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Torah readings

Torah reading for Dec. 7, 2024

Genesis 8:15–9:17 recounts God’s covenant with Noah, marked by the rainbow, symbolizing His promise never to flood the earth again. This covenant is linked to Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus): just as Noah’s ark was a refuge from judgment, Yeshua offers salvation from eternal destruction. The passage highlights themes of new beginnings, stewardship and the sanctity of life, paralleling the restoration and hope found in Yeshua’s ministry and the ultimate renewal of creation in the Messianic age.

Starting after Sukkot 2024, Hallel Fellowship switched to a three-year cycle of Torah and parallel Bible readings (2024–2027), outlined by TorahResource. While there’s ancient evidence for a triennial cycle, a major benefit is to provide more time to mine more of Scripture for lessons.


Key themes

Covenant and mercy: The rainbow symbolizes God’s covenant with Noah and all living creatures, signifying His mercy and commitment to never again destroy the earth by flood.

Sanctity of life: The passage reinforces the value of human life, establishing prohibitions against murder and emphasizing humanity’s stewardship over creation.

Messianic foreshadowing: Noah’s ark is seen as a type of salvation, prefiguring Messiah Yeshua, who offers ultimate deliverance from judgment and renewal of life.

Readings

  • Genesis 8:15-9:17
  • Isaiah 42:7-21
  • 2Timothy 2:8-19

Studies

Adobe Stock image shows artwork of a dove holding an olive branch in its beak with Noah's ark in the background floating on a rather calm ocean. Writing says, "Taming the tide of violence: The Flood as a call to return to the Righteous One. Genesis 8:1-14."

Taming the tide of violence: The Flood as a call to return to the Righteous One (Genesis 8:1–14)

The Flood narrative in Genesis 8:1–14 reveals profound insights into God’s plan for restoring creation. This study explores the historical context, Hebrew language and Messianic connections in a passage that highlights the ongoing battle against evil and the promise of ultimate triumph. Through a special form of the Hebrew verb for “remember” in Genesis 8:1 and an important shift in the global calendar from the time of the Flood to the Exodus, we gain deeper understanding of what God is doing across time and the role of God’s people in preserving the heritage of the Creator. This rich biblical…
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"Was Noah really righteous?: Lessons from the Flood for today (Genesis 6-7)." Adobe Stock image of the ark under construction, showing workers around it.

Was Noah really righteous?: Lessons from the Flood for today (Genesis 6–7)

Genesis 6–7 highlights Noah’s righteousness and blamelessness in a corrupt world. Unlike his generation, Noah “walked with God,” demonstrating faith and obedience. His righteousness was not situational but consistent, rooted in his willingness to listen to God’s correction and fulfill His commands. This trust and humility set Noah apart, making him a vessel of God’s mercy and a model of faithfulness. This was a shadow of the coming Agent of Heaven’s mercy: Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).
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Studies in Torah

Torah reading Noach (נח): Genesis 6:9–11:32

Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus) and His apostle Shimon Kefa (Simon Peter) pointed to “the days of Noah” as important for believers to fully understand to be prepared for life now and for the “coming of the Son of Man.” This week’s Torah section, נֹחַ Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32), helps us catch the meaning of the enigmatic phrase “one taken and the other left” (Matt. 24:40-41; Luke 17:34-35).
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Why 'living water' is better than water that destroys: How to get ready for Heaven's reset for you and the world (Isaiah 54; Genesis 6-9; 2Peter 3)

Why ‘living water’ is better than water that destroys (Isaiah 54; Genesis 6–9; 2Peter 3)

Do you want to be like one who was “taken” in the Flood, washed away (Isa. 54:9–11)? Or do you want to be “left behind” to experience the “living water” pictured as flowing from God’s throne into all the world on the Day of the LORD (Ezek. 47:9, 11–12; Rev. 22:1–2)?  We are living the time of the second exile — after the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) and after the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70. The Torah reading נֹחַ Noach (Genesis 6:9–11:32) teaches us to see Heaven’s elephant in our room while we have the time to…
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Messiah: Door to the ark of salvation (Genesis 6-7; Matthew 24)

Messiah: Door to the ark of salvation (Genesis 6–7; Matthew 24)

Just as there was one door to Noach’s ark and the salvation it offered from the waters of the flood, there is only one Door to salvation to save us from the eternal destruction of wickedness that will come at the final judgement. From the Torah passage נֹחַ Noach (Gen. 6:9–11:32), we see how its main figure tried to warn his generation of the trouble that laid ahead for the earth. Similarly, Yeshua (Jesus) did the same in His generation, and He has called each generation of His followers to warn their generation of the coming “time of trouble.” As the…
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5 similarities between Noah and Messiah: Genesis 6:9–11:32

5 similarities between Noach (Noah) and Mashiach (Messiah)

Though separated by roughly 4,000 years, the “preacher of righteousness” who led his family to “rest” through the Flood foreshadowed the Righteous One Who would bring rest to the world. Here are several reasons why the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
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Matthew 24; Luke 17: ‘Days of Noah’ teach us how to be ‘born again’

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. … That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'” (John 3:3, 6 NASB) The Torah reading Noakh, covering Genesis 6:9–11:32, is a testimony of the origin of Abraham and Israel, of different people groups and of languages. This is real history, not legend or allegory. That is important, because it’s a testimony about the intentions and actions of the Creator. And the “days of Noah” (Matt. 24:36–44; Luke 17:22–37) teach us how we become…
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Genesis 6:9–11:32: Our salvation floats on a real Flood

The Flood recorded in the book of Genesis is one of the most pivotal events in the Bible. But did it happen, or is it just an allegory to teach a spiritual truth? This discussion of the Torah reading נֹחַ Noach/Noakh (“Noah,” Genesis 6:9-11:32), illustrates how the account is real history as well as real revelation of spiritual truth.  Modern DNA studies supports the Bible’s record of a literal Noakh, his literal sons and daughters-in-law and a literal worldwide Flood. Even though Noach was “righteous in his generation,” he was not perfect. He wasn’t saved because he was perfect. He was saved…
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The image features a stylized watercolor depiction of a powerful ocean wave in shades of blue and white, symbolizing the biblical flood. Overlaid on the image is the text: **"Remembering God's judgment and mercy in the Flood. Genesis 6:9–11:32"**, written in bold, flowing script. In the bottom-right corner is the logo **"hallel.info"**, subtly placed in a matching blue tone. The overall design evokes a sense of divine power and grace intertwined.

Genesis 6:9-11:32: Remembering God’s judgment and mercy in the Flood

Though his generation had forgotten, Noach (Noah) remembered the Creator was in charge, followed His instructions and didn’t have the malice of the world around him. In the Torah section Noach (Genesis 6-11), we learn that the relationship between God and Noach was a two-way street, and it is because of this one man’s trust in God that all of creation was saved.
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This graphic depicts a visual representation of Genesis 9 from the Bible. It features a figure, likely Noah, in the center with three figures, possibly his sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), around him. The text on the right reads: **"Genesis 9: God blesses Noah and his sons; Noah curses Canaan."** The imagery includes a bright sunlit background with flowing clouds, symbolizing divine blessing and covenant. Let me know if you'd like further details or an analysis of Genesis 9.

Genesis 9: God blesses Noach and his sons; Noach curses Canaan

At first, it’s puzzling why Noach cursed Cana’an for something his father, Ham, did. Is this a generational curse, with the sins of the father being meted out to future generations? Is something else going on here? The answer seems to be in the meaning of the Hebrew words for curse and Cana’an.
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