Pereshah Toldot 2012--Genesis 25: 18--28: 9


Little is said of the lives of Isaac and Rebecca.  Rather, it centers around their two sons, Esau and Jacob.  In regards to the soveregnty of YHVH, this portion picks up where the last left off.  Just as Father chose Isaac over first born Ishmael, He chooses Jacob rather than first born Esau.  It is this Divine choice, and the reasons behind it, I wish to discuss.  YHWH is righteous and His divine choices and blessings follow that path.  David writes of that path.


"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.  I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righeous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread."
Psalms 37: 23-25

From Abraham to Isaac, the line of righteousness is clear.  Abraham was known as "a friend of Elohim".  This is not to say Ishmael was a bad man.  From what I have read in Scriptural accounts, he had little to no problems with the family.  There appeared to be minimal strife up to and including the time of Abraham's death.  Ishmael and Hagar were cared for financially by Abraham before and at his death.  Yet, Adonai made it clear His "covenant" blessing was to be bestowed upon he and Sarah, not he and Hagar.  After that, both men moved in different directions to fulfill the blessing and calling of YHVH on their lives.  

The relationship between Isaac and Ishmael as a whole was very pleasant in comparison with that of Jacob and Esau.  Abraham's sons were able to respect their father in life and in death, and part company with mutual, brotherly respect.  On the other hand, hatred existed on the part of Esau for his brother Jacob.  This hatred of Esau likely began before birth within Rebecca's womb.  The account reads as follows.


"...the children struggled together within her; and she said, 'If all is well, why am I like this?'  So she went to inquire of the LORD.  And the LORD said to her: 'Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.'"
Genesis 25: 22-23

When it came time for the boys to be born, the evidence of the hatred became obvious.  The common understanding of this event is spawned by modern Christian thought, that Jacob was a deceiver and was trying to steal Esau's birthright from the very beginning.  It is wrongly taught that Jacob's name means "deceiver" or "supplanter".  This position can only be taught by those willingly or unwillingly ignorant of Hebrew understanding.  A name given to a Hebrew child reflected his/her destiny.  The account reads as follows.

"And the first came out red all over, like a hairy garment, so they called his name Ěsaw.  And afterward his brother came out, with his hand holding on to Ěsaw’s heel, so his name was called Yaʽaqoḇ."  
Genesis 25: 25-26 

Esau means "red" or "ruddy".  Contrary to western theological thought, Ya'aqob (Jacob) means "hand on the heel".  Nowhere in Hebrew Scripture is Jacob's name translated as "supplanter".  It is only from the mouth of Esau in chapter 27 where the mantle of deceiver and supplanter is spoken.  And, so it is to this day with the descendants of Esau.  It has also been suggested that Jacob was trying to keep Esau from being born first.  Based on the prophesy of YHVH in v 22-23, it is far more likely Jacob was holding on to Esau's heel to keep his own head from being crushed.

Moses closes out chapter 25 with an event lacking an obvious origin or timeline.  The account has Jacob preparing "boiled pottage".  When Esau came in from the fields, he was very hungry.  The account reads as follows.


"And Jacob boiled pottage.  And Esau came in from the field, and he was faint.  And Esau said to Jacob, feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage.  For I am faint. Therefore was his name was called Edom.  And Jacob said, sell me first thy birthright.  And Esau said, behold, I am about to die.  And what profit shall the birthright do to me?  And Jacob said, swear to me first.  And he sware unto him.  And he sold his birthright unto Jacob.  And Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils.  And he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way.  So Esau despised his birthright."   
Genesis 25: 29-34 

For better understanding of the nature of this event, insight is gleaned from the Book of Jasher. The lentil pottage Jacob had made was a customary dish for a funeral.  This particular occassion happened to be the funeral for Abraham.  Out of respect for his grandfather, Jacob took responsibility for preparing a meal Esau should have prepared, or at least helped with.  Esau was nowhere to be found.  He was too busy with his own agendas.  

When he arrived late at the funeral, all he could think about was his stomach.  The first thing Esau thought of was the aroma of the meal.  Gazing upon the dish, he said to Jacob, "feed me...with that same red pottage".  The Hebrew in the case actually says "red, red pottage".  Not being a phrase of redundancy, one "red" referred to the pottage while the second "red" referred to the wine.  Verse 34 is a most certain conviction upon Esau.

