Study Notes Week 18

Torah Study Notes for Week 18 of the Torah Reading Cycle

Read
Aloud together to hear the Word (Leviticus 23:1-3; Nehemiah 8:1-4; Luke 4:16-17)

  • Torah (T): Bereshiyt (Genesis) 18:1-33
  • Prophets (P): Isaiah 33:17 – 34:12
  • Apostolic (A): Romans 9:1-9
  • Additional (ADD): Jubilees 16:1-4

Bereshiyt (Genesis) 18:1-33

18:1 [Elohim](LXX) appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the land, 3 and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don't go away from your servant. 4 Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.” They said, “Very well, do as you have said.” 6 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. 8 He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate. 9 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.” 10 He said, “I will certainly return to you at the time of life; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age and Sarah ceased to be in the feminine way. 12 Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” 13 [Elohim](LXX) said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?' 14 Is any word too wonderful for [Elohim]?(LXX) At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah will have a son.” 15 Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn't laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” 16 The men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way. 17 [Elohim](LXX) said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do, 18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the land will be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, to the end that he may command his sons and his household after him, that they may keep the way of [Elohim],(mss) to do righteousness and justice; to the end that [Elohim](LXX) may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.” 20 [Elohim](mss) said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21 I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.” 22 The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before [Elohim].(mss) 23 Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 May it be far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn't the Judge of all the land do right?” 26 [Elohim](mss) said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes. 28 What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?” He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 He spoke to him yet again, and said, “What if there are forty found there?” He said, “I will not do it for the forty's sake.” 30 He said, “Oh don't let the Lord be angry, and I will speak. What if there are thirty found there?” He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord. What if there are twenty found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the twenty's sake.” 32 He said, “Oh don't let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten's sake.” 33 He(LXX) went his way as soon as he had finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Torah Portion Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

