Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Parasha 15: Is There Anything Too Hard for the Lord?

 

Is There Anything Too Hard for the Lord?


-- TORAH   P O R T I O N --

Introduction:

Has God ever done something in your life that seemed impossible?

As Abraham sat at the entrance of his tent in Mamre, God appeared to him. When he looked up, he saw three men standing nearby. He hurried to offer them rest and food, which they accepted. Abraham ran to inform his wife, Sarah, and together they prepared bread, a tender and good calf, butter, and milk.

The men then inquired about Sarah, and one of them assured Abraham that she would bear a son. In Genesis 12:2, God promised Abram that he would become a great nation—perhaps the reason why his name was changed to Abraham, meaning “Father of many nations.” In Genesis 15:4, God assured Abram that an heir would come from his own body. Now, in this week’s Torah portion, the time had come for God to fulfill His promise. Two truths reveal that nothing is too hard for Him:

1. IT'S NOT HARD FOR GOD THAT SARAH WILL BEAR A SON (v.14)

How could anything be difficult for the One who spoke the world into existence? Adonai assured Abraham and Sarah that at the appointed time—on a specific date set by God—Sarah would bear a son.

Genesis 18:10 (NKJV) states:
"And He said, ‘I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ (Sarah was listening in the tent door, which was behind him.)"

Notice that the New King James Version capitalizes “He” in verse 10. Could this have been Yeshua? Were these three men angels?

Yaakov Brown, founder of Beth Melekh International, suggests that these men were:

  • Gavriel (Mighty One of God) – Announced the miracle to Abraham, proclaiming that the Almighty would give Sarah a son.
  • Michael (Who Is Like God) – Guardian of Israel, responsible for enacting judgment and overturning Sodom (Genesis 19:25).
  • Yeshua [Raphael] (Healing of God) – Brought wholeness, healed Abraham after his circumcision, and rescued Lot from Sodom—both acts part of a single mission of restoration.

In Luke 1:30-38, the angel told Miriam (Mary) that she was highly favored and would conceive a son. When she questioned how this could happen since she was a virgin, the angel answered:
"The Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. For nothing is impossible with God."

God works miracles even in the most extreme circumstances. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.

Additional Scripture References

Matthew 19:26 – "Yeshua looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’"

Jeremiah 32:17 – "Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You."

Job 42:2 – "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted."

2. IT'S NOT TOO HARD FOR GOD TO BE COMPASSIONATE (vv.20-33)

When God destroyed the earth through flood during the time of Noah, nobody interceded. Now, because the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is very grave, God will go down to destroy the cities. During the time of Noah, nobody repented. And repentance was also absent in the time of Sodom. Abraham interceded for the cities to be spared. He began with 50 people to make the punishment needless and finally to as few as 10. Maybe Abraham was thinking of his nephew Lot, that's why he pleaded and the result, God was pleased and became compassionate.


Even when we are false hearted, He remains a God of graciousness and compassion. Let us always remember that It was His compassion that drove Him to send His Only begotten Son Yeshua to save us.

                        
-- H A F T A R A H   P O R T I O N --


We have two chapters in our Haftarah portion. In chapter 33:17-24, prophet Isaiah sees the city of Jerusalem ruled by Messiah Yeshua. After the captivity of Assyria, the people of Israel will experience Yeshua's compassion. The city of Jerusalem will be a quiet home and never again be destroyed under the mighty protection of Yeshua. He will be their Judge, Lawgiver, King and He will save them. Verse 17 says: “Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is very far off.” Lastly in verse 24, the people who dwell in Jerusalem, their iniquity will be forgiven (Jer.31:34b). Isaiah gave us a picture of the land of Yeshua as the Majestic King. But there is nothing better than seeing the mercy and goodness of Yeshua in His people.In chapter 34:1-12, Isaiah invited the nations to pay attention because God will judge them because they rejected Him and His instructions. Isaiah used Edom as a representative of the nations. For the indignation of God is against them and the heavens will be rolled up like a scroll and those nations which stood against Israel will be erased. In verse 6, the wicked nations will be the sacrifice since these nations sacrificed God's people, now He sacrifices them.                

