Parashah 1 - B'resheet (In the beginning) B'resheet: 1 {Genesis 1:1 6:8} Haftorah: Yesha yahu (Isaiah 42:5-43:10)

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1 Terry L. Newman, Parashah 1 - B'resheet (In the beginning) B'resheet: 1 {Genesis 1:1 6:8} Haftorah: Yesha yahu (Isaiah 42:5-43:10) B rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Romans 11:16-21; John 1:1-5; 1 John 1:1-3 John 14:6; Romans 5:12-21; 2 Peter 3:1-14; Revelation 21:1-5 This week's portion is from Genesis 1:1 6:8 (Bold, Underlining and Italics added for emphasize){nkjv-new King James Version, CJB-Complete Jewish Bible, TEV-Today's English Version} Prayer for understanding of G-d's word with His promises and requirements for us: Psalm 86:11,6 (NKJV) " 6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name." This week's Torah Portion/Teaching/Study begins a new cycle with the Torah. We are at the beginning, quite literally as Moses, at G-d s order and under His guidance (through the Holy Spirit) wrote the first five books of God s written word, the Bible. These first five books have become known as the Torah, the Law of Moses, the Law, or the Commandments of G-d. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND JUST HOW THESE FIVE BOOKS ARE STILL IMPORTANT FOR US TODAY, YES FOR US TODAY. IMPORTANT NOT JUST AS HISTORY OR CHILDREN'S STORIES, BUT AS THE INSPIRED WORD OF G-D GIVING US WHAT WE NEED TO WALK WITH HIM, TO BE PREPARED TO RETURN TO THE KINGDOM OF G-D AS HE ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR MANKIND. These first five books, the Torah, are designed and given by G-d to teach us His original purpose for mankind and His plans for bringing mankind back to His original purpose. The entire Torah not only is a physical history of G-d's plans, but also is a prophetic foreshadowing of redemption and salvation for mankind, through the Messiah, who would come twice for mankind. First as the Lamb of G-d, the Final Atonement Sacrifice for all time and then His return as the Warrior King bringing G-d's Kingdom back to earth as it is in Heaven, cleansing the earth of evil and all its associates and leaders, ushering in true and pure worship with peace and prosperity for mankind who now walk with G-d correctly in worship, praise and life itself. The Torah is not outdated. The Torah has not been replaced. Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ the Messiah himself and His Apostles and disciples, taught from the Torah using it consistently. It is wonderful, for today we have the entire playbook of G-d. Yeshua/Jesus Himself and then through the Apostle and Disciples gave us the finished portions of the Word of G-d to finish preparing and assisting us to draw close to G-d and be able to enter His Kingdom. They taught the full meaning of the Torah and its application. 1

2 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV) 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. The Torah, the Law, the Law of Moses, the Commandments of G-d is the root, the foundation of our faith. One cannot eliminate the root for doing so will cause the plant and branches to die. We cannot eliminate the Torah from our faith, we cannot disregard it as outdated and done away with, for to do so will cause us to die spiritually no matter how religious we appear or think we are. If we ignore and throw aside the Torah, then we are discarding the "root" and the Apostle Paul give serious exhortation about this: Romans 11:16-21 (NKJV) 16 For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. If one does not understand and know the Torah, then one cannot fully understand the B'rit Hadashah {the "New Testament"}. This lack of understanding leads to Idolatry and false teachings as we all have seen and see daily within the "church". This leads to disobedience and disobedience leads to death, complete and eternal separation from G-d Almighty and our Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ! The Torah is the G-d Almighty's blueprint of his promises and plans. The final result to bring mankind back to his original purpose for them with the return of His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, with His only begotten Son at the helm. All for God s Glory and placing to rest the rebellion and question of His Sovereignty. God will and is keeping His promises and covenants with mankind. Isaiah 46:9-11 (NKJV) 9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,' 11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. Genesis chapter one, verse one, through chapter six, verse eight, contains quite a beginning for mankind. Mankind goes from a glorious creation to a disgraced creation. Mankind goes from living in peace and harmony with God to banishment and being cursed with a death sentence. Mankind goes from a close intimate relationship with God, to separation due to rebellion and disobedience resulting in a sinful state. God s very sovereignty is challenged and the first prophecy concerning the Messiah is issued. This Parashah takes us from creation, the rebellious challenge of God s sovereignty, the fall of man, banishment from the Garden of Eden, the corruption of humankind, the rebellion and fall of more of God s heavenly son s to Noah s life. The "history" of the beginning of creation and mankind is repeated multiple times through out 2

