October 28, 2023: Parashat Torah Portion Lech Lecha
This week’s Parashah Torah Portion Lech Lecha, which is taken from Genesis 12:1-17:27. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers, as he illustrates the Divine call ADONAI had placed over Abram's life, with an underlying message for every Believer in Messiah Yeshua, that consists of never being comfortable with our current spiritual condition!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Parashah Torah Portion:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Parashah Torah Portion Lech Lecha - Genesis 12:1-17:27
Genesis 12:1 begins with Adonai’s command to Abram “Go forth out of your country” or “Get yourself out of your country.” Abram is 75 years old and Sarai is 65 years old. Torah chooses not to tell us of their illustrious youth but begins their story with Elohim’s command to embark on a journey. Even though Abram and Sarai had a spiritually comfortable and fulfilling life before their journey to Israel, Elohim demanded of them to drop everything and travel on an open-ended trip- intentionally neglecting to inform them of their destination.
Genesis 12:1 says, “Adonai said to Abram”, a Divine call was really only the long-awaited answer to a life-filled with devotion, sacrifice, and incessant struggle. It was 75 years dedicated to glorifying Elohim. Sages tell us that “the story of the fathers is a sign for the children.” We must never be comfortable with our spiritual standing…no matter how accomplished! It is incumbent upon every follower to embark yet further in the journey towards the Promised Land. An open-ended journey! A journey where we never set limits on personal spiritual growth. Just as Elohim is infinite, so too our journey must continue and so too the journey to reach Him is infinite!
Abram was embarking on a journey with an “Unknown Destination.” We also notice that when Abram was outside the land he heard the voice of Elohim. When he was inside the land, Elohim appeared to Him. It is the Tabernacle all over again…outside you hear Him but He wants us to come close to Him which means you must come through the veil.
We all have goals and aspirations. We understand that life is a long journey and no two individuals have the exact same destination. However, as disciples we must “break with the crowd” out of love for Elohim and accept the sacrifice of isolation! “Go for yourself” or “Get yourself out” implies the will to go it alone with Elohim if need be…no matter if anyone will go with you!
Look at Abram, our “father of faith.” How could we have existed and how could we continue to exist if Abram had not given us the courage to be a minority? In Genesis 12, as soon as Abram appears he stands in opposition to the spirit of the times amidst a perverted, idolatrous, immoral society, that idolizes power. Abram willingly gives up all the family and social closeness which is so dear to people, to become a bearer of Elohim’s message and throw a protest in the face of the gods worshipped by all the nations. Why are we afraid of our families, friends, and co-workers?
This kind of faith demands courage, and deep conviction of the Truth of the message itself - an enduring consciousness of a messianic mission! We have but one sole duty: Following Elohim blindly wherever He will lead us!
So, we have Elohim with His command to Abram, “Go forth from your land…to a land I will show you.” This is the first communication between Elohim and Abram, the first Hebrew! Genesis 14:13 first mentioned “Hebrew” Abar…”to cross over.” Abraham was the first Hebrew, being not a Jew or an Israelite. Jacob was the first Israelite and Hebrew but not a Jew (Abraham’s grandson). Israel meaning “IS” man, “RA” great, “EL” Elohim…Great man of Elohim, the child of Elohim, the prince of Elohim! The first Jew was Judah who was also a Hebrew and Israelite.
Relating Abram as a Hebrew He transmitted an important foundation to each of us which we must study and implement: Elohim instructed Abraham and every one of his descendants to embark on a journey…You and I…it’s in our DNA!
Interestingly Elohim did not inform Abraham of his final destination but merely instructed Abraham to keep traveling until he would receive an indication from the Ruach that he had reached his journey and his journey had ended. Having a defined goal is beneficial in other areas of life but only serves as a handicap in a person’s spiritual life journey. The danger of a defined spiritual goal is that we think we have arrived and know everything!
Now I get it that it is wise to carefully plan the next segment of the journey, but the destination itself must remain open-ended! Elohim is infinite, the divine essence of every Hebrew soul is infinite…so why place limitations on the heights of what we can achieve?
Abraham, 75 years old, begins a journey with no clue what lay in store for him when he arrived at his eventual destination. It is safe to assume that he never dreamt of arriving in a land “flowing with milk and honey”, a land which would be given to the descendants of a child who would be miraculously born to his barren wife, Sarah. He had no idea that as a result of this journey his descendants would be chosen by Elohim to be His ambassadors to this world. WOW…to be chosen to have the privilege of illuminating the world with the light of Torah and mitzvot!
Well, because the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”, we too have the ability to accomplish far more than we can imagine in our wildest dreams. John 14:12-14 says. “Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in Me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father. In fact, whatever you ask for in My name, I will do; so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me for something in My name, I will do it.”
However, the first step is embarking on an open-ended journey! The word “embark” means: to go on board something; to make a start; to cause to go on board; to engage; to enlist; to invest; to begin. Let each step be ordered by Elohim and know that each step is exciting and new and propels you into a daily journey which will bring you to your destination…whatever it is and wherever it takes you!
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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May this Sabbath be a blessing and bring you shalom. May you surrender all that you are as you journey to the destination Elohim has for you. May you be willing to walk out the plan and purpose of Elohim in your life. May it begin today… a new exciting journey!
Shalom Aleichem