(And He Appeared)

GENESIS (B’RESHIYT 18:1 – 22:24)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Traditionally, this portion begins on the third day after and his household was circumcised. a. The point is that, even enduring the pain of circumcision, Abraham is a congenial host. b. It is interesting that this “appearance” by the LORD is on Third Day after this event. 2. Abraham exhibits those traits that the seed of Abraham are to emulate; he cares for strangers.

“Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” – Deuteronomy 10:19

3. During the meal, Abraham stands ready to attend to their needs not partaking himself. a. Demonstrates that to be considered a leader you must first be a servant. 4. After washing the feet of His disciples, Y’shua says:

“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.” – John 13:13-16

5. Abraham serves as a great example of what Y’shua was calling for His disciples to emulate. a. Have the heart of a servant and your Master will be motivated to hearken to you. 6. In sharp contrast to that example is the terrible example set by S’dom and the cities of plain. a. Not only engaging in debauchery and activities that birthed the word “sodomy.” b. Even greater sin is their neglect of strangers and those in need. c. Desired to maintain their own prosperity accepting only those who were prosperous. 7. Consider that as wicked as Egypt was, Egyptian cities still stood. a. As wicked as Canaanites were, they were permitted to be in land with Abraham. b. S’dom and cities of plain were completely overturned and region is still uninhabitable. 8. It is taught that the perversity of S’dom was the byproduct of their disdain for the stranger. a. In short, greed and self-indulgence fostered the behavior associated with S’dom.

CHAPTER 18: VISIT OF THE ANGELS

1. Verse 1: “And the LORD appeared to him…as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.” a.  Vayeira; The LORD appeared to Abraham on a couple of occasions in the Land. 2. Verse 2: “Three men stood over against him” – in the guise of angels. a. He runs to meet them and invite them to a meal. 3. Verse 3: “My Lord, if I have found favor…” – the Hebrew term is  adonai not adoni.

1 4. The Midrash teaches that this meeting occurred on what would become Passover; consider:  One who has assimilated into corrupt culture and corrupted by it will be delivered from it.  Abraham washes their feet and invites them to recline.  Bread made very quickly (unleavened) is made for them – three cakes and three matzot.  When they appear to Lot he makes them “unleavened bread” (Gen. 19:3).  The promise of a son who will propagate the covenant is made. 5. Verse 7: Abraham takes a calf from the herd and gives it to “the servant” (lit. “the youth”). a. Tradition interprets this as being Ishmael. 6. Verse 8: “And he took curd, and milk and the calf … and set it before them.” a. Judaism teaches that he first gave them the dairy to slake their thirst. b. Following this, he gave them the actual meal of meat and bread. c. Judaism concludes Abraham was faithful to dietary laws concerning meat and dairy. d. This is a matter of opinion and mine is, meat and dairy are not forbidden by Torah. 7. This is the only place in Torah where supernatural beings are described as partaking of food. a. Y’shua, after resurrection, prepares food for disciples and presumably eats. (Jn. 21). 8. Verse 10: “I will certainly return to you this time next year and shall have a son.” a. Sarah, listening at door of the tent, laughed –  vay’titzchak (verse 12). b. The LORD asks, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (verse 14). c. Literally, “Is anything too wonderful (Heb. root  palah) for the LORD?” d. This is said in regard to who is the “promised seed.” 9. Important to recognize Sarah’s hesitancy is she believes it will require a miracle equivalent to resurrection from the dead – this is only way for the Promised Seed to fulfill God’s purposes. 10. Verse 17: “Shall I hide from Abraham that which I am doing” – considers His servant. a. Because he is to become a mighty nation. b. Because he is to be a blessing to all nations. 11. Verse 19: “He will command his children and household to keep the way of the LORD.” a. The greatest gift a father can give is to teach his children to do what is upright. b. Because “I have known” and that he will do this is why he will be a great nation. c. “Known” refers to knowledge and can be translated as “love.” 12. God knows he will teach his household “righteousness and justice.” a. Therefore, God concludes He will not keep this from Abraham; he has a part in plan. 13. Verse 20: “The cry of S’dom and ‘Amorah is great and their sin is grievous.” a. Either the wicked are articulating these things or the cries of those they oppress.

“Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: she and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.” – Ezekiel 16:49-50

14. From here to end of chapter, Abraham begins to intercede for these cities. a. In this we see Abraham’s compassion and God’s willingness to hearken to His servant. b. He does not take glee in the pending destruction of the wicked. c. This is not God’s heart either.

