Genesis 12

Genesis 12–41 on the Overcoming Faith of the Patriarchs—An Example to Follow

Scripture records that Abraham was the patriarch (literally meaning “the chief father”) of the Hebrew people, and a pillar of faith because of his trust in and obedience to YHVH Elohim. As such, he is often referred to as the Father of the Faithful. But when Elohim first called this man of faith and father of the Israelite people, was he a giant in his faith? Not at all. Yes he had faith, but his faith was imperfect; it had to grow, and it was a process, which we will discuss below.

Abraham’s faith, like the proverbial mustard seed, started out small, but it was still enormous compared to most other people. After all, on a mere promise from Elohim, he uprooted his entire family and travelled on foot hundreds of miles across the dangerous desert and through various countries and encountering many hardships along the way in hopes of a better life. It was if he were moving from New York City to Jawbone Flats, Oregon, a virtual ghost town in the mountains with a population four people! (Note: after more than 100 years, town of Jawbone Flats has since burned down in a tragic forest fire.)

Abraham’s first steps of faith were measured, cautious, incremental and at times hesitant, yet through it all YHVH was gracious because Abraham’s heart was inclined to do his will. Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, YHVH still credited righteousness to his spiritual account (Gen 15:6). Not only that, but he passed his mountain moving, gravity defying faith on to his children and grandchildren and beyond, and this legacy of faith lives on in many of his physical and spiritual descendants to this day. 

There is much that we, as the children of Abraham through our faith in Yeshua the Messiah, can learn from this pillar of faith that will strengthen our own faith in YHVH Elohim and his promises.

Now let’s explore the life of Abraham.

Abraham (Abram)—The Father of the Faithful

Genesis 12:1, Get thee out of thy country. Did Abram immediately leave his father’s house and go directly to the country that YHVH would show him, or did he rather take incremental steps in that direction? Actually, Abram first settled in Charan before eventually translocating to Canaan. (Compare Genesis 11:31 with Genesis 12:1.) Charan is located in northern Mesopotamia and is nowhere near Canaan. Not only that, YHVH told Abram to leave his family, but instead he took part of his father’s house with him including his father and nephew. When Abram finally made his way to Canaan minus his father, he still had part of his kindred with him, something YHVH instructed him to leave behind (Gen 12:1). As it ended up, his nephew Lot proved to be a hindrance to Abram in fulfilling YHVH’s mission for his life in the new land. What lessons can we learn from this account? 

First, YHVH is gracious to his people even when they fail to obey him completely and immediately. Abram was still taking steps of faith as imperfect as they may have been, and despite this, Scripture still refers to Abraham as the father of the faithful or of faithfulness (Rom 4:12, 16). 

Second, Abram was a man of prominence in Babylon (Chaldea), was recognized as a mighty prince (Gen 23:6), and was 75 years old when YHVH asked him to leave the comforts of life in cosmopolitan Babylon to trek across the desert to the backwoods region of Canaan. No doubt, this was not an easy move for Abram for the reasons for reason of age and comfortability of lifestyle. 

Abraham’s descendents who are disciples of Yeshua have to make similar choices as Abram did. They must decide whether to stay in the spiritual Babylon of this world or to leave it. Yeshua told his disciples that they would have to make great sacrifices including possibly forsaking their family to be his disciples (Matt 10:35–39.) At the same time, Yeshua promised vast eternal rewards to those, who like our father Abraham, would forsake family, homes and material possessions for him as they set out in faith to fulfil their divine destiny ( Matt 19:28–29). What physical obstacles stand in your way of fulfilling YHVH’s spiritual calling, mission and destiny for your life?

Genesis 16:1–16, Abraham takes matters into his own hands. The faith of Abraham, the father of the faithful, was tried greatly. After waiting years for a son through whom YHVH would fulfil is promises to Abraham, he finally gave in to doubt and unbelief. In stead of waiting for YHVH to give him a son, Abraham too matters into his own hands and endeavored to work out YHVH’s plans and purposes in his life through fleshly means. The result was Ishmael, the father of many of the modern Moslem Arabs. This mistake has had far-reaching geopolitical consequences for YHVH’s chosen people to this day!  

Do you have trouble waiting on YHVH? Remember that YHVH’s primary goal in your life is NOT to bring YOUR dreams to pass or to give you a comfortable and happy life, but to form in you the person and character of Yeshua (Rom 8:28–29). Like anything of value, this only comes through time,  much struggling and overcoming as well as the heat and pressure of spiritual refinement. 

The faith-building refinement to which YHVH subjected Abraham would continue to occur in the lives of his descendants as the patriarch saw in a most amazing prophetic vision (Gen 15:12–14). In the vision of “Between the Pieces,” the birds of the air (a spiritual picture of Satan and his demons) wanted to interrupt the fulfilling of YHVH’s plans for the nation of Israel (verse 11). But through this dark vision, Abraham slept (verse 12). That is to say, he rested in YHVH, thus allowing him to work out his purposes according to a divine time schedule regardless of the occurrence of concomitant and distracting events. Through this process of faith-testing and character-building trials, YHVH refines his people into the spiritual vessels he wants them to be. Psalms chapter 37 describes this process of “not fretting,” “committing your way to YHVH,” “trusting also in him,” “resting in YHVH,” waiting on YHVH, and letting him direct our steps. (See Ps 37, entire chapter, with special focus on verses 4–7, 23–24.) The Bible refers to this process as “sanctification” (or becoming set aside for a holy purpose). It involves coming into a place spiritual maturity—of going from being a spiritual child to a mature adult in YHVH.

Like a lot of us, Abraham found himself struggling with waiting upon YHVH to fulfil his promises. As a result of Abraham’s lack of faith, he chose to “help engineer” the fulfillment of YHVH’s promises in his life. He slept with Hagar and Ishmael was the result. There have been lasting conflicts in the Middle East and beyond ever since due to Abraham’s lack of faith.

Genesis 21:1–7, YHVH visited Sarah.YHVH had promised Abraham a son years before. At age 90 did not YHVH suddenly drop a son into Sarah’s womb. During the intervening 15 years, year after year, Abraham and Sarah had to walk out their faith by attempting repeatedly to become pregnant, each time failing, until finally, at the appointed time it happened. This tell is vivid lesson for all of Abraham’s spiritual descendents about the faith-walk, and about overcoming discouragement and doubt. Obviously, Abraham’s faith was tested. Could he still trust YHVH’s promises of a son after all these years? Often when don’t receive quick answers to our prayers we give up. How is your faith compared to that of Abraham’s?

Abraham learned some hard lessons with Ishmael. After that, he finally began to have complete faith that YHVH would give him a son by Sarah. Faith is dynamic, and is neither passive nor presumptive. As an act of faithful obedience, the elderly Abraham continued to have physical relations with his wife until Isaac was born.

Genesis 22:1, Elohim did tempt Abraham.Trials and temptations show the disposition or character and metal of the human heart, whether it be righteous or unrighteous, pure or impure. When tested do you whine, grumble, accuse and mock others, defend yourself, backbite or become despondent? Or do you submit to the purifying fires of YHVH’s spiritual forge? During his lifetime, YHVH tested Abraham ten times. Being told to sacrifice Isaac was the last and most severe test. Despite the severity of this test, his faith and obedience was steady.When was the last time you faced such a test? What was your response? Did you pass or fail the test?

Note the development or progression of Abraham’s faith from the time he left Ur in Chaldea until the Akeidah or Binding of Isaac. He went from a spotty or mixed faith to a full and mature faith in YHVH. Being willing to give up his only beloved son was the ultimate test of his faith, and he passed with flying colors to become the father of the faithful. YHVH asks some of his children to give up things that are near and dear to them including spouses, children, careers, homes, dreams, material possessions, fame and sometimes our lives in order to follow him, but the eternal rewards are worth the sacrifice! Yeshua promises his followers:

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (Matt 19:29)

Sarah—A Woman of Great Faith and Co-Heir With Abraham of YHVH’s Promises

Behind every great man, as the saying goes, is a great woman. Although Scripture primarily focuses on Abraham and faith-based relationship with YHVH, it goes without saying that he could not have risen to any notable spiritual heights without a woman of similar faith at his side. So let’s no shine the spotlight on what the Bible has to say about Sarah.

• Sarah was very beautiful in character and physical appearance, since the two are related (Gen 12:10–20). A person with an ugly, angry, bitter disposition will not have a beautiful, attractive countenance.
• Amazingly at age 90 Sarah was still youthfully beautiful, or else it is unlikely that King Abimelech would have abducted her and wanted to marry her (Gen 20:2). Often behind a woman of beautiful countenance is a person of beautiful character. This attractiveness drew the attention of a king.
• Sarah was coequal with Abraham in the covenantal promises. Prior to Gen 17:15–22, the covenant was solely with Abraham. Here Sarah was made an equal party in this covenantal promise. And just as Abraham’s new role was signified by a change of name, so was Sarah’s. The name Sarai, means “my princess,” implying that she owed her greatness to her status as Abraham’s wife. Henceforth she would be called only Sarah, which signifies that she would become a “princess to all the nations of the world.” Prior to the covenant, Sarai’s personal majesty made her the princess of Abraham (and his country Aram). Now, however, all limitations were removed. She was princess “par excellence”—to all mankind (The Stone Edition Chumash, p. 75).
• In preferring Isaac over Ishmael, Sarah protecting the spiritual atmosphere of her home. She was guarding her righteous son, Isaac, from the profaneness and mockery of the unrighteous Ishmael. She was concerned that Ishmael’s behavior toward Isaac would impede or prevent Isaac from fulfilling his godly mission. Any relationship with wicked people would have been harmful to Isaac and his children as Abraham recognized when he decided that he could not remain together with Lot. This is why Sarah demanded that Abraham drive Ishmael and Hagar away, and why YHVH ratified Sarah’s righteous request (The Stone Edition Chumash, p. 97, Gen 21:10–11). Sarah knew that “evil conduct corrupts good manner” (1 Cor 15:33).
• Sarah was obedient and respectful to her husband, and Paul used her as an example for righteous women to follow.

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sarah obeyed [to listen, to hearken to a command, be obedient, to submit to] Abraham, calling him lord [Gr. kurios means “master, sir; a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence”]: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Pet 3:1–7)

• Sarah, like Abraham, had faith in Elohim. Behind Abraham, a great man of faith, was Sarah, who was a great woman of faith. 

Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. (Heb 11:11–12)

Eliezer—A Faithful Servant of Abraham

Genesis 24:12, YHVH give me success. Scripture directs us to, “Trust in YHVH with all your heart and lean not unto your own understandings, but in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths” (Prov 3:5–6). Abraham’s example of faith had a profound influence upon Eliezer, his chief servant, whom he commissioned to find a wife for Isaac.

