Bereshit - Reading #7

Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Apostolic Scripture: John 1:1-17

SHABBAT READING #7 - Genesis 5:25–6:8

My Thoughts: 

Everyone has thoughts on who the “Sons of G-d” are and the “Daughters of Men” (Genesis 6:1). Many people believe that the “Sons of G-d” are demons or fallen angels. I disagree. My idea is that the “Sons of G-d” are actually the set apart Hebrew people of G-d descending from Adam. Including Seth’s line of ancestry. If you look throughout Scripture this term of being “sons” or “children” relates to people in covenant relationship with Hashem. Click on this for more verses: Sons of G-d.

So that leaves - who are the daughters of men? I have this theory that there was a “pre-creation” (Genesis 1) before Hashem created Adam and the Garden. This population of peoples, male and female, were most likely not following G-d entirely so I believe He created a “set apart” Hebrew people through Adam. If this were true, then at some point His set apart people meet up with His first creation of people and they begin to marry. This is the Bible’s first sign of “mixed” marriages. And the result does not fare well. The descendants of these mixed marriages become corrupt and sinful - so much that Hashem wishes He did not create them.

Except for one man - Noah. He found favor. Hashem always has a “remnant” that truly loves and serves Him. I want to be a part of this group - those who love Hashem with their whole heart, soul and being. Don’t you?

Challenge:

Do you desire to be a “son/daughter of men” or a “son/daughter of G-d”. I want to be a daughter of G-d. I want to be picked to be a part of His remnant. I challenge you and myself to find out how we can do that.

READING #7 - Genesis 5:25–6:8

5:25 Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, then became the father of Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 27 All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died.

28 Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, then became the father of a son. 29 He named him Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, caused by the ground which Hashem has cursed.” 30 Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 31 All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died.

32 Noah was five hundred years old, then Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

6 When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2 Elohim’s sons saw that men’s daughters were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives. 3 Hashem said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when Elohim’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

5 Hashem saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was continually only evil. 6 Hashem was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved him in His heart. 7 Hashem said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky—for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in Hashem’s eyes.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

My Thoughts:

What promises we have from our great and mighty G-d! If only we could understand that He requires us to be active in our love for Him! That means following His commandments and displaying true worship to Him in every waking moment.

He says, “But now Hashem who created you, Jacob, and He who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you. For I am Hashem your Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

He knows our name! He has redeemed us! And He will be with us through every trial and test. For He is G-D!!! Amen!

Challenge:

In this verse think about how He has redeemed you. Yes, He sent His son Yeshua. How else has He redeemed you? Go deep.

Isaiah 42:5 - 43:10

42:5 Hashem Elohim,  He who created the heavens and stretched them out, He who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, He who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it, says:

6 “I, Hashem, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you  and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations, 7 to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.

8 “I am Hashem That is My name.I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images. 9 Behold, the former things have happened and I declare new things, I tell you about them before they come up.”

10 Sing to Hashem a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein,the islands and their inhabitants, 11 Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices, with the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing.  Let them shout from the top of the mountains!

12 Let them give glory to Hashem, and declare his praise in the islands. 13 Hashem will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies.

14 “I have been silent a long time.I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant. 15 I will destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs.I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools, 16 I will bring the blind by a way that they don’t know. I will lead them in paths that they don’t know.  I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.

17 “Those who trust in engraved images, who tell molten images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back. They will be utterly disappointed.

18 “Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind,  that you may see. 19 Who is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as Hashem’s servant? 20 You see many things, but don’t observe. His ears are open, but he doesn’t listen. 21 It pleased Hashem, for His righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law and make it honorable. 22 But this is a robbed and plundered people. All of them are snared in holes,and they are hidden in prisons. They have become captives, and no one delivers,and a plunder, and no one says, ‘Restore them!’

23 Who is there among you who will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob as plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Didn’t Hashem, He against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in His ways, and they disobeyed his law. 25 Therefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him, and the strength of battle. It set him on fire all around, but he didn’t know. It burned him, but he didn’t take it to heart.”

43 But now Hashem who created you, Jacob, and He who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you.I have called you by your name. you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.

3 For I am Hashem your Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4 Since you have been precious and honored in My sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.

5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. 6 I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth—7 everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’”

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 peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified, or let them hear, and say, “That is true.” 10 “You are my witnesses,” says Hashem,“With 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, neither will there be after Me.”

