Vayechi Genesis 47
Torah Portion: Vayechi Genesis 47:28-50:26
HafTorah: I Kings 2:1-12
I Peter 1:1-19
Tonight we read the Torah section entitled Vayechi or “And he lived.” The Torah goes on to tell us that Jacob lived 147 years. The remainder of this section basically covers his death.
In my questions for the week I asked you to look back at Genesis 47:7-11 where Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was. In Hebrew it comes out more, “Wow, how old are you!” Jacob answers that he is 130 years old and his days have been few and evil. He had not lived as long as his father, Isaac or grandfather, Abraham. He died 33 years younger than Isaac and 28 years younger than Abraham. When you look at his life would you summarize his days as few and evil? G-d watched over him all the time he was with Laban. He left Israel with nothing but the clothes on his back and the staff in his hand. G-d promised to be with him and bring him back which he did. He brought him back with riches and a family. He prospered in Israel. G-d provided for him in Egypt. Again, it might be how you look at things. Rabbis see this as one of Jacob’s problems to the point his life possibly ended prematurely.
G-d’s Plan – Vayigash Genesis 44
Torah Portion: Vayigash Genesis 44:18-47:27
HafTorah: Ezekiel 37:15-28
Ephesians 2:1-10
Tonight I want us to look at ways Joseph teaches us of the Messiah, those events in his life that find parallels in Messiah.
How to Rise Above the Past – Vayeshev Genesis 37
Torah Portion: Vayeshev Genesis 37:1-40:23
HafTorah: Amos 2:6-3:8
Matthew 1:1-6, 16-25
A principle of Torah is that it is concise and not given to superfluous wording. So whenever we see that principle suspended we can be sure a deeper principle is at work. Such is found in Genesis 40. This chapter could have been told in a few verses rather than the 23 that we read here.
What Do You Fear? – Vayishlach, Genesis 32
Torah Portion: Vayishlach Genesis 32:4-36:43
HafTorah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21
Matthew 26:36-46, Hebrews 11:11-20
Tonight we look at the Torah section that brings Jacob back to the Land. It covers his reunion with his brother as well as the death of his first love, Rachel.
I want us to look at a couple of things that I think the L-rd has for us tonight. First I want to explore the last question that I sent out to you. Why did Jacob fear Esau? He had heard the promises of G-d and experienced the blessings of G-d so why do we see him here overcome with fear? Remember he had recently dealt with Laban who also persecuted him yet he showed no fear in this meeting. So why here? Maybe he was feeling guilt for what he had done to Esau. Maybe he thought Esau had held on to his anger for 20 + years. Remember Rebecca had said she would send for him when Esau’s anger cooled. Yet she never did. So maybe his anger never cooled. It could have been a number of things. So it is hard to settle on one.
Boundaries Between Holy and Unholy – Veyetzei Gen 28 12/11
Torah Portion: Veyetzei Genesis 28:10-32:3
HafTorah: Hosea 12:13-14:10
John 1:19-51
Tonight I want us to look at the questions sent out earlier this week. Before we get to them I would like to look at Genesis 28:11 and especially at a couple of words of this passage in Hebrew. In English we read he came to a certain place. The word in Hebrew for “came to” is better read as encountered or touched. And the phrase in this verse, “certain place” can also be read as a reference to G-d who is “The place.” Given this we could read it as, “He encountered G-d.” This helps us understand the angels better as well. It gives us insight into the first of my two questions. I n John 1:51 we read of an encounter between Yeshua and Nathaniel and in Genesis 28:12 we read of the ladder set up with angels ascending and descending. What is the connection? What did Yeshua mean by His response to Nathaniel? Now to another word help. In Genesis 28:12 we read about the angels going up and down on it. Usually read as meaning “the ladder.” The word is translated as, “it” and is the Hebrew word that could be “he” or “him.” So, the angels could be seen as ascending and descending on him – “Jacob.” This could be how Yeshua saw it when He speaks to Nathaniel. Just as the angels ascended and descended on Jacob so they would Him. So now, the question becomes what did Yeshua mean about angels going up and coming down on Him? Where do we see angels connected with Yeshua? Luke 1:11 – foretelling His birth, Matthew 1:20 Joseph and Mary, Luke 2:13 – Shepherd’s, Matthew 2:13, 2:19 – Herod and Egypt, Mark 1:13 – the wilderness, Matthew 28:2 Resurrection, Acts 1:10 – ascent to heaven and Matthew 25:31 His future return.
Chayei Sarah Genesis 23
Torah Portion: Chayei Sarah Genesis 23:1-25:18
HafTorah: I Kings 1:1-31
Matthew 1:1-17; I Cor 15:50-57
In this Torah portion we read about one of the times where Jews bought land in Israel, the other two being Joseph’s tomb and the Temple Mount. These three are now some of the most hotly contested places in Israel. Why?
Serving Others – Vayera Genesis 18
Torah Portion: Vayera Genesis 18:1-22:24
HafTorah: II Kings 4:1-37
In John 8:39 Yeshua says to us, “If you are Abraham’s children do the deeds of Abraham.” With this verse as a starting point I want us to look at the first 20 or so verses of chapter 18 of Genesis where Abraham experiences two visits. Now these visits happen after his circumcision. We don’t know how long after but Jewish sages see it as being pretty much immediately after. In fact, they see the visit of G-d as being an example to us of visiting the sick.
Lech Lecha Genesis 12
Torah Portion: Lech Lecha Genesis 12:1-17:27
HafTorah: Hosea Isaiah 40:27-41:16
A Journey With An Unknown Destination
Tonight I want us to look at my very favorite Torah section. A Torah Section full of truths that we could talk about for days. Such as:
- G-d’s encounter with Abraham
- G-d’s promises to Abraham
A. Great Nation
B. Bless you
C. Make your name great
D. You shall be a blessing
E. Bless those who bless you
F. Curse those who curse you
G. All the earth will be blessed through you
H. Give your descendants the land