Chapter One--
The Aleph/Tav Story-Introducing The God-Head
Among Torah authorities, the question has been asked. “If the Torah (law) begins with Exodus and ends with Deuteronomy, why did Moshe begin the Torah with the book of Genesis?” Why not just “lay down the law”, so to speak, and then “sign the document”? Actually, setting the order of the writing, as suggested by the above questions, would be Greek-minded thinking. It would be like Picasso or Rembrandt creating a beautiful masterpiece and then signing it. It would be like a renown author writing a book and then putting his name on the cover.
I believe Elohim wanted to introduce Himself to us before any instructions were given. In fact, the whole of Scripture shows His first action in dealing with us is as the statement, "Let Me introduce Myself to you!". According to Hebraic thinking, the “signing” of Elohim comes first. In this portion alone, His signature is found in different forms nearly 900 times.
His signature is seen in the Hebrew letters, “Aleph and Tav”. Hebrew is a language in which each letter in its alephbet have a different and distinct meaning. In the ancient Hebrew, the letter “Aleph” was a picture of an ox and carried the meaning of “strength”. “Tav” bore the picture of a cross and carried the meaning of “covenant”. Hence, the phrase, “strength of the covenant, or cross”.
Rather than inspire His holy men to write the whole of the Scriptures and then affix His signature, He signs His name in the very first verse of Genesis. As the Scripture says:
“In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth”
Genesis 1: 1 (The Scriptures 1998)
Unfortunately, the English language, in any translation, leaves a lot to be desired. It’s not a pictorial language with letters having individual meanings. With exception of “one” letter words, meaning is not attached to letters until they are combined with other letters to make a word that is , even so, inferior, sometimes grossly, in expressing an adequate meaning to its Hebrew counterpart. Consider the Hebrew rendition of this same verse.
“B’resheet bara Elohim et hashamyem v’et haeretz”
Genesis 1: 1
From the first two words, “b’reisheet bara”, we derive the English words, “In the beginning created”. Of course, “Elohim” translates to the English word, “God”. Without going into detail, the grammatical construction of this phrase is not like English. We would say, “In the beginning Elohim created”. Hebrew is like Spanish, in that they place the action verb “created” before the noun “Elohim”. Hebrew renders the statement, “In the beginning created Elohim”.
The translation I commonly use is “The Scriptures 1998”. It replaces English names with their Hebrew counterpart. Hence, in this case, “God” becomes “Elohim”. Other popular English translations use the name, “God”. Hence, one of those grossly inferior renderings of the Hebrew.
Use of the “singular” name, “God”, takes away from the “plural” character of “Elohim”. If Moshe had wanted to express the concept of “God” as singular in nature, he would have used the word, “Eloa”. This is a major example of the gross short-coming of access of wisdom through English translations.
With the use of “Elohim”, we clearly see the concept of a “God” that is plural in nature. With that understanding, I must offer this disclaimer. The concept of the trinity, three Gods in one, is total and complete heresy spawned by mainline Christianity. The true concept is as according to Moshe in Deuteronomy. He is Elohim (Father), Elohim (Son), and Elohim (Holy Spirit), a plural Elohim being a “Unified” ONE (echad).
“Hear, O Yisra’ĕl: יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one!
Deuteronomy 6: 4
With the Father succinctly introduced, consider the second manifestation of this “Unified” Elohim. Moshe follows “Elohim” with the “Aleph/Tav”. He says, “Elohim et”. This is clearly the introduction of the “Son”, Yeshua our Messiah. The third manifestation of this Unified One is found in verse 2.
“And the Spirit of Elohim was moving on the face of the waters…”
Genesis 1: 2
To give support to the concept of Messiah in verse one, consider the very similar introduction of John in his Gospel.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim, He was in the beginning with Elohim. All came to be through Him, and without Him not even one came to be that came to be.”
John 1: 1-3
John 1: 1-3
Scripture teaches implicitly that truth is established upon the witness of two or three. In light of this, consider the same apostle in the book of Revelation. In consideration of this second, we actually double it with four additional witnesses, as Yeshua speaks to John.
