每週一妥拉 2014/11/9-11/15
從古時起，世界各地的猶太會堂會一週一次在安息日讀經，從摩西五經（妥拉）到先知的書（先知書）。每週的讀經內容都有一個希伯來名稱，其出自經文內容起頭的字。每週慣例讀經的實例剛好記載在路加福音四章16節，耶穌來到拿撒勒的會堂，讀了一段先知書（以賽亞書61章）。我們發現每週一次閱讀這些內容，不僅提供我們機會，與世界成千上萬的猶太人來確認神話語的內容，在我們為以色列與猶太人的代禱上，聖靈更時常貼切的啟發具體的內容禱告。
這週的閱讀（11/9-15）稱為撒拉的一生（Chayeh Sarah），讀經內容包括：
妥拉：創世記 23:1-25:18
先知書：列王記上1:1-31
族長埋葬之洞現今的地點
『此後，亞伯拉罕把他妻子撒拉埋葬在迦南地幔利前的麥比拉田間的洞裡。（幔利就是希伯崙）。 從此，那塊田和田間的洞就藉著赫人定準歸與亞伯拉罕作墳地。』 (創世記23:18-19 )
*創世記23:1. 『撒拉享壽一百二十七歲，這是撒拉一生的歲數。』亞伯拉罕比撒拉年長10歲，撒拉去世時他137歲。或許讓他可以年老之時生以撒的超自然能力仍在他裡面，在撒拉過世後他又活了38年，而且生養更多孩子。
*創世記23:5-6. 『赫人回答亞伯拉罕說：我主請聽。你在我們中間是一位尊大的王子，只管在我們最好的墳地裡埋葬你的死人；我們沒有一人不容你在他的墳地裡埋葬你的死人。』尊大的王子的希伯來文是n'si elohim，實際意思翻成『神的王子』更貼切。亞伯拉罕與這位他相信和敬拜的 神已經發展成為朋友， 神向他顯現的城市幔利（18章）希伯來文叫做Hevron，與『朋友』或『關係』這兩個字有關。過了數十世紀之後， 神在以賽亞書41:8仍稱亞伯拉罕為『我的朋友』或『我所愛的』。透過此神聖的權柄關係，以及 神的光輝落在祂所愛的僕人身上，祂對亞伯拉罕的祝福應許臨到地上萬族(創世記 12:3)，已經照在黑暗的迦南。
*創世記 23:12-19. 『亞伯拉罕就在那地的人民面前下拜，在他們面前對以弗崙說：你若應允，請聽我的話。我要把田價給你，求你收下，我就在那裡埋葬我的死人。以弗崙回答亞伯拉罕說：我主請聽。值四百舍客勒銀子的一塊田，在你我中間還算什麼呢？只管埋葬你的死人吧！亞伯拉罕聽從了以弗崙，照著他在赫人面前所說的話，把買賣通用的銀子平了四百舍客勒給以弗崙。於是，麥比拉、幔利前、以弗崙的那塊田和其中的洞，並田間四圍的樹木，都定準歸與亞伯拉罕，乃是他在赫人面前並城門出入的人面前買妥的。』
很重要的是，二位族長和以色列偉大的王在三處買的地詳細被記錄下來，其正是今日全世界最激烈爭奪之地（在屬地上和屬靈上皆是）。正如創世記23章所記載的，這些買賣分別是：在希伯來的田和其中的洞（亞伯拉罕用四百舍客勒銀子購買）；在示劍部分的地（今日稱那不勒斯）是約瑟被埋葬之處（在約書亞記24:32記載雅各用一百塊銀子購買）；摩利亞山，後來成為耶路撒冷的聖殿山（在撒母耳記下24:24和歷代志下3:1記載大衛王用五十舍客勒銀子購買）。這三個地點在今日所謂的『西岸』，是巴勒斯坦穆斯林要求建國之處：北邊撒瑪利亞（示劍/那不勒斯），中間耶路撒冷（聖殿山），南邊猶大地區（希伯崙─族長的洞穴）。每一塊土地都是古時合法購買的地，全部都位於神不斷應許要永遠賜給亞伯拉罕、以撒和雅各子孫作為產業的地方。
*創世記 24:3: 『我要叫你指著耶和華─天地的主起誓。（天上的神─Elohei-haShamayim和地上的神─v'Elohei-haAretz』耶何華新的屬性和名字是妥拉中常有的事，祂首先向亞伯拉罕顯現，藉由族長將新名顯給我們。
*創世記24:5-7. 『僕人對他說：倘若女子不肯跟我到這地方來，我必須將你的兒子帶回你原出之地嗎？亞伯拉罕對他說：你要謹慎，不要帶我的兒子回那裡去。耶和華天上的主，曾帶領我離開父家和本族的地，對我說話，向我起誓說：「我要將這地賜給你的後裔。」他必差遣使者在你面前，你就可以從那裏為我兒子娶一個妻子。』『相信 神』意思是『不回頭看』，希伯來書11:15清楚表示：『他們（亞伯拉罕和其他族長）若想念所離開的家鄉，還有可以回去的機會。』
請禱告：請為 神帶回以色列的移民者禱告，這是異常艱難的，特別是對年長者，他們語言不通，也不太可能得到移民前相關的工作。禱告他們不會聽從『回去美國』或『回去俄國』的試探，禱告 神的恩典與憐憫使他們融入祖先的地，但更重要的是，能與他們祖先的神融合。也為在這裡彌賽亞的身體禱告─不會回頭看，而是向前進入『一個更美好、屬天的國家』
*創世記24:12. 『他說：耶和華─我主人亞伯拉罕的神啊，求祢施恩給我主人亞伯拉罕，使我今日遇見好機會。』後面句子實際的希伯來文意思是『讓這件事今日就在我面前發生！』
*創世記 24:26-27. 『那人（亞伯拉罕的僕人）就低頭向耶和華下拜，說：耶和華─我主人亞伯拉罕的神是應當稱頌的，因祂不斷地以慈愛誠實待我主人。至於我，耶和華在路上引領我，直走到我主人的兄弟家裡。』
慈愛和誠實
慈愛（Hesed）是希伯來文其中一個最寶貴的字，很難用別的語言完全翻譯出來─其意思包括慈愛、憐憫、良善、堅定不移的愛。慈愛是 神美好的屬性，祂渴望在祂的兒女中看見此屬性被彰顯出來。慈愛（Hesed）這個字在希伯來聖經出現245次，在一些地方常與誠實/真理（emet）一起出現（創24:27, 出 34:6, 撒下2:6; 15:20, 彌迦書7:20, 還有詩篇25:10; 26:3; 40:10-11; 57:3; 61:7; 85:1; 86:15; 89:14; 115:1; 117:2; 138:2）。約翰福音1:17的希伯來文翻譯成『妥拉(律法)本是藉著摩西傳的；恩典（hesed）和真理（emet）都是由耶穌基督來的。』
