Lesson Sample–Shortened portion-Abbreviated Sections
Contenders Colony
Torah and Glory Home Schools
Discipleship Series
Book of Genesis/B’resheit
Lesson Twelve
Va Yechi (“And he lived”)
Torah: Genesis/B’resheit 47:28-50:26
Haftorah: 1 Kings/Melechim Alef 2:1-12
Brit Chadashah: 1 Peter/Kepha Alef 1:3-9
Lesson Sequence
1. Introduction: The Call to Discipleship 2. Weekly Parsha: The Torah—the Standard of Discipleship 3. Yeshua: The High Priest of our Discipleship 4. The Holy Spirit/Ruach ha Kodesh: The Power of Discipleship 5. Overcoming: The Outcome of Discipleship 6. Conclusion
Consider
A holy Church–[the Ekklesia–a people called out from the world and to God Almighty], is one that proclaims salvation by faith alone in the crucifixion, shed blood, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God, Yeshua HaMashiach–is a blessing and can shape a godly ethos for a nation. On the other hand, an unholy and worldly, westernized Church is God’s judgment on a nation, leaving it exposed to the work of spiritual darkness. This
Is the result of belief and lawlessness, which has bound and gagged our population. It is no way to live. Parsha Ya Vechi will show us the direction out from this spiritual and moral quagmire.
Where light dims, shadows and darkness increase.
“The UN is not asking permission, but issuing a command that the entire planet will commit to 17 sustainable development goals and 169 sustainable development targets designed to radically transform our world by 2030. The UN 2030 plan promoted by the Pope will advance Agenda 21 on steroids. Through a controlled media the mass populations will be told that this is all about saving the environment and “ending poverty.” But that is not the true purpose of Agenda 21. The true agenda of Agenda 21 is to establish a global government, global economic system, and global religion. When UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon spoke of “a dream of a world of peace and dignity for all” this is no different than when the Communists promised the people a ‘workers paradise.’ Very powerful secret societies and international organizations have been moving us in this direction for a very long time, and most Americans simply have no idea [discerning perception] what is [really] happening.” [1A] “He who has ears to hear…” Study the Word. Though mankind strays, all power belongs to YHVH.May we remember that reality. Christless Noahide Laws are being pushed as a blueprint for a New World order. A government sabbath will be enforced. Such a demonic regimentation is being seriously developed for a communist government and religion. The stage is set for revival in the midst and a great harvest!
Part 1: Introduction—The Call to Discipleship
Are you a casual pewsitter, or a contender for unabridged truth? Discipleship must regain its priority among the saints! Consider: “It isn’t that the LORD will divest you of all your needed things necessarily, it is that you show the cry of your heart at the deepest level in the fact that salvation and a place in the eternal Kingdom of God is so precious to you, and the forgiveness of sin is so valuable to you, that you would hold nothing back were He to ask for it.” [1B] He still calls-- “Follow Me.”
Last week's review: "And Joseph placed his father and his brethren in the land, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best land..." (B'resheet 47:11). In the previous pasha, VaYigash ("And he drew near ''), Joseph brought his family to Egypt and gave them a settlement, that is, he arranged for them to acquire and use property. Though Jacob and his house may have been given a district in Goshen, it is possible that they received Goshen itself. Thus we observe the hand of YHVH preparing the weak to become strong as the seed of Abraham is given, by lease, the "best of the land."
This week's discipleship preview: Vayechi is the name of this parashat. It means "And he lived", and refers to how Jacob lived the last years of his life in Egypt. The narrative of "he lived" is devoted to the events leading up to and following Jacob's death.
The lesson we disciples learn from Va Yechi is this: A truly noble life is produced by godly, Torah-centered ideals/principles that are lived out before others, and sent forth from one person to be reproduced in the lives of others, bringing forth trans-generational fruit that remains. If our descendants remain loyal to the ideals and truth that we have demonstrated and passed unto them, we have prevailed, and truly "lived".
