12/22/2012

Parashat 3- Portion 11 – Beresheet/Gen 14:1-24



                                                                                                        Blessing for the Torah:
Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah 
YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples,
and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

In the book of Yasher we have some interesting background information concerning this week’s Torah portion. The book of Yasher is referred to twice in our scriptures; once in Joshua 10:13 and once in 2Samuel 1:18 (“it is written in the book of Yasher”…..) and therefore can be considered a fairly reliable source of information. 

Quote from Yasher chapter 16 verses 1-8.

“1 At that time Chedorlaomer king of Elam sent to all the neighboring kings, to Nimrod, king of Shinar who was then under his power, and to Tidal, king of Goyim, and to Arioch, king of Elasar, with whom he made a covenant, saying, Come up to me and assist me, that we may smite all the towns of Sodom and its inhabitants, for they have rebelled against me these thirteen years.”

The midrash identifies Chedorlomer as Elam, son of Shem, son of Noach. Chedorlomer appeared to be the leader of the alliance which included king Nimrod (Amraphel).
Shem is also identified to be the righteous king of Yerushalyim (Melchizidek) that Avram meets after his miraculous victory over the kings.
Note also how Shem’s descendant Chedorlomer has also become a king ruling over people like Nimrod. Shem however is the leader of a set apart people whose descendants will eventually bring forth the Messiah.
Religious tyranny is most probably more enslaving than civil tyranny.

“2 And these four kings went up with all their camps, about eight hundred thousand men, and they went as they were, and smote every man they found in their road.
3 And the five kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, Bera king of Sodom, Bersha king of Gomorrah, and Bela king of Zoar, went out to meet them, and they all joined together in the valley of Siddim.
4 And these nine kings made war in the valley of Siddim; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were smitten before the kings of Elam.
5 And the valley of Siddim was full of lime pits and the kings of Elam pursued the kings of Sodom, and the kings of Sodom with their camps fled and fell into the lime pits, and all that remained went to the mountain for safety, and the five kings of Elam came after them and pursued them to the gates of Sodom, and they took all that there was in Sodom.
6 And they plundered all the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and they also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, and his property, and they seized all the goods of the cities of Sodom, and they went away; and Unic Abram's servant, who was in the battle, saw this, and told Abram all that the kings had done to the cities of Sodom, and that Lot was taken captive by them.
7 And Abram heard this, and he rose up with about three hundred and eighteen men that were with him, and he that night pursued these kings and smote them, and they all fell before Abram and his men, and there was none remaining but the four kings who fled, and they went each his own road.
8 And Abram recovered all the property of Sodom, and he also recovered Lot and his property, his wives and little ones and all belonging to him, so that Lot lacked nothing.” (Excerpt out of the book of Yasher)

Let us consider the significance of Abram’s servant Eliezer, this name in Hebrew has a gematria of 318. Vs 7 states that there were 318 servants who miraculously defeated the army of 800 000 men.

Eliezer whose name means “Elohim is my helper”; this reminds of the description given to the Ruach (Spirit) of YHVH in Yoch/John 16:7.
This Torah portion also reminds us of the miraculous events that are celebrated at Chanukah and also remind us that when the Ruach of YHVH empowers us we are able to do “all things” through him who enables us.

When we consider the events of Shavout/Pentecost and the outpouring of the Ruach we understand that the Ruach of YHVH can only be effectively contained in Torah observant clay vessels. The continual infilling of His Ruach are extremely important to accomplish the purposes of YHVH on earth as well as for our spiritual well-being and victory in this life.

Yoch/Joh 16:7  “But I say the truth to you. It is better for you that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you at all, but if I go, I shall send Him to you.
Joh 16:8  “And having come, He shall reprove1 the world concerning sin,2 and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment – Footnotes: 1Or confute or prove wrong. 22 Chr. 24:20, Neh. 9:30, Ezek. 36:27, Mic. 3:8, Acts 28:25-27.
Joh 16:9  concerning sin because they do not believe in Me,
Joh 16:10  concerning righteousness because I go to My Father and you see Me no more,
Joh 16:11  concerning judgment because the ruler of this world1 is judged. Footnote: 1See Lk. 4:6.
Joh 16:12  “I still have many words to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
Joh 16:13  “But when He comes, the Spirit of the Truth, He shall guide you into all the truth. For He shall not speak from Himself, but whatever He hears He shall speak, and He shall announce to you what is to come.
Joh 16:14  “He shall esteem Me, for He shall take of what is Mine and announce it to you.

