RR Vayera Genesis 18-22 By Jeffery Freeman
Shabbat Shalom,
This week’s parshah is Vayera. The name comes from Genesis 18:1 Then ADONAI appeared (vayera) to him at Mamre’s large trees while he was sitting in the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day.
In this week’s portion the LORD appears to Abraham, Abraham finds out that Sarah will have a son in about a years’ time, Sodom and Gomorrah face destruction, Abraham intercedes, Lot and two of his daughters escape, Sarah is abducted again, Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech, Isaac is born, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away, and the binding of Isaac.
Wow, there is a lot in this portion. Let’s just look at Abraham’s visitors. What reason might the LORD have chosen to visit Abraham that day? Was it to get a good meal? After all, it appears that Abraham was well known for his hospitality. He certainly kept up this reputation with the feast he provided for his three visitors that day.
However, there do appear to be two other reasons…first to announce that Sarah, despite being nearly 90 years old, was soon to be a mother.
Genesis 18:10 Then He said, “I will most surely return to you in about a year’s time, surprisingly, Sarah your wife will have a son.
And second to inform Abraham that the LORD was about lay some rather permanent correction on Sodom and Gomorrah because of their persistent, bad behavior.
Genesis 18:16-17, 20-21 Abraham was walking with them to send them off, when ADONAI said, “Should I keep secret from Abraham what I am about to do…?” Then ADONAI said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great indeed, and their sin is very grievous indeed. I want to go down now, and see if they deserve destruction…”
These two separate announcements seem completely unrelated, other than the happenstance of time. Yet with the LORD there is rarely, if ever happenstance. So, what possibly could be the reason for putting these two events together? More importantly, is there a lesson in this for us?
Sodom and Gomorrah we among the most affluent cities in the Land. Sadly, they were also the most self-indulgent and utterly deplorable cities. These two cities represent just about everything that is in opposition to the ways of the LORD. God’s destruction of these two cities provides a dramatic warning to all God’s people. In the Shema we are told to teach these commandments diligently to our children. What better example of how indulging in selfish and sinful ways will impact your life and your relationship with God than Sodom and Gomorrah?
On the other side of the equation, Abraham provides a powerful example of how to behave toward others and represent the goodness of God. Abraham’s tent was always open to others, even complete strangers. He respectfully welcomed guests – bowing low to the ground before them and quickly providing for their comfort – water to wash their feet and a place to recline in the cool shade beneath the trees.
Genesis 18:2-4 When he lifted his eyes to see, suddenly, three men were standing right by him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed down to the ground. Then he said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant. Please let a little water be brought so you can wash your feet and make yourselves comfortable under the tree. And let me bring a bit of bread so that you can refresh yourselves…”
He also saw to their physical needs by providing an enormous and high-quality feast which would normally have been reserved for only very special occasions. A fattened calf, milk, butter, and a large amount of bread made from more than 31 quarts of flour (one seah – measure in TLV is equal to 10.5 quarts).
Abraham exemplified brotherly love and kindness, giving freely to those in need. Conversely, Sodom and Gomorrah were openly hostile to strangers. The cities embraced hatred, violence, and widespread immorality. Sound familiar?
Like Abraham, although we are in this world, we are not to be of this world.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
This does not mean that we are supposed to draw away from the world and live in isolation. Rather, we are encouraged to be even more involved with life and our fellow human beings.
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lampstand, so it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers – for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Like Abraham, we are called to live lives that are filled with the presence of God and characterized by our good works and our hospitality. We need to be continually reaching out to others, spreading the joy and the Word of the LORD. Our life should be joyful and filled to the fullest with the love of God and his Son, Yeshua the Messiah.
Let’s give Paul the final word. Philippians 4:4, 8-9 Rejoice in the LORD always – again I will say rejoice. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise – dwell on these things… put these things into practice, and the God of Shalom will be with you.
