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Tag Archives: abram

The Servant of Abraham Was Sent Back to Get a Wife for Isaac

02 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by Just Pray NO! in Genesis

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abraham, abram, Book of Genesis, camels, Genesis 24, Isaac, lord, Rebekah

Genesis 24 tells the account of the servant of Abraham who was sent back to Abraham’s relatives to get a wife for Isaac. Rebekah had a servant’s heart.

Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living,but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:1-4

 The name of Abram’s chief servant and steward of his house was revealed in Genesis chapter 15.

But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” Genesis 15:2

Most commentators agree that the senior servant referred to in Genesis chapter 24 was most probably Eliezer whose name means, “God is help”. I believe the reason that Abraham’s senior servant is not named at this point, is the emphasis of this chapter of the Bible is on the nature of servanthood and obedience. A true servant is not serving for personal recognition but serves in humility and with a willing heart. 

The act of Abraham having his servant place his hand under his thigh was an acknowledgement that the promised Messiah would come from the seed of Abraham. The servant swore an oath that Isaac’s wife would be taken from the blessed line of Shem and not the cursed line of Ham.

The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?”

“Make sure that you do not take my son back there,” Abraham said.“The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there.If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter. Genesis 24:5-9

Yahweh, the God of heaven and earth, made a covenant with Abraham and promised the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants. Isaac was to remain in the Promised Land even if a woman from Abraham’s family would be unwilling to return with his servant. The angel of the LORD, the pre-incarnate Messiah, would assure that Abraham’s servant would complete his journey to the town of Nahor. This town was named after Abraham’s grandfather.

Then the servant left, taking with him ten of his master’s camels loaded with all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor. He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water. Genesis 24:10-11

The journey from the south of the land of Canaan to Haran, where Abraham’s family had settled, was a distance of approximately 700 miles. Camels can cover 25-30 miles per day carrying a load of up to 300 pounds. It probably took at least a month for the journey. Now, outside of town as the cool of the evening approached, the ten camels knelt by the well.

Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”  Genesis 24:12-14

Abraham’s servant had been with his master for many years and had witnessed the great blessings, favor and wealth the LORD had bestowed on Abraham. But far from being envious of his master, his servant entreats the LORD to be gracious to Abraham and grant him success in obtaining a wife for Isaac. To be sure that she would be the one that the LORD chose for Isaac, the servant asks for a sign from the LORD.

Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. Genesis 24:15-16

Rebekah was the daughter of Abraham’s nephew Bethuel and the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother Nahor.

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

Abraham sent his servant to get a wife for his son Isaac from his own relatives. Before his servant had finished praying, Abraham’s great niece Rebekah came out with her jar to draw water from the well. Not only was she from Shem’s line, she was pure and beautiful.

The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

“Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.”So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful. Genesis 24:17-21

Rebekah waters a camel

A camel can drink up to 20 gallons of water at one time. Since water weighs more than eight pounds per gallon, it was unlikely that Rebekah’s water jar held more than three gallons of water. She would have had to make at least six or more trips to the well and back for each camel. Watering ten camels would entail at least sixty round trips to the well. If it only took three minutes to fill the jar, walk to the trough, pour out the water and return to the well – it would have taken Rebekah at least three hours to water the camels. This indeed was a miraculous sign and a demonstration that indeed, Rebekah also had a servant’s heart.

When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. Then he asked, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”

She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milkah bore to Nahor.” And she added, “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.”

Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.” Genesis 24:22-27

Rebekah was rewarded handsomely for her act of servitude. The gold nose ring weighed a beka which was ½ a shekel or equivalent to an ounce of gold. The two gold bracelets weighed a total of ten shekels or four ounces of gold. Then after enduring an arduous month’s trek of 700 miles by camel, Abraham’s servant praised the LORD for success in his journey that led to house of his master’s relatives.

The young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things. Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring. As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring.“Come, you who are blessed by the Lord,” he said. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” Genesis 24:28-31

Laban was impressed by the expensive gifts given to Rebekah. Five ounces of gold in today’s market would be worth several thousands of dollars. Laban called this seemingly wealthy man traveling in a caravan of ten camels, “… blessed by the LORD.”

So the man went to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and fodder were brought for the camels, and water for him and his men to wash their feet. Then food was set before him, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.” Genesis 24:32-33a

Being a diligent faithful servant, who had his master’s interest at heart, he preferred to deliver his message and explain the purpose of journey to his necessary food.

“Then tell us,” Laban said.

So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. And my master made me swear an oath, and said, ‘You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, but go to my father’s family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son.’

“Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’

“He replied, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked faithfully, will send his angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you can get a wife for my son from my own clan and from my father’s family. You will be released from my oath if, when you go to my clan, they refuse to give her to you—then you will be released from my oath.’

