This last weekend, I was privileged to sing for a household who were celebrating the life of their family patriarch; a man who was husband, father, and grandfather. Besides the large crowd of spectators, the family generations had extended to over 50 people. It was amazing to witness the similarities in physical looks, characteristics, and mannerisms in this family. They were living generational examples for me as I started to relate my visiting experience to this week’s study, “Toldot”
Many times, we want to ignore the very DNA that passes from one generation to the next. But can we? Are we bound to repeat the tests given to our parents or grandparents? Is there something to be said about the uniqueness of family? Are we cursed by what our family did or did not do or are we given opportunities to enter into a testing ground?
I want to draw your attention to a Biblical place called Gerar. This was an area visited by both Abraham and Isaac during their journeys. Of course, neither of these men realized that there would be a generational repeat in this territory. But it happened.
Abraham traveled to Gerar after the destruction of Sodom and sought to protect himself by telling Abimelech that Sarah was his sister. A few decades later after Abraham’s death, Isaac traveled to Gerar and repeats a similar pattern. He also is not forthright with Abimelech (The son of Abimelech I). Why does this happen and what are these two stories trying to tell us?
Let’s first look at the name of Gerar. At face value, it means a lodging place. But at a closer look, we see that Gerar is spelled with the Hebrew letters: Gimmel, Dalet, Dalet. Gimmel represents a lifting up or pride, while the Dalet (repeated twice) means door or pathway to enter. Naturally, we need to ask, “What type of pride is being lifted up, and what or whom is entering this door, not once, but twice?”
Looking closer, we see the verb form Garar, which means to drag way in a circular or repetitive motion. In the noun form, we see Gera which means cud or food that is dragged up to be chewed again and sent back down. Are you starting to see something in the land of Gerar? How often do we need to repeat something before we learn? Will Yahweh continue to repeat a test with us to “draw up” our attention?
Prophetically, Gerar can take on another form. In this place, we can visualize Yahweh speaking to future generations in regard to giving up a bride to non-believers. Through the witness of Sarah and Rebekah, we see two kings (father and son) returning the brides to their husbands. Why? Did the brides through Yah’s almighty hand wake up a Gentile nation to cause respect and honor to the father and son of another Kingdom? Once the brides are returned, Israel is honored with gifts that seem to represent respect. As you study this week, compare these thoughts to Romans 9.
Here are some other thoughts. Both Abraham and Isaac experience jealous men stopping up their wells of water. But, after these two patriarchs agree to meet with Abimelech and come clean in their witness their wells are opened for “living water” springing forth once again. They are blessed and the surrounding land is blessed.
The similarities between Abraham and Isaac are amazing. Both produce a son that is a hunter or man of the flesh. Both produce another son that is a man of laughter or tent – representing a spirit of truth. In each case, the son(s) of flesh bought grief to the family, while the sons of the spirit bring forth life. Both travel to Gerar–a lodging place found in their travels, where cud is dragged back up to be repeated. Both have their brides restored to them. Both learn to give witness. And both learn to trust in the ways of YHWH.
Though for me, the story of Abraham and Isaac has a bigger meaning. For in these stories, we see a secular nation that comes to terms with the ambassadors of Yah’s Kingdom. They see, hear, and seek to make an alignment with The Kingdom. In this case, the repeat is for the nation of the gentiles and not just for Israel. (Romans 9)
Where are you on your journey? Where are your generations? What is being repeated in your life or family that needs attention? I believe Yah, will restore those who call on His Name. I believe Yah tests or disciplines those He loves. In doing so, we find reasons to call out to Him. I also believe that Yah is concerned about those who have not found Him yet, but realize that a Creator must be present and willing to listen to His voice.
“Because He loves me, says Yahweh, I will rescue him, for he acknowledges my Name. He will call on me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14, 15
Be Blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn
Rollyn, thank you for your writings each week. I am blessed by them often, and I appreciate all the thought and study you put into them. I appreciate how regular you are with them!
It is, perhaps, important to note that Gerar is spelled with two resh’s, not two dalets.