2 “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to , and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’ But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.’” – Luke 9:51-56

15. Abraham is one who does not hold contempt for evildoers; he wants them to repent. a. His apparent logic was if there were a group of righteous, they might affect the wicked. b. In our day it would be easy to harbor contempt and derision for the wicked people. c. Yet, like Abraham, we should despise the actions without hating the person. d. God is always ready to pardon sin.

“‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!’” – Ezekiel 33:11

16. Also see Abraham’s emphasis on justice – “will you destroy righteous with wicked?” a. Perhaps it is that Abraham is mainly concerned for Lot. b. Lot is the only one deserving of deliverance. c. It could be argued that, even then, his deliverance is due to Abraham not himself. 17. Verse 25: “Far be it from you to slay the righteous with the wicked, that the righteous should be as the wicked…shall not the Judge of all the earth, do justly?” a. Justice is the basis of all virtue; anything considered loftier must be based on justice. b. Abraham acknowledged that he was quite forward to take this up with God. c. During entire dialogue, God knew there were not ten righteous in the entire city. 18. Footnote: Had everyone left with Lot there would have been at least 8.  Lot and wife.  Two unmarried daughters.  At least two married daughters with sons-in-law. 19. Even if all had left, they would not be considered righteous necessarily. a. is called righteous but his sons and family were not called that. b. They, seemingly, were spared because of Noah’s righteousness. c. Likewise, Lot’s family and Lot himself seemed to be spared because of Abraham’s. d. The firstborn is saved because of father’s obedience. 20. Perhaps this entire conversation is to bring to surface what was in Abraham’s heart. a. Consequently, the narrative serves to show what we are to strive for. b. If we are to be “sons of Abraham” we must do the “works of Abraham” (Jn. 8:39). 21. As soon as Abraham stops speaking, the LORD leaves to do investigate the cities.

CHAPTER 19: DESTRUCTION OF S’DOM AND DELIVERANCE OF LOT

“Turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered

3 righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds.” – 2 Peter 2:8

1. How is it that a man who chose to live among the wicked in order to profit is considered righteous? a. Even though inhabitants of S’dom wanted to assault the “men,” Lot protected them. b. Being associated with Abraham, though S’dom had affected him there remained virtue. c. He put his life in peril when he took the “men” in – yet offered his two daughters. 2. Verse 1: “The two angels came to S’dom at evening” finding Lot at the gate of the city. a. This is where people would congregate in those days. b. Lot, seeing them, bowed before them to serve them just as Abraham had done. 3. Verse 2: He invites them into his house to wash, sleep and depart early. a. Compare that he lived in a house in a city; Abraham dwelt in a tent in countryside. b. First recorded city-builder was Cain, followed by Nimrud. c. Cities typically attract all types of behavior and iniquity. 4. They had determined to stay in the square of the city where travelers apparently would stay. a. This accentuates fact that S’dom was an inhospitable city. b. Knowing this, Lot urges them to come into his home. 5. Verse 3: “He made them a feast and made them unleavened bread” – hinting at Pesach. a. Tradition says this date was 15 Aviv; Sarah made three loaves “quickly” (Gen. 18). 6. Verse 4: “But before they lay down, the men of the city … compassed the house round.” a. They came from every age group and district of the city. b. News of travelers came quickly and they were obviously observed by informants. c. They were all addicted to the particular lifestyle for which they are infamous. d. This is why there were not 10 righteous in order to spare the city. 7. Verse 5: They desired to “know them” which is to say, sodomize them. 8. Verses 6-8: Lot compels them not to do this and puts his life on the line. a. However, he offers them his virgin daughters to do what they will. b. Yet, seeks to spare men who have come “under the shadow of my roof” – sacred duty. c. These two daughters are, presumably, the ones he will cohabitate with later. 9. Verse 9: The men acknowledge that Lot is a sojourner and yet wants to tell them what to do. a. They attack Lot who presses against the closed door. 10. Verse 10-11: The angels rescue Lot from the mob and smote them with temporary blindness. 11. Vs. 12-13: “Whoever you have in the city bring them out of the place for we will destroy it.” a. Lot’s entire household is given the opportunity to be rescued. b. His sons-in-law do not believe his warning to flee is anything but a joke. c. They can detect no reason to think the city is to be overturned – the unsinkable Titanic. d. Consequently, both they and his married daughters are doomed. 12. Verse 15: “Take your wife and the two daughters that are here lest you be swept away.” a. Again being compelled to leave, offering deliverance to those still with him. b. Unbelievably, Lot is slow to leave; the angels had to grab him and make him go. c. This was done because “the LORD being merciful unto him” (verse 16). 13. Even though Abraham’s righteousness benefits Lot, he still had the responsibility to act. a. This makes it clear that Lot was spiritually weak and slow to do right thing. b. He was hesitant to get into the lifeboat and escape the sinking ship.

