Study Notes Week 4

Torah Study Notes for Week 4 of the Torah Reading Cycle

• Torah (T): Bereshiyt (Genesis) 4:1-26
• Prophets (P): Joel 2:28-32
• Apostolic (A): Matthew 23:34-37; Hebrews 11:1-4; 1 John 3:10-12
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 3:32 – 4:12; Enoch 22:1-14

Torah Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

1. Genesis 4:1 The man knew Chavah his woman…
   1. אִשָּׁה ishah (H802) is translated as “woman” from the root אִישׁ ish (H376) which means “man.” “…She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:23 cf. 1 Corinthians 11:7-12). אִישׁ ish is equivalent to the Greek word γυνή gynē (G1135) which also translates as both “woman” or “wife.” Neither Biblical Hebrew or Greek have a definitive word for “wife.”
      1. Yeshua said to [his mother], “Woman (γυνή gynē G1135), what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”
2. Genesis 4:1…She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I purchased a man [with Elohim].”^(LXX)(syr)
   1. וְהָאָדָם יָדַע אֶת חַוָּה אִשְׁתּוֹ וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד אֶת קַיִן וַתֹּאמֶר קָנִיתִי אִישׁ אֶת אֱלֹהִים veha’adam yada et chavah ishto vattahar vatteled et kayin vattomer kaniti ish et elohim
   2. According to Jeff Benner of The Ancient Hebrew Research Center, if the Hebrew word אֶת (et) is being used as a preposition (with), then the translation provided is correct. However, if it is being used as the marker of the definite object, then the translation should be “I purchased the man [Elohim].”^(LXX)(syr)
   3. קַיִן Qayin (H7014) comes from a root word which means “to acquire or purchase” and shares the same root with the word קִנְיָן qinyan (H7075) which translates to “possessions” as in the goods and wealth acquired. קִנְיָן qinyan is translated to property, acquisition, or ownership in modern Hebrew. קַיִן Qayin is also “smiths”
      1. Furthermore, the word “zealous” and “jealous” are the same word in Hebrew and share the same root as Cain’s name (קַנָּא qana H7067) referring to a single-minded person insistent on reaching the desired outcome; one who is protective over someone or something. A root of is קַן qan (H7064) and means “nest”—”The parent bird will guard over and protect the nest and eggs from predators. Man can guard over the family, wife, and possessions in a positive way (protect from an enemy) or a negative way (by not trusting or a desire to have another’s possessions).” – Jeff Benner
   4. Likely among many other skills, Qayin’s descendants were those who dwelt in tents and had livestock (Genesis 4:20), those who handled the harp and pipe (Genesis 4:21), and the forgers of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron (Genesis 4:22). Qayin most likely taught these various skills to his children who acquired more knowledge and expanded their skills even beyond their predecessors.
   5. This intense zeal to acquire knowledge is likely the result of eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which, was “coveted to give intelligence” (Genesis 3:6)
      1. וְנֶחְמָד לְהַשְׂכִּיל venechamad lehasakiyl can literally translate to “and coveted to give intelligence” וְנֶחְמָד לְהַשְׂכִּיל venechamad lehasakiyl is translated to “and nice to educate” in modern Hebrew.
      2. חָמַד chamad (H2530) means to want something that is pleasant out of desire or lust. חָמַד chamad comes from the root word cham which means “cheese” which was a delicacy in ancient times. חָמַד chamad is equivalent to ἐπιθυμέω epithymeō (G1937) which means to turn one’s heart upon a thing or to have a desire or longing for something (cf. Matthew 5:28; Romans 7:7; 1 Corinthians 10:6)
      3. שָׂכַל śāḵal (H7919) means “to intelligently understand or calculate” in the sense of being prudent or circumspect in order to be successful or prosperous. שָׂכַל śāḵal is equivalent to the Greek word κατανοέω katanoeō (G2657) and means “to contemplate” or calculate by attentive consideration of something; to fix one’s eyes or mind upon.
   6. Josephus And when Cain had traveled over many countries, he, with his woman, built a city, named Nod, which is a place so called, and there he settled his abode; where also he had children. However, he did not accept of his punishment in order to amendment, but to increase his wickedness; for he only aimed to procure every thing that was for his own bodily pleasure, though it obliged him to be injurious to his neighbors. He augmented his household substance with much wealth, by rapine and violence; he excited his acquaintance to procure pleasures and spoils by robbery, and became a great leader of men into wicked courses. He also introduced a change in that way of simplicity wherein men lived before; and was the author of measures and weights. And whereas they lived innocently and generously while they knew nothing of such arts, he changed the world into cunning craftiness. He first of all set boundaries about lands: he built a city, and fortified it with walls, and he compelled his family to come together to it…Nay, even while Adam was alive, it came to pass that the posterity of Cain became exceeding wicked, every one successively dying, one after another, more wicked than the former. They were intolerable in war, and vehement in robberies; and if any one were slow to murder people, yet was he bold in his profligate behavior, in acting unjustly, and doing injuries for gain.
