Lesson date: 13/22/5854AA
Verses 1-2 – Bereshith 18 & 19 have a very special meaning to me. One day, while reading them, I had to stop and ask a question, “Who is the Messenger of YHVH”? Like we have talked about many times, I came to Hebrew through Arabic and Aramaic, so as I read these chapters I kept getting slapped in the face by the word Mamre. Mamre in Aramaic means word, or actually Word! So, look at it for my standpoint, “Vayyera” = H7200 – which is written in the niphal verb form of ra’ah which means “He appeared” or better yet, “He presented Himself before” Abraham beside the strong, mighty tree of “the Word”. I was completely blown away. In actuality it is saying, “He made Himself visible to Abraham”.
What had just happened? Abraham had been obedient to YHVH’s command and circumcised himself and all the males of his household. Now, after having been obedient Abraham was seated under the mighty terebinth tree, which is associated numerous times with Abraham, and he was enjoying the shade of the Word: Psa 121:5 יהוה is your guard; יהוה is your shade at your right hand.
Psa 121:6 The sun does not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. ((More about the sun and moon later if we have time))
Chapters 18 and 19 would forever change my understanding of who the Messenger (Angel) of Elohim is in Scripture. Let’s follow the progression of these Scriptures. Mamre, (H4471) is used, as a proper noun, 10 times in Hebrew Scripture and is always in association with Abraham. In Aramaic Targums mamre is used throughout Scripture many times and almost always points to Yeshua as the Word of Elohim with the exception of when it is used as an ‘oak’ tree or ‘terebinth’ or referring to a man who had a covenant with Abraham. The biggest shock for me was when I read a targum (I don’t remember exactly which one it may have been Onkelos) and instead of the word “destroyer” in Shemoth 12:23 it said Mamre. Wow! Yeshua is the destroyer or Avenging Angel.
Now, in the heat of the day Abraham is seated in the tent door (ohel pethach) under the shade of the terebinth trees of Mamre. How many times have we located our tents at Succot under the shade of trees so that the heat of the day would not be so oppressive? We can identify with what Abraham was doing by pitching his tent in the shade of trees. Let’s look at the word for sat: H3427 – יָשַׁב – yâshab – yaw-shab’ – A primitive root; properly to sit down (specifically as judge, in ambush, in quiet); by implication to dwell,
We can easily see that Abraham was seated in the tent door in Mamre or we could also say he was “dwelling in the Word”. Beautiful! During the heat of the day Abraham was taking a break and dwelling in the Word.
Remember, I told you about the mighty word of “na”? The word “na” is hardly ever translated properly in the KJV. It is the same word as our “please”. I honestly believe that it is mistranslated for the purpose of making YHVH sound like the “angry” God and Yeshua as the “God of love”. Just my thoughts on the subject. Nevertheless, we find the word “na” used in verse 3. First, before we go to verse 3 what happens in verse 2 should be apparent to us. Abraham saw 3 men standing opposite him. Why 3 men? For what reason should there be three? Deu 17:6 “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is to die be put to death. He is not put to death by the mouth of one witness.
Deu 19:15 “One witness does not rise up against a man concerning any crookedness or any sin that he commits. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses a matter is established.
In other words, someone is about to die.
Verse 3 – What is the first word out of the mouth of Abraham? YHVH. How did Abraham recognize the Angel of YHVH? Exo 23:21 “Be on guard before Him and obey His voice. Do not rebel against Him, for He is not going to pardon your transgression, for My Name is in Him.
I have never, knowingly, met an Angel of YHVH. Had I done so, I believe that there is something about this Messenger that I would recognize. Somehow, we will immediately recognize that He comes in the Name of YHVH.
Let’s look at one more word in verse 3 – favour. The here is Chen: H2580 – חֵן – chên – khane – From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): – favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
In other words GRACE.
Verse 4 – I believe that there are two words missing in verse 4 (call me a romantic). I believe verse 4 should be read in this manner: Gen 18:4 “Please let a little water be brought, and let me wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.” Why? Joh_13:5 After that He put water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the taught ones, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
This is what the host of a meal does. He washes the feet of his guest(s) of honor. Remember, in Semitic cultures you never cross your legs in a way that would expose the bottom of your feet toward someone. This is a huge insult. But, for the host to humble himself in such a way as to wash the dust of the road from a traveller’s feet is the greatest form of hospitality. In Bere. 18:4 we see Abraham wash the feet of the Word and in John 13:5 we see the Word wash the feet of His talmidim. Gal 3:16 But the promises were spoken to Aḇraham, and to his Seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Messiah. Beautiful. ((I told you I was a romantic.))
