What Happened to Esau?

Most of this chapter is genealogies, and since I'm trying to keep a teenage/ young adult audience interested, I'll skip straight to the interesting part for you. You can read the rest on your own time if you like, but the names can be tongue-twisters.

Beresheet (Genesis) 36:6-8 "Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom."

He didn't leave Jacob on bad terms, they just had too many livestock. Grass in a field can only feed so many goats before they start running around and eating everything else.

Did you make it through the genealogies? When reading all those funky names, remember that they're not just random conglomerations of letters, they actually have meanings. Our names still have meanings today, aside from the obvious Faith, Hope, Destiny, etc., think of the other names out there...

I'll name myself and a few of my friends and family as an example: Krystal ("Clear" or "Ice"), Kelsey ("Ship Victory"), Bethany ("House of Figs" or "House of Poverty", depending on where you look), Steven ("Crown"), Jordan ("descend" or "flow down"), Howard ("Guardian"), Jennifer ("Fair"), Rachael ("Ewe"), Denah ("Judgement"), Diana ("Heavenly, Divine"), Rick (Short for Frederick, "Peaceful Ruler"), Danielle/Daniel (God is My Judge), Josiah ("Yahuah Supports"), etc. 

Sometimes names give away part of the character of a person. For example, my dad's name is Howard, which means "Guardian", and he's the protector of his house. I couldn't ask for a better guardian.

Homework: Where is Edom now?

-Kj

P.S. All name definitions come from this website:  www.behindthename.com

A Long Awaited Family Reunion

Today, my dear readers, is the last day of Sukkot, and therefore a high holy day. I would've written on the first day of Sukkot, on Yom Kippur, and on Rosh HaShanah, but I was spending time with my friends and family on those days and didn't have time to post. I'll still be hanging out with my family today, but not friends (we had all had dinner together last night), so I have more time today.

Beresheet (Genesis) 35:1 "Then Elohim said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to Elohim, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.'"

Anyone else remember Bethel? Here's a hint: Jacob slept there with a stone as his pillow on the night he ran away from home. He even changed it's name, it was originally Luz. That was where he dreamed of the angels going up and down a ladder to heaven. In case you're wondering, Bethel is a word composed of two other words (like our prefixes and suffixes in English). Beth means house in Hebrew, and El means God. So Bethel could be roughly translated to mean House of God.

Beresheet 35:2-4 "And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, 'Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to Elohim, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.' So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem."

One question: Why in the world would any of Jacob's camp even have idols at this point? I don't know. Let's hope he hid them where no one else can find them and does not intend to dig them back up. As far as their location, it would appear that they're just now leaving Shechem. Remember Shechem? The place that Simeon and Levi totally destroyed because of what happened to Dinah? You don't? Well read the post before this one (provided you're old enough to handle it) and come back when you're done.

Beresheet 35:5-7 "And they journeyed, and the terror of Elohim was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there Elohim appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother."

It would appear that the citizens of Luz haven't caught on to the name-change yet.

Beresheet 35:8 "Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth."

Allon Bachuth literally means Terebinth of Weeping. Can you imagine? Jacob's sons and daughter have never met Rebekah, so Deborah must've been like a grandmother to them in her place. It is a very, very sad day when a grandma dies.

Beresheet 35:9-15 "Then Elohim appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And Elohim said to him, 'Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel should be your name.' So He called his name Israel. Also Elohim said to him: 'I am Elohim Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.' Then Elohim went up from him in the place where he talked with him. So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. And Jacob called the name of the place where Elohim spoke with him, Bethel.

Jacob's name was changed to Israel a couple of chapters ago. Maybe he hasn't caught on to the name-change yet either. Also, he needs to think of some more names for places. He and Yahuah are creating a personal relationship here. If he names every place where he's spoken to Yahuah "Bethel," then it will be very hard to give any directions in the area. It's a great name for a place, but it will get to be quite confusing if he's drawing a map.

Beresheet 35:16-20 "Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, 'Do not fear; you will have this son also.' And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni, but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day."

In case you're wondering why Jacob/Israel changed the child's name, Ben-Oni means "Son of my Sorrow," while Benjamin means "Son of my right hand." This is another very sad day. If you recall, Rachel was the one and only woman Jacob/Israel originally intended to marry. She was the only one he truly loved. Yes, he still has three wives, and he very well could've grown to love them too, but none of them are the one. On a separate note, when do you think "to this day" refers to? It could be the time it was written in Hebrew, it could be the time it was translated into the KJV back in the 1400s, it could be the time it was translated into the NKJV more recently, or it could be right now. If anyone cares to help me figure this one out, I'd be much obliged. According to Blue Letter Bible (online), they say it a total of 85 times in the entire NKJV Bible.

Beresheet 35:21-22a "Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard about it."

Deborah and Rachel died, and Reuben slept with his... I don't know what to call her, so let's say she's an aunt. Is there no good news?

Beresheet 35:22b-26 "Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: the sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; the sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin; the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, were Dan and Naphtali; and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Padan Aram."

Summing up, I think we already know this, but okay.

Beresheet 35:27-29 "Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt. Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years. So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Another sad day!! ='(

This is a depressing chapter! Nothing's going right! The chapter before wasn't pretty either. Let's hope things start to look up soon.

Music for the chapter: "After Today" and "Benjamin" by Sanctus Real.

-Kj

Dinah

Parental Advisory: Today's portion deals with some major adult-type issues, so if you'd rather any children in the area find something else to do, Veggie Tales is a good movie series for the kids. Anyways, Beresheet (Genesis) 34:

Beresheet 34:1-4 "Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, 'Get me this young woman as a wife.'"

The number of things wrong with this picture isn't very large, but the things that are wrong are huge. Dinah just wanted to go hang out with some other girls. She's lived her whole life with eleven guys, so this is totally understandable. She might've gone to a party or something, but it says she went to "see the daughters of the land" not to find a man. Finding a husband wasn't even her job! But Shechem saw her and he had to have her. In more ways than one. You'll notice he took her and then he loved and sweet-talked her. This is backwards and very wrong and missing the very important element of marriage. One of the few things that will still shock the modern American is rape, and this is also the case with the culture there and then. This shock, my dear readers, is an understatement, as you will soon find.

Beresheet 34:5-10 "And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, a thing which ought not to be done. But Hamor spoke with them, saying, 'The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. And make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to yourselves. So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it.'"

Hamor understands that his son royally messed up, and he is trying to make amends. Make an alliance, so maybe they won't be attacked. Jacob could very well have been practically a king in those days. True, he and his family were nomads, but it was a very large family, with a lot of servants and people in the camp. A prince is pleading for an alliance with Jacob, but will he get it? Also, Jacob's sons are growing up, not all of them are little kids anymore and they love their sister. Imagine being a girl with eleven brothers. Do you honestly think any guys who treat you badly will get away with it?

Beresheet 34:11-12 "Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, 'Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.'"

Excuse me Shechem, but you need to butt out. It's understood and obvious that you want this girl. You took her and stole her virginity. You need to shut up. Your dad is trying to make things better, but you're not helping. Oh, and another thing, Dinah's brothers will definitely take you up on that offer.

Beresheet 34:13-17 "But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. And they said to them, 'We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us. But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised, then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.'"

Circumcision is an outward sign of a man's devotion to Yahuah. Asking an entire city of pagans to become circumcised is a big deal; if the city really wanted to do it, it would be like converting a ton of people, but no, these two men are speaking for an entire city. They don't know if the individuals living therein actually want to join with Jacob or not, and they're making a big, painful promise. I have no idea how painful, as I am a girl and never had to go through it, but I've heard it'll have a perfectly healthy, strong man laying in bed in pain for a few days. As far as I know, they didn't have any local anesthetic back then either.

Beresheet 34:18-19 "And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son. So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father."

I will have to assume that the last sentence in that paragraph was true, even though up until now it's seemed pretty unlikely. If a rapist is more honorable than the household of his father, then what in the world has his father's household been up to?? ...Don't answer that, I don't want nightmares.

Beresheet 34:20-24 "And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying: 'These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters. Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.' And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city."

Hamor is pretty dang sneaky. He knows what to say to get the men of the city interested; plenty of ladies and free property and livestock? I'm beginning to understand the idea that Shechem might be more honorable than his father, as nasty as that suggestion might be.

Beresheet 34:25-29 "Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males. And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled. They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field, and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses."

That's a pretty low blow, somehow I doubt Jacob was in on it.

Beresheet 34:30-31 "Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, 'You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.' But they said, 'Should he treat our sister like a harlot?'"

If it takes the Canaanites and Perizzites together to come up with a force big enough to take down Jacob, he can't be that small. It's a legitimate fear though, the neighbors probably saw what was going on. They could've heard about the deal made; every male circumcised in exchange for living in peace. The deal was made and Simeon and Levi broke it. That labels Jacob's household as being untrustworthy and blood thirsty, and it would be a good idea to get out of there. It definitely sets an example for the other nations; you mess with Jacob's daughter, you will die.

