Read Time: 7 Minutes
Shalom, and welcome to our study of the Torah portions of Lech Lecha and Vayera. These passages introduce us to the foundational relationship between YAH and the patriarch Abraham, a relationship built on faith, obedience, and a profound spiritual vision. Within these narratives, we discover not only the first physical appearances of God in Scripture but also a critical, recurring theme: the immense importance of the "eye" and what we choose to see.
Lech Lecha: Leaving Your Will to Delight in His
The portion of Lech Lecha (Genesis 12-17) begins with a divine command that would change history:
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.’” (Genesis 12:1)
On the surface, this is a command for physical relocation. But in Hebraic thought, the sages see a much deeper, metaphorical meaning. The Hebrew word for "country" or "land" is Eretz (ארץ). The final two letters of Eretz are Reish (ר) and Tzadi (צ), which form the root of the word Ratzon (רצון)—meaning "will," "desire," or "delight."
YAH’s command to Abram, therefore, was an invitation to leave behind his own will, his own desires, and his own delights. He was being called to align his entire being with the will of God. This is the essence of the faith journey: to forfeit our own flawed understanding and delight in the perfect will of our Father, just as the Psalmist declares:
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
When our delight is in Him, the desires of our hearts become His desires. Abraham’s obedience was the ultimate expression of this. He demonstrated the commitment Yeshua would later speak of in Luke 14:26—a commitment so total that all other loyalties pale in comparison. YAH is not looking for lip service; He is looking for a heart that is fully His.
The First Visual Appearance and the Lesson of the Eye
In Genesis 12:7, we encounter a monumental moment in Scripture: “Then the Lord (YHVH) appeared to Abram...” This is the first recorded visual, physical appearance of God. Up to this point, humanity had heard YAH’s voice (Adam, Eve, Noah), but here, YAH makes Himself seen.
This theme of "seeing" is powerfully illustrated in the conflict between Abraham’s herdsmen and Lot’s. To avert strife, Abraham, in a spirit of humility and trust, gives Lot the first choice of the land.
“And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere... Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan...” (Genesis 13:10-11)
Notice the sequence: Lot lifted his eyes, saw what was appealing, and chose for himself. His vision was physical and self-serving. He saw with the eyes of the flesh, drawn to what looked good and prosperous. The outcome? He journeyed east toward Sodom and into dire straits.
In contrast, after Lot departs, YAH tells Abraham: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward. For all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.” (Genesis 13:14-15)
Abraham, who had relied on YAH’s decision rather than his own, was given everything. Lot, who chose for himself, ended up losing it all. The lesson is stark: a life guided by what appeals to the physical eye leads to bondage, while a life of faith that trusts YAH’s provision leads to abundant blessing.
The Interconnectedness of the Eye and the Heart
The Torah portion Vayera (Genesis 18-22), whose title means “And He Appeared,” deepens this theme. The word for “appeared” comes from the Hebrew root Ra’ah (ראה), meaning to see, present oneself, or be visibly seen. This was not a dream or vision; it was a physical visitation.
Throughout Scripture, what we do with our eyes is a matter of life and death:
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In Genesis 3, Eve saw that the tree was desirable, and her choice led to death.
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In Genesis 6, the fallen angels saw the daughters of men were beautiful, leading to their judgment.
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In 2 Samuel 11, David saw Bathsheba bathing, setting in motion a chain of sin and death.
The eyes are the “windows to the soul,” functioning as a two-way conduit to the heart. What we allow in through our eyes shapes our heart, and what is in our heart directs what we seek out with our eyes. This connection is so vital that YAH commanded the children of Israel to wear tassels (tzitzit) on their garments:
“And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined.” (Numbers 15:39)
This is not just spiritual truth; it is physical reality. Modern medicine confirms that a routine eye exam can detect early signs of cardiovascular disease. The condition of the blood vessels in your retina reflects the condition of your heart. The Scriptures revealed this connection thousands of years ago: the health of your spiritual “heart” is directly tied to what your “eyes” focus on.
The Doorway of the Soul and the Peril of Looking Back
This principle extends to all the portals of our body. Our eyes, ears, and mouth are doorways. In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, the imagery of doors is critical.
“But the men [angels] reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.” (Genesis 19:10)
This is a powerful illustration of salvation and final judgment. The door was shut, separating Lot and his family from the destruction outside. This echoes YAH shutting the door of Noah’s ark and points to Yeshua, who said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). When He shuts the door, it is too late.
This makes the fate of Lot’s wife all the more tragic. The angels warned, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you!” (Genesis 19:17). Yet, “his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26).
The English translation “looked back” obscures a crucial Hebrew nuance. The verb used here is not Ra’ah, but Nabat (נבט). Nabat implies more than a glance; it means to regard with pleasure, to gaze with longing and desire. Lot’s wife didn’t just turn her head; her heart was still in Sodom. She yearned for the old life she was leaving behind. Her eyes revealed a heart that was not fully committed to the escape YAH had provided.
Abraham, on the other hand, had left his old life without looking back. He embodied the call to not love the world (1 John 2:15-17). Lot’s wife serves as a solemn warning: we can be led out of Babylon, but we must allow YAH to get Babylon out of us.
The Ultimate Revelation: Who Did Abraham See?
As we delve into these appearances of God, a profound theological truth emerges. Scripture is clear that no one can see the full glory of the Father and live (Exodus 33:20). Yet, Abraham clearly saw “the Lord” (YHVH).
The answer is found in the identity of the Angel of the Lord. In the binding of Isaac, we read:
“But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven... ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad... for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’” (Genesis 22:11-12)
The Angel identifies Himself as God—the one to whom the sacrifice is owed. Who is this? The New Testament reveals Him: Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Christ). He is the Word who was with God and was God, through whom all things were made (John 1:1-3). He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15). Yeshua Himself declared, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad... Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:56-58).
Yeshua stating He is"I AM" could only be a reference back to the revelation of God's name to Moses, Then Moses asked God... ‘What is His name?’... God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:13-14)
The “man” who visited Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, who ate the meal Sarah prepared, and who promised a son was none other than the pre-incarnate Yeshua, who is God.
Conclusion: Seek and You Will See
So, what can we learn from Abraham’s journey? What precedes an appearance of God in our lives?
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Obedience: God first appeared to Abraham after he obeyed the command to leave his old life.
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Seeking: God appeared to Abraham as he was sitting, learning, and contemplating—engaged in what we would call Torah study. He was seeking God with all his heart.
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Perseverance in Faith: There was a 25-year gap between God’s appearances to Abraham. Not once did Abraham lose faith. He persevered, and he became known as the friend of God.
The journey of faith is the journey from the head to the heart. It is about aligning our will with YAH’s, guarding the doorways of our souls, and fixing our eyes—the eyes of our hearts—on Yeshua, the author and perfecter of our faith.
As our Master taught, “The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness” (Luke 11:34). Let us, therefore, lift up our eyes, not to the fleeting appeals of the world, but to our Savior, the true Ram provided by God. Let us seek Him with all our heart, and we will find Him. He promises that to all who knock, the door will be opened.
From our house to your house, shalom.
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