Parasha "Toldot" (generations)

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

PARASHAH:  TOLDOT (generations)   

 

     GEN 25:19-28:9......MAL 1:1-2:7.........MATT 10:1-11:30; ROM 9:6-13

 

     This study starts out with the generations of Abraham and Sarah.  After years of waiting and praying they finally had Yitzchak.  The legacy continues, the promise of YHVH is revealed once more, but not without testing of faith.  Yitzchak and Riv'kah also have to wait, about 20 years, yet they prayed and entreated the LORD to have a child.  “The prayer of the righteous prevails” the following is from the Talmud (B. Yevamot 64: a)

 

  “Why were our ancestors’ barren? Because the Holy One (blessed be He) longs to bless the prayers of the righteous”

 

    Since Yitzchak and Riv’kah were righteous, and part of the covenant promise, YHVH (in HIS timing) answered their prayer.  Does that mean that ALL prayer is answered? Yes, it is, but not always the way we want Adonai to answer it.  The answer comes in three forms; Yes, No, and “later on” The sick are prayed over, and many are healed, others are prayed for, and YHVH takes them home.  It doesn't mean to stop praying or pray once, God likes “continuous prayer” I prayed for 40 years for the LORD to reveal to me my biological family, and finally, about 4 years ago, HE DID! But in HIS timing.  

 

     The birth of “B'nei Yitzchak v’ Riv’kah” came as a surprise, “twins inside” and the battle ensued. Yet the LORD speaks to Riv'kah saying:

 

     “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people will be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger”

 

     When we look at this today, we see prophecy revealed plainly as day.  From “Ya'akov”, we get “Am Yisrael” the (Nation of Israel) and from “Esav” we get the name “Edom” which is almost the same as “Adam” with the exception of the “o” or in Hebrew the letter “Vav” (v) If we look at the paleo-Hebrew, one could get the symbolism of  “Esau” who was made of “Blood and spirit” was connected (Vav) to “chaos”  Esav was a “man of the earth, disinterested in spiritual things, he was materialistic, he related more to the “red” earth than the things of God.  From “Esav/Edom” we get Haman (the Agagite) and from Haman, the nation of “Rome” was formed.  

 

     Rome was stronger and conquered a good part of the world, and Israel was under the yoke of Rome, YET today, we look at Israel, it has the strongest, and one of the most advanced and modern Military force in the world. And it was indeed an honor to serve under the IDF two years ago, and I am looking forward to supporting the IDF again in the future.

 

     Jacob and Esau, twin brothers but two separate nations, two brothers, yet worlds apart, One spiritual, interested in the things of God, then other, interested in the things of the world.  Esau and Jacob represent the world of today.  We have the “lost” “unrepented man” and we have the “born again believers” which include ALL who have accepted Yeshua the Messiah as LORD and Savior, doesn't matter if we are a Sabbath observing messianic believer, or a Sunday, church-going believer, we are ALL part of God's family.

 

     Yet we see that Jacob exhibited “carnal behavior” he wanted things “his way” yet when God sent Jacob to uncle Laban's “school of hard Knocks” he came out different... (but that is in the next parashah).  Jacob symbolizes “all believers” both carnal and spirit-filled.  We ALL have growing and maturing to go through on this side of heaven.

 

     I would like to take a look at three names; Adam, Edom, Esau, Jacob/Israel.  How are we like these names?  Adam and Edom are spelled almost the same.  Adam was the first man made in  the “image of Elohim” he was made from the earth, “Edom” means “red” perhaps the earth with which Elohim made Adam was a reddish color.  Esau was a carnal man, and gave in to his hunger and ate of Jacob’s “red” lentil stew.  Adam was made perfect in all ways, yet sin broke fellowship between him and God, thus, sin was passed down to all generations.  Esau and Jacob, one could say were like “twins”.  Yet one sought after spiritual things and the other, after carnal things.  Jacob and Esau symbolize the spiritual man and carnal man, yet we can decide which “man” we want to follow and emulate

 

     Esau despised his birthright for lentil stew, we can see the same today, many people will prefer a life of sin, money, fast cars, drugs, fame, you name it, and reject the gift of God, “Salvation” (YESHUAH) and then “perish” for all eternity.  That's kind of like “exchanging” Eternal life with God for a “temporary life” of comfort and ease, riches, etc.  Just doesn't make sense, does it?

 

     The time of blessing comes, Isaac is old and blind, and there has been a family “division” Esau “Loved” Esau (because of his wild game) yet Rebecca “loved” Jacob.  Does that mean that Isaac didn't love Jacob and Rebecca didn't love Esau? No, only means that there were “family favorites” which is a big NO, if we are to live in peace with our children today, even between “students and teachers” no favorites, please!  

