August 30, 2008 – Exodus 1.1-2.25

Mercy Over Judgment

[Exodus 1.1-25 : Isaiah 27.6-13 : Romans 6.1-2; Hebrews 11.23]

Tim Hegg notes in his commentary on this week’s portion, “…Pharaoh was unwilling to maintain the covenant that the former Pharaohs had made with Joseph and his family. To ‘not know Joseph’ does not mean he was unaware of Joseph-Egyptians were big on history! It means that the current Pharaoh did not intend to honor the covenants made with Joseph and his family.”  Tim also comments how this statement in the Scriptures is set against the statement at the end of the portion that reads, “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  God saw the people of Israel — and God knew.” [Exodus 2.24-25]  Clearly we see here a distinct and complete opposite character portrayal between this Pharaoh, who undoubtedly claimed to be a god, and the God of the universe.

Four hundred and some-odd years pass by between the beginning of Exodus to the end of chapter two.  No doubt these four hundred years of slavery had to occur for Abraham’s offspring; no doubt the suffering was beyond what we in America can effectually fathom. [Genesis 15]  If it is the case that the Son of God learned obedience through the things He suffered, than it would make sense that the children of God should have the opportunity, or ability, to do the same.  [Hebrews 5.8]  Perhaps this is why God was quick to grieve in the wilderness observing how disobedient Israel was, especially right after God had redeemed them.  Along these same lines, looking several hundred years ahead, the exiles Israel experienced were a result of them still grieving God through disobedience; clearly displaying they still hadn’t learned.  God told them then, and still tells us now, “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is right, he shall surely live; he shall not die…For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.” [Ezekiel 18.21, 32]  This is mercy, again.

God heard Israel’s groaning, God remembered His covenant He made with Abraham and to his offspring, God saw the people of Israel, and God yada [knew].  God came to their rescue; God had mercy on them.  Similarly, by the end of the Divided Kingdom, when it came time for God to act according to His righteousness in response to His people’s [Israel/Judah] endless disobedience, God did not strike them like God struck those who had already struck them.  Instead of God wiping Israel off the map of society [which He wanted to do a few times before, cf. Exodus 32.9-10; Deuteronomy 32.26-27], He instead only wiped them off the geographical spot on the map; the spot that God had intended to give them for an eternal inheritance.  Therefore, exile must be seen as mercy over judgment. For we all deserve death, but that is not God’s will.  So, this must be recognized as God’s hesed [steadfast love, lovingkindness, mercy], which is according to His character, thus the heart and commitment of His covenant that was established with Abraham and realized in and through His Son, Yeshua the Messiah.  Knowing God in and through Messiah Yeshua is eternal life, obtained through grace actualized by faithfulness, which ought to yield a hope for that which is promised, but not yet fully given.  In the meantime we must revel in the hesed that God earnestly releases toward us who are but dust.

August 9, 2008 – Genesis 48 – 49

         He Who Created Jacob…and Formed Israel

                      [Genesis 48-49 : Isaiah 43.1-7 : John 16.25-33]

                                 [Commentary by Tim Hegg here.]

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.  Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.  Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.  I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.  – Isaiah 43.1-7

God chose Abraham to bear the Covenant of God.  This Covenant was then passed to Isaac, not Ishmael.  Isaac passed the Covenant to Jacob, not Esau.  Jacob wrestled with The Angel and was given the name Yisra’el ( ישׂראל).  Jacob’s sons multiplied into the nation who came to be called by this name.  So, isn’t it interesting that in this portion of Genesis we see two half-Egyptian, half-Hebrew young men become like full-blooded Hebrews.  Ephraim and Manasseh were adopted by Jacob and literally became Jacob’s sons.  They were no longer Joseph’s.  Their descendants received a portion in the inheritance when they entered The Land of Promise.  

Here we see a glimpse into the mystery of the Gospel of which Paul states is “…that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of [God's] promise in Messiah Yeshua through the Good News.” [Ephesians 3.6]  Gentile believers are adopted/grafted into Israel.  This reality, and this account in Genesis, is God being faithful to Abraham when He promised that “…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” [Genesis 12.3]  Paul says the same thing in Galatians 3.    