Abraham was a man of faith, and Scripture calls him the father of the faithful (Rom 4:12, 16). Eliezer was likewise a man of faith. Abraham had taught him well. Eliezer evidenced this faith when he blessed Rebecca even before he knew who her identity (Gen 24:22). This action was based simply on his faith that YHVH had answered his prayer. Do we walk in such trusting faith, day-by-day, moment-by-moment? Are we teaching the little ones under our charge these same attributes as Abraham had taught Eliezer? 

Genesis 24:45, Eliezer kept his faith alive through constant contact with Elohim. Obviously, Eliezer was in constant communications with YHVH through prayer. Is this not a character trait of a righteous person? 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing. In Luke 18:1–7, Yeshua teaches his disciples and us about the benefits of righteous and prevailing prayer. How often do you pray? Once a day? When you pray, is it merely a morning and/or evening ritual that leaves your soul (mind, will and emotions) untouched and unchanged? Is this the kind of relationship the Father is seeking with you? A mighty man of Elohim once when asked the question, “How long do you pray each day?” he replied, “Seldom do I pray more than one-half hour, but seldom do I go more than a half hour without praying.” Could this be said of you?

Note that people of faith are people of continual prayer communication with YHVH.

Rebekah, the Bride of Isaac—A Humble Woman of Faith From the Beginning

Genesis 24:58, I will go. From her debut in the Genesis narrative, Rebecca demonstrated unusual faith. Like her Uncle Abraham and Aunt Sarah, she was willing to leave the comforts and security of Babylonia and to go with a stranger to a strange place and live there as a virtual nomad roaming the barren wilderness of Canaan. When asked, “Will you go with this man?” She replied quickly and to the point, “I will go” (Gen 24:58). Some Bible teachers view Eliezer whose name means “El is (my) help” as a prophetic symbol of the Holy Spirit (who Yeshua referred to as the Helper (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) and Rebecca as representing the bride (or saints) of Yeshua.Do you have such unreserved devotion to Yeshua, the Lover of your soul and your Betrothed, that you will go WHEREVER he leads (Rev 14:4) no matter how difficult or uncomfortable the way? Or have you placed restrictions and qualifications on him? Compare your faith on a scale of one to ten with that of Abraham, Eliezer and Rebecca. Regardless of our level of faith, YHVH is patient with his children. If we will follow him, even if our faith is mustard seed-sized, he will lead us slowly as your faith in his Word and promises slowly increases like exercising a muscle.

Abraham in his wisdom sought a woman of faith for his son. He sent Eliezer hundreds of miles to find such a woman, while overlooking numerous Canaanite women in his own backyard. That is how dedicated Abraham was to obeying YHVH!

Isaac—Walking in the Footsteps of His Father

Genesis 24:63, Meditate in the field. The word meditate means “to meditate, muse or commune” What does this one verse tell us about the kind of man Isaac was? He was likely a man of prayer who sought a relationship with YHVH Elohim.

Do you have moments each day where you turn off the world to connect with and listen to YHVH, to reflect before YHVH on the past day, and to meditate, pray and supplicate—to place your faith in him? Who are some other notable biblical personages who would slip away from the press and exigencies of life to spend time alone with their Heavenly Father? If you said Yeshua, you would be correct. (See Matt 4:1; 14:23; 26:36; Mark 1:35; 6:46; Luke 5:16; 6:12; John 6:15.)

Genesis 25:21, Pleaded with YHVH. As with his father Abraham, the faith of Isaac was tried mightily. Like Sarah before her, Rebekah was also barren, and Isaac entreated YHVH that his promises to Abraham of a nation of many children might be fulfilled through him. YHVH at long last answered Isaac’s prayer with twins, Esau and Jacob. 

Though the faith of the servant of YHVH is often tried, the promises of YHVH are always sure. What spiritual mountains in your life have you been asking in faith for YHVH to remove (Mark 11:23), or promises of YHVH to be fulfilled (2 Cor. 1:20), or prayers to be answered? Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Remember never to cease praying and believing! Doubts and fear will come, yet prevailing prayer and faith overcomes all (1 John 5:4–5).

Genesis 26:1–33, The wells of Isaac. At the well of Lachai-roi, Isaac was fruitful. It was there that this man of faith met his wife while in communion with YHVH (Gen 24:62–64). It was also at this well that Isaac dwelt for 20 years (Gen 25:11, 19, 26), and there he entreated YHVH because of Rebekah’s barrenness (Gen 25:21), and YHVH answered his prayer and sshe gave birth to twins (Gen 25:22–24). 

But then a famine enveloped the land, and instead of trusting YHVH to provide for him in the land of his blessings and inheritance, Isaac felt compelled to leave Canaan to seek relief in Egypt following the earlier example of Abraham his father. 

This same thing can also happen to us in our time of desperation and need. Instead of trusting in YHVH to meet our needs,  in fear we run to “Egypt” (i.e., to the world) to be our provider. 

While en route to Egypt, YHVH graciously and mercifully redirected Isaac away from that country and instead instructing him to sojourn in Gerar, Canaan (temporarily), where he would continue to bless him and his posterity (Gen 26:2–4). Did Isaac exhibit complete and faithful obedience to YHVH’s instructions? More or less. Isaac did indeed go to Gerar, located on the border between Canaan and Egypt, where he dwelt a long time, but not temporarily as YHVH had instructed him (Gen 26:6, 8). Was Isaac fully obeying YHVH or hedging his bet between faith and fear, between Canaan, the land of promise, and Egypt, which is a biblical metaphor for this world and the comforts it offers? There is a lesson here for us. Like Isaac, often in our faith walk, we take the path of compromise, but YHVH is still merciful to us despite our lack of faith and the ensuing difficulties that will beset us as a result of or poor decisions. 

How did things go for Isaac in Gerar? Not well. He wasn’t exactly blessed, because he wasn’t in YHVH’s perfect will. The men of that region took interest in his wife, and he lied about his wife being his sister, thus repeating the sin of his father Abraham (Gen 26:6–7 cp. 20:1-2). What can we learn from this faux pas of Isaac? Simply this. Compromised obedience or lack of faith in YHVH’s instructions often puts us in less than favorable situations. Sometimes, to “save our skin,” we have to compromise our values, and even commit an outright sin like lying. 

Though Isaac was walking outside of YHVH’s perfect will, the ever merciful and longsuffering Creator was still faithful to keep his promises to Isaac (Gen 26:3–4). Isaac was blessed one hundred fold in his wealth (Gen 26:12–14). 

Despite YHVH’s blessings, Isaac’s labors were not without difficulty and opposition from an enemy who was intent upon stealing what was rightfully his. In Genesis 26:15–22 we read that the local Canaanites repeatedly attempted to steal or to destroy the wells that Isaac had dug. Wells in Scripture is a symbolic metaphor for blessings, salvations, life and joy (e.g., Isa 12:3; Jer 2:13; Jude 1:12). These are things Satan, who comes to kill, steal and destroy, works overtime trying to rob from the saints.

Isaac still had some weak faith issues to overcome. He fell into some of the same traps as his father did by wanting to seek refuge in Egypt when times got tough. He failed to learn from his father’s mistakes. This teaches us that generational sins need to be identified, exposed, repented of and renounced, or else in times of weakness or we will repeat the same mistakes as our forbears.

Genesis 26:18–22, Isaac dug again. Isaac redug the wells that belonged to his father in the land YHVH had promised to him, yet the Philistines still opposed him and stole from him what was rightfully his. The well’s names were Contention and Strife. The names of these wells represent the difficulties that many believers face when struggling with those in the world. Let’s discuss this.

How easy it is to allow demonically motivated people to oppose and deter us from our divine destiny. What was Isaac’s response? He took the high road of peace refusing to be embroiled in carnal battles with his neighbors. His faith in YHVH was undaunted and at the third well, Rehoboth, he found spaciousness and a vast supply of water. Isaac was a faith-filled overcomer. 

Are you striving and contending with the spiritual Philistines in your life? Are they keeping you from moving onward spiritually into a place of fruitfulness where the river of life from YHVH’s throne flows? Is it not time to let YHVH fight your battles so that you can move onward in your faith-walk?

Genesis 26:23–25, Beersheba. What happened to Isaac when he retraced the steps of his father Abraham, back into the land of promise, while redigging the ancient wells? He ended up in Beersheba (well of the covenant or seven-fold oath) back to the heart of Canaan, the heart and center of YHVH’s will for his life. What happened? YHVH appeared to him and renewed his covenant with Isaac (Gen 26:24).

Is YHVH calling you back to the ancient wells of salvation? Is he calling you to retrace the steps of your father Abraham, the father of our faith, to return to the ancient paths where a special blessing awaits you? (Read Mal 4:4–6 and Jer 6:16, 19; 18:15.)

Young Jacob and Esau—Two Types of People on the Earth

Genesis 25:27–34, A man of faith and a man of unbelief. There are only two types of people on this earth: Esaus and Jacobs. Similarly, on either side of Yeshua while he was hanging on the cross, there was a “Jacob” and an “Esau. One man placed his faith in Yeshua, the other did not. What can we learn from this? Let’s discover who Esau-type and Jacob-type people are.

First, what type of person was Esau? He was a cunning hunter. Nimrod was the only other person in Scripture called “a hunter.” Scripture also calls Esau “a man of the field.” A field in Scripture is often a metaphor for the world (Matt 13:38). As a man of the world, Esau was profane (unhallowed, worldly, ungodly; Heb 12:16). He had no esteem for things of eternal value, which is why he sold his spiritual birthright. He lived only to satiate his momentary fleshy desires and had no eye for, hope in, or faith toward the future. He sought the instant gratification physical appetites. His god was his belly. He disdained and dishonored his family’s spiritual heritage and those things that were highly esteemed by his father and grandfather. In Genesis 26:34–35, we see, to the great grief of his parents, that Esau married one of the local, Canaanite heathens. He did not honor his parents or respect their wishes in his choice for a wife. 

Do these characteristics of Esau describe some unbelievers that you know, and, sadly, even some believers? Perhaps you were like Esau before you were saved. 

