Parasha Chayei Sarah

The Light of Torah Messianic Congregation
Parasha Chayei Sarah
Bereshit (Genesis) 23:1 – 25:18
Haftarah: M’lakhim Aleph (1st Kings) 1:1 – 31
Brit Chadasha: Mt. 8:19 – 22; 27:3 – 10;
and Lk. 9:57 – 62

Parasha Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה meaning “the life of Sarah”
Parasha Highlights:

The death of Sarah
The purchase of the burial cave at Machpelah
Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, seeks a wife for Isaac
Isaac, the promised heir, disappears from the Biblical narrative for three years
The death of Abraham
The death of Ishmael

We will begin our discussion in Ge. 23:1 – 9: “Sarah lived one hundred and twenty and seven years (1 + 2 + 7 = 10); these were the years of the life of Sarah. So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, ‘I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.’ And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, ‘hear us, my lord: you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us will withhold from you his burial place, that you may bury your dead.’

Then Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. And he spoke with them, saying, ‘if it is your wish that I bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and meet with Ephron the son of Zohar for me, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah ( which means a double portion ) which he has, which is at the end of his field. Let him give it to me at the full price, as property for a burial place among you.’”

The cave at Machpelah would the burial place for Adam and Chava, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah and Jacob and Leah. This cave has a chamber below and a chamber above.

The title of this sidra is “the life of Sarah” but immediately opens with her death. What do we really know about her life?

Ge. 11:30 tells us that she was barren: “But Sarai was barren; she had no child.” **Sarah remained barren until she conceived at Yahs appointed time, giving birth to Isaac, the promised seed. Sarah will be one of the matriarchs of the people Israel.

The Hebrew word for “barren” is עָקָר which is used only 12 times in the Tanakh. The numerical value of “aqar” is 370; 3 + 7 = 10. If she remained barren she would bear no fruit, neither physical or spiritual. The ultimate seed of promise will be Yeshua, the lawgiver, connecting us with the number 10, the Ten Words.

Barrenness is also a reference to the nation Israel. Recall Israel was supposed to be a “light to the nations.” The “light” being the “Rules of the Kingdom.”

Is. 54:1: “Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman, says YaHaVah.”

The nation of Israel will bear spiritual fruit only with the intervention of the spirit of Holiness. See Acts 2.

Though while in Egypt her womb remained empty, she was gifted another womb, the area of Goshen. The midrash tells us “as a token of his love for Sarah, the king deeded his entire property to her, and gave her the land of Goshen as her hereditary possession.” (Pirkei R. Eliezer xxvi., pg. 218)

The region of Goshen is shaped like a womb. The physical “seed” of Sarah would become a multitude of Israelites who will dwell in the womb of Goshen. Israel would be safe in this land so it’s no surprise that the numerical value of the word Goshen, גשן , should equal 353; 3 + 5 + 3 = 11, the number for Y’sha meaning to be saved. Y’sha is the root word of Yeshua.

As we are tracking the “pure seed,” recall Ge. 3:15 which speaks to the “Seed” of the woman (Sarah) and the “seed” of the serpent. We find the first mention of “seed” in the third day of creation.

Ge. 1:9 – 11: “Then Elohim said, ‘let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear;’ and it was so. And Elohim called the dry land earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called seas. And Elohim saw that it was good. Then Elohim said, ‘let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth;’ and it was so.”

The Hebrew word for “seed” is Zerah זֶרַע ) ). The numerical value of Zerah is 277; 2 + 7 + 7 = 16. The 16th day of the first month is the appointed time called first fruit. The appointed time of first fruit is in keeping with Yeshuas’ resurrection on the third day. He is the “first fruit” of the resurrection.

In its ancient form ֶזרַע would read: “The cut off one who was destined from the beginning will be known.”

The life of Sarah is a juxtaposition (the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect); essentially from barrenness (no seed) to fruitfulness (the mother of nations).

The seed of Sarah was to be the mother of nations beginning with the
The seed of Sarah would produce Isaac. Isaac and Rebekah would produce Jacob/Israel. Jacob and his four wives would produce the twelve tribes of Israel. When the descendants of Sarah walk in obedience to the words of YaHaVah, they become the “bride of promise.”

Jer. 11:16: “The LORD called your name (speaking of Israel), Green Olive Tree, lovely and of good fruit. With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, and its branches are broken.” ** Another connection to day three of creation.

Rebekah
Ge. 24:1 – 4: “Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and YaHaVah had blessed Abraham in all things. So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, ‘please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by YaHaVah, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.’”

Abraham represents The Father and the servant of his house represents the Ruach HaKodesh. Abrahams’ family dwelt in the land of Mesopotamia, east of Jerusalem. The bride is Israel. Isaac is a type and shadow of Yeshua, the bridegroom.

The servant, Eliezer, agreed. Eliezer began his journey with ten camels laden down with gifts for the future bride. He made one prayer.

Ge. 24:14: “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘drink, and I will also give your camels a drink—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.’ And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up.”

