EnduringBlessing

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Lech-L'cha, which means "Go!", or "Leave!" This title comes from the first group of verses from Gen. 12: "Now the LORD had said to Abram, whom we now know as Abraham: 'Get out (yalak/halak - go, depart, follow, proceed, to walk, carry, bear, bring, carry away, spread, vanish, starting point/to lead, to bring, lead away, carry, be at the point) of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you." (v. 1).

     Abram's father, Terah (tarah - delay) had removed his family from Ur of the Chaldeans in Mesopotamia previously and came to Haran to live. Ur, the family's place of origin, means "flame, light of fire, brightness of fire, revelation, become light, glorious". Ur/or refers to the supernatural light spoken into being by God in the beginning of creation, but the city became the center for moon worship at the time. The family's original destination had been the land of Canaan, but they settled at Haran. Haran or Harran was an ancient city of strategic importance located in southeastern Turkey. After Abram's father died, Abram left Haran at the command of the LORD to go to Canaan at the age of seventy-five with His wife, his nephew Lot, and all of the people and possessions that they had acquired in Haran. (Gen. 11:27-32).

     We understand the command "Go out!" in English as issued by the LORD to Abram, but as we see in the Hebrew meaning above, it also means "to bring, to carry (away), to bear" while one "goes out". What was Abram carrying with him to Canaan? We will see more about this later, but we can find an important clue in the meaning of Abram's name. Abram/abiram/rum has the meaning: "exalted father"/Exalted One is my father, father of height/to rise, rise up, set on high, to be raised, be uplifted, to be lifted, heave, to rise or raise, set up on, sound of the trumpet, to offer sacrifices." Jesus said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.' This He said, signifying by what death He would die." (Jn. 12:32-33). Not only was Jesus "lifted up" in His death, but He was raised up in resurrection life after His death. He was also hidden within Abram's name.

     The LORD told Abram that He called Abram out of Mesopotamia into Canaan to be a father of a multitude and a great nation, even though Abram and his wife Sarai were old, and she was barren: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing...And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed...for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth...Arise, walk (halak/yalak - see above) in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you." Gen. 12:2-3, Gen. 13:15-17). The blessings that God spoke over Abram at this time would change the lives of billions yet to come.

     So Abram brought or carried (see yalak/halak above) the eternal but physically yet unborn Messiah/Christ Jesus, who was concealed within Abram's future generations, to the land that would inevitably and unstoppably become the nation of Israel by the Word of the LORD.  Of course, we find Jesus, or Yeshua in Hebrew, listed in scripture as a descendant of Abraham. (Mt. 1:1, Lk. 3:34). As far as establishing a nation of Israel is concerned, the prophetic Word of God says that out of Zion, not Ur of the Chaldees nor Haran of Asia Minor, comes the Deliverer (see Rom. 11:26, Isa. 59:20, Joel 2:32). The prophet Jeremiah, in another reading portion for this Sabbath, said that Jerusalem "shall be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts." (Jer. 3:17). One nation, Israel, created from one man, Abraham, as promised by the LORD would gather all nations to it and to the Throne of the LORD and to the name of the LORD.

     Jesus, speaking of Abraham, said: "Your father Abraham rejoiced (agalliao/hallomai - exceedingly glad, to exult, to jump for joy, to rejoice exceedingly/leap, spring up, to jump, to gush) to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." (Jn. 8:56). Jesus let us know that Abraham was either given a prophetic vision or revelation of his descendant, Jesus, as the Savior of the world, or saw it fulfilled from Paradise, and jumped for exceeding joy when he saw it. We can picture the scene when Abraham saw this wonderful thing and began "jumping for joy"!

     From another reading portion of this Sabbath, the LORD identifies Himself as the One who called the generations of Israel forth: "Who has performed and done it, calling (qara - call, cry out, preach, bidden, appoint, call and endow, give name to, address by name, call forth, proclaim, publish) the generations (dor/dur - all, many, an age as a period of time, dwelling place, evermore, posterity/in a circle, everlasting) from the beginning? I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last I am He...you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham, My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends (qasa - lowest, uttermost part, edges, extremity, from the whole of) of the earth, and called from its farthest regions (asil/asal - support, origins, rooted, from ancient and noble stock, deep roots into the earth/reserved, kept, set apart, separated, selected, a root joined and connected), and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isa. 41:4, 8-10).

