Parasha 24: The Merciful God

The Merciful God

Introduction

According to the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary, "mercy" means a kind or forgiving attitude toward someone who has the power to harm or punish you, or an event or situation to be grateful for, usually because it stops something unpleasant.

In the last parasha, there was a famine in the land, and Adonai YHVH instructed Isaac not to go down to Egypt. He went to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines in Gerar, and told the men of the place that Rebekah was his sister. Abimelech noticed that there was sweet talk between Isaac and Rebekah, so he approached Isaac.

Our Torah portion starts with Isaac, who reaped a hundredfold because Adonai blessed him. Isaac became prosperous and had many servants, which is why the Philistines envied him. During Isaac's stay in Gerar, he faced many struggles.

First, the Philistines stopped up all the wells that Abraham's servants had dug. Since they were staying in a desert land, wells were essential as a source of water. Out of envy, the Philistines did not honor the covenant that had been made between Abraham and Abimelech in Beersheba (Gen. 21:25-31).

Second, Abimelech dismissed him. The king's reason for dismissing Isaac was that he was mightier than them. Surprisingly, a similar incident happened in Exodus 1:7-10, where the children of Israel (from Isaac) multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty. At that time in Egypt, there was a new king who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, "Look, the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply and fight against us."

Third, Isaac's servants dug in the valley and found a well, but the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with them. Twice they dug a well, but both times, the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with them. That is why Isaac named the first well Esek, which means "quarrel," and the second well Sitnah, which means "opposition." The names of the two wells that Isaac gave reflected his experience with the people in Gerar.

The Hebrew word for mercy is rachamim (רַחֲמִים), which comes from the root racham (רַחַם), meaning "compassion" or "tender love." This word is closely related to rechem (רֶחֶם), which means "womb," illustrating God’s deep, parental love for His people.

How did Adonai show His mercy to Isaac?

He PROVIDED a space for Isaac and his servants (v. 23).

The third time Isaac's servants dug a well, no one quarreled with them. Isaac named it Rehoboth, meaning "wide open space," saying, "For now Adonai has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." Here, Isaac saw how Adonai providentially worked out their situation. Even in our circumstances, we may think Adonai is doing nothing, but in the end, we will be amazed by His actions.

He APPEARED to Isaac in Beersheba (vv. 23-24).

Since Adonai is an omniscient God, He knew that Isaac needed encouragement, so He renewed His promise to him. Let’s look at how Adonai encouraged Isaac. He mentioned that He is the God of his father Abraham, so Isaac had no reason to fear, for He was with him. This was a reaffirmation of the Abrahamic covenant. This is also an encouragement to us. Every time we face trials, let’s look back at the times when Adonai did not abandon us. This will refresh our trust in Him.

He ALLOWED Abimelech to see that He was with Isaac (vv. 28-29).

From Gerar, Abimelech, along with his friend and the commander of his army, came to Isaac and said, "We have certainly seen that Adonai is with you." Because of this, he invited Isaac to make an oath and covenant. Maybe Abimelech felt guilty about what his people had done to Isaac and his servants in claiming the wells that they had not originally dug.

How did Isaac show humility during his struggles in Gerar?

He AVOIDED conflicts (vv. 15-21).

Even though the Philistines envied him and the herdsmen of Gerar insisted on their right to the wells, he simply dug another well and moved to another place. He learned to ignore people who sought conflict. As grafted believers, let us prevent conflict, for it robs us of peace.

Romans 12:18 – "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

He BUILT an altar (v. 25).

He did this to worship Adonai for His mercy and encouragement. Despite the struggles Isaac faced, he did not forget to worship Adonai—perhaps as a sign of his humility. Like Isaac, worshiping Adonai in times of struggle helps us focus on who He is.

Psalm 34:1 – "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

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

Our Haftarah portion begins with Isaiah 65: 23-25. The Bible repeatedly affirms that God’s

mercy is available to all who seek Him (Matthew 11:28-30). While wrath remains on those who reject His gospel (John 3:36), those who believe receive forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16). In Isaiah 65, we see the fulfillment of Israel’s prayers for restoration (Isaiah 63-64). After turning back to Yeshua the Messiah, God begins to restore His wayward nation.

Israel’s sin caused a separation from God, preventing Him from hearing their prayers (Isaiah 49:14; 59:1-2; 63:17; 64:12). However, in His kingdom, God will restore intimacy with His people. They will call, and He will answer (Isaiah 30:19; 58:9; Psalm 145:18-19). The relationship once broken by sin will be fully renewed in righteousness.

