VAYETSE “And he went out” (Continuation

JACOB’S LADDER (SHULAM) = THE LADDER OF SUCCESS

WE REMEMBER THE FEAST OF DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE (HANUKAH) 1

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CONGR. CHINCONA CRUZ WILL BE A GUEST SPEAKER IN MLTC ON DEC. 12 12:30 TO 3:30 PM.

He who has ears, let him hear.

TORAH PASSION POINTS:Man primary purpose is to know God And His Word(Gen. to Revelation) And to Seek HIS Absolute and Enjoy life by Obeying YHVH YESHUA.

“ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear The Elohim, and keep His commandments; for this applies to every man. For The Elohim shall bring every work into judgment, with all that is hidden, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.” (blessing or curse/freedom of choice)(Eccl 12:13-14)

He who has ears, let him hear.

FINDING TORAH GEMS BY SEARCHING DRASH & SODLET US CONTINUE TO STUDY THE TORAH AND SEARCH FOR WISDOM LYING IN THE TEXT/WORDSTHE YHVH BREATHE FRM HIS MOUTH

Mat 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Mat 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, Mat 13:46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Mat 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind;

“Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law/torah. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul is crushed with longing After Your ordinances at all times. “You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, Who wander from Your commandments”. – King David (Psalm 119:18-21)

Idilat mo ang aking mga mata, upang ako'y makakita ng kagilagilalas na mga bagay sa iyong kautusan. Ako'y nakikipamayan sa lupa: huwag mong ikubli ang mga utos mo sa akin. Ang puso ko'y nadudurog sa pananabik na tinatamo sa iyong mga kahatulan sa lahat ng panahon. “ Iyong sinaway ang mga palalong sinumpa, na nagsisihiwalay sa iyong mga utos.” (Psa 119:18-21)

READ ALLTOGETHER“ The Torah of YAHWEH is perfect, converting the soul. The Testimony of YAHWEH is sure, making the simple wise. The precepts of YAHWEH are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandments of YAHWEH are clear, giving light to the eyes. The fear of YAHWEH is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of YAHWEH are true, they are righteous altogether. They are more precious than gold, even much fine gold, and sweeter than honey and drops from the honeycomb.

Also Your servant is warned by them; in keeping of them is great reward.” (Psalm of King David 19:7-11)

READ ALLTOGETHER- Ang kautusan ng Panginoon ay sakdal, na nagsasauli ng kaluluwa: - ang patotoo ng Panginoon ay tunay, na nagpapapantas sa hangal. - Ang mga tuntunin ng Panginoon ay matuwid, na nagpapagalak sa puso: - ang utos ng Panginoon ay dalisay, na nagpapaliwanag ng

mga mata. - Ang takot sa Panginoon ay malinis, na nananatili

magpakailan man: - ang mga kahatulan ng Panginoon ay katotohanan, at lubos na

matuwid. Mga pinipitang higit kay sa ginto, oo, higit kay sa maraming dalisay na ginto: lalong mainam kay sa pulot, at sa pulot-pukyutan. Higit dito'y sa pamamagitan ng mga iyo'y mapagpapaunahan ang iyong lingkod:

- sa pagiingat ng mga yaon ay may dakilang ganting-pala. - (Psalm of King David 19:7-11)

And he looked and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying by it, for out of that well they watered the flocks, and a large stone was on the well’s mouth. (Genesis 29:2) Four symbols: Jacob sees three flocks (1) lying near the well (2) and a large stone (3) was on the well’s mouth. We also hear how the flocks are watered (4). FLOCKS OF SHEEP: When Jacob arrives, there were only three present. - The rabbis also point out that the Hebrew words used

to describe the three flocks “lying by the well”, or “beside it”, carries the connotation that they were fully dependent on it.

- “Wisdom” is symbolized by the water underground. It is buried, hidden, and accessible only to those willing to go to the effort to bring it to the surface.

for out of that well they watered the flocks, and a large stone was on the well’s mouth. (Genesis 29:2)We see the following representations through the stone אבן : • Within these stones are father and son, you can see יהוה and

or, we get a picture of Abraham and Isaac establishing ;יהושעthe genealogy of Jacob and the tribes.

• The Stone is the title for יהוה (Genesis 49:24). • Stone is also the title of the Messiah (Isaiah 28:16).

Correspondingly, rock refers to יהושע; He is the Rock that gives Life. As the children of Israel were taken out of Egypt and led into the wilderness, the Stone provided “living water.”

Jacob named the place (ha maqowm) Beit El (House of Elohim). The Son, יהושע the Stone the builders rejected that became the Chief Cornerstone of the House of Elohim and the Stone of Stumbling. So, when these smaller stones, “living stones” unite in Mashiach, we see that they become a column, or as יהושע said in “He who overcomes, I shall make him a supporting post in the Dwelling Place of My Elohim, and he shall by no means go out. ..(Revelation 3:12)

CORNERSTONE

Thus we read that both Abraham and Isaac built altars, whereas Jacob set up a pillar. WHY? The Hebrew word for stone (even -!b,a,) is a contraction of father (ba') and son (!Be), pointing to the authority of יהושע and His Father. This stone is set up as a pillar and becomes the cornerstone of the “House of El”. These concepts of a cornerstone and a house are made so clear to us by Paul:

So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the set-apart ones and members of the household

of Elohim, having been built upon the foundation of the emissaries and prophets, יהושע Messiah Himself being chief corner-stone, in whom all the building, being joined together,

grows into a set-apart Dwelling Place in יהוה, (Ephesians 2:19-21)

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for out of that well they watered the flocks, and a large stone was on the well’s mouth. (Genesis 29:2)This type of well closure was common. The stone used to close the well was indeed very large. The residents make sure that the water is fairly distributed by ensuring that it is only when all the shepherds of the city are gathered together that they will be able to water their flocks. It was probably the only source of water for the city and they wanted to keep it secure. It was owned by Laban, in that this city was founded by Abraham’s father Terah and Laban was the patriarch at this time. *** We understand that the Messiah is our “stone”. He is also the “living waters” or the Torah, which is flowing in the well. - The heavy stone serves as sort of a “lock” for the well, preventing unauthorized and uncontrolled use of its water. :came to unlock the Torah by properly interpreting it יהושע“Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to complete. (Matt. 5:17)

The word “well” באר (ba’er) appears seven times in the first 12 verses of chapter 29. It is a key word, but it also should be noted that beginning with the 3rd appearance of the word “well” and continuing through the 7th, well is mentioned together with the “stone” that lies upon its mouth. Our drama revolves around rolling the “stone” off of the mouth of the well.

A “well” is a metaphor for a wife in both Proverbs and Song of Solomon:

Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well. .. Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth (Proverbs 5:15-18)A garden locked is my sister, my bride, A fountain locked, a spring sealed up. .. A garden spring, A well of living waters, And streams from Lebanon. (Song of Solomon 4:12-15)The “well” becomes the bride, the one with whom the bridegroom is intimate with. The pleasure derived from drinking the cool water of one’s well is an image of the love of a man for the wife who is his, alone. It is also interesting that the word “Torah” is a feminine word, so we can make the connection of drinking from the living waters of the Torah, the Living Word.

While he was still speaking with them, Rahĕl came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.

And it came to be, when Yaʽaqob saw Rahĕl the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the

sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Yaʽaqob went near and rolled the stone from the well’s

mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. (Genesis 29:9-10)

When Rachel showed up with her fathers flock, Jacob rolls away the huge stone and waters the sheep. - Laban’s flock contained all of Israel, through his

house (Leah, Rachel and the two hand-maidens), from his flock, would come all Twelve Tribes of Israel.

- So, when these sheep are gathered among all the flocks of the earth, the well-spring of יהוה opens and gives them “Living Water”.

RESTORATION OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL IN THE LAST DAYSThe weight of the stone ensured that it was only when all the shepherds of the city are gathered together (i.e. all tribes restored) that they would be able to water their flocks. Thus we see Jacob (Israel), is like a key who is able to singlehandedly unlock the secret of the well (stone is Messiah) and make available the “living water” for the bride.*** It is through Jacob that יהושע the Messiah would come. - The “stone” can also be a reference to the large “stone” that was placed over the mouth of יהושע’s tomb. We know that the “stone” was rolled away so the good news could pour forth like “living water”: answered and said to her, “Everyone drinking of this יהושעwater shall thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water I give him shall certainly never thirst. And the water that I give him shall become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

(John 4:13-14)

VAYETSE “And he went out” (Continuation

JACOB’S LADDER (SHULAM) = THE LADDER OF SUCCESS16

I AM WITH YOU – JACOB’S PARTNERSHIP WITH YHVHIn Jacob’s life, we encounter both tragedies and triumphs. Both are necessary for him to be able to take 12 sons with distinct personalities and separate goals and mould them into the fledgling nation of Israel.To do this there is never a let-up in the challenges and dangers that face us. All of our experiences will teach us the importance of constantly clinging to the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. “And see, I am with you and shall guard you wherever you go, and

shall bring you back to this land. For I am not going to leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:15)

“And it is יהוה who is going before you, He Himself is with you. He does not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear nor be discouraged.”

(Deuteronomy 31:8)teaching them to guard all that I have commanded you. And see, I

am with you always, until the end of the age.” Amĕn. (Matt. 28:20)

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THE BLESSING

And see, יהוה stood above it and said, “I am יהוה Elohim of Abraham your father and the Elohim of Yitshaq. The land on which you are lying, I give it to you and your seed. “And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall break forth to the west and to the east, to the north and the south. And all the clans of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your seed. “And see, I am with you and shall guard you wherever you go, and shall bring you back to this land. For I am not going to leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:13-15)Here יהוה repeats the promises made to Abraham and Isaac, with the addition of prophesying of the future dispersions of both “Houses of Israel” in that they will break forth in all directions. He tells Jacob that He is with him, guarding him and will bring him back to Eretz Israel. And, that He will not leave Jacob until all is done. The Stone Edition TaNaK ends it this way from the Hebrew, “…. for I will not forsake you until I will have done what I have spoken about you.” This has implications for Jacob personally and for us, his seed.

THE GATE OF HEAVEN?

And Yaʽaqob awoke from his sleep and said, “Truly, יהוה is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of Elohim, and this is the gate of the heavens!” And Yaʽaqob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a standing column, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bĕyth Ěl, however, the name of that city had been Luz previously. Now, Jacob calls this place the “House of Elohim” or “Beit El” and the “Gate of the Heavens”. This place, Scripture says, was previously called “Luz”. Now Luz (Strongs #3870) means “nut almond tree”. The almond tree was where Aaron’s staff came from and is the sign of the authority of the Levites and the priesthood to be the spiritual leaders of Israel. Also, the golden Lamp stand (menorah) was fashioned to represent the almond tree. (Genesis 28:16-19)

A satellite photograph revealing Hebrew letters engraved in the landscape around Yerushalayim.

On the top was the Hebrew letter meaning ‘Because’; then under that the letters spelling ‘Luz’ which is the old name for Beit-El; then below that the letters spelling “YHVH” ( ‘Yahweh’ ) and then “Ephraim” which means ‘Fruitful.’ Put together in order the way Hebrew is read, you get the following. ‘Because (of) Luz (Beit-El or House of Elohim) YHVH (has made) Fruitful.’ Ephraim will play a key role in the last days to cause YHVH’s fruitfulness to abound on the earth.This could be a Messianic prophecy which reveals that when Ephraim or the fullness of the gentiles or nations return to the land of Yisrael, the Messiah will return.