    

     The LORD called forth the generations of Abraham by name from the beginning, the time of creation, before Abraham physically existed. The LORD's promise to old Abram and barren Sarai of many descendants was based upon the fact that the LORD had already fulfilled the promise before time began. Because of this purposeful prophetic calling of each by name from the beginning, the LORD can say this to the descendants of Abraham, and to us, his adopted descendants through Messiah/Christ: "...Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you." (Isa. 41:12-13). Scripture states: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law...that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we may receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal. 3:13-14). God set apart Abraham as His friend in one of the verses above. Jesus called His disciples His friends in the same manner if we do as He commands us to do. (Jn. 15:13-15). Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. (Gen. 15:5-6, James 2:23, Rom. 4:3). In the same way, our faith in Christ is directly joined in scripture to the faith of Abraham and as having the same result of righteousness. (Rom. 4:16-24, Gal. 3:6-9). Galatians 3:8 says that Abraham was preached the Gospel beforehand in the blessings promised to him (Gen. 12:2-3) as a prophetic promise of our salvation.

      In another reading portion from this Sabbath, the LORD directly connects His blessing spoken over Abraham and Sarah to righteousness and salvation: "Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD...Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him. For the LORD will comfort Zion...Listen to Me, My people; and give ear to Me O My nation: for the law will proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth...My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished...Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law....My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation." (Isa. 51:1-6 excerpt, and v. 8). 

     We often consider the blessings and promises that God spoke to Abraham as an "old" covenant, however, I hope we can see that the blessings spoken over Abraham by the LORD in Gen. 12 and the subsequent works that the LORD performed in Abraham's life still live and still produce the fruit of righteousness and salvation throughout all future generations of Abraham and all families of peoples (see again Gen. 12:2-3 above).

     If you would like to know more about the everlasting blessings of God of righteousness and salvation spoken over Abraham, his generations, and all families in the earth, you can join me in my prayer: "Heavenly Father, You called Abraham's generations forth by name from the beginning. You ordained a nation to come from Abraham, and You also promised that all families would be blessed because of it. Father, I hold onto those promised blessings of righteousness and salvation for my own family near and far, but also for all of the families of the earth, and especially Abraham's family. You said that all who bless Abraham would be blessed, and all who curse Abraham would be cursed. I bless Abraham and his descendants today as You blessed them. I bless the powerful omniscient work that You foresaw and accomplished for all of us through Your friendship with Abraham. I bless the Messiah/Christ Jesus who saved me and whom You called forth in due time from the generations of Abraham. I join Abraham, Father, in jumping for joy in all that You brought forth through him, and I pray that You bring forth the same kind of fruit from my life. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

 

Go!

