RECOGNITION

2. RECOGNITION THE MESSIANIC PROPHECY BIBLE PROJECT http://www.messianicbible.com HEAR O ISRAEL www.hearoisrael.org SHEEPFOLD GLEANINGS WRITTEN BY JULIE PARKER www.sheepfoldgleanings.com MESSIANIC ISRAEL ALLIANCE http://www.messianicisrael.com AZAMRA TORAH FOR OUR TIME – RABBI AVRAHAM GREENBAUM http://www.azamra.org

3. TOLDOT “Generations” TORAH: Genesis: 25:19-28:9 HAFTORAH:  Malachi 1:1 to 2:7  B’RIT CHADASHAH: Romans 9:6-16, Hebrews 11:20; 12:14-17 All references: The Scripture 1998+ unless otherwise noted

4. BIRTHING The Hebrew word “Toldot” according to Strong’s or Wikipedia means: genealogy, generations, chronicles, history, etc. In Hebrew “Toldot” means more. “Toldot” also includes results, outcomes and consequences. More than “generations” or “history”, it means “fruit”. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say, “birthings”. The root of “Toldot” (or “toldah” in the singular) is “leidah” or “birthing”. “Toldah” is the result, the outcome of a “birthing”. If “leidah” is the act of birthing, “toldah” is the “fruit” of birthing, or that which is birthed. There’s a phrase in Judaism; “Toldot‟ei‟henshelTzadukimmassimtovim”, meaning: “The fruit (children) of righteous people are their good deeds”. Children are not just an extension of ourselves; nor, just our future, or our heirs. They are fruit that will bear fruit forever. As you step back in time all the way back to Yitzaq and Rivka, Avraham and Sarah, even Adam and Chawah; we’re all part of one unbroken chain of “Toldot”, of “birthings” and “fruits. YHVH, manifested in the flesh, inserted Himself in this chain of “fruit” so that we can be righteous and bear good fruit for eternity.

5. TOLDOT In the first verse of our parsha this week and in six other verses, “Toldot” is spelled “Tav-vav-lamed-dalet-tav”. The word “toldot” appears 39 times in the TaNaK, and with 7 variations in spelling. In Genesis 2:4, when Torah speaks of the “toldot” (births or generations) of the heavens and the earth, “toldot” is spelled “tav-vav-lamed-dalet-vav-tav”. The other variations have diminished spelling, or omitted letters; that is, until we get to Ruth 4:18, where the spelling of “toldot” is restored to its full spelling. In Hebrew thought it is taught that in Torah the spelling of toldot / generations was diminished after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, because the generations of man were diminished by Adam’s disobedience. Further, it was restored to its fullness in Ruth 4:18, as it is here, that the Scriptures detail the toldot / birthings leading up to King David, who is a picture of Mashiach, who restores the fullness of the generations of man, at His coming. Thus, we have “Tav-vav-lamed-dalet-vav-tav” as the full expression of “Generations”.

6. TAV VAV – VAV TAV At one end we have “tav-vav” and at the other end we have “vav-tav” pointing to the two middle letters, “lamed-dalet”. “tav” means “sign” or “mark” of the “covenant”. The “vav” is the “hook” or “connection”. “lamed” is the “shepherd‟s staff” and “dalet” is the “door”. This diagram or picture shows a connection between “two signs of the covenant” being the “shepherd‟s staff as the door”. John 10:1-11, Yahshua says; “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter through the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up by another way, that one is a thief and a robber. But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. …. And the sheep follow him, because they know his voice ..Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture. ..I have come that they might possess life, and that they might possess it beyond measure. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

7. NUMERIC VALUES The numeric value of the letters in “Toldot” adds up to 846, which equals “Ta‟mot” which is found three times in the Torah (Genesis 2:17, 23:2 and Leviticus 10:6) and means “you shall die”; Deut. 21:22, “v‟ taleetah” or “and you shall hang”. Deut 6:7, “v‟sheenna‟tam”, “and you shall teach”. Yahshua lived that life. He was born to die, to hang on a tree and to better teach us the Torah. He is the Torah and He’s at the “Center” of the “generations”, at the center of the “Fruit” and, as Elohim’s “chosen”, and as Yahshua’s “taught ones”; we are to follow Him. Then Yeshua told his talmidim, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him say 'No' to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake will find it. What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or, what can a person give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come in his Father's glory, with his angels; and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. (Matthew 16:24-27)

8. CHILD OF PROMISE Yitz'chak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, .. to be his wife. Yitz'chak prayed to Adonai on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. Adonai heeded his prayer, and Rivkah became pregnant. (Genesis 25:20-21 CJB) Considering the terrible shame attached to barrenness, Rivka would have been on her knees regularly praying. Yet God chose not to act until her husband, Yitzaq, got on board and entreated God on his wife’s behalf. Yitzaq, even though he was not the first-born, was the “child of the promise” that YHVH gave to Avraham and Sarah. In this parsha we are introduced to another child that was not the “first-born”; but, the one chosen by Elohim and given the “promise”. Yitzaq was 40 years old when he took Rivka as his wife. In Hebrew thought, 40 is the number of learning, trials and testing, as in the 40 years the children of Yisra’el spent in the wilderness. 40 is the numeric value of the letter Mem, which means “water” or “fountain” as in “fountain of knowledge” and the “living water”.

