Friday, November 16, 2018

CHUCK KOLB 11/16/2018

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayetzei - Jacob's Encounter With God !!!

Previously posted ... 
Voter Fraud Supervisor of Corruption !!!
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2018/11/chuck-kolb-11152018.html 

#ShabbatShalom - Welcome to Vayetzei (And He Left), this week’s study of the Word of God. This is the portion of Scripture that will be read in synagogues around the world during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service.  Enjoy and please read along with us; we know you will be blessed! 


Last week, in Parasha Toldot, Isaac’s wife Rebecca had a difficult pregnancy as the twin boys jostled within her.  When she inquired of the Lord, He told her that two nations were in her womb and the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). This week, Parasha Vayetzei (וַיֵּצֵא) describes Jacob’s travels to Harran, his mother's homeland, to find a wife and to flee the murderous plot of his brother Esau.

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ... 
Parasha Vayetzei: Jacob Receives His Inheritance

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/vayetzei-jacob-receives-his-inheritance/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/category/torah 

Is It a Man, Angel, or God?
The angel of the Lord appears many times in Scripture, but is it really an angel or is it God? 
Discover some helpful ways to know the difference. 
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/is-it-a-man-angel-or-god/

Jewish holiday calendars & Hebrew date converter 
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm - https://www.hebcal.com 
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day 
http://www.wildolive.co.uk/feasts_of_the_lord.htm 

Parasha Reading Schedule 5779 
http://free.messianicbible.com/torah-reading-schedule 

Are You a Watchman on the Wall? 
In many ways, Believers in the God of Israel and Messiah Yeshua are also called to be watchmen.   
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/are-you-a-watchman-on-the-wall/ 

Why Are Christians Adopting Jewish Practice of Studying the Weekly Torah Portion?
https://theisraelbible.com/christians-adopting-jewish-practice-studying-weekly-torah-portion/ 
http://restoringtheway.org/messianic-homeschooling/ 

Restoring the Broken Relationship of the Garden with the Tabernacle 
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/restoring-the-broken-relationship-of-the-garden-with-the-tabernacle/ 

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – YHVH Sabaoth 
The name YHVH Sabaoth is used 235 times in the Bible. 
http://free.messianicbible.com/feature/holy-holy-holy-lord-hosts-yhvh-sabaoth/ 

The Prophetic Significance of the Passover Lamb 
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/the-prophetic-significance-of-the-passover-lamb/ 

Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday - The Feast of Tabernacles !
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2017/10/chuck-kolb-10082017.html 

Simchat Torah: Celebrating Yeshua – the Word That Dwells Among Us
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/dancing-joy-simchat-torah/ 

Rabbi Friedman - The Soul and the Afterlife: Where Do We Go From Here? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzFUXKk2B4I (43:40) https://www.sinai-indaba.com/

The Daniel Timeline 
http://www.davidjayjordan.com/Danieltimeline.html 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

Parshat Vayeitzei 

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3191/jewish/Vayeitzei-in-a-Nutshell.htm 
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=11/17/2018 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥ 

Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ... 

Weekly Torah Portion: Vayeitzei

Why was it so urgent for Yaakov to stop at that specific place at that specific moment as he was fleeing from his brother's murderous wrath? Why did G-d warp time and space to make it happen? What happens when our path intersects with G-d's will? 

 Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10 - 32:3) Parashat Vayeitzei is read on Shabbat: Kislev 9, 5779 / November 17, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfhjYeBYtfU (21:57) 
https://www.youtube.com/user/henryporter2/videos 
Published on Nov 14, 2018 - The Temple Institute  
https://www.templeinstitute.org/events.htm 
http://www.templeinstitute.org/ 
Weekly Newsletter - http://is.gd/4BUvi 

Temple Talk was not recorded this week, as Rabbi Richman 
completed his speaking tour in the USA. Rabbi Richman will 
be joining Yitzchak Reuven next week for Temple Talk.