I noticed one thing in my research, Dinah's name is only mentioned 8 times in the entire NKJV. We don't know how her story ends. We don't know if she had Shechem's kid. We don't know if she married or died alone. We don't know the end of this story. So the homework for this passage is listen to the song "Beautiful Ending" by Barlow Girl. Let's hope Dinah's story had an ending like this, the story is depressing enough without a good ending.

So tell me, what is our ending? 

Will it beautiful? So beautiful? 

Will my life find me by your side? 

'Cause your love is beautiful, so beautiful...

Next time: Beresheet 35.

Jacob and Esau Meet Again

Today's reading is from Beresheet (Genesis) chapter 33.

Beresheet 33:1-3 "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. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother."

Now why do you suppose he would do something like that? We know Jacob and Esau weren't exactly on good terms when Jacob fled (to say the least), but is he afraid Esau is still out for his blood? Sure looks like it. You notice how he arranged his family, with the maidservants up front, nearest where he will eventually meet Esau, Leah in the middle, and his beloved Rachel in the back? Is that his way of doing his best to protect those closest to him?

Beresheet 33:4-5a "But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, 'Who are these with you?'"

Crisis averted!!

Beresheet 33:5b-7 "So he said, 'The children whom Elohim has graciously given your servant.' Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down. And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down."

It's safe to say that their bowing is a sign of respect, not of worship. This reminds me of my martial arts classes, the teacher, Master Chang, had all his students give a small bow before sparring, as a sign of mutual respect. We also bowed when entering and leaving the dojo (studio).

Beresheet 33:8-11 "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.' But Esau said, 'I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.' 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 Elohim, and you were pleased with me. Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because Elohim has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.' So he urged him, and he took it."

Remember the servants Jacob sent ahead with all that livestock? That's what Esau's asking about here. Why give him so much when he already has enough? Jacob wanted to create peace, hence the presents.

Beresheet 33:12-14 "Then Esau said, 'Let us take our journey, let us go, and I will go before you.' 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. 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.'"

This is a legitimate concern. For all we know, Esau brought the four hundred men and no women or children. Even though his own new livestock would probably slow him down a bit too, Jacob's marching with toddlers. He has to let the weak set his pace, even if it doesn't match the pace of the welcoming party.

Beresheet 33:15-17 "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.' So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth."

You may think Jacob is being a suck-up to his (slightly) older brother with all this "my lord" business, but if you think about it for a moment, you may remember that the eldest son got the greatest portion of the inheritance, he's the one who gets the perks. Jacob's simply giving him the respect he didn't give him when they were younger. He might be going a bit overboard, I'm certainly no expert on ancient Hebrew traditions, but his number one goal is to make peace with the man who wanted him dead. Also, little fun-fact, Succoth is literally translated to mean "booths".

Beresheet 33:18-20 "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. 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. Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel."

It looks like the world is still so new that if you go to a town, you could very well learn that the person the town is named for is still alive! Lifespans were still declining from the olden days, when people could live to over 900, but a town doesn't need to be 900 years old to be a decent sized place.

And thus, the chapter has ended. The estranged brothers are reunited, and all is well. In the spirit of happy family reunions and general peacefulness, I have a song for you to check out. Look up "Hold Us Together" by Matt Maher. You can try Youtube, but I've found I like Grooveshark better.

Shalom!

-Kj

Hello Again

Hey guys,

I know it's been a really long time, and I am insanely sorry about that. Fortunately (and unfortunately) I now have a ton of free time on Saturdays, so I can post weekly again. Why is this somewhat unfortunate? Well, I went to church/synagogue/shul/whatever-you-wanna-call-it every week for... Well, the vast majority of my life and a couple weeks ago, it was closed due to a lack of donations. Anyway, that's several hours I would normally spend studying the Bible at church that I can now spend on here. Who knows? Maybe I'll go back to the longer posts again. ...Then again, the chapter long ones seem to be a lot easier to swallow, so maybe not. Let me know which you prefer and I can work with that.

Anyways, we shall be picking up again this week, and I'm super excited to get back! I love doing this and it, well, it makes me happy.

In other good news, Tightrope Walking may soon have another writer! If she accepts the offer, she will be helping put together the music/movies/books/other-homework part of the blog. Actually, she'll be doing most of that job. I may also occasionally ask her to write her thoughts in some of my posts. She's already come up with some interesting points that never really occurred to me regarding my older posts, so it may be time to go edit! So far, she has the right qualifications: she's a teenager, loves music, enjoys writing, and is a leader in her church's youth group.

I'd ask for a round of applause to our possible new writer, but since we can't hear you and it'd be weird to clap at your computer, you don't need to do that. I would however, appreciate your thoughts on these new developments, so comment away!

Have an awesome week, and I'll be back this Saturday!