“When I came to the spring today, I said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come. See, I am standing beside this spring. If a young woman comes out to draw water and I say to her, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar,”and if she says to me, “Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too,” let her be the one the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’

“Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

“She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels also.

“I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’

“She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.’

“Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms,and I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.” Genesis 24:33b-49

Abraham’s servant recounts the entire scenario to his audience. He begins with the charge his master had given him and the purpose of his venture. Then he continues by letting them know the divine favor he had received from the LORD. Now that they know the entire picture, he awaits their reply.

Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other.Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.” Genesis 24:50-51

Both Rebekah’s brother Laban and her father Bethuel acknowledged that it was the LORD’s will for her to marry Abraham’s son.

When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord. Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there. Genesis 24:52-54a

The desire of Abraham’s servant was to fulfill his master’s wishes with the help and guidance of the LORD. After receiving the approval for Rebekah to become Isaac’s wife, the first thing he did was to worship the LORD in thanksgiving. Then he paid Rebekah’s family a lavish bridal price.

When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.”

But her brother and her mother replied, “Let the young woman remain with us ten days or so; then you may go.”

But he said to them, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master.”

Then they said, “Let’s call the young woman and ask her about it.” So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”

“I will go,” she said. Genesis 24:54b-58

Rebekah did not hesitate but was willing to immediately fulfill God’s calling for her life. She, like Abraham, was willing to leave her family and her country and dwell in a land far off.

So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.”

Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left. Genesis 24:59-61

The family’s blessing upon Rebekah was prophetic. It was literally fulfilled when the twelve tribes of Israel took possession of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua.

Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”

“He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.

Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:62-67

Isaac went out to take the advantage of a silent evening, and a solitary place, for meditation and prayer. When he looked up, he saw Rebekah who was not only outwardly very beautiful but who had the willing and obedient heart of a servant. So she became his wife and he loved her.

In Genesis chapter 22 according to the command of the LORD, Abraham was willing to offer up his son Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham, who was well over 100 years old, could not have forced Isaac to be bound and laid upon the altar. Isaac willingly laid down his life. Even if it meant that he had to die, Isaac submitted his will to the will of his father. In this is prophetic picture of the coming Messiah, Father Abraham typified God the Father, while Isaac foreshadowed the sacrifice of God the Son.

Abraham’s servant sojourned from the Promised Land to the country of Abraham’s relatives to get a bride for Isaac. Rebekah was chosen because she willingly drew water from a well. This scene is reminiscent of the account of the woman at the well in John chapter 4.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”  (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans).

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:7-14

The Holy Spirit is the “living water” who regenerates those who have placed their trust in the finished work of Messiah on the cross. Abraham’s servant, who was sent by Father Abraham to get a bride for his son Isaac, typifies the Holy Spirit who came down from heaven to indwell and prepare the Bride of Christ. As Rebekah was chosen by the LORD to marry Isaac, the Bride of Christ is betrothed to God’s Son according to the Father’s will. Rebekah, the beautiful virgin who was obedient to the LORD’s calling for her life, pictures the spotless bride of Christ. Isaac loved his wife. So, in much greater measure, does Christ love His bride.

Sarah Dies so Abraham Purchases a Field & a Cave in Hebron

05 Saturday Oct 2013

Posted by Just Pray NO! in Genesis

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abraham, abram, Cave of the Patriarchs, Genesis 23, Hebron, Hittites, Sarah, Sarai

Genesis chapter 23 records the account of Sarah’s death and Abraham’s subsequent purchase of a field in Hebron which contained a cave for her burial.

Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her. Genesis 23:1-2

Sarah was hundred and twenty-seven years old when she died in Hebron in the land of Canaan. Kiriath Arba which means the “city of the four” was the earlier name of the city which was changed to Hebron after the conquest of the Promised Land.

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Genesis 12:4-5

Abram took his wife with him when he set out from Harran to settle in the land of Canaan.

Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” Genesis 17:17

Sarai was ten years younger than Abram. When Abram left Harran and set out for the land of Canaan, he was seventy-five years old and Sarai was sixty-five years old. Sarai is the fourth woman mentioned by name in the Bible, and the first woman named who is in the line of Seth. She became the matriarch of the Hebrew nation. Sarai name had been changed by the LORD to Sarah. “Sarai” means “my princess”, but “Sarah” means simply “Princess”, indicating that she was to be exalted, not only by her husband but by all nations.

For sixty-two years, from the age of sixty-five to hundred and twenty-seven years old Sarah sojourned with Abraham before she died in Hebron.

Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said, “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.” Genesis 23:3-4

Since Abraham was not a native of Canaan but a foreigner, he did not own any property and desired to purchase some land to give Sarah a proper burial. Although pagans would often cremate the bodies of their dead, those who worshipped the LORD God would return the body to the ground from whence it came (Genesis 3:19). Today Orthodox Judaism requires strict adherence to sacred funeral and burial practice. Orthodox Jews believe that a person’s body will be resurrected and that there is a physical life after death. Jewish law stipulates that the body must be buried as quickly as possible following death. The body is laid to rest in a simple wood coffin and the body is never embalmed.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. Hebrews 11:8-9

In Genesis 17:8, the LORD promised Abraham that the whole land of Canaan, where he was residing as a foreigner, would be given to him and his descendants after him as an everlasting possession. But at the time of Sarah’s death, he did not own even one foot of land to bury his wife.

The Hittites replied to Abraham, “Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.” Genesis 23:5-6

We know from the account in Genesis 14, at the time Abram had rescued his nephew Lot, he had 318 trained men at his command who were born in his own house. This number of men was an indication of Abram’s wealth and power. Including women and children, there were probably more than 1,000 persons under his authority and enough corresponding numbers of flocks and herds to feed, clothe and provide shelter for all of them.

Subsequently, the LORD cut a covenant with Abram (whose name means, “Exalted Father”) and renamed him Abraham (whose name means, “Father of Many Nations”). Abraham’s wealth increased further after he had stayed in Gerar. Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham along with a thousand pieces of silver. Abraham was considered to be a mighty prince by the Hittites and they offered him one of their tombs in which to lay the body of Sarah.

Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites. He said to them, “If you are willing to let me bury my dead, then listen to me and intercede with Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf so he will sell me the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to him and is at the end of his field. Ask him to sell it to me for the full price as a burial site among you.” Genesis 23:7-9

The custom of employing an intermediary between a purchaser and a buyer still exists today in the middle and far eastern regions of the globe. Abraham didn’t want to offend Ephron by directly approaching him concerning the purchase his property, so Abraham asked the Hittites to speak to Ephron on his behalf.

Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people and he replied to Abraham in the hearing of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. “No, my lord,” he said. “Listen to me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.” Genesis 23:10-11

Abraham had expressed interest in purchasing the cave that belonged to Ephron. Ephron replied that he would give Abraham the cave as well as the field where the cave was located. This is an Oriental bartering technique. Ephron’s actual intention was to make it known to Abraham that he was willing to sell both the field and the cave to him or that he would give them to him but expected generous gifts in return.

Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land and he said to Ephron in their hearing, “Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.” Genesis 23:12-13

By bowing before them again, Abraham showed great respect and honor to both the people and to Ephron. His act of humility also got their attention and signified that he wanted them to pay attention to what he had to say. Abraham was not looking for a bargain but was willing to pay the full price for the field.

Ephron answered Abraham, “Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” Genesis 23:14-15

Ephron understood that Abraham wanted to buy the field and not receive it as a gift. Therefore, he told Abraham the price of the land. A shekel is 2/5th of an ounce of silver. Four hundred shekels totals 160 ounces or 10 pounds of silver. Since Abraham and Ephron were both wealthy, Ephron declared that the price really wasn’t an issue between them and that the matter was settled.

Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants. So Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre—both the field and the cave in it, and all the trees within the borders of the field—was deeded to Abraham as his property in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of the city. Genesis 23:16-18

After the terms were settled and witnessed by the people, Abraham immediately paid Ephron the full price for the land. In return, Ephron deeded the field, the cave and all the trees on the property to Abraham.

Genesis 23 - Sarah Dies, then Abraham Purchases a Field

Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which is at Hebron) in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave in it were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site. Genesis 23:19-20

The death of Sarah and the transaction for her burial place must be very significant since an entire chapter of the Bible was devoted to preserving a written record of those proceedings. The importance is that there is an historical record that establishes the fact that Abraham and his descendants legally possessed property in Hebron.

In Genesis 14:13 Abram is referred to as “the Hebrew”. This is the first time that this descriptive term “Hebrew” is mentioned in the Bible. The term, Hebrew commonly refers to Abraham’s descendants. Abraham’s son Isaac never left the land promised to him. Isaac lived out his days in the areas of Beersheba and Hebron. Isaac’s son Jacob bought his older brother Esau’s birthright for a bowl of lentil stew. Jacob then deceived his father Isaac into giving him the blessing that was intended for Esau (Genesis 27:36). Jacob fled for his life to his Uncle Laban in Harran and lived there 20 years before returning home. Jacob stayed in the land promised him until God told him to leave. At the age of one hundred thirty Jacob began the journey to see his son Joseph in Egypt. The sons of Jacob and their families were called “Hebrews” as they dwelled in Egypt where their descendants were enslaved for 400 years.

During the Exodus, the Hebrews (the people who descended from the tribes of Jacob) were delivered from the furnace of affliction and emerged as the Nation of Israel. After the death of King Solomon, the Nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms. The Northern Kingdom consisted of ten tribes and was also known by the name of the largest tribe, Ephraim. The Southern Kingdom consisted of two tribes and was also referred to by the name of Judah. Eventually because of evil rulers and great apostasy, the Northern Kingdom was defeated and taken captive by the Assyrians and the northern tribes scattered. Approximately one hundred and twenty five years later, the Southern Kingdom went into captivity in Babylon. Those captives who returned to the land seventy years later were known as Jews. Today the term “Hebrews” commonly refers to the Jews.

The word for Hebrew used in the Bible is עברי (pronounced “Ivri”), meaning “of or pertaining to עבר Ever.”

In Jewish tradition there are three reasons as to why Abram is called the Hebrew:

1) The Hebrew word “ever” means “opposite side.” Abraham believed in one God, and the rest of the world worshipped man-made gods. Thus, “Abraham stood on one side, and the entire world stood on the other side.”

2) Ever (usually Anglicized as “Eber”), is the ancestor of Abraham. Eber was a great-grandson of Noah’s son Shem and the father of Peleg. According to Jewish tradition, Eber, refused to help with the building of the Tower of Babel, so his language was not confused when it was abandoned. He and his family alone retained the original human language, Hebrew, is a language named after Eber. Eber was one of the bearers of the monotheistic tradition which he had learned from his ancestors Shem and Noah and passed on to his grandson Abraham. Since Abraham was both a descendant and disciple of his, he is called an “Ivri” – a Hebrew.

3) The rabbis held that the word is a reference to the fact that Abraham came from the other side and crossed over the river and was not a native Canaanite. “Ivri” also refers to the fact that Abraham spoke the Hebrew language—thus named because of its ancient origins, preceding the development of the other languages current at that time.

So Hebrew means the one who has crossed over, but is opposed, on the other side, and different from all others. Abraham was a solitary believer in a sea of idolatry. The Hebrews are a people whose native tongue is the Hebrew language.

Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.”

When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people. Genesis 49:29-33

Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah were all buried in Hebron.

Hebron is the site of the oldest Jewish community in the world.It was the chief city in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:54) and was both a Levitical city (Joshua 21:11) and a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7). Caleb captured the city for Israel (Joshua 15:13-14).

King David was anointed in Hebron, where he reigned for seven years. One thousand years later, during the first Jewish revolt against the Romans, the city was the scene of extensive fighting. Jews lived in Hebron almost continuously throughout the Byzantine, Arab, Mameluke, and Ottoman periods. It was only in 1929 — as a result of a murderous Arab pogrom in which 67 Jews were murdered and the remainders were forced to flee — that the city became temporarily “free” of Jews. After the 1967 Six-Day War, the Jewish community of Hebron was re-established. It has grown to include a range of religious and educational institutions.

Hebron contains many sites of Jewish religious and historical significance, in addition to the Tomb of the Patriarchs. These include the Tombs of Othniel Ben Kenaz (the first Judge of Israel) and Avner Ben Ner (general and confidante to Kings Saul and David), and Ruth and Jesse (great-grandmother and father, respectively, of King David).

In recent years, Hebron has been the site of many violent incidents, two of which stand out. In May 1980, Palestinian terrorists murdered 6 Jewish yeshiva students and wounded 20 others, who were returning from prayers at the Tomb of the Patriarchs. In February 1994, Dr. Baruch Goldstein opened fire on Muslim worshippers at the Tomb, murdering 29 and wounding 125. Goldstein, a supporter of Meir Kahane’s Kach party, was subsequently killed by the survivors in the mosque, and is buried inside Kiryat Arba. A shrine was erected at his grave shortly after the mosque attack, but was demolished by the Israeli government in 2000.

After the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement (“Oslo II”), authority for most civil affairs regarding Hebron’s Arab residents was transferred from the Israeli Civil Administration to the Palestinian Authority and the (Arab) Municipality of Hebron. Those services which remained the responsibility of the Civil Administration will be transferred following the IDF redeployment from Hebron. The IDF retains sole responsibility for the security and well-being of Hebron’s Jewish community.

Hebron — located south of Jerusalem in the Judean hills — is home to approximately 130,000 Arabs, 530 Jews, and three Christians.

Today, Jews living in the oldest Jewish community in the world which contains the Tomb of the Patriarchs are outnumbered 245 to 1 by Arabs who are mostly followers of Islam.

On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem                                  Zechariah 12:8-9

In spite of overwhelming odds, there will be a “Great and Terrible Day” coming when the clans of Judah will defeat the armies of the nations.

 

Genesis 14 – Abram Rescues Lot & Pays a Tithe to Melchizedek

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

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318 men, abraham, abram, abram and lot, four kings, genesis 14:1-4, lot, Melchizedek, middle-east, salt, siddim, tithe to Melchizedek, valley of siddim

Genesis 14 – Abram Rescues Lot & Pays a Tithe to Melchizedek

Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions were taken captive by four kings. Abram and his 318 trained men rescue Lot. He then pays a tithe to Melchizedek.