On the other hand, people of faith, like Jacob, desire the things of YHVH. Although their faith may be immature and they may still be inclined to “work out” YHVH’s will in their by their own means as Jacob did on several occasions, they still have a heart for YHVH, unlike Esau who was a totally secular, carnal and profane man. Despite their flaws, YHVH can use people like Jacob. Though imperfect, they still have a desire to obey YHVH, and he can work with and refine such an individual and use them to accomplish his purposes. This is the painful, yet successful story of Jacob’s life. The process of his faith in Elohim growing  and his learning not to rely on himself was a long and painful one, but the results were fruitful. YHVH used him to start an entire nation—the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jacob was a man of faith who learned to trust in YHVH. Esau was a man of this world who had no heart inclination to serve YHVH. The same can be said of the two thieves on either side of the crucified Yeshua. One placed his faith in Yeshua, while the other one mocked our Lord. Again, there are only two types of people on this earth: those whose hearts are inclined toward heavenly things and those who are totally sold out to do evil and live for the moment at other’s expense.

Genesis 25:32, What good is this birthright? The implication here is not that Esau was about to die of hunger, but that he would die before seeing the fulfillment of the promises YHVH had made to Isaac and Abraham regarding possessing the land of Canaan. So what good would his birthright be? He would see no material gain from it in his lifetime. And he was right! This being the case, he allowed himself rather to be motivated by temporal and material gain, not by spiritual, future rewards, which are possessed by faith, not by sight (Heb 11:1–2, 8–10, 39–40). Esau was a profane and secular man, and the Spirit and character of YHVH strive against and loathe such individuals (Mal 1:3; Rom 9:13). Such people prefer secular and sensual pleasures over pleasing YHVH. Their carnal appetites rule them and temporal pursuits are their chief aim in life (Phil 3:19). 

This was also the state of the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3:14–22; they minded earthly things over heavenly things, which is why Yeshua rebuked them and urged them to repent. Don’t pass over these admonitions lightly. Let each one search his or her own hearts for the areas where we put the secular, material and sensual above YHVH and then repent. Ask the Spirit of YHVH to open your eyes to the blind areas in your life.

Jacob the Adult—The Process of Dying to Self to Become a Mature Man of Elohim

Genesis 27:1–29, Jacob outsmarts Esau and tricks Isaac. In this passage of Scripture, we have the story of how Jacob tricked Isaac his father into giving him the birthright blessing that legally belonged to Esau, the firstborn brother. Instead of trusting YHVH that the blessing would be his, as YHVH had promised to his mother (Gen 25:23), Rebekah and Jacob connived to bring YHVH’s will to pass.

Similarly how often do we take matters into our own hands to “help” YHVH out in fulfilling his promises for our life, instead of trusting him to work things out? Where is the faith in YHVH when we rely on our own human efforts to accomplish his purposes in our lives? Read Psalms 37:3–7, 23–24, 34, and analyze the actions of your life on the basis of these words. Now consider the following concepts when it comes to faith:

• Passive or Inactive Faith: One with this type of faith never moves, but is always waiting for things to just happen by themselves.
• Presumptuous or Impetuous Faith: One with this type of faith always moves and never waits.
• Dynamic or Active Faith: One with this type of faith knows when to move ahead, to act and when to wait.

Genesis 28:20–22, Jacob’s dream and vow. Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28 was his first, life-changing personal encounter with the Elohim of his fathers (Gen 28:12–15). What was his response? It was to express his gratitude to his Creator by serving and his promising to worship YHVH by giving him one-tenth (a tithe) of his increase (verse 22). 

When did you have your first encounter with your Heavenly Father and Master? Have you faithfully used the first fruits of your increase to honor, worship and express gratitude to him ever since? If not why not? Scripture calls not worshiping YHVH in this manner “robbing Elohim,” and that as a result a curse may be on one’s finances (Mal 3:8–11). In Proverbs 3:9 we read that tithing is a form of worshipping the Creator: “Honour [glorify] YHVH with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase, so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

Moreover, honesty, patience and submission to authority are the fruits of righteousness. What did YHVH have to teach Jacob about these fruits of the Spirit? Jacob was impatient in submitting to YHVH’s will and waiting for the birthright to come to him in a righteous way. Moreover, YHVH used the crooked and greedy Laban to correct these character flaws in Jacob. Jacob had to go into the Babylonian world for a season in order to be refined before being ready to be a patriarch worthy of honor and an example of righteousness as the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. 

What is YHVH allowing you to go through to refine you of character flaws and defects to prepare you for the future mission he has for you? Are you submitting to his refining fires that are burning the wood, hay and stubble out of your life (1 Cor 3:12–13), or are you resisting him thereby forcing him to “turn up the heat” so that you will finally “get the point” and learn your lessons?

Before Jacob could attain the patriarchal status of his father and grandfather and become the father of the 12 tribes of Israel, YHVH had to refine him in the “fires” of Babylon. When Jacob finally left Babylon and while en route back to Beth El, his faith in Elohim still required some refining. It was not until he wrestled with the pre-incarnate Word of Elohim, Yeshua the Messenger of YHVH, that his carnal soul man was crushed and he finally submitted in faith to the will of Elohim.

Chapter 32 is a study on how to deal with major trials and stressful situations that we as humans face in life. How did deal with these problems? By completely trusting in YHVH, or by scheming, plotting and planning his next move? You know the story. Jacob’s faith in YHVH was still incomplete at best. Jacob (a) was gripped by fear, (b) resorted to fleshly schemes to appease the hatred of Esau brother and “save his own hide” and that of his family, and (c) at the same time he expressed faith in YHVH by uttering what was one of the first recorded prayers in Scripture (verses 9–12). 

How often, when facing serious trials, do we take the shotgun approach by throwing everything we have at the problem including the “strong arm of the flesh” as well as our mustard seed of faith? Indeed, if our hearts are basically inclined toward him, YHVH’s grace cover us in such situations, but that doesn’t mean that our faith doesn’t still need improving. 

YHVH mercifully honors a person’s incomplete faith. For example, Yeshua mercifully healed the son of the man who in honesty confessed, “I believe help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). 

At the same time, YHVH requires more faith and less carnality from mature believers. Sometimes YHVH even forces his saints into situations where they literally have to come to the end of their own plots and schemes when facing trials and rely solely on him to deliver them from their enemies both internal and external. This occurred when Jacob faced his murderous brother. Would he trust YHVH or himself to deliver him from this vengeful foe? 

After Jacob wrestled all night with the Messenger of Elohim, he became a lame and humbled man, but with a new name and a new spiritual identity. Did Jacob gain the victory through appeasing Esau (verse 20), or by wrestling with and confronting his own limitations and coming out, though a broken physically, and changed man spiritually? The answer is obvious. Have you experienced similar trials? How did you handle it? Like Jacob? Are you learning to “let go and let God” as the adage goes? To walk by faith and not by sight? To trust and obey? 

Genesis 32:9–12 Jacob’s prayer. Consider the dynamics of Jacob’s prayer. Do not forget that up to this point in Jacob’s life he had relied on his wits to extricate himself from difficult situations. This time was different. As would be the case later in history when the children of Israel were trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, Jacob was boxed in; he could go neither forward nor backward. Behind him was hateful and greedy Laban and in front of him was the murderous Esau. 

In this prayer, notice the importance Jacob places on covenant relationship. He was finally coming to the end of him by throwing himself at the mercy of YHVH’s promised word and reputation. 

What more can we learn from Jacob’s prayer? What was Jacob’s demeanor before YHVH? Was he arrogant or contrite in spirit? Did Jacob direct this prayer heavenward purely out of a selfish motive —to save his skin, or was there a larger prophetic picture on which Jacob had his eyes set? What were the last words of the prayer? Why is this so important and why does he end with this? If YHVH did not deliver Jacob and his family and the nation of Israel was destroyed, how would the promises of YHVH be fulfilled and how would YHVH’s name be glorified? This scenario is like watching a movie where the villain is about to destroy the star of the show, but then you, the viewer, remember that the star of the show cannot be destroyed since he’s the hero, so you breathe easier knowing the outcome will somehow end favorably. Similarly YHVH couldn’t allow Jacob and his family to be destroyed and still fulfill his promises to Jacob and his forefathers. Jacob evidently took faith in this realization and it propelled him onward to face his enemy.

What can we learn from this? When we find ourselves boxed in by our enemies and unable to go forward or backward, maybe, in faith, like Jacob, we would do well to remind YHVH humbly of the promises he has made to us and in his Word. What’s more, when we are walking in the perfect will of the Father, the end will always turn out favorably for us no matter what we have to go through to get there. So give YHVH the glory, rejoice and have faith in him. Onward and onward!

Jacob is finally learning the concept of faith and covenantal relationship, and this is a better way to go than through rather than relying on one’s schemes and human “wisdom.”

Genesis 32:24, Jacob’s wrestling. Why did Elohim wrestle all night with Jacob? Why not just wound him early on and save the time and trouble? This event illustrates the long-suffering nature of Elohim, who will continue to strive with us and our fleshy tendencies and reliances, until we finally submit to him and recognize that only through him can we have real strength and victory. Why the wrestling all night“until the breaking of the day”? Night and breaking of day are significant metaphorical symbols representing hope and new beginnings after having to go through dark times in our lives. This teaches us that faith and blessings come when we overcome refusing to give up in our struggles against our carnal limitations until we have our spiritual breakthrough and the blessings of YHVH come to us.

 Jacob’s blessing was to receive the new name Israel, which means “prince of El” and “overcomer with El” (verse 28). Through this dark night struggle, Jacob took a quantum leap in his faith walk and became a new man with a new name and new spiritual identity. 

Have you ever had a Jacob moment like this in your life? Don’t we progress spiritually only out of crisis? There is no gain where there is no gain, as the saying goes. 

What were the final blessed results of Jacob prevailing in his faith struggles? Verse 32 says of Jacob, “as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he limped upon his thigh.” Penuel means “faces of El.” Taking a little poetic license (at the drash, allegorical or third level of biblical interpretation) here, we could paraphrase this idea as follows: As Jacob emerged out of the darkness of self reliance, the face of Elohim shined favorably upon him, since he no longer relied on the flesh. Pause to reflect on this for a moment and take quick stock of your own spiritual walk in the light of these words.

This was the final test of Jacob’s faith and he came out a man of faith, though his pride was wounded and he carried a limp for the rest of his life. His flesh and soul man were permanently wounded, but his spirit man and his faith in Elohim was soaring in the heavens!

Joseph—An Example of Overcoming Faith Against All Odds

Joseph had some enormous faith tests to pass just like his fathers before him to become pillar in Elohim’s temple of notable characters. Against him were false accusations, near death experiences, crashed dreams, enslavement and imprisonment. Yet through it all, Joseph’s faith prevailed and YHVH blessed him.

