Parashat Chayei Sarah – Year 1 – A Covenant of Faithfulness.
Shabbat Shalom, Nazarene family.
This week we will study the parashat Chayei Sarah, portion of year 1, where we will see Abraham’s mourning after the death of Sarah and how he legally acquires the cave of Machpelah as a burial property. We will learn about the importance of honoring the deceased through the purchase of specific land in Canaan. We will read how an elderly Abraham summons his trusted servant to secure the future of his offspring. We will see the seriousness of a sacred oath under the thigh to seek a suitable wife for Isaac among his own kindred, fully trusting in Yahweh’s guidance to fulfill His promise.
B’reisheet (Genesis) 24:7
7 Yahweh Elohim of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.
This week corresponds to the reading of the texts (in bold):
- B’reisheet (Genesis) 23:1-24:9 / 24:10-52 / 24:53-25:18
- Melachim Aleph (1 Kings) 1:1-10 / 1:11-27 / 1:28-53
- Mattityahu (Matthew) 2:1-12 / 2:13-18 / 2:19-23
Summary of the weekly study, Year one:
B’reisheet (Genesis) 23:1-24:9
In these verses, the death of Sarah is recorded, along with Abraham’s careful efforts to secure a burial site in the land of Canaan. He purchases the cave of Machpelah from the sons of Heth with integrity, establishing a legal possession in the promised territory. Later, an elderly Abraham charges his chief servant with the sacred task of finding a wife for Isaac from among his own kindred rather than the Canaanites. He expresses unwavering faith that Yahweh will send His messenger ahead of the servant to ensure the success of this mission. Abraham insists that Isaac must remain in the land promised by Him and never return to his former country. In this passage, we learn that Yahweh is the set-apart guide who prepares the way for His servants through His sovereign faithfulness.
Melachim Aleph (1 Kings) 1:1-10
In these verses, the old age of King David is described alongside the ambition of his son Adonijah to seize the throne without his father’s authorization. While David was physically weak, Adonijah exalted himself by proclaiming that he would reign, preparing chariots and horsemen to display his authority. Although he had the support of influential figures like Joab, he did not include the faithful servants of Yahweh or his brother Solomon in his plans. Adonijah performed sacrifices to consolidate his position, ignoring the sovereign will of Elohim regarding the royal succession. In this passage, we learn that Yahweh observes the intentions of the heart and that human ambition cannot frustrate His set-apart purpose.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 2:1-12
In these verses, wise men from the East arrive in Jerusalem seeking the King of the Jews after seeing His star. Herod becomes troubled by the news and inquires about the birthplace of the Messiah. Guided by the star, the wise men reach Bethlehem, where they find Yeshua with Miriam. With great joy, they bow down and worship Him, offering treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as signs of His authority. Finally, warned by a messenger of Yahweh in a dream, they return to their country by another route to avoid Herod. In this passage, we learn that Yeshua is recognized as the set-apart King and that Yahweh protects His divine purposes through sovereign guidance.
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Enjoy this fun activity with the whole family. Inside you will find development questions for the three weekly sections (Torah, Haftarah and Brit Chadasha). While the older ones discuss the questions and their answers, the little ones can put together a puzzle related to the lesson, solve a maze, find the 7 differences and much more. We encourage you to do it week by week and instill in your children the habit of studying Yahweh’s word as a family.
We hope you and especially your sons and daughters enjoy this effort. For it is through the study of the Scriptures that we can come to understand the love and care that Yahweh has always had for us. And also to perceive that He has been taking care of even the smallest detail, so that we can take care and enjoy all that He gives us. That is why it is so important that our children learn and grow up knowing that they are loved by the Creator of all that exists.
Shalom.
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