9. MARRIED 20 YEARS Genesis 25:26 CJB - Yitzaq and Rivka were married 20 years before she bore children. Now in Hebrew thought, 20 refers to being in YHVH’s Hand. It is the numerical value of the letter “Kaf”, which means “palm” of the hand. It is also the numerical value of the word “Yadoh” which means his hand. So, we see a time of learning and testing, then Yitzaq prays to Elohim for a child and Rivka becomes pregnant with twins. Legend of the Jews: Their united prayer was heard. Yet it was chiefly for the sake of Isaac that God gave them children. It is true, Rebekah's piety equalled her husband's, but the prayer of a pious man who is the son of a pious man is far more efficacious than the prayer of one who, though pious himself, is descended from a godless father. The prayer wrought a great miracle, for Isaac's physique was such that he could not have been expected to beget children, and equally it was not in the course of nature that Rebekah should bear children.

10. ESUA AND JACOBLegends of the Jews She suffered torturous pain, because her twin sons began their lifelong quarrels in her womb. They strove to kill each other. If Rebekah walked in the vicinity of a temple erected to idols, Esau moved in her body, and if she passed a synagogue or a Bet ha-Midrash, Jacob essayed to break forth from her womb. The quarrels of the children turned upon such differences as these. Esau would insist that there was no life except the earthly life of material pleasures, and Jacob would reply: "My brother, there are two worlds before us, this world and the world to come. In this world, men eat and drink, and traffic and marry, and bring up sons and daughters, but all this does not take place in the world to come. If it please thee, do thou take this world, and I will take the other." .. Even the quarrel between the two brothers regarding the birthright had its beginning before they emerged from the womb of their mother. Each desired to be the first to come into the world. It was only when Esau threatened to carry his point at the expense of his mother's life that Jacob gave way.

11. TWO NATIONS The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, "If it's going to be like this, why go on living?" So she went to inquire of Adonai, who answered her, "There are two nations in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.“ (Genesis 25:22-23 CJB) Now, Rivka feels a struggle going on within her. She seeks YHVH, as she is naturally worried about what might be happening within her body. And YHVH tells her that “two nations” are in her womb and that “two peoples” will be “separated” from her body. Now, the word used for “nations” here is “goyim”. We know that “goyim”, Strong’s #1471, means; “nations” or “peoples”.

12. GOYIM “Goyim” is spelled “Gimmel-Yud-Yud-Mem”. The “Gimmel” is to “lift up” or “bridge”. The double “Yud”, as “Yud” is “hand”; making it “two hands”. Since there were twins born, the two boys (the two goyim) are the “double yud”. “Mem” means “water” or “fountain”, as in “water of the Word” or “fountain of knowledge and Truth”; both being euphemisms for Torah. It took 40 years in the wilderness to learn Torah, and YHVH brought forth “water” (mayim or mem) from the Rock throughout their journey. What we have in “goyim” is “the bridge between the two hands is Torah”. These hands are “Yisra’el” and “the world”. So the “Bridge between Yisra’el and the world”, or “the way the world becomes Yisra’el” is the “Torah”, the Fountain of Knowledge and Truth.

13. PROPHECYLegends of the Jews Rebekah .. betook herself to Mount Moriah, whereon Shem and Eber had their Bet ha-Midrash. She requested them as well as Abraham to inquire of God what the cause of her dire suffering was. And Shem replied: "My daughter, I confide a secret to thee. See to it that none finds it out. Two nations are in thy womb, and how should thy body contain them, seeing that the whole world will not be large enough for them to exist in it together peaceably? Two nations they are, each owning a world of its own, the one the Torah, the other sin. From the one will spring Solomon, the builder of the Temple, from the other Vespasian, the destroyer thereof. These two are what are needed to raise the number of nations to seventy. They will never be in the same estate. Esau will vaunt lords, while Jacob will bring forth prophets, and if Esau has princes, Jacob will have kings. They, Israel and Rome, are the two nations destined to be hated by all the world. One will exceed the other in strength. First Esau will subjugate the whole world, but in the end Jacob will rule over all. The older of the two will serve the younger, provided this one is pure of heart, otherwise the younger will be enslaved by the older.”

14. THE BIRTHLegends of the Jews Esau was the first to see the light, and with him all impurity came from the womb; Jacob was born clean and sweet of body. Esau was brought forth with hair, beard, and teeth, both front and back, and he was blood-red, a sign of his future sanguinary nature. On account of his ruddy appearance he remained uncircumcised. Isaac, his father, feared that it was due to poor circulation of the blood, and he hesitated to perform the circumcision. He decided to wait until Esau should attain his thirteenth year, the age at which Ishmael had received the sign of the covenant. But when Esau grew up, he refused to give heed to his father's wish, and so he was left uncircumcised. The opposite of his brother in this as in all respects, Jacob was born with the sign of the covenant upon his body, a rare distinction. But Esau also bore a mark upon him at birth, the figure of a serpent, the symbol of all that is wicked and hated of God.

15. SEPARATION These two peoples “separated” from her body. The word for separated used here is “parad” and means “to divide”. In addition to being separated from her body at birth, these two peoples, goyim, were to be “divided”; there was to be a division between them. Legends of the Jews: The names conferred upon the brothers are pregnant with meaning. The older was called Esau, because he was 'Asui, fully developed when he was born, and the name of the younger was given to him by God, to point to some important events in the future of Israel by the numerical value of each letter. The first letter in Ya'akob, Yod, with the value of ten, stands for the decalogue; the second, 'Ayin, equal to seventy, for the seventy elders, the leaders of Israel; the third, Kof, a hundred, for the Temple, a hundred ells in height; and the last, Bet, for the two tables of stone.