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

The Coming Temple - Full Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTO8YYs29c (48:17) NuBeat Music 12/21/16 
Filmed in the Old City of Jerusalem, this ground-breaking documentary investigates the research of renowned Biblical archaeologists, Bob Cornuke, David Sielaff and Earnest L. Martin who claim that Solomon and Herod's Temples never stood on the Haram al Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. If they are right, then there is nothing to stop the Jewish people building their long awaited for Third Jewish Temple in the actual site where the Temples once stood. 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...  

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/  https://israel365.com/ 

The Portion of Vayeitzei 
https://theisraelbible.com/reading-plan/genesis/portion-vayeitzei/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/weekly-torah-portion/ 

The Israel Bible side-by-side English and Hebrew text along with audio being read in Hebrew.
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/genesis/chapter-1#verse-1 
https://theisraelbible.com/hebrew-alphabet-chart/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/proper-noun-directory/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/glossary/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/maps 

Did Archaeologists Find One of Earliest Depictions of Jesus in Byzantine Church? 
by David Brummer 
An early depiction of what is thought an image of a young Jesus has been found on the wall of an approximately sixth century CE Byzantine era church in Israel’s Negev Desert. It was discovered in Shivta, approximately 25 miles southwest of Beersheba, by a team of Haifa University researchers. 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/117035/earliest-depictions-jesus-byzantine/ 

Archive Shows ‘Iran Had Advanced Capabilities to Produce Nukes’
by JNS

The documents in an archive seized by Israel show that Iran had “more advanced capabilities to make nuclear weapons themselves,” according to a paper being prepared by an anti-proliferation think tank, Foreign Policy reported earlier this week.  — reported that the information contained in the archive “demonstrates that Washington and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were constantly underestimating how close Tehran was to a bomb.” 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/117047/iran-advanced-capabilities-nukes/ 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

2 FREE bumper stickers - I Stand with Israel 

http://www.shilohisraelchildren.org/free-bumper-stickers/ 
Hebrew “Trump 2016” Bumper Sticker 
https://israel365.com/store/i-love-israel/hebrew-trump-2016-bumper-sticker 

Jared and Ivanka Special w Joseph, Arabella and Theodore ... 
Shana tova u'metuka! #RoshHashanah - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bngu5vDFBxE/
34 #MedalOfHonor at WH - 5779
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnqwcqwlnO6/ 
@NASA Johnson Space Center - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn-GrLEhGYy/ 
Instavid #EndTrafficking - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoEciTYh_GN/ 
Jared Nikki Ivanka WH - 5779
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bot6VhehgKT/ 
Happy Birthday Tiffany - 5779
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo5HUZtBegd/ 
Happy 9th anniversary, Jared - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpW1ZYQhtR1/ 
Doubled Child Tax Credit - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXsZ4khhvm/ 
Instavid Child Tax Credit and #TaxReform - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYMkJQBaCT/ 
Ivanka's Happy Birthday 10/30/81 - 5779    
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpmGKOcFXc2/ 
Instavid #WorkforceDevelopment - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BppXdGkh3mS/ 

https://www.instagram.com/ivankatrump/ 
https://twitter.com/ivankatrump  
http://ivankatrump.com/ 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 17+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION 

vid Glick at her best on Trump, Israel and nationalism

https://www.israpundit.org/glick-at-her-best-om-trump-israel-and-nationalism/ 
Caroline Glick & Colonel Allen West
https://youtu.be/FxH28yNvF2M (1:13:35) 11/6/18 
An Evening With *Caroline Glick* "President Trump's Israel Policy and its effect on American Interests and National Security". With special guest Colonel Allen West. Master of Ceremonies J.D. Wells of The Wells Report. This occurred on 10/30/18 in Dallas Texas at the Addison Conference Center. Colonel Allen West introduced Caroline Glick. Caroline Glick spoke and then took questions at the end.