  1. Genesis 18:1-2 [Elohim](LXX) appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed himself to the land,
    1. Jubilees 16:1 And on the new moon of the fourth month we (the angels) appeared unto Abraham, at the oak of Mamre, and we talked with him, and we announced to him that a son would be given to him by Sarah his wife.
    2. Often translated as “angel” or “messenger,” מַלְאַךְ malakh (H4397) is one who bears a message or runs an errand. Walks for another (i.e. הַלֵּךְ halaka means to walk). מַלְאַךְ malakh is equivalent to the Greek ἄγγελος angelos (G32) and defined as one who is sent as a messenger or envoy.
    3. Acts 23:7-8 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
      1. “Angels in Early Rabbinic Literature…Though the Bible records that the men ate a meal that Abraham had prepared for them, the rabbis stipulate that the trio only appeared to eat — since, being angels, they are not physical beings, but merely resemble them.” – https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/angels/
      2. “Origin of Angels…The angels enjoy the splendor of the Shekhinah and are free of the yeẓer ha-ra (“evil inclination”; Gen. R. 48:11); they have no needs (Yoma 4b; Mid. Ps. to 78:25; cf. also LXX and Targum, Ps. 78:25; MGWJ, 22 (1873), 113); they are classified according to countries and as a result there are angels who must not leave Ereẓ Israel (Tanḥ. B., Gen. 178); no angel may carry out more than one mission at a time (BM 86b; Gen. R. 50:2; Justin Martyr, Dialog. 56c); and they are capable of error (Eccles. R. 6:10, no. 1: cf. Adam and Eve 13–05). According to one concept the size of an angel is equal to a third of the world (R. Berechiah, PR 83:12; Gen. R. 68:12).” https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/angels-and-angelology-2
    4. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan And the glory of the Lord was revealed to him in the valley of Mamre; and he, being ill from the pain of circumcision, sat at the door of the tabernacle in the fervour (or strength) of the day. And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, three angels in the resemblance of men were standing before him; (angels) who had been sent from the necessity of three things;–because it is not possible for a ministering angel to be sent for more than one purpose at a time;–one, then, had come to make known to him that Sarah should bear a man-child; one had come to deliver Lot; and one to overthrow Sedom and Amorah. And when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the door of the tent, and bowed himself on the earth.
    5. Jerusalem Targum Three angels were sent to our father Abraham; and the three were sent for three things;–because it is not possible that one of the high angels should be sent for more things than one. The first angel was sent to announce to our father Abraham, that, behold, Sarah would bear Izhak; the second angel was sent to deliver Lot from the midst of the overthrow; the third angel was sent to overthrow Sedom and Amorah, Admah and Zeboim. Therefore was there a word of prophecy from before the Lord unto Abraham the Just, and the Word of the Lord was revealed to him in the valley of vision; and he sat in the door of the tabernacle, comforting himself from his circumcision in the fervour (or strength) of the day.]
      1. Luke 1:19-20 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
      2. Revelation 22:6 He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.”
      3. Revelation 22:16 I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the seed of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
  2. Genesis 18:3-5 and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant. 4 Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.” They said, “Very well, do as you have said.”
  3. Genesis 18:6-8 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. 8 He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate.
  4. Genesis 18:9-10 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.” 10 He said, “I will certainly return to you at the time of life; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him.
    1. Romans 9:8-9 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs. 9 For this is a word of promise, “At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” (cf. Genesis 18:10, 14)
  5. Genesis 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age and Sarah ceased to be in the feminine way.
    1. The phrase “manner” or “way of women” is γυναικεῖος gynaikeios in Greek (G1134) and translated as “feminine” in the Septuagint (cf. Genesis 18:11; Leviticus 18:22; Deuteronomy 22:5). γυναικεῖος gynaikeios is only used once in the Apostolic Scriptures (cf. 1 Peter 3:7).
    2. Leviticus 18:22 With a male you will not lie on a woman’s bed, it is detestable.
      1. Septuagint (LXX) Leviticus 18:22 And with a man you shall not go to bed in marriage-bed in the feminine way; for it is an abomination.
    3. Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman will not wear a strong man’s habiliments, neither will a strong man put on a woman’s garment; for whoever does these is an abomination to YHWH your Elohim.
      1. Septuagint (LXX) Deuteronomy 22:5 The items of a man shall not be upon a woman, nor a man put on a feminine long garment; for every one that does these things is an abomination to the YHWH your Elohim.
        1. long garment = שִׂמְלָה simlah (H8071) is the feminine form of the noun which means image, statue, or idol through the idea of a cover assuming the shape of the object beneath. שִׂמְלָה simlah is equivalent to the Greek word στολή stolē (G4749) is a loose, long outer garment for men extending to the feet, worn by kings, priests, and persons of rank
    4. 1 Peter 3:7 The husbands, in the same way, live with them according to knowledge, as to the weaker utensil in the feminine way (gynaikeios G1134), giving honor as also being joint heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
      1. weaker = ἀσθενής asthenēs (G772) in 1 Peter 3:7 literally means “without vigor or strength” and is equivalent to the Hebrew רָפֶה rafeh (H7504) which means, “one weakened by illness or disease.” ἀσθενής asthenēs is sometimes translated to רַךְ raḵ in Hebrew (H7390) which is often translated as tender, soft, delicate, or weak (cf. Genesis 29:17; Numbers 13:18). When referenced to the “manner” or “way of women,” רַךְ raḵ means “the tenderness of the loins or reproductive organs.”
      2. utensil = σκεῦος skeuos (G4632) refers to a utensil or implement, especially for domestic or household use as opposed to a vessel which is a “hollow container, especially one used to hold liquid, such as a bowl or cask.”