3. Genesis 4:2 Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel…
   1. The name הֶבֶל Hevel (H1893) shares the same root as the word הָבַל haval (H1892) and means “emptiness or vanity” , is equivalent to the Greek word μάταιος mataios (G3152) which means to be devoid of force, truth, success, or result; useless, of no purpose or ματαιότης mataiotēs (G3153) what is devoid of truth and appropriateness (cf. 2 Peter 2:18); perverseness or depravation (cf. Ephesians 4:17); frailty or want of vigor (cf. Romans 8:20).
      1. Deuteronomy 32:21 They have moved me to zeal with that which is not Elohim. They have provoked me to anger with their vanities (הָבַל haval H1892 in Hebrew, εἴδωλον eidōlon in the Septuagint G1497). I will move them to zeal with those who are not a people. I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
      2. Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: 2 “Vanity (הָבַל haval H1892) of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”  3 What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun? 4 One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
4. Genesis 4:2…Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
   1. Josephus Now the two brethren were pleased with different courses of life: for Abel, the younger, was a lover of righteousness; and believing that Elohim was present at all his actions, he excelled in virtue; and his employment was that of a shepherd. But Cain was not only very wicked in other respects, but was wholly intent upon getting; and he first contrived to plough the ground…
   2. A plough is a large farming implement with one or more blades fixed in a frame
5. Genesis 4:3 As time passed, Cain brought an offering to [Elohim]^(LXX) from the fruit of the ground.
   1. Genesis 3:17 “…the ground is cursed for your sake”
6. Genesis 4:4 Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. [Elohim]^(LXX) respected Abel and his offering,
7. Genesis 4:5 but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering.
   1. Josephus He slew his brother on the occasion following : – They had resolved to sacrifice to Elohim. Now Cain brought the fruits of the land, and of his husbandry; but Abel brought milk, and the first-fruits of his flocks: but Elohim was more delighted with the latter oblation, when he was honored with what grew naturally of its own accord, than he was with what was the invention of a covetous man, and gotten by forcing the ground
8. Genesis 4:5-7 …Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 [Elohim]^(LXX) said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.”
   1. • Similar wording as Genesis 3:16: “Your desire (or, submission)^(LXX) will be to your man, and he will rule over you.”
   2. Septuagint LXX Have you not sinned if you have brought it rightly, but not divided it? Be still, to you shall be his submission, and you shall rule over him.
   3. Targum And the Lord said to Kain, Why hast thou anger, and why are the features of thy face downcast? If thou doest thy work well, will not thy guilt be forgiven thee? But if thou doest not thy work well in this world, thy sin is retained unto the day of the great judgment, and at the doors of thy heart lieth thy sin. And into thy hand have I delivered the power over evil passion, and unto thee will be the inclination thereof, that thou mayest have authority over it to become righteous, or to sin
9. Genesis 4:8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, [“Let’s go into the field.”]^{(LXX)(SP)(Syr)} While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.
   1. Only the Samaritan Pentateuch, Greek Septuagint, Syriac, Latin Vulgate restore the original text, “Let us go out to the field”
      1. This shows the premeditated intent of Cain to kill his brother Abel.
      2. This restored text also provides some Biblical context to Targum’s account of the actual conversation Cain and Abel had, “And Kain said to Habel his brother, Come, and let us two go forth into the field. And it was that when they two had gone forth into the field, Kain answered and said to Habel…“
10. Genesis 4:9 [Elohim]^(LXX) said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 [YHWH]^(LXX) said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground. 11 Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
    1. We are introduced to Sheol and the different places the souls of the dead vs. the souls of he righteous reside until judgment in Enoch 22 of our additional reading (cf. 1 Samuel 28:5-15;  Luke 16:19-31):
