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Torah readings

Readings: Jan. 25, 2025

Genesis 17 emphases God’s covenant with Abraham, which is foundational to the arrival of the Messiah. The circumcision covenant serves as a physical and spiritual marker of the promised Seed through whom all nations would be blessed, pointing to Yeshua (Jesus). The renaming of Abram to Abraham (“father of multitudes”) and Sarai to Sarah (“mother of nations”) reflects their roles in the divine plan to bring forth the Messiah.

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 17
  • Isaiah 63:10-19
  • Romans 4:10-25

Corresponding reading from the 1-year Torah cycle

Hebrew insights from the readings

These Hebrew terms tie the narratives of Genesis 17 and Isaiah 63 to the broader messianic hope. They reveal God’s covenantal faithfulness, the need for internal transformation, and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises in the Messiah, Yeshua.

בְּרִית berit — covenant

Verse: Genesis 17:2, “I will make My covenant between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly.”

Theological Implications: Reflects the establishment of a divine relationship between God and Abraham, marking a perpetual promise.

Messianic significance: The covenant foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua (Jesus), the mediator of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20).

מּוּל mul — circumcision

Verse: Genesis 17:11, “You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant.”

Theological implications: Circumcision signifies obedience and separation to God.

Messianic significance: Points to the need for circumcision of the heart, fulfilled in Messiah (Deuteronomy 10:16; Romans 2:29), symbolizing inner transformation.

שַׂר sar and שָׂרָה Sarah — prince/princess

Verse: Genesis 17:15, “You shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.”

Theological implications: Denotes leadership and a role in God’s redemptive plan.

Messianic significance: Sarah becomes a type of spiritual mother, with her lineage leading to the Messiah.

שַׁדַּי Shaddai — Almighty

Verse: Genesis 17:1, “I am El Shaddai; walk before Me and be blameless.”

Theological implications: Represents God’s sufficiency and power to fulfill promises.

Messianic significance: Demonstrates God’s sovereignty, which is ultimately revealed in Messiah as the fulfillment of divine promises.

רוּחַ ruach — spirit

Verse: Isaiah 63:10, “But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit.”

Theological implications: Highlights the Spirit as the presence of God guiding Israel.

Messianic significance: Points to the Spirit’s role in the Messiah’s ministry (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18) and His empowering of believers.

גָּאַל ga’al — redeem

Verse: Isaiah 63:16, “You, O Lord, are our Father; our Redeemer from of old is Your name.”

Theological implications: Stresses God’s role as the Redeemer of His people.

Messianic significance: Anticipates Yeshua as the ultimate Redeemer, purchasing salvation through His sacrifice (Galatians 3:13).

קָדוֹשׁ qadosh/kadosh — holy

Verse: Isaiah 63:18, “Your holy people possessed Your sanctuary for a little while.”

Theological implications: Reflects God’s holiness and the sacredness of His dwelling.

Messianic significance: Foreshadows the Messiah’s holiness and His establishment of a holy people through His atonement (1Peter 1:15–16).

נָחַה nachah — lead, guide

Verse: Isaiah 63:14, “The Spirit of the Lord gave them rest; so You led Your people.”

Theological implications: Depicts God’s guidance and provision.

Messianic significance: Symbolizes the Messiah as the Good Shepherd who leads His people to eternal rest (John 10:11; Hebrews 4:9–10).

אָב av — father

Verse: Isaiah 63:16, “For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us.”

Theological implications: Affirms God’s fatherly care and covenant relationship.

Messianic significance: Points to the Messiah revealing the Father’s love (John 14:9) and establishing believers as God’s children (Romans 8:15).

Studies

Abraham has a happy face as he is surrounded by a crowd of noisy happy people. Adobe Firefly palete knife AI image. Text says, "Abraham's noisy descendants: Proclaiming the Messiah's kingdom (Genesis 17; Isaiah 63; Romans 4)."

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Abraham obeyed God and had himself and all the men in his household circumcised and they all agreed to do it, including Ishmael. In the flesh, there’s no reason for circumcision, but if you believe in God, there’s every reason for it. Actively trusting God’s words — called “faith” and “belief” — is what makes one righteous.
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