Parashah Vayeira
Genesis 22
Notes by Chris O’Quin
© 2007
I. Introduction
A. Beautiful People don’t just happen. The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, suffering, struggle, loss and have found their way out of the depths. These people have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and deep loving concern. Elizabeth Ross
B. The theme—the very heart and sole of the New Testament, is found in the Akeidah. R. Kahn
C. The Akeidah (binding of Isaac) is the 10th of Abraham’s trials which began with Lech Lecha from last week’s Torah portion.
D. What do we hope to find from our study of this week’s Torah portion?
1. A clearer understanding of the Biblical text and Abraham’s trial.
2. A better understanding of the place of trials and tests in our own lives.
3. A better understanding of the New Testament in general and Yeshua’s life and ministry in particular.
II. Background
Why does the text say “After these things….” (Genesis 22:1) The following are possible answers.
1. Isaac and Ishmael argued as to who was more devoted to G-d. (Rashi)
2. Abraham’s witness to Abimelech. Explain
A. What is at the heart of idolatry and polytheism?
B. Contrast this with Abraham’s teaching of monotheism that the Infinity needs nothing. Explain
C. Abraham’s whole life was characterized and devoted to this belief and it was this very thing that G-d would put to the test.
3. The goal of a test is not to inform G-d but ourselves.
A. The Hebrew word for “test” is Nisayon” which shares the same root word of “ness” which means banner. What is done with a banner? It is lifted up or elevated. The purpose of the test is to lift up or elevate the one being tested to a new level of holiness and godliness.
B. What light does this shed on Yeshua’s words that “the Son of Man must be lifted up”? Or on the understanding that Yeshua was made perfect by his sufferings?
4. In both the story of Isaac and Ishmael and that of Abraham and Abimelech a bold assertion was made regarding G-d. According to the Midrash, Satan then came to challenge their credibility.
III. Observations from the narrative
1. Abraham
wais told to set out to the
2. Who did Abraham take along with him and why?
3. During the three days of travel the Midrash Tanchuma tells us that Satan, both through seductive words and through miracles, attempted to prevent Abraham and Isaac from fulfilling their goal. This reminds us of Yeshua’s rebuke of Peter: “Get thee behind me Satan!”
4. Abraham saddles his own donkey early in the morning. The Hebrew word that is used here, chamore, is related to the word chamehr which means "matter" or the physical. The rabbis interpret this that Abraham rode on or mastered the physical. That he mastered his own natural aversion to offer up his son Isaac.
5. To put this in perspective, the rabbis point out that only three individuals ride a chamore in the Tanach—Abraham, Moses (actually his wife and two sons) and Messiah. The idea of Messiah riding on a donkey is that Messiah masters the physical world both externally and internally. As the book of Proverbs says, “Better one who has self control than one who can conquer a city.” (Balaam had ridden an “atone.”)
6. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw a miracle.
A. He asked each one what they saw (Rabbah 56).
B. Why is Isaac the one chosen to come up the mountain?
7. What was Isaac’s perspective in all of this? Was this not just as big a trial for Isaac as it was for Abraham?
8. What is the significance of Isaac’s binding? Why and how did it occur? The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Targum Yerushalami).
9. While on the alter Isaac pulled back his own throat to be cut—he laid down his own life—no one took it from him. Who does this sound like?
A. He could have refused and since he was grown (37 years old) Abraham would have been off the hook. This required just as much, if not more love on the part of Isaac who did not have the benefit of hearing G-d’s command for himself. He had only the word (oral transmission) of the command from his father.
B. The rabbis teach that while on the alter Isaac was sacrificed. How?
1. At the point that Abraham lifted up the knife to slay his son it was credited as fulfillment of the command. The fact that the Angel of G-d prevented him from following through did not lessen the test or Abraham’s merit.
2. Secondly, the rabbis teach that at the moment that Abraham lifted up the knife, Isaac’s soul departed. It was only when the Angel of G-d cried out to Abraham that Isaac’s soul came back—thus resurrecting him from the dead.
10. The story of Isaac defending the Jewish nation in the future.
70-20=50/2=25/2=12.5 years. Explain. The death of the righteous atones for his generation.
11. What is the significance of the shofar? Where did it come from?
IV. Conclusion
1. Just as Yeshua taught that he and the Father were one in purpose and mission, so too this same theme is brought out by the rabbis regarding Abraham and Isaac. This passage is, for example, the only passage where the two speak in the Tanach.
2. Compare Isaac’s spiritual preparation with the Gospel accounts of Yeshua in the garden.
3. What does this mean for us?
A. What does it mean when it says that Abraham worshiped G-d? What is the meaning of worship?
B. What implications and lessons does this contain for us?