Parsha Page

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

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Sidra Overview

The Ancient Triennial Sedarim
Sidra 33 Wayered, Departed

 

Torah, Genesis 38:1-30

    About that time Judah left his brothers and camped near a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah.

    In Chapter 38 we see a distinct departure from the story of Yosef. Sandwiched between two very well known phases of Yosef's life is the beginning of the tribe of Y'hudah, the fourth son of Ya'akov. First, Y’hudah settles apart from his father and brothers, and has three sons with the daughter of Shua, a Kena'ani.  His firstborn son, Er, married Tamar, but Er died because he was displeasing to Adonoi. When Onan, Y'hudah's second son takes her as a wife to fulfill a brotherly duty, he mistreats Tamar, and Adonai takes his life as well.  Y'hudah now has lost two sons, and instead of having his third son marry Tamar as he should, Y'hudah sent her back to live with her father as a widow.

    Long after, his wife died. Y'hudah and his friend Hirah traveled to the area where Tamar lived to his sheepshearers. Tamar disguised herself and sat at the entrance to a temple, Y'hudah thought she was a temple prostitute, and slept with her. Tamar became pregnant from Y’hudah, who, not knowing that it was Tamara that he had slept with, demanded that she be burned as punishment for adultery. When Tamar brought forth proof that Y'hudah was the one who got her pregnant, he admitted that she was more in the right than he was, because he had withheld his son Shelah from marrying her.

    When Tamar gave birth, it was to twins who struggled to be the firstborn, as Ya'akov and Esau had. These two were named Perez and Zerah, and are listed in Numbers 26 with Shelah as the heads of clans in the tribe of Y'hudah. It was into the clan of Perez that King David was born. 

 

    Even though we find that Y'hudah treats others poorly, rather than as an individual that has been created in the image of God, the Talmud claims that Adonai blessed him because of his public admission of guilt against Tamar.

Qeriath, Isaiah 37:31-38:6

    The king of Assyria is threatening to destroy Israel, and take over Yerushalayim, and has acted arrogantly toward HaShem. Yeshiyahu has been encouraging the king of Judah, Hezekiah, to rely only upon Adonai for protection, and Hezekiah has prayed to Adonai, praising Him, and asking for His deliverance, so that all the kingdoms of the earth will know that Adonai alone is God.

     In this reading, Yeshiyahu reassures the people that Adonai has promised to save them, there will be a remnant, and that they shall be renewed, coming forth from Mount Zion. The king of Assyria will return to his land, and Adonai will protect the city for His own sake, and the sake of His servant David. That night, a malach (angel) went forth and destroyed much of the Assyrian camp. The king returned to his land, where his sons killed him. At this same time, Hezekiah fell ill, and was told by Yeshiyahu that he would die. Hezekiah pleaded with HaShem that he had been faithful, and to let him live, at which Adonai granted him an additional 15 years of life.

Da'ath, 1 John 2:29 - 3:10

    Yochanon (John) is explaining in practical terms what it is like to have a relationship with Adonoi, and is debunking some false teachings. Now he is telling all believers to practice righteousness by following the mitzvoth (commands) of Adonoi. Anyone who continually chooses to sin demonstrates that they do not know God, but are following Satan. Yeshua came for this reason, to destroy the works of Satan, and to bestow the love of Adonai upon us.

Igarath, Hebrews 13:18-25

    The author finishes his letter to the Messianic Community with a prayer for peace. He has a reminder that Yeshua is our Great Shepherd, and has been raised by God from the dead. We should allow HaShem to do whatever He chooses in us, showing our faith in Him through obedience to His commands.

Conclusion

    In Torah, Y’hudah admits his sin against Tamar, and Adonai blessed him. In Qeriath Adonai blessed Hezekiah, who had been obedient to Him. Da'ath tells us that we can show our love to HaShem by following Yeshua. Igarath pronounces that Yeshua is indeed our Great Shepherd, worthy to follow in obedience.

Barukh HaShem,
George Robinson