Genesis: VaYera
s.1
This section is called "VaYera" meaning "And He appeared" which word-construct occurs in the first sentence.
[Genesis 18:1] AND THE LORD APPEARED UNTO HIM IN THE PLAINS OF MAMRE: AND HE SAT IN THE TENT DOOR IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY;
"APPEARED": He was and is always there, He just made Himself apparent.
[Genesis 18:2] AND HE LIFT UP HIS EYES AND LOOKED, AND, LO, THREE MEN STOOD BY HIM: AND WHEN HE SAW THEM, HE RAN TO MEET THEM FROM THE TENT DOOR, AND BOWED HIMSELF TOWARD THE GROUND,
[Genesis 18:3] AND SAID, MY LORD, IF NOW I HAVE FOUND FAVOUR IN THY SIGHT, PASS NOT AWAY, I PRAY THEE, FROM THY SERVANT:
According to the simple meaning, If you look carefully at this stage he thought they were ordinary men though perhaps of a higher quality. Abraham was very eager to be hospitable to strangers.
[Genesis 18:4] LET A LITTLE WATER, I PRAY YOU, BE FETCHED, AND WASH YOUR FEET, AND REST YOURSELVES UNDER THE TREE:
These days we wear shoes and socks so frequent washing of feet is inconvenient. It is however both healthy and refreshing especially in hot climates.
[Genesis 18:5] AND I WILL FETCH A MORSEL OF BREAD, AND COMFORT YE YOUR HEARTS; AFTER THAT YE SHALL PASS ON: FOR THEREFORE ARE YE COME TO YOUR SERVANT. AND THEY SAID, SO DO, AS THOU HAST SAID.
[Genesis 18:6] AND ABRAHAM HASTENED INTO THE TENT UNTO SARAH, AND SAID, MAKE READY QUICKLY THREE MEASURES OF FINE MEAL, KNEAD IT, AND MAKE CAKES UPON THE HEARTH.
[Genesis 18:7] AND ABRAHAM RAN UNTO THE HERD, AND FETCHT A CALF TENDER AND GOOD, AND GAVE IT UNTO A YOUNG MAN; AND HE HASTED TO DRESS IT.
[Genesis 18:8] AND HE TOOK BUTTER, AND MILK, AND THE CALF WHICH HE HAD DRESSED, AND SET IT BEFORE THEM; AND HE STOOD BY THEM UNDER THE TREE, AND THEY DID EAT.
Fresh meat and milk: Good protein. Good foods. Nowadays a lot of our foods are heavily mixed with chemicals. Pollution like pornography does corrupt us.
[Genesis 18:9] AND THEY SAID UNTO HIM, WHERE IS SARAH THY WIFE? AND HE SAID, BEHOLD, IN THE TENT.
She stayed inside out of modesty which is a very good quality for anyone especially for women..
[Genesis 18:10] AND HE SAID, I WILL CERTAINLY RETURN UNTO THEE ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE; AND, LO, SARAH THY WIFE SHALL HAVE A SON. AND SARAH HEARD IT IN THE TENT DOOR, WHICH WAS BEHIND HIM.
[Genesis 18:11] NOW ABRAHAM AND SARAH WERE OLD AND WELL STRICKEN IN AGE; AND IT CEASED TO BE WITH SARAH AFTER THE MANNER OF WOMEN.
[Genesis 18:12] THEREFORE SARAH LAUGHED WITHIN HERSELF, SAYING, AFTER I AM WAXED OLD SHALL I HAVE PLEASURE, MY LORD BEING OLD ALSO?
Note the psychological factor. Abraham may have been old but the chances are he was still very virile. He had fathered Ishmael at an advanced age and much later he was to father many more children. Sarah however was biologically past it. It was much less likely that she should ever again bare children. It was (barring miracles or special treatments that were not then available) impossible. Sarah however preferred to view what was her own private disability as that also as a fault of her husband BEING OLD ALSO. Sarah may have been one of the most virtuous women who ever lived yet she was still feministic.
[Genesis 18:13] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ABRAHAM, WHEREFORE DID SARAH LAUGH, SAYING, SHALL I OF A SURETY BEAR A CHILD, WHICH AM OLD?
The Sages point out that Sarah had actually laughed at the idea of both her and her husband bearing a child in their old age. God however did not repeat to Abraham that Sarah had included his chronological situation in her amusement. God was careful not to upset the harmony between husband and wife. God Himself set us an example that we should follow: Sensitivity, decency, compassion and concern for others and their feelings. Try not to arouse superfluous conflicts or tensions.
[Genesis 18:14] IS ANY THING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD? AT THE TIME APPOINTED I WILL RETURN UNTO THEE, ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.
Nothing is too hard for the Almighty.
s.2
[Genesis 18:15] THEN SARAH DENIED, SAYING, I LAUGHED NOT; FOR SHE WAS AFRAID. AND HE SAID, NAY; BUT THOU DIDST LAUGH.
[Genesis 18:16] AND THE MEN ROSE UP FROM THENCE, AND LOOKED TOWARD SODOM: AND ABRAHAM WENT WITH THEM TO BRING THEM ON THE WAY.
[Genesis 18:17] AND THE LORD SAID, SHALL I HIDE FROM ABRAHAM THAT THING WHICH I DO;
[Genesis 18:18] SEEING THAT ABRAHAM SHALL SURELY BECOME A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION, AND ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIM?
All the nations of the world were destined to receive a blessing through the seed of Abraham. The world would be in a much worse state were it not for peoples whom we have determined contain a large proportion of Israelites.
If it were not for the USA and Britain the State of Israel would even now probably be facing an invasion of European and other peace-keepers whose real intention (whether they admit it to themselves or not) is the destruction of the Jewish State. Israelite nations have saved other peoples from extermination through famine, disease, and warfare. They are the only ones who to some degree alleviate the oppression of other peoples. Most scientific and moral progress comes from descendants of the Lost Ten Tribes or of Jews from Judah all of whom are Israelites who inherited the blessing of Abraham.
We have pointed out in the past that the Israelite inheritors of Abraham were to become a "great and mighty nation" in order that they should bring a blessing on all nations of the earth. This is not only a blessing to the Seed of Abraham but also a duty. We have explained that ONLY the Israelite peoples.inherited this blessing even though other nations are also physically descended from Abraham.
See "Questions on Joseph: 3. How Did Joseph Receive the Blessings?"
[Genesis 18:19] FOR I KNOW HIM, THAT HE WILL COMMAND HIS CHILDREN AND HIS HOUSEHOLD AFTER HIM, AND THEY SHALL KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD, TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT; THAT THE LORD MAY BRING UPON ABRAHAM THAT WHICH HE HATH SPOKEN OF HIM.
This can also be understood to say that (to a degree) God will bring the blessing of Abraham upon his descendants because He knows that they will use the blessing to do justice and judgment. We have an obligation as Israelites to fulfill this task.
