Bereishit (In the beginning)

17 Oct. 2009

Genesis 1:1-6:8

Isaiah 42:5-43:10

John 1:1-15

As we begin this New Year with the beginning of His Torah, we must  realize that this book is not just about the history of mankind.  It is the start of a great journey where we look into our own history and see that we have a share in this book, in this world, in this life.

We start our journey with the basic premise that this world was created by our Father (G-d) and it is His, we belong to Him and know that He created us.  “And G-d created man in His own image, in the image of G-d created He man, in the likeness of G-d He made man,” (Genesis 1:27, 5:1).

Psalm 8:4 asks “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the Son of man (earthborn) that You care for him?

Pleasure-His pleasure and His purpose are the reason for everything: “For Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they were created,” (Revelation 4:11).

The purpose for people, places, and things is not an end in and of itself.  The reason a person, place, or thing was created IS its purpose.  G-d’s purpose is revealed through His plans and His plans are His methods.  His plans are worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of His purpose, intent, or pleasure.  First purpose is determined, and then plans are designed.  The Scriptures are given to us as G-d’s plans for us to follow.

From the foundation of the earth, He purposed to have a people chosen by Him. His desire is that they would be holy and without blame before Him.  Ephesians 1:4 says that He chose us before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.  We are to become after His likeness, in His image, and have dominion over His creation according to His will.

At times it seems that we may have forgotten, or lack of  knowledge of, G-d’s purpose and plan for us.  The King’s purpose may cause us to become weak in mind or body.  Yet G-d’s purpose and plan is for ALL things work to together for good to them that love G-d, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

G-d gives us purpose in order to fit into His plan, His global or cosmic design.  Our purpose is not for us, it is for Him.  G-d saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Messiah Yeshua before time began (2 Timothy 1:9).  Therefore let us put our own thoughts and opinions on the altar to die and put on the mind of Messiah (1Corinthians2:16).

Shavua Tov

Shalom U’Bracha

Rabbi Z.

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