Parsha Page

  Shalom
  to you,

Wellsprings of Torah,  www.TorahWellsprings.org
Rick Wills - Messianic Elder,  Mishareth@TorahWellsprings.org

---

Sidra Overview

The Ancient Triennial Sedarim
Sidra 2 Tolidoth, Generations 
 

Torah, Genesis 2:4 - 3:21

    Such is the story of heaven and earth when they were created.

    Chapter 2 began with God blessing and sanctifying the Shabbat. The following verse introduces the Tetragammaton (Yud-Hey-Waw-Hey), Name of God, which out of respect we pronounce as Adonoi, for the first time in Torah.

    Now we learn more about the condition of the earth - there are no shrubs or grasses because Adonai had not yet sent rain and there was no man to till the soil. Then HaShem formed man - adom - from the dust of the earth, blew life into him and he became "nefesh" - a living being. Adonai planted the Garden in Eden and placed the man there to tend to it. 

    The four rivers that issue from Eden are described, followed by the naming of the animals to find a suitable helper, or companion for the adom. And then comes the creation of woman out of adom's rib as a companion and helper. Verse 24 tells that a man clings to his wife, prompting Rambam, the Spanish rabbi from the 13th century, to interpret this to mean that the ideal condition of men and women is a monogamous marriage.

    Chapter 3 relates the subtlety or craftiness of the serpent, the sin of Adam and Eve in eating from the forbidden fruit, their expulsion from the Garden and their punishment.  After they sinned, Adam and Eve needed to be clothed.  To cover their nakedness, God made the clothing from skins, which required the first death of an animal. This first act of disobedience resulted in a separation from God, and also the first sacrifice of an animal.

Qeriath, Isaiah 51:6-16

    Yeshiyahu is giving the people in exile a message of hope, that the Lord who made a mighty nation out of one man can also make Israel like the Garden of Eden. Even though heaven and earth will eventually pass away, Adonai will endure, His triumph and salvation will last through all the ages.

    The people call to Adonai, reminding Him of the mighty acts He did to create the earth and subdue it for His people. They entreat Him to let those in exile return to Zion. Adonai answers, assuring Israel that they do not need to be afraid of those who are oppressing them. He has planted the skies and made firm the earth, and He will take care of His people.

Da'ath, 1 John 4:1-12

    John is writing to Messianics, telling them to be discerning, not trusting every spirit. Only those who confess that Yeshua is Messiah and came to us as a man are to be recognized as having the Ruach, the Spirit of God. The false prophets, lead by the spirit of the Anti-Messiah is already in the world. However, everyone who has accepted Yeshua as Messiah has already overcome the false prophets, able to distinguish the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error.

    We are to love one another, because God loved us, and demonstrated that love by sending Yeshua to die in our place, to be our kapparah, or covering, so that through Him we may have life. God is love, and those who remain in this love remain united with God.

Igarath, Hebrews 2:1-9

    This writer to the Messianic Jews continues with his exhortation to be careful to fully heed the commands from Adonoi. The Lord has born witness to these things by way of signs, wonders and miracles, and gifts of the Ruach HaKodesh. God has subjected the ‘olam haba (the world to come) not to angels, but to Yeshua. He was made a little lower than the angels for a while, but now He is crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by God’s grace, He might taste death for all humanity. Now, everything is subject to Him.

Conclusion

    In Torah Adonai told Adom to be discerning, knowing what fruit he may eat and which he may not – and Adom was sent out of Gan Eden for his disobedience. Qeriath shows Yeshiyahu prophesying that the people will be returned to the land, even after their disobedience, and Adonai will make it like the Garden of Eden. Da'ath tell us to recognize prophets that have the Ruach by their confession that Yeshua is Messiah. And Igarath demonstrates that God has used His power, and His Ruach HaKodesh to bear witness that everything in the world to come is subject to Yeshua.

Barukh HaShem,
George Robinson