This week we look at the continuing expansion of Jacob's family. We begin with the foundation of 12 and how this number is not only relevant to the number of sons that Jacob has but how it permeates history, nature and the universe. We discuss technologies of the time, how that applies to our world today, and how the will of GOD supercedes all of the methods that we might use to advance our own fortunes through our knowledge and understanding.

This week we look at the change in Jacob after his dream about the ladder and the covenant GOD makes with him. We discuss the importance of the number 12 and how this is the point where the fruition of the previous covenant promises begin to come to life. We also touch on the principle that covenant promises don't necessarily mean an easy ride in life, but that their fulfillment is based on the giver more than the receiver.

This week we begin the Torah portion Vayetze - "And he departed". Our discussion looks at the dream of Jacob and the ladder which is referred to in John's gospel. We look at the contrast of departing and leaving and how that informs the way we walk toward the challenges and adventures before us despite what may have brought us to the place of choosing.

This week's study is a continuation of the chapter that speaks of the blessings over Jacob and Esau. We look at the nature of the blessings and how they are fulfilled. We also discuss the character of Esau and the connection with the goats of Yom Kippur and the sheep and goat judgment of Matthew 25 and Revelation 20

This weeks discussion is recorded at our Rosh Chodesh service. The discussion looks at some of the questions around what seems a very negative and controversial passage. Part of the discussion included a video from the teaching of Aleph Beta - here is the link: https://alephbeta.org/podcasts/book-like-no-other
Genesis 27 is not all it seems and the discussions reflect this.

This week we discuss Isaac and the famine during his time in Gerar, the land of the Philistines. We continue to show how he, as the first part of the covenant made between Abraham and HaShem also encounters hostility and rejection in the land of the Philistines during the time of famine even though he brings blessing thorugh the provision of water and food. We also discuss how the land dispute in the land today described as Palestine is no different from the sort of dispute seen in Chapter 26 and how jealously and envy can cause a loss of blessing from GOD by rejecting the vehicle of His covenant blessings.

In this study we look at the final part of Chayei Sarah and the beginning of Toldot (the life of sarah and Generations). We see how the women of this era feature as arbiters of the covenant promises, and as vessels of the continuation of the promises made by GOD to ensure the lineage of Abraham to Messiah and how that also features for the physical descendants of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, as well as the spiritual descendants who are shaped through faith in Messiah Yeshua and the teaching of Tanakh led by the Ruach Hakodesh.

This episode was recorded at the monthly Rosh Chodesh gathering and contains elements of the Shabbat Service. Our discussion covers a number of topics relating to the work of Eliezer, the nature of the work of the servant in accordance with the will of the master and obedience.

This week we begin the new parsha Chayei Sarah and we discuss the importance of Abraham's choice of the Cave of Machpelah and how Abraham and Sarah are the template of faith that we are to set as an example for our daily lives.

This week we look at the pivotal event in the scritpures; The Binding of Isaac. We discuss, following on from last week, how this moment in biblical history links directly to the sacrifice of Yeshua as the other part of the near-eastern covenant exchange of sons, made in Genesis 15. We look at how all the biblical festivals are hinted at in the passage and some of the lessons that we might learn about faithfulness and obedience in the face of seeming tragedy.