Once again, I somewhat disagree with the translation of “rest yourselves”. H8172 – שָׁעַן – shâ‛an – shaw-an’ – A primitive root; to support one’s self: – lean, lie, rely, rest (on, self), stay.
The idea of sitting at a table in a chair was and, in some locations, still is foreign to Semitic cultures. One does not sit at a table but rather reclines at a table. I believe Abraham is telling his guest, “Recline yourselves because I am going to serve you a meal.”
Verses 5-8 – Abraham has the permission of the Angel of YHVH to prepare a meal for Him and His companions. All of this takes time. Have you ever cooked a calf? I can only imagine what they must have discussed during this “intermission”. (Why did I use this word?)
Verse 9 – “Where is Sarah your wife?” This is worded perfectly. In Aramaic the Angel could have asked “ayna baytukum?” Which, if the Angel of YHVH did not have a close personal relationship with Abraham he would have been asking “where is your tent”? But because the Angel of YHVH had a close personal relationship with Abraham the question means “Where is your wife?” This is where the English phrase “Your home is where your heart is” comes from. Your home, or tent, is where your wife is. It is a beautiful phrase. And, Abraham’s response is, “See, in the tent.” This single phrase has several meanings.
Verse 10-14 – “I shall certainly return to you according to the time of life,”
The Angel of YHVH is actually Abraham, “I am going to turn back the biological clock of you and Sarah, your wife.”
“And Sarah laughed within herself” She did not laugh out loud nor did she say out loud that she and Abraham were too old to have children. She said within herself, to herself. What does this prove?
Psa 44:21 Would Elohim not search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
Psa 94:11 יהוה knows the thoughts of man, That they are but a breath.
Let’s look at a couple of things; First, verse 11 “the way of women” literally means a well trodden road. From menarche to menopause, unless pregnant, it is one thing a woman can count on, a monthly cycle, and second “return” H7725 – שׁוּב – shûb – shoob – A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Returning to the starting point of manhood, womanhood is a great way of envisioning this phrase.
Look at the simplicity of verse 14, “Is any matter too hard for YHVH?” NO!
Verse 15 – I will, by the grace of YHVH, remember what happened to me when I died in the hospital for those brief moments. I wanted to speak out and enumerate all the things that I had done for “God” when He asked “Daryl, what have you done for Me?”, but couldn’t. All I could say was “Nothing, Father.” In like manner, Sarah wants to deny her thoughts to the Angel of YHVH, but she can’t, we can’t. He knows us better than we know ourselves, “You did laugh” within your heart.
Verse 16-19 – Look at the phrase in 16 that says: Aḇraham went with them to send them away
This was a custom and is still a custom practiced by some Bedouins, that the “lord” of the house would escort his guests to the furthest boundary of his control to ensure the safety of his guests.
Before I go further I want to first share this Scripture with you: Gen 20:7 “And now, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and let him pray for you and you live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall certainly die, you and all that are yours.”
Why is this so important? Because what takes place in these verses. Whether the Angel of YHVH talks to Himself or, to His two companions we don’t know but, the Angel makes the decision to tell Abraham what He is about to do. This is very important. Why? Watch: Amo 3:7 For the Master יהוה does no matter unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
Abraham was in the eyes of YHVH His prophet and therefore He had to reveal to him what was about to happen.
Verses 19-21 – If YHVH is all knowing why does He do this? Go back to the bottom of page 1 and you will see the reason. YHVH sent His Messengers to reconnoiter the situation in Sedom and if they found it as grevious as they were told it was then they were given permission to destroy it. But it first had to be confirmed in the eyes of 2 or more witnesses.
Verse 22 – This verse of Scripture in conjunction with Ber. 19:18 forever changed my concept of His Name. It is all about His Name. Exo 23:21 “Be on guard before Him and obey His voice. Do not rebel against Him, for He is not going to pardon your transgression, for My Name is in Him.
Mat 6:9 “This, then, is the way you should pray: ‘Our Father who is in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart,
Joh 5:43 “I have come in My Father’s Name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you would receive.
