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Parsha Page
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,
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Shalom