What tests and trials of life are you presently enduring? Broken marriages, prodigal children, financial failures, health issues emotional wounding from past hurts? Are you losing faith? Or like Joseph, are you refusing to lose sight of the promises YHVH has given to you, and despite all persevering onward? The example of Joseph’s life is an inspiration for everyone to keep pressing forward regardless of the seemingly overwhelming odds that are against us.

Genesis 37:5, Joseph had a dream. At age 17, YHVH gave Joseph two prophetic dream concerning his future greatness. These seeds of faith in YHVH’s plans for his life were planted early in him. Only many years, if not decades later would these prophecies come to pass. Until then many things had to happen that would require Joseph to grow in faith and to be faithful in order to become a suitable tool in the hands of the Holy One of Israel.

Genesis 37:9–10, Joseph refused to give in to youthful lusts. Despite the romantic overtures of his master’s wife, Joseph refused to succumb to allurements of this seductress. Even as a slave, he maintained a high moral standard of righteousness before YHVH and fled wickedness.

Genesis 37:20, Joseph cast into prison. Just when Joseph seemed to be getting back on his feet in Potipher’s house after being sold into slavery, he gets knocked down again with false accusations and is cast into prison.

Genesis 37:21, YHVH was with Joseph and showed him mercy…and gave him favor. This could not have happened if Joseph had lost his faith and been walking contrary to the will of YHVH.

Genesis 39:2, YHVH was with Joseph and he was a successful man. Despite the ignominy of being sold into slavery and carried off to a foreign, pagan country in shackles, YHVH never forsook Joseph.

Genesis 40:8, Do not interpretations belong to Elohim? Even in prison, Joseph unashamedly proclaimed his faith and lifted up the name of Elohim.

Genesis 41:1, At the end of two full years. YHVH allowed Joseph to remain in prison for at least two years and maybe longer for a crime that he did not commit.

Genesis 41:9, The chief butler remembers Joseph. From this story, we learn that YHVH’s timing for Joseph’s deliverance was perfect. Had Joseph lost faith and hope in YHVH along the way, this door or opportunity may not have opened. 

Through all of your trials, do you maintain our faith in YHVH? 

Had the chief butler remembered Joseph prior to this moment, his audience with Pharaoh may not have occurred. He would not have had the chance to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. He probably would never have ever been reunited with his family. This would have changed the whole history of the nation of Israel and thwarted Elohim’s plans and promises for that nation dramatically. Timing is essential in YHVH’s plans being fulfilled in the lives of his people. Our timing is seldom his timing. This is were the saint learns to walk in patience and overcoming faith.

Genesis 41:16, Elohim will give. After all Joseph had endured—multiple false accusations, murder attempts, enslavement and imprisonment—a lesser man might have lost his faith in Elohim, but not Joseph. In this verse, we see that he hadn’t given up hope in his Heavenly Father, and that he had not lost sight of the dreams and promises that YHVH had given to him many years earlier. In fact, he boldly proclaimed his faith in Elohim before this pagan king, and YHVH blessed Joseph for it.

Like Joseph, do you give honor to YHVH whenever you can—even to strangers, and even if it’s not “politically correct” to do so? The fact that Joseph was able to do so in front of one of the most powerful monarchs of his day without feeling shame is evidence of his strong and abiding faith in and fear of YHVH. 

Genesis 41:38, A man in whom the Spirit of Elohim is.Jacob emerged from years of trials with a strong faith in Elohim, a powerful godly reputation and testimony to those around him. How do the heathens in your life view you? What kind of testimony do you have? 

Joseph, David and Daniel were all young people who had overcoming faith in YHVH against almost  impossible odds. These biblical characters need to be every young person’s model or faith hero. 

Joseph, under intense pressure to renounce his faith and that of his fathers, remained faithful for years in the midsts of a seemingly hopeless situation. In the end, his faith prevailed, and YHVH used him in a powerful way to accomplish his mighty and divine purposes in the formation of the nation of Israel and eventually the salvation of the world. 

When Joseph was young he seemed a bit arrogant and cocky. But the soul-cleansing fires of life in Egypt refined these carnal traits out of him. The world has a way of either making or breaking a person. Colloquially, this process is often referred to as “the school of hard knock.” Joseph went through this school for years, passed all the tests and graduated with a masters degree, if not a doctorate in faith. The Bible is full of the stories of many such people (read Hebrews 11).

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Genesis 12:1, Get thee out of thy country. The story of Abraham leaving Babylon reveals the great mercy of Elohim in one man’s life. Romans 12:2 talks about finding the good, better and perfect will of Elohim for our lives. As much as we may respect and even venerate Abraham as the father of the faithful, it appears that he did not follow Elohim’s instructions perfectly at first. It wasn’t that Abraham was out of the will of Elohim, rather that he may not always have been in the absolute perfect will of Elohim, although he was headed in the right direction overall. What can we learn from this? Despite human weakness and reluctance to immediately and perfectly follow the Creator’s instructions, YHVH was still merciful and gracious with the spiritual father of our faith because the intent of his heart was bent on obeying his Creator. Thus, there is still hope for each of us when we stray briefly from YHVH’s perfect will for our lives.  

Although Abram was obedient of YHVH to leave Babyonia, he did not immediately leave his father’s house and go directly to the country that YHVH would show him, but did so in incremental steps. (Compare Gen 11:31 with 12:1.) Moreover, Abram did not leave his father’s family completely, but he took part of his father’s house with him including his father and nephew. What’s more first went to Haran which is located in northern Mesopotamia and is nowhere near Canaan. When Abram finally made his way to Canaan minus his father, he still had some members of his larger family with him, something YHVH instructed him to leave behind (Gen 12:1). As we discover, his nephew Lot proved to be a thorn in Abram’s side in fulfilling YHVH’s mission for his life in a new land.

What lessons can we learn from this account? First, YHVH is gracious to us even when we do not obey him completely and immediately. Scripture still refers to Abraham as the father of the faithful or faithfulness (Rom 4:12, 16). Second, Abram was a man of prominence in Babylon (or Chaldea), was recognized as a mighty prince (Gen 23:6), and was 75 years old when YHVH asked him to leave the comforts of life in Babylon—the New York City of its day— and to trek some 600 miles by foot across the desert to the backwoods region of Canaan. No doubt, this was not an easy move for Abram at his age.

Similarly, Yeshua tells his disciples that they may have to make similar sacrifices if they want to follow him including leaving family and loved ones (Matt 10:35–39). Despite the difficult choices Yeshua that his followers would have to make, he promises that their eternal rewards would be great (Matt 19:29). What physical obstacles stand in your way of fulfilling YHVH’s spiritual calling, mission and destiny for your life?

Presently, YHVH is calling his people out of the spiritual Babylon (Rev 18:4) of man-made religious systems that, to one degree or another, have supplanted the simple truths of YHVH’s word with doctrines and traditions of men. Anything that takes precedence in the hearts and minds of men that is contrary to the Bible is, by biblical definition, an idol. End times spiritual Babylon is full of idolatry. It is a confused mixture of truth and lies. YHVH called Abram out of the Babylon of his day, and he is calling his people out of Babylon of our day to worship and obey him in Spirit and truth (John 4:23–24). YHVH’s end time saints will be those who follow Yeshua the Messiah unconditionally wherever he goes (Rev 14:4–6). Their chief identification mark is that they follow his Torah-commandments of Elohim and have the faith of Yeshua, that is, their lives have been transformed by the message of the gospel (Rev 14:17; 12:14).

What were the consequences of Abraham’s not following YHVH’s will perfectly when commanded to leave Ur? First, YHVH did, in a sense, chastise Abraham in that he suffered the consequences of not heeding Elohim’s instructions to immediately leave Ur and to leave his family behind. Had he left Lot behind, his headaches in Canaan would have been fewer. Lot proved to be a thorn in Abraham’s side. First, Lot greedily took the best pastures for his flocks away from Abraham, even though YHVH had promised the whole land to Abraham. Second, Abraham had to imperil himself and his men in rescuing Lot from the Babylonians. Third, Lot’s offspring, Moab and Ammon, would prove to be a continual enemies of the Israelites for hundreds of years afterwards—another consequence of Abraham not following Elohim’s instructions perfectly. In this case, the sins of the fathers had generational consequences for hundreds of years.

Second, Romans 12:2 says that each saint has to prove what is the good, better and best will of Elohim for their lives. When Abraham left Ur and partially followed Elohim’s instructions, he was in the good or better will of Elohim, but not his perfect will. Nevertheless, Abraham’s heart was still in the right place and he was headed in the right direction. Elohim still counted that act of faith toward his righteousness. But, as noted above, Abraham suffered the consequences of his not walking in Elohim’s perfect will.

Nonetheless, YHVH is gracious to those who have a heart to follow him, though it may only be his good and better will. The point is this: to the degree that we obey Elohim, we will be blessed, and to the degree that we do not we will not be blessed. There are degrees and stages to obedience and judgment. When we do not fully obey, the consequences of our actions that we suffer may well help to bring us back into Elohim’s perfect will.

Genesis 12:2, I will bless you.YHVH promised to bless Abram by making him into a great nation and making his descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven (Gen 15:5). Presently there are only 12 to 15 million Jews alive worldwide. Contemporaneously there are about 100 times more Muslims alive than Jews. Many of them trace their lineage back to Abraham through Ishmael or Esau. Did YHVH fail to fulfill his promise to Abraham through Isaac and thus is his word not true? If his promise were true, then where are the numerous descendants YHVH promised to Abraham? The fact is that YHVH is sill in the process of fulfilling the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant in wonderful and surprising ways including through the subsequent spread of Christianity through the entire world (see Rom 4:16; 9:8, 11; Gal 3:7, 9, 14, 28–29; 6:16; Eph 2:11–19).

Genesis 12:3, I will bless those who bless you.The mistaken belief exists in modern Christianity that YHVH promises to bless those who bless the Jews and curse those who curse the Jews. This notion is biblically inaccurate as we see in this verse from which this notion derives. Rather, YHVH promised to bless all of the descendents of Abraham including all twelve tribes that would descend from him, not just the tribe of Judah from which the Jews descend. The descendents of Abraham also include all true Christians (again see Rom 4:16; 9:8, 11; Gal 3:7, 9, 14, 28–29; 6:16; Eph 2:11–19). The Jews were only one tribal subdivision of the nation of Israel. Not only that, Abraham was not a Jew! He was a Hebrew. Judah, from which the Jews descend, was his great grandson. Thus the statement that YHVH will bless those who bless the Jews is technically incorrect. Rather, he promises to bless not only the Jews, but the Reubenites, the Ephraimites, the Naphtalites and so on including the modern Christian saints who Scripture refers to as the seed or offspring of Abraham (see Rom 4:16; 9:8, 11; Gal 3:7, 9, 14, 28–29; 6:16; Eph 2:11–19). 

