Parashat Lech Lecha (Go Forth)
Beresheet (Genesis) 12:1–17:27
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16

As we reflect on Parashat Lech Lecha from Genesis 12, we are reminded of the boundless faithfulness of our God, a loving Father who invites us into a covenant rooted in His unchanging grace and steadfast love. This week’s passage reveals the story of God’s promise to Abram (later Abraham) and the calling that is extended to each of us: to walk in trust, led by His hand and guided by His promises.

Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ So Abram went away as the LORD had spoken to him…
Genesis 12:1–4a

God called Abram to leave everything he knew and trust Him to lead him to an unknown land. In doing so, God promised Abram that He would not only bless him but also make him a blessing to all people. This call echoes the heart of God’s covenant, an everlasting assurance that His promises extend beyond the boundaries of human understanding or circumstance. Through Abram’s obedience, we find an invitation to believe that God’s hand will never lead us where His grace will not sustain us. 

When God established His covenant with Abraham, He promised to bless not only him but also his descendants and all who would bless them. This divine blessing is more than a historical promise—it is a living faith promise that those who bless God’s people will receive His favor and blessing. In a world that often strays from honoring God’s promises, this truth stands firm: God’s covenant remains unbroken, a foundation upon which we can build our faith and hope.

Later in Genesis, we see God’s promise unfold in greater detail, as He reveals to Abraham that the blessing will come specifically through Sarah’s son, Isaac, and his descendants. Although Abraham laughed at the thought of bearing a child in old age, God reassured him of His plan and His faithfulness. In Genesis 17:15-22, God reaffirms that this blessing and covenant are everlasting, not based on Abraham’s understanding or strength, but on God’s unchanging love and commitment: 

As for your wife Sarai, you shall not call her by the name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her… I will establish My covenant with Isaac as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
Genesis 17:15–22

In this, we see a glimpse of God’s grace—His plans transcend our limitations, and His covenant endures across generations. His love is unwavering, His promises sure. This covenant is a divine commitment that holds steady, not based on our worthiness, but on His boundless mercy.

In the Haftarah portion from Isaiah, we are reminded of God’s unwavering promise to His people, Israel. God speaks to Israel as His chosen, reassuring them of His presence and protection. This passage is filled with hope and strength, is a timely promise that God will uplift and sustain His people through every trial and challenge: 

But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham who loved Me… Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand… For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
Isaiah 41:8–14

Here, we see God’s compassion toward Israel, His beloved nation, whom He has chosen and will never abandon. If He were to do so, it would make Him a false God and a liar—something that is utterly impossible. Despite centuries of challenges, God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remains unbroken.

We can take comfort in knowing that this same God walks with us today! The One who calls Himself the “first and the last” has woven us into this divine story, promising His presence, protection, and strength. He lifts us up, renews our strength, and fills us with hope:

Yet those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Let us go forth with renewed hearts, knowing that we are loved by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose covenant of grace extends to us today. May we live as vessels of His blessing, walking in faith, hope, and the assurance that His promises are as true now as they were then.

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran