11.11.24 ~ Where We Are Going
Good morning!
There are three things we should never forget: Where you've been, inventory where you are and always, always keep in your mind where you're going. One of the challenges that we face in our studies is remembering where we've been. Last week, in our studies we focused on Genesis 12-17. And because there's only so much time in these morning studies, we didn't spend adequate time on chapters 16 & 17.
Chapter 12: Lekh Lekha. At the age of 75, Abram makes the decision to leave his family's idolatrous past to fulfill God's calling on his life.
Chapter 13: Abram show's complete faith in God's sovereignty to allow his nephew, and #1 disciple, Lot, to choose where he wants to dwell (the mountain or the well watered plain, like the Garden of Eden.
Chapter 14: Abram, the outsider-businessman, who defeats the four kings with his 318 men; a task five kings couldn't do. Bringing peace to the world and rescuing Lot out of his captivity.
Chapter 15: We see prophetic promises given to Abram and his seed due to his faith, righteousness and obedient actions.
Chapter 16: The birth of Ishmael and the 13 years of silence.
Chapter 17: A new commision into the life of Abram, which comes with the name change for himself and his honey bunny.
Though we may look at these chapters as historical narratives, Yeshua, the Apostle Paul and James directly remind us that it is our destiny also (Jn. 8:39; Gal. 3:29; Jam. 2:22-24) and let's not forget about Isaiah who gives us the charge that as Abraham's seed we will defeat the kings of this world and rule over the nations (Isa. 40:27-41:16) or the thematic thread to live the faith-filled life described by the prophets, the gospels, and all the NT/brit chadashah...all Abraham's seed realities!
As we head into the Torah portion Vayera, I want to give you something else to consider for your own edification and motivation. In Leviticus 26, the section that deals with the blessings that come upon those who keep God's Sabbaths, verse 8 tells us... five of you will chase a 100 and a 100 shall put 10,000 to flight and your enemies shall fall before you by your sword. Hebrews 11:34 emphasizes the same thing with individuals whose value was much greater than this world. If we took the time to look through every story of where a single person, like a Samson, or a Phinheas, or a Jehu, or an Apostle Paul who won victories over the enemies physically or spiritually, we might be shocked at how often one person made a difference in this world!
On the flip-side, in Deuteronomy 32:30, Moses explains how disobedience leads us to just the opposite outcome...how should 1 chase a thousand, and 2 put 10,000 to flight except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?
Whether the actions are negative or positive, 1 or 2 can have a tremendous impact! Will you be the 1 or 2 (Matt. 10)? Will you be the one who causes the enemy to flee or will you be the one who flees? Enquiring eyes want to know.
This week's Torah portion, Vayera/and he appeared, (Gen. 18-22) is all about the mercy/chesed found throughout Abraham's life. Ironically, it's not something that he kept in a low profile...it was his life motto! We could say that it was the banner that was posted above his resident business. Throughout Abraham's life he demonstrated a growing resolve in bravery, fearlessness and a strong stance in His monotheistic belief that has become the benchmark for even our Messiah; hence Yeshua is known as the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16). And since seeds reproduce after their kind...and since we are in Christ, we are Abraham's seed (Gal. 3:28,29)...we too should act like Abraham (Jn. 8:39).
As we have seen in a previous study, we know of 10 specific trials/nisayon in the life of Abraham. Each one was designed to rectify a weakness in his life, but unlike the common mindset to a test/nisayon in Scripture these were not designed for failure, but success. Like a good teacher, a test is never designed to fail a student, but to prove what is inside of them. And like a good teacher, they leave you alone while you're taking the test.
Abraham's 2nd to last test, the binding/akeidah of Isaac has become the cornerstone of the Torah and it is the gold standard for one's faith coming to maturity/tamim (James 2:20-22). Life is all about the tests! If you're not in one, get ready...there's one coming (1 Pet. 1:3-9)!
