Shalom All,  Welcome to this week’s Torah / Bible study section.  “And Jacob sent [vayishlach וַיִּשְׁלַח] messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.”  (Genesis 32:4[3]). 

In last week’s study, Jacob left his unjust father-in-law, Laban, while he was off shearing his sheep.  Fearing that Laban would keep his daughters, Leah and Rachel, Jacob stole away with all he had: his sons, his wives, and all of his livestock, heading for the mountains of Gilead.  This group are the forerunners of those who entered Egypt and came out as the nation of Israel.  Note they consist of the household of Jacob, Gentile servants and wives included.  So from the outset God’s “my people” was and remain a composition of Jew and Gentile who live by His commandments.  No colour nor nation of birth differentiation; but a “mixed multitude” of obedient believers as would be in the promised new heaven and earth. 

After 22 years in Haran (a place in Mesopotamia), it was likely difficult for Jacob to free himself from Laban’s wicked manipulation and control, but he did succeed.  We can imagine that he was anticipating with great joy his return to his ancestral homeland of Canaan; however, in order to do so, he had to first pass through Edom, the territory of Esau, his estranged brother [Gen 36:1  Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. Gen 36:2  Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;  Gen 36:43 … these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of the Edomites]. 

Jacob’s Family Becomes a Nation. 

“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.”  So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed”  (Genesis 32:6–7). 

The time had come for Jacob to confront his past.  More than two decades had passed since Jacob had posed as his brother Esau and received the first-born blessing from their father.  The last time Jacob had seen Esau, he was filled with murderous rage, vowing to kill him; therefore, it is no wonder that Jacob felt anxiety at the prospect of seeing his brother again, especially upon learning that Esau was headed his way with 400 men!  Had Esau held a grudge against Jacob all these years?  Or had time eased the pain of betrayal and brought forgiveness?  Could the generous gifts of livestock sent ahead to Esau somehow appease his anger?  Jacob was about to find out.  Jacob was a man of strategy: he divided his family and the people with him, along with his flock, herds and camels, into two camps.  That way, if Esau attacked one camp, the other would survive (Genesis 32:8). 

The Bible does not simply call these camps family.  This is the first time that the Torah refers to those who are with Jacob as a nation (ha’am הָעָם).  “Jacob divided the people [ha’am, הָעָם] who were with him into two groups.”  (Genesis 32:7)  This is why (rightly or wrongly as some may argue) the Jewish people, even today, are called the house of Jacob.

Jacob Becomes Israel. 

That night, after separating everyone and everything into two camps, Jacob stays behind.  While alone, he encounters an angel with whom he wrestles until daybreak, insisting, “I will not let you go until you bless me”  (Genesis 32:26). 

Jacob refuses to settle for anything less than a full inheritance, and his tenacity is commendable; even the angel takes note of it; but his response at first is puzzling.  The angel asks Jacob, “‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Jacob (Yaacov יַעֲקֹב)’”  (Genesis 32:27). 

Why did the angel ask about Jacob’s name?  In Hebrew, his name (Yaacov) can mean the heel of the foot (because he grasped Esau’s heel when coming out of the womb); but it can also carry a connotation of deceiver or supplanted.  The "angel” knew that in order for Jacob to embark on his divine destiny, he first needed to face the truth about himself.  Stating his name was essentially admitting his character.  The angel changed his name to Israel (Yisrael יִשְׂרָאֵל) because he had struggled (sarita שָׂרִיתָ) with God and with men, and had overcome (Genesis 32:28).  

The name of Israel comes from two Hebrew words: strive (sar שר) and God (El אל). Israel can also mean Prince with God.   There is a lesson in this for everyone.  To become the overcomers we are called to be, and to experience full victory in our lives, there are times when we must be tenacious in our faith and times when we must prevail in prayer.  Torah identifies Jacob’s mysterious wrestling partner only as an ish (man); nevertheless, it becomes obvious that he was much more than just a man; He was divine.  Jacob recognized this and, therefore, called the place Peniel (פְּנִיאֵל), which means face of God, because He had seen God face to face (panim el panim). 

The prophet Hosea in the Haftarah (prophetic reading) also saw that Jacob wrestled with Divinity: “In the womb he took his brother by the heel and in his manhood he strove with God.  He strove with the angel and prevailed”  (Hosea 12:3–4).  This intense encounter left Jacob with a permanent limp from a dislocated hip. “And the sun rose upon him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped upon his thigh”  (Genesis 32:31). 

