Mishpatim – Ordinances          Exodus 21:1-24:18

Parasha Mishpatim is an illustration of YHVH's view that there is not two-parts to a man nor separation between a person's secular life and his religious life.  Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the three entities of one (echad) God, so is man, one man.  And yet today, the majority of society has been deceived into believing that they can be a different person and act one way in business and another on Shabbat (or Sunday, if that is still your belief system).  YHVH says - not so.

Yithro - Jethro  Exodus 18:1-20:26

The past several weeks the book of Exodus revealed YHVH’s plan of redemption.  As we study this parashot we begin to transition from YHVH’s deliverance to what was expected of the people in becoming the betrothed of a Holy God.   It is a loud and clear message for today's believers who are bought by the blood of the lamb, Yeshua.

Beshalach - When he let go
Exodus 13:17-17:16

Let us not let the familiarity of this parasha dull our perception of the significance of these scriptures to our lives.  We must remember that this is all part of the picture for God’s salvation plan and is repeatedly reminding us of God’s presence and provision.  We, who live in the "last days" need to grab hold of these truths to arise and shine in the midst of the prophesied difficulties ahead.

Bo – Go   Exodus 10:1 – 13:16

In this week’s parashah we read about the last three plagues upon Egypt – locusts, darkness and death of Egypt’s firstborn.  While the awesomeness of YHVH’s miracles and process of deliverance should be ever present in our being, we again must focus what the Ruach is telling those of us who live in these end times.

Va’eira – I Appeared                     Exodus 6:2-9:35

The knowledge of the next two parashah are among the most well known bible stories of all time. However, the story, mysteries and instructions of YHVH contained in these two accounts are vast and full of the main plot – redemption – and sub plot upon sub plot of repentance instructions, overcoming the deities of the land, characteristics of YHVH, Moses’ change, and Israel’s separation from YHVH’s judgments.

Shemot - Names Exodus 1:1-6:1

In our study of the Torah, the patterns, shadows, and types give understanding so that we might encourage each other, understand the ways of YHVH and discern their instructions for our day as brought to light by the Holy Spirit.  As we consider the parallels between the story of Exodus and our day under the blood covenant of our Messiah, it becomes more and more clear that our “redemption draweth nigh.”  (Luke 21:28)   Study the enemies' tactics and YHVH's ways in preparing His called out ones.

Vayechi – And he lived.  And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. (Genesis 47:28)  In this Torah review let us consider the lessons we can learn from the blessings of all the tribes. 

Vayigash: He Drew Near
Genesis 44:18-47:27

In the closing chapters of the Joseph account we see the prophetic expression of Messiah’s ministry toward Ephraim and a willingness to give his life in exchange for Benjamin’s charge of sin.  It is a story with so many analogies; there can be no doubt of its significance to the Christian and Jew alike.  And yet, after centuries of waiting, the Jews missed the Messiah they were looking for because they were looking more for Messiah ben David the conquering king, than Messiah ben Joseph, the suffering servant.  Can Yeshua’s disciples avoid the same veil when He returns as king?

Miketz – At the end
Genesis 41-44:17

This is the continuing unfolding of Joseph's forshadow of Yeshua's first advent as Messiah Ben Joseph, the suffering Savior.  From Joseph's example we not only see Christ, but also the persons we are called to be as Messiah Yeshua's disciples.

Vayeshev And He Dwelt - Genesis 37:1- 40:23

We live in a time when many religious and even secular voices believe we are on the threshold of a worldwide food shortage, economic collapse, wars and all manner of disaster and impending judgment.  Today’s parashah is once again a clarion call to G_d’s people to know and place their trust in their G_d to make provision for them in times of great trial. 

VaYishlach - And He Sent - Genesis 32:4 - 36;43

Every maturing believer can identify all too well with Jacob in this story about the transformation of his soul from Satan's kingdom of flesh and self to YHVH's kingdom of spirit and faith.  In it we see the repeated affirmations of G_d as Jacob walks in the old way of flesh as he wrestles with G_d and His way of faith and obedience.

Vayetez – And He Went Out

This week's parasha evidences a repeated cycle of blessings and crushings in order to grow Jacob into one of the exampled "heroes of the faith" as described in the book of Hebrews.  What a light of understanding and encouragement to the believer who is wearied by the lows of this refining process to rule and reign with Christ!