“I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Tav, Beginning and End,” says יהוה,“Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelaton 1: 8
“I came to be in the Spirit on the Day of יהוה, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Tav’, the First and the Last,”
Revelation 1: 10-11
“And He said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Tav’, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 21: 6
“I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Tav’, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Revelation 22: 13
Keep in mind the above renderings in most Bibles are in Greek. In the Greek alphabet, the “alpha” and “omega” truly are the first and last. However, I find it very difficult to accept the concept of a Hebrew Elohim speaking to a Hebrew apostle words of comfort for a Hebrew people…in Greek? I don’t think so. He obviously spoke Hebrew--"the Aleph and the Tav”.
The placement together of “Elohim et” clearly shows the Father as “First” (strength) and “et”, Messiah, as “Last” (Covenant). When appearing together in Scripture, Elohim or YHVH always appears first. In the spirit of John’s introductory comments in his Gospel, the Father and the Son are unified, with the Father working with and through Messiah the Son. They truly are One--”The Word was Elohim”. Consider the following witnesses to this understanding.
“Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, יהוה, am the First, and with the Last I am He.’ ” Isaiah 41: 4
David speaks prophetically of the Messiah.
“Then I said, “See, I have come; in the scroll of the Book it is prescribed for Me. I have delighted to do Your pleasure, O my Elohim, And Your Torah is within my heart.” Psalms 40: 7-8
Yeshua claims the above statement of David as His own, and accomplishes what sacrifice could not--Torah obedience from the heart.
“Then I said, ‘See, I come – in the roll of the book it has been written concerning Me – to do Your desire, O Elohim.’ ” Hebrews 10: 7
“Who has believed Our report? And to whom was the Arm of יהוה revealed?”
Isaiah 53: 1
Not every “Aleph/Tav” symbol reflects the Person of Yeshua, as clearly and succinctly it does in this verse. In this first chapter alone, there are about twenty additional injections of the “Aleph/Tav” symbol. Placed before terms and names, they refer to ownership of Elohim, expressed solidarity of harmony and purpose in creation, and covenant relationship with His people. Consider David, the Psalmist.
“The earth belongs to יהוה, And all that fills it – The world and those who dwell in it.” Psalms 24: 1
Divine Purpose
As we do in English, the first letter of any sentence is capitalized. Not necessarily so in Hebrew. The first letter of verse 1 is a “bet”, which means, “house”. In this case, the scribes enlarge and embolden this letter to call attention to and elevate its meaning to the highest level. Hence, the subject of purpose is the “House of Elohim”.
If we take away the letter “Bet”, the remaining letters together mean “first born”. If we take just the first two letters, “bet and resh”, we have the word, “bar”, which means “son’. If we take together the next two letters, “aleph and shin”, we have the word, “ash”, which is a “consuming fire”. Of course, the “aleph/tav” together means “strength of the cross or covenant”.
Take the “shin” alone and we see destruction and consummation. Hence, a meaning of “destroyer of the door, or mighty”. The “yod” means “closed hand”, hence a fist, and appears next to “shin”, or Almighty Elohim.
All put together, the message is, “I will bring forth My first born Son Who will build the House of Elohim. He will be a consuming fire, the strength of the cross according to the covenant made with Avraham. At the same time, He is the Almighty Elohim and sits at the right hand of Elohim”.
Harmony of Creation
When Elohim does something, the finished product is just as perfect as is He. The problem arises when man tinkers with what Elohim has created and injects his own ideas, understandings or desires into creation. The end result is ultimate disaster.
There is a repetitive phrase in the daily description of creation, “after its own kind”. It doesn’t take “rocket science” to grasp the concept that apple trees don’t produce oranges, nor are plums found on a pear tree. Horses will only beget horses, etc.
When human thinking enters into the mix, things get scary. Mate a horse with a donkey and a mule is produced. Only problem with that mix is the mule can’t reproduce a mule. To get another mule, one needs to repeat the process. Simply put, it’s like Sherlock Holmes said, “Elementary, my dear Watson”.
In conclusion to the first chapter, consider the observation of Elohim at the conclusion of each day, “and it was good”. The word for “good” is “tov” and carries a meaning of “created for its purpose”. At the conclusion of the sixth day, the same phrase is amplified to “very good”, or “me’ode tov”, which strongly affirms a creation according to its specific purpose. With the implication of “completeness and wholeness”, Father is saying, “Don’t mess with it! It’s perfect as it is! I‘m smarter than you!”