The bride chosen for Isaac will come from the east. The bridegroom, Yeshua, will return to earth from the east.

Ge. 24:19 – 25 records the “bridal selection.” “And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, ‘I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.’ Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether YaHaVah had made his journey prosperous or not. So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold, and said, ‘whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?’”

Eliezer believes her to be the chosen bride for Isaac so he bestows upon her “wedding ornaments.”

Ge. 24:55 – 58: “But her brother and her mother said, ‘let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten (months); after that she may go.’ And he said to them, ‘do not hinder me, since YaHaVah has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.’ So they said, ‘we will call the young woman and ask her personally.’ Then they called Rebekah and said to her, ‘will you go with this man?’ And she said, ‘I will go.’” **It’s important to note that she was asked and not commanded as in an arranged marriage.

Ge. 24:59 – 61: “So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: ‘our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands; and may your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them. Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the (ten) camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.”

The number ten is used in this parasha twice. Once with regard to ten camels that will carry ten virgins and once with regard to her wedding ornaments.

Ten camels for ten virgins
The ten virgins calls to mind the parable of the ten virgins. Mt. 25:1 – 13: “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

But the wise answered, saying, ‘no, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

This parable is wholly applicable to us in our day and hour. Many times those of us that understand the “Rules of the Kingdom” try to engage the foolish, to provide truth and guidance only to be rebuffed. I would suggest to you that Yeshua foresaw this spiritual condition long ago, hence this parable of instruction.

Wisdom
The Scriptural narrative could have easily said “five were ready,” but it uses the word wise. Why?

The Hebrew word for wise or wisdom is “Chokmah,” חָכְמָה. Ps. 90:12: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” How do we gain a “heart of wisdom”?

I believe we can find our answer in Pro. 8:22 – 25: “YaHaVah possessed me ( wisdom) at the beginning of His way, before His works of old.

I ( wisdom) have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth”

The word “wisdom” is feminine in gender. She, wisdom, was from the beginning, from the reshit. The first word of Scripture is “Bereshit.” It is in this word that we see The Fathers true will for mankind. A covenant with fire in the center. The “wise” virgin then, is someone who understands The Fathers’ will and chooses to obey it. It can be said thusly of the “wise virgins.” The opposite will be true of the foolish.

Isaac is hidden for three years
Last week we briefly discussed the fact that Isaac is hidden from the biblical narrative from age 37 to age 40, three years.

After the Akeidah, he is not mentioned again until he comes to collect his bride, Rebekah. He truly is a type and shadow of Yeshua. Yeshua will return to earth a second time to collect His bride.

His bride will consist of the “wise” virgins referred to in Mt. 25.

Haftarah

M’lakhim Aleph (1st Kings) 1:1 – 31:

1 – 4: “Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. Therefore his servants said to him, ‘let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.’

So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag ( אתֶ־אֲבִישַׁג ) the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.’ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, ‘I will be king;’ and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, ‘why have you done so?’ He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.)

Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah. And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En Rogel; he also invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. But he did not invite Nathan (אֶת־נָתָן ) the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty ( אֶת־הַגִּבּוֹרִים ) men, or Solomon (אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹה ) his brother.”

Our Haftarah contains many elements of another Messianic prophecy.

David, the 2nd King of Israel, a descendant from the tribe of Judah (the 4th tribe), the ancestor of Yeshua.
The virgin, speaking to the virgin birth of Yeshua.
Abishag, the virgin, is connected to the Aleph Tav.
The stone of Zoheleth, the stone of the serpent. The serpent seed from Ge. 3:15.
Nathan, the Aleph Tav, prophet. Nathan is the name of one of King David’s sons, a direct ancestor of Yeshua (see Luke 3).
The mighty, the Aleph Tav mighty men. The 4th spirit mentioned in Is. 11.
Solomon, the Aleph Tav future 3rd anointed King of Israel.

The rest of the story is the following…

The right of succession transfers from father to his firstborn son. Adonijah was not King David’s firstborn son. His intention was to subvert the rightful heir. Scripture tells us he made sacrifices at the stone of the serpent.

His intentions were twofold: to prevent the descent of the pure seed, Yeshua, and disrupt the kingly line.

Brit Chadasha
Mt. 8:19 – 22: v 22 But Yeshua replied, “follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Our Parasha speaks to the death of three people, Sarah, Abraham and Ishmael.

Mt. 27:3 – 10: Speaks to the purchase of a burial field.

Lk. 9:57 -62: Let the dead bury their own dead.

In conclusion, as the wife of the patriarch Abraham, Sarah, was instrumental in establishing the line of the “pure seed.” The ancestral line of Yeshua began with Adam and Chava, through Seth, their third son.

In this parasha we saw Abraham, who represents YaHaVah. We saw Eliezer, who represents the Ruach HaKodesh and we saw the selection of the “bride of promise.” Truly a beautiful picture of The Father sending the Spirit of Holiness to lead Yeshuas’ bride into all truth and righteousness.