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

My Thoughts:

Yeshua is the Word. He is Torah. He was there as an “emanation” of Hashem at the creation of the world. How beautiful and wonderful that He would come to us as a human to walk with us once again. His purpose I believe in doing this was to bring us back to Hashem. People had strayed away and Hashem knew He was going to disperse His people for doing this. But, in one last attempt, He sends His only begotten Son to save the world. To bring us back to Truth and the Covenant. 

We rejected Him back then. But, now our eyes are opened. Now we see the magnificence of His appearance. And now we can pray that He will return in full glory. To the Temple in Jerusalem to rule and reign forever. Amen.

Challenge:

I challenge you to study in Hashem’s Word about the return of Yeshua. What are the signs? Where will He come to rule and reign? Look in the Tanakh (Old Testament) for your answers about the return of the Mashiach (Messiah).

John 1:1-17

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. 2 The same was in the beginning with Elohim. 3 All things were made through Him. Without Him, nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. 6 There came a man, sent from Elohim, whose name was John. 7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. 9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world didn’t recognize Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own didn’t receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become Elohim’s children, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of Elohim. 14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw His glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for He was before me.’” 16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Yeshua HaMashiach.

Bereshit - Reading #6

Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

Reading #6 - Genesis 4:23–5:24

My Thoughts:

If you study the phrase “Men began to call on G-d’s name” (verse 4:26) you will be surprised to actually find two possible meanings. The first being that men began to give the name of Hashem to other physical forms including themselves. In other words they began to initiate false deity. I guess if sin has now entered the world, it will manifest itself in many ways, including false worship.

The second meaning we would probably agree on. That man began to call upon, pray and/or worship Hashem. Now having a sense of “good and evil” they most likely found that worshiping Hashem and seeking Him brought peace and joy into their lives. It would become obvious that man was beginning to distinguish between “light” and “dark” - and just like us - desired to be in the light!

Challenge:

Today I challenge you to “call upon Hashem’s Name”. See if you can closely walk with Him today in very special ways. Look for what He is doing and try to join Him.

READING #6 - Genesis 4:23–5:24

4:23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. 24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”

25 Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for Elohim has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on Hashem’s name.

5 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that Elohim created man, He made him in Elohim’s likeness. 2 He created them male and female, and blessed them. On the day they were created, He named them Adam. 3 Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after His image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of other sons and daughters. 5 All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.

6 Seth lived one hundred five years, then became the father of Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 8 All of the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died.

9 Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 11 All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died.

12 Kenan lived seventy years, then became the father of Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters 14 and all of the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.

15 Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 17 All of the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.

18 Jared lived one hundred sixty-two years, then became the father of Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 20 All of the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died.

21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah. 22 After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with Elohim for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters. 23 All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. 24 Enoch walked with Elohim, and he was not found, for Elohim took him.

Bereshit - Reading #5

Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

Reading #5 - Genesis 4:19–22

My Thoughts:

After Cain moves away and leaves the presence of G-d and his family, Scripture begins to list a line of his descendants. In this rather short reading we learn a little about Tubal Cain “a forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron.” If you begin to research this you may find that it was thought that Tubal Cain was actually a blacksmith that made weapons. Kind of ironic don’t you think? His distant great grandfather - Cain - commits the first documented murder in the Bible. Now his great grandson (to the 5th order?) is producing weapons.

Hashem specifically gives us the commandment not to murder. And yet we see how early on in the history of mankind this commandment is broken and sin perseveres. Don’t you ever wonder how man so quickly and easily began to sin, even when Hashem’s presence was still evident? Just something to think about. 

Challenge:

So, maybe you have a great time praying with Hashem or you are in a church/assembly service and really feel His presence in that place. But, five minutes later you do something sinful? I’ve been there and done it. My challenge today is to see if you can become MORE conscious of NOT sinning. Even if for just a day?

Reading #5 Genesis 4:19–22

4:19 Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. 22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.

Bereshit - Reading #4

Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

Reading #4 - Genesis 3:22–4:18                  

My Thoughts: 

What exactly is the “sign” on Cain? I always thought it was some type of mark on his forehead so everyone could see it. But, rabbinical literature has the sign being “a mark of forgiveness”. After Hashem confronted Cain of his evil deed of murdering his brother, Cain remarks ““My punishment is greater than I can bear.” It sounds like he is repenting. And when we repent, Hashem forgives us. 