Tol’dot (Generations) -  Genesis 25:19-28:9

The lives of Jacob and Esau contain two primary lessons in today’s study that should bring encouragement to us as we wait upon the Lord.  They are:

1. the immeasurable importance of the spiritual in our lives (eternity over immediacy, spirit over flesh, etc.
2. the continuing theme of prayer moving the hand of God – even for the promises He has given to us (i.e. Dan 9:2,3).

This week’s parsha entitled Chayei Sarah is translated as “Sarah’s life.”  While the title would imply an emphasis of her life, the parshot begins with her death and the ends with the death of Abraham.  It is a story about the faith of Sarah, humbleness of Abraham, the wisdom of his dealings with the people of the land, and the continuance of his life after Sarah’s death.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is considered the holiest and most awesome day by both the Messianic Hebraic faith and traditional Judaism.  However, both traditional Judaism and Christendom has so distorted the teachings of YHVH so as to negate the substance behind the commandment to observe this most holy Feast of the Lord.

In parasha, Nitsavim, meaning "You Are Standing" (ver 10), is the decision we must make before a Holy God for the pathway of our lives.  VaYelech (And He Went) is Moses' proclamation of curse for and prophecy of covenant breaking.  In them we can see the direct reflection of the New Covenant Yeshua offered through His blood sacrifice.  It simply asks if we will accept the terms (i.e. obedience) to the covenants YHVH has offered.  This choice of life or death is given to all generations (vs 15) and offers subsequent restoration conditioned upon repentance.

Ki Tavo (When You Enter) is not only a reiteration of several principles and instructions Moses had previously stated, it is also more specific commandments for 1) giving of tithes/offerings and 2) blessings and cursings.  Through repetition YHVH teaches His little children to understand the way to fruitfullness in the Promised Land.  G_d is the same today even in the B'rit Chadashah (New Testament): repeating His instructions to emphasize the importance of keeping His commandments (John 15:10).

Parasha Ki Tetse (When You Go Out) contains more commandments than any other portion.  Many are centered on the second summarized law of Torah which Yeshua reiterated – “Love your Neighbor.”(Lev 19:18/Math 22:39)  Although many in number, they are only a few samples to show us YHVH’s concepts of righteous behavior, justice, and blessings by obedience.  Without the eyes of the Spirit we can miss the whole point and see only a compartive minor specific instruction.

Parasha Softim (Judges) contains YHVH's instructions for several varied subjects including:
- Prohibition of bringing idols near His sanctuary
- Proper honor for G_d in sacrifice
- The establishment of truth.
- Obedience to religious authority
- Prophecies of kings and Messiah
- Abominations before G_d
- etc.

Parasha Re'eh (See/Behold!) teaches us about several facets of YHVH's character and how we might apprehend His blessings.  These include:

1.  Blessings & Curses
2.  Casting down "other gods"
3.  Warnings of false prophets
4.   Warnings of seducing relations 
5.  The blessings in the tithe
6.  Acceptable foods 

Moses reiterates that YHVH's promises are Israel's if they will only be obedient to His laws, statutes and commandments.  The Torah set before them was not just a set of instructions, but a reflection of YHVH's righteousness, His holiness and His character as a loving Father.  It is this Torah which Jeremiah prophesied would be written upon the hearts of the new covenant believer (Jer 31:33) so that, through Messiah, we might have intimacy with Abba, Father.

As we continue the study of Moses’ last instructions to the new generation of Israel before they enter the promise land, we find, the repetition of several major themes for sanctified and blessed living.  Additionally, the reader will note the inclusion of several well known promises/quotations of both Judah and Christian (Messianic) Israel.  Although Moses outlines the way of blessing and life he predicts Israel’s apostasy, exile and re-establishment.  These warnings all reflect the echoed shadows of the judgment befalling spiritual Israel today.  Let us hear by the Spirit what is being said to the church of today.   
 

This week's two parasha brings us to the conclusion of Numbers.  In them we again see the character of YHVH expressed in his commandments for righteousness.  We also can begin to understand the: 1) power in our words, 2) the law of reward's, 3) the difference between atonement and remission of sins, and 4) finally the tribal sin of lust by Reuben and Gad.

Torah Study- Pinchas

This parasha contains an often told children's story because it contains the account of the ass that spoke. While this portion has a great lesson for the believer, the underlying theme comes from the very names of the main characters themselves.