*創世記24:31. 『便對他說：你這蒙耶和華賜福的，請進來。』在 神呼召亞伯蘭和住在遙遠哈蘭的父親去世這段很長的時間，亞伯蘭對耶和華這位美好新 神的見證顯然結出長存的果子，至少在亞伯蘭搬到迦南地許多年之後，哈蘭這地仍存有對耶和華 神的一些知識，以致於當亞伯蘭的僕人到了後，他發現亞伯蘭兄弟的兒子和孫子仍充滿對這位 神的認識(24:31, 50)。
*創世記24:55-56, 62-64. 『利百加的哥哥和他母親說：讓女子同我們再住幾天，至少十天，然後他可以去。僕人說：耶和華既賜給我通達的道路，你們不要耽誤我，請打發我走，回我主人那裡去吧。那時，以撒住在南地，剛從庇耳‧拉海‧萊（Beer Lahai Roi─亦即永生 神看見我的井）回來。天將晚，以撒出來在田間默想，舉目一看，見來了些駱駝。利百加舉目看見以撒，就急忙下了駱駝。』
活在主的時候對於進入命定是很重要的，甚至還可以協助我們所服事的對象進入他們的命定。傳道書3:11教導我們 神造萬物，各按其時成為美好（這裡並沒有說 神不按其時來造萬物）。倘若亞伯拉罕的僕人沒有等到 神為利百加和以撒所安排的完美時候，就可能影響到 神對全人類救贖計畫的路線。『那時，以撒住在南地，剛從庇耳‧拉海‧萊（Beer Lahai Roi─亦即永生 神看見我的井）回來。天將晚，以撒出來在田間默想，舉目一看，見來了些駱駝。利百加舉目看見以撒，就急忙下了駱駝。』讓我們住在看見我們之 神的同在中（面前）並默想，祂預備並選定我們的時間，為了觀看並認出為我們命定的供應即將來到。
*創世記 24:65. 『以撒便領利百加進了他母親撒拉的帳棚，娶了她為妻，並且愛她。以撒自從他母親不在了，這才得了安慰。』
在24:32，我們知道利百加和她的家人住在哈蘭，她偉大的叔叔亞伯拉罕也曾住過那裡，但 神要他繼續遷移進入命定，在期間他和他的兒子和孫子都住在帳棚裡，如同『在世上是客旅，是寄居的』(希伯來書11:13-16)。利百加藉著順服 神的話而離開，她像亞伯拉罕(創12:1)一樣，展現出自己擁有相同的信心：
『亞伯拉罕因著信，蒙召的時候就遵命出去，往將來要得為業的地方去；出去的時候，還不知往哪裡去。他因著信，就在所應許之地作客，好像在異地居住帳棚，與那同蒙一個應許的以撒、雅各一樣。 因為他等候那座有根基的城，就是神所經營所建造的。』
『所以 神被稱為他們的 神，並不以為恥，因為祂已經給他們預備了一座城。』
(希伯來書11:8-10, 16b)
*創世記25:1-6. 『亞伯拉罕又娶了一妻，名叫基土拉。 基土拉給他生了心蘭、約珊、米但、米甸、伊施巴，和書亞。約珊生了示巴和底但。底但的子孫是亞書利族、利都是族，和利烏米族。米甸的兒子是以法、以弗、哈諾、亞比大，和以勒大。這都是基土拉的子孫。亞伯拉罕將一切所有的都給了以撒。亞伯拉罕把財物分給他庶出的眾子，趁著自己還在世的時候打發他們離開他的兒子以撒，往東方去。』
這段經文和歷代志上1:32-33是唯一提到基土拉和亞伯拉罕其他妻妾的地方（撒拉和夏甲除外），撒拉死後， 神賜給亞伯拉罕其他孩子，但 神的約是透過以撒而立(17:21)。此約與迦南地產業的管家職分有關(12:7; 15:18; 17:7-8)。 神也會賜福給亞伯拉罕的其他孩子，但他們的終極產業是在所立之約的土地之外。
根據創世記16:12的英文翻譯（在希伯來文很難確定意思），神的使者對夏甲發關乎以實瑪利的預言：『他必住在眾弟兄的東邊。』在這裡(25:6)我們看見亞伯拉罕最終覺得 神引導他，叫他其他兒子『離開他的兒子以撒，往東方去』(在他把財物分給他們之後)。聖經上沒有任何一處表示他們是被『放逐』；反之，他們選擇遷移。此時亞伯拉罕的兒子可能都已成年並成家立業（『趁著自己還在世的時候』這句話代表他當時已在生命的盡頭，撒拉死後又活了38年。）以實瑪利被送走似乎是出於 神的吩咐(創21:12)，基土拉的孩子也是如此。當 神對以實瑪利這樣做時，祂祝福並照顧他們。事實上，基土拉的孩子離開時還得到禮物。藉著亞伯拉罕的順服，他的後裔並沒有爭奪 神命令賜給他兒子以撒立約之地的產業，他的後裔將成為大國，並有受膏的救主和君王從中而出，祂將以那土地的中心為寶座在全地掌權。
*創世記25:12-16. 『撒拉的使女埃及人夏甲給亞伯拉罕所生的兒子是以實瑪利。以實瑪利兒子們的名字，按著他們的家譜記在下面。以實瑪利的長子是尼拜約，又有基達、亞德別、米比衫、米施瑪、度瑪、瑪撒、哈大、提瑪、伊突、拿非施、基底瑪。這是以實瑪利眾子的名字，照著他們的村莊、營寨，作了十二族的族長。』
此家譜是 神對以實瑪利應許的應驗，記載在創世記17:20， 神並沒有應許亞伯拉罕從他而出的『後裔』，會和以撒與雅各的子孫一樣（頂多和基土拉為亞伯拉罕所生的孩子一樣25:1-6）。今日的阿拉伯國家居民普遍錯誤假設他們是以實瑪利肉身的子孫，因此『也是亞伯拉罕的孩子』，除了沒有聖經依據外，也全然忽略早在以實瑪利出生前就住在這地區的人。當然，以實瑪利與基土拉的子孫存留在阿拉伯人中間，但把所有阿拉伯人都放在猶太人與外邦人之外的『第三類型』，只會對其他中東的穆斯林傳福音帶來混淆，諸如土耳其人、庫德人、亞美尼亞人、伊朗人，沒有一個是阿拉伯後裔。再一次，我們在這裡說的是與十二族族長歷史上的血緣連結；我們完全沒有想要拿去這偉大族群的真實產業與身份， 神愛他們並要將他們帶回祂身邊。