3 Genesis. Unless one understands that different "mentions" of certain items are looking at the event from a different perspective for a specific purpose, it can be confusing and even looking like the account doesn't match. So, as we see these differences, we also look at the connecting information to fully understand properly, not taking a mere verse and using to propagate one thought into something it isn't. G-d's Word, the scriptures are an amazing combination of physical concepts and spiritual concepts! Both are important and neither stands alone. Have you ever stood on railroad tracks? If you stand in the middle, you see the two rails. AS you look down the length of the track, into the far distance, it appears the two rails merge into one. We cannot separate these through our senses, yet we do know they continue, both characteristics (physical and spiritual) continue. Chapter one is what you could call a summary in a "nutshell" it is brief, to the point and without a lot of detailed explanation. Lets' take a look at some of the verses: Genesis 1:1 (NKJV) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:17-18 (NKJV) 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 (NKJV) 21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:26-27 (NKJV) 26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:31 (NKJV) 31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. 3

4 Chapter two goes a little more into detail on creation. Details that include man's creation and the creation of woman. Why, because as G-d's word puts it, there was not a helper for him (Adam) that was comparable or suitable (depending on the translation used). Genesis 2:1-3 (CJB) 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, along with everything in them. 2 On the seventh day God was finished with his work, which he had made, so he rested on the seventh day from all his work, which he had made. 3 God blessed the seventh day and separated it as holy; because on that day God rested from all his work which he had created, so that it itself could produce. Interesting side note, on the seventh day G-d rested and on that day, for that time all that G-d had created was given opportunity to produce (the plant life, the animal life, etc.) Understand that man was created as a special creation, a creation made to have an intimate relationship with God Almighty. Man was infused with the characteristics of G-d Almighty. G-d gave man more in that arena than he did all the other creation, including the angels. That is of course except for Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ the Messiah, the living Word, who was with G-d from the beginning and through whom all other creation was made and the Holy Spirit. John 1:1-5 (CJB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things came to be through him, and without him nothing made had being. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not suppressed it. 1 John 1:1-3 (NKJV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Chapter three begins with the events of Adam and Eve's "sin" (disobedience) due to deception with a lack of belief or faith: Genesis 3:1-6 (CJB) 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any wild animal which Adonai, God, had made. He said to the woman, Did God really say, You are not to eat from any tree in the garden? 2 The woman answered the serpent, We may eat from the fruit of the trees of the garden, 3 but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, You are neither to eat from it nor touch it, or you will die. 4 The serpent said to the woman, It is not true that you will surely die; 5 because God knows that on the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it had a pleasing appearance and that the tree was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her; and he ate. 4

5 The resulting curse of death, the curse of being born into "sin" (imperfect separated from G-d) for the rest of mankind: Genesis 3:19 (CJB) 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your forehead till you return to the ground for you were taken out of it: you are dust, and you will return to dust. The curse of the land for Adam's "sin" (disobedience): Genesis 3:17-18, 23 (CJB) 17 To Adam he said, Because you listened to what your wife said and ate from the tree about which I gave you the order, You are not to eat from it, the ground is cursed on your account; you will work hard to eat from it as long as you live. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat field plants 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. The curse of physical pain for the childbearing functions (cycles of fertility and menstruation) of a woman through to birth pains: Genesis 3:16 (NKJV) 16 To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you." 5

6 Banishment from the Garden of Eden: Genesis 3:22-24 (NKJV) 22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. The pronouncement of G-d's plan prophetically for salvation and atonement in order to bring mankind back to the original state he was created for: Genesis 3:14-15 (CJB) 14 Adonai, God, said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all livestock and wild animals. You will crawl on your belly and eat dust as long as you live. 15 I will put animosity between you and the woman, and between your descendant and her descendant; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel. Here we have the pronouncement of god's plan for Salvation through the Messiah, which is further outlined in prophetic detail in the rest of the Torah. However here, G-d pronounces the establishment of the woman (came to be Israel and the her seed Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ the Messiah), with the results of the "animosity" between them. Just as a reminder for those who know and for explanation to those who may not know, just who this serpent was? Was it merely a "snake" or the tool of someone else, ironically chosen by that other person? We know it was the being we know as Satan. He was a highly placed and trusted creation of G-d, who through the free will G-d has given us all, turned against his father, his creator. The prophet Ezekiel gave a detailed description of the fall of Satan and his turning against G-d: Ezekiel 28:13-15 (NKJV) 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. 14 "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. Ezekiel 28:17 (NKJV) 17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. 6

