Tag Archives: famine

Studies in Genesis, Torah Portions 2015-2016

Vayigash 2015 (he came near)

December 18, 2015 Cathy Helms 1 Comment

New Testament: Luke 15:11-32, John 20:14,25-28, Romans 11, Rev. 12:1-6

vayisgash We are poised for a dramatic climax this week as Joseph’s identity is unmasked. In last week’s cliffhanger, the brothers went to Egypt to buy grain from the brother they had sold, though his Egyptian appearance rendered him completely unrecognizable. Thus, we saw a type and shadow of Messiah stripped of His Hebrew identity. Continue reading Vayigash 2015 (he came near) →

Studies in Genesis, Torah Portions 2015-2016

Miketz 2015 (at the end)

December 11, 2015 Cathy Helms Leave a comment

Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17

Haftarah: Zech. 2:14-4:7 special reading for Sabbath during Hanukah

New Testament: Mat. 12:39, 17:22-23, Mat. 20: 18-19, Luke 10:2, 11:30, 13:32,

We ended abruptly last week with Joseph in prison, the cupbearer had forgotten him, and the sages surmised that God added two more years to his time in jail because he looked to the cupbearer for help instead of continuing to trust in God. But, perhaps, circumstances were not yet ripe for Joseph’s reappearance. Continue reading Miketz 2015 (at the end) →

Be Blameless, Studies in Genesis, Torah Portions 2015-2016

Toldot 2015 [Family History]

November 11, 2015 Cathy Helms 1 Comment

Torah: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

New Testament: Romans 9:6-16, Hebrews 11:20, 12:14-17

This week, in between the stories of Esau selling his birthright and Rebekah convincing Jacob to deceive Isaac into believing he is the elder son, we find a sidebar that seems strangely out of place.

Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. And the LORD appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands.

And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” (Gen. 26:1-5)

Continue reading Toldot 2015 [Family History] →

Be Blameless, Studies in Genesis, Torah Portions, Torah Portions 2015-2016

Lech Lecha [Go Out For Yourself] 2015

October 21, 2015 Cathy Helms 1 Comment

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1 through 17:27
Haftarah Portion: Isaiah 40:27 through 41:16
New Testament Portion: Mat. 8:21-22, Acts 7:2-6, Romans 11:24-26, 1 Peter 3:5-6, Rev. 7:9-10

In the span of two weeks, we have traversed the first 2000 years of human history in which the world was created in seven days, Adam and Eve succumbed to the guile of Satan and were exiled from the Garden of Eden. Subsequently, the world became so wicked that the Creator repented that He had made humans and sent a worldwide flood from which only Noah and his family were saved. Continue reading Lech Lecha [Go Out For Yourself] 2015 →

Torah Portions

Vayigash – he came near

December 26, 2014 Cathy Helms Leave a comment

Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27

Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

New Testament: Luke 15:11-32, John 20:14,25-28, Romans 11, Rev. 12:1-6

The story of Joseph and his brothers will come to a dramatic climax this week as Joseph, at last, reveals his identity. Last week, the brothers went to Egypt to buy grain and there encountered the brother they had sold and thrown into a pit, though his Hebrew character was concealed by his highly Egyptian appearance. Continue reading Vayigash – he came near →

Torah Portions

Miketz – at the end

December 19, 2014 Cathy Helms Leave a comment