A Study of Torah from Gen. - Rev.

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Rainrider

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Jun 17, 2017
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Gen 27:1 Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” And he answered him, “Here I am.”
Gen 27:2 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death.
Gen 27:3 “Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me.
Gen 27:4 “And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

Some have said that Esau had to earn the blessing by works, showing that salvation comes from works ant not faith in the OT. Yet as we have seen, that simply is not true. The odds are that Isaac want to know it was Esau, and not Jacob that he gave the blessing to. Knowing the tast of his oldest son's cooking, was just one way to know.
Gen 27:5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it.
Gen 27:6 So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying,
Gen 27:8 “Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you.
Gen 27:9 “Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves.
Gen 27:10 “Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death.”

Some have said that this shows that not everything goes by the ideas of HaShem. The birth right was sold to Jacob, yet the blessing was not. However if one was to look back, we would find that HaShem said the oldest would serve the youngest. As funny it may sound to some, this is just what was needed for that to come about. Unlike us Rebecka understood that the blessing was to go Jacob.
Gen 27:12 “Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.”
Gen 27:13 But his mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.”

Jacob had good reason to think Isaac would feel his skin. The blessing as with them all, required that hands be placed on the one being blessed. Mom knowing this as well, was willing to take the blame upon her self. This in it's self helps to add the idea that she know she was doing right. As it shows her willingness to take the curse of man, and that said curse would not come from HaShem.
Gen 27:15 Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.
Gen 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.
Gen 27:17 Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

The close talked of here, many well have been the only close Esau wore when serving his dad. Some say they are the close he stole from Nimrod, though this is unfounded. Still one other teaching about the close is that they were used so that Isaac would smell Esau, and not Jacob. As we will see this is said by Isaac.
Gen 27:18 So he went to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”
Gen 27:19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”
Gen 27:21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.”
Gen 27:22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”
Gen 27:24 Then he said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He said, “I am.
Gen 27:25 He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, so that my soul may bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.
Gen 27:26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near now and kiss me, my son.”
Gen 27:27 And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said: “Surely, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field Which the LORD has blessed.

Isaac being unwilling to bless the wrong one, wanted to be sure. SO a sniff test was in order. Also Kabbalistically a kiss brings about the deep spiritual intimacy that Isaac wish to arouse in order to cause the Spirit to light on him, that blessing may be stronger.
The smell of washed goat skin is a bit much for most people, and distinctive. Once smelled, a person will not soon forget. As a hunter, I have made many suits from teh skins of the animals I have hunted. The only one I know that stands out more than goat is proghorn.
Gen 27:28 Therefore may God give you Of the dew of heaven, Of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and wine.
Gen 27:29
Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, And let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, And blessed be those who bless you!”

The last part of this blessing is one we have seen before in Gen 12:3. This was not a slip, This was done so the blessing placed on Abraham would live on. The sages say that Isaac wanted Jacob free of material responsibility, so he would be free to develop spiritually. It was in this idea that Levi was not given any land, and the other tribes were to keep them feed and in need of nothing.
Gen 27:30 Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
Gen 27:32 And his father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” So he said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”
Gen 27:33 Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, “Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.”

A blessing once given can't be rescinded.
Gen 27:34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!”
Gen 27:39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: “Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, And of the dew of heaven from above.
Gen 27:40 By your sword you shall live, And you shall serve your brother; And it shall come to pass, when you become restless,
That you shall break his yoke from your neck.”

The end part of this blessing, is what most people misunderstand. It has been said many times that when Esau gets sick of his bother, then he will free himself. Yet if looked at in the Hebrew text, one finds that what is meant here is that if Jacob ever runs a foul of the law, then his blessing would transfer to Esau.
Gen 27:41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

Esau still loved his dad, so it was that he wished not to bring any grief upon Isaac. In waiting until the days of morning his, Esau know that he would not do this.
Gen 27:42 And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, “Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you.
Gen 27:43 “Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran.
Gen 27:44 “And stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away,
Gen 27:46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?”

Rebekah didn't want to tell Isaac that Jacobs life was in danger. So she used the wife of Esau to show her discontent with them. The idea that her life would be no good, comes from the time she had spent whit Jacob in his study of Torah. It was shown to her by Esau, and his wife, that should Jacob marry a women from that land, he may soon set aside his learning. Following Esau in the worship of ideals.
 

Rainrider

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Jun 17, 2017
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Gen 28:1 Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and charged him, and said to him: “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan.
Gen 28:3 “May God Almighty bless you, And make you fruitful and multiply you, That you may be an assembly of peoples;
Gen 28:4
And give you the blessing of Abraham, To you and your descendants with you, That you may inherit the land
In which you are a stranger, Which God gave to Abraham.”