At this time Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim went to war against Bear king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (the Salt Sea). For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. Genesis 14:1-4

Four kings from Mesopotamia went to war against five Canaanite kings who rebelled after having been subjugated to them for 12 years.

Kings of Mesopotamia

Kings of Southern Canaan

Amraphel king of Shinar (Iraq)

Bear king of Sodom

Arioch king of Ellasar

(City-state on Syrian-Turkish border)

Birsha king of Gomorrah

Kedorlaomer king of Elam (Iran)

Shinab king of Admah

Tidal king of the Goiim (Turkey)

Shemeber king of Zeboiim

The king of Bela (that is Zoar)

Kingdoms of Mesopotamia

1. Shinar: In central Mesopotamia (Iraq), Shinar was the land where Nimrod built his cities including Babylon, which are listed in the table of nations in Genesis 10:8-10.

2. Ellasar: Possibly a city-state on Syrian-Turkish border

3. Elam: Ancient territory to the E and NE of the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates in the Zagros Mountains (modern Iran).

4. Goiim (Goyim): Literally meaning “nations” in Hebrew. The “king of Goiim” means “king of nations.” This is probably a reference to tribal people like the Hittites who lived on the fringes of the Mesopotamian cultures, in Asia Minor (Turkey) or along the Black and Caspian Seas.

City-states of the kings of the Siddim Valley in southern Canaan

The valley occupied the depression that is now filled by the Dead Sea. The names of the kings from these cities were also listed in alphabetical order in Genesis 14:2

· Sodom

· Gomorrah

· Admah

· Zeboiim

· Zoar: Name means “trifling.” The city is so small that its king isn’t named.

In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert. Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar. Genesis 14:5-7

This list may be from a historical document (a royal record of military campaigns) describing the defeat of the “cities of the plain” and their local allies. The defeated cities included the dwelling places of the Rephaites who are described as giants. The armies of Kedorlaomer and the other three kings conquered as far south as El Paran, which means “the southern wilderness.” Then they turned back after this initial campaign and headed for their original target – the rebellious five cities of southern Canaan.

Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills. The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom. Genesis 14:8-12

Abram’s nephew Lot was taken captive and his possessions were taken as plunder by the four kings. Lot exposed himself and his family to danger by preferring to live in a fertile area, even though the people who lived in the region were workers of iniquity. Not only did Lot suffer being taken captive, but so was his entire family. Ironically Lot, who sought to enrich himself by living in the plain of the Jordan, ended up losing of all his property.

When the armies of the four kings of Mesopotamia routed the forces of the five kings of southern Canaan, some of the men who were fleeing fell into tar pits.

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 5:18

The New International Version speaks of the smallest letter and least stroke of a pen. The King James Version states, “… one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” The “jot” refers to the smallest Hebrew letter (the letter yod). The “tittle” was the smallest stroke of a pen (the horn) – a tiny flourish, like a serif in English typeface. This small stroke is the only mark to distinguish between the following similar Hebrew letters:

Not only is every word in the original Hebrew language of the Books of Moses significant, but so are the letters. With that understanding, we should seek out why the tar pits in the Valley of Siddim are mentioned because they must be significant.

Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Genesis 19:24

The region of the Dead Sea is known, now and in ancient history, for its natural petroleum deposits. In the past the Romans called the sea “Lake Asphaltitus” because of the natural bitumen that would come up from deposits in the fault line beneath the lake. Bitumen is a heavy viscous oil mixture combined with sulfur and other metals, minerals and toxic chemicals. At the time of the Genesis 19 account there were “slime pits” or bitumen pits in the valley.

The Jordan Rift is an unstable area with a great deal of thermal energy as demonstrated by the hot springs on both sides of the sea. While the Dead Sea no longer shows evidence of vast bitumen deposits there are still oil slicks that rise to the surface from time to time. A great deal of evidence confirming this can be found in historical accounts.

Geologist Fredrick Clapp formulated the theory that pressure from an earthquake could have caused bitumen deposits to be forced out of the earth through the fault line that exist precisely at this site. If natural deposits of sulfur were forced into the air, the dust would have been extremely flammable. If natural heat ignited existing sulfur deposits at the time of an earthquake the results would result in localized cataclysmic rain of fire, tar and burning sulfur.

In the Genesis account, Abraham looked out towards the cities and saw smoke like a great furnace. This would be consistent with a large petroleum fire. Sulfur balls are commonly found today in the area. Moreover their condition shows that they self-extinguished in the ash and dirt.

God would later pour out his judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah but may have used natural means. The area around the south end of the Dead Sea is still a barren plain of salt, sulfur, and bitumen (asphalt) deposits.

One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. Genesis 14:13

In this passage, Abram is called the Hebrew. This is the first time the designation Hebrew is found in the Bible. The term, Hebrew commonly refers to Abraham’s descendants who are known today as the Jewish people. The word for Hebrew used in the Bible is “Ivri”, meaning “of or pertaining to Ever.”