4 14. Righteous people are saved miraculously while everything falls around them – e.g. Noah. 15. The congregation of Philadelphia is promised protection in midst of the great trial.

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep (“guard) you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” – Revelation 3:10

16. Less righteous have opportunity to escape but, if they refuse to heed the warning, they will be swept away with the wicked.

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” – Luke 21:20-24

17. Lot’s righteousness doesn’t match that of Abraham yet is deemed worthy to escape. a. Ruth, ancestress of King , is destined to come from him. b. Still he had to act; angels tell him to:

“Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” – Genesis 19:17

18. Had he not fled, he would have been destroyed and yet the angel says:

“Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” – Genesis 19:22

19. Lot first escaped to Zoar, the smaller of the five cities and witnessed the destruction. a. Righteous witness the destruction some times, but from a safe distance. b. In this case, God rained sulfur and fire upon the cities perhaps from seismic upheaval. 20. Presumably this is what provoked Lot’s wife to turn back and watch the destruction. a. Why she looked back is speculative but it cost her life – became a pillar of salt. b. Because she looked back and lingered, the salt from the disrupted sea enveloped her. c. This saline substance may have preserved her body for some time; Josephus saw it. d. Y’shua cautions us about “looking back and lingering.”

“Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. Likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” – Luke 17:28-33

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21. Abram was told to leave country, kindred and father’s house – not just physically. a. He was not to leave his heart there but to separate completely from those things. b. Perhaps Lot’s wife’s heart was in S’dom and this caused her to turn back. 22. Verse 27-28: Abraham didn’t know what the outcome would be but arose early to see. a. He saw the land was smoking like a furnace. b. Verse 29: Makes it clear that Lot was spared because of “God remembered Abraham.”

CHAPTER 19: BIRTH OF AND AMMON

1. Verse 30: Lot fears that Zoar will be destroyed as well and flees to a cave with daughters. a. It would seem that Zoar was indeed destroyed after Lot’s departure. 2. The two daughters believe they are the only remaining humans (in spite of just leaving city). a. If they believe destruction was universal they conspire to continue the human race. b. If not, perhaps it is just that they are a product of their environment, S’dom. c. These are the ones Lot offered to the men of S’dom. 3. Verse 32-33: They made Lot drink wine to the point of intoxication. a. On first night, the eldest lay with him followed on next night by the other. b. He didn’t know when she came in or when she left. c. When they were pregnant he knew what had happened though. 4. Apparently, he willingly became intoxicated the second time. a. Reminiscent of Noah soon after departing the ark; ended in a curse. 5. Rabbinical commentary takes note of the relative ease with which these two conceived compared to the struggle to conceive endured by ’s matriarchs. a. The dichotomy is compared to ease of weeds and thorns and the struggle of wheat. b. Result is Moav and Ben Ammi (Ammon); thorns in the flesh of Israel. c. Moav  is “from father” and Ben-Ammi  is “son of my people.”

CHAPTER 20: ABRAHAM AND

1. For some reason Abraham decides to journey to ; there he again presents Sarah as sister. a. There is no reason to conclude that Sarah was agreeable considering prior experience. 2. Abimelech “took” Sarah suggesting an abduction and brought her into his harem. a. Again God interferes and prevents him “from sinning against me” (verse 6). b. Abimelech cites ignorance to justify his deed; still it would have been bad for him. 3. It occurs to me that God protects His chosen even when they make bad choices. c. Seems He sets up road blocks to prevent a disaster. 4. Verse 7: “Restore the man’s wife for he is a prophet; he shall pray for you and shall live.” a. This is the first time the word  navi “prophet” is used in Scripture. b. A prophet is not necessarily someone who predicts the future. c. A biblical prophet is someone who directs people back to God and His instructions. 5. Verse 9: Abilmelech confronts Abraham asking, “Why did you bring this great sin on me? a. Ultimately, it is Abraham who puts Abimelech in the position of committing this sin. 6. Abraham attempts to justify the deceit by arguing that:  They did not fear God.