"And Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils.  And he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way..."  Genesis 25: 34

The scene is one of Esau showing up late for a most important event in his family.  He's dirty and musty, of a certainty not dressed for the occasion.  He's totally weary and famished to the point of being faint.  Jacob is obviously upset and insulted by his brother's lack of respect for their grandfather.  So, he bargains for the birthright.  Upon completion of the deal, Esau is given bread and lentils and wine "and he did eat and drink".  

Esau was filled to satisfaction and then stumbled off into the night in a drunken stuppor.  It is no wonder the account says, "so, Esau despised his birthright".   According to Strong's, Esau held the birthright in contempt.  He disesteemed it.  He scorned it and viewed it with disdain, all most likely in a vile manner.  

It is no wonder YHVH would have chosen Jacob over Esau.  With one final act of blatant disrespect for this man known as "a friend of Elohim" and known for his hospitality toward all men, Esau had placed himself solidly in the camp of the unrighteous.  He fully deserved every ounce of judgment he received, and will receive through the completion of our generation.  It is written of by Malachi and Paul of Esau and his brother, Jacob.

"I have loved you, saith Elohim. yet ye say, wherein hast thou loved us?  Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith Elohim: yet I loved Jacob; but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness."   Malachi 1: 2-3 

 "it was said unto her (Rebecca), 'the elder shall serve the younger'.  Even as it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'"   
Romans 9: 12-13 

Esau chose two wives from the ranks of the Hittites.  Not because there were two wives involved, but because they were crude and very disrespectful to Abraham (as noted in the Book of Jasher), they became a proverbial "thorn in the side" of Isaac and Rebecca.  They were grieved of mind because of these women, an embarrassment to them.  The account says of this relationship.

"And when Esau was forty years old he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite.  And they were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebecca."   
Genesis 26: 34-35

When Abraham sought a wife for Isaac, he totally removed the choice from him and sent his servant back to his homeland, and ultimately found Rachael.  The same would be true of Jacob.  It seems Scripture is once again establishing Divine wisdom in the concept of "arranged marriage".  The women of the land in which they dwelt were unqualified.  For a son of righteous Abraham, these women would just not do for Jacob, anymore than they did for his father, Isaac.  The account says of their choice.

"And Rebecca said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth.  If Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these, of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?   And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.  Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father, and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother."  
Genesis 27: 46-28: 2

For his own protection from Esau and for finding a righteous wife, Jacob was sent by his parents to obtain both objectives in the house of Bethuel.  That will be the subject of the next Torah portion.  The purity of Father's line of righteous lineage has been preserved to this point by His sovereign will and guided by His loving compassion, and so will continue until the Seed (Yeshua) of the covenant with Abraham be manifested.

Perashah Chayei Sarah 2012 - "Life of Sarah" Genesis 23:1-25:18

It has been said of Sarah's 127 years, she had the wisdom of a hundred year old person, the beauty of a twenty year old, and the innocence of a seven year old.  There is little in this portion given from which to discuss on the life of Sarah.  After the introductory verses, she is not mentioned again until Isaac takes Rebecca to Sarah's tent to begin their marriage.  Even so, she is forever a living example for all women throughout the ages to follow in becoming a true "woman of God".

After reading the comments I've already written on this portion, there appears to be little I can add to these comments regarding Sarah, even with SueJean, my own personal "Sarah".  I am truly blessed and have likely lived more in the last four years than I had in the previous fourty.  After reading again my updated comments on the last two portions, I also find that I may have effectively written on all three portions regarding Abraham and Sarah.  

Even though I have already touched on the sovereignty of YHVH and the "fairness" of His judgment, or perceived lack thereof, I would like to conclude the overall story of Abraham with the particular subject of YHVH's everlasting dominion and control.  With Abraham and Sarah as an example, it is a subject in contrast with human nature itself.  As a challenge to all of us, I offer the following exerpt from my book, "Where Angels Fear To Tread", based upon the following from Peter in his second epistle.


"The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority.  They are presumptuous self-willed.  They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before Adonai."
2 Peter 2: 9-11

Scripture establishes the clear fact YHVH’s dominion, power, and control, covers all events.  Consider Daniel 4: 30-35.  Daniel cites the arrogance of King Nebuchadnezzar, in v. 30.  “Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty”?  Talk about being filled with delusions of grandeur! 

YHVH didn't waist any time passing judgment.  Verse 31 says, “While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven...”  As we might say it, "the ink wasn't even dry yet and YHVH rained on his parade".  This may well give another example in regards to the phrase, “then the Lord knows how”.  In pronouncing Divine judgment, He brings about Divine providence. 

After the time for his penalty had passed, Nebuchadnezzar had to acknowledge YHVH's dominion.  In verse 34, he says, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation”.

John further establishes His dominion in Revelation 4: 10-11.  “...The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever...”  In Luke 1: 33, Gabriel is quoted as saying to Mary, “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end”.  Yeshua said of Himself in Matthew 28: 18, “All power is given to Me in Heaven and earth”.   

Certainly He is the "Alef and Tav”.   He is, has been, and always will be our Messiah “without end”.  These are only a few of many Scriptures that attest to the everlasting nature and dominion of Adonai.  There are also many that clearly depict the exact opposite for the inhabitants of the earth.

Consider the continuing comments of the King of Babylon.  He says, “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing”.  The prophet Isaiah says in 40: 15 and 17, “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales...all nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless”.  

In harmony with Nebuchadnezzar,s praise of YHVH, “He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth”, the Psalmist writes the following in 115: 3.  “But our God in heaven; He does whatever He pleases”.  In 135: 6, he says, “whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places”.

King David had this to say in Psalms. 62: 9.  “Surely men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; if they are weighed on the scales they are altogether lighter than vapor”.  In saying, we as humans are worthless, he attempts to draw a contrast concerning the social classes of men.  The accumulation of earthly wealth and status has absolutely no power to make one's stature any better.  Actually, according to David, it can serve much the opposite purpose.  

The Scriptures cited above clearly show YHVH as everlasting in His dominion and us as finite, very fallible, and rather worthless.  But, is He is control?  The answer is an obvious, resounding, YES!  Not only is He in control, these Scriptures also indicate emphatically He is fully able to back up what He says and does.  Nebuchadnezzar goes on to say, “No one can restrain his hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’”  

Here is a man who spoke from personal experience.  Wow!  What an ego buster, to live in the fields as the cattle, without one scrap of dignity or sanity!  He finally “saw the light” as the song says.  Can we hear the sense of urgency and sincerity in his praise of the God of Daniel?  Can we apply this precept to our own lives and make a turn toward yielding to His authority?  Or, will we reject it in whole or part and continue on in our own wisdom?

Job writes in 34: 29, “When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble: and when he hides his face, who then can see Him, whether it is against a nation or a man alone?”  Clearly, no one person can defy him.  Not even the mightiest nation on earth can successfully stand against Him.  The Apostle Paul weighs in on the subject in Romans 9: 20.  He says, “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against YHVH?  Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this’"?   

The prophet Isaiah made the following statement in 29: 16, to which Paul referred in v. 20 of the above reference.  He said, “Surely you have things turned around!  Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; or shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me?’  Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding?’”

YHVH's dominion truly is forever!  He does what He wishes and has the power and authority to back it up.  And, many times He shows a propensity for the dramatic in the demonstration of that power and authority.  Otherwise, we might be more easily inclined to follow our nature and propensity for rebellion against His authority. 

When YHVH said He was speaking to me through His Word, the idea was solidified in my mind as I had always been taught.  He nor Ruach YHVH would do nothing or ask anything apart from His Word.  As I have learned in these three portions on Abraham, I am left with the opposite understanding.  He is a jealous God.  He will have none before or above Him.  He certainly doesn't need our help to affect His duties as God of Israel, the earth, and the universe. All He asks of us is, "S'hema Y'Israel (hear AND obey)!"  Deuteronomy 6: 4

Pereshah VaYera 2012--Genesis 18: 1--22: 24


YHVH chose Abraham to become the father of the Hebrew people because He knew his heart.  Before it was ever written in Scripture, Father knew Abraham would love Him with a whole heart, and his neighbor as himself.  Abraham is known throughout Scripture as a man of hospitality.  Those that "show their faith by their works" are as Abraham, while the religious are puffed up in their own deceit.  Yeshua had this to say of the latter through John.


“I know that you are the seed of Abraham, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.  I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have heard from your father'.  They answered and said to Him, 'Abraham is our father'.  Yeshua said to them, 'If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.'"  John 8: 37-39

In the last portion, Abraham showed a lack of faith in Father regarding the birth of Ishmael.  I have heard it said, "God helps those that help themselves".  Many times being put forth as actual scripture, this is an outright lie we are still paying for today.  In fact, our helping usually throws a "monkey wrench" in the works.  Even so, Abraham "believed Elohim and it was accounted to him for righteousness".

In the very beginning of the account of Abraham, we find him obeying the directive of Adonai without hesitation in going to a new land.  Toward the end of the account, he obeys Father's directive to sacrifice Isaac, even though he seriously appears to have "drug his feet" on a three day journey that should have taken only one.  The question is begged.  Why did he obey without question in these cases, yet appear to seriously bargain with God regarding Sodom?  I see two possibilities.  

In consideration of the first, Abraham appears to show yet another way to manifest a lack of faith in YHVH.  After enjoying a lavish "cheeseburger" banquet with Father, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit, attention was turned to Sodom and Gommorah.  In this senario, the base mistake Abraham makes is the same mistake he made with Ishmael.  He assumed God didn't have what it took to bring to pass the promise of Isaac without his help.  Now, he thinks God doesn't know how to properly judge Lot's people without his help.

Whether true or not of Abraham, this perceived problem would not be unique to him or even just a small group of people.  It's one that infects ALL of us.  We many times seem to think Father needs our input in order to affect His duties as GOD of the universe.  In fact, we usually get so entangled about in our own thinking that we fail to hear what He is saying.  I've heard it said that God gave us TWO ears and ONE mouth for a purpose--listen first and twice as much as we speak.  

This senario suggests, Abraham was so busy with his own thinking that he assumed Father was speaking of "absolute" judgment.  He thought Father was going to just obliterate the whole of these societies.  He neglected to understand that Father is very adept at separating the just from the unjust.  He failed to recognize the true nature of a God that is just and merciful to spare the righteous, all the while He obliterates the wicked, even if they're in the same proximity.  Even so, Father doesn't appear to be angry with Abraham--maybe because He knew his heart would eventually understand.  In assessing veracity, this is a curious little fact.

In regards to the second possibility, consider a man chosen out by YHVH to become known as "the friend of God".  I have heard it said, "Feed a man and you are friends for a day.  Share a meal together and you are friends for life".  Abraham had just completed a fabulous "cheesburger" lunch with the "Unified Godhead".  There is a distinct possibility the bargaining dialogue between Abraham and YHVH was divinely offered and ordained.  Abraham was such a close "friend of God" he may have been afforded the opportunity to intercede on behalf of Lot and anyone that might stand with him.

This is certainly a viable possibility, and one that rings more true in my spirit with every word I write.  The text of this portion also clearly shows and supports a trust and confidence of YHVH in His friend, Abraham--a confidence I think any man would deeply treasure. 

"And Elohim said, shall I hide from Abraham that which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?  For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Elohim, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Elohim may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him."   
Genesis 18: 17-19 

This is not language that would lead one to think Abraham was showing a lack of faith or somehow missed what Father had said.  It is language affirmatively filled with divine confidence in the impeccable character of Abraham and manifested only by a small number of men through the ages.  For Father to afford Abraham the opportunity to intercede for his nephew and the people of Sodom and Gommorrah was a great honor.  

He would be the front runner and example for men like Moses to follow.  It was Moses that more than once stood between a stiff necked and rebellious people and an angry God to intercede on their behalf.  After him were men like David, the prophets, and all the apostles, especially Paul.  Intercession is a gift from our Holy and Righteous Father through Ruach Adonai.  There have been those that interceded for myself and SueJean.  On a daily basis, we also intercede for every member of our families, along with friends and others.  Don't take intercession lightly.  It's powerful stuff.

Many years ago, I challenged Father regarding His seeming silence.  I wondered why I prayed continually only to hear silence or the echo of my voice bouncing off the walls.  His response was the first time I remember hearing His voice (as a thought in my mind).  He said, "I have been speaking to you; I've been speaking to you through My Word.  Read it".   As I was already a student of His Word, I took His Scriptures even more to heart, increasing my efforts to learn of its mysterious depths.  

Which ever of the two possibilities or combination thereof chosen, there is one major truth supported in the life of Abraham, as it is will all of Scripture.  Most of us grew up being taught such ideals that God would never do anything against His written Word, or even ask us to do anything contrary to His Word.  As I read this portion, I realized He, in fact, can and will do just that.  And, Abraham is not the only evidence of this premise.  The prophet Daniel writes this of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.


"And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.  And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou?"  Daniel 4: 34-35

YHVH certainly does do that which He wishes, of which this portion clearly shows.  Of the original Ten Commandments it is written, "Thou shalt not kill (murder)".  In fact, this is exactly what Father tells Abraham to do.  This is not just any killing.  It's premeditated, ritualistic murder.  It matters not that Father knew He wouldn't let Abraham go through with it.  It matters not that it is a beautiful picture of Father sending His own Son, Yeshua, to die for us on the cross.  It only matters that Father is as the Babylonian king said.  He does as He wishes in heaven or among men here on earth.

There are those that would say "God is not fair".  They say Ishmael was Abraham's first born and should inherit the promise of Abraham.  Yet, we find Father clearly choosing Isaac as heir to the promise.  In regards to Isaac, Father chose second born Jacob to inherit the promise of Abraham.  To this day, we find the descendants of Ishmael, and especially Esau, trying to "wipe Israel (Jacob) off the map".  Very soon, the descendants of Esau will TRY to divide the land of Israel only to be themselves divided or destroyed altogether by the hand of a VERY righteous (but not fair) God.

Whether it's the socialistic ideals that think wealth should be taken from the rich and given to the poor or the christian ideals that God would never do anything to discomfort me or upset my life, the concept of fairness is an ideal that permeates the societies of men.  In fact, Scripture is replete with instances to the contrary, such as Abraham in the Genesis account, Job, and even the children in the wilderness exodus with Moses.  Father has the right to do what He wants to direct the lives of His righteous, or even test them to see if they would obey Him, or punish them if they refuse to do right.  

One glaring account has tormented me almost from my youth.  It is the account of Job.  The story opens with God and satan meeting and ultimately playing a little game with Job, who, of course, has no say in the matter.  With Father's approval, Job is left to endure the full force of evil effect regarding every aspect of his life except his life itself.  He was tested to the point that his own wife told him to "curse God and die".  Yet, the secret I have learned is that the testing wasn't for Father's benefit.  He knew the outcome.  It was for Job's benefit--to strengthen his faith.

Within this portion is another glaring story of Father's unfairness concerning the ideal of "arranged marriages".  The thought of Abraham taking the choice of wife completely out of Isaac's hands just doesn't compute in the minds of people within our society.  I was once told by a friend, "God would never choose my mate.  I make the choice and then offer it to God for His blessing".  In fact, it is the exact opposite.  For my friend, the "chooser" became god and God became the "rubber stamper".  On my own, I chose poorly the first time.  Now, in allowing Father to choose, I am truly blessed just as Isaac was blessed.           

The fact of the matter is this.  YHVH is GOD.  The wise will accept Him for what He is and submit to His righteous judgments.  The foolish will continue to hold to their own personal ideals of fairness and personal judgments.  The wisdom of Father is infinite--and replete with mercy and compassion.  The righteous know this.  Sooner or later the foolish will wake up and find their own thinking really wasn't all that good after all--finding their lives subject to the judgment of a righteous God due to actions or inactions of their own making.  

I don't know if I will ever in this life feel comfortable with my perception of the story of Job.  I DO know I am ever learning about my dear Messiah and Adonai.  If it is any comfort to my readers, I find it sometimes extremely difficult to shed the tenets and precepts I have been taught from childhood.  Yet, I am little at a time finding myself coming to grips with truth buried within His Word.  I will let Father's Word close out my comments on this portion.



"According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow trouble, reap the same.  By the breath of Elohim they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed."  
Job 4: 8-9 


"Turn again our captivity, O YHVH, as the streams in the south.  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him."  
Psalms 126: 4-6


"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek YHVH, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.  Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies; for thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.  Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces with her children."  
Hosea 10: 12-14 

"Be not deceived; Elohim is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.  And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."  
Galatians 6: 7-9 



Pereshah Lech L'Cha 2012-- Genesis 12: 1-17: 27


In my last comments on this portion, I discussed the opposite contrasts of walking by faith or walking by sight.  I showed how Abram obeyed without question the directive of YHVH to "get out of your country, from your family and your father's house, to a land that I will show you".  I also showed how this faithful obedience was "accounted to him for righteousness".  I also wrote about Lot's concept of walking by sight, and the serious trouble he incurred.

