Avram Study 1

Avram Study 1.

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Some minor alterations have been made relating to Names and Attributes having been corrected.

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Something New

About Avram, Noach & Terach

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

“And He (אֱלֹהִים - God) brought him (Avram) forth abroad, and said: ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if thou be able to count them’; and He said unto him: ‘So shall thy seed be.’ And he believed in יְהוָה (the LORD); and He counted it to him for righteousness” Bereshit - Genesis 15:5-6 (JPS).

This study regarding Avram, later to be renamed; Avraham - Abraham, who as we all know was a very special man of יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים (the LORD God), בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - Blessed be His Holy Name, I pray that it will mightily bless you!

We will look at the early years, when his name was still Avram, including his call to the land, being the land that “אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) would show him,” and then there will be an amazing revelation regarding his families time north in Charan. It would be from Charan where Avram finally moves forward and heads for, and finally arrives in Beth-el. Having arrived in the land of promise, we will then look at the huge significance of his journey to Egypt, as well as his shock departure and his repentant journey back to the land of promise.

This study has been broken up in two parts. “The Journey” Study One and Study Two. There is also a map of Avram’s travels online via a link at the relevant location.

Study Three takes an in-depth look at Avram’s greatest test when he was asked to “sacrifice your son, your only son.” Obviously all of these events in Abraham’s life have great meaning to us all, and I pray that we will learn a great deal from his life as well as his actions. Thus, I pray that these three wonderful studies will have a life changing effect upon our lives, for in a way they are very relevant!

The Early Years:

These three studies speak about a man that became a true “Tzadik” of אֱלֹהִים, meaning of course a “Righteous” man of אֱלֹהִים (God). The details of his life and actions should have an effect on us all for as we read about his journey in the first Book in the Scriptures, Bereshit - Genesis and we will soon come to realise that due to Avram’s personal great faith, he became the ‘father of faith’.

However, this first study covers his early years, thus it does not deal with the great Tzadik, that Righteous man, or the father of great faith, the man named Avraham, but with a man of faith, yes, but it was just, Avram.

We should understand that the Hebrew letter *“He” - h - “h” was added to his name by the Almighty later in his life. In fact it was not added until chapter 17; verse 5, where the “He” was added and then Avram then became “Avraham,” which means the “father of many.”

*The insertion of the letter “He” - “h” to Avram’s name will be fully covered in Study 2.

Now let me cover something remarkable about the First 25 Chapters of Bereshis - Genesis:

Chapters 1 to 11 provide us with a chronological picture of our beginnings.

In other words, it speaks of the entire human race. Or as I prefer to call it: speaking about a crowd.

Yet, Chapters 12 to 25 speaks about just one man and of one family. Therefore the story has turned from the crowd to a single person and individuals.

Chapters 1 to 11 covers 2,000 years, but these 11 chapter’s deals with many generations.

Again, Chapters 12 to 25 deals with just one lifetime, the life of Avram/Avraham.

In addition, it is important to note that Chapters 1 to 11, except for a relatively few faithful servants of אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), deals with rebellion, sin, and retribution.

Whilst Chapters 12 to 25 speak of deliverance and provision.

Early in Bereshis - Genesis we read of one man, Adam, who was the world’s first transgressor, then, later it speaks of one man, Abraham, who brought great faith to the world.

Repentance and faith is of greater significance and importance to the Almighty, thus He spends more time on this subject in the Word. Below is an example …

Chapter 1 - deals with life and creation. However did you realise that Chapter 50, verse 26 being the very last verse of Bereshis - Genesis deals with death and a coffin?

This death and coffin experience is followed immediately by the book of Shemot - Exodus and as we will be well aware, this book is related to a new beginning, a new life and the deliverance from bondage and slavery out of Egypt – It is the Repentance Book. Thus, we clearly see that יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים (the LORD God), blessed be His Sanctified Name, is more concerned with His salvation plan than punishment, for He is our heavenly Father, who is righteous and full of love and mercy!

The Early and later Life of Avram - Avram.

Thus we will first turn the clock back quite a number of years.

Noach - Noah:

Sadly there are very few realise or even understand that when Avram was born there was another great man of faith alive. And that was in fact Avram’s ancestor Noach - Noah, who actually died when Avram was about 58 years of age. Noach was born in 1058 and he died in 2006 BCE.