            

-- A P O S T O L I C   P O R T I O N --


In Apostolic portion, while Yeshua was on His way to the house of Jairus to heal his 12 year old dying daughter, a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years suddenly touched the border of Yeshua's garment. This woman could cost the life of Jairus daughter because she made a delay. The question is why did Yeshua prioritize the bleeding woman over the dying daughter of Jairus? The answer is in verse 50. Yeshua said to Jairus "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." We can see here that Yeshua tested the faith of Jairus not like the bleeding woman, she was healed because of her faith(v.48). 


Two lessons that we can learn from our Apostolic portion: 


1.God allows trials for our maturity and to strengthen our faith. 

Often when we face trials, we get discouraged, question God, or maybe lose hope. We forget that trails are also God's means to draw us closer to Him. Let us always remember that Yeshua is a compassionate, merciful and faithful God.


2.Instead of being afraid, let's believe in God's ability in all things. 

Imagine in the case of Jairus’ daughter, the crowd wept because they thought that she's already dead. But Yeshua said: “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” This may be the painful moment of Jairus being a parent. So it's time for Yeshua to show His power and He just says a simple but powerful words: “Little girl arise.” In the case of the bleeding woman, twelve years is not a joke. Perhaps the woman was broken, hopeless and used everything that she had just to be healed. But just a simple touch of Yeshua's garments, her pain and suffering ended. 


Two women were suffering from different trials. But Yeshua's power was enough to heal them. For nothing is too hard for Him




The connection of our parasha is about the compassion of God to His people and it's not too hard for Him to do that. In the Torah, Abraham negotiated with God and He shows compassion for the sake of the ten to prevent the judgment of the two cities. In the Haftarah, Israel will experience Yeshua's compassion as He will rule in them as their King and He will punish the nations which stood against His chosen people. In the Apostolic, Yeshua shows His compassion with the bleeding woman and the daughter of Jairus by healing them. 



Returning to my introduction...God came down from heaven and was found in appearance as a man to show us that nothing is too hard for Him. He is real, He is powerful. We have a Mighty God whose mighty works are beyond our understanding. So whatever we may be battling in life today, remember God's question to Abraham "Is anything too hard for Me"


Jeremiah 32:27

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too difficult for Me?" 


"Faith does not make things easy; it makes them possible." — Luke 1:37



Shabbat Shalom,

Topher



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-- S O U R C E S --

torahclass.com 

thetorah.com 

outorah.org 

bible.org 

jweekly.com 

blueletterbible.org 

ligonier.org 

bethmelekh.com

family-times.net 

The MacArthur Study 





Thursday, January 23, 2025

Parasha 14: From Abram to Abraham


From Abram to Abraham


Introduction:
Why do some people change their names? Does it have a benefit? Why did Adonai sometimes change a person's name in the Bible?


Once again, Adonai appeared to Abram, but this time as "El Shaddai," which means God Almighty. He instructed Abram to walk with Him. Abram must be faithful and allow Adonai to guide his journey. Additionally, Abram must be blameless. The Hebrew word for "blameless" is "Tamin," which means sincere or perfect. Adonai was calling Abram to be sincere in obeying Him.


In verse 5, Adonai changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Why? In Genesis 12:2, Adonai said He would make Abram into a great nation. By verse 5, He promised to make his name great. Then in Genesis 15:5, He brought Abram outside and told him to look toward heaven and count the stars, signifying that his descendants would be innumerable. Abram’s new name, Abraham (meaning "father of many nations"), symbolized his new identity based on Adonai's promise of seed.