LASHON HARA LESSON

Throughout the ages the life and person of Yakov has been used as fuel for anti-Semitism. People have judged Yakov the guilty party, the manipulator and schemer, the liar. Based on the initial reading, this sentiment seems justified. However, one should keep in mind that Yakov is never accused by YHVH one time throughout all of the narrative. YHVH had after all confirmed to Rivkah (Rebeccah) that Yakov  (Jacob) would be the promised son.Perhaps, Yakov's sin lie in that he was not faithful to allow YHVH to work things out. Job 1:8  And יהוה said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Iyoḇ, (Job) that there is none like him on the earth, a perfect (tam) and straight man, one who fears Elohim and turns aside from evil?” The same word is used to describe Yakov:Gen 25:27   Ya’aqov was a complete (tam) man, dwelling in tents.“Let us cease from the sin of lashon ha ra” (Lashon ha ra =the evil tongue)

THE LADDER

And he dreamed and saw a ladder set up on the earth, and

its top reached to the heavens, and saw messengers of Elohim going up and coming down on it. (Genesis 28:12)

Jacob sleeps and he has a dream. He sees a “ladder”; in Hebrew “sullam”, Strong’s #5551 which is from #5549, “salal” meaning to “lift-up” or “exalt”. This ladder was “mutzav eretz”, or was “rooted in the land” and “reached to Heaven”. It didn’t just reach from the earth to Heaven; it was “rooted” in the land. It was connected to the Land. Now, the “messengers” (“malaki”) of Elohim were ascending and descending upon it. This brings us to at least two questions: 1. Why does it state that the messengers were “ascending”

and “descending” in that order? 2. Logic would say that the descended from Heaven, then

ascended back. 3. Who or what is the Ladder?

SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF JACOB’S LADDER

JACOB’S LADDER (SHULAM) = THE LADDER OF SUCCESS23

1. The rabbis teach that the ladder being rooted in the land means that first, our prayers are carried up to יהוה by the messengers that He has placed to guard us. Then, they will return with His provision.

2. And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, from now on you shall see the heaven opened, and the messengers of Elohim ascending and descending upon the Son of Adam.” (John 1:51) - The ladder represents the Tree of Life. As the Tree of Life, יהושע is the head of the assembly of believers (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23).

3. The Jewish sages say that Jacob’s ladder is Torah. The Torah is the pathway of righteousness leading to a deeper walk with יהוה in his heavenly kingdom (Matthew 19:16-19).

4. The ladder (Torah) is a bridge from heaven to earth. In the same way, יהושע, the Living Torah or the Word of יהוה made flesh, is the Way to the Father, the Way of Salvation, the Source of Eternal Life, and the One who redeems man and reconciles him to the Father through His Body, “the Ladder”.

A ladder is a picture of a Torah scroll. A ladder actually resembles a Torah scroll. Both have two side posts and center horizontal crosspieces (in the case of a ladder) or horizontal writing (in the case of a scroll). As we have seen, Torah is a source of life while a ladder is likened to a tree. Yeshua calls himself a ladder and John 1:1, 14 says that he was the Word of Elohim made flesh; that is, he was both the Written Torah and the Living Torah. He hung on a tree and he is the tree of life (John 15:5). So we see from the preceding discussion these concepts can be set up like a mathematical equation: Jacob’s ladder = a tree = Torah = the Word of YHVH = Yeshua = Yeshua on the cross = Eternal Life = the way to the Father in heaven = a Torah Scroll.

Furthermore, we see that the pages of a book are often referred to as leaves, or folios which is related to the word foliage which comes from the French word for leaves which is feuilles. In a Torah scroll, folios or pages of lambskin are sown together to make one long, continuous scroll. This should further prove the relationship in Hebraic thinking between Jacob’s ladder and the Tree of Life as it relates to the Torah, a Torah scroll and Yeshua the Messiah who is the Torah of Elohim made flesh. At this point let us again recall the words of Yeshua in John 1:51, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angles of Elohim ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

Now in gematria, we also see a connection between Mt. Sinai and the ladder:

Ladder - ~L's:: 60 (s) + 30 (l) + 40 (~) = 130Sinai - yn:ys: 60 (s) + 10 (y) + 50 (n) + 10 (y) = 130

Another word with the value of 130 is the Hebrew for “appointed times” (moed - d[eAm):

40 (m) + 6 (A) + 80 ([) + 4 (d) = 130

Three times a year, the Israelites were commanded to come to “this place” to meet with יהוה to celebrate His “appointed times”.

AND THE LADDER יהושע

The ladder itself is described in almost human terms. It begins on the ground, but its head reaches to the heavens. יהושע links Himself with this ladder in His conversation with Nathaniel: ,saw Nethanĕ’l coming toward Him, and said of him, “See יהושעtruly a Yisra’ĕlite, in whom is no deceit!” Nethanĕ’l said to Him,

“From where do You know me?” יהושע answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw

you.” Nethanĕ’l answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of Elohim! You are the Sovereign of Yisra’ĕl!” יהושע answered

and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? Greater than that you shall see.” And He

said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, from now on you shall see the heaven opened, and the messengers of Elohim ascending

and descending upon the Son of Adam.” (John 1:47-51)

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COMUNICATION LINE

The dream of the ladder with angels ascending and descending is a picture of יהוה establishing a line of communication between heaven and earth. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were able to come directly to their Creator. But sin broke that connection, and the Father removed Himself back up to heaven. - His ministering angels still continued on with His work for those who believed. The wilderness Tabernacle established a similar connection between the earthly and the heavenly. - All of these pictures pointed to the Messiah. Because of יהושע, we can now have access to the Most High in the Heavenlies. How do we do this? Prayer is one way, and the keeping of the commandments is another earthly way of making a spiritual connection. 29

HOW DID THE DISCIPLE NATHANIEL KNOWS THAT YESHUA WAS INDEED THE REAL MESSIAH?John 1:45 Philip finds Nathaniel and said to him, We have found the One of whom Moses wrote in the Torah and the Prophets, Yeshua the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.Joh 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for you think in them you have everlasting life. And they are the ones witnessing concerning Me.“ For if you were believing Moses, you would then believe Me; for that one wrote concerning Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My Words? (John 5:46-47)Act 15:21 For in every city from ancient generations Moses has those proclaiming Him, having been read in the synagogues on every Sabbath. MOSES A HEBREW IDIOM REPRESENTING THE “TORAH”

JACOB’S LADDER (SHULAM) = THE LADDER OF SUCCESS31

Jacobs ladder – YAH's DNA in your body

..and of all that You give me, I shall certainly give a tenth/tithe/10% to You.” (Genesis 28:22)*** Whenever the Covenant was initiated or reconfirmed the tithe was also present, as we see with Abraham and Melchizedek. The tithe is eternal and is a glimpse of life in the Garden. The Garden represented יהוה’s house which man enjoyed before the fall. Jacob came across יהוה’s house that evening. He knew he had been in a place where heaven and earth met; therefore when the covenant was confirmed to him, as it was with Abraham, Jacob gave the tithe as his sacred portion, in obedience to the holiness of the word spoken to him (Genesis 14:18-20). *** Jacob vowed to give the tenth/tithe/10% of all he owned unto God, if He would but grant his petition. Thus Jacob was the first to take a vow upon himself, and the first, too, to separate the tithe from his income.to be abundant/rich = מעשר

..and of all that You give me, I shall certainly give a tenth/tithe/10% to You.” (Genesis 28:22)We have been bombarded with so much teaching about tithes in the past that it is often difficult to get to the source of true meaning of this instruction.One possible view that we need to consider is that the first fruits were ready for harvesting before the entire harvest ripened.  To give the first fruits was often a great step of faith, because you anticipated the rest of the harvest coming in but you could not always be completely certain. *** Regardless of the certainty of the rest of the crop many faithful Israelites gave the first fruits anyway before the entire harvest was ready.The tithe has an element of trust in it that pleases YHVH, it says we are giving the first of this harvest to Him believing that He will bring in the rest. Tithing was almost like putting down a deposit. When Yakov leaves Yisrael he promises to tithe believing that YHVH will provide for him and his seed in such a way that he knows that YHVH will bring him and his seed back to the land of Yisrael.Likewise when we tithe as He requires we declare that we have not yet received all the blessing and promise of YHVH, but when we tithe we prove ourselves worthy to receive and believe Him for all of His blessing promised to us.

WHEN IT COMES TO TITHINGMANY BELIEVERS /Like Jacob , are

HAVING A WRESTLING MATCH WITH GOD !

WILL I TRUST GOD FOR MY TITHES?OR WILL I TRUST IN MY OWN STRENGTH

AND CAPACITY TO GAIN WEALTH?

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"Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' "But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (Deu 8:17-18) “ At baka iyong sabihin sa iyong puso, Ang aking kapangyarihan at ang lakas ng aking kamay ang siyang nagbigay sa akin ng kayamanang ito. Kundi iyong aalalahanin ang Panginoon mong Dios, sapagka't siya ang nagbigay sa iyo ng kapangyarihan upang magkaroon ka ng kayamanan; upang kaniyang papagtibayin ang kaniyang tipan na kaniyang isinumpa sa iyong mga magulang, gaya nga sa araw na ito. (Deu 8:17-18)

SONS OF GOD LIKE JACOB ARE DESTINED FOR SUCCESS

And Yaʽaqob made a vow, saying, “Seeing Elohim is with me, and has kept me in this way that I am going, and has given me bread to eat and a garment to put on – (Genesis 28:20).Eph 1:2 Grace to you and peace from YAHWEH our Father and the Master Yahshua Messiah.Eph 1:3 Blessed is the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahshua Messiah, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heaven through Messiah,

SONS OF GOD LIKE JACOB ARE DESTINED FOR SUCCESSJoshua 1:8 "This book of the law/Torah shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Jos 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 1Sam. 18:14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for YHVH was with him.

GOD”S FORMULA FOR TRUE SUCCESS VERSUSWORLD’S IDEA of SUCCESS?

Pro 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, Pro 3:2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Pro 3:3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Pro 3:4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Pro 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Pro 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. Pro 3:8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Pro 3:9 Honor YHVH with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; Pro 3:10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Pro 3:11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Pro 3:13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, Pro 3:14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. Pro 3:15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Pro 3:16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Pro 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Pro 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

GOD”S FORMULA FOR TRUE SUCCESS VERSUS

WORLD’S IDEA of SUCCESS?And there was a certain rich man; and he was accustomed to don a purple robe and fine linen, making merry in luxury day by day. And there was a certain poor one named Eliazar and he would lay at the gate of that rich man, while being afflicted with sores. and longing to be filled from the crumbs that were falling from the table of the rich one. But coming, even the dogs licked his sores. - And it happened, the poor one died and was carried away by the cherubs into the bosom of Abraham. And the rich one also died and was buried. And being in torments in hades, lifting up his eyes, he sees Abraham afar off and Eliazar in his bosom. And calling he said, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Eliazar that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and moisten my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.

GOD”S FORMULA FOR TRUE SUCCESS VERSUS

WORLD’S IDEA of SUCCESS?

But Abraham said, My Son, remember that you fully received your good things in your lifetime, and Eliazar likewise the bad things. But now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those desiring to pass from here to you are not able, nor can they pass from there to us. And he said, Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house; (for I have five brothers, so that he may witness to them, that they not also come to this place of torment). Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them. But he said, No, father Abraham, but if one should go from the dead to them, they will repent. And he said to him, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they would also not listen and believe him if a man from the dead should rise they still would not believe him." (Luk 16:19-31)

RABBI AND ADONAI YESHUA TEACHES ON TRUE WEALTHThen He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.““Luk 12:15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." ASV And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.“?

RABBI AND ADONAI YESHUA TEACHES ON TRUE WEALTHAnd He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? "If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. "But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! "And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. "For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things

RABBI AND ADONAI YESHUA TEACHES ON TRUE WEALTH "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

“ Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give them to charity /tzedakah ; make for yourselves purses which do not wear out, and a treasure in heaven that does not run short,

where the thief does not come near, and moth does not destroy.

- "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. "Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. "Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. "Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants. (Luk 12:15-38)

RABBI AND ADONAI YESHUA TEACHES ON TRUE WEALTH Wealth is a state of mindHappiness depends on a person’s mindset, not on their wealth. We should realize, like Rachel and Leah, that we can only gain by serving G’d and fulfilling His Mitzvot. Our focus should be on our spiritual possessions, on how to serve G’d, and on being a better person in our interactions with our fellow human beings. Such people are always ready to give to charity and to extend a helping hand whenever needed. These people use their material possessions for spiritual purposes. They will always be “wealthy”. They may not be rich in terms of the quantity of their possessions. However, they will always be rich because of their attitude towards their possessions. With this attitude, we will acquire much spiritual wealth and will always be happy with our material possessions as well.

SONS OF GOD LIKE JACOB ARE DESTINED FOR SUCCESSEph 1:9 making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,Eph 1:10 a stewardship of the fullness of the times that all things might be made new, both in the heavens, and the things on the earth, through Messiah,Eph 1:11 by whom we have been chosen as He marked us from the beginning so He wanted to carry out everything according to the good judgment of His will,Eph 1:12 that we should become the first to trust in Messiah to His honor and glory;Eph 1:13 in whom, you also have heard the Word of Truth, which is the good news of your salvation, in Him you have believed, so you were sealed with the Holy Spirit that was promised,Eph 1:14 which is the pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.Eph 1:15 Because of this, hearing of your faith in our Master Yahshua Messiah and your love toward all the saints,Eph 1:16 I also do not cease giving thanks on your behalf, making mention of you in my prayers,Eph 1:17 that the Elohim of our Master Yahshua Messiah, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him,Eph 1:18 the eyes of your mind having been enlightened, for you to know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,Eph 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us, the ones believing according to the working of His mighty strengthEph 1:20 which He worked in Messiah in raising Him from the dead; and He seated Him at His own right hand in heaven, (Psa. 110:1)Eph 1:21 far above all cherubs, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name having been named, not only in this age, but also in the coming age;

Eph 1:22 and "He put all things under His feet" and gave Him to be Head over all things to the Congregation, (Psa. 8:6)Eph 1:23 which is His body: the fullness of the One filling all things

and everything;

MONEY AS A LADDER (shulam)

Now in gematria, we also see a connection between Keseph (MONEY) and the ladder (shulam):

Ladder - ~L's:: 60 (s) + 30 (l) + 40 (~) = 130Sinai - yn:ys: 60 (s) + 10 (y) + 50 (n) + 10 (y) = 130

Another word with the value of 130 is the Hebrew for “KESEPH =MONEY” (כסף) Kaf Samech Pey Sofit: 130) = ף (80) + ס (60 + (כ) 20

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VAYISHLACH “And he Sent”

TORAH: Genesis: 32:3-36:43HAFTORAH: Hosea 11:7-12:12

B’RIT CHADASHAH: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Revelation 7:1-12All references: The Scripture 1998+ unless otherwise noted

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REFLECTION: THE LIFE OF OUR PATRIARCH ARE A REFLECTION of the LIFE OF THEIR CHILDREN

In Jacob’s life, we encounter both tragedies and triumphs. Both are necessary for him to be able to take 12 sons with distinct personalities and separate goals and mould them into the fledgling nation of Israel.To do this there is never a let-up in the challenges and dangers that face us. All of our experiences will teach us the importance of constantly clinging to the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. “And see, I am with you and shall guard you wherever you go, and shall bring you back to this land. For I am not going to leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:15)“And it is יהוה who is going before you, He Himself is with you. He does not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear nor be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)teaching them to guard all that I have commanded you. And see, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Amĕn. (Matthew 28:20)( TILL THE END OF THE LAST SHEMITAH/JUBILEE)

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LIFES LESSON FROM THE PATRIARCH JACOB NO PAIN NO GAIN

IF YOUR FACING TROUBLE, DON’T ASK WHYINSTEAD, ASK? WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO

LEARN?THEN TRUST GOD AND KEEPING DOING WHAT IS

RIGHTDON’T GIVE UP

GROW UP !PROVERBS 22: 4

JACOB’S TROUBLE

The events of the life of Jacob stare us in the face as if we are looking in a mirror. Why? Because they chart our own course in life as well. We also must have faith and the will to persevere while we are being restored to a proper relationship with the Father.

Jeremiah equates this future time of “Jacob’s Trouble” with the restoration of Israel: ( TORAH and PROPHECY)The word that came to Yirmeyahu from יהוה, saying, “Thus spoke Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘Write in a book for yourself all the יהוהwords that I have spoken to you. ‘For look, the days are coming,’ declares יהוה, ‘when I shall turn back the captivity of My people Yisra’ĕl and Yehudah,’ declares יהוה, ‘and I shall bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and let them possess it.’ ” And these are the words יהוה spoke concerning Yisra’ĕl and Yehudah. “For this is what יהוה said, ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. ‘Ask now, and see if a man is giving birth. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labour, and all faces turned pale? ‘Oh! For great is that day, there is none like it. And it is the time of Yaʽaqob’s distress, but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:1-7)

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Choose whom you will serve/ Biblical Torah PrincipleLife is about choices! When we were little children, one of the first things we learned was that we can choose. We could choose the toys we wanted to play with, or sometimes given the choice of a sugary treat. We also started learning about the consequences of wrong choices. - As we grew up, we were given more choices. Choices that

affected more than just the moment. Choices that could affect the outcome of our lives and how we spend eternity. We started to see the ripple effect of the choices in our lives. We started to learn one of the basics of our world:

- every action has a reaction!This article is about the single most important choice you will ever make. The choice of whether you will follow YHVH or the world. Your action to choose, will cause a reaction in your life. Your choice determines what these reactions will be.

The meaning of the word “choice” based on the Biblical context it was used in. According to the Dictionary of Biblical languages, to choose, is to examine and select what is best for us  חרב   bā·hǎr): v.; ≡ Str 977; (qal) choose, select, desire, prefer, i.e., make a selection between two or more options (Ge 6:2); (nif) preferred, chosen, i.e., pertaining to a preference between two or more options (Jer 8:3+);Choosing implies to examine, test, compare and select one thing. We cannot be given the choice of two things and choose both. That is not a choice. Choice is standing at a fork in the road, you have to make a choice in order to continue on your journey. ( shortest Sermon on Road : KEEP RIGH)Spiritually, we also get to choose. We can choose the default way, the wide road, the world, or narrower, less travelled, road. - Each of us is given the choice multiple times in our lives.

CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES

ROCK BAND LED ZEPPELINGON LYRICS ON THE POPULAR SONG ‘STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN = THE DEVIL’S LADDER

“ YES, THERE ARE TWO PATHS THE YOU CAN GO BY BUT IN THE LONG RUN THE PIPER (DEVIL) IS CALLING YOU TO JOIN HIM.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA LYRICS“ YOU CAN CHECK ANYTIME YOU LIKE BUT YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE…..

Being in YHVH’s willMaking choices is part of life. We can choose the country we live in, the suburb, the house. We can choose how we raise our children. We choose our friends and we choose what we eat or don’t eat. We can choose a career, the clothes we wear. Some choices have a greater impact on our life than others. *** All choices have consequences, good or bad. As believers, we want to make choices that would be in YHVH’s will. If what we choose is not within YHVH’s will for us, we will suffer the consequences of that wrong choice. How do we know if our choices are in YHVH’s will?

YHVH reveals His will to usYHVH has revealed His will for us in His Word.

Spiritually, we also get to choose. We can choose the default way, the wide road, the world, or narrower, less travelled, road. - Each of us is given the choice multiple times in our lives.- I HAVE NOT DREAMED TO BE A PASTOR OR TORAH

TEACHER- I JUST MADE A CHOICE EVERYDAY TO STUDY THE

TORAH SINCE I DISCOVERED IT IN 2005.- DAY BY DAY AS I MADE THE CHOICE TO STUDY

MEDITATE AND FOLLOW THE ORIGINAL TEACHINGS OF THE TORAH.

- THE OUTCOME OF MY LIFE DETERMINES WITH THE CHOICE I MADE. – Bro. Aike

- YEHOVAH CHOSE YOU AND ME TO BE HERE IN THIS EXCITING ADVENTURE “ THE RESTORAH_ATION movement”

MY OBSERVATION BASED ON TORAH PRINCIPLESGENERATIONAL CURSES ARE STILL IN EFFECT IN OUR LIFES IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, BECAUSE OUR FOREFATHERS DID NOT SERVE YAHWEH OR HAVE FORSAKEN THE COVENANT OF TORAH YEHOVAH IS FAIR TO ALLEze 18:1 Then the word of YHVH came to me, saying, Eze 18:4 "Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die. Eze 18:5 "But if a man is righteous and practices justice and righteousness, Eze 18:6 and does not eat at the mountain shrines or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period-- Eze 18:7 if a man does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing,

Eze 18:8 if he does not lend money on interest or take increase, if he keeps his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between man and man, Eze 18:9 if he walks in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully--he is righteous and will surely live," declares the Lord GOD. Eze 18:10 "Then he may have a violent son who sheds blood and who does any of these things to a brother Eze 18:11 (though he himself did not do any of these things), that is, he even eats at the mountain shrines, and defiles his neighbor's wife, Eze 18:12 oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore a pledge, but lifts up his eyes to the idols and commits abomination, Eze 18:13 he lends money on interest and takes increase; will he live? He will not live! He has committed all these abominations, he will surely be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.

Eze 18:14 "Now behold, he has a son who has observed all his father's sins which he committed, and observing does not do likewise. Eze 18:15 "He does not eat at the mountain shrines or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor's wife, Eze 18:16 or oppress anyone, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery, but he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, Eze 18:17 he keeps his hand from the poor, does not take interest or increase, but executes My ordinances, and walks in My statutes; he will not die for his father's iniquity, he will surely live. Eze 18:18 "As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was not good among his people, behold, he will die for his iniquity. Eze 18:19 "Yet you say, 'Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity?' When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live.

Eze 18:20 "The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. Eze 18:21 "But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 "All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. Eze 18:23 "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? 24 "But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.

Eze 18:25 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right? Eze 18:26 "When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. Eze 18:27 "Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. Eze 18:28 "Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

YHVH is so patient with us, He does not force us to choose, He gently taps us on the shoulder and we can choose to ignore Him or follow Him. ***I was tapped many times on the shoulder before I was ready to choose. I had come to a point in my life where I just didn’t want to go on. This time, when YHVH tapped me on the shoulder, I chose Him and the change was radical.He created us with free choice and He wants us to choose Him, but we have the freedom not to. However, if we do decide to choose YHVH, He is to be the only one, we cannot serve Him and other gods.