First Isaac was trickted into blessing Jacob, now we find that he is ratifying that blessing. This is seen in the use of the words, "Which HaShem gave Abraham." It is in them that one finds Isaac willing and knowingly, placing teh destiny of Israel on Jacob, and his offspring.
Gen 28:6 Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Padan Aram to take himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”






Gen 28:7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Padan Aram.


Gen 28:8 Also Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please his father Isaac.


Gen 28:9 So Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had.

There as always 2 schools of thought on this. in one we find that Esau was upset, over Isaac blessing Jacob a second time, enforcing the idea that Jacob had gotten the whole covenant of Abraham. So out of spite Esau took a wife from the house of Ishmael. The other tells us that Esau was in hopes of regaining the favor of Isaac, to regain the lost blessing.
Both schools tell us one thing about Esau, that is not placed before us in scripture. That Esau was selfish. Although we are not told how many wives he had, taking one more from the family tree, was nothing more than act of selfish pride. This can be seen in both schools, and would hard to disprove.
Gen 28:10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran.




Gen 28:11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep.

I simply must inject a thought here. There was a news letter I got not long ago that said they found this same rock. It has been place on display, ( I don't remember where exactly) When I read that news letter, the thing that came to mind was, "Will man kind ever stop running after objects to worship, and just stand were you are to worship and learn of HaShem?" It was later when I spoke that out load to a friend of mine that I was reminded of something. I know this was said in fun, so please don't think badly of the man for his words. When I went to Israel, I was asked. "Do you know why we love to see you Americans come to Israel?"
My reply was, "The money?"
"No" he said, "we have to many rocks here, and you for some reason want to take them home with you."
Now I already had some rocks in my back pack, so it did make me think. I most likely have the same kind of rocks in my yard, Yet the rocks from Israel still hold a place of honor on my desk. Now however I find myself looking at them in a different light. You see I must ask, how do they know I didn't take that rock home with me? LOL
Gen 28:12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

Dreams are a vehicle of prophecy , if not the Torah a book that uses words sparingly, would not sight them. There are many thoughts on this one dream, from it showing the prayers of man being lifted up by the angels to HaShem, to it showing the Temple Worship. The one thing they all hold in common is that they all show this dream telling us that Man kind can connect with HaShem, when one follows truth.
Gen 28:13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.
Gen 28:15 “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

Now just cool would it be to know that HaShem is going with you when you travel, and that He will protect you no mater what? Yes I know some will say He does this, and you would be right. The thing that makes this different is, HaShem is going to bring Jacob back to the land he is leaving. We today, can never say that HaShem came to us, and told us this. How can I say that? Well HaShem never told any of us that He had a nation to build from our seed.
Gen 28:16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.






Gen 28:17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”

Some say that this place was what we now call the Temple Mount. As Jacob said it was the house of HaShem. There really is no reason to debate this school of though, as HaShem did lead Abraham there to sacrifice Isaac, it was there that HaShem showed to Israel as the place to build His house, and was by Law, the only place for sacrifices to be made. Also it was right next to there that Yeshua was given as the final sacrifice for sin.
Gen 28:18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it.




Gen 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.
Gen 28:20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,
Gen 28:21 “so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.
Gen 28:22 “And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

This is one place that took me a long time to come to terms with. You see in my mind, it is through faith that we are given our needs, and no amount of negotiations can change that. Yet here we find that Jacob is telling HaShem if you do this, then you will be EL. Kind of makes it sound as though Jacob is telling HaShem, if you don't do this, You won't be.
This however is not what is being placed before us. Jacob was doing nothing more than putting our in words what HaShem had already told him. In so doing Jacob may well have been asking HaShem to bless Jacob with a part of HaShem's name as He had Abraham in the past. Thus insuring that there would be no blemish on Jacobs posterity, as HaShem had promised Abraham in Gen. 17.
One can also find that the use of the word if doesn't imply a lack of faith, rather it shows that Jacob understood he may sin at some point. So the use of this word was to show that he understood, sin would separate Him from HaShem. Jacob, being a realist, was simply praying that HaShem would be with him, even when he came up short.
 

birdie

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Sep 16, 2014
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Gen 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.
Gen 28:20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,
Gen 28:21 “so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.
Gen 28:22 “And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

This is one place that took me a long time to come to terms with. You see in my mind, it is through faith that we are given our needs, and no amount of negotiations can change that. Yet here we find that Jacob is telling HaShem if you do this, then you will be EL. Kind of makes it sound as though Jacob is telling HaShem, if you don't do this, You won't be.
It seems to me that the verse is saying that if God keeps Jacob, then God will be Jacob's God. It is sort of like saying: 'If it is your will to keep me, then you will be my God, but that is up to you and not me, whether you desire to keep me or not'. I don't see this as saying at all that: 'If you don't keep me you will not be the real God".