6  She really is my “sister” – a relative. 7. Most commentators believe that Sarah was Abraham’s niece, daughter of dead brother Haran. a. Terah’s granddaughter. 8. Nevertheless, though technically she was related, Abraham did not tell the whole truth. a. Once again this put Sarah in peril; again he was concerned for his life. 9. In the end, Abimelech showers Abraham with gifts and invites him to sojourn there. a. Sharp contrast to Pharaoh’s reaction – made them leave. 10. Verse 16: “I have given your brother 1000 pieces of silver…as an eye-covering for you.” a. To make them blind to the wrong that was done to Sarah. b. To say that everything has been made right.

CHAPTER 21: ISAAC AND ISHMAEL

1. At the age of 90, Sarah finally bears a son for Abraham who is 100. a. The equivalent Hebrew letters form the word  ketz or the “end.” b. Towards the end of their life, the Promised Seed is born (prophetically significant). 2. Verse 2: “And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son … at the set time.” a. The Hebrew word  mo’ed is “set time.” b. The word used for the appointed feasts. 3. Traditionally, Isaac was born on 15 Aviv – first day of Unleavened Bread. a. Isaac is destined to ascend the mountain to be a “living sacrifice.” 4. Abraham gives him the name he was commanded –  Yitzhak from  “laughter.” 5. Verse 4: “Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old as commanded.” a. As far as is recorded, Isaac is the first to be circumcised on Eighth Day. b. This would be concluding day of Unleavened Bread. c. This is before the Torah was codified at Sinai. 6. Verse 8: “Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.” a. Isaac would have been about 2 – 3 years old. b. It is called “great feast” because of the great men in attendance, according to Rabbis. c. These included: Shem and Abimelech. 7. It is at this feast that Sarah observed Ishmael, the “son of Hagar the Egyptian” mocking. a. Notice that the Arab peoples are also related to the Egyptians through Hagar. b. The word “mocking” or “making sport” is  m’tzachek. c. Notice this word is from the same root as Isaac - . c. It is used many times to denote an action of impurity, even idolatry. 8. Obviously Ishmael was not “laughing” in the same way as Abraham and Sarah. a. Sarah felt that it was some type of sinister “sporting” – a threat to spiritual health. b. Perhaps she felt that what Ishmael did was representative of Hagar’s attitude. c. Which would infer that Ishmael was more influenced by Hagar than Abraham. d. It is believed that Ishmael had become corrupt and would be a corrupting influence. 9. In the end, Abraham was faced with another great test. a. Might it be because he had imperiled Sarah before? b. Now he must prefer her over himself by sending Hagar and Ishmael away. 10. Verse 10: “Cast out this bondwoman and her son for her son shall not be heir with my son.” a. Suggesting that Ishmael and Hagar still had designs on inheriting from Abraham.

7 b. It has already been shown that wheat and tares are not to coexist – Lot’s separation. c. Yet, it was “grievous” to Abraham on account of “his son.” 11. Either Abraham was grieved over Ishmael’s actions or that he would have to send him away. a. Yet God tells Abraham to “hearken unto” Sarah’s voice and follow through. 12. Verse 12: “For in Isaac shall your seed be called” – not Ishmael nor, later, Esau. a. Again, there is only one seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16). b. It is not the physical seed of Abraham (Ishmael) but the promised seed (Isaac). c. Yet, God promised to make a great nation of Ishmael because he was from Abraham. 13. Once Abraham heard from God, he immediately complied, sending them away. a. This distinguishes Abraham from other servants – he obeyed without delay. 14. Hagar and Ishmael strayed in the wilderness until they had run out of water. a. Once again Hagar is delivered by God as is Ishmael. b. God opened her eyes to see a well from which she drew water. c. He caused her to see something that had been there all along. 15. The well was quite near her but she didn’t see it until God opened her eyes – helped her. a. Many have felt they were near the “end” blind to fact that a miracle is at hand. b. That is what the birth of Isaac is all about. 16. Verse 20: “God was with the lad…and he dwelt in the wilderness and became an archer.” a. He dwelt in the wilderness of Paran and married an Egyptian. b. It is in the wilderness of Paran that Israel will believe the report of the spies. c. Thus, forced to wander through the wilderness – some believe Arabia.

