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.

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

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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

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.”

Vayeira - Reading #6

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #6 - Genesis 21:22–34    

My Thoughts:

Interesting that Abraham lived as a “foreigner” in the land of the Philistines (v.34) -- for many days. That land is actually the land that Hashem gave him and his future generations forever. But, the land had not been “claimed” yet. Abraham’s promise of the land was in “progress”. I wonder how that felt to him. The fact that he makes a covenant with Abimelech shows that he is doing things in a Godly way. And that He is taking one day at a time. I can think of times where I felt like a “foreigner” in a situation. Like I didn’t belong or was a part of the group/community. I usually hang back, assess the situation and wait for Hashem to show me what to do. It always works because I am putting Hashem in charge, instead of myself. It’s not fun to feel like an outsider, but if you wait and see what Hashem has for you -- you will become comfortable -- eventually.

Challenge:

The next time you are in a group or with people and you notice someone is new and looks to be uncomfortable I challenge you to help them. Go up to them, introduce yourself, ask them some questions about their lives -- do whatever you can to make them feel safe and included. If you do this for someone else, it is guaranteed that someone will do it for you, when it is your turn to be new.

Reading #6 - Genesis 21:22–34

22 At that time, Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, “Elohim is with you in all that you do. 23 Now, therefore, swear to me here by Elohim that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land in which you have lived as a foreigner.”

24 Abraham said, “I will swear.” 25 Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. 26 Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”

27 Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two made a covenant. 28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29 Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?”

30 He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.” 31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore an oath there. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Abimelech rose up with Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of Hashem, the Everlasting Elohim. 34 Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days.

Vayeira - Reading #5

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #5 - Genesis 21:5–21      

My Thoughts:

This story has some mystery indeed. Why would Hashem tell Abraham to listen to his wife and send Hagar away from home? And to send her out with water and bread. That sounds very unusual. But, even though we don’t understand this -- the end of the story is Hashem saves them after the water and bread has run out. He miraculously provides a well with water. They drink and they live. And Esau grows and marries. 

What do we learn from this? What appears to not make sense, we can guarantee that Hashem has a PLAN. He is faithful and true, and will bring the best out of every situation.

Challenge:

Have you ever been in the middle of something that looks hopeless (like running out of bread and water?) But, then suddenly Hashem does something miraculous? If that has happened I know you have given Hashem the glory and honor and thanks. If you are in the middle of a horrible situation I challenge you to try and have hope. Read this story and see how Hagar was so hopeless, but at the last minute Hashem delivered. And He delivered with a miracle. A well of water. Ask Hashem today for YOUR well of water. 

Reading #5 - Genesis 21:5–21

21:5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “Elohim has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.” 7 She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

8 The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this servant and her son! For the son of this servant will not be heir with my son, Isaac.”

11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son. 12 Elohim said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For your offspring will be named through Isaac. 13 I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.” 14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 The water in the container was spent, and she put the child under one of the shrubs. 16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice, and wept. 17 Elohim heard the voice of the boy.

The angel of Elohim called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For Elohim has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.”

19 Elohim opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink.

20 Elohim was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and as he grew up, he became an archer. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.

Vayeira - Reading #4

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #4 - Genesis 19:21–21:4   

My Thoughts:

I heard recently that Lot’s daughter thought the world had ended. That’s why they slept with their father thinking it was their only chance to be pregnant -- even though their act was deceiving. Both became pregnant and both gave birth to the ancestral fathers of nations that would contend with Israel. That would be the Moabites and Ammonites. Two groups of peoples that turned out to be destructive and deviated from serving the one true Elohim.

If these two daughters waited and trusted in Hashem for their future, how different the future of the world would have been. But in distrust, doubt and fear they took things into their own hands. What a lesson for all of us to learn from. Wait on Him. Trust in Him. Do not make decisions out of fear, impatience and/or doubt. The outcome is guaranteed good if you wait for Hashem. 

Challenge:

 

Are you facing an important decision in your life? Are you waiting on Hashem to show you what to do or are you taking things in your hands? I encourage you to hit the “pause” button. Don’t go forward in your own flesh. Wait for the Holy One from above to help you and show you what is the right thing to do. It will be so worth it!

Reading #4 - Genesis 19:21–21:4

19:21 He said to him, “Behold, I have granted your request concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. 22 Hurry, escape there, for I can’t do anything until you get there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then Hashem rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Hashem out of the sky. 25 He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

27 Abraham went up early in the morning to the place where he had stood before Hashem. 28 He looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and saw that the smoke of the land went up as the smoke of a furnace.

29 When Elohim destroyed the cities of the plain, Elohim remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the middle of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.

30 Lot went up out of Zoar, and lived in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to live in Zoar. He lived in a cave with his two daughters. 31 The firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in to us in the way of all the earth. 32 Come, let’s make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve our father’s family line.” 33 They made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father. He didn’t know when she lay down, nor when she arose. 34 It came to pass on the next day, that the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let’s make him drink wine again tonight. You go in, and lie with him, that we may preserve our father’s family line.” 35 They made their father drink wine that night also. The younger went and lay with him. He didn’t know when she lay down, nor when she got up. 36 Thus both of Lot’s daughters were with child by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son, and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.

20 Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in Gerar. 2 Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But Elohim came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is a man’s wife.”

4 Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Hashem, will you kill even a righteous nation? 5 Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister’? She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”

6 Elohim said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her. 7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don’t restore her, know for sure that you will die, you, and all who are yours.”

8 Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done!” 10 Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?”

11 Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of Elohim is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 When Elohim caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is your kindness which you shall show to me. Everywhere that we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”

14 Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored Sarah, his wife, to him. 15 Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated.”

17 Abraham prayed to Elohim. So Elohim healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children. 18 For Hashem had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

21 Hashem visited Sarah as he had said, and Hashem did to Sarah as he had spoken. 2 Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which Elohim had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. 4 Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old, as Elohim had commanded him.