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.”

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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.”

 

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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

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