       1. Enoch 22:1 And thence I went to another place, and he showed me in the west ⌈another⌉ great and high mountain [and] of hard rock. 2 And there was in it †four† hollow places, deep and wide and very smooth. †How† smooth are the hollow places and deep and dark to look at. 3. Then Raphael answered, one of the holy angels who was with me, and said unto me: ‘These hollow places have been created for this very purpose, that the spirits of the souls of the dead should assemble therein, yea that all the souls of the children of men should assemble here. And these places have been made to receive them till the day of their judgement and till their appointed period ⌈till the period appointed⌉, until the great judgement (comes) upon them.’ 5. I saw the spirits of the children of men who were dead, and their voice went forth to the heavens and made suit. 6. Then I asked Raphael the angel who was with me, and I said unto him: ‘This spirit–whose is it whose voice goeth forth and maketh suit?’ 7. And he answered me saying: ‘This is the spirit which went forth from Abel, whom his brother Cain slew, and he makes his suit against him till his seed is destroyed from the face of the land, and his seed is annihilated from amongst the seed of men.‘
       2. Enoch 22:8-13 Then I asked regarding it, and regarding all the hollow places: ‘Why as one separated from the other?’ 9. And he answered me and said unto me: ‘These three have been made that the spirits of the dead might be separated. (cf. Luke 16:26)
       3. Sheol has four total divisions (hollow places) where three are for the souls of the dead + one is for the souls of the righteous.
          1. Enoch 22:9 And such a division has been made〈for〉the spirits of the righteous, in which there as the bright spring of water. (cf. 1 Samuel 28:15) Luke 16:22 The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Sheol, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. 24 He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’
          2. Enoch 22:10-11 And such has been made for sinners when they die and are buried in the land and judgement has not been executed on them in their lifetime. 11. Here their spirits will be set apart in this great pain till the great day of judgement and punishment and torment of those who †curse† for ever, and retribution for their spirits. There He will bind them for ever. (cf. Luke 16:23; Luke 16:24; Luke 16:25) Hebrews 9:2728 Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, 28 so Messiah also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
          3. Enoch 22:12 And such a division has been made for the spirits of those who make their suit, who make disclosures concerning their destruction, when they were slain in the days of the sinners. (cf. Psalm 16:10; Psalm 30:3; Psalm 49:15; Psalm 86:13) Jonah 2:2 He said, “I called because of my affliction to YHWH. He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried. You heard my voice.” (cf. Matthew 12:38-40)
          4. Enoch 22:13 Such has been made for the spirits of men who were not righteous but sinners, who were complete in transgression, and of the transgressors. they will be companions: but their spirits will not be slain in the day of judgement nor will they be raised from thence. (cf. Numbers 16:27-35; Job 7:9; Proverbs 1:12) Proverbs 9:18 But he doesn’t know that the Rephaim are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
11. Genesis 4:12 From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the land.” 13 Cain said to [Elohim],^(LXX) “My [crime is too great for me to be forgiven].^(LXX) 14 Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the land. Whoever finds me will kill me.”
    1. Targum And the Lord sealed upon the face of Kain the mark of the Name great and honourable, that any one who might find him should not kill him when he saw it upon him.
    2. Jubilees 4:5 And on this account it is written on the heavenly tables, ‘Cursed is, he who smites his neighbour treacherously, and let all who have seen and heard say, So be it; and the man who has seen and not declared (it), let him be accursed as the other.’
       1. Deuteronomy 27:24 ‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’ All the people will say, ‘Amen.’
    3. Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for Elohim made man in his own image.
    4. Numbers 35:30-31 Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain based on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify alone against any person so that he dies. Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death. He shall surely be put to death.
    5. Galatians 3:19 Then why is there the Torah? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not between one, but Elohim is one.
    6. Romans 7:7-12 What shall we say then? Is the Torah sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the Torah. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the Torah had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the Torah, sin is dead. 9 I was alive apart from the Torah once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 The commandment which was for life, this I found to be for death; 11 for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 12 Therefore the Torah indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.
