Toldot - Reading #2

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations

Genesis 25:19-28:9

Reading #2 - Genesis 26:6–12

My Thoughts: 

Generational sin. We see Isaac doing the same thing his father Abraham did -- saying his wife is his sister in order to avoid being killed. He lied. But does Hashem count that against him? Interestingly enough, Scripture continues to say that Hashem blessed his crops one hundredfold! This is reported right after we see Isaac lying.

Are there certain times when it is okay to lie? To save your life or save someone else’s life? Maybe he repented to Hashem and He forgave him? Some Scripture is very curious and mysterious. We don’t know the whole entire story of what happened, so we can only speculate. That’s why it is important to always be in the will of Hashem, so that when we do have to “speculate” we can hopefully have His heart on the matter.

Challenge: 

Think of a time when you “stretched” the truth. Was it for a really life-saving reason? Or were you just making things “easier”? Lying is a sin. If we lie, we repent and we make restitution. Learning to restore what has been done is better if it can be done tangibly. Think today of how you can do that. Repentance brings life!

Reading #2 - Genesis 26:6–12

26:6 Isaac lived in Gerar. 7 The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest, he thought, “the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at.” 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife. 9 Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister?’”

Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die because of her.’”

10 Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us!”

11 Abimelech commanded all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death.”

12 Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. Hashem blessed him.

Toldot - Reading #1

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations

Genesis 25:19-28:9

Reading #1- Genesis 25:19–26:5

My Thoughts: 

In the last few verses of today’s reading, we see Hashem promising to Isaac the land (Israel) and the people. And in the very last verse, He explains this because Abraham followed “Hashem’s commandments, statutes and laws!” You may wonder, like I did, how could this be? The Law has not yet been given on Mt. Sinai. 

But, maybe it has. The Law is eternal. It always was and always will be. So, it was given to man beginning at Adam. Maybe not in its entirety, but progressively. Remember, Abel sacrificed an animal. So, did others. There were also “clean” and “unclean” animals entering the ark. We see many “glimpses” of the Law up to this point.  

If the Law is eternal we better be following it to the best of our ability today. Yeshua taught it in every way in His short ministry on earth. If we are going to follow Him we are following the way He did things and what He believed.

Challenge: 

We are just beginning to learn about the Law, the Commandments of Hashem. Today I challenge you to think about whether you are required to follow the Commandments. And I am not just talking about the Ten Commandments, but ALL of them. Of course, there are some we can not follow today, like the ones regarding the Temple or priestly duties. Think and pray about this. As we continue on in reading the Torah this year we learn more about the Law. It would be good if in your heart if it is settled whether the Commandments are for you or not.

Reading #1 - Genesis 25:19–26:5

25:19 This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife. 21 Isaac entreated Hashem for his wife, because she was barren. Hashem was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is like this, why do I live?” She went to inquire of Hashem. 23 Hashem said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb.

Two peoples will be separated from your body.

The one people will be stronger than the other people.

The elder will serve the younger.”

24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau. 26 After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

27 The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Jacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. 30 Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with some of that red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

31 Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.”

32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”

33 Jacob said, “Swear to me first.”

He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.

26 There was a famine in the land, in addition to the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar. 2 Hashem appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about. 3 Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

Toldot - Week #6

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations

Genesis 25:19-28:9

Malachi 1:1-2:7

Matthew 10:21-38

1.1 First reading — Genesis 25:19–26:5

1.2 Second reading — Genesis 26:6–12

1.3 Third reading — Genesis 26:13–22

1.4 Fourth reading — Genesis 26:23–29

1.5 Fifth reading — Genesis 26:30–27:27

1.6 Sixth reading — Genesis 27:28–28:4

1.7 Seventh reading — Genesis 28:5–9

Chayei Sarah - Reading #7

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

Haftarah 1 Kings 1:1-31  

Apostolic Scripture John 4:3-14

SHABBAT READING #7 - Genesis 25:12–18

My Thoughts:

Tradition has it that Ishmael is the father of Islam. I don’t know the total implications of this but we have history to look at. There has been great contention between Muslims and Jews -- for centuries. Lives have been lost, and families/communities have experienced great pain, on both sides. That makes me think about today. The things that separate our families from each other. Feuds can begin with the issue of marriage, different political beliefs and many times money. In my own family my husband’s siblings went to “war” over an inheritance. It is sad and so destructive to be at odds with your family. Maybe it is time for that to stop. It takes “two” to tango. If we could only step down and concede for the sake of peace. Is that possible?