Genesis 12:4, So Abram departed.(cp. Gen 15:6, And he believed in YHVH and he accounted it to him for righteousness.)Abraham showed evidence of a circumcised heart in his belief in and willing obedience to YHVH long before he was circumcised physically. Heart circumcision precedes the physical act. Physical circumcision, like the ritual of baptism for the remission of sin, is merely an outward expression of a preexisting inner spiritual reality.

Genesis 12:5, The souls they had gotten.This can refer to any living creature both human and animal.

Genesis 12:6, Shechem. What is the biblical historical significance of the city of Shechem? First, Abram entered Canaan (i.e., the Promised Land) by way of Shechem, and it was here that YHVH first announced to Abram that this was the land he was giving him along with other provisions of the Abrahamic Covenant. Later this city was recognized as the entry point for Israelites entering the Promised Land, and it was there that Joshua buried the remains of Joseph (on the parcel of land that Jacob had purchased and bequeathed to his son [Gen 33:19; Josh 24:32; John 4:5])—the tomb of which exists to this day (though it has been greatly damaged and much of it destroyed by Palestinian terrorists from 2000–2003). There also Joshua had the Israelites, upon entering the Promised Land, renew their covenants before YHVH pronouncing the curses and blessings on the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim (Deut 27:1–26; Josh 8:30–35; 24:23–25) the bases of which are approximately 1500 feet apart. Also, Dinah, the daughter of Jacob was raped by the prince of the city of Shechem, and Levi and Simeon avenged her of the crime committed against her by having the Canaanite male inhabitants be circumcised after which they slaughtered them (Gen 34). In their zeal to possess the land promised to their fathers and recognizing this city was key to entering the Promised Land, it seems that Simeon and Levi took matters into their own hands in attempts to possess the land ahead of YHVH’s timing. Shechem was later allotted to the tribe of Ephraim, the birthright son of Joseph and leader of the Northern Kingdom of the house of Israel (Josh 20:7), but was eventually assigned to the Levites as a city of refuge (Josh 21:20–21). At Shechem, Rehoboam was crowned king over Israel (1 Kgs 12), and later at the same place the ten ­northern tribes renounced their allegiance to Rehoboam and established their own nation. It was at Shechem (also called Sychar) that Yeshua talked to the Samaritan woman at the well of Joseph (which was about one-and-one-half miles from Joseph’s tomb, see John 4). The Samaritans were a mixed-race people comprising of those from the house of Israel (i.e., the Northern Kingdom) and various other non-Israelite racial stock. Shechem will play a key role in the house of Israel returning to the land of promise during the last days in what the Jewish sages refer to as “the final redemption.” It is in the area of Shechem that they believe that the return or regathering of the exiles (lost ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel) will occur at the coming of the Messiah.

Genesis 12:7, 8 (also 13:4, 18; 22:9 cp. 26:25; 33:20; 35:1, 3, 7), There he built an altar to YHVH. Altar is the Hebrew word mizbe-ach meaning “a place to slaughter for sacrifice.” Note that nearly everywhere Abraham went in the Promised Land, he built a place to worship YHVH through sacrifice. Today, we make sacrifice to YHVH through our praise and worship (Ps 69:30–31; Jer 33:11; Heb 13:15, 16), and with our lips by prayer (Hos 14:2). All that we do should be a living sacrifice to YHVH (Rom 12:1). The redeemed of the most high are now to YHVH a spiritual house and a set-apart and royal priesthood called to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Elohim through the blood of Yeshua (1 Pet 2:5, 9).

Do we follow the example of our father Abraham and seek first the kingdom of Elohim and his righteousness (Matt 6:33) in all that we do wherever we go by building an “altar”—a place of worship?

Genesis 12:7, (also 13:4), Called on the name of YHVH. Call is the Hebrew word qara meaning “to call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim, to summon, to invite, call for.” (Also see Gen 4:26). The psalmist declares that YHVH is near to those who call (qara) upon him in truth (Ps 145:18), and Isaiah says that YHVH will answer the call (qara) of the righteous. The day is coming when YHVH will restore to his people a pure language so that they will be able to call (qara)upon him by his name YHVH and serve him with one consent (Zeph 3:9).

Genesis 12:8, Bethel…Hai. Abraham pitched his tent somewhere between these two cities whose meaning is, respectively, “house of El” and “a heap of ruins.” Figuratively and spiritually, that is where most of us find our lives—somewhere between the blessing and the curse, between the perfect and blessed will of Elohim as a result of our obedience to his will. Spiritually, can’t each of us describe our lives as being somewhere between a ruinous place because of our disobedience and the house of El and coming into perfect conformity to the image of Yeshua (Rom 8:28–29), into the measure and fullness of his stature (Eph 4:13), as we are becoming partakers of the divine nature of YHVH Elohim (1 Pet 1:4)? For example, when Abraham left Canaan—the place Elohim told him to move to—and went down to Egypt (Gen 12:10), the results were ruinous—he almost lost his wife to the king of Egypt. Hai represents the place we end up spiritually as a result of being tempted by our flesh to disobey YHVH—the results of sin and disobedience.

Genesis 12:10, Down to Egypt. Abraham left the land of Canaan, representing YHVH’s perfect will for Abraham, and went down (not up) to Egypt, albeit to escape famine. Instead of trusting Elohim to provide for him in Canaan, Abraham compromised and relied on his own flesh and went down to Egypt to seek food, which almost resulted in him losing his wife to the king of Egypt, and then to his being deported from Egypt. When we leave the perfect will of Elohim for our lives and trust in our own mind, it results in our “going downhill” spiritually.

Genesis 12:13, You are my sister. See notes at Genesis 20:12.

Genesis 12:15–20, Pharaoh and Abram. Abram was most likely either nobility or a well known person of wealth and stature in the ancient world to be able to have an audience with a king, and for the king to want to marry into Abram’s family.

Genesis 12:16, Treated Abram well. Why did Pharaoh treat Abram well? This verse goes on to describe Abram’s status as a wealthy man. Thus it appears that Pharaoh was influenced by Abram’s wealth and social status, and thusly treated Sarah and not out of virtue, because of her social standing and wealth. Perhaps the king viewed a marriage to Sarah as a means to cement political and economic ties with Babylonia for his own selfish interests only. Whatever the case, Elohim had to plague Pharaoh in order to get his attention. In the eyes of this world, the wealth, power and social status of a person always carries more weight than the virtue or righteousness of a person. This is judgment by appearance (or a book by its cover) and not righteous judgment (or by the contents of the book). As the wise preacher said long ago, there is nothing new under the sun. The hellbent character of man has not improved from then until now (Jer 17:9).

Genesis 13

Genesis 13:1, 3, And Abram went up out of Egypt…even to Bethel. The Jewish sages note the significance of this passage in that one always speaks of “going up” or “making aliyah” (i.e., ascending) to the land of Israel and Jerusalem. What are we talking about here? Going up from what to what spiritually speaking? Here the country Abram is leaving is a biblical metaphor representing the world. Where is Abraham going up to? The name Beth-el means “the house of El. This is where the temple in Jerusalem was eventually built. This speaks of the spiritual journey each of us is on as we leave the spiritual servitude, bondage and slavery of the world, flesh and the devil, while seeking to “dwell in the house of YHVH forever” as David states in Psalm 23:6.

Genesis 13:5–13, Abraham (Abram) versus Lot. The account of Abram and Lot is very revealing concerning each individual’s character. One was greedy and selfish; the other was a peacemaker even to his own detriment as he esteemed his neighbor over himself (or “in honor preferring one another,” Rom 12:10). Abram lived by the kingdom principles of give and it shall be given to you; whoever is greatest let him be the servant; and die to self in order to live unto YHVH. What were the end results of this approach in Abram’s life? By comparison, where did Lot’s orientation eventually get him? Loss or gain? The answer is obvious. Abram walked by trusting faith in YHVH and in love toward his fellow man. Conversely, Lot walked in selfishness or self interest, and he lost everything as a result.

Genesis 13:16, Dust of the earth. In other words, this promise of YHVH revealed that even though Abraham’s descendants would be numerous like the dust of the earth, at times they would be trodden under foot, like dirt, by the wicked inhabitants of the nations in which they find themselves. At other times, his descendents would be like the stars of heaven (Gen 22:17; 26:4; Exod 32:13) and rise above in power, prosperity and military and spiritual prowess above the surrounding nations, and would subdue them.

Genesis 14

Genesis 14:5, Rephaim.(Heb.for “giants”) The Rephaim lived in the area of Bashan in the north of Israel near Mount Hermon that the Book of 1 Enoch describes as the spot where the Genesis 6:4 angelic incursion commenced. These same people were also called the Emim by the Moabites (Deut 2:11) and the Zanzumim by the Ammonites (Deut 2:20).

Genesis 14:8, Priest.(Heb.cohen). The Meaning of the Term Cohen Explored. This is the first occurrence of this Hebrew word in Scripture. According to The TWOT, the exact etymological meaning of cohen is unknown since its underlying verbal root does not appear in the Tanakh. 

However, in light of the usage of the word cohen in the Bible, the verbal root is assumed to mean “serving as minister.” This is because the Bible uses cohen not only in reference to those who served in an ecclesiastical role (as in the Levitical priesthood), but also those who were the first born (or patriarchal) and spiritual heads of their families (Exod 19:22). A cohen could also refer to non-Levitical spiritual ministers (e.g., Melchizekek in Gen 14:8 and Jethro in Exod 2:16; 18:1). The word was also used of those holding ministry offices in a secular or civil government (1 Kgs 4:5; 20:26; 1 Chron 18:16, 17). Truthfully, it is not known whether some of these government officials were actual descendant of Aaron or not such as Ira the Jairite, who was David’s chief minister or cohen (2 Sam 20:26). In at least one case, cohen is used in reference to the sons of King David who served as officials in his administration (2 Sam 8:18), although, as The TWOT points out, the Hebrew of the MS may be in error since the LXX fails to include the term cohen in this verse. 

Moreover, in a sense, all Israel were priests (Exod 19:6), or at least that was to be their spiritual destiny presuming they served YHVH faithfully and did not forget his Torah-law (Hos 4:6). The Bible’s looser designation of the term priest to include non-Levites, and eventually and potentially all Israelites prefigures the eventual royal priesthood of all believers as predicted in Exodus 19:6 and Isaiah 66:21 and was carried forth to its prophetic fulfillment by the apostolic writers to include all Israelites including Christian disciples of Yeshua (1 Pet 2:9; Rev 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).