12. Genesis 4:15-24 YHWH said to him, “[Not so.]^(LXX)(syr) Whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him seven times.”
    1. Josephus Elohim therefore did not inflict the punishment [of death] upon him, on account of his offering sacrifice, and thereby making supplication to him not to be extreme in his wrath to him; but he made him accursed, and threatened his posterity in the seventh generation.
    2. Josephus Lamech was also the father of a daughter, whose name was Naamah. And because he was so skillful in matters of divine revelation, that he knew he was to be punished for Cain’s murder of his brother, he made that known to his wives.
       1. Cain’s wife gave birth to Enoch
       2. Irad was born to Enoch
       3. Irad became the father of [Mehaiel].^(LXX)
       4. [Mehaiel]^(LXX) became the father of Methushael.
       5. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
       6. Lamech took two wives: Adah gave birth to Jabal and Jubal.
       7. Zillah gave birth to Tubal Cain and his sister was Naamah.
          • Genesis 4:23-24 Lamech said, “I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. 24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”
    3. Not being able to curse whom YHWH has not cursed is consistent throughout Scripture. So is the practice of cursing or punishing future generations, especially when the wrong committed does not have a judgment in Torah.
       1. Numbers 23:8 How will I curse?  [YHWH]^(DSS) has not cursed. How will I defy? [Elohim]^(DSS) has not defied.
       2. Genesis 9:20-25 Noaḥ̣ began to be a farmer, and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the indecency of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the indecency of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s indecency. 24 Noaḥ̣ awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son (Ham) had done to him. 25 He said, “Canaan is cursed. He will be a servant of servants to his brothers.”
          1. Jubilees 7:13 And Ham knew that his father had cursed his younger son, and he was displeased that he had cursed his son, and he parted from his father, he and his sons with him, Cush and Mizraim and Put and Canaan.
       3. Exodus 20:5 …I, YHWH your Elohim, am El Qanna, counting (פָּקַד paqad H6485) the iniquity of the fathers on the sons, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me…
       4. 1 Kings 11:11-13 Therefore YHWH said to Solomon, “Because this is done by you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. 12 Nevertheless, I will not do it in your days, for David your father’s sake; but I will tear it out of your son’s hand. 13 However, I will not tear away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”
13. Genesis 4:25 Adam knew his woman again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, [saying],^(LXX) “for Elohim has given me another seed instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
    1. Galatians 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn’t say, “To seeds”, as of many, but as of one, “To your seed”, which is Messiah.
    2. Hebrews 12:24-25 to Yeshua, the mediator of a new covenant (cf. Jeremiah 31:31), and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. 25 See that you don’t refuse him who speaks…
       1. Jeremiah 31:31 “Behold, the days come,” says YHWH, “that I will make a renewed covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah, 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, which covenant of mine they broke, [and I disregarded]^(LXX) them,” says YHWH. (cf. Hebrews 8:9) 33 “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says YHWH: “I will put my Torah in their inward parts, and I will write it in their heart. I will be their Elohim, and they will be my people. 34 They will no longer each teach his neighbor, and every man teach his brother, saying, ‘Know YHWH;’ for they will all know me, from their least to their greatest,” says YHWH, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (cf. Hebrews 8:8-12)
       2. Matthew 26:28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
       3. Mark 14:24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many…”
       4. Luke 22:20 Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you…”
       5. 1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same way he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.”
       6. Hebrews 10:29 How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of Elohim, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
14. Genesis 4:26 A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. [This one]^(LXX)(syr) [hoped]^(LXX) to call on the name of [Elohim].^(LXX)
    1. Joel 2:28-32 It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. 29 And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit. 30 I will show wonders in the heavens and in the land: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of YHWH comes. 32 It will happen that whoever will call on YHWH’s name will be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as YHWH has said, and among the remnant, those whom YHWH calls.