Thus at various times, Avram as a child or a young man, did go and stayed with Noach and it would stand to reason that he would have been Avram’s teacher regarding the one true אֱלֹהִים. From the Torah, we know that sadly Avram’s father Terach lived life in which he worshiped not just the deities of the Chaldeans, but also the moon god! Thus slowly Avram, whilst he was with Noach, he came to know the Creator of heaven and earth and he began to worship our אֱלֹהִים, בָּרוּךְ-הוּא, blessed be He! Thus being the eldest son of the family he had the responsibility of instructing other family members and workers, etc, on spiritual matters. But his father had other ideas and decided on a move.

“And Terach took Avram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son, Avram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldeans, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.” Bereshit - Genesis 11:31-32. (JPS).

יְהוָה (the LORD) spoke unto Avram and said ...

“Now יְהוָה said unto Abram: ‘Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed’”. Bereshit – Genesis 12:1-3. (JPS).

Thus Avram went, as יְהוָה had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him; and Avram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Avram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. And Avram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the terebinth of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And יְהוָה appeared unto Avram, and said: ‘Unto thy seed will I give this land’; and he builded there an altar unto יְהוָה, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east; and he builded there an altar unto יְהוָה, and called upon the Name of יְהוָה. And Avram journeyed, going on still toward the South.” Bereshit– Genesis 12:1 to 9. (JPS).

The Torah teaches us that Avram is a Father in three ways:

1… He is a Father to the descendants of Ishmael.

2… He is a Father to the Hebrews (Israel) through Yitzchak - Isaac.

3… He is a Father to all peoples who have accepted the אֱלֹהִים of Avraham, Yitzchak & Ya’akov (Abraham, Isaac & Jacob) and returned to אֱלֹהִים faith and with true heartfelt teshuvah (repentance).

Faith:

(1) יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים, (the LORD God), blessed be His Sanctified Name, called Avram to leave his home and to go to “a land that He would show him.” The point is this, what a great FAITH Avram had in אֱלֹהִים, for let us be honest, for him to leave the only place he had known as his home, and go to a land which the Almighty had not even revealed to him as yet. But, Avram went in faith, because he desired to obey his אֱלֹהִים, no matter where the Almighty would take him!

(2) יְהוָה (the LORD) never told Avram how he would have a son in his and Sarai’s old age, but again Avram believed אֱלֹהִים (God)!

(3) יְהוָה (the LORD) did not tell Avraham why he was to sacrifice his “only son” Yitzchak - Isaac whom he loved; yet Avraham was prepared to do it in total faith! His faith endured again and again, and we know from the Word that at the crucial moment יְהוָה, blessed be He, provided a substitute, being a ram to be sacrificed.

Because of Avraham’s great faith יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים, blessed His servant and gave him and his seed the land, which יְהוָה had shown him so long ago and this land is greater Israel, the land that was given to Avraham and his seed FOREVER!

As we have learned from Avraham’s faith, if אֱלֹהִים (God) calls a man to do something, he better do it, no matter where, how or why! Those without a strong faith will ask, “Why should I go … how will I get there … and, where am I going?”

Considering we have just described Avram/Avraham’s great faith, the following statement will surprise you, and yes it may even shock you.

Forgiveness:

FORGIVENESS is a major factor in Avram’s life, for the truth is, in spite of Avraham’s great faith, the Word clearly reveals details of Avram’s disobediences as well as his many fears, and his sins. I can see some of you already thumping your fists on the table, saying “how dare you belittle our beloved father of faith.” I will deal with this factor a little later, but believe me it will make sense and it will be a great blessing to you. But it does show that the Word is very honest, and it proves that יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים, our beloved Creator, blessed be He, can take an unworthy person and through their repentance He will forgive them and then mightily use and bless them!

Friend:

So far, I have covered FAITH and FORGIVENESS in the life of Avram. However, the Word reveals that later Avraham was also named a “FRIEND of אֱלֹהִים,” for we know that true friends will do things for each other! FAITH, FORGIVENESS and FRIENDSHIP is available unto all who will submit unto the will of the יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים, the Almighty!

Now, let us commence with the actual Journey!