This people, Israel, was set apart and designated as God’s Am Segullah (לי  סגלה), His treasured possession, and even a peculiar people.  [Notice too that the people who stood at Sinai when God declared this of them were a "mixed multitude".  Another picture of the mystery noted above.]  God blessed Israel with righteous commandments that they may live the abundant life designed by the Creator.  Israel forsook the LORD by not keeping His commandments, His ordinances, and His statutes.  God remained faithful to His Covenant and in doing so Israel had to be exiled.  But, BEHOLD!, Fear not Israel!  The LORD has redeemed you “…[He] has called you by name, you are [His]…” And, “You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…Fear not, I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.  I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold…everyone who is called by My Name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.”  Consider this….and then read this…

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2.8-10

All those who come to God in faith and attach themselves to His Covenant are brought near by the blood of His Son and adopted to become His child.  They are made partakers in the Covenant of God through Messiah, and all the blessings therein.  God chose Israel by His sovereign choice and through His grace.  God has desired all along to redeem the entire world through Israel and by making His redeemed to be called “Israel”. Thus Messiah has come through Israel and through Messiah Believers are made a part of God’s Am Segullah!  Adoption is necessary, that is why Jacob says in his blessing to Joseph’s sons, “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.”

July 29, 2008 – Genesis 44.18-46.27

           Controlled? or Redeemed?

                      [Genesis 44.18-46.27 : Joshua 14.6-15 : Luke 24.13-27]

“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
Genesis 45.5

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8.28

We find in the Torah portion for this week [according to the triennial cycle] the revealing of Joseph to his brothers while in Egypt.  According to Joseph’s plan, his brothers had reached the point where Joseph was convinced his brothers had changed for the better; therefore he could disclose to them the truth about who he was and what had been happening to them by his hand.  At first the brothers were stunned to silence being “dismayed at [Joseph's] presence.”  Beckoning his brother to draw near, and after inquiring again about Jacob’s welfare, Joseph makes a comment that provoked my curiosity.

“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life…And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors…So it was not you who sent me here, but God.”

Two clear, possible implications can be drawn out of these statements, if not more.  1. God controlled the brothers on the day when they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelite traders.  2. God redeemed the brothers treachery and brought it about in such a way as to yield His will.  I have been under the impression, for the most part anyway, that God redeems the sins of His creation and turns them out for good through His sovereign abilities in order to bring about His ultimate will.  This is what Paul says in Romans quoted above.  However, these statements from Joseph seem to say the opposite.  It seems as if God caused the brothers to commit the sin and betray Joseph that day in order that God could bring about His plan to make Joseph like a father to Pharaoh and see to it that a remnant of Jacob is preserved on earth. 

Consider the several years that Joseph’s brothers lived their lives without Joseph around, knowing full well what exactly happened and what they told their father.  We have seen thus far in this story that Joseph’s brothers immediately connect the strange things happening to them as being God’s punishment for their sinning against Joseph.  Clearly, this sin has been weighing on their minds all this time.  Their consciences were guilty and they seemed to anticipate the day when their sin would come back to them.  But now, when Joseph is revealed, it is told them in response to their sin, “…do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here…”  At first glance it’s almost as if Joseph says, “Hey, don’t worry about what you did to me.  It wasn’t you who did it anyway, it was God.”  “It” being their sin against him.  Clearly God, “…cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.”  [James 1.13]  But rather, “…each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”  Here is a statement that can help us begin to grasp the situation at hand. 

