I) Reading the Torah Portion

Transcription

1 3-Year Torah Cycle Parashat #14 ^.L %,L LEKH L KHA Genesis 17:1-27 Isaiah 63:10-19 Romans 4:10-25 I) Reading the Torah Portion The Torah Portion Parashat #14 Lekh L kha (Reading 5 of 5) January 5, 2019 Now it s time to read the Torah portion. You will get the most out of the Torah portion if you have a disciplined plan for approaching it each week. I suggest the following (although you may want to develop your own plan of attack). Prepare by having a pen and paper ready to take notes or by having your computer ready. Read the Torah portion quickly just to get a bird s-eye view of it and to gain a general understanding of its contents. Then read it again slowly and more contemplatively. As you read it, you should keep track of 1) changes in the main storyline (plots and subplots) of the text, 2) the introduction of new major themes you have not encountered heretofore and 3) connections to the main themes developed in the Torah portion. Keeping track of the major themes will provide you with thoughts to help you outline the passage later on. Recording changes in the storyline (subplots) will 1) help you more accurately interpret Scripture and 2) see connections to themes that may be repeated in the Haftarah and Apostolic readings. I strongly recommend that when you study these lessons you have the following tools available. 1) a Bible [all references are based on the NKJV], 2) a printed copy of this lesson, 3) pen and paper [notebook preferred] where you can either write extra notes or complete answers to questions where the lines in this lesson are not enough space to write on, 4) an on-line version of the Bible. I suggest BibleGateway ( There are many instances where I will ask you to make a connection to some other passage. The BibleGateway app has an awesome SEARCH feature to find Bible passages. Also, once you find a passage you can use Control-F or Command-F (MAC users) to find words, numbers or phrases in the text on display. Lastly, as often as possible... have a partner studying with you! II) Outlining the Torah Portion Now that you have read the Torah portion, it s time to outline it. Try to divide the Torah portion into its major subject divisions. Please limit the outline to no more than seven major headings. Also, try to limit each subject division to a short phrase. In the chart below provide a brief phrase describing each significant change of events in the reading. Outlining will help you develop the skill of seeing the themes in the text. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. 1

2 III) Hebrew One Significant Word at a Time Learn a significant Hebrew word from the Torah portion! Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. The Hebrew words for Almighty God are El Shaddai, y;d;v lea. Shaddai comes from the root word shadad, d;d'v, meaning strong or mighty. However, Shaddai may also be based on the Hebrew word shad, d;v, meaning breast. Although both roots could easily apply, sometimes there will be thematic evidence that will point you in one direction or another. For example, in most places where El Shaddai occurs (regarding the covenant with Abraham), reproduction or the multiplicity of Abram s descendants is usually the subject. See Genesis 28:3, 35:11, 43:14 and 48:3 as well as our current text where Adonai introduces Himself as El Shaddai in verse one and then immediately promises to multiply Abram into many nations. When Adonai makes Himself known through the name El Shaddai, He s basically saying He is the God who brings forth life through multiplication. The Hebrew word for God is Elohim, ~yihol/a. In Genesis 1:1 2:3 where He 1) demonstrates His ability to produce a multiplicity of animals and 2) commands the creation to be fruitful and multiply, the text only refers to God as Elohim (a derivative of El). Throughout Genesis 2:4 3:24 the text always refers to Adonai as the Lord God. IV) Torah Portion Discussion Questions 1. What are the two primary promises given to Abram in Genesis 17:1-8? 2. How are these two things thematically connected to the events in Genesis 3:15-19? 3. Read Genesis 17:3-8 and write a list of every aspect of the Abrahamic covenant that you can discern, noting that these aspects are Adonai s responsibility in the covenant (as we learned from our outline). 4. We should always make thematic connections to other portions of Scripture wherever possible. Read Genesis 12:1-3 and discuss how it relates thematically to Genesis 17: We know that Genesis 3:15 is a Messianic prophecy pertaining to satan s ultimate defeat at the hands (feetj) of Yeshua. However, from Revelation 12:17 (And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring [seed as in the seed of the woman], who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.) we also know that the seed of the woman pertains not only to Messiah Yeshua, but also to those who have the testimony of Yeshua and keep the commandments of God. Therefore, the seed of the woman will have a dual identity in Scripture, sometimes referring to all believers, but ultimately referring to Yeshua. This is made even more certain by Romans 16:20 (And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly) where Paul uses the imagery of Genesis 3:15 to show how the seed of the woman also consists of all believers not just Messiah Yeshua. With that understanding consider Genesis 12:1-3 and 17:1-8. How can we connect those two passages to Genesis 3:15 pertaining to the enmity of the seed? 6. What is the sign of the Abrahamic covenant? 2

