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Parsha Page
Torah, Genesis 24:10-41
Then the servant took ten of his masters camels and set out, taking with him all
the bounty of his master; and he made his way to Aram-naharaim, to the city of
Nahor. He made the camels kneel down by the well outside the city, at evening
time, the time when women come out to draw water.
Eliezer is successful in his mission, as HaShem brings him to Rivkah (Rebekah). 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 Adonoi, and suggests that she
would fit in properly with the generous nature of Abraham. When Eliezer
discovers that Rivkah is Abrahams' brothers’ granddaughter, he gives praise and
thanksgiving to Adonai for guiding him.
Eliezer gave Rivkah a nose ring and bracelets, and asked for lodging for
himself, his servants and his camels. Rivkah said they had plenty of room and
straw, and ran ahead to prepare for their visitors. When Rivkahs' brother,
Laban, saw the gold rings and bracelets, and heard of the stranger at the well,
he went to meet Eliezer, addressed him as “Blessed of the Lord”, and invited him
into their home. In the scripture
account, this hospitality seems to come from Laban as a result of his interest
in the gold jewelry, while Rivkahs' comes from an innate attitude of
hospitality. This difference in attitude will be displayed later when Laban
deals deceitfully with Jacob.
Before he would eat, Eliezer insisted on telling the household the reason for
his trip, the command from Abraham to obtain a wife from his family, and openly
praised Adonai for guiding him to Abrahams' kin.
Qeriath, Isaiah 51:2-11
Yesha’yahu is exhorting all Isra'el not to despair, giving examples of
Adonais' blessings upon Abraham, Sarah and Eretz Isra'el as reasons to trust
Him. God’s salvation will last for all eternity, never failing or dying. In
turn, the people cry out to Adonai to deliver them, recognizing His unfailing
power and might.
Da'ath, 1Peter 3:1-7
Kefa is telling the Messianic
congregation how to practice their halachah - their way of walking before
Adonoi. Here he addresses the proper relationship between husbands and wives,
treating each other with mutual submission, respect, tenderness and unity. He
specifically states that women should focus on developing the inner character of
their heart that comes from a quiet and gentle spirit. He compares this with the
attitude of Sarah and the other holy women of the past. Certainly Rivkahs'
actions in our Torah reading are a prime example.
In this way, nonbelievers have seen the righteousness of God, and
turned to Him in faith. Thus, they have become saved and joined with the
descendants of Abraham as Gods chosen people under Yeshua HaMashiach.
Igarath, Hebrews 9:23-28
The author reminds us that just as the Mishkan required blood as
atonement, to make it Holy, so the Heavenly Temple required blood to make it
Holy. But that blood needed to be a better sacrifice - and it was provided
through Yeshua, our Messiah. That sacrifice occurred one time, not year after
year as in the case of the Tabernacle.
We are told that the Messiah will appear a second time, this time not to
deal with sin, but to deliver those who believe on Him.
Conclusion
In Torah Eliezer submitted to Adonai by praying for guidance in his quest
to find the right woman for Yitz'chak - and the Lord delivered that guidance.
Qeriath shows the people of Isra'el submitting to Adonai and beseeching Him to
again use His power on their behalf - with the confidence that He can, and will.
Da'ath tells us that an
attitude of submission is of great value to HaShem. And Igarath tells of that
greatest act of submission - Yeshuas' submission to death in order to provide a
way to life for all who believe on Him.
Barukh HaShem,
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Shalom