Abraham’s new name reveals that Adonai was about to fulfill His promise and plan. Not only would Abraham become the father of many nations, but he would also bear a son through Sarai, whom they would name Isaac. Isaac would go on to bear two sons (Esau and Jacob) through Rebecca. Jacob, in turn, would have twelve sons through Rachel, forming the twelve tribes of Israel. Moreover, through Abraham, the nations of the world would be blessed. This blessing would ultimately come through the Messiah Yeshua, who, as a descendant from the tribe of Judah in Abraham’s lineage, would reconcile the nations to Adonai YHVH.


Adonai also changed Sarai’s name ("my princess") to Sarah ("princess"), affirming to Abraham that Sarah would bear a son.

When Adonai changes a name, it signifies that something significant is about to happen. It symbolizes a new character, relationship, or life for that person. As Revelation 2:17b says, "And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." Similarly, Revelation 3:12 states, "I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name." Yeshua will give us a new name by which we will know Him.


Significantly, after Abram’s name was changed, Adonai gave him the sign of the covenant. Since the covenant was tied to offspring, Adonai placed the sign of His covenant on Abraham’s private part through circumcision.


Regarding the Covenant:

1. As for Adonai (vv. 7-8):
  • He would establish His covenant with Abraham and his descendants, promising to be their God.
  • He would give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.
2. As for Abraham (vv. 9-15):He and his descendants were to keep Adonai's covenant throughout their generations.
  • Every male, including those not born in his house but bought with money, was to be circumcised at eight days old.
3. As for Sarah (vv. 15-16):
  • She would bear a son and become a mother of nations.

                         ðŸ“œ           ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ               ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ             ðŸ“œ


In this portion, Isaiah reminds Israel of their rebellion and rejection of Adonai. Despite their actions, Adonai remained faithful to His covenant.

In every generation, Adonai preserves a remnant for Himself (cf. Isaiah 10:22; Romans 9:27). Isaiah’s prayer reflects this hope and faithfulness. This prayer is prophetically placed in the mouth of one of Judah’s Babylonian exiles. Despite expressing agony, the praying one begins by mentioning the lovingkindnesses of Adonai. This Hebrew word, "hesed," refers to covenantal love, which can also be translated as "steadfast love."

Verses 15-19 reveal that the chosen people recognized their broken relationship with Adonai. Isaiah praised Adonai for His loving acts, reminding Israel of all the good He had done for them. Adonai saved them, redeemed them, and carried them in the days of old. However, they rebelled and grieved Him. Despite this, they remembered the time when Moses led them through the desert without stumbling, guided by Adonai. In verse 17, Israel pleaded with Adonai to turn back to her for the sake of His servants.


                         ðŸ“œ           ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ               ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ             ðŸ“œ


In the Apostolic writings, Apostle Paul demonstrates that circumcision confirmed Abraham’s righteousness, which was obtained through faith even before circumcision (v. 11). Paul emphasizes that circumcision did not make Abraham righteous; rather, it served as confirmation of the righteousness he already had through faith.

Adonai gave the sign of circumcision because Abraham would be the father of all who believe, both Jews and Gentiles (Goyim). Regardless of background, anyone who puts their trust in Messiah Yeshua for salvation becomes a child of Abraham. What a marvelous truth! Jews remain Jews, and Gentiles remain Gentiles, but we are united in the Lord. Our identity transcends our earthly circumstances of birth. As Abraham’s children, we walk the way of faith in Messiah, and through this faith, Messiah’s righteousness is credited to us.


                                ðŸ“œ           ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ               ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ             ðŸ“œ

As believers given a new name and identity in Messiah, we are called to live a life that reflects His righteousness, faithfulness, and purpose. Walk blamelessly, trust His promises, and let your new character shine as a testimony of His transforming power. Let your life be a living covenant with Adonai.

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Ephesians 4:24

"And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Messiah and I no longer live, but Messiah lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."