Shabbat Shalom
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat 31-Oct-2026 20th of Cheshvan, 5787 Parashat Vayera
Ge 22:1-24 2 Ki 4:1-37 Heb 11:8-19
This week’s parshah is Vayera. The name comes from Genesis 18:1 Then ADONAI appeared (vayera) to him at Mamre’s large trees while he was sitting in the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day.
In this week’s portion the LORD appears to Abraham, Abraham finds out that Sarah will have a son in about a years’ time, Sodom and Gomorrah face destruction, Abraham intercedes, Lot and two of his daughters escape, Sarah is abducted again, Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech, Isaac is born, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away, and the binding of Isaac.
Wow, there is a lot in this portion. Let’s just look at Abraham’s visitors. What reason might the LORD have chosen to visit Abraham that day? Was it to get a good meal? After all, it appears that Abraham was well known for his hospitality. He certainly kept up this reputation with the feast he provided for his three visitors that day.
However, there do appear to be two other reasons…first to announce that Sarah, despite being nearly 90 years old, was soon to be a mother.
Genesis 18:10 Then He said, “I will most surely return to you in about a year’s time, surprisingly, Sarah your wife will have a son.
And second to inform Abraham that the LORD was about lay some rather permanent correction on Sodom and Gomorrah because of their persistent, bad behavior.
Genesis 18:16-17, 20-21 Abraham was walking with them to send them off, when ADONAI said, “Should I keep secret from Abraham what I am about to do…?” Then ADONAI said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great indeed, and their sin is very grievous indeed. I want to go down now, and see if they deserve destruction…”
These two separate announcements seem completely unrelated, other than the happenstance of time. Yet with the LORD there is rarely, if ever happenstance. So, what possibly could be the reason for putting these two events together? More importantly, is there a lesson in this for us?
Sodom and Gomorrah we among the most affluent cities in the Land. Sadly, they were also the most self-indulgent and utterly deplorable cities. These two cities represent just about everything that is in opposition to the ways of the LORD. God’s destruction of these two cities provides a dramatic warning to all God’s people. In the Shema we are told to teach these commandments diligently to our children. What better example of how indulging in selfish and sinful ways will impact your life and your relationship with God than Sodom and Gomorrah?
On the other side of the equation, Abraham provides a powerful example of how to behave toward others and represent the goodness of God. Abraham’s tent was always open to others, even complete strangers. He respectfully welcomed guests – bowing low to the ground before them and quickly providing for their comfort – water to wash their feet and a place to recline in the cool shade beneath the trees.
Genesis 18:2-4 When he lifted his eyes to see, suddenly, three men were standing right by him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed down to the ground. Then he said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant. Please let a little water be brought so you can wash your feet and make yourselves comfortable under the tree. And let me bring a bit of bread so that you can refresh yourselves…”
He also saw to their physical needs by providing an enormous and high-quality feast which would normally have been reserved for only very special occasions. A fattened calf, milk, butter, and a large amount of bread made from more than 31 quarts of flour (one seah – measure in TLV is equal to 10.5 quarts).
Abraham exemplified brotherly love and kindness, giving freely to those in need. Conversely, Sodom and Gomorrah were openly hostile to strangers. The cities embraced hatred, violence, and widespread immorality. Sound familiar?
Like Abraham, although we are in this world, we are not to be of this world.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
This does not mean that we are supposed to draw away from the world and live in isolation. Rather, we are encouraged to be even more involved with life and our fellow human beings.
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lampstand, so it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers – for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Like Abraham, we are called to live lives that are filled with the presence of God and characterized by our good works and our hospitality. We need to be continually reaching out to others, spreading the joy and the Word of the LORD. Our life should be joyful and filled to the fullest with the love of God and his Son, Yeshua the Messiah.
Let’s give Paul the final word. Philippians 4:4, 8-9 Rejoice in the LORD always – again I will say rejoice. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise – dwell on these things… put these things into practice, and the God of Shalom will be with you.
Shabbat Shalom
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat 31-Oct-2026 20th of Cheshvan, 5787 Parashat Vayera
Ge 22:1-24 2 Ki 4:1-37 Heb 11:8-19
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