      3. Leviticus 15:19-33 If a woman has a discharge, and her discharge in her flesh is blood, she will be in her impurity seven days. Whoever touches her will be unclean until the evening. 20 Everything that she lies on in her impurity will be unclean. Everything also that she sits on will be unclean. 21 Whoever touches her bed will wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 22 Whoever touches anything that she sits on will wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 23 If it is on the bed, or on anything she sits on, when he touches it, he will be unclean until the evening. 24 If any man lies with her, and her monthly flow is on him, he will be unclean seven days; and every bed he lies on will be unclean. 25 If a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her seperation, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her seperation, all the days of the discharge of her uncleanness will be as in the days of her seperation. She is unclean. 26 Every bed she lies on all the days of her discharge will be to her as the bed of her seperation. Everything she sits on will be unclean, as the uncleanness of her seperation. 27 Whoever touches these things will be unclean, and will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 28 But if she is cleansed of her discharge, then she will count to herself seven days, and after that she will be clean. 29 On the eighth day she will take two turtledoves, or two sons of a dove, and bring them to the priest, to the door of the Appointed Tent. 30 The priest will offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest will make atonement for her before YHWH for the uncleanness of her discharge. 31 Thus you will separate the sons of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.’ ” 32 This is the Torah of him who has a discharge, and of him who has an emission of semen, so that he is unclean by it; 33 and of her who is sick [hemorrhaging](LXX) in her separation, and of a man or woman who has a discharge, and of him who lies with her who is unclean.
  6. Genesis 18:12 Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
    1. Abraham laughed out loud, Sarah did not
      1. Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?”
  7. Genesis 18:13-15 [Elohim](LXX) said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’ 14 Is any word too wonderful for [Elohim]?(LXX) At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah will have a son.” 15 Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
    1. Jubilees 16:1-4 And on the new moon of the fourth month we (the angels) appeared unto Abraham, at the oak of Mamre, and we talked with him, and we announced to him that a son would be given to him by Sarah his wife. 2. And Sarah laughed, for she heard that we had spoken these words with Abraham, and we admonished her, and she became afraid, and denied that she had laughed on account of the words. 3. And we told her the name of her son, as his name is ordained and written in the heavenly tables (Isaac) 4. And that when we returned to her at a set time, she would have conceived a son.
    2. Jubilees 16:12-13 And in the middle of the sixth new moon the Lord visited Sarah and did unto her as He had spoken, and she conceived. 13. And she bare a son in the third new moon, [1980 A.M.] and in the middle of the new moon, at the time of which the Lord had spoken to Abraham, on the festival of the first fruits of the harvest, Isaac was born.
  8. Genesis 18:16 The men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way.
  9. Genesis 18:17-19 [Elohim](LXX) said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do, 18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the land will be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, to the end that he may command his sons and his household after him, that they may keep the way of [Elohim],(mss) to do righteousness and justice; to the end that [Elohim](LXX) may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”
  10. Genesis 18:20-22 [Elohim](mss) said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21 I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.” 22 The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before [Elohim].(mss)
    1. What was Sodom’s sin? Many are surprised to hear that it was not sodomy.
      1. sod·om·y – intercourse involving anal or oral copulation.
      2. Genesis 19:1-5 The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the land, 2 and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go on your way. [Afterward you will cross over since you crossed over upon your servant.]”(mss) They said, “No, but we will stay in the street all night.” 3 He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter. 5 They called to Lot, and said to him, “Where are the men who came in to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.”
    2. Wisdom of Solomon 19:13-17 The Wisdom of Solomon or Book of Wisdom is a Jewish work, written in Greek, and most likely composed in Alexandria, Egypt. Generally dated to the mid first century B.C. It is uncertain whether the book has a single author or comes from a school of writers, but recent scholarship has favored regarding it as a unified work. Fragments of the Wisdom of Solomon were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in the first discovered and excavated cave at Qumran in 1949.
    3. 19:13 Punishments came upon the sinners, not without the signs that were given beforehand by the force of the thunders; for they justly suffered through their own wickednesses, for the hatred which they practiced toward guests was grievous indeed. 14 For whereas the others didn’t receive the strangers when they came to them, the Egyptians made slaves of guests who were their benefactors. 15 And not only so, but Elohim will visit the men of Sodom another way, since they received as enemies those who were sojourners; 16 whereas these first welcomed with feastings, and then afflicted with dreadful toils, those who had already shared with them in the same rights. 17 And moreover they were stricken with loss of sight (even as were those others at the righteous man’s doors), when, being surrounded with yawning darkness, they each looked for the passage through his own door.
    4. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan And the Lord said to the ministering angels, The cry of Sedom and Amorah, because they oppress the poor, and decree that whosoever giveth a morsel to the needy will be burned with fire, is therefore great, and their guilt exceedingly weighty. I will now appear, and see whether, as the cry of a damsel torn away, which ascendeth before Me, they have made completion of their sins; (or, whether they have made an end of their sins😉 and if they have wrought repentance, will they not be as (if) innocent before Me? and as if not knowing, I will not punish.
