Why God Saved Abraham from Nimrod and from the Famine

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Toldot 5:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[(Genesis 26:1:) NOW THERE WAS A FAMINE IN THE LAND.] This is what Scripture says (Psalm 33:18): BEHOLD, THE EYE OF THE LORD IS UPON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. It speaks of Abraham, who is called one who fears God, as it is said (Genesis 22:12): FOR NOW I KNOW THAT YOU FEAR GOD. (Psalm 33:18, continued:) UPON THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIS LOVINGKINDNESS — for he waited upon the Holy One, blessed be He, by His word. (Psalm 33:19:) TO DELIVER THEIR SOUL FROM DEATH — from the death [decreed] by Nimrod. AND TO KEEP THEM ALIVE IN FAMINE (ibid.) — the famine that came in his days, as it is said (Genesis 12:10): NOW THERE WAS A FAMINE IN THE LAND.

Themes

Divine ProvidenceAbrahamFamine

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash AggadahTen Who Prophesied Without Knowing It from Abraham to HannahWhen Abraham climbed Mount Moriah with the wood on his son's shoulders, he turned to the young men and said, "We will worship and return to you." He meant only Midrash AggadahWhy God Repaid Abraham's Water and Bread Measure for MeasureWhen the three travelers stood at his tent, Abraham spoke a careful word. "Let a little water be taken," he said, be taken, fetched by a servant's hand, not carMidrash AggadahJacob's Answer to Isaac and the Ram of the AkedahWhen Isaac, blind and old, marveled at how swiftly the savory dish had been brought, he asked his son, "How is it that you found it so quickly, my son?" The ansMidrash AggadahIshmael and Eliezer Fear Isaac Was Slain at the AkedahThe Musings of Ishmael and Eliezer When the verse says, "And it came to pass after these things," the Sages listen closely to the word for "things", devarim, whMidrash AggadahAbraham's War on the Four Kings Foretold in IsaiahWhy does Scripture pause over a few crumbs, "apart from only what the young men have eaten"? Because even Eshkol and Mamre, who guarded the baggage while othersMidrash AggadahWhy God Withheld Abimelech From Sinning Against SarahWhen Abimelech took Sarah into his house, he thought his hands were clean. Had he not asked the whole city, and had they not all answered, "She is his sister"?