Jacob "lived' 17 years in Egypt observing his children and grandchildren trained and brought up on the Torah ideals and principles he had taught Joseph, to which the eleventh son had been faithful, even in exile. Jacob "lived" [prevailed] by remaining loyal to and exemplifying Torah truth. In doing so, he lived uncontaminated by the ever-present heathen values of the culture, an inspirational example for his family. Because "he lived" for El Shaddai (Ex. 6:2-3), Jacob lives on. “…though he was dead, yet shall he live.” Jacob had lived seventy-five years in Canaan, twenty years in Padan-aram, thirty-three years in Canaan again, and seventeen in Egypt. This tallies to one hundred forty-seven years. He had spent his first 130 years on a rocky pilgrimage, encountering the ups and downs of life, facing adversities and numerous struggles.
But in the end Jacob reached a place of rest and peace for the evening of his life, and enjoyed for seventeen years (the same length of time Joseph had originally lived with him) the care and love of his beloved Rachel's first-born son. Disciple, fulfill your call! Bear fruit! And live well!
Part 2: Torah—The Standard of Discipleship
Parsha Lesson Twelve: Va Yechi (“And he lived“)
“Men in responsible positions will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves,
but from the teacher's desk, the pulpit [Seat of Moses?] will urge upon the people [congregations/Christians] the observance of the first day of the week, pleading tradition and custom on behalf of this man-made institution [man’s violation of Holy Scripture]. They will point to calamities on land and sea-to storms of wind, the floods, the earthquakes, the destruction of fire–as judgments indicating [trying to convince listeners] God's displeasure because Sunday is not sacredly observed.” Sign of the Times, January 17:1884 [2B]. There is no law in Scripture changing the seventh day Sabbath to the first day of the week. And there is no discipleship without the Sabbath.
Torah
The Sefer Torah, as we have learned, is a handwritten copy of the Pentateuch, or Torah, rolled up around two attractive, wooden shafts. It is produced by following very strict standards. The Torah Scroll is used primarily for the ritual readings during Jewish religious services. When not in use, the scroll is kept behind a curtain in an ornate cabinet called the Aron Kodesh, or "Holy Ark," which is often located in the section of the synagogue that most closely faces Jerusalem.
The Torah is also printed and bound in book form for common reading and study. Then it is called the Chumash, or "five part," referencing the five books of Moses. A Chumash may also include Hebrew text, commentary, or various translations.
"Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with...cornet, and with trumpets...cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps" (1 Chron. 15:28). The introduction of a new Sefer Torah into a congregation is a significant event which calls for a celebration, including singing, dancing, prayer, and praise to Elohim.
Keep in mind: “The Bible [biblical teaching, instructions in Hebrew roots, etc.] is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may
enter into Him, that they may delight in His [manifest, tangible] Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.” [2]
It is the desire of TGDS course to assist the reader encounter Yeshua intimately.
1. "And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt…and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob's life was one hundred and forty seven years. And the time drew near that Israel [Jacob] must die: and he called his son Joseph..." (B'resheet 47:27-29).
When Jacob had stood in the court before Pharaoh, his words suggested that he did not expect to attain the ages of his revered ancestors, Abraham and Isaac. Thus he was not surprised when he sensed the allotted span of his days was drawing to an end, nor was he melancholy or alarmed at the prospect of impending death. For many years Jacob had been blessed with the enjoyment of the Almighty's friendship, visitations, provision, protection and salvation so that he would certainly not regard translation into His glorious company, and reunion with his family, as a hardship. "And he lived" well because he lived in a relationship with the Most High.
May we all learn to count the measure of our days and apply our hearts to wisdom, which is (a) to live with a continual awareness of our mortality, and (b) to continually cultivate our relationship with Yeshua.
2. "When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph…Bury me not in Egypt; but I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place" (B’resheit 47:29-30).
As Jacob foresaw his end approaching he wanted to leave final instructions with Joseph and thus summoned him to his bed. Among his last duties, Jacob ordered Joseph to carry his physical remains to the family grave-vault in Hebron, which is in Canaan, his family's God-given inheritance. In so doing, he demonstrated his true belief that Canaan was the inheritance of Israel and that eventually his descendants would return. Joseph affirmed his father's deepest desire with his sincere response. "I will do as thou hast said. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him" (V. 30-31). The patriarch's last anxiety was thus removed; his apprehensions were allayed by Joseph's promise and oath.
