Vayera

And He Appeared – Vayera

Have you been inside one of those big limestone caves? Over the years, water filtered from the surface down through limestone deposits. A chemical reaction occurred that produced an acidic solution. The acid carved enormous holes in the solid rock. Spectacular caverns were formed. 

All of this activity took place in absolute darkness. The existence of those caves was unknown until a spelunker wiggled his way into an opening and lit some candles, creating light that chased the dark away. What was once hidden, suddenly appeared.

Read: Genesis 18:1-22:24, 2 Kings 4:1-37, Luke 1:26-38, 24:36-53, 2 Peter 2:4-11

In this week’s passage, we see how God lit candles for Abraham, illuminating his future.

• Sarah would conceive and bear a son in her old age. They were to name him Isaac, which means laughter. 
• Abraham was told of God’s intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Sight Requires Light

One of the big themes of the Bible is the victory of Light over darkness. This week’s portion from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is titled Vayera, meaning “He Appeared.” God appeared at critical moments in the lives of Abraham and Sarah.

Abraham and Sarah were born into a dark world of pagan idolatry. That world still exists all around us. Most of us choose not to see it. At this time, Satan is the prince of this world. Wherever Satan is, there is darkness. 

When God stepped into Abraham’s life, Abraham was utterly unaware of the battle raging all around him. God’s sudden appearance illuminated that reality. 

When God appeared, Abraham believed in Him, and his belief was credited to him as righteousness. Throughout human history, God shows up repeatedly. Every time God appears, the darkness of this world retreats from His very presence. God is light!

The Bible Says:

The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “”Let there be light,””; and there was LightLight. – Genesis 1:2-3

The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them LightLight, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. – Exodus 13:21-22

Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in a fire. – Exodus 19:18

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. – John 1:4-5

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” – John 8:12

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone shine a light and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it gives light to all that are in the house. – Matthew 5:14-15