I closed out my comments with a call to those that are still encumbered with the poisonous tentacles of modern christian ideals of men.  I equated John's comments in Revelation 12: 1 with a call to abandon false western teachings and return to the Torah of Moses.  Truly, Father YHVH hates mixture.  The call was to "Come out of her and be separate".  

Although there will be some that heed this call at the proverbial last moment, the age of grace is over and judgment is at the very door.  For many still entangled within western religious circles, and even many within Messianic ranks, mixture is still the norm.  They just can't separate themselves from Egypt.  As Moses came down from the mountain and found his people steeped in idolatrous mixtures, I pose his words for us today.

"Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, 'Who is on the LORD'S side?  Let him come unto me.'"  Exodus 32: 26 

After the asking of this queston, three thousand people died.  The same question is asked of us today, with the cloud of the same (only far worse) judgment hanging over the heads of men.  As with Noah, the final warnings are being given, with the righteous being sealed within the safety of our modern ark (camp of the righteous).  The time of the end of the world as we know it is at hand.  It is a time of which John wrote in Revelation.


“He who does wrong, let him do more wrong; he who is filthy, let him be more filthy; he who is righteous, let him be more righteous; he who is set-apart, let him be more set-apart.  And see, I am coming speedily, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according to his work.  I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Tav’, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."  Revelation 22: 11-13 

In the Spirit of being "more set apart", Father told us through Jeremiah He would write His Torah upon our hearts.  When that is done, it is complete.  There is no room for anything else to be written upon these walls.  Adonai is NOT looking for those that call Him by name, yet remain steeped in baal-like mixtures.  He is looking for those that will serve Him with the loyalty of a whole heart.  It is as simple as Yeshua said to His disciples and recorded through John.


"If you love Me, keep My commandments (Torah)."  John 14: 15

John had this to say in his first epistle.

"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected.  Hereby we know that we are in Him."  1 John 2: 4-5 

Herein is the underlying truth.  Those that insist upon "playing both sides of the fence" or disregarding His Torah altogether are "liars".  They are pretenders that have no part in Messiah Yeshua.  Moses sinned greatly and lost his ticket to the promised land.  Yet, he will still be with the remnant in the kingdom.  Even so, these liars are the ones that risk hearing from Yeshua the saddest words in all of Scripture.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens.  Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’  And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness (Torahlessness)!'"  
Matthew 7: 21-23

In this portion, we are considering Abram's walk with Adonai in its earlier stages.  We see a man that was called of Elohim to leave EVERYTHING--family, home, and country--he had known to this time in his life.  In obedience, he gathered up things he would need for the journey, along with those that would help him manage it, including Sarah and his nephew, Lot.

At three specific times during his trek to the land of promise, Abram was given specific promises.  His promise was to be made into a great nation, become a recipient of divine blessing, given a great name, and be a blessing to others.  Father was his "shield and exceeding great reward", blessing those that blessed him and cursing those that cursed him--"a blessing to all the families of the earth".  

After Abram's journey had begun, YHVH appeared to Abram and extended the blessing to his descendants.  Soon after that, Father told Abram his sons and daughters would be as the stars of heaven.  In reconfirming his former promise concerning the possession of the land by Abram's seed, Father significantly increased the size of the land of inheritance.  So much for a two state solution.  The world of men may support that premise, but the Elohim of the world has different ideas.  Since He owns the entire creation, I think His vote carries FAR more weight.


"On the same day Adonai made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'I have given this land to your seed, from the river of Mitsrayim (Nile) to the great river, the River Euphrates.'"  Genesis 15: 18 

Abram was a man specifically chosen by Adonai to be the father of the Hebrew nation.  His name meant "father of many".  Later, his name was changed to Abraham which means "father of nations".  It is through the lineage of this man that we receive the "Seed of Abraham" Yeshua Messiah.  It is as Paul wrote for the Galatians.

