Parasha Lech Lecha: Day 4

B'reisheet/Genesis 14:21-15:6

The town's people more important to the king of Sodom, not because of his care for them, but for the sensual and corrupt ideologies they represented. The depravity around the Salt Sea was so abhorrent that the king of Sodom was intent on the stock of people for immoral acts, not for their welfare or their belongings. Abram's response to the king of Sodom concerning taking the bounty and plunder was above reproach. He did not desire a fee for rescue, a reward or even a token of gratitude for the effort. What was desired had already been gained by the retrieval of Lot and his family. In the reality of it all, Sodom and the surrounding cities were so corrupt that it was for Lot's sake alone that Abram had taken action. His love for his nephew in this heroic venture was clear and paved the way for the questions he would eventual plead with the Angel of Elohim prior to the destruction of the Salt Valley.

The lack of self revelry or assumption of reward was a very important attribute found in Abram. It was this very character trait that marked this man of Elohim as different than the rest of humanity. Abram knew that there was an empirical difference between right and wrong, good and evil. This is what moved him to rescue the righteous from among the unrighteous, even if it mean that Sodomites and others marked as unrighteous would be saved along with Lot. Like Elohim, Abram was willing to allow the unrighteous the opportunity to repent as a result for saving those that were already righteous.

Abram's belief that Lot was a good man belonging to Elohim incited him to a rescue attempt and victory. This was not done for gain to himself, but for to the glory of the Creator. To a believing individual like Abram, each person of the Creator's character was one more person that could effect the world in a positive way. They could, if like Abram, transform landscapes of nations, identities and the outlook of who Elohim is. This belief system was not based on man's ability to transform anything in and of himself, but was a faith in the Creator to use man for His own will and purpose. It was this type of belief and faith that Abram had and Elohim saw that was reckoned to him as righteousness. Abram did not look to his own hands or anything about himself to feel empowered or even able to accomplish what Elohim promised. In fact, the opposite was a reality for this servant of the Most High. As of yet, Abram and Sarai were still barren, with no personal heir to their physical materials or spiritual mantle.

This is where we should share experience and substance with our father Abraham. There is nothing good in us as it was conquered by sin and devoured in the death due to separation between us and the Creator. The faith that we maintain and the belief that YHVH tells us Truth and keeps His promises is the beginning of good in us. Again, this is not our good, as we do not initiate first contact. It is the Ruach haKodesh that inspires us to cry out and call on the name of YHVH first. As that cry resonates, Elohim looks down upon a reflection of Himself and then draws near to us as He even draws us closer to Himself. This in and of itself is an action taken by us. Without a response, such as belief, there is not substance found within us suitable for use by the Creator.

Those around us, who see YHVH's goodness, typically do not see the Creator, but only the works of the Creator that can be used, borrowed, bought, bartered or stolen. They cannot purchase our goodness, as it is not ours to sell. Many will, like the kings of old, try and conquer us for the sake of our lives, goods and obedience; yet, Yeshua has come, like Abram, to ransom us back and battle for our lives. For those of us that He has planted righteousness into, He rescues for the sake of His own possessions. The others that gain freedom as part of the multitude have a second chance to look upon the work of YHVH in our lives and walk in repentance themselves. By emptying ourselves for what is good, pure and undefiled, we can be used to bring about real change around us. The world will still be destroyed, just as Sodom ultimately was; but, in the end, how many lives could be touched because we believe in the Word and promises of YHVH our Elohim?

Dwell upon James 2:22-24, "You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'and Abraham believed Elohim, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone."