Genesis 25:19-28:9
“Here is the history of Yitz’ak, Avraham’s son. Avraham fathered Yitz’ak. Yitz’ak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, the daughter of B’tu’el the Arami from Paddan-Aram and sister of Lavan the Arami, to be his wife” (Genesis 25:19-20).
Excerpt:
Nations at Odds and Prophecy
Isaac is 40 years old when he marries Rebekah. He prays for his wife to have a child as she is barren. He embraced his role of a spiritual leader and prayed. He interceded on his wife’s behalf. He prayed for about 20 years until he saw the fruit of his labor. Isaac is 60 years old when his sons are born.
After years of disappointment, Rebekah finally conceives but senses serious issues with the pregnancy. There is jostling! She seeks Elohim about the activity in her womb asking, “If all is well, why am I like this?” Elohim’s answer –– twins!
“There are two nations [Israel and Edom] in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
Esau meaning ‘completely formed and having red hair’ is born first and is covered with reddish hair. Esau is a word play on Seir as both mean ‘hairy.’ Seir is where Esau will eventually settle and his descendants will live. Seir is also known as Edom which also means ‘red’.
The second son emerges from the womb holding onto Esau’s heel. He is named Ya’akov meaning ‘he catches by the heel.’
Hebrew Word Pictures
Esau (Hairy) – עשו – ayin, shin, vav
– understand the consuming binding
Ya’akov (Supplants) – יעקב – yod, ayin, kof, bet
– finished work, understand what is behind the family
Firstborns are generally the heir to the family inheritance; however, Isaac has firsthand knowledge that this isn’t always true. He had been chosen over his older brother to receive the promises El Shaddai gave to his father. Now it seems the that prophecy given to Rebekah and the presentation of the boys at birth reveals that Jacob has been chosen over Esau to receive the covenant promises.
“I love you,” says Adonai. But you ask, ‘How do you show us your love?’ Adonai answers, ‘Esav was Ya’akov’s brother. Yet I loved Ya’akov but hated Esav. I made his mountains desolate and gave his territory to desert jackals.’ Edom [the land where Esau lived] says, ‘We are beaten down now, but we will come back and rebuild the ruins.’ Adonai-Tzva’ot answers, ‘They can build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, the people with whom Adonai is permanently angry. You will see it and say, ‘Adonai is great, even beyond the borders of Isra’el’” (Malachi 1:2-5).
The words, “Yet I loved Jacob, but hated Esau,” seem harsh; however, these words in the Hebrew are more correctly rendered as ‘accepted’ and ‘rejected.’ They don’t mean Esau was cursed and doomed to eternal separation from Elohim. It does mean the covenant promises were going to go through Jacob’s lineage not Esau’s. Elohim’s calling on an individual’s life has divine purpose and is not the result of anything that individual does or doesn’t do (Romans 9:10-14).
Because Elohim’s callings and gifts cannot be nullified, Isra’el is loved because of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They will stand forever as Elohim’s chosen nation as they were called to be a nation before Jacob and Esau were born, before the foundations of the world (Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 1:4).
“With respect to the Good News they [Isra’el] are hated [rejected] for your sake. But with respect to being chosen they [Isra’el] are loved [accepted] for the Patriarchs’ sake, for God’s free gifts and his calling are irrevocable” (Romans 11:28-29).
For a complete copy of this Torah portion, the readings from the Prophets, gospels, letters, and study questions, please purchase Open My Eyes: Wonders of Torah.
©2018 Tentstake Ministries Publishing, all rights reserved.