My Journey Back to Torah

If you thought Ya’akov was a trickster, wait until you meet his uncle. Despite the deceit and much conflict, Yah’s remains faithful to his word and to the chosen seed.

After supplanting his brother, Ya’akov was on the run from his brother (surprise). Even under those circumstances, Yah met him and, wait for it….affirmed the “gospel” to him.

In the midst of a web deceit and trickery, Yitz’chak (Isaac) pronounces his blessing on Ya’akov (Jacob). Esav (Esau) also gets his due.

Avraham is succeeded by Yitzchak. The “gospel” is reaffirmed to him.

How does the death of Sarah advance the gospel?

The “gospel” is restated as Yah (three men?) has lunch with Avraham then heads off toward Sodom. In making this statement, we also gain insight into the relationship between faith and works. This is getting really good.

Avram is invited into the covenant Yah made with himself. Avram’s responsibility is to be circumcised and to circumcise all the males in his house who are 8 days old or older. Avram and his wife get new names and a promise that the covenant will continue through a son that will be born to the two of them. Avraham laughed at the notion.

Avram and Sarai hatch a plan to bring to pass what Yah has promised

The promises made to Avram are elevated to a covenant relationship. I may come as a surprise who took part in the covenant, and who didn’t. The foundational tenets of our faith, salvation by grace through faith, find their origins right here!

After a great military victory (to save his nephew Lot), Avram is approached again in a vision with a reaffirmation of the promises. Avram raises a concern that Yah has not given him an heir. He concludes that he will have to leave his estate to his chief servant. Yah’s assures him that he the promises will be fulfilled through one from his own body. He also gives him another illustration to affirm how many descendants he will have. Avram’s response reveals one of the foundational principles of the kingdom.

This installment reviews the passage in Genesis 12 where Avram first has the “gospel” preached to him. We discover that the promises made to him go beyond “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed”. As we continue reading, we see the promises expanded and given more detail.