16. NAMES - ESAW The first to come out was reddish and covered all over with hair, like a coat; so they named him `Esav [completely formed, that is, having hair already]. (Genesis 25:25 CJB) “Esaw”, means “hairy” and is spelled “Ayin-shin-vav”. The numeric value of his name is 376 and is equal to the word: “ha‟shmali” or “the left hand”, which represents his father’s attribute of Gevurah (strength & severity) which Esaw demonstrates in his own life; but, to excess. “v‟ee‟ satam‟ hoo” or “and he hated him”. Esaw hated Ya’aqob and his own birthright; and, YHVH said that He hates Esaw. “l‟ashamah” or “he is guilty”, which is why YHVH said He hated Esaw. Esaw was guilty of hating his birthright and his own brother. Esaw is associated with the “left hand” the side of “strength”, “restriction”, “severity” and “judgment”

17. NAMES - YA’AQOB Then his brother emerged, with his hand holding `Esav's heel, so he was called Ya`akov[he catches by the heel, he supplants].. (Genesis 25:26 CJB) We’re told by most lexicons that Ya’aqob’s name means “Supplanter”. We’re led to believe that this may not be so good, that Ya’aqob might have been a little shady during the “early years”. His name also means to “circumvent” according to Strong’s and Gesenius’ Lexicon. Edom shares the same spelling as Adam and means the “world”. Now, Ya’aqob would become “Yisra‟el”. So, Ya’aqob grasped the heel of the “world” in order to supplant, or circumvent it, because YHVH said the older would serve the younger. First, Elohim created the world; then, He chose Yisra’el (the younger), who came after the world. In Deuteronomy 33:27-28 Moshe also prophesied that Yisra’el is the fountain of Ya’aqob. In Ya’aqob we see the “right hand”. while on the “right hand”, we have the side of “chesed”, “mercy” and “loving-kindness”, the attributes of his grandfather Avraham.

18. 182 The numeric value Ya’aqob’s name is 182. In this number, we see two very different prophecies about his descendants. 182 equals “with my staff” or “maq‟qel” from Genesis 32:10, where Ya’aqob is praying to YHVH just before he is to meet Esaw after his 21 years with Laban; “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 Yarden with my (maq‟qel) staff, and now I have become two groups. “Maq‟qel” also means “to germinate”. When he left, he had only the seed in his loins; but, has come back with wives and children enough to have become two groups. Numbers 24:17, Bil’am’s final words while prophesying about Yisra’el, “I see Him, but not now; I observe Him, but not near. A Star shall come out of Ya‟aqob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Yisra‟el, and shall smite the corners of Mo‟ab, and shall destroy all the sons of Sheth (confusion). And Edom shall be a possession; and Seir shall be a possession – enemies – and Yisra‟el is doing mightily. And out of Ya‟aqob One shall rule and destroy the remnant from Ar.”

19. ANTI MESSIAH 182 also equates to “aqeb” (or “heels of”) from Genesis 49:16-18 where we see Ya’aqob as an old man blessing and prophesying over his sons and we see “heel” or “aqeb” mentioned again in the prophecy that from Dan would come the “anti messiah”; “Dan rightly rules his people as one of the tribes of Yisra‟el. Dan is a serpent by the way, an adder by the path, that bites the horse‟s heels so that its rider falls backward. I have waited for your deliverance, O YHVH!” Now, “aqeb” means “heel”, also to “supplant” or to “circumvent”, showing that Dan, called here the serpent, would supplant Him who rides the horse. “Aqeb” is one of the root words, along with “Yah”, in the name “Ya‟aqob”.

20. 60 YEARS OLD Yitz'chak was sixty years old when she bore them (Genesis 25:26 CJB) After the description of the birth of Esaw and Ya’aqob, we are told that Yitzaq was 60 years old when they were born. Why? We were already told that Yitzaq was 40 when he took Rivka as his wife and that it was twenty years after that, that Esaw and Ya’aqob were born. Why remind us now that he was 60? Well 60 is the numeric value of the letter/word “samech”, which means “continuity” and “ordination”. That’s why the letter is shaped like a wedding ring. It represents YHVH’s continuing plan, as yet another chapter unfolds. We’re seeing in this that Yah has ordained these events as part of the restoration of all things. Note: The boys’ grandfather Abraham would have lived to see Esau and Jacob well into their teen years. Shem, Noah’s son, and Eber, the great-grandson of Shem, were also still alive. Shem lived another fifty-two years and Eber for eighty-one years after the twins were born.