- Before Joshua died, He spoke to the people of this choice and told them what he and his house chose.Joshua 24:15

5 “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve YHVH, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve YHVH.”*** We are to choose for ourselves today whom we will serve. We cannot serve YHVH and idols. We cannot say we serve Him and continue with pagan practices. YHVH is a holy and jealous Elohim.Joshua 24:19–2019 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve YHVH, for he is a holy Elohim. He is a jealous Elohim; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake YHVH and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.”*** YHVH is a holy Elohim, He requires obedience from us and He is jealous, He does not want to share us if we chose to be His. We need to be sure that we live according to the choice we have made. By our choice to serve YHVH, we have become witnesses against ourselves that we have chosen Him.Joshua 24:2222 Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves YHVH, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.”Also, if we choose to follow YHVH, we choose to live by His instructions. We cannot continue in our own ways doing what suits us. What kind of witness is that?

Also, if we choose to follow YHVH, we choose to live by His instructions. We cannot continue in our own ways doing what suits us. What kind of witness is that? The SabbathYHVH told us which day He wants us to rest and spend time with Him, the seventh day. That is an appointment we have with Him. When we, instead, choose Sunday, or we keep our feast days like Christmas or Easter, we basically tell YHVH, that we will much rather do things our way instead of His. He is the King of the universe and we have the audacity to change His appointed times to suit our theology or lifestyle.YHVH instructed us to remember the seventh day and keep it holy. He called this a perpetual covenant, everlasting, yet we decided that we would rather follow whoever changed it to another day.Exodus 31:16–1716 ‘So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.’ 17 “It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days YHVH made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”

How we choose to live, mattersThere are four reasons for making sure that we live set apart lives ObedienceYHVH instructed us to live set apart lives, for Him. We are to be holy for He is holy (set apart.) PurityObedience leads to purity in our worship of YHVH. We are not pure before YHVH if we worship other gods or live in sin. Sin causes us to be spiritually unclean. Here is more detail about this topic Spiritual uncleanness and shadows…

We are also not pure if we incorporate pagan practices into our worship of YHVH like for example: yoga, fortune telling, some alternative healthcare practices and eastern esoteric ideas and practices. *** All these have become popular. Be aware, don’t just follow the crowd.

TestimonyWhat we do, is seen by others. Our actions can glorify YHVH or do the opposite. We are to be a light and we can only be a light if we reflect YHVH’s light. We are to live our lives in such a way that we glorify YHVH’s name. When we do His commandments, we do that. Remember that your real testimony is not what you say, it is what you do! People do what they see you doing. This is why we were called to be a light to the nations. We were not called to be a shofar. They need to see, not hear. Protects against compromise leading to sinWhen we live set apart lives, thus doing what YHVH commanded, we will be less likely to compromise. Because when we compromise, we open the door for sin. If we make His ways our dialy habits, we also make it easier to do and require less willpower. Stronger willpower helps us to overcome temptations in our life a lot easier. -- We need to ensure that His way is our default choice in everything we do.

Conclusion/The Heart of the MatterWe are to choose whom we want to serve. YHVH is holy and want us to live holy lives. He gave us the instruction manual and it is not difficult to do. On the contrary, it is a blessing to serve YHVH by being obedient to Him. - We are to be obedient to YHVH out of love for Him. - The King and Creator of the universe is our Father, that

makes us His royal family. - Best is we can make the choice to be part of His family

and when we are, we will inherit eternal life through our Savior Y’shua Messiah.

2 Corinthians 7:11 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of YHVH.

Being in YHVH’s willMaking choices is part of life. We can choose the country we live in, the suburb, the house. We can choose how we raise our children. We choose our friends and we choose what we eat or don’t eat. We can choose a career, the clothes we wear. Some choices have a greater impact on our life than others. *** All choices have consequences, good or bad. As believers, we want to make choices that would be in YHVH’s will. If what we choose is not within YHVH’s will for us, we will suffer the consequences of that wrong choice. How do we know if our choices are in YHVH’s will?

YHVH reveals His will to usYHVH has revealed His will for us in His Word.

Being in YHVH’s willYHVH reveals His will to us

YHVH has revealed His will for us in His Word.Psalm 19:7–117 The law of YHVH is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of YHVH is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of YHVH are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of YHVH is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of YHVH is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of YHVH are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

If what we do is in line with Scripture, we are in His will, we will have wisdom, our eyes will be enlightened, we will live righteously and will be warned when necessary. In keeping YHVH’s commandments is great reward. - So, if we want to make a choice according to YHVH”s will, our

first test should always be to search the Scriptures to see if our will is in line with what is in YHVH’s Word.

- YHVH’s Spirit also indwells us. He is our guide and helper. However, if we believe YHVH has revealed something to us through His Spirit, we are to test it against His Word.

- He will never reveal anything through His Spirit to us that is contrary to His Word.

We also cannot expect YHVH to reveal certain details of our lives to us, if we are rejecting what He already revealed in Scripture. He gave us clear instructions on how to live our lives. We may not be perfect in keeping YHVH’s commandments, but we are to have an obedient heart. Our intention and attitude should be towards doing it perfectly, not use “He knows my heart” as an excuse not to do His commandments.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT?

PERFECT PRACTIC MAKES PERFECT

BY DOING HIS COMMANDMENTS OUT OF AN OBEDIENT HEARTOVER AND OVER AGAIN – LIKE IN CYCLE

YOU WILL BE ON TRACH OF HIS PERFECT WILL

YHVH IS MY SHEPHERD HE WILL LEAD ME IN CYCLES (PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS : PSALM 23

We may not understand why we need to do some of the commandments, however, seeking understanding should not be our thing, but seeking obedience. That is what it means to have an obedient heart. YHVH said His commandments are not too difficult for us.Deuteronomy 30:1111 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.Y’shua said we are to take His yoke upon us, for it is easy and His burden is light. Let us look at the context of this phrase, to see what Y’shua meant by it. YHVH’s yokeMatthew 11:29–3029 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” What was Y’shua referring to here?

YOKE OF HEAVEN/THE YOKE OF OBEDIENCE TO TORAH28–30 Judaism speaks of the “yoke of Heaven,” the commitment any Jew must make to trust in God, and the “yoke of the Torah,” the concomitant commitment an observant Jew makes to keep the generalities and details of halakhah. **** Yeshua speaks of his own easy yoke and light burden. These two are sometimes contrasted in a way implying that in comparison with Judaism, Christianity offers “cheap grace.” But this saying of Yeshua’s must be put alongside remarks such as at 10:38 (Lk 9:23–24). The easy yoke consists in a total commitment to godliness through the power of the Holy Spirit. It at once requires both no effort and maximal effort—no effort, in that the necessary moment-to-moment faith can not be worked up from within but is a gift of God (Ep 2:8–9); and maximal effort, in that there is no predeterminable level of holiness and obedience sufficient to satisfy God and let us rest on our laurels. 2

-- If Y’shua’s yoke is referring to a total commitment to godliness through the power of the Holy Spirit, then opposed to this would be a life of lawlessness or sin. *** Those Y’shua referred to who were weary and heavy-laden, had the yoke of sin on them.

YOKE OF HEAVEN/THE YOKE OF OBEDIENCE TO TORAH A yoke of ironWe read more about this yoke of sin, or yoke of iron as it is called in Deuteronomy.Deuteronomy 28:4848 therefore you shall serve your enemies whom YHVH will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.This verse is preceded by this:Deuteronomy 28:4545 “So all these curses shall come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey YHVH your Elohim by keeping His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you.*** This yoke of iron was their punishment for not keeping YHVH’s commandments. This yoke was put on them by YHVH for their disobedience.

YOKE OF HEAVEN/THE YOKE OF OBEDIENCE TO TORAH A yoke of ironJeremiah 28:13–1413 “Go and speak to Hananiah, saying, ‘Thus says YHVH, “You have broken the yokes of wood, but you have made instead of them yokes of iron.” 14 ‘For thus says YHVH of hosts, the Elohim of Israel, “I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they will serve him. And I have also given him the beasts of the field.” ’ ”*** To have a yoke of iron on their necks meant that they were to serve Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. We see again that YHVH has put this yoke of iron on them. *** The word yoke is often employed in Scripture in the context of obedience to an authority figure, either YHVH or an evil ruler. Another reference to yoke in the context of rules oppressing the people, is found in 1 Kings 12:14 and 2Chron 10:4.*** To take YHVH’s yoke upon ourselves, means to accept His authority over us and to obey Him. It is interesting that we can choose to put YHVH’s yoke upon ourselves, thus, be obedient to Him, or He would put a yoke of iron on us for being disobedient. When we choose disobedience, we will have the yoke of iron put on us by YHVH, because He wants us to return to Him..

YOKE OF HEAVEN/THE YOKE OF OBEDIENCE TO TORAHWhen one comes to the Tannaitic material (the rabbinic materials from approximately 200 B.C.E. to 200 C.E.), one finds in place a new and dynamic liturgical and personal employment of the term “yoke.” When the Shema was recited twice daily and when tefillin were used, the Jew took upon himself the yoke of God’s kingship. He hereby declared God’s sovereignty in his choice, direction, discipline, and blessing of Israel. He also declared the oneness of God in contrast to the many gods of the idolaters and polytheists, and, perchance, with the developing proclamation of the divinity of the Christ of the Christians.It is also likely that the statements concerning taking up one’s cross are to be associated with the Jewish practice of reciting the Shema each day as the sign and symbol of God’s sovereignty. Indeed, the use of the term “daily” in association with this Christian concept would make this suggestion even more likely. When one realizes that the term for the cross beam which Y’shua is pictured as having carried to the place of execution is the same term frequently used for the cross beam known as the yoke, and when one realizes that at least some of the early Christian interpreters of Y’shua’s words saw a specific relationship between cross and yoke, the likelihood of there having been a daily assumption of the “Yoke of the Kingship of God”3

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*** From this we learn that having YHVH’s yoke on us means to accept His Kingship and authority over us and to obey His commandments. To have a yoke of iron on us means we have disobeyed and are being disciplined by YHVH. YHVH requires obedience and He does this to get us to return to Him in obedience to His commandments. The yoke of menThe commandments of men are also referred to as a yoke, which proves that the concept of yoke is always referring to authority and commandments.Acts 15:1010 “Now therefore why do you put Elohim to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?*** This yoke that is put on the people is all the rules and prescriptions that were added by the Pharisees. Y’shua had much to say about this.Matthew 15:99 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ ”

YHVH never promised us His will would be easyThese are so many examples in Scripture of how difficult is could be doing YHVH’s will.Y’shua is our greatest example. Y’shua was in YHVH’s will, yet suffered terribly. The night before He was crucified, He prayed that YHVH would take the cup from Him, He sweated blood while praying that. The easy way for Y’shua would have been to go against YHVH’s will, He could command myriads of angels to fight on His behalf, yet He submitted to YHVH’s will.Luke 22:42–4442 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.Y’shua said we will be persecutedJohn 15:2020 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

YHVH never promised us His will would be easy2 Timothy 3:1212 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Messiah Y’shua will be persecuted.Steven was the first martyr. He was in YHVH’s will, but was stoned for it.Acts 7:59–6059 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on YHVH and said, “Master Y’shua, receive my spirit!” 60Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “YHVH, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.Eliyah was persecuted by Jezebel – he had to flee – yet he was in YHVH’s will1 Kings 19:1–4

YHVH never promised us His will would be easyEliyah was persecuted by Jezebel – he had to flee – yet he was in YHVH’s will 1 Kings 19:1–41 Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough; now, O YHVH, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.” Jeremiah was thrown into a pit for speaking YHVH’s word.Jeremiah 38:66 Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah the king’s son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. Now in the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.Paul was persecuted and he and some of his followers were thrown in jail for preaching YHVH’s word.

