Prophecy is only given to those with “broken heart”. And Jacob had all those years in Egypt lived “with a broken heart.” Thus says Rabbi Richman in the current commentary, watch below. In the Parasha of last week we read about the “Broken Hearts” of father and son. Since one (the church) once had tried to kill me in this way, I have – but only today – something to contribute to the theme about the killing by “not seeing the son“: “And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die (Genesis 44,22). ”

But last week it was not so much considering the father Jacob, but more the feelings of his son Joseph (or my Son’s Patric Steven). After Joseph had made himself known unto his brethren, he (45,2) “wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.” So I will now only be able to cry, 14 years after the church took me my son. For only a year ago, a Jew had the courage to call me from Israel and to call me ultimately to leave the church and to be a Jew. What a prophet! He has given me life again. Today I’m going to cry so terrible like Joseph, but out of gratitude for my salvation by a Jew, and probably will not even go to the synagogue.

Then Josef had anxiously asked his brothers: “Does my father yet live?” Although he knew that his father was still – physically – alive. But the question was rather whether he was still the same, or a broken man?

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance” … What for, see in next verse >

It is vitally important that every believer in the ONE God knows the prophecy, he actually has “been blessed” in! To this blessing of the family of Israel, every brother, all 12 tribes, is now referring the Parasha Vayechi:

In this manner I can now bless my son – from the very distance into the width of God’s prophecies!

Shabbat Shalom
Eric Martienssen

Commentary by Michael Schneider,
israel today, Jerusalem:
We read in our weekly portion about good hospitality of Abraham and Sarah, as they hurried to prepare the best of the best for the three men of God who visited them in the heat of the day in Alon Mamre. This kind of extravagant hospitality is found in the Oriental nations, the Arabs, Bedouins and the Sephardic Jews.
Also in the New Testament we read about the importance of hospitality. You never know if you are hosting angels unaware. Never reject guests, even if they’re not welcome! Maybe they have a word from God for you!

The couple was tested again, but Sarah laughed (18:12-15). After all their human efforts had been exhausted and Sarah was 90, the supernatural could spring into action.
“Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” (18:14) First the flesh should die, then the LORD can function.

After the angels brought the message of hope and life, they turned their eyes on Lot’s city of Sodom and brought a message of death! Abraham as the first intercessor, tried every way to rescue this city asking the Lord if there were only 50, 45, 40, 30, 20 or 10 righteous, would he spare the city. Because God would have mercy until ten righteous person, the Jews took the minimum number of 10 worshippers during a sermon or prayer in the synagogues. Abraham in his negotiation with the Almighty was very humble and careful, saying: “I am but dust and ashes” (18:27). No pride.

Chapter 19 speaks about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but before that God called His people out as He did with Noah. He saved the family of Lot. God called us too out of this world, but warned us saying: “Remember Lot’s wife!” Her heart was still in the lusts of the world.

Interesting analogy we find between the story of Noah and Lot; both called saints ‘of their days’, both called out and redeemed, but both ended up in drunkenness and in forbidden sexual relations, incest, within the family followed by cursing the descendants of the committer – be it Ham or Moab and Ammon.

We can still sense the spirit of Sodom in the two daughters of Lot, a spirit of immorality (verses 31-33). Or maybe is it a revenge toward their father, who was ready to give them as virgins over to the wild mob? Both nations that came from Lot and his daughters, Moab and Ammon, were cursed and located as in Biblical time on the east side of the Jordan. The Jordanian capital today is called Amman!

In chapter 21, Isaac was born, meaning “he laughed,” and on the eighth day he was circumcised. Isaac is the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise of God! It teaches us a lesson – it is worth it to wait upon the LORD no matter for how long!

In chapter 22 we come to the true test of faith in Abraham’s life: To sacrifice his only son, the one he waited so long for. Abraham, without hesitation or arguing, set out the next morning with his son Isaac, obedient to God until the point of raising the knife to kill his son!
Then the voice came: “Abraham, Abraham!… for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me” (22:12).

After this act of true faith, the Lord showered Abraham with numerous blessings. It was worthwile, to be obedient until the end!