Parsha Page

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

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Sidra Overview

The Ancient Triennial Sedarim
Sidra 10 Bimei, In the Days

 

Torah, Genesis 14:1-24

    Now, when King Amraphel of Shinar, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Chedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim made war on King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar, all the latter joined forces at the Valley of Siddim, now the Dead Sea.

    In Chapter 14 there is a great war between a coalition of four kings beyond Kena’an, and another coalition of five kings within Kena’an. The battle rages for many years. In the fourteenth year the northern kings overwhelm the kings of Kena’an, and they take all the wealth of the area, which included Sodom and Gommorah. Lot, all his possessions and the people with him were taken captive among the southern kings.

    Abram learned of the conquest by a fugitive, and gathered his entire household that was able to fight. This totals a surprising 318 men, who pursue the raiding kings. During the night, Abram and his servants defeated the kings, and he brought back all of the possessions and people that had been captured, including Lot and all his people.

    When he returned, the king of Sodom embraced Abram, and King Melchizedek of Salem (Jerusalem) honored Abram with blessings of bread and wine. This Melchizedek was a priest of El-Elyon, the God Most High, a reference to Adonai. Afterward, Abram pays a tenth of his gains to Melchizedek. When the king of Sodom told Abram to keep the possessions that he had recaptured, Abram declined and released the remainder of his gains to the southern kings. He gave the credit for the victory to Adonai, and did not want the earthly king to be able to claim that he had made Abram rich.

    In this matter, Abram has been portrayed differently than throughout the remainder of Genesis. Rather than a humble nomad, he has acted as a warrior hero, expecting nothing in return for his heroics other than the safety of his relatives. However, his public recognition that all good things have come to him from Adonai is consistent with the rest of his life.

Qeriath, Isaiah 41:2-14

    This is part of a longer speech that brings hope to Israel in their time of exile, portraying Adonai as able and willing to rescue them from their exile and return them to the Land. He shows that the nations are not able to match His power, and He claims credit for victories that would include the victory of Abram in out Torah reading. In 41:8-10 the Lord comforts Isra’el, calling them His servant, descended for Abram, and telling them that He is with them, has not rejected them, and will give them strength and help with His victorious right hand.

    God is consistently affirming the covenant blessing promised to Israel and protection from those that oppose His chosen people!

Da'ath, Revelation 1:9-20

    Yochanon (John) is relating his vision of Yeshua, who appears in a white robe, with eyes like flames, feet like burnished bronze and a voice like the sound of rushing waters. He held seven stars a double edged-sword came out of His mouth, and His face shone like the sun. He told Yochanon not to be afraid, that He is the First and Last, the Living One. He was dead, but Adonai brought Him back to live forever, and He holds the keys to Death and Sheol. The seven menorah signifying the seven Messianic communities, and the seven stars signify the angels to those communities.

Igarath, Hebrews 6:13-20

    The author shows us the Character of God in His steadfastness in delivering on His promises.  Through this, we find our Hope that we may live with Him because of our faith on Yeshua HaMashiach. The author continues, telling us that Yeshua has entered into the Holy Places, becoming a cohen gadol for all eternity.

Conclusion

    In Torah Adonai gave Abram the strength, wisdom and courage to conquer the kings that had taken Lot captive. Qeriath shows Adonai promising that same help to Israel in their exile. In Da'ath Yeshua tells us that He has power over death and Sheol. Igarath emphasizes that Adonai is faithful, and delivers on His promises to His people.

 

Barukh HaShem,
George Robinson