Torah Commentary Archives

B'resheet (In the beginning)

Genesis 1:1-6:8

Isaiah 42:5-43:10

John 1:1-18

Revelation 21:1-5; 22:1-5

Winner Takes All

Just why did Elohim create the heavens and the earth? The simple answer is: For some reason well beyond my thinking ability, He desired to be part of the lives of humans who would be created in His image. We could consider this as if He had a need, which could only be fulfilled by relationship with you and me. Just this very thought should cause our minds to go “Tilt!” like the old pinball machines. Well, maybe more like meltdown than just tilt. But what if creation was the result of something we only are given a clue of?

In Isaiah 14:12-14, we read of the fall of a created being known at the time as Lucifer. Ezekiel gives us hints about Lucifer's role as being the worship leader of the heavenly realm. He was created, like us, with choice. See, without choice to love or reject, there can be no true love. Lucifer made his choice some time before creation and, in fact, convinced one-third of the angelic beings to rebel with him. (Note: This is the first recorded occurrence of total stupidity!)

Now what? Well, we have a standoff. Elohim and His angelic army standing firmly against the one now known as satan, with his fallen angels. Could not Elohim have just wiped them all out? Of course! But how about raising the stakes a bit? Did Elohim decide to prove His ability to Love at a level satan never experienced, rather than just taking vengeance on those who would rebel? Is creation the ultimate board game with winner taking all? Just consider this out-of-the box thought with me.

So creation begins with light, darkness, birds, bees, flowers, and trees. All is perfect, everything working in total order and then into the perfection choice enters in the persons of Adam and Eve. Until this moment, light shone, bees made honey, and trees grew, but they were not given choice. Humans? Taking a chance here.

Rabbinic sources say it took Adam and Eve seven years to make their choice of rebellion. Before we get all hot under the collar and point fingers, we need to ask ourselves: If this is right, would we have made it that long? Go Adam! Go Eve!

The story could have ended on that fateful day. Elohim could have chosen to not only wipe out satan and his followers, but Adam and Eve as well. How about, instead, raising the stakes, again?

Genesis 3:15 is a Covenantal Promise to Adam and Eve, but it is spoken to the serpent. They are told that a Deliverer will be sent at some time in history, and the final test of choice and love will revolve around this One. Not stated, but revealed later in Scripture, is the ultimate test: Who will be willing to give His own life for those who choose to follow? Is this the heart of the Melchizedek Priesthood?

In the above words, I am not giving you a doctrinal statement, but rather thoughts to ponder for yourselves and draw your own conclusions. With that said, consider the words of 1 Corinthians 2:8 which says if the powers of this world had truly understood what was going to happen, they would NOT have put Yeshua to death. What about Hebrews 12:2? Who was the joy set before Yeshua giving Him the strength to endure the stake? Look in the mirror. And look in the face of others.

If this scenario is anywhere close to Truth, consider its magnitude. If you ponder on us being both the cause and reward of the purpose of creation itself, how does that need to affect our priorities in life, and especially our focus? Understand this: It's not just about having read the back of The Book and knowing we win; it may be we are His prize for being the purpose of The Book! “TILT!”