[Genesis 18:20] AND THE LORD SAID, BECAUSE THE CRY OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH IS GREAT, AND BECAUSE THEIR SIN IS VERY GRIEVOUS;
[Genesis 18:21] I WILL GO DOWN NOW, AND SEE WHETHER THEY HAVE DONE ALTOGETHER ACCORDING TO THE CRY OF IT, WHICH IS COME UNTO ME; AND IF NOT, I WILL KNOW.
[Genesis 18:22] AND THE MEN TURNED THEIR FACES FROM THENCE, AND WENT TOWARD SODOM BUT ABRAHAM STOOD YET BEFORE THE LORD.
[Genesis 18:23] AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR, AND SAID, WILT THOU ALSO DESTROY THE RIGHTEOUS WITH THE WICKED?
[Genesis 18:24] PERADVENTURE THERE BE FIFTY RIGHTEOUS WITHIN THE CITY: WILT THOU ALSO DESTROY AND NOT SPARE THE PLACE FOR THE FIFTY RIGHTEOUS THAT ARE THEREIN?
[Genesis 18:25] THAT BE FAR FROM THEE TO DO AFTER THIS MANNER, TO SLAY THE RIGHTEOUS WITH THE WICKED: AND THAT THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE AS THE WICKED, THAT BE FAR FROM THEE: SHALL NOT THE JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH DO RIGHT?
[Genesis 18:26] AND THE LORD SAID, IF I FIND IN SODOM FIFTY RIGHTEOUS WITHIN THE CITY, THEN I WILL SPARE ALL THE PLACE FOR THEIR SAKES.
[Genesis 18:27] AND ABRAHAM ANSWERED AND SAID, BEHOLD NOW, I HAVE TAKEN UPON ME TO SPEAK UNTO THE LORD, WHICH AM BUT DUST AND ASHES:
[Genesis 18:28] PERADVENTURE THERE SHALL LACK FIVE OF THE FIFTY RIGHTEOUS: WILT THOU DESTROY ALL THE CITY FOR LACK OF FIVE? AND HE SAID, IF I FIND THERE FORTY AND FIVE, I WILL NOT DESTROY IT.
Abraham had very Jewish qualities. He was too soft for his own good. He was later to intercede for Ishmael and did get for him a compensatory blessing. Abraham now tries to save cities of evildoers even though most of their inhabitants were doing great wrongs. David on the other hand and the Messiah who comes from David have a little bit of hardness which enables them to be stern when they have to. Commentators say that David received this quality through Ruth the Moabite who was his ancestress.
Saul who was king before David lost his position because he was too soft when he should have been harsh. Later Saul did turn into a very cruel man.
The Talmud comments: Anyone who is kind to the cruel ends up being cruel to the kind.
The Palestinians and most Muslim extremists in general have a Nazi-Like ideology and always did have. Because do-gooders are too considerate of them, the Jewish people and others are suffering.
[Genesis 18:29] AND HE SPAKE UNTO HIM YET AGAIN, AND SAID, PERADVENTURE THERE SHALL BE FORTY FOUND THERE. AND HE SAID, I WILL NOT DO IT FOR FORTY'S SAKE.
[Genesis 18:30] AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, OH LET NOT THE LORD BE ANGRY, AND I WILL SPEAK: PERADVENTURE THERE SHALL THIRTY BE FOUND THERE. AND HE SAID, I WILL NOT DO IT, IF I FIND THIRTY THERE.
[Genesis 18:31] AND HE SAID, BEHOLD NOW, I HAVE TAKEN UPON ME TO SPEAK UNTO THE LORD: PERADVENTURE THERE SHALL BE TWENTY FOUND THERE. AND HE SAID, I WILL NOT DESTROY IT FOR TWENTY'S SAKE.
[Genesis 18:32] AND HE SAID, OH LET NOT THE LORD BE ANGRY, AND I WILL SPEAK YET BUT THIS ONCE: PERADVENTURE TEN SHALL BE FOUND THERE. AND HE SAID, I WILL NOT DESTROY IT FOR TEN'S SAKE.
Abraham tried bargaining. When he got one concession he pushed for another until he almost got what he wanted. Abraham was a holy man and a phenomenal warrior but he also displayed qualities that would have done credit to any merchant or lawyer.
[Genesis 18:33] AND THE LORD WENT HIS WAY, AS SOON AS HE HAD LEFT COMMUNING WITH ABRAHAM: AND ABRAHAM RETURNED UNTO HIS PLACE.
s.3
[Genesis 19:1] AND THERE CAME TWO ANGELS TO SODOM AT EVEN; AND LOT SAT IN THE GATE OF SODOM: AND LOT SEEING THEM ROSE UP TO MEET THEM; AND HE BOWED HIMSELF WITH HIS FACE TOWARD THE GROUND;
[Genesis 19:2] AND HE SAID, BEHOLD NOW, MY LORDS, TURN IN, I PRAY YOU, INTO YOUR SERVANT'S HOUSE, AND TARRY ALL NIGHT, AND WASH YOUR FEET, AND YE SHALL RISE UP EARLY, AND GO ON YOUR WAYS. AND THEY SAID, NAY; BUT WE WILL ABIDE IN THE STREET ALL NIGHT.
Lot the nephew of Abraham was also kind to strangers and went out of his way to assist the wayfarer.
[Genesis 19:3] AND HE PRESSED UPON THEM GREATLY; AND THEY TURNED IN UNTO HIM, AND ENTERED INTO HIS HOUSE; AND HE MADE THEM A FEAST, AND DID BAKE UNLEAVENED BREAD, AND THEY DID EAT.
Not only does he do what he can to help, he goes out of his way and exerts himself.
s.4
[Genesis 19:4] BUT BEFORE THEY LAY DOWN, THE MEN OF THE CITY, EVEN THE MEN OF SODOM, COMPASSED THE HOUSE ROUND, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, ALL THE PEOPLE FROM EVERY QUARTER:
They wanted to rape the men. Homosexuals in order to receive acceptance make a play for tolerance on the principle of freedom of choice BUT they themselves are not so tolerant. If you give in to evil then evil is liable to befall you. Homosexuality is almost always accompanied by a predatory attitude exulting in exploitation of the weak and vulnerable including the very young.
[Genesis 19:5] AND THEY CALLED UNTO LOT, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHERE ARE THE MEN WHICH CAME IN TO THEE THIS NIGHT? BRING THEM OUT UNTO US, THAT WE MAY KNOW THEM.
[Genesis 19:6] AND LOT WENT OUT AT THE DOOR UNTO THEM, AND SHUT THE DOOR AFTER HIM,
[Genesis 19:7] AND SAID, I PRAY YOU, BRETHREN, DO NOT SO WICKEDLY.
[Genesis 19:8] BEHOLD NOW, I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS WHICH HAVE NOT KNOWN MAN; LET ME, I PRAY YOU, BRING THEM OUT UNTO YOU, AND DO YE TO THEM AS IS GOOD IN YOUR EYES: ONLY UNTO THESE MEN DO NOTHING; FOR THEREFORE CAME THEY UNDER THE SHADOW OF MY ROOF.