Sin brought enmity and death into creation (Genesis 3:15; Romans 8:20). But Yeshua, the Prince of Peace, will bring an end to conflict and suffering. “The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain, says the Lord” (Isaiah 65:25; cf. Isaiah 11:6-9). No longer will the strong prey on the weak. Even creation itself will be set free from corruption (Romans 8:21-22), ushering in a world of perfect harmony.

Moving on to chapter 66:1-8, Isaiah begins with the final prophecy: "Thus says the LORD." He is looking for a heart to dwell in. Instead of dwelling in a Mishkan made with human hands, Adonai seeks to reside in the heart of a person who is poor (humble), of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at His word.

In verses 3-4, Adonai YHVH considered the offerings of the wicked as disgusting. Dogs and swine were mentioned—unclean animals unacceptable for offerings—to illustrate the dishonesty of those making offerings to Adonai. God despises insincere offerings. Sacrifices made without a heart of obedience are detestable to Him. The use of unclean animals (dogs and swine) in these verses symbolizes spiritual corruption. God desires not ritual, but true worship expressed through obedience (1 Samuel 15:22).

In verse 8, despite Israel’s historical resistance, God’s sovereign plan for her redemption will not be hindered. “Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons” (Isaiah 66:8). This prophecy foreshadows Israel’s national salvation when Yeshua returns (Zechariah 12:10). God will remove the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, writing His Torah upon their hearts (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

After God created mankind and saw their wickedness, He grieved in His heart. Now that the temple was ruined, where would He dwell?

In His boundless mercy, God offers restoration to all who seek Him with a humble heart, a contrite spirit, and reverence for His Word. Those who trust in Yeshua and live according to His ways will experience the fullness of His mercy and restoration.

Isaiah 66:2 – "For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look: to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word."

-- APOSTOLIC P O R T I O N --

In the Apostolic portion, Apostle Paul explained that Adonai's word has not failed (since the Word is living and powerful – Heb. 4:12), but His people did, because they did not understand how He chose those with whom He would have a covenant relationship. That is why Paul referenced Isaac and Ishmael, both of whom came from Abraham.

Despite being God’s chosen people and receiving God’s Torah, they failed to obey it. Because of this, God's mercy and salvation extended to the Gentiles.

Romans 4:16 – "For 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."

Paul also referenced Jacob and Esau, showing how Adonai YHVH chose between them. Adonai chooses based on His wisdom, and another way He chooses is through His mercy.

Being of Jewish descent is not enough to guarantee a right relationship with God. Paul uses Isaac and Ishmael, as well as Jacob and Esau, to illustrate this. Although they were all direct descendants of the patriarchs to whom God's covenant promises were given, only Isaac received the covenant blessing, while Ishmael did not. Similarly, Jacob was chosen for the covenant, but Esau was not. Our Torah portion makes this clear: God specifically blesses Isaac, while Esau is allowed to go his own way.

Paul's point in using these examples is to show that God's blessing cannot be demanded; it is a matter of His sovereign mercy. A person’s physical lineage does not give them a claim on God, nor can good works earn His eternal favor. While the obedience of parents can bring blessings to their children, it is ultimately God's mercy that brings each individual into covenant fellowship with Him.

Psalm 103:11 – "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him."

The parasha highlights Adonai’s mercy for our connection:

In the Torah, Adonai showed mercy to Isaac during his struggles, and Isaac responded with humility.

In the Haftarah, Adonai, being merciful, desires a humble and contrite heart over empty sacrifices.

In the Apostolic Writings, Adonai extends mercy according to His will.

Adonai’s mercy is demonstrated in His patience, forgiveness, and eagerness for people to turn to Him. The greatest expression of this mercy is the sacrifice of His Son, Yeshua.

Ephesians 2:4-5 – "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)."

True mercy is not just receiving God’s kindness, but walking humbly in it—choosing peace over pride, obedience over sacrifice, and faith over fear.

How do you respond to Adonai’s mercy? Do you walk in humility, contrition, and reverence for His Word? The invitation is open—draw near to the Merciful One today.

Shabbat Shalom,

Topher

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-- S O U R C E S --

Bethmelekh.com
meaningofgenesis.com
rts.edu
learnthebible.org
thefellowship.site
bibleblender.com
covenantkeepers.org
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TheMacArthur Study Bible