Gen 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.
Gen 28:20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,
Gen 28:21 “so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.
Gen 28:22 “And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
In saying that God gives Jacob bread to eat, he is pointing to the bread of life that comes down from heaven (Jesus' body that he offered up for our sakes) and clothing (Jesus' own righteousness that he clothes the saints with). God's house is the believers and when the verse says that Jacob is brought in peace it means still in Christ. The stone which is set up is pointing to Christ, he is the stone which is set up as a pillar, the pillar emphasizing the word of truth. The thing is that Jacob provides a picture of all true believers, in a certain sense, as all true believers in a case where if God brings them all the way through their earthly journey and he has kept them in Christ, and given them the bread of life, and clothed them with his righteousness, then he will be their God and they will be his people.
 

Rainrider

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It seems to me that the verse is saying that if God keeps Jacob, then God will be Jacob's God. It is sort of like saying: 'If it is your will to keep me, then you will be my God, but that is up to you and not me, whether you desire to keep me or not'. I don't see this as saying at all that: 'If you don't keep me you will not be the real God".



In saying that God gives Jacob bread to eat, he is pointing to the bread of life that comes down from heaven (Jesus' body that he offered up for our sakes) and clothing (Jesus' own righteousness that he clothes the saints with). God's house is the believers and when the verse says that Jacob is brought in peace it means still in Christ. The stone which is set up is pointing to Christ, he is the stone which is set up as a pillar, the pillar emphasizing the word of truth. The thing is that Jacob provides a picture of all true believers, in a certain sense, as all true believers in a case where if God brings them all the way through their earthly journey and he has kept them in Christ, and given them the bread of life, and clothed them with his righteousness, then he will be their God and they will be his people.
I looked back at what I said, and not once did I even imply that Jacob said if HaShem didn't keep him, that He was not the real El. In fact I though made it clear that this was not what Jacob was saying at all. Jacob's words as I tried to point out where words of hope, and faith.
Being a man that understands that Yeshua and HaShem are one in the same, I seen no reason to try to pull them apart. You are right, this was a bit prophetic, and yes it can be seen in the way you have. Yet as with most things, this passage also points to the Temple Mount. More so in the minds of a lot more than just the Jewish sages. After all, the passage does state that He called it the House of HaShem, talking of the place, and not the soul of man.
Yet if we look at the Sages, they teach that Jacob understood that all prayer goes through this place to reach HaShem. A teaching that I my self don't hold to. After all is not true that HaShem meats us where we are, and from there leads us to where He needs us?
 

Rainrider

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Gen 29:1 So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East.


Gen 29:2 And he looked, and saw a well in the field; and behold, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well’s mouth.


Gen 29:3 Now all the flocks would be gathered there; and they would roll the stone from the well’s mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well’s mouth.

This "well" most likely was not a well that held water year round, rather a cistern. Many wells in that aria would have been. The stone was to keep the water from evaporating. The well was dug in a low place, with hills around it. They would look at the land, seeking a place that shown run off from teh hills to be sure they would get as much water they can from any rain.
Gen 29:4 And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”




Gen 29:4 And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”


Gen 29:6 So he said to them, “Is he well?” And they said, “He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.”


Gen 29:7 Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.

This is the first time we find that Jacob understood the care of flocks, and herds. As we see, it seems that Jacob thought of teh bets way to care for them, to get the most form their use. Anyone that has ever seen a watering hole for cattle, knows that it is dirt and not grass around them all. So by keep the sheep in dirt, they would not get enough to eat.
Gen 29:8 But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.”
Gen 29:9 Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.






Gen 29:10 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.


Gen 29:11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.

It was more than likely Jacob wept, as he know he had found the women HaShem had set aside for him. He had nothing to give for the brides price, so this may have been heart braking for him. We are never told, yet he may have known what Eliphaz paid for his mom, and having nothing, the though would have crossed his mind that his offer would turned down.
Gen 29:13 Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things.





Laban may well have though that Jacob would have came with loads of wealth as Eliphaz had. After all he was the grandson of Abraham, so he must be wealthy as well. Sadly Jacob had to tell him he didn't have anything.
Gen 29:15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?


Gen 29:16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.


Gen 29:17 Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.


Gen 29:18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”



Seven years was worth a lot to anyone. If you had a chance to get 7years of work for your kid, think about what that would come out to be in money saved. As a driver, if you run had, and save what you can, you can put away around 80,000. Over 7 years you would have around, 560,000. Not a bad brides price.
Gen 29:19 And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”


Gen 29:20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.