[Genesis 19:9] AND THEY SAID, STAND BACK. AND THEY SAID AGAIN, THIS ONE FELLOW CAME IN TO SOJOURN, AND HE WILL NEEDS BE A JUDGE: NOW WILL WE DEAL WORSE WITH THEE, THAN WITH THEM. AND THEY PRESSED SORE UPON THE MAN, EVEN LOT, AND CAME NEAR TO BREAK THE DOOR.
[Genesis 19:10] BUT THE MEN PUT FORTH THEIR HAND, AND PULLED LOT INTO THE HOUSE TO THEM, AND SHUT TO THE DOOR.
[Genesis 19:11] AND THEY SMOTE THE MEN THAT WERE AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE WITH BLINDNESS, BOTH SMALL AND GREAT: SO THAT THEY WEARIED THEMSELVES TO FIND THE DOOR.
[Genesis 19:12] AND THE MEN SAID UNTO LOT, HAST THOU HERE ANY BESIDES? SON IN LAW, AND THY SONS, AND THY DAUGHTERS, AND WHATSOEVER THOU HAST IN THE CITY, BRING THEM OUT OF THIS PLACE:
[Genesis 19:13] FOR WE WILL DESTROY THIS PLACE, BECAUSE THE CRY OF THEM IS WAXEN GREAT BEFORE THE FACE OF THE LORD; AND THE LORD HATH SENT US TO DESTROY IT.
[Genesis 19:14] AND LOT WENT OUT, AND SPAKE UNTO HIS SONS IN LAW, WHICH MARRIED HIS DAUGHTERS, AND SAID, UP, GET YOU OUT OF THIS PLACE; FOR THE LORD WILL DESTROY THIS CITY. BUT HE SEEMED AS ONE THAT MOCKED UNTO HIS SONS IN LAW.
In our day those of us who call upon our peoples to return unto God and Bible principles are liable to be considered objects of mockery and derision.
[Genesis 19:15] AND WHEN THE MORNING AROSE, THEN THE ANGELS HASTENED LOT, SAYING, ARISE, TAKE THY WIFE, AND THY TWO DAUGHTERS, WHICH ARE HERE; LEST THOU BE CONSUMED IN THE INIQUITY OF THE CITY.
[Genesis 19:16] AND WHILE HE LINGERED, THE MEN LAID HOLD UPON HIS HAND AND UPON THE HAND OF HIS WIFE, AND UPON THE HAND OF HIS TWO DAUGHTERS; THE LORD BEING MERCIFUL UNTO HIM: AND THEY BROUGHT HIM FORTH, AND SET HIM WITHOUT THE CITY.
[Genesis 19:17] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN THEY HAD BROUGHT THEM FORTH ABROAD, THAT HE SAID, ESCAPE FOR THY LIFE; LOOK NOT BEHIND THEE, NEITHER STAY THOU IN ALL THE PLAIN; ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAIN, LEST THOU BE CONSUMED.
[Genesis 19:18] AND LOT SAID UNTO THEM, OH, NOT SO, MY LORD:
[Genesis 19:19] BEHOLD NOW, THY SERVANT HATH FOUND GRACE IN THY SIGHT, AND THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY MERCY, WHICH THOU HAST SHEWED UNTO ME IN SAVING MY LIFE; AND I CANNOT ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAIN, LEST SOME EVIL TAKE ME, AND I DIE:
[Genesis 19:20] BEHOLD NOW, THIS CITY IS NEAR TO FLEE UNTO, AND IT IS A LITTLE ONE: OH, LET ME ESCAPE THITHER, (IS IT NOT A LITTLE ONE?) AND MY SOUL SHALL LIVE.
[Genesis 19:21] AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, SEE, I HAVE ACCEPTED THEE CONCERNING THIS THING ALSO, THAT I WILL NOT OVERTHROW THIS CITY, FOR THE WHICH THOU HAST SPOKEN.
[Genesis 19:22] HASTE THEE, ESCAPE THITHER; FOR I CANNOT DO ANYTHING TILL THOU BE COME THITHER. THEREFORE THE NAME OF THE CITY WAS CALLED ZOAR.
"ZOAR" in Hebrew [also transliterated as Tsoar] means small or little.
[Genesis 19:23] THE SUN WAS RISEN UPON THE EARTH WHEN LOT ENTERED INTO ZOAR.
[Genesis 19:24] THEN THE LORD RAINED UPON SODOM AND UPON GOMORRAH BRIMSTONE AND FIRE FROM THE LORD OUT OF HEAVEN;
[Genesis 19:25] AND HE OVERTHREW THOSE CITIES, AND ALL THE PLAIN, AND ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITIES, AND THAT WHICH GREW UPON THE GROUND.
[Genesis 19:26] BUT HIS WIFE LOOKED BACK FROM BEHIND HIM, AND SHE BECAME A PILLAR OF SALT.
In Italy near Naples a city named Pompeii was destroyed by a volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius 79 CE. This city has been excavated. Due to chemical processes in the volcanic material the bodies of people killed in the eruption have been perfectly mummified. The preserved corpses look like living statues caught in still life with the very expressions of horror and amazement they bore at the moment of death. The physical constituent of these preserved bodies over the years has turned into what is chemically defined as a type of salt.
[Genesis 19:27] AND ABRAHAM GAT UP EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THE PLACE WHERE HE STOOD BEFORE THE LORD:
[Genesis 19:28] AND HE LOOKED TOWARD SODOM AND GOMORRAH, AND TOWARD ALL THE LAND OF THE PLAIN, AND BEHELD, AND, LO, THE SMOKE OF THE COUNTRY WENT UP AS THE SMOKE OF A FURNACE.
[Genesis 19:29] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN GOD DESTROYED THE CITIES OF THE PLAIN, THAT GOD REMEMBERED ABRAHAM, AND SENT LOT OUT OF THE MIDST OF THE OVERTHROW, WHEN HE OVERTHREW THE CITIES IN THE WHICH LOT DWELT.
[Genesis 19:30] AND LOT WENT UP OUT OF ZOAR, AND DWELT IN THE MOUNTAIN, AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS WITH HIM; FOR HE FEARED TO DWELL IN ZOAR: AND HE DWELT IN A CAVE, HE AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS.
[Genesis 19:31] AND THE FIRSTBORN SAID UNTO THE YOUNGER, OUR FATHER IS OLD, AND THERE IS NOT A MAN IN THE EARTH TO COME IN UNTO US AFTER THE MANNER OF ALL THE EARTH:
[Genesis 19:32] COME, LET US MAKE OUR FATHER DRINK WINE, AND WE WILL LIE WITH HIM, THAT WE MAY PRESERVE SEED OF OUR FATHER.
[Genesis 19:33] AND THEY MADE THEIR FATHER DRINK WINE THAT NIGHT: AND THE FIRSTBORN WENT IN, AND LAY WITH HER FATHER; AND HE PERCEIVED NOT WHEN SHE LAY DOWN, NOR WHEN SHE AROSE.