3 7. Read Genesis 17:9-14 and comment on who all must be circumcised and the significance of it. 8. We learned in previous lessons that events in Genesis are actually prophesies of future events and/or the embryonic beginnings of future doctrines or lessons. What could be meant by the fact that Abram s servants (who were not blood descendants of Abram) could also come under the covenant (actually they were compelled if they wanted to remain with Abram) through circumcision? 9. As we progress through the Torah we shall encounter other commandments regarding the number eight. What s significant here is that this is the first mention of the number eight by itself in the Torah. Usually, the first mention of any word will lay a foundation for its thematic usage later in the text. For now, what all can you see associated with the number eight in Genesis 17:12? 10. Read Genesis 17: This is not the first time that Adonai has told Abram specifically that he would father a child. When else was it specifically mentioned that Abram would have an heir from his own body? 11. Write one or more differences between the promise of a son in Genesis 15 and Genesis If, in Genesis 15, Adonai had given Abram the details He gave him in Genesis 17 Ishmael would probably never have been conceived. Why do you think Adonai waited to tell Abram these important details? 13. Read Genesis 17: Considering Abraham s comments, why do you think Adonai made Abraham and Sarah wait so long before giving them a child? 14. How is Genesis 3:16 (To the woman He said: I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children) thematically connected to Sarai s barrenness? 15. At first it may seem that circumcision is an odd sign for a covenant. I mean, of all the things one can choose for a sign of a covenant, why do you think Adonai chose circumcision as the sign of the covenant? In other words, what connection exists between circumcision and the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant? 16. Again, what connection exists between the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and circumcision that would cause Adonai to choose circumcision as the sign of the covenant? But this time think about these three things: 3

4 1) One of the main blessings of the covenant is that Abram will have a multitude of descendants. 2) However, Abram and Sarai are barren and cannot even produce the first descendant to begin the process of producing a multitude of descendants! 3) Descendants originate through the sexual union between a man and a woman. 17. Read Genesis 17:21. The phrase set time is a translation of the Hebrew word, la-moed de[am;l, which means appointed time, season, set time, etc. What is the significance of this word, when is it first used in Scripture and what does its significance imply about the timing of Isaac s birth? 18. Read Genesis 17:5. Explain how Abraham s new name could make him uncomfortable for the next year as he introduces himself to people. V) Messiah in the Parsha In Luke 24:25-27 and Yeshua stated that Moses, the Prophets and the Writings all prophesied of His death, burial and resurrection in three days. Therefore, we should expect to see teachings about Yeshua and His role in redemption throughout the Torah. In this section I will ask you questions that will hopefully help you see Messiah Yeshua in the Torah portion and sometimes the Haftarah reading as well. 1. Read Romans 4: What does Paul compare 1) Abram s old body and 2) the barrenness of Sarah s womb to? 2. Pertaining to Romans 4:17-19, explain how death/deadness can be an appropriate metaphor for Abram and Sarai s situation? In other words, analyze their situation and explain the connections Paul must have thought of in his mind to connect their old bodies to the concept of death/deadness. 3. If Abram s body was dead and Sarai s womb was dead then what term should we use to describe Isaac s birth? 4. Through Paul s analogy in Romans 4:17-19 we know that Paul viewed the story of Abram and Sarai s barrenness through the lens of death and resurrection. In other words, Paul saw Messianic significance to the story of their barrenness. What is the connection between a) Abram s age when he was told that Isaac would be born the next year and b) Isaac s birth from their dead bodies? 5. Similar to the previous question, what is the connection between a) Sarai s age when she was told that Isaac would be born the next year and b) Isaac s birth from their dead bodies?? 6. As far as child bearing is concerned can you describe how Sarai is thematically connected to Miriam (Mary) Yeshua s mother? 4

