8 Parsha Vayishlach- And he went (updated 12-2019)

Parsha Vayishlach- And he sent -

B’reshit 32:4-36:43

Haftorah

Ovadyah 1-21, Hoshea 11:7-12:12, MattitYahu 26:36-42

Daniel ben Ya’acov Israel

When necessary you will find in (-) my own explanations.We know now that Esau decided to move toward his brother Ya’acov because the wicked Laban sent his son to inform him. 

I will start with a commentary from FFZO ( First Fruits of Zion)
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The eighth reading from the book of Genesis is named Vayishlach (וsent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom” (Genesis 32:3 [verse 4 in Jewish-published Bibles]). Jacob prepares to meet Esau as he returns to the promised land, but first he has a mysterious encounter with an angel in the darkness, who changes his name to Israel. The portion follows Jacob’s adventures in the land of Canaan, including the loss of his beloved wife, Rachel.

Then Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. (Genesis 32:3[4])

After some twenty years of labor, Jacob was finally free from Laban’s mistreatment. Only God’s direct intervention saved him from Laban’s ire. As this Torah portion begins, the confrontation with Laban is over, and Jacob leaves his father-in-law behind in peace.

But something was still bothering Jacob. One angry relative was now behind him, but Esau was still ahead of him. He knew that Esau wanted him dead. Jacob must have felt like he had escaped the frying pan only to fall into the fire.

To escape Esau, Jacob had fled to the homeland of his mother, Rebekah. She had told him, “Stay … until your brother’s anger against you subsides and he forgets what you did to him. Then I will send and get you from there” (Genesis 27:44-45). Rebekah’s message never came. Esau’s anger never cooled. Jacob knew he was walking into great danger as he returned to the land of Canaan.

Hoping that his brother’s heart had softened, Jacob sent messengers ahead to announce his homecoming to Esau. The messengers returned with bad news. “We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him” (Genesis 32:6). Quite a welcoming party! Jacob’s heart sank. He felt certain Esau was coming with armed men to slaughter him.

This is what dealing with our past mistakes is like. Through the course of life, our sins and bad decisions leave broken relationships and emotional messes behind us. Ordinarily, we do exactly as Jacob did. We run from the problems and hope they will go away. We hope the passage of time will heal the hurts we have caused. Perhaps forgetfulness and distance will absolve us. It rarely works that way. Inevitably, the wheel of life brings us back around to confront our past. Sometimes the problems have not diminished at all. Instead, time and neglect has only aggravated them. When Jacob left Canaan, he had only Esau to worry about. Now, upon returning, he faces Esau and four hundred armed men.

The solution is to deal with our mistakes when we make them. When we do wrong to someone, we should immediately do everything in our power to make amends. When we make a mistake, we should acknowledge it, correct it, and do our best to fix it. Yeshua taught that you should “make friends quickly with your opponent” (Matthew 5:25) lest the situation escalate.

There is one opponent, however, that we can never mollify. The adversary, that old serpent haSatan, has a case against each of us. His job is to record our sins and transgressions and bring charges against us in God’s court of law. He does not take bribes, and he never forgets. No matter how long ago it happened, he remembers. He has a claim against us that we can never escape. Just as Jacob eventually had to face Esau, we will eventually have to answer to his charges. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all face judgment.

Take notice that Laban told Esau that his brother Ya’acov was blessed by יהוה on his account (Yasher 31verse 58) and complain that he also stole his “gods”, and gave Esau the privilege to do whatever he think to be good, in other word to be the one to punish Ya’acov.  Many years have I asked myself why does Rachel have stolen the “gods” (read parasha Vayetze)? May be you know, but I will show you that it is only in the “sod” that we can see the beautiful things which יהוה has embedded in the Torah. There is no error possible for those who love יהוה, they will know the truth and the truth which is the Torah will set them free from the world system.

Gen 32:4 and he commanded them, saying, “Say this to my master Ěsaw, ‘Your servant Yaʽaqoḇ said this, “I have sojourned with Laḇan and stayed there until now.  Gen 32:5 “And I have bulls, and donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants. And I have sent to inform my master, to find favour in your eyes.” ’ ”

Bulls: Picture of mashiach ben Yoseph (Judaism), and picture of righteous people

Donkey: Picture of Mashiach ben David (Judaism), picture of slave people serving the righteous, during the millennium!

Flocks, male and female: The assembly of יהושע......

Gen 32:6 So the messengers returned to Yaʽaqoḇ, saying, “We came to your brother Ěsaw, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men with him.”  Gen 32:7 and Yaʽaqoḇ was greatly afraid and distressed. So he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups,  Gen 32:8 and he said, “If Ěsaw comes to the one group and attacks it, then the other group which is left shall escape.”  

Ya’acov’s carnal nature will be ultimately challenged before becoming the patriarch called in the bowels of his Father Abraham. Ya’acov knows that יהוה has told him that he will make him like his father Itzahk and Abraham, but only the ultimate challenge will enable him to become the one he is call to be.  How it is with us? Have we reached our ultimate challenge’s point? Have we reached the point we think that if Elohim doesn’t intervene we are going to die?  Ya’acov didn’t know that יהוה was watching and had already made provision for his protection.

