IT'S TIME TO READ TORAH PORTION 1 - HALLELUYAH! I always get goosebumps whenever I read the first Torah portion because there are SO many “firsts” – including the first commands to the universe and the earth (Gen 1:1-20), to the sea life, birds and animals (Gen 1:21-25), and to mankind (Gen 1:26-30).
We also see the first Shabbat (Gen 2:1-3 when ADONAI "rested" from all the creating!), and the first warning to man (Gen 2:15-17); the first sin/disobedience (Gen 3:6-7); and the first “blame game” (Gen 3:8-13); and, of course, the first murder (Gen. 4) – because Cain experienced jealousy.
We also witness the first time man took “multiple wives” (Gen 4:19) – along with the second murder (Gen 4:23), which was a “revenge” killing. Both of those happened in the cursed line of the murderous Cain!
The line of Adam and Eve - even though they had committed the first heinous sin which echoes into our world today - remained "set apart" enough to see favor in YHWH's eyes. This is evidenced through their son, Seth (the replacement for the dead Abel), who begat Enoch ... and after that men began to call on the Name of YHWH (Genesis 4:25-26)!
Reading on, we find in the Genesis 5 genealogy that the lines of Cain and Abel are both omitted! Cain clearly fell out of favor with God and was banished from His Presence (Gen 4:16). His line went on to commit even more sins - the types of sins we see perpetrated today among the godless throngs....
Noah (who ended up starting mankind all over again because he was deemed "righteous") came from the "righteous" line of Adam and Eve (in whom YHWH had breathed His holy Breath to give them life).
As we see in Genesis 6, by the time of Noah, YHWH had already had His fill of mankind - so much so that He wanted to destroy everyone! However, instead of destroying ALL mankind, He allowed the righteous Noah and his family to live - which is the ONLY reason WE are here today...
Anyway, on my website, The Refiner's Fire, you will find a thorough outline of the first Torah portion of this new year.
If you are new to Torah, please click on this link on my website to not only get an overview of what "Torah" is all about and why it is important for ALL of God's people are to know and study it, but you will also find links to the outlines of each of the 54 weekly Torah studies.
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