Chapter Two--
Seventh Day-Peaceful Rest
“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array. And on the seventh day Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And Elohim blessed the seventh day and set it apart, because on it He rested from all His work which Elohim in creating had made”. Genesis 2: 1-3
There is nothing in this passage, or anywhere else in Scripture for that matter, that codifies when Shabbat is to be “remembered”, as is commanded in the “Ten”, other than simply put as “the seventh day” of the week. The calendar used to determine that day is NEVER specified.
Within those that properly honor the “seventh day”, there are two major viewpoints. Traditionally, those of Judiasm, along with some within Messianic circles, respect a Friday evening to Saturday evening Shabbat. On the other hand, there are those that keep varied “Lunar” reckonings to determine Shabbat, on an evening/morning schedule as well.
The purpose of this writing is not to support either persuasion. Many proponents on both sides of the equation claim to have ample Scripture to argue their persuasion. They snip, snap, and devour Messiah’s brethren. I will not take part is such nonsense. I consider such participation to be stark, religious bigotry that only serves to destroy the spirit and soul of precious believers. Consider the admonition of Paul to the Colossians.
“Let no one therefore judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a festival of a new moon or Shabbats - which are a shadow of what is to come - but the Body of the Messiah. Let no one deprive you of the prize, one who takes delight in false humility and worship of messengers, taking his stand on what he has not seen, puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the Body - nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments - grows with the growth of Elohim.” Colossians 2: 16-19
This admonition is overwhelmingly clear and succinct. Those of either persuasion that would dare to stand up and defend their understanding, so as to ridicule others for not adhering to their set of beliefs on this subject, is seriously bigoted. Paul clearly and emphatically says these are only a “shadow of what is to come”.
I’ve heard it said, “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes”. The key word in that statement is “walked”. Paul says these “take their stand on what they have not seen”. They know to that which they are persuaded. Yet, they don’t have a clue as to another person‘s leading by Messiah. The commonality in both sides is that each fervently love Elohim and His Messiah, yet they “walk out” a shadow in slightly different ways.
In a time coming very soon, I’m likely going to find myself in a “foxhole” taking cover from the enemy. In that position, I couldn’t care less which day my neighbor there with me calls Shabbat. I’m going to watch his back, as I pray he returns the favor.
Rather than bicker, fight and outright demean, we should “hold fast to the Head (Yeshua)”. That’s the only way to be nourished and grow with the growth of Elohim. As a second witness, consider the comments of Paul to the Romans.
“Who are you that judges another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. But he shall be made to stand, for Elohim is able to make him stand. One indeed judges one day above another, another judges every day alike. Let each one be completely persuaded in his own mind. He who minds the day, minds it to יהוה. And he who does not mind the day, to יהוה he does not mind it.”
Romans 14: 4-6
Who is anyone to arrogantly judge another concerning the day of Shabbat, just because it doesn’t agree with their persuasion? Shabbat day is to be reverenced unto Yeshua our King, as Paul said in v. 6. If one wants to regard a different day as His Shabbat, then go for it. It’s not my position or authority to persuade anyone to a different understanding. We are responsible ONLY to our Master, Yeshua!
Those that would disagree and continue to “beat up” the brethren on this subject are filled with arrogant pride--goats and wolves among the sheep. Rather than hold to Yeshua, they revel in their “commando” spirit and elevate their preachers and teachers to the level of a god, “worship of messengers”, as Paul said to the Colossians.
Some of these receivers of praise revel in the praise, thinking far more highly of themselves than they ought. Rather, do as the Bereans whom Paul praised. Know and hold to Yeshua’s commands, even if you walk alone. Don’t destroy the work of Elohim in the souls of His followers for the sake of frivolous and stupid arguments, as Paul says. Quit being a stumbling-block judge and come together in harmony.
“For he who is serving Messiah in these matters is well-pleasing to Elohim and approved by men. So, then, let us pursue the matters of peace and the matters for building up one another. Don’t destroy the work of Elohim for the sake of food. All indeed are clean, but evil to that man who eats so as to cause stumbling.”
Romans 14: 20
Sweet Companionship
On the final day of creation, one thing remained. There was no tiller and keeper for the garden Elohim had created. The crowning glory on His creation would be a man He would call, Adam. To this man was given complete authority and responsibility for its care and upkeep. Adam responded well with his duties, yet something was missing. In response to this, Elohim said the following.
