Parashat Chayei Sarah
EJD
The weekly reading for the week of 27 Heshvan, 5767 - November 18, 2006 Parashah: Chayei Sarah Genesis 23:1 to 25:18; Haftarah: 1 Kings14:1-31; Mei Kituvim: 2 Chronicles 16:13 to 17:19; Brit Chadashah: Acts 1:3 to 2:47
Parashah Lite Edition (Focuses on one verse or idea anywhere in the readings below)
The Bagel: Mecca.
"These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, named in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael; and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam" (Genesis 25:13).
Some believe that Kedar, son number three of Ishmael, is the father of Mecca. Thus Kedar becomes associated with the famous city. This makes for an interesting prophetic future. For characteristic of Ishmael are his tendencies described in Scripture:
He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen (Genesis 16:12). Those traits being wild and contentious. It is not surprising that his children, including Kedar, would bear the same genes. Hence, the ground of much of the conflict in the Middle East. The other tendency is that he would "dwell" with his relatives. That word dwell is rooted in the same word used for tabernacle (Mishkan - Shakhan). Just as Adonay dwelt or tabernacled with the sons of Jacob (grandchildren of Isaac), so these descendants of Ishmael would tabernacle near to the sons of Jacob as well. This makes for potentially good relations between Jews (sons of Isaac) and Muslims (sons of Ishmael, or Kedar).
Unfortunately, many in the muslim camp today have jettisoned the provision of the "peoples of the book" as being part of the Dar al Islam, instead they are classed in the Dar al Harb (house of war) and hence subject to Jihad. The peoples of the book are Jews and Christians. It seems like the "wild and contentious" traits have prevailed in recent times. But the tabernacling day will come: A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD (Isaiah 60:6). Notice, the land of Sheba is partly in Yemen, thus the day will come when many in this region, the sons of Kedar, will acknowledge Adonay and bring good news to the sons of Isaac. This will be the time of the conversion of Mecca, that is, those in Islam who will acknowledge that even the original concept of "peoples of the book" needs a thorough revision that includes the righteousness of faith in Jesus and Torah truth. When this occurs then they will be truly "submitted ones" (muslim) to the purified concept, and then it will be the time of good relations between the three peoples.
Cream Cheese: It's all in the eye of these camels (Isaiah 60:6).
Unless noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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