Day 3: Toldot/Genesis 26:23-33
It’s easy for someone to humble themselves to others once they realize others are in a position capable of blessing them. Much more difficult is ridding one’s self of pride when he thinks he is dominant and superior to anyone else.
The death of Abraham marked such a time for King Abimelech. Abraham was clearly anointed and helped by the Creator. His fame for rescuing Lot from the marauding kings would have been well known. Abimelech, a king in his own right, had sent Abraham out of Gerar due for Sarah’s sake, after which the foreign king saw the power of Elohim via Abraham’s prayer for conception for the Philistine people.
The death of Abraham meant that some other man could rise to a succession of influence and territorial power. It is not that only one person can achieve the success of Abraham at any given time, rather it is an anointing of the priesthood and calling by YHVH that permits only one such individual to exist at any one time, in similarity to what would later be called a high priest. In other words, only one fleshly high priest was officially/Scripturally ordained at any given time. It is possible, even before the disclosure of Torah, that Abraham was that earthbound high priest, anointed by YHVH. In his death, Isaac assumed the role, not by physical inheritance, but by the promise made to Abraham that in his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed and, through Isaac, his descendants would be named.
The arrival of peace for Isaac was marked by three events. First, after being sent away from the Philistines, Isaac re-dug the ancient wells of his father. That was accompanied by strife and contention, which made for a paradigm to search for peace. Second, once peace was obtained by finding water without the competition and contention of others, YHVH spoke to Isaac, confirming the Covenant made with Abraham and extending it to Isaac. This second part is the confirmation of the rightly placed faith in YHVH Elohim in the search and quest for peace. Last, the peace was tested by those who had admonished Isaac to leave their territory. Abimelech’s people’s quest for peace was not for peace with man, but with their own self motives for alliances and good standing with prominent people who had the goods, be it water or YHVH’s favor.
Once judgment comes at the end of days, all the nations—lovers of pleasure along with all those who belong to Elohim—will all bow their knee and give YHVH praise. For the followers of YHVH and keepers of His Covenant, this will be an easy and long-awaited moment. For the remainder, their feigned obedience will not be mistaken by the Judge of creation for love, worship, or heartfelt adoration. There is no mistaking that Yeshua was not affirmed by the masses or recognized as Immanuel; however, in that day of praise, there will be total recognition. Sadly, the masses of humanity will realize this fact too late.
Today, there still is only one High Priest. He is of man since he came to us through Miriam, but He is also of the Ruach since He is YHVH incarnate. He dwells in us as we dwell in Him. Those who are of the flesh or walk in the flesh do not recognize the High Priest, whether in our testimony or evangelical outreach. Likewise, often we do not recognize Messiah in others when we are not dead to our flesh. This does not diminish the power or significance of Yeshua as our High Priest. As a matter of fact, it should spurn us to act in such a way that is befitting the Priest of priests. His anointing makes us His kings and His priesthood. Others may feign recognition of spiritual authority as a way to condone their own sin or shift the blame for what they are guilty of. Many will simply ignore us, persecute us, or just don’t know what the anointing is or looks like due to spiritual blindness. These, too, do not diminish Yeshua’s authority or the call He has upon our lives.
Eventually, Yeshua will be recognized by all for His role of atoning Priest. He is the only One that we must please. All others can see, ignore, or disdain us or Yeshua all they want. When they come to us, if their offer of peace does not violate Torah or quench the Ruach, then it may be observed; yet, any oaths, covenants, or promises made are done so to YHVH first and foremost. Anything that man garnishes from these promises kept to YHVH are added bonuses to men as a form of grace that allows all men to choose to bow before YHVH, submitting to His authority. Once they see and recognize the Judge, it may be too late for them. Until then, we are like Isaac—ambassadors of the Covenant for the nations to see Messiah through for their own eternal peace.
Dwell upon 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, “Now all these things are from YHVH, who reconciled us to Himself through Messiah and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that YHVH was in Messiah reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though YHVH were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Messiah, be reconciled to YHVH.”