Gen 29:21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.”



It may be that Rachel is named twice, to show us that Jacob had let the world know he was working to fulfill the brides for her. So that when the time came Laban could not back out of the deal. The time seemed short to him, as his love for Rachel grow more with every passing day. Jacob may have been forced to inform Laban that his days were fulfilled, due to Laban not bring it up. This would be something we should think Laban would do. After all we have seen that Laban was a greedy man.
Gen 29:23 Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her.


Gen 29:24 And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid.
Gen 29:25 So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”

ONe may find that in their mind, they wounder why Jacob didn't know before morning came. Laban may have waited until it was dark, and placed Leah in side Jacobs room so he would not get a good look at her. If both were about the same size, Jacob being filled with joy at getting his love, may not have looked all that closely.
Gen 29:26 And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.






Gen 29:27 “Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”

The week we see here is the wedding feast. They would run a week long, and the husband was not asked to do any work in that time. However it is the placement of the week and years so close together that brings us to the teaching of a day for a year. This teaching holds true, as one will find in Daniel 9.
Gen 29:28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also.




Gen 29:29 And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid.
Gen 29:30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.
Gen 29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

There are some that say this is why when the Torah was written down, we are told that a man should have only one wife. If he can love them both in the same manner, then he may have 2. Not sure about other men, I would only want one no matter what. LOL Sorry lady's, nothing bad intended. It is just I truly think a ma should put everything he has into keeping his wife and kids happy. Having 2 a man would only keep them 1/2 as happy in my mind.
Gen 29:32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The LORD has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.”

It is clear that Leah seen that she wasn't really loved. As we are never told Jacob loved her, it is not hard to understand that she know this was how it was.
Gen 29:33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.


Gen 29:34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.
Gen 29:35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

Reuben, this name means behold a son. As male kids were the most wanted, this name may well have picked as a way to tell Jacob it was truly his. Or as some teach, it was an in your face sis kind of thing.

Simeon - meaning' He has heard, or He who listens.

Levi - meaning, gift of HaShem. This name was given to show that Leah was thankful for this child, as in her mind it would mean that Jacob would love her now.

Judah - This name means thankfulness and praise. When placed together, one finds this name to say, giving thanks and praise.
 

Rainrider

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Gen 30:1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!”


Gen 30:2 And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”


Gen 30:3 So she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her.”



As odd as this sounds to some today,the idea is still around, just not the same practice of getting it done. You see this would have made Bilhah a kind of sariget for Rachel. Today this is done, only it is the seed of the women, fertilized by the man, then placed into a second women. It was the on my knees part. You see then a women had her children in a squatting position. (Any of you lady's that has a child know that you may be on your back, however think about it. Your legs are up, and should you just held in that position, rotated 90 degrees foreword, you would be doing what? ) The siting on the knees of a women, let her feel the baby coming out, and it also kind of looked like the baby came from her. As the blood and the mess would get on her in the right places.
Gen 30:4 Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her.
Gen 30:5 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.

As we know, the last time this was done, it didn't end well.




Gen 30:6 Then Rachel said, “God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.
Gen 30:7 And Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son.




Gen 30:8 Then Rachel said, “With great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and indeed I have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.

Dan, now there's one to draw as a wild card. The name Dan means Judgment. Yet when Jacob blessed his kids, he said Dan would a serpent. Many say this was due to the tribe of Dan being Dan being named along side idolatry so many times. Yet as as the name tells us, it was also from the tribe of Dan that we find Samson. One of the great judges of Israel. Why Dan is not named among the 144000 is never told to us. So speculation is all anyone can use to say why.

Naphtali- This name means to wrestle, or fight. Once more we find in the Tanakh that the tribe lives up to it's name.

Gen 30:10 And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son.
Gen 30:11 Then Leah said, “A troop comes!” So she called his name Gad.

Gad means fortune. This tribe was fierce fighters.

Gen 30:12 And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son.
Gen 30:13 Then Leah said, “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” So she called his name Asher.

Asher means Happy, Jacob said that Asher would be a provider, as we know, this came about. Asher gave any military capability, and become known for his agricultural skills.
Gen 30:18 Leah said, “God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar.

Issachar does mean wages, Issachar is also named for having understanding and wisdom.
 

Rainrider

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Gen 30:19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.


Gen 30:20 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

Leah used this name as it portrayed her dreams. The dream of being Jacob's #1 wife. Something that she has not been able to obtain.


Gen 30:21 And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

Dinah's story is both tragic and full of hope. As we wad through it in time, we will see things that are missed by so many people. The name means justified. As Leah now seen her self as justified in the eyes of HaShem, and her husband, this name fit well.
The sages teach that Leah understood that Jacob was to have 12 sons. She had given him 6 all ready, and the hand maids 2 each. So if Leah had a male, then her sister wouldn't be equal to the maids. Leah may not have liked running second place to her, yet she still loved Rachel, so she prayed that this one not male. When it was female, Leah felt she was justified in her prayer.
Gen 30:22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
Gen 30:23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
Gen 30:24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

Rachel, after having this one child, longed for just on more baby boy. As we can see said HaShem will add another. The use of the word in it's singular, informs us that Rachel may have also understood that Jacob would only have 12 boys. So she know she could only have one more. The name Joseph means, May He add.
Gen 30:25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.


Gen 30:27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.
Gen 30:28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
 

Blik

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Jacob is still up in Haran of Mesopotamia when Leah's children are born, a land outside the holy land as Abraham was also born. The ones who in the future would be called the tribe of Israel were born foreigners.
 

Blik

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Up to now scripture has pointed out how God feels about sin. We especially have the flood and Sodom and Gomorrah.

We have to remember that when we icread the word Lord in our scripture it is translated from the Hebrew word for the triune God. Just as a person who is a teacher, husband, and father and could be named as such separately but still be the same person God is Father, Son and Ghost. God is eternal, but in our time God had not lived as Christ but God always forgave through sacrifice that through blood. It is, and was then, through innocent blood that forgiveness happened.

In Sodom and Gomorrah we are told a lot about what caused this, but only the fire and brimstone came from the sky. Brimstone is sulfur. It burns at very high heat and gives off a strong odor. In ancient times it was used on garbage heaps because it overcame the odor and the heat burned everything in the garbage heap, completely destroying everything.
 

Rainrider

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Jacob is still up in Haran of Mesopotamia when Leah's children are born, a land outside the holy land as Abraham was also born. The ones who in the future would be called the tribe of Israel were born foreigners.
All except Benjamin was born before they left.
 

Rainrider

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Up to now scripture has pointed out how God feels about sin. We especially have the flood and Sodom and Gomorrah.

We have to remember that when we icread the word Lord in our scripture it is translated from the Hebrew word for the triune God. Just as a person who is a teacher, husband, and father and could be named as such separately but still be the same person God is Father, Son and Ghost. God is eternal, but in our time God had not lived as Christ but God always forgave through sacrifice that through blood. It is, and was then, through innocent blood that forgiveness happened.

In Sodom and Gomorrah we are told a lot about what caused this, but only the fire and brimstone came from the sky. Brimstone is sulfur. It burns at very high heat and gives off a strong odor. In ancient times it was used on garbage heaps because it overcame the odor and the heat burned everything in the garbage heap, completely destroying everything.
Until Yeshua, sin was forgiven in the same manner. Animal sacrifice only covered sin, it took the Blood of Yeshua to wash it away.
 

Rainrider

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Gen 30:30 “For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the LORD has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?”


Gen 30:31 So he said, “What shall I give you?” And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flocks:


Gen 30:32 “Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages.

Having seen first hand how Laban would cheat him, Jacob now wish to place his wages in order. Doing so in a way that would leave Laban with no choice. He would have to uphold his agreement. By going and removing the sheep Jacob told Laban he would, Laban with greed in his heart, jumped on it.
Laban had the sheep moved just as fare from Jacob as he could get them. Making sure they did not breed with the choice colored sheep. Lowing the chances of Jacob getting as little, if anything as he could.

Gen 30:33 “So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.”

Jacob being a man of integrity, know that there wouldn't be anything other than what he was to have from the folks and herds. Yet as I said, he know that Laban would try some way to change his wages.




Gen 30:34 And Laban said, “Oh, that it were according to your word!”
Gen 30:35 So he removed that day the male goats that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had some white in it, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
Gen 30:36 Then he put three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
Gen 30:37 Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods.
Gen 30:38 And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink.
Gen 30:39 So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spott
Gen 30:41 And it came to pass, whenever the stronger livestock conceived, that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the livestock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.


Gen 30:42 But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s.