For Abraham's seed, the manna fell from heaven to test/nisayon to see if they would be obedient to God's commandments (Ex. 16). The purpose of the 40 years was to test/nisayon them to see if they would walk in His ways or not (Deut. 8). God's appearance to Israel on Mt. Sinai was to test/nisayon them in order that they might not sin against God (Ex. 20). Even the appearance of False Prophets were tests/nisayon to see if their heart was truly for God or the latest theology sailing across the stormy sea (Deut. 13).
The purpose behind every test/nisayon is to elevate you (Jam. 4:10); As you lift up His banner/nas, He will raise you up for everyone to see (Gen. 12:1-3). As we have learned, testing is directly related to a miracle/nas. A miracle is a special event that was latent in potential, but at a specific moment in time its potential became reality. Abraham passed the test/nisayon and a miracle/nas happened. A ram was provided in the thickets and the Angel of the Lord declared that now it was evident that he feared God (Gen. 22). And God gives a banner/nas to those who fear Him (Psa. 60:4). It's a banner/nas that is meant to be unfurled and raised high for all to see...and we're not talking rainbow flags!
What is true of Abraham is potentially true of us. What is true of our Fathers in the faith is true of their seed. What happened to one will happen to another. We are always being tested. Each one of us will handle the tests differently, because no test is identical to another. These tests are given to show us areas that we miraculously can overcome and need to overcome because they are prerequisites to being conformed to the image of His dear son (Rom. 8:29).
God never tests for failure. He always tests to lift you high like a banner where the world can see His wonders in your life. With every test He gives us the choice. Placed before each one of us is the choice of life or death (Deut. 30:19). Each life test is for our benefit to help us realize our full potential. Without them, we would be a fleshly potential waiting and longing to be activated.
Each test/nisayon brings the internal qualities to the surface. What was once latent becomes actual. Failure comes from allowing the yetzer hara/evil inclination to have victory; hindering a miraculous revelation through our lives. Through his life he has taught all succeeding generations to give expression to their potential; to blossom into a full bloom. Just as Adam, the seed of all mankind, was made from the earth/adamah, the seed was designed to reproduce after its kind.
It was after Abraham feared the Lord (Gen. 22:12) that the promise of his seed would be as the stars and the sand of the sea shore...all of them blessed.
May it be true of us as we head into this work week!
Shalom!
Chapter 12: Lekh Lekha. At the age of 75, Abram makes the decision to leave his family's idolatrous past to fulfill God's calling on his life.
Chapter 13: Abram show's complete faith in God's sovereignty to allow his nephew, and #1 disciple, Lot, to choose where he wants to dwell (the mountain or the well watered plain, like the Garden of Eden.
Chapter 14: Abram, the outsider-businessman, who defeats the four kings with his 318 men; a task five kings couldn't do. Bringing peace to the world and rescuing Lot out of his captivity.
Chapter 15: We see prophetic promises given to Abram and his seed due to his faith, righteousness and obedient actions.
Chapter 16: The birth of Ishmael and the 13 years of silence.
Chapter 17: A new commision into the life of Abram, which comes with the name change for himself and his honey bunny.
Though we may look at these chapters as historical narratives, Yeshua, the Apostle Paul and James directly remind us that it is our destiny also (Jn. 8:39; Gal. 3:29; Jam. 2:22-24) and let's not forget about Isaiah who gives us the charge that as Abraham's seed we will defeat the kings of this world and rule over the nations (Isa. 40:27-41:16) or the thematic thread to live the faith-filled life described by the prophets, the gospels, and all the NT/brit chadashah...all Abraham's seed realities!
As we head into the Torah portion Vayera, I want to give you something else to consider for your own edification and motivation. In Leviticus 26, the section that deals with the blessings that come upon those who keep God's Sabbaths, verse 8 tells us... five of you will chase a 100 and a 100 shall put 10,000 to flight and your enemies shall fall before you by your sword. Hebrews 11:34 emphasizes the same thing with individuals whose value was much greater than this world. If we took the time to look through every story of where a single person, like a Samson, or a Phinheas, or a Jehu, or an Apostle Paul who won victories over the enemies physically or spiritually, we might be shocked at how often one person made a difference in this world!