-Kj

Family Reunion

Today's reading is from Beresheet (Genesis) chapter 32.

Beresheet 32:1-2 "So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of Elohim met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, 'This is Elohim's camp.' And he called the name of that place Mahanaim."

Can anyone guess what Mahanaim means? According to my NKJV, which has these neato little footnotes at the bottom of most pages, Mahanaim means "Double Camp." So basically Jacob is saying that he and Elohim are sharing the camp.

Beresheet 32:3-5 "Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, 'Speak thus to my lord Esau, "Thus your servant Jacob says: 'I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.'"'"

It looks like what Jacob is saying here is that he is rich and willing to give Esau lots of stuff so he doesn't continue to hold a grudge and want to kill him. Remember, Jacob ran away from home with Esau's inheritance and blessing.

Beresheet 32:6-8 "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; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. And he said, 'If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.'"

Jacob's twin brother who has threatened to kill him is now coming to him with four hundred men. Granted it is several years later, but has time healed Esau's heart? At any rate, it is justified for Jacob to be scared of his brother, but he should remember that Yahuah is on his side no matter what.

Beresheet 32:9-12 "Then Jacob said, 'O El of my father Abraham and the Elohim of my father Isaac, Yahuah who said to me, "Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you": 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 bcome two companies. 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. 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 definitely remembers. First thing to do when faced with trouble like this, or any kind actually, is pray. Wholeheartedly and faithfully pray. Pray when you're scared and remember that the only thing you should ever be afraid of is Yahuah Himself, because He'll take care of everything for you. I know that for some of you, praying sounds like kneeling down and talking to yourself, or to a wall or to whatever you happen to be facing at the time, but take that leap of faith and pray; He's listening for you.

Beresheet 32:13-21 "So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother: two hundred female goat and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. 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.' 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?" 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."' So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, 'In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; and also say, "Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us"' For he said, 'I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.' So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp."

This is fairly self-explanatory. Jacob is hoping that by giving Esau all these animals and gifts, his brother won't decide to kill him. Maybe his anger will cool down with each successive gift? Or is he still even angry?

Beresheet 32:22- 32 "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. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 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. And He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' but he said, 'I will not let You go unless You bless me!' So He said to him, 'What is your name?' He said, 'Jacob.' And He said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with Elohim and with men, and have prevailed.' Then Jacob asked, saying, 'Tell me Your name, I pray.' And He said, 'Why is it that you ask about My name?' And he blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: 'For I have seen Elohim face to face, and my life is preserved.' Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob's hip in the muscle that shrank."

This one's a little hard to follow unless you pay attention to capitalization. Specifically the capitalization of the word "He" Jacob/Israel is never named with a capitalized "he." The only One who is ever named with a capitalized "He" is Yahuah and Yeshuah, who we'll meet later. Anyway, basically some stranger went and wrestled with Jacob until daybreak and Jacob was actually winning. In the end, his name was changed to Israel, which means "Prince with Elohim," and now the Israelites don't eat the meat off the hip socket of the sheep and goats and cows and stuff because it reminds them of what happened to their ancestor.

Homework: Check out the song "Strong Tower." Newsboys and Kutless both sing a version of it.

Next time we'll be reading Beresheet (Genesis) chapter 33.

Heading Home

Today's reading is from Beresheet (Genesis) chapter 31.

Beresheet 31:1-3 "Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, 'Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has acquired all this wealth.' And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. Then Yahuah said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.'"

You know what Benjamin Franklin said, right? No? "Fish and visitors stink after three days." Jacob has been at Laban's place for much longer than three days and he was only a shepherd, but he made himself rich. He bred a lot of sheep to have spots and speckles, and therefore join his herd, and that is probably part of why Laban got ticked off at him, so now is a good time to leave. But return to his family? His brother wanted to kill him! His father had been tricked! His mother is the only one who helped him leave! Aside from his mother, who among his family would want him back?

Beresheet 31:4-9 "So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, and said to them, 'I see your father's countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the Elohim of my father has been with me. And you know that with all my might I have served your father. Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but Elohim did not allow him to hurt me. If he said thus: "The speckled shall be your wages," then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: "The streaked shall be your wages," then all the flocks bore streaked. So Elohim has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me."

Even though Jacob knew how to make the flocks had speckled or spotted lambs, there's likely no way to make sure that the lambs were all streaked or all spotted. Maybe spotted sheep can have streaked lambs or vice versa, but they were all exactly what he needed for his wages. The rest of the following paragraph is basically him explaining to his wives why the lambs were all streaked and spotted and why they had to leave and go back to his family; you can't exactly argue with Yahuah, even in dreams you won't win.

