The Revelation of Joseph

Joseph's brothers did not recognize him. Likewise, for most of the last two thousand years, most Jewish people have not realized that Jesus is Jewish.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayigash (ויגש | He approached)

Torah: Genesis 44:18-47:27

Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

Gospel: John 5:1-47

Celebrate Yeshua and the Festival of Lights

December 16-24, 2014

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

On the Hanukkah menorah (called a hanukkiah), the shamash
(servant candle) sits higher than the other eight candles and is used
to light them.  What a wonderful representation of Yeshua, the
Light of the World, and how He gives us the "light of life," through
the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit).

Joseph in Disguise

Although Yeshua of Nazareth is the only serious candidate in the running for Messiah, most Jewish people for the last two thousand years have solidly rejected that possibility.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Miketz (מקץ | From the end)

Torah: Genesis 41:1-44:17

Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Gospel: Luke 4:16-31

"... BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS" (1Cor 11:10)

"That is why a wife ought to have [a symbol of] authority on her head, because of the angels" (1Cor 11:10).

While we cannot be 100% certain what Paul meant by "the angels" in this passage, by our entering sympathetically into ancient Jewish thinking about the role/s of heavenly angels we can perhaps gain a glimpse of what the Apostle intended to communicate.

Be fruitful and multiply ...

(Gen 1:28; 8:17; 9:1, 7).

According to ancient Jewish interpretation (with which I agree), "fruitful and multiply" requires at minimum three children from the couple who is capable of fulfilling this commandment. Having only one child is depleting yourselves by one (Husband plus the wife, plus the child, then the parents die, leaving only the child). Two children is merely replacing yourselves (Husband plus the wife, plus the two children, then the parents die, leaving only two children). Three or more children is replacing yourselves plus adding more (Husband plus the wife, plus the three or more children, then the parents die, leaving thee or more children), thus being "fruitful and multiply[ing]."

-Michael Millier

The Temptation of Joseph

The problem with sexual temptation is that it's so tempting. Learn a lesson from Joseph and say "no" to the impurity of the world.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayeshev (וישב | He settled)

Torah: Genesis 37:1-40:23

Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

Gospel: John 2:13-4:42

Birth Pains of Messiah

Before the coming of the Messiah, the earth will go through a time of trouble, tribulation, and calamity that can be compared to the labor pains of a woman about to give birth.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayishlach (וישלח | He sent)

Torah: Genesis 32:3-36:43

Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21

Gospel: John 1:19-2:12