Ya’acov reaction was to pray to יהוה (verses 9-12). He feared Esau and knew that only יהוה was to deliver him. When we let this word penetrate our soul, we can see that we also, partakers from Ya’acov household (Luke 1:33 , Eph.2:19) should pray to יהוה for deliverance from “Esau” the worldly brethren who wish to destroy us. Ya’acov begins his prayer, by reminding Elohim what he told him. What did יהוה told us? It is already in His word. Just take it and let יהוה knows what He says in His word (i.e. Heb 13:5 Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For He Himself has said, “I shall never leave you nor forsake you,”). 

Gen 32:9 And Yaʽaqoḇ said, “O Elohim of my father Aḇraham and Elohim of my father Yitsḥaq, יהוה who said to me, ‘Return to your land and to your relatives, and I do good to you,’  . Gen 32:10 “I do not deserve (Yacov humility) the least of all the kind acts and all the truth which You have shown Your servant, for I passed over this Yardĕn with my staff, and now I have become two groups.  Gen 32:11 “Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Ěsaw, for I fear him, lest he come and shall smite me and the mother with the children. (Yacov’s flesh is shaking!).... Gen 32:12 “For You said, ‘I shall certainly do good to you, and shall make your seed as the sand of the sea, which are too numerous to count.’ ” .
Ya’acov didn’t counted for granted thinking that יהוה will act on his behalf. Today we can also pray in the same way Ya’acov did: «if there nor righteousness in me, do it for the sake of our Master יהושע who has become our righteousness for us”.
 1Co 1:29 that no flesh should glory in his presence. 1Co 1:30 but of him are ye in the Messiah יהושע, who of YHWH is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Remember we are save by favour through faith that is in Messiah יהושע (Eph. 2:8).

Gen 32:13 and he spent the night there, and took what came to his hand as a present for Ěsaw his brother... –

  Gen 32:21 and the present passed over before him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.

Ya’acov acknowledges his fear to יהוה, read what King David writes:

Psa 34:4 I sought יהוה, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 

Do you think יהוה will also deliver us from such challenges? Yes of course if we trust him, because he says that he will be with us, particularly in the last days:  

Isa 44:1 yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Isa 44:2 thus saith YHWH that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jeshurun (another name for Israel), whom I have chosen.

How the prophet Yeshayahu cans speaks of Ya’acov and Israël, Yeshayahu prophesied around 740-701 B.C.E. many centuries after Ya’acov’s death?

Yeshayahu spoke by the inspiration of יהוה’ Ruach (Spirit) HaQodesh thus speaking of all those coming after belonging to Ya’acov’s Household:

2Ti 3:16 all scripture is given by inspiration of YHWH……………..

2Pe 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2Pe 1:21 for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of YHWH spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Jer 30:10 therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith YHWH; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will (future) save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.  Jer 30:11 for I am with thee, saith YHWH, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.

Again the prophet Yrmeyahu speak in the future, like the prophet Yeshayahu, Yrmeyahu prophesied between 609-598 B.C.E thus speaking of a time future using Ya’acov’s name for his household! 

Psa 91:14 “Because he cleaves to Me in love, Therefore I deliver him; I set him on high, Because he has known My Name. Psa 91:15 “When he calls on Me, I answer him; I am with him in distress; I deliver him and honour him.

To love יהוה is to keep His commands there is an eternal promise of deliverance for those who cleave to יהוה  

1Jn 2:3 and by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands.¹ 1Jn 5:3 For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands,¹ and His commands are not heavy. 

Esau was blinded by his hatred toward Ya’acov. Esau and Ya’acov were raised in the same House by Itzak their father. Ya’acov rose in the love of the Torah, Esau in the love of the world. How is it today with Christianity? Have you ever tried to speak spiritual things with Christians? What was the reaction?  If you talk to a Christian been a Muslim or an atheist, a Buddhist or even one practicing magic, they will tell you that it is not a problem and will start to explain that salvation is only in “Jesus”, like a magic formula you can be whatever you are if you proclaim the name “Jesus” and believe in this name you will be save, but if like you and me you come to a Christian and tell him about keeping Shabbat, rejecting pork eating, keeping יהוה’ Feast, you will be rebuke and stamped as Legalistic person who try to gain salvation by works!  Are Christians not proclaiming to be our brethren? Why then do they reject the Torah? Is it not the spirit of the Anti-Messiah?

What does Yochanan write?

1Jn 2:16 because all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.  1Jn 2:17 and the world passes away, and the lust of it, but the one doing the desire of Elohim remains forever.

No doubt that Esau will not remain forever (read the Haftorah Obadiyahu)!

Today the spirit of humanism gives freedom to everybody to believe whatever they want as long it doesn’t disturb your neighbour’s belief e.g. in France you will find the Republic spirit it is a weird thing. “Esau”, that is Edom is today on the top of his arrogance in the world mixing with all kind of belief, making alliance with all nations to his own advantage, but keep oppressing his brother Ya’acov, Israel.

Another interesting view on Ya’acov becoming Ysrael according to the Gematria from our beloved brother Avi ben Mordechai:
Ya’acov = 182

Satan =      359

Total =     451

451 =    Ysrael

In order to become Ysrael, we like Ya’acov need to overcome Satan.
We overcome through Mashiach Yehoshua:
(John 16:33 [KJV])

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Gen 32:22 and he rose up that night and took his two wives, and his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford of Yabboq...  Gen 32:32 that is why the children of Yisra’ĕl to this day do not eat the sinew of the hip, which is on the socket of the thigh, because He touched the socket of the thigh of Yaʽaqoḇ, in the sinew of the hip.

Ya’acov met the messenger of יהוה and wrestle with him during the night! Darkness (night) is directly connected with the evil realm.

1Th 5:4 but you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.  1Th 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness.  

Ya’acov was fighting with a messenger of Elohim! Could it be that he was fighting with HaSatan, the adversary like it is believe in some circle?

Remember Ya’acov says I have seen Elohim (Mighty one) not יהוה!

Hoshea speaking concerning Ya’acov write:

Hos 12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he strove with Elohim.  Hos 12:4 He strove with the Messenger and overcame¹, he wept and sought His favour. He found Him in Bĕyth Ěl, and there He spoke to us.

The Hebrew word used in Hoshea is “Mal’ak” “messenger. In the “sod” (mystery), Ya’acov has spent the night fighting with himself, with his carnal nature in order to overcome and stand before Esau his brother. יהוה didn’t interact directly but let Ya’acov face his own nature, having already give Ya’acov the victory.

1Jn 5:4 for whatsoever is born of Elohim overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Ya’acov had to trust יהוה that he had heard his prayer, in order to be able to stand before Esau. Are you also standing before your “Esau” today and trust יהוה through יהושע Messiah to deliver you from the wickedness of your “brother’s” hatred?

Gen 33:1 and Yaʽaqoḇ lifted his eyes and looked and saw Ěsaw coming, and with him four hundred men, and he divided the children among Lĕ’ah, and Raḥĕl, and the two female servants.   Gen 33:2 and he put the female servants and their children in front, and Lĕ’ah and her children behind, and Yosĕph and Rahel last. .........

We know that everything has its own meaning in the Torah. Why then does יהוה let us know that Rahel and Yoseph were last,

Ya’acov stand before his family, he knew that there is no escape, but to trust יהוה Elohim of his father Itzak and Abraham. Do you see why is it important to teach Torah to our children, in order that they also know that Elohim is our refuge and our fortress in time of distress?    Ya’acov victory over his brother Esau can be divided in two parts:

●    First of all, the victory over the carnal nature, choosing to trust יהוה rather our own understanding (Proverbs Pro 3:5 Trust in יהוה with all your heart, and lean not on your own understandin.)

●    Secondly that the final fight before entering the Kingdom of Elohim, the promise Land will be against Esau (not alone) and that יהוה will care for Ya’acov and His Household, the assembly in יהושע.

Remember: 666 is the number of man the Greek word used in Revelation 13 is “anthropos” and just point to a certain man: could it be that it is “Esau”?

In the second century, Irenaeus a disciple of Polycarp, himself Yochanan’s disciple claim that the number was contained in the word “lateinos” thus pointing to the ecclesiastical system of the Roman Catholic Church, latin been the peculiarly language of the Church in Rome. Many other interpretations have been proposed, but Esau, today is recognized to be Rome. Ya’acov was returning to the land of his father Abraham and Itzak after twenty years. Twenty could also been in the remez two thousand years (two days) before entering the promise land following יהושע who will deliver us from “Esau”.  Edomites today are everywhere; don’t think because you are somewhere in the Philippines, or in South America or in Europe or anywhere else, that this place is free from the spirit of Esau. Like we have seen with the prophet Yeshayahu speaking of Ya’acov and Israel, the Prophet Obediyahu speaks of Esau around 587 B.C.E saying : there shall not be (future) any remaining in the house of Esau” speaking to Edom (see the haftorah) .

Remember that Rahel was the last when Ya’acov divided his wives, concubines and children at Esau coming. The spiritual meaning is to be fund in the confrontation with Esau. Leah is the mother of Yehuda the southern Kingdom called the “House of Yehudah”, who was   already many times confronted with Esau, because not united with Yoseph also called the “house of Israel” The position of Rahel and Yoseph show us that the “House of Israel” will also be confronted with Esau in the last days.  This came because of the division between both houses into two groups (B’reshit 32:7). The number two is the number of division, not united, separation. But the time will come when Yehudah and Yoseph will be united again forever:

Eze 37:15 and the word of יהוה came to me, saying,  Eze 37:16 “And you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it, ‘For Yehuḏah and for the children of Yisra’ĕl, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Yosĕph, the stick of Ephrayim, and for all the house of Yisra’ĕl, his companions.’  Eze 37:17 “Then bring them together for yourself into one stick, and they shall become one in your hand. Eze 37:22 “And I shall make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Yisra’ĕl. And one sovereign shall be sovereign over them all, and let them no longer be two nations, and let them no longer be divided into two reigns.  