T. Belman writes,  Jews in California hate Trump with a passion. Melanie has the courage to point this out. They accuse President Trump of sowing social division, hatred and anti-Semitism. They can’t see that that they are themselves effectively enabling social division, hatred and anti-Semitism by their spurious equivalence, tunnel vision and outright double standards.
The distracted obsessions of progressive American Jews
by Melanie, Phillips, jns

(November 15, 2018 / JNS) Having spent the past week or so in Los Angeles, I have been struck once again by the deep anxiety in the American Jewish community over the intensifying demonization of Israel on campus and over self-styled progressive Jews. I have also been exposed to the even more intense divisions within that community over President Donald Trump. One of the most bizarre conceits among those who hate him is that he’s an anti-Semite, or at the very least knowingly encourages antisemites. 
https://www.israpundit.org/the-distracted-obsessions-of-progressive-american-jews/  
https://www.jns.org/opinion/the-distracted-obsessions-of-progressive-american-jews/ 

Ted Belman, editor and publisher of Israpundit 
https://youtu.be/2_2jJpjU3zA (5:10) ILTV ISRAEL DAILY 10/9/17 http://www.iltv.tv/ 

Ted Belman - 12/3/17 
https://youtu.be/EO5kIMNtZwA (1:08:08) Alexander Gendler 12/3/17 
The “Jordan-is-Palestine” idea, as the preferred resolution for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conference was organized together with Mudar Zahran, Secretary-General of the Jordan Opposition Coalition, who lives in England under the protection of that country's police.

3 ways to help Ted Belman ... 
Please send checks payable to Ted Belman, 
Dan #33, Unit 25, Jerusalem, 93509, ISRAEL 
Or go to Israel Institute for Strategic Studies 
and use your credit card and mention "Israpundit" 
Donators will get a US tax deductible receipt. 
http://www.strategic-israel.org/  
http://www.israpundit.org/donate/ 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥ 

Courtesy of Bible Gateway via Jewish Voice ... 
Free Map! Where are the Lost Tribes of Israel today?

https://www.salemoffers.com/campaign/lost-tribes-map-fall-2017-b/ 
http://jvmi.convio.net/assets/pdfs/lost-tribes-map.pdf (1 page pdf) 
✡ ✡ ✡
Yavoh ~ He is coming ! 
Yahweh - Yeshua -  Ruach Ha-Kodesh 
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה   
BREAKING NEWS FROM ISRAEL 
Minute by minute updates here ... 
Watching for Yeshua Ha-Mashiach   
http://www.kolbonews.com/ 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/ 
http://thelibertymill.com/ 
https://rwnofficial.com/
http://www.citizensunited.org/ 
https://www.contendingfortruth.com/ 
https://aim4truth.org/  https://intelnews.org/ 
http://itccs.org/  http://evil.news/ 
https://iomovies.to/  http://123tv.live/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/  
Pray at the Kotel - the Western Wailing Wall 
http://free.messianicbible.com/enter-prayer-wall/ 
Entire Media News on this Planet 
click continue to use PressDisplay.com 
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx 


Everything You Need for a Scrumptious Thanksgiving!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/jamies-ultimate-kosher-thanksgiving-menu/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/thanksgiving/ 

Shabbat in a Sheet Pan! 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/roasted-chicken-spring-onions-and-shiitake-mushrooms/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/sheet-pan-apple-pie/ 

Sometimes you just need to go back to brisket...I mean, basics
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/jamie-geller-overnight-brisket/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/hasselback-potatoes-with-balsamic-mayonnaise-dipping-sauce/

Sheet Pan Salmon: A healthy Asian inspired dinner
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/salmon-sheet-pan-dinner/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/one-pot-crispy-potatoes/ 

Easy lunches for busy days
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/sheet-pan-roasted-eggplant-fattoush/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/ultimate-israeli-sandwich/ 

Afternoon tea, family style!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/signature-scones/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/menus/afternoon-tea-recipes/

Order Your Turkey Tonight
We look forward to feeding you soon! - Naf & Anna Hanau
https://www.growandbehold.com/whole-turkey-organic-fed/ 
Let's talk meat! 888-790-5781

