Readings: April 26, 2025

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.

Tools for study

Readings
Corresponding portion in the 1-year cycle
Insights from the readings
- Connecting threads
- Key Hebrew & Greek terms
Studies

Readings

Genesis 27:30–28:9
Micah 1:1; 5:1–15
Romans 5:1–11

Corresponding portion in the 1-year cycle

Torah reading Toledot (תולדת): Genesis 25:19–28:9

Insights from the readings

Connecting threads

The passages from Genesis 27:30–28:9, Micah 1:1; 5:1–15, and Romans 5:1–11 are connected by themes of covenant, redemption, judgment and the promise of restoration.

Genesis 27:30–28:9

Ya’akov (Jacob) deceives Yitzkhak (Isaac) and receives the blessing meant for Esau. Despite the deception, God later affirms Ya’akov as the covenant bearer.

God’s covenant continues despite deception and broken family relationships.
Blessing and election are irrevocable and divinely directed, not based on merit.
Human actions affect the path, but not the outcome of God’s redemptive plan — the Messiah.

Micah 1:1; 5:1–15

Micah prophesies judgment on Israel for idolatry and injustice (Micah 1), but also hope through a ruler born in Bethlehem (Micah 5) — a messianic prophecy fulfilled in Yeshua (Jesus).

God judges sin but never forgets His covenant promises.
A ruler will rise from Bethlehem — humble origins but eternal significance.
Peace is not political only, but deeply spiritual and redemptive.

Romans 5:1–11

Paul speaks of peace with God through faith in Yeshua, who died for us while we were still sinners. This teaches:

Faith in Yeshua brings peace (shalom) with God — echoing Micah 5.
God’s love is proven by Messiah’s dying for the ungodly — even while we were enemies.
Yeshua is the fullness of covenant blessings and promises to both Ya’akov’s line and the nations.

Connections across all three

Covenant continuity: From Ya’akov (Genesis) to the promised ruler (Micah) to Yeshua (Romans).
Human brokenness: Seen in Ya’akov’s deceit, Israel’s sin, and humanity’s general fallenness.
Divine grace: Despite sin, God’s redemptive plan moves forward.
Messianic thread: Micah 5’s prophecy connects the Hebrew Scriptures narrative to Romans’ celebration of Yeshua as the Messiah (Christ).

Passage	Insight
Genesis 27:30–28:9	Yaakov, though flawed, is part of the messianic line. His dream in 28:12–15 foreshadows Yeshua as the ladder between heaven and earth (see John 1:51).
Micah 5:2–5	A ruler from Bethlehem (Jesus) will shepherd God’s people and bring lasting peace.
Romans 5:1–11	Yeshua, the second Adam, fulfills the covenant blessings and makes peace with God possible for all nations.

Key Hebrew & Greek terms

בְּרָכָה berakhah — “blessing”

Seen in Gen. 27:35–36: Esau laments losing the berakhah to Jacob.

Also used in Genesis 12:2, part of God’s covenantal promises.

Lesson: Blessing is more than a wish; it’s a prophetic, covenant-binding utterance.

שָׂנֵא sane — “to hate”

Gen. 27:41: “Esau hated Jacob.” Also in Malachi 1:3 – “Esau I hated.”

Messianic insight: Shows the tension of election vs. rejection, echoed in Romans 9 regarding God’s sovereign choice.

פֶּשַׁע pesha — “transgression”

Micah 1:5: “What is the transgression of Jacob?” Also seen in Isa. 53:5: “He was pierced for our transgressions.”

Lesson: Sin is not just error, it’s rebellion. Yet it sets the stage for redemption.

שָׁלוֹם shalom — “peace, wholeness”

Implied in Micah 5:5: “He will be our peace.” Used clearly in Isa. 9:6, speaking of the “Prince of Peace.”

Messianic insight: The ruler from Bethlehem brings shalom, not just absence of war but restoration.

δικαίωσις dikaiōsis — “justification”

Rom. 5:1: “Having been justified by faith….” Also seen in Rom. 4:25.

Lesson: Justification is a legal and relational act — declared righteous and restored to fellowship.

καταλλαγή katallagē — “reconciliation”

Rom. 5:10–11: “We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.” Appears again in 2Cor. 5:18–19.

Messianic insight: Reconciliation is made possible through Messiah’s atonement — a fulfillment of Micah’s promised peace.

