Study Notes Week 30

Torah Study Notes for Week 30 of the Torah Reading Cycle

Read
Aloud together to hear the Word (Leviticus 23:1-3; Nehemiah 8:1-4; Luke 4:16-17)

  • Torah (T): Bereshiyt (Genesis) 30:1-43
  • Haftarah (H): 1 Samuel 1:1-11
  • Apostolic (A): Romans 11:1-36
  • Additional (ADD): Jubilees 28:11 – 29:12
Bereshiyt (Genesis) 30:1-43

30:1 When Rachel saw that she did not bare to Jacob, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me sons, or else I will die.” 2 Jacob's anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in Elohim's place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” 3 She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I will also be built from her.” 4 She gave him Bilhah her servant to wife, and Jacob went in to her. 5 Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son. 6 Rachel said, “Elohim has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. 7 Bilhah, Rachel's servant, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Rachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali. 9 When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob to wife. 10 Zilpah, Leah's servant, bore Jacob a son. 11 Leah said, “A troop comes!” She named him Gad. 12 Zilpah, Leah's servant, bore Jacob a second son. 13 Leah said, “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me happy.” She named him Asher. 14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son's mandrakes.” 15 Leah said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes, also?” Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes.” 16 Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have surely hired you with my son's mandrakes.” He lay with her that night. 17 Elohim listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, “Elohim has given me my hire, because I gave my servant to my husband.” She named him Issachar. 19 Leah conceived again, and bore a sixth son to Jacob. 20 Leah said, “Elohim has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons.” She named him Zebulun. 21 Afterwards, she bore a daughter, and named her Dinah. 22 Elohim remembered Rachel, and [he](LXX) listened to her, and opened her womb. 23 She conceived, bore a son, and said, “Elohim has taken away my reproach.” 24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May [Elohim](mss) add another son to me.” 25 When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have served you.” 27 Laban said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that [Elohim](mss) has blessed me for your sake.” 28 He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.” 29 Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me. 30 For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. [Elohim](mss) has blessed you wherever I turned. Now when will I provide for my own house also?” 31 Laban said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and guard it. 32 I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me hereafter, when you come concerning my hire that is before you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, that might be with me, will be considered stolen.” 34 Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.” 35 That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 He set three days' journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks. 37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, and plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink. 39 The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban's flock. He put his own droves apart, and didn't put them into Laban's flock. 41 Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering troughs, that they might conceive among the rods; 42 but when the flock were feeble, he didn't put them in. So the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's. 43 The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, maids and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

Torah Portion Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

Review

  1. Genesis 29:16-18 Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were tender, but Rachel was beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance. 18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.” 19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”
    1. Targum And the eyes of Leah were moist, (or dropping, running) from weeping and praying before the Lord that he would not destine her for Esau the wicked; and Rahel was beautiful in appearance, and of a fair countenance. [JERUSALEM. And the eyes of Leah were tender, for she had wept and prayed that she might not be brought up in the lot of Esau; and Rahel was beautiful in appearance, and of fair countenance.]
    2. According to the Seder Olam Rabbah, a chronological Midrash from the 2nd century, Jacob’s wives Rachel and Leah were not only sisters, but actually twins. (Seder Olam Rabbah 2.)
  2. Genesis 29:23-25-31 In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to Jacob. He went in to her. 24 Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant. 25 In the morning, behold, it was Leah! [Jacob](LXX) said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you [mislead](LXX) me?” 30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years. 31 YHWH saw Leah was hated and he opened her womb and Rachel was barren.
  3. Genesis 29:32 Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because [Elohim](LXX) has looked at my affliction [and given me a son].(LXX) For now my husband will love me.”
    1. רְאוּבֵן Re’uven (H7205) means “see a son”
  4. Genesis 29:33 She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because [Elohim](LXX) has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Shimon.
    1. שְׁמוֹ Shim’on (H8095) means “hearer”
  5. Genesis 29:34 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.
    1. לֵוִי Levi or Lewi (H3878) means “my joining”
  6. Genesis 29:35 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time I will praise [Elohim].”(LXX) Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing..
    1. יְהוּדָה Yehudah (H3063) means “thanksgiving or praise”