Beresheet 31:14-16 "Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, 'Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. For all these riches which Elohim has taken from our father are really ours and our children's; now then, whatever Elohim has said to you, do it.'"

Laban's daughters realize that there is no longer anything for them in Laban's house. therefore, if there's someplace better for them to go, they're happy to leave.

Beresheet 31:17-21 "Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. Ane he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father's. And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead."

What was Rachel thinking? Did she worship those idols? Was she hoping that by stealing them her father would realize that maybe there was something to Jacob's idea of one God? No matter what she was doing, stealing her dad's idols really wasn't very smart. Nowadays, that might be like stealing your dad's tv or computer or marble collection or just something he's really proud of. He probably doesn't worship those things, but they're likely still important to him.

Beresheet 31:22-24 "And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days' journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead. But Elohim had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, 'Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.'"

Now why do you suppose Yahuah wants Laban to be neutral with Jacob? Less attachment, maybe? Minimize likelihood of violence?

Beresheet 31:25 "So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead."

Imagine a big chase scene in a movie, except subtract the Ferrari in San Fransisco or whatever and add camels in mountains. How often does the chaser catch the one being chased? What usually happens? Do you think this will follow that pattern?

Beresheet 31:26-30 "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? 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? And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. It is in my power to do you harm, but the Elohim of your father spoke to me last night, saying, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad." And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father's house, but why did you steal my gods?'"

I suppose frustration doesn't count as good or bad... Sort of neutral. Maybe. Laban wanted him gone, so he left without a word. The whole leaving without a word like a thief in the night thing is why Laban is so frustrated. He thought they were family, and family normally leaves with hugs and kisses and promises to spend holidays together and whatnot. Not usually sneaky.

Beresheet 31:31-32 "Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, 'Because I was afraid, for I said, "Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force." 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."

This appears to be as good a time as any to say "Oh snap." I imagine all the color drained from Rachel's face at that. Jacob doesn't know what he's promising either, and that's always a risky thing to do. As we'll read later, there was a similar situation in which a father came back from war, promising to sacrifice to Yahuah the first thing he saw when he got home. Guess who he saw first... Yep, his daughter. The tension has increased, drama is at its peak, will Rachel live or die? If this was a TV show, I'd be saying, "Next time on CBS" or whatever, but no, there is no cliffhanger here.

Beresheet 31:33-35 "And Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the two maids' tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah's tent and entered Rachel's tent. 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. 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 idols."

Tricky Rachel! No wonder Jacob fell for her! She's about as tricky as he is! She sat on the idols and told her dad she couldn't get up because she's in the middle of her period! How sneaky is that! Her sister may have been able to rat her out though, since periods probably weren't very easy to hide way back when, but no, not a peep from Leah. How about that! I still don't approve of her stealing her dad's idols, but if she had to do it, at least she knew how to save her skin.

Beresheet 31:36-42 "Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: 'What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me? 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! 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. 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. There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes. 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. Unless Elohim of my father, Elohim of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. Elohim has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.'"

Wow. Twenty years of frustration and anger at Laban is right there. Laban may have been ticked, but Jacob isn't exactly tickled peachy either. Laban was a harsh employer, apparently did not treat Jacob like family, and what business does Laban have chasing him down anyways?

Beresheet 31:43-44 "And Laban answered and said to Jacob, 'These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these daughters or to their children whom they have borne? Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.'"

Why do you suppose Laban wants to make a covenant? A covenant of peace? Let bygones by bygones, perhaps? Let's find out.

Beresheet 31:45-50 "So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. Then Jacob said to his brethren, 'Gather stones.' And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap. Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. And Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me this day.' Therefore its name was called Galeed, also Mizpah, because he said, 'May Yahuah watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us - see, Elohim is witness between you and me!'"

Ah! I see! Laban wanted to make sure that once Jacob left, he wouldn't hurt Rachel and Leah. He would be good to them. Laban needed to know that he would no longer have to watch over his daughters, that they would be safe in Jacob's care. The only way he knew of to do that was to make that covenant.

Beresheet 31:51-55 "Then Laban said to Jacob, 'Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me. This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. The Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Nahor, and the Elohim of their father judge between us.' And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain. And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place."

It seems sort of strange that of all things to act as witnesses, rather than use their servants, but think about it this way; which is likely to survive longer? A man or a pile of rocks on a mountaintop? Probably the rocks. This is entirely speculation, but I'm guessing that they chose rocks to act as a witness because of the permanence.

Some homework: Find out what Jegar Sahadutha, Galeed, and Mizpah mean.

Next time: Beresheet (Genesis) chapter 32.