Parashah Lech Lecha Comments – 2013
This wonderful portion of Scripture (Parashah Lech Lecha) tells of the tests Abraham passes in becoming the father of our faith—the first Patriarch. Some say that if God spoke to them as He spoke to Abraham, they would surely believe and obey. Really? Let’s look at what Abraham actually did to be called “Father Abraham.”
Called to Go: Courage in the First Step
God calls Abram to leave his country, people, relatives, and his values (his father made idols), to follow the One true God whose reality is Spirit—at age seventy-five. He takes Sarai (later Sarah), their belongings, their servants, and even his nephew Lot with his entire household. This is courage: action in spite of fear. Abraham was the first to blaze this trail and allowed God to make him wholly dependent on Him.
Trailblazers Then and Now
Luke 9:59–62
59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Even these would-be followers had the Scriptures as examples. Abraham did not—he was the example.
Testing Through Famine: Perseverance
When famine strikes the promised land, Abraham sojourns to Egypt to survive. He perseveres rather than retreating to comfort. Returning later to the land, he shows courage again by seeking peace with Lot.
Choosing Peace: Self-Sacrifice Over Self-Image
As both households prosper and strife grows among their herdsmen, Abraham gives Lot the first choice of land. As elder and uncle, he could have chosen what favored him, but he yields. Courage looks like relinquishing rights to bless others.
Rescuing Family: Loyalty in Action
Genesis 14:11–16 (excerpt)
“When Avram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he led out his trained men…318 of them…During the night he and his servants divided his forces against them, then attacked…He recovered all the goods and brought back his nephew Lot…together with the women and the other people.”
With three local allies, Abraham takes bold initiative against four kings. Family loyalty evokes courageous action. Family matters to God.
Rejecting Spoils: Trust Over Greed
After victory, Abraham refuses tribute from the king of Sodom. He trusts God’s promise of the land rather than grasping gain. He fought for family, not profit.
Household Faithfulness: The Courage of Covenant
When Sarah is dishonored by Hagar, Abraham refuses to deflect blame and allows Sarah’s judgment to stand. Later, God appears and makes covenant with Abraham, commanding circumcision as its sign. Abraham obeys “that very day.”
Genesis 17:23 (alluded)
Abraham circumcised himself, Ishmael, and all males in his household—hundreds in a single day—the courage of conviction embodied.
Strength Renewed
Isaiah 40:30–31
“Even the youths shall faint and be weary…But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles…”
God identifies Himself with the three patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through Abraham come Israel, Messiah Y’shua, all who believe, and the blessing promised to the nations (Genesis 12:3).
Breaking Barriers With Courage
Today, many Jewish people face social and spiritual barriers in embracing the Messiahship of Y’shua; many Gentile believers face inherited traditions that obscure the Jewishness of the Messiah. Replacement and supersessionist ideologies must bow to the “everlasting” covenant God made with Abraham.
Genesis 17:4–8
“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you… I will make you exceedingly fruitful… I will establish My covenant…for an everlasting covenant… Also I give to you and your descendants… all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
Seek Truth to the End
Both Jews and Gentiles must have courage to seek the truth. If you accept the opening words—“In the beginning, God…”—then what follows is the lifelong work of reconciling what seems in conflict. Give God’s Word the benefit of the doubt. Do not fear that honest inquiry will undo your faith; higher truth awaits at the end of a faithful search.
John 8:32
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
I believe in the inspiration of the Old and New Testaments. Prophecy and fruit both bear witness.
Matthew 7:18–20
“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit… Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Misuse of Scripture—through bias, prejudice, or politics—has produced much bad fruit, but the texts themselves bear good fruit in lives submitted to God.
Optional Resource
For a related encouragement on the reliability of the Gospels, see a classic presentation by Chuck Missler (Koinonia House): YouTube link.
Legacy of Courage
Abraham’s courage teaches us to live bravely for those who will stand on our shoulders. Seek the truth wherever it leads. Do not fear what you might find; God’s gifts are not diminished by honest pursuit.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, increase our faith. Encourage us to seek more of You and to break through fear of the unknown. Lift up the weary and teach us to walk in Your ways. Help us to walk in the fullness of Your truth like our father Abraham. Amen.