CHAPTER 21: ABRAHAM FORMS ALLIANCE WITH ABIMELECH

1. Verse 22: Abimelech approached Abraham to form a pact with him and his descendants. a. The reason is “God is with you in all that you do” – not because of riches and power. b. Abraham agrees to enter into this alliance with him to not deal falsely. c. It is noted that observed this pact until the time of Samson. 2. Verse 25: Abraham chose this time to cite a grievance with him about a well. a. Abimelech’s servants had “violently taken (it) away.” b. Torah’s admonition to “rebuke your brother” so as not to hate him (Lev. 19:17). c. Don’t rebuke for rebuke’s sake, but to avoid harboring bitter feelings toward him. 3. Abraham enters into a covenant with him and offers him seven ewe-lambs. a. The acceptance of this gift was to acknowledge that Abraham dug the well. b. Abraham was “purchasing” the rights to the water of the well. c. Even as he purchased the cave of Machpelah, he established his rights to the well. 4. The seven ewe-lambs was the source of the name, Beer Sheva “well of seven (ewe lambs). a. Be’ersheva  can also be rendered “well of the oath.” b. Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines for “many days.”

CHAPTER 22: BINDING OF ISAAC

1. Considering Abraham’s obedience in many situations, the only justification for the test Abraham would have to endure is to prove if he would obey God in any circumstance. 2. Tradition teaches that Isaac was 37 years old at the time of the akeidah – “binding.”

8 a. The logic is that Sarah was 90 when he was born and 127 when she died. b. She dies shortly after this event, some believe because of it. c. No one knows for sure but it is possible that he was a young man rather than child. 3. Tradition also suggests this event took place on what would become known as Yom Teruah. a. This narrative is part of the reading for that Holy Day. b. Yom Teruah associated with blowing the ram’s horn (shofar). c. Ram was caught in the thicket by its horns. 4. Verse 1: “It came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham.” a. The idea of testing is not to suggest God was tempting him. b. The idea is not to bring about a failure but to certify ability and resistance to failure. c. This was to bring Abraham to the place God always intended him to be. 5. He had been:  Called out of Babylon.  Called to leave family and relative.  Shown to be prone to self-preservation.  Shown to be prone to obedience without delay. 6. On the day Abram was called out of Babylon, God intended to call him to Moriah. a. This was the greatest trial Abraham had to endure; no more following this. b. It was not to bring about Isaac’s death but Abraham’s death to self. c. Isaac was the embodiment of the promise God had made to Abraham. 7. The only one of Abraham’s test that is actually called a “test” in the text. a. Hebrew term is  nisa – also means to “prove.” b. It is related to the term  nes – “banner” or “ensign” and “miracle.” c. Another related word is  nisayon – “trial” or “tribulation.” 8. The idea of the “test” was not to destroy Abraham but elevate him to where he was to be. a. In order to attain this status, Abraham had to rise above the circumstances. b. He had to tested and proven to establish him as a “banner.” c. Should be noted that the miracle of the ram couldn’t occur if Abraham didn’t obey. 9. Verse 2: “Take now your son, your only son…and get into the land of Moriah.” a. The Hebrew term  kach na (Take now) is interesting since na is  “I pray you.” b. As if a friend speaks to another friend and says, “Take, please, your son.” c. “Get into” or “go to” is  lech l’cha – told this at the beginning of his trek. 10. “Land of Moriah ” is associated with “land of teaching” – where Shem’s school was. a. Moreh/morah  is word for teacher. b. The place was believed to be at the site of the Temple Mount. 11. Verse 2: “And offer him there for a burnt offering” – better “bring him up.” a. The Hebrew phrase is  v’ha’alehu – literally “lift him up.” b. Considering that Isaac is a picture of the Promised Seed, this is interesting. c. He does not tell him to slaughter Isaac but to “lift him up” (upon the altar) as olah. 12. Verse 3: “Abraham rose early in the morning … and went to the place of which God spoke.” a. Again, Abraham does not hesitate to obey God’s command. b. He saddled the donkey; he cleaved the wood. 13. Accompanying him are Isaac and two servants – why is not explained.

CHAPTER 22: IN THE MOUNT OF THE LORD

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1. Verse 4: “On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off.” a. On the third day, Abraham sees the goal and this prompted him to say to the servants:

“You stay here with the donkey and I and the lad will go yonder to worship and WE will come back to you.” – Genesis 22:5

2. What was it he saw? Why was he so confident that both he and Isaac would return? 3. Why was he so confident that “God will provide Himself the Lamb for a burnt offering”? a. Note what the writer of Hebrews has to say

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” – Hebrews 11:17

4. In other words, because he believed God that it would be through Isaac that he, Abraham, would be the father of many nations, concluded that if he took Isaac’s life, God would be obligated to raise him from the dead. a. The Promised Seed becomes a picture of the one raised from the dead. b. Abraham was thinking this on the “third day.” 5. Now note what Y’shua had to say concerning Abraham:

“‘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?’ Y’shua said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” – John 8:56-58

6. When did Abraham see His day? Was it as he made his way to Moriah? a. Abraham did see something because he named the mountain  YHVH Yireh. b. YHVH He will see (to it) or YHVH will be seen. 7. The Hebrew term  ha’makom – “the place” – is also a title ascribed to God. a. He is in every place thus He is the place.