In Jewish tradition there are three reasons as to why Abram is called the Hebrew:

1) The Hebrew word “ever” means “opposite side.” Abraham believed in one God, and the rest of the world worshipped man-made gods. Thus, “Abraham stood on one side, and the entire world stood on the other side.”

2) Ever (usually Anglicized as “Eber”), is the ancestor of Abraham. Eber was a great-grandson of Noah’s son Shem and the father of Peleg. According to Jewish tradition, Eber, refused to help with the building of the Tower of Babel, so his language was not confused when it was abandoned. He and his family alone retained the original human language, Hebrew, is a language named after Eber. Eber was one of the bearers of the monotheistic tradition which he had learned from his ancestors Shem and Noah and passed on to his grandson Abraham. Since Abraham was both a descendant and disciple of his, he is called an “Ivri” – a Hebrew.

3) The rabbis held that the word is a reference to the fact that Abraham came from the other side and crossed over the river and was not a native Canaanite. “Ivri” also refers to the fact that Abraham spoke the Hebrew language—thus named because of its ancient origins, preceding the development of the other languages current at that time.

So Hebrew means the one who has crossed over, but is opposed, on the other side, and different from all others. Abraham was a solitary believer in a sea of idolatry.

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. Genesis 14:14-16

Abram had now a company of three hundred and eighteen trained men, born in his own house. This number of men is an indication of Abram’s wealth and power. Including women and children, there were probably more than 1,000 persons under his authority and enough corresponding numbers of flocks and herds to feed, clothe and provide shelter for all of them.

Although the armies of the five ungodly kings of the cities of the Valley of Siddim had fled in defeat, Abram was victorious. Gideon with a mere 300 men routed a great multitude of Midianites and Amalekites. In a similar fashion, because the LORD was with him, Abram not only defeated the armies of four kings with only 318 men but all the stolen goods and kidnapped people were recovered.

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Genesis 14:17-20a

This is the first recorded appearance of the priest of the Most High God (Hebrew – Kohen El Elyon). The name Melchizedek is the compilation of three Hebrew words, melek, iy and tsedeq. Melek means “king.” Meleky or melchi means “king of. Tsedeq” means “righteousness.” The meaning of the name Melchizedek is “King of Righteousness.” Salem (shalom) means peace. The King of Righteousness was also the King of Peace.

Melchizedek brought out bread and wine which are the emblems of the communion table and blessed Abram.

The term “chazal” refers to the rabbinic sages who served as commentators on the Hebrew Scriptures. According to the Chazalic literature, specifically Targum Jonathan, Targum Yerushalmi, and the Babylonian Talmud, the name Melchizedek served as a title for Shem, the son of Noah.

He also said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. May God extend the territory of Japheth; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his slave.” Genesis 9:26-27

Noah declared that Yahweh – the Great I AM – was the God of Shem. Through Shem, the middle son, the “promised seed of the woman” (Messiah) would be transmitted. Shem not only was still alive during the days of Abraham, but actually outlived Abraham.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 110:4 which declared: The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:20b

Abram gave a tithe of the recovered goods to Melchizedek.

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. Hebrews 7:1-3

Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever…

Jesus being 100% human has a genealogy that proves He is the promised descendant of David who is the promised seed of Eve. Jesus had both a natural mother and a father. But also being in very nature, 100% God the Son, Jesus is eternal. The phrase translated as “like the Son of God” in the NIV is translated as “resembling the Son of God” in the English standard Version and “but made like unto the Son of God” in the King James. The inspired author was trying to communicate the idea that God intentionally presented Melchizedek as a type of Christ, who foreshadowed the Son of God who was to come. The purpose of the phrase was to emphasize the unique nature of Melchizedek’s priesthood; that it did not pass from one person to another as did that of the Aaronic priesthood.

And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:6

The Scripture states that Jesus is our eternal High Priest “in the order” of Melchizedek, not that Jesus was Melchizedek.

The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share.” Genesis 14:21-24

Abram knew that his success and victory over the kings of Mesopotamia were from the LORD and not by his own hand. He refused to take the least thing from the king of Sodom. He wanted all the glory to go to the God of the Hebrews. Abram made a declaration to the king of Sodom that it was the LORD God who was the source of his wealth and success and not any man.

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18

Genesis Chapter 13 – “Abram Called on the Name of the LORD”

17 Monday Jun 2013

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abram, east of egypt, egypt, feast of dedication, genesis 13, negev, silver and gold

Genesis Chapter 13 – “Abram Called on the Name of the LORD”

Abram went up from Egypt with his wife, his nephew Lot & great possessions. He dwelled between Bethel & Ai. There Abram called on the name of the LORD.