Gen 30:43 Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

I have never had a chance to try any of this. Though I would love to know if it works. We have talked of how underhanded Laban is. It was not until now that find Jacob is using what one may call underhanded lattices to build his wealth. What we must keep in mind is that Jacob was protecting him self, his family, and his animals. Had this been me, I do think I would have done the same thing. When you dance the devil, never let him lead. The sages say that Jacob didn't start this until an Angle told him to, then Jacob did everything he was told. This hints at teh idea that what Jacob did, most likely wouldn't work for us today. Or any for that matter. One reason I would love to know if it works every time. Now the Sages didn't just dream this up. They are nothing if not true to teh study, and doing their best to make sure every thing they teach is right. So please take a little time to read Gen. 31:10-12 before any remarks about this being wrong are made. Thank you
 

Rainrider

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Gen 31:1 And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.
Gen 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
Gen 31:3 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

Having heard the jealousy in the hearts of Laban's sons. Reinforced by the Words of HaShem, Jacob left and headed back to Israel. He had to talk to his wives about this, and in so doing retold the sotry of his time with Laban. As satated before, the Bile has good reason to repeat something. When HaShem places a story on the heart of man, to tell more than once, there is something there for us to learn.
From this we should take away the marked differences in the actions of Laban, a common thief, that does his best to look honest. When Jacob, a truly honest man, worked for everything he got. The point is, that when we deal people, they always seem to keep only their best at heart. Having worked for a man that acted a lot like Laban. I can understand the frustration Jacob must have felt.

Gen 31:14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?








Gen 31:15 Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.


Gen 31:17 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;


Gen 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

Jacob, having nothing to hide, left as though Laban knew already. Any one that seen it would have thought nothing of it.
Gen 31:22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.




Gen 31:23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
Gen 31:24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Some may not see it, yet in this we find that Laban was mad. He went after Jacob as though Jacob was a thief. We may be told this, yet one may find that Laban may well have killed Jacob. The Words of HaShem, do seem to note that Laban had evil on his mind.
Gen 31:26 And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword?
Gen 31:27 “Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp?








Gen 31:28 “And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing.
Gen 31:29 “It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’

Laban let us know that he was going to do harm to Jacob, if not for HaShem telling him not to. Yet what we don't find, is Laban ever saying he had done any wrong. In fact Laban still left things clear that he found Jacob in the wrong, and even called Jacob a thief.
Gen 31:30 “And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”
Gen 31:31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’

Having understanding of the way a person is, can at times lead to actions one would not take, if they see that the other person is a thief, it stands to reason they may take what they want by force. This is what Jacob, seen in Laban. One may note that Jacob didn't reply to second part of Laban's complaint. This is more than likly due to Jacob understanding the nature of Laban. Yet some do teach that it was more a mater of not having a clue as to what Laban was talking about. No mter what we think, one thing is clear. Here we are seeing a man turn the other cheek. Yeshua told us to do the same, yet for some reason it is seldom brought back to this.
Gen 31:32 “With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

Jacob now address the last of Labans complaints. Though it was not in a manner that would bring on debate, or a fight. Jacob simply placed it out there, after all in his mind what ever Laban was looking for would not be found. How could it be, it simply was not there. Jacob had no clue Rechel had taken it, if he had known, we can be sure it would have been left behind.
Gen 31:34
Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them.
Gen 31:35
And she said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.” And he searched but did not find the household
Gen 31:37
“Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both!
Gen 31:38
“These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock.
Gen 31:39
“That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night
Gen 31:40
There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes.
Gen 31:41
“Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.


Gen 31:42 “Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”

First we find Jacob, telling Laban how the cow ate the cabbage, and Jacob paid for it. A Shepard, was not held the standers we now find that Jacob had placed on him self. If any of the flock was lost, it would be reported, if any attacked and killed, the caucus was returned to show what happen. You were never expected to pay for the thing. Yet Jacob, being the good Shepard, took the losses on him self, and simply replaced what was lost.
The sages however, tell us that with the telling of loss of sleep, Jacob shows us that a good Shepard never lossing any of his charge.
The comparison being made here is a bit uncanny. Well for the Sages it is anyway. If you don't see the shadow of Yeshua here, you simply don't know Him at all. One other thing that needs to pointed out here. Something Yeshua told us, and Jacob lived out in his own life.
Mat 5:41
“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

Gen 31:44
“Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me
Gen 31:45
So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
Gen 31:46
Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap.

One should make note that this was not a blood covenant. As none of the things pointing to a blood covenant are found. This is what we today may call a gentlemen's agreement.
Gen 31:51

Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.

