- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Dec 10, 2021 18:09:25 GMT -8
This Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Genesis 14:1-24
Haftara- Isaiah 41:2-14
D’rash: This chapter is full of meaningful lessons.
Genesis 14:2-4 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, … . And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). … they rebelled.
This would likely have taken place in the Rift at the lower end of the Dead Sea.
Genesis 14:8-11 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim … four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.
Lot and his household were caught up in a rebellion and taken captive: Genesis 14:12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.
Abram must have had some diplomatic skills, because he had developed alliances with some of his neighbors.
Genesis 14:13-14 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the [terebinths] of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of [Lit possessors of the covenant with] Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Compare Abram’s response to that of Cain, who when asked about Abel said (to God no less) “Am I my brothers keeper?” Even though Lot had separated from him, Abram’s response was immediate and resolute. He risked everything to rescue his nephew. He called up the trained men of his household and those of his allies and set out on a daring rescue mission.
Dan (or the future tribal allotment of Dan- which brings up the possibility someone tweaked the text) is NE of the Sea of Galilee. So most likely he followed them all the way up the east side of the Jordan River. The east side had better highways for armies to travel as well as water and shade. There were also many better alternate travel (or escape) routes up to the Transjordan Plateau and even better highways. Also there would have been towns where they could resupply and where Abram could get intelligence on the opposing armies.
Genesis 14:15-16 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
Dividing your forces is militarily considered to be a risky move. However an astute and very smart commander can pull it off. Robert E. Lee at times divided his forces and won against superior numbers. Only once did the tactic fail him (Gettysburg). But he was considered to be a leading military genius by his peers. Perhaps Abram was that smart; or possibly (probably) he got help from an even smarter general.
Genesis 14: 18-20a And Malchi’tzedek king of Salem [shalom-Yerushalayim] brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of El Elyon- God Most High .) And he blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by El Elyon, Possessor [Creator] of heaven and earth;
and blessed be El Elyon, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
Malchi’tzedek, “king of righteousness” is an enigmatic figure in the Bible. He was king of Salem (Shalom-Jerusalem) and priest of the Most High God: “where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 6:20).
Malchi’tzedek brought bread and wine to Abram. In ancient Israel this would constitute a covent relationship. He bestowed a blessing on Abraham in the name of El Elyon, Most High God, and praised God for Abram’s victory. Abram gave Malchi’tzedek a tithe of all the spoils, an action which recognized Malchi’tzedek as one who ranked higher (spiritually) than himself.
Genesis 14:20b And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Some take this to mean Malchi’tzedek was a pre-incarnate Yeshua. They say since there was no succession recorded between Malchi’tzedek and Yeshua, the “order” referred to in Heb 6:20 (above) can only be explained if the office was vested in Yeshua alone. (”Order” should indicate a succession, a line of priests in this office.)
Hebrews 7:1a,3 For this Melchizedek, … is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
If the verses in Hebrews are literal, then in all likelihood it would refer to Yeshua. No earthly king could remain “a priest forever.” No person is “without father or mother.” However it could be taken allegorically. Others point to Psalm 110 as a messianic psalm by David wherein Malchi’tzedek is demonstrated to be a type of Ha’Moshiach, Yeshua. This theme is repeated in Hebrews:
Hebrews 7:4-10 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
In citing Malchi’tzedek and Yeshua as kings of righteousness and peace as well as holders of a unique priesthood, the author shows them to be superior to the Levitical priesthood.
There is more to the discussion, and a compelling case can be made for either view. Certainly Malchi’tzedek is at least a type of Yeshua, however it’s possible He was The Lord, Yeshua Himself!.
Genesis 14:21-24 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand [taken a solemn oath] to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor[creator] of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
Mamre was apparently the name of the man who owned the land on which Abram was settled. The “oaks of Mamre” were possibly a grove of Terebinth trees where Abram was camped.
Bera king of Sodom wanted to divide the spoils, but Abram declined to take anything, saying “I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” He’d promised his God he would not prosper himself in this endeavor. This ensured God got the glory and the credit for his wealth.
Mekorot: All scripture from the ESV unless otherwise specified; JPS Study Tnk; Prof Shir, Dr Parker, and Dr Eli of the Israel Bible center; my notes; my father and others
Next Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Genesis 15:1-21
Haftara- Zephaniah 3:8-20
* Apostolic references will be given in the darashot
Parashah- Genesis 14:1-24
Haftara- Isaiah 41:2-14
D’rash: This chapter is full of meaningful lessons.