And יהוה Elohim said, “It is not good for the man to be alone, I am going to make a helper for him, as his counterpart.” Genesis 2: 18
Elohim caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam. During this time, He removed a rib from his side, and used it to create a counterpart comparable to him. Even though he would be head over this woman, even as with the rest of creation, it should be noted Elohim didn’t take a part of Adam’s head so he might “Lord it over her”. He didn’t take a part of his foot so he could walk on her. He took a rib so she could walk at his side and complement or complete him.
There is another matter exposed in this account. Elohim doesn’t appear to use dust to create Eve, as He did with Adam. Scripture only says Elohim removed one part of Adam (a rib) and made a woman. I’ve heard it taught that Adam was both male and female. Could it be Elohim merely removed the female part of his DNA? I don’t know.
Perfect creation was now complete. Everything flowed with perfect harmony and serenity. Even so, chaotic disharmony is about to burst upon the scene, as it was in the time of Noah as well as with us today. I remember Rev. Billy Graham once saying, “If God doesn’t hurry up and judge…He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah“.
I close this chapter with one observation. In keeping with perfect harmony, Elohim created a woman from Adam’s own flesh. Whether with a literal rib or DNA, He didn’t create another man to be his assistant. Neither did He give Adam a choice in the matter. He didn’t give him “Eve and/or Steve”. In consideration of the days of Noah and Lot, Yeshua said of our time--
“And as it came to be in the days of Noah, so also shall it be in the days of the Son of Adam: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, as it came to be in the days of Lot: They were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building, but on the day Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all. It shall be the same in the day the Son of Adam is revealed.”
Matthew 17: 26-28
“He that has an ear to hear…”
Chapter Three--
Sneaky Snake
Chapter three opens with the villain of this beautiful story. With all of his “glib tongued” abilities, it could rightly be attributed of him as the first politician. After all, he is known as the “father of lies”. Consider Moshe’s description of him.
“And the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which יהוה Elohim had made, and he said to the woman, “Is it true that Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of every tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3: 1
Just like a crooked politician! Speak just enough truth to set the trap, for which Eve fell hook, line, and sinker. Throughout the ages, mankind has been falling for the same tricks. Consider Eve’s response.
“And the woman said to the serpent, “We are to eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of it, nor touch it, lest you die.’” Genesis 3: 2-3
Just like the little mouse that nibbled too much of that cheese, Eve was now at mercy of this “fancy Dan” politician. One might say, “But DannyLee, she didn’t fall for anything. She affirmatively spoke the truth of Elohim”. Actually, that’s not so. Consider the original directive of Elohim.
“And יהוה Elohim commanded the man, saying, “Eat of every tree of the garden, but do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it you shall certainly die.” Genesis 2: 16-17
Did you catch the trap into which Eve fell? Moshe specifically commanded in Torah not to add to or take away from the commands of Elohim. Eve clearly added to the command when she said, “nor touch it”. If one violates this principle, disaster enters through the door of our life.
According to the account, Eve was tempted first. There are many ill-spoken jokes and anecdotes floating around regarding this order, to which I refuse to give credence. In fact, I think the “onus” falls squarely at the feet of Adam.
It was Adam that came before Eve in the order of creation. It was his responsibility to care not only for all of Elohim’s creation, but for the care of his wife. According to the account, Elohim only told Adam, “the man”, about the forbidden fruit. We can assume he would tell his wife of such an important command, but such isn’t conclusive. Scripture doesn’t validate.
For this example, let’s assume Adam was at least smart enough to convey this command to Eve. I have heard it said, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. In knowing the serpent desired to destroy the very life of Elohim’s creation, food would be the likely point of attack. The following is my version of a humorous story, from a modern perspective, I once heard that shows the pitfalls of not vigilantly guarding His commands.
As is in most homes, the lady of the house is usually charged with the feeding of her family. It would be far easier for the serpent to achieve his goals by going first to Eve. After all, Adam was thinking about nothing other than finishing his daily routine so he could hurry home and watch Monday Night Football.
While Adam was otherwise occupied, the serpent came to Eve and presented his ideas of party favors for the big game. By the time Adam gets home from work, the serpent has departed the scene. After giving Eve a quick hug and kiss, he grabs a cold beverage from the fridge and turns on the game.