If we read carefully at this time Benjamim, Yoseph brother is not yet born. There is also a spiritual meaning which will be expounded in another Parsha later when we see the reunification between Yoseph and his brethren in Egypt.

The final point to confirm the last confrontation between Esau and his brother Ya’acov in the last days is found in the verse 17:” And Yaʽaqoḇ set out to Sukkoth, and built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. That is why the name of the place is called Sukkoth”  .

We know that the feats of Sukkoth is in the seventh month of יהוה’s feats (Vaiyqrah Lev 23:34 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Booths for seven days to יהוה.’

That is Sukkoth the Feast of the booth, when the final gathering of יהוה’s people will take place to enter the Millennium. 

Gen 33:3 and he himself passed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.  
 First let us look at the Hebrew meaning of the word “Dinah”

Strong’s # H1783 דּינה dîynâh    Feminine of H1779; justice; Dinah, the daughter of Jacob: - Dinah. BDB Definition:  Dinah = “judgment” 1) Daughter of Jacob by Leah, full sister of Simeon and Levi  H 1779 dîyn  dûn  deen, doon  From H1777; judgment (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife: - cause, judgment, plea, strife............

We see that this word contain also the sense of “sentence or tribunal”. With this in mind we are going to see what will happen in the last days with the spiritual “Canaanites”.   

Zec 14:21 yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto YHWH Sebatoth: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of YHWH Sebaoth.

In order to understand we shall go back to the sons of Noach in the book of B’reshit:  Gen 9:22 And Ḥam, the father of Kenaʽan (Canaan), saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.  Gen 9:25 and he said, “Cursed is Kenaʽan, let him become a servant of servants to his brothers.” .......

 Canaan was the son of Ham also known as Mitzrayim or Egypt. The Canaanites were wicked people, idolaters and immoral as we are going to see in the chapter with Dinah. Dinah represents the descendants of Leah which is the “House of Yehudah” scattered among the idolaters of the world. These idolaters will try to intermingle with the sons of Ya’acov and will reap destruction.  The first approach in the Torah shows the lineage of Shechem and his father Hamor the Hivites: 

 Gen 10:15 And Kenaʽan brought forth Tsiḏon his first-born, and Ḥĕth,  Gen 10:16 and the Yeḇusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,  Gen 10:17 and the Ḥiwwite, and the Arqite, and the Sinite, ………

We found more details in the meaning of the name Shechem:

Strong’s # H 7928 שׁכם shekem sheh'-kem, written shin, Qof, mem.  From H7926; Shekem, the name of a Hivite and two Israelites: - Shechem.  H7926: shek-em'  From H7925; the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively the spur of a hill: - back, X consent, portion, shoulder.  H 7925 shâkam shaw-kam' ....

A primitive root; properly to incline (the shoulder to a burden); but used only as denominative from H7926; literally to load up (on the back of man or beast), that is, to start early in the morning: - (arise, be up, get [oneself] up, rise up) early (betimes), morning.

By reading the meaning we could say that Shechem will lay a burden on Dinah by extension in the spiritual way, to Leah, the “House of Yehudah”. Only if we can understand the character of the Hivites descendants of Canaan will we be able to see more and understand the “burden” of Dinah, “House of Yehudah”. First of all we see verse 2 that Shechem took first Dinah and abused her before asking his father to give him this woman for wife! This is already opposite to Abraham’s descendants who followed the will of their fathers concerning marriage as we have learned with Itzak and Ya’acov.

Gen 34:4 and Sheḵem spoke to his father Ḥamor, saying, “Take this girl for me for a wife.”  Gen 34:5 and Yaʽaqoḇ heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Yaʽaqoḇ kept silent until they came.  

  Gen 34:18 and their words pleased Ḥamor and Sheḵem, Ḥamor’s son.  ........ 

Ya’acov’ sons required that they should circumcise in order to be accepted. Let us see what the book of Yasher tells us concerning Shechem “the burden” and all the Hivite. Once again we will see that the Torah pre-existed Moshe and that Ya’acov’s children didn’t acted because of hatred, but because of righteousness. We also should hate wickedness unfortunately many among us cannot even discern because Torah is lacking in their life......

 By approaching and abusing Dinah the burden (Schechem) will be death for the Hivites

Gen 34:19 and the young man did not delay to do this because he delighted in Yaʽaqoḇ’s daughter. Now he was more respected than all the household of his father.  Gen 34:20 and Ḥamor and Sheḵem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying,  Gen 34:21 “These men are at peace with us, so let them dwell in the land and move about in it. And see, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters for us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.  