5 VI) Some Basic Facts About Our Lesson This crossword puzzle will cover basic facts about the Torah portion, Haftarah reading and Apostolic readings. The answers are based on the text from the New King James Version of the Bible and may contain phrases as well as individual words. Making the 5

6 VII) Connection to the Haftarah Reading I have listed a number of passages from the Haftarah reading that have thematic connections to the Torah portion. Your job is to find the thematic connections in the Torah portion. Although I may quote an entire verse or two from the Haftarah reading, you should focus most of your attention on the text that is bold and italicized. The bold and italicized text will contain the main theme or words that I want you to connect to the Torah portion. Once you have found a connection to the Haftarah verses, record the chapter and verse of the Torah text connection and write a brief sentence describing how the two passages are thematically connected. There are different ways the Torah portion and the Haftarah reading may be connected. One of the easiest type of connections is similar words. Now that you ve read the Torah and Haftarah readings see if you can find any significant similar words. 1. How is Isaiah 63:11a (Then he remembered the days of old,) thematically connected to the Torah portion? 2. How is Isaiah 63:12 (Who led them by the right hand of Moses, With His glorious arm, Dividing the water before them To make for Himself an everlasting name) thematically connected to the Torah portion? 3. How else is Isaiah 63:12 (Who led them by the right hand of Moses, With His glorious arm, Dividing the water before them To make for Himself an everlasting name) thematically connected to the Torah portion? 4. How is Isaiah 63:18 (Your holy people have possessed it but a little while; Our adversaries have trodden down Your sanctuary.) thematically connected to the Torah portion? 5. How is Isaiah 63:16a (Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us,) thematically connected to the Torah portion? 6. Another type of connection that exists occurs when we can find similar events. How is Isaiah 63:14 (As a beast goes down into the valley, And the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest, So You lead Your people, To make Yourself a glorious name.) thematically connected as a similar event to the Torah portion? Sometimes however, the connection between the Torah and Haftarah readings is hidden because the rabbis who chose the Haftarah reading were not just trying to connect the readings via similar words or events alone. Sometimes the rabbis chose Haftarah readings where the connection is a similar emotion, thought process, or desire shared between the subjects in the two readings. In the following connections examine the Haftarah passage to determine how the emotion, thought process or desire of the subject is connected with the emotion, thought process or desire of the subject in the Torah reading. 7. How is Isaiah 63:11-13 (Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying: Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them, Who led them by the right hand of Moses, With His glorious arm, Dividing the water before them To make for Himself an everlasting name, Who led them through the deep, As a horse in the wilderness, That they might not stumble? ) thematically connected to the Torah portion? 6