Genesis 30:1-43

  1. Genesis 30:1-2 When Rachel saw that she did not bare to Jacob, Rachel envied (וַתְּקַנֵּא vateqane) her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me sons, or else I will die.” 2 Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in Elohim’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”
    1. Though commonly translated as “jealous”, קַנָּא qana (H7067) means “zeal” referring to a single-minded person insistent on reaching the desired outcome; one who is protective over someone or something. קַנָּא qana is equivalent to the Greek word ζῆλος zēlos (G2205) which means excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit; ardour in embracing, pursuing, or defending anything. Alternate translation: envious (when written in the piel [active intensive] form).
      1. Piel (פִּעֵל) – Intensive or Causative Active
        • Voice: Active
        • Function: Makes the action intensive or causative — to terrify, to cause fear, to instill reverence.
        • Form: יִרֵּא (yirrē)
        • Translation: he caused fear / he terrified
        • Example (theoretical form):
          • הוּא יִרֵּא אֶת־הָעָם – “He caused the people to fear”
             (This would be used if the speaker wanted to indicate that someone induced fear in others.)
    2. Jubilees 28:16 And on account of all this Rachel envied Leah, for she did not bear, and she said to Jacob: ‘Give me children’; and Jacob said: ‘Have I withheld from thee the fruits of thy womb? Have I forsaken thee?’
    3. Targum And Rahel saw that she bare not to Jakob, and Rahel was envious of her sister, and said to Jakob, Pray before the Lord that He give me children; and if not, my life I will reckon as the dead. And the anger of Jakob was strong against Rahel, and he said, Why do you ask of me? Ask before the Lord, from before whom are children, and who hath restrained from thee the fruit of the womb.
      1. Genesis 25:20-21 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife. 21 Isaac interceded to the LORD(LXX)(mss) for his wife, because she was barren. [And his Elohim listened],(LXX) and Rebekah his wife conceived.
  2. Genesis 30:3-4 She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I will also be built from her.” 4 She gave him Bilhah her servant to wife, and Jacob went in to her.
  3. Genesis 30:5-6 Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son. 6 Rachel said, “Elohim has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.
    1. דָּן Dan (H1835) means “judge or moderator”
  4. Genesis 30:7-8 Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Rachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali.
    1. נַפְתָּלִי Naphtali (H5321) means “my wrestling”
  5. Genesis 30:9 When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob to wife.
  6. Genesis 30:10-11 Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a son. 11 Leah said, “A troop comes!” She named him Gad.
    1. גָּד Gad (H1410) means “troop” and is sometimes translated as “fortune”
  7. Genesis 30:12-13 Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a second son. 13 Leah said, “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me happy.” She named him Asher.
    1. אָשֵׁר Asher (H836) means “happy”
  8. Genesis 30:14-16 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15 Leah said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes, also?” Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.” 16 Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” He lay with her that night.
  9. Genesis 30:17-18 Elohim listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, “Elohim has given me my hire, because I gave my servant to my husband.” She named him Issachar.
    1. יִשָּׂשכָר Yissaschar (H3485) means “there is a wage”
  10. Genesis 30:19-21 Leah conceived again, and bore a sixth son to Jacob. 20 Leah said, “Elohim has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons.” She named him Zebulun 21 Afterwards, she bore a daughter, and named her Dinah.
    1. זְבֻלוּן Zevulun (H2074) means “resident or dwelling”
    2. דִּינָה Dinah (H1783) means “judge or moderator”
    3. Were Zebulun and Dinah twins?
      1. Google and scholars say, “No, Zebulun and Dinah were not twins. While there is a Jewish tradition suggesting Dinah was Zebulun’s twin sister, the biblical text explicitly states that Zebulun was Leah’s sixth son, and Dinah was her daughter born after Zebulun. The tradition of Zebulun and Dinah being twins is a minority opinion found in some rabbinic commentaries.”
    4. Jubilees 28:23 And Jacob went in again unto her, and she conceived, and bare two (children), a son and a daughter, and she called the name of the son Zabulon, and the name of the daughter Dinah, in the seventh of the seventh new moon, in the sixth year of the fourth week. [2134 A.M.]
    5. The key is context of this birth and the word “afterwards” in Genesis 30:21 אַחַר achar which is an event that occurs after the following part or behind.
      1. Genesis 25:24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau. 26 Afterwards (אַחַר achar), his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
  11. Genesis 30:22-24 Elohim remembered Rachel, and [he](LXX) listened to her, and opened her womb. 23 She conceived, bore a son, and said, “Elohim has taken away my reproach.” 24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May [Elohim](mss) add another son to me.”
    1. יוֹסֵף Yoseph (H3130) means “He will add”
    2. Called יְהוֹסֵף Yehoseph in Psalms 81:5 which means, “YHWH will add” instead of “He”
      1. Psalm 81:1-7 For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. By Asaph. 1 Sing aloud to Elohim, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the Elohim of Jacob! 2 Raise a song, and bring here the tambourine, the pleasant lyre with the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the New Moon, at the full moon, on our feast day. 4 For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the Elohim of Jacob. 5 He appointed it in Yehoseph for a covenant, when he went out over the land of Egypt, I heard a language that I didn’t know. 6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden. His hands were freed from the basket. 7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.” Selah.
  12. Genesis 30:25-28 When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have served you.” 27 Laban said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that [Elohim](mss) has blessed me for your sake.” 28 He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.”
    1. Genesis 29:26-29 Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the week of this one, and [I](LXX) will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for seven more years.” 28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife. 29 Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.
    2. Genesis 26:26-28 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his friend, and Phicol the captain of his army. 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?” 28 They said, “We saw plainly that [Elohim](LXX) was with you. We said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, between us and you, and let’s cut a covenant with you
    3. “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.” נָקְבָה שְׂכָרְךָ עָלַי וְאֶתֵּנָה naqevah sekharkha ‘alai we’eynah literally means, “pierce through your wage upon me and I will give” where the word נָקְבָה naqevah (H5344) means to make a hole by piercing (cf. Numbers 1:17; 2 Kings 12:9). It also means to curse or blaspheme in the sense of piercing through the name or character of someone (cf. Leviticus 24:11).
  13. Genesis 30:29-31 Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me. 30 For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. [Elohim](mss) has blessed you wherever I turned. Now when will I provide for my own house also?” 31 Laban said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it.
  14. Genesis 30:32-43 I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me hereafter, when you come concerning my hire that is before you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, that might be with me, will be considered stolen.” 34 Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.” 35 That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks. 37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, and plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink. 39 The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He put his own droves apart, and didn’t put them into Laban’s flock. 41 Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering troughs, that they might conceive among the rods; 42 but when the flock were feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. 43 The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, maids and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