Imagine how powerful a group of people filled with the Ruach of YHVH will be able to accomplish, receive and share the great blessings of YHVH’s redemption to the world. We have not yet witnessed a continual life transforming shift in the masses of humanity on earth. Humanity is failing because the kind of spiritual message it is receiving is failing.
This task cannot be realized by some powerful individual here and there, there needs to be a group or remnant of people who will absolutely and uncompromisingly embrace the Torah of YHVH and be filled and led by His Ruach.

Mat 6:33  “But seek first the reign of Elohim, and His righteousness, and all these matters shall be added to you.

In the Greek this verse states that “you” is in the plural form.

Gen 14:1  And it came to be in the days of Amraphel sovereign of Shin’ar, Aryoḵ sovereign of Ellasar, Keḏorla’omer sovereign of Ěylam, and Tiḏ’al sovereign of Goyim,
Gen 14:2  that they fought against Bera sovereign of Seḏom, Birsha sovereign of Amorah, Shinaḇ sovereign of Aḏmah, Shem’ĕḇer sovereign of Tseḇoyim, and the sovereign of Bela, that is Tso’ar.
Gen 14:3  All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim, that is the Salt Sea.
Gen 14:4  Twelve years they served Keḏorla’omer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Gen 14:5  And in the fourteenth year Keḏorla’omer and the sovereigns that were with him came and smote the Repha’im in Ashteroth Qarnayim, and the Zuzim in Ḥam, and the Ěmites in Shawĕh Qiryathayim,
Gen 14:6  and the Ḥorites in their mountain of Sĕ’ir, as far as Ěl Paran, which is by the wilderness.
Gen 14:7  And they turned back and came to Ěn Mishpat, that is Qaḏĕsh, and smote all the country of the Amalĕqites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Ḥatsetson Tamar.
Gen 14:8  And the sovereign of Seḏom, and the sovereign of Amorah, and the sovereign of Aḏmah, and the sovereign of Tseḇoyim, and the sovereign of Bela, that is Tso’ar, went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim,
Gen 14:9  against Keḏorla’omer sovereign of Ěylam, and Tiḏ’al sovereign of Goyim, and Amraphel sovereign of Shin’ar, and Aryoḵ sovereign of Ellasar – four sovereigns against five.
Gen 14:10  And the Valley of Siddim had many tar pits. And the sovereigns of Seḏom and Amorah fled and fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains.
Gen 14:11  And they took all the goods of Seḏom and Amorah, and all their food, and went away.
Gen 14:12  And they took Lot, Aḇram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Seḏom, and his goods, and left.

Lot moved from the plains into the city. See 13:12- Please note dear ones that if you live near the immorality of religion you will eventually be captured by it and become like it if you are not rescued.

Gen 14:13  And one who had escaped came and informed Aḇram the Heḇrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamrĕ the Amorite, brother of Eshkol and brother of Anĕr, and they had a covenant with Aḇram.
Gen 14:14  And when Aḇram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Gen 14:15  And he and his servants divided against them by night, and smote them and pursued them as far as Ḥoḇah, which is on the left of Damascus.
Gen 14:16  So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
Gen 14:17  And after his return from the defeat of Keḏorla’omer and the sovereigns who were with him, the sovereign of Seḏom came out to meet him at the Valley of Shawĕh, that is, the Sovereign’s Valley.
Gen 14:18  And Malkitseḏeq sovereign of Shalĕm brought out bread and wine. Now he was the priest of the Most High Ěl.
Gen 14:19  And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Aḇram of the Most High Ěl, Possessor of the heavens and earth.
Gen 14:20  “And blessed be the Most High Ěl who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tenth of all.
Gen 14:21  And the sovereign of Seḏom said to Aḇram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”
Gen 14:22  But Aḇram said to the sovereign of Seḏom, “I have lifted my hand to יהוה, the Most High Ěl, the Possessor of the heavens and earth,
Gen 14:23  not to take a thread or a sandal strap or whatever is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Aḇram rich,’
Gen 14:24  except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Anĕr, Eshkol, and Mamrĕ. Let them take their portion.”

The significance about Melchizedek was not only the place of His rule and ministry in Yerushalayim;  but that he operated in two offices as both priest and king. He has been recognized as a "type" or a forerunner of our coming Messiah who also been appointed by YHVH as Chief Priest and King in the coming millennial kingdom. Our patriarch Abraham gave Melchizedek tithes and Melchizedek blessed Abraham and his family. He also brought out bread and wine which serve to establish a covenantal relationship. This same covenant we enter into when we come to YHVH through His Son Messiah seeking to be reconciled to our Creator.