Genesis 14:12, Abram’s brother.Even though Lot was technically Abraham’s nephew (Gen 12:5), here he is figuratively or colloquially referred to as his brother in a general familial sense, even as Abraham referred to Sarah, his wife, as his sister (Gen 12:13), even though she was actually his half-sister (Gen 20:12).

Genesis 14:13, Hebrew.This is the first occurrence of this word in the Bible. Abraham was a Hebrew, not a Jew. The Jews descended from Judah, the great grandson of Abraham. 

Genesis 14:14, Three hundred and eighteen trained servants.This was a venerable fighting force for a nomadic chieftain to possess. If each of these soldier-servants had a wife and two children, this would have represented more than 1200 people associated with Abram’s army alone. No doubt Abram’s entourage could have been much larger considering those soldiers who had larger families plus elderly people. The size of Abram’s personal community along with his wealth is likely why the sons of Heth referred to Abram as “mighty prince [Heb. nasiy meaning “one lifted up, chief, captain or leader”]” (Gen 23:6). This would have been true especially considering Abram’s personal army probably marched about four hundred miles round trip to defeat the six Babylonian kings in his rescue of Lot (Gen 14:14–16). This was a tremendous feat for a local chieftain-warlord to accomplish. This accomplishment likely made Abram into a legend among the local Canaanites who would have greatly feared and respected him.

Abram’s rescue of Lot and the residents of Sodom from the six Babylonian kings brings to remembrance YHVH’s later promise to Israel that he would put the fear of YHVH into the hearts of their enemies and that one Israelite would put a thousand of their enemies to flight and two would put ten thousand to flight (Deut 32:30 cp. Lev 26:8). This promise is exemplified in the story of Gideon’s defeat of the Midianites by his band of three hundred men—a similar number to that Abram’s army. May YHVH’s servants in our day be walking in such righteousness and holiness before YHVH as to warrant this kind of favor from the Almighty to receive the same blessing when they go up against their enemies!

Not only was the freeing of Lot and the other Sodomites a specular and miraculous feat—a testimony of the power of the Elohim of Abraham, but it was proof to these people of Elohim’s grace and mercy in that he rescued the Sodomites despite their wickedness. In spite Elohim’s warnings and grace, they still refused to turn from their wicked ways necessitating Elohim’s later judgment and destruction of that perverse city. What lesson can we learn from this? Elohim as a just and righteous judge warns people first by bringing upon them judgments onto repentance before imposing upon them his severe and ultimate judgments unto death. The problem is that most sinners are willingly oblivious to the initial warning signs, which if heeded, would bring them to repentance, thus sparing them Elohim’s ultimate and most severe judgments.

YHVH’s methodologies have never changed; he is the same yesterday, today and forever. He warns people, gives them space to repent before judging them; he is not an unjust judge. Be assured, those wicked rebels who at the end of the millennial age will pass before Elohim’s white throne of judgment and, who he will deem worthy to be cast into the lake of fire, will have had plenty of warning and time for repentance (Rev 20:11–15). The fiery destruction of Sodom in the Dead Sea Valley, the lowest place on earth, is a prophetic picture of the final lake of fire judgment and should be a lesson to all humanity of what is to come if they fail to submit to Almighty YHVH.

Dan.This reference to Dan, who was not yet born much less one of the Israelite tribes at the time of Abram, is proof that Moses or a later scribe wrote this.

Genesis 14:18–20, Bread and wine.This is the origin in Jewish tradition of the b’rakhah or the blessing of the bread and wine before meals. 

Genesis 14:19–20, He blessed him.According to Jewish tradition based on Genesis 14:18–20 and the example of Yeshua in the Testimony of Yeshua, we are to bless YHVH before partaking of a meal (Mark 8:7), and according to YHVH’s Torah instructions, his people are to thank him for the food after a meal is completed (Deut 8:10). The b’rakhah is a traditional Jewish blessing which is recited or sung before a meal involving the blessing and breaking of the bread of fellowship followed by the blessing of and the drinking of the fruit of the vine.

Genesis 14:22, Raised my hand.This is the first biblical example of raising one’s hand when taking an oath. Also see Ps 106:26; Isa 49:22; Ezek 20:5, 6, 15, 23, 28, 42; 36:7, 44:12; 47:14; Rev 10:5.

Genesis 15

Genesis 15:1–21, The Abrahamic Covenant. In this chapter, YHVH establishes the Abrahamic Covenant with Abram and his descendants forever. This covenant forms the basis for the Renewed Covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31–33 and revealed in the Testimony of Yeshua (New Testament) that YHVH would make with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Heb 8:6–13). We learn in Romans 4 that the Abrahamic Covenant undergirds the salvational requirements of the Renewed Covenant. Furthermore, in Genesis 15:17, we read that Abram had a very strange vision. The prophetic implications of this vision are vast. To learn how this vision points to Yeshua, to his taking the penalty of Abram’s descendants violating YHVH’s law, and to his death on the cross, and to learn the overall importance of the Abrahamic Covenant as it relates to the Renewed Covenant, please read my teaching article on the Abrahamic Covenant (see web site link below).

https://hoshanarabbah.org/pdfs/abracov.pdf

Genesis 15:1, 5,Fear not…Look now. Abraham had just returned from rescuing Lot, his nephew, who had earlier, greedily chosen the best land for his flocks to feed in. At that time, Abraham deferred to Lot choosing peace between his household and that of his nephews, over personal advantage, thus ending the strife between the two families over grazing rights for their herds. Now after rescuing captive Lot, Abraham may have been wondering why he bothered to continue choosing the moral high ground by deferring to his less than righteous nephew. Was it really worth trouble risking one’s life and fortune for such an ungrateful family member? Despite these likely misgivings, he rises to the occasion once again and graciously comes to Lot’s rescue. YHVH intervenes and reassures Abraham that walking in righteousness always ends up paying rich dividends. Yes, Lot chose the best grazing land, yet Elohim was promising Abraham and his descendants not only the pastures where Lot was feeding his flocks, but eventually the whole land of Canaan. In faith, Abraham kept his eye on the larger prize. This story also reveals the merciful grace and encouragement that YHVH shows to his people who have an intimate relationship with him, who often face abuse and suffering at the hands of their less than righteous peers. Ultimately, it is always advantageous for the servants of YHVH to take the high road morally and spiritually when dealing with their ungodly peers.

Genesis 15:1,The Word of YHVH came. Yeshua the Messiah is the Word of Elohim and is Elohim’s spokesman or intermediary with men (John 1:1–14). This is the Bible’s first usage of this phrase. Subsequently, the phrase “Word of YHVH” is found some 242 times in the Tanakh. Many of these times relate to the biblical prophets receiving prophetic revelation from the “Word of YHVH,” which was the preincarnate Yeshua. How these prophets received their revelation from the Word of YHVH is not always clear. In the case of Abram in this passage, he received the word through a vision. In most cases, Scripture simply records that “the Word of Elohim came” to such and such a prophet. Whether it came through dreams, visions, audible voice, or direct visitation, the Scriptures usually do not say. Nowadays, in prophetic circles within the church, seldom do people speak authoritatively and announce that “the Word of YHVH came to me and here is what I was told….” Instead, phrases such as “I have a word from God for you,” or “God told me to tell you this” are used. This is not how it was done by the legitimate prophets of the Bible. They actually received direct revelation from the preincarnate Yeshua and who spoke dogmatically and authoritatively as such. 

In a vision. Abraham was a prophet, since YHVH spoke to him directly in various ways revealing secrets to him, giving him prophetic words and instructions.

Genesis 15:6, He believed…counted it to him for righteousness.(See notes at Gen 12:4.)We see here that Abram was saved (or accounted righteous) by the grace of YHVH through faith in YHVH, and not his good deeds or works. (Compare the following passages: Gen 12:1–4; 15:1–6,18; 17:1–13 with Rom 4:1–12.) Thus the idea of salvation by grace through faith is not only a “New Testament” concept, as many teach, but is actually rooted in the Torah as Paul makes clear in Romans chapter four. Some Christians believe that Abraham (and ancient Israel) was saved by keeping the Torah-law. This is false in light of the Abraham’s salvation. The spiritual fruits in Abraham’s life proved that he was saved and that he also walked in accordance with YHVH’s Torah (Gen 26:5).

Genesis 15:2,Lord GOD. Heb. Adonai YHVH. In The Artscroll Stone Edition Tanach, the Hebrew letters behind YHVH are vowel pointed to read Yehovih and not Yehovah. Why is this? According to Jewish, Hebrew linguistic scholar Nehemia Gordon in his article entitled, “The Pronunciation of the Name,” the reason for this is… 

[I]n the Aleppo Codex, the most precise manuscript of the biblical text, the name YHVH gets the vowels Yehovih when it is juxtaposed to the word Adonai. It seems that the “i” (chiriq) in Yehovih is a reminder to the reader to read this….This seems to be a unique scribal practice which consists of changing a single vowel in order to remind the reader how to read the name YHVH.…In contrast, when YHVH stands next to Adonai the “a” (kamats) is changed to an “i” (chiriq) to remind the reader to read it Elohim.

The phrase “the Lord God” or “Adonai YHVH” also occurs in Ezek 2:4 and Judg 16:28 (among other places in the Tankah). As in Gen 15:2, the scribes have vowel-pointed YHVH to read Yehovih. In these cases, the scribes have inserted the vowels of the word Elohim into YHVH to remind the reader to say Elohim even though he sees the word YHVH (His Hallowed Name Revealed Again, by Keith E. Johnson, p. 144).

Genesis 15:12–21, Abram’s vision. (See notes at Ps 50:5.)

Abraham’s Vision of the Renewed Covenant

One of the mottoes of my ministry (i.e., Hoshana Rabbah) is “Connecting the message of the gospel to its Torah roots.” The commentary below on Genesis 15:17–18 below is a prime example of this, and is something I love to do. 

Why does connecting spiritual dots bring me such pleasure? For several reasons. It strengthens my faith in Yeshua the Messiah to see him prophesied about in the Bible thousands of years before his incarnation, thus it strengthens my faith in the Bible as the Word of Elohim. No one but the supreme sovereign omniscient superior mind of our Creator could have predicted such things long before they occurred. No other religion or religious book on earth contains such marvelous predictions as the Bible. In every way, it points to the supreme omniscience and omnipotence Elohim thus validating the Bible as his divine Word.