Prophets Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

  1. Exploring the individuals from our portion 1 Samuel 1:1-11.
    1. Elkanah – “Zealous El (God)” or “mighty one of zealousness.” — Samuel’s father; a ruler in Jerusalem and mighty warrior; from the tribe of Levi.
      1. Honors God and leads his family well.
        1. This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh” (1 Sam. 1:3).
      2. Favored Hannah (i.e. loved her). 
        1. “But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb” (1 Sam. 1:5).
    2. If Elkanah took Peninnah as a wife because Hannah was barren, then did he bring this trouble on himself?
      1. It is not evident that Elkana rebukes Peninnah for provoking Hannah.
      2. From the accounts of Abraham, Jacob, Gideon, David, and Solomon, polygamy results in deceit, strife, agony, violence, jealousy, pain, and death.
    3. Peninnah – “a pearl or ruby”
      1. Out of her pain of being unloved or just from a cruel heart, she responded with hostility toward Hannah.
        1.  Peninnah provoked Hannah severely year after year (see1 Sam. 1:6-7).
      2. She was dishonored because she chose to provoke, irritate, and embarrass Hannah
        1. Rebuked in Hannah’s song of thanksgiving 
          1. “Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed” (1 Sam. 2:3).
    4. Hannah – “favor; bestow grace”.
      1. Out of her pain, she responded by seeking God with her whole heart.
        1. “And she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish” (1 Sam. 1:10).
        2. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jam. 1:2-4).
      2. Hannah did not respond in kind to Peninnah – she sought the Lord.
      3. Hannah did not search for another ‘suitable’ woman to have a child on her behalf.
      4. Through Hannah’s prayer and submission to God, He blessed and exalted her.
        1. “And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters” (1 Sam. 2:21).
    5. Samuel – “heard of God”.
      1. Hannah dedicated him to God to be a Nazarite his entire life.
      2. He was a prophet and a judge for the nation of Israel
      3. Anointed the first two kings of Israel – Saul and David
      4. Led armies into battle and called on God to defeat the Philistines
      5. Interceded in prayer on behalf of the Israelites
      6. Educated a younger generation of prophets