[Genesis 19:34] AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE MORROW, THAT THE FIRSTBORN SAID UNTO THE YOUNGER, BEHOLD, I LAY YESTERNIGHT WITH MY FATHER: LET US MAKE HIM DRINK WINE THIS NIGHT ALSO; AND GO THOU IN, AND LIE WITH HIM, THAT WE MAY PRESERVE SEED OF OUR FATHER.
[Genesis 19:35] AND THEY MADE THEIR FATHER DRINK WINE THAT NIGHT ALSO: AND THE YOUNGER AROSE, AND LAY WITH HIM; AND HE PERCEIVED NOT WHEN SHE LAY DOWN, NOR WHEN SHE AROSE.
[Genesis 19:36] THUS WERE BOTH THE DAUGHTERS OF LOT WITH CHILD BY THEIR FATHER.
This was an exceptional circumstance. Incest is a common occurrence. Some victims get over it somehow while others are scarred for life and never recover. The majority of prostitutes in the Western World were the victims of incest. Evil breeds evil.
[Genesis 19:37] AND THE FIRST BORN BARE A SON, AND CALLED HIS NAME MOAB: THE SAME IS THE FATHER OF THE MOABITES UNTO THIS DAY.
Moab means Mi-Ab i.e. From Father
Ruth was a Moabitess. She accepted the Law of Moses, became an Israelite and married Boaz of Judah. King David was descended from this union. Ruth was in fact a distant product of incest. From King David will come the future Messiah. This shows you that whatever a persons beginnings there is no limit to the heights one can reach if one endeavors to do Gods will.
[Genesis 19:38] AND THE YOUNGER, SHE ALSO BARE A SON, AND CALLED HIS NAME BENAMMI: THE SAME IS THE FATHER OF THE CHILDREN OF AMMON UNTO THIS DAY.
Benammi means Ben-Ammi i.e. Son of My People.
Naama one of the wives of King Solomon and the mother of King Rehoboam was an Ammonitess.
[Genesis 20:1] AND ABRAHAM JOURNEYED FROM THENCE TOWARD THE SOUTH COUNTRY, AND DWELLED BETWEEN KADESH AND SHUR, AND SOJOURNED IN GERAR.
[Genesis 20:2] AND ABRAHAM SAID OF SARAH HIS WIFE, SHE IS MY SISTER: AND ABIMELECH KING OF GERAR SENT, AND TOOK SARAH.
[Genesis 20:3] BUT GOD CAME TO ABIMELECH IN A DREAM BY NIGHT, AND SAID TO HIM, BEHOLD, THOU ART BUT A DEAD MAN, FOR THE WOMAN WHICH THOU HAST TAKEN; FOR SHE IS A MAN'S WIFE.
[Genesis 20:4] BUT ABIMELECH HAD NOT COME NEAR HER: AND HE SAID, LORD, WILT THOU SLAY ALSO A RIGHTEOUS NATION?
The Bible says that Abimelech took her and the Bible also says that he had not come near here.
[Genesis 20:5] SAID HE NOT UNTO ME, SHE IS MY SISTER? AND SHE, EVEN SHE HERSELF SAID, HE IS MY BROTHER: IN THE INTEGRITY OF MY HEART AND INNOCENCY OF MY HANDS HAVE I DONE THIS.
[Genesis 20:6] AND GOD SAID UNTO HIM IN A DREAM, YEA, I KNOW THAT THOU DIDST THIS IN THE INTEGRITY OF THY HEART; FOR I ALSO WITHHELD THEE FROM SINNING AGAINST ME: THEREFORE SUFFERED I THEE NOT TO TOUCH HER.
[Genesis 20:7] NOW THEREFORE RESTORE THE MAN HIS WIFE; FOR HE IS A PROPHET, AND HE SHALL PRAY FOR THEE, AND THOU SHALT LIVE: AND IF THOU RESTORE HER NOT, KNOW THOU THAT THOU SHALT SURELY DIE, THOU, AND ALL THAT ARE THINE.
[Genesis 20:8] THEREFORE ABIMELECH ROSE EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND CALLED ALL HIS SERVANTS, AND TOLD ALL THESE THINGS IN THEIR EARS: AND THE MEN WERE SORE AFRAID.
[Genesis 20:9] THEN ABIMELECH CALLED ABRAHAM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHAT HAST THOU DONE UNTO US? AND WHAT HAVE I OFFENDED THEE, THAT THOU HAST BROUGHT ON ME AND ON MY KINGDOM A GREAT SIN? THOU HAST DONE DEEDS UNTO ME THAT OUGHT NOT TO BE DONE.
[Genesis 20:10] AND ABIMELECH SAID UNTO ABRAHAM, WHAT SAWEST THOU, THAT THOU HAST DONE THIS THING?
[Genesis 20:11] AND ABRAHAM SAID, BECAUSE I THOUGHT, SURELY THE FEAR OF GOD IS NOT IN THIS PLACE; AND THEY WILL SLAY ME FOR MY WIFE'S SAKE.
Abraham had done the same thing in Egypt and his son Isaac was also destined to do the same thing again with the Philistines (Genesis ch.26). The logic behind it was: If they knew he was the husband they might kill him. Since they think he is the brother and he is an important person they would prefer to get his permission or what not. He would be therefore able to guard himself and his wife and find some subterfuge to keep her away from lusting parties. This trick appears to have worked to a degree since in every case the only person who in the end dared try to take the woman was the king and then God stepped in and saved them.
[Genesis 20:12] AND YET INDEED SHE IS MY SISTER; SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF MY FATHER, BUT NOT THE DAUGHTER OF MY MOTHER; AND SHE BECAME MY WIFE.
At that time a person could marry his half-sister from a different mother.
Sarah was actually the daughter of the brother of Abraham.
Under the Mosaic Code one can marry his neice but not his aunty.
[Genesis 20:13] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN GOD CAUSED ME TO WANDER FROM MY FATHER'S HOUSE, THAT I SAID UNTO HER, THIS IS THY KINDNESS WHICH THOU SHALT SHEW UNTO ME; AT EVERY PLACE WHITHER WE SHALL COME, SAY OF ME, HE IS MY BROTHER.
[Genesis 20:14] AND ABIMELECH TOOK SHEEP, AND OXEN, AND MENSERVANTS, AND WOMENSERVANTS, AND GAVE THEM UNTO ABRAHAM, AND RESTORED HIM SARAH HIS WIFE.
[Genesis 20:15] AND ABIMELECH SAID, BEHOLD, MY LAND IS BEFORE THEE: DWELL WHERE IT PLEASETH THEE.
[Genesis 20:16] AND UNTO SARAH HE SAID, BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN THY BROTHER A THOUSAND PIECES OF SILVER: BEHOLD, HE IS TO THEE A COVERING OF THE EYES, UNTO ALL THAT ARE WITH THEE, AND WITH ALL OTHER: THUS SHE WAS REPROVED.
