Vayeira - Reading #2

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #2 - Genesis 18:15–33       

My Thoughts:

Abraham has an interesting conversation with Hashem. It’s almost like he doesn’t know the character of Hashem so challenges Him. Hashem has told him that the city of Sodom and its inhabitants are going to be destroyed. Abraham immediately asks that if fifty righteous were found would He spare the city? Hashem agrees. They discuss some more numbers and Hashem goes down to TEN RIGHTEOUS. In other words if ten righteous people are found, He will spare the city. The character of Hashem is exposed to Abraham in full - He is faithful, fair and full of grace. Then Abraham walks away.

Can you imagine? Our glorious Elohim agrees to spare an entire city of evil people if only ten good people are found. We find out later that ten were not found and the city is burned down. Makes me think of our world today. How many righteous can we find in our decadent, unfaithful cities? In the summer of 2020, in the United States --the people rioted. Hashem didn’t have to burn down the cities -- the people did! How ironic. Can people get so bad that they destroy themselves? Something to think about.

Challenge:

I challenge you today to think about your own family in comparison to this story. How many “righteous” people are in your family? How many follow Hashem? Now, look at your extended family. How many believers are there? Of course, we can never really know what a person believes, but you can look at their “fruit”. If your numbers are low, I suggest you do something about it. Pray harder for them, be kinder to them, be a stronger light for Hashem to them. Let’s start with our families and do something. Our cities are made up of families. It’s a good place to start. 

READING #2 - Genesis 18:15-33

18:15 Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid.

He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

16 The men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way. 17 Hashem said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do, 18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Hashem, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Hashem may bring on Abraham that which He has spoken of him.” 20 Hashem said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21 I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.”

22 The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before Hashem. 23 Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 May it be far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn’t the Judge of all the earth do right?”

26 Hashem said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to Hashem, although I am dust and ashes. 28 What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?”

He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”

29 He spoke to him yet again, and said, “What if there are forty found there?”

He said, “I will not do it for the forty’s sake.”

30 He said, “Oh don’t let Hashem be angry, and I will speak. What if there are thirty found there?”

He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

31 He said, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to Hashem. What if there are twenty found there?”

He said, “I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake.”

32 He said, “Oh don’t let Hashem be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?”

He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.”

33 Hashem went His way as soon as He had finished communing with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Vayeira - Reading #1

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #1 - Genesis 18:1–14         

My Thoughts:

Sarah laughed at what Hashem had said about her getting pregnant. This was unbelievable to her. Her laugh was all about disbelief and doubt. Nevertheless, what Hashem said came true. As impossible as it seemed. 

Have you ever asked Hashem for the impossible? Maybe you never laughed at Hashem, but maybe you laughed at yourself for asking Him. Only to find out He answered your prayer! When that happens to me, it builds my faith to giant heights! What a faithful and wonderful Elohim we serve.

Challenge:

Today I challenge you to pray for the impossible prayer. Look at something in your life that only Hashem could change! Now take a moment to ask Him. Don’t laugh at the doubts you have, but look at how Hashem fulfilled Sarah’s request and BELIEVE. Do it now, do not delay.

READING #1 - Genesis 18:1–14    

18 Hashem appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, 3 and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant. 4 Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.”

They said, “Very well, do as you have said.”

6 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. 8 He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

9 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?”

He said, “There, in the tent.”

10 He said, “I will certainly return to you at about this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

13 Hashem said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for Hashem? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah will have a son.”   

Vayeira - Week #4

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

2 Kings 4:1-37

Luke 17:28-37

1.1 First reading – Genesis 18:1–14

1.2 Second reading – Genesis 18:15–33

1.3 Third reading – Genesis 19:1–20

1.4 Fourth reading – Genesis 19:21–21:4

1.5 Fifth reading – Genesis 21:5–21

1.6 Sixth reading – Genesis 21:22–34

1.7 Seventh reading – Genesis chapter 22

Lech-Lecha - Reading #7

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Torah Portion Genesis 12:1-17:27

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Apostolic Scripture: Luke 17:20-27

SHABBAT READING #7 - Genesis 17:7–27

       

My Thoughts:

A sign of Hashem’s covenant is circumcision. You may think this is odd, I always have. But at a recent Torah portion study with friends, someone suggested something very interesting. He said the reason for the circumcision is that the “seed” (sperm) which creates comes from that part of the body. After circumcision a scar forms, and it is “through” this scar that the seed travels. In other words, ancestry is traveling through and witnessing the reminder of the scar (covenant) every time someone is created!

This makes total sense. The reminder of the covenant is the scar. The “seed” passes through this covenant agreement. Then creation happens. Isn’t it amazing how incredible our Elohim is in every aspect of our life?

Challenge: 

Abraham was 100 years old when Sarah became pregnant. That’s a long time to wait for a promise to be fulfilled. And it’s not only waiting that long, but even believing that this miracle could happen at this age! It reminds me that Hashem is outside of all time! 