Struggling For Your Blessings.  Does it ever feel like the life of faith is a constant struggle? Is it sometimes hard to hold on to God? Learn a lesson from Jacob.  He struggled with God, refusing to let go without and until he got the blessing.  He struggled with Esau for the blessing, with Isaac for the blessing, with Laban for the blessing, and in each struggle he eventually prevailed. He is Jacob the wrestler. Jacob recognized that the blessing of God and others was worth the struggle. We learn from Jacob the value of the eternal.  Forward thinking, planning for the future and taking steps to get eternal blessings.  We learn to hold on to God and to refuse to let go of Him.  Too often we are quick to let go of Him. When He does not answer our prayer, we let go of Him. When He smites us, when He touches our hip or strikes us, we let go of Him.   Jacob did not let go and God did not want him to let go. Neither does He want us to let go. He wants a people that will hold onto Him, cling to Him, grasping His heel through the dark night and come through to the light with the blessing. 

We do not understand why God conceals Himself when He could reveal Himself.  We do not understand why we must grope in the darkness to apprehend Him, or why He leaps on us in the metaphorical darkness of life, but He does. He certainly does.  Things sought are valued when achieved and in the search we learn other lessons.  Probably our darkness is self-imposed. From Jacob's story, we learn that there are two kinds of people in this darkness. There are those who will hold on to God and those who will not. Modern man says, "I can't see Him, and I can't hold on to what I cannot see." A person overcomes only by emulating our father Jacob, who did not let go even in the darkness. 

Jacob Makes Peace With Esau. 

Although Jacob had prepared for the worst to happen, none of his fears and worries about meeting his brother Esau materialized; instead, they hugged when they met.   While there is obvious merit in being prepared for anything, the Bible teaches us that worrying about the future is pointless, since much of what we waste time worrying about never comes to pass.   We can plan; but not worry when in God’s hands.  2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;   We can put all of our cares and concerns into God’s hands, trusting Him to take care of us in any and all situations, even those that could cause us to be fearful or distressed. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). 

Like Jacob, some of us have relationships that have been strained, perhaps family members who are angry over some past offense.  We may even have committed a great wrong toward someone close to us.  In time and with God’s help, even these estranged relationships can be healed.  Each of us have been given the ministry of reconciliation and should do whatever we can to bring healing and restoration to our relationships with one another, especially our brothers and sisters in the Body of Messiah. 

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Yahshua the Messiah, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).  Mat 5:23  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Mat 5:24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.   Mat 18:21  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Mat 18:22  Yahshua saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 

Let us put the bible into practice today.  If you have anything against another regardless of how old. Or even they may have something against you, today make a call of reconciliation.  Life is too short and one becomes happier when their heart is clear.  Do not be a hearer of the word; but a doer.  Do not phone to be in the right; but to reflect God’s character in yourself. 

Reading from the bible account, it would appear Esau was happy to see Jacob and they reconcile Gen 33:4  And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.  Esau had been prosperous himself, at least inheriting all his father’s possessions and seemed contended  Gen 33:9  And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.   Sometimes it is not what one says; but what is in the heart.  Hence why God reads hearts.  Isa 29:13  Wherefore Yahweh said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Mat 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Unresolved discontent between friends or family members could eventually become bigger than we expected.  

The book of Jasher, chapter 32, tells the full account of the meeting between Esau and Jacob.  Esau originally came to meet Jacob with the opinion Jacob had cheated Laban as he did him and stole away without notice taking Laban’s daughters and possession by force.  Jacob’s servants who went to meet Esau returned and told Jacob of Esau’s continued anger of 20 years.  Jacob prayed to God including reminding Him of His promise.  Yet he took the precaution of dividing his group into two and sending gifts to Esau. In the meantime God answered Jacob’s pray by sending three armed angels and armies to Esau (similar to 2 king 6:17 with Elisha).  When Esau and his men saw the armies, they got afraid of Jacob and changed their attitude.  Although Esau eventually reconciled with his brother, his descendants, the Edomites, continued to harbour hatred against Jacob’s descendants.  It is an ancient hatred, the spirit of which continues to this very day. 

In the Haftarah (prophetic portion) for this week, in the book of Obadiah, God warns that because of their violence against the children of Jacob (Israel), there will be no survivors of the house of Esau and they will be cut off forever. “Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever . . . and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken”  (Obadiah 1:10, 18). 

Jacob’s Daughter Is Defiled. 

This week’s Scripture portion continues with the rape of Dinah, Jacob’s only daughter.  When Dinah goes out to see the women in the town of Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite (also named Shechem) takes her by force and lays with her; afterward, he wishes to marry her.  Shechem turns to his father Hamor for help in securing Dinah's hand in a marriage covenant.   The Hebrew in this passage of Scripture may hint that Dinah is responsible for her actions, though not her misfortune.  In Hebrew, a male youth is called a na’ar נער and a female youth is a na’arah נערה.  Read Deu 22:28. 

