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This morning’s parasha is entitled Vayera, which translates to “and He appeared”. It covers Genesis 18:1-22:24.
Beginning in Chapter 18, we find Abraham visited by three strangers while he is in his tent. Most biblical scholars believe that they were Yeshua accompanied by 2 angels taking on human form.
At that time, custom mandated hospitality from a host when travelers passed through since public accommodations were scarce and the environment and climate were threatening. So, Abraham told Sarah to bake some bread and he ran to the herd, took a tender calf and prepared it for his guests.
After they ate, the Lord spoke to Abraham and told him that Sarah would have a son at that time next year.
Sarah was at the tent door and when she heard this, she laughed, because she was well past the age of bearing children at 90 years old. The Lord also told Abraham about His plan to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because their sin was so great. This was also where Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lived. Abraham began what I can only describe as bartering with God but with fear and reverence. He asked the Lord to spare the cities if only 50 righteous were found and Adonai agreed. But Abraham knowing the state of those cities, stood in the gap for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah and appealed to Adonai’s mercy. Through a series of questions, Abraham was able to get the Lord to agree to save the cities even if only 10 righteous people remained.
In chapter 19 two angels went to Sodom in the evening. Lot greeted them and urged them to stay at his house overnight.
A group of men surrounded the house looking for Lot to reveal his guests, but Lot refused, begging them not to act wickedly. The angels had to strike the men with blindness so they could no longer find the entrance.
Lot and his family were the only group that were allowed to escape before the city’s destruction. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife lost her life after she looked back at the city and as Scripture says, “became a pillar of salt”.
In chapter 20 Abraham and Sarah travel south and go to the city of Gerar where in a repeat of Genesis, chapter 12, he tells the king that Sarah is his sister for fear of being killed.
But despite Abraham’s failure of trust, God didn’t abandon him. Instead, God warned the king, Abimelech, in a dream that he would die if he kept Sarah. Abimelech promptly gave Sarah back to Abraham along with animals and 1000 pieces of silver.
In Chapter 21, Adonai’s promise of a son by Sarah is fulfilled. Before this, Sarah requested that Abraham have a child with her handmaiden which he did. But Adonai promised Abraham a child through Sarah and that’s exactly what happened.
In Chapter 22 Abraham’s faith is tested. God instructs Abraham to take Isaac up Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him. Theologians think that Isaac was anywhere from a late teenager to a man in his 30s. Scholars note that the Hebrew word used for Isaac in Genesis 22 is na’ar (meaning a young or unmarried man) rather than a small child. Additionally, Isaac carried a heavy load of firewood up Mount Moriah, showing he was old and strong enough to resist an elderly Abraham. But he submitted his will to Abraham, who at the same time was submitting to God. At the last moment, God stops Abraham saying, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Roughly 1900 years later, on this same mountain, Yeshua the Son of God also submitted to His Father and God The Father did not hold back His only Son but allowed Him to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
The ancient world considered children the legal property of their parents. They had no rights. In some cultures, a father could do whatever he wished with his children, including putting them to death.
It’s this principle that underlies the entire practice of child sacrifice, which was widespread throughout the pagan world. But Adonai hates child sacrifice. We must understand that we don’t own our children. God does. We are merely their guardians on God’s behalf. Isaac belonged to neither Abraham nor Sarah. He belonged to God. God didn’t want Abraham to sacrifice his son. God wanted him to renounce perceived ownership of his son.
The events set in this Torah portion offer wisdom and practical lessons for our lives as followers of Yeshua.
One striking example is Abraham’s hospitality. From his welcoming of the three strangers, we glean insights into offering kindness and generosity without hesitation. Opening our homes and hearts to others, especially those in need, mirrors God’s love and creates a ripple effect of goodwill that reflects Yeshua’s own teachings on compassion.
Faith and obedience, hallmarks of Abraham and Sarah’s journey, challenge us to trust God’s promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.
Their story encourages steadfast faith in God’s plans, reminding us that divine timing often surpasses our understanding and that obedience to God’s will can lead to fulfilled promises.
The story of Abraham’s intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah provides a powerful model for prayer and advocacy. Abraham’s bold yet humble approach teaches us the importance of standing in the gap for others.
As followers of Yeshua, we’re called to be intercessors, bringing the needs of our communities and beyond to God in prayer, trusting in His mercy, compassion and justice.
I pray we apply the wisdom from Vayera to help us live out our faith in practical ways. May we foster a deeper connection to God’s word and His will for our lives. By embodying these lessons, may we not only grow spiritually, but also impact the world around us with the transformative love of Yeshua our Messiah.