Shalom!
 
This week our parsha gives us insights and details in the life of Yitzchak/Isaac. We notice that in Yitzchak's life, there were many situations that required incredible faith and trust in the promises of YHWH, beginning of course with his near sacrifice. We are left to wonder how this affected him and laid the groundwork for the tremendous faith he often displayed. As the chosen son of Avraham, he somehow trusted that his barren wife would someday bear a child. Yet through his wife's barrenness, did this cause Yitzchak to develop a deeper personal relationship with the Almighty through the avenue of prayer?
 
Bereshith/Genesis 25:21 And Yitzchak prayed to YHWH for his wife, because she was barren. And YHWH granted his prayer, and Rivkah his wife conceived
 
A walk with YHWH is not always easy. It can seem as if the problems are never-ending, tempting us to give up believing. Then came the barrenness of the Land:
 
Bereshith/Genesis 26:1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Avraham.
 
And then Yitzchak had his first encounter with His covenant keeping Elohim:
 
Bereshith/Genesis 26:2-5: And YHWH appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Avraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."
 
Despite these awesome reassurances from YHWH, Yitzchak was not perfect as fear took over and like his father, he put his wife in jeopardy with the king of Gerar. Even so, the Holy One faithfully looked after His chosen ones and rescued them. Soon afterwards, we read that Yitchak believed in the promises of blessings as he sowed in that dry land during the drought. Oh yes, we can understand how much faith this required as in the Land today we are pleading with this same covenant keeping Elohim for rain following many seasons of drought. After his promised blessing, despite the drought, Yitzchak sowed in the Land and received an amazing harvest:
 
Bereshith/Genesis 26:12-14. And Yitzchak sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. YHWH blessed him, and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy. He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him.
Romans 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
 
Jeremiah 17:7-8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in YHWH, whose trust is YHWH. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
 
We remember that there was another man who stayed in the Land during a time of famine and was blessed. This was the man Boaz in the story of Ruth. Naomi and her husband and children left the Land and went to Moab because of the famine, but Boaz stayed. Not only did Naomi end up with Moabite wives for her sons, but also her husband and her sons died in Moab. Naomi returned to the Land broken and bitter, to find that her kinsman redeemer was blessed and prospering! Just like Yitzchak, he trusted in the Elohim of Israel's provision in difficult times.
 
And the point here? We need to seek the Voice of the Holy Spirit when times are difficult and most of all continue to trust in His promises, even if we do not see them being realized in our day.
 
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of Adonai find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to Adonai for his glory.
 
Now a short comment on the fires here in Israel which appear to be out, yet the destruction is extensive. Speaking of the covenant promises, it can be confusing for those, like Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya'acov who received the promises, but didn't see them come to reality. Today many in the areas of Judaea and Samaria are living with their families in almost constant danger of terror. It is hard to maintain trust and faith when another blow like the fires come. Our good friend Mike Clayton sent out the following email this week with a way for you to participate in their recovery and also to be an encouragement. Following is the email and information you need. We thank you so much for your love of family in Israel!
 
Helping Israel Fire Victims
 
We have received a number of emails asking how you may help the victims of recent fires in Israel. There have been over 2000 fires in recent days, many set by terrorists which has caused damage across Israel, but with no deaths! Thank God!

I have been working to find the best place to give so funds go directly to those affected and am now working with trusted friends in The Land. Who we will be working with will not be giving out cash in most cases, but rather looking for specific needs, purchasing items and giving directly. One hundred per cent of funds will be used for the cause.

If you desire to help, you may give through our web site (http://joinedtohashem.org/partner/partner.html) via credit card or PayPal. The best way to give would be via checks to our office. No matter your method of giving, please note "Israel Fires." We will be sending the first check to Israel next Monday, December 5th. We will then send funds on a regular basis as they are received. Please ask your congregations and friends to get involved. This is a great time to honor, through your gifts, those like the Maccabees and others mentioned in Hebrews 11 who took a stand for the Land and covenant given by Yah.

We are also asking you to send cards or letters of encouragement for those affected by fires to our office. We will bundle them into one package and send them for disbursement. Please, no tracts or efforts to evangelize in your letters. Lets be respectful and walk in the words of Yeshua to be lights by our actions of love and support.

Shalom,
Mike

God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!
Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him! Psalm 68:1-4
 
 
 
 
 
Any questions can be directed to Mike at hineni@mac.com. Thanks so much!
 
Also included at the bottom of this letter is an interesting commentary on the twins, Ya'acov and Esau. Identical twins perhaps? Hmmmm...
 
Shabbat Shalom!
Ardelle