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Lech Lecha
31 Oct 2009
Genesis 12:1-17:27
Isaiah 40:27-41:16
Romans 4:1-25
This D’var discusses what faith is and what we need to do to, walk in
faith. The Torah shows us we must rely upon G-d. Nothing is impossible
if we put our trust and faith in the Living G-d. Just as Abraham was
blessed, we, too, are blessed and can be called “friends of G-d.”
Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will trust in the name
of the Lord, our G-d.
“With Abraham, the Era of Desolation ends and The Era of Torah begins”
Genesis 12:1-28:18
·
Patriarchal Age Begins With Abraham
·
Abraham established in Canaan (12:1-14:24)
·
Transition from Haran to Shechem, Bethel and the South Country (12:1-9)
·
Sojourn in Egypt (12:10-20)
·
Separation of Abraham and Lot (13:1-13)
·
The Land is Promised (13:14-18)
·
Lot rescued (14:1-16)
·
Abraham blessed by Melchizedek (14:17-24)
·
Abraham awaits the promised son (15:1-22; 24)
·
The son promised (15:1-21)
·
The birth of Ishmael (16:1-16)
·
The promise renewed AND
·
The covenant and its sign (17:1-27)
The scriptures declare “The just shall live by faith” This declaration is
quoted in four places in the Bible: Hab.2:1-5; Rom.1:17; Gal.3:10, 11;
Heb.10:38.
The just live by faith, have their confidence in G-d. To the person of
faith walking in faith is more than a philosophy of life; it is the very
principle of life. Faith is their whole life. Like our father Abraham we
live by faith, we are redeemed by faith, we are kept by faith in G-d’s
promises as was Abraham. Heb. 11:8-10; “ By faith Abraham, when he was
called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an
inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By
faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,
dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the
same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose
builder and maker is G-d.”
Faith defies reason; it moves mountains, it does not always face facts; it
never gives up. Faith says that G-d is working out His perfect will in my
life, and I can wait, endure, and suffer. Faith does not make anything
easy, but it does make all things possible (taken from C.N.T with Master
Outlines).
Abraham left his town, his friends, his family, and by faith in G-d, he
obeyed and turned from vain idols after G-d revealed His glory to him
(Acts 7:2).
Though we are not told about his journey to the promised land; we are
told that G-d gave him a promise of a future for him and his family, to
his children that he did not have yet; and blessing to all who would bless
him and his decedents; “I will bless those that bless you; and curse those
who curse you.”
Just as G-d was with Abraham, He also goes before us and has a word of
encouragement to us as we also walk in faith and obedience.
Shalom U’Brachot
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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