7 8. How is Isaiah 63:15 (Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained?) thematically connected to the Torah portion? VIII) Making the Connection to the Apostolic Writings I have listed a number of passages from the Apostolic reading that have thematic connections to the Torah portion. Your job is to find the thematic connections to the Torah portion. Although I may quote an entire verse or two from the Apostolic reading, you should focus most of your attention on the text that is bold and italicized. The bold and italicized text will contain the main theme or words that I want you to connect to the Torah portion. Once you have found a connection to the Apostolic verses, record the chapter and verse of the Torah text connection and write a brief sentence describing how the two passages are thematically connected. Once again, it seems as if we have been plopped into the middle of the Apostolic writing. I d suggest going back and reading Romans 4:1-9 to give more context to what Paul is writing in Romans 4: The raw connections (especially through similar words) is so voluminous that I d rather ask you some probing questions about Apostolic writing. 1. What is Paul referring to when he asks How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? In other words what is the it that was accounted? 2. Read Romans 4:10 What major doctrine of our faith is Paul expounding upon? 3. Paul is making a big deal of the fact that Abram was imputed/given righteousness before he was circumcised. What is Paul trying to demonstrate by looking at the timing of when Abram was circumcised? 4. How does this phrase, that he might be the father of all those who believe, in Romans 4:11 thematically connect to the promise given to Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky? 5. List one other passage from Scripture that demonstrates that all believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are sons and daughters of Abraham even though they may not be physical blood relatives descended from Abram. 6. Read Romans 4:17b God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; From our Torah portion, how many ways can you see that Adonai calls those things which do not exist as though they did? 7

8 7. What was it that Abram believed so that he could be declared righteous? 8. Compare that to what we believe that results in us being declared righteous? 9. List one other passage from Scripture that demonstrates that all believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are sons and daughters of Abraham even though they may not be physical blood relatives descended from Abram. 10. List one other passage from Scripture that demonstrates that all believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are sons and daughters of Abraham even though they may not be physical blood relatives descended from Abram. IX) The Master Connection The primary way Adonai teaches us His wisdom is through thematic connections. We read a passage. Then we make a thematic connection via a similar word, phrase, theme, situation, event or circumstance in another portion of Scripture. Once we make the connection we open our minds to understand how one passage sheds light on the other passage to help provide a more truly Holy Spirit-inspired interpretation. This section is provided to help you discover the importance and relevance of making thematic connections. Circumcision is one of those rites in the Tanakh that cause us to wonder about its true meaning. In other words, what is the real significance of circumcision? One of the best ways to begin to understand the Bible s lessons is to make thematic connections. We can begin to understand what circumcision is about by reading other passages that are thematically connected to circumcision. For example, read Genesis 17:11-12 and Deuteronomy 10: How are these two verses thematically connected and, based on the connection, what is circumcision supposed to be a picture of? 2. According to Genesis 17:12a what else is circumcision thematically connected to? 3. Now read Colossians 2: Which part of Colossians 2:11-13 pertains to new birth? 4. Also, which part of Colossians 2:11-13 pertains to putting away the foreskin of our hearts? 8

9 X) Practical Application Let's get practical. The study of the Word is not complete until we are encouraged to think, speak and act differently. Our study of the Word should always involve personal application of the text to our lives. As I've heard it said before, Adonai's Word needs to go from our head to our hearts and then to our hands. Our lifelong journey is to become like our master, Yeshua, and this is only accomplished as we faithfully apply His Word to every aspect of our lives. Discipling Our Children What have you learned from this week s Torah study that you can teach your children? Ø Write down what you learned that can and/or should be discussed with your children? Perhaps they need to know some of the facts covered in the crossword puzzle? Ø Write down anything you learned that revealed bad habits or thought patterns in your children s lives? Ø Write down anything you learned that revealed good habits or thought patterns that your children need to be encouraged or strengthened in and grow in obedience to? Ø Write down anything you learned that can be a topic of prayer for you and your children this week or permanently? Discipling One Another Think about what you ve studied in this week s lesson. Ø Write down anything you learned that impacted you the most? Ø Write down anything you learned that revealed bad habits or thought patterns you need to stop? Ø Write down anything you learned that revealed good habits or thought patterns you need to be encouraged or strengthened in and grow in obedience to? Ø Write down anything you learned that can be a topic of prayer for yourself, your family, your worship community, your neighborhood, the world or Adonai s people at large? 9