Key Point #1: 

God hears our prayers and if we allow Him to use the pain in our life to draw us closer to Him, to seek Him earnestly, we will be blessed.

  1. God hears our prayers! 
    1. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).
    2. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).
    3. “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:12-13).
    4. “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Pro. 15:29).

Key Point #2: 

Do not be vengeful, spiteful, or provoke another. It is the path to destruction.

Apostolic Exhortation
Counsel, comfort, and encouragement (Acts 13:14-15)

  1. In our portion today, Paul tells us that he is the Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13).
    1. This is more than a little bit ironic given that he also describes himself as the consummate Jew.
      1. “Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee” (Phi. 3:5).
  2. As a Jewish emissary to the nations, Paul is straddling two different worlds during the most pivotal time in human history from the epicenter of God’s work on the earth.
    1. Moreover, his message is not accepted or understood by either group. 
      1. “[B[ut we preach Messiah crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness” (1 Cor. 1:23). 
  3. How can Paul fulfill such a monumental calling with faithfulness and integrity? 
    1. The answer is by letting God speak for Himself through His Word.
  4. In studying our portion today, we will examine the preceding context in chapters 9 and 10 and look more deeply at the passages he quotes from the Tanakh. 
    1. There will be three major themes in our study:
      1. Understanding God’s judgment and the remnant that survives it (vs. 1-10).
      2. What/who is the olive tree? (vs. 16-24)
      3. Jews and Gentiles then, now and until Yeshua’s return (vs. 11-15, 25-36). 
  5. The following are several foundational principles relating to judgment and the remnant:
    1. YHWH’s nature of perfect holiness and role as Supreme Judge requires Him to execute judgment for sin and unrighteousness.
      1. “You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge” (Psa. 51:4).
    2. Judgment removes what is impure so that only a consecrated part remains.
      1. “As for you, son of man [i.e. Ezekiel], take a sharp sword; take and use it as a barber’s razor on your head and beard. Then take scales for weighing and divide the hair. One third you shall burn in the fire at the center of the city, when the days of the siege are completed. Then you shall take one third and strike it with the sword all around the city, and one third you shall scatter to the wind; and I will unsheathe a sword behind them. Take also a few in number from them and bind them in the edges of your robes” (Eze. 5:1-3).
    3. YHWH’s judgment is perfect which means that He applies punishment equitably and with a view towards restitution. 
      1. “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether” (Psa. 19:9).
      2. “For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You made men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance” (Psa. 66:10,12).
    4. The remnant is the portion of Israel walking in covenant faithfulness that endures through judgment.
      1. “It will come about in all the land,” declares the LORD, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; but the third will be left in it. And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God‘” (Zec. 13:8-9).
    5. Thus, amidst the doom and destruction for the unrighteous, God’s judgment always contains a message of hope for the faithful. 
      1. “Say to the righteous that it will go well for them, for they will eat the fruit of their actions. Woe to the wicked! It will go badly for him, for what he deserves will be done to him” (Isa. 3:10).

KEY POINT:

A proper understanding of Paul’s letter to the Romans is impossible apart from the context provided by the book of Isaiah. 