Studies

Reclaiming filled wells of ‘living water’: How to restore Earth’s spiritual birthright (Genesis 26; Isaiah 65–66)

Jeff April 5, 2025

This study of Genesis 26:12-35 and Isaiah 65:23-66:8 reveals how each generation plays a crucial role in advancing Heaven’s redemptive promise. From Isaac’s redigging Abraham’s sabotaged water wells to Isaiah’s prophetic message of restored Jerusalem and new earth, there’s a continuous thread of divine legacy. The Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus), is fundamental to God’s sovereign plan to bring redemption to the nations. Each generation is called to step forward in trust, carrying the “living water” of promise until the Messianic age is fully realized.

Heaven’s unbreakable thread: Tracing God’s covenant through generations (Genesis 25–26; 2Samuel 5–6; Hebrews 12)

Jeff March 29, 2025

In this study of Genesis 25–26, 2Samuel 5–6, and Hebrews 12, we explore God’s enduring covenant of faithfulness. From Esau’s rash birthright trade to David’s seeking divine guidance, these passages reveal our human frailty and God’s unwavering commitment. The Messiah emerges as the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant between Heaven and Abraham, bridging generations and offering hope. Through the anointing of Yeshua (Jesus), we’re called to reverence, obedience and trust of Heaven’s leading, recognizing that our legacy is defined not by our beginnings, but by our response to God’s gracious promise.

Esau’s birthright and the Israel–Gaza conflict (Genesis 25:19–28:9)

Daniel November 18, 2023

This study of the Torah portion תּוֹלְדֹת Toldot (“generations,” Gen. 25:19–28:9) explores the concept of teamwork in prayer through the story of Isaac and Rebecca, who prayed together for 20 years to conceive children. We delve into biblical relationships, highlighting the patience and perseverance demonstrated by the patriarchs and matriarchs. Comparisons between the sons of the Spirit and flesh, represented by Jacob and Esau, shed light on the importance of spiritual and physical completeness. We also explore the descendants of Jacob, Esau and historical figures, emphasizing the ramifications of short-term thinking versus long-term vision. It draws parallels between biblical narratives…

Torah reading Toledot (תולדת): Genesis 25:19–28:9

Hallel Fellowship November 11, 2023

At first glance, the trustworthiness troubles of Abraham, his son Yitzkhak (Isaac) and grandson Ya’akov (Jacob) can be disturbing, considering they are pillars of faith in the Kingdom of God. How can we forget Ya’akov’s “red, red stuff” deal with his brother, Esau? Rather than a descent into “truthiness,” their legacy for the commonwealth of Israel is growth from faith-fickle to faithful. In this week’s Torah portion (תּוֹלְדֹת Toldot, “generations,” Gen. 25:19–28:9), we follow Ya’akov’s journey to becoming a “new man,” renamed Israel (“struggles with God” or “rules with God”). That “rebirth,” pictured via Ya’akov’s dream of a ladder between Earth…

What's your legacy? Life or death? Order or chaos? Spirit or flesh? (Malachi 1-2; Genesis 25-26)

What’s your legacy? Life or death? Order or chaos? Spirit or flesh? (Lessons from Jacob and Esau)

Jeff November 26, 2022

Heaven warned the spiritual leaders of ancient Israel through the prophet Malachi that they were showing more respect for human leaders than for the One who created the world and Israel. The priests were despising their legacy for the world, handed down through giants of character, as described in the Torah reading תּוֹלָדוֹת Toledot (Genesis 25:19–28:9). Likewise, we have this legacy handed down to us from Adam to Noach to Abraham to Yitzkhak to Ya’akov to David to Yeshuah the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). Now we are a part of that legacy, grafted into the olive tree that Heaven planted —…

Will the real people of God please stand up? (Malachi 1; Romans 9)

Daniel November 6, 2021

Why does God let evil things happen? Why do people who supposedly are close to God do evil things? Just as all who profess to be of Abraham aren’t actually truly descendants of him (John 8:39–47), so too, those who claim to be in Messiah (Christ) are not actually in Him (Matt. 7:21–24; Romans 9). These are some of the tough questions tackled in the Torah reading תולדות Toldot/Toledot (“generations,” Gen. 25:19–28:9).

How self-inflicted wounds frustrate our future: Esau (Genesis 25:19–28:9)

Daniel November 21, 2020

Esau was not the innocent victim of his brother Jacob’s conspiracy we read about in the Torah reading תולדות Toldot (“generations,” Genesis 25:19–28:9). We learn through the companion passage in Malachi 1 that Esau knew that he didn’t value his birthright or his blessing from his father, Isaac, the legacy of faith in God passed down from Abraham. God separated Jacob and Esau for very good reasons. And God will take care of your future — if you follow Him faithfully.