In the early part of the first quarter, Eve brings a beautifully arrayed tray filled with assorted fruit from various trees in the garden and places it before Adam. He barely notices the different varieties, and just nods his head when Eve explains why there are slices of fruit on the tray from the forbidden tree. He just absently responds, “Thank you, honey…oooh yeah, touchdown”! Don’t get side tracked. Guard His commands.
In multiple accounts from Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells us to be diligent in guarding Elohim’s commands. They are life to our very soul. We are not saved by or through them. That is achieved through faith in Yeshua. However, the favor or blessing of Elohim is ours if we do. Men, it is YOUR responsibility to care for and govern your home. Do so with an atmosphere of loving kindness, as unto Adonai.
The Sting Of Death
There is a concept I’ve heard expressed as follows. “All mankind is created in the image of Elohim”. A true Scriptural understanding will completely refute this idea. When Nicodemus came to Yeshua, as recorded in John 3, Yeshua told him;
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he is unable to see the reign of Elohim.” John 3: 3
When Nicodemus wondered how that could be when he was old, Yeshua responded as follows.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he is unable to enter into the reign of Elohim. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You have to be born from above.’” John 3: 5-7
When he still didn’t understand, Yeshua marveled and replied:
“Are you the teacher of Y'sra’ĕl, and do not know this?” John 3: 10
Just like Nicodemus, the majority of believers still don’t understand. This concept was made succinctly clear in this Torah portion. Elohim said in the first chapter, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” Of a certainty, Adam and Eve were made in the image of Elohim. However, are we? The answer is an emphatic NO. As the Scripture says:
“And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and brought forth a son in his own likeness, after his image, and called his name Shĕth.” Genesis 5: 3
When Cain and Abel were born, sin had entered the world. Adam and Eve no longer bore the image of Elohim. The entirety of their being was tainted and separated from Elohim. Eternal death was the penalty. Our first parents were tricked by “sneaky snake” into thinking death meant “right on the spot”. Actually, Adam lived over 900 years. Isn’t it tragic how the spin of one little word can affect creation to such a dramatic extent?
Of a fact, we are descended from our first parents and born in their image, estranged from Elohim. Under the terms of Elohim’s covenant with Adam, we are constrained to till our fields of labor by the sweat of our brow. Our wives still bear our children in pain and sorrow.
Before judgment was passed upon Adam and Eve, the serpent received his just due. Scripture teaches that the serpent wasn’t just a part of chapter one creation. He walked upright and was the angel, Lucifer, who fell from Heaven, the great deceiver and father of lies. Read what Elohim has to say in his judgment.
“Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all livestock and more than every beast of the field. On your belly you are to go, and eat dust all the days of your life. And I put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall crush your head, and you shall crush His heel.”
Genesis 3: 14-15
With judgment of the serpent, mercy has been extended to mankind, beginning with Adam. The words of Yeshua, “You must be born again”, ring so true through this judgment. Our redemption through Him will tread fatally upon the head of the serpent.
We are born of Adam and Eve, and are born again through the mercy and grace of the “Seed”, Yeshua. In Him, we are truly “born of water and Spirit”, and as believers, begin our transformation spiritually back into the image of Elohim.
Even though mercy was provided through judgment, it was necessary for Adam and Eve to be expelled from the garden. The reasoning was access to the Tree of Life. They might eat of it and live for ever, a fountain of youth, if you will.
There is a multitude of Scriptural evidence that points to our time being the last generation spoken of throughout the Bible. There is a parallel in this expulsion that also gives credence to that teaching. With the mind-boggling growth of knowledge today--doubling every few months, much faster as of this writing--man is now creating human life in a test tube. Could eternal life, by their hands, be just around the corner?
Chapter Four--
Two Children, Two Ideals
Chapter four introduces the first two children of Adam and Eve. Cain, whose name means “acquired”, is first born. Adam now has posterity to carry on his name. This is a tradition and an ideal in the minds of men throughout the ages, when they become a first-time father of a new born son.
As men, we look upon the outside and observe that cute, little fellow and imagine what it might be like as he grows to manhood. We shower him with attention and bestow gifts and favor upon him...spoil him. As we age and become a grandparent, that’s when the spoiling really kicks in.
Yet, Elohim isn’t a man to think as a man. He looks upon the inside and considers the heart. Favor with Elohim requires obedience, faith, and humility. He discerns the depths of a man’s soul, knows the paths he will take. The son may also turn out to be a good and honorable man. However, he may not be the choice in consideration of Elohim’s grand plan.
It is not Cain who will find favor in the eyes of Elohim. Rather, it will be Abel (vanity), Adam’s second born son. We now have two sons acting out the first “sibling rivalry” in history. The complete details of Elohim’s subsequent choice is not clear. Yet, one can glean a lot from the facts given.
How much time there was between the birth of these boys is unknown. Yet, we do know it had to be at least nine months, the normal gestation period for a human child. As the time lapse increases, so does the opportunity for Cain to be the sole benefactor of his parents lavishing. It would be a mindset compared to the meaning of his name. He would be like a rich and blessed man, and be puffed up in it.
On the other hand, we have Abel who would have little or no aspirations of personal glory. It would be natural for him to stand in the shadow of his brother’s glory. He would be unassuming and capitulate to the chosen desires of his parents. He would be like the humble man.
As he grew into manhood, Cain likely became more sure of himself. As his parents continued to enable him as to his birthright, his inner mindset likely became quite skewed, characteristics that would eventually lead to an abundance of envy, jealousy, and worse.
As Abel grew into manhood, he likely learned the “pecking order” within the family. He would certainly receive an inheritance from Adam. Yet, it wouldn’t be a double portion and certainly not garner the prestige of Cain’s inheritance. Even so, there is no evidence whatsoever Abel expressed any jealousy.
Then came the time for sacrifice to be offered to Elohim, and shock of all shocks. Cain didn’t find the same favor with Elohim as he did with his parents. In the ensuing verses, we see a rage that caused him to rise up and slay his brother. One thing is very clear and speaks volumes to the idea of a haughty attitude. Consider the words of James.
"Let no one say when he is enticed, 'I am enticed by Elohim,' for Elohim is not enticed by evil matters, and He entices no one. But each one is enticed when he is drawn away by his own desires and trapped. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death."
James 1: 13-15
Cain’s attitude didn’t just manifest all of a sudden. It was a progression, possibly from birth. It’s not necessarily a problem to bestow good things or favor upon our children. Actually, not doing so can be just as disastrous. However, it should be done with delicate balance. Each child should be encouraged in their own right.
I have also heard discussion concerning the type of offering each young man brought before Adonai. Of course, it’s true Abel’s blood offering was chosen by Elohim to be commanded for the priests. However, the subject of Cain’s offering was just as valid.
In Levitical instructions, grain and libation offerings are acceptable also. That opens a whole new question. If the substance of both offerings were acceptable, why did Elohim reject Cain’s? Notice again the “progression” concept in the above passage. Then, consider the admonition of Elohim to Cain.
“If you do well, is there not acceptance? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should master it.”
Genesis 4: 7
Elohim observes the same progression as did James. The sin of Cain wasn’t in substance, but, rather, in attitude. It also suggests his offering wasn’t given honestly. Cain’s offering might not have been the best of his field. It could even have been “shorted”.
Although these are only possibilities according to allusion, they are avoided by adherence to solid Torah principles. Tithe of the best of your field. Do it joyfully, without hesitation. Do it first, before any other bills are paid. Above all, do it according to Torah principle. Tithe goes first to the widows, orphans, and the poor among your brethren. Then it goes to the priests (one who teaches you). If anything is left over, bring it to the storehouse.
It should be well understood. This flies in the face of modern church and fellowship doctrine. They say, bring it and your offerings to us and we will disperse it out. Some do a good job. Yet, a vast majority just spend the money on grand building programs and other frivolous items. They create edifices to seat thousands while ignoring multitudes of starving and hurting people. Shame on them!
Sin has caused Cain to be banished permanently from the presence of Elohim, and Abel is dead. The birthright would now pass to Adam’s third born son, Seth. Sin has run its course and mankind has reaped its just due. With Seth, man has been redeemed and can now go on. Consider this account.
“And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Shĕth, “For Elohim has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, because Cain had slain him.” Genesis 4: 25
In the same way death became incumbent upon him, death and separation from Elohim passed to all his descendants. We were separated at birth from Elohim because we were created in Adam‘s image. Yet, praise be to His name, we have our own “Seth” to become a substitution for our sin and Redeemer for our desperate souls. He is Yeshua, the second Adam. Call upon His name and claim His “substitution”. Consider Paul’s comments.
“And so it has been written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being, the last Adam a life-giving Spirit. The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, earthy; the second Man is the Master from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne in the likeness of the earthy, we shall also bear the likeness of the heavenly.’”
1 Corinthians 15: 45-49
Chapter 5--
Prophetic Lineage
For years, I tended to shy away from or otherwise skip over chapters such as this one. Reading genealogies can sometimes be so boring. Yet, it can also be a huge mistake made by ignoring them. Just as Elohim is introducing Himself and the God-Head, He uses a mere list of names as stepping stones toward the Messiah. Consider the genealogies of Adam in this chapter.
First in this lineage is Adam, whose name means “man or mankind”. Seth’s name means “appointed, granted, or substitution”. Enosh means “mortal”. Cainan means “fixed, as in sorrow”. Mahalaleel means “the blessed Elohim or praise of Elohim”. Jared means “a descent or to come down”. Enoch means “initiated teaching”. Methuselah means “a man of a dart or his death will bring”. Lamech means “despairing”. Noah means “comfort or rest”.
As individual Hebrew letters, and words derived from their combination, have specific meaning, individual names put together in ways such as an order of lineage create a hidden message. Consider that message.
“Man or mankind is appointed or has reaped mortal sorrow, but praise be to the blessed Elohim, He will descend or come down to teach us that the dart of His death will bring to despairing mankind sweet comfort and rest.”
Chapter Six--
Demise of Men
The first 8 verses of chapter six conclude this portion. It begins with an account of a people called Nephilim. English Scripture calls them “giants”. When we consider the term “giants”, our minds generally gravitate to someone far bigger in physical stature. Yet, that’s not necessarily supported by the meaning of the Hebrew name Moshe uses.
When we read this passage, natural images of beings such as the giant of “Jack in the Beanstalk” fairy tale lore come to mind. Maybe it might be a modern Sci-fi creature. In that, we could say there are giants among us today. How about Wilt Chamberlin at 7‘ 4“ tall? I’ve met him personally. Of a certainty, I felt like a “grasshopper” in his eyes. Even so, he is a first class gentleman.
Rather than summoning images of such giants, Moshe uses “n’phil”, from which we get the word, “Nephilim”. Rather than portrayal of some monstrous being, it carries a meaning of “bully or tyrant”. In actuality, I’ve known many men of my six foot stature and well above that more resemble a “teddy bear” by nature, in comparison to their much shorter counterparts.
Those described in this chapter by Moshe were “children of Anak”. They were specifically a people residing in the land of Canaan during this period. They were also a people at the time Moshe’s spies checked out the land while still in the wilderness. As the Scripture says:
“And we saw there the Nephilim, sons of Anaq, of the Nephilim. And we were like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so we were in their eyes.”
Numbers 13: 33
These people weren’t a society of giants as described above. They were a congregation of “bullies and tyrants”. They were just a bunch of egotists, possibly with a bigger arsenal, that had descended to a level of debauchery that made Elohim “sick to His stomach”, so to speak. It was so bad, He said in v. 6 that He regretted making man and was resolved to wipe them out.
Consider this when identifying the Nephilim among us today. They’re not necessarily big in stature. Yet, they run rough-shod over the true “little” man. From the man of little stature, physically or emotionally, that has to cut someone else down to make himself appear bigger, to the satanic inspired politician that seeks to control us, the Nephilim are still alive and well within our midst today.
Beyond a bully being obsessed with low self-esteem, Scripture clearly indicates a link between these “giants” and satanic “Nephilim” forces. They are described in detail in the Book of Enoch. They are mentioned both in 6: 2 of Genesis and in Job. They are the “Sons of Elohim”.
“And the day came to be that the sons of Elohim came to present themselves before יהוה, and Satan also came among them.” Job 1: 6
It is clear from this parallel reference, we are definitely talking about “angels” as the “Sons of Elohim”. These are clearly the angels that fell from heaven due to rebellion early in the chapter one creation. Satan, as their leader, was among them to speak before Elohim, likely in the same manner with which he influenced and possessed the children of Anak.
