Genesis

בייה

Genesis 15 A Mystical Ecstatic Vision

How do we describe that which is indescribable? How do we understand a mystical, ecstatic vision that we may know nothing about? Let’s take a moment to reflect and analyze. (Genesis 15.1) says, ‘The Word of the Lord came to Abraham in a vision.’ Holy Scripture Informs us that a vision is a prophetic spiritual communication from the Lord. The vision Abraham received was בַּמַּחֲזֶה Bah Mah Cah Zeh – A Mystical Ecstatic Vision. I explain Abraham’s vision as a 360-degree, joyful, happy, euphoric top and bottom vision. Abraham felt enraptured, enthralled, exhilarated, and saturated, like he was like in seventh heaven on cloud nine, jumping for joy on top of the world. He had a rare spiritual experience that was uniquely different. I wish each of us could bask In a pleasurable vision like Abrahams. Yet, we know that Abraham was different. He found the Lord on his own without anyone’s assistance. There are rewards for individuals like Abraham. Remember, Abraham was a pillar that changed the course of humankind. There are many excellent Teachings flowing out from (Genesis 15) that we cannot include in our brief discussion. Even though it would be exciting and fabulous to continue discussing visions, we need to focus on the Lord’s Prophecy woven throughout the lives of Jewish people.

(Genesis 15.1) begins with אַחַר ׀ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה meaning אַחַר – Ah Chahr – After // הַדְּבָרִים – Hah Dih Vaw Reem – The things – Haw Ay Leh – Those or these. There is an enormous revelation flowing from these three Words. I want us to take a little trip together to observe how masterfully the Truth of Ha Torah is joined together. Occasionally throughout the remainder of our study, I will refer to WHAT THINGS. It is about this paragraph.

Our Journey Begins:

(Genesis 15) was during Erev Passover. How do we know this? Follow the trail. We will now review Holy Scriptures that tie Abraham and Sarah to Passover. (Genesis 15.2 – 3) Abraham states that he is childless. (Genesis 15.13) says, ‘Lord said to Abraham, Know for a certainty that your seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them, i.e., the Egyptians; and they shall afflict them four hundred years.’ The four hundred years began with the birth of Issac. We know that Abraham was born on Erev Passover. We know Isaac was born on Passover when Abraham turned one-hundred years of age. (Genesis 17.17) says, ‘Then Abraham fell upon his face, laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him who is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?’ (Exodus 12.41) says, ‘And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even on that very day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.’ That was Passover. (Genesis 18.6) says, ‘And Abraham hurried to the tent to Sarah, and said, Quickly prepare three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes. She made Matzah, i.e., unleavened cakes.’ The four-hundred-thirty years began with Abraham in (Genesis 15).

We will now review references connecting people, time, and Passover. Quickly prepare three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes. She made Matzah, i.e., unleavened cakes. (Genesis 18:14) says, ‘At the time appointed, I will return to you, at this season, and Sarah shall have a son.’ [What was the season? Passover] (Genesis 19.1) says, ‘And there came two angels to Sodom [after leaving Abraham] at [Passover] evening.’ (Genesis 19.3) says, ‘Lot made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate [The Passover Seder together.’ Now after following the trail of Abraham’s ties to Passover, we return to the previous paragraph’s question, ‘What Things?’

Leading up to his vision, there was a feeling of euphoria, praise, and thankfulness because Lord Blessed Abraham, his 318 trained Talmudim / Retainers, and his confederates with a decisive victory over the four evil kings on that Pre-Passover night/day as written in (Genesis 14.17). The four evil kings were Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, and Tidal, king of nations. Amraphel – Nimrod, king of Shinar; and Arioch, king of Ellasar’ (Genesis 14.9).

We continue to unravel and decipher the meaning of what things and how the Lord Weaves Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Lot into Passover Observances.

(Bereisheit Rabba 42.8) Identifies the one who had previously escaped from the worldwide flood back in 1656 FC as Og. Then (Bereisheit Rabba) goes on to explain how Og got his name. ‘He came upon Abraham and found him sitting engaged in the precept of unleavened cakes. He was making Matzah. It was Passover time, and the Rabbis held that Abraham fulfilled all the precepts of Ha Torah even before they were promulgated.’

(Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 23.8) Quotes (Genesis 7.23) says, ‘All living things which were upon the face of the earth decayed, and every living thing was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, except Noah and those who were with him in the ark, as it is said, ‘Only Noah was left, and they that were with him in the ark’ (ibid.), except Og, king of Bashan, who sat down on a piece of wood under the gutter of the ark. He swore to Noah and his sons that he would be their forever servant. What did Noah do? He bored an aperture in the ark, and he put food through it daily for him, and he was left, as it is said, Deuteronomy 3.11) ‘For only Og, king of Bashan, remained of the remnant of the giants.’

We can be the difference in our sphere. We can do some heavy lifting like our loving Grandfather, Abraham.

Dear Friends and Family, Sometimes, we look out of place and wholly disconnected because we do not see the entire picture. We do not enjoy that Mystical, Ecstatic Vision. (Genesis 15.6) encourages us to do as our Father Abraham. ‘And [Abraham] believed in Lord, and the [Lord] counted it to him for righteousness.’ That would be following Abraham’s footsteps.

May each of us be blessed with Torah Learning to encourage us, enlighten our way, and help others.

Good Sabbath,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

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