Readings: May 31, 2025

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 32:3–33:17 
• Obadiah 1
• James 1:1–12

Corresponding reading in 1-year Torah cycle

Insights from the readings

These passages intertwine to reveal a powerful message:

• Transformation through struggle (Genesis)
• Warning against pride and assurance of divine justice (Obadiah)
• Hope through enduring faith (James)

Elohim is calling Israel and the nations to humble themselves, walk in obedience, and prepare for the fullness of redemption in Yeshua the Messiah.

These passages collectively call God’s people to:

• Face personal and national conflict with repentance and reconciliation.
• Walk in humility and justice, trusting in God’s righteous timing.
• Persevere through trials as part of their sanctification in Messiah Yeshua.

Connections between the readings

Jacob & Esau (Genesis 32:3–33:17) ↔ Obadiah 1

• Historical connection: Ya’akov and Esau are the patriarchs of Israel and Edom, respectively. The tension and eventual reconciliation between them in Genesis foreshadow the later conflict between their descendants.
• Prophetic fulfillment: Obadiah condemns Edom (Esau’s line) for violence and pride against Israel during times of calamity. This shows how unresolved spiritual issues between brothers can echo across generations.
• Messianic insight: These passages highlight the need for true teshuvah (repentance) and the coming of Messiah to bring lasting reconciliation.

Genesis 32–33 & James 1:1–12

• Trials and testing: Jacob wrestles with God and faces fear of Esau, emerging with a new identity (Israel). Similarly, James encourages perseverance through trials, promising blessing and spiritual transformation.
• Faith in action: Jacob’s practical steps toward reconciliation mirror James’ teaching that faith must be lived out in actions.
• Messianic perspective: Both reflect the journey of inner transformation — Jacob becomes Israel, and believers are refined in Messiah through testing.

Obadiah & James

• Judgment vs. endurance: Obadiah speaks of God’s judgment on the proud and violent, while James assures reward for those who endure trials with humility.
• Eternal perspective: Obadiah points to the Day of the Lord and Messiah’s kingdom, aligning with James’ emphasis on the “crown of life” for the faithful.
• Messianic hope: Both urge believers to align with God’s justice, avoid pride, and trust in Yeshua’s ultimate victory.

Hebrew & Greek terms

שָׁלוֹם shalom — peace, wholeness

Genesis 32:4: Jacob seeks shalom with Esau.

Insight: Shalom is not just peace but relational wholeness and restoration — a Messianic theme fulfilled in Yeshua (Isaiah 9:6).

פָּנִים panim — face, presence

Genesis 32:30: “I have seen God face to face.”

Insight: Seeing God’s panim hints at direct encounter and transformation, later echoed in Yeshua’s incarnation (John 1:14).

יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisrael — “One who wrestles with God”

Genesis 32:28: Jacob is renamed Israel.

Insight: Reflects the spiritual identity of God’s people who engage with Him directly. In Yeshua, believers become overcomers (Revelation 3:12).

גָּאוֹן ga’on — pride, arrogance

Obadiah 1:3: “The pride of your heart has deceived you.”

Insight: Pride leads to downfall; humility leads to redemption—a core principle in Yeshua’s teachings (Matthew 23:12).

יוֹם יְהוָה Yom YHWH — The Day of the LORD

Obadiah 1:15: Judgment and redemption occur on this day.

Insight: Messianic fulfillment points to Yeshua’s return and the final judgment/restoration of Israel (Acts 1:11; Zechariah 14).

צִיּוֹן Tzion — Zion

Obadiah 1:17: “On Mount Zion there shall be deliverance.”

Insight: Zion represents the place of redemption; Yeshua will reign from Zion (Isaiah 2:3, Revelation 14:1).

πειρασμός peirasmos — trial, testing, temptation

James 1:2: “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

Insight: Tests are for strengthening faith—a concept tied to the refining of Israel and believers in Messiah.

ὑπομονή hypomonē — endurance, steadfastness

James 1:3–4: Endurance produces spiritual maturity.

Insight: A key trait for the remnant of Israel and all believers awaiting Messiah’s return.

στεφανὸν τῆς ζωῆς stephanos tēs zōēs — crown of life

James 1:12: Promised to those who endure trials.

Insight: Rewards are part of the Messianic hope (cf. Revelation 2:10).

Lessons

Reconciliation & identity (Genesis)

God transforms individuals (Jacob → Israel) who wrestle with Him and seek shalom.

Messianic implication: In Messiah, we are given a new name and purpose (2Corinthians 5:17).

Pride vs. humility (Obadiah)

God opposes the proud but preserves the humble remnant of Israel.

Messianic lesson: Redemption comes through humble obedience (Philippians 2:8).

Faith under fire (James)

Testing strengthens faith, and the faithful are crowned.

Messianic lesson: Yeshua’s followers are called to endure as a testimony to God’s redemptive power.

Insights

Jacob’s transformation as a prototype of Israel’s redemption

Jacob’s wrestling is a picture of Israel’s historical struggle—and victory—through divine encounter.