"But the promises were spoken to Aḇraham, and to his Seed.  He does not say, 'and to seeds,' as of many, but as of One, 'and to your Seed,' Who is Messiah."               Galatians 3: 16 

Through Messiah Yeshua, the covenant made with Abraham was fulfilled.  All of the law (Torah), given 430 years after the promise, was to be our teacher and prophetic picture of this "Seed of Abraham".  It was given as our teacher and tutor, to convict us of our sin, and guide us into all righteousness.  It is as Paul continued for the Galatians.

"Now this I say, Torah, that came four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously confirmed by Elohim in Messiah, so as to do away with the promise.  For if the inheritance is by Torah, it is no longer by promise, but Elohim gave it to Aḇraham through a promise.  Why, then, the Torah?  It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made.  And it was ordained through messengers in the hand of a mediator."                                Galatians 3: 17-19

Today, we look to the "Seed of Abraham" as our Teacher, Tutor, and Advocate before the Father.  As the Torah given through Moses didn't do away with the promise given to Abraham, the advent of Yeshua Messiah DID NOT do away with the Torah given through Moses.  Therefore, we are all compelled by Messiah to keep His Torah, as He specifically commanded us in John 14: 15, because we love Him, not for redemption.  It is as Paul continued for the Galatians.

"Is the Torah then against the promises of Elohim?  Let it not be!  For if a law had been given that was able to make alive, truly righteousness would have been by Torah.  But the Scripture has shut up all mankind under sin, that the promise by belief in Yeshua Messiah might be given to those who believe.  But before belief came, we were being guarded under Torah, having been shut up for the belief being about to be revealed.  Therefore the Torah became our trainer unto Messiah, in order to be declared right by belief."  Galatians 3: 21-24 

The key comments by Paul in this last reference are underscored.  Those hopelessly encumbered with christian heresies, do not understand a Torah that enumerates 12 different sacrifices, only some of which deal only with unintentional sin.  Nowhere in Torah is there a sacrifice that deals with intentional sin.  The person that committed one of these was held hopelessly under the penalty of death.  For them, it was as Ezekiel said.

"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."   Ezekiel 18: 4

Paul doesn't say the Torah has been abolished.  Rather, he says it could never grant us redemption for our souls.  That was for the prophesied work of Messiah Yeshua to accomplish. It was through Him we could be called "sons and daughters of Abraham".  It is as Paul continued for the Galatians.

"And after belief has come, we are no longer under a trainer.  For you are all sons of Elohim through belief in Messiah Yeshua."   Galatians 3: 25-26

Through Messiah Yeshua we have become known as the "Sons and daughters of Abraham".  Through an active belief in Him, we experience redemption in the same manner as did our father, Abraham.  Grace is not a new covenant doctrine.  Abraham served lunch to all three Parts of YHVH and became known as "the friend of YHVH".  Paul concludes this chapter for the Galatians as follows.

"For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah.  There is not Jew nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua.  And if you are of Messiah, then you are seed of Abraham, and heirs according to promise."    Galatians 3: 27-29

What speaks to my heart and spirit most concerning this portion is the person of Abraham.  I was born in the United States, which makes me an American.  Abraham was called out of his homeland and away from his family to become the father of the Hebrew nation.  Abraham was a Hebrew just as much as I am an American.  

According to Paul, my active faith in Yeshua has caused me to become a member of that group of people called "the seed of Abraham".  Whether or not I am of a bloodline that places me within one of the 12 houses of Jacob (Israel), my "putting on" of Yeshua has placed me within the ranks of what is called the "Commonwealth of Israel" (Spiritual Israel).

"Putting on" of Messiah IS NOT just a simple profession at the altar of some church.  It is just the beginning of a lifestyle of divine leading.  Through the last few years, I have heard some christian people say, "I'm not Hebrew, and I don't want to be Hebrew".  According to Scripture, faith in Yeshua necessarily includes being a Hebrew.  You CAN'T have one without the other!

What I am saying is that any person claiming inclusion in the group called the "seed of Abraham" MUST divest one's self of ALL doctrines previously learned, maybe even the concept of redemption and salvation, except the existance of YHVH.  Come to grips with the concept that they ARE Hebrew.  Then, open up and begin a serious and timely study of Torah, and start thinking like a Hebrew.  Only then will one will rightly establish the building blocks toward becoming a true "Son or daughter of Abraham".