The other day, someone commented on my YouTube channel that it is pure human imagination to envision Yeshua was predicted in the Tanakh (Old Testament), and that he is not in there. Then this sad soul went on to claim that Yeshua is not the Messiah, etc., etc. ad nauseam. The Bible says not to answer a fool according to his folly, for he will simply trample the pearls of truth like a swine rooting around in the muddy swill of his blind existence. There is none so blind as he refuses to see! May the discussion below strengthen your faith in the Bible, in YHVH Elohim and in Yeshua the Messiah! As we will see, Yeshua is indeed predicted in the Tanakh!

Though Scripture calls Abraham the father of the faithful, he fell to doubt and unbelief after waiting for years for a son. The result was his taking matters into his own hands and attempting to work out ­YHVH’s plans and purposes in his life through fleshly means. The result was the birth of Ishmael, the father of many of the Arab people. Do you have trouble waiting on YHVH? Remember, his primary goal in your life is NOT to bring YOUR dreams to pass, but to form in you the person and character of Yeshua (Rom 8:28–29). This only comes through time, and the heat and pressure of spiritual refinement. That is the message of Genesis 15:12–14. The birds of the air—a spiritual picture of Satan and his demons—wanted to interrupt this process (verse 11). (Note how the birds that picked up the seed in Yeshua’s Parable of the Sower in Matt 13:4 cp. 19 were symbolic of the devil.) But will we rest in faith (or sleep, verse 12) in YHVH and wait for him to work his purposes out in our lives, so that we may become the refined vessel he wants us to be in Messiah Yeshua? (Read Ps 37, entire chapter, with special focus on verses 4–7, 23–24.) 

In Genesis 15:17–18a, we read,

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day YHVH made a covenant with Abram…

What is the meaning of this? This is nothing other than YHVH giving Abram a prophetic vision of Yeshua the Redeemer of Israel dying on the cross and paying for the sins of Abram’s descendants, who would break that very covenant that YHVH had made with Abram on that day. Both Jewish and Christian biblical commentators recognize aspects of this truth, but neither possess the have fuller prophetic picture that is conveyed in this vision. This we will explain below.

First, YHVH passed through the pieces of a sacrificed animal. Rashi, the medieval Jewish Torah scholar, recognizes that the Divine Presence was the one who passed through the pieces of animal while Abram slept (Rashi’s commentary on Gen 15:10). Furthermore, The ArtScroll Tanach Series Bereishis/Genesis Commentary, vol 1a, states, “The smoke [which rose up into the thick darkness (Radak)] was the ‘Cloud and thick darkness’ which appeared at the revelation of the Torah and the torch in its midst was ‘the fire’ which appeared at Sinai [see Exod 19:18; Deut 5:4]”….[Elohim] caused His Presence, symbolized by the fire, to pass through and conclude the Covenant.…[T]he culmination of this vision was that the fire consumed the pieces, causing their smoke to ascend to heaven…” (pp. 534–535). Christian commentators Keil and Delitzsch in their commentary on this passage state, “In this symbol [i.e., the smoking pot and the fiery torch], Jehovah manifested Himself to Abram, just as He afterwards did to the people of Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire” (Hendrickson, p. 138). So both notable Jewish and Christian scholars relate the smoke and the fire that Abram saw pass between the pieces of meat to YHVH’s presence in the cloud and pillar of fire that led Israel in the wilderness. We read in Exodus 13:21,

And YHVH went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.

Then in Exodus 14:19 it is written:

And the angel of Elohim, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them.

Who is this “Angel” of Elohim (in other places: he is called “the Angel” of YHVH)? Angel is an unfortunate translation. The Hebrew word for angel is malak (lTKN) and simply means “a heavenly or a human messenger.”Prophetically this word can refer to human messengers such as the one coming in the spirit of Elijah prior to Messiah’s coming, as well as to the Messiah himself (“Messenger/Malak of the covenant” in Malachi 3:1). In Genesis 32:22–30, Jacob wrestles with a man the Scriptures identify as the Malak of YHVH (Hosea 12:3-5) and whom Jacob called Elohim (Hos 12:3–4). This same Individual redeemed Jacob (Gen 48:18) and is identified with the Malak of Elohim … the Elohim of Bethel (Gen 31:11 and 13), and appeared to Moses at the burning bush (Exod 3:2). Now we see this same Entity leading Israel in the wilderness. Again who is he? Stephen in Acts 7:37–39 identifies the Messiah (i.e. “that Prophet” Moses mentioned in Deut 18:15) with the “Angel” or Heavenly Messenger which spoke to the children of Israel from Mount Sinai and who gave them the “living oracles,” who the Israelites later rejected for pagan gods. Paul elsewhere said of this same Personage that the Israelites did “all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Messiah” (1 Cor 10:4).

Of that pillar of fire that led them, we see that it gave them light, and we know that light is a biblical metaphor for YHVH’s Torah (e.g., Prov 6:23). Additionally, we know that Yeshua the Messiah is the Light of the World (John 1:6–9; 8:12; 9:5)—the Word of Elohim in living form (personified; John 1:1–14).

So, to connect the dots, we see that Abram saw a vision of the pre-incarnate Yeshua passing through the pieces of meat as he ratified the Abrahamic Covenant. He accepted the offering as it went up to heaven in a cloud of smoke even as fire came forth from the same cloud in the holy of holies in the Tabernacle Moses and the same pre-incarnate Yeshua accepted the first sacrifice on the altar of sacrifice (Lev 9:24, see also Judg 6:20–21; 13:19–20).

But there is more.

The Jewish sages recognize that the smoking furnace Abram saw in his vision is a picture of Gehinnom (the valley in Jerusalem where in ancient times the city’s garbage was burned making it a poetic and prophetic representation of Elohim’s fiery judgment upon the wicked) or four periods of future judgment that would come upon Israel as a result of her apostasy (see Rashi’s commentary on Gen 15:17). This is the rabbinic interpretation of the smoking furnace. Let us now present to you the Messianic interpretation of this same smoking furnace.

In ancient biblical times when two parties would negotiate an agreement, both parties would pass through the animal halves symbolizing the life and death consequences of violating the terms of the agreement. A death curse was literally placed upon the one who would break the covenant.

In the case of the Abrahamic Covenant, we see that Yeshua in his pre-incarnate state was the one who passed through the pieces of meat while Abram slept. This signifies that Yeshua took upon himself the curse of death if either he or Abraham (or his descendants) in any way violated the terms and conditions of the Abrahamic Covenant. We know that Abraham’s descendants did not remain faithful to their covenants with YHVH. YHVH used the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and the Romans to punish them, but this punishment did not redeem them from having violated their covenantal agreement. Yeshua, YHVH’s heavenly Messenger, took that full responsibility upon himself when he passed through the pieces of meat. He took upon himself the full and unconditional consequences of the sinful actions of Abraham’s descendants, which are the saints (Gal 3:29). The fiery wrath of Elohim’s judgment against sin (i.e. violation of Torah, see 1 John 3:4) came upon him and he was crucified by the Romans at Calvary. It is through the shed blood of Yeshua who paid for our sins that we enter into renewed covenant with the same Yeshua (as did Abraham) and become sons of Abraham, as well as adopted sons of Elohim resulting in eternal life. This is the message of Paul the apostle in Epistle to the Romans. This is how Genesis 15 foretells the future apostasy of Israel, the rise of Messiah Yeshua, the Savior and Redeemer of Israel, and his death at the cross to pay the legal price for their sins of rebellion and disobedience to YHVH and his commandments.

Genesis 16

Genesis 16:1–16, Waiting on YHVH. This is the process of sanctification and growing in spiritual maturity through which we all must go.

Genesis 16:2–5, Go into my maid…my wrong be upon you. First, Sarai instructs Abraham to have sex with her maid, then when he does, she blames him for the unintended results that backfire on her. We see in this story several things. First, people are loath to take personal responsibility for there wrong actions preferring instead to shift the blame or project onto others their own sins in hopes of making themselves look good and maintaining their honor at someone else’s expense. This is nothing more than human pride, egotism and extreme selfishness. Second, Sarai changes the rules in the middle of the game. Abraham though he had her blessing to go into Hagar (after all, what older man wouldn’t want to have sex with a younger, beautiful woman?), but then when he did, Sarai blamed him for it. This is an example of the capriciousness of human vicissitudes, where people bend or change the rules to make themselves look good. Third, Sarai refused to accept her blame for the resulting situation even though it was her idea in the first place. Too often humans are loath to admit when they are wrong, again preferring instead to blame others for their wrong actions. Eve did this when she blamed both the serpent and Adam for her sin. Abraham for his part yielded to the appetites of the flesh in acquiescing to Sarai’s suggestion to have sex with Hagar instead of having faith in YHVH to fulfill his promise to give him a son through his wife. This was Abraham’s great error, the consequences of which still plague the world to this day—namely, the Arab-Israeli conflict. All of this occurred in the context of marriage, where ideally the two individuals are to become one flesh, so to speak. Yet, too often the two still remain divided and at odds with each other due to human pride and sin that continually threaten to rip the marriage apart. Nowadays, people simply get divorced and move on. This, however, was not an option in ancient times where spouses had to remain together for survival purposes, thus they learned to work out their differences, and if not, they were forced to endure a less than perfect marriage.

Genesis 16:4–6, Despised in her eyes…Sarai dealt hardly with her. The Bible always presents polygamy, no matter how well intended, as a source of rivalry, bitter jealously and familial strife and contention. Therefore, it is to be avoided at all costs, for it is not YHVH’s ideal; however, one man and one woman is the Creator’s perfect will for marriage.

Genesis 16:7–13, Hagar and Ishmael encounter Messenger of YHVH. The first place in Scripture that the term “Angel [Messenger/Malak] of YHVH is used is in Genesis 16:7. Here Hagar flees into the wilderness with her son, Ishmael, escaping from Sarah, her mistress and is resting by a pool of water when the Heavenly Messenger (Heb. malak) of YHVH suddenly appears to her. He commands her to return to Sarah and then proceeds to pronounce a prophetic blessing upon Ishmael:

10 And the angel of YHVH said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of YHVH said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because YHVH hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

What was Hagar’s response (Gen 16:13)? Christian translations of the Tanakh record that she believed that she had (incredibly) seen YHVH and lived:

So she named YHVH who had spoken with her El of Seeing, because she said, “Have I really seen the One who sees me [and stayed alive]?” (adapted from the CJB)

Then she called the name of YHVH who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me? (NKJV)

Then she called the name of YHVH who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees”; for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?” (NAS)

So she named YHVH who spoke to her, “You are El-roi”; for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?” (NRSV)

As we can see, the Christian translations give the impression that Hagar actually saw YHVH.

The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash (the modern Orthodox Jewish translation) translates verse 13 in this manner:

And she called the Name of HASHEM Who spoke to her “You are the God of Vision,” for she said, “Could I have seen even here after having seen?”