Win a Fabulous Jerusalem Apartment While Supporting the Land You Love
https://unitedwithisrael.thedreamraffle.com/?a=jok till 12/10/18 

Win a Trip to Israel
https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/win-a-trip-to-israel-with-colavita/
FREE DOWNLOAD: My Make Ahead Mezze Recipe eBook (32 page pdf) 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/browse/dips-spreads-and-salad-free-recipe-ebook/ 

Free Mezze Ebook
https://mailchi.mp/jamiegeller/mezze-ebook 

Download my FREE Modern Israeli Summer ebook with over 20 fresh & easy recipes. 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/israel/modern-israeli-summer-free-recipe-ebook/

Finally! A Healthy Meal Plan for the Whole Family: Fresh Families by Jamie 
https://freshfamilies.us/ 
https://freshfamilies.us/register/ 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6lQsuWGrrA (1:01) 

Today Show - Make Jamie Geller’s tasty brisket with apples and honey cake 
https://www.today.com/video/make-jamie-geller-s-tasty-brisket-with-apples-and-honey-cake-1315037763843 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/easy-twists-on-holiday-favorites-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/as-seen-on-the-today-show-easy-oven-seared-soy-silan-brisket/

The Perfect Week for Matzo... As Seen on The Today Show
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/03/the-perfect-week-for-matzo-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
w vid Use matzo in 4 different ways for Passover!
https://www.today.com/video/use-matzo-in-4-different-ways-for-passover-1198725699778
https://www.today.com/food/easiest-most-delicious-matzo-ball-recipe-passover-t125845
Matzo Balls by Jamie Geller 
https://www.today.com/recipes/matzo-balls-recipe-t125837 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/best-ever-matzo-ball-soup/ 

Watch Jamie cooking Brisket with Megyn Kelly on The Today Show
by Shifra Klein 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/01/jamie-gellers-brisket-101-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.today.com/video/make-3-hearty-winter-meals-with-this-delicious-classic-beef-brisket-recipe-1164913219668 
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Gellers-Brisket-101-LEFTOVER/dp/1976983851/ 

Camp Zeke http://www.campzeke.org 
$1,000 off camp for new families - first come, first served!
Tell me more about One Happy Camper - isaac@campzeke.org 
Free 2017 - 63 page cookbook - recipes by Alexandra Zohn, MA, HHC 
http://www.campzeke.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-Camp-Zeke-Cookbook.pdf 

Missing an ingredient? Improvise 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/jamies-tips-for-cooking-substitutions/ 

The Most Popular Recipe - Year 2017
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/potato-kugel-cups/ 
https://youtu.be/ApKzja2XnWE (6:39) 
The Most Popular Recipes 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/search?query=Most%20Popular%20Recipes 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - EVOO Colavita recipes
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-and-avocado-toast/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/deviled-green-eggs/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/sun-dried-tomato-hummus/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-oat-clusters-fruit-nuts/ 

Home of JOY of KOSHER with Jamie Geller 
http://www.joyofkosher.com   
http://www.quickandkosher.com   
http://www.koshermedianetwork.com 

Our mailing addresses are: 
Kosher Media Holdings LLC: 
1575 50th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219   

Kosher Network International, All rights reserved.
3771 San Jose Place Suite 22
Jacksonville, FL 32257

Joy of Aliyah  
http://jamiegeller.com/tag/joy-of-aliyah/
http://joyofkosher.com/joyofisrael 

The answer is, it's made with love from Israel !   
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/my-jewish-food-memories/ 
My Love Affair With Jerusalem 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/my-love-affair-with-jerusalem/ 

Medias ... 
https://www.youtube.com/user/joyofkosher/videos  YouTube 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cua0Iw7HGjw (0:41)   
http://usastore.joyofkosher.com/ magazine subscription 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/subscribe/ email subscription
Book Jamie - https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/press/ 

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/jamiegellerdotcom/ 
INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/jamiegellerdotcom/ 
TWITTER -  https://twitter.com/joyofkosher 
PINTEREST -  https://www.pinterest.com/joyofkosher   
https://www.pinterest.com/joyofkosher/joy-of-kosher-community 

And Jacob went out from Beersheba. Genesis 28:10


Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayetzei - Jacob's Encounter With God !!!



