Thursday, November 21, 2024

Chayei Sarah - Reading #5

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #5 - Genesis 24:53–67


My Thoughts:


Verse 67. “He loved her.” How simple yet how profound. An arranged marriage, and yet he falls in love with her. It makes me think that we should trust those around us in authority. Often we challenge decisions from those over us, but maybe we should start having more confidence in them. And with this marriage it was obviously arranged by our Hashem! Maybe we should have more trust in Him to make those important decisions in our lives. Let us agree to have Hashem “arrange” our DAY today!


Challenge:


The family after a night of celebration asks the servant to stay a few days. But, he is anxious to get back and replies, “Do not hinder me”. This is my challenge to you today. If you ask someone to delay a decision or a situation -- and they tell you not to deter them. Listen. Trust that they have heard from Hashem and know what to do. Even if YOU want something different. In other words, do not try to change people’s minds, unless YOU are sure you are hearing from Hashem and He is asking you to interfere. I would recommend sitting silent and praying instead.


READING #5 - Genesis 24:53–67


53 The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother. 54 They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”


55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”


56 He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since Hashem has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”


57 They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.” 58 They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?”


She said, “I will go.”


59 They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”


61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way. 62 Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels coming. 64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got off the camel. 65 She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?”


The servant said, “It is my master.”


She took her veil, and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Chayei Sarah - Reading #4

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #4 - Genesis 24:27–52


My Thoughts:


Again, as I had said in yesterday’s commentary -- answered prayer! This servant had great faith. He asked specifically for something and almost immediately the prayer was answered. The really great part is that Rebekah seems to be very happy about it all. She recognizes this miracle! And her father acknowledges it is all from Hashem.


How many times do we really see Hashem doing things in our life and then acknowledge them? Or do we just take advantage of wonderful happenings during the day and not give glory and honor to Hashem for them? Something to pause and think about. Every good thing is from Hashem. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights...”


Challenge:


Think of something that happened recently that was really great. Did you give thanksgiving and honor to Hashem for this? If not, do so today!


READING #4 - Genesis 24:27–52


24:27 He said, “Blessed be Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Hashem has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”


28 The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words. 29 Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring. 30 When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, you blessed of Hashem. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”


32 The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.”


Laban said, “Speak on.”


34 He said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 Hashem has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. Hashem has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36 Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’ 40 He said to me, ‘Hashem, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father’s house. 41 Then you will be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’ 42 I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go— 43 behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” 44 then she tells me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom Hashem has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink. 47 I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands. 48 I bowed my head, and worshiped Hashem, and blessed Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son. 49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”


50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Hashem. We can’t speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Hashem has spoken.”


52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Hashem.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Chayei Sarah - Reading #3

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #3 - Genesis 24:10–26


My Thoughts:


Can we pray specific prayers to Hashem? Abraham’s servant prayed this very specific prayer -- that the woman for Isaac will offer him water and also offer to water his camels! What are the chances of that? And yet that is exactly what happens. Rebekah comes out, offers the servant a drink and then offers to give water to his camels and continues until they are filled.


A wonderful example of how we can ask Hashem for detailed issues of need. Some people think that is not right, or that we don’t need to do that because Hashem knows what we need before we ask. But, with my experience it is good to ask for specific things, mainly because when you do and He answers -- it will build your faith in a huge way. What a glorious and wonderful Hashem we serve!


Challenge:


Think of something you have been praying for. Now, edit your prayer to include some specifics. Of course, when you pray, pray in humility and with worship to the Almighty One. Repent and make restitution to those you have offended. And give thanks to Him ahead of time for what you believe He is going to do. Then wait and watch our Elohim do miracles! Amen!


READING #3 - Genesis 24:10–26


10 The servant took ten of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. 12 He said, “Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”


15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16 The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”


18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking.” 20 She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.