當然，在關乎以實瑪利的事上，聖靈可能會使用其相似性，既然伊斯蘭（意指『順服』）緊握不放 神對人的約是經由以實瑪利而非以撒而來， 神呼召夏甲（創世記16:9）回去服在撒萊手下（此包括 神應許藉由她後裔來的祝福）仍可以成為共鳴，如同所有穆斯林盼望的呼求與心中的生命力，能與全地的人一起來敬拜以色列的 神（Elohei Yisrael），無論他們肉身的種族淵源為何。事實上，許多人相信當他們回去服在 神真正的約以下，反而可以用來當作扳機，在末日喚醒 神原先所應許的百姓─猶太人！
下週的閱讀進度（11/16-11/22）被稱為以撒的後代（Toldot），妥拉─創世記25:19-28:9；先知書─瑪垃基書1:1-2:7。註：由於11月22日安息日在基斯流月新月的前一天，有一些猶太會堂會將原來的先知書閱讀換成撒母耳記上20:18-42。
馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
From ancient times there has been a weekly portion (Parashah) from the first five books of Moses (The Torah) and an ending (Haftarah) from the Prophets read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name drawn from the opening words of the Torah passage. An illustration of this practice appears to have been recorded in Luke 4:16 where Yeshua (Jesus) arrived in the synagogue in Nazareth and was asked to read the portion (Isaiah 61) from the Prophets. We have found that in perusing these weekly readings, not only are we provided opportunity to identify in the context of God's Word with millions of Jewish people around the world, but very often the Holy Spirit will illumine specific passages pertinent that week in our intercession for the Land and people of Israel. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.
The readings for this week 9-15 November are called Chayeh Sarah-"Life of Sarah."
TORAH: Genesis 23:1-25:18
HAFTARAH: I Kings 1:1-31
Site of the Cave of the Patriarchs today.
"After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made ov er to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites"
(Genesis 23:18-19 below)
*Genesis 23:1. "Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah." Abraham was ten years older than Sarah-he was 137 years old at her death. Perhaps the supernatural rejuvenation granted Abraham enabling him to conceive Isaac remained in his body long afterwards; after the death of Sarah he was to live another 38 years and to have more children.
