Gateway To Freedom Torah Notes
Tol’dot – Generations
Genesis 25:19-28:9
Haftorah Reading
Malachi 1:1-2:7
B'rit Chadashah
On the sons of the patriarchs: Romans 9:6–16
On the faith of Isaac: Hebrews 11:20
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (Romans 9:6-16)
Introduction:
In this well known story about Isaac’s lineage there are many, many lessons that the scriptures teach us regarding the high cost of not walking in obedience to YHVH’s ways. While some may argue that the laws and statutes of YHVH didn’t exist until the Mosaic covenant, this parashot once again (like the actions of Noah) counters that argument when it says: Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. (Genesis 26:5) However, I think there are two primary lessons in today’s study that demand consideration and should give encouragement to us. They are:
1. the immeasurable importance of the spiritual in our lives (eternity over immediacy, spirit over flesh, etc.
2. the continuing theme of prayer moving the hand of God – even for the promises He has given to us (i.e. Dan 9:2,3).
Chapter 25
25:21 Isaac has always been typified as the patriarch who was the “child of ease.” Indeed, compared to Abraham and Jacob (Israel) we might conclude that Isaac was aptly described. And yet we see that he too was tried in his faith. Although he had the promises of YHVH, his beloved Rebekah was barren for 20 years (Gen 25:6). Unlike his father Abraham who turned to the flesh of Hagar to help YHVH fulfill his promise, he took a novel approach. Isaac prayed! Then, and only after he “entreated” (which means interceded), did YHVH open Rebekah’s womb and she conceived!
A woman is considered barren when she has not conceived for a period of ten years after marriage. We should note that all of the matriarchs, Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel were barren - requiring nothing less than a miracle of God to keep His covenant and bring forth the nation (both physical and spiritual) of Israel. Isn’t this the pattern YHVH is trying to teach us for the supernatural fulfillment of God’s promises even where there is no blockage of sin evident - i.e. 1) a trial, 2) prayer in faith and 3) fruitfulness. This is definitely a message to us who have yet to see the fruition of YHVH’s promises in our lives. I wonder how many promises are passed on to our seed simply because we did not “entreat” YHVH for their fulfillment (Remember the principle: Levi was accounted to have tithed to Melchizedek because he was in his father’s loins).
25:23 Not only were two nations going to be born unto Rebekah, but two manner or different types of people. We can easily identify the division between spiritual and carnal man as the representation of all men. A spiritual man considers the things of the spirit: 1) obedience to YHVH’s laws, 2) the growth of faith i.e. looking beyond what the eyes can see to the promises of God, eternal over immediate and the understanding of His creator and creation.
In contrast, Hebrews 12:16 describes Esau as: “a profane (unhallowed, worldly, ungodly) man.” He had no esteem for things of eternal value. He lived for the moment and had no eye for, hope in, or faith toward the future. He sought instant gratification of his sensual nature. He not only disdained the things of YHVH, he dishonored his family heritage and that which was highly esteemed by his father and grandfather (26:34,35).
25:34 Esau despised his birthright. The birthright consisted of the double portion of the father’s estate and lordship over the family. It was this that Esau sold for a bowl of red, lentil soup and some bread. In other words, in the mind of Esau he got his belly full and serviced by his brother for something that was not concrete, but rather subjective in value – which he valued as almost nothing, right? So what changed? How do we know something changed? We know because, Heb 11:16,17 says that he repented with tears. Could it have been that following this incident Isaac became wealthy in his own right, even without Abraham’s inheritance? Now, this lost material blessing was something that he could see, touch, feel, desire and lead him to repentance.
What does this say about repentance? Is repentance or change of mind and direction, all that YHVH is looking for? Obviously, the answer is no because God says that he “hated” Esau (Mal 1:3, Rom 9:13). Repentance may include these, but our repentance must also be with a right heart – penitent, for violating YHVH’s laws and love and grieving the Holy Spirit within us. Is it no wonder why it sometimes takes us so long to be freed from the torment of our sins? We are sorry because of the result it may have caused in our life, but we often do not see the offense against the one whom we’ve sinned against – God or man. This is so important, I must reiterate.