3. "Now it came about after these things that Joseph was told, Behold, your father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim...And Jacob said unto Joseph...Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine" (see B'resheet 48:1-22). Immediately, when Jacob fell sick, a messenger was dispatched from Goshen to the royal palace to inform Joseph. Upon hearing the news, Joseph came with his two sons in tow to his father's bedside. Jacob related to his son how El Shaddai had appeared to him at Bethel, what YHVH had promised him, and the great afflictions he had endured. Then he bestowed upon Manasseh and Ephraim his patriarchal benedictions.
A. The blessing upon Ephraim was the heirship, the possession of the place and privilege of the firstborn: He "shall be greater." B. The blessing upon Manasseh was that he would become a people and be great also. C. The blessing upon them together: "...the Angel who redeemed me from all evil bless these lads"--a promise of spiritual blessing for themselves. And, "In thee shall all Israel bless, saying..."--a promise of spiritual influence upon others. D. The blessing upon Joseph was in the blessing of his sons and Jacob's adoption of them as his own children--"My name shall be named upon them, and the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac." Also, Jacob's blessing was in the reception by his two sons of a double portion of the inheritance--"Moreover, I have given unto thee one portion above thy brethren..." [3]
“Behold, I die; but God shall be with you, and bring you again into the land of your fathers.”
Jacob was on the brink of death when he uttered these words. His spiritual vision of the sure promise of YHVH was probably more keen as the obscuring veil of mortal life faded. He affirmed what the Almighty had already proclaimed—that He would be with Jacob’s descendants as they sojourned in Egypt and would eventually bring them back to the covenant land of their fathers.
4. "Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, Assemble yourselves so that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come" (B'resheet 49:1).
The patriarchal blessings are the last recorded words of Jacob. He spoke prophetically over the sons of Leah, then the sons of the concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah, and finally over the sons of Rachel. We can deduce from the benedictions that a person's sphere and influence in life are in accordance to his peculiar character. For instance, Reuben was likened to unstable water, and the birthright was taken from him. Simeon's and Levi's reckless, angry temperaments garnered their father’s rebuke and they would be scattered in Israel. Issachar was powerful and wise, but fond of luxury and comfort, and would thus render honor and tribute to his more adventurous brothers. Judah was honorable, would be admired, become the tribe of leadership, and hold a prosperous domain. Asher, the happy one, would be content occupying fertile lands and supplying rich foods for Israel. Joseph would prosper, grow in numbers and spread out, overcome trials, and receive surpassing blessings.
5. “And Jacob called [by means of messengers] unto his sons [those not already present in his chamber] and said, gather yourselves together [the patriarch-prophet’s last utterances were public, not private] and I will tell you that which shall befall you” (B’resheit 49:1). Jacob called his family together to tell them what would befall them at the end of days, in the time between his utterances and the close of the era.
"When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people" (B'resheit 49:33)....
Other Lesson sections:
Part 3: Yeshua – The Eternal High Priest of the Believer's Discipleship.
Part 4: The Holy Spirit – The Power and Tutor of Discipleship.
Part 5: Overcoming – The Outcome of Discipleship.
Part 6: Conclusion – Final Points about the Patriarchs and Parsha Va Yechi
Our last word is ONWARD! “Forward motion suggests [permits] growth and advancement. As [disciples] we seek to grow so as to become like Messiah Yeshua. Our aim is to emulate Him and to learn, speak, act, behave as He did. The value to us as individuals is that we remain no longer at the mercy of strong temptations, ongoing sin, and demonic darkness. We can calmly and rationally make right decisions based on the truth of our Messiah.” [6B] Therefore, it is written: “...in your faith supply [go onward] to moral excellence…knowledge…self-control…perseverance…godliness…brotherly kindness…and love” (2 Peter 1:5-7). Amen.
Tamid Kadima-Always Forward…and upward, in faith, hope, and love.
Your host, Hutch Church. Average lesson length is 25-27 pages.