*Genesis 23:5-6 (NKJ). "And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 'Hear us, my lord: You are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places."The Hebrew words for "mighty prince" are n'si elohim which might more literally be translated "Prince of God." Abraham's relationship with this God, whom he had believed and worshipped, had developed into a friendship. The very city of Mamre where God confided in Abraham (Genesis 18) would come to be called Hevron (Hebron), related to the Hebrew word for "friend" or "associate". Centuri es later, God would, in Isaiah 41:8, still refer to Abraham as "My beloved" or "My friend." Through this holy association the authority and splendor of God Himself rested in favor upon His servant, and the blessing promised in Abraham to all families of the world (Genesis 12:3) was already shining into the darkness of Canaan.
*Genesis 23:12-18. "Then Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land; and he spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, 'If you will give it, please hear me. I will give you money for the field; take it from me and I will bury my dead there.'.And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants. So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city." It is significant that the locations of three carefully recorded transactions involving the purchase of land by two Patriarchs an d a great King of Israel today encompass the most hotly contested area (both physically and spiritually) on earth. These transactions were: as recorded here in Genesis 23; A field and cave in Hebron (whichAbraham purchased for 400 shekels of silver); A parcel of land in Shechem (modern-day Nablus) where Joseph would be buried (which Jacob purchased for 100 pieces of money-Joshua 24:32); The top of Mount Moriah, what would become the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (which Davidpurchased for 50 shekels of silver-II Samuel 24:24; II Chronicles 3:1). These three locations today comprise the length of the so-called "West Bank" upon which a permanent Muslim Palestinian state is being demanded: To the north, Samaria (Shechem/Nablus), In the center, Jerusalem (The Temple Mount), To the south, Judea (Hebron-the Cave of the Patriarchs). Each of these locations were legally purchased by Hebrews in ancient times, and all fall within an area God would repeatedly promise to give as an inheritance to the physical seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob forever.
