Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Everyone knows Abraham was a man of faith. But faith alone wasn't what caught God's attention. What was it? The answer may revolutionize your understanding of faith. Join me to discover the real reason God chose Abraham in this week's five Minute Torah Shalom and Blessings from Shalom Macon, the place where disciples of Yeshua learn, connect and grow. I'm Darren, and before I get into the five minutes of my five Minute Torah commentary, let's cover a few quick facts about this week's Torah portion. This week we are studying the fourth portion of the new Torah cycle, which is also the fourth portion of the Book of Genesis. We are in the portion of Vayera, Genesis 18:1, 22, 24 and here are the three things that you need to know about it. Number one angels unaware Abraham's heavenly guests Just days after circumcising himself and Ishmael, Abraham sat recovering in the heat of the day when he when three strangers appeared. Despite his pain, his hospitality drove him to run and serve them. Only later did he realize they were messengers from the Lord. They announced that he and Sarah would have a child in their old age and reveal their mission to destroy Sodom and its neighboring cities. For their wickedness, Abraham pleaded for their mercy. But when few righteous were found, judgment fell. These cities were destroyed. Yet Lot and his daughters were spared. Number two, Child of promise, the birth of Isaac. Exactly as the angels foretold, Sarah gave birth to a son a year later. Abraham circumcised him on the eighth day, just as God had commanded. They named him Yitzchak from Sehok, meaning laughter, a reminder of Sarah's reaction when she first heard the promise. Now her laughter was joy, saying, God has made laughter for me. Everyone who hears will laugh with me. Their long awaited son was proof that nothing was was impossible for God. And number three, the Akedah, the binding of Isaac. Years later, God tested Abraham in the most unimaginable way. Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and offer him on Mount Moriah. Abraham rose early and obeyed without hesitation. When Isaac asked, where is the lamb for the offering? His father replied, God will provide. Realizing what was happening, Isaac willingly allowed himself to be bound to the altar. At the last moment, God intervened, providing a ram in his place. Through this act of faith and trust, both father and son showed absolute devotion to the will of God. Hey, Hanukkah is just a month away. If you want to have a great family experience for Hanukkah, be sure to pick up a copy of eight lights my Hanukkah how to and devotional that will make each night of Hanukkah a night to remember. It has a 5 star rating on Amazon with over 150 reviews. If you want to have fun and learn to be a better disciple of our Master Yeshua, then be sure to check out my book 8 lights using the link below. This week's commentary is called Our Father Abraham and comes from my book 5 Minute Torah, Volume 1.
[00:03:02] Many people are familiar with the children's song Father Abraham. It begins, father Abraham had many sons, and many sons had father Abraham. I'm one of them and so are you, so let's just praise the Lord. Through repetition and a series of choreographed movements, this song ingrains the concept into a child that Vayera this week's Torah portion is indeed true. Abraham did become the father of many nations and is affectionately called Avraham Avinu. Our Father Abraham Paul says that Abraham is the father of all who believe. This is Romans 4:12 we who have put our trust in Yeshua have become the spiritual offspring of Abraham, the father of our faith. According to our Torah portion, the Lord chose Abraham as the father of many nations for specific reasons. The Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham what I'm about to 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 chosen him that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18, verses 17 through 19 Abraham was chosen in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness, which is tzedakah in Hebrew and justice mishpat in Hebrew. Doing righteousness is a synonym for taking care of those in need. And when native Hebrew speakers use the word tzedakah or righteousness, most often they mean charity. By Yeshua's day, this concept was in full force. In Matthew 6, Yeshua uses this word in the same manner when he says, beware practicing your righteousness before other people. In Matthew 6:1 justice or Mishpat, on the other hand, often connotes strictness. The Midrash tells the story to explain one way that Abraham did righteousness and justice. Abraham and Sarah were known for their hospitality. According to the midrash, they used to take in travelers and give them food and lodging. Once they had enjoyed a wonderful meal, Abraham would ask them to give thanks to the Lord. If they refused, then he would demand payment for the food they had consumed. Because he demanded such a high rate for the food, they would be happy to bless the Lord. Abraham began with tzedakah, or charity, but would add to it mishpat or strictness. According to a more literal reading of the text, however, the righteousness and justice Abraham would teach to his children would be in relation to the basic principles of Torah ethics. Even though the Torah had not yet been given to Israel, Abraham would live out its very basic principles and teach his children to do likewise. His example would set the pattern for his descendants after him. As it is said, the deeds of the fathers are the portents for the children. Therefore, to be a child of Abraham is to follow in his footsteps. How can we follow in our Father Abraham's footsteps? Hospitality is an obvious way. Obedience is another. We can list a host of others May we look to Avraham Avinu as an example of our faith, following his lead at living a life that is pleasant, pleasing to the Lord, and passing that life down to the next generation? You've heard me say it before, but if you enjoy diving into the Torah portion each week with me, you're going to love what we recently launched for the little ones in youn Life. It's called Socks on youn Table, a brand new series where Rabbi Shmuley Socks brings the weekly Torah portion to children in a fun, faith filled way they'll never forget. Each short episode helps kids connect the stories of Scripture to everyday life, all from a Messianic Jewish perspective. So after this video, head on over to our Socks on your Table playlist and share it with your kids, your grandkids, and your Shabbat group. Let's help the next generation fall in love with God's Word one sock at a time.
