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’s noisy descendants: Proclaiming the Messiah’s kingdom (Genesis 17; Isaiah 63; Romans 4)
God’s unwavering love: Foreshadowed in Abraham, realized in Messiah (Genesis 12–17)
Torah reading Lech Lecha (לך לך): Genesis 12:1–17:27
How Abram learned faith, fought fear and become a friend of God
Genesis 12:1–17:27: Why God cannot be bribed
Genesis 12–17: Instant gratification is never instant or gratifying
Genesis 12–17: From old self to ‘new creation’ in Abraham’s footsteps
Abraham: An example of hope and trust in God, part 2
Genesis 17: God renames Abram and Sarai, gives covenant of circumcision
Genesis 17 — ‘Destroyer God’ cuts the deal with Abraham deeper with circumcision
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