21. HUNTER AND STUDENT The boys grew; and `Esav became a skillful hunter, an outdoorsman; while Ya`akov was a quiet (complete) man who stayed in the tents. (Genesis 25:27 CJB) Here we see that Esaw becomes a “hunter” or “tsa‟yid”. In fact, the KJV calls him a “cunning” hunter. The only other person in scripture that was called a “hunter” was Nimrod in Genesis 10:9. Esaw was also called a man of the “field”, or “sadeh” which means a “tiller” or “cultivator” of the land, like Qayin, Hebel’s brother. With Ya’aqob we see that he was a “complete” man, or “tamiym” which means “perfect” or “innocent”, “dwelling in tents”. The word used here for “tents” is “ohel‟im” which means “wilderness tents” or “Tabernacles”. The Book of Jasher states that Ya’aqob studied the Word of Elohim in the tent of Shem (the MelekTzaddik). However, as we see, this word is “ohel‟im”, plural. The rabbis teach that he also studied in his father and grandfather’s tent. Ya’aqob was 13 when Avraham died. He would have learned “severity”, “strength” and “judgment” in Yitzaq’s tent and “chesed” or “loving kindness” of Avraham tent.

22. PARENT AFFECTIONS And Yitsḥaq loved Ěsaw because he ate of his wild game, but Riḇqah loved Yaʽaqoḇ. (Genesis 25:28 The Scriptures 1998+) The interesting thing about this verse is there are two different tenses for the word “love”. In the Hebrew, it literally reads that “Rebekah loves Jacob”. This is present tense and highlights the on-going, unconditional, and eternal value of her love. Isaac’s love seems more conditional and is directly connected to Esau’s hunting.

23. FOR AND AGAINST GOD Verse 28 of chapter 25 tells us that Yitzaq loved Esaw because he ate of the game Esaw hunted. We are also told that Rivka loved Ya’aqob. Legends of the Jews: ..When they reached their thirteenth year, and were of age, their ways parted. Jacob continued his studies in the Bet ha Midrash of Shem and Eber, and Esau abandoned himself to idolatry and an immoral life. Both were hunters of men, Esau tried to capture them in order to turn them away from God, and Jacob, to turn them toward God. Esau possessed the art of winning his father's love. His hypocritical conduct made Isaac believe that his first-born son was extremely pious. "Father," he would ask Isaac, "what is the tithe on straw and salt?" The question made him appear God-fearing in the eyes of his father, because these two products are the very ones that are exempt from tithing. Isaac failed to notice, too, that his older son gave him forbidden food to eat. What he took for the flesh of young goats was dog's meat.

24. DEATH OF ABRAHAMLegends of the Jews Though Abraham reached a good old age, beyond the limit of years vouchsafed later generations, he yet died five years before his allotted time. The intention was to let him live to be one hundred and eighty years old, the same age as Isaac's at his death, but on account of Esau God brought his life to an abrupt close. For some time Esau had been pursuing his evil inclinations in secret. Finally he dropped his mask, and on the day of Abraham's death he was guilty of five crimes: he ravished a betrothed maiden, committed murder, doubted the resurrection of the dead, scorned the birthright, and denied God. Then the Lord said: "I promised Abraham that he should go to his fathers in peace. Can I now permit him to be a witness of his grandson's rebellion against God, his violation of the laws of chastity, and his shedding of blood? It is better for him to die now in peace." The men slain by Esau on this day were Nimrod and two of his adjutants. The garments of Nimrod had an extraordinary effect upon cattle, beasts, and birds. They would come and prostrate themselves before him who was arrayed in them. Thus Nimrod and Esau after him were able to rule over men and beasts.

25. LENTIL STEW One day when Ya`akov had cooked some stew, `Esav came in from the open country, exhausted, and said to Ya`akov, "Please! Let me gulp down some of that red stuff — that red stuff! I'm exhausted!" (This is why he was called Edom [red].) (Genesis 25:29-30 CJB) YHVH called him Edom, “Edom” (Aleph-dalet-mem) means “red” or “mankind” or “the world” and, as stated earlier, is from the root word “Adam”. Both Edom and Adam are spelled the same and/or, represents the world; and, that the world is separate (remember divided) from Yisra’el. Legends of the Jews: On this occasion he was cooking lentils for his father, to serve to him as his mourner's meal after the death of Abraham. Adam and Eve had eaten lentils after the murder of Abel, and so had the parents of Haran, when he perished in the fiery furnace. The reason they are used for the mourner's meal is that the round lentil symbolizes death: as the lentil rolls, so death, sorrow, and mourning constantly roll about among men, from one to the other.

26. THE NEGOTIATIONLegend of the Jews Esau accosted Jacob thus, "Why art thou preparing lentils?" Jacob: "Because our grandfather passed away .. Esau: "Thou fool! Dost thou really think it possible that man should come to life again after he has been dead and has mouldered in the grave?".. "Lift up thine eyes, and thou wilt see that all men eat whatever comes to hand--fish, creeping and crawling creatures, swine's flesh, and all sorts of things like these, and thou vexest thyself about a dish of lentils." Jacob: "If we act like other men, what shall we do on the day of the Lord, the day on which the pious will receive their reward.."If thou art of opinion that there is no future world, and that the dead do not rise to new life, then why dost thou want thy birthright? The scorn manifested by Esau for the resurrection of the dead he felt also for the promise of God to give the Holy Land to the seed of Abraham. He did not believe in it, and therefore he was willing to cede his birthright and the blessing attached thereto in exchange for a mess of pottage.

