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.
Key themes
Noah’s curse on Canaan: Exploring its implications and generational impact.
Genealogies and prophecy: The prophetic roles of Noah’s descendants in biblical history.
Nimrod’s kingdom: Symbolizing rebellion against God and prefiguring future defiance.
God’s sovereignty: His control over nations and His plan for ultimate redemption.
Messianic foreshadowing: Pointing to the restoration of order through the Messiah.
Readings
- Genesis 9:18–10:32
- Isaiah 49:1–13
- Revelation 5:1–14
Studies
‘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…
Taming the tide of violence: The Flood as a call to return to the Righteous One (Genesis 8:1–14)
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)
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
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 (Isaiah 54; Genesis 6–9; 2Peter 3)
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)
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 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.
Matthew 24; Luke 17: ‘Days of Noah’ teach us how to be ‘born again’
“‘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
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
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.
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.
Genesis 8: Noach sends out raven and dove as Flood subsides
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
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.”
Genesis 6: Evil multiplies on Earth as ‘sons of God’ marry ‘daughters of men’
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.
Genesis 8: Remembering Noah and agonizing over the Flood
The LORD ended the judgment of the Flood, as recorded in Genesis 8. The remembering of Noakh (Noah) and the sorrow of the LORD over the Flood foreshadow what God will be feeling in the last days when He must bring final judgment.
Genesis 7: Days of Noah and the days of the Son of Man
Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus) said that the days of Noakh (Noah) would be like the last days before Yeshua’s return. We read in Genesis 6-7 what Noakh’s generation and his righteousness were like.
Genesis 6: ‘Days of Noah’ foreshadow the last days
Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus) said that the days of Noakh (Noah) would be like the last days before Yeshua’s return. What was Noakh’s generation like, and what can we learn from his righteousness in that time?
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