    5. Jerusalem Targum Now will I appear and see, according as the cry of the people of Sedom and Amorah hath ascended before Me, whether they have made a complete end. It may be, that some among these sinners do not know that their works of evil are manifest before Me. And if they seek to work repentance, behold, they will be considered before Me as if those works had not been known.
    6. Josephus 1.11.1-3 About this time the Sodomites grew proud, on account of their riches and great wealth; they became unjust towards men, and impious towards God, insomuch that they did not call to mind the advantages they received from him: they hated strangers, and abused themselves with Sodomitical practices. Elohim was therefore much displeased at them, and determined to punish them for their pride, and to overthrow their city, and to lay waste their country, until there should neither plant nor fruit grow out of it. 1.11.2. When Elohim had thus resolved concerning the Sodomites, Abraham, as he sat by the oak of Mambre, at the door of his tent, saw three angels; and thinking them to be strangers, he rose up, and saluted them, and desired they would accept of an entertainment, and abide with him; to which, when they agreed, he ordered cakes of meal to be made presently; and when he had slain a calf, he roasted it, and brought it to them, as they sat under the oak. Now they made a show of eating; and besides, they asked him about his wife Sarah, where she was; and when he said she was within, they said they would come again hereafter, and find her become a mother. Upon which the woman laughed, and said that it was impossible she should bear children, since she was ninety years of age, and her husband was a hundred. Then they concealed themselves no longer, but declared that they were angels of God; and that one of them was sent to inform them about the child, and two of the overthrow of Sodom. 1.11.3. When Abraham heard this, he was grieved for the Sodomites; and he rose up, and besought Elohim for them, and entreated him that he would not destroy the righteous with the wicked. And when Elohim had replied that there was no good man among the Sodomites; for if there were but ten such man among them, he would not punish any of them for their sins, Abraham held his peace. And the angels came to the city of the Sodomites, and Lot entreated them to accept of a lodging with him; for he was a very generous and hospitable man, and one that had learned to imitate the goodness of Abraham. Now when the Sodomites saw the young men to be of beautiful countenances, and this to an extraordinary degree, and that they took up their lodgings with Lot, they resolved themselves to enjoy these beautiful boys by force and violence; and when Lot exhorted them to sobriety, and not to offer any thing immodest to the strangers, but to have regard to their lodging in his house; and promised that if their inclinations could not be governed, he would expose his daughters to their coveting, instead of these strangers; neither thus were they made ashamed.
    7. Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
  11. Genesis 18:23-32 Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 May it be far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn’t the Judge of all the land do right?” 26 [Elohim](mss) said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes. 28 What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?” He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 He spoke to him yet again, and said, “What if there are forty found there?” He said, “I will not do it for the forty’s sake.” 30 He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak. What if there are thirty found there?” He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord. What if there are twenty found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake.” 32 He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.”
    1. 2 Esdras (4 Esdras) 7:102-115 2 Esdras, consisting of chapters 3-14, (also called 4 Esdras, Latin Esdras, or Latin Ezra) is the name of a book in many English versions of the Bible. Its authorship is ascribed to Ezra, a scribe and priest of the 5th century B.C., although modern scholarship places its composition between 70 and 218 A.D. It is reckoned among the apocrypha by Roman Catholics, Protestants, and most Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Ethiopian Church considers 4 Ezra to be canonical, written during the Babylonian captivity, and calls it “Izra Sutuel” (ዕዝራ ሱቱኤል). It was also often cited by the Fathers of the Church. In the Eastern Armenian tradition it is called 3 Ezra.
    2. 7:102 I answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, show further to me, your servant, whether on the day of judgment the righteous will be able to intercede for the impious or to entreat the Most High for them— 103 fathers for sons or sons for parents, brothers for brothers, relatives for their kindred, or friends for those who are most dear.” 104 He answered me and said, “Since you have found favor in my sight, I will show you this also. The day of judgment is decisive and displays to all the seal of truth. Just as now a father does not send his son, or a son his father, or a master his servant, or a friend his dearest friend, to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his place, 105 so no one will ever pray for another on that day, neither will anyone lay a burden on another; for then all will bear their own righteousness and unrighteousness.” 106 I answered and said, “How then do we find that first Abraham prayed for the people of Sodom, and Moses for our ancestors who sinned in the desert, 107 and Joshua after him for Israel in the days of Achan, 108 and Samuel in the days of Saul, and David for the plague, and Solomon for those at the dedication, 109 and Elijah for those who received the rain, and for the one who was dead, that he might live, 110 and Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many others prayed for many? 111 So if now, when corruption has increased and unrighteousness has multiplied, the righteous have prayed for the impious, why will it not be so then as well?” 112 He answered me and said, “This present world is not the end; the full glory does not remain in it; therefore those who were strong prayed for the weak. 113 But the day of judgment will be the end of this age and the beginning of the immortal age to come, in which corruption has passed away, 114 sinful indulgence has come to an end, unbelief has been cut off, and righteousness has increased and truth has appeared. 115 Therefore no one will then be able to have mercy on someone who has been condemned in the judgment, or to harm someone who is victorious.”
  12. Genesis 18:33 He(LXX) went his way as soon as he had finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Prophets Portion Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

