Vayetze - Reading #4

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Reading #4 - Genesis 30:14–27

My Thoughts: 

The mandrake is a plant with supposedly fertility power. Did Rachel know this and is this why she demanded that Leah give some to her? Rachel wanted to conceive so badly that she traded the mandrake in place of Leah having sex with Jacob. Kind of ironic don’t you think? Rachel wants to have children so badly, but in the course of this agreement, Leah becomes pregnant. 

Would you trade something of value just to get something you wanted in return? To what extent would you go? Would you give up your child’s college money to buy an expensive sports car? Or has someone done something to hurt you in a trade for something else? Many children are abused so that the mother can be in a relationship. Maybe we need to think about what Rachel did and pray to Hashem that we never make that type of mistake!

Challenge: 

My challenge to you today is to think about something you are desiring in life. An object, a person, money or whatever. Would you be willing to trade something of real value to get what you want? Or would you be willing to go to Hashem in prayer and worship and ask Him? Search your heart on this and be honest.

Reading #4 - Genesis 30:14–27

14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”

15 Leah said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes, also?”

Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”

16 Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.”

He lay with her that night. 17 Elohim listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, “Elohim has given me my hire, because I gave my servant to my husband.” She named him Issachar. 19 Leah conceived again, and bore a sixth son to Jacob. 20 Leah said, “Elohim has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons.” She named him Zebulun. 21 Afterwards, she bore a daughter, and named her Dinah.

22 Elohim remembered Rachel, and Elohim listened to her, and opened her womb. 23 She conceived, bore a son, and said, “Elohim has taken away my reproach.” 24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May Hashem add another son to me.”

25 When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have served you.”

27 Laban said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that Hashem has blessed me for your sake.”

Vayetze - Reading #3

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Reading #3 - Genesis 29:18–30:13

My Thoughts: 

Jacob is an interesting Bible character for sure. It was clear that he loved Rachel from the beginning, yet he ended up with three more wives. He has multiple children and some inside bickering between the women. What went wrong, or did everything go right? It’s hard to say what would have happened if Jacob would have just married Rachel. Would she be the mother of the twelve tribes of Israel or did Hashem have it in His plan to have four mothers? It’s very interesting. Again, I would suggest that when we have a desire and prayer request for Hashem, it’s better to wait. His way is definitely higher than ours!

Challenge: 

Would you sacrifice seven years to get a prayer answered? We are so used to “instant” results in all we do. How many of us would actually sacrifice something to achieve the answer of the prayer? It seems that Jacob did not hesitate. He knew right away that he would work and give up things so that he could marry Rachel. Would you do this? My challenge today is to spend some time thinking about what you would have done if you were Jacob.

Reading #3 - Genesis 29:18–30:13

18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”

19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”

20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

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

22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23 In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to Jacob. He went in to her. 24 Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant. 25 In the morning, behold, it was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”

26 Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for seven more years.”

28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife. 29 Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant. 30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years.

31 Hashem saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Hashem has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” 33 She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Hashem has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon. 34 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. 35 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time I will praise Hashem.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

30 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.”

2 Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in Elohim’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”

3 She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.” 4 She gave him Bilhah her servant as wife, and Jacob went in to her. 5 Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son. 6 Rachel said, “Elohim has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. 7 Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Rachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali.

9 When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 10 Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a son. 11 Leah said, “How fortunate!” She named him Gad. 12 Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a second son. 13 Leah said, “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me happy.” She named him Asher.

Vayetze - Reading #2

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Reading #2 - Genesis 29:1-17

My Thoughts: 

In verse 11, Jacob “lifted up his voice and wept.” That’s curious. Why did he weep? Could it be that when he met Rachel he knew his prayers for a wife had been answered? Have you ever had a time when Hashem answered  your prayers in such a magnificent and obvious way that it took your breath away and you wept?

I remember years ago when we were looking for a house. It had to be a kind of unique house because we have two adult disabled sons and need a particular type of space. One day I was driving down a street in the town we wanted to live in, and saw a house for sale. The next day we saw it. When we walked in the house, I felt like crying. It was exactly what we were praying and looking for! And another miracle was that the sellers accepted a very “unusual” offer from us! Hashem was truly in the whole thing!

Challenge: 

Look all around you during the day to see how Hashem is moving in your life. Look for the “woman that will come to the well”. Seek the unusual and deliberately look to see what He is doing. When you see Him answering your prayer and or doing something distinctly Him -- give Him all the praise and glory!

Reading #2 - Genesis 29:1-17

29 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east. 2 He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they watered the flocks. The stone on the well’s mouth was large. 3 There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone back on the well’s mouth in its place. 4 Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?”

