Vayeshev 2015 (and he dwelled)

Torah Portion:  Genesis 37:1 through Genesis 40:23
Haftarah Portion:  Amos 2:6-3:8
New Testament Portion:  Matthew 27: 28-29, John 10:11, John 19:24

After devoting a mere chapter to the genealogy of Esau, the Holy Spirit redirects the reader to the object of the narrative, the called and chosen who are destined to become the Bride of Jesus/Yeshua and the light of the world.

Vayishlach 2015 (and he left)

Torah Portion: Genesis 32:4 through Genesis 36:43
Haftarah: Hosea 11:7 through Hosea 12:12 or Obadiah 1:1-21
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Rev 7:1-7

This week Jacob returns home to Canaan after 20 years toil in Laban’s house where Jacob’s children were born in the midst of fierce competition between his wives.  Sage Iben Ezra estimates Reuben to be 12 years of age at the time of Jacob’s departure for Israel.  Jacob’s return to the land portends much for the return of his children at the end of days.

Lech Lecha [Go Out For Yourself] 2015

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1 through 17:27
Haftarah Portion: Isaiah 40:27 through 41:16
New Testament Portion: Mat. 8:21-22, Acts 7:2-6, Romans 11:24-26, 1 Peter 3:5-6, Rev. 7:9-10

In the span of two weeks, we have traversed the first 2000 years of human history in which the world was created in seven days, Adam and Eve succumbed to the guile of Satan and were exiled from the Garden of Eden. Subsequently, the world became so wicked that the Creator repented that He had made humans and sent a worldwide flood from which only Noah and his family were saved. 

Vayechi – And he lived

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Haftarah: I Kings 2:1-12

New Testament: Hebrews 11:21-22, 13:14

In last week’s lesson, Joseph not only revealed his identity to his brothers; but, more importantly, he revealed his forgiveness for their sins against him. Joseph embraced them and kissed them and urged them to bring their father and their families to Goshen, where Joseph provided all the food that the family needed and “gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded” (Gen. 47:11).

VAYESHEV – AND HE DWELLED

Torah Portion:  Genesis 37:1 through Genesis 40:23
Haftarah Portion:  Amos 2:6-3:8
New Testament Portion:  Matthew 27: 28-29, John 10:11, John 19:24

After devoting a mere chapter to the genealogy of Esau, the Torah returns to the object of its narrative, the called and chosen who are destined to become the Bride of Yeshua and the light of the world.

Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. (Gen 37:1)

Unlike Esau, who departed Canaan and settled in the land of the Horites, Jacob dwelled in Eretz Israel, albeit as a sojourner, just like his father and grandfather.   No doubt, after all of Jacob’s trouble and turmoil, he is ready for peace and quiet.   But, it is not to be.   The family must descend to Egypt to fulfill the purposes of God.   Recall that God told Abraham his descendants would be in bondage for four hundred years.

VAYISHLACH – AND HE SENT

Torah Portion: Genesis 32:4 through Genesis 36:43
Haftarah: Hosea 11:7 through Hosea 12:12 or Obadiah 1:1-21
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Rev 7:1-7

Jacob and his family return to his father’s house.

This week we will see Jacob return to the land of Israel after an absence of 34 years.  Fourteen of these years are unaccounted for in Scripture and the sages of Israel surmise they were wisely spent in Eber’s house of study.  The remaining 20 years were spent in toil in Laban’s house, where Jacob’s children were born in the midst of fierce competition between his wives.  Sage Iben Ezra estimates Reuben to be 12 years of age at the time of Jacob’s departure for Israel.  Jacob’s return to the land portends much for the return of his children at the end of days.