Fulfilled in Yeshua, who also “wrestled” at Gethsemane and brought peace (Luke 22:44, Colossians 1:20).

Obadiah’s vision: Judgment on Edom, salvation in Zion

Edom represents worldly opposition to God’s covenant people.

Deliverance on Mount Zion ties directly to Messianic prophecy of Yeshua’s reign (Micah 4:1–3).

James’ letter: Torah-living in the Diaspora

Written to the Twelve Tribes in exile, James reaffirms the value of Torah, spiritual endurance, and Messiah-centered living.

His emphasis on action reflects Jewish ethics lived out in the light of Yeshua’s teachings.

Studies

Renamed, reclaimed, restored: A Messianic journey of identity and purpose (Genesis 35–36; Isaiah 43; Matthew 11)

Jeff June 14, 2025

In this study, we explored how God calls us by name, transforming our identity from who we were to who He wants us to be. Through passages in Genesis, Isaiah, and Matthew, we see God’s covenant invitation to find rest in the leadership of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). Just as God renamed Jacob as Israel, we’re called to shed our old nature and embrace a new identity, taking on Yeshua’s light yoke of divine purpose and instruction, and experiencing true spiritual rest.

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Transformed by struggle: God’s refining process (Genesis 32; James 1; Obadiah)

Jeff May 31, 2025

This study explores spiritual growth through struggle, using biblical examples like Jacob’s wrestling with the divine messenger and apostle James’ instructions for encountering and conquering difficulties in life. The key themes include trusting God during trials, maintaining faith amid challenges, and understanding that struggles refine our character. These passages highlight how believers in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah are transformed through perseverance, seeking wisdom and clinging to God’s promises, ultimately preparing for the fullness of redemption.

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Price of passivity: Jacob, David & the consequences of inaction (Genesis 34)

Jeff December 2, 2023

This study on Torah reading וַיִּשְׁלַח Vayishlach (“he sent,” Gen. 32:3–36:43) discusses the importance of living according to God’s will and obeying His laws. The biblical lessons of biblical stories of Dinah, Jacob, Simeon/Levi, Esau and King David teach us that the Body of Messiah must beware of toxic elements in the community. There are disastrous consequences to the spiritual health of individuals and the community of ignoring evil within and shirking personal responsibility for competently and lovingly dealing with it.

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Torah reading Vayishlach (וישלח): Genesis 32:3–36:43

Hallel Fellowship November 25, 2023

In Torah section וַיִּשְׁלַח Vayishlach (“he sent,” Gen. 32:3–36:43), Ya’akov is back at Beit ’El, this time wrestling with Heaven over blessing. He buries the hatchet with his brother, yet two of his sons bury their hatchets into townsmen to avenge their ravaged sister. These three hardly have the makings of “pillars” of the people of Holy One of Yisra’el, right? Not as they are but as they would be after “conversion.” Have you ever wrestled with your desire to do something that deep down you know you shouldn’t? “Conversion” sometimes get so spiritualized that what’s actually happening to you…

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When divisiveness is toxic to the people of God but essential to humanity’s survival (Genesis 32–36; 1Corinthians 5)

Jeff December 10, 2022

God hates divorce — schism in what should be a supportive whole. But Heaven also brings division to separate truth from falsehood — good from bad — for the sake of all humanity. That’s a key lesson from the Torah reading וַיִּשְׁלַח Vayishlach (“and He sent,” Genesis 32:4–36:43) that shows why those who live like Eysau (Esau) can’t be part of the legacy of Israel: Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Why the Way to the Kingdom of God is both open-armed and divisive (Genesis 32–33; Romans 8)

Daniel November 20, 2021

One would think that a direct encounter with Heaven would have made Ya’akov (Jacob), an ancient founder of Israel, more bold in how he acted in life. But what we see recorded in the Torah reading וַיִּשְׁלַח Vayishlach (“and he sent,” Gen. 32:3–36:43) looks more like fear than faith. After all, he sent his stuff and those closest to him on ahead in a meeting with his enraged brother Esau. But one key lesson from this division and many others in the Bible is why God separates the righteous and the wicked. Yet we learn from the Prophets, Gospels and Apostles…

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Reconcile by your actions, not just words (Genesis 32–33; Obadiah; Matthew 5)

Daniel December 5, 2020

“Love is a verb.” That couldn’t be truer than in the Hebrew of the Bible. And we see that lived out in Jacob’s heartfelt and wallet-open reconciliation with his brother, Esau, as recorded in the Torah section וישלח Vayishlach (“he sent,” Genesis 32:3–36:43). This study will explore the parallels with the teachings on reconciliation by Yeshua (Jesus) in the Sermon on the Mount and the prophetic warnings about unforgiveness that echo down to the Day of the LORD in Revelation 18.

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Genesis 32–33; Hosea 11–12: Sick of the false allure of the temporary?

