Of all the lessons taught with this portion, one stands out in my mind and harmonizes with a central theme of many of my writings--a contrast between the ideals of YHVH and the ways of men.
As a bridge to my comments on this Torah portion, it is written of Abraham in Genesis 15: 6 of the previous portion. "And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." From the beginning, every request of Father upon Abraham had been received with the fullness of firm trust, belief, and obedience.
Such true faith carries over into this portion. Father says in 18: 19, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of YHVH, to do justice and judgment; that YHVH may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him".
Although Abraham showed the very human tendency to help YHVH facilitate His promise of descendants, he effectively establishes a pattern of obedience. Even to offering his son of promise (Isaac), he was obedient. For his heart of obedience, he became known as "a friend of YHVH".
Herein lies a controversy between grace/works and religion/relationship. Grace devoid of action is religion and an effort in futility. In reference to Isaac, James writes in 2: 23, "And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed YHVH, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of YHVH". True belief necessarily includes action.
As Abraham did everything humanly possible to obey the direction of Adonai, we are provided with his righteous example to also become "friends of YHVH". John records Yeshua saying in 15: 14, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."
Written upon the heart of Abraham, and upon our hearts as well, His righteous Word stands unswerving. Status of "friend of YHVH" is dependent solely upon our obedience to Him. Yeshua said through John in 14: 15, "If you love Me, keep my commandments (Torah)"
Just as with James, there are people today that pervert His everlasting Word. The promote a "grace only" doctrine devoid of Torah. In its place, the man made concepts of righteous living, as varied as there are religious institutions, are substituted. This is the "Baal-like" mixture of man's ideals with/for the timelessness of His ways (Torah).
They claim to have His Spirit yet deceive themselves, and those that blindly follow them. James writes of these in 4: 4. "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with YHVH? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of YHVH".
Our response to the call upon our hearts by the voice of YHVH is a matter of relationship or relationship or religion. Yeshua said, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light". Will we attach to our lives a peaceful relationship with Him by submitting to the ease of His Torah, or continue under heavy burdens imposed by religious church fathers?
For those that choose relationship, Yeshua said through Matthew in 5: 6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled". Choose relationship with Messiah YHVH in the same manner as Davis in Psalms 51: 10. "Create in me a clean heart...and renew a steadfast spirit in me."
Compared to those that foolishly choose to remain in religious bondage, these in relationship will be few in number. For a time, these righteous will suffer the loneliness of rejection. Yet, Yeshua says of them through Matthew in 5: 10. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
For these precious ones hated by the world, I invoke the encouraging Words of Messiah through John in 14: 27. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." The world cannot know Him, "but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (14: 17)
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