YHVH never promised us His will would be easy*** Paul was persecuted and he and some of his followers were thrown in jail for preaching YHVH’s word.YHVH’s will for Josef was to make sure a remnant would survive, yet he suffered much in accomplishing that. *** There are many more examples of how being in YHVH’s will is not the easy way or the way of least resistance. Conclusion*** Making choices is unavoidable in life. Making the right choices, according to YHVH’s will can be a challenge. *** From this study, we have learned that we are to make our choices based on YHVH’s word (His yoke or commandments)and His Spirit leading us. His Spirit would never instruct us to do what is contrary to His word.We are also, not to follow our own desires, emotions or other people. When we avoid this, teamed with being obedient to YHVH, we will be in YHVH’s will. *** It may not be easy, it will likely be the difficult way, but we are to endure and continue and not get sidetracked. Do not follow men, follow YHVH, His way is the best way. He has a plan for every one of us.Jeremiah 29:11–13

It may not be easy, it will likely be the difficult way,but we are to endure and continue and not get sidetracked. Do not follow men, follow YHVH, His way is the best way. He has a plan for every one of us.Jeremiah 29:11–1311 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares YHVH, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.When we do this, we will have peace in Y’shua.John 16:3333 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

JACOB’S TROUBLE

The events of the life of Jacob stare us in the face as if we are looking in a mirror. Why? Because they chart our own course in life as well. We also must have faith and the will to persevere while we are being restored to a proper relationship with the Father.

Jeremiah equates this future time of “Jacob’s Trouble” with the restoration of Israel: ( TORAH and PROPHECY)The word that came to Yirmeyahu from יהוה, saying, “Thus spoke Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘Write in a book for yourself all the יהוהwords that I have spoken to you. ‘For look, the days are coming,’ declares יהוה, ‘when I shall turn back the captivity of My people Yisra’ĕl and Yehudah,’ declares יהוה, ‘and I shall bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and let them possess it.’ ” And these are the words יהוה spoke concerning Yisra’ĕl and Yehudah. “For this is what יהוה said, ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. ‘Ask now, and see if a man is giving birth. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labour, and all faces turned pale? ‘Oh! For great is that day, there is none like it. And it is the time of Yaʽaqob’s distress, but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:1-7)

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Being an overcomer and receiving the rewardThere are many references in Scripture about being an overcomer. There are also promises given to those who overcome. In this study, we shall look into what it means to be an overcomer in the eternal sense. We will also look into what is required of us and what was promised to those who overcome. Life is like a race and we are to run with endurance and finish.Hebrews 12:11 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,Before we continue, we need to know what the word “overcome” means in Biblical context.When you do a search of the English word “overcome,” the first reference found is in Numbers 13:30. This is indeed a splendid example. You will understand later why.Numbers 13:3030 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.”

Being an overcomer and receiving the rewardThe Hebrew word “yakol” was translated as overcome.—v.; ≡ Str 3201; TWOT 866 :(yā·ḵōl) יכל 35231. LN 74 (qal) be able, be capable, attain, succeed, not fail, i.e., have the ability or capacity to experience something (Ge 13:6);2. LN 39.52–39.61 (qal) overcome, prevail, have victory, i.e., conquer a foe or opponent and so have victory, as an extension of being able or capable to actually accomplish something (Ge 32:26[EB 25]);3. LN 25.156–25.166 dare, be bold, i.e., have an attitude or confidence that one can do something (Dt 12:17);4. LN 32.1–32.10 understand, i.e., be able to grasp the meaning of something by processing information about a subject (Ps 139:6), note: NIV translates “attain”2

Here is a breakdown of how the word “yakol” is used in Scripture.

fsadfasHere is a breakdown of how the word “yakol” is used in Scripture.

From the use of the word, we learn that to overcome is to have victory, be able to prevail, to be bold and to have understanding. We can be overcomers every day of unrighteousness, sin, fear and many more. However, we will study this in the eternal context to see what we are to do to be overcomers at the end. Looking at overcoming from this perspective, necessitates us looking at the book of Revelation. The word “overcome” is used a few times in Revelation and every time a promise is given to those who overcome. Let’s look at what was said to the seven assemblies to see how we can apply this in our lives.

Promises to overcomersEach of the seven assemblies in Revelation is facing some kind of challenge. We can learn a great deal from this. I believe this was not just written as a historical account of what was happening in Asia Minor, it was written for each of us. YHVH said “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” I believe YHVH is speaking to us here. We are the ones who have to have an ear to hear. Each of the assemblies was also given a promise of what they will receive if they overcome. Let us break it down per assembly to see what we can learn from this. EphesusThe assembly of Ephesus was commended on a number of things, yet it is said that they have left their first love (Rev 2:4.) What or who is this first love?You have lost the love you had at first—not the strong emotions, which cannot be expected to last, but the zeal for God, which can be renewed by repentance and rededication.Stern, D. H. (1996). Jewish New Testament Commentary : a companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed., Re 2:4). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.

To him who wins the victory (or: “to him who overcomes”). The victory is over evil, temptation and apathy. According to 3:21&N Yeshua himself is our role-model. 3

Matthew 24:12 confirms this interpretation.Matthew 24:12–1312 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.To love YHVH is to place Him first, not just part of a routine or lip service. We can each ask ourselves this question: do we place YHVH first or has our relationship with YHVH become part of a routine or dead religion? There is still hope. We can overcome this.Revelation 2:55 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.*** We are to remember what YHVH has done for us, repent and have the zeal we had when we first became believers. The promise if we overcome.

The promise if we overcome.Revelation 2:77 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of Elohim.’To eat from the Tree of Life means to have eternal life. Genesis 2:9; 3:22, 24 shows that this was true in the original Gan-Eden (“Garden of Eden” or “Paradise,” Lk 23:43N). It is also true in God’s Gan-Eden, which is the New Jerusalem (21:2; 22:2, 14, 19). In the Tanakh the term “tree of life” is used at Proverbs 3:18, 11:30, 13:12 and 15:4 to describe wisdom, the fruit of the righteous, desire fulfilled, and a wholesome tongue—all of which may be seen as aspects of eternal life. 3

The next assembly is Smyrna.

SmyrnaSmyrna did not receive a rebuke. They were being persecuted.How are they to overcome this?Revelation 2:1010 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.*** When we carefully read the book of Revelation, we learn that there will be persecution of believers in the end times. In fact, when you follow what is going on in the world, you would understand that it has started. Persecution is a test and when persecuted, we must remain faithful.We often suffer a form of persecution because we are different. People want to categorize us as fanatical, just because we choose to be obedient to YHVH’s Word. Those who think that we are fanatical extrimists are so far removed from YHVH’s truth and his ways that those of us who do His ways seem strange or fanatical. They may even feel threatened by our dedication.

This weeks Parsha starts after Laban and his family left Jacob, and made a covenant with him, on Har Gilead (Mountain of Witness). Laban (meaning white or pure), embraced Jacob and brought him into the family only to use him. Laban really represented the “false chesed” or a spirit of false loving-kindness (the antithesis of Abraham’s attribute of loving-kindness) toward Jacob. He was the white-washed sepulchres that יהושע compared the hypocritical leaders of His day to. Laban represented the evil spiritual manifestations of this world toward יהוה’s chosen, Jacob. As Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum reminds us; “At Mount Gil'ad, Jacob made a ‘treaty’ with Laban demarcating the boundaries which they and their descendants were to observe: these are the boundaries that neither good nor evil may overstep in the unfolding drama of human history. In prevailing over Laban, Jacob demonstrated that he had made a complete acquisition of Abraham's quality of Chesed. It was Abraham who went to the Mountain, and thus Jacob's ‘treaty’ with Laban was struck at Mount Gil'ad.”

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TWO CAMPSAnd when Yaʽaqob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of Elohim.” And

he called the name of that place Mahanayim. (Genesis 32:2)Machanayim means “two camps” and is the plural of the root word machanah (Strong’s H4264) meaning “encampment, camp, camp of armed host, army camp, company, body of people.” We read of two camps again in Songs of Solomons: Return, return, O Shulammith; Return, return, and let us look upon you! Why should you look upon the Shulammith, As it were the dance of two armies? (Song of Solomon 6:13)The Hebrew word m’kolah (Strong’s H4246) means “dance.” Dancing for two armies (“mahanah.“)There is a correlation between Song 6:13 and Genesis 32:2 since Mehanaim in Genesis and “Machneh” or “two armies” in the Song of Solomon are the same word; the former is the plural and the latter is the root. 92

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MINISTERING SPIRITSAre they not all serving spirits sent out to attend those who are about to inherit

deliverance? (Hebrews 1:14)Mahanaim is on the Jabbok River, a tributary leading to the Jordan River in the Transjordan region. There was a double meaning in the name Mahanaim as his two wives and their children were also two camps. This was prophetic of the actual two camps or Houses that would come from Leah and Rachel called the House of Israel and the House of Judah. There was something still lacking in Jacob and he needed to deal with it before he could cross over to meet his brother Esau and more importantly before he could enter the land. Thus the angels served a duel purpose: First, preparing Jacob to meet his adversary and secondly, ministering to him the necessity of dealing with his heart before יהוה.

saying, “Father, if it be Your counsel, remove this cup from Me. Yet not My desire, but let Yours be done.” And there appeared a messenger from heaven to

Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He was praying more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

(Luke 22:42-44)

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A WORD PICTURE - FISH... and passed over the ford of Yabboq. (Genesis 32:22)

Jacob’s time at the Jabbok River was a living parable and prophetic of how we are to give our lives over to יהוה following our deliverance/salvation. A word picture of this is that of catching a fish. Is a fish already gutted and cleaned when caught, or is the fish first hooked, reeled in, brought on board and then gutted and cleaned? Many people expect new believers to be squeaky clean when they come to יהוה because יהושע’s blood covers them, making them automatically clean at that point. Many of us are in the boat but have not been gutted and cleaned yet. The Messiah died for us while we were still sinful (walking in unrighteous ways). Abraham was uncircumcised when he received the Covenant. So were we. We are not circumcised when we come to our Savior. Rather our hearts are circumcised AFTER we come to Him. By the process by progressive revelation and a walk of redemption in this leads to a circumcised heart, a heart that is no longer ,יהושעafter self or blocked but totally surrendered to service in יהושע.

SENT MESSENGERSAnd Yaʽaqob sent messengers before him to Ěsaw his brother in the land

of Sĕʽir, the field of Edom (Genesis 32:3)The first verse of our Torah reading gives us clues that we are returning to the subject of the selling of the birthright:• Seir –means “shaggy” or “hairy” and refers back to Esau’s appearance

upon birth (Genesis 25:25)• Field – Esau was described as a “man of the field” (Genesis 25:27) and

Isaac sent Esau out to the “field” to get venison (Genesis 27:3)• Edom –means “red” and brings to mind the “red, red” stew that Jacob

used to purchase the birthright (Genesis 25:30-32).Jacob is fearful of a confrontation with his brother and confesses that fear to the Almighty in a plea for deliverance: “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. (Genesis 32:11) 95

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WORD SENTand he commanded them, saying, “Say this to my master Ěsaw, ‘Your servant Yaʽaqob said this, “I have sojourned with Laban and stayed

there until now. “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.” ’ ” (Genesis 32:4-5)Legends of the Jews: Jacob also sent word to Esau, saying: "Though I dwelt with that heathen of the heathen, Laban, yet have I not forgotten my God, but I fulfil the six hundred and thirteen commandments of the Torah. If thy mind be set upon peace, thou wilt find me ready for peace. But if thy desire be war, thou wilt find me ready for war. I have with me men of valour and strength, they have but to utter a word, and God fulfils it. I tarried with Laban until Joseph should be born, he who is destined to subdue thee. And though my descendants be held in bondage in this world, yet a day will come when they will rule over their rulers."