In describing Dinah’s adventure to see the daughters of the land, the Torah calls her a na’ar and not a na’arah.  True, it is only the difference of one letter, but this letter is the letter hey (ה), which can be used as an abbreviation for the name of God, and it is the suffix that generally makes words feminine in Hebrew, which is a gender-based language.  “His heart was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the young woman [han-na-‘ă-rā, הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔] and spoke tenderly to her”  (Genesis 34:3). 

If someone is not aware of how precise and exacting Torah scribes are, one might think this a simple typo, a technical error.  However, knowing of the preciseness with which Torah scholars transcribe each Torah scroll, one would know that the removal of the letter hey was not a mistake, but rather a deliberate act.  It perhaps suggests that Dinah’s solo jaunt into the city was made without awareness of her vulnerability. 

From the short Bible account, it would appear Dinah was going only to visit the women of the land, not the men.  A reader may think, as the sister of 12 brothers, the longing for female company her own age could be considered quite natural.  She may have felt safe there, as well, since her family lived in the area in peace, having bought the land they dwelled on from the sons of Hamor.  It could be assumed that Dinah went out with the confidence of a young man, not conscious of the dangers of entering the city alone as a young woman.  Even today women need to recognize their vulnerabilities and walk in wisdom, not putting themselves in situations where purity or sanctity of mind, soul, and/or body could be endangered.  Not to think something can never happen to them.  Of course, parents, both spiritual and legal, have a responsibility to teach, warn, and advise their children about these realities. 

This idea may be contrary to the modern teaching that says “women can do everything men can do and better,” or even total equality in a physical world.  I am in no way suggesting that women should sit around at home, either.  If Dinah did act on her own, it could be said (as is said today about some women who get raped), she bears some responsibility for venturing out alone (or in certain attire, at certain times and places), while Shechem carries the full responsibility for his criminal and violent act toward a defenceless woman.  Even the thoughts of God shows the danger that can befall innocent women in His Torah (instructions).  One example being Deu 22:25  But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: Deu 22:26  But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: 

However, the account of Jasher shows, Dinah did not act irresponsibly.  She, her mother and other women went to the city of the inhabitants to see them dance at a festival.  Hamor saw her sitting with her mother.  This is an extract from chapter 33:9 And they said unto him, Surely this is the daughter of Jacob the son of Isaac the Hebrew, who has dwelt in this city for some time, and when it was reported that the daughters of the land were going forth to rejoice she went with her mother and maid servants to sit amongst them as thou seest.  10. And Shechem beheld Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and when he looked at her his soul became fixed upon Dinah.  11. And he sent and had her taken by force, and Dinah came to the house of Shechem and he seized her forcibly and lay with her and humbled her, and he loved her exceedingly  and placed her in his house.  12. And they came and told the thing unto Jacob, and when Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, Jacob sent twelve of his servants to fetch Dinah from the house of Shechem, and they went and came to the house of Shechem to take away Dinah from there.  13. And when they came Shechem went out to them with his men and drove them from his  house, and he would not suffer them to come before Dinah, but Shechem was sitting with Dinah kissing and embracing her before their eyes.   14. And the servants of Jacob came back and told him, saying, When we came, he and his  men drove us away, and thus did Shechem do unto Dinah before our eyes.   15. And Jacob knew moreover that Shechem had defiled his daughter, but he said nothing,  and his sons were feeding his cattle in the field, and Jacob remained silent till their  return.   16. And before his sons came home Jacob sent two maidens from his servants' daughters to take care of Dinah in the house of Shechem, and to remain with her, and Shechem sent three of his friends to his father Hamor the son of Chiddekem, the son of Pered, saying,  Get me this damsel for a wife…..”.  In order to keep the study to a reasonable size, you can read or listen to the relevant chapters on the internet. 

Jacob’s Sons Plot Revenge. 

Jacob’s sons, Dinah’s brothers, were outraged at the defilement and dishonouring of their sister.  Hamor, unaware of their displeasure, shows his love for her.  He spoke with his father who spoke with Jacob, asking that through a marriage of their son and daughter, their two people groups could come into covenantal relationship.  They and the rest of their nation were even prepared to undergo the pain of circumcision for the marriage.  Unlike the account of Prince Ammon who raped Tamar in 2Samuel 13.  Jasher 34: 1. And the number of all the males that were circumcised, were six hundred and forty-five men, and two hundred and forty-six children. 