My challenge to you today is to reflect back on how Hashem answered a prayer for you, but in His time -- not yours. As you think about this, give Him some mighty praise for His faithfulness. And show your gratefulness for Him today by doing something wonderful for someone else!

READING #7 - Genesis 17:7–27

17:7 I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a Elohim to you and to your offspring after you. 8 I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I will be their Elohim.”

9 Elohim said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. 13 He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant.”

15 Elohim said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah. 16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.”

17 Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?” 18 Abraham said to Elohim, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”

19 Elohim said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year.”

22 When He finished talking with him, Elohim went up from Abraham. 23 Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as Elohim had said to him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the same day both Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised. 27 All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

My Thoughts:

A beautiful promise in 54:10 “My loving kindness will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be removed.” This is so important to remember in times of trouble and stress. Things may seem impossible but He is the G-d of possibilities! Think of it, His kindness will never leave you! And neither will His peace. You just have to step into it and live it.

Challenge: 

I made a decision many years ago that I would choose “peace” in my home. It is a choice, trust me. You can either encourage strife, worry and arguments with your spouse/family or you can choose to walk in peace. What does that look like? It means you close your mouth instead of saying something hurtful. It means you take time to listen when you are really not interested. It means that the person next to you becomes more important than you. 

So, I challenge you today to choose peace. Walk in peace and lift up those around you. Do not succumb to unrest and stress in your relationships. It takes only one person to change a relationship and that can be you!

Isaiah 54:1-55:5

54 “Sing, barren, you who didn’t give birth;

    break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn’t travail with child:

    for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,” says Hashem.

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,

    and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations;

    don’t spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out on the right hand and on the left;

    and your offspring will possess the nations

    and settle in desolate cities.

4 “Don’t be afraid, for you will not be ashamed.

    Don’t be confounded, for you will not be disappointed.

For you will forget the shame of your youth.

    You will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more.

5 For your Maker is your husband; Hashem of Armies is His name.

    The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer.

    He will be called the Elohim of the whole earth.

6 For Hashem has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,

    even a wife of youth, when she is cast off,” says your Elohim.

7 “For a small moment I have forsaken you,

    but I will gather you with great mercies.

8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment,

    but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says Hashem your Redeemer.

9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to me;

    for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth,

    so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.

10 For the mountains may depart,

    and the hills be removed;

but My loving kindness will not depart from you,

    and My covenant of peace will not be removed,”

    says Hahsem who has mercy on you.

11 “You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted,

    behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors,

    and lay your foundations with sapphires.

12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,

    your gates of sparkling jewels,

    and all your walls of precious stones.

13 All your children will be taught by Hashem;

    and your children’s peace will be great.

14 You will be established in righteousness.

    You will be far from oppression,

    for you will not be afraid,

    and far from terror,

    for it shall not come near you.

15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by me.

    Whoever gathers together against you will fall because of you.

16 “Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame,

    and forges a weapon for his work;

    and I have created the destroyer to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail;

    and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment.

This is the heritage of Hashem’s servants,

    and their righteousness is of Me,” says Hashem.

55 “Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters!

    Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat!

    Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend money for that which is not bread,

    and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good,

    and let your soul delight itself in richness.

3 Turn your ear, and come to me.

    Hear, and your soul will live.

    I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples,

    a leader and commander to the peoples.

5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know;

    and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you,

    because of Hashem your Elohim,

    and for the Holy One of Israel;

    for He has glorified you.”

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

My Thoughts:

Look at verse 17:24 “...for as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part under the sky, shines to another part under the sky so will the Son of Man be in His day.” Many people have wondered what this means in regards to the return of the Mashiach (Messiah). Does it mean that I will be able to see Yeshua come in the sky at the same time someone in China will? How is that possible?

I believe the “lightning” is really the GLORY of G-d! That when the Mashiach comes He will be descending from the presence of the Almighty -- Hashem! He will be so clothed with glory that no matter where we will be standing we will be able to look up and see HIS GLORY. It will be unimaginable! And so wonderful.

Challenge: 

Look for G-d’s glory today in the world. Look for His glory in creation, in other people and in everything around you! You will be surprised. When you start observing what He is doing around you. Just open your eyes. He wants you to see!

Luke 17:20-27

17:20 Being asked by the Pharisees when Elohim’s Kingdom would come, He answered them, “G-d’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation; 21 neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, G-d’s Kingdom is within you.”

22 He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will tell you, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Don’t go away or follow after them, 24 for as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part under the sky, shines to another part under the sky; so will the Son of Man be in His day. 25 But first, He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 As it was in the days of Noah, even so it will also be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Lech-Lecha - Reading #6

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Torah Portion Genesis 12:1-17:27

Reading #6 -  Genesis 15:7–17:6        

My Thoughts:

A lot is happening in this reading, but what is probably the most important is the covenant Hashem makes with Abram. A covenant that has withstood (and not withstood) the centuries -- the giving of the Land -- Israel to the Hebrews. This is a blood covenant and an unconditional covenant. Between Hashem and Abram. Interesting that it is at this time that Hashem changes Abram’s name to Abraham. 