  1. In the book of Romans, Paul quotes from Isaiah a total of sixteen times, eleven of which occur in chapters 9-11. 
    1. Writing in the mid-7th century B.C., Isaiah was the main prophet who foretold of the coming judgments on Israel by Assyria (722 B.C.), and Babylon (590 B.C.) and provided the message of hope to the surviving remnant.
      1. The prophet even names one of his sons, “Shear-Yahsub”, which means “a remainder shall return, or repent” (see. Isa. 7:3).
  2. The following are some of the major themes from Isaiah referenced by Paul:
    1.  YHWH foretold that despite a severe judgment, the remnant would be saved.
      1. “In that day the remnant (#7605) of Israel, the survivors of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant (#7605) will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. Though your people be like the sand by the sea, Israel, only a remnant (#7605) will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous. The Lord, the LORD Almighty, will carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land” (Isa. 10:19-23).
        1. H 7605. shear – “a remainder”.
      2. Romans 9:27-29: “Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: ‘Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.’ It is just as Isaiah said previously: ‘Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah”.
    2. YHWH would force His people to decide their own fate through their acceptance or rejection of Messiah.
      1. “Then He shall become a sanctuary; but to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, and a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many will stumble over them, then they will fall and be broken; they will even be snared and caught” (Isa. 8:14-15).
      2. “Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed” (Isa. 28:16).
        1. Romans 9:33: “As it is written: ‘See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame’”
        2. Romans 10:11-13: “For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”. 
    3. Non-remnant Israel’s rejection of Yeshua was a result of God’s hardening their hearts to the truth.
      1. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I [Isaiah] said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go, and tell this people: “Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.” Render the hearts of this people insensitive, their ears dull, and their eyes dim, otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and return and be healed.’ (Isa. 6:8-10).
        1. “What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; just as it is written, ‘GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY’” (Rom. 11:7-8).
    4. The judgment of Israel – pictured as a tree being pruned and even chopped down — would lay waste to Israel but in the process, leave a holy remnant, or stump.
      1. “Behold, the Lord, the GOD of hosts, will lop off the boughs with a terrible crash; Those also who are tall in stature will be cut down and those who are lofty will be abased” (Isa. 10:33).
      2. ” Then I said, ‘Lord, how long?’ And He answered, ‘Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, houses are without people, and the land is utterly desolate, the LORD has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. Yet there will be a tenth portion in it, and it will again be subject to burning, like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains when it is felled. The holy seed is its stump” (Isa. 6:11-13).
    5. Isaiah describes this stump as the source and “stem” of the Messiah, Son of David — the One in whom the believing Jewish remnant and the Gentiles are joined together in the covenant of faith.
      1. “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Then in that day the Gentiles will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious” (Isa. 11:1-2,10).
        1. Romans 11:15–18: “If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you”.

KEY POINT:

Paul’s use of the olive tree metaphor extends the idea of the holy stump, the remnant of Israel that survives judgment and remains faithful to the covenants of the promise.

  1. Paul is very explicit in describing the olive tree as Jewish or ethnic Israel – not the Church, or even Messiah Himself.
    1.  Ethnic Jews are the “natural branches” broken off of their “own olive tree” (Rom. 11:24).
      1. “[W]ho are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Messiah according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen” (Rom. 9:4).
    2. Gentiles are the “wild branches” that partake of the “fatness” (KJV) of the blessings bestowed on Israel (Rom. 11:17).
  2. Already in his day, Paul could see the false doctrine of replacement theology emerging.
    1. One of Paul’s teaching methods is to make a key point emphatically using rhetorical questions followed the phrase, “God forbid!” (KJV), “By no means!” (ESV) or “Far from it!”(NASB).
      1. “In Greek, it is represented by the phrase “ou mē” (οὐ μή), which is considered the strongest form of negation in the language. This expression is often used in biblical texts, particularly in the New Testament, where it appears in various contexts to convey absolute certainty or to strongly refute a suggestion. The phrase is used to emphasize that something will definitely not happen or is certainly not true” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Logos Bible Software, 2011).
    2. Paul uses this phrase ten times in the book of Romans. Note how many of Paul’s most emphatic statements are used to defend God’s Name and reputation as it relates to judgment on and/or the rejection of His covenant people, Israel. 
Rhetorical Question Answer
“What then? If some [Jews] did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?” Ou mē! “Rather, God must prove to be true, though every person be found a liar” (Rom. 3:3)
“[W]hat shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? Ou mē! “For then how could God judge the world?” (Rom. 3:6)
“What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there?” Ou mē! “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” (Rom. 9:14-15).
“I say then, God has not rejected His people [Israel], has He?  Ou mē! “For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Rom. 11:1).
“I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they?  Ou mē! “But by their transgression [their rejection of the Messiah] salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous” (Rom. 11:11)