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400So the messengers returned to Yaʽaqob, saying, “We came to your brother Ěsaw, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men with him.”

And Yaʽaqob was greatly afraid and distressed. So he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups, and he

said, “If Ěsaw comes to the one group and attacks it, then the other group which is left shall escape.” (Genesis 32:6-8)

Esau goes out to meet him, with 400 men. 400 is the numeric value of the letter “tav”, which is the “mark” or “sign” of the covenant and signifies the “end”. Just as “aleph” is the “beginning”, “tav” is the “end”. Rabbi Greenbaum calls these “the legions of death”. He points out that 400 signifies a complete array of numbers, 10 x 10 on all four sides. Esau came against Jacob with the same envy and enmity of the serpent towards Adam. 400 also equals the phrase “la’mishle” or “for a proverb” or “parable”; which is a story for us to pay attention to. 400 also equals “mishna’i” or “for both” and “la’shalom” or “for peace”. יהוה orchestrated this event in Jacob’s life as a parable, a story for us to understand and heed. Also, “it’s for both” houses and it’s “for peace”.

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FEAR AND TORMENTFear is rooted in unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment. Jacob had not surrounded his life and all that he had to יהוה yet. This report about his brother caused Jacob great fear and torment. Taking matters into his own hands, Jacob divided his people and animals with him into two groups, saying, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape.” Only after doing this did Jacob seek יהוה. And Yaʽaqob said, “O Elohim of my father Abraham and Elohim of my father Yitshaq, יהוה who said to me, ‘Return to your land and

to your relatives, and I do good to you,’ “I do not deserve 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. “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. “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.’ ” (Genesis 32:9-12)

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THE STRATEGYAnd he spent the night there, and took what came to his hand as a

present for Ěsaw his brother – two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. And he gave into the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put some distance between drove and drove.” And he commanded the first one, saying, “When Ěsaw my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are

you going? And whose are these in front of you?’ then you shall say, ‘They are your servant Yaʽaqob’s. It is a present sent to my master Ěsaw. And

see, he also is behind us.’ ” So he commanded the second, and the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, “Speak to Ěsaw this same word when you find him, and you shall say, ‘Also look, your servant Yaʽaqob is

behind us.’ ” For he said, “Let me appease him with the present that goes before me, and after that see his face. He might accept me.” (Genesis

32:13-20)

GIFTSJacob, in dealing with the evil material manifestation of this world, speaks to the materialism in Esau by offering him a very large gift, bribe. The first gift that Jacob sends out in a drove (herd or group) is 200 female goats and 20 males. • 200 is the numeric value of the letter “reish” which is the

“beginning” and 20 is numeric value of “kaf” which is “palm of the hand” or “covering”.

Jacob to convey to Esau that this is only the first gift for covering his offense. He repeats these numbers again with ewes and rams. • 200 is also the numeric value of the word “va‟ tzadik” which means

“and is righteous” or “just”. 20 is also the numeric value of the word “haya” which means “has become”.

In this second gift we see Jacob also saying that “he has become righteous”. 100

GIFTS CON’T

30 milk camels with their colts (30, as one each, is typical). • 30 is the numeric value of the letter “lamed” or the “shepherd‟s

staff” which signifies “learning”. 30 also equals the words “b‟chai” or “in life” and “va‟cheetah” or “and is purified”.

Here, he has not separated the nursing from their mothers. We see two 30’s, saying that he’s “learned the lessons of life” and his intentions are pure. He follows this gift with another of 40 cows and 10 bulls. • 40 is the number of “learning” or “testing” and 10 is the number of

the “fullness of something”, as in the “fullness of time”. 40 is also the numeric value of the letter “mem” which is “water” or “washing” and 10 is the numeric value of the letter “yud” or “the hand”; perhaps to say that “his hands are now clean”. 40 is also the numeric value of “b‟levo” or “from the heart” and 10 equals “va‟avo” or “I come”.

Together, we see the theme of “completing the time of learning and testing” and “from the heart I come”.

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GIFTS CON’TJacob sends 20 female donkeys and 10 foals. 20 represents the “palms” and 10 the “hands”. When you come showing the palms of your hands, what are you saying? I surrender. I submit to you. Jacob was coming not only in fear, but in true humility and showing respect to his elder brother. The groupings of each of these droves, were male and female or mother and child; the continuation of life. These animals would, reproduce and build wealth, they were truly the “gift that keeps on giving”. There were five droves, or divisions, of these animals. Five is the number of “chen”, which is Hebrew for “favor” or “grace”. It also represents the Torah in Hebrew thought is all about “favor” and “grace”. The fifth Book of Torah, Deuteronomy, is all about יהוה’s “favor” and “grace” toward Israel, even in their failures, as it speaks of their turning away and exile and ultimately their teshuva, redemption and return to Elohim and to the Land of their inheritance.

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EMPTY OUTAnd 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. And he took them and

sent them over the stream, and sent over what he had. (Genesis 32:22-23)He passed over the River “Yabboq” (Yud-bet-kuf). “Yabboq” means to “empty out” or to “be poured out”. Jacob was indeed “poured out” and at the “end of himself”. Having come through all that he had, being what amounted to an indentured servant for over 20 years; Torah says that now he stood alone about to face his past and his future. Legends of the Jews: The servants of Jacob went before him with the present for Esau, and he followed with his wives and his children. As he was about to pass over the ford of Jabbok, he observed a shepherd, who likewise had sheep and camels. The stranger approached Jacob and proposed that they should ford the stream together, and help each other move their cattle over, and Jacob assented, on the condition that his possessions should be put across first. In the twinkling of an eye Jacob's sheep were transferred to the other side of the stream by the shepherd.

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POURED OUTAnd Yaʽaqob was left alone. And a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of

day. (Genesis 32:24)Here we have a most interesting use of Hebrew to describe what went on between Jacob and this “man” that he wrestled with. The common Hebrew words used for “wrestled” in Scripture are “pathal” and “naftul”. When Rachel says in Genesis 30:8 that she wrestled Leah with great wrestling's, she uses both of these terms. And, you’ll find both of these elsewhere in Scripture. However, a different word is used in both verses 24 & 25 and it only appears here. According to Strong’s Concordance, the word is “abaq”, word #079. meaning to “wrestle” or “grapple with” from the context of “kicking up dust” or “getting dusty”. Gesenius’ Lexicon states the meaning as “to pound” or “make small”, as used to describe a fist fight. In verse 24 “and wrestled”, the word is rendered “va’yaboq”. It is a variation of, and has the same pronunciation as the river “Yabboq”, which means “poured out”. From our context, it is obviously talking about a great struggle, as in an intense wrestling match that exhausts both parties. So, they are both “poured out” or “emptied”.

FACING ELAnd when He saw that He did not overcome him, He touched the socket

of his hip. And the socket of Yaʽaqob’s hip was dislocated as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I am not letting You go until You have blessed me!” So He asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Yaʽaqob.” And He said, “Your

name is no longer called Yaʽaqob, but Yisra’ĕl1, because you have striven with Elohim and with men, and have overcome.” Footnote:

1Yisra’ĕl means “to strive with Ěl, to overcome with Ěl, (then) to rule with Ěl” And Yaʽaqob asked Him, saying, “Please let me know Your Name.” And He said, “Why do you ask about My Name?” And He

blessed him there. And Yaʽaqob called the name of the place Peni’ĕl, “For I have seen Elohim face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis

32:25-30)Having struggled with both man (Esau and Laban) and Elohim (יהושע), Jacob is given a new name, Yisra’el; because he has “overcome” or “prevailed with El”. And, he names that place “Peni’el” which literally means “facing El”; because he has seen Elohim and lived.

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PENI’ELAnd the sun rose on him as he passed over Penu’ĕl, and he limped on

his hip. (Genesis 32:31)The Torah states that “the sun rose on him as he passed over Penu‟el”. The Hebrew word in Scripture for “dawn” or “sunrise” is “shachar”. But here, we have the phrase “Va‟eetzerach li ha shemesh” as he passed over Peni’el. The implication is that the sun (shemesh) rose because of him. It’s a word-play, or Hebrewism, denoting that he “walked in the light” as in the light of the sun.Today, Jacob (Israel) still struggles with this Divine Man who is יהושע. The Messiah was “In the Beginning,” according to John 1:1. The Jewish people (Israel) do not believe that the Messiah is part of the Oneness of God, and therefore they struggle with the belief that God could appear as the Messiah.

Trust in יהוה with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5)

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JOB - WRESTLINGScripture tells us that our wrestling matches are not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers of darkness.

Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of

this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies. (Ephesians 6:12)

One reason why our struggling can become so painful: we are sometimes not quite sure what (or whom) we are wrestling with! This was Job’s dilemma, Satan was causing his trouble, but did so with God’s permission, and his pain was compounded by the insistence of his friends that he must have sinned for God to be punishing him so terribly and telling him that if he would only confess his hidden sin, everything would be okay. Although Job was a righteous and blameless man, even in God’s sight, Job wrestled on several fronts – with God, man, and with Satan – and even his wife!

And his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse Elohim and die!” ... For I know that my Redeemer lives, and as the Last shall

rise over the dust; and after my skin has been struck off, then in my flesh I shall see Eloah, whom I myself shall see on my side, and not a stranger. My

kidneys have failed within me! (Job 2:9 --19:25-27)107

GETTING BACK ON OUR FEETFor the enemy has pursued my being; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, Like the dead of old.

(Psalms 143:3)A wrestling match is lost when one of the wrestlers is pinned to the ground and cannot get up again. Likewise, we have not lost if we become weary or discouraged, or even feel like giving up, but only if we fail to rise up again. We are not faulted for struggling with God, man, or Satan, or for even falling down to the ground time and again. It doesn’t matter that we have fallen. We have not lost until we simply refuse to get up again.

For seven times a righteous man falls and rises, But the wrong one stumbles into evil. (Proverbs 24:16)

It’s God who will raise us up, dust us off, and set our feet back on solid rock.

is supporting all who are falling, And raising up all who are bowed יהוהdown. (Psalms 145:14) 108

CORRELATIONGenesis 32 is a prophetic shadow-picture of how Jacob’s descendants will come back into the land of their inheritance prior to יהושע’s return. They will be divided into two camps and will have to confront Esau, Edom (modern Palestinian-Arabs who will be blocking the way. Both camps (Judah and Ephraim, currently represented by the Jewish and Christian peoples) are returning out of spiritual Babylon (as per Rev 18:4) where they have been in servitude to the Babylonish world system even as Jacob was a servant to Laban (who lived in the area of ancient Babylon).They will not defeat Esau through appeasement (Gen 32:20) as Jacob tried to do with Esau and the modern state of Israel is dealing with the Palestinians by giving land for peace.Messianic Israel/Ephraim will also go through the same process. Jacob will get transformed into Israel. The two houses of Israel will learn to dance with each other so that they can dance on their wedding day with King Solomon (derived from the Hebrew word shalom) / יהושע Sar Shalom (Prince of Peace)—their Bridegroom. 109

OUR DESTINYAs Jacob did, so we too will have to wrestle with man and El (Gen 32:28) to return to the Promised Land. We must prevail with יהוה and demonstrate to him that we are serious about wanting to possess our promised inheritance. When we die to self as a people-group (both Judah and Ephraim), this will please the Father and he will make even our enemies (i.e., modern Esau) to be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). As with Jacob, we as collective Israel need to spend a dark night of the soul wrestling with יהוה, get a good look at his face to see who he really is, which will in turn help us to understand who we really are. Then we will be humbled, will learn to place our trust in the promises and protection of יהוה resulting in our being transformed from being a Jacob (meaning “heel catcher, supplanter, a deceptive sneak thief”) into an Israel (“a prince of El or prevailer with El”) with a new name and identity. 110

THREE SECTIONSAnd Yaʽaqob lifted his eyes and looked and saw Ěsaw coming, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children among Lĕ’ah, and

Rahĕl, and the two female servants. And he put the female servants and their children in front, and Lĕ’ah and her children behind, and Rahĕl and

Yosĕph last. And he himself passed over before them .... (Genesis 33:1-3)

Instead of two camps Jacob divides his family into three camps. The first camp sees him setting out of the maids first in a prophetic message. The two sons of Bilhah are namely Dan (Judge, vindicated) and Naptali (Prevailed) and the sons of Zilpa, Gad (Fortunate) and Asher (Happy). That the servant is fortunate and happy because he had prevailed. He was judged for his actions and was vindicated. Following them we get the two camps Judah and Ephraim with Josef the only son mentioned last.

