[youtube url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=bqZYWPr1hCE&feature=youtu.be”]<\/p>\n
As we study the Torah portions, Parshiot Lech Lecha, Vayera, and Chayei Sarah, we are faced with the idea of growing old.\u00a0 Old age has many frightening aspects, such as the aging body is more susceptible to illness; declining strength; feelings of uselessness (especially after retirement); the loss of friends and loved ones through death; the reality of one\u2019s own death drawing nearer; loneliness; feelings of alienation from one\u2019s children and grandchildren, who are busy with other interests and pursuits; and, financial concerns due to the decrease in income.\u00a0 The American culture does not esteem the elderly as a self centered society.\u00a0 This is emphasized by America\u2019s pursuit of pleasure and success, viewing the elderly as a financial burden as opposed to a treasure of knowledge and insight.\u00a0 As we grow older, we should involve ourselves in looking at our lives and asking the question \u201cwhat was I like then, as opposed to what I am like now?\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 This question is centered around the fact that we should be on a journey of becoming people of ever increasing faith.\u00a0 For example, if you are a negative and a anti-social person now, you will not be a positive, social, and cheerful person in the future.\u00a0 We need to be involved in developing our walk with the Lord God of Israel now and in this moment, because if we do not actively seek this for our lives, it will not automatically, mysteriously, and miraculously come about at a future time.\u00a0 For example, the circumstances in which David found himself at the time of Absalom\u2019s rebellion, he said was \u201cshame\u201d<\/span><\/em> (Tehillim \/ Psalms 71:1<\/span><\/em>); \u201coppressed by evil men\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:4<\/span><\/em>); \u201cenemies speaking against him and seeking to kill him\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:10-13, 71:24<\/span><\/em>); \u201ca life of many troubles\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:7 and 71:20<\/span><\/em>); and we are told that \u201che had trusted God from his youth\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:5 and 71:17<\/span><\/em>); and \u201cnow he was old and gray\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:9 and 71:18<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The major aspect of his walk with the Lord which helped him to stand strong in those troubling times, was in developing a deep relationship with the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 The psalmist speaks of having \u201cbeen taught of God even from his youth\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:17<\/span><\/em>). He knew the Lord as \u201chis refuge\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:1, \u201cstrong refuge,\u201d 71:7<\/span><\/em>) and \u201chis righteous Savior\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:2<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 He speaks of the Lord\u2019s mighty deeds (71:16<\/span><\/em>), \u201cHis strength and power\u201d<\/span><\/em> (71:18<\/span><\/em>), and all the great things He has done (71:19<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 It is obvious, based upon the words of the psalm, that he had developed into a greater faithfulness in his old age.\u00a0 Through the difficult situations in his life he maintained his faithfulness to the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 In Parashat Chayei Sarah, we see the faithfulness of Abraham in a similar manner, growing more faithful to the Lord in his old age.\u00a0 The question is, are you growing in your relationship and in your faith with the Lord as you get older?\u00a0 Has your faith increased?\u00a0 The process of growing in faith involves growing in the knowledge of God and in applying His Word to your life!\u00a0 One of the most important things that each one of us can do to prepare for the future is to spend time in God\u2019s Word and to spend time planning to serve Him every day!\u00a0 i.e. \u201cHow can I be a blessing to others in a way that demonstrates my faith and the faithfulness of our Father in heaven?\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Like we discussed in Parashat Vayera last week, does your congregation place an emphasis upon these things as we have been taught by Abraham, Yeshua, and the disciples?<\/p>\n The Scriptures we are be looking at this week are from Bereshit \/ Genesis 23:1-2 and 24:1-9.<\/p>\n Bereshit \/ Genesis 23:1-2, and 24:1-9<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05ea \u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d7\u05b6\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05d3 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc:<\/p>\n 24:1 Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way. 24:2 Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, \u201cPlease place your hand under my thigh, 24:3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, 24:4 but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.\u201d 24:5 The servant said to him, \u201cSuppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?\u201d 24:6 Then Abraham said to him, \u201cBeware that you do not take my son back there! 24:7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father\u2019s house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, \u2018To your descendants I will give this land,\u2019 He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there. 24:8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there.