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This week’s study gets us to Abraham.

Father Abraham had many sons...but it seemed for a long time like he would have none.

We’re reading:

Lech Lecha =
Torah : Genesis 12:1-17:27
Haphtarah : Isaiah 40:27-41:16    
Gospel : Matthew 5-7

Wow...the Sermon on the Mount was amazing to read in a whole bit. It sounds so much like Deuteronomy to me. Of course, others have noticed that, but this point came glaring through ... Jesus is teaching Torah there.

On the Isaiah passage...

This is, of course, one of my favorite passages. But I haven’t looked at in context for a very long time. I love the way this is phrased:

“Why do you say, O Jacob,
       and complain, O Israel,
       "My way is hidden from the LORD;
       my cause is disregarded by my God"?
 28 Do you not know?
       Have you not heard?
       The LORD is the everlasting God,
       the Creator of the ends of the earth.
       He will not grow tired or weary,
       and his understanding no one can fathom.”

I surely don’t know any one who complains... Yeah, it’s a reminder of God’s love again. In chapter 41 we get a picture of judgment, but then God’s care for his chosen ones.

“For I am the LORD, your God,
       who takes hold of your right hand
       and says to you, Do not fear;
       I will help you.
 14 Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,
       O little Israel,
       for I myself will help you," declares the LORD,
       your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

And how does God chose Israel? Through Abraham.

This passage seems obscure to me...and I’m not sure why. Who is this Abraham and why did he get picked? Is it random or is there something within him that makes him special to God? Did he just happen to be at the right place at the right time? And where did he get his faith from? We hear later in the text that his father worshipped idols. How does Abraham know God? Why does he go?

The story of Melchizedek is amazing. We have this tiny picture of grace and God’s works outside of what we understand.

Abraham’s basically gone to war against other kings and then he meets this guy.

“18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,
       "Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
       Creator of heaven and earth.
 20 And blessed be God Most High,
       who delivered your enemies into your hand."
      Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

The symbolism is deep here people: Salem = peace, Melchizedek = king of righteousness (it may not even be a personal name) and then we have a picture of the sacrament and then tithes...The title of God is interesting. El Elyon?

Then we have Psalm 110:

“The LORD has sworn
       and will not change his mind:
       "You are a priest forever,
       in the order of Melchizedek."”

And the writer of Hebrews connects it to Jesus. Listen to Hebrews 6:19-20:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

And then all of Chapter 7 is devoted to comparing Jesus to this OT figure!  

Wow...listen to the author’s reasoning here:

“ 23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Wow!

Hey...Is Sarah Abraham’s niece?