8 November 2024
Week of 03-09 November 2024
Torah portion: Deuteronomy Gen. 12:1-17:27 Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16
Theme: The blessings that come after a call are abundant
At the beginning of the chapter, it was written; Gen 12, 1-3 “The Lord said to Abram: Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in you.” Listening to the Lord’s command is not always easy, requiring effort and commitment. Abram’s case illustrates this challenge. Whether he should follow the command may depend on the negotiations, promises, or agreements they reach. As to this, notice that the Lord himself made the first move, commanding and subsequently following through with the promises. It is a threefold promise whereby according to Rashi the first one implies that “since traveling is the cause of three things _it decreases family life, it reduces one’s wealth and lessens one’s renown, he therefore needed these three blessings: that God should promise him children, wealth and a great name.” Although the threefold blessing is somewhat difficult to comprehend, Rashi provides valuable insights for deciphering its meaning. He wrote “and I will make your name into a great nation”: this alludes to the fact that we say in our prayer “God of Abraham”; and I will bless thee-that we say, “God of Isaac”; and I will make thy name great that we say “God of Jacob”. Notice that the command is addressed to the second person singular, which may imply that it is meant for your benefit and welfare. This resonates with us Christians, as we receive a similar command through the gospel. We also read about the blessings granted to those who listen to the words of the Lord. Furthermore, Isaiah provides another perspective of hope for those who choose to obey the Lord. Thus, it is written Is 40, 31: “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”
Meanwhile, changing one’s name is a common occurrence in the Bible, signifying a transformation from a person of this world to a person of God. Thus, in Gen 17, 5: “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a multitude of nations.” The first signifies chieftain of Ram and the second father of a multitude of nations.
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. Am I prepared to take on the command of the Lord?
Bibliography: 1. The Catholic Study Bible 3rd ed. New American Bible Rev. Ed. (2016) Oxford University Press,
This week’s Parasha Commentary was prepared by
Jefferson Philip Jacob Reyes, France, Bat-Kol Alumnus: 2019
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