*Genesis 24:3: "And I will make you swear by YHVH, Elohei-haShamayim ("The Heavens-God") v'Elohei-haAretz (and "The Land-God")." As often happens in the Torah, new aspects and attributes of this YHVH (Yehovah), who had first appeared to Abraham in Ur, are revealed to us through the new Names given to Him by the Patriarchs.
*Genesis 24:5-6. "And the servant said to him, 'Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?' But Abraham said to him, 'Beware! that you do not take my son back there. YHVH God of Heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, 'To your descendants I give this land,' He will send His angel before you, , and you shall take a wife for my son from there" (Emphases ours). Abraham continued toBelieve YHVH his God (Gen. 15:6). "Believing God" meant not looking back-Hebrews 11:15 makes clear that "truly if they (Abraham and the other Patriarchs) had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return."
Please Pray: for immigrants whom God br ings back to Israel. It can be frighteningly hard, especially for the older ones who will have difficulty mastering the language (if at all); who likely will not be able to get a job related to what they've done all their lives before immigrating. Pray that they will not listen to the temptations to "go back to America" or to "go back to Russia". Pray for grace and mercy for absorption into the society in the land of their Fathers.but more importantly, into the God of their Fathers. Pray for the Body of Messiah here-that it also will not look back, but rather fare forward into "a better, that is, a heavenly country."
*Genesis 24:12. "Then he [Abraham's servant] said, 'O YHVH God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show loving kindness with my master Abraham." The literal Hebrew of the second phrase reads, "Please make it happen before me today!"
*Genesis 24:27. "And he said, 'Blessed be the YHVH God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) and His truth (Hebrew: emet) toward my master."
Hesed and Emet
Hesed (the beginning letter pronounced with a slight rasp in the throat) is one of the most precious words in the Hebrew language. It is difficult to translate exactly into English-loving kindness, mercy, goodness, steadfast love. It is a wonderful attribute of God which He desires to see operating in his children. Hesed appears over 245 times in the Hebrew Bible. On certain special occasions it is found together with the word emet which means truth (Gen. 24:27, Exodus 34:6, II Sam. 2:6; 15:20, Micah 7:20, and Psalms 25:10; 26:3; 40:10-11; 57:3; 61:7; 85:1; 86:15; 89:14; 115:1; 117:2; 138:2). The Modern Hebrew translation of John 1:17 says, "For the Torah (Law) was given through Moses; and the hesed and the emet(i.e. lovingkindness and truth) came through Yeshua the Messiah!"
*Genesis 24:31. "And he [i.e. Laban, Rebekah's brother] said, 'Come in, O blessed of YHVH!"During the long years between YHVH's call to Abram and the death of his father in far-away Haran, his testimony of this new and wonderful God whose name was YHVH had obviously born lasting fruit. At least some knowledge of YHVH had lingered in Haran through the many years after Abram had moved on to Canaan, so that when his servant arrives, he finds that Abraham's brother's son and grandchildren are still very knowledgeable of this God (24:31, 50).
*Genesis 24:55-56, 62-64. "But her (i.e. Rebekah's) brother and her mother said, 'Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.' And he (i.e. Abraham's servant) said to them, 'Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.'.Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi (i.e. "Well of the Living One who Sees Me"), for he dwelt in the South. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field towards evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel." Being in the timings of the LORD is essential in entering into destiny-or even assisting those to whom we minister in entering into theirs. Ecclesiastes 3:11 teaches that God makes everything beautiful in its time (It does not teach that He does so if something is out of its season). If the servant had waited-even another hour-the perfect kairos meeting God had arranged for Rebekah and Isaac would have been compromised-which could have affected the very course of God's redemptive plan for all humankind. "Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi (i.e. "Well of the Living One who Sees Me"), for he dwelt in the South. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field towards evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming." Dwelling and meditating in the Presence (before the face) of the "One who sees us", prepares and times us to lift our own eyes for to see and recognize when provision for our destiny is approaching.
*Genesis 24:65. "Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death."
