A founding father of Israel dreams of a ladder between Heaven and Earth while snoozing in God’s house. He then visits his uncle and gets duped into marrying the oldest sister over his beloved. Then the sisters wage a fertility war, resulting in 12 sons who would be the 12 tribes of Israel. Sprinkled through these accounts in the Torah reading (parashah) וַיֵּצֵא Vayetze or Vayetzei (“he went out,” Gen. 28:10–32:2) are prophetic breadcrumbs leading to the Son of God.
At first glance, the trustworthiness troubles of Abraham, his son Yitzkhak (Isaac) and grandson Ya’akov (Jacob) can be disturbing, considering they are pillars of faith in the Kingdom of God. How can we forget Ya’akov’s “red, red stuff” deal with his brother, Esau?
Rather than a descent into “truthiness,” their legacy for the commonwealth of Israel is growth from faith-fickle to faithful. In this week’s Torah portion (תּוֹלְדֹת Toldot, “generations,” Gen. 25:19–28:9), we follow Ya’akov’s journey to becoming a “new man,” renamed Israel (“struggles with God” or “rules with God”). That “rebirth,” pictured via Ya’akov’s dream of a ladder between Earth and Heaven, is why Yeshua (Jesus) likened that ladder to Himself (John 1:43–50).
Ever since the beginning, people have been trying to connect with the divine, that which transcends the drudgery of the common, that which helps us divine truth from falsehood.
The account of Jacob’s ladder in the Torah reading ויצא Vayetze/Vayetzei (“he went out,” Gen. 28:10–32:2) is a foreshadowing of Heaven reaching to Earth in Immanuel (“God with us”), Who is fully realized in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).
The Scottish poet Robert Burns said, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” This famous quote summarizes quite nicely the trajectory of Jacob’s life from the time he pretended to be Esau and took Esau’s blessing to the time he returned from Laban’s house 20 years later.
Jacob and Rebecca’s conspiracy to steal the blessing Isaac wanted to give Esau, and Laban’s various conspiracies against Jacob had eternal consequences, as well study in the Torah reading ויצא Vayetze/Vayetzei (“he went out,” Gen. 28:10–32:2).
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB)
https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/171125-Parashat-07-Vayetze-Genesis-28v10-32v2.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:51:58 — 32.0MB)Subscribe: RSSThe Torah reading ויצא Vayetze (“and he went out,” Genesis 28:10–32:2) is another example of how all the Scriptures testify of the Mashiakh (Messiah). The account of Ya’akob’s (Jacob) using striped sticks to encourage breeding among livestock and separating livestock sounds like archaic superstition, […]
One lesson from the life of Esau in Torah reading תּוֹלְדֹת Toldot/Toledot (“generations,” Genesis 25:19–28:9) is who and where we came from doesn’t necessarily define who we are or will become. Another takeaway is to recognize the good around us and become wise to the frequent folly of “following your heart” after what appears to be good. This is why Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) wants us to learn how to be “complete,” not lacking in anything.
When the righteous look like they are going to be beaten and overcome by evil, watch out. In the Torah passage Vayetze (“he went out,” Genesis 28:10-32:2), we encounter Ya’akov’s fleeing Eysau’s death threat to Laban’s house then fleeing death threats of his brothers-in-law. Truly, the party who appears to be weaker actually is stronger. Although we are surrounded by those who will call us fools because we believe in God, we will witness our vindication, just as Ya’akov did, if we are patient.