The weekly reading for the week of 29 Tisrei, 5767 - October 21, 2006 Parashah: Bereshit Genesis 1:1 to 6:8; The regular Haftarah: of Isaiah 42:1 to 43:5 is replaced by Shabbat Machar Chodesh 1 Samuel 20:18-42; Mei Kituvim: Nehemiah 9:1-38; Brit Chadashah: Matthew 12:1-50


Parashah Lite Edition (Focuses on one verse or idea anywhere in the readings below)

The Bagel: Covenant Partners.

"Then Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.' And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city" (1 Samuel 20:42).

Jonathan and David covenanted together. This was the only way to save the House of Saul. Jonathan, the Heir Apparent, was not because his father had destroyed the kingdom by his actions. Adonay said to Saul: "The kingdom is torn away from you and given to your neighbor." (1 Samuel 15:28 paraphrased).

How could there be two dynasties in one kingdom: the House of Saul and the House of David? This could be grounds for permanent conflict. It was the action of Jonathan who understood the plans of G-d and aligned himself and the House of Saul with the House of David. He loved David and they made a covenant together. The two kingdoms became partners by the covenant rather than competing rivals. Jonathan saved the day. The day when the two houses will co-exist together at the same table under the authority of the Messiah.

This picture is shown, in miniature, years later when Mephiboshet, the son of Jonathan, was invited to eat at David's table for the rest of his life. Mephiboshet was crippled and couldn't walk. His condition was symbolic of the House of Saul. The dynasty was crippled and ineffectual because of his grandfather Saul's actions. Yet, David in honor of Jonathan and in keeping with the covenant restored that crippled dynasty to a permanent place of honor by installing Mephiboshet to a place at his royal table. There is a picture of a leveling - David and Saul (in Mephiboshet) are eating at the same level, not David above and Mephiboshet lower as would be the case if the symbol was a throneroom scene.

It is important that you become a covenant partner with Yeshua. Your world (kingdom, dynasty) likewise is crippled to the point of total failure. The hold of sin is too strong and you can't break its power, even if you live a moral lifestyle. Yeshua, the Son of David, has prevailed. His atoning death has taken away sin, so that we can have free access to the heavenly seat of honor. He invites you to His banqueting table. The invitation is received by faith in Yeshua.

Cream Cheese: Covenant Card - good for spiritual meals at the King's Table.

• Torah:
  Genesis 1:1 to 6:8.
  
• Haftarah:
  Isaiah 42:5 to 43:10.
  
• Haftarah (Shabbat Machar Chodesh):
  1 Samuel 20:18-42.
  
• Mei Kituvim:
  Nehemiah 9:1-38.
  
• Brit Chadashah:
  Matthew 12:1-50.