Joh 17:11 “And I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Set-apart Father, guard them in Your Name which You have given Me, so that they might be one, as We are.
Please allow me this flight of fancy. YHVH convenes His Council and says: Yeshua, Mika’el and Gabri’el, I want the 3 of you to go and present yourself before Abraham, my prophet and reveal to him what is about to happen. You will go in My Name and you will have the power and authority of My Name wherever you go. Now go.”
Just like we see in Melakim Aleph 22:19-22.
I will jump ahead to Ber. 19:18. What has happened? The Messenger of YHVH is still talking to Abraham about what is about to transpire and the two other messengers go on ahead to Sedom. Lot recognizes them and invites them in. When they reveal to Lot what is about to happen he cries out to the speaker, “Oh no YHVH”. This is when I said, “Wait a cotton picking minute. YHVH is still talking to Abraham where did this new YHVH come for? ((Yes, I said cotton picking.)) That is when I realized that upon whomever YHVH places His Name that One is YHVH. Now let’s look again at a verse of Scripture above: Joh 17:11 “And I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Set-apart Father, guard them in Your Name which You have given Me, so that they might be one, as We are. Do you see and understand what “one” means now? Num 6:27 “Thus they shall put My Name on the children of Yisra’ĕl, and I Myself shall bless them.”
Do you see why this verse of Scripture is so important to me? I want His Name upon us.
Verse 23-32 – Would you destroy the righteous with the wrong? This is the beginning of the famous bargaining between Abraham and the Messenger of YHVH. Why does Abraham stop at 10? Why not 9?
Verse 33 – What is Abraham thinking as he watches YHVH disappear into the shimmering heat waves? Will my nephew Lot be destroyed? What about his wife and children? Have I failed them?
Ahavah,
Lesson date: 05/14/5858AA
“The Messenger of YHVH” or “And He appeared”
Once again we see the word וַיֵּרָא – vayyerah – “And He appeared” and once again we see where Abraham “just happened to be” beneath the terebinth trees of Mamre. Remember why this is important? מַמְרֵּא בְאֵּלֹנֵּ י – ‘b’eyloney Mamrĕ’:
a Aleph – Strong leader, strong leader goes forward, El or Elohim
l Lamed – Shepherd’s staff, authority, shepherd, by implication “the good shepherd”
f Vav – Tent peg, to affix, attach, join together
n Nun – Seed, sprouting seed, action, life
The Strong Leader (Elohim) is the Good Shepherd and Joins us Together with His Seed (Son).
Verses 1-2 – Bereshith 18 & 19 have a very special meaning to me. One day, while reading them, I had to stop and ask a question, “Who is the Messenger of YHVH”? Like we have talked about many times, I came to Hebrew through Arabic and Aramaic, so as I read these chapters I kept getting slapped in the face by the word Mamre. Mamre in Aramaic means word, or actually Word! So, look at it from my standpoint, “Vayyera” = H7200 – which is written in the niphal verb form of ra’ah which means “He appeared” or better yet, “He presented Himself before” Abraham beside the strong, mighty tree of “the Word”. I was completely blown away. In actuality it is saying, “He made Himself visible to Abraham”.
What had just happened? Abraham had been obedient to YHVH’s command and circumcised himself and all the males of his household. Now, after having been obedient Abraham was seated under the mighty terebinth trees, which is associated numerous times with Abraham, and he was enjoying the shade of the Word: Psa 121:5 יהוה is your guard; יהוה is your shade at your right hand.
Psa 121:6 The sun does not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. ((More about the sun and moon later if we have time))
Chapters 18 and 19 would forever change my understanding of who the Messenger (Angel) of Elohim is in Scripture. Let’s follow the progression of these Scriptures. Mamre, (H4471) is used, as a proper noun, 10 times in Hebrew Scripture and is always in association with Abraham. In Aramaic Targums mamre is used throughout Scripture many times and almost always point to Yeshua as the Word of Elohim with the exception of when it is used as an ‘oak’ tree or ‘terebinth’ or referring to a man who had a covenant with Abraham. The biggest shock for me was when I read a targum (I don’t remember exactly which one it may have been Onkelos) and instead of the word “destroyer” in Shemoth 12:23 it said Mamre. Wow! Yeshua is the destroyer or Avenging Angel.