Maybe this is the first time forgiveness is given in the Bible. After all we are only in chapters 3 and 4. This forgiveness is so huge, that G-d puts a “mark” on Cain so that no one will hurt him. What a powerful sign that must have been! That is G-d’s grace for sure. Forgiveness and protection. It also reminds us that with sin comes consequence. Truly the sadness of this all is that Cain will now be “hidden from Elohim’s face”.

Challenge:

Are you wearing a “sign of forgiveness” on your face? Or is that not possible because there is actually someone in your life you are having a hard time to forgive? I challenge you to take that person that Hashem has just put into your mind, go to them and seek forgiveness - from them. Go ahead, then you will be able to be acceptable for G-d’s forgiveness. And that really needs to happen!

READING #4 - 3:22–4:18

3:22 Hashem Elohim said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—” 23 Therefore Hashem Elohim sent him out from 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.

4 The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with Hashem’s help.” 2 Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 As time passed, Cain brought an offering to Hashem from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Hashem respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell. 6 Hashem said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? 7 If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” 8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

9 Hashem said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?”

He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 Hashem said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground. 11 Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth.”

13 Cain said to Hashem “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. Whoever finds me will kill me.”

15 Hashem said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Hashem appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.

16 Cain left Hashem’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 17 Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and named the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.

Bereshit - Reading #3

Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

READING #3 - Genesis 2:20–3:21                   

My Thoughts: 

We are in the first chapters of Hashem’s Word and He begins to give commands. His first is to “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (the earth).” Genesis 1:28 Then after He created Adam and Eve in the garden, He instructed them with the command “... you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” Genesis 2:17 Two simple commands.

As time goes on, He continues to give us His set of rules - His Laws, the Torah. We are to obey them and they are forever. Only just like the serpent we hear, “Did Elohim really say that? Surely you will not die.” (paraphrase of verses 2:1 and 2:4) Isn’t that what religion says today? Christianity (and other religions, too) teach that we no longer have to follow the Law or His rules. That somehow, this all changed. But, this simply is not true. His Torah is Life. His Torah is forever.

Deception works hard to keep us from Truth. And Truth is when Hashem tells us to do something - we do it. In love and worship to Him we follow His Laws, His instructions. And we believe Him when He says if we do not obey His rules we will die. Maybe that’s the real reason He sent Yeshua as the Mashiach. To bring us back to Him, to Truth, and back to obedience/faithfulness to His Laws. 

Challenge:

What are the times you have been taught things in the Bible and you said to yourself, “Did G-d really say that?” If that has happened did you look up Scripture to see if He really did say it?

READING #3 - Genesis 2:20–3:21

2:20 The man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 Hashem Elohim caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. As the man slept, He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Hashem Elohim made a woman from the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed.

3 Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Hashem Elohim had made. He said to the woman, “Has G-d really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. G-d has said, ‘You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.’”

4 The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die, 5 for G-d knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like G-d, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too. 7 Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves. 8 They heard Hashem Elohim’s voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Hashem Elohim among the trees of the garden.

9 Hashem Elohim called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

11 Elohim said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

13 Hashem Elohim said to the woman, “What have you done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 Hashem Elohim said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. You shall go on your belly and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. 15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”

16 To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. You will bear children in pain. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

17 To Adam He said, “Because you have listened to your wife’s voice, and have eaten from the tree, about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ the ground is cursed for your sake. You will eat from it with much labor all the days of your life. 18 It will yield thorns and thistles to you; and you will eat the herb of the field. 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are dust, and you shall return to dust.”

20 The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living. 21 Hashem Elohim made garments of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.

Bereshit - Reading #2

Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

Reading #2 - Genesis 2:4–19

My Thoughts: 

When Hashem created Adam He breathed into him the breath of life. When you think of this it is pretty powerful. Adam was not born or carried by his mother. He did not have a mother. He was created directly by Hashem. And after he was created, Hashem breathed His life into his nostrils.This is how Hashem’s special people were created, this is what sets them apart. They began with His breath of life, His oxygen!

This is just a thought but what if in Chapter One of Genesis a different species of men were created. And they failed. This could have been for several centuries. Then in Chapter Two you have Hashem’s “set apart” people created. A special place was created to “house” His new people. And Hashem would be there with them. Maybe He created His chosen people to be a light to others.  Was that His original plan? Just a thought.