21 The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Hashem had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, 23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”


24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”


26 The man bowed his head, and worshiped Hashem.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Chayei Sarah - Reading #2

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #2 - Genesis 23:17–24:9


My Thoughts:


Interesting that in this story Abraham is sending his servant to find a wife for his son where he came from – but he insists that the servant does NOT bring Isaac to that country. Why would he not want his son to go back to the home of his forefathers? My guess is that back home is a history of idolatry. Maybe Abraham’s parents, relatives and friends do NOT follow Hashem, but follow other gods. Out of love for his son, he does not want to expose him to a godless community. He is protecting him. That is a good thing. 


But. here is something else to think about -- why would he want his son to be married to someone from his relatives (who may be godless)? Maybe there was a better “choice” there for a possible Godly woman then where he was. Plus, Abraham knew that Hashem would be involved in this choice. Also, he obviously did not want Isaac “settling” there, which if he would have gone that might have happened. The whole decision is curious for sure.


Challenge:


Is there a “land” that you should not return to? A “place” of godlessness -- addictions, ungodly friends and/or temptation? If you have had the recent thought of “returning” to some habit or thing that was not positive in your past, here is a reminder and caution NOT to do so! Rethink and pray about your decision and path you are about to take.


READING #2 - Genesis 23:17–24:9


23:17 So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all of its borders, were deeded 18 to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan. 20 The field, and the cave that is in it, were deeded to Abraham by the children of Heth as a possession for a burial place.


24 Abraham was old, and well advanced in age. Hashem had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh. 3 I will make you swear by Hashem, the Elohim of heaven and the Elohim of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live. 4 But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”


5 The servant said to him, “What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?”


6 Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again. 7 Hashem, the Elohim of heaven—who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your offspring—He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”


9 The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Chayei Sarah - Reading #1

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #1 - Genesis 23:1–16


My Thoughts:


Doing what is right. When Sarah dies, Abraham is still a “foreigner” in the land of Israel. He seeks out a place to bury her and Ephron offers to give him a burial site for free. They have this curious dialogue about paying for it. Ephron wants to give to Abraham, but Abraham wants to pay for it. And eventually he does. He does the right and honorable thing. I imagine he also does not want to “owe” Ephron for any favors. This is wise.


Could this have happened because Ephron was not a part of Abraham’s people? That Ephron was actually a stranger to Abraham? The lesson to be learned may be that it is better to do what is right and not accept a free gift “without” strings from someone you do not know. In the end, it may prove to be advantageous and not come back to “bite” you.


Challenge:


There are times where it is good and right to accept “gifts” from others. And there are times when you should not. The challenge today is to prepare yourself for the next time a stranger offers you a “free” gift. Take some time to consider the true cost. And think about this story. You will find the right answer.


READING #1 - Genesis 23:1–16


23 Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years. This was the length of Sarah’s life. 2 Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. 3 Abraham rose up from before his dead and spoke to the children of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”


5 The children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 “Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of Elohim among us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb. Bury your dead.”


7 Abraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, to the children of Heth. 8 He talked with them, saying, “If you agree that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, 9 that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price let him sell it to me among you as a possession for a burial place.”


10 Now Ephron was sitting in the middle of the children of Heth. Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the children of Heth, even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11 “No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the children of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.”


12 Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land. 13 He spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, “But if you will, please hear me. I will give the price of the field. Take it from me, and I will bury my dead there.”


14 Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 “My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury your dead.”


16 Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current merchants’ standard.

