Chayei Sarah

Chayei Sarah

Chayei Sarah

Genesis 23:1 – 25:18Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31Gospel: Matthew 2:1-23

Chayei Sarah = “Life of Sarah”The 5th Torah Portion Reading

5th reading in the Book of Genesis

Genesis 23

The age and death of Sarah

The purchase of Machpelah,

Where Sarah was buried

Genesis 24

Abraham swears his servant

The servant’s journey

The meeting of Isaac and Rebekah

The Akedah

I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

Hosea 12:10

The Akedah

The Akedah is perhaps the most startling example of a “type” in the Bible.

It is the famed incident of Abraham offering his son Isaac in Genesis chapter 22.

Macrocode: It sets up for an anticipatory event or action that will occur in the future.

Genesis 22:1-2

1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2And 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.

Genesis 22:1-2

God did tempt Abraham

tempt = nacah, (H 5254), naw-saw'; a primitive root; to test; by implication to attempt : adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try.

(Ex 15:25; 16:4; 20:20; Deut. 8:2,16; 2 Sam 22:31; 2 Chron. 9:1; 2 Chron. 32:31; Psalm 26:2; Proverbs 17:3)

Genesis 22:1-2

Why tempt Abraham? - Abraham's weakness in faith!

(Gen. 12:1) Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee:

(Gen 12:10) And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

(Gen 12:12-13) Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

God Tempted Abraham?

Why tempt Abraham? - Abraham's weakness in faith!

12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

James 1:12-13


17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Hebrews 11:17-19


thine only son Isaac

Isaac was the only son of promise, the only son of Sarah, and the only one here; Ishmael left some years before (Genesis 21:9-10).

His other sons were not yet born (Genesis 25:1-6).

Isaac – The Son of Promise

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Genesis 17:19

Isaac – The Son of Promise

(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.

Love

whom thou lovest

The Law of First Mention – The first occurrence of a word in the Scripture is usually very significant in the overall design.

It seems profoundly significant that this account includes the first occurrence of the word love in the Scripture.

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.

Genesis 22:3

Abraham rose up early in the morning

There is no delay he starts his journey the very next morning.

This event shows an immediate response and the obedience of Abraham.

Genesis 22:3

and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son

There are four people going on this journey, Abraham, Isaac, and two young men.

One of the young men was most likely Eleazer, Abraham’s trusted servant.

Genesis 22:4

Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

Genesis 22:4

on the third day

Interesting phrase and time period used many times in the bible.

Gen 40:20; Ex 19:16; Esther 5:1; Hosea 6:2; John 2:1; Gospel accounts of Jesus rising from the grave.

Genesis 22:4

Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

afar = rachowq (raw-khoke)Remote, of place or time.

Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw two thousand years into the future to see God providing himself as a lamb.

Genesis 22:4

Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad

John 8:56

Genesis 22:5-6

5And 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. 6And 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.

Genesis 22:5-6

I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you

Abraham believed that He and Isaac would both return to the young men.

Abraham knew of the resurrection and believed that Isaac would return with him, perhaps in a resurrected state.

Genesis 22:5-6I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you

Abraham knew that God had promised that his future generations would be through Isaac. In the eyes of Abraham if God wanted him to sacrifice Isaac then Abraham did not have a problem – God had a problem.

Genesis 22:5-6

Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son

Isaac was to carry the wood on which he was to be sacraficed - as Christ was to carry His own cross on which He was to be sacrificed.

Isaac was about 30 years old at this time.

Genesis 22:5-6

and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife

Fire symbolizes judgment

Knife symbolizes the execution of judgment and of sacrifice

Genesis 22:5-6

and they went both of them together

An emphasis - two men went up the hill

Leaving two men at the bottom

Isaac shows a loving submission and goes willingly obeying his father.

Genesis 22:7-8

7And 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? 8And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Genesis 22:7-8

where is the lamb for a burnt offering

The answer to this question is very prophetic. Abraham may have known that he was acting out a profound future event, vs. 14.

Genesis 22:7-8

God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering

What will God provide for the offering?

Himself – as the lamb, His first public introduction was by John the Baptist.

…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 1:29

Genesis 22:9-10

9And 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. 10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

Genesis 22:11-12

11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12And 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.

Genesis 22:11-12

Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him

It is interesting to consider that Isaac was “dead” to Abraham for three days. From the time the commandment came until he was freed by the angel.

Genesis 22:13-14

13And 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. 14And 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.

Genesis 22:13-14

Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a

ram caught in a thicket by his horns:

God does more than provide a lamb, He would Himself become the lamb two thousand years later on this spot.

This is why there was a ram in the thicket and not a lamb, the ram is a substitution.

Genesis 22:13-14

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.

Abraham saw the place afar off in time and saw God offer Himself for mankind. He knew that he was acting out prophecy and named the place accordingly.

Genesis 22:15-16

15And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16And 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:

Genesis 22:17-18

17That 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; 18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Genesis 22:17-18

Mount Moriah was the greatest trial in Abraham’s life

Mount Moriah was also the greatest triumph in Abraham’s life.

Genesis 22:19

So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Where is Isaac?

Genesis 22:19

Naturally, we infer that Isaac also joined them and that there were four who traveled back to Beersheba. However the person Isaac has been edited out of the record, by the Holy Spirit, from the time he is offered on the mount until he is united with his bride, two chapters later.

Genesis 24:2-4

2And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: 4But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

Genesis 24:2-4

his eldest servant of his house

There are places in the Bible where a person acts as a type for the Holy Spirit.This person usually remains unnamed.

Other places in the Bible the Holy Spirit will act without being named as the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 24:2-4

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

John 16:3

Genesis 24:2-4

And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? Genesis 15:2

Eldest Servant: Ruled over all that Abraham had; would have inherited everything in the absence of issue.

A type for the Holy Spirit sent to gather a bride for the Son.

Eldest Servant: Eliezer = Comforter

Genesis 24:58

And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

Rebekah is a type of the Church, and Eliezer a Type of the Holy Spirit, and Isaac a Type of Jesus Christ. When Rebekah was asked if she would go she said I will go.

In like manner, the Holy Spirit invites you to receive Christ as Savior, but the final decision is yours.

Genesis 24:62-63

62And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

Genesis 24:62-63

Lahairoi = “well of a living water”

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 7:38

Genesis 24:62-63

Chapter 24 is highly typical: Abraham a type of a certain King, the Father God, who would make a marriage for his son

(Matt 22:2) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

Genesis 24:62-63

4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Genesis 25

The sons of Abraham by Keturah

Isaac prays that the barrenness of Rebekah be healed

Esau sells his birthright

Matthew 2:1-6 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Matthew 2:7-11 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:12-15

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Matthew 2

He was to be born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 (KJV) 2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2

He was to be called out of Egypt

Hosea 11:1 (KJV) 1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Matthew 2

There was to be weeping in Ramah Jeremiah 31:15 (KJV) 15 Thus saith the LORD;

A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Matthew 2

He was a root from the stem of Jesse and therefore to be called a Nazarene

Isaiah 11:1 (KJV) 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

A Study of Chayei Sarah

Chayei Sarah

Documents

Chayei Sarah