Although Jacob placed the stone, and his men pilled up the heap, Labon said it was him. This can be seen in 2 ways. First that Laban made a point to sit with them between the 2 men. Hence Laban would have placed them between the 2. Second, Laban not be out done, also had his own men help, so that he could take credit for the whole work.
Though we will not hear of Laban any more, he did teach us in the ways one should not act. He helped to open the door for what many of us now call the sermon on the mount. Most of the teaching we are give there, we find here. True I didn't go into every last one. To do so would draw this study out to around 5 years if not more. Yet as we move forward, the same teachings will come back around. Lev. and Num. well start to draw them back into our minds, and it
 
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Rainrider

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Gen 32:1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
Gen 32:2
When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Mahanaim, or double camp. The Sages teach us that there were 2 camps of Angles. The ones that ministered out of the Land, and those of the Land that came out to meet Jacob. This teaching is some what different than you find on most church's, as they only follow that one camp was Jacob's, and the other was the Angles. Yet in the teaching of the Sages, the camp of man was not counted. unless one looks at Rmaban, who tells us that both were equal in that they both wished to be a blessing to HaShem.
Gen 32:3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
Gen 32:6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”

Some say that the report of 400 men was to seen only as wicked intent. Though this may well be true, it negates the idea that Esau may well have just had on him mind the safe passage of Jacob. Keep this in mind, as it will be placed before in the form of a question latter.
Gen 32:7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.






Gen 32:8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”


Gen 32:9 Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’:


Gen 32:10 “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.


Gen 32:11 “Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.


Gen 32:12 “For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ”

Jacob we find is reminding HaShem of what He had said. At the same time he readies for war. This seem to be a bit counter productive in the theology of some church's, as they say it shows a lack of faith. The sages however teach that this shows Jacob's self-discipline. Giving Israel a look at how best to react to sometimes conflicting elements in any situation. A lesson we should all learn.
Gen 32:16 Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves.”




Gen 32:17 And he commanded the first one, saying, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?’


Gen 32:18 “then you shall say, ‘They are your servant Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.’ ”


Gen 32:21 So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.


Gen 32:22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok.


Gen 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.

The gifts were separated so that Esau would take note of the proper male-female ratio. One that would was meant to give a good growth for Esau.
As to the man, the sages teach that every nation has an angle to protect it, in times of need. When that nation acts as a blessing to HaShem, they grow, when they act in a manner that represses HaShem, and his people, they suffer. Yes that was an over simplification.
This man that Jacob wrestled with, the sages tel us may have been the angle of Esau. Israel however being HaShem own people, needs no go-between as all other nations do. This is why the angle of Esau fought with Jacob him self. Jacob being human, drow his strength from HaShem, and the angle was not able to defeat him. They go on to say that Esau's angle is Satan, as Esau epitomizes evil.
Satan had to attack Jacob, as he was the last and arguably the greatest of the patriarchs. In Jacob was the symbol of mans struggle to raise him self and the rest of the world with him, to be more like HaShem.


Gen 32:25
Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.




Gen 32:26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

A midrash perceives the angles crippling blow as a symbol of the weakening of commitment on the part of financial supporters to Torah education. Something witch can be seen in lack of understanding of Torah by so many today.


Gen 32:27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.”

It is thought that the angle asked Jacob his name in order to introduce the statement of blessing.


Gen 32:28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

The name Israel means Prince with HaShem. A name that we don't see used in Torah, in regards to Jacob. The reason for this remains a mystery.
 
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When one seeks to find the first Commandment, were do we look? Some may say to Gen, 2:1-2. Is that true though, or should one first look to Gen 1?
The first commandment found in the perfect law of God, the Bible called the book of the law is in lieu of God’s work of faith, as a labor of His love is , He said; Let there be light: and there was light.
 

Rainrider

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Gen 33:1 Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.


Gen 33:2 And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.

We are never given any reason for the order of the children and their moms. Though one can from letter reading come to teh conclusion that the order was made in the love Jacob felt for them. Te maidservants, who Jacob didn't love, went first, Rachel who Jacob the most was last.
Gen 33:3 Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.




Gen 33:4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Not knowing for sure what was coming, Jacob placed himself between Esau and his family. In this manner should an attack come, Jacob would take the brunt of it on himself.
As for the kiss, there are 2 school of though on this. One tells us that Esau didn't kiss Jacob out of love, and had full intent on biting him. The other, tells us that Esau felt nothing but love for his brother, and the kiss was whole hearted.
Gen 33:6 Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down.




Gen 33:7 And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.

The Sages tell us that Jacob stood in front of Rachel, to protect her from the covetous gaze of Esau. Since she was vary beautiful.
Gen 33:8 Then Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” And he said, “These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.”




Gen 33:9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”


Gen 33:10 And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.
Gen 33:11 “Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So he urged him, and he took it.

Esau it seems has came to understand that Jacob had the right to get the blessing, that he once claimed as his own. Or at lest excepted that Jacob had the blessing, and there was no way to remove it.
Jacob's last reply to Esau, show us that he understood the full extent of the blessing. Had Jacob given Esau every thing he had, HaShem who had dealt graciously with him, would replace it all, then some. This as teh sages teach comes the fact that Jacob said, I have enough.
Gen 33:12 Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.”


Gen 33:13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die.