Chayei Sarah - Week #5

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

1 Kings 1:1-31  

John 4:3-14


1.1 First reading — Genesis 23:1–16

1.2 Second reading — Genesis 23:17–24:9

1.3 Third reading — Genesis 24:10–26

1.4 Fourth reading — Genesis 24:27–52

1.5 Fifth reading — Genesis 24:53–67

1.6 Sixth reading — Genesis 25:1–11

1.7 Seventh reading — Genesis 25:12–18

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Vayeira - Reading #7

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1-37

Apostolic Scriptures: Luke 17:28-37 


SHABBAT READING #7 - Genesis 22 


My Thoughts:


Abraham gets “tested” in verse 1. This is the hugest test anyone can imagine, to sacrifice his only son. And Abraham appears to be doing exactly what Hashem is asking of him. But, I believe that while he is the process Abraham actually has great faith that Hashem will somehow pull through at the very end. That his son will not die, but that Elohim will come to the rescue. The obviously amazing thing is that Abraham has to wait until the last SECOND to see this. His knife is raised and ready to sacrifice to his son, when the angel speaks to him from heaven.


Could you wait until the last minute to see Hashem answer a prayer? How extremely difficult would that be? Do we even have a tenth of that kind of faith to pass such a “test”? Something to meditate on. 


Challenge:


At the last second, Hashem provided a “substitute” answer for Abraham -- a ram. It makes me think, how many times do I look for a substitute way to do what Hashem has asked? Sometimes I get a strong impression that Hashem is asking me to do something I really do not want to. So I start looking for “excuses” or substitutes to His request. Something I can do instead of what He asked me to do. I challenge you that the next time you feel Hashem is asking you to do something and you really don’t want to do it, because it will be too hard or whatever -- that you do it anyway. As you might already do, the reward is amazing! When you step out and do what seems impossible for Hashem, you will see a mighty move from Him. And it will all be worth it in the end. I promise.


Reading #7 - Genesis 22


22 After these things, Elohim tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”


He said, “Here I am.”


2 He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.”


3 Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which Elohim had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?”


He said, “Here I am, my son.”


He said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”


8 Abraham said, “Elohim will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together. 9 They came to the place which Elohim had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son.


11 Hashem’s angel called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”


He said, “Here I am.”


12 He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear Elohim, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”


13 Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place “Hashem Will Provide”.  As it is said to this day, “On Hashem’s mountain, it will be provided.”


15 Hashem’s angel called to Abraham a second time out of the sky, 16 and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Hashem, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies. 18 All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because you have obeyed my voice.’”


19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba. Abraham lived at Beersheba.


20 After these things, Abraham was told, “Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor: 21 Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. 24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.


THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:


My Thoughts:


This story in 2 Kings is amazing and beautiful. It is a story of extreme faith and miracles. Elisha in his close walk with Hashem seems to have very special prophetic and healing powers. When he meets the Shunammite woman he shows compassion and gives her a very special answer to prayer -- a son. How many times in Scripture to see a barren woman given the gift of life? Over and over.  


Could these stories be representative of people who for some reason do not have faith in Hashem, but then Hashem “births” faith into them? At different times in our lives we can lose or start to lose our faith. Our spiritual life becomes “barren”, empty and void. Then Hashem comes to us in a very special way -- sometimes through another person -- to restore or give “birth” to a new faith. I have seen it happen many times. Just like in these stories of barren women, Hashem can and will birth new faith in those who ask. It is a beautiful thing.


Challenge:


The Shunammite woman is probably excited beyond understanding when she is presented with a son. So when her son dies, it can only be the most devastating thing in the world. Interesting that she goes back to Elisha for help. She returns to the place of the origin of her miracle. And she asks for another miracle. Hashem obliged her request and her son is restored to life.


My challenge today is to think of the time when your prayers seem to be answered, and then seemed to be taken away. That is the time to pray and remember. Remember and give praise to Hashem for what He did and ask Him to restore the first miracle. He can do it and many times will -- if only we ask.


2 Kings 4:1-37


2 Kings 4 Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Hashem. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.”


2 Elisha said to her, “What should I do for you? Tell me: what do you have in the house?”


She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.”


3 Then he said, “Go, borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Don’t borrow just a few containers. 4 Go in and shut the door on you and on your sons, and pour oil into all those containers; and set aside those which are full.”


