11.8.24 ~ Negotiation Skill or Spiritual Skill?

Good morning!

Negotiation is the #1 social skill when it comes to life. Enduring and overcoming tests and trials is the most important spiritual skill.

In our Torah portion this week, Lekh Lekha, we begin to unlock Abram's journey, which included 10 tests recorded in the book of Genesis and others recorded in other historical narrative books like Jasher.

Each one of the tests increased with difficulty. As we have said many times, 'new level, new devil'. We have also emphasized over and over again that the seed will reproduce after its kind (Gen. 1:11, 12). As Abraham's seed (Gal. 3:29) we can guarantee that our life is going to be filled, by design, with increasingly more difficult tests (prov. 17:9; Zech. 13:9) with blessings and rewards waiting at the end of each test and the final victory (Jam. 1:1-12; Heb. 6:15; 1 Pet. 1:6,7; Lk. 22:28-30; Rom. 2:7-10; 1 Cor. 9:20; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10; 3:21; etc).

Let's look at Abram's recorded tests and put yourself in his shoes for a moment.
1. God tells him to leave his homeland to be a stranger in the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:1)
2. Immediately after his arrival in the Promised Land, he encounters a famine (Gen. 12:10)
3. The Egyptians seize his beloved wife, Sarah, and bring her to Pharaoh (Gen. 12:15)
4. Abraham faces incredible odds in the battle of the four and five kings. We will talk about this on tonight's zoom call  (Gen. 14:14)
5. He marries Hagar after not being able to have children with Sarah (Gen. 16:3)
6. God tells him to circumcise himself at an advanced age (Gen. 17:24)
7. The king of Gerar captures Sarah, intending to take her for himself (Gen. 20:2)
8. God tells him to send Hagar away after having a child with her (Gen. 21:12)
9. His son, Ishmael, becomes estranged (Gen. 21:12)
10. God tells him to offer up his dear son Isaac upon an altar (Gen. 22:2)

This list may not seem incredibly pertinent to us today, but there's more. In narratives shared outside of the Bible, there are other events. Such as Abram being thrown into a fiery furnace.

There is much more to uncover if we search the discussion in the Psalms, Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer, Avot d’Rabbi Natan, and the commentary of the Meiri on Ethics of Our Fathers.

What I find most important, especially now that President Trump has been re-elected, is that we may be entering into a 'crucible' of sorts...an opportunity to grow to new heights and greater influence.

One day, our Messiah will return! When He does, will He find us as overcomers and multipliers of the gifts and talents He's provided us?

Much to consider!

Shabbat Shalom!

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