 Please note that Abraham did not fall down and worship Melchizedek.
The anti Messiah will seek to come and reconcile society as a religious political leader and for a short period of time will enjoy some form of success. However this is simply the counterfeit of what the true Messiah will come to do. The spirit of the anti messiah is to demand or desire worship.

2Th 2:4  who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called Elohim or that is worshipped, so that he sits as Elohim in the Dwelling Place of Elohim, showing himself that he is Elohim.

Note the true Messiah never demanded to be worshipped. Sadly many of his followers have promoted a theology that gives the true Messiah a status of that of YHVH. This could prove extremely dangerous in the end times because of the confusion as to the Messiah’s identity.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved ones, do not believe every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of Elohim, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2  By this you know the Spirit of Elohim: Every spirit that confesses that יהושע Messiah has come in the flesh is of Elohim,
1Jn 4:3  and every spirit that does not confess that יהושע Messiah has come in the flesh is not of Elohim. And this is the spirit of the anti-messiah which you heard is coming, and now is already in the world.

The false doctrine of the trinity implies that Yahshua is a deity and as such only took on the form of flesh or a man for a period of time. The above scripture seems to imply that this kind of thinking is inspired by the anti messiah.
Melechtzedek serves as a pattern and confirmation of Yahshua Ha Mashiach’s supreme position as YHVH’s mediator and anointed one who empowers all those who walk in his footsteps.

Psa 110:1  יהוה said to my Master,(Yahshua) “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
Psa 110:2  יהוה sends Your mighty sceptre out of Tsiyon. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Psa 110:3  Your people volunteer in the day of Your might, In the splendours of set-apartness! From the womb, from the morning, You have the dew of Your youth!
Psa 110:4  יהוה has sworn and does not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Malkitseḏeq.”
Psa 110:5  יהוה at Your right hand Shall smite sovereigns in the day of His wrath.
Psa 110:6  He judges among the nations, He shall fill the nations with dead bodies, He shall crush the Head over the mighty earth!
Psa 110:7  He drinks of the stream by the wayside, Therefore He does lift up the head!

In the book of Ivrim (Hebrews) we read:
Heb 5:5  So also the Messiah did not extol Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him, “You are My Son, today I have brought You forth.”1 Footnote: 1See 1:5, Ps. 2:7.
Heb 5:6  As He also says in another place, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Malkitseḏeq,”1 Footnote: 1Ps. 110:4.
Heb 5:7  who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His reverent fear,
Heb 5:8  though being a Son, He learned obedience by what He suffered.
Heb 5:9  And having been perfected, He became the Causer of everlasting deliverance to all those obeying Him,
Heb 5:10  having been designated by Elohim a High Priest “according to the order of Malkitseḏeq,”
Heb 5:11  concerning whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
Heb 5:12  For indeed, although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first elements of the Words of Elohim. And you have become such as need milk and not solid food.
Heb 5:13  For everyone partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14  But solid food is for the mature whose senses have been trained by practice to discern both good and evil.

Heb 7:1  For this Malkitseḏeq, sovereign of Shalĕm, priest of the Most High Elohim, who met Aḇraham returning from the slaughter of the sovereigns and blessed him,
Heb 7:2  to whom also Aḇraham gave a tenth part of all, his name being translated, indeed, first, ‘sovereign of righteousness,’ and then also sovereign of Shalĕm, that is, ‘sovereign of peace,’
Heb 7:3  without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of Elohim, remains a priest for all time.
Heb 7:4  Now see how great this one was, to whom even the ancestor Aḇraham gave a tenth of the choicest booty.
Heb 7:5  And truly, those who are of the sons of Lĕwi, who receive the priesthood, have a command to receive tithes from the people according to the Torah, that is, from their brothers, though they have come from the loins of Aḇraham,
Heb 7:6  however, the one whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Aḇraham, and blessed the one who held the promises.
Heb 7:7  And it is beyond all dispute that the lesser is blessed by the better.

Some use the above scripture to prove the deity of Yahshua, when in fact it is extolling the priesthood of Yahshua above that of the Levites who inherited from family to family the priesthood. The Levitical priesthood will be restored when Messiah returns and will always serve as a shadow and type of Messiah’s High priesthood and Sovereignty.

“Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam, asher natan lanu Toraht-emet,
v’chay-yeh o’lam nata-b’tochenu.
Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you Yahweh, our Elohim, King of the Universe,
you have given us your Torah of truth, and have planted everlasting life within our midst.
Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Ameyn

Please note these notes are under construction and are subject to correction and are in no way a final authority on any subject.

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