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 1 B'reshith, Beginning
Torah, Genesis 41:1-36
At the end of
two years’ time, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, when out of
the Nile there came up seven cows, handsome and sturdy, and they grazed in the
reed grass.
This sidra begins with the words “at the
end.” This was the end of Yoseph’s 12 years of imprisonment, but the beginning
of his leadership in the land of Egypt. We will continue to see that Yosef has
been given great wisdom by God, and that Yosef uses that wisdom to bring glory
to HaShem, and to provide a means of salvation for his people. The method that
Adonai uses to bring Himself glory in the case is the third set of dreams
mentioned throughout Yoseph’s’ life. The first set was from Yoseph, the second
set was from Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, and now the final set from Pharaoh
himself. The cupbearer, who had been imprisoned with Yosef, but released 2 years
earlier, tells Pharaoh about Yosef after Pharaoh’s disturbing dream. Thus Yosef
is brought before Pharaoh to interpret the dream. And Yosef interprets
immediately, humbly; using the gift that God has given him, without any hype or
fanfare. This shows the superiority of Adonai over the wise men of Egypt, who
could not interpret Pharaohs dream. Yosef interprets the dream and prophecies 7
years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. He also provides specific
recommendations for Pharaoh to follow. As always, Yosef gives glory to HaShem
before Pharaoh, saying that it is God that has provided the interpretation.
Qeriath, Isaiah
29:13-21
Yeshiyahu (Isaiah) is in the midst of
telling the people of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem)
that they will be punished for stubborn
disobedience to Adonoi. Here Adonai intentionally baffles the people, so they
cannot understand His plans. Yet, that remnant that humbles themselves will
experience joy through Adonai, even as the rest of Yerushalayim is confused.
Da'ath, 1Corinthians
1:18-31
Shaul (Paul) is writing to the Messianic
Community in Corinth, exhorting all to have unity under a common faith in Yeshua
as Messiah. He quotes today’s Qeriath as an example that we cannot find our
salvation through the wisdom that Greeks seek, or the miracles and signs that
Jews seek, but must continue to proclaim the truth of Gospel.
Igarath, James 2:1-13
Ya'akov (James) continues his letter to the Messianic Community in the Diaspora.
He tells us not to practice favoritism, offering the rich preferred treatment or
seating in the Synagogue. After all, it is the rich that bring lawsuits against
their brothers, oppressing them. All those under Yeshua are to be treated
equally, as Torah tells us to do. Anyone who breaks one command of Torah will be
judged to have broken all of the commands. And as we follow Torah, we are given
freedom, not slavery, for God will judge believers with mercy.
Conclusion
Torah shows Yoseph understanding Pharaohs’ dream, even though his wisest men
were unable to interpret it. Qeriath prophesies a time when the wise in
Yerushalayim will be confused by Adonai because they disobey Him, but the humble
amongst the people will be full of joy. Da'ath exhorts all believers to continue
proclaiming the Gospel, rather than relying on wisdom for our salvation. And
Igarath tells us we are to follow Torah as a way to live freely, knowing that
when we are judged, mercy will win out. This is also to be believed, since it
points to Adonai as a just and merciful Judge.
Barukh HaShem,
George Robinson