Canaanites are deceivers. It is good to understand that the spirit of Canaanites is a spirit of deception, and will not submit to the Torah. The appearance sometime hides the intention of the heart. Canaan was the son of Ham, the son of Noach who reveal the nakedness of his father Noah to his brothers Shem and Japheth and was cursed by his father. We have seen in the parsha Noach that this curse is still among some groups of people servant of servants.to his brethren.(B'reshit 9:24-27)

 The Levites were those standing beside Moshe to purge the assembly after the sin of the Golden calf:

Exo 32:26 and Mosheh stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Who is for יהוה? Come to me.” And all the sons of Lĕwi gathered themselves to him.  Exo 32:27 and he said to them, “Thus said יהוה Elohim of Yisra’ĕl: ‘Each one put his sword on his side, pass over to and fro from gate to gate in the camp, and each one slay his brother, and each one his friend, and each one his relative.’ ”   Exo 32:28 and the sons of Lĕwi did according to the word of Mosheh. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

 We have seen that the intention of the Canaanites was only to deceive Ya’acov and his family. Do you know Canaanites today? Have you ever seen people who have been circumcised but reject the Torah and prefer to follow the tradition of their fathers?.... Unless somebody turn fully to the Torah through יהושע Messiah, he cannot be called an Israelite, he is a deceiver who will bring burden to those who trust them. Canaanites have defiled the descendants of Dinah, the daughter of Ya’acov by mixing themselves to them, but following the traditions of their fathers.

Rom 2:28 for he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Rom 2:29 but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of YHWH……  

Shaul didn’t denied circumcision, but bring a step further explaining that the circumcision must be of the heart, without nullifying the circumcision of the flesh. The circumcision of Abraham was commanded by יהוה and was the sign of a covenant. The circumcision given by Moshe became a "ma’asei" (work) under the Pharisee in יהושע’s time. ……..

Gen 34:22 “Only on this condition would the men agree to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised.   Gen 34:31 but they said, “Should he treat our sister like a whore?”  .

Ya’acov was thinking that the peace will not be possible anymore because of what Simeon and Levi did to the Sons of Hamor the Hivites.

Do you remember what יהוה told Abraham:

Gen 12:3 “And I shall bless those who bless you, and curse him who curses you. And in you all the clans of the earth shall be blessed.”.........\ delivered  them because they trusted in him. Here is the key: Pray and trust יהוה to fulfil what we pray for. .....

1Jn 5:14 and this is the boldness that we have in Him, that if we ask whatever according to His desire, He hears us.

1Jn 5:15 and if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Joh 15:7 “If you stay in Me, and My Words stay in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.

Chapter 35 Ya’acov will ask to his household to put away the foreign mighty ones and cleanse themselves and change their garments. I am pretty sure that like me you have read this verse many times without finding the connection to us today! It is amazing and so clear that when you see it, you will understand Sha'ul speaking to believers. Who is the household of Ya’acov, is it not the Assembly? Who came to reign over the Assembly, the household of Israel? Is it not יהושע?

Who stole the gods from Laban? Was it not Rachel (Gen 31:19 and when Laḇan had gone to shear his sheep, Raḥĕl stole the house idols that were her father’s.) ...
Here and excerpt from the parasha Vayetze to recall Rachel’s stealing Laban’s idols:
Gen 31:30 “and now you have gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my mighty ones?”

“ why did you steal my migty ones (elohim)” (add 2013)
Rachel steal the elohim (gods) of her father laban.
I have meditated many years concerning this fact, and I must be honest it is not obvious. First we see Laban accusing Ya’acov to have stolen his elohim (gods), but we know that it was Rachel without telling Ya’acov who took the idols away from her father:

Gen 31:19 and when Laḇan had gone to shear his sheep, Raḥĕl stole the house idols that were her father’s.

Later we read that Rachel died very young giving birth to her second son Benjamin:

Parasha Vayishlach:
Gen 35:16  Then they set out from Bĕyth Ěl. And it came to be, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, that Raḥĕl began to give birth, and had great difficulty giving birth.

Gen 35:17  And it came to be, as she was having great difficulty giving birth, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for it is another son for you.”

Gen 35:18  And it came to be, as her life was going out – for she died – that she called his name Ben-Oni. But his father called him Binyamin.

Gen 35:19  So Raḥĕl died and was buried on the way to Ephrath, that is Bĕyth Leḥem.

Again I will quote from FFZO:
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The Proverbs say that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). In Rachel’s case, that appears to have been especially true.

Jacob and his family were making their way south through the land of Canaan, toward Hebron where his father Isaac still lived. While the family traveled, Rachel went into labor with her second child. She had named her previous son Joseph, meaning “May He add [another son].” God had answered her prayer, and she gave birth to a second son. Rachel suffered a severe labor. As the child was born, the midwife tried to cheer her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” Rachel knew she was dying.

Rachel died some distance from Ephrath, an older name for Bethlehem. Jacob entombed her there, beside the road and set up a sacred stone over her tomb. The story provides the etiology behind a landmark. The Torah remarks, “Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day” (Genesis 35:20).

Jewish tradition connects the tragic death of Rachel with a story from the previous Torah portion. In the previous Torah portion, we read that Rachel stole her father Laban’s household idols when Jacob and his family fled back to Canaan. Jacob did not know about the theft. When Laban overtook Jacob, he demanded the return of his household gods. Rachel was hiding them in her tent. No one knew she had them.

Jacob swore an oath to Laban, “The one with whom you find your gods shall not live” (Genesis 31:32). With those words, Jacob inadvertently spoke a curse over his beloved wife:

Though our mother Rachel was not guilty [of any of the transgressions for which someone might ordinarily die in childbirth], nevertheless, because Jacob said, “With whomever you find your gods, he shall not live,” she was punished, but her judgment was not carried out until she was in childbirth. (Midrash Lekach Tov)

The story of Rachel’s death illustrates the Master’s warning against swearing oaths. He said, “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes ‘ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil” (Matthew 5:36-37).