10 o Just focus on one thing and talk to an accountability partner about it. Determine what you can DO over the next week (or more) in order to put what you ve learned into practice. Make a commitment to someone else that you are going to seek to put some aspect of this week s lesson into practice. Outlining the Torah Portion ANSWER KEY In some instances the Torah will give you beautiful little thematic markers to neatly divide the text into thematic units. You should always be on the look out for such helpful markers. Notice the phrases a) As for Me in Genesis 17:4, b) As for you in Genesis 17:9 and c) As for Sarai in Genesis 17:15! I. Genesis 17:1-2 Introduction Adonai Promises the Abrahamic Covenant II. Genesis 17:3-8 Responsibility of Adonai III. Genesis 17:9-14 Responsibility of Abram and His Descendants IV. Genesis 17:15-22 Prophecy That Sarai Will Give Birth to Isaac V. Genesis 17:23-27 Abraham s Obedience to the Covenant Torah Portion Discussion Questions Answers 1. He promises a multitude of descendants and land. 2. The promise of descendants is thematically connected to the seed (descendants) of the woman and the fact that her seed (descendants) will comfort in sorrow and pain. The promise of land is thematically connected to the fact that the ground was cursed. We will continually focus back to Genesis 1-3 to provide context for what we learn later in the Bible. This way we will continually be reminded of the true purpose for all of its stories, to teach us about the one who would crush the serpent s head (Genesis 3:15). 3. Adonai will 1) make Abram a father of nations, 2) multiply Abram s descendants, 3) give Abram and his descendants the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and 4) be their God. The covenant is with all of Abram s descendants and it is an everlasting covenant. 4. Genesis 12:1-3 makes the following generic promises to Abram 1) I will make you a great nation; 2) I will bless you, 3) And make your name great; 4) And you shall be a blessing, 5) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; and 6) And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. In Genesis 17;1-8 we see the following correspondence 1) Adonai will make nations and kings spring forth from Abram, 2) the promises of Genesis 17:1-8 are extreme blessings, 3) He went a step further than just making his name great, He changed Abram s name, 4) the influence of Abram s descendants will be far reaching, 5) Adonai will give Abram s descendants the land of Canaan (by taking it from the Canaanites who would later curse Abram s descendants. 5. Since believers, those who have the testimony of Yeshua and keep the commandments of God, are the seed of the woman then the seed of the serpent have to be the unbelieving world. Therefore, the enmity of the seed will play itself out in the constant struggles between those who love Adonai and His ways and those who don t. We ve already learned that Abel s murder by Cain was a direct consequence of the enmity of the seed. Therefore, in Genesis 12:1-3 we can see the prophecy of the enmity of the seed when it says that Adonai will curse those who curse Abram (and by extension Abram s descendants). In Genesis 17:1-8 we can see the prophecy of the enmity of the seed in the fact that one day the land of Canaan will be fought for and conquered by Israel. Here, Israel is the seed of the woman and the Canaanites are the seed of the serpent. 10