So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. Genesis 13:1-2

Taking everything he had with him, Abram had gone down to Egypt along with his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot during a time of famine in Canaan. Since Sarai was very beautiful, Abram had deceived the Egyptians into believing that Sarai was only his sister when in fact, she was his wife. Pharaoh believing that Sarai was unmarried took her into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired many servants and much livestock.

But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. In his inquiry to understand why he and his household were afflicted, Pharaoh discovers that he has taken Abram’s wife as his own and is being punished for it. Pharaoh is angry. He blames Abram for not telling him the essential truth – that Sarai is Abram’s wife – rather than that she was his sister. Because Pharaoh senses that he is being judged for taking Sarai, he doesn’t punish either Abram or Sarai, but instead sends them out of Egypt.

So Abram went up from Egypt with his wife, his nephew Lot and newly acquired wealth to the Negev. They arrived in the southern part of the Promised Land which was located north-east of Egypt.

From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. Genesis 13:3-4

Abram had pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai when he decided to go down to Egypt because of a famine in Canaan. Returning from Egypt, he returns to the place where his tent had been earlier and he had built an altar of stones. Abram lived in a temporary, movable dwelling between two fixed, fortified cities.

Abram dwelled between Bethel meaning “the house of God” and Ai which means a “heap of ruins.” During the time of the conquest of the Promised Land, Joshua destroyed all who lived in Ai. He burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins.

A tent, or earthly tabernacle, symbolizes our mortal body. Each of us will eventually make a choice which will determine where we will dwell for eternity. Those who place their trust in the finished atoning work of Messiah Jesus on the cross will dwell eternally in the “New Jerusalem” – the “house of God.” Those who reject God’s gracious gift will dwell eternally in the “Lake of Fire” – the smoldering “heap of ruins.”

While Abram dwelled between these two cities, “There Abram called on the name of the Lord.”

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

While we dwell in our earthly tents, we like Abram, should call on the name of the Lord and we will be saved.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’”

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:8-12

In John 10:22 we find that Yeshua went to the temple in Jerusalem in the wintry season during the “Feast of Dedication.” During His visit there on the Solomon’s Porch, his pronouncements very nearly caused Him to be stoned.

The Feast of Dedication

Hanukah is known as the “Festival of Lights” as well as “The Feast of Dedication.” It commemorates the time of Jewish victory over the armies of the Greek king, Antiochus Epiphanes, who came down from Syria and took possession of Judea.

Antiochus had the Jewish High Priest assassinated, and installed a man of his own inclination in his place. He instituted Greek customs throughout the Jewish population and finally ordered the Jewish religion abolished completely and replaced it with his own pagan gods. Anyone who failed to abide by his decrees, he had executed. His forces desecrated the Jerusalem Temple and its altar of worship by slaughtering a swine on the altar and erecting a statue of Zeus with his own likeness in the sanctuary.

The Hanukah celebration originated as a result of the revolt around 167 B.C. by a group called Maccabees. This revolt started in Modein where Mattathias killed a Jew making a profaned sacrifice and then killed the king’s official who enforced such sacrifices. Mattathias fled to the hills with his sons. Seleucid troops from Jerusalem pursued the rebels and slaughtered a group of women and children on the Sabbath. His successor, Judas Maccabee, along with many pious Jews – called the “Chasidim” (pious ones) – joined the revolt. They would descend from the mountains and would strike the Syrians with swift unexpected attacks (Maccabee – “Battle hammer”). After three years of fighting against overwhelming odds, the Maccabees regained control of the Temple.

After cleansing the Temple, the lamps of the sacred lampstand needed to be lit. There was only enough oil found to keep the lamps burning for one day. It would take a messenger a week to bring fresh supplies, but no one wanted to wait that long to rededicate the sanctuary. Miraculously, they lit the lampstand and the oil lasted eight full days! That is why Hanukah is called the festival of lights and is celebrated using a nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah. There are 8 candles used to represent each of the 8 days the lampstand miraculously stayed lit as well as the “shamash” or servant candle used to light the other candles. Hanukah is also called “the Feast of Dedication” because the temple was cleansed and rededicated to the worship of the LORD.

The Stone the Builders Rejected

Peter quoted from Psalm 118:22 and identified Jesus as the Messiah by saying that He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’”

After the defeat of the Syrian army, and before the Temple could be used again for sacrifices and worship, it had to be cleansed of its defilement. The stones that comprised the altar of sacrifice were desecrated by pig’s blood.

1 Maccabees 4:36-46

Then said Judas and his brothers, “Behold, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.”