Rachel’s tragic and premature death sets her apart from the other six mothers. According to tradition, Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah all rest with their husbands in the Machpelah in Hebron. Rachel lies alone beside the way to Bethlehem. She appeared again, alone, mourning the exiles being led off to Babylon (Jeremiah 31:15). She raised her voice again over the slaughter of the innocents of Bethlehem (Matthew 2). People still visit her tomb today.

Gen 35:20  And Yaʽaqoḇ set a standing column on her grave, which is the monument of Raḥĕl’s grave to this day.

First Rachel died in the way to Ephrath, and she was not buried with Leah and Itzahk, Rivkah, Abraham and Sarah!
This should catch our attention!
Why Rachel did die so young? Was it because Ya’acov put a curse on her?
Gen 31:30  “And now you have gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my mighty ones?”

We should be very careful what we proclaim with our lips!

Rachel is a picture of the House of Yoseph, also called Ephraim or the House of Ysrael in the scriptures.

This tells us that Ephraim will have to die (spiritually) in his way back to Ephrata (Beth Lechem) the House of the bread of life, the House prepared by Yehoshua, in order to bring fruits of righteousness (free from idolatry).
Hos 13:12 The iniquity of Ephraim [is] bound up; his sin [is] hid.

Rachel was not free from idolatry
Gen 31:32  “With whomever you find your mighty ones, do not let him live. In the presence of our brothers, see for yourself what is with me and take it with you.” For Yaʽaqoḇ did not know that Raḥĕl had stolen them.

Ya’acov a picture of Mashiach, did not know that Rachel (Ephraim/House of Ysrael) has stolen the idols.

Gen 31:36 and Yaʽaqoḇ was wroth and contended with Laḇan, and Yaʽaqoḇ answered and said to Laḇan, “What is my transgression? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?

Gen 31:37 “Now that you have searched all my goods what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my brothers and your brothers, and let them decide between the two of us!

Ya’acov was righteous, and Elohim did not count to him Rachel’s transgression.

We all need to die (let all idols go) in order to bring fruits of righteousness.

Rm 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Rm 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yehoshua messiah were baptized into his death?
Yehovah knew that Ephraim (the House of Ysrael) will follow after idols and will bec ut off, and will need to be redeemed:
1R 12:26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:

1R 12:27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of יהוה at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their master, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.

1R 12:28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy elohim, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

1R 12:29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.

1R 12:30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

1R 12:31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

1R 12:32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.

1R 12:33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

Yehowah will repay the evil of King Yeroboam to the House of Ysrael :
1R 14:5 And יהוה said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her: for it shall be, when she cometh in, that she shall feign herself to be another woman.

1R 14:6 And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.

1R 14:7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith יהוה Elohim of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,

1R 14:8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

1R 14:9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other elohim, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:

1R 14:10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

1R 14:11 Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for יהוה hath spoken it.

1R 14:12 Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.

1R 14:13 And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward יהוה Elohim of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

1R 14:14 Moreover יהוה shall raise him up a king over Israel, who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam that day: but what? even now.

1R 14:15 For יהוה shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking יהוה to anger.

1R 14:16 And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.

Hos 13:1 When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

Hos 13:2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, [and] idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

Ephraim is pictured in the parasha Vayetze through Rachel the beloved wife from Ya’acov. Rachel had to die, because Ya’acov said that he/she that has stolen the idols may die!
Later Ya’acov returning to Canaan, the Land Yehovah gave to Abraham and Itzahk say:
 With this we can ask:

Is not Rachel the one giving birth to the “House of Israel”? Is not the House of Israel who will fall into idolatry, and will be scattered in the four corners of the earth? Remember TORAH means: Instruction, or how to live a righteous life......

1Ki 12:28  Whereupon the king( Yarobam) took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy Elohim, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.  1Ki 12:29 and he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. ......

Yarobam (Jeroboam) was king of the northern Kingdom, also called the House of Israel or Ephraim. Here we can see that יהוה says that from Rachel will come those who will follow other mighty ones and will be in trouble (they were hidden in the camel saddle, the camel been a picture of life’s tribulations, been an animal who is chosen to walk many days in the wilderness (desert) without drinking water.

Ya’acov a picture of Messiah tells his Household to remove the foreign mighty ones and to cleanse themselves. We see here a clear picture pointing to us today. How to put on the garment of righteousness, by removing every idols from our life and been washed by the word, through the blood of יהושע Messiah.

Jas 5:2 Your riches have rotted, and your garments have become moth-eaten.....

Rev 3:4 “Nevertheless, you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. And they shall walk with Me in white, because they are worthy. Rev 16:15 “See, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who is staying awake and guarding his garments, lest he walks naked and they see his shame.”

Rev 19:8 and to her it was given to be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the set-apart ones.  