Gen 33:14 “Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.”
Gen 33:15 And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”


Does this sound like the actions of a man that has evil intent in his heart? For one to negate the thought that Esau may have been acting to keep Jacob safe, would this not show that teaching wrong? I am going to wait until everyone has time to answer that before I move on. I would think that 2 days would be enough.




Gen 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

Booths. When we come to lev. 23, we will find a feast that holds this same name. One must not try placing any form of parallel between this, and that feast. I have seen some try to, and they can never bring about any form of foundation. The place not named for the feast, nor the feast for the place. It was named succoth after the act of kindness Jacob showed for his animals. This may have never been done before, as most people seen their livestock as nothing more than a means of food, and trade.


Gen 33:18 Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city.


Gen 33:19 And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money.


Gen 33:20 Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.



El is just one of many names for HaShem.
Elohe Israel HaShem of Israel.
 

Blik

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Until Yeshua, sin was forgiven in the same manner. Animal sacrifice only covered sin, it took the Blood of Yeshua to wash it away.
Animal sacrifice did more than cover sin. What happened to saints at physical death before Christ isn't spoken of in scripture, but we know there was salvation as it is spoken of in the psalms. There is no word of heaven or the many mansions we have waiting for us but they speak of resting with their forefathers, etc.

The first glimpse we have of OT death of the saints is in Matt 27:32 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. This happened when the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

In the second chapter of Ephesians we are told that it is God the Father who gives us salvation, we are forgiven by the grace of our Father through the blood and sacrifice of Christ.
 
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Animal sacrifice did more than cover sin. What happened to saints at physical death before Christ isn't spoken of in scripture, but we know there was salvation as it is spoken of in the psalms. There is no word of heaven or the many mansions we have waiting for us but they speak of resting with their forefathers, etc.
I would offer...Animal sacrifices used in ceremonials laws as that seen the temporal , pointed ahead to that not seen in respect to our suffering savior, beforehand, the glory that followed (the first resurrection) was the opening of the graves .

Sin could no longer hold them back from entering the many mansions as the city of Christ prepared as His bride. Saints in the Old Testament were saved in the same way as us ...by and through a work of the Spirit of Christ’s faith as a labor of His love. As it works in us to both will and do His good pleasure(imputed righteousness) . We look back they looked ahead to the cross. The reformation had come over two thousand years ago. The shadows disappeared

Searching what, or what “manner of time” the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.1Pe 1:11

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;And put “no difference” between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Act 15:7


The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:Which was a figure(parable that hide the spiritual meaning from the lost) ) for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could notmake him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the “time of reformation”. Heb 9:8

Manner of time when Christ was in them? The time of reformation.
 
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Rainrider

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Jun 17, 2017
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Animal sacrifice did more than cover sin. What happened to saints at physical death before Christ isn't spoken of in scripture, but we know there was salvation as it is spoken of in the psalms. There is no word of heaven or the many mansions we have waiting for us but they speak of resting with their forefathers, etc.

The first glimpse we have of OT death of the saints is in Matt 27:32 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. This happened when the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

In the second chapter of Ephesians we are told that it is God the Father who gives us salvation, we are forgiven by the grace of our Father through the blood and sacrifice of Christ.
As was pointed out Abraham was granted by Grace, Salvation though his faith.
Rom 4:9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

Sacrifices never removed sin. I will stand by that, just as Paul himself did.
Heb 10:11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

As to Heaven, it not spoken of much as to anyone going there in teh OT, yet to say it is not spoken of at all in this manner is is wrong.
2Ki 2:1
And it came to pass, when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
 

Blik

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Dec 6, 2016
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As was pointed out Abraham was granted by Grace, Salvation though his faith.
Rom 4:9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

Sacrifices never removed sin. I will stand by that, just as Paul himself did.
Heb 10:11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

As to Heaven, it not spoken of much as to anyone going there in teh OT, yet to say it is not spoken of at all in this manner is is wrong.
2Ki 2:1
And it came to pass, when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
We agree. I especially liked it when you said before Christ it was looking toward Christ, afterward it was looking back at Christ. We are learning God principles in this study and they always are the same.

Did you notice that Jacob was no macho, be quiet and just do as I say husband but Rachel and Leah were included when they decided to leave for Canaan.

Leah and Rachel felt cheated by their father when he sold them as if they were slaves and they were have no part in what should have been their inheritance. That is why they stole the family idols. Who had the idols had the wealth and authority. Later you find they didn't want to bring them to their new home for all people thought idols belonged to a certain territory.

God does speak to pagans as it tells us God spoke to Abimelech and also Laban. Many pagans among us study scripture and decide what advice in it is good to follow. The Christian revers God and lets God decide for him what to follow with absolute faith in the Lord.