27. SELLING OF BIRTHRIGHT Ya`akov answered, "First sell me your rights as the firstborn." "Look, I'm about to die!" said `Esav. "What use to me are my rights as the firstborn?" Ya`akov said, "First, swear to me!" So he swore to him, thus selling his birthright to Ya`akov. (Genesis 25:31-33 CJB) In the Hebrew, Esaw tells Ya’aqob that he has “walked to the point of death”. It’s interesting that from the Hebrew, this phrase could also be read to say that “his walk was killing him”. Because of this price, YHVH hated Esaw because he despised his birthright; it counted for less than a bowl of pottage. The world has indeed sold its birthright for much less. Legends of the Jews: In addition, Jacob paid him in coin, and, besides, he gave him what was more than money, the wonderful sword of Methuselah, which Isaac had inherited from Abraham and bestowed upon Jacob..Nor did he fail to have a document made out, duly signed by witnesses, setting forth that Esau had sold him the birthright together with his claim upon a place in the Cave of Machpelah.

28. THE FIRST BORN As Rabbi AvrahamGreenbaum writes, “One of the deep mysteries of the Torah is that the natural, apparent first-born are repeatedly rejected in favor of the true, "spiritual" first-born. Cain was rejected while Abel's sacrifice was accepted. Japheth was made subordinate to his younger brother, Shem; as Shem and his descendants were the "high priests" who brought knowledge of [Elohim] to the world. Ishmael and Esau were rejected in favor of Isaac and Jacob respectively. Later on, Jacob's first-born Reuven was rejected in favor of Levi, Judah and Joseph. Ephraim was given precedence over Menashe. Kehas, the son of Levi, was given precedence over Levi's first-born, Gershon... and Moses attained leadership over the firstborn Aaron, who was three years his senior. Yet through Aaron's humble, joyous submission to his younger brother Moses, whose spokesman he became, Aaron earned the priesthood. Through the balance between the lawgiver and the priest, the trans generational struggle between brothers that started with Cain and Abel was brought to a satisfactory conclusion: as religious service (represented in Aaron) must be subject to religious law (Moses). Otherwise service turns into excess.”

29. LESSONS OF THE PAST The men of the place asked him about his wife, and out of fear he said, "She is my sister." He thought, "If I tell them she's my wife, they might kill me in order to take Rivkah. After all, she is a beautiful woman.“ (Genesis 26:7-8 CJB) Here, we have a case of history repeating itself. We had a very similar incident with Avraham, Sarah and Abimelek. Only in that case Abimelek actually took Sarah. And, or course, Pharaoh also took Sarah into his house. So, what really was the lesson here? It would seem that within one generation, the lesson was lost and needed to be taught again. But, what lesson? The rabbis teach that the kidnapping of a married woman is a crime against the universal law of the children of Noah. Avraham had taught the lesson in his generation, but it had been forgotten, and it had to be taught again in the generation of Yitzaq. This is because the forces of evil constantly conceal lessons learned by earlier generations.

30. ENVY OF THE FILISTINES And there was famine in the Land...and the Lord appeared unto him [Isaac], and said, Go not down into Egypt [it would be unfitting for Isaac to dwell outside Canaan]...sojourn in this Land and I will bless thee...Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundred fold, and the Lord blessed him [as He had promised].And the man waxed great and went forward [continued to do well]...and the Philistines envied him (Gen. 26: 1-3, 12-14). Unbothered by a severe drought, he sowed his dry fields in faith, and he reaped a hundred fold return! It has been correctly said that the harvest of the planter depends more on the favor and goodness of YHVH than in the excellence of the seed and skill of the ploughman. "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase" (1 Cor. 3:6-7).Isaac became very great and prospered despite difficulties and the surrounding Philistines became very envious.

31. CLOSING OF THE WELLS Now the P'lishtim had stopped up and filled with dirt all the wells his father's servants had dug during the lifetime of Avraham his father. (Genesis 26:15 CJB) The association between "Philistine" and “Barbarian” is fitting, for the Philistines represent the very opposite of Chesed, which was the attribute of Elohim that drove Abraham’s life. The numerical value of the Hebrew letters of Philistim (Fey - 80, lamed - 30, shin - 300, tav - 400, yud - 10, mem -40) is 860. 86 is the numerical value of the letters of the divine name Elohim, alluding to Gevurah, might, power, limitation and concealment. The Philistines equal 10 x 86, which represent the forces of limitation and concealment multiplied and in full array. The Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father‟s servants had dug in the days of Avraham his father, and filled them with dirt. The Philistines closed up the very sources of the living waters of spirituality with earthliness and gross materialism. Rashi points out that the Targum of the word "closed up" has the connotation of "closing up the heart" with insensitivity and foolishness.

32. THREE WELLS Yitz'chak's servants dug in the vadi and uncovered a spring of running water. But the herdsmen of G'rarquarreled with Yitz'chak's herdsmen, claiming, "That water is ours!" So he called the well `Esek [quarrel], because they quarreled with him. They dug another well and quarreled over that one too. So he called it Sitnah [enmity]. He went away from there and dug another well, and over that one they didn't quarrel. So he called it Rechovot [wide open spaces] and said, "Because now Adonai has made room for us, and we will be productive in the land.“ (Genesis 26:19-22 CJB) The three wells correspond to the three temples, the two that were destroyed, and the eternal one yet to be built. The first well, named Esek, or contention alludes to the First Temple which fell victim to the strife of nations that finally destroyed it. The second well, named Sitnah, or hindrance, enmity, a harsher name than Esek, alludes to the Second Temple period, when the enmity of Israel's enemies was longer lasting and more virulent. The third well, Rehoboth, or spaciousness, alludes to the future Temple, the era when strife and enmity will be things of the past."