So all the army assembled and they went up to Mount Zion. And they saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the gates burned. In the courts they saw bushes sprung up as in a thicket, or as on one of the mountains. They saw also the chambers of the priests in ruins. Then they rent their clothes, and mourned with great lamentation, and sprinkled themselves with ashes. They fell face down on the ground, and sounded the signal on the trumpets, and cried out to Heaven. Then Judas detailed men to fight against those in the citadel until he had cleansed the sanctuary

He chose blameless priests devoted to the law, and they cleansed the sanctuary and removed the defiled stones to an unclean place. They deliberated what to do about the altar of burnt offering, which had been profaned. And they thought it best to tear it down, lest it bring reproach upon them, for the Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar, and stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until there should come a prophet to tell what to do with them.

The decision was made to pile up those stones in the area of the Temple known as Solomon’s Portico. This way the defiled stones were not in contact with the holy things, but neither were they removed from the Temple. The rabbis taught that when the Messiah came, He would tell them what they should do with the defiled stones.

and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” John 10:23-24

During the Feast of Dedication, Yeshua came to that part of the Temple where the defiled stones were piled up. He was asked by the crowds if He indeed was the Messiah.

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. John 10:25-26

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

The stone that was rejected that day in Solomon’s Colonnade was Jesus Christ, the Rock of our salvation.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus was standing in the location of the pile of stones that came from a holy altar where sacrifices were offered unto the LORD and had become defiled. Jesus, the holy Son of God, left the presence of God and became defiled so that those who believe on His name can have eternal life.

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”

“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:31-33

Ironically, the Jews who asked Jesus to plainly tell them if He were the Christ are ready to stone Him for His clear answer that was affirmed by His miracles that He was the Son of God. The stone the builders rejected was threatened with stoning.

For all those who allege that Jesus never declared His own deity, the testimony of the masses in the Temple that day clearly states otherwise.

Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. Genesis 13:5-7

The blessing of God afforded Abram and Lot wealth by multiplying their flocks and herds. There was simply not enough room for their animals to graze. In addition, the Canaanites and Perizzites were also dwelling among them so that the land could not sustain them. The result of competition for the natural resources caused strife and contention between the herdsmen of Abram and his nephew Lot.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1Timothy 6:10

How often have families been torn apart because of financial issues? Sadly, there are times when a funeral becomes a battleground. Instead of the mourners’ grief bringing the surviving family members closer to God and one another, greed turns them against each other.

So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Genesis 13:8-9

Abram was Lot’s uncle. Abram was the one whom God had called to leave his country and enter this land, not Lot. As an elder and a superior, Abram could have used his authority and chosen where he and his nephew would dwell. But graciously, he gave Lot the choice instead.

Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. Genesis 13:10-13

Lot saw the abundance of the land and chose to live in the plain of the Jordan. In spite of the reputation of the men of that evil city, he pitched his tents near the city of Sodom. Lot would live to regret his choice.

“The men of Sodom were wicked.” The root of the Hebrew word translated as “wicked” in English, literally means to spoil by breaking to pieces. To act wickedly is to destroy and afflict. The men of Sodom were those who broke the established order of things. They destroyed and confounded the distinctions between right and wrong. They afflicted and tormented both themselves and others. These men were exceedingly great sinners. They missed the mark by walking the wrong path. They were sinners who excelled in unrighteousness. Truly, the men of Sodom were wicked and sinned greatly against the LORD.

The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”

So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord. Genesis 13:14-18

Abram went to live in Hebron. Abram means, “Exalted father.” The LORD would later change his name to Abraham which means, “Father of many nations.” Abraham would be the first to be called a Hebrew, meaning a “region beyond” or “crossing over.” Abraham’s descendants the Hebrews would be delivered from their bondage in Egypt to emerge from the furnace of affliction as the Nation of Israel and eventually cross over the Jordan to enter into the Promised Land.

The Land of Israel was promised to Abram and to his offspring forever. The number of Abram’s offspring was to be like “the dust of the earth.”

the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

Adam’s physical body was formed from the dust. The symbolism of descendants like the “dust of the earth” is speaking of Abram’s physical offspring (corporate, natural Israel), who are promised a physical, natural inheritance – the Land of Israel.

When the reformers separated from the Roman Catholic Church, they brought with them Replacement Theology. They formed their doctrine of the church (ecclesiology) upon the idea the church has replaced Israel in the plan of God.

The LORD said, “I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:24). He promises, “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land” (Ezekiel 37:21). These and other prophetic passages of Scripture have been fulfilled in the establishment of the Modern State of Israel.

Unfortunately, Reformed and Catholic Theologies have led to many of their followers perceiving Israel as the major problem in the Middle East and the Jews having no right to the land. They claim that the New Covenant did away with the Abrahamic Covenant.

Although Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant, the promises given to Abraham were confirmed to both Isaac and Jacob. The LORD’s statement of, “All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever” was a promise that was given 430 years before the Law of Moses.

Did the New Covenant do away with God’s covenant with Noah?

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. ”

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:8-13

We still have rainbows after a storm and there has never again been a worldwide flood.

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19

The LORD is a covenant keeping God. His promise to Abram and to Abram’s offspring is still in effect.

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ

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