 

     We see in Chap 27, that Jacob passes for Esau, and Esau gets the shorter end of the stick.  Taking advantage of poor Isaac's blindness, yet there is a saying “The chickens come home to roost” and “What goes around, comes around” We will see LATER, what happens, Jacob is the younger, and pretends to be the older. When Jacob gets married, he thinks he's getting the younger daughter, but gets the older daughter. Jacob deceives Isaac in his “darkness” (blindness) and Jacob gets deceived being in the “darkness” (night time, dark tent) and maybe he had too much to drink to know who got in bed with him.

  

     Esau doesn't change, he marries a “Hittite” woman and then gets another wife from his uncle Ishmael, all to “get back” (maybe) at Isaac for giving away his birthright, but didn't he already sell it? Hello?

 

     So, the question is; “Jacob or Esau” who do we resemble most?  It might be a thought-provoking question, but it is a question we must ask ourselves.  We may be born-again believers, yet if our thoughts are earthly, and God’s Word doesn’t fill our minds daily.  If our daily life is more carnal than spirit-filled, and our words are less than kosher, then, we would have to be honest with ourselves and say; “We are Esau!”  yet it doesn’t have to be that way.  

 

     If we say; “I take after Jacob!” then, are we guided by God’s Word, his Spirit? Remember that his name was changed to “Israel”  (Yashar-El) “Straight to God” Do our thoughts go “straight to God?” Are we living our own lives, or are we living the “God-in-us” lives?  Is it really our life or God’s life that is within us?     

     

 

MAL 1:1-2:7  

 

     The prophet speaks and writes through the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) “Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have hated”.  we might ask, “isn't God love?” isn't God all about love? Why does he “hate poor Esau?” The word “hate” has the same meaning as “reject”.  YHVH who is “all-knowing ” knew even before Esau was born that he would reject HIM, so, YHVH rejected Esau!  

 

      Polluted offerings, corrupt priests.  No wonder God is fed up with Israel, they have gone “the way of Esau” offering God the “left-overs” and not offering with “pure hearts”.  It is like today, if we serve the LORD with less than our best, or only with “half a heart” or just because we feel we “have to” then, we are offering “polluted offerings” We should serve GOD with all we have, with the best we have, or not at all!

 

MATT 10:1-11:30

 

     Yeshua sends out the twelve Talmidim, to teach Torah and to share the word that Yeshua is Mashiach, and has fulfilled all the prophecies of the Torah.  First to the “lost sheep of Israel” remember that Israel has been scattered to many different countries, many being absorbed by the nations, yet still remember their identity, but even in Israel, there are those who need to know the truth about Yeshua as Messiah, prophesied by Moshe and the prophets

 

      The work and ministry of sharing/teaching the WORD of God is not a lone undertaking, it is to be shared by many, and ALL who have that calling.  Even Yeshua, God in human form, could not be in all places at the same time, so he sent out his followers, to fulfill the “Great Commission”.  

 

     Today, we are equipped with the “gifts of the Spirit” to fulfill this great task, and today we have the internet to help spread the “Good News” whereas hundreds of years ago, only papers and books were available to those who took up that task.  We are living in exciting times, let's take advantage of everything that is available to us today.  Use all things to the glory of God.  

 

 

ROM 9:6-13  

 

 

     Very interesting verses;  “For not everyone from Israel is truly part of Israel.  Indeed, not all descendants are from the seed of Abraham.  From the Hebrew New Covenant, it says;  “Lo kol asher heim mi-Yisrael gam Yisrael”  (not all of them who are from Israel also Israel).   

 

     If we remember, Abraham had two sons from the womb of Sarah, Ishmael and Yitzchak, even though both were his sons, the promise was in Yitzchak.  The descendants of Ishmael are now the Arab countries.  Can we say that they also have the same interests that all believers have? Are they not following another religion? Even though quite a few are born-again believers.  

 

     In Israel today we see quite a few cultures and people groups, not all are direct descendants from Abraham.  But let’s go a step further and say; “Not all have the faith of our father “Israel” and many in “Israel” have little of no faith at all, so, how can we have the faith of “Israel” and thus be part of “Am Yisrael?” 

 

     It is through the “Yeshua Connection” that we are connected to the “Truth” If we add up the gematria of both the words “Yeshua” and “Israel” and we take the final sum of 927, and add 9+2+7 we get 18, then 1+8 = 9.  The number “9” is related to “Truth” (Emet) and that is one of the titles of Yeshua, …the way, the TRUTH, and the life.. 

 

     So, to be a real part of “Am Yisrael” to be part of the “Covenant of Abraham” it doesn’t depend on blood relation, but “Spirit” relation.  One can be a physical descendant of Abraham, and be lost and going to hell, but one can turn that relationship around and be “heaven-bound” through a personal relationship of Messiah Yeshua, the hope of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

 

 

Rabbi Ben Avraham

 

PIC:   "KKITK"   (Kitty-Kat in the kitchen)