  1. The context for our portion begins in Isaiah 33 is YHWH bringing judgement upon Assyria because they destroyed, oppressed and acted treacherously toward Israel. 
    1. The ambassadors had attempted to establish peaceable agreements with the Assyrians, but they continually broke their agreements. 
      1. “He has broken the covenant, he has despised the cities, he has no regard for man” (Isa. 33:8).
    2. Now, the valiant men and ambassadors are crying in the streets; even the land mourns, withers, and loses its foliage.
  2. As we see from the historical narrative in 2 Kings, Israel was steeped in all kinds of detestable sin for a long time. As a result, the Lord hid himself from Israel and eventually she cried out to God (and only God) for salvation in chapter 33.
    1. “O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of distress” (Isa. 33:2).
      1. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23).
  3. The God of Israel has characteristics that no other god has (Isa. 33:2-5).
    1. Graciousness, Strength every morning, Salvation, Justice, Righteousness, Stability, Wisdom, and Knowledge.
    2. The Lord is Faithful to come to the rescue of His people.
      1. “’Now I will arise,’ says the LORD, ‘Now I will be exalted, now I will be lifted up” (Isa. 33:10).

KEY POINT:

It is the Lord who provides stability, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. In return, he requires and treasures our wholehearted fear and awe of Him.

  1. It’s interesting to see how God deals with the unrighteous and unrepentant heart.
    1. “Woe to you, destroyer, while you were not destroyed; and he who is treacherous, while others did not deal treacherously with him. As soon as you finish destroying, you will be destroyed. As soon as you cease to deal treacherously, others will deal treacherously with you. (Isa. 33:1).
      1. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you” (Mat. 7:2).
      2. In regard to an evil, unrepentant man … 
        1. “He has dug a pit and hollowed it out and has fallen into the hole which he made. His harm will return on his own head, and his violence will descend on the top of his own head” (Psa. 7:15-16).
  2. Verse 14 reminds us that God is a consuming fire and this terrifies the wicked.
    1. “Sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling has seized the godless. ‘Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?’” (Isa. 33:14).
      1. The answer to this question is the righteous! (See Isa. 33:15-21).
        1. The righteous will:
          1. Walk righteously and speak with sincerity
          2. Reject unjust gain
          3. Walk away from a bribe
          4. Stops his ears from hearing bloodshed
          5. Covers his eyes from evil
          6. To the one who walks righteously, God’s consuming fire will be as rejoicing light.
          7. Dwell in the heights and his refuge will be an impregnable rock
          8. He will not hunger or thirst.
          9. The righteous will see the King in His beauty and behold a far-distant land.
      2. The memory of the fear and pain they once endured shall add to the pleasure of their deliverance. Where are those that participated in waging war? 
        1. “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Cor. 1:20).
  3. The righteous look forward to a city of appointed feasts and undisturbed land, and no sickness. There will be wide rivers without ships or boats to wage war. 
    1. “The Lord is our King; He will save us” (Isa. 33:22).
  4. What will become of the wicked (Isa. 34)?
    1. The Lord’s indignation and wrath.
    2. Destruction and slaughter.
    3. A land soaked in blood and a day of vengeance.
      1. Yet a little while and the wicked person will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there…Then he passed away, and behold, he was no more; I searched for him, but he could not be found”” (Psa. 37:10,36).

KEY POINT:

God is good all the time. All the time God is good. 

“But if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve YHWH.” ( Jos. 24:15).

Apostolic Portion Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

  1. Abraham has been a key figure in this year’s Torah cycle, both in our Shabbat study and the Mid-week Midrash.
    1. Today we’re going to look again at Abraham, this time from the perspective of his lineage, family and descendants.
      1. Provides important context for key questions about Jews and Gentiles and how we answer questions about identity, status, inheritance and the keeping of the Torah.
    2. We’re also going to explore in scripture, “the Promise”.
      1. “That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants” (Rom. 9:8).
      2. See also Acts 13:32; Acts 26:6-7; Rom. 4:13-14,16,20; 9:8; Gal. 3:14,17,19,22; 4:23; Eph. 2:12; 3:6; Heb. 6:13,17; 9:15.

PREMISE:

“The Promise” is the singular, grand and overarching focal point for the redemption of humanity. It is the thread that unifies all scripture and provides context for understanding God’s interaction with Israel and the nations.

  1. So, what exactly is the Promise?
    1. “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:1-3).
    2. “For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.’ And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise” (Heb. 6:13-14).
  2. How do we know that this is the Promise?
    1. If we had never opened a Bible, would we accept that this was the “grand and overarching focal point for the redemption for humanity”?
      1. Promissory – contains a solemn pledge or vow from God Almighty.
      2. Universal — “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed”.
    2. Additional witness from scripture:
      1. This Promise to Abraham is the good news.
        1. “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you’” (Gal. 3:8).
        2. “And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers” (Acts 13:32).
      2. Abraham is called the “heir of the world”.
        1. “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith” (Rom. 4:13).
  3. The first important truth about the Promise is that God gave it to Abraham and then repeated it to his son and grandson.
    1. First to Isaac:
      1. “And the Lord appeared to [Isaac] the same night and said, ‘I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants, for the sake of My servant Abraham’” (Gen. 26:24).
    2. Then to Jacob:
      1. “Then behold, the Lord was standing above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your descendants. Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 28:13-14).
    3. Thus, scripture says that the Promise is made “to the fathers” (Acts 13:32; Rom. 5:8) – specifically, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
  4. Why is this significant?
    1. In ancient times, the father defined every aspect of identity — lineage, land (“fatherland”), governance, etc. 
      1. He was the progenitor (Pro-“forth”+ Gene– “beget; produce” — e.g.  the source.

KEY POINT:

From the beginning, the Promise inextricably linked the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with the land, the Torah, and most important, their covenant with God.

  1. After Jacob, God affirms the promise again some 450 years later to the Israelites through Moses, His chosen mediator.
    1. “God furthermore said to Moses, ‘This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is the name for all generations to use to call upon Me… I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” (Exo. 3:15; 6:7).
  2. Another important aspect of the Promise is that it established a father/child relationship between YHWH and the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
    1. “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Israel is My son, My firstborn’” (Exo. 4:22).
    2. “They will come with weeping, and by pleading I will bring them; I will lead them by streams of waters, on a straight path on which they will not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn” (Jer. 31:9).
    3. This is why Paul says of the Jewish people in Romans 9:4, “theirs is the adoption as sons (#5206)”. 
      1. G5206. huiothesia – “adoption as sons”.
        1. See also Rom. 8:15;23; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5.

KEY POINT:

The Promise established the physical descendants of Jacob as the adopted sons of YHWH, a relationship that is permanent and enduring. 

  1. The Promise ensures that God cannot reject His people, the sons of Israel.
    1. “Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the LORD of hosts is His name: ‘If this fixed order departs From before Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘Then the seed of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever.’ Thus says the LORD, ‘If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out below, then I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done,’ declares the LORD” (Jer. 31:35-37).
  2. Two reasons why the above context of the Promise from the Tanakh (e.g. Old Testament) is important.
    1. #1 – We need to have a biblical perspective on the Jewish people and, by extension, the modern State of Israel.
      1. There seem to be two extremes these days:
        1. Replacement Theology (RT):
          1. “Replacement theology, also known as supersessionism, is a Christian doctrine that asserts the Church has superseded the Jewish people as God’s covenanted people. It views the Church as the new or true Israel, permanently replacing Israel in this role”.
          2. While RT has weakened theologically in the past century, there is a resurgence of anti-Israel bias and even anti-Semitism among Reform/Conservative Christians.
            1. [From my perspective, this seems to be unduly influenced by politics and some, at times legitimate criticism of Israel. These critics also seem to be reacting to continued hostility among Jews towards the Gospel]. 
        2. Dispensationalism leading to hyper-Israeli nationalism:
          1. After 150 years of Futurist Dispensationalist eschatology, much of Evangelical Christianity views the Jewish people, and by extension, the State of Israel, with “spiritual” bias that is characterized by 1) a compromising of the Gospel as it relates to covenant status, and 2) unqualified and overly politicized support for the secular government of Israel. 
    2. #2 – The foundations of the Promise in the Tanakh are crucial to understanding the social and religious context of the 1st-century – specifically, how offensive and disruptive the Gospel was to Israel, especially once it was received by the Gentiles. 
      1. The dominant perspective in the 1st-century was that covenant status was only available to Jews.
      2. Gentiles could only enter into the Promise through ritual conversion and even then, they were generally viewed as an inferior status.
      3. The prevalent hope was that because the land belonged to Israel via the Promise, the coming of Mashiach would result in the freeing of the Jewish people from Roman oppression (see Acts 1:6).
  3. But Yeshua had a very different message. Throughout His ministry, He challenged the status quo as it related to covenant status and inheritance.
    1. “So, Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, “You will become free?” Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So, if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore, you also do the things which you heard from your father.’ They answered and said to Him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father.’ They said to Him, ‘We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God” (John 8:31-47).