\u201d 24:9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d6\u05b8\u05e7\u05b5\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u05b7\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc: \u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d6\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e9\u05b4\u05b9\u05d9\u05dd-\u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05db\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05ea\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9: \u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7: \u05d4\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d0\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05ea\u05b9\u05d0\u05d1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05db\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05b6\u05d4\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e0\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b8\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0\u05ea\u05b8 \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd: \u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 | \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05d7\u05b7\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8-\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2-\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd: \u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b9\u05d0\u05d1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05db\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bb\u05e2\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d6\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05e8\u05b7\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05d1 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d8\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In Parashat Vayera, Abraham was given a blessing of a son (Isaac) in whom his hoped rested and is in part upon which the covenant he had with the Lord is based (i.e. Parashat Lech Lecha: the blessing of his seed, Bereshit \/ Genesis 12<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The Author of the book of Hebrews offers and interpretation of the Torah portion saying the following:<\/p>\n Hebrews 11:17-19<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Abraham\u2019s obedience to what the Lord had called him to do to Isaac testified to his faith in the covenant promises of God.\u00a0 The rabbis believed that this was an illustration of Abraham\u2019s belief in the resurrection, that is connected to restoration, redemption, and salvation.\u00a0 This illustrates for us the significance of Abraham\u2019s actions as they are connected to his faith, just as James wrote in his book saying the following:<\/p>\n James 2:20-24<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Notice how James speaks of Abraham offering up his son on the altar.\u00a0 According to Parashat Vayera, Abraham did not complete the task, the Lord God stopped him, yet James says that he offered him up.\u00a0 This is synonymous to the rabbinic concept of studying the Torah and the sacrifices, it is as if one goes up to the temple mount, rebuilds the temple, and offers a sacrifice to the Lord.\u00a0 The intention in one\u2019s heart is to be coupled to one\u2019s actions and willingness to do so.\u00a0 James speaks of faith and works saying that our faith is perfected in the works that we do in serving the Lord.\u00a0 He also calls Abraham a friend of God.\u00a0 This friendship comes by reason of the covenant where the Lord tested the extent of his loyalty, and Abraham was successful in his faithfulness to the Lord.\u00a0 Do you believe the Lord tests us today in the covenant we have in Yeshua the Messiah?\u00a0 The point is that the fulfillment of the covenant promises the Lord God of Israel made with Abraham were contingent upon his obedience to the Lord.\u00a0 The Scriptures illustrate for us that the covenant of God was a two-way relationship.\u00a0 It was because Abraham was willing to offer up his son, that the Lord God agreed to keep His obligations according to the promises.\u00a0 Abraham demonstrated his covenant loyalty through his faith.\u00a0 \u201cIs the covenant that we have today in Yeshua the Messiah dependent upon our obedience to the faith?\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Asked another way, \u201cDo you demonstrate your covenant loyalty through your faith today?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cDo you keep your obligations of the covenant we have in Yeshua the Messiah?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cAre there obligations of the covenant in Yeshua the Messiah?\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at a few verses from the Scriptures.<\/p>\n Shemot \/ Exodus 20:2-3<\/strong>\u00a0 and Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 5:6-7 \u201cI am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 10:16<\/strong> \u201cTherefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiffnecked no longer.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 30:6<\/strong> \u201cAnd the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Romans 2:29 \u201cBut he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart …\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Colossians 2:11<\/strong> \u201cIn whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands …\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Hebrews 3:7-4:7<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Considering a few verses from the Torah and the Apostolic Writings, in Shemot \/ Exodus 20:2-3\u00a0 and Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 5:6-7<\/span><\/em> Moshe speaks in broad terms saying that we are to have no other gods before the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 This may include many things, such as money or sports which may take the place of an idolatrous practice depending upon how consumed one is with each of these.\u00a0 Do you believe these Scriptures are obligatory for us today?\u00a0 Is it possible to say that we have salvation in Yeshua the Messiah if we hold on to, worship, and serve other gods?