The Jewish Soncino Edition of the Pentateuch translates it this way:

And she called the name of the LORD that spoke unto her, Thou art a God of seeing; for she said: ‘Have I even here seen Him that sees me?’

Nineteenth-century Orthodox Jewish sage Samson Raphael Hirsch in his commentary translates this verse as follows,

And she called the name of God that spake unto her: Thou art a God of seeing; for she said: Have I then also up to here too looked after anyone who might see me? [sic]

As we can also see, modern rabbinic translations of this verse are ambiguous as to whether Hagar had a vision or actually saw YHVH with her natural eyes.

The Targumim translations (Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Scriptures from the pre-Christian era made by Jewish religious officials) translate verse 13 this way,

And she gave thanks before the Lord whose Word spake to her, and thus said, Thou art He who livest and art eternal; who seest, but art not seen! for she said, For, behold, here is revealed the glory of the Shekina of the Lord after a vision. (Targum Jonathan)

And Hagar gave thanks, and prayed in the Name of the Word of the Lord, who had been manifested to her, saying, Blessed be Thou, Eloha, the Living One of all Ages, who hast looked upon my affliction. For she said, Behold, Thou art manifested also unto me, even as Thou wast manifested to Sara my mistress. (Targum Jerusalem)

And she prayed in the Name of the Lord who had spoken with her; and she said: Thou art Eloha, seeing all: for she said, I also have begun to see after that He hath been revealed to me. [14] Therefore she called the name of the well, The well at which appeared the Angel [Malak] of the Covenant. (Targum Onkelos)

The pre-Christian era Jewish translations of this passage are less obscure and ambiguous about what Hagar saw. The first says that “the Word spake to her” through his manifest presence in a vision; the second speaks of the Word of YHVH manifesting himself to her as to Sarah; the third says that YHVH spoke to her and revealed himself to her through the Messenger [Malak] of the Covenant. 

So what did the Jews believe in the pre-Christian era? Did she have a vision or see a literal Heavenly Messenger? It would appear that they were more open to the latter interpretation than are some modern, post-Christian, Jewish translations.

How do the Jewish rabbinical commentators explain this verse? Rashi, the preeminent Torah commentator of the modern era says she actually saw a messenger or an angel (Rashi: the Torah – Bereishis/Genesis, p. 159). The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash states that an angel or “God’s emissary” spoke to her (p. 73). Hirsch in his commentary claims that Hagar saw an angel (a Messenger or Sent One) (Genesis, p. 289). The ArtScroll Breishis/Genesis commentary also states that YHVH spoke to Hagar through an angel (p. 553).

So these commentaries unanimously agree that a literal Heavenly Messenger visited her, but upon what basis does this Messenger use the first person in pronouncing a blessing upon Ishmael? Here, as in other scriptures where the term “Angel [or Malak] of YHVH” is used, the Jewish sages insist that the Messenger is not YHVH and is not divine, but is only acting as an agent of YHVH and therefore is mandated by divine authority to speak in the first person, as if he were YHVH himself. The Jewish sages have not always had this interpretation—one which seems to have arisen during the Christian era to counteract the Christian belief in the incarnation of deity, and hence the deity of Yeshua the Messiah. Even the venerable Jewish Encyclopedia admits this. The sages of the pre-Christian era viewed this Messenger of YHVH as a manifestation of the Word or presence of YHVH rather than as simply an angel in the common sense of the word. 

Many if not most Christian scholars recognize the Angel or Messenger of YHVH to be the Word of Elohim (see John 1:1), who would later be incarnated as Yeshua the Messiah (John 1:14). There is even a Christian theological term for this: a Christophany.

Genesis 17

Genesis 17:1, 22, YHVH appears to Abraham and establishes circumcision as a sign of the covenant. 

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, YHVH appeared [VTR/ra’ah meaning “to see, look, behold, show, appear, observe, have vision, present oneself, be seen”] to Abram, and said unto him, I am El Shaddai; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

YHVH proceeds to lay out to Abraham the terms of the Abrahamic Covenant including the covenantal sign of circumcision, and the fact that Sarah would give birth to a son with whom YHVH would also establish his covenant. When YHVH was done Scripture records the following in verse 22,

And [YHVH] left off talking with him, and Elohim went up [VKG/alah, to go up, ascend, climb, depart] from Abraham. (KJV)

And when He had finished speaking with him, God ascended from upon Abraham. (The ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach)

And He ceased speaking with him; and the Glory of the Lord ascended from Abraham. (Targum Jonathan)

And when He had ended to speak with him, the Glory of the Lord ascended up from Abraham. (Targum Onkelos)

And be left off speaking with him, and God went up from Abraham. (LXX)

This text does not state how YHVH appeared or spoke to Abraham, just the fact that he did. According to the Hebrew rules of biblical interpretation (and the rules of common logic when reading anything), a scriptural text is to be taken at its literal or plain (peshat) meaning, unless the text itself suggests an allegorical (drash) or mystical (sod) interpretation. The Talmud (the Jewish Oral Law) states this in Talmud b. Shabbath 63a (…that a verse cannot depart from its plain meaning”), and Talmud b. Yevamoth 24a (“Although throughout the Torah no text loses its ordinary meaning…”). Therefore, it is evident that YHVH appeared to Abraham in some tangible form with which humans are capable of interacting. If he did so once, we have to ask, could he not have done so again in the Person of Yeshua of Nazereth, the Messiah?

Let’s now note some reasons why YHVH chose circumcision to be the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. Remember, physical circumcision is not passé, but is still a requirement for those desiring to be priests in YHVH’s future (spiritual?) temple (Ezek 44:7, 9):

• It is a token or sign of spiritual things—a sign which always goes before us. (Gen 17:11)
• It signifies purification of the heart from all unrighteousness by cutting away a piece of the flesh which would otherwise be a carrier of filth and disease.
• It is a holy seal of righteousness—the foreskin removed is round like a ring. A ring signifies a bond or union and is worn constantly even as the seal of circumcision is worn constantly.
• Circumcision occurs at eight days of age. Eight is the number meaning new beginnings. A new heart, a consecration of the person to YHVH; the commencement of a covenant. (Gen 17:12) 
• The rite of circumcision is painful and humiliating. So is repentance and self denial of which circumcision is a picture.
• From the penis flows the seed of life. Circumcision is a sign that the seed should and could be righteous and consecrated to YHVH.
• In Romans 4:11, Paul teaches us that circumcision is a sign, mark or token, and a seal (placed on someone) or an impression or stamp made by a signet ring signifying ownership. Circumcision spoke of Abraham’s righteousness and the faith he had in YHVH and YHVH’s “ownership” of Abraham. A modern-day example of this would be the marriage ring. One can be legally married without wearing ring; however, a wedding ring is an outward and visible sign of one marriage covenant. The same is true of circumcision. It’s not a salvational requirement, yet it’s an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality.

The Scriptures make it clear that circumcision is not a requirement for salvation (see Acts 15) or else women couldn’t be saved. Circumcision is, however, an act of obedience that indicates one’s identity with the Abrahamic Covenant model of salvation and with the people of Israel. Additionally, the Torah makes it clear that circumcision is required for all men who desire to take Passover, and those who do not keep the Passover will be cut off from Israel (Exod 12:47–48), although in the New Covenant, circumcision of the heart is now the chief requirement (Rom 2:25–29; Gal 6:15; Col 2:11). 

Genesis 17:1, Almighty God. Heb. El Shaddai. This is a divine title used 48 times in the Tanakh. Shaddai means “all powerful,” which is also how the LXX translators understood it to mean. Also, many modern scholars see a relationship with this word and the Akkadian word shadu meaning “mountain” (according to The TWOT). Thus, El Shaddai could also mean “El of the Mountain.” If so, some biblical scholars see this title as a reference YHVH holding his divine council in the pre-fall of man world on Mount Hermon (based on ancient traditions and from which the angelic incursion of Gen 6:2–4 originated after the fall of man according to the Book of 1 Enoch). There is scriptural evidence for YHVH holding his divine council on a mountain and being the same spot from whence the angelic rebellion occurred (Ps 82:1–2 cp. Ezek 28:2, 12–16; Isa 14;12–14, see Reversing Hermon, by Michael Heiser and The Great Inception by Derek Gilbert).

Genesis 17:12, Bought with money any foreigner. Was Abraham a slave owner when the Bible says, “he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.” A presumptuous and careless reading of this verse could lead one to this conclusion. However this is unlikely the case. The Bible nowhere condones slavery. More likely, the people that the patriarch bought, he purchased from actual slave owners and then manumitted them. Since they had nowhere to go, they became his servants and he incorporated them into his tribal community. How is this? In ancient Near East and even in more modern cultures, when a nation conquered another, often the inhabitants of the defeated nation where exiled as captives and subsequently became enslaved. This was common in the Roman Empire, for example, and was practiced as recently as a little over 200 years ago by the Barbary pirates of North Africa, and may still be going on in some Muslim countries in Africa who routinely capture Christians and enslave them. Eventually, if the enslaved person somehow gained their freedom or were manumitted, then where were they to go? They possessed no property and few if any civil rights anywhere and were likely citizens of no country. YHVH’s Torah-law makes provisions for such people. For example, when Israel would conquer a nation, the Torah gives instructions on to how humanely treat slaves and how to assimilate them into Hebrew society (Deut 20:10–16; Lev 25:45–46). This was the case with the Gibeonites who Israel captured and turned into servants (Josh 9:1–27). Eventually the Gibeonites assimilated into Israelite society. In fact, a man could even marry a female captive, and if he did not like her, he was to set her free and not sell her for money (Deut 21:10–14). The over-arching Torah law that regulates all inhabitants of Israel is that there is one law for both the native and foreign born persons; all people who had accepted the God of Israel and were committed to obeying him and his laws were granted equal civil rights (Exod 12:49; Lev 7:7; 24:22; Num 15:16, 29).

Genesis 17:16, Give you a son by her. The divine promise of a son to Abraham by Sarah was conditional upon one thing—the acted out faith of Abraham and Sarah. He had to have sex with his wife for this promise to be fulfilled. The lesson here? YHVH can make promises, but it is up to us to do to our part in faith for these promises to be fulfilled. YHVH cannot steer a parked car. Taking steps of faith is different than taking matters into our own hands and endeavoring to make thing happen through our human energies, efforts and intellect as Abraham and Sarah discovered the hard way when he went in to Hagar.

Genesis 17:23, That very same day. Abraham was instantly obedient to the commands of YHVH despite the painful and humiliating task involving circumcision.