The parasha emphasizes the importance of having a new character in obeying Adonai:

  • In the Torah portion, Adonai gave Abram a new name, Abraham, to signify a new character. Abraham obeyed by following Adonai’s covenant, being circumcised, and leading his household in covenantal obedience.
  • In the Haftarah portion, Israel rebelled against Adonai. They needed a new character to obey Him.
  • In the Apostolic portion, Abraham did not waver in faith at Adonai’s promise but was strengthened, giving glory to Adonai—a demonstration of his new character.


Conclusion:

Returning to the introduction, when Adonai changes a person’s name, it signifies a new beginning or direction in life. He transforms a destiny, creates a new character, and establishes His covenant with us. Our faith in Him opens the door to righteousness and a secure place in His eternal plan."

Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold."

Revelation 2:17 says,"To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it."


Shabbat Shalom,
Topher


***********************************************************************************

Sources:

The MacArthur Study Bible
Torahclass.com
BlueLetterBible.org
faculty.wts.edu
guardthedeposit.com
WalterboroLive.com
Shema.com
Forthowardcc.com
zmin.org
Oncedelivered.net


Thursday, January 16, 2025

Parasha 13: God's Way versus Man's Way

 

God's Way versus Man's Way


Is there an instance in your life when you forgot to trust God? Have you tried to make your own way rather than follow God's way in solving a problem?

Last Shabbat, God said to Abram that he would have a child from his own body and that this child would be his heir. God also brought Abram outside to look toward heaven and count the stars, which would represent his innumerable descendants. Abram believed in the plan of God.

Now, in our Torah portion, Sarai and Abram had no children, and they both came to a decision point according to their way. Sarai, which in Hebrew means “dominative,” claimed that God had restrained her from bearing children. Perhaps the reason she thought this was because of her age. But I believe Sarai had a lack of faith because only God can open and close the womb of a woman.

Sarai convinced Abram to go into her servant Hagar, which in Hebrew means “forsaken,” believing that she would get a son through her. Since they had lived in Canaan for ten years, perhaps Sarai observed the culture of the people there—that if a woman was unable to have a child, the man would take another wife for himself.

But instead of telling Sarai to wait and trust in the way of God, Abram listened to the voice of his wife. He forgot that he had received an assurance from God about an heir from his own body. Genesis 15:4: “And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.’” Abram was led when he should have been leading. We can relate this to Eve and Adam when they ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden.

We now have the results of Sarai and Abram's decision. In verse 4, Hagar detested Sarai. Maybe she thought she was now better than Sarai. In verse 5, Sarai blamed Abram, as if Abram had refused to correct her. That’s why she said, "My wrong be upon you, and may God judge us.” In verse 6b, Hagar fled from Sarai's presence because Sarai dealt harshly with her. Sarai treated Hagar badly, so the Angel of Adonai appeared to her.

What are the lessons that we can learn from our Torah portion? From the word WAIT, we can learn the following:


1. W-ay of God Should Prevail

Abram and Sarai wanted to have a child. But since God called Abram for a special mission, the birth of a promised son served as one of the severe tests for Abram, aside from sacrificing Isaac when he was born. And since the promise came from the mouth of God, it was only right that Abram should wait. It seems that Satan was messing up the lives of Abram and Sarai to destroy the lineage from which the Messiah would come.

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is Adonai's purpose/plan that prevails.” Even the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:5: “That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” May we be reminded that God is omniscient. He knows what is best for us, and the way and plan of God are better than ours.


2. A-lways Remember His Promise

When Sarai told Abram that God restrained her from bearing children, it was the perfect timing for Abram to tell Sarai about his conversation with God. If he had shared it with Sarai before, he should have stressed to her that they should remember God's promise.

As an application to us, the moment we remember the promises and faithfulness of God in the Scriptures, it helps us to keep our focus on Him and not on our situation. Joshua 21:45 NKJV says: “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.”


3. I-n His Perfect Time, It Will Happen

The statement of Sarai in verse 2 shows that she relied upon her age, which seemed to make having children difficult. The question is: is there anything too hard for God? Like Sarai, the problem with us is that we often look at our situation. We forget that there is a God who sees our condition and knows when He will grant our requests.