“If I ascend into heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there.” – Psalm 139:8

8. There is nowhere we can go that He is not already there – He is “the place.” 9. Hebrew word  merachok – “afar off, in the distance” – either space or time. a. On surface, he sees the particular place in the distance (of space). b. Hints that he saw “the LORD in the distance of time.” c. Confidently tells his servants that he and Isaac will be returning to them. d. Confidently tells Isaac that God will provide Himself a lamb – ram caught in thicket. 10. All of this occurred on the third day and this is the day he called the place YHVH Yireh. a. Yahweh, He will see (to it) that a lamb is provided – Y’shua. b. Rabbis determined the Spirit of Prophecy came upon him revealing to him. c. He knew something that he was not telling anyone else.

10 11. Verse 6: “Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it upon Isaac.” a. “the wood” is  et-etzi which is related to “tree” – laid the tree upon Isaac. b. Isaac then carries the “tree” to the top of the mountain to be a sacrifice. 12. Verse 9: “Abraham built the altar there and … bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar.” a. If Isaac was an adult, why did he have to be bound? b. The reason given is that, at the last moment, he might flinch having distasteful results. c. Isaac understood by this time he was the sacrifice and yet doesn’t resist his father. 13. Yet, this is a test for Abraham, not Isaac. a. In Isaac, Abraham saw the covenant, the promise, the mission, purpose of Creation. b. Even though he had pleaded on account of S’dom, for Isaac he said not a word. c. Is it possible he saw it as pleading for himself and God was calling him to self-denial? 14. Verse 10: Most likely with tears in his eyes, Abraham “took the knife to slay his son.” a. In every sense, except physically, Abraham did slay Isaac and burn his remains. b. Even though the ram was eventually offered instead of Isaac, Isaac was obedient. c. He was the offering when he ascended altar and when he descended. d. The ram burnt in his place remind of Abraham’s obedience and Isaac’s willingness. 15. This action on part of Abraham (and Isaac) left spiritual imprint on Mount Moriah. a. Temple offerings were a continuation of what started here with Abraham and Isaac. b. Willing to die to one’s self for the sake of God’s will is what offerings represent. c. Rabbis declare Isaac became a living sacrifice, sanctified – couldn’t leave the Land.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1

16. Verse 11: “The angel of the LORD called unto him Abraham, Abraham…don’t hurt the lad.” a. Tradition says the voice came from the place where the Ark would later rest. b. “I know that you are a God-fearing man.” c. “Have not withheld your only son from me.” 17. Signifying that Abraham feared God more than anything and would keep nothing from him. a. God didn’t want Isaac’s death but Abraham to die to his will. b. Takes the ram caught in the thicket by its horns and offered it instead. 18. Verse 14: He called the place YHVH Yireh – “in the mount where the LORD is seen.” a. Original name given is  shalem – “whole, complete” – supposedly by Shem. b. Abraham called it  yireh – Jerusalem is a composite of those two names. 19. Verse 16: “By Myself I swear because you have done this” or “As I live” a. He reaffirms the covenant with Abraham and his seed. b. “Your descendants will possess the gate of his enemies” – will overcome enemy. c. Y’shua followed up on this later:

“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18

20. Verse 19: “So Abraham returned to his young men…and dwelt at Beer-sheva.” a. He returned with Isaac, the one who was “dead” but now “alive.” 21. Rabbinical commentary states:

11 “When the sword reached Isaac’s neck his soul left him. When God’s voice came from between the two cherubim telling Abraham not to harm him, his soul returned to his body…Isaac experienced the resuscitation of the dead and said, ‘Blessed are you LORD who makes the dead live.” – Pesikta d’Rabbi Eliezer 31)

22. According to Vilna Ga’on the second blessing of the Shmoneh Esreh – “Who makes the dead live” – refers to Isaac who is the Promised Seed who died but was resurrected – on the 3rd Day. 23. Finally this portion mentions that Abraham’s brother, Nahor, had been given children. a. Verse 23: “Bethuel begot Rebekah” – his future daughter-in-law.

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