Regret vs. repentance (Genesis 25:19–28:9; Malachi 1–4)

Jeff November 30, 2019

Who we came from doesn’t necessarily define who we are or will become. On the flip side, if we aren’t “born again” (John 3) into the best of the legacy passed to us — the Kingdom of God — we can turn it into an abomination. The Torah section תולדות Toldot (“generations,” Gen. 25:19–28:9) reminds us that we are called to recognize the good around us and must become wise to the frequent folly of “following your heart.” We should have the desire to be mature and complete in the knowledge of and relationship to God. We should not be dismayed…

Genesis 25:19–28:9: ‘Be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect’

Jeff November 18, 2017

One lesson from the life of Esau in Torah reading תּוֹלְדֹת Toldot/Toledot (“generations,” Genesis 25:19–28:9) is who and where we came from doesn’t necessarily define who we are or will become. Another takeaway is to recognize the good around us and become wise to the frequent folly of “following your heart” after what appears to be good. This is why Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) wants us to learn how to be “complete,” not lacking in anything.

"Abraham Casting Out Hagar" by Guercino, 1657

Genesis 25:19–28:9: What does Heaven really want from me?

Daniel December 3, 2016

It’s difficult for those of us who are naturally rebellious to understand God’s will. But if we have our eyes and hearts open, we can find out what it is. That’s what the Bible accounts of Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob and Esau teach us. In the Torah section Toldot (Genesis 25:19–28:9), we explore the beginning of Isaac’s account in earnest and how the battle over Esau’s birthright and blessing reveals God’s Spirit in us battles our fleshly clinging to our old way of life.

Genesis 25:19–28:9: Esau lives out why ‘following your heart’ can be folly

Jeff November 14, 2015

The “big picture” lessons of Parashat Toldot both come to us from the life of Esau. First, we need to understand that who and where we came from doesn’t necessarily define who we are or will become. Second, we need to recognize the good around us and become wise to the frequent folly of “following your heart.”

8 miraculous women of Chanukah

Daniel November 30, 2013

The eight days of Chanukah (Festival of Dedication, John 10:22–39), historically parallel the eight days of Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles). But there is a startling parallel to eight women in the Bible for whom having children would have been miraculous — including the mother of Yeshua (Jesus) — yet these women dedicated themselves to God’s mission to restore the Earth.

Genesis 27: Ya’akov deceives Yitzkhak to receive prophesied blessing

Richard June 1, 2013

Why has the birthright and blessing due Esau but passed to Ya’akov (Jacob) been a persistent factor in world history, even to our day and the future Day of the Lord? Is there a connection between the delusion Ya’akov gave his father, Yitzkhak (Isaac), to gain Esau’s blessing and the “strong delusion” God has planned for the Day of the Lord?

Death of Abraham, prophecy of Rivkah’s warring children and connections to Creation and the Flood (Genesis 25)

Richard May 11, 2013

What is the connection between this account of the death of Abraham and the prophecy of warring children in the womb of Rivkah (Rebecca) and the accounts of Creation and of the Flood?

Chanukah celebrates 6 women of faith: Sarah, Rivka, Raqel, Channah, Elisheva and Miriam

Chanukah celebrates 6 dedicated women

Daniel November 27, 2010

What do the following six important women in the Bible have in common? How did their experiences shape the future of the people of God?

A graphic with a green background featuring a man in a thoughtful pose, wearing a straw hat and a green button-up shirt. The text on the graphic reads: "Food for Thought: Lying for Lentils" in yellow and white cursive font, with "Genesis 25-26" highlighted in yellow. A subtle watermark at the bottom right corner reads "hallel.info."

Lying for lentils and how to inherit the blessings of God (Genesis 25–26)

Richard July 18, 2009

After Sarah’s death Abraham had other children as well and we learn how his estate was divided up between his heirs. We also learn how Yiskhak (Isaac) deals with his status as a wealthy patriarch in a hostile land and how his two sons start fighting over Yiskhak’s estate before they are born and continue fighting over it when they are adults. The fight appears to end with Esau “despising” his birthright. But does this really end the dispute?

You want to be one of God’s firstfruits

Daniel June 7, 2008

Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) is called the firstfruits of the resurrection (1st Cor. 15:20), and why are we called firstfruits of creation (James 1:18)? Pentecost originally was a celebration of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest and followed 50 days after the celebration of the firstfruits of the barley harvest. What is God teaching here about Yeshua and us?