Parsha Page

  Shalom
  to you,

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

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Sidra Overview

The Ancient Triennial Sedarim
Sidra 44 Choleh, He is Sick

 

Torah, Genesis 48:1-49:21

    Some time afterward, Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.”

    Just prior to his death, Ya’akov formally adopted Yosef’s sons, Efrayim and M’nasheh, as his own, equal with all the twelve. They later become known as the “half-tribes”, together counting as one tribe and replacing Yoseph in the counting of Isra’el as they enter the Land. Then he blesses each of his twelve sons – in this reading we read all except Yoseph and Binyamin’s blessings. Y’hudah is promised that he would become a ruler, and the scepter would never leave him. And Yosef obtained great blessings through his sons – many years in the future Efrayim even become synonymous with the northern Kingdom. Most of the blessings to the other sons are more like rebukes, or instructions on character.

    Ya’akov knows that his death is imminent, and he passes the promise of Adonai to make a great people to Yosef and the 12 sons that will make up the peoples of Israel.

Qeriath, 2Kings 13:14-23

     The great prophet Elisha has led King Joash of Isra’el. Now he is about to die, but King Joash needs some final help. He fears defeat at the hand of their enemies after the death of Elisha, but Elisha provides a prophecy that they will be victorious over Aram. However, because of Joash’s inadequate response to a command, they will only be partially victorious. Years after Elisha’s body is laid in a cave, a dead man is thrown in with him, as he contacted Elisha’s bones he came back to life!  At the end of the reading, Adonai is gracious and merciful to Isra’el for the sake of His covenant with Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya’akov.

Da'ath, Ephesians 5:1-14

    Rav Shaul is addressing the Messianic Congregation at Ephesus, which was the home of the temple of the pagan goddess Artemis. He is giving the people instructions in halachah – how to live their daily lives in accordance with Torah. They, and we, are to imitate God, loving as Yeshua loved us. Purity and rejection of all idolatry are central to his theme. If we obey, then we will arise from the dead and Yeshua will shine His light upon us.

Igarath, 1 Peter 1:1-12

    Kefa, or Peter, begins his first letter to Jews in the Diaspora with a prayer for grace and shalom. He tells the people that, even though they have been delivered through their faith in Yeshua as Messiah, they will face trials here on earth. These trials are meant to bring honor and glory to Yeshua. Kefa commends the people for their faith in Messiah, even though they never met Him. To the prophets of old the Ruach HaKodesh revealed that their prophecies were meant to benefit these new believers. That benefit came through those that brought the Gospel message to the new believers.

Conclusion

    In Torah Ya’akov passes Adonai’s promise to his children, the twelve tribes of Isra’el. Qeriath tells of later the mercies of Adonai because of that promise. Da'ath tells us that if we will be obedient to HaShem, He will shine the blessings of Yeshua upon us. In Igarath we learn that the prophecies of old were to bless the future believers in Yeshua.

 

Baruch HaShem,
George Robinson