Apostolic Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

1. 1. Today’s discussion is on the enduring witness of Abel.
      1. Yeshua testifies to him as, “Abel the righteous” (Habel tou dikaiou). (Mat. 23:35).
      2. God witnessed that Abel was righteous by accepting his gifts
         1. “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he received approval as righteous, God bearing witness by accepting his gifts; he died, but through his faith he is still speaking. (Heb. 11:4 RSV)
      3. John states that Abel’s deeds were righteous (1 John 3:12)
      4. Our first question is, “Why did God ‘regard’ or ‘pay attention to’ (H8159) Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s? 
         1. Did God prefer an offering from the flock versus the ground? Was it Abel’s offering of the “firstborn of his flock and of its fat” (vs. 4)?
   2. We find some interesting details in the additional readings:
      1. “They had resolved to sacrifice to Elohim. Now Cain brought the fruits of the land, and of his husbandry; but Abel brought milk, and the first-fruits of his flocks: but Elohim was more delighted with the latter oblation, when he was honored with what grew naturally of its own accord, than he was with what was the invention of a covetous man, and gotten by forcing the ground; whence it was that Cain was very angry that Abel was preferred by Elohim before him; and he slew his brother, and hid his dead body, thinking to escape discovery” (Josephus 1.2.1-2).
      2. “And it was that when they two had gone forth into the field, Kain answered and said to Habel, I perceive that the world was created in goodness, but it is not governed (or conducted) according to the fruit of good works, for there is respect to persons in judgment; therefore it is that thy offering was accepted, and mine not accepted with good will. Habel answered and said to Kain, in goodness was the world created, and according to the fruit of good works is it governed; and there is no respect of persons in judgment; but because the fruits of my works were better than thine, my oblation, before thine, hath been accepted with good will. Kain answered and said to Habel, There is neither judgment nor Judge, nor another world; nor will good reward be given to the righteous, nor vengeance be taken of the wicked. And Habel answered and said to Kain, There is a judgment, and there is a Judge; and there is another world, and a good reward given to the righteous, and vengeance taken of the wicked. And because of these words they had contention upon the face of the field; and Kain arose against Habel his brother, and drave a stone into his forehead, and killed him” (Targum Pseudo-Jonathan Gen. 4:1-26).
         1. Targum = Teaching – we can hold it to the same standard as that of the Apostles.
            1. “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5)
      3. Note the root of the brothers’ disagreement:
         1. Is there a Judge, does He judge the world, and if so, how does He dispense judgment on the righteous and the wicked?
            1. Faith versus Unbelief
               1. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
   3. Scripture confirms that Elohim is concerned with more than just the sacrifice and offerings itself (Both/And).
      1. “A sacrifice and offering you wanted not, but a body You readied to me; whole-burnt offerings and a sacrifice for sin, You did not seek” (Psa. 40:6-8 LXX).
         1. See also Mat. 9:13; 12:7; ref. Mat. 23:23.
      2. “For mercy I want, and not sacrifice but full knowledge of God rather than whole burnt offerings. But they are as a man violating covenant. There they show disdain for Me” (Hosea 6:6-7).
      3. “With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic. 6:6-8).
      4. “But Samuel answered, ‘What pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to his voice? ·Obedience is better sacrifice. ·It is better to listen to God than to offer [Submission/Heeding is better than] the fat of sheep [rams] (1 Sam. 15:22 EXB).