Maybe we can now have a little better insight into why Elohim was so upset with the children of Israel for not taking the land when they were given the chance. As Elohim utterly destroyed these nefarious “giants” in the days of Noah, He will again do the same, this time with everlasting fire, angel and giant alike. That time is upon us, as Messiah clearly says.
“And as it came to be in the days of Noaḥ, so also shall it be in the days of the Son of Adam: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noaḥ went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” Luke 17: 26-27
From an English focal point, creation is a process over at least millions of years. Even our modern Bibles do little to nothing to refute that premise. Only in the Hebrew do we see a true perspective. Because of weak English translations of our Bibles, and Christian teaching as a whole relegating the Torah of Moshe as null and void, end time prophecy is greatly skewed.
Without a thorough understanding of Torah, prophecy such as in 6: 3 cannot be unlocked. Elohim looks upon all this sewer His creation has become and says.
“My Spirit shall not strive with man forever in his going astray. He is flesh, and his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
Genesis 6: 3
Certainly, this doesn’t mean his life span will be 120 years. They lived to be over 900 years in that day. King David said a man is considered to have lived a full life if he reaches 70. Reach 80 and he is blessed abundantly. That’s about what the average is in our day. So, where does this 120 years come from? Consider the following from Moshe.
“And you shall count seven Shabbats of years for yourself, seven times seven years. And the time of the seven Shabbats of years shall be to you forty-nine years…And you shall set the fiftieth year apart, and proclaim release throughout all the land to all its inhabitants…it is a Jubilee for you.”
Leviticus 25: 8, 10,12a
Every fiftieth year is a jubilee year. It is a Shabbat of restoration. Debts were cancelled, all property reverted back to its original owner, and those sold into slavery were set free. In the case of Genesis 6: 3, it’s used as a marker of time, not for a lifespan of a man, but for the end of the ages. Multiply 120 years times the span between Jubilee years (50) and the result is 6000 years. Elohim is saying, the span of the ages is 6000 years. Consider Peter’s words.
“And the present heavens and the earth are treasured up by the same Word, being kept for fire, to a day of judgment and destruction of wicked men. But, beloved ones, let not this one matter be hidden from you: that with יהוה one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
2 Peter 3: 7-8
There are three ages of human history noted in Scripture, each about 2000 years in length, Adam to Avraham, Avraham to Messiah, and Messiah to the end. The first age is all about the Father, the second about the Son, and the third the Holy Spirit. The first and third can be counted with great accuracy. However, the second is another matter.
Judaism counts our current year as 5777. Even so, they agree with most scholars of about 240 years missing in their count. That makes the count some 16 years past 6000. Is this above mathematical equation wrong? I think not.
Either the 240 years is incorrect or we are living on borrowed time. I’m inclined to think the latter. Other than an error in calculation, consider the mercy and judgment of YHVH seen in the next two verses from Peter and respond accordingly.
“יהוה is not slow in regard to the promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of יהוה shall come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are in it shall be burned up”
2 Peter 3: 9-10
There is one point left to discuss within this portion. It is apropos for Moshe to end B’resheet in this manner and construct a bridge to the next. It could easily be referred to as an “altar call” to repentance. There are many Christian teachers that say grace didn’t appear in Scripture until the New Testament. I beg to disagree. The last verse in this portion says.
“But Noaḥ found favor (grace) in the eyes of יהוה.” Genesis 6: 8
Adam had grace and lived in a perfect atmosphere until he disobeyed and lost that paradise. Noah walked according to the ways of YHVH and found grace. As we will see in future portions, Avraham “believed Elohim and it was counted for him as righteousness”. When Yeshua the Law Giver gave Moshe the 10, the first was “believe in Me”. (Exodus 20: 2) And, the beat goes on. Grace is not a New Testament thing. It’s been with us from the beginning.
All Scripture is about Yeshua. I close with one tidbit of Scriptural trivia I only noticed within the last several weeks. Scripture begins in Genesis with the letter “Bet” and ends in Revelation with the letter “nun”. Putting the two letters together creates the word “ben”, the Hebrew word for “Son”.
It really is all about Yeshua. Grace is offered, but only for a short time, as Peter says. I pray the choice made is trust in Messiah Yeshua, Creator of the Universe. Until the next portion, have a terrific Son-shine day in Messiah!
No comments:
Post a Comment