Gen 35:1 and Elohim said to Yaʽaqoḇ, “Arise, go up to Bĕyth Ěl and dwell there. And make an altar there to Ěl who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Ěsaw your brother.”  Gen 35:2 and Yaʽaqoḇ said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign mighty ones that are among you, and cleanse yourselves, and change your garments.  Gen 35:3 “And let us arise and go up to Bĕyth Ěl, and let me make there an altar to Ěl, who answered me in the day of my distress, and has been with me in the way which I have gone.”

Gen 35:4 So they gave Yaʽaqoḇ all the foreign mighty ones which were in their hands, and all their earrings which were in their ears. And Yaʽaqoḇ hid them under the terebinth tree which was near Sheḵem.  Gen 35:5 and they departed, and the fear of Elohim was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Yaʽaqoḇ.

Gen 35:6 and Yaʽaqoḇ came to Luz, that is Bĕyth Ěl, which is in the land of Kenaʽan, he and all the people who were with him.  Gen 35:7 and he built there an altar and called the place El Bĕyth Ěl, because there Elohim appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.  Gen 35:8 and Deḇorah, Riḇqah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bĕyth Ěl under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Baḵuth.  Gen 35:9 and Elohim appeared to Yaʽaqoḇ again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him.  Gen 35:10 and Elohim said to him, “Your name is Yaʽaqoḇ, your name is no longer called Yaʽaqoḇ, but Yisra’ĕl is your name.” So He called his name Yisra’ĕl.  Gen 35:11 and Elohim said to him, “I am Ěl Shaddai. Bear fruit and increase, a nation and a company of nations shall be from you, and sovereigns come from your body.  Gen 35:12 “And the land which I gave Aḇraham and Yitsḥaq I give to you. And to your seed after you I give this land.”  

Ya’acov has now become Israel; יהוה has confirmed the covenant to him as he did to Itzahk and Abraham. Throughout the Tanahk, Ya’acov will be called “Ya’acov” or “Israel”. To understand we shall know that “Ya’acov represent the carnal nature and “Israel” the divine nature in heaven. .......

Gen 35:13 and Elohim went up from him in the place where He had spoken with him.  Gen 35:14 and Yaʽaqoḇ set up a standing column in the place where He had spoken with him, a monument of stone. And he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it.  Gen 35:15 and Yaʽaqoḇ called the name of the place where Elohim spoke with him, Bĕyth Ěl.  Gen 35:16 Then they set out from Bĕyth Ěl. And it came to be, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, that Raḥĕl began to give birth, and had great difficulty giving birth.  Gen 35:17 and it came to be, as she was having great difficulty giving birth, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for it is another son for you.”  Gen 35:18 and it came to be, as her life was going out – for she died – that she called his name Ben-Oni (son of my sorrow). But his father called him Binyamin (son of my right hand).  Could we see that Rahel spiritually was not “matured” she was not yet fully converted! Could this be also a sign for the “House of Israel” for immaturity? Another aspect is with the gemetria. Could it be that Elohim was pointing to the Judgment that would come to the House of Israel, the descendants of Yoseph?

Gen 35:19 so Raḥĕl died and was buried on the way to Ephrath, that is Bĕyth Leḥem. ... Gen 36:43 Chief Maḡdi’ĕl, Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Eḏom, according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Ěsaw was the father of the Eḏomites.

Esau the Edomite. This statement is clear and without ambiguity Esau the man from Edom has given his name to a type of people walking after his steps. The Edomites verse 9 is a people either descendants from Esau the brother from Ya’acov. Edomites have certain knowledge of יהוה Elohim because of the traditions of their fathers. Their life style is according to the pleasure of the world, they are not interested with spiritual things, they have chosen the material world, and some of them are very successful and boast with pride about their abilities. Their heritage is in the world, they attach great value to material property and prosperity. Some of them are not able to reach this level and will suffer because in spite of not having attained prosperity they will still remain looking for the material world. In the time of יהושע we find Edomites ruling in Jerusalem

Haftorah

Keil and Delitsch make an interesting statement: -- The fact that it is the nations generally that are here summoned to make war upon Edom, and not only one nation in particular, points at once to the fact that Edom is regarded as a type of the power of the world, and its hostility to God, the destruction of which is here foretold.......

The prophet ObadYah speak the final judgment against Edom and gives us also the reason of the proclaimed judgment.  First of all יהוה verse 9 we read that even the “mighty men” will not save Edom, neither the “Mountains of Esau”. Remember “mountains” represent many times “power” or “governments”. It seems that the Judgment is called against Esau, because he never forsook his hatred against his brother Ya’acov. This is a spiritual attitude which still prevails today. They have despised to help Yehudah (Jews)in time of trouble.

Verse 15:” As you have done, it shall be done to you, your reward shall come back on your own head”.

Read what יהושע says: --- Mat 25:39 ‘and when did we see You sick, or in prison, and we came to You?’  Mat 25:40 “And the Sovereign shall answer and say to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in so far as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.’  Mat 25:41 “He shall then also say to those on the left hand, ‘Go away from Me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his messengers –  Mat 25:42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink,  Mat 25:43 ‘I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, was naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’  Mat 25:44 “Then they also shall answer Him, saying, ‘Master, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not serve You?’  Mat 25:45 “Then He shall answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, in so far as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

Mat 25:46 “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.”  