\u00a0 Notice how in Hebrews 3:7-4:2, the author of Hebrews comments on these stiff-necked people saying they received the same Gospel message (Hebrews 4:2, \u201cFor indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also,\u201d<\/span><\/em> \u05db\u05d9 \u05d2\u05dd \u05d0\u05dc\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d1\u05d0\u05d4 \u05d4\u05d1\u05e9\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05db\u05de\u05d5 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd \u05d0\u05da \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d5\u05e2\u05d9\u05dc \u05dc\u05d4\u05dd \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05d4\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e2\u05d4 \u05de\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05ea\u05e2\u05e8\u05d1 \u05d1\u05d0\u05de\u05d5\u05e0\u05d4 \u05dc\u05e9\u05de\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b3\u1f71\u03c1 \u1f10\u03c3\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd \u03b5\u1f50\u03b7\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u1f71\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1 \u03ba\u1f00\u03ba\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, \u1f00\u03bb\u03bb\u2019 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f60\u03c6\u1f73\u03bb\u03b7\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd \u1f41 \u03bb\u1f79\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u1f00\u03ba\u03bf\u1fc6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03ba\u03b5\u1f77\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2, \u03bc\u1f74 \u03c3\u03c5\u03b3\u03ba\u03b5\u03ba\u03b5\u03c1\u03b1\u03c3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03c4\u1fc7 \u03c0\u1f77\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03b9 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u1f00\u03ba\u03bf\u1f7b\u03c3\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd) but failed as they did not live their faith (works), a key component of salvation.\u00a0 Note the context of the book of Hebrews which states that they heard the Gospel message (\u05d4\u05d1\u05e9\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4, \u03b5\u1f50\u03b7\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9)\u00a0 just as we did.\u00a0 What is that Gospel message that they heard?\u00a0 Is it the Torah imperatives to seek the Lord God in heaven and to live in righteousness, holiness, justice, and truth?\u00a0 The definition of the Greek word \u03b5\u1f50\u03b7\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 is as follows:<\/p>\n \u03b5\u1f50\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u1f77\u03b6\u03c9,v\u00a0 \\{yoo-ang-ghel-id\u2019-zo}<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Do you find it interesting that the author of Hebrews claims the Gospel message was taught in the Torah to the people in the wilderness?\u00a0 The term \u201cstiff-necked\u201d is equivalent to not having faith.\u00a0 The Lord God called that generation in the wilderness stiff-necked because they failed to trust (have faith) in the Lord by placing their faith into actions.<\/p>\n The rabbis in the rabbinic literature believe the Torah at Sinai was given out of mercy for several related purposes:<\/p>\n The Torah was also given to instruct (teach) a man how to live for God and how to live with our neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 These truths are eternal, and the fact that we have faith in Yeshua the Messiah does not void what the Torah says about HOW to do these things.\u00a0 The Modern Theologies taught in Christianity today state that we don\u2019t have to follow the Torah, as Jesus nullified its specifics by summarizing everything in the two commandments which He had taken from the Torah, to love the Lord God and to love your neighbor as yourself.\u00a0 Instead of following God\u2019s revelation (the Torah), Christianity says we are now \u201cset free from the Law,\u201d<\/span><\/em> where we now follow something called \u201cthe law of love\u201d or \u201claw of Christ.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The Modern Theologies also teach that we are now \u201cled by the Spirit\u201d<\/span><\/em> and are no longer subject to \u201cthe Law.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Galatians 5 and Romans 7<\/span><\/em> illustrate what it means to be led by the Spirit of God (to walk in the Spirit), Paul explains this is synonymous to obeying God\u2019s Torah (Romans 3:31<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The facts are that the Lord did not give the commands to be difficult, as is stated in Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 30:11-14<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 30:11-14<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u05d9\u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05e0\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05e8\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0: \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b6\u05d4-\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b6\u05d4\u05b8 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e2\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05de\u05b5\u05e2\u05b5\u05d1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8-\u05dc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b5\u05d1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b6\u05d4\u05b8 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e2\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Lord God has always asked that we first recognize and trust in Him before trying to \u201cdo\u201d<\/span><\/em> anything for Him.\u00a0 This is what it means to do things in His Name.\u00a0 To have faith and to trust in Him is the \u201cfirst commandment.\u201d\u00a0 This is the major premise for Teshuvah (repentance), that we recognize the Lord God, His holiness and righteousness, and how we fall short.\u00a0 Then we seek Him to help in our turning from sin.\u00a0 Tehillim \/ Psalms 106<\/span><\/em> speaks at length on the idea that no matter what we have done, the Lord is merciful and remembers His covenant with us.