11 6. The sign of the Abrahamic covenant is the sign of circumcision. It is important to realize that the sign of circumcision did not originate in the Mosaic covenant! 7. Abram, his descendants and the servants in Abram s household had to be circumcised! Even the servants who are not blood descendants of Abraham. 8. Although the Abrahamic covenant pertained to Abram and his descendants, we see that gentiles were also allowed to partake of the covenant blessings because of their association with Abram. Even though they were not blood-line descendants of Abram they could enjoy the covenant blessings along with Abram. This is a foreshadowing of the fact that non-israelites could be part of Israel even though they were not blood descendants of the patriarchs. Adonai s intent has always been to bring people from the nations into His covenants. 9. Eight is thematically connected to the birth of a male child. Eight is thematically connected to entering into the covenant relationship with Adonai. Eight is thematically connected to a sign of a covenant. 10. Genesis 15: In Genesis 15 Abram was only told that his heir would come from his own body. In Genesis 17 he is told that 1) Sarah would be the mother of the child, 2) the child s name would be Isaac and 3) the child would be born next year at the same time of the year. As you can see, as time progresses Adonai reveals more and more details. 12. Abram had to live a life of faith, trusting in the promises of Adonai. If Adonai had told him all details up front then Abram would not have grown in his faith as he eventually did. 13. He wanted to wait until it was a complete impossibility for Abram and Sarai to conceive a child! He did this so that all who heard would see the birth of Isaac as a miracle of God. Adonai did not want the birth of Isaac to be thought of as normal in any manner. It was important that Adonai so arrange the circumstances of Isaac s birth such that the only way possible for his birth would be by the miraculous intervention of God Almighty. The key point is that Adonai wanted Isaac s birth to be viewed by all as TOTALLY SUPERNATURAL!. 14. Genesis 3:16 establishes that women would experience travail in bringing forth the seed who would eventually crush the serpent s head. As we ve seen before, this prophecy is not limited to Yeshua alone. The seed is all those who worship God. Therefore, we should expect there to be travail in bringing forth the ancestor s of Messiah too. Notice that Genesis 3:16 is not limited to just pain in the actual birthing process. Adonai specifically said I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception. This means that even the process of conception would be difficult, let alone the actual birthing process! Yes, even the process of conception would be sorrowful. This is why many times women experience sorrow trying to conceive. This includes everything from infertility, to miscarriages and morning sickness, etc., etc., etc., The ultimate pain and sorrow in conception is that of a barren woman! Thus, we can thematically connect Genesis 3:16 to Sarah s barrenness! She went through an entire lifetime of sorrow in conception! This is the true relevance of Genesis 3:16 in our Torah portion and understanding this concept will help us understand our Messiah! 15. Just wondering how you handle this question. 16. Circumcision involves the removal of skin from the male sexual organ used in procreation. However, this was the problem! Abram and Sarai could not procreate on their own! Therefore, the sign of the covenant, circumcision, focuses our attention on the fact that it was impossible for Abram to produce a child through the normal method of producing descendants (one of the two main blessings of the Abrahamic covenant). The birth of that first descendant required to further the covenant would not come about by the normal function of the male sexual organ, but through the supernatural miracle of God. 17. The Hebrew word moed means set time, appointed time or season. It is first used in Genesis 1:14 Then God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years. It is the same Hebrew word translated as feast in Leviticus 23! Although Genesis 1:14 implies that the sun and moon were created for seasons, as in winter, 11

12 spring, summer and fall, it s meaning is deeper. The sun and moon were created to help determine the timing of the feasts of the Lord. Genesis 1:14 could just as well be translated Then God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for determination of Adonai s feasts, and for days and years. The significance of its usage here is that it implies that Isaac will be born on one of the feasts of the Lord, possibly Passover! 18. His name means father of a multitude yet he and Sarai are barren! This could be somewhat embarrassing! Messiah in the Parsha Answers 1. He compares Abram s body and Sarai s womb to death or that which is dead. 2. Abram s body was so old that he was barely able to produce and deliver the seed necessary for LIFE. Therefore, since his body cannot produce life it s as if his body was dead. The womb is a place where life is conceived, nurtured and produces life. Sarai had been barren her entire life. LIFE had not been conceived nor nurtured in her womb. Therefore, it is as if her womb was dead. 3. We should use the word LIFE or RESURRECTION! Paul has created a picture of life springing forth from a place of death! 4. Abram was 99 years old. 99 is a multiple of 3 since 99 = 3*33. Three is the number of resurrection. Therefore, the story of life springing forth from the deadness of Abram and Sarai s bodies is yet another veiled Messianic prophecy of resurrection on day Sarai was 90 years old. 90 is a multiple of 3 since 90 = 3*30. Three is the number of resurrection. Therefore, the story of life springing forth from the deadness of Abram and Sarai s bodies is yet another veiled Messianic prophecy of resurrection on day These two women are thematically connected in that neither of them were able to conceive and bear a child, albeit for different reasons. Sarai was barren and too old and Miriam was a virgin, both situations created an impossible scenario for conception! Haftarah Connection Answers 1. Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am Almighty God. In fact, our Torah portion mentions the word old six times. 2. Genesis 17:7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 3. Genesis 17:19 Then God said: No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. In fact, the word name appears five times in our Torah portion. 4. Genesis 17:8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. Both passages mention a possession of the people of God; the sanctuary in the Haftarah and the land of Canaan in the Torah reading. 5. Both passages mention the name Abraham. 6. Genesis 17:5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. Both readings use the word name. However, both passages also have a similar event pertaining to the word name. Both passages speak of obtaining a name and in both passages the name will be great in some manner. If you do not see how Genis 17:5 alludes not only to giving Abram a name but also to making Abrams name glorious, as in our Haftarah reading, then perhaps this extra connection will help you see? Genesis 12:2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. Abram s name would become glorious as a result of Adonai making Abram the father of many nations. 7. The bold italicized words in the Haftarah reading remind us of how Adonai delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery by leading them through the split Red Sea. To connect this to the Torah portion we simply need to remember the themes and facts surrounding that great act. The children of Israel were in 12

