Standing Strong

A Messianic Jewish Congregation with an outreach to Believers in Israel

This week’s Parasha

Nov 4 — Go Forth

Gen 12:1-17:27

Isa 40:27-41:16

Luke 9:57-62

Rom 4:1-25

The beginning of this Parasha is probably one of the most frequently quoted among Christians Zionists. Chapter 12:3 - “I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you” is stated quite often.  I, however, focused more on the first verse, “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you.” Here is Abram, 75 years old, married to his wife Sarai, and being told you must leave his country to start a brand new live.  I can only imagine what it would be like to be told at that age to pack up everything you own and traveling to a land you have never seen.  What type of new life you would be having would be completely unknown. This is different than doing this today. Today you can usually travel without fear of neighbors trying to kill you as you travel through a land.

 

Verse 5 tells us that Abram took his wife and son-in-law, his brother’s son, and all the possessions they gathered.  I wonder what types of conversations were held between  Abram and his brother about Lot going on this strange voyage.  What would my own brothers say?

 

We then have the revelation of a sin that is to occur numerous times in Abrams lineage. Abram tells his wife to say that she is his sister out of fear of those in the  land he will be passing through. It seems contradictory to a man of such great faith, who would leave his land having so clearly heard from the L-rd to create such a lie out of fear for his safety. And this lie perpetuates in the next generation.  The L-rd intervenes directly and by way of plagues placed upon pharaoh that causes Abram’s deception to be revealed and he learns that Sarai is Abram’s wife.  The damage in the relationship is already done and Pharaoh sends Abram away.  This could have been a longstanding relationship if things were started in all honesty.

 

This Parasha also introduces the new concept of a tithe as Abram gives a tithe to Melchizedek. There’s not much more explained about the concept of a tithe in this reading.  Immediately after paying this tithe, Abram refused riches offered to him so as not to detract from the great blessings he received from the Most High.

 

Soon after this G-d reveals to Abram that he will have a son. Abram believed the L-rd and it was counted him as righteousness. Without going into detail on the story of Isaac, we can see the pattern that will follow G-d’s chosen people for many years.

 

G-d often calls his people to tasks far beyond their imaginings and while we might accept those tasks, at the first sign of difficulty or strong opposition we fall back to trusting in our own abilities and even sinning to get through the situation or to protect ourselves.  The history shows that he will intervene in such actions in reveal the truth.  Through repentance and a humble spirit G-d accepts us back and continues to give us blessings beyond what could be expected in normal life.  And through this all, what gets attributed to us as righteousness?  It is our willingness to accept G-d at His word even when what He promises is far beyond what we can imagine.

 

 

Selah.