Torah reading for Nov. 23, 2024

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.

Readings

Genesis 6:9-7:24
Isaiah 54:9-10
1Peter 3:13-22

Key themes

Moral decline and divine judgment: Genesis 6:1–8 describes how human wickedness had greatly increased, leading God to regret creating humanity. The chapter introduces the mysterious “sons of God” and “daughters of men,” often debated among scholars regarding their identities, with some interpretations linking them to fallen angels or simply powerful rulers. The corruption on Earth was so pervasive that God decided to cleanse it with a flood, sparing only Noah and his family due to Noah’s righteousness.

Noah’s righteousness and the ark: Noah is depicted as “righteous in his generation,” which doesn’t imply perfection but rather a commitment to walking with God despite widespread corruption. He obeyed God’s command to build the ark, which serves as a symbol of salvation. The Hebrew word for “ark” (תֵּבָה, tevah) is used only here and for Moses’ basket, drawing a parallel between Noah’s and Moses’ deliverance from destruction, suggesting a divine container of salvation.

Messianic foreshadowing: Noah’s role as a “preacher of righteousness” (as mentioned in 2 Peter 2:5) and his leadership in saving his family prefigure the Messiah (Yeshua/Jesus), who offers salvation to the world. The ark is seen as a metaphor for Christ as the “door” to salvation, resonating with passages where Yeshua refers to Himself as the “door” or the “narrow gate.”

Days of Noah and End Times: There is a connection between the days of Noah and eschatological themes, as highlighted in Matthew 24 and Luke 17, where Yeshua compares the days leading up to His return to the time of Noah. The emphasis is on vigilance and readiness, as many were unaware of the impending flood, just as many will be unprepared for the coming of the Son of Man.

Symbolism of Salvation: The flood narrative, while an account of divine judgment, also highlights God’s mercy. The ark is viewed as a precursor to the concept of salvation and rebirth, offering a new beginning for Noah’s family and the creatures aboard. The dove sent out by Noah, which eventually returns with an olive leaf, symbolizes peace and a new covenant between God and humanity.

Corresponding Torah reading in the 1-year cycle

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

Studies

Adobe Firefly AI image of ancient Middle East tents illuminated from the inside and pitched at the base of mountains. Text says, "Dwelling in the Tents of Shem: Elohim's Presence brings a blessing to all nations. Genesis 9:18-27."

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

Jeff December 14, 2024

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…

Adobe Stock image of artwork showing Noah's Ark resting in the mountains of Ararat with a rainbow over the vessel. Wording says, "'Image of God' and sanctity of life: Noah's enduring lessons for the world. (Genesis 8:15-9:17)."

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

Jeff December 7, 2024

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…

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)

Jeff November 30, 2024

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…

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

Jeff November 23, 2024

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).

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

Hallel Fellowship October 14, 2023

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).

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)

Jeff October 29, 2022

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…

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

Jeff October 9, 2021

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…

5 similarities between Noah and Messiah: Genesis 6:9–11:32

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

Daniel October 24, 2020

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.

Matthew 24; Luke 17: ‘Days of Noah’ teach us how to be ‘born again’

Jeff October 13, 2018

“‘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…

Genesis 6:9–11:32: Our salvation floats on a real Flood

Jeff October 21, 2017

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…

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

Daniel November 5, 2016

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.

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

Richard November 10, 2012

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.

A raven and a dove from Genesis 8, with the raven on the left and the dove on the right. The black raven contrasts with the white dove, set against a background of blue and white flowers and olive branches, all depicted in hyper-realistic layered paper art.

Genesis 8: Noach sends out raven and dove as Flood subsides

Richard November 3, 2012

God “marked” Noach and his family for salvation in the ark during the Flood. The dove that found dry land after the waters subsided points to another Messenger Who went to prepare room for us in God’s Kingdom.

Genesis 7: Being ‘left behind’ was a good thing in the days of Noach

Richard October 27, 2012

A number of Bible teachers as well as some popular movies and books teach that believers in Yeshua the Messiah will be “taken away” in the prophesied time of trouble preceding the Day of the LORD. Yet based on the teaching of the Messiah on the “days of Noah,” believers should pray that they aren’t “taken away.”

A bride and groom walk hand in hand through the forest, their backs to the viewer, walking on rose petals and surrounded by glowing fireflies and hanging Turkish lamps.

Genesis 6: Evil multiplies on Earth as ‘sons of God’ marry ‘daughters of men’

Richard October 20, 2012

Some may have no idea what this chapter is about, with “sons of God” marrying “daughters of men” and the “Nephilim.” Some may also have some profound, over-the-top notions about the meaning of this chapter, but if you read this chapter in the context of the previous chapters, the fanciful and salacious interpretations fall by the wayside.