[Genesis 20:17] SO ABRAHAM PRAYED UNTO GOD: AND GOD HEALED ABIMELECH, AND HIS WIFE, AND HIS MAIDSERVANTS; AND THEY BARE CHILDREN.
[Genesis 20:18] FOR THE LORD HAD FAST CLOSED UP ALL THE WOMBS OF THE HOUSE OF ABIMELECH, BECAUSE OF SARAH ABRAHAM'S WIFE.
[Genesis 21:1] AND THE LORD VISITED SARAH AS HE HAD SAID, AND THE LORD DID UNTO SARAH AS HE HAD SPOKEN.
[Genesis 21:2] FOR SARAH CONCEIVED, AND BARE ABRAHAM A SON IN HIS OLD AGE, AT THE SET TIME OF WHICH GOD HAD SPOKEN TO HIM.
[Genesis 21:3] AND ABRAHAM CALLED THE NAME OF HIS SON THAT WAS BORN UNTO HIM, WHOM SARAH BARE TO HIM, ISAAC.
[Genesis 21:4] AND ABRAHAM CIRCUMCISED HIS SON ISAAC BEING EIGHT DAYS OLD, AS GOD HAD COMMANDED HIM.
[Genesis 21:5] AND ABRAHAM WAS AN HUNDRED YEARS OLD, WHEN HIS SON ISAAC WAS BORN UNTO HIM.
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[Genesis 21:6] AND SARAH SAID, GOD HATH MADE ME TO LAUGH, SO THAT ALL THAT HEAR WILL LAUGH WITH ME.
Isaac means He will laugh.
[Genesis 21:7] AND SHE SAID, WHO WOULD HAVE SAID UNTO ABRAHAM, THAT SARAH SHOULD HAVE GIVEN CHILDREN SUCK? FOR I HAVE BORN HIM A SON IN HIS OLD AGE.
[Genesis 21:8] AND THE CHILD GREW, AND WAS WEANED: AND ABRAHAM MADE A GREAT FEAST THE SAME DAY THAT ISAAC WAS WEANED.
[Genesis 21:9] AND SARAH SAW THE SON OF HAGAR THE EGYPTIAN, WHICH SHE HAD BORN UNTO ABRAHAM, MOCKING.
Mocking: mocking in the Bible is connected with idolatry, murder, and sexual immorality.
[Genesis 21:10] WHEREFORE SHE SAID UNTO ABRAHAM, CAST OUT THIS BONDWOMAN AND HER SON: FOR THE SON OF THIS BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE HEIR WITH MY SON, EVEN WITH ISAAC.
No division of the land, no territorial compromise, no nothing. Ishmael must go.
[Genesis 21:11] AND THE THING WAS VERY GRIEVOUS IN ABRAHAM'S SIGHT BECAUSE OF HIS SON.
Abraham as we mentioned was the good Jew. He was sorry for the underdog. This is a good quality but sometimes backfires.
[Genesis 21:12] AND GOD SAID UNTO ABRAHAM, LET IT NOT BE GRIEVOUS IN THY SIGHT BECAUSE OF THE LAD, AND BECAUSE OF THY BONDWOMAN; IN ALL THAT SARAH HATH SAID UNTO THEE, HEARKEN UNTO HER VOICE; FOR IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED.
Sarah saw that Ishmael and Isaac could not get along. The only solution she saw was to expel Ishmael. Many of the Arabs are descended from Ishmael and even those who are not speak the language of Ishmael and share Ishmaelite concepts and thought processes. The only solution today is the same as it was then, the Arab-Palestinians should be sent away. This can be done humanely, without violence, or it could have been in the past. As things are going at present the Jewish community in the Land of Israel may ultimately be obliged to forcibly eject the Palestinian entity in order to survive.
[Genesis 21:13] AND ALSO OF THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN WILL I MAKE A NATION, BECAUSE HE IS THY SEED.
He was given some compensation and promised special consideration and assistance in the places he would settle in after being sent away. First he must go. Later he can be assisted.
[Genesis 21:14] AND ABRAHAM ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND TOOK BREAD, AND A BOTTLE OF WATER, AND GAVE IT UNTO HAGAR, PUTTING IT ON HER SHOULDER, AND THE CHILD, AND SENT HER AWAY: AND SHE DEPARTED, AND WANDERED IN THE WILDERNESS OF BEERSHEBA.
Abraham gave Hagar supplies. He did what was necessary even though it was difficult for him. In the end all the soft good Jews will have to do the same thing if they want their children to survive normally. They will have to send the Arabs away sooner or later. Until those who must realize this necessity of existence realize it however innocent people are liable to suffer needlessly.
[Genesis 21:15] AND THE WATER WAS SPENT IN THE BOTTLE, AND SHE CAST THE CHILD UNDER ONE OF THE SHRUBS.
[Genesis 21:16] AND SHE WENT, AND SAT HER DOWN OVER AGAINST HIM A GOOD WAY OFF, AS IT WERE A BOW SHOT: FOR SHE SAID, LET ME NOT SEE THE DEATH OF THE CHILD. AND SHE SAT OVER AGAINST HIM, AND LIFT UP HER VOICE, AND WEPT.
[Genesis 21:17] AND GOD HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LAD; AND THE ANGEL OF GOD CALLED TO HAGAR OUT OF HEAVEN, AND SAID UNTO HER, WHAT AILETH THEE, HAGAR? FEAR NOT; FOR GOD HATH HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LAD WHERE HE IS.
The sages emphasize the expression HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LAD WHERE HE IS. Ishmael was a bad man. He was destined to return and do evil and oppress the Israelites. Neither was he the chosen seed but a reprobate relative who had to be sent away. Even so at that moment he cried to God and God heard him and had mercy. We should repent always but especially in times of trouble. Maybe we are not sure of how sorry we really are over what we have done. Nor are we certain that in the very near future we will not continue to give in to temptation. God knows us better than we know ourselves. We are surely worse than we realize. Even so from the case of Ishmael you see that if one genuinely asks God for help He does not judge us harshly. He helps.
[Genesis 21:18] ARISE, LIFT UP THE LAD, AND HOLD HIM IN THINE HAND; FOR I WILL MAKE HIM A GREAT NATION.
[Genesis 21:19] AND GOD OPENED HER EYES, AND SHE SAW A WELL OF WATER; AND SHE WENT, AND FILLED THE BOTTLE WITH WATER, AND GAVE THE LAD DRINK.
The well was there at hand all the time. She just had not seen it. Very often our salvation is just before us but we need Divine assistance to see it.
[Genesis 21:20] AND GOD WAS WITH THE LAD; AND HE GREW, AND DWELT IN THE WILDERNESS, AND BECAME AN ARCHER.
God helped him.
[Genesis 21:21] AND HE DWELT IN THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN: AND HIS MOTHER TOOK HIM A WIFE OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT.