What does Joseph do in order to “test” his brothers?  Does he ever sin against them, or tell them to sin?  No, all he does is show favor to their youngest brother Benjamin.  Why?  In order to see what his brothers would do; either sin against Benjamin to elevate themselves, or love Benjamin by protecting him.  Their action would display their own desires within them.  Also, amidst this same “testing”, Joseph would also get a glimpse into his brothers’ heart regarding their relationship and respect for their father, Jacob.  It is no coincidence that the last thing that needed to be said to convince Joseph his brothers’ hearts had been changed for the better was, “For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”  Joseph showed favor to one person and the brothers had to choose how they would respond to that.  Likewise, Jacob showed Joseph favor and as a result of that it was made known what was in the heart of the other brothers; sin.  Recall the story of Abel and Cain.  God showed favor to Abel’s offering.  In turn, Cain became jealous and killed Abel.  This scenario continues with ever generation.  It is stated in Matthew that Pilate “…knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered [Yeshua] up.”  James [Jacob] says to his audience, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist , there will be disorder and every vile practice.”  [James 3.16]  And, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?  Is is not this, that your passions are at war within you?” [James 4.1] 

So, in essence, God showed Joseph favor in the eyes of Jacob, Potiphar, the keeper of the prison, and then Pharaoh.  In light of the favor Joseph received from Jacob sin happened. [i.e. the brother betrayed him.]  In light of the favor Joseph received from Potiphar, the keeper of the prison, and Pharaoh blessings happened. [i.e. Joseph was put in charge of all three of their 'houses'.]  However, in all four instances, the intent behind each response to the favor upon Joseph was the same; in order that their actions toward Joseph, whether good or bad, would bring about a personal gain. [i.e. the brothers would become heirs, not Joseph; Potiphar's house would prosper; the keeper of the prison had no concern over all that Joseph was in charge of; Pharaoh's kingdom would endure.] 

Without comprehending these things fully, I would put forth a thought in light of what’s been said thus far.  It seems as if God does control situations to bring about His desired will and at the same time redeem the sins of man in order to do the same.  The thing that God must control is not one’s decision to sin, but rather whom He will show His favor to, which in turn will leave it in the hands of men to decide how they will respond – whether with a jealous, sinful action, or perhaps with gratitude and elevation.  By showing Joseph favor God brought it about that he would become a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt in order that a remnant of Jacob might be kept alive.  Or, to say it another way, by showing Joseph favor God brought about what would turn out in the end to be His will.

“…where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

July 5, 2008 – Genesis 41.38 – 42.17

                Righteous Judgement

              [Genesis 41.38-42.17 : Isaiah 11.2-9 : Luke 9.46-48]

“He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth…”  – Isaiah 11.3-4

“You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.” – Deuteronomy 16.19

“These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.” – Proverbs 24.23

“So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality…” – Acts 10.34

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” – James 2.1

In the end, “…the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” [Colossians 3.35]  Paul says this to fellow believers.  All through the
Scriptures God proclaims that He does not show partiality in judgement.  One implication of this reiteration is the fact that the rulers of Israel did show partiality in their
judgments and instructions. [Psalm 82.2 and Malachi 2.9 for example]  The believers amongst the dispersion did as well as is stated in the letter from James [Jacob].

How often do we make such distinctions according to the flesh?  How off base is our ability to truly judge matters according to true righteousness?  Our Master Yeshua
gave us accounts in his life that demonstrate such.  The disciples argued who would be the greatest among them in the Kingdom.  Yeshua extended a righteous judgement,
based not on his partiality toward them or to fleshy tendencies…“The lest among you shall be the greatest.”  Immediately following that there is another example.  There was
someone casting out demons in Yeshua’s name, but apparently he did not follow with the disciples.  Yeshua made another righteous judgment, which was obviously different
than the judgment the disciples were able to make at that point. 

How often do we make such judgements? 

May we seek the Lord’s righteousness and live our lives as The Righteous One did!

June 28, 2008 – Genesis 41.1-37

                               An Instant

                  [Genesis 41.1-37 : Isaiah 29.1-16 : Revelation 7.1-17]

“And in an instant, suddenly, you will be visited by the LORD of hosts with thunder and with earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire.  And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel [Jerusalem], all that fight against her and her stronghold and distress her, shall be like a dream, a vision of the night.” – Isaiah 29.5-7

In an instant Joseph was elevated to the right hand of Pharaoh.  In an instant the Lord will appear and fight for His people Israel and wipe out their enemies.

