Parsha Page

  Shalom
  to you,

Wellsprings of Torah,  www.TorahWellsprings.org
Rick Wills - Messianic Elder,  Mishareth@TorahWellsprings.org

Parsha 5:  Chaye Sarah - Sarah’s Life


Torah:  Genesis 23:1-25:18

    23:1-2 Sarah lived to be 127 years old: these were the years of Sarah's life. Sarah died in Kiryat-Arba, also known as Hevron, in the land of Kena’an; and Avraham came to mourn Sarah and weep for her.

    In Chapter 23, we find Avraham mourning the death of Sarah. Some Rabbinic traditions say that Sarah died when Satan told her that Avraham had, indeed, sacrificed Yitz’chak.

    This Parsha seems, on first reading, to be primarily about Avraham and Yitz’chak, with the death of Sarah as a minor part that begins the reading only to set the stage. But, there is also an underlying theme that Sarah has been a major participant in the life of Avraham, and the molding of Yitz’chak. Just as all of the great matriarchs had a major impact on the lives of their husbands, and in the formation of the nation of Isra’el.

    In his mourning over his beloved wife, Avraham displays one of the essential concepts in Judaism, that of respect for the dead. He negotiates to purchase a cave in the field of Makhpelah in Hevron, in the land of Kena’an (Canaan). This cave will be used as a burial place for the first great Patriarchs and Matriarchs; Avraham and Sarah, Yitz’chak (Isaac) and Rivkah (Rebecca), Jacov (Jacob) and Leah.

    In Chapter 24, we see Avraham exhibiting another concept that is important in Judaism, concern for the future. He looks forward to the fulfillment of Gods promises through his heir, Yitz’chak. He begins by passing on all that he has to Yitz’chak, who is now approaching 40 years old.

    Then Avraham sends Eliezer to his homeland to find a wife for Yitz’chak from his relations, insisting that no Kena’ani (Canaanite) woman would be his wife. He knew that he was not choosing just a woman to be wife to a beloved son, but also the next great Matriarch in the line that would bring forth the multitudes, the nation that HaShem had promised. This woman was not to be just an afterthought, but was extremely important to the shaping of the heirs of Avraham.

    Eliezer is successful in his mission, as HaShem brings him to Rivkah, a relative of Avraham's. They meet at a well, where he asks for a drink of water. She shows her character when she also provides water for all of the camels. This was a specific sign that Eliezer had requested from God.

    We also meet Rivkah’s brother, Laban, whom we will see again in the next several weeks.

    As Rivkah agrees to leave immediately to travel to Kena’an to be with Yitz’chak, she receives a prophetic blessing from her family in verse 60, saying, “They blessed Rivkah with these words: "Our sister, may you be the mother of millions, and may your descendants possess the cities of those who hate them."”
Upon meeting in the Negev, Yitzchak brings Rivkah into Sarah’s tent and they are married. She comforts him following the loss of his mother.

    Chapter 25 wraps up the life of Avraham. He has provided for the continuity of his descendants, and will be involved in their lives for the next 35 years. He remarries and fathers six more children. He gives them gifts and sends them away to ensure that Yitzchak remains Avraham's exclusive heir.

    At the end of Avraham’s life, scripture tells us that both Yitz’chak and Yishmael take care of the burial. The Torah implies that Yishmael had repented his ways and reconciled with Avraham. And finally, Yishmael’s genealogy is listed and his death recorded at 137 years old. We find his two oldest sons mentioned in Isaiah 60:7.

Haftarah:  1 Kings 1:1-31

    Here we find another time when a woman becomes inextricably involved in the affairs of a powerful leader of Isra’el.

    In a connection with the Torah, we read of King David providing for the succession of his ordained son to succeed him upon his death. In the Torah, Avraham had to provide a wife for Yitzchak. Here in the Haftarah, King David is faced with his oldest son, Adoniyah, attempting to take the promised kingship of Isra’el for himself, rather than allowing it to go to Shlomo (Solomon) as David had promised.

    Nathan the prophet learns of the insurrection, and his first response is to consult with, and advise Bathsheba, David’s wife. Bathsheba then confronts David with the circumstances, not just repeating what Nathan has advised her to say, but adding much to his instructions in order to get her husband to respond.

    Bathsheba leaves the room as Nathan confirms all that she has told David. David’s first response is to bring Bathsheba back in, to consult with her again. David then swears that Shlomo would indeed succeed him upon the throne, and makes those arrangements.

    So, by looking to the future and the fulfillment of the promises of Adonai, Natan, Bathsheba and David are faithful to the succession that Hashem has planned.


Chadasha:  John 4:1-42

    Here Yeshua is traveling through Shomron (Samaria). He encounters the woman at the well, and He asks her to draw some water for Him. Her true character is revealed when Yeshua tells her she has had five husbands, and is currently living with a man to whom she is not married. Perhaps this is also a statement about the character of the men she has married.

    During this discussion He reveals Himself as Mashiach (Messiah) and she believes on Him.
As she tells the people of the town her story, many more come to hear Yeshua, and declare that He is the Savior of the world.

    So, in the Torah Avraham provided a wife – the woman at the well – for his son Yitz’chak. In this way he assured the lineage that would lead to King David’s dynasty.

    The Haftarah shows us David providing a kingship for Shlomo. In this way he assured the lineage that would lead to Yeshua.

    An in the Khadasha, we see Yeshua providing eternal life for another woman at the well.

    As Eliezer was faithful to help Avraham Avinu ensure the fulfillment of his promise, Nathan the prophet is faithful to help David fulfill his promise to Bathsheba for their son Shlomo to inherit the throne. And always Yeshua HaMashiach is faithful to HaShem to fulfill His promise to provide salvation to all of those that will believe on Him.

 

Baruch Hashem,
George Robinson