Genesis 14:2-4 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, … . And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). … they rebelled.
This would likely have taken place in the Rift at the lower end of the Dead Sea.
Genesis 14:8-11 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim … four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.
Lot and his household were caught up in a rebellion and taken captive: Genesis 14:12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.
Abram must have had some diplomatic skills, because he had developed alliances with some of his neighbors.
Genesis 14:13-14 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the [terebinths] of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of [Lit possessors of the covenant with] Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Compare Abram’s response to that of Cain, who when asked about Abel said (to God no less) “Am I my brothers keeper?” Even though Lot had separated from him, Abram’s response was immediate and resolute. He risked everything to rescue his nephew. He called up the trained men of his household and those of his allies and set out on a daring rescue mission.
Dan (or the future tribal allotment of Dan- which brings up the possibility someone tweaked the text) is NE of the Sea of Galilee. So most likely he followed them all the way up the east side of the Jordan River. The east side had better highways for armies to travel as well as water and shade. There were also many better alternate travel (or escape) routes up to the Transjordan Plateau and even better highways. Also there would have been towns where they could resupply and where Abram could get intelligence on the opposing armies.
Genesis 14:15-16 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
Dividing your forces is militarily considered to be a risky move. However an astute and very smart commander can pull it off. Robert E. Lee at times divided his forces and won against superior numbers. Only once did the tactic fail him (Gettysburg). But he was considered to be a leading military genius by his peers. Perhaps Abram was that smart; or possibly (probably) he got help from an even smarter general.
Genesis 14: 18-20a And Malchi’tzedek king of Salem [shalom-Yerushalayim] brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of El Elyon- God Most High .) And he blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by El Elyon, Possessor [Creator] of heaven and earth;
and blessed be El Elyon, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
Malchi’tzedek, “king of righteousness” is an enigmatic figure in the Bible. He was king of Salem (Shalom-Jerusalem) and priest of the Most High God: “where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 6:20).
Malchi’tzedek brought bread and wine to Abram. In ancient Israel this would constitute a covent relationship. He bestowed a blessing on Abraham in the name of El Elyon, Most High God, and praised God for Abram’s victory. Abram gave Malchi’tzedek a tithe of all the spoils, an action which recognized Malchi’tzedek as one who ranked higher (spiritually) than himself.
Genesis 14:20b And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Some take this to mean Malchi’tzedek was a pre-incarnate Yeshua. They say since there was no succession recorded between Malchi’tzedek and Yeshua, the “order” referred to in Heb 6:20 (above) can only be explained if the office was vested in Yeshua alone. (”Order” should indicate a succession, a line of priests in this office.)
Hebrews 7:1a,3 For this Melchizedek, … is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
If the verses in Hebrews are literal, then in all likelihood it would refer to Yeshua. No earthly king could remain “a priest forever.” No person is “without father or mother.” However it could be taken allegorically. Others point to Psalm 110 as a messianic psalm by David wherein Malchi’tzedek is demonstrated to be a type of Ha’Moshiach, Yeshua. This theme is repeated in Hebrews:
Hebrews 7:4-10 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
In citing Malchi’tzedek and Yeshua as kings of righteousness and peace as well as holders of a unique priesthood, the author shows them to be superior to the Levitical priesthood.
There is more to the discussion, and a compelling case can be made for either view. Certainly Malchi’tzedek is at least a type of Yeshua, however it’s possible He was The Lord, Yeshua Himself!.
Genesis 14:21-24 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand [taken a solemn oath] to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor[creator] of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
Mamre was apparently the name of the man who owned the land on which Abram was settled. The “oaks of Mamre” were possibly a grove of Terebinth trees where Abram was camped.
Bera king of Sodom wanted to divide the spoils, but Abram declined to take anything, saying “I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” He’d promised his God he would not prosper himself in this endeavor. This ensured God got the glory and the credit for his wealth.
Mekorot: All scripture from the ESV unless otherwise specified; JPS Study Tnk; Prof Shir, Dr Parker, and Dr Eli of the Israel Bible center; my notes; my father and others
Next Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Genesis 15:1-21
Haftara- Zephaniah 3:8-20
* Apostolic references will be given in the darashot
