Lech Lecha

(go out)
Genesis 12:1 - 17:27

This week's Torah portion introduces us to Abraham. According to Jewish tradition, Abraham's father Terach was an idolmaker. One day, Abraham destroyed all of the idols in his father's workshop. As a result he was deemed a righteous man in the eyes of God.

Whatever the truth may be about Abraham's background, God chose him to be the father of the messianic people. Included in this call was the promise of a land for Abraham and his descendants to dwell. In chapter 13 and 15, God reiterates the promise. In chapter 15, the dimensions of the land are given. Thousands of years later in the year 2000, these passages of scripture have very important meaning. Today the Jewish people dwell in the land amid great controversy.

The Bible is clear that in order for our people to appropriate the promise of peace in the land forevermore, they must turn to God in repentance. However, the bible also says that the Jewish people would return to the land in unbelief. Ezekiel 36 clearly says that God would bring the people back to the land, and then He would sprinkle clean water on them and give them His Spirit. This is important to understand because according to these texts, the Jewish people have a legitimate right to the land even though they have yet to turn to Yeshua.

In addition, we see that more and more Jewish people are being "sprinkled with clean water". When we look at the nation of Israel as a barometer of where we are on the prophetic clock of God, we see that God promised that the people would return to the land and that they would return to the Lord. Today we see both events occurring. Slowly but surely, our people are returning to both the land and the Lord. As we know it will not be until both events are complete that there will truly be peace in the land.

Let us remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and to share the good news that the Messiah has come.

Shabbat Shalom!