Last week, we saw how God established His elect people. This week, we will see how God established, through a covenant with Abram/Abraham, the land promised to His elect people. This will be important in the end times before the return of Christ, as it has been throughout history. It started with a command from the LORD to "Go!...Get out!" That is also the title of this week's Sabbath reading portion, Lech L'cha, which covers Gen. chapters 12 through 17. Last week we saw that the Hebrew people (Eber) descended from Noah's oldest son, Shem. Continuing down the line of Shem's descendants, we eventually come to Abram, who would later be renamed "Abraham" by God. Abraham would be a spiritual earthquake, changing the course of history forever. However, first, the LORD had to move Abram from the Chaldean (Babylonion) city of Ur, to the territory of Canaan, which was inhabited by the descendants of Noah's second son, Ham. Abram's father had earlier relocated his family, including Abram and his wife Sarai, from Ur to Haran, an Assyrian city (Gen. 11:31-32). However, this was not where God wanted Abram to dwell. He commanded Abram to "get out" of his father's house, and "go" (yalak, yalak [2X] - to go, walk, to die, live, manner of life, to lead, bring, carry, cause to walk, flow, take away, vanish, lead away) to a land that God would show (ra'a - reveal, be made visible, discern, perceive, be exhibited to, have vision, cause to see) him (Gen. 12:1). We think that God wished to establish from Abram and his descendants the land that would be called "Israel", and that is true, but the plan of God is not limited to that, and does not end there, as He revealed to Abram: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (v. 2-3). From the Hebrew words used above, Abram's departure was not just for himself, but to lead or bring others "out" as well. Abram did as the LORD commanded and departed (yasa - exit, come out, go forth with purpose, lead out, to deliver, break out) from Haran (haran/harar - dried up, parched/to burn, be scorched, charred, melt, dry up, be angry, destroyed by heat) (v. 4). Abram is leading others out of a place that destroys by an angry, burning heat. This is not just about Abram, but Abram as a symbol of deliverance for others. Abram did indeed bring others out: "Then Abram took (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Sarai (sarai/sar/sarar - princess, nobility/ruler, commander, governor, chief, leader, task master/have power, rule over, prevail over, to hold dominion, act as a prince) his wife and Lot (covering over face making sad, veil, wrap tightly, hide, do secretly, incantation) his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people (nefes/napas - souls, life, living creature/to breathe, refresh, breathe upon, current of air) whom they had acquired (asa - make, wrought, keep, commit, prepare, accomplish, act with effect, celebrate, ordain, bring about) in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan (meaning merchant, traffick, bring down, subdue, vanquish, depressed, bow down). So they came to the land of Canaan." (v. 5). The command given to Abram to "get out" will change the spiritual landscape. While God was establishing new boundaries for the inhabitants of the land, He was also pulling down old spiritual boundaries. The people that Abram established were not only his physical descendants, but many spiritual descendants also, as a hero of faith in the Word of the LORD to him, just as the LORD prophesied (Heb. 11:8-10). One of Abram's descendants was Jesus, who blessed all of the people of the world with the promise of everlasting life through Him. One of the things that Abram believed God for was a heavenly city built by God (Heb. 11:10, see also Rev. 21:1-6, 22:1-5). Jesus, although He was physically born approximately two thousand years after Abram, knew Abram, and Abram knew Jesus, as Jesus revealed to those who questioned Him: "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham...Your father, Abraham, rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad...Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (Jn. 8:52-58). If you accept Abraham as a father of your faith, than you must accept all that Abraham knew by the revelation of God, and by which he walked the physical and spiritual land. The LORD told Abram: "Lift (nasa - be lifted up, exalted, lift oneself up, rise up, to carry or bear continuously, endure, forgive) your eyes now (na - pray, please, in entreaty or exhortation) and look (ra'a - look, behold, perceive, inspect, foresee, have vision, learn about, distinguish, consider, discern, to be visible) from the place where you are - northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever...Arise (qum - raise, establish, bring on the scene, confirm, perform, stand, become powerful, be fulfilled), walk in the land through its length (orek/arak - physical length, forever in length of time/to be causitive, long of time, extend, stretch, lengthen) and its width (rohab/rahab - width, expanse, great breadth of heart and understanding/to grow wide, be enlarged), for I give it to you." (Gen. 13:14-17). Abram was being asked by God to "see" from a heavenly perspective, not necessarily from an earthly one. He was to "see" prophetically, supernaturally, from this spiritually raised position. He was to bear and carry this vision from the LORD, inspect it, discern it, study it, or meditate upon it, according to the meanings of the Hebrew words used. God entrusted His vision to this man. This land was promised to Abram, and his (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) seed, or descendants (see Gen. 13:15-16 in Hebrew). The walk with which Abram was to walk the land was a walk through time, and heart and understanding, as well as physical length and width. We sometimes view Abraham as an "Old Testament" figure only, but God viewed Abraham as having presence and spiritual influence throughout time. In other readings from this Lech L'cha, or "Go!", Sabbath portion, the prophets wrote about the eternal importance and meaning of Abraham's life. And this eternal presence of Abraham was to be a comfort to God's people: "Comfort, yes, comfort My people!' says your God. Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned..." (Isa. 40:1-2). One of these comforts, a word which also includes the meaning "to repent", lies in the fact that the LORD called the generations of Abraham: "Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last, I am He...you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob (Abraham's grandson), whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you, and not cast you away...Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing." (Isa. 41:4, 8-9, 12). The LORD remembers Abraham and His many and diverse descendants forever, and is committed to them. This is their continual comfort. In another Sabbath reading for this week, the Word of the LORD calls upon His people to look to Abraham: "Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness; you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him." (Isa. 51:1-2). What does the LORD expect His people to see as they "look to" and reconnect with their patriarch, Abraham? As Jesus said above, the same thing that Abraham discovered: the One who leads to comfort, joy, gladness, thanksgiving and justice (v. 3-4), the One who is righteousness and salvation, the One whom Abraham knew in his walk with eternity and the enlarging of his heart and understanding: the Messiah/Savior/Lord Jesus. The LORD continues: "My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth...But My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished...But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation." (v. 5, 6, 8). Here's a hint regarding the connecting to Abraham. The LORD also says to His people: "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner." (v. 6). When God tells His people to lift up their eyes, it is the same word, nasa (see above), with which Abram was instructed to "see" - with a supernatural, prophetic sight from the realm of the heavens: to carry and bear that vision received from heaven until it is manifested in the earth. It is no coincidence that as the signs of the end times before Christ's return become more and more difficult, Jesus told His disciples to "...look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Lk. 21:28). Peter wrote that "we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Pet. 3:13). How many of us are "looking" in this manner, and how many of us have our eyes fixed instead on the things which are here, now, natural and passing away? If Abraham is a father of your faith, you must "see" what he saw. If we are counted as Abraham's children, both natural and by faith and Spirit, then we must do the works of Abraham, as Jesus said (see above). We have seen here that Abram saw both a natural and supernatural (the City of God mentioned above) land. In another reading selection from this Sabbath lesson, Lech L'cha, or "Go!", the prophet Jeremiah reveals a powerful image as he calls God's people to repent, turn from their own sinful ways, and return to the LORD. By doing so, the LORD will transform them. The LORD also said: "At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne (kisse/kasa - seat of honor, throne, dignity, authority, power, canopied [covered] throne, royal throne, the tribunal of a judge, the seat of the high priest/cover, conceal, hide, to cover over sins, to pardon) of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD (YHWH - "Behold the hand, Behold the nail"), to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their own evil hearts." (Jer. 3:17). Nations shall be transformed as well by the Throne of the LORD. The supernatural vision of the land, as well as the natural vision, contains the Throne of the LORD. Ultimately, it is from this Throne that the Lord, who is the Lamb, says: "Behold, I make all things new...It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega (aleph-tav), the Beginning and the End..." (see Rev. 21:5-6). Abraham was not just an "Old Testament" patriarch. He carried the vision of God that extends into our time, and all time into the future. It is the same vision that made a way of salvation for all, both physically, as Jesus is a descendant of Abraham, and spiritually, as Abraham removed from Haran the people (souls) who belonged to him, and obediently lifted up his eyes to see, and walk the length and width of the land. If you would like to know more about our forefather of faith, Abraham, and his works, you can pray with me: "Father in heaven, You elected Abraham to receive Your prophetic promises, Your vision, and Your walk for my sake. As I seek a closer relationship with You, I look back to Abraham, whom You called, "My friend". Jesus called His disciples His friends as well. Teach me by Your Spirit, to lift up my eyes, and see in the way that You would have your people to see. Teach me to walk the land carrying the prophetic vision of the new things promised in Your Word. Let me do the works of Abraham of which Jesus spoke, works of faith in the One Abraham knew outside of time, Jesus, my Savior. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

