Tag: Genesis 38

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Discussions Torah

Rising above: How to overcome ‘spiritual gravity’ (Genesis 38)

An oil painting-style image generated by ChatGPT featuring a split background with a warm, orange sunset over rolling hills. On the left, a veiled figure (representing Tamar) is depicted in profile, wearing a brown cloak and gazing thoughtfully. On the right, a silhouette of a man (representing Judah) walks away, his cloak adorned with a subtle lion emblem symbolizing the tribe of Judah. The text overlay reads, "RISING ABOVE: How to overcome 'spiritual gravity' (Genesis 38)," in bold yellow-white letters, emphasizing the theme of spiritual ascent versus descent from the biblical narrative.

Genesis 38 is a powerful yet disturbing narrative of spiritual transformation. Despite human failings of Judah and Tamar, God’s redemptive plan continues, ultimately leading to the Messianic lineage. Even in our most challenging moments, Heaven can work through imperfect people. This account teaches how we can be pulled down spiritually by appealing yet destructive influences. Yet when we spiritually “descend,” God via Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) is able to restore us to a higher spiritual position, showing that our mistakes don’t disqualify us from His greater purpose. It’s a testament to grace, redemption and Providence.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Through the Tabernacle door: How Messiah opens access to God’s presence (Exodus 38; Romans 7; Hebrews 8)

Through the Tabernacle door: How the Messiah opens access to God's presence (Exodus 35-38; Romans 7; Hebrews 8). Artwork shows a dark room with happy and sad smileys on the walls, and an open door shows light and clouds outside.

What can all the meticulous Bible detail on the architecture and interior design of Israel’s Tabernacle teach us about Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus)? In this study of Torah reading וַיַּקְהֵל Vayaqhel (“and he assembled,” Ex. 35:1–38:20), we’ll focus on the door of that Dwelling Place of God. As the living Tabernacle (Jn. 1:14), Yeshua is the way for native-born (Jew) and foreign-born (Gentile) believers to move from where we all started as “other” from God toward the Presence to see His glory.

Yeshua is the perfect high priest who offers the true sacrifice, the goal toward Whom the essential patterns of the Tabernacle/Temple direct us (Hebrews 7-8). Without Yeshua’s atoning work, memorialized annually on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), there is no other means of salvation — to have access to God (Heb. 10:26-27). The Torah, as “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4; Dt. 8:3), reveals the reality of life apart from the Creator and that there is a Way back — Yeshua.

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Torah readings

Torah reading Vayeshev (וישב): Genesis 37:1–40:23

Studies in Torah

The accounts of Yosef’s “coat of many colors” or “Technicolor Dreamcoat” and his standing strong amid adversity and oppression in Mitzraim are popular among children and adults. But a scandalous aside in this week’s Torah portion, וישב Vayeshev (“he settled,” Gen. 37:1–40:23), involving his brother Yehudah may not reach many children’s ears. Yet both Yosef and Yehudah provide important “calling cards” for Mashiakh Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Joseph and Judah: Great leaders must start as great servants (Genesis 37–40)

Lessons from Joseph and Judah: Great leaders must start as great servants (Genesis 37-40)

A key point in the Torah reading וַיֵּשֶׁב Vayeshev (Genesis 37–40) is the betrayal of Yosef (Joseph) by his brothers, including their debate about what to do with him and their sale of him to traders bound for Mitzraim (Egypt). This seems to parallel what happened many centuries later, when Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) was rejected by His brothers (Israel, led by descendants of Judah) and went into exile in Mitzraim.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 37:1–40:23: How the first became lost and the lost became first

The accounts in Torah reading וישב Vayeshev (“he settled,” Gen. 37:1–40:23) of Judah’s hooking up with his daughter-in-law and Joseph foretelling the rise and deeper fall of his jailmates seem as unrelated as they are dismaying. But the two actually contain prophecies that reveal the transforming work of the Messiah.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 37–38: Am I my sister’s keeper? Why Tamar was ‘more righteous’

From the Torah reading  וישב Vayeshev (“he settled,” Genesis 37:1-40:23), we’ll be focusing this time on a comparison between Judah’s relationship with Tamar and Joseph’s relationship with Potiphar’s wife. As we look into this “intermission” in the story, we’ll take a detour into Hosea 3-4, which will give us insight into why the men in  those stories were guilty of a far greater evil than the sins of Tamar and Mrs. Potiphar.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 37–40: Joseph and Judah’s school of hard knocks

Two lion cubs play fighting, learning how to fight for real when they grow up. Photo by Freeimages.com/Kimberlee Kessler Designs via Creative Commons License

God prepared two self-centered “brats” — Yosef (Joseph) and Yehudah (Judah) — and their descendants to become the saviors of their families. Yosef was a tattle-tale and a bit of a braggart, but Yehudah was willing to throw weaker, younger people to the wolves, either figuratively or literally to obtain a higher status in his society. God really cares about how you treat other people, especially those who are weaker and less fortunate. In the Torah reading וישב Vayeshev (Genesis 37–40), we learn from Yosef and Yehudah their life lessons the hard way.