KEY POINT:

Any doctrine that interprets Romans 11 as confirmation that God has broken covenant with the Jewish people or replaced them with Gentile Christians is antithetical to scripture. 

  1. So, what is the significance of this understanding of Romans 11 – namely, that the root of the ekklesia (i.e. “church”) is Believing Israel?
    1. #1 – The key characteristics and markers of our faith – e.g. worship day, annual holidays, and lifestyle practices – should reflect the fruit of having been grafted into the root of biblical Judaism.
      1. This fruit is not what comes from Rabbinic Judaism, nor from Christianity divorced from its roots in the Old Testament.
    2. #2 – We must come to grips with our true identity as disciples of Messiah, grounded in the Torah and walking in unity by the Holy Spirit.
      1. “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God” (1 Cor. 7:20). 
      2. “[B]eing diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:3-6).
      3. Remember that we are fellow-heirs with the Jewish people, beloved of the Father and equal in status and value, regardless of ethnicity.
        1. “[W]hich in other generations was not made known to mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power” (Eph. 3:6).
    3. #3 — We should view the Jewish people with humility, gratitude, and a willingness to suffer and be misunderstood that they might come to faith.
      1. In Romans 11, Paul warns against spiritual arrogance and a sense of superiority.
        1. “[D]o not be arrogant (#2620) toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited but be afraid; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either” (Rom 11:18-21).
          1. G2620. Katakauxáomai – properly, boast down, over-exalting one thing at the expense of another which results in wrong conclusions – i.e. that unjustifiably downgrade by boasting with a sense of false superiority.
    4. #4 – We should share Paul’s desire and method to bring the Jewish people to faith.
      1. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation…[I]f somehow I may move my own people to jealousy (#3863) and save some of them” (Rom. 10:1;11:14).
        1. G3863. parazéloó – “to stimulate alongside, i.e. excite to rivalry”.
      2. Christians should not be jealous of the Jewish people, but zealous for their salvation.
        1. “Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and those who harass Judah will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, and Judah will not harass Ephraim” (Isa. 11:13).

“Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘Uncircumcision’ by the so-called ‘Circumcision,’ which is performed in the flesh by human hands – remember that you were at that time separate from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:11-22).

Does anyone have specific questions or need any clarification from what was said during the Summary or Exhortation?

Application & Discussion
Living the Word and following Yeshua (Acts 2:37; Romans 2:13)
Questions, input, and sharpening (Proverbs 27:17; Luke 2:46)

Romans 2:13 For it isn’t the hearers of the Torah who are righteous before Elohim, but the doers of the Torah will be justified.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

    1. What questions or comments came up during your family’s discussion of this week’s study?
    2. “What other related Scriptures did you find during your study of this week’s portion?”
    3. Have you ever experienced something from this study or something related to it?
    4. “What changes do you need to make in your life to align with what you learned during this week’s Torah Study?”
    5. How has this study changed how you think of the Jewish people? The nation of Israel?
    6. What are some way ways that we might help restore Paul’s vision for the One New Man in Messiah?
    7. How has your understanding of the remnant changed?
    8. How has God used the trials in your life to strengthen you? For example, Parenting, Relationships, Work.
Additional Study Notes