KEY POINT:

As the only begotten son of Elohim, Yeshua was the model of sonship and lineage – i.e. that which is spiritual, not natural or biological.

  1. Yeshua established to whom the Promise is truly given and how the recipient obtains their inheritance. 
    1. “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Yeshua by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from Elohim as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless Elohim is with him.’ Yeshua answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’ Yeshua answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:1-7)
    2. Like most Pharisees of his day, Nicodemus’ understanding of the Promise was rooted in natural lineage and heredity.

KEY POINT:

The dominant worldview in 1st-century Israel was that ethnic status (i.e. Jewishness) was the sole criteria for obtaining the Promise. Moreover, any challenge to this premise not only violated scripture (i.e. “abolished the Torah”) but also threatened the very existence of God’s covenant people. 

  1. It was into this setting that Paul was called as an apostle to the Gentiles.
    1. “But the Lord said to [Ananias], ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake’” (Acts 9:15).
  2. Beloved, we cannot truly understand Paul ministry – both his message and the persecution it resulted in – apart from the scandal the Gentiles being given the Promise.
    1. “Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Messiah. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me… praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned” (Col. 1:25-29; 4:2).
    2. “Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense (Gr. skandalon) of the cross has been abolished” (Gal. 5:11)
  3. Paul always preached to the Jews first (ref. Rom. 1:16) and usually only met resistance when he taught that the Promise (i.e. the Good News) was also for the Gentiles.
    1. “The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul and were blaspheming. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, “I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.” When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district” (Acts 13:44-50).
    2. “And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; the Promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. For this hope, O king, I am being accused by Jews” (Acts 26:6-7).

KEY POINT:

Virtually all of Paul’s epistles, and the corresponding narratives in Acts, touch on the “mystery of the Gentiles” and their inclusion in the Promise made to the fathers.

  1. This is the context for our portion today:
    1. “I am telling the truth in Messiah, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Messiah for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Messiah according to the flesh, who is over all. May God be blessed forever. Amen. But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants” (Rom. 9:1-8).

Does anyone have specific questions or need any clarification from what was said during the Summary or Exhortation?

Application & Discussion
Living the Word and following Yeshua (Acts 2:37; Romans 2:13)
Questions, input, and sharpening (Proverbs 27:17; Luke 2:46)

Romans 2:13 For it isn’t the hearers of the Torah who are righteous before Elohim, but the doers of the Torah will be justified.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

    1. What questions or comments came up during your family’s discussion of this week’s study?
    2. “What other related Scriptures did you find during your study of this week’s portion?”
    3. Have you ever experienced something from this study or something related to it?
    4. “What changes do you need to make in your life to align with what you learned during this week’s Torah Study?”
    5. If we have received the Promise by believing in the Good News, where do we now place our hope – in the flesh or the spirit?
      1. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Messiah Yeshua. For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yeshua has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what was impossible for the Torah—since it was weakened on account of the flesh—God has done. Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering, He condemned sin in the flesh— so that the requirement of the Torah might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and shalom. For the mindset of the flesh is hostile toward God, for it does not submit itself to the law of God—for it cannot. So those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit—if indeed the Spirit Elohim dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, he does not belong to Him. But if Messiah is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of the One who raised Yeshua from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Messiah Yeshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we do not owe anything to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit Elohim, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall again into fear; rather, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, also heirs—heirs of God and joint-heirs with Messiah—if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Rom. 8:1-17).
      2. If God is our Father and we are His children, how now should we live?
        1. “Everyone who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the one born of Him. We know that we love God’s children by this—when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God—that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:1-3).
        2. “But an hour is coming—it is here now—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshipers. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).
      3. How should we approach the modern State of Israel be as Believers?
      4. What are Elohim’s future plans for the Jewish people?
Additional Study Notes