would not be altered. Human intervention could not foil it. Satanic attack, if allowed by God, could only trouble it, and that only to the extent that satan’s Maker would choose to allow.

Consider how sure our Creator, Adonai is:

• “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow”
  (James 1:17).

• “God is not a man that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

• “For I, the Lord, do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

• “The council of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation” (Psalms 33:11).

• “The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, ‘Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand’” (Isaiah 14:24).

• “Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure” (Isaiah 47:9-10).

• And there is this, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand forever” (Proverbs 19:21).

Where does all this take us? Two points can be made. First, I believe the story of the preservation of the Messiah's lineage shows us that no matter what, God’s plans are established and they will not be changed. There are those occasions in Scripture where from the human perspective it looks as though God changes His mind. But that event did NOT take Him by surprise. He knew its outcome from before the creation of time. Any change in course had already been determined and was done by God to demonstrate to us some aspect of His character. He wants His creation to get to know Him, really well.

Second, human interaction in His already determined plan is what our God wants. Upon hearing of what Adonijah had done Nathan, God’s man on the scene, went into action. Yes, he knew that God had said that Solomon would follow David on the throne (ll Samuel 12:24-25) and I’m sure he believed God would accomplish this. But he didn’t just sit back and wait to see it happen. He intervened. He came up with a plan to bring about what he believed God’s will was in this situation. And he was used and it happened.

O dear child of His. Our God is a mighty God; never surprised, never shaken, always secure in His settled plan for eternity, for this world, for His people, even all of mankind, and those He has created. How can we not be secure in Him with this knowledge. “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Never rest in that truth to the point of idleness though. Know His plan through reading His Word and fellowshipping in prayer with Him. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Get up. Get in the game. Be a part of His long ago already determined plan. And remember this, “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
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B’rit Chadashah Chayei Sarah
Matthew 1:1-17
I Corinthians 15:50-57

Mining Essential Truth from Endless Genealogies!
This week’s Parashat starts with the continuing story of Adonai (Almighty God) building a nation that ultimately will birth the Messiah / Savior of the world. The mother of the first of the seed of that nation passes on and is buried. Her husband and the father of that nation secures a bride for their only child, the first seed of that nation. A marriage is had, thus facilitating the continuance of this process. And then the father of that nation passes as well. This is, if you will, a bit of the history portion of how you and I came to have eternal life, and Israel secure her future.

Our second reading filled in more of the history in the securing of our redemption. There we are given a second window on the truth of the lineage of the Messiah. It is this Messiah that is to establish Israel permanently in her land, during the Millennial Kingdom, and be the once and for all sacrifice for the salvation of mankind. (l John 2:2)

So now we come to the first of the two selected portions for this weeks B’rit Chadashah, Matthew 1:1-17. I probably shouldn’t admit this but whenever I have come to them I have always been a bit anxious to get through those lists of genealogies in the Bible. It is, however, when you come to a passage like this that you really see the importance of them, and this one in particular.

One reason that God provides these lists for us is that He is big on proving birth right. We see that here with Yeshua and His right to sit on David’s throne, the throne from which He will rule in the Millennium. Matthew 1:1-17 is one of two lists in the B’rit Chadashah (New Testament or New Covenant) that establishes Yeshua as the rightful heir to David’s Throne. Forty-two generations are covered starting with Abraham, carrying through David (It’s his throne we are interested in here.), concluding with Yeshua, who is called Messiah (the Christ). Charles Ryrie in his study Bible notes, sums it up well: “The genealogy is here traced through Joseph, Jesus’ legal (though not natural) father, and it establishes His claim and right to the throne of David (1:6).”

There is by the way, one other list that accomplishes the same thing. I know, another list. But this one is important, too. It is found in Luke 3:23-38 and is Jesus' lineage through Mary. This is a bit tricky since Mary’s name is not mentioned in the list, but check out verse 23. Joseph is said to be the son of Eli. Actually he was the birth son of Jacob (Matthew 1:16). He therefore had to be Eli’s son thru marriage, a son-in-law. This is how Mary, the birth mother of the Messiah makes this her genealogy. And why is this list important? This list goes all the way back to Adam through David, thus emphasizing the humanity of Jesus. Remember Joseph didn’t give Jesus humanity, only legal right to David’s throne. It is the birth mother, Mary, that gave the God-man His humanity.

Another thing that can be said about this list business. Back in the Matthew list, verse 1:16 it says, “And to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” The emphasized words (emphasis mine) are of such a nature that it states plainly that only one person was responsible for the human birth of Christ. In the original language it is in the feminine, meaning Mary was that one and only person responsible for the birth process, from conception on. What we have here is one of the strongest statements in Scripture for the virgin birth of the Messiah.

Our second passage for the B’rit Chadashah this week is l Corinthians 15:50-57. Want to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up? Just read this passage. Verse 51 says that a mystery is being revealed. There are numerous “mysteries” in our Bible. They are not  something spooky. A mystery is simply something not previously revealed.   It is brand new information to its readers. Check out all the “mysteries” in the Bible some time. It’s a fun study.

Here the brand new information is insight into the resurrection. Imagine how relieved and excited the Corinthian believers must have been reading this. Many were under the false belief that hope of eternity could only be attained if it happened before their physical bodies died (l Corinthians 15:12-19). Verse 52 says, NOT SO. No, all believers in Messiah will go to Heaven. The dead will rise first, and then those alive will go up with them. Read on. This is really a great mystery to get wrapped up in.

So much more could be said, but grab the thrust of all these passages we have looked at this week. God has created a People through Abraham. This People’s mission was, in part, to bring the Messiah into the world to die for and thus pay the price of the sins of mankind. This debt paid would and did secure the guarantee of a resurrection for all who have accepted the free gift of salvation through our Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Heaven awaits. Receive Him if you haven’t already. Join us in serving Him if you have. And never forget what the last verse of the last passage for this week says, “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (l Corinthians 15:57).      

In Messiah's love,

Michael & Sarah