B'reisheet(Genesis)
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Meaning
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Day Five
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Haftara
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B'rit Hadashah
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1 Our Father, we receive Your Words and hide Your commandments with us; 2 we incline our ear unto wisdom, and apply our hearts to understanding; 3 We cry after knowledge and lift up our voices for understanding; 4 we seek it as silver; and search for it as for hidden treasures; 5 We declare that we shall understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. Declaration of Proverbs 2:1-5
Genesis 25:1-11 (NASB)1
1 Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah. 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah. 5 Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; 6 but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east. 7 These are all the years of Abraham's life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people. 9 Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife. 11 It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi.
Yesterday we had a devotional reading to cap off our lunch at the ladies sewing group. It was written by Max Lucado and I've decided that I like his writing. He pointed out a verse in the Gospel of Mark and we read the message written around it. The disciples have gone to the tomb of Yeshua and instead of finding his body, they were met by an angel who gave them a message:
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Mark 16:6-7.
The point of verse seven was that it says to “tell his disciples AND PETER”. Mr. Lucado points out that he must have read that verse so many times without catching those two words, “and Peter”. After recognizing this, he called this reading, The Gospel of the Second Chance. Peter had stated his undying devotion to Jesus, The Anointed and then when he was accused of keeping company with Him, he denied knowing Him three times. Peter was devastated by his own behavior. In a moment of weakness, he had belied the earlier declaration of undying devotion. Three of the Gospels record his deep and repentant regret.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75.
72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. Mark 14:72.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61-62.
Then, fast forward to the meeting of those at the grave and the message from the angel that Yeshua/Jesus would meet them in Galilee. Peter was one of the disciples already and yet there was a special mention from the same Messiah that Peter had denied three times. “And make sure you tell Peter...” How much love and forgiveness is found in that message! Peter had a second chance and we know that he certainly made the best of it, and was never so hesitant again in his life, to proclaim his 'Master'. He was SO loyal and devoted that when it came time for his martyrdom, he requested that he should be crucified upside down and not like his 'Master'. Fox's Book of Martyrs records that:
“Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.”
As I was reading again this morning, the account of the associated Gospel reading about the woman at the well, it occurred to me that she heard the Gospel of the Second Chance. I marvel how all of us are presented with that offer. Messiah was nothing but accepting of her even as he pointed out her sin. This woman came from the stock of Israel in Samaria that had been led astray by Jeroboam, who is recorded many times in the writings of Old Testament history, as “Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin”. Samaria was a mixed bag of Hebrews and foreigners that were mixed together when Israel, the northern kingdom, fell to secular kingdoms. Some historians state that the entire region was cleared of Hebrew extraction and replaced with foreign people from other areas that had been shifted by their conquerors. And yet, this woman at the well had her history somewhat correct. She knew that there was a Savior coming. Perhaps we can safely assume that she had Hebrew ancestry for the Gospel has always gone 'to the Jew first, and then the Gentile”. The Apostle Paul AKA Rabbi Sha'ul later proclaimed in his writing:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16.
This woman, whom we can be relatively certain had Israeli ancestry, upon the revelation of Messiah, then fulfilled the words of Paul/Sha'ul!
28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:28-29.
“Christ” is a term that was used by the KJV translators and it has “stuck” through the centuries. What the woman actually said later to those she witnessed to was “is not this The Anointed”? 'Christ' is another Greek appellation for Messiah, translated properly as “The Anointed”. Χριστός Christós, khris-tos' from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:—Christ. Adjective. It's not His actual name as we were always taught (by intimation, like his first name was Jesus and his Surname was Christ), but a word that describes Him. It's much like how His Father is known. He is known by the descriptor of His office, God, but His actual name is Yahweh from the Hebrew. But like His Son, He is known in whatever language and tongue that exists on the planet.
I just realized that I'm almost two pages in and haven't said a word about our record in the twenty-fifth chapter of Genesis! I admit, the insight of another writer impressed me so that I saw it again in my reading of yet another writer the very next day. That “second chance Gospel” theme is another way that our Father God has revealed His love for us, His creation! Now that I've shared it we can all bask in it's wonder and the shalom that it brings us! The word 'Shalom' is not just a Hebrew greeting but it implies SO much more. It means 'free from conflict', peace, completeness, harmony, well-being in physical, social and spiritual spheres, equity, soundness, success, prosperity and tranquility. There is more but, you get the drift!