In one day the LORD redeemed hundreds of thousands of people out of their slavery; a thing that had never been seen or heard of, even until this day.  In an instant the LORD atoned for all the sins of the world.  In an instant Yeshua was taken up into Heaven.  In an instant Yeshua will return on the clouds just as he had left.  In an instant every knee will bow before the King of the universe and confess that Yeshua is Lord.

How often throughout history do significant, world-altering events result from one instantaneous action, whether negative or positive?  This reality reminds me of the phrase, “Reputation can take a lifetime to build, but a moment to destroy.”  Maybe the essence behind that statement is why the Lord continually acts in ways to show Himself faithful and true, and at the same time never goes against His Word.  The Lord also “…knows our frame, that we are but dust”.  [Psalm 103]  Therefore, He knows that we need constant reminders of who He is, not that He must prove Himself to us.     

Considering YHWH is righteous, or faithful to His covenant, and Yeshua is The Righteous One, we can stand firm expecting Him to act as He said he will, in all things.  This expectation in us should translate to yield our faithfulness to God’s covenant, or obedience, and what Paul calls the “fruit of the Spirit”. 

There is more yet to come, specifically the second coming of Messiah Yeshua.  Whether we who are alive in the flesh today will see this in our life is not the point.  It has never been the point.  God has always wanted the same thing from every generation; to walk in His ways and tell the next generation.  If and only when this is done will the remnant who is alive at Yeshua’s return be up and alert when the Bridegroom returns as Ben-Jamin, or the Son of [God's] right hand.       

In an instant we were redeemed from our sin.  Believing that means appropriating that, and all the implications, in our lives, every instant.

June 21, 2008 – Genesis 40

            Mashiach ben Yoseph

                      [Genesis 40 : Amos 1.3-2.6 : Matthew 5.1-16]

 

The entire account of Joseph son of Jacob is filled with prophetic pictures of the Messiah.  It is not just the case that believers in Yeshua can now reflect backwards on the accounts of Scripture pertaining to Yeshua’s life and draw clear parallels to the life of Joseph, but it is also true that even in Yeshua’s day and prior there existed beliefs among the Jewish people that the coming Messiah was to be like Joseph, in some fashion anyway. [1]  This Messiah was called Mashiach ben Yosĕph, Messiah son of Joseph.  They gave this title because they said that this Messiah was to suffer like Joseph suffered.  Another title that was attached to Messiah, whether the same one or a different one, was Mashiach ben Da’vid, Messiah son of David.  This Messiah was to conquer and reign as King.  It is striking that Yeshua’s earthly father was named Yoseph!  Also, we can see in the Gospels themselves people actually calling Yeshua “Son of David”. [Matthew 20.31 for example] 

We know today that Yeshua indeed suffered as was prophetically uttered in Isaiah 53.  Like Joseph said to his brothers “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today,” [Genesis 50.20] the same is true of Yeshua; He took away the sins of the world by His sacrificial death and brought new life by His resurrection from the dead!   We know today, based on the words of Messiah Yeshua and the Apostolic Writings, that Yeshua will indeed return, only this time as King!  Come Lord Yeshua, come! 

In the passage today pertaining to Joseph we get a glimpse into the life of Messiah.  The chief cupbearer and chief baker of Pharaoh are imprisoned under the care of Joseph.  Both dream dreams and are perplexed because they don’t know what they mean.  Joseph says that interpretations belong to God and offers to hear the dreams.  After they state the details of what they dreamed, Joseph apparently receives the interpretations from the Lord.  Joseph extends a good interpretation to the cup bearer, but an unfortunate one to the chief baker.  Just as Joseph stated, so they came to pass. 

What needs to be noted are the details about the interaction with the cup bearer and the baker.  Joseph says the cup bearer will be restored to his position.  All that Joseph asks is for the cup bearer to remember Joseph in his affliction when he lifts the cup to Pharaoh and mention him so as to get him out of there.  The chief cup bearer forgot about Joseph.  Similarly, Yeshua sat with his disciples and as he lifted the cup of redemption He said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  Are we to forget Yeshua and his sufferings for us?  How often do we? 