The Journey - Part one:

Avram’s father, Terach was a maker of idols and he worshipped the moon god. However, out of this un-godly family, descendants of Noach, and Shem, יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים (the LORD God), blessed be His Sanctified Name, called Avram unto Himself and blessed him. This teaches us the following, what אֱלֹהִים can do for Avram He can also do for us!

Avram, together with Sarai his wife, his father Terach, his nephew Lot, and the entire family and servants, departed from Ur of the Chaldeans and travelled north along the River Euphrates to Charan in Mesopotamia, and sadly, there they settled and remained for some time.

Why? 1. Avram stayed in Charan because of his physical ties. For, how could a son leave his father? Did you know that it was the custom for the elder son to remain with his father’s household, until his death? He would then inherit his father’s possessions and he would then be responsible to care for all of his family and continue the household, etc.

2. Also Avram stayed in Charan for it provided all the comforts of living in a house with a solid roof, thus here he had good shelter as well as ample water. Back in Ur he and his family lived in stone and mud houses, in addition the Euphrates provided ample water for growing crops. In Charan, just like Ur, they also lived in stone and mud houses, and had ample water and food. Thus, Charan offered a safe shelter during the months of piercing heat or extreme cold, whereas the journey west offered Avramno guarantee of sufficient water and certainly no assurance of any comforts in a dwelling for he had to think of his family not just himself!.

Therefore, we can clearly see that it was due to worldly reasons that Avram was held back from going where יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים had told him to go. Thus this was the very reason why Avram was told to go only with his immediate family, such as his wife Sarah and their servants. Had this been the case, אֱלֹהִים would have taken him directly to the place where He wished him to go.

What can do we learn from this? Even in our own lives often families and other situations can and will hold us back in our walk of faith and our lives, even if we are called to go to another place and do the will of אֱלֹהִים (God). We might be tempted to enquire, “Will I have any comforts there, and will it be safe?” No I am better of here for I have reasons to be here, its for family reasons. There are many examples of this kind of questioning and stupidity found throughout the Scriptures.

We know that Avram resided with his family in Charan for 5 years and it states that he finally departed after his ‘father Terach ‘died’.

Now, the question I have to pose at this point is this … “Was Terach really dead and buried?” Well, let’s check the what the Torah really tells us, and if you can tell me that the Word of יְהוָה is wrong, you be very cleaver, but wrong! So let us look at the facts!

If we check the final verse of Bereshis - Genesis chapter 11:32 it clearly states;

“And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Charan.” Bereshis - Genesis chapter 11:32. (JPS).

Thus the very clear meaning that ‘Terach died in Charan aged 205 years’ of age!

However, if we look at Bereshis - Genesis where it states in chapter 11:26, we will note that Avram was born when Terach was 70 years old.

“And Terah lived seventy years, and begot Avram” Bereshis - Genesis chapter 11:26. (JPS).

However in chapter 12 verse 4 it clear states the following;

“So Avram went, as יְהוָה had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him; and Avram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.”

Avram departed Charan at the age of 75, thus it is quite obvious that when Avram departed Charan, thus Terach was 145 years of age.

Considering that Terach died aged 205 he obviously must have lived for another 60 years. It does not take much to work this out, but priests, rabbis and all those so-called scholars have never been able to figure out this very simple truth for so long! Yet all they had to do is read the Word of יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים, blessed be His Sanctified Name! Thankfully, after I wrote this study countless years ago and presented it in Yisroel, as well in the UK, suddenly several books came out with similar details, based entirely what I had written, but no mention of the actual author. But then again, my first ever book written, sold over a million copies and then I never made a single penny either, for I donate all profits directly where it obviously belongs! Copies are in Jewish Museums, as well as in Israel, etc. My aim is to share history and teach His Torah!

The sad fact is when Avram’s departed from his father, he finally did so because his father was considered as being to be “spiritually dead,” as he continued to worship the pagan god’s. Even after five years in Charan, and with Terach not responding to Avram’s teaching and not accepting the one true אֱלֹהִים (God), thus Avram could finally depart with the sad knowledge that his father was dead to his direct family, and that he would and sadly never could ever accept the one true אֱלֹהִים and Creator of heaven and earth. As we will remember, Avram originally learned about אֱלֹהִים when he was a child from that grand old family member who was still alive at that time, Noach and from then Avram had believed and worshipped the one true אֱלֹהִים ever since!

