The Portions – From the Beginning

Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, He explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27 (WEB)

I have been studying the Word of God in the Hebrew context for over a year now and while I am learning the mysteries of His Word I must say that I don’t always understand what I am learning but by faith, I trust in His word in order to grow in my walk of faith with Abba.

Each week I have been studying a section of the Bible known as the “Torah Portions” or “Parashat HaShavua” (Portion of the week). This is a study of the Five Books of Moses and the Prophets divided into weekly portions (54 weeks for the year Hebrew calendar year). The Portions are read at the beginning of each week and end with a final study on Shabbat (Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday). The Torah Portions cycle begins with Genesis 1:1 and ends with Deuteronomy 34. From ancient times the Jewish people have studied the Torah in a weekly cycle and teach in the synagogues on Shabbat. In addition to the books of Moses, the Torah Portions include corresponding text from the Prophets. Some communities include readings from the book of Psalms and the New Testament as well.

Each Torah Portion is given a name based on a Hebrew word from the first word or words in the first sentence of the passage of Scripture being read. For example, this week’s (August 21-28, 2021) Torah Portion is called “Ki-Tavo” meaning “when you enter”, or “when you come in to” from the first verse of the Torah Portion Deuteronomy 26:1 “It shall be, when you have come in to the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance, possess it, and dwell in it,”

As I sat down and thought about Torah and the Portions trying to understand the “why” behind my studies, I asked the Father for answers. He revealed something to me this weekend that I would like to share with you. I began to read about the purpose of the portions within the Jewish community, the Torah portions are not just a systematic study of the scriptures but also a means of unity among them; the Jewish people whether they live in the land of Israel or elsewhere come together as a congregation to read and study the Torah Portion each week.  Think about this for a moment. Every observant Jew around the world has been reading and studying these Torah Portions for centuries, even before Yeshua (Jesus) came on the scene. The Torah Portions contain within them the commandments of Adonai, the prophecies of the Messiah, and how to live in a covenant relationship with Him. In Romans 15:1-6, the Apostle Paul teaches about the unity of the believers, the hope of the Scriptures. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4). Every Jewish person understands and knows the teachings of the Torah Portions.

Now here is what the Father revealed to me. I don’t know about you but I have always questioned some of the things I read in the Bible trying to understand why certain things were said and done. One such instance was Yeshua’s conversation with the two men on their way to Emmaus after His resurrection, Luke chapter 24: 13-29.

Luke chapter 24: 13-29 (World English Translation)

¹³ Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. ¹⁵ While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?” ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹ He said to them, “What things?”They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; ²⁰ and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹ But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²² Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; ²³ and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ²⁴ Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”

Yeshua’s Response

²⁵ He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” ²⁷ Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. ²⁸ They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further. ²⁹ They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. ³¹ Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, then he vanished out of their sight. ³² They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” 

I have always wondered why did He start from the beginning (Genesis)? This is what the Father said to me. They are familiar with the teachings and prophecies of the Messiah because they have been studying the Torah Portions all their lives. He showed them who He was using the Torah Portions.

Studying the Torah Portions gives us a better understanding of the Scriptures as a whole. We gain insights and understand what Yeshua and the Apostles taught and a better understanding of the His second coming.

I want you to think about this for a moment. If Yeshua, beginning with Moses and from all the Prophets explained the Scriptures concerning Himself to the two men of His first coming, wouldn’t it be viable to believe that we can find the answers to His second coming within the same Scriptures?

Psalm 119:130 (TLV) The unfolding of Your words gives light, giving understanding to the simple.