33. BOB JONES NOVEMBER 2012 The first two wells remained the same; born out of a spirit of jealousy, strife and accusation, and they could not change. I believe these two wells represent two previous wells of revival that got polluted by works of man. There were mighty moves of God with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but after a while, man wanted to own it and plugged up the well with human reasoning. Man's fleshly desire will always stop a move of God. The power of the Holy Spirit cannot be manufactured or manipulated. It can, however, be imitated and mocked; when this happens, the Holy Spirit departs and the wells are left dry and polluted by human waste. A greater maturity was required of Isaac's herdsmen and a working together among the brethren. In the same way, I believe the Body of Christ must come together in unity in order to receive its spiritual inheritance. The Church has had opportunity to advance, but because of striving, contention, inability to reason with one another, and most importantly, not allowing the Holy Spirit to lead, the Church remained in bondage to man.

34. BOB JONES NOVEMBER 2012 Now in this season, midwives are birthing the Isaac generation. There will be a unity like the Church has not experienced in past generations. There cannot be striving and accusation. Instead there will be agreement with the Father conceived in love. It's time to embrace the promise God is extending to the Church. It's our job to offer the invitation. It's up to the Church to embrace it. The Church has a choice to make now: to receive the prayer warriors or reject them. The prayer warriors that are coming along now are women. A general is called to lead, but he needs to lead the whole Body. Intercessors are prayer warriors, and most of them are women. It's going to take both men and women to be warriors. They are the ones who will take the high ground. The time to embrace this is now, and the choice is extended to the Church. The Church that embraces the women and allows them to come forth is the Church that will prosper and grow in number. Let's join with the intercessors and cover them and allow the women to birth the Isaac generation.

35. ADONIA APPEARS Adonai appeared to him that same night and said, "I am the God of Avraham your father. Don't be afraid, because I am with you; I will bless you and increase your descendants for the sake of my servant Avraham." There he built an altar and called on the name of Adonai. He pitched his tent there, and there Yitz'chak's servants dug a well. (Genesis 26:24-25 CJB) Yitzaq was blessed because his intent was always to share his blessings. And, faced with the threat of war from the Philistines, YHVH came to him and assured him of the very blessings given to Avraham. Thus we note the following when we follow God’s ways: The Most High revealed His presence. He comforted His servant and repeated the promises. Isaac showed thanksgiving by building an altar and publicly celebrated and worshiped in the midst of his household. Then Isaac, pitched his tent and dug a well. When a man's ways please the Lord, He will make even His enemies to be at peace with him.

36. PEACE BRINGS OVERFLOW Then Avimelekh went to him from G'rar with his friend Achuzat and Pikhol the commander of his army. Yitz'chak said to them, "Why have you come to me, even though you were unfriendly to me and sent me away?" .."We saw very clearly that Adonai has been with you; so we said, 'Let there be an oath between us: let's make a pact between ourselves and you that you will not harm us, just as we have not caused you offense but have done you nothing but good and sent you on your way in peace. Now you are blessed by Adonai.' " Yitz'chak prepared a banquet for them, and they ate and drank. The next morning, they got up early and swore to each other. .. and they left him peacefully. That very day Yitz'chak's servants came and told him about the well they had dug, "We have found water." So he called it Shiv`ah [oath, seven], and for this reason the name of the city is Be'er-Sheva [well of seven, well of an oath] to this day. (Genesis 26:26-33 CJB) Instead of fighting his enemies, Yitzaq practiced the ways of peace: And he made them a feast, and they ate and drank, swore an oath with one another, they departed from him in peace. And, YHVH blessed his newest well in Be’ersheva.

37. WIVES OF ESAV When `Esav was forty years old, he took as wives Y'hudit the daughter of Be'eri the Hitti and Basmat the daughter of Elon the Hitti. But they became a cause for embitterment of spirit to Yitz'chak and Rivkah. (Genesis 26:34-35 CJB) So, who were these women who so upset Yitzaq and Rivka? Scripture uses the phrase “morahruach” for “bitterness of spirit”; in other words, it grieved their spirit. “Yehudith” means “praise” and it is from the same root as Yehudah. She was the daughter of “Be‟eri” which means “well” or “fountain” of the “Hittites” (“terror”). She was literally “the praise of the fountain of terror”. “Basemath” (“spice” or “fragrance”), daughter of “Elon” (“mighty man”) of the “Hittites” (“terror”). That would make her the “fragrance of the mighty terrorist”. YHVH throughout the Torah warned His people not to take foreign wives, as they would turn the hearts of Yisra’el away from Him. The Scriptures are full of the consequences each time our forefathers neglected this command.

