Make it make sense?
The Torah Portion Noah’s Post-Flood Covenant should have solved all of the world’s problems. Correct? After all, the God-Human covenant assured that a world would not be subjected to another deity inflicted devastation. It was also sealed with a rainbow! Only a double rainbow could have made it better!! Genesis 8:21-22.
The problem for Pentateuch readers is that they have only read a few pages to get there. Game over? What is going on with these hundreds of pages more?
Thus, we must ask: What went wrong? Why did this covenant- a sacred and solemn pact or promise- fall short?
This covenant mystery bleeds into the following portion, Lech Lecha. Instantaneously, the reader must confront a new covenant with essentially a stranger.
With no bona fides offered, Abram emerges as the man. With him, there is another Divine-Human collaboration. A second mystery!
Questions
Lech Lecha’s instantaneous covenanting raises many questions: Who is this Abram? Why is the new covenant’s purpose? And- looking towards the future- why is there going to be the need for a Mt. Sinai covenant?
Answers
The answers to Lech Lecha requires scouring through the Portion Noah.
Pre-Flood, Noah, the man, is lauded as being virtuous- unblemished in his generation. A man who walked with God. Genesis 6:9. Abram, on the other hand, is introduced with no praise. From the Portion Noah, Abram’s genealogy, his family’s relocation, his father’s passing, his marriage and family infertility struggle are known. Genesis 11:27-31.
The Reboot
Humanity’s Post-Flood reboot initially was not too impressive. Noah devotes his labor towards planting a vineyard and embraces the life of an oenophile. In a naked episode of intoxication, the ex-skipper’s inebriation leads to both family acrimony and blasphemy.
In this family upheaval, Noah curses one son. The curse is notable as it failed to evoke God’s name; rather Noah personally leveled ill will towards a son. [Note: Is the “act” of cursing something solely within the Deity’s purview?] After the curse, Noah then evokes the Lord’s name in a blessing. Genesis 9:25.
The world apparently flourishes after Noah. For God, it, however, remained problematic. The Portion Noah tells of the Tower of Babel. The Deity fretted that there was “nothing that they’ll [humans] scheme to do will be precluded from them.” Genesis 11:6. Was this a Garden of Eden-like concern? The Deity remains fearful that humans would reach a god-like status. Why is that problematic?
Outside Sources
Ur of the Chaldees, the ending location for the Portion Noah, is where Abram originated. . Genesis 11:27-28. The area, Babylonia, constituted ancient civilization. It was governed by monarchy and had a sophisticated legal system; the Code of Hammurabi.
The Code of Hammurabi consisted of 282 rules. The matter covered were wide ranging and included commercial endeavors, family law, and administrative law. Within the rules, in certain instances, different standards applied to the three existing societal classes- propertied, freedmen and slaves.
Also, during the time that Abram lived, approximately 2100 to 1900 BCE, the Levant was not a peaceful area. Rather, it was turbulent and there was a moderate amount of conflict. The Levant, a land bridge to Egypt and Africa, historically has presented as a desirable piece of real estate. It served both commercial and for military purposes. Famously, the term “Armageddon”- originates from the Levant. A word describing an ultimate devastating battle.
So, from an outsider’s perspective, one must ask whether there was need for regional improvement?
Lech Lecha
Lech Lecha beings with Abram [his name at the time] entering into a new covenant with the Lord. “And I’ll make you into a big nation and I’ll bless you and make your name great. And be a blessing. And I’ll bless those who bless you, and those who affront you I’ll curse. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3.
What can be extracted from this provision? Abram’s values were consistent with the Lord. Is it that nations and individuals who appreciate these values will prosper? In essence, was this the spark of the vision of the prophets? Is it a blessing to have peace?
As Isaiah 2:4 notes, “And he shall judge between the nations and reprove many peoples, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” Is this the covenant’s endgame?
Thus, exploring Abram’s life is of import. What makes Abram to be someone worthy of being blessed? Again, unlike Noah, the reader must discover this post-covenant.
The one thing takeaway from the beginning of Lech Lecha is that he was going to become a big nation. Impliedly, that would require that he and his wife Sara produce progeny.
Moving forward in time, the world now has the Abraham Accords. World leaders have taken the Torah’s vision to create something upon which there can be peace and prosperity. The Pentateuch has acted as a road map, a blue print, for modern diplomacy.
Conclusion
With Lech Lecha, questions arise as to the world’s need for additional covenants. With respect to that question, an examination of Abram’s life and values are required. Moving forward through scripture, his acts, thoughts and beliefs unlock the Deity’s world vision. From the scripture, there is a strong suggestion, at this point, that the goal is peace and prosperity. This goal has been appreciated in modern diplomacy.
Be well!!
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