Now let's look at this new segment and realize that in it, we say goodbye to Abraham! After a time, he takes another wife and fathers six more sons. There may have been daughters as well but we know how very important that sons are in Scripture. He willed everything he had on his death to Isaac, but to these sons, he gave gifts generously while he lived. Because of his immense wealth, they spread out over a vast territory in the east. I don't know that he actually had to 'send' them distant from Isaac, although in deference to Sarah, he would want them to be 'separate' from Isaac. It occurs to me that Abraham, not to put too fine a point on it, was FILTHY RICH! Gifting all his boys with flocks and herds and probably the coin of the day, it just made sense that they would indeed spread out and if Abraham suggested it should be to the east putting a divide between them and Isaac, then it was a sort of 'win-win' situation. But it makes me wonder! These boys would have been a sort of family with Isaac and maybe even Ishmael. Do you think they might have had family reunions? Would there have been family celebrations at the birth of grandchildren for Abraham for those born of Keturah? The Bible is silent on these issues, except to say that he was old and 'full of years' when he died. The KJV states that word concubines in verse six, and this is somewhat troublesome, unless we might consider Hagar and Keturah as such. A concubine was considered an inferior wife, as one who was not the superior wife, who bore the children in the legal and free-born sense. The concubine bore children for the free-born wife who was barren. That was Hagar. We get the impression that Sarah was the “love of his life” to Abraham, so, technically, in one way, any other 'wife' would be as a concubine to him, providing love and warmth and companionship to him in his declining years.
It does my heart good, to see that both Isaac and Ishmael were present at the burial of Abraham.
7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. 8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; 10 The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. Genesis 25:7-10.
I'm pretty sure that all the sons would have been there, but Isaac and Ishmael are mentioned and there appears to be no schism or breach between these two half-brothers as there will be among the sons of Isaac as we come upon their story by and by. There's a spoiler that isn't actually a spoiler. We aren't there yet, but tomorrow we'll embark on the destiny of Isaac when he becomes the patriarch in his father's stead. Meanwhile, I have the task of finding out how I can fix the spell check in my program, Open Office. For a second time in two years, I open it to write and every word is underlined in red that indicates the spell check is busted! Now I wish I'd have put the steps down to fix it but I had no idea this is something that seems to occur repeatedly! All this week I've had to rely on my self, and the other programs where Torah Bites are published to warn me where I misspelled words. It happens way more than I care to admit. It doesn't just happen when my fingers get tangled up on the keyboard.
A response of Peter closes our edition today. He answers the Pharisees upon the healing of the lame man at the temple. He made SO good on his “second chance”!
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Mark 16:6-7.
The point of verse seven was that it says to “tell his disciples AND PETER”. Mr. Lucado points out that he must have read that verse so many times without catching those two words, “and Peter”. After recognizing this, he called this reading, The Gospel of the Second Chance. Peter had stated his undying devotion to Jesus, The Anointed and then when he was accused of keeping company with Him, he denied knowing Him three times. Peter was devastated by his own behavior. In a moment of weakness, he had belied the earlier declaration of undying devotion. Three of the Gospels record his deep and repentant regret.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75.
72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. Mark 14:72.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61-62.
Then, fast forward to the meeting of those at the grave and the message from the angel that Yeshua/Jesus would meet them in Galilee. Peter was one of the disciples already and yet there was a special mention from the same Messiah that Peter had denied three times. “And make sure you tell Peter...” How much love and forgiveness is found in that message! Peter had a second chance and we know that he certainly made the best of it, and was never so hesitant again in his life, to proclaim his 'Master'. He was SO loyal and devoted that when it came time for his martyrdom, he requested that he should be crucified upside down and not like his 'Master'. Fox's Book of Martyrs records that:
“Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.”
As I was reading again this morning, the account of the associated Gospel reading about the woman at the well, it occurred to me that she heard the Gospel of the Second Chance. I marvel how all of us are presented with that offer. Messiah was nothing but accepting of her even as he pointed out her sin. This woman came from the stock of Israel in Samaria that had been led astray by Jeroboam, who is recorded many times in the writings of Old Testament history, as “Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin”. Samaria was a mixed bag of Hebrews and foreigners that were mixed together when Israel, the northern kingdom, fell to secular kingdoms. Some historians state that the entire region was cleared of Hebrew extraction and replaced with foreign people from other areas that had been shifted by their conquerors. And yet, this woman at the well had her history somewhat correct. She knew that there was a Savior coming. Perhaps we can safely assume that she had Hebrew ancestry for the Gospel has always gone 'to the Jew first, and then the Gentile”. The Apostle Paul AKA Rabbi Sha'ul later proclaimed in his writing:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16.