The “order” of creation is different in Chapter 2. I believe it’s because it is a very special place. A place where Hashem would reside with His set apart people. Maybe to help guide the rest of mankind to His truth. Only Adam and Eve chose a different life. And then Hashem removed them from His presence. 

And we have been trying to return to the “garden” ever since. What do you think?

Challenge:

In what ways are you trying to get back to the “Garden” or the presence of Hashem? Do you think there will be a time where His covenant followers will return to the Garden?

Reading #2 - Genesis 2:4–19

2:4 This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Hashem Elohim made the earth and the heavens. 5 No plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for Hashem Elohim had not caused it to rain on the earth. There was not a man to till the ground, 6 but a mist went up from the earth, and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Hashem Elohim formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 8 Hashem Elohim planted a garden eastward, in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground Hashem Elohim made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became the source of four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon: it flows through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12 and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon. It is the same river that flows through the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel. This is the one which flows in front of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 Hashem Elohim took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. 16 Hashem Elohim commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”

18 Hashem Elohim said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to[c] him.” 19 Out of the ground Hashem Elohim formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature became its name.

Bereshit - Reading #1

Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

Reading #1 - Genesis 1:1-2:3

My Thoughts: 

Hashem essentially created the whole universe and His planet earth in six days. The question over the centuries is: WHY? Some think because He wanted companionship. Others believe He wanted to be worshiped. I speculate He wanted both. He created us to reside in His presence and to worship Him with all our hearts, souls and strength. Only we messed it all up. We disobeyed and were removed from His presence. What a shame.

He created stars for us to enjoy in the evening. A beautiful sun to warm us during the day. Water to drink, and plants to eat. And the best part was to be walking with Him, the Almighty - together in a very beautiful place. Worshiping and loving Him every minute of the day. He created a place to love - to expand His love.

Now we have His planet but it is bruised and damaged. We are able to only catch glimpses of His presence through prayer, His Word and worship. But in the “end” we will once walk with Him again. And once again we will be surrounded by His perfect creation. We must get ready!

Challenge: 

When Hashem created the “light” - was the light Yeshua? (John Chapter 1) Think of Scripture that captures Yeshua as “light”. Also, you may want to think about your own life. Are you a “light” - a representative of Hashem’s love - to others? When people look at you, do they see the Spirit of Hashem lighting up your life? Make some changes today and try to be a “mirror” of who Hashem can be in one’s life. When people think you are “religious” or “spiritual” they will be watching you closely. If you mess up, admit it and try to make it right. That will teach them about Hashem’s grace and forgiveness instead of thinking that you are a “hypocrite”. 

Reading #1 - Genesis 1:1 - 2:3

1 In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and Elohim’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.

3 Elohim said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 Elohim saw the light, and saw that it was good. Elohim divided the light from the darkness. 5 Elohim called the light “day”, and the darkness he called “night”. There was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 Elohim said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Elohim made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 Elohim called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

9 Elohim said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear;” and it was so. 10 Elohim called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”. Elohim saw that it was good. 11 Elohim said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth;” and it was so. 12 The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after their kind; and Elohim saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

14 Elohim said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth;” and it was so. 16 Elohim made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. 17 Elohim set them in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. Elohim saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

20 Elohim said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” 21 Elohim created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. Elohim saw that it was good. 22 Elohim blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

24 Elohim said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind;” and it was so. 25 Elohim made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. Elohim saw that it was good.

26 Elohim said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 Elohim created man in His own image. In Elohim’s image He created him; male and female he created them. 28 Elohim blessed them. Elohim said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Elohim said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. 30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;” and it was so.

31 Elohim saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

2 The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were finished. 2 On the seventh day Elohim finished His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Elohim blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because He rested in it from all His work of creation which He had done.

Bereshit - Week #1

• Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

• Genesis 1:1-6:8

• Isaiah 42:5-43:10

• John 1:1-17

• 1.1 First reading — Genesis 1:1–2:3

• 1.2 Second reading — Genesis 2:4–19

• 1.3 Third reading — Genesis 2:20–3:21

• 1.4 Fourth reading — Genesis 3:22–4:18

• 1.5 Fifth reading — Genesis 4:19–22

• 1.6 Sixth reading — Genesis 4:23–5:24

1.7 Seventh reading — Genesis 5:25–6:8