There are many Bible verses that affirm God's perfect timing. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Isaiah 60:22 says: “When the time is right, I, the LORD, will make it happen.”

While waiting for God's way or plan, we must be patient. James 5:7b says: “The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains." Sometimes we want to give up, but when we wait for God's perfect timing, we can enjoy the process while He is working. The best way to be patient while waiting is to PRAY.


4. T-rust Him

In my understanding, Abram and Sarai had certainly lost hope, so they took matters into their own hands.

As an application to us, if we genuinely put our trust in God, who is already victorious, then we have no reason to worry. Jeremiah 17:7 NKJV says: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.”


                          ðŸ“œ           ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ               ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ             ðŸ“œ


The context of our Haftarah portion is about the Messiah's return in victory from the defeat of His enemies, of which Edom was a type. The remaining part is about the prayers of God's people, and they admit His mercy toward their nation.

Israel will realize that during their exile, their relationship with God was not correct. That’s why, in verse 19, Israel became like a foreign nation that never knew their God. The chosen people, to whom He made a covenant and revealed His majesty, forgot their mission to serve and glorify Him.


                          ðŸ“œ           ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ               ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ             ðŸ“œ


In the Apostolic portion, Apostle Paul used an argument from the Torah to show the believers in Galatia that it has been impossible to gain God's favor through human effort. Isaac was the son of promise. Though it did not happen immediately, it was fulfilled at the perfect time.

Paul used his explanation for salvation. Isaac's mystery revealed to us that salvation is God's gift. It is grace and undeserved. Sarai and Abram's attempt with Hagar is an illustration of people being born under the bondage of the law. They earn righteousness by keeping the law, but those who participate in salvation by grace are freed from the bondage and condemnation of the law.


The connection of our parasha is about relying on human effort. In the Torah, Sarai and Abram made an effort to have a child. In the Haftarah, Israel's effort failed in obeying God and resulted in being compared to foreign nations who were not called by His name. In the Apostolic portion, we see that we cannot be saved through human effort because salvation is by grace through faith in Messiah Yeshua.

Returning to my introduction, God's way is different from man's way. We may not understand, but we must wait and trust His ways. So, when our plans or decisions start to change, remember God to keep our hope in the One who holds the future.


Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says Adonai. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”


Shabbat Shalom,
Topher




Sources:

bethmelekh.com
studyandobey.com
blueletter.org
The MacArthur Study Bible
gbible.org
jesuswalk.com
talmidimway.org





Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Parasha 12: And Abram Believed

 

And Abram Believed


Introduction

What is the importance of believing? Do you believe in God's word?


Our Torah portion deals with Adonai YHVH who came to Abram in a vision to give him two encouraging statements that he should not fear. First, Adonai is his shield. The word shield in Hebrew is Magen means a “shield, a protector.” Indeed Adonai is a shield and protector of Abram wherever he goes. Second, Adonai is his great reward. What does it mean? In Genesis 14, after Abram’s victory, the King of Sodom went out to meet him and offered him goods. But Abram hesitated and replied to the king: “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will  take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours.” Since Abram refused the offer of the King of Sodom, God assured him of a great reward.



Now Abram asked "What will you give me, seeing i go childless?" Then Adonai said to him a child from his own body will be born and be his heir. A childless Abram perhaps was wondering because he already considered Eliezer his servant as his heir(v.3). But if we are going to look at the meaning of Eliezer’s name, it means “God is help” and of course only God can give Abram a child. Then He brought Abram outside to look toward heaven and count the stars. Abram will have many descendants which will be very hard to count. Hebrews 11:12 says: “Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”


Now in verse 7, Adonai told  Abram about the land that he will possess but he  asked "How shall I know that I will inherit it?" In response, Adonai assured His covenant with Abram through a ceremony. And Abram believed!.. He brought animals to Adonai and cut them in two down the middle, which in my understanding could also happen to the one who breaks the covenant. These animals are used for the sin offering, purification and redemption of the children of Israel in the book of  Leviticus Numbers. Surprisingly during the ceremony, the vultures came down on the carcasses which I believe is a picture of Satan’s plan to destroy the covenant of Adonai.  