Now, in the heat of the day Abraham is seated in the tent door (ohel pethach) under the shade of the terebinth trees of Mamre. How many times have we located our tents at Succot under the shade of trees so that the heat of the day would not be so oppressive? We can identify with what Abraham was doing by pitching his tent in the shade of trees. Let’s look at the word for sat: H3427 – יָשַׁב – yâshab – yaw-shab’ – A primitive root; properly to sit down (specifically as judge, in ambush, in quiet); by implication to dwell,
We can easily see that Abraham was seated in the tent door in Mamre or we could also say he was “dwelling in the Word”. Beautiful! During the heat of the day Abraham was taking a break and dwelling in the Word.
Remember, I told you about the mighty word of “na”? The word “na” is hardly ever translated properly in the KJV. It is the same word as our “please”. I honestly believe that it is mistranslated for the purpose of making YHVH sound like the “angry” God and Yeshua as the “God of love”. Just my thoughts on the subject. Nevertheless, we find the word “na” used in verse 3. First, before we go to verse 3 what happens in verse 2 should be apparent to us. Abraham saw 3 men standing opposite him. Why 3 men? For what reason should there be three? Deu 17:6 “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is to die be put to death. He is not put to death by the mouth of one witness.
Deu 19:15 “One witness does not rise up against a man concerning any crookedness or any sin that he commits. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses a matter is established.
In other words, someone is about to die.
Verse 3 – What is the first word out of the mouth of Abraham? YHVH. How did Abraham recognize the Angel of YHVH? Exo 23:21 “Be on guard before Him and obey His voice. Do not rebel against Him, for He is not going to pardon your transgression, for My Name is in Him.
I have never, knowingly, met an Angel of YHVH. Had I done so, I believe that there is something about this Messenger that I would recognize. Somehow, we will immediately recognize that He comes in the Name of YHVH.
Let’s look at one more word in verse 3 – favour. The here is Chen: H2580 – חֵן – chên – khane – From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): – favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
In other words GRACE.
Verse 4 – I believe that there are two words missing in verse 4 (call me a romantic). I believe verse 4 should be read in this manner: Gen 18:4 “Please let a little water be brought, and let me wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.” Why? Joh_13:5 After that He put water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the taught ones, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
This is what the host of a meal does. He washes the feet of his guest(s) of honor. Remember, in Semitic cultures you never cross your legs in a way that would expose the bottom of your feet toward someone. This is a huge insult. But, for the host to humble himself in such a way as to wash the dust of the road from a travellers feet is the greatest form of hospitality. In Bere. 18:4 we see Abraham wash the feet of the Word and in John 13:5 we see the Word wash the feet of His talmidim. Gal 3:16 But the promises were spoken to Aḇraham, and to his Seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Messiah. Beautiful. ((I told you I was a romantic.))
Once again, I somewhat disagree with the translation of “rest yourselves”. H8172 – שָׁעַן – shâ‛an – shaw-an’ – A primitive root; to support one’s self: – lean, lie, rely, rest (on, self), stay.
The idea of sitting at a table in a chair was and, in some locations, still is foreign to Semitic cultures. One does not sit at a table but rather reclines at a table. I believe Abraham is telling his guest, “Recline yourselves because I am going to serve you a meal.”
Verses 5-8 – Abraham has the permission of the Angel of YHVH to prepare a meal for Him and His companions. All of this takes time. Have you ever cooked a calf? I can only imagine what they must have discussed during this “intermission”. (Why did I use this word?)
Verse 9 – “Where is Sarah your wife?” This is worded perfectly. In Aramaic the Angel could have asked “ayna baytukum?” Which, if the Angel of YHVH did not have a close personal relationship with Abraham he would have been asking “where is your tent”? But because the Angel of YHVH had a close personal relationship with Abraham the question means “Where is your wife?” This is where the English phrase “Your home is where your heart is” comes from. Your home, or tent, is where your wife is. It is a beautiful phrase. And, Abraham’s response is, “See, in the tent.” This single phrase has several meanings.
Verse 10-14 – “I shall certainly return to you according to the time of life,”
The Angel of YHVH is actually telling Abraham, “I am going to turn back the biological clock of you and Sarah, your wife.”
“And Sarah laughed within herself” She did not laugh out loud nor did she say out loud that she and Abraham were too old to have children. She said within herself, to herself. What does this prove?