At the same time, the chief baker dies.  But, he does not die just any random death.  The text specifically says he “is hung on a tree”.  So too was Yeshua hung on a tree.  Not only this, but Yeshua said “I am the bread of life”. 

Cause these connections to resonate in your hearts.  Let them be a reminder of who our God is, how inspired His Word is, and how great is His desire to reveal Himself to the world.  Let us never forget Messiah Yeshua and the work He has done on our behalf.  And let us rejoice knowing confidently that He will return to complete that which He has promised!     

May the characteristics of our Rabbi stated in His sermon on the Torah become us[Matthew 5-7]; we who are His disciples, His body, His image.  

[1] Babylonian Talmud Sukkah 52a and Yerushalmi Talmud Sukka 55b.  Both these Talmudic references speak of messianic expectations, one of them actually using specific names.  The expected Messiahs had been given names, “Messiah son of Joseph” and “Messiah son of David”.   

May 3, 2008 – Genesis 31.3-32.2

         The One Who Sees – part II

     [Genesis 31.3-32.2 : Jeremiah 30.10-16 : James 4.1-12]

Jacob is the one whom God has chosen to carry His covenant; the same covenant sworn to Abraham and then to Isaac.  One promise within God’s covenant is that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his descendants will inherit the land of Canaan.  In this portion we see that Jacob is currently living, or residing, outside of that land.  Though Jacob was faithful to his commitment to Laban, we see here that while Jacob was living outside the land of promise he was “persecuted”.  Now the LORD saw “all that Laban [had done to Jacob]” and declared to Jacob in a dream that Jacob was to return the land that He promised him and his fathers and that God would be with him.  For twenty years Jacob served Laban; it had been twenty years since Jacob had seen his family in Canaan.

Despite the persecution Jacob faced from Laban, Jacob received abundant blessing and acquired great wealth.  Why?  Only because he was chosen by God and God saw the affliction and the labor of his hands.  Sound familiar?  This account of God’s chosen being persecuted by the hand of a man and at the same time being blessed by the LORD is seen all throughout the Scriptures.  We see this in Genesis 12 when Abram and Sarai go to Egypt.  Pharaoh takes Sarai into his house and then blesses Abram with great wealth.  Plagues fall upon the palace due to this sin against Abram, God’s chosen, and Pharaoh then returns Sarai to her rightful husband.  The accounts of Abraham and Isaac with Abimelech are more examples of a type of persecution/affliction which are then accompanied by blessings from God through obtaining of wealth.  Joseph is persecuted by his own brothers, but as we know he is eventually exalted to the second most powerful position in the world according the plan of God and so that it “would bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”  The story of nation of Israel in Egypt is undoubtedly the most well known account of this type of experience God’s chosen people continually face.  Israel left Egypt with the wealth of Egypt in their hands.  After Israel is delivered from bondage in Egypt and settle into the land of promise, they soon come under oppression from the nations around them.  Israel fornicates with idols and is exiled first to Assyria and then to Babylon.  Now, once more, Israel is residing outside the land of promise.  Thus we come to Jeremiah…

“‘Then fear not, O Jacob my servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid.’”  

and,

“Therefore all who devour you shall be devoured, and all your foes, every one of them, shall go into captivity; those who plunder you shall be plundered, and all who prey on you I will make a prey.”

It is made known here why the LORD had exiled the descendants of Jacob into foreign lands, “Because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant, I have done these things to you.”  However, because the LORD is faithful to His covenant, or  Righteous, the descendants of Jacob will be brought back to the land that the LORD swore to them.  Similar to Jacob’s time in Padan-aram where he wasn’t completely innocent and God still rescued him out of persecution, so to will God rescue Jacob’s descendants, or Israel, out of the lands to which we were sent despite our transgressions.  [For in the very next chapter in Jeremiah God speaks of the new covenant which God promises to forgive Israel of our sins.] 