Challenge:

Think of someone in your family that you don’t get along with or maybe you have stopped talking to. I challenge you to “reopen” that door of your relationship with that person. Seek forgiveness, restitution and healing. It won’t be easy, but I believe that every restoration of a friendship/relationship is like planting a seed toward healing our world. And don’t we want the world to be healed when the Mashiach comes?

READING #7 - Genesis 25:12–18

25:12 Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up his spirit and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

My Thoughts:

King David is picking his son to be the next king. There is some interference with this decision, but ultimately King David’s decision stands. Why do people always challenge the decisions of their authority?  Adonijah in this story decides he would make a better king. However, he was not the chosen one to do so. Have you ever been in a situation where someone takes authority over an issue, when they haven’t been given that charge? What should you do when that happens? My thought is it would be important to go to the top person and ask them what should be done! Not take it into our own hands, but let those who are in leadership take care of what has happened. Just like King David did. It is the right way. 

Challenge:

Think about how you feel about authority today. Do you have a situation in your life where you are usurping authority on the basis that you feel YOU have the right to do so? Check your heart and go to the leadership in this circumstance and tell them what is going on and what you think needs to be done. Or even admit to them that you have taken “authority” in a particular situation and see if they agree or feel that it is right. There is a “line of authority” all of us must follow. We have to respect those “above” us and in leadership (ie. bosses, employers, etc.). If you are justifying that you are stepping out of line -- because it is the “right” thing to do. Double check it. It is the right and proper thing to do. Scripture teaches us so.

1 Kings 1:1-31

1 Now king David was old and advanced in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he couldn’t keep warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” 3 So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom. 7 He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. 9 Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants; 10 but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother. 11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it? 12 Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life, and your son Solomon’s life. 13 Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord, king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’ 14 Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

15 Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. 16 Bathsheba bowed, and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore by Hashem your Elohim to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it. 19 He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant. 20 You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

22 Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!”

When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’ 25 For he has gone down today, and has slain cattle, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live king Adonijah!’ 26 But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon. 27 Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

28 Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 The king swore, and said, “As Hashem lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 30 most certainly as I swore to you by Hashem, the Elohim of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

My Thoughts:

In verse 13 Yeshua says that if you drink from His living water “you will never thirst again”. I can tell you that as a mature woman, I have found this to be true. If I am going through a time where I feel distant from Hashem, it is because I haven’t been “drinking” His water -- the Word of Elohim. We can get so busy that we don’t find time to read Scripture. The times that this has happened to me are the “emptiest” times of my life. You “attach” to Hashem when you pray, worship and read Scripture. You start dying of spiritual thirst when you don’t. Remember today to continue “drinking” from His living water every day. Study His Word.

Challenge:

Maybe you just checked into this website and daily reading of Torah today. I would challenge you to post a link to this blog to your phone. Every day be sure to pull up the daily reading of Torah. I promise you, the Word alone will “water” your heart and bring you closer to Elohim. Add prayer and worship and you will be guaranteed to have the best day ever!

John 4:3-14

4:3 He left Judea and departed into Galilee. 4 He needed to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Yeshua said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

9 The Samaritan woman therefore said to him, “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

10 Yeshua answered her, “If you knew the gift of Elohim, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. So where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father, Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his children and his livestock?”

13 Yeshua answered her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

Chayei Sarah - Reading #6

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

Reading #6 - Genesis 25:1–11 

My Thoughts:

In verse 5 we read that “Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.” Some of us may look at that as unfair, because he had other children too. Scripture continues to say that he gave “gifts” to his other kids -- which could have been huge. He could have been giving land, animals, etc. But as we look at Abraham the father of Isaac giving him all that he had, maybe it was more than physical gifts. He passed on the “blessing” that Hashem gave him, that was the true “everything”. And later we see Hashem confirming that blessing. Maybe the greatest blessing Abraham gave his son was teaching him how to love and serve Hashem. And that is exactly how we can give our children and grandchildren “everything we have”. 

Challenge:

My challenge to you today is to start giving your children or those close to you “everything you have”.  Maybe not the physical, but passing on to them what you know about your love for Hashem and how you worship him. I think about how my sons are in Special Olympics and every year during summer games they have a big ceremony of “passing the torch”. They take a lit torch and pass it from one person to another until the last one receives it and then they run with it! Let us have that challenge today to pass the “torch of Hashem’s truth and love” to those whom we love. Start passing the light today.

READING #6 - Genesis 25:1–11

25 Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, 6 but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines. While he still lived, he sent them away from Isaac his son, eastward, to the east country. 7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years. 8 Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, Elohim blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.

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.

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.