In 24:32, we see that Rebekah had lived with her family in a "house" in Haran. Her great-uncle Abraham had himself once lived there-but God had moved him on-into a destiny in which he and his immediate sons and grandchildren lived in tents as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13-16). By moving in obedience to the word of YHVH to leave, as had Abraham (Gen. 12:1), Rebekah demonstrated herself possessed of that same faith:
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God!"
Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
(Hebrews 11:8-10, 16b)
*Genesis 25:1-5. "Abraham again took a wife (or "woman"), and her name was Keturah. And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.And the sons of Midian were Ephah, Eopher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east."
This and I Chronicles 1:32-33 are the only places where Keturah and other possible wives or concubines of Abraham (apart from Sarah and Hagar) are mentioned. After the death of Sarah, God gave him other children whom he loved. Yet the Covenant was to be established through Isaac (17:21), and this covenant involved first of all who would be granted stewardship of the physicalland of Canaan (12:7; 15:18; 17:7-8). God would bless these other children of Abraham-but their ultimate inheritances would have to be outside of the land of covenant.
According to the NASB English translation of Genesis 16:12 (a sentence of difficult certain meaning in the Hebrew), the Angel of YHVH prophesied over Hagar concerning Ishmael that, "he shall live to the east of all his brothers." Here (25:5) we see that Abraham eventually felt led to send his other sons "eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east" (after giving them each special gifts to sustain them on their way). There is no indication in the Scriptural account that they were "banished"; rather, they chose to move forward. By this time Abr aham's sons were probably grown and had families of their own. (The phrase, "while he was still living" implies that Abraham was nearing the end of his life at the time, 38 years after the death of Sarah.) It seems that just as Ishmael was sent away at God's command (Gen. 21:12), so too were the children of Ketura; and as He had done with Ishmael so would God also bless and care for them. Actually, the sons of Keturah were given gifts as they left. Through Abraham's obedience, there would remain within the covenant land none of his lineage to contest the inheritance which God had decreed must go through his son Isaac-a lineage which would become a great nation through which would eventually come an anointed Savior and King, who Himself will reign from a throne in the center of that land over the entire world.
*Genesis 25:12-16. "Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, bore to Abraham. And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and thei r settlements, twelve princes according to their nations." This chronicles the fulfillment of God's promise regarding Ishmael found in Genesis 17:20. Nowhere is there a promise that this "seed" of Abraham (any more than that of the children born to him through Ketura-25:1-6 above) would remain a perpetually distinct race, as would the descendants of Isaac and Jacob. An erroneous yet commonly held assumption among many western Believers, that all inhabitants of modern-day Arab nations are physical descendants of Ishmael and therefore "also children of Abraham", besides lacking any Biblical or historical warrant, completely ignores the billions of physical descendants of the peoples who inhabited these regions long before Ishmael was born. Of course Ishmael's and Ketura's descendants exist amongst Arab peoples. But they are no longer a distinct race-and placing all Arabs into a "third category" from Jews and Gentiles, besides being historically unsound, can prepare the way for confusion in evangelization of other Muslim peoples in the Middle-East-Turks, Kurds, Armenians, Iranians, none of whom are of Arabic lineage. Arabs, physically speaking, are not "Ishmael" any more than are t hese other peoples. Again, we are speaking here of historical physical connections to the Patriarchs. To affirm this in no way takes away from the true heritage and identity of the great Arab people group which God loves and is bringing to Himself.
Of course the Holy Spirit may make use of analogies regarding Ishmael. Since Islam (meaning "submission") falsely teaches that the actual covenant of God for humankind came through Ishmael instead of Isaac, God's call to Hagar (Genesis 16:9) to go back and submit to Sarah (including God's promises of a Blessing through her seed) can still resonate as a call of hope and life in the hearts of all Muslim peoples, regardless of their physical ethnicity, to join the rest of the world in submitting in worship to Elohei Yisrael-the God of Israel. Indeed, many believe that their return and submission to the way of God's true Covenant may be used to trigger a last-days awakening in the original people of the Promise, the Jews!
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
[The readings for next week (16-22 November 2014) are called Toldot-"Generations":TORAH: Genesis 25:19-28:9; HAFTARAH: Malachi 1:1-2:7. Note: Because the Shabbat of November 22 this year falls the day before Rosh Chodesh Kislev, some synagogues will substitute the following Haftarah (Haftarat-Machar Chodesh): I Samuel 20:18-42]