Psa 44:21 Would Elohim not search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
Psa 94:11 יהוה knows the thoughts of man, That they are but a breath.
Let’s look at a couple of things; First, verse 11 “the way of women” literally means a well trodden road. From menarche to menopause, unless pregnant, it is one thing a woman can count on, a monthly cycle, and second “return” H7725 – שׁוּב – shûb – shoob – A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Returning to the starting point of manhood, womanhood is a great way of envisioning this phrase.
Look at the simplicity of verse 14, “Is any matter too hard for YHVH?” NO!
Verse 15 – I will, by the grace of YHVH, remember what happened to me when I died in the hospital for those brief moments. I wanted to speak out and enumerate all the things that I had done for “God” when He asked “What have you done for Me?”, but couldn’t. All I could say was “Nothing, Father.” In like manner, Sarah wants to deny her thoughts to the Angel of YHVH, but she can’t, we can’t. He knows us better than we know ourselves, “You did laugh” within your heart.
Verse 16-19 – Look at the phrase in 16 that says: Aḇraham went with them to send them away
This was a custom and is still a custom practiced by some Bedouins, that the “lord” of the house would escort his guests to the furtherest boundary of his control to insure the safety of his guests.
Before I go further I want to first share this Scripture with you: Gen 20:7 “And now, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and let him pray for you and you live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall certainly die, you and all that are yours.”
Why is this so important? Because what takes place in these verses. Whether the Angel of YHVH talks to Himself or, to His two companions we don’t know but, the Angel makes the decision to tell Abraham what He is about to do. This is very important. Why? Watch: Amo 3:7 For the Master יהוה does no matter unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
Abraham was in the eyes of YHVH His prophet and therefore He had to reveal to him what was about to happen.
Verses 19-21 – If YHVH is all knowing why does He do this? Go back to the bottom of page 1 and you will see the reason. YHVH sent His Messengers to reconnoiter the situation in Sedom and if they found it as grevious as they were told it was then they were given permission to destroy it. But it first had to be confirmed in the eyes of 2 or more witnesses.
Verse 22 – This verse of Scripture in conjunction with Ber. 19:18 forever changed my concept of His Name. It is all about His Name. Exo 23:21 “Be on guard before Him and obey His voice. Do not rebel against Him, for He is not going to pardon your transgression, for My Name is in Him.
Mat 6:9 “This, then, is the way you should pray: ‘Our Father who is in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart,
Joh 5:43 “I have come in My Father’s Name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you would receive.
Joh 17:11 “And I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Set-apart Father, guard them in Your Name which You have given Me, so that they might be one, as We are.
Please allow me this flight of fancy. YHVH convenes His Council and says: Yeshua, Mika’el and Gabri’el, I want the 3 of you to go and present yourself before Abraham, my prophet and reveal to him what is about to happen. You will go in My Name and you will have the power and authority of My Name wherever you go. Now go.”
Just like we see in Melakim Aleph 22:19-22.
I will jump ahead to Ber. 19:18. What has happened? The Messenger of YHVH is still talking to Abraham about what is about to transpire and the two other messengers go on ahead to Sedom. Lot recognizes them and invites them in. When they reveal to Lot what is about to happen he cries out to the speaker, “Oh no YHVH”. This is when I said, “Wait a cotton picking minute. YHVH is still talking to Abraham where did this new YHVH come for? ((Yes, I said cotton picking.)) That is when I realized that upon whomever YHVH places His Name that One is YHVH. Now let’s look again at a verse of Scripture above: Joh 17:11 “And I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Set-apart Father, guard them in Your Name which You have given Me, so that they might be one, as We are. Do you see and understand what “one” means now? Num 6:27 “Thus they shall put My Name on the children of Yisra’ĕl, and I Myself shall bless them.”
Do you see why this verse of Scripture is so important to me? I want His Name upon us.
Verse 23-32 – Would you destroy the righteous with the wrong? This is the beginning of the famous bargaining between Abraham and the Messenger of YHVH. Why does Abraham stop at 10? Why not 9?
Verse 33 – What is Abraham thinking as he watches YHVH disappear into the shimmering heat waves? Will my nephew Lot be destroyed? What about his wife and children? Have I failed them?
Ahavah,
CahalTx 