Roots of Faith

This week, I again focus on the person of Abram. In this portion of the triennial torah cycle, the word that connects the Torah reading with the prophet reading is the word Vision. In Genesis 15 we read of the “machazeh” of Abram. In Isaiah 1 we read of the chazon of Isaiah and in the second chapter of Isaiah we find a form of the Hebrew word for vision - this time, the Hebrew word “chazah”. It is fitting then that this week’s class considers the Biblical vision. It involves a universal plan to teach the nations the torah.

I also teach on the Faith of Abram. Whatever that faith was, it led to Abram’s recognition as the father of all faithful. Was it his faith alone, or does it include his works? This argument has fueled a debate that has crossed the centuries. We discuss this topic as well.

You will not want to miss this class.

 

 Genesis 15 - The Vision [104:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Genesis 15 - The Dialogue [54:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Melchizedek

Today’s triennial torah cycle is about the mysterious figure of Melchizedek. He is mentioned only twice in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 14 and Psalm 110).

In this class I take a look at several ancient sources to consider this figure.

We look at the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jewish Midrashim and the New Testament book of Hebrews.

We also cover some material on the Hebrew idea of “the Messiah”. I show that this idea is more complex than most assume.

You will not want to miss this class.

 

 Melchizedek - Genesis 14 teaching [93:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Genesis 14 - The Dialogue [88:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this week’s class, I focus on 2 topics, from the selected readings from this 10th seder of the ancient triennial torah cycle; (1) the “walk” of Abram (and his person), and (2) the Promised Land.

Beginning with the person and walk of Abram, I show that the initial call of Abram was for him to “walk for himself” - Lekh lecha! Often, when people begin to search for religious truth they have feelings of fear and uncertainty. In former faiths, things were figured out for them and yet Abram, leaves his country, his family and his father’s house without knowing where this will take him. I seek to show that many today are being called to a similar walk of faith. Many from the nations are now realizing that, in fulfillment of the words of Jeremiah, their fathers have inherited lies, vanity and things wherein there is no profit (Jeremiah 16:19).

We are told in Isaiah to look to Abraham (Isaiah 51:1-2). This great figure of faith is respected by the faithful of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Paul calls him “faithful Abraham” in Galatians 3:9 and the “father of us all” in Romans 4:16. The Koran mentions Abraham in no less than 188 passages.

He is called the “friend of God” in Isaiah 41:8, II Chronicles 20:7 and James 2:23.

I also point out that the ancient rabbis preached on the “Blessings and curses” from this particular Torah reading (Genesis chapters 12 and 13). It is shown that this subject of “blessing” aligns well with the season in which we find ourselves being that we are in the month of Kislev and from Haggai we learn that the 24th day of this month is a day from which God will bless (See Haggai chapter 2).

One such promised blessing is a promise of land - the Promised Land! In this week’s lesson, the word “land” is used 15 times in the torah reading and 5 more times in the prophets section (Joshua 24).

As a result of the overwhelming textual support for God’s eternal promise of a specific land to the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, I state that I am a Zionist…if by Zionist one means to infer that:

“I support a homeland for the modern descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob on the land given by God to the Patriarchs.”

Here are some of the texts that I use in my teaching to build the Biblical case for an Israelite presence on the soil as promised by God to the fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Joel 3
Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 11
Genesis 13:14-17
Genesis 15:7, 18-21 (notice the boundaries!)
Genesis 17:1-8
Genesis 26:2-5
Genesis 28:3-4, 13-15

Notice in Genesis 28 that God promises to bring Jacob back to the land.  This is the most dominant theme in the Hebrew Prophets, mentioned in over 40 major sections of the texts.

Jeremiah 32:37-41 - God says that he will plant Israel in the land in faithfulness with all his heart and all his soul.
II Samuel 7:10-11 / I Chronicles 17:9
Isaiah 14:1-2
Jeremiah 3:14, 17-18
Jeremiah 12:14-17
Jeremiah 16:14-15
Jeremiah 23:7-8
Jeremiah 24:6-7
Jeremiah 30:3
Ezekiel 28:25-26
Ezekiel 39:25-29
Amos 9:15

I Kings 8:46-53

I hope that you take the time to listen to this class. You will gain a better understanding of and deeper appreciation for the miraculous Israelite presence in the Holy Land today….and hopefully recognize that this is the beginning of a greater fulfillment of an oath sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Shalom, Ross

 

 The Promised Land - Genesis 12-13 [100:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Genesis 12-13 - The Dialogue [58:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this class, Ross explores the connecting theme between the Torah reading and Prophets reading for this 9th seder of the Ancient Triennial Torah cycle. The theme is “unity” and specifically as it relates to language.

In the torah reading from Genesis 11 we find that the whole earth had one language and the same words.  Their purposes however were not aligned with the goals of God. It is recorded that they sought to make a name for “themselves”.

The prophet reading is from Zephaniah chapter 3 this week and it also contains the idea of a single language, but in this text it is God that ‘reverses the curse’ of Genesis 11, and converts the people to the same language so that they may call upon Him.

In this class, Ross talks about Babel and the origins of Babylon. He also teaches on the relevance of this “mother of harlots and abominations” both historically as well as prophetically.

Beginning with a “parable” of sorts in Genesis 25:19ff, he tells of two nations that emerged from the womb or cradle of civilization - Babylon and Abram. Two distinct manner of nations would emerge. One sought and continues to seek to make a name for themselves, while the other has a destiny to make God’s name known in the earth.

Ross explores the various manifestations of the evil incarnation of Babylon (Shinar) and illustrates that as Abram was the first to answer the call to “come out of her my people” so too we must answer the call.

As an interesting point, it is pointed out in this week’s lesson that Kislev 15 is the date on which the “Abomination of Desolation” is erected by order to Antiochus Epiphanes. This date, recorded in I Maccabees chapter one happens to correspond with the date on which this class is given (14 Kislev)! There is a detailed entry in Ross’ blog on this topic. It remains the most popular of all entries to date and so you may want to read it as this was touched on this week.

This story in I Maccabees begins with a decree that all should be “one people” - and this idea then is connected with the attempts of the builders of the tower of Babel.

You really need to hear this class, but be prepared to take notes and have fun keeping up.  We cover lots of texts as always.

Shalom

 

 Genesis 11 - Teaching [135:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Genesis 11 Dialogue [58:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download