Torah and yad (Torah pointer)
 
Shabbat Shalom 
 
Welcome to Vayetzei (And He Left),
this week’s study of the Word of God. 
 
This is the portion of Scripture that will be read in synagogues around the world during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service. Enjoy!
  
PARASHA VAYETZEI (And He Left)
Genesis 28:10–32:2[3]; Hosea 12:13–14:9[10]; John 4:1
–26
 
“And Jacob went out from Beersheba.”  (Genesis 28:10)
 
Last week, in Parasha Toldot, Isaac’s wife Rebecca had a difficult pregnancy as the twin boys jostled within her.  When she inquired of the Lord, He told her that two nations were in her womb and the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob).
 
This week, Parasha Vayetzei (וַיֵּצֵא) describes Jacob’s travels to Harran, his mother's homeland, to find a wife and to flee the murderous plot of his brother Esau.
 

Reading the Torah at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem (Photo by
Kyle Taylor)
  
Jacob Leaves His Comfort Zone
Jacob was not a rough and tough adventurer like his brother, Esau.  He had a quiet personality from birth, preferring to be at home rather than out in the woods hunting for game.
 
So, the call to leave his home for another land (like the call of his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac) may have caused much anxiety — perhaps doubly so since he was running to save his life, at his mother’s insistence.
 
On the other hand, Jacob had just received an extraordinary blessing from his father Isaac of “heaven’s dew and earth’s richness, an abundance of grain and new wine” with a promise of nations serving and bowing down to him (Genesis 27:28–29).
 
So Jacob set out for Harran, much blessed.  Even so, instead of his comfortable bed or a warm inn at the side of the road, he spent his first night sleeping on the cold, hard ground without any kind of physical shelter and only stones for a pillow.
 

Jacob's Dream, by José de Ribera

Jacob Receives His Spiritual Inheritance  
“And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.”  (Genesis 28:12)
 
Any anxiety Jacob had that night must have fled his spirit when the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 
 
In that dream, God was standing at the top of a ladder that reached into the heavens, with angels going up and down it.  There, He promised to give Jacob the same inheritance He gave Abraham and Isaac — the land upon which he lay:
 
“And, behold, the LORD [YHVH] stood beside him, and said: 'I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land upon which you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed.”  (Genesis 28:13)
 
It is clear through this Scripture that the Divine title deed to this land belongs to the seed of Jacob (whose name was later changed to Israel) and not the seed of his brother, Esau, who is the forefather of many of the Arabic people currently living in the Land.
 
It’s also easy to see that some of these descendants of Esau still hate their “brother Jacob” and seek to kill his descendants — the Jewish People.
 

Jacob's Dream (c. 1691), by Michael Willmann
 
Jacob awoke from his dream filled with awe, delighting in the presence of the One True God; and for that reason, he called the place Bethel or Beit–El (House of God).  In truth, though, any place can become a “house of God” when His holy Presence invades the space.
 
The ancient Jewish rabbis viewed this pivotal encounter with God as Jacob’s spiritual awakening. 
 
It is here that he entered the role of spiritual forefather, moving forward in the promises given to his grandfather, Abraham — not only to receive the land, but also to bear fruit and bring blessing to generation after generation of all peoples of the earth:
 
“Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south.  All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.”  (Genesis 28:14)
 

A man prays at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.
 