The Journey - Part two:

At the age of 75, Avram was obedient to the call of יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים, which he received in Ur years ago, and he headed west for Canaan with his extended family in tow. However, did יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים, blessed be His Sanctified Name, not say, “leave your land, family and your father’s house?” Here we see that Avram once again disobeyed אֱלֹהִים, as he gathered all his family (except his father’s direct household) and travelled west. Thus we can see that Avram certainly had a bumpy road before he became the man of great faith, and the man that יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים intended him to be.

Now we know why the Almighty did not insert the “He” - - into his name as yet, for he simply did not deserve it as yet!

Avram's first stop in Canaan was “Shechem,” which means, “Shoulder.” He then travelled further south to ‘Beth-el’, which means “House of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God).”

“And Avram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the terebinth of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And יְהוָה appeared unto Abram, and said: ‘Unto thy seed will I give this land’; and he builded there an altar unto יְהוָה, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east; and he builded there an altar unto יְהוָה, and called upon the Name of יְהוָה”. Bereshit – Genesis 12:6-8. (JPS).

In Conclusion re this Chapter:

It is in the detail of what we have read, for we can find some of the most blessed teachings in the life of Avram. For he certainly did have his up’s and down’s during his life, just during his earlier days. Sadly the worst is, sadly still to come in Chapter two. But in Part One, he certainly made mostly the mistake of taking a larger part of the family (the Mishpacha) with him, instead of only his direct family. And not completely trusting אֱלֹהִים when a certain drought came along and he headed for Mizraim (Egypt), and Oh no, “my wife is my sister.”

However, whilst Avram was at Bethel, we did note that he “pitched his tent.” Even though he intended to remain in Beth-el, we note that he did not build a house, like most men of this day would do. You see, tents do not last for that long, as they are a temporary structure. Therefore, should Avram leave for another place, he did not have left a visible sign of him having been there. However, whilst in Beth-el, he did build something of stone, something of that was a permanent structure. Here Avram built a stone Altar unto יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים. You see, worldly men usually leave things of the I, me and myself, which says, “I was here”, men made high-rise Buildings with the names of men or companies upon them, such as the Trump building in New York. Every one desires to be noticed, Just look at all the hideous Graffiti around the world, young individuals leaving their mark, saying, “I, me, myself, I did this!”

And yes, there are even those hideous churches and cathedrals, most of which are evil in their design for many are covered with satanic pagan sculptures, such as gargoyles, and inside many Roman churches even have skeletons, and other pagan statues, and all this is against the Word of אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He! What does the second of the Ten Commandments so clearly proclaim?

“Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” Shemot - Exodus 20:3. (JPS).

ALL statues carved, moulded, or images painted in any likeness, including likeness of any so-called saint that is strictly forbidden!

It is always better that when men and women who are of faith move from one place to another they should always leave spiritual signs behind them, those things that are a witness of one who is a faithful servant of יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים (the LORD God), blessed be His Sanctified Name!

My prayer for you is dear reader that we will leave a good testimony of being true servants of the Almighty, no matter where we may go. May the world see that we are different and make them hunger for that difference that is within us.

To understand the epic journey of Avram our chart online will track Avram’s journey.

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In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:

Which part of this Tanach study or possibly a particular line within it, has touched you the most? And how do you feel about spending more time on a more regular time Tanakh study? I pray that you are you doing well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים (God) willing you are upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?

I am well aware that the modern world sadly contains far too many deviations as well as problems that seem to get in the way. Yet worse than that, sadly there are far too many enticements, which can so easily throw many off track. Thus, if there are various struggles that may be taking place in your life at this or any time, I am well aware that it sadly it often may have a sad and a cruel effect upon your life? Remember this, pray for peace, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים is always ready to help you! This site is also for those who need to return to our blessed and wonderful faith, thus work on your faith and pray and always seek our loving אֱלֹהִים for guidance!

And remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said ...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, thus Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your God); walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For our אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) is the One who gave us our ... Life!

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom (Peace) of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה (the LORD of hosts) be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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