The Name, A Seed, Smoke and Fire
And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. When HaShem has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, then HaShem will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.
Isaiah 4:3-6
Introduction
- Last week we learned that Abraham, a descendant of Shem, call upon the Name of HaShem and that HaShem appeared to Him.
- We learned about the kere ketiv which causes one to speak the Name of HaShem with the word ‘Adonai’.
- We learned that ‘The Name’ is a dwelling place for the Person of G-d, in much the same way the Mish’kan [Tabernacle] was.
- We learned that G-d’s Holy Name is a representation of His character and essence – and it always has Messianic implications.
- Our study of the Name will continue for the next few weeks.
The Name
- Gen 15:1-4: from this we get a title for G-d, “Magen Avraham” [Shield of Abraham]. The ‘Shield’ and ‘Word’ are altered in Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, making the connection that the ‘Shield’ may be related to Memra, or the Greek word in John 1, Logos.
- First usage of “Adonai, HaShem” [HaShem G-D]. Abraham seems to be using this term in a reminder of Gen 12, where G-d promises to make him a great nation – that he can’t be a great nation without an heir, or a seed.
- Deut 9:26: A reminder of the covenant G-d made with the Patriarchs.
- Josh 7:7: A reminder of the covenant G-d made with the Patriarchs.
- 2Sam 7:18-29: David immediately recognizes that this ‘Davidic Covenant’ that G-d is making with him is an expansion of the Abrahamic Covenant, so he uses the same language that Abraham uses, “Adonai HaShem” [HaShem G-d].
- Is 28:16: G-d speaks of Himself in this way. A fulfillment of the Abrahamic/Davidic Covenant.
- Is 61:1; Luke 4:18-19: mashach [anoint], where we get “Messiah”. Messiah is a fulfillment of Abrahamic/Davidic Covenant, the title “Adonai HaShem” is used.
- Ezk 39:25-29: The ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic/Davidic Covenant.
The Promise
- Gen 15:1-21: The Abrahamic Covenant:
- An heir/descendants for Abraham’s house.
- A Seed
- A Land
- The promise of an heir for his house invokes the comparison to the ‘stars’ and an illusion to their number.
- What time of day did 15:5 take place (xref vs 12, 17, 18)?
- There is a genuine pondering of what “so shall your seed be” means. Numerous? True, but could it be something else? Such as “there, but not seen”?
- Gen 15:6: The basis for the Abrahamic Covenant, was Abraham trusting G-d for its fulfillment.
- The Seed promised, first to Woman, then Shem, and now Abraham.
- Gal 3:16, John 8:56: What did Abraham see when told to look toward heaven? What did he ‘believe’?
The Covenant, the Smoke, and the Fire
- Gen 15:8-21: Abraham prepares the animals (shalash – three-year-old, first usage), but is only a “Smoking oven, and a burning Torch” that passes between the pieces – Abraham is asleep. The Covenant was completely one sided.
- Ex 3:2: The Aish [pronounced ehsh] – the Fire that burns and does not consume the bush.
- Ex 13:21: The Pillar of Aish [Fire] that led them at night.
- Ex 20:18: The Lapid [Light], the Ashen [Smoking] – the visible manifestation of the Presence of G-d on the mountain.
- Is 4:5: Aish and Ashan [Fire and Smoke] demonstrating the visible manifestation of the Presence of G-d over the dwellings of believers in Jerusalem in the future.
- Song of Solomon 3:6: Who is this like pillars of smoke?
- Dan 10:5-6; Rev 1:12-17; Rev 4:5: the Eyes of Fire, the Seven Spirits of G-d. The fiery torch of Gen 15:17 is the ‘Eyes’ of G-d, represented in the Menorah and the Seven Lamps of Revelation.
The Dance Parable
- How does what we learned relate to our Parable of the ‘Dance’ with Messiah?
- As Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Isaiah, and Ezekiel understood, the phrase “Ad-nai, HaShem” [HaShem G-D] appeals to the Covenant faithfulness of G-d and serves as a reminder that all followers of Yeshua are descendants of Abraham, and heirs of the Abrahamic Covenant.
- Messiah is both the Promised Seed of Abraham, and He is the Promise-Maker. He is Adonai HaShem.
- To follow Messiah Yeshua’s ‘dance steps’ in this way might be to more wholly rely upon promises of things not seen – like avinu Avraham [Abraham our father].
Summary
- We have seen the Promised Seed, the solution to the problem of how G-d could dwell with man, was first made to Woman, then Shem, and now Abraham. The Seed was not visible, at the time, but Abraham rejoiced in seeing Him, and believed.
- The Abrahamic/Davidic Covenant is the basis for trusting in Yeshua and following Him. He is the Seed. He is the Smoking Oven, the Burning Torch. He made the Covenant with Abraham while the man was asleep. He redeemed us, while we were still dead in our sins.