38. PASSING OF BLESSINGLegends of the Jews Isaac reflected that he did not know whether the age allotted to him was his mother's or his father's, and he therefore resolved to bestow his blessing upon his older son, Esau, before death should overtake him. He summoned Esau, and he said, "My son," and Esau replied, "Here am I," but the holy spirit interposed: "Though he disguises his voice and makes it sound sweet, put no confidence in him. There are seven abominations in his heart. He will destroy seven holy places--the Tabernacle, the sanctuaries at Gilgal, Shiloh, Nob, and Gibeon, and the first and the second Temple." But Isaac was stricken with spiritual as well as physical blindness. The holy spirit deserted him, and he could not discern the wickedness of his older son. He bade him sharpen his slaughtering knives and beware of bringing him the flesh of an animal that had died of itself, or had been torn by a beast, This charge was laid upon Esau on the eve of the Passover, and Isaac said to him: "To-night the whole world will sing the Hallel unto God

39. THE SCAM Rivkah …said to her son Ya`akov …. bring me back two choice kids… Next, Rivkah took `Esav her older son's best clothes, which she had with her in the house, and put them on Ya`akov her younger son; and she put the skins of the goats on his hands and on the smooth parts of his neck. Then she gave the tasty food and the bread she had prepared to her son Ya`akov. (Genesis 27:5-17 CJB) Legends of the Jews: "these two kids will bring good unto thee, the blessing of thy father, and they will bring good unto thy children, for two kids will be the atoning sacrifice offered on the Day of Atonement.“ Rebekah felt justified in putting Esau's wonderful garments on him. They were the high priestly raiment in which God had clothed Adam, "the first-born of the world," for in the days before the erection of the Tabernacle all the first-born males officiated as priests. From Adam these garments descended to Noah, ..to Shem, ..to Abraham, .. to his son Isaac, from whom they reached Esau as the older of his two sons. It was the opinion of Rebekah that as Jacob had bought the birthright from his brother, he had thereby come into possession of the garments as well.

40. THE PICTURE Yitzaq in his old age has become blind. Just like the many in Yisra’el that are blind today. But, YHVH had a plan in this blindness of Yitzaq. Yitzaq was not able to tell Yisra’el from the world, Ya’aqob from Esaw; because, like the world Yitzaq had become blind. While he sought what the world (Edom) had to offer, the taste of wild game (the sensual pleasures of taste, etc), YHVH had other plans. Rivka encouraged Ya’aqob (even said she would bear his curse, or punishment, if required) to pretend to be Esaw in order to receive the first-born’s blessing, that went along with the birth-right. She prepared the meal, dressed Ya’aqob in Esaw’s clothing and even put goat skins on his arms and hands, in order to “circumvent” Yitsaq’s blessing of Esaw. There’s Ya’aqob’s name again, “Yah‟sSupplanter”. The picture: Yisra’el hidden in Edom’s clothing, hidden in the world’s clothing, so the blind cannot see him. Baruch HaShem! He has given us back our sight.

41. THE BLESSING Legends of the Jews: The holy spirit filled Isaac, and he gave Jacob his tenfold blessing: "God give thee of the dew of heaven," the celestial dew wherewith God will awaken the pious to new life in days to come; "and of the fatness of the earth," the goods of this world; "and plenty of corn and wine," the Torah and the commandments which bestow the same joy upon man as abundant harvests; "peoples shall serve thee," the Japhethites and the Hamites; "nations shall bow down to thee," the Shemite nations; "thou wilt be lord over thy brethren," the Ishmaelites and the descendants of Keturah; "thy mother's sons will bow down to thee," Esau and his princes; "cursed be every one that curseth thee," like Balaam; "and blessed be every one that blesseth thee," like Moses. For each blessing invoked upon Jacob by his father Isaac, a similar blessing was bestowed upon him by God Himself in the same words. Yitsaq’s blessing of Ya’aqob mirrors so well the blessings YHVH promised to Avraham and his seed, as well as the blessing YHVH spoke over Ya’aqob, to Rivka, while he was still in her womb

42. ESAU'S TRUE CHARACTER REVEALEDLegends of the Jews Esau arrived, he had not succeeded in catching any game, and he was compelled to kill a dog .. he bade his father partake of the meal … The words of Esau terrified Isaac greatly. His fright exceeded that which he had felt when his father was about to offer him as a sacrifice, and he cried out, "Who then is he that hath been the mediator between me and the Lord, to make the blessing reach Jacob?“ Isaac's alarm was caused by his seeing hell at the feet of Esau. Scarcely had he entered the house when the walls thereof began to get hot on account of the nearness of hell, which he brought along with him. Isaac could not but exclaim, "Who will be burnt down yonder, I or my son Jacob?" and the Lord answered him, "Neither thou nor Jacob, but the hunter." Isaac told Esau that the meat set before him by Jacob had had marvellous qualities. .." When Esau heard the word "flesh," he began to weep, and he said: "To me Jacob gave no more than a dish of lentils, and in payment for it he took my birthright. What must he have taken from thee for flesh of animals?" Hitherto Isaac .. when he heard that Jacob had acquired the birthright from Esau, he said, "I gave my blessing to the right one!“ Hebrews 12:15

43. ESAW’S BLESSING “The land” and Yitz'chak his father answered him: "Here! Your home will be of the richness of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above. (Genesis 27:39 CJB) Alfred Edersheim stated over 100 years ago that this verse was mistranslated when it showed Esau was to go to a fertile and blessed location. Instead, the prophecy actually stated that the descendents of Esau would live away from the dew of heaven and away from the fat of the land. This perfectly describes the land of Edom which Esau inherited, that land located at the south end of the Dead Sea and stretching into the Arabian Peninsula.

