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Parsha Page
Torah,
Genesis 26:1-35
There was a famine in the land – aside from the
previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham – and Isaac (Yitz’chak)
went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, in Gerar. The Lord had appeared to
him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land which I point out to
you. Reside in this land, and I will be with you and bless you.”
This is one of the rare sections providing
insights into the life of Yitz’chak. At the beginning of chapter 26, we see that
as with Abraham, a famine forces Yitz'chak to take his family and move. Adonai
told him not to go to Egypt, but instead to the land that Adonai promised to
give him. Adonai reiterated the entire promise, to fulfill His oath that He
swore to Abraham, because Abraham was faithful to Adonais’ commands. So
Yitz’chak relocated to Philisitia, within the land that was his promise.
Yitz'chak prospers there as a farmer and land
holder, even though he follows a pattern of deception reminiscent of Abraham and
Sarah, by telling Abimelech, the king, that Rivkah is his sister not his wife. When Abimelech discovered the deceit, he
responded by continuing his faithful relationship with Abraham by protecting
Yitz’chak and Rivkah.
Eventually Yitz'chak grew so strong that they are
sent away, and there are subsequent quarrels over wells.
Eventually Abimelech sees that God is with Yitz'chak, and reaffirms the
previous treaty with Avraham to allow Yitz'chak and his family to live in the
land peacefully.
Then Esau takes 2 Hittite women as wives, and
they are a source of spiritual rebellion.
This affirms Abraham’s wisdom in obtaining a wife for Abraham from within his
relatives. It also shows that Esau, even though he was technically the eldest,
was not suited to be the next recipient of the covenant with Adonoi.
Qeriath,
Isaiah 62:8 - 63:7
Yeshiyahu has been pleading with Adonai to redeem Isra’el. In this passage with
Messianic overtones, Adonai responds directly to the people, assuring them that
He will deliver them, and the roadway for the exiles to return to Jerusalem will
be prepared. The people will be recognized as the Redeemed of the Lord, and
Jerusalem shall not be forsaken.
Adonai then appears after having wreaked His vengeance on Edom, a symbol of the
enemies of Isra’el. His punishment of the wicked has been complete, and
Jerusalem will live in peace.
Da'ath,
1Corinthians 9:3-14
Rav Shaul (Paul) is giving several examples of his attitude towards his service
to Yeshua, and his missionary work to the Messianic Community at Corinth. Here
he argues that he and Bar-Nabba (Barnabus) have served the community, but not
taken payment for their services. However, even according to Torah he would be
within his rights to expect payment – but he has chosen not to ask for any
material payment so that the Gospel of Yeshua HaMashiach may go to his brethren
unimpeded.
Igarath,
Hebrews 10:19-25
The author shows us that
Yeshua has provided access to Adonai for us, through His sacrifice. The shedding
of His blood has cleansed us, if we will trust in Him. We have a cohen gadol in
heaven, and we may approach the Holy Place in confidence, and should continue
holding fast to the hope that we acknowledge, for Adonai is trustworthy. He
concludes this reading by telling each of us to encourage each other, continue
to do good deeds, and continue to meet together as a congregation. In this way,
we build our lives into a true community, with Yeshua as our head.
Conclusion
Torah has shown us the
faithfulness of Adonai to provide prosperity and peace to Yitz’chak. Qeriath
tells of the faithfulness of Adonai to protect and provide blessings to all
Isra’el. In Da’ath Rav Shaul shows the same kind of
faithfulness towards Adonai by bringing the Gospel to others. Igarath encourages
us to be faithful toward each other in our local community.
Barukh HaShem,
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Shalom