Genesis 17 – A Better Me!
A Better Me
Dear family and friends, Genesis Chapter 17 brings us face-to-face with how to make our world a better place. We begin with ourselves. We can improve the space we occupy by clearing our shelves of clutter and emptying our closets.
How about Anxiety? — Can we discard some of our anxiety? Do we feel nervous? Do we have any worries? Are we feeling uneasy, agitated, or jittery? Let’s stop hoarding all that disarray of the disorder. That rubbish has got to go!
What about Abram? Did he have some anxieties? When he was 99 years old he received a special visit from Almighty God. The Lord Said, ‘Abram walk before me and be perfect. See Genesis 17.1 God Talked. Abram listened. Abram prepared to enter a contract agreement with God. The muddle had to go. Circumcision was required for Abram, Ishmael, and his servants, who were eight days of age or older. See Genesis 17.12 God Changed Abram’s name to Abraham. He would become a father of many nations. God Changed the name of Sarai, Abraham’s wife, to Sarah. Sarah would become the mother of many nations. The essence of who they were was altered. Abraham was required to take physical steps that would lead to Spiritual actions. Let’s consider how one changes work.
Our Sages teach that no matter how difficult things may be today, Jewish people have some guidelines that will help us.
The Talmud Shares An Important Teaching.
Rabbi Isaac said: Four things cancel the doom of a man, namely, charity, supplication, change of name, and change of conduct. Rosh Hashana 16b
Charity / Righteousness
As it is written, ‘Charity / Righteousness delivers us from death.’ Proverbs 10.2
Supplication / Prayer
As it is written, ‘They cried unto The Lord in their trouble, and He Delivered them out of their distresses.’
Psalms 107.6
Change of Name
As it is written, ‘As for Sarai, your wife, Do not call her by the name Sarai anymore, for her new name is Sarah. And I will Bless her, and moreover, I will Give you a son from her.’
Genesis 17.15 – 16
Change of Conduct
As it is written, ‘And God Saw their works, and God Turned away from the evil which He said He would do to them and He did not.’
Jonah 3.10
Change of Place – Some teach moving to a new location also avails.
As it is written, ‘Now The Lord said to Abram, You get out of your country, and I will make of you a great nation.’ Genesis 12.1 – 2
Dear Family and Friends, may we be careful when using the mystical teachings of Kabbalah. May we seek the direction of a rabbinical authority before we follow these esoteric teachings. May we bring peace and healing to our world. May this coming Sabbath and every Sabbath be a blessed Day.
Good Sabbath!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