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BOWED 7 TIMESAnd he ... bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near

to his brother. (Genesis 33:3)Jacob bows seven times, fully prostrating himself to the ground, and this is followed by his wives and their children also bowing before Esau. Next we are told that four times, Jacob will call Esau, “my adonai” (33:8,13,14,15). Twice he will call himself “Esau’s servant” (33:5,14). What’s up with this apparent reversal of Jacob’s blessing (Genesis 27:29 – be master over your brothers and may your mother’s sons bow down to you), and can we connect these details with the wrestling match of the night before?A logical conclusion after the wrestling match would be that Jacob was now in a position to overcome whatever situation he may be in with his brother, Esau. Why then, do we not see him asserting the authority he was given over his brother? Are we disappointed that we are not seeing a “new and confident” Jacob? 112

FACE OF ELOHIMAnd Yaʽaqob said, ... receive my present from my hand, because I have

seen your face like seeing the face of Elohim, and you were pleased with me. “Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, ... (Genesis

33:10-11)Why would Jacob say it is as if he is seeing the Face of Elohim? The clue to the face drama is the blessing been presented, namely the “bracha” blessing he stole: And Elohim give you of the dew of the heavens, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brothers, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. ...(Genesis 27:28-29)This blessing is about wealth and power and not the birthright or “bechira” blessing of personal destiny received in: Bereshith 28:3-4 " “And Ěl Shaddai bless you, and make you bear fruit and increase you, and you shall become an assembly of peoples, and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and your seed with you, so that you inherit the land of your sojournings, which Elohim gave to Abraham.”

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RABBI SACKSWe know that at the time of the blessings, Isaac was blind. This is the only reason why Jacob was able to pull off the impersonation. Because he could not see, Isaac was forced to trust his others senses: he “tasted” the food, he “touched” Jacob’s hands, he “smelled” his clothes. He also “heard” his voice which he said “sounds like the voice of Jacob”, and then replied that the hands “are the hands of Esau.” Therefore, after some doubt, Isaac trusted his other senses over that of what he “heard” and gives Jacob the blessing (bracha). Now remember all of this has happened because “he cannot see Jacob’s face”.The sages teach that each of the patriarchs were role models for us to learn how to handle challenges. From Abraham we learn the strength of conviction and how to stand apart in an ungodly culture. Isaac was the picture of sacrifice and as believers, we also must identify with the sacrifice of our Messiah. And now Jacob becomes our role model of learning our identity. 114

JACOB A MAN OF TRUTHYou give truth to Yaʽaqob, .. (Micah 7:20)

“Truth” is what Jacob wrestled for. It was a “truth” about identity. Jacob needed to come “face to face” with that reality. He needed to look in a mirror. James says the “mirror” is the Torah, the “perfect law of liberty”. יהושע is the “Word made flesh” and thus by reading יהוה’s Torah (instructions), we can see “His face”, and we can see ourselves in the mirror as well:

And become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer,

he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, for he looks at himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what he was like. But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in

it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing of the Torah. (James 1:22-25)

In his wrestling, Jacob came “face to face” (like looking in a mirror) with this Torah of liberty, whom we know as יהושע the Messiah. He came away from it with a new identity reflected in his new name. He also received a blessing of destiny.

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SUMMARYJacob was attempting to give back the blessing (bracha) he had stolen from Esau 20 years prior. Not the birthright blessing (bechira) which was rightfully his. The herds and flocks he set apart for Esau represented wealth (dew of heaven and the richness of the earth). The 7-fold bowing, calling Esau “my adonai”, and himself “your servant” represented the hand-over of power (be master over your brethren and let your mother’s sons bow down to you). Jacob understood that the sustenance of the Almighty was sufficient and wanted to make things right with Esau. He expresses his newly found truth in these words to his brother:

“Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because Elohim has favoured me, and because I have all I need.” (Genesis 33:11)

Jacob understands that he is complete in all he has. He wants Esau to take not only the gift of his animals, but the blessing that was never meant for him. In order to “have it all”, he must “give away”. These are the “truths” that Jacob learned in the wrestling match. 116

OVERCOMERThe wrestling match was the birth of “Israel”. Jacob learned that his “wealth” and “power” came not from the earth, but from the One who transcends this earth. Jacob struggled and prevailed to gain this “truth”; and in the same way, we also must strive to be “overcomers”. Like Jacob, we must learn that no matter what the odds are, no matter how much it hurts, we cannot let go of the “man” that has so much power in our lives. יהושע “overcame” the world, and through faith, we can follow in His footsteps:

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good

cheer, I have overcome the world."1 John 5:4 For everyone born of Adonai overcomes the world. And this

is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.There is a special position promised to those who “overcome”:

Revelation 3:12 "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My Adonai…"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with

Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 117

THE WELCOME EMBRACEAnd Ěsaw ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and

kissed him, and they wept. (Genesis 33:4)Legends of the Jews: In the vehemence of his rage against Jacob, Esau vowed that he would not slay him with bow and arrow, but would bite him dead with his mouth, and suck his blood. But he was doomed to bitter disappointment, for Jacob's neck turned as hard as ivory, and in his helpless fury Esau could but gnash his teeth. The two brothers were like the ram and the wolf. A wolf wanted to tear a ram in pieces, and the ram defended himself with his horns, striking them deep into the flesh of the wolf. Both began to howl, the wolf because he could not secure his prey, and the ram from fear that the wolf renew his attacks. Esau bawled because his teeth were hurt by the ivory-like flesh of Jacob's neck, and Jacob feared that his brother would make a second attempt to bite him.

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SE’IR` And he (Esua) said, “Let us depart and go, and let me go before you.” But he

(Jacob) said to him, ... let me lead on slowly according to the pace of the livestock that go before me, and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my master in Sĕʽir.” .. And Ěsaw returned that day on his way to Sĕʽir.

And Yaʽaqob 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. (Genesis

33:12-17)Many teachers say that Jacob went in the opposite direction to deceive his brother again. This “Se’ir” is not Mt. Se’ir, the area of Edom. We read later that Esau moves to Edom and Mt. Se’ir after the death of Isaac. At this time, Esau was still living in Canaan. There is a Mt. Se’ir in Israel and it is located in Northern Judea (Yehudah), northwest of Jerusalem, not far from Beit El. It lies just south and west of Beit El. Jacob did not misdirect Esau into going to Jordan and then take off in another direction. He was heading toward the area of his brother’s home and then on to his father’s. It was Esau who named Mt. Se’ir in Edom as “Se’ir” means “hairy goat” in Hebrew and is represented by the two goats of Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement.

PROPHET OBADIAHEventually “Jacob will come to Seir.” The prophet Obadiah was from the tribe of Judah, and pronounced יהוה’s judgment against Edom, the descendants of Esau. The ultimate destruction would come from the House of Jacob, repaying the years of destruction exacted by the Edomites ruling the world.

“And the house of Yaʽaqob shall be a fire, and the house of Yosĕph a flame, but the house of Ěsaw for stubble. And they shall burn among them and they shall consume them, so that no survivor is left of the

house of Ěsaw.” For יהוה has spoken. And they shall possess the South with the mountains of Ěsaw, and low country with the Philistines. And they shall possess the fields of Ephrayim and the fields of Shomeron,

and Binyamin with Gilʽad, and the exiles of this host of the children of Yisra’ĕl possess that of the Kenaʽanites as far as Tsarephath, and the exiles of Yerushalayim who are in Sepharad possess the cities of the

South. And saviours shall come to Mount Tsiyon to judge the mountains of Ěsaw. And the reign shall belong to יהוה. (Obadiah 1:18-21) 120

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WHOLE OR COMPLETEAnd Yaʽaqob came safely to the city of Shekem, which is in the land of Kenaʽan, when he came from Paddan Aram. And he pitched his tent before the city. And

he bought the portion of the field where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shekem’s father, for one hundred qesitah. And he set up an

altar there and called it Ěl Elohĕ Yisra’ĕl. (Genesis 33:18-20)Now, here is something that you just don’t see in our English translations. Verse 18, reads, from the ISR Scriptures; And Ya‟aqob came safely to the city of Shekem, which is in the land of Kena‟an, when he came from Paddan Aram. And he pitched his tent before the city. Now, from the King James Version it reads a little differently; And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. In the Hebrew, it reads; Va‟abo Ya‟aqob shalem e‟yr Shekem asher b‟eretz Kena‟an b‟vo Paddan Aram va‟eechan et paney ha‟eyr and translates as; And came Ya‟aqob whole or complete to the city of Shekem that is in the land of Kena‟an and having come from Paddan Aram and encamped before the city.

SHALEMJacob did not arrive in Shekem “safely”; nor did he come to the city of “Shalem”. Shalem is not a city of Shekem. The city of “Shalem” was the city/kingdom where the Melek Tzadik, Shem, was the King. Contrary to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and Dictionary, it does not mean “peace”. It does not mean the same thing as “shalom”. “Shalem”, although spelled the same as “shalom” (“shin-lamed-mem” - except for the vowel markings), is a variation of the root word that means “whole”, “complete”, “unified”, “finished” and “restored”, according to Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, Klein’s Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language and Brown, Driver, Briggs. Now, there are no vowel markings in the Hebrew Scriptures. How do we know that יהוה did not intend to use the word “shalom” to say that Jacob arrived in “peace”? Had the intent been to say “And came Jacob in peace to the city of Shekem….”, it would read in the Hebrew “b‟shalom” (in peace). There is no letter “bet” as a prefix. So, “shalem” would be the proper word to use here. The Melek Tzadik might be the “Prince of Shalom” (Peace); but also, He is the “King of Shalem” (“Wholeness” or “Completeness”).

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PADDAN ARAMJacob was returning home from “Paddan Aram”. This is a very special place. It was the birthplace of his wives and his mother, Rivka, and where Abraham lived just prior to his call to leave Babylon and sojourn in the Land. “Paddan” (pey-dalet-nun) in Strong’s Concordance, means “field” or “plain”. Gesenius’ Lexicon and Klein’s Dictionary, indicates that “paddah” (pey-dalet-hey) which means to “ransom”, “deliver” or “redeem”. In Hebrew thought, a “field” or “plain” coincides with a “plane of existence” or a “dimension” that is outside of us. It is a “plane of existence” or a “dimension” where “redemption” takes place.“Aram” (aleph-reish-mem) is that area of Mesopotamia where the Arameans came from, “Aram” means “exalted” or “lifted up”. “Paddan Aram” (Pey-dalet-nun and Aleph-reish-mem) equal the number 375, which equals the word “shalemah” (Deut. 25:15) meaning “perfect”. This place, this “exalted field of redemption” was the place of Jacob’s “perfecting”.