The sons of Jacob dealt treacherously to Hamor, telling him that they would agree to his proposal on the condition that all the males be circumcised, since this was the sign of the covenant.   Hamor and Shechem, in good faith, agreed and all the males were circumcised.  On the third day, when they were immobilized with pain, Simeon and Levi killed every man because Shechem had defiled their sister.  They even took all the spoil of their flocks, riches, wives, and little ones.  Simeon and Levi took revenge for what they thought was a terrible crime committed against their sister, even though the entire city tried to make amends.  However, if it was a crime, it is one that could have been made “lawful” under God’s Torah.  Dinah would have come under the category of a virgin NOT betrothed unto a husband [Deu 22:23  If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;].  The suggestion of marriage by Hamor was within the law.  They did not even have to get circumcised unless they wanted to eat the Passover.  Deu 22:28  If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Deu 22:29  Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.  Exo 12:48  And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.  Also see David and Bethsheba.  His sin may have been corrected (via forgiveness) with the death of Bethseba’s husband, the illegitimate child born, David’s marriage to her as a widow and his sincere repentance.  I say this based on God granting their union Solomon from whom great things for God came.  However, you make up your own minds. 

Rage can cause people to do terrible things.  A bad temper is a character weakness that needs to be overcome if we are ever to be the people of God He desires us to be.  The word of God tells us that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God and that anger rests in the bosom of fools.  It is natural to feel anger at times; but we must not allow anger to control us.  The enemy wants to use our anger against us to cause much destruction.  There is s difference between justice and vengeance.  I will not give scriptural examples here as the article is already long.  In the way of Yahshua, among our brethren (people / seekers of God) we are not to return evil for evil; but to overcome evil with good.  Yes, we may become angry over injustice and the wrongs that people do against us or others, especially our loved ones; but this does not justify our sinning by committing ugly acts of vengeance.  “Be angry and sin not” (Ephesians 4:26).  The word of God has so much to say about anger.  God Himself is called gracious and slow to anger (Psalm 103:8), and He asks us to imitate him in this.  “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32). 

Jasher chapter 33 gives a more detailed account of the event.  In short, not all the men of Canaan agreed to be circumcised.  They were angry with Schechem and Hamor for circumcising part of the nation.  They said in 34:6… “What is this thing that you have done? are there no women amongst the daughters of your brethren the Canaanites, that you wish to take unto yourselves daughters of the Hebrews, whom ye knew not before, and will do this act

which your fathers never commanded you?”.  They planned to kill all those who had got circumcised.  However, on reflection, those circumcised became afraid of the threat and promised to go and attack the Hebrews once they were healed.  Dinah, who was in Hamor’s house, over heard the plans and sent one of her Hebrew maids to warn her brethren.  It was on that account that Simeon and the others attacked first. 

Rage Is Cursed.  Did Simeon and Levi act righteously?  Not in their father's eyes.  Although Jacob did not deny that his daughter should have been avenged in some way, he did not forgive them for acting in rage to his dying day.  Rather than blessing them on his deathbed, he cursed their anger and cruelty. 

“Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.  Let not my soul enter their council . . . cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel!  I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.”  (Genesis 49:5-7).

The tribe of Levi is the only tribe of the twelve who did not receive an inheritance of land; yet, through their obedience to God and by His grace, they did receive the privilege and responsibility of the priestly duties in Israel, to this day. 

By the time they entered the Promised Land, the tribe of Simeon was the smallest and weakest (see the second census of Moses Numbers 26:14), and they were left out of Moses’ final blessing before he died (Deuteronomy 33). In addition, their small inheritance lie within the larger inheritance of the tribe of Judah, so they were somewhat scattered among Judah (Joshua 19:1–9). 

Over the past few weeks I have highlighted various scriptures to show that God’s law, as was passed on through Moses, existed before the creation of Israel the nation.  Here is another example  Gen 35:22  And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine:…  Gen 49:3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Gen 49:4  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.  1Ch 5:1  Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.   Lev 18:8  The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.  1Co 5:1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 

Struggles Come to All of Us. 

This study section concludes on a sad note, as Rachel dies giving birth to her second son, whose name is changed by his father from Ben–oni (son of my sorrow) to Ben-yamin (son at my right hand).  Jacob returns to his father, Isaac, who lives to an old age of 180, but Jacob never sees his mother again, since she died while he was away in Haran.  Jacob’s life shows us that we may go through many trials and difficulties, but through tenacity and prayer, we can overcome.  Yahshua told us that in this life we will have many troubles, but we can be of good cheer for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). 2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;.   

So brethren, be in good cheer. 

Some scriptures to note from today’s Ephesians: 

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the (i.e. singular) faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of … 

There is only one true denomination and doctrine as practiced and taught by Moses (Acts 7:38) that leads to the keeping of the commandments of God the Father and faith in the redemptive blood of His son Yahshua’s sacrifice for repented sins.  So any and all denominations starting after then is false though may have some truth. 

Shalom and happy studies.