Jeff December 14, 2019

The Torah reading וַיִּשְׁלַח Vayishlach (“and he sent,” Gen. 32:4-36:43) gives us an active example of what the apostle Paul calls the “ministry of reconciliation” (2Cor. 5:18). What we see in Jacob and Esau is a profound message for us today, buried amongst sibling rivalry. We should strive to live at peace with everyone, but there still must be a division between the Kingdom of the Eternal and the Kingdom of the Temporary. God wants everyone to leave the Kingdom of the Temporary and join Him in the Kingdom of the Eternal, because the Kingdom of the Temporary will be…

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Genesis 32:3–36:43: How to wrestle with and wait on God together joyfully

Jeff November 24, 2018

The LORD sends us into the world to be His ambassadors (2Cor. 5:20) and part of the kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:5–6; 1Pet. 2:9–10; Rev. 5:9–10). Will we go? Will we face challenges of our own making or ones that are out of our control? Division is toxic to the Kingdom of God. How are we living this out? In this study of the Torah reading וישלח Vayishlach (Genesis 32:3–36:43), we will go over a few of Yeshua’s parables that will make Ya’akov’s WWE match with the Angel of the LORD look logical. We will learn more about how God teaches us. We have been…

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Genesis 32:3–36:43: Peace on Earth depends on a transformed you

Jeff December 2, 2017

The LORD sends us into the world to be His ambassadors and part of the kingdom of priests. Will we go? How will we face challenges of our own making or ones that are out of our control? There will be times when we reap the consequences of our behavior and times we are victims of injustice inflicted on us. In scenarios, we need to look to the only one who can give us wisdom to react to those situations. That’s one lesson threaded through the Torah reading וישלח Vayishlach (“[and] he sent”, Genesis 32:3–36:43). Another lesson is how division is…

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Genesis 32:4–36:43: Face up to your past, so Mashiakh can purge it

Daniel December 17, 2016

Ya’akov meets with Eysau and becomes one again with his family. From there, Ya’akov’s family has to clean out the wickedness from their household. As we see in Torah section Vayishlach (“and he sent,” Genesis 32:4–36:43), there’s messianic symbolism of the “son forever.” It points to God’s Son, the Mashiakh Yeshua, Who died in sorrow but was resurrected and sits at God’s right hand forever.

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Genesis 32:3-36:43: God has sent us, but are we going?

Jeff November 28, 2015

They were all sent: Patriarchs Abraham, Ya’akov and Yosef, prophet Moshe, Mashiakh Yeshua, apostle Peter and deacon Stephen. They were sent out with a message from the Holy One of Yisrael. So too, Yeshua has sent us to the people around us with the message that God wants reconciliation with humanity, and Yeshua’s atonement makes that happen. That’s the legacy these great figures in Scripture have passed to us. The following recorded discussion is on the Torah section Vayishlakh, which means “and He sent.” We explore the drama between Ya’akob and Eysau. It’s referred to throughout Scripture, and the conflict…

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Names of the descendants of Esau and Edom reveal Israel’s past, present, future (Genesis 36)

Richard July 20, 2013

We sometimes gloss over long lists in the Bible of hard-to-pronounce names and places. Yet the meanings of names in God’s word are part of the lessons He wants us to learn. The names in this chapter point to reasons why “Esau” and “Edom” are mentioned continually in the prophets as an adversary to Israel.

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Ya’acov returns to Beit ’El; messianic last words of Rachel (Genesis 35)

Richard July 13, 2013

We boast in our pride, we constantly demand our rights, we put our trust in our government to protect these rights, but we don’t ask God to protect us. Ya’akov (Jacob) needed to return to Beit ’El (Bethel) to fulfill the vow he had made to the LORD when he was fleeing from Esau. God protected Ya’akov and his entourage from being pursued by those who would have wanted to take revenge on Ya’akov’s family for what happened in Shechem (Genesis 34). He put a great terror on those who wanted to pursue them and convinced them to leave them alone.

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The Tragedy and Injustice of Dinah and Shechem (Genesis 33-34)

Richard July 6, 2013

Humility and loyalty are underlying teachings of Genesis 33-34. The phrase “women and children first” is held up as selfless chivalry, but it it seems Ya’akov (Jacob) wasn’t so chivalric in his sending his wives and children ahead of him toward what he thought would be his heavily armed and bloodthirsty brother, Esau. Then there’s the disaster that followed the defilement of Ya’akov’s daughter, Dinah, whose forceable conquering at the hands of a city’s “first son” led to the deaths of all the men and the enslavement of the women and children of that city by the hands of two…

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God converts Ya’akov the supplanter into Yisra’el the ruler (Genesis 32)

Richard June 29, 2013

Ya’akov (Jacob) had a conversion experience the night he wrestled with a Heavenly visitor. Not only did he receive a new name, but also he received a new “vision” for what his future would hold.

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Yaakov goes to Bethel; Rachel weeps in Raamah; sons of Esau (Genesis 35–36)

Richard August 29, 2009

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