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Parsha Page
Torah, Genesis 11:1-32
Everyone on earth had the same language and the same words.
The beginning of our sidra is the story of the
Tower of Babel. It is often told as a story of how the many languages of the
world came to be. The existence of
so many languages is presented as a punishment for mankind’s having dared to try
to build a tower to heaven in order to make a name for themselves. While this is
entirely negative, yet it did lead to the scattering of the peoples across the
whole earth as Adonai desired from the beginning.
Even after Adonai punished the
people for trying to glorify themselves instead of Him, Adonai will promise (in
the next sidra) to bless Abram, and make a great nation of him. Through this,
all nations of the earth shall be blessed.
Next comes the genealogy of Shem, something that
can easily be overlooked. However if you follow it carefully, the wonderful plan
of Adonai becomes more apparent.
The salvation of the earth that was brought about by Noah's righteousness, his
walk with God, was only temporary.
But, in his descendants we see that Terah fathered Abram, Nahor and Haran; and
Haran fathered Lot. There were 10
generations from Adam to Noah, and 10 from Noach to Abram. From this seed, comes
the line that leads to Yeshua.
The sidra ends with Terah leaving Ur with his son
Abram, his grandson Lot and his daughter-in-law Sarai to go to Canaan – but he
settled in Haran instead. Here we are told that Sarai was barren.
Qeriath, Zephaniah 3:9-17
Zephaniah was a minor prophet from the time of Josiah’s reign in Judah, in the 7th
century BCE. His book condemns Israel because they have bowed down to Adonai,
but then also bowed down to idols. Zephaniah has shown the people that they have
a last chance to repent – but they will refuse, and HaShem will bring judgment
against Judah, Jerusalem and surrounding nations. In our reading, the judgment
removes the proud, arrogant and overbearing leaders from Judah, and preserves
the remnant, and poor and humble group of people that have been faithful to
Adonai. This remnant will be purified, and ultimately will experience great joy
in the future Jerusalem, which will be ruled directly by Adonai. This is all
brought about by the power of God, who is in their midst.
Da'ath, Revelation 7:9-17
Yochanon has described his vision of the 144,000 that have been sealed
with the mark of the Lamb. An elder now tells him that the great multitude from
every nation that are gathered before the throne of the Lamb are those that have
believed on Yeshua HaMashiach, and have been purified by Him. They have come out
of the great tribulation, and will no longer experience hunger nor thirst, they
will dwell in the presence of Yeshua, and Adonai will wipe all tears from their
eyes.
Igarath, Hebrews 5:7-14
While on earth, Yeshua was constantly praying for us before Adonai. Even though
He is God's Son, He suffered. Through His sufferings, He learned how to obey His
Father. Because Yeshua has been declared a Cohen Gadol in the manner of
Malki-Tzedek, He has become the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey
Him. The writer goes on to criticize the spiritual understanding of his
audience, declaring them immature. The mature people are those that have been
trained to distinguish good from evil.
Conclusion
Mercy and restoration comes
from Adonai. In Torah, Adonai brought punishment upon the people for trying to
take some of His glory, but also we see His plan for redemption of Israel and
all mankind. In Qeriath the mercy of God preserves a remnant that will become
joyful under His leadership. Da'ath describes the ultimate scene of redemption,
where vast throngs of believers are gathered to worship Him in heaven. Igarath tells us that Yeshua is the faithful Son of a
loving Father who, through His obedient suffering, provided the means of our
redemption.
Let us conclude with Jude's final words, through
which all who are rebellious may repent, turn back to God. Verses 24-25: “Now, to the One who can
keep you from falling and set you without defect and full of joy in the presence
of His Sh'khinah, to God alone, our Deliverer, through Yeshua the Messiah, our
Lord - be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now and forever.”
Barukh HaShem,
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Shalom