Parsha Page

  Shalom
  to you,

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

---

Sidra Overview

The Ancient Triennial Sedarim
Sidra 9 Lekh-L'kha, Going Go

 

Torah, Genesis 12:1 - 13:18

    The Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and curse him who curses you; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you."

    This sidra begins with God's call to Abram to leave his homeland and his father Terah, to a place as yet unknown.  They were living in Ur, in Chaldea – later known as Babylon, an area known for its manufacture of metals and idols. Tradition has it that Terah was an idol maker. There is no biblical explanation of why Abram was chosen, later we will discover that he was faithful to Adonoi, even to giving his own son to Adonoi.

    This reading portion is one of new beginnings, indeed the beginning of the Hebrews.  God tells Abram – later called Abraham - to sever his connection to a past rooted in convention and idolatry, and seek a new orientation, to go out to a new place.  Not just a physical relocation, but also an entirely new spiritual outlook.

    At this time, Abram was 75 and Sarai was 65, and was barren.  Lot, Abram’s nephew, went with Abram, and together they came to the land of Kena’an.  Here, in the place called Sh’kem, at the oak of Moreh Adonai appears to Abram and tells him that this is the land that will become the property of Abram’s descendants.  Abram builds an altar to Adonai, the first of many that we will see.

    From here a famine drives them to Egypt.  During this time, Abram tells everyone that Sarai is his sister in order to protect himself.  There are many consequences to this, but through these circumstances Pharaoh gives much wealth to Abram. Eventually they leave Egypt and return to Kena’an.

    Chapter 13 relates the separation of Lot and Abram because their flocks were too large to graze together, and there was dissention between their servants. Lot chose to live near S’dom (Sodom). Rashi and others show that with this choice Lot not only distanced himself from Abram, but also made a spiritual separation from Adonoi. We have our first glimpse of events to come in verse 13, which reads, “Now the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked sinners against the Lord.” At the end of this reading, HaShem repeats His promise to Abram, who again builds an altar to honor Him.

Qeriath, Joshua 24:3-14

    The people have entered Eretz Israel, and occupied it. Joshua knows that he is about to die, and is leading the people to commit to a covenant with Adonoi. He reviews Israel’s history, beginning with the entry of Abram into Kena’an that we have read in our Torah portion. The history continues, including the slavery in Egypt, the redemption of the nation through the plagues upon Pharaoh, the time in the wilderness and the beginnings of the conquest of the Land. They fought against all seven nations the previously occupied the Land, the same nations that Abram encountered. Joshua concludes, commanding the people to put away the gods that their forefathers worshiped, revere HaShem, and serve Him with undivided loyalty.

Da'ath, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

    Rav Shaul is telling the Messianic Congregation at Corinth to keep their courage, trusting Adonai to keep His promises. While our bodies on earth are temporary, and we desire the permanent dwelling with God in heaven we must live by trust. In our time on earth, we are to live to please Adonoi, for we must all experience the judgment of Messiah and receive the consequences of what we have done.

Igarath, Hebrews 6:1-12

    The author now turns from the basic lessons about Messiah and salvation. He tells us that those people who have received Yeshua and the Ruach HaKodesh, then turn away to hold Yeshua in contempt, are close to being cursed. As they refuse to turn back to Adonai, they keep executing Him all over again. Those people are like a land that is cursed, bringing forth nothing but thistles, even though it receives good rain. Yet the author is confident that this congregation has the better things that come with being delivered. God remembers their service and love for Him in the past and the present. He encourages the Messianic Jews to continue these acts of service right up until the end.  In this way they will become imitators of those like Abraham who, in trust, have received their promise.

Conclusion

    In Torah Adonai promises to make a great nation out of Abram. Qeriath shows the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise. Da'ath tells all believers to trust in Adonai. Igarath encourages believers to continue their acts of avoda – or good works – for Adonai right up until the end of days, to show their faithfulness and devotion to HaShem. As Adonai is faithful to us, we are to be faithful to Him.  

 

Barukh HaShem,
George Robinson