<\/p>\n Radak has the following to say regarding Bereshit \/ Genesis 24:3<\/span><\/em> that is related to what we have been studying thus far.<\/p>\n Radak on Bereshit \/ Genesis 24:3 Part 1<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Radak speaks of honoring God and disobeying God, and the resulting consequences of sin and disobedience.\u00a0 The opening premise is that the Lord God is ruler in the heavens, and He is also ruler on earth as well.\u00a0 In Parashat Chayei Sarah, specifically in Bereshit \/ Genesis 24:1-8<\/span><\/em>, we are given the illustration that as get older, we should not get hardened to sin.\u00a0 With both Abraham and David as our example, we are to finish stronger to maintain the faith!\u00a0 How this is accomplished is by seeking the Lord, His presence in our lives, His face through prayer, through the study of God\u2019s Word, and through practicing our faith!\u00a0 This is why the Torah is so important for our lives today!\u00a0 BTT_Parashat-Chayei-Sarah-2016<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [youtube url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=bqZYWPr1hCE&feature=youtu.be”] As we study the Torah portions, Parshiot Lech Lecha, Vayera, and Chayei Sarah, we are faced with the idea of growing old.\u00a0 Old age has many frightening aspects, such as the aging body is more susceptible to illness; declining strength; feelings of uselessness (especially after retirement); the loss of friends and loved ones […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6114,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6111","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bits-of-torah-truth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6111"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6111\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n 23:1 Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 23:2 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son\u00a0 11:18 it was he to whom it was said, \u2018In Isaac your descendants shall be called.\u2019 11:19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 2:22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, \u2018And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,\u2019 and he was called the friend of God. 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 3:7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, \u2018Today if you hear His voice, 3:8 Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, 3:9 Where your fathers tried Me by testing Me\u00a0 And saw My works for forty years. 3:10 \u2018Therefore I was angry with this generation, And said, \u2018They always go astray in their heart, And they did not know My ways\u2019; 3:11 As I swore in My wrath, \u2018They shall not enter My rest.\u2019\u2018 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called \u2018Today,\u2019 so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 3:15 while it is said, \u2018Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.\u2019 3:16 For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? 3:17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. 4:1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 4:2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 4:3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, \u2018As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest,\u2019 although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4:4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day\u00a0 \u2018And God rested on the seventh day from all His works\u2019; 4:5 and again in this passage\u00a0 \u2018They shall not enter My rest.\u2019 4:6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 4:7 He again fixes a certain day, \u2018Today,\u2019 saying through David after so long a time (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 1) to bring good news, to announce glad tidings\u00a0 1a) used in the OT of any kind of good news\u00a0 1a1) of the joyful tidings of God\u2019s kindness, in particular,\u00a0 of the Messianic blessings\u00a0 1b) in the NT used especially of the glad tidings of the coming\u00a0 kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it\u00a0 through Christ, and of what relates to this salvation\u00a0 1c) glad tidings are brought to one, one has glad tidings\u00a0 proclaimed to him\u00a0 1d) to proclaim glad tidings\u00a0 1d1) instruct (men) concerning the things that pertain to\u00a0 Christian salvation<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
\n
\n 30:11 \u2018For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. 30:12 \u2018It is not in heaven, that you should say, \u2018Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?\u2019 30:13 \u2018Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, \u2018Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?\u2019 30:14 \u2018But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n \u05d5\u05d0\u05e9\u05d1\u05d9\u05e2\u05da..\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc\u05d5\u05e7\u05d9 \u05d4\u05d0\u05e8\u05e5, meaning that the same G\u2019d Who is ruler in the heavens also exercises His control down here on earth. Do not think that if you do not honor an oath made to the G\u2019d in heaven that failure to honor it would not have negative consequences for you here on earth. When Avraham speaks of his own self, as opposed to the need to make someone else take an oath, he only needs to refer to the \u201cG\u2019d of the heavens\u201d (compare verse 7) Avraham was well aware of G\u2019d being also the G\u2019d on earth. In Bereshit Rabbah 59:8 Rabbi Pinchas is quoted as saying that until He revealed Himself to His creatures G\u2019d was known only as the \u201cG\u2019d of the heavens,\u201d whereas after He revealed Himself to His creatures [or to an individual creature by performing a miracle for such a person Ed.] He also became known as the \u201dG\u2019d of the earth.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n