Roots of Faith

In this week’s class Ross teaches from the 2nd reading of the Joseph cycle of readings. The dream theme shows up again this week. In fact, the word dream occurs 20 times in this week’s reading. Ross takes this week to work through the significance of dreams from a biblical perspective. After recounting Pharaoh’s dreams, Ross turns to a similar dream in the book of Daniel. He discusses the point that the “Hebrews” have been used to both dream and to interpret dreams. Dreams are essential to the historical and prophetic revelation of Yehovah’s way – are they essential in the present? You will not want to miss this teaching.

The Biblical Dream Play in Popup | Download

In this week’s teaching Ross begins to cover the story of Joseph. These stories are among the most cherished in the history of writing. The story of Joseph has a way of connecting people to the Bible as no other story does. In fact, Ross begins this week to show that we may be connected to these stories in a deeper way than many might think. Ross takes a slightly different approach in this week’s class, carefully working through the texts and pointing out interesting connections. We can learn a great deal by following these patriarchal narratives. You will not want to miss this teaching as it sets the stage for the next several weeks.

The Joseph Saga - Part One Play in Popup | Download

In this week’s Torah portion, Jacob prepares to meet his brother Esau as he begins his journey home to the land of promise. The one who has struggled from the womb faces his greatest fears as well as his past. He divides his household into two camps and prepares to fulfill the command to go home. On his way, he faces the struggle of his life with a mysterious opponent. Who is this with whom he wrestles? Ross shows that the events described in this week’s reading point beyond the historical to a prophetic glimpse of Israel’s future return to the land. He takes the listener through several prophetic texts that shed light on what is to come. You will not want to miss this class.

Jacob Returns Home Play in Popup | Download

This week, Ross formally announces the long awaited Roots of Faith Tour to the Holy Land. In his teaching today he began to teach on the subject of the return of Israel to the land promised to the Children of Israel. Basing his teaching on the famed “Dream of Jacob”, he covers the departure of Jacob from his father’s house to find a wife for himself (Hosea 12:12) and of the subsequent years working for Laban. This week’s lesson is written in such a way to show that the twenty years covered in this reading went by at a fast pace. This is the only Torah Reading with no breaks in the texts (from Genesis 28:10-32:3). With the exception of Benjamin, all of Israel’s sons are born in this portion. The focus of the Dream was to assure Jacob that YHVH would be with him while he was away and that He would be faithful to bring him back to the land. Bringing Jacob home to the promised land is the one thing that YHVH promises to do with “all His heart and soul” (Jeremiah 32:36-41) You will not want to miss this class.

Jacob's Dream and God's Promise Play in Popup | Download

In this week’s Torah portion, Ross tells the story of the generations of Isaac. He begins by showing that Isaac was unique among the patriarchs in many ways. And yet, while the reading is named for Isaac, it is his wife Rivkah (traditionally known as Rebbecca that is center stage. She is the one in whom YHVH trusts with the information that “the older son will serve the younger.” Ross shows from the texts that there is more to the story than meets the eye. In fact he reveals several important teaching points from this week’s reading that are relevant for us today. He focuses in on the ancient idea of the birthright or the right of the firstborn. This lesson is worth listening to and sharing. Check it out and share it with others.

The Birthright Play in Popup | Download