5 So she went from him, and shut the door on herself and on her sons. They brought the containers to her, and she poured oil. 6 When the containers were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.”


He said to her, “There isn’t another container.” Then the oil stopped flowing.


7 Then she came and told the man of Elohim. He said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”


8 One day Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread. 9 She said to her husband, “See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of Elohim who passes by us continually. 10 Please let’s make a little room on the roof. Let’s set a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp stand for him there. When he comes to us, he can stay there.”


11 One day he came there, and he went to the room and lay there. 12 He said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 He said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have cared for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army?’”


She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”


14 He said, “What then is to be done for her?”


Gehazi answered, “Most certainly she has no son, and her husband is old.”


15 He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the door. 16 He said, “At this season, when the time comes around, you will embrace a son.”


She said, “No, my lord, you man of Elohim, do not lie to your servant.”


17 The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came around, as Elisha had said to her. 18 When the child was grown, one day he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 He said to his father, “My head! My head!”


He said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.”


20 When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died. 21 She went up and laid him on the man of Elohim’s bed, and shut the door on him, and went out. 22 She called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the servants, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of Elohim, and come again.”


23 He said, “Why would you want to go to him today? It is not a new moon or a Sabbath.”


She said, “It’s all right.”


24 Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward! Don’t slow down for me, unless I ask you to.”


25 So she went, and came to the man of Elohim to Mount Carmel. When the man of Elohim saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. 26 Please run now to meet her, and ask her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your child?’”


She answered, “It is well.”


27 When she came to the man of Elohim to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of Elohim said, “Leave her alone; for her soul is troubled within her; and Hashem has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”


28 Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”


29 Then he said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go your way. If you meet any man, don’t greet him; and if anyone greets you, don’t answer him again. Then lay my staff on the child’s face.”


30 The child’s mother said, “As Hashem lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.”


So he arose, and followed her.


31 Gehazi went ahead of them, and laid the staff on the child’s face; but there was no voice and no hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him, and told him, “The child has not awakened.”


32 When Elisha had come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and lying on his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door on them both, and prayed to Hashem. 34 He went up, and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. He stretched himself on him; and the child’s flesh grew warm. 35 Then he returned, and walked in the house once back and forth; and went up, and stretched himself out on him. Then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 He called Gehazi, and said, “Call this Shunammite!” So he called her.


When she had come in to him, he said, “Take up your son.”


37 Then she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; then she picked up her son, and went out.


THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE


My Thoughts:


This is a curious prophecy. The Christian church will often use this as an example of the “rapture”. They insist that the one taken out of the bed and the one taken from the grain mill will be “raptured” to heaven. I strongly disagree. In other Scripture Yeshua says that it will be like in the days of Noah, where people were removed. They were removed because of sin. In all instances in the Bible, where there is sin, people are taken out -- expelled -- dispersed. I believe when Yeshua is speaking about people being “taken”  (at the time of His return to earth) that they are being removed because of sin. The people that remain are actually those who follow Hashem and obey Him. The way I understand it is that there is no “rapture” to heaven. The only “rapture” is the “gathering” of Hashem’s people back to Israel, where Yeshua will rule and reign from the Temple. It is prophesied over and over in Scripture of Hashem gathering His people back to Himself and to His land. Very important that we study and know this.


Love to hear your comments on this story!


Challenge:


Look up verses in the Tanakh (“Old Testament”) about the “gathering” of Hashem’s people back to Israel. Here is one:


For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers. “Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares Hashem, and they shall catch them. And afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks.”” (Jeremiah 16:15-16)


Luke 17:28-37


17:28 Likewise, even as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky and destroyed them all. 30 It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 In that day, he who will be on the housetop and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away. Let him who is in the field likewise not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken and the other will be left. 35 There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other will be left.” 36


37 They, answering, asked him, “Where, L-rd?”


He said to them, “Where the body is, there the vultures will also be gathered together.”