On the flip-side, in Deuteronomy 32:30, Moses explains how disobedience leads us to just the opposite outcome...how should 1 chase a thousand, and 2 put 10,000 to flight except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?
Whether the actions are negative or positive, 1 or 2 can have a tremendous impact! Will you be the 1 or 2 (Matt. 10)? Will you be the one who causes the enemy to flee or will you be the one who flees? Enquiring eyes want to know.
This week's Torah portion, Vayera/and he appeared, (Gen. 18-22) is all about the mercy/chesed found throughout Abraham's life. Ironically, it's not something that he kept in a low profile...it was his life motto! We could say that it was the banner that was posted above his resident business. Throughout Abraham's life he demonstrated a growing resolve in bravery, fearlessness and a strong stance in His monotheistic belief that has become the benchmark for even our Messiah; hence Yeshua is known as the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16). And since seeds reproduce after their kind...and since we are in Christ, we are Abraham's seed (Gal. 3:28,29)...we too should act like Abraham (Jn. 8:39).
As we have seen in a previous study, we know of 10 specific trials/nisayon in the life of Abraham. Each one was designed to rectify a weakness in his life, but unlike the common mindset to a test/nisayon in Scripture these were not designed for failure, but success. Like a good teacher, a test is never designed to fail a student, but to prove what is inside of them. And like a good teacher, they leave you alone while you're taking the test.
Abraham's 2nd to last test, the binding/akeidah of Isaac has become the cornerstone of the Torah and it is the gold standard for one's faith coming to maturity/tamim (James 2:20-22). Life is all about the tests! If you're not in one, get ready...there's one coming (1 Pet. 1:3-9)!
For Abraham's seed, the manna fell from heaven to test/nisayon to see if they would be obedient to God's commandments (Ex. 16). The purpose of the 40 years was to test/nisayon them to see if they would walk in His ways or not (Deut. 8). God's appearance to Israel on Mt. Sinai was to test/nisayon them in order that they might not sin against God (Ex. 20). Even the appearance of False Prophets were tests/nisayon to see if their heart was truly for God or the latest theology sailing across the stormy sea (Deut. 13).
The purpose behind every test/nisayon is to elevate you (Jam. 4:10); As you lift up His banner/nas, He will raise you up for everyone to see (Gen. 12:1-3). As we have learned, testing is directly related to a miracle/nas. A miracle is a special event that was latent in potential, but at a specific moment in time its potential became reality. Abraham passed the test/nisayon and a miracle/nas happened. A ram was provided in the thickets and the Angel of the Lord declared that now it was evident that he feared God (Gen. 22). And God gives a banner/nas to those who fear Him (Psa. 60:4). It's a banner/nas that is meant to be unfurled and raised high for all to see...and we're not talking rainbow flags!
What is true of Abraham is potentially true of us. What is true of our Fathers in the faith is true of their seed. What happened to one will happen to another. We are always being tested. Each one of us will handle the tests differently, because no test is identical to another. These tests are given to show us areas that we miraculously can overcome and need to overcome because they are prerequisites to being conformed to the image of His dear son (Rom. 8:29).
God never tests for failure. He always tests to lift you high like a banner where the world can see His wonders in your life. With every test He gives us the choice. Placed before each one of us is the choice of life or death (Deut. 30:19). Each life test is for our benefit to help us realize our full potential. Without them, we would be a fleshly potential waiting and longing to be activated.
Each test/nisayon brings the internal qualities to the surface. What was once latent becomes actual. Failure comes from allowing the yetzer hara/evil inclination to have victory; hindering a miraculous revelation through our lives. Through his life he has taught all succeeding generations to give expression to their potential; to blossom into a full bloom. Just as Adam, the seed of all mankind, was made from the earth/adamah, the seed was designed to reproduce after its kind.
It was after Abraham feared the Lord (Gen. 22:12) that the promise of his seed would be as the stars and the sand of the sea shore...all of them blessed.
May it be true of us as we head into this work week!
Shalom!
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