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SHEKEMWhen Jacob crosses the Yarden, after he leaves Sukkoth, he arrives “restored” and “whole” at Shekem. “Shekem” means “shoulder” or the “upper back”; where the load carried or the “burden is shouldered”. The Kohen ha Gadol (the High Priest) would later wear onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes “upon his shoulders” to bear the physical burden of Israel. He bore the stones of each tribe in the breastplate to bear the spiritual burden of Israel. And, the prophet speaks of Mashiach in For a Child shall be born unto us, a Son shall be given unto us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, Counsellor, Strong Ěl, Father of Continuity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His rule and peace there is no end, upon the throne of Dawid and over His reign, to establish it and sustain it with right-ruling and with righteousness from now on, even forever. The ardour of יהוה of hosts does this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)Shekem is the city that lies between Mt Gerizim and Mt. Eybal. It was here that Joshua and the Children of Israel would later come to declare the “blessings” and the “curses”. 124

RAPE OF DINAH.. Dinah, the daughter of Lĕ’ah, ... Shekem, son of Hamor the Hiwwite, ..

saw her .. and lay with her, and humbled her ... his being clung to Dinah .. and he loved the girl. Shekem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Take this

girl for me for a wife.” Yaʽaqob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Yaʽaqob kept

silent until they came. .. when they heard it.. the men were grieved and very wroth. Hamor spoke with them .. Please give her to him (Shekem) for

a wife. .. “Only on this condition would we agree to you: If .. have every male of you circumcised, then we shall give our daughters to you, and take your daughters to us. And we shall dwell with you, and shall become one people. .. And Hamor and Shekem his son came to the gate of their city,

and spoke with the men of their city, “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. ..And it came to be on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Yaʽaqob, Shimʽon and Lĕwi, .. killed all

the males. And they killed Hamor and Shekem his son .. and took Dinah from Shekem’s house. .. and plundered the city, because they had defiled

their sister. .. And all their little ones and their wives they took captive, and they plundered all that was in the houses. ..(Genesis 34:1-31) 125

THE CITY COMMANDED TO BE DESTROYED IN DEUTERONOMY

“When you hear someone in one of your cities, which יהוה your Elohim gives you to dwell in, saying, ‘Some men, sons of Beliyaʽal, have gone out of you midst and led the inhabitants of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other mighty ones” ’ – mighty ones whom you have not known – then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently. And see if the matter is true and established that this abomination was done in your midst, you shall certainly smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, putting it under the ban, and all that is in it and its livestock, with the edge of the sword. “And gather all its plunder into the middle of the street, and completely burn with fire the city and all its plunder, before יהוה your Elohim. And it shall be a heap forever, never to be built again. “And none of that which is put under the ban is to cling to your hand, so that יהוה turns from the fierceness of His displeasure and shall show you compassion, love you and increase you, as He swore to your fathers, when you obey the voice of יהוה your Elohim, to guard all His commands which I command you today, to do what is right in the eyes of יהוה your Elohim. (Deuteronomy 13:12-18) 126

PARALLELS BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES

Both concern someone who set out to convince the people of their city… • Hamor and Shekem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke

with the men of their city, (Genesis 34:20)• ‘Some men, sons of Beliyaʽal, have gone out of you midst and led the

inhabitants of their city astray, (Deuteronomy 13:13)Both describe a serious act that takes place in the city• And the sons of Yaʽaqob came in from the field when they heard it.

And the men were grieved and very wroth, because he had done a senseless deed in Yisra’ĕl by lying with Yaʽaqob’s daughter, which should not be done. (Genesis 34:7)

• then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently. And see if the matter is true and established that this abomination was done in your midst, (Deuteronomy 13:14) 127

PARALLELS BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES

In both cases, the people of the city are put to death by the sword for their abominations:• And it came to be on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the

sons of Yaʽaqob, Shimʽon and Lĕwi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males. (Genesis 34:25)

• you shall certainly smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, putting it under the ban, and all that is in it and its livestock, with the edge of the sword. (Deuteronomy 13:15)

Rav Bazak points out one obvious difference between the stories concerning the spoils. • The sons of Yaʽaqob .. plundered the city ...(Genesis 34:27)• you shall certainly smite .. all that is in it and its livestock, with the edge of the

sword. “And gather all its plunder into the middle of the street, and completely burn with fire the city and all its plunder, before יהוה your Elohim. ..“And none of that which is put under the ban is to cling to your hand, ..(Deuteronomy 13:15-17) 128

PARALLELS BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES

Putting to death all the inhabitants of a city was a very difficult mission. It has been observed that this sort of an act dulls the senses of a person’s moral sensibilities. Hence the reason for יהוה’s promise in the Torah…that “He will turn from the fierceness of His anger and show mercy, and have compassion” on the hearts of those who were asked to carry out this destruction. He will wipe away the moral damage caused by their acts of killing. The heart is the key here. The destruction in Deuteronomy is to be performed purely as an act of obedience to “יהוה your Elohim”. THERE IS TO BE NO PERSONAL GAIN in the mission.Now we are able to see the act of Jacob’s sons in a new light. If, in s eyes, the killing of the residents of Shechem was justified, the’יהוהplundering of the city was certainly NOT justified. Now it would be seen as outright murder done out of anger, along with satisfying their own personal interests. There is no promise of mercy for those who killed out of anger and greed. 129

BAAL HERMONWe read that they plundered the city of all its wealth and took, as captives, the women and children of the Hiwwites of Shekem. “Why are we told this here?” “Shekem” we know is “shoulder”. “Hamor” has two meanings; the first being “ass” or “male donkey” and the second is “heap” a “memorial”. People of that day would pile stones or rocks into a “heap” as a remembrance or memorial to treaties, covenants, graves or whatever they wanted generations to come to see and remember. That is exactly what Elohim is doing with this story, this “parable”, this “mishle”. He wants us to take note of it and remember it. Now, the men of this city were “Hiwwites” Strong’s #2340, meaning “dwellers of the high place”, whose capital was on Mt. Ba’al Hermon (#1179, meaning “lord of destruction”). So, we have a city of pagans, who worship the “lord of destruction”, whose leader represents a memorial or historic event and his son Shekem.

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DESTRUCTION OF THE LORDProphetic picture: יהושע, the Son having the “reign of the Kingdom” on His shoulders. Shekem, as Hamor’s son, is a picture of “anti-messiah” who has the reign of his father on his shoulders. He kidnaps and defiles “Dinah”, whose name means “Judgment” or “Justice”. Again, in our time, we will see the Land invaded by the forces of the “lord of destruction” (anti-messiah) and we’re already seeing the raping of “Dinah”, “Justice”.

Only this next time, יהוה will fight for Jacob and defeat the “lord of destruction” and his armies and cleanse the Land. And, a “shalem”

Jacob, a “whole”, “unified” and “restored” Israel will bury the dead of that war, as “And it shall be on that day that I give Gog a burial site there in Yisra’ĕl, the valley of those passing by east of the sea, and

stopping those passing by, because there they shall bury Gog and all his crowd, and shall call it the Valley of Hamon Gog. “And the house of

Yisra’ĕl shall bury them for seven months, in order to cleanse the land. “And all the people of the land shall bury them, and it shall be for a name to them on the day that I am esteemed,” declares the Master

(Ezekiel 39:11-13) .יהוה 131

MEMORIAL HEAPAnd Elohim said to Yaʽaqob, “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.” And Yaʽaqob 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. “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.” .. 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. (Genesis 35:1-7) calls Jacob back to “Beit El” (the House of Elohim) to where He יהוהvisited him, back to the “roots of his faith”, in order to give praise to the El of his deliverance.

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BREAD OF LIFEAnd Elohim said to him, “Your name is Yaʽaqob, your name is no longer

called Yaʽaqob, but Yisra’ĕl is your name.” So He called his name Yisra’ĕl. 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. “And the land which I gave Abraham and Yitshaq I give to you. And to your seed after you I give this land.” ..

And Yaʽaqob 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. (Genesis 35:10-14)The Covenant יהוה set up with Abraham and Isaac was now passed on to the next generation. In response to יהוה, Jacob set up a stone pillar and poured out the drink offering and oil on it. The offerings were not separated, so when we see a drink offering in scripture we look for the grain offering called minchah in Hebrew. Stone (as in the stone pillar) is a reference to the Messiah; יהושע is the “Bread of Life,” He is the bread offering! That is why Jacob poured out the drink offering and oil on the Rock, יהושע, the Bread of Life. 133

DEATH OF RACHEL... that Rahĕl began to give birth, and had great difficulty giving birth. 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.” 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. So Rahĕl died

and was buried on the way to Ephrath, that is Bĕyth Lehem. And Yaʽaqob set a standing column on her grave, which is the monument of

Rahĕl’s grave to this day. (Genesis 35:16-20)The truth was Rachel “died” when she stole, hid and lied about her father’s idols (Genesis 31:32-35). Her early death was set in motion when Jacob pronounced a death sentence over her by saying to Laban, “If you find anyone, who has your gods, he shall not live.”This is a story about taking every thought captive and being very careful with the words we speak. Our words can literally lead to death–spiritually and eventually physically–in ourselves, plus effect a lot of other people, as we have seen in this story. 134

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DEATH OF ISAACAnd the days of Yitshaq were one hundred and eighty years. So Yitshaq

breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, aged and satisfied of days. And his sons Ěsaw and Yaʽaqob buried him. (Genesis 35:28-29)

And then, we see at the death of Isaac, things change. All things written in Torah are significant at Isaac’s age of 180 at his death, we see a deeper meaning. 100 represents the letter “kuf” which means to “surround” or “touch” and 80 is the letter “pey”, which is the “mouth”, which is part of the “face”. So, it reflects “touching the mouth” or “speech”. “Face” in Hebrew is “paniym” and also has the numeric value of 180. There are several instances referring to “the face”, as well as “nasah” or “to go out” or “to journey” which also equals 180. These were all connected to “going out” or “journeying before” (in the face of) Elohim; being sent out to hear His speech, His words and to understand one’s destiny and calling. Isaac’s life journey was constantly “before” (paniym) יהוה, as His purpose and plan were being brought to fruition. The same is certainly true of Jacob, Yah’s circumventer, who was in the palm of His hand always.

GENESIS 36 - GENEALOGY OF ESAUJust looking at three of Esau’s descendents we get a picture of history, past and future. 1. In verse 12, we see Esau’s grandson “Amaleq”, who is the historical

counterfeit of Israel. 2. Then, in verses 11 & 15 we’re introduced to Esau’s grandson

“Tsepho”, who according to history, and confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls, was made king of Rome, and then made king of “Chittim” (which included Cypress) during the reign of King Hizqiyahu (Hezekiah) of Yehudah. Rome is Esau.

3. In verse 43, we’re introduced to “Magdi‟el”. Strong’s has one meaning for this name; but, in Hebrew, his name is from the same root as “Migdol” which means “high tower”. The rabbis teach that this too is a reference to Rome, in that when Romulus (the king of what was about to become the Roman Empire), united all Italy under his flag, he began to build a “tower” like the Tower of Babel. But, like those in Nimrod’s day, he never finished it. 136