44. ESAW’S BLESSING “The Sword” You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you break loose, you will shake his yoke off your neck.“ (Genesis 27:40 CJB) Yitzaq told Esaw that he would serve Ya’aqob until Esaw became restless and broke Ya’aqob’s yoke from his neck. Has that happened yet? Well actually, Esaw’s hatred for Ya’aqob’s descendants is shown throughout Scripture. It was Edom who refused to let the children of Yisra’el pass through their land while in the wilderness in Exodus 20. However, David (the staff or scepter of Ya’aqob) subdued Edom and made all Edom serve him in 2 Samuel 8. But, Shelomoh, David’s son saw them rebel again and “break the yoke of Ya‟aqob from his neck” until this day. Since then, Edom, or a remnant thereof, has dwelt in EretzYisra’el and warred with the sons of Ya’aqob, even until now.

45. GENESIS 27:41-28:9 SUMMARY: Here we read that Esaw hated Ya’aqob and said “in his heart” that he would kill Ya’aqob after the death of their father. We are also told that his words were reported to Rivka. YHVH could have told her this, as Esaw spoke this in his heart, not to others. And even if he were to have said something to his wives, they were not exactly on speaking terms with their Mother in-law. Scripture says that she did not want to be bereaved of both her sons in one day; indicating that YHVH might have said that if Esaw were to kill Ya’aqob, Esaw would die the same day. In any event she plants the seed in Yitzaq to send Ya’aqob to Laban, her brother, to find a wife from their own people. Yitzaq then tells him to go. But, not before he confers on him all the blessings given to Avraham and then himself by the Word of Elohim. In obedience, and maybe a little fear, Ya’aqob goes to Haran (“the crossroads”) to find a wife.

46. THIRD BLESSINGS May El Shaddai bless you, make you fruitful and increase your descendants, until they become a whole assembly of peoples. And may he give you the blessing which he gave Avraham, you and your descendants with you, so that you will possess the land you will travel through, the land God gave to Avraham.“ (Genesis 28:3-4 CJB) The Torah speaks of two sorts of blessings. Rabbi MenachemLeibtag calls the first one the “bechira” (birthright)– i.e. the Almighty’s designation of Abraham and his offspring to become His special nation to inherit His special land. So far we have seen this “bechira” blessing pass from Abraham to Isaac. It is Elohim who chooses who will receive the “bechira” blessing, not the birth father. A simple blessing is called a “bracha” (blessing). It is a blessing given by a father prophesying the personal destiny of his sons. Noah blessed each of his sons, and later we will read the account of Jacob blessing his 12 sons. Before Isaac goes, his father gives him the “bechira” blessing.

47. JUMPING THE GUN Now what about Rebekah? When she heard Isaac instruct Esau to hunt game and return for a blessing, did she fear he was about to give the “bechira” blessing, not a simple “bracha”? Did she take matters into her own hands to fulfill prophecy, as did Sarah. As a result of Sarah’s mistake, we end up with Ishmael. Because of Rebekah’s faulty reasoning, we end up with an angry and revenge-filled Esau. Eventually both of these tribes will join together in marriage and become enemies of Israel. Wow! Look at the damage that can occur as a result of our own faulty reasoning and our own attempt to push the promises of YHVH to fulfilment! Even if it was YHVH intention for Jacob to receive Isaac’s intended blessing for Esau, the morally questionable act would not pass by without consequences. Jacob would receive his destined greatness, but he would pay a price for the dubious way in which he received it. One can only wonder what would have happened if everyone would have communicated, been honest, and trusted the Father.

48. ESAW TAKES ANOTHER WIFE `Esav also saw that the Kena`ani women did not please Yitz'chak his father. So `Esav went to Yishma`el and took, in addition to the wives he already had, Machalat the daughter of Yishma`elAvraham's son, the sister of N'vayot, to be his wife. (Genesis 28:8-9 CJB) Esaw just doesn’t get it. He sees that the daughters of Kena’an do not please his parents and he sees the obedience of Ya’aqob. So, what does Esaw do? He takes as a wife Mahalath, Yishma’el’s daughter and sister of Nebayoth. “Mahalath” is Strong’s #4257 & 2470 and means; to “make sick” or “grieve”. Why would Scripture also mention her brother Nebayoth? According to Strong’s “Nebayoth” is #5032 and means; “heights”. His descendants were the “Nabateans” who took Petra from the Horites. Petra would later be taken over by Esaw, Edom. So together, Nebayoth and Esaw, would help build the place that Zekaryah and other prophets would point to as a place of refuge for returning Yisra’el during “Ya‟aqob‟s Trouble”. Once again, Yehudah’s and Ephraim’s refuge will be hidden in Edom (hidden in the world).

49. RELEVANCE TO US We were once inhabitants of Edom; hidden by the Hand of YHVH in the world. We were blind to Ya’aqob, to Yisra’el, just as Yitzaq was. But, even though we were of Edom; the seed of Avraham, the belief in Mashiach, was sown into us, by the One who circumvents, RuachElohim. Only the Ruach did not use deception. But, He did use the “blindness” of this world to hide the seed of the Word within us until He spoke to our hearts and brought it forth. There are still others, many others, who will hear and the blindness will fall from their eyes like scales, as it did with Sha’ul, you and me. Hate unrighteousness, hate what’s going on in the world; but, don’t hate Edom; he’s your brother. YHVH will rightly judge the “goyim” (nations of this world). Remember what we learned here today, at the beginning of this parsha; “the bridge between the two Hands, Yisra‟el and the world, is the fountain of Torah”.