This woman, whom we can be relatively certain had Israeli ancestry, upon the revelation of Messiah, then fulfilled the words of Paul/Sha'ul!
28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:28-29.
“Christ” is a term that was used by the KJV translators and it has “stuck” through the centuries. What the woman actually said later to those she witnessed to was “is not this The Anointed”? 'Christ' is another Greek appellation for Messiah, translated properly as “The Anointed”. Χριστός Christós, khris-tos' from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:—Christ. Adjective. It's not His actual name as we were always taught (by intimation, like his first name was Jesus and his Surname was Christ), but a word that describes Him. It's much like how His Father is known. He is known by the descriptor of His office, God, but His actual name is Yahweh from the Hebrew. But like His Son, He is known in whatever language and tongue that exists on the planet.
I just realized that I'm almost two pages in and haven't said a word about our record in the twenty-fifth chapter of Genesis! I admit, the insight of another writer impressed me so that I saw it again in my reading of yet another writer the very next day. That “second chance Gospel” theme is another way that our Father God has revealed His love for us, His creation! Now that I've shared it we can all bask in it's wonder and the shalom that it brings us! The word 'Shalom' is not just a Hebrew greeting but it implies SO much more. It means 'free from conflict', peace, completeness, harmony, well-being in physical, social and spiritual spheres, equity, soundness, success, prosperity and tranquility. There is more but, you get the drift!
Now let's look at this new segment and realize that in it, we say goodbye to Abraham! After a time, he takes another wife and fathers six more sons. There may have been daughters as well but we know how very important that sons are in Scripture. He willed everything he had on his death to Isaac, but to these sons, he gave gifts generously while he lived. Because of his immense wealth, they spread out over a vast territory in the east. I don't know that he actually had to 'send' them distant from Isaac, although in deference to Sarah, he would want them to be 'separate' from Isaac. It occurs to me that Abraham, not to put too fine a point on it, was FILTHY RICH! Gifting all his boys with flocks and herds and probably the coin of the day, it just made sense that they would indeed spread out and if Abraham suggested it should be to the east putting a divide between them and Isaac, then it was a sort of 'win-win' situation. But it makes me wonder! These boys would have been a sort of family with Isaac and maybe even Ishmael. Do you think they might have had family reunions? Would there have been family celebrations at the birth of grandchildren for Abraham for those born of Keturah? The Bible is silent on these issues, except to say that he was old and 'full of years' when he died. The KJV states that word concubines in verse six, and this is somewhat troublesome, unless we might consider Hagar and Keturah as such. A concubine was considered an inferior wife, as one who was not the superior wife, who bore the children in the legal and free-born sense. The concubine bore children for the free-born wife who was barren. That was Hagar. We get the impression that Sarah was the “love of his life” to Abraham, so, technically, in one way, any other 'wife' would be as a concubine to him, providing love and warmth and companionship to him in his declining years.
It does my heart good, to see that both Isaac and Ishmael were present at the burial of Abraham.
7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. 8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; 10 The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. Genesis 25:7-10.
I'm pretty sure that all the sons would have been there, but Isaac and Ishmael are mentioned and there appears to be no schism or breach between these two half-brothers as there will be among the sons of Isaac as we come upon their story by and by. There's a spoiler that isn't actually a spoiler. We aren't there yet, but tomorrow we'll embark on the destiny of Isaac when he becomes the patriarch in his father's stead. Meanwhile, I have the task of finding out how I can fix the spell check in my program, Open Office. For a second time in two years, I open it to write and every word is underlined in red that indicates the spell check is busted! Now I wish I'd have put the steps down to fix it but I had no idea this is something that seems to occur repeatedly! All this week I've had to rely on my self, and the other programs where Torah Bites are published to warn me where I misspelled words. It happens way more than I care to admit. It doesn't just happen when my fingers get tangled up on the keyboard.
A response of Peter closes our edition today. He answers the Pharisees upon the healing of the lame man at the temple. He made SO good on his “second chance”!
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. Acts 3:12-13.
1 NASB www.lockman.org for daily reading and KJV in commentary unless otherwise specified
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