Torah Portion: Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1–17:27)

“Go Forth”
Elohim calls Abram to leave his homeland and journey to the land He will show him. Abram obeys, traveling to Canaan with Sarai and Lot. Elohim promises to bless him, make his name great, and that through him all families of the earth will be blessed. After a famine drives them to Egypt, Abram and Sarai’s deception about her identity causes trouble for Pharaoh. Later, Abram and Lot separate to avoid strife, and Elohim renews His promise of the land to Abram. Abram rescues Lot from captivity after a war of kings and meets Melchizedek, king of Salem, who blesses him. Elohim makes a covenant with Abram, promising countless descendants and the land of Canaan. Abram’s faith is counted as righteousness. Sarai gives Hagar to Abram, resulting in the birth of Ishmael. Elohim changes Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s to Sarah, and establishes the covenant of circumcision as an everlasting sign.

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27–41:16

“Fear Not, I Am With You”
Elohim speaks comfort to Israel, reminding them that He is the Creator who never grows weary and gives strength to the faint. He calls Abraham “My friend,” emphasizing the faith and calling of Abraham as an example of His faithfulness. Elohim assures Israel that He will uphold them with His righteous right hand and that those who strive against them will be as nothing. The message echoes the promise to Abraham — that Elohim’s chosen will not be forsaken, even when surrounded by enemies.

Brit Hadashah (New Testament)

• Romans 4:1–25 – Paul teaches that Abraham was justified by faith, not by works, showing that righteousness comes through trusting Elohim’s promises.
• Galatians 3:6–14; 3:29 – Believers in Messiah are called “children of Abraham” through faith, inheriting the blessing promised to him.
• Hebrews 11:8–19 – Abraham’s obedience to go out, not knowing where he was going, is held up as a supreme act of faith.
• Acts 7:1–8 – Stephen recounts Elohim’s call to Abraham as part of Israel’s story of faith and covenant.

Psalms

• Psalm 47 – Elohim reigns over all the earth and is exalted above the nations.
• Psalm 105 – Elohim remembers His covenant with Abraham and keeps His promises forever.
• Psalm 121 – Yahuah guards and watches over His people on every step of their journey.
• Psalm 91 – Those who dwell in the shelter of Elohim find safety, strength, and deliverance in His presence.
  

Summary Theme

Lech Lecha – “Go Forth”

In Lech Lecha, Yahuah calls Abram to leave his homeland, his relatives, and his father’s house to go to a land that He would show him. This is not merely a journey of distance, but of faith and identity. Abram obeys, trusting the unseen promise that through him all nations of the earth would be blessed. Yahuah promises him land, descendants, and that his name will be great — establishing the foundation of the everlasting covenant.

When famine strikes, Abram goes to Egypt and faces testing. Though fear leads him to make mistakes, Yahuah protects Sarai and preserves His plan. Returning to Canaan, Abram and Lot separate peacefully when their herds grow too large. Lot chooses the fertile plains near Sodom, while Abram remains in the hills of Canaan. After Lot is captured during war, Abram courageously rescues him and is blessed by Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of El Elyon, who brings bread and wine — foreshadowing the eternal priesthood of Messiah. Abram refuses the riches of Sodom, showing that he depends on Yahuah alone for reward.

Yahuah reaffirms His covenant through a powerful vision, declaring that Abram’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars. Abram believes, and it is counted to him as righteousness — the defining mark of true faith. Yahuah reveals that his offspring will be strangers in a foreign land but will return with great possessions, and He sets the borders of the Promised Land.

Years later, Sarai gives her maid Hagar to Abram, and Ishmael is born — a reminder that human attempts cannot fulfill divine promises. When Abram is ninety-nine, Yahuah appears again as El Shaddai, commanding him to “walk before Me and be blameless.” The covenant is sealed with circumcision, and their names are changed to Abraham and Sarah, marking transformation and renewal. Yahuah promises that Sarah will bear Isaac, the son of promise.

Lech Lecha teaches that covenant requires trust, obedience, and separation from the world. Abraham’s faith becomes the model for all who follow Yahuah — walking by belief and not by sight. Through one man’s obedience, Yahuah begins the redemptive plan that will bless all nations and reveal His everlasting faithfulness.