They said, “We are from Haran.”

5 He said to them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?”

They said, “We know him.”

6 He said to them, “Is it well with him?”

They said, “It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep.”

7 He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”

8 They said, “We can’t, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth. Then we will water the sheep.”

9 While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she kept them. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. 11 Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.

13 When Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things. 14 Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month. 15 Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?”

16 Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.

Vayetze - Reading #1

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Reading #1- Genesis 28:10–22

My Thoughts: 

In verse 16, “Hashem is in this place!” It was clear to Jacob that because of his wonderful and blessed dream that Hashem must be in the place where he had it (Bethel). I wonder if his “sense” of Hashem’s presence in that place was different then in other places. It makes me think of the times in my life when I “sensed” the presence of Elohim. Where it felt so intensely peaceful and wonderful and where I could hear His voice so clearly. 

Such a place for me has been the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The “prayer wall”. Every time I have visited that wall -- the presence of Hashem was strong. In prayers there I felt like He would show me special things. I kept a journal once and wrote it all down. Has there ever been a place or space or time that you felt the presence of Hashem? What was it like? I would love to hear your replies!

Challenge: 

Take some time out today to sit and listen to Hashem. Pray and ask Him to show Himself to you in a special way. Hear what He has to tell you. Write it down. Believe Him.

Reading #1 - Genesis 28:10–22

29:10 Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 He dreamed and saw a stairway set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven. Behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 Behold, Hashem stood above it, and said, “I am Hashem, the Elohim of Abraham your father, and the Elohim of Isaac. I will give the land you lie on to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your offspring, all the families of the earth will be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.”

16 Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely Hashem is in this place, and I didn’t know it.” 17 He was afraid, and said, “How awesome this place is! This is none other than Elohim’s house, and this is the gate of heaven.”

18 Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on its top. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If Elohim will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and Hashem will be my Elohim, 22 then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be Elohim’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give a tenth to you.”

Vayetze - Week #7

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Malachi 1:1-2:7

Matthew 10:21-38

• 1.1 First reading — Genesis 28:10–22

• 1.2 Second reading — Genesis 29:1–17

• 1.3 Third reading — Genesis 29:18–30:13

• 1.4 Fourth reading — Genesis 30:14–27

• 1.5 Fifth reading — Genesis 30:28–31:16

• 1.6 Sixth reading — Genesis 31:17–42

1.7 Seventh reading — Genesis 31:43–32:3

Toldot - Reading #7

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations

Genesis 25:19-28:9

Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 10:21-38

SHABBAT READING #7 - Genesis 28:5–9

My Thoughts: 

In verse 7 we read that Jacob “obeyed his father and his mother”. I find this to be so interesting because he also obeyed his mother to “trick” his father into believing he was Esau! This verse does make you feel that he earnestly does want to obey them. We were not there to understand everything, but this commandment we do understand and should follow. 

When my parents were old and getting ready to die, I remembered this commandment to honor them. No matter how hard it was to do this and the sacrifices that had to be made -- it was a blessing in the end. I made sure with the help of others, that my parents were well taken of, loved and had every need met to the best of my ability. I tried to respect them until the day they died. It was so important and I am so glad I obeyed Hashem in this way.

Challenge: 

If your parents are still alive and you are having a hard time honoring them, remember Hashem’s commandment to do so. As hard as it may get, you will be glad you did in the end. If you hold any anger or hurt toward them, settle it today. They may not be here tomorrow.

Reading #7 - Genesis 28:5–9

28:5 Isaac sent Jacob away. He went to Paddan Aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.

6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take him a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;” 7 and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Paddan Aram. 8 Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan didn’t please Isaac, his father. 9 So Esau went to Ishmael, and took, in addition to the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

My Thoughts: 

Hashem wants the best from us. As in verse 11, “For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, My name is great among the nations...” There is no other god, no other Name to be worshiped. So, our offerings -- whether they be physical or spiritual -- should be daily onto Him. He deserves only the best. As we honor our parents, we honor G-d first. Remember this.

Challenge: 

The next time you get depressed remember that Elohim is L-rd of all. He knows what you are going through and He wants to help. All we need to do is be obedient and faithful. To honor Him in all our ways. His light should be shining through us daily as a witness of His love to others. Rise above your problems and focus on Him and Him only. It will change your life, change your day.

Malachi 1:1-2:7

1 A revelation, Hashem’s word to Israel by Malachi.

2 “I have loved you,” says Hashem.

Yet you say, “How have you loved us?”

“Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” says Hashem, “Yet I loved Jacob; 3 but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.” 4 Whereas Edom says, “We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places;” Hashem of Armies says, “They shall build, but I will throw down; and men will call them ‘The Wicked Land,’ even the people against whom Hashem shows wrath forever.”

5 Your eyes will see, and you will say, “Hashem is great—even beyond the border of Israel!”

6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? Says Hashem of Armies to you, priests, who despise my name. You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 You offer polluted bread on my altar. You say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ In that you say, ‘Hashem’s table is contemptible.’ 8 When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?” says Hashem of Armies

9 “Now, please entreat the favor of Elohim, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?” says Hashem of Armies.

10 “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,” says Hashem of Armies, “neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, My name is great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for My name is great among the nations,” says Hashem of Armies. 12 “But you profane it, in that you say, ‘Hashem’s table is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’ 13 You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ and you have sniffed at it”, says Hashem of Armies; “and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?” says Hashem.

14 “But the deceiver is cursed, who has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to Adonai a defective thing; for I am a great King,” says Hashem of Armies, “and My name is awesome among the nations.”

2 “Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If you will not listen, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says Hashem of Armies, “then I will send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and will spread dung on your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may be with Levi,” says Hashem of Armies. 5 “My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might be reverent toward Me; and he was reverent toward Me, and stood in awe of My name. 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. 7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Hashem of Armies.

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

My Thoughts: 

Today we have been discussing obeying our parents. In the Scripture to follow we see that there could be a time when children will not be honoring their parents! They will even cause them to die! Who could imagine this? But in a “lawless” society this could very well come true. If we want to repair the world, we have to start at home. By loving and obeying our parents.

Challenge: 

Do something nice for your mom or dad today. Rake the leaves, shovel the snow, cut the lawn and/or bring your mom flowers. If they are not alive, then do something good for an older person you know. Honor your elders and the promise is you will be blessed.

Matthew 10:21-38

10:21 “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man has come.

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 26 Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

29 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an Assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s foes will be those of his own household.  He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38 He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me.

Toldot - Reading #6

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations

Genesis 25:19-28:9

Reading #6 - Genesis 27:28–28:4

My Thoughts: 

Trickery and deceit. Esau is so disappointed that his brother tricked him and got the blessing. And can you blame him? But in his anger, he says he will kill him. Jacob runs away. This kind of reminds me of what happens when we sin and how sin can “snowball” into more serious results. However, when Jacob flees to Laban, he does meet Rachel, the love of his life. The point is that Jacob deceives his father and then has to run away for fear of his life. Has that ever happened to you? You played a trick or lied to someone and the whole thing got worse? If that has happened try and rectify it all quickly. 

Challenge: 

Did you ever want something so bad that you were willing to lie to get it? We are supposed to be “lights” to the rest of the world. This story is a reminder to be righteous and to depend on Hashem for the outcome of a need. Present your request before Him and wait. What if Jacob had not tricked his father? How would this story have ended? Would he still somehow have received the blessing? Things to ponder about. The challenge today is to think about how you can be a “light” to your friends and family. And then do it.

Reading #6 - Genesis 27:28–28:4

27:28 Elohim give you of the dew of the sky,

    of the fatness of the earth,

    and plenty of grain and new wine.

29 Let peoples serve you,

    and nations bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers.

    Let your mother’s sons bow down to you.

Cursed be everyone who curses you.

    Blessed be everyone who blesses you.”

30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had just gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also made savory food, and brought it to his father. He said to his father, “Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that your soul may bless me.”

32 Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?”

He said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”

33 Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it to me, and I have eaten of all before you came, and have blessed him? Yes, he will be blessed.”

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, even me also, my father.”

35 He said, “Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing.”

36 He said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now he has taken away my blessing.” He said, “Haven’t you reserved a blessing for me?”

37 Isaac answered Esau, “Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants. I have sustained him with grain and new wine. What then will I do for you, my son?”

38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have just one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father.” Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

39 Isaac his father answered him,

“Behold, your dwelling will be of the fatness of the earth,

and of the dew of the sky from above.

40 You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother.

It will happen, when you will break loose,

that you will shake his yoke from off your neck.”

41 Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

42 The words of Esau, her elder son, were told to Rebekah. She sent and called Jacob, her younger son, and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran. 44 Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away— 45 until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send, and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?”

46 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, such as these, of the daughters of the land, what good will my life do me?”

28 Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. 2 Arise, go to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father. Take a wife from there from the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. 3 May Elohim Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples, 4 and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your offspring with you, that you may inherit the land where you travel, which Hashem gave to Abraham.”