He became the ancestor of the Arabs. His mother was Egyptian and he took an Egyptian wife. That makes him Egyptian. Even so he was still considered the son of Abraham. The blessings promised to him would be fulfilled in his seed. Some blessings are unconditional and some are not.
s.6
[Genesis 21:22] AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, THAT ABIMELECH AND PHICHOL THE CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST SPAKE UNTO ABRAHAM, SAYING, GOD IS WITH THEE IN ALL THAT THOU DOEST:
Abraham was blessed by God and everyone around him saw that he was.
God is with you they said. They felt it.
[Genesis 21:23] NOW THEREFORE SWEAR UNTO ME HERE BY GOD THAT THOU WILT NOT DEAL FALSELY WITH ME, NOR WITH MY SON, NOR WITH MY SON'S SON: BUT ACCORDING TO THE KINDNESS THAT I HAVE DONE UNTO THEE, THOU SHALT DO UNTO ME, AND TO THE LAND WHEREIN THOU HAST SOJOURNED.
[Genesis 21:24] AND ABRAHAM SAID, I WILL SWEAR.
[Genesis 21:25] AND ABRAHAM REPROVED ABIMELECH BECAUSE OF A WELL OF WATER, WHICH ABIMELECH'S SERVANTS HAD VIOLENTLY TAKEN AWAY.
[Genesis 21:26] AND ABIMELECH SAID, I WOT NOT WHO HATH DONE THIS THING; NEITHER DIDST THOU TELL ME, NEITHER YET HEARD I OF IT, BUT TO DAY.
[Genesis 21:27] AND ABRAHAM TOOK SHEEP AND OXEN, AND GAVE THEM UNTO ABIMELECH; AND BOTH OF THEM MADE A COVENANT.
Abraham gave him an offering. Throughout the Bible people are always giving offerings and presents to one another: You give offering to God, to friends, to spouses, to business associates, to potential allies and to placate enemies. They also made feasts.
We can learn from this. People who conduct business deals frequently feel the need to have meals together, to eat out. This creates bonding and relaxes the atmosphere to enable the participants to get down to business and frankly discuss their real concerns. A lot of money is expended in this way. Maybe they should give presents more. Even symbolic gifts are important. Maybe spouses should give gifts more often to each other.
Abraham gave sheep and oxen to Abimelech which in todays terms would have been worth thousands of dollars or maybe (in man-hour terms of what was necessary to purchase them in those times) very very much more.
[Genesis 21:28] AND ABRAHAM SET SEVEN EWE LAMBS OF THE FLOCK BY THEMSELVES.
[Genesis 21:29] AND ABIMELECH SAID UNTO ABRAHAM, WHAT MEAN THESE SEVEN EWE LAMBS WHICH THOU HAST SET BY THEMSELVES?
[Genesis 21:30] AND HE SAID, FOR THESE SEVEN EWE LAMBS SHALT THOU TAKE OF MY HAND, THAT THEY MAY BE A WITNESS UNTO ME, THAT I HAVE DIGGED THIS WELL.
There is here a play on words.
Seven ewe lambs would be enough to start a grouping within a flock.
This would be possibly the minimum number to be considered a flock.
The word for "flock" in Hebrew is "ader". The word "adah" is a weakened form of "ader".
A flock "ader" consists of males (or at least one male) and females and their offspring.
It is a community. An "Adah" is a grouping all members of which are the same.
We have an "adah" of bees (Judges 14:8) since all bees (without the queen) outside the hive are the same.
Israel is referred to as an "adah" (Exodus 16:1) when they it is wished to emphasis the communality between them
The spies who brought back a bad report are referred to as an "adah" (Numbers 14:27) since their wicked words formed a common bond between them.
The word for "witness" used here is also "adah". In other words the same word
has two different meanings. The owrd "adah" means both
"witness" and "grouping". Abraham in effect asked Abimelech to take the seven ewe lambs and use them to create a separate grouping within the flock
that would be a witness of the covenant between them.
In the Bible we frequently find deliberate plays on words.
Both the meaning of Words as well as the sound of them have significance in Scripture.
[Genesis 21:31] WHEREFORE HE CALLED THAT PLACE BEERSHEBA; BECAUSE THERE THEY SWARE BOTH OF THEM.
<<BEERSHEBA>>: i.e. The well (Beer) of Seven ("Sheba" or "seva"). As we have already mentioned it may be that in this as in similar cases that the name of the place was already "Beer-Sheba" but Scripture is saying that the name presages the events that were destined to take place there.
This is a play on words: He set aside seven ewe lambs because they swore in that place.
In Hebrew seven is sheva and swear is shevuah. The two words derive from the same root and sound similar. This happens frequently in Scripture: The two different meanings of one word-root are used together and a connection is noticed or created between them.
Incidentally we have here two Hebrew words that have penetrated Modern English:
Seven in Hebrew is Sheva, the "sh" sound was pronounced as "s" amongst Ephraimites in the northern kingdom (Judges 12;6)
and according to archaeology also in Assyria.
We thus have seva instead of sheva. The last letter in seva is an ayin which sometimes takes an "an" sound (thus Jacob- Yaakov becomes Yankov or Yank for short). So we have "sheva" becoming "seva" in turn becoming "sevan" giving us "seven" in English.
Swear (i.e. take on oath) in Hebrew is "shevua" and as we have seen this is the same as sevua. In Ancient Hebrew the v sound was frequently pronounced as w thus we have sewa for sware: In Old English swear was swerian which is not so different from the probable Ancient Hebrew pronunciation.
[Genesis 21:32] THUS THEY MADE A COVENANT AT BEERSHEBA: THEN ABIMELECH ROSE UP, AND PHICHOL THE CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST, AND THEY RETURNED INTO THE LAND OF THE PHILISTINES.
[Genesis 21:33] AND ABRAHAM PLANTED A GROVE IN BEERSHEBA, AND CALLED THERE ON THE NAME OF THE LORD, THE EVERLASTING GOD.
The Eternal Only God.
[Genesis 21:34] AND ABRAHAM SOJOURNED IN THE PHILISTINES' LAND MANY DAYS.
s.7
[Genesis 22:1] AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THESE THINGS, THAT GOD DID TEMPT ABRAHAM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, ABRAHAM: AND HE SAID, BEHOLD, HERE I AM.
[Genesis 22:2] AND HE SAID, TAKE NOW THY SON, THINE ONLY SON ISAAC, WHOM THOU LOVEST, AND GET THEE INTO THE LAND OF MORIAH; AND OFFER HIM THERE FOR A BURNT OFFERING UPON ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS WHICH I WILL TELL THEE OF.
"THINE ONLY SON ISAAC": Ishmael was also a physical descendant of Abraham and Abraham loved Ishmael and did his best for him but Abraham was told that Isaac in Gods eyes was his only son.
This is important to remember.