When the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep. Then only Adonai passed between the animal pieces. For he who walks between the offered and sacrificed animal is preparing an end or curse upon oneself. This is a picture of  Messiah Yeshua who died on our behalf. Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Then in 1 Peter 2:24  it says: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”


Apostle Paul also cited the faith of Abram in Romans 4:16-18: “Therefore it  is of faith that it  might  be  according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 



The fulfillment of this covenant rests on the faithfulness of Adonai and that's  the exceedingly great reward of Abram, not only to inherit the land of Canaan, but also having a God who is faithful to His promises. Also his great reward is Yeshua. Galatians 3:16 NKJV says: “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.” When the Scripture says Abram believed, he believed that Yeshua would come, so this is probably the reason why in John 8:56-58 Yeshua said: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Yeshua said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”


                              ðŸ“œ           ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ               ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ             ðŸ“œ



In Haftarah, Zephaniah encouraged Israel that Adonai will restore them and they can rejoice because He will take away her judgments and He will cast out her enemy(v.15). This is a proof that Adonai will judge the nations who oppress His people. Another reason to rejoice is Yeshua the King of Israel will be in their midst(v.15b-17) so they should not fear, their Mighty One will save them. 


In verses 18-20, Zephaniah also guaranteed Israel five things that Adonai remains faithful to them. First, Adonai will gather those who are sorrowful over the appointed assembly. Maybe while in exile, they can't celebrate the moedim(festivals). Second, Adonai will deal all who afflict them. Third, He will save them. Fourth, He will appoint them for praise and fame. Fifth, He will bring them back. Israel would be gathered back to her land.


To support this, let me use Ezekiel 36:24-28: “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.”

 


                          ðŸ“œ           ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ               ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ            ðŸ“œ             ðŸ“œ


In Apostolic, Apostle Paul modeled Abraham as a proof of justification by faith alone. According to Paul, Abraham has something to boast about if he was justified by works. Paul used Genesis chapter 15 where Adonai had a conversation with Abraham. 


In verse 6, Paul mentioned David as for him, he is another man who attained not because of performance, but because of faith. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, he openly confessed his sin and turned from it. 


All who are truly born from above become members of the covenant with Abraham, and thus participate in the blessings God has made to him and to his descendants. Or another way to say this is: all who are saved by God’s grace have Abraham as their father. Covenant membership in Abraham’s covenant is not some side benefit of those who are saved—it is the very foundation of their salvation. This is why Paul can refer to the promise made to Abraham as the gospel (Gal 3:8), and why he considers it of prime importance to recognize Abraham as the father of all who believe. (Tim Hegg)


The connection of our Parasha is about God's assurance in fulfilling His  word. In Torah, Adonai assured Abram that He will be his shield and great reward. In Haftarah, through Prophet Zephaniah, Adonai assured His people that Yeshua the King of Israel will be in their midst to save them. In Apostolic, through the teaching of Paul, Adonai gave an assurance that salvation is by faith like Abraham so no one can boast. 


To close this parasha, Abraham is the best example of believing in the words and promises of Adonai YHVH. We also need to believe that Adonai can do the impossible and nothing is hard for Him. When we believe in Adonai, we will receive the promises that He has for us. 



Shabbat Shalom, 

Topher 







Sources: 

Shema.com 

Israelmyglory.com 

The McArthur study Bible 

thingsofthesort.com 

lifehopeandtruth.com 

realfaith.com 

raystedman.org 

chosenpeople.com

talmidimway.org

bethmelekh.com

torahresource.com

bible strong app 




Parasha 64: From Separation to Direct Access to God

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