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Parsha Page
Torah, Genesis 24:42-67
"I came today to the spring, and I said: O Lord, God of my master
Abraham, if You would indeed grant success to the errand on which I am engaged!"
So, after meeting Rivkah at the well, and then coming into her fathers’
tent, Eliezer recounts his supplication to Adonai, and how Rivkahs' actions
totally fulfilled his description of a woman that would be suitable for
Yitz'chak. He asks if his master, Avraham, will be met with true kindness. In
his only contribution to this discussion, Bethuel, Rivkahs' father, answers with
Laban, her brother, that this matter is controlled by Adonai and he will allow
Rivkah to go to be a wife to Yitz'chak. Eliezer gave costly presents to Rivkah,
her mother and Laban.
Eliezer set off the next morning with Rivkah and her nurse. Her family
blessed her, saying, "O sister! May you grow into thousands of myriads; may your
offspring seize the gates of their foes." This is the same blessing the malach
gave Yitz'chak after the 'Akedah. 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.
Qeriath, Isaiah 11:1-10
Yesha’yahu has repeatedly used a prophetic sequence of Jerusalem attacked
by a powerful enemy, then suddenly saved by the power of Adonoi. Now he turns to
a Messianic prophecy, with a description of a future that is full of peace,
ruled by a perfect King. This King will come from the Davidic dynasty, and will
rule the entire world. He will be devoted to Adonai and judge with equity,
settling conflicts between nations or individuals fairly. Within the Holy Land
there will even be peace in nature, with vicious beasts cohabiting with their
previous prey, and children playing safely among poisonous snakes. The final
image in this reading begins a description of Isra’el living in peace, with all
nations looking to Jerusalem for guidance.
Da'ath, Ephesians 5:21 - 6:9
Rav Shaul is telling the Messianic congregation at Ephesus how Torah
tells us to relate to each other; as man and wife in our marriage; as parent and
child in our family; as worker and superior in our jobs; and as a group of
believers to Messiah. It is Messiah that is held as the prime example of this
proper relationship, as He continually considers our needs as more important
than His own.
Igarath, Hebrews 10:1-10
The writer has been telling
about the cleansing power in blood sacrifices as described in Torah. Now he
tells us that Torah itself has in it a shadow of the originals, which are in
heaven. The sacrifices do not attain the goal of cleansing the people once and
for all, but are a reminder of our sins. Then he quotes Psalm 40:7-9, with
Messiah declaring that Adonai has not been satisfied with the sacrificial system
set up in Torah. So, Messiah came to do His will. The implication through this
connection with Psalm 40 is that Yeshua delights in following Torah.
This perfect sacrifice by Yeshua HaMashiach completed the first system of
sacrifice. This has made us holy,
set apart for God.
Conclusion This Sidra is about relationships. In Torah, Rivkah is a prime example of the proper attitude to have in order to relate to her future husband and family. Qeriath is a Messianic prophecy that shows how the ultimate King of Isra’el will relate to His people and all nations of the world. Da'ath is very clearly showing us how to relate to one another and to Yeshua. And in Igarath we see that that Yeshua's sacrifice has completed the work of Torah, making believers in Him holy and separated for God, allowing us to have an eternal relationship with Adonoi.
Barukh HaShem,
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Shalom