   KEY POINT:

   Abel’s offering was accepted because it was in accordance with God’s will both in action and in the heart behind the action.

Exhortation
Counsel, comfort, and encouragement (Acts 13:14-15)

1. The deeper question is, “What made Abel righteous?”

PREMISE:

The testimony of Abel affirms the witness from scripture that righteousness comes by faith 

1. How to get right with God – i.e. be accepted, approved and justified by Him – should be the supreme concern of every human being.
   1. Sadly, a great deal more effort and anxiety is spent on how to be accepted and approved by every one else but God.
   2. The “how” of righteousness is simple but not easy.
      1.  “Behold, as for the impudent one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous one will live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4).
      2. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed by faith to faith; as it is written: “But the righteous one will live by faith.” (Rom. 1:17; ref. Hab. 2:4).
2. Has faith been misrepresented in modern teaching?
   1. The modern definition of faith emphasizes the following:
      1. Faith as an object or thing to pursue and obtain.
      2. Faith as something that the more righteous possess in larger measure.
      3. Faith as something that is esteemed and idealized for its purity, power, and miraculous outcomes.
   2. Consider the following passages as common proof texts for this definition:
      1. “And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and be planted in the sea”; and it would obey you’” (Luk. 17:6); 
      2. “And Yeshua said to him, ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes” (Mar. 9:23).
      3. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father” (Joh. 14:12).
      4. “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind” (Jam. 1:6).
   3. A verse out of context is a proof text.

KEY POINT:

An unbiblical concept of faith can lead a person into endless striving to “have more faith” and results in a form of works-based righteousness that denies the grace of God in equal or greater measure to legalism. 

1. How can we gain a biblical understanding of faith?
   1. “[T]he righteous one will live by his faith (#H530)”.
   2. H530. emunah – “Faithfulness, firmness, steadfastness, trust, security, fidelity”.
      1. Usage: The Hebrew word “emunah” primarily conveys the idea of faithfulness and reliability. It is often used to describe the steadfastness and trustworthiness of God, as well as the faith and trust that humans are to have in God. In the context of human behavior, it can also refer to integrity and honesty.
      2. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, “emunah” was a foundational concept that underscored the covenant relationship between God and His people. It was not merely an intellectual assent but involved a deep, relational trust and commitment. This concept was crucial in a society where oral agreements and covenants were binding, and faithfulness was a highly valued trait.
2. Scripture also provides us with a definition of faith.
   1. “Now faith (#4102) is the assurance (#5287) of things hoped for, the conviction (#1650) of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
   2. G4102. pistis – 
      1. HELPS Word Study – “Faith (4102/pistis) is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. The root of 4102/pistis (“faith”) is 3982/peithô (“to persuade, be persuaded”) and for the believer is “God’s divine persuasion” – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence) yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will.
      2. 4102 (pistis) in secular antiquity referred to a guarantee (warranty). In Scripture, faith is God’s warranty, certifying that the revelation He inbirthed will come to pass (His way).
      3. G5287. hupostasis – “substance assurance, confidence, reality”.
         1. HELPS Word Study: 5287 hypóstasis (from 5259 /hypó, “under” and 2476 /hístēmi, “to stand”) – properly, standing under a guaranteed agreement (“title-deed”); i.e. a legitimate claim– entitling someone to what is guaranteed under the particular agreement.
      4. G1650. elegchos – conviction, evidence, proof.
         1. HELPS Word-studies: 1650 élegxos – inner conviction focuses on God confirming His inbirthing of faith (“the internal persuasion from Him,” see 4102 /pístis).
   3. Faith comes as Messiah speaks His word within us via the Holy Spirit.
      1.  “So faith comes from hearing (#189), and hearing by the word (#4487) of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).
         1. “[S]o then the faith [is] by a report, and the report through a saying of Messiah” (Rom. 10:17 YLT)
      2. G189. akoé – “Hearing, report, fame, audience”
      3. G4487. rhéma – “Word, saying, utterance, matter”
         1. Usage: In the New Testament, “rhéma” refers to that which is spoken, an utterance, or a specific word or saying. It often emphasizes the spoken word as opposed to the written word (logos). Rhéma can denote a particular statement or command, often with a focus on its immediate impact or relevance.