It is fitting then to read a letter written to “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” specifically penned by the hand of a man named Ya’acov, or Jacob, who calls the followers of God, disciples of Messiah Yeshua, to remain faithful to the covenant of God.  “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”  It is one thing to live in the world [as Jacob did in Padan-aram] and work hard according to the labor expected of you [as unto the Lord as Paul says], and it’s another thing to live with the world in you influencing you to act as those who Jacob was writing to; asking for things from God to spend upon their selfish desires, or passions.  Humility is a key word in this portion of the letter, and other portions as well.  Without some humility, Jacob would have spoken out against Laban much sooner than before he was essentially authorized by God after God commissioned him to return the land.  “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  And, “[God] yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell within us…”  In his letter the twelve tribes scattered abroad, Jacob exhorts the believers to holy living.  Submit to God…resist the devil…draw near to God…cleanse your hands…purify your hearts…be wretched…mourn…weep…humble yourself before the LORD…do not speak evil against another…do not judge your neighbor. 

Like Jacob in Padan-aram, believers in Messiah, who are in fact descendants of Abraham according to the promise, are residing outside the land of promise.  As we live our lives according to God’s ways, or live holy lives, we too will face persecution.  Paul says to Timothy, “All who desire to live godly lives in Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted.”  This must be expected.  However, just as much of an expectation as the former, so too we should rejoice in God our Savior who has promised many times through the prophets and our forefathers that He will deliver us from the hand of our enemies and bring us to the good land to which He promised Abraham and his descendants after him.  It is the day when the Lord Yeshua, who is the Son of Man, will return in the clouds and send His angels to the four corners of the earth to gather the scattered and bring them to Eretz Yisrael.                       

March 22, 2008 – Genesis 27.1-29

The End from the Beginning

[Genesis 27.1-29 : Isaiah 46.3-11 : Hebrews 11.17-22]

Isaac’s eyes had grown dim so that he could not see. However, all his other senses still functioned, which would be used by him to ensure that it would be his eldest to whom he would extend the blessing of God. Esau obeyed his father’s command, while Jacob on the other obeyed his mother’s demand. As you read the story, one of the things that you can conclude is that in order to receive the blessing of the first born you must be the first born.

It is clear that there was a stark difference between the physical characteristics of Esau and Jacob, not to mention other differences as well. In order to pull off Rebekah’s plan, Jacob had to mimic everything that was asked of Esau and do all that it took to essentially become Esau. Jacob had to bring delicious food, such as Isaac loved. Jacob had to dress in Esau’s clothing. Jacob had to apply goats hair to the smooth parts of his hands and neck. When Jacob appeared before Isaac in the guise of his older brother the deception unfolds and the blessing is extended.

Isaac is surprised that “Esau” is back so soon. Jacob says that the LORD had granted him success in the hunt. Isaac then says, “Please come near, that I may feel you…to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” Isaac felt Jacob, and because of the goats hair Isaac thought this was Esau. And, even though the sound of Jacob’s voice did not match Esau’s voice, Isaac was more convinced this was Esau as he heard the right responses from Jacob. “I am Esau your firstborn.” Isaac asks yet another time, “Are you really my son Esau?” Jacob says, “I am.” Jacob then brings the food before Isaac and Isaac tastes of the game. It must have been the delicious food, such as Isaac loved. After the meal, Isaac asks Jacob to come near to him and give him a kiss. Jacob does so. Isaac smelled Jacob and sure enough it was the smell of Esau’s garments, another experience that convinced Isaac that this was Esau. Therefore, in his faithfulness Isaac proceeds to bless Jacob with the blessing of the first born. And that’s how it happened. Jacob walks away the bearer of the covenant of God. In order for him to have received this blessing, Jacob had to be the first born.

God proclaims through Isaiah, “…for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done…” What does the passage in Genesis 27, The Beginning, tell us about the end?