Journey

This is the story of a man whose actions almost destroyed a country. He was also a man with whom God created a covenant.
Abraham (Abram) was a man who had been called out of his homeland by God to journey to a place that He would show him. His home city of Ur, and his family's later dwelling city of Haran/Harran were both centers known for their temples dedicated to moon worship, particularly to a god called Sin, who was associated with that form of worship. The most common symbol of this moon worship was a crescent moon.
"Now the LORD had said to Abram: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse (bitterly curse) him who curses (make light of, trifle, dishonor) you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."   Gen. 12:1-3
The two mentions of "curse" in the above verses, while the same in English, are two different words in  Hebrew. The first mention, for those who dishonor Abram, is much more severe. In a certain way, I would also think that this puts an even greater onus on Abram (and us). Imagine if Abram's own behavior caused others to disrespect or slight him?
The above verses are the first mention of the covenant that God made with Abram. Abram did go into Canaan with his wife, and his nephew Lot. Abraham left most of his family in the pagan city of Haran, but brought with him the possessions, and people (souls) that he had acquired there, and journeyed to the land to which God was directing him.
Abram journeyed through Canaan until he got to Shechem (to load a burden on the back or shoulder), and the terebinth tree (strong tree, ram as food and sacrifice, pillar, door post, lintels) of Moreh (teacher, early rain, watered, to direct or instruct, to shoot arrows). The LORD appeared to Abram here, and promised to give this land to Abram and his descendants (v. 7). From all of the meanings of the places in Canaan to which Abram journeyed, we are perhaps given a portrait of a humble, crucified Christ, who subjected Himself to the will of His Father. Even the Hebrew meaning of the word "Canaan" makes it a place of either humbling oneself, a place of bowing the knee, to bring oneself into subjection, or to be severely humbled by God, or by others, even vanquished.
Abram continued his journey and pitched his tent (ohel:covering, tabernacle, to be clear, to shine) between Bethel (House of God: ram for food/sacrifice, doorpost and lintel) and Ai (heap of ruins, overturned, iniquity, perversity, crooked, wicked). In this place, Abram built an altar, and called upon the name of the LORD. Could it be that Abram was positioned between these two places, between the place of iniquity and perversity, and the house of the ram's provision and sacrifice, in order to act as an intercessor?
However, Abram journeyed again to the south (negev: parched), where he found extreme famine conditions. Because of these conditions, he journeyed on to Egypt. Abram was evidently familiar enough with Egypt to know that the Egyptians at that time coveted beautiful women, and collected them, like other people collect stamps. Abram instructed his wife, Sarai, that as they enter Egypt, she should pose as his sister, instead of his wife, so the Egyptians wouldn't kill him to get to her. Sure enough, the princes of the land spotted Sarai, and told Pharaoh about her. Pharaoh then took her into his house. Abram was treated well by Pharaoh in return, and given servants and animals in exchange for his "sister" (v. 16). This could not have been Abram's finest hour (yet he would do the same thing again at a later date with a different king: Gen. 20). Because of Abram's deception, Pharaoh will now be "cursed", as the LORD had promised Abram in the beginning:
"But the LORD plagued (nagah: to reach violently, to strike) Pharaoh and his house with great (gadowl: great in intensity and magnitude, even as God Himself) plagues (negah: wound, sore, stripes, disease, mark) because of Sarai, Abram's wife."  Gen. 12:17
These terrible things must have puzzled Pharaoh. What had he done to deserve it? He  eventually found out:
"And Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, "She is my sister"? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife. Take her and go your way."  Gen. 12:18-19
Pharaoh had his men "escort" Abram and his wife away, again with all of the possessions that Abram had.
Abram wisely returns to the place between Bethel and Ai (see above), to the place where he had been before, where he first built an altar to the LORD, and called upon His name (Gen. 13:3-4). He would find, however, that the people and goods that he had brought with him, both from Haran, and additionally from Egypt, would cause a great deal of strife for his household (v. 6-7). This would bring Abram to other turning points in his journey in the future.
Learning from Abram's example, I think that we must give great thought to how we act, the choices we make, and the "stuff" we bring with us on the journey that God has assigned us. Our choices will make the difference in our own walk, and will have repercussions, good or bad, for those we meet along the way. The manner in which we, God's people, make our journey, will also impact our nation, bringing possible bitter cursing, or honor and blessing, destruction and ruin, or salvation and revival. Like Abram, we have been placed between those two different places for a purpose. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless us, guide us, and help us as we make our journey through Canaan land.

Our Father has a journey for us.

"Strength for the Journey"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqvmopOBUZY

Abram

Before the LORD began to reveal Abram's future descendants and their inheritance to him in Gen. 15, the LORD allowed Abram to see a special covenant sacrifice. The types of animals used in this sacrifice would also be used as sacrifices by future generations in the Tabernacle, and Temple of God.
The wonderful thing about this revelation to Abram ("The Exalted One is My Father") is that it was the Gospel of Salvation that was revealed. No other man that we know of, ever witnessed this revelation in this awesome manner. It is one of the most amazing events in scripture.
This is the Gospel according to Abram:
"So He (the LORD) said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtle dove, and a young pigeon."    Gen. 15:9
The significance of some of these animals being three years old, is that they are the more valuable because at this age, they are grown, or nearly grown, becoming able to produce, or having been trained to work. The meanings of the Hebrew words used to describe the animals are also interesting:
heifer- circular, round, revolve
she goat- strong, prevail, make firm, make secure
ram- sacrifice, a leader, pillar, door frame, door posts
turtle dove- beloved, succession, order, plait or braid of hair or gold, circlet, an ornament
                   worn for the head
young pigeon (nestling)- wounded, flay, strip, to tear away, seize, take away by violence,
                                        galled (make sore) and wounded
In these animals I see the circular, revolving world. I see the strong and prevailing Father, who made the world firm and secure in Himself by offering His beloved successor, or Son, a Leader Himself, as a sacrifice upon a pillar, a frame, a support, a doorway. This Son's Kingship, mocked but declared to all, was seen in the plaited circlet (of thorns) He was given for His head. This beloved successor was taken by violence, wounded, flayed, stripped. I see John 3:16 all over this:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son....."

 

Let us continue with the experience of Abram:

"And when the vultures (fowl) came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him."      Gen. 15:11-12

fowls- ravenous, birds of prey, shrieking, screaming, greedy, swooping, rushing, pressing,

          indignant, wrath

carcass- dead body, exhausted, faint, void of strength

drove away- blow, disperse by blowing

sun- brilliance, battlements, pinnacles, shields

was going down- besiege, come against, stricken

deep sleep- very great inertness, stupefy with sleep or death

horror- terror, dread, terrible, frightful, formidable

great darkness- intense, powerful darkness, misery, withholding of light, hidden

 

As Jesus was losing strength on the cross, and had become exhausted and faint, I can almost hear the shrieking of the demons as they greedily came swooping in to devour in their great wrath. The breath of God, the Ruach ha Kodesh, blew them and dispersed them from touching the Son of God. His holy One would not see corruption (Ps. 16:10). This brilliant Pinnacle, Battlement of defense, and Shield of God was besieged and stricken.

As He was stricken, as this Son died on the cross, Abram experienced the terror, the profound and extremely powerful darkness and misery of death.

However, before we even got to this point, before Abram had even experienced this, the LORD had come in a vision to Abram in the first verse of this chapter, and had told him, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, and your exceedingly great reward (price, compensation, fare, prepared banquet)."

In the middle of this darkness, a smoking furnace, and a burning torch passed between the pieces of the sacrifice. In forming a covenant, men would pass between the divided pieces of the sacrifice together (Jer. 34:18-19). However, this covenant that Abram was witnessing was a covenant that had been made between Father and Son (Ex. 19:15, Jn. 1:4, Isa. 62:1, Ps. 119:105), that the Son was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Mt. 13:35, 25:34, Jn. 17:24, Eph. 1:4, Heb. 9:26, 1 Pet. 1:20, Rev. 13:8, 17:8). It was the covenant made to provide atonement, salvation, and everlasting life to man.These forms of smoke, light and fire,  "overflowed/impregnated" these "cut off, separated, destroyed" carcasses. No man, including Abram, who did not walk between the pieces, was involved in this covenant.

In a prophetic promise to Abram in this chapter (v. 13-14), in the same manner that the Gospel of Jesus takes us from a condition of bondage to sin, fear and death into the freedom of life, Spirit, and Truth, the LORD tells Abram that He will deliver Abram's descendants from the affliction of slavery. They would come out of this bondage with great possessions. This prophetic Word, this Light, had been spoken over these future descendants, and would deliver them.

Immediately following this revelation of the Gospel, on this same day, the LORD did make a covenant with Abram (v. 18-21) promising his not-yet-born descendants the physical land from the river of Egypt to the River Euphrates. Again, in this covenant, we can see the Gospel by looking at the Hebrew meanings of the words involved:

The spiritual land from the river of Egypt (besieged place, siege enclosure, entrenchment, distress, confine, adversary, foe)) to the River Euphrates (fruitfulness, to break forth, sweet water, fruit-bearing tree) extends from the waters of "death/misery" to the waters of "abundant life". This is the land of the Son.

"...that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

 

 

 

Our Father is our shield and our very great reward.

 

 



 



"Grace to Overcome"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gia4BYZnP-k

 

Dedicated to, and in remembrance of Jennifer C.