7 After these brief summaries, Moses continued in a historical and genealogical mode in chapters four through six, which brings us to the time of Noah. While it is interesting to learn of the different historical events such as the Nephilim and other brief mentions, it behooves us to know about these events, but not to dwell on them for the sake of dissecting them out of our curiosity. We need to dwell on the whole, as it is G-d's plans and purposes, which are the most important things we learn from our study. This is what we need for drawing near to G-d and to be prepared for the return of His kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. G-d's plans and purposes are set to His pattern, a pattern we can learn and use for the future and understanding the prophecies concerning our time today, the last days of the end times. By the very nature of our birth, we have inherited "sin", as all of mankind was in the lions of Adam. We have inherited the curse of death and the other curses of disobedience also known as "sin". Spiritually it is the Messiah (who has defeated death) who gives us life back. It is Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ the Messiah who has spiritually breathed "life" back into us: John 14:6 (NKJV) 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (CJB) 6 Yeshua said, I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me. Haftarah - Prophets Yesha yahu (Isaiah 42:5-43:10) The prophet Isaiah has several messages for the chosen people of G-d, for Israel. There are messages of comfort for those repenting and returning to the Lord, there are messages of judgment for disobedience and several messages concerning the coming Messiah. In today's Haftarah (Prophets) part the study, we find Isaiah giving, at G-d's direction, information concerning His plan for Salvation for all of mankind, which will come through Israel (as prophesied in Genesis 3). Isaiah 42:5-7 (NKJV) 5 Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 6 "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. Everything we know of G-d and the Messiah comes through the nation G-d chose as His people set apart for the purpose of being that light to the world, the nations, the Gentiles. The prophets such as Isaiah performed their calling to remind Israel of their role in G-d's grand plan, the honor of walking with G-d as His representatives and to come back to G-d Almighty in repentance during the times they had turned from true and pure worship of the Heavenly Father. Isaiah 43:5-10 (NKJV) 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; 6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth-- 7 Everyone who is called by My name, 7

8 Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." 8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears. 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear and say, "It is truth." 10 "You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. B'rit Hadashah New Testament 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Romans 11:16-21; John 1:1-5; 1 John 1:1-3 John 14:6; Romans 5:12-21; 2 Peter 3:1-14; Revelation 21:1-5 Time to review and summarize this week s teaching and study. We are at the BEGINNING. Consider this, Moses, at God s order and under His guidance wrote the first five books of God s written word, the Bible. These first five books are a very large part of the ROOTS of our faith. These first five books have become known as the Torah, the Law of Moses and the Law!! Genesis chapter one, verse one, through chapter six, verse eight, contains quite a beginning for mankind. Mankind goes from a glorious creation to a disgraced creation. Mankind goes from living in peace and harmony with God to banishment and being cursed with a death sentence. Mankind goes from a close intimate relationship with God, to separation due to rebellion and disobedience resulting in a sinful state. God s very sovereignty is challenged and the first prophecy concerning the Messiah is issued. This Parashah takes us from creation, the rebellious challenge of God s sovereignty, the fall of man, banishment from the Garden of Eden, the corruption of humankind, the rebellion and fall of more of God s heavenly son s to Noah s life. The Apostle Paul in his teaching, exhortations and writings to the congregations at Rome, constantly quoted from the Torah to show how God had brought us to the point of Salvation with Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), with his sacrifice of Blood and his very life. Paul is using the Torah to teach about Yeshua (Jesus). Paul is also showing that as God progressively through the Law, sin became known. In other words, prior to God telling mankind, they did not know they were committing sinful acts, which were not approved by God, even though temporarily tolerated. Again like raising a child. A baby rolls around, then crawls, then walks, then gets potty trained and so forth. Each stage is growing in maturity physically and mentally. As the child advances through each stage, they experience some clumsiness, needing reminders, maybe some rebelliousness needing correction. This can be correlated with path of humankind growing in worship of God Almighty. Romans 5:12-21 (NKJV) 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-- 13 For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted 17 in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the 8

9 one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the 18 gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that 21 the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Apostle Peter also references the scriptures, the written word of God. He uses the scripture to exhort the congregations to be watchful, to be prepared for the return of the Messiah. 2 Peter 3:1-14 (NKJV): 1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that 4 scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of 5 creation." For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth 6 standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the 9 Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that 10 all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of 12 persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; Closing: Details are not extremely specific, but general, with more revealed and made known as needed for God s purpose and Glory. We are in a unique position, for we have God s play book, His blueprint of his promises and plans. The final result to bring mankind back to his original purpose for them with the return of His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, with His only begotten Son at the helm. All for God s Glory and placing to rest the rebellion and question of His Sovereignty. God will bring relief and healing to mankind. Revelation 21:1-5 (NKJV) 1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the 9

10 former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." FOOD FOR THOUGHT: As we study G-d's plans, purposes and directions for us, think about and make a decision. Who's STANDARD are you going to bear and live up to? Are you going to live and be obedient to G-D'S STANDARDS only or try to incorporate Man's standards in your life? G-D'S STANDARDS ARE SALVATION AND LIFE! MAN'S STANDARDS ARE DEATH AND SEPERATION FROM G-D! Psalm 19:7-14 (NKJV) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. No matter what it looks like to us, as we will find out in the following Torah portions; God is in control, God is in charge and HIS Plans and Purposes will go forward resulting in the return of Yeshua HaMashiach with God s Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, vanquishing the evil from among us and brining us back to God s original purpose for mankind!! YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE WORD, FOR THE WORD TO BE IN YOU! Shabbat Shalom, G-d Bless and Keep you! Terry L. Newman, 2014/