What does it mean to be a “Christian”? At the etymological level it means to be Christ-like. Most Believers would say they want to be Christ-like. What does it mean to be a disciple? At the very least, it means to be like your master. And, in the Believers’ case, to be a disciple means to feel, sound, taste, and smell like Yeshua. If these are true of us, then we will look like Yeshua. Paul says that Yeshua, “…is the Head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” [Colossians 1.18] Also, “I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” [Revelation 22.13] Messiah Yeshua is the firstborn; He is the true heir of the covenant promise. But, Paul says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God…The Spirit himself bears witness with out spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Messiah, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” [Romans 8.14,16-17; emphasis added]

Just like Jacob had to take on the appearance of Esau in order to receive the blessing of the first born, it must be the case that we take on the appearance of Messiah in order to receive the same. How do we do this? Of course it is not done through deception as Jacob did, but rather through taking on the yoke of Rabbi Yeshua, receiving His Spirit, obeying the commandments, and being transformed by the renewing of our minds. God in His sovereign will sent forth His Son at the right time, into the specific culture He did, in order to make it clear to the world a practical way to become like Him. This is the significance of the Master-disciple relationship. This is how we can take on the appearance of the Firstborn, Messiah Yeshua!

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained

will be like his teacher.” [Luke 6.40]

March 15, 2008 – Genesis 26.12-35

               The One Who Sees

      [Genesis 26.12-35 : Isaiah 65.23-66.8 : Romans 9.6-18]

Surely it is the Lord who sanctifies; not only a person, but also a people.  In fact, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” [I Thessalonians 4.3]  And, “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” [Hebrews 12.14]  Also, “…gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.” [Joel 2.16]  And, “But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day.”  [Deuteronomy 4.20] 

God chooses a people and sanctifies them among all other nations of the earth.  Why?  To be His Am Segulah, His treasured possession, to the glory of His Name. [Exodus 19.5]  God calls His chosen people Israel.  As the providence of God unfolded throughout history, He epitomized His sanctification as the One True God, or the Holy One of Israel, through the Messiah, Yeshua of Nazareth.  By Messiah’s faithfulness to the covenant, his obedient life, his sacrificial death, and unprecedented resurrection, God sanctifies those who, by faith, enter into covenant with God, attaching themselves to Messiah Yeshua.  These then become grafted into Israel and are fellow partakers of the covenant promise. [Romans 9-11]  It is then the responsibility of the Believer to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” [Philipians 2.12-13]  And, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” [I Peter 1.14-16 and Leviticus 19.2]

The Lord revealed Himself to Hagar in the desert. [Genesis 16]  God provided water for her and Ishmael, which obviously saved them from death.  Hagar called the well, Beer-lahai-roi, which means “the well of the Living One who sees me”.  In this passage we can observe a clear instance where God is intimately involved in the situation of peoples lives.  God sees all that is happening and intervenes to ensure that lives are preserved in order to accomplish His will.

In the passages for this week , we see more accounts of God’s sovereign hand in the dealings of peoples lives and the unfolding of His will.  More specifically, we see God act with deliberate intent to continue to sanctify His chosen, to protect them, and also bless them. [Genesis 26.24]  Isaac was blessed by God and his crop yielded a hundred fold; a picture of God’s grace.  As Isaac acquired great wealth and the surrounding peoples grew envious of them; God set Isaac apart from that nation of people.  Despite the injustice and unfaithfulness of the Philistines, as seen in the dealings with the wells, God protected Isaac through the renewed covenant that he and Abimelech entered into.  We see in this account that Isaac honored his father by naming the wells the same names Abraham gave them.  Even though Isaac was the covenant bearer and made mistakes, he still remained to be one upon whom God looks.  Isaac was more wealthy than the king of the land where he lived, yet he did not quarrel about leaving when asked and even kept relocating until there was enough room.  Isaac was humble.

Isaiah’s prophetic words speak of the culmination of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.  There will be a day when the wolf and the lamb will graze together.  This day will come as the Lord brings it to fruition at the proper time, not by human cunningness or ability.  However, this does not mean that man does not have a responsibility.  For, “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is my footstool…All these things My hand has made…but this is the one to whom I will look:  he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”  God then alludes to Israel’s unfaithfulness to trust in Him to bring about the promise that He made with the Patriarchs.  Israel had become the kind of people to whom the Lord does not look.  God’s people’s responsibility is to be obedient to their Savior; “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”   Israel failed at this by “…[choosing] their own ways, and delighting in their abominations.”   But God remains faithful and intimately involved with his chosen ones, “‘Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?’ says the LORD; ‘Shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?’ says your God?”  God had redeemed Israel from bondage, yet Israel did not live as obedient children. 