Abraham was an old man. He realized that he could only have true seed through Sarah who was an old woman. Miracles do not happen every day. He was told that Isaac was his only son in Gods eyes. There was no other . He loved his son Isaac. He had also loved Ishmael. He had risked his life and with only a few men armies had attacked whole armies, beaten and pursued them, just to save his nephew Lot. He had done his best to save the people of Sodom out of sheer compassion since they did not deserve saving. God was telling him to go against his very essence, his whole life, and very future, and the future of humanity, and he obeyed. He stood the test.
Likewise Britain in the Second World War (before Pearl Harbor) agreed to let the USA determine world policy after the war in return for American assistance in winning the War. Churchill said, We gave away our Empire to save the world.
[Genesis 22:3] AND ABRAHAM ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND SADDLED HIS ASS, AND TOOK TWO OF HIS YOUNG MEN WITH HIM, AND ISAAC HIS SON, AND CLAVE THE WOOD FOR THE BURNT OFFERING, AND ROSE UP, AND WENT UNTO THE PLACE OF WHICH GOD HAD TOLD HIM.
"ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING": Once he took the decision he did not procrastinate. The Rabbis said that we should take an example from Abraham and once we decide to do a good deed or commandment we should do it straight away.
[Genesis 22:4] THEN ON THE THIRD DAY ABRAHAM LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND SAW THE PLACE AFAR OFF.
[Genesis 22:5] AND ABRAHAM SAID UNTO HIS YOUNG MEN, ABIDE YE HERE WITH THE ASS; AND I AND THE LAD WILL GO YONDER AND WORSHIP, AND COME AGAIN TO YOU.
[Genesis 22:6] AND ABRAHAM TOOK THE WOOD OF THE BURNT OFFERING, AND LAID IT UPON ISAAC HIS SON; AND HE TOOK THE FIRE IN HIS HAND, AND A KNIFE; AND THEY WENT BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER.
"TOGETHER": with one mind, as noted by the Sages.
[Genesis 22:7] AND ISAAC SPAKE UNTO ABRAHAM HIS FATHER, AND SAID, MY FATHER: AND HE SAID, HERE AM I, MY SON. AND HE SAID, BEHOLD THE FIRE AND THE WOOD: BUT WHERE IS THE LAMB FOR A BURNT OFFERING?
[Genesis 22:8] AND ABRAHAM SAID, MY SON, GOD WILL PROVIDE HIMSELF A LAMB FOR A BURNT OFFERING: SO THEY WENT BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER.
[Genesis 22:9] AND THEY CAME TO THE PLACE WHICH GOD HAD TOLD HIM OF; AND ABRAHAM BUILT AN ALTAR THERE, AND LAID THE WOOD IN ORDER, AND BOUND ISAAC HIS SON, AND LAID HIM ON THE ALTAR UPON THE WOOD.
"THE PLACE": This was on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. We should rebuild the Temple as soon as possible. At least one Midrash (Pesikta Zutratha Lekach Tov, Balak, Numbers 24;17) says that the Messiah Son of Joseph will rebuild the Temple. This person is the future leader of the Lost Ten Tribes just prior to their reunification with Judah. Other sources also say that the Return of the Lost Ten Tribes is connected to the rebuilding of the Temple.
[Genesis 22:10] AND ABRAHAM STRETCHED FORTH HIS HAND, AND TOOK THE KNIFE TO SLAY HIS SON.
[Genesis 22:11] AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CALLED UNTO HIM OUT OF HEAVEN, AND SAID, ABRAHAM, ABRAHAM: AND HE SAID, HERE AM I.
[Genesis 22:12] AND HE SAID, LAY NOT THINE HAND UPON THE LAD, NEITHER DO THOU ANY THING UNTO HIM: FOR NOW I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD, SEEING THOU HAST NOT WITHHELD THY SON, THINE ONLY SON FROM ME.
"THY SON, THINE ONLY SON": Isaac was his only son and God was emphasizing it. This rankles the Arabs many of whom are descended from Ishmael who was physically begotten by Abraham from Hagar the Egyptian. In the Koran this story is repeated but instead of Isaac the Arabs have substituted the name for Ishmael. Incidentally the Koran also talks about Jesus and says that his mother Miriam (Mary) was the sister of Moses.
You see, they grow these weeds in the desert and make funny cigarettes out of them.
[Genesis 22:13] AND ABRAHAM LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND LOOKED, AND BEHOLD BEHIND HIM A RAM CAUGHT IN A THICKET BY HIS HORNS: AND ABRAHAM WENT AND TOOK THE RAM, AND OFFERED HIM UP FOR A BURNT OFFERING IN THE STEAD OF HIS SON.
[Genesis 22:14] AND ABRAHAM CALLED THE NAME OF THAT PLACE JEHOVAHJIREH: AS IT IS SAID TO THIS DAY, IN THE MOUNT OF THE LORD IT SHALL BE SEEN.
Maybe more correctly: In the mountain where God will make Himself seen. This was the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Sooner or later the Temple will be rebuilt on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
You can help and benefit or not help and not benefit from helping.
[Genesis 22:15] AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CALLED UNTO ABRAHAM OUT OF HEAVEN THE SECOND TIME,
[Genesis 22:16] AND SAID, BY MYSELF HAVE I SWORN, SAITH THE LORD, FOR BECAUSE THOU HAST DONE THIS THING, AND HAST NOT WITHHELD THY SON, THINE ONLY SON:
"BY MYSELF HAVE I SWORN" - by Myself God is eternal and so is the promise. The promise was now made UNCONDITIONAL and IRREVOCABLE. It had to be fulfilled as in part it has been.
[Genesis 22:17] THAT IN BLESSING I WILL BLESS THEE, AND IN MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY THY SEED AS THE STARS OF THE HEAVEN, AND AS THE SAND WHICH IS UPON THE SEA SHORE; AND THY SEED SHALL POSSESS THE GATE OF HIS ENEMIES;
<<MULTIPLY THY SEED>>: Very very many people, hundreds of millions and more were to descend from Abraham.
Akeda = The Binding.
In Genesis 22 is described an incident which we do not properly understand. It is known in Hebrew as The Akeda = The Binding.
Abraham was told to take his son, his only son (according to the words of the Bible), and go with him to the Mount of Moriah and there offer him up as a human-sacrifice. Abraham did as he was told and he went with Isaac to the place, laid wood upon an altar, then bound Isaac to the altar and raised a sacrificial knife to kill Isaac. At the last minute Abraham was stopped by an angel who told him that the whole thing was only a test of faith to see if Abraham would obey the command of God in this matter or not. A ram was substituted for Isaac and sacrificed in his stead.
The purpose of the test was to enable the international aspects of the Promises to be fulfilled UNCONDITIONALLY.
After the Akeda (After the Binding) i.e. after Abraham had passed the test, God Blessed Abraham,
And said, By myself have I sworn, says the LORD, for because you have done this thing , and have not withheld your son, your only son,
THAT IN BLESSING I WILL BLESS YOU, AND IN MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY YOUR SEED AS THE STARS OF THE HEAVEN, AND AS THE SAND WHICH IS UPON THE SEASHORE; AND YOUR SEED SHALL POSSESS THE GATE OF HIS ENEMIES.;
AND IN YOUR SEED SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED; BECAUSE YOU HAVE OBEYED MY VOICE."