What perhaps began as a journey of obedience to His parents now became a journey with God Himself:
 
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”  (Genesis 28:15)
 
While Abraham and Isaac had their own very personal encounters with God, until this time, it seems that Jacob had no such encounter.  But as God reveals His power and presence, Jacob responds with clarity and a simple faith, saying:
 
“If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God.”  (Genesis 28:20–21)
 
In accepting the Lordship of Adonai over his life, Jacob is not waiting for riches before he serves Him and he also makes this commitment to Him:
 
“This stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will give You a tenth.”  (Genesis 28:22)
 
When we honor the Lord’s real presence in our lives and reinvest our resources back into His work through tithing, offerings, and serving, we acknowledge that He is Lord over our lives, that He provides us protection, food, clothing, and shelter and that He alone is worthy of adoration and praise all the time, everywhere.
 

A Jewish toddler puts money in the tzedakah (charity) box, which
many Jewish families use to collect money for the poor and other
charitable purposes.

Jacob Encounters Living Water
“And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.”  (Genesis 29:10)
 
By the time Jacob arrives at his uncle Laban’s land, it seems that he had undergone a remarkable transformation.  Earlier on, he had been described as a tent-dweller, in contrast to his rugged brother Esau who was an outdoorsman.
 
Traditionally in Judaism, Jacob is described as a scholar.
 
Yet, suddenly it seems that he actually possesses remarkable strength.  He is able to single-handedly move the heavy stone off of a community well in order to give water to his uncle’s sheep.
 
Either he possessed this strength all along, or it developed as he journeyed in faith and obedience.
 
If the first is true, then he is a remarkable example of someone who led a balanced life, not neglecting the need to develop his external strength as he developed his internal strength.
 
If the second is true, then he is an example to all of us as to how we can be transformed in our walk with Adonai.
 
If we keep in mind that moving the stone single-handedly was a feat fit for Samson, there is room for both to be true.
 

Jacob and Rebeccaby Otto Semler
 
Much is made of this meeting at the well in Judaism’s oral tradition, and there are several interpretations, each perhaps building on the other.
 
Among them, the well is thought to represent Zion, and the three flocks Babylon, Persia, and Greece, imperial powers that drew from the well the wealth of Israel and the Holy Temple.
 
In this interpretation, the rolling back of the stone represents the future Messianic Age when exile will end and God redeems His people.
 
The well is also interpreted as being the water of Torah, from which Jewish leadership draws in order to learn how to rule.
 
Water is a rich symbol in Jewish writing, and in Jeremiah 2:13, God calls Himself the "spring of living water."  Life flows from Him.
 
Along this vein of thinking, then, the water in the well can also be seen to represent Yeshua, who proclaimed, "Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."  (John 7:38)
 
It is only through Yeshua, the source of living water, that anyone can come to the Father to receive the gift of salvation.
 
“Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  (John 14:6)
 

An empty tomb in Israel with a huge stone that would have been rolled
in front of the door.
 
The rolling away of the stone perhaps also reminds us of the miraculous rolling away of another stone — the one that covered Yeshua’s burial place.  When that stone was rolled away, the resurrection of Yeshua was revealed.
 
Prophetically, once Israel sees Yeshua as the Messiah who died, was buried, and rose again, then resurrection life will come to the entire world.
 
“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”  (Romans 11:15)
 
So many people are thirsting today for a real relationship with the Living God.  This is why it is so important that we bring the Word of God from Jerusalem to the nations.  (Isaiah 2:3)
 
“O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.”  (Psalm 63:1)
 

An Orthodox Jewish man drinks water at a fountain at the Western (Wailing) Wall
in the Old City of Jerusalem.
 
Destiny and the Love of Jacob's Life  
In an encounter that is reminiscent of Abraham’s servant finding a bride for Isaac at a well, Jacob meets his bride-to-be at a well, perhaps the very same well.
 
It is a divine appointment.  Jacob falls in love at first sight, understanding that she is his bashert, a Yiddish word meaning destiny or from God.  In regard to marriage, bashert has evolved into the modern idea of a “soul mate” predestined by God.
 
He is so smitten by the beautiful Rachel, daughter of his uncle Laban, that he agrees to work seven years for her hand in marriage (although, he was tricked by Laban into working 14 years):
 
“And Jacob loved Rachel; and he said: 'I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”  (Genesis 29:18)
 

Jacob and Rachel at the Well (The Ideal Holy Bible, 1908)

This work agreement shows Jacob’s great integrity as a man who is not relying on God to simply hand him every good thing on a silver platter, as his father’s blessing back home or God’s promises at Bethel might suggest.  Nor did he go back to his father to ask for money.
 