“But it is not as though the word of God has failed.  For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel…it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.”  According to the righteousness of God, or His faithfulness to His covenant, God sent Messiah Yeshua to the lost sheep of Israel; to preach repentance and the nearness of the Kingdom of God.  The good news of salvation in Messiah then went out to all the nations.  Yeshua says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” [John 6.63]  Those who, despite their physical ancestry, live faithfully to the covenant of God in Messiah and are humble and contrite in spirit and tremble at God’s word are the ones called Israel.  God sees the heart of man.  God saves and grants that those he saves should receive the life-giving Spirit, which should yield obedience to God’s ways, forsaking the ways of men. [Ephesians 2.8-10]  This is walking in the Spirit, not according to the flesh.  God sees and God knows that we are but dust; therefore His mercy is abundant and His lovingkindness is forever to those who fear Him! 

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified

      us by Your Son, and who sanctifies us with His commandments.

March 8, 2008 – Genesis 25-26.11

               The Fear of the LORD

     [Genesis 25-26.11 - 2 Samuel 5.17-6.23 - Hebrew 12.14-29]

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Messiah in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Messiah and the subsequent glories.  It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” – I Peter 1.10-12 

Jacob and Esau both knew the inheritance and extended blessing would be given to Esau, at least according to the custom of the day.  Clearly Rebecca knew otherwise.    It is clear from this account that Jacob yearned to be the heir, but Esau despised it.  With the possibility of death in Esau’s face, he sold his birthright.  He, unlike his grandfather, did not comprehend the magnitude of God’s promise; thus he was willing to give it away for a bowl of soup.  Esau forfeited the birthright to “save” his own life.  It was his appetite that lured him away.  Esau did not fear the LORD. [Matthew 16.25]    

The desire to bring the ark of God back to its rightful place and people is honorable.  King David and all Israel were celebrating before the LORD as the ark was being brought to the city.  The ark began to slip off the cart, Uzzah grabbed hold of it to secure it, and then the LORD struck him dead right there before those who were in celebration.  David was angry because of what the LORD did to Uzzah.   As the ark was bringing blessings to Obed-edom and after some contemplation, the ark was once again brought to the city of David.  This time Israel carried the ark the proper way and David danced before the LORD with all his might.  Once the ark was set in place David offered burnt offerings to the LORD and proceeded to bless all the people.  In the brief interaction between David and Michal, Saul’s daughter, we see an instance where David seemed to have humbled himself before the LORD, perhaps having acknowledged to God and the people that they acted hastily and in their own ways while attempting to bring the ark into the city.  David comprehended the magnitude of God’s promise, like Abraham.  Esau didn’t get it and was not interested in understanding.  David was after the LORD’s heart; therefore, he repented and was willing to dance naked before Him, praising His Name with music, burnt offerings, and giving to the peoples.  King David feared the LORD.

The author of Hebrews is writing at a point in history to where he can reveal to the reader many things that neither Jacob, nor Esau knew, and that David didn’t know as well.  As the passage from I Peter states, “It was revealed to [the prophets] that they were not serving themselves but [us]…”  Those who have come to Messiah and have been grafted into God’s people, Israel, have been given a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  It is not Mt. Sinai, but Mt. Zion, and the city of the living God; Jerusalem.  This is our inheritance.  Therefore, the author says, “let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”  Esau did not revere God and was not in awe of Him; King David did and was.  Today, we can know more details about God’s promise, or plan of redemption, than any other generation.  This is why the author of Hebrews says, “For if [Israel] did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns from heaven.”  The section of Scripture here in Hebrews begins with practical things that a Believer must implement in order to not provoke the LORD to jealously, for He is a consuming fire. [Deuteronomy 4.24]  We, like Esau, have the potential to “sell” our birthright, or inheritance. [Galatians 5.21]  We, like David, have the choice to humble ourselves when we error, repent, and search diligently for God’s heart.  We must fear the LORD like David; thus offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.