Parsha Vayera – Apostolic Readings, Commentary, and Video

ReadingsGenesis 18Matthew 10:11-15John 15:15-16:15Hebrews 13:1-22 Peter 3:7-9Genesis 19Luke 14:12-14Luke 17:28-372 Peter 2:6-142 Peter 3:10-13Revelation 6:9-17Genesis 20Matthew 27:15-26Mark 1:12-13James 5:14-161 Peter 3:1-7Genesis 21Romans 9:1-81 Corinthians 6:1-11Galatians 4:21-5:1Philippians 4:2-3Hebrews 11:11-14Genesis 22Matthew 26:52-54Luke 24:5-7John 1:35-37John 19:16-18Hebrews 5:7-8James 2:17-24Additional ReadingSoil from StoneAmerican TorahVideos Related to Parsha VayeiraAbraham’s Five Character Traits in Genesis 18:1-8 – On the basis of Abraham’s faith and character, God made a covenant with him and promised to preserve his descendants forever. All of Scripture emphasizes his great character, even calling him the Friend of God! The story of Abraham entertaining three men in #Genesis 18:1-8 reveals five important characteristics that God values in his people.The Gracious Angel in Judges 13 – Manoah, Samson’s father, was a good man, but he didn’t always follow the rules regarding sacrifice. He probably didn’t even know what all the rules were. None-the-less, the Angel of YHWH didn’t reprimand him or take the opportunity to lecture him on Altar Etiquette, but accepted his sacrifice graciously. This is a good example for guests to follow. If someone offers hospitality, accept if you’re able, and don’t be a bad guest.Lot’s Righteous Character in Genesis 19:1-11 – Lot gets a lot of bad press in Christian teaching, but Peter clearly wrote that he was a righteous man (2 Peter 2:6-9). Despite his sometimes foolish choices, the prelude to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-11) shows that Lot had some qualities that God values very highly.Divine Genocide in Joshua 11 – God said, “Thou shall not kill”, but he told Joshua to kill every living person in Canaan. What’s up with that?Supporting God’s Anointed – Be Better than Sodom – Yeshua said, “A prophet gets no respect in his own country.” If you worship the God of Abraham, you should want to be like Abraham, generous and hospitable, especially to those God has anointed for a divine mission. Yeshua said that a community who refused to support his teachers and prophets will be blessed, but those who don’t will be cursed worse than Sodom in the final judgement.Joshua 10: The Amorite Alliance Against Gibeon – The enemies of God have no real friends, even among themselves. Any hint of repentance, and they will turn on you like cannibals.No New Covenant Annuls an Older Covenant – God made covenants with Eve, Noah, Abraham, Israel, Aaron, the Levites, David, and many others. The Bible is the story of covenants made and fulfilled; that is its central theme. Yet not one new covenant ever annulled an older one. That’s just not how covenants work.Proverbs 1:7 and the fear of the LORD – The OTHER Proverbs 9 Woman –

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