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Discussions Torah

Dwelling in the tents of Shem: Elohim’s Presence brings a blessing to all nations (Genesis 9:18–27)

This study of Genesis 9:18–27 explores the lineage and legacy of Noah’s family, highlighting the historic hallmark of the genetic bottleneck at the Flood and the significance of Shem’s line leading to the Messiah, noted by the cryptic phrase about Elohim — which is God in Hebrew — dwelling in Shem’s tents. This passage delves into the character lessons from Noah’s vineyard, namely the importance of moderation to help us keep control over things that can be both tov and ra (Hebrew for good and bad). Those include not only desires such as wine and food but also how we spend our time. We look at what constitutes a nation and why “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” can never be forgiven. The study emphasizes the hope Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) provides in the resurrection and the importance of pursuing justice, love, mercy and humility before God.

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Discussions Torah

‘Image of God’ and sanctity of life: Noah’s enduring lessons for the world (Genesis 8–9)

The Noachide covenant (Genesis 9:1–17) establishes God’s promise to never again destroy the earth, foreshadowing the fulfillment of the Genesis 3:15 promise to Chavah (Eve). This study explores how that covenant emphasizes the sanctity of life, the prohibition on bloodshed and the command to “swarm” (repopulate) the earth — themes woven throughout the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:18; 22:17; 26:3).

Crucially, the covenant addresses humanity’s יֵצֶר הַרַע‎ yetzer ha-ra (the evil inclination, fallenness). That’s opposed to a common philosophy today that humanity is fundamentally טוֹב tov — Hebrew for good. The antidote is yetzer ha-tov, the good inclination made possible by following the Spirit of God’s guidance in taking captive our thoughts and bringing them into submission to the Heaven’s Word, embodied in Yeshua the Messiah, or Jesus the Christ. The Messiah’s work, foreshadowed by Noah’s ark, reconciles and restores us from our yetzer ha-ra as Heaven plans for humanity to emerge into a “new heavens and a new earth.”

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Torah readings

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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Discussions Torah

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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Discussions Torah

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 because he had faith in God — faith put into action.

Noakh’s clinged to God’s words, but his generation refused to follow him into the Ark and to receive salvation. That’s why Yeshua talked about the “days of Noah” being just like His second coming (Luke 17:25–27; Matthew 24:37–38; Isaiah 54:8–10).

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Discussions Torah

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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Discussions Torah

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.