13 an impossible situation. There was no way humanly possible for them to deliver themselves from Pharaoh s approaching army. So how does that them repeat itself in the Torah reading? The connection is to Abram and Sarai who had past the age of ability to have children! It was humanly impossible for them to conceive. Just like the children of Israel, they needed supernatural intervention to deliver them from an impossible situation. 8. Genesis 17:17-18 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child? And Abraham said to God, Oh, that Ishmael might live before You! The Haftarah reading is a plea from the writer for Adonai to move on his behalf. He encourages Adonai to look down from heaven and see his bad situation. He questions Adonai about His zeal and strength to move on his behalf. Lastly, the writer asks Adonai to show him His mercy and even asks if Adonai is restraining mercy from him! This is closely matched by Abraham s feelings that Adonai had forgotten about him and His promises to him! Can we not easily see Abraham asking the exact words expressed by Isaiah? But unlike Isaiah s reasons for questioning Adonai s faithfulness, Abraham would question Adonai about his lack of a son needed for the establishment of the covenant. Apostolic Reading Answers 1. The it is righteousness. Paul is stating that Abram was imputed/accounted righteousness while he was uncircumcised. 2. The doctrine of salvation (soteriology). 3. Paul is trying to counter the argument that we are saved by works. He does so by showing that Abram had already been declared righteous BEFORE he fulfilled the commandment of circumcision. 4. The phrase, the father of all those who believe, means that everyone who shares Abraham s faith in Adonai has Abraham as their father. Stated another way, we are children of Abraham through faith. This implies that when Adonai promised Abram that his seed would be as numerous as the stars in the sky He was not solely speaking of physical descendants of Abram, but also the spiritual descendants of Abram who walked in the same faith in Adonai as Abram did. 5. Galatians 3:7-9 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, In you all the nations shall be blessed. 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Also see Romans 4:16 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. 6. He told Abram He had made him the father of many nations. He told Abraham to name his son Isaac even though he had not been born. He said He gave Abram the land of Canaan. All thee things Adonai spoke as if they existed. 7. He believed in the promise Adonai had given him that he would father a son from his own body. IN other words Abram believed in the promise of a son. 8. We believe in the promise of THE Son, that He died for our sins. But as you can see, both Abram as well as ourselves, we believe in the promise of a son! And if we believe in this promise of a son, that faith is counted for us as righteousness. The Master Connection Answers 1. Both passages speak about circumcision of the foreskin. Obviously, circumcision of the foreskin is meant to teach us about the circumcising or cutting away of the foreskin of our hearts. Cutting away the foreskin of our hearts is the Tanakh way of saying make your hearts soft and responsive to Adonai and His ways. 2. The birth of a boy child, or, more generically, new birth! 13

14 3. The portion of Colossians 3:12 where it says though we were dead in trespasses He has made us alive together in Him. 4. The portion of Colossians 3:11 where it says putting off the body of the sins of the flesh. Thus, putting off the body of the sins of the flesh is equivalent to circumcision of the heart! Now, we can see that the teaching about circumcision on the eighth day is the beginning point for understanding what it means to be born again! 14