Some see significance that the name change also is at a time where the inheritance changes. That the great nations of the Hebrews will come through the line of Isaac, not Ishmael. Apparently G-d wants the ancestry and the promise of the land to flow through Sarah and Abraham, not Abram and Hagar (Genesis 17:21). We once again learn about waiting on the promises of Hashem. Not to jump ahead at our own solutions (like getting Hagar pregnant to have children) -- but be patient so that Hashem can fulfill His promises (pregnancy through Sarah).

Challenge: 

Is there something you are asking Hashem for in your life right now? Are you growing impatient for His answer? I challenge you to pray and wait. Through my experience being patient always pays off. My ways are not His ways. It always seems like when I try to manipulate something in my life, it doesn’t fare well. But, when I wait on Him -- there is usually a huge blessing of answer to prayer!

Reading #6 -  Genesis 15:7–17:6  

15:7 He said to Abram, “I am Hashem who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”

8 He said, “Hashem Elohim, how will I know that I will inherit it?”

9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 He brought him all these, and divided them in the middle, and laid each half opposite the other; but he didn’t divide the birds. 11 The birds of prey came down on the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

12 When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. Now terror and great darkness fell on him. 13 He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years. 14 I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth; 15 but you will go to your fathers in peace. You will be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.” 17 It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 In that day Hashem made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 Sarai said to Abram, “See now, Hashem has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my servant. It may be that I will obtain children by her.” Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3 Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife. 4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, she despised me. May Hashem judge between me and you.”

6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her face.

7 Hashem’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur. 8 He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where did you come from? Where are you going?”

She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.”

9 Hashem’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.” 10 Hashem’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.” 11 Hashem’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because Hashem has heard your affliction. 12 He will be like a wild donkey among men. His hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. He will live opposed to all of his brothers.”

13 She called the name of Hashem who spoke to her, “You are a Elohim who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?” 14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

15 Hagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Hashem appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Elohim Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”

3 Abram fell on his face. Elohim talked with him, saying, 4 “As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.

Lech-Lecha - Reading #5

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Torah Portion Genesis 12:1-17:27

Reading #5 -  Genesis 14:21–15:6

       

My Thoughts:

This is the most amazing story. Abram is old and has no children. He has just made an incredible move with his wife and all his earthly belongings. He meets with Hashem and Hashem tells him that “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” He elaborates that He will be blessing Abram with generations of descendants. 

How hard would this be to believe? It sounds like Abram has been married for years without having children. Now he is in the land that Hashem brings him to and not only is he rewarded with a new life in a new land, but with descendants as numerous as the stars. Abram was righteous and part of being so most likely means your faith is huge. Abram had no idea how this was all going to happen, but he believed. 

How often do we look to Hashem for a huge request in prayer? And how often do we believe He will answer? 

Challenge: 

Think of something that you really believe you need help with. It could be a physical/mental/emotional healing for you or someone you love. It could be finances to pay off debt. A new job, a new house or simply a new life. Maybe you have an addiction that has been impossible to take care of. My challenge is for you to ask Him for help. Ask big, pray and wait. In the meanwhile, worship and be obedient to our faithful Elohim. And believe. Be like Abram and look for the impossible.

Reading #5 -  Genesis 14:21–15:6

14:21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”

22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Hashem, Elohim Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”

15 After these things Hashem’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

2 Abram said, “L-rd Hashem, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”

4 Behold, Hashem’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body will be your heir.” 5 Hashem brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So your offspring will be.” 6 He believed in Hashem, who credited it to him for righteousness.

Lech-Lecha - Reading #4

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Torah Portion Genesis 12:1-17:27

Reading #4 -  Genesis 14:1–20

        

My Thoughts:

A common question is “who is Melchizedek”? We don’t know much about him. Some think he was a priest and king. And in Judaism some believe he could have been Shem -- the son of Noah. Whoever he was -- he was kind enough to bless Abram and seal a meeting with bread and wine. Some think he gave tithes to Abram and some think Abram gave tithes to Melchizedek. Regardless this is an important meeting/celebration that we do not have a whole lot of details about. 

We do know that there has been a military victory, and Melchizedek gives glory to Hashem. He is the King of Salem, which is believed to be Jerusalem. My thoughts are -- how does he know Elohim? And how important is it that he is a priest, and king of Jerusalem? It’s all mysterious and worth an in depth study if you have time.

Challenge: 

A thought is this, how often do we sit down with people we know and celebrate a victory? We throw dinners and banquets, but it may be really important to have a “one on one” recognition with those we honor. Think of someone that you could do this with and then plan and execute your plan to meet with them. We all need encouragement.

Reading #4 -  Genesis 14:1–20

14 In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim, 2 they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar). 3 All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea). 4 They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar. 8 The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of Siddim 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five. 10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills. 11 They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way. 12 They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

13 One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan. 15 He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16 He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.

17 The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of Elohim Most High. 19 He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of Elohim Most High, possessor of heaven and earth. 20 Blessed be Elohim Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Abram gave him a tenth of all.