Oba 1:1 The vision of Oḇaḏyah: This is what the Master יהוה said concerning Eḏom. We have heard a report from יהוה, and a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying, “Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle!” ... Oba 1:17 “But on Mount Tsiyon there shall be an escape¹, and they shall be set-apart. And the house of Yaʽaqoḇ shall possess their possessions. Footnote: ¹Isa. 4:2-3, Joel 2:32, Rev. 14:1. ..
  Oba 1:21 and saviours shall come to Mount Tsiyon to judge the mountains of Ěsaw. And the reign shall belong to יהוה. Footnote: ¹Ps. 2:8, Ps. 22:28, Dan. 2:44, Dan. 7:13-14 & 27, Zech. 14: 9, Rev. 11:15, Rev. 12:10……

Hoshea the prophet to Ephraim, the “House of Israel” those who have been called “you are not my people and now are called sons of the living Elohim”  יהוה plead with Ephraim through the mouth of Hoshea, to bring them back to him, He proclaims Ephraim arrogance and his miserable condition. Nevertheless יהוה says that he will not act like a man, because of his displeasure, but according to the promise…….

Hos 11:7 “My people are bent towards backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He lifts none of them up.  Hos 11:8 “How could I give you up, Ephrayim? How could I hand you over, Yisra’ĕl? How could I make you like Aḏmah? How could I set you like Tseḇoyim? My heart turns within Me, all My compassion is kindled.  Hos 11:9 “I shall not let the heat of My wrath burn, I shall not turn to destroy Ephrayim. For I am Ěl, and not man, the Set-apart One in your midst, and I shall not come in enmity.  Hos 11:10 “Let them follow יהוה. Like a lion He roars. When He roars, then sons shall tremble from the west.

Hos 11:11 “They shall tremble like a bird from Mitsrayim, and like a dove from the land of Ashshur. And I shall let them dwell in their own houses,” declares יהוה.  Hos 11:12 “Ephrayim has surrounded Me with lying, and the house of Yisra’ĕl with deceit. But Yehuḏah is still wandering with Ěl, and is true to the Set-apart One.”  Hos 12:1 Ephrayim is feeding on wind, and pursuing an east wind. All the day he increases falsehood and ruin. And they make a covenant with Ashshur, and oil is sent to Mitsrayim.  Hos 12:2 and יהוה has a controversy with Yehuḏah, to punish Yaʽaqoḇ according to his ways, to repay him according to his deeds.  Hos 12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he strove with Elohim.  Hos 12:4 He strove with the Messenger and overcame, he wept and sought His favour. He found Him in Bĕyth Ěl, and there He spoke to us  Hos 12:5 even יהוה Elohim of hosts, יהוה is His remembrance.  Hos 12:6 Therefore, return to your Elohim. Guard kindness and right-ruling, and wait on your Elohim continually.  Hos 12:7 a merchant! In his hand are scales of deceit, he loved to oppress.  Hos 12:8 and Ephrayim says, “Indeed, I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself. In all my labours they shall find in me no crookedness that is sin.”  

We find יהושע speaking to Ephraim in the assembly of Laodicea (Rev.3:14-19). Laodicea was a city who had great wealth and the assembly has been built after יהושע departed to the Father and was compounded with those from the “House of Israel”. They received a strong warning from יהושע that is reflecting Hoshea words; ….

Rev 3:17 “Because you say, ‘Rich I am, and I am made rich, and need none at all,’ and do not know that you are wretched, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked. ....

Laodicea represent also the spiritual condition of many assemblies today who think of their “material blessing”, having less interest for their spiritual conditions; many today think that the “proof” of their righteousness is their “money”. I have even read in messianic assemblies some leaders saying that “not paying tithe” can bring curse!

Hos 12:9 “But I am יהוה your Elohim since the land of Mitsrayim, again I shall make you dwell in tents as in the days of the appointed time¹. Footnote: ¹Or festival.  Hos 12:10 “And I have spoken to the prophets, and have increased visions. And through the prophets I gave parables.”  Hos 12:11 Is Gilʽaḏ wicked? Certainly, they have been false! In Gilgal they have offered bulls. Also their altars are as heaps on a ploughed field.  Hos 12:12 and when Yaʽaqoḇ fled to the country of Aram, Yisra’ĕl served for a wife, and for a wife he kept watch.  Mat 26:36 Then יהושע came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the taught ones, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  Mat 26:37 and He took with Him Kĕpha and the two sons of Zaḇdai, and He began to be grieved and deeply distressed.  Mat 26:38 Then He said to them, “My being is exceedingly grieved, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”  Mat 26:39 and going forward a little, He fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I desire, but as You desire.”  Mat 26:40 and He came to the taught ones and found them asleep, and said to Kĕpha, “So, were you not able to watch with Me one hour?  Mat 26:41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into trial. The spirit indeed is eager, but the flesh is weak.”  Mat 26:42 Again He went away, a second time, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is impossible for this to pass unless I drink it, let Your desire be done.” May יהוה bless you all in Messiah יהושע.