Note the expression in the first part of this blessing,
By myself have I sworn, says the LORD because you have done this thing , and have Not withheld Your son , your only son from me.
By myself have I sworn, says the LORD in other words UNCONDITIONALLY, by MYSELF, i.e. by HIMSELF, by the very essence of God Almighty and therefore NOT SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!!.
This is a new development: Some of the previous blessings are now repeated and involve being multiplied as the stars of the heavens and of the seashores; there is also a promise to inherit the gate of your enemies i.e. strategic points, and the PROMISE IS NOW UNCONDITIONAL: In this verse nothing is said about the LAND because the LAND is not unconditional but is contingent upon keeping the commandments and Monotheistic belief as we have explained elsewhere.
See the Commentary of Nachmanides on Leviticus 18:26
Thousands of Millions = Alfei Revavah ?? Eventually Abraham became old and thought he was going to die so he sent his servant Elazar to the House of his father to bring back a wife. Elazar went and brought back Rivka (Rebecca) with him. Before she went the family of Rebecca blessed her. They said unto her (Genesis 24:60), You are our sister, be you the mother of thousands of millions and may your seed possess the gate of those that hate them.
["be thou the mother of thousands of millions" -it says in the KJ though the Hebrew translated here as thousands of millions is "alfei revavah" which actually would be translated today as saying "thousands of ten thousands" i.e. Tens of Millions though it could be understood to mean more. Like the sand of the sea and like the stars in heaven for multitude. However it is understood -whether as saying tens of millions, or thousands of millions , it is definitely talking about a great many people.
Rebecca was also blessed, -and may your seed possess the gate of those that hate them.
i.e. May the seed of Rebecca and Isaac possess the strategic passes promised in the Blessings.
"Gate of your enemies": Isaac had been promised that his seed would possess the gate of his enemies and Rebecca likewise was promised that her seed would possess the gate of those that hate them. The promise to possess the gate of enemies refers to the possession of strategic points that allow access to or control over thoroughfares of supply or the interior of a country or something similar. This is how Rabbinical Commentators understood it. The Sages said, for instance, that the blessing was partially fulfilled in the time of Solomon by Solomon building the city of Tadmor that enabled him to control the passage of caravans bearing merchandise and traveling along caravan-routes through the desert
In the past Britain and the USA controlled every important international strait and thoroughfares: Examples are Hong Kong, Singapore, Gibraltar, Falklands, Panama, Philippines, The Suez Canal, Malta, Heligoland, -Everywhere where there was a strategic point of international importance it was usually under British or American control.
Even now many of these places are still controlled by the USA or Britain. The USA has bases all over the world. The USA does not always publicize the existence of these bases but they are known about.
The host countries to whom these bases technically belong have only limited control over them. They cannot just tell the USA to leave. In some cases the host countries are open enemies of the USA and in others they are potential enemies. Even so, they have no real say on a day-to-day basis concerning what the USA does or does not do with these bases, and on them.
The USA has the Wheeler Air Base in Libya, it has a base in Cuba, it has bases in Japan, bases in islands off Japan, in the Pacific Ocean, in the Indian Ocean, in every Sea and in every Ocean, in Greenland, in Saudia Arabia, in the Persian Gulf, in northern Iraq (i.e. Kurdistan); It has all kinds of facilities of strategic importance all over the world, not all of which are publicized.
The host nations (as we said) in which these bases are located are often Americas enemies but they still can do little concerning what America doe., They cannot get America out though these bases potentially allow America access to their vital points in other words they allow America access. They allow America, if necessary, to come in. They are gates. They are the gate of your enemies. that were promised to the Chosen People and these promises have been fulfilled through Britain and America.
America and Britain are the only countries who have rights of this type on such an international scale and they are the only nations where these arrangements have become a natural integrated part of foreign and military policy.
In the past Britain ruled the waves and all the major Sea-lanes and Sea passes were under Britains control. Nowadays sea-movement is less important than it used to be Nevertheless, Space is important. The USA has control of Space; it has Satellites and Missiles and a Space-orientated -infrastructure that allows it access by satellite to most places of the world -for the purposes of attack or at least of surveillance. Through its satellites the USA (if it so wishes) can take very-close-up photographs of a lot of areas. In some cases, not only can they see soldiers marching below but they can even discern what signs-of-rank the soldiers filmed bear on their shoulders.
In other words the USA has gates meaning avenues of entry, it has means of access to all of its actual and potential enemies. The possession of these gates (of option of entry into these areas) does not guarantee victory in War but it is an advantage. Other countries have got space-programs of their own but none of them so far have achieved anything like the USA. -Not that they are less gifted. It just was not there. They lacked the resources and inclination at the right time. The Blessing to possess the gates of your enemies was not pertinent to other nations.
"Brit-Am Now"- 178
#4. Darris McNeely: "The USA: A World Empire Fulfills the Promise to Joseph"
"Brit-Am Now"-376
#3. Gates of His Enemies; "The U.S. Global Empire" by Laurence M. Vance
[Genesis 22:18] AND IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED; BECAUSE THOU HAST OBEYED MY VOICE.
[Genesis 22:19] SO ABRAHAM RETURNED UNTO HIS YOUNG MEN, AND THEY ROSE UP AND WENT TOGETHER TO BEERSHEBA; AND ABRAHAM DWELT AT BEERSHEBA.
BeerSheba is in the south of Israel, in what became the inheritance of Simeon. It is quite warm there.
The name Beersheba (Beer-sheva) means well of the seven or well of the swearing.
[Genesis 22:20] AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THESE THINGS, THAT IT WAS TOLD ABRAHAM, SAYING, BEHOLD, MILCAH, SHE HATH ALSO BORN CHILDREN UNTO THY BROTHER NAHOR;
[Genesis 22:21] HUZ HIS FIRSTBORN, AND BUZ HIS BROTHER, AND KEMUEL THE FATHER OF ARAM,
[Genesis 22:22] AND CHESED, AND HAZO, AND PILDASH, AND JIDLAPH, AND BETHUEL.
Descendants of Chesed later took control of Babylon. They are commonly known as the Chaldeans. They were skilled in the ways of witchcraft so that laster the term "Chaldean" became synonymous with "sorcerer".
[Genesis 22:23] AND BETHUEL BEGAT REBEKAH: THESE EIGHT MILCAH DID BEAR TO NAHOR, ABRAHAM'S BROTHER.
[Genesis 22:24] AND HIS CONCUBINE, WHOSE NAME WAS REUMAH, SHE BARE ALSO TEBAH, AND GAHAM, AND THAHASH, AND MAACHAH.
Some of these Aramaean peoples settled to the north and east of Israel and intermarried with the seed of Manasseh. Descendants of Manasseh today probably contain some Aramaean admixture.
Aram also intermarried with Edom.