KEY POINTS:

1. Faith is a gift from God, not something we produce in ourselves.
2. Faith is the Father’s persuasion to lead us into His perfect will.
3. Faith is a guarantee of legal-standing that God will accomplish His will (by His Grace).
4. Faith comes by heeding the voice of Messiah.

1. Supporting scriptures:
   1. “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Ro 12:3).
   2. “For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8,9).
   3. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22,23).
   4. “To this end (glorification) – indeed each time we pray about you for the purpose of our God counting you worthy of the call – even that He may fulfill (His) every good-pleasure that comes from (His) goodness and work of faith, in (His) ability” (2 Thes 1:11).
   5. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will (#2307) of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (2 Rom. 12:2,3).
   6. “And this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will (#2307) of God. But just as you abound in everything, in faith (4102/pistis) and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also ” (2 Cor 8:5,7).
   7. “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will (#2307) of God, you may receive what was promised” (Heb 10:36,38).
   8. “For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith” (1 John 5:4).
2. Understanding the pattern of Abel’s faith. 
   1. Key #1: Abel fulfilled God’s will with his sacrifice.
      1. “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks” (Heb. 11:4).
      2. At its foundation, sacrifice is the acknowledgement of an inferior to a superior within an authority structure.
         1. “Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the firstborn of every womb among the sons of Israel, among people and animals alike; it belongs to Me” (Exo. 13:2).
      3. Abel’s sacrifice demonstrated fidelity and covenantal love to Elohim.
         1. “For mercy I want, and not sacrifice but full knowledge of God rather than whole burnt offerings. But they are as a man violating covenant. There they show disdain (#898) for Me” (Hosea 6:6-7).
            1. H898. bagad – “to act treacherously, to deal deceitfully, to betray”.
               1. Corresponding Greek Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for “bagad,” the concept of betrayal or unfaithfulness can be found in Greek terms such as “προδίδωμι” (prodidōmi – to betray) and “ἀπιστία” (apistia – unbelief, unfaithfulness).
   2. Key #2 – Abel’s faith was proven genuine by his willingness to die for his testimony.
      1. “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained” (Rev. 6:9).
      2. As the first witness killed for his faith, Abel prefigures Messiah.

1. What word does Abel’s blood speak?
   1. “YHWH said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground” (Gen. 4:10).
   2. ”Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets and every seer, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through My servants the prophets.’ However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God” (2 Kin. 17:13-14).

KEY POINT:

Abel’s blood speaks that any faith-filled witness on behalf of the Supreme Judge over all humanity is truthful and approved by Elohim.

1. Yeshua was the final and greatest witness (martus), the last of the prophets, and the One who brought with Him retribution for all the righteous who had been slain.
   1. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of Gehenna? Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation” (Mat. 23:29-36).
   2. “[A]nd from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—” (Rev. 1:5).

1. Why does Yeshua’s blood speak a better word than Abel’s?
   1. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Yeshua, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel” (Heb. 12:22-24)
   2. Abel’s blood testifies that Cain’s sin would be counted against him.
      1. He represents that faithful witness that the blood of the righteous will be avenged.
   3. Yeshua’s blood is a witness that He bore the wrath of God on our behalf.
      1. “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Messiah and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Messiah reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-19).

“See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire”. Hebrews 12:25-29

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. 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?”

Additional Study Notes