| |
|
Abram has been living with his father, Terah in the land named after his brother, Haran. We are told that the whole family moves to Haran, after the death of his brother. Prior to moving, Terah and his family dwelt in Ur of the Chaldeans. For whatever reason, Terah moves all that is left of his family away from the familiar to a new land.
Terah was a descendant of Eber. From stuying the parasha this week, this entire branch of genealogy would have been considered Ibriy. Ibriy is a patronymic form of Eber, similar to how a resident from the state of Texas is referred to as a Texan. All of Terah’s family, and those that are they left behind, would have been Ibriy, or as it would be later translated by scribes, Hebrew. Hebrew/Ibriy means one from beyond. Eber means the region beyond.
It seems that YHVH has a sense of humor here, as what He names His people, creates the atmosphere of what they will be and how He interacts with them as they grow toward Him. As a people that are from beyond, YHVH would continuously beckon His people even further away from where they started. We will look more at this in a moment, but let us discuss the starting point first.
Abram is in Haran and YHVH calls him to go forth from that area to the land of Canaan. So, not only is Abram a man from beyond the Euphrates River, but now he will be identified as a man from this region which will be from beyond when he gets to his next destination, the land of Canaan. Each step that Abram takes is making him a man “from beyond”. Abram is kept as a stranger for quite a while as he travels through Canaan and into Egypt and out of Egypt and back to Bethel and ultimately to Hebron (Oaks of Mamre) where he will purchase a burial site..
The distinction is made when the fugitive comes to Abram the Hebrew to inform Abram of what has happened to Lot. However, there is some more to the theme here. When Lot and Abram return from Egypt and dwell at Bethel, they are too large for the land to sustain. This is not conjecturing on the part of Lot’s herdsmen, but by what Torah states. Therefore, YHVH has disclosed this information so that the next events will be in context and we will have better understanding of His character.
Lot is given a choice by Abram, the mouth piece being used by YHVH. It even looks as if Lot is given preference to choose which part of the land he would dwell. It is all part of the land of the covenant, so Lot is being given a portion of the promise at this point. Yet, what is taking place is a choice to go either left or right, and that choice means that Lot must go forth from Abram and the rest of his family. Lot is a now in the same place that Abram has been, as the patriarch, leading the entire family out of what is familiar in search of the specified land and for YHVH’s presence.
From Abram’s viewpoint, he tells Lot to be separate from him. The word used to tell Lot to separate is the same word used when describing the peoples as they were divided in the earth (Genesis 10:5, 32). This is a prophetic moment for Lot and for Abram, as YHVH is dividing them for His purpose. This choice seems to begin a process of elimination to a more narrowed distinction of heirship which is to follow. Furthermore, YHVH then explains His plans a little more to Abram and shows how all this land, even what Lot just chose, would be his and his seed.
The separation was a pleasing thing to YHVH, as it invoked Him to disclose His plans to Abram. It drew Abram closer to YHVH and readied him for an inheritance and a purpose. With this disclosure, came assurance that Abram would have posterity and with that comes more confidence in YHVH. Abram will use these insights as he intercedes and intervenes on Lots behalf.
A bit later Sarai convinces Abram to take Hagar as a wife. Ishmael becomes the result. Even within Abram’s household, however, YHVH creates division and separation. The division begins when Sarai segregates her husband’s attention which creates the infamous strife between her and Hagar. An interesting insight, though, is that Abram poses aloofness towards Hagar and always prefers Sarai as seen when Abram tells her that Hagar is hers to do with as she pleases. Hagar sees this and flees from before her mistress, Sarai. Hagar tries to separate herself from the situation; but, YHVH knew that the time was not yet set. There is a blessing for Ishmael to be a part of Abram’s household and to learn the ways of YHVH. Ishmael does become a child of the covenant with the sign of circumcision. This would give us the indication that Ishmael, even if separated from Abram, could choose to walk with YHVH, the Elohim of Abram, if he wanted, just as Lot could have made these decisions by being on the Land of the covenant.
Yet, this brings us to the place of even more difficult separation. This division is not just only a friend or relative, but part of the person. The sign of circumcision is a declaration of separation. Whether it was from the past, people or region, it was the sign that YHVH gave to man that he would inherit the land and have YHVH as their Elohim (verse 17:18). It was the first sign of leaving the old behind and being called out of a futuristic land from beyond to become what would be a people of covenant and the possession of YHVH. Those within the household of Abraham had no choice except to be included in the covenant with him. They were of Abram’s household and YHVH had commanded him to circumcise each one of his household whether they were native born or bought with money. This concept is not far at all from teaching we read in Acts 16:32 and in 1 Corinthians 7:8-16.
Knowing that a person cannot force another to one thing or another is a matter of conviction. However, when a believer takes hold of truth and takes that truth to his household, Salvation comes to that household. Those household members are given the opportunity to walk in the covenant or to walk away from the covenant. They are made distinctive in some way that we do not understand. As Abraham brought forth the sign of the covenant, each member would then have that sign placed upon them to see their differences from those around them and from their own pasts.
This sign sets apart the believer from all others that do not believe. It is a dividing line that is made when one crosses over into the other side. In many areas in life we are commanded to be separated by YHVH. When we approach Him, we should be separate from the activities of the world and the lusts of the flesh. YHVH tells us to separate the Shabbat to keep it holy. He tells us that we must be separate and, while living in the world, not be of the world, not to intermarry with those not of the faith and to separate ourselves from the unclean. Life is full of holy separation, and that leads us to YHVH, not away from Him.
Each step of our journey is likened to Abraham’s journey from Ur. There is one more place to go that is beyond the region that we are now living and one more place to be separated from an aspect of our past lives.
The Torah is shown to us in this pattern as well. It gives us hope to see that the people of YHVH before us had to cross over continuously so that they would be separated over and over again. Whether coming out of Egypt or being ordered into the encampment of the Tribes, they were separated for their good so that YHVH would receive the glory from them. This was not to tear them apart or to build boundaries that were to barricade them from each other as community, but to serve as reminders of who they were before YHVH. Israel is a nation that is to be separate from a world that hosts the seed of the flesh and the fallen world. When we come out from the world, we leave the seed of cursing behind us and are brought to the place of separation because of YHVH’s love and grace. This shows us the way of Life that is mandated to the believer through Torah. Then by faith in YHVH the seed of life is deposited with us.
Yeshua came as a fulfillment of circumcision by being completely separate from the world, but loving the people so much as to die for them. He then places that circumcision within our hearts so that we are able to love Him with all that we have. In that love, Yehsua reveals to us how to walk out and go forth from the previous existence and become children of Light.
When YHVH separates you, dwell in security that He is making you as a sign of the covenant. Circumcising you from former thoughts and sins in order to bring you closer to the land of the covenant, to possess that land. The process is not easy. We long for the easier and more familiar aspects of former living. We long for friends and family; but YHVH believes enough in you that He has called you out to go forth and be called children of the covenant, Ibriy, Hebrew. |
|
