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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings

Toppling the tower of self: Rediscovering true greatness through humility before Heaven (Genesis 11; Isaiah 28; 1Corinthians 14)

This study dives into some powerful biblical themes: pride, self-importance and the need to walk in humility and obedience to God’s commands. We explore the stories of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, the prophecy against Ephraim in Isaiah 28 and Paul’s parallel teachings in 1Corinthians 14. The big takeaway from the Torah passage and companion readings is that the Messiah wants to replace our human pride with Himself as the true foundation and source of wisdom. It’s all about finding that balance — childlike faith combined with mature discernment, leaving behind self-exaltation to humbly submit to the Messiah’s lordship.

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Torah readings

Torah reading for Dec. 21, 2024

Genesis 11 focuses on humanity’s united rebellion through the Tower of Babel, prompting God to scatter nations by confounding their language. This act shifted the focus from human plans to God’s sovereignty in guiding history. The chapter is a transition to Abraham’s lineage, highlighting God’s choice of Terah’s family to fulfill His covenantal plan, ultimately leading to the Messiah. It emphasizes how God’s interventions direct history toward His redemptive purposes, despite human pride and ambition.

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Torah readings

Torah reading for Dec. 14, 2024

Genesis 9:18–10:32 explores the consequences of Noah’s curse on Canaan, prophetic significance of Noach’s descendants and the rise of Nimrod’s kingdom as a challenge to God’s authority. These passages highlight God’s plan for nations and His eventual restoration of order through the Messiah. Nimrod’s kingdom, characterized by chaos and rebellion, serves as a precursor to the opposition to God’s Kingdom on the Day of the LORD and the ultimate unification of humanity in the Messianic age.

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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.

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Torah readings

Torah reading for Nov. 30, 2024

Genesis 8:1-14 highlights God’s remembrance, renewal and provision during and after the Flood. These are expanded elsewhere in the Bible to underscore Heaven’s salvation, renewal and redemption — all foreshadowing their ultimate reality in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

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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Torah readings

Torah reading for Nov. 23, 2024

Genesis 6–7 focuses on the moral decay of humanity from “very good” creation, God’s judgment on the “violence” and salvation through Noah’s ark. The ark and Flood narrative not only recounts historical events but also carries deeper spiritual lessons that point towards redemption and the coming of the Messiah.