For 20 years in Harran, Jacob worked hard, paying his own way.  He protected and nurtured the flocks and herds of Laban as an honest servant, prospering both himself and Laban.
 
Laban, however, was not the model father-in-law, nor was he an honest, upright businessman.  Not only did Laban trick Jacob into first marrying Rachel’s older sister, Leah, but Laban also tried to cheat Jacob out of his fair wages several times.
 
Laban's name in Hebrew means “white.”
 
Names in Biblical times often revealed the character and destiny of the name bearer and, in Laban's case, there may have been a connection to leprosy.
 
Regardless, we must be wise and discern a person's character, not being deceived by someone that appears to be clean or pure, since even the devil himself can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
 

Bedouin shepherd in Israel (Father of Ishmael Khaldi, the first
Bedouin diplomat in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs).  (Photo by
Robert Scoble)
 
The Twelve Tribes Receive Their Names 
Today, many Jewish children are named after one of their ancestors; however, in Biblical times, the name of a child could reflect the mother’s state of mind when giving birth or the hope for the child's future.
 
Leah named nine of Jacob's children and Rachel named four — these 13 children comprised one daughter and 12 sons.  All 12 except for the Levites would receive portions of the Promised Land as the inheritance for each of their tribes, according to God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
 
The Levites received God as their inheritance and the responsibility to serve Him in His Temple while being supported by the other tribes through tithes and offerings.  (Deuteronomy 10:9; Numbers 18:24; Joshua 18:7)
 
The remaining tribes and land allotments were comprised of two of Joseph's sons — Manasseh and Ephraim.
 

Jewish women pray at the Western (Wailing) Wall
 
Leah called their first son Reuben (רְאוּבֵן), from a Hebrew word Re’eh (see) because God had seen her state of being unloved and had, therefore, blessed her with a son.
 
“And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said: 'Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.’”  (Genesis 29:32)
 
In one case, Jacob overruled a naming decision.  When Rachel knew she was about to die giving birth to her second son, she called him Ben-Oni (son of my sorrow).  Jacob changed his name to Ben-Yamin — Benjamin (son at my right hand) to better reflect his destiny.
 
Each of the children received names that reflected family hopes or circumstances (but you will have to read the Torah portion for this Shabbat to discover why they were given these names).
  1. Reuben—See, a son
  2. Simeon—Hearing
  3. Levi—Joined; attached
  4. Judah—Yah be praised
  5. Dan—Judge
  6. Naphtali—My wrestling
  7. Gad—Troop; invader; good fortune
  8. Asher—Happy
  9. Issachar—Man of hire
  10. Zebulun—Dwelling
  11. Dinah—Judged or Vindicated
  12. Joseph—Increaser or God will increase
  13. Benjamin—Son of my right hand

Israeli siblings cross the road together in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood
of Jerusalem.
 
At the end of this Parasha, Jacob begins his journey home.  In the next Parasha, Jacob prepares to encounter his rival brother Esau after 20 years of estrangement.
 
On the way, Jacob will also encounter a Divine messenger who will change his name from Yaacov (Jacob — referring to the heel of the foot) to Yisrael (Israel — one who struggles with God).
 
Today, the ancient rivalry between the brothers still seems to remain, but that is not the only struggle the Jewish People face.  They also struggle with understanding the prophetic Scriptures and the issue of who Messiah really is.
 
Please pray for the eternal salvation of the Jewish People that all will come to a personal faith in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
 
 
You can make a difference for the Jewish People by partnering with the Lord in His end-time plans for their salvation.  Please help us bring the Good News of Yeshua to the Holy Land.
 
"All Israel will be saved.  As it is written: 'The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob.'"  (Romans 11:26)

No comments:

Post a Comment