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 8:1-14
- Habakkuk 3:1-5
- Revelation 1:9-20
Key lessons
This passage emphasizes the Flood as a historical and spiritual event, linking its details to broader biblical themes of judgment, renewal, and God’s faithfulness.
God’s remembrance: The phrase “God remembered Noah” (Genesis 8:1) does not imply He had forgotten, but rather signifies His active care and intervention. The Hebrew term “zakar” emphasizes marking someone or something for a specific purpose .
Wind and waters: The wind (ruach) God sent to recede the waters symbolizes divine action, echoing the Spirit’s role in creation. Three sources of water — the deep, floodgates of heaven, and rain — ceased simultaneously, marking the end of judgment.
Raven and dove: Noah’s use of birds to assess the state of the earth reflects human reliance on signs of God’s renewal. The raven’s repeated flights suggest ongoing water, while the dove’s return with an olive branch indicates restoration and new beginnings. The olive branch also symbolizes light and peace, connecting to themes of hope and divine provision.
The dove that Noah sends out, which eventually brings back an olive branch, is interpreted as a symbol of peace and renewal. This foreshadows the role of the Holy Spirit, who descended like a dove at Yeshua’s baptism, signifying the beginning of His ministry of reconciliation and peace .
Gradual restoration: The timeline of the water receding highlights the patience required in awaiting God’s full restoration. This extended process underscores faith in God’s timing and providence.
Sacrifice and promise: Upon exiting the ark, Noah’s offering of clean animals is seen as an act of gratitude, pleasing to God, who promises never to destroy the earth by flood again. The rainbow becomes a sign of this covenant.
Noah as a Prefiguration of Messiah: Noah’s role as the one who leads his family to safety and renewal parallels Messiah Yeshua as the Savior who leads humanity to spiritual renewal and eternal salvation. Just as Noah was obedient and trusted in God’s plan, Yeshua demonstrated ultimate obedience to the Father, bringing salvation to all who follow Him .
The ark and the Kingdom of God: The ark is compared to Messiah’s role as a sanctuary of safety. As Noah’s family was preserved through the waters of judgment, those who trust in Yeshua are saved from eternal judgment. This mirrors Yeshua’s teaching about being the “Door” to salvation (John 10:9) .
God’s covenant and Yeshua’s fulfillment: God’s promise to Noah after the Flood (never to destroy the earth with water again) points forward to the ultimate covenant in Yeshua. Through His sacrifice, Yeshua established an everlasting covenant of grace, ensuring redemption for all who believe in Him .
Judgment and renewal: The Flood symbolizes divine judgment, but Genesis 8 introduces the hope of renewal and restoration. Similarly, Yeshua’s death and resurrection mark the transition from judgment to grace, bringing about a new creation in the lives of believers.
Corresponding reading in the 1-year Torah cycle
Studies
What’s seen can’t be unseen: Noah shows us how to keep our humanity in a violent world (Genesis 6–8)
Torah reading Noach (נח): Genesis 6:9–11:32
5 similarities between Noach (Noah) and Mashiach (Messiah)
Genesis 6:9–11:32: Our salvation floats on a real Flood
Genesis 6:9-11:32: Remembering God’s judgment and mercy in the Flood
Genesis 8: Noach sends out raven and dove as Flood subsides
Genesis 8: Remembering Noah and agonizing over the Flood
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