Torah: Genesis 23:1–25:18
PROPHETS: 1 Kings 1:1–31
APOSTOLIC WRITINGS: Matthew 1:1–17

The devotional below is designed to help you dive deeper into God’s heart by exploring Torah as the gateway into transformational Bible reading.

SUNDAY

Torah 1 and 2

Torah 1: 
Sarah’s Death in the Land
Genesis 23:1–16

23:1–7
When Sarah dies (vv. 1–2) a grieving husband begins negotiating for the legal rights to bury his wife (vv. 3–7).

23:8–12
While God promised him the entire land, Abraham eyes a small patch of land with a cave on it to become the first installment of this promise. This small patch of land is in the heart of Judea, popularly referred to today as the “West Bank” or “occupied territories.”

23:13–16
Abraham closes the deal by paying a huge sum of money to ensure his undisputed legal ownership.

Torah 2:
Sarah’s burial and Her Son’s Need for a Bride
Genesis 23:17–24:9

23:17–20
After receiving legal rights to this “firstfruits” of land, the patriarch-in-mourning buries his wife.

24:1–4
Next, Abraham entreats his most trusted servant (cf. 15:2) to promise that he would fetch a bride for his beloved son. According to Exodus 34:16 and Deuteronomy 7:3–4, what is one danger of Isaac marrying a local Canaanite woman? (Isaac repeats this matchmaking plan for his own son Jacob in 28:1–2. Unlike his father who acted through a servant, however, Isaac instructs his son directly.)

24:5–9
After negotiating the details and exact terms of the promise (vv. 5–8) the servant promises to do as Abraham has asked (v. 9; the “hand under the thigh” promise was an ancient near eastern custom that we might liken to a modern day “hand on the bible” promise to tell the truth in court, cf. v. 2). Consider the implications of this publicly recognized land purchase that is a “firstfruits” of God’s fulfilling His land promise. God promised the Jewish people this much disputed strip of land (a tiny island set apart amidst a sea of other nations and peoples) as an eternal inheritance. God divinely designated “stewardship” authority and responsibility to the physical descendants of Abraham through the line of promise.

Application

Let’s publicly support the Jewish people’s legitimate authority and right to exercise this responsibility even as we passionately pray for the revelation of Yeshua, the peace of Jerusalem, the salvation of all Israel, and revival among the nations. Do you see Jewish sovereignty over the land as an obstacle to Jerusalem’s peace? Or could Israel’s exercising this sovereignty over the land actually be part of God’s means to once and for all accomplish this historically elusive peace under her Sovereign King?

MONDAY

Torah 3 and 4

Torah 3: 
Search for the New Matriarch 
Genesis 24:10–26

24:10–11
Abraham’s servant travels with “camel loads” worth of gifts for a dowry.

24:12–14
His prayerfulness reveals both faithfulness to his master and an exercising of his own faith in God. From the servant’s prayer, what can you discern about the character traits he is looking for in a woman?

24:15–23
He then carefully watches for God’s confirming lead (vv. 15–21) and offers the woman costly gifts even before knowing her identity (vv. 22–23)!

24:24–26
Upon discovering that God has faithfully led him to the perfect household (vv. 24–25), what is his response (v. 26; “bowing” is a sign of respect; “worshiping” is a sign of dependence and gratitude)? 
 

Torah 4:
Rebekah is God’s Provision
Genesis 24:27–5:2

24:27
Pause to identify with the heart of this servant by meditatively comparing his prayer of praise in v. 27 with his original prayer of petition in v. 12. How do Abraham’s initial words to this servant at the end of v. 7 lay a foundation for the faith that inspired the servant’s prayers? What does this teach you about God and His power over every circumstance? How can you apply this to your own “faith walk” in dependence and gratitude to God?

24:28–32
When you read of Laban’s hospitality, what do the opening words of v. 30 teach you about his motives (cf. Matthew 6:24)?

24:33–49
The servant enters Laban’s family’s household and gives a lengthy report of the facts (vv. 33–48) followed by a passionate plea (v. 49). Is the servant struggling and striving to get what he wants or is he resting in God and walking in faith?

24:50–52
When Laban and his father recognize and submit to God’s hand upon their circumstances (vv. 50-51) the servant again “bows” before the Lord (v. 52). 

TUESDAY

torah 5 and 6

Torah 5: 
Rebekah’s Dowry and Isaac’s Delight 
Genesis 24:53–67

24:53–61
Abraham’s servant enters into the final negotiations with Rebekah’s family. Consider the faith it took for Rebekah to leave everything she knew (cf. Abram’s similar challenge). How does the family’s blessing upon Rebekah in v. 60 compare with God’s blessing upon Abraham in 22:17? What are the modern day implications of these ancient blessings today?

24:62–67
The next section is a dramatic “boy meets girl” story. Compare v. 67 with the name of this portion. Rebecca, the character introduced in the final section of last week’s portion, both comforts the promised son and carries on the matriarchal line. There is a sense, therefore, in which Sarah’s life is carried on through Rebekah. 
 

Torah 6: 
Isaac is the Line of Promise
Genesis 25:1–11

25:1–6
While Abraham has other sons (25:1–4) his supernaturally promised son is uniquely set apart (vv. 5–6). Natural sons receive their inheritance and are sent away while the son of promise receives everything belonging to his father: name, land, possessions and promises.

25:7–10
After Abraham dies (vv. 7–8) his sons bury him with their mother (vv. 9–10; cf. 23:17–20).

25:11
God blesses Isaac after the death of both his father (v. 11) and his mother (24:67). God is not only faithful but also tremendously merciful. Matthew 5:4 and Isaiah 61:2 tell us that God comforts those who mourn. Godly comfort, however, is not necessarily what makes us feel better in the moment but brings us closer to Messiah-like maturity and soul rest in God alone!

application

What kind of “things” do you accumulate as a way to seek personal comfort? What do you try and avoid as a way of avoiding discomfort? How does this worldly comfort differ from the comfort God grants through godliness and faith-filled obedience? What can you do specifically today to put off seeking comfort through circumstantial ease and instead pursue your rest in Him? Read, meditate on, and consider how you can apply Matthew 11:28–30 today!