The kingdom of Satan binds us and torments us because we have sinned or as the New Testament says, “..sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4)” And so recognizing that we sinned is only the first step. We must recognize who we sinned against. When our heart can recognize the evilness of that offense against God and His kingdom, and asked forgiveness, then we will have loosed the chains that binds us. But if we are just sorry because it has produced a bad product, action, habit, or torment, then we are only part way to freedom through God’s grace.
Chapter 26
After learning from Abraham’s failure and passing his first test of faith by praying for the promised seed, Isaac falls into his Father’s footsteps and heads toward Egypt during a famine. While in route, YHVH intercepts him and directs him to sojourn (temporary implication) in Gerar. Since YHVH does not tempt us with evil (Jas 1:13), we must ask (but not know for sure) was Isaac supposed to head to Egypt or wait on God for his supply and direction? Because I don’t read that he sought God, I’m inclined to believe it was YHVH’s mercy to direct him in route. (This understanding may have direct application to God’s chosen in the great tribulation who will be unable to buy or sell because they refuse the mark of the beast.)
The sum of the matter is to pray and wait. Then if we are inclined to “go,” do so with faith that God will (like Isaac) direct our path as he has promised (Ps 37:23).
26:6,8 However, Isaac dwelt (took up residence) in Philistia (Gerar - between Canaan and Egypt) a long time. It would seem that he tried to dwell between the land of promise (Canaan) and the land of flesh (Egypt) - just as many Christians do today. Then, (after he’d been there a long time) Abimelech looked upon Rebekah. In other words, it would seem that we might conclude that Isaac’s definition of sojourn was different than God’s – which may have led to his difficulties. In other words, Isaac may have been in God’s blessing but encountered difficulties because he wasn’t totally obedient. That led him into the same sin as his father – lying to save his hide.
26:12-14 Isaac sowed in the land and prospered greatly. Note that this was after God spoke to the Philistine king Abimelech in a dream and he returned Rebekah to Isaac.
26:15-33 However, Isaac’s prosperity didn’t come without strife. After king Abimelech asked him to leave Gerar, Isaac had to move two more times because the well-diggers’ wells were always contended for. What does this say about the enemies’ actions for our efforts in digging or reopening the “wells of life?” Satan will always try to take away the life giving water of God. When he finally moved back to Beersheba (where he began – thus in YHVH’s will?) Abimelech made a treaty with him that brought peace.
26:34,35 Meanwhile, Esau took two Canaanite wives, Judith and Bashemath which were an offense (grief of mind) to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau dishonored his parents.
Chapter 27
27:1-40 The conflict between Jacob and Esau resumes when Isaac is old, blind and ready to give the blessing. Rebekah, who had the prophetic word of God, knows that her beloved Jacob should receive the blessing along with the birthright. As a result she enlists Jacob to deceive her husband Isaac to accomplish God’s will. While many scholars justify Rebekah’s actions because of her assumed faith and knowledge of YHVH’s will, we must always ask, "does an evil means justifies the end?" The scriptures teach that it does not. I think this could also be argued in this instance because Rebekah paid the awful price of never again seeing her beloved Jacob or the blessed lines from his loins. Additionally, as we will see from our forthcoming studies, Jacob paid for his deception by being deceived (by Laban) and he also never inherited the double portion blessing.
I have often wondered why Isaac was so vulnerable to be deceived by Jacob’s disguise even though he had discerned inconsistencies in the amount of time it took to kill and prepare the venison and also recognized Jacob’s voice. Although these inconsistencies were countered by: the feel, the smell and the food, I see one additional fact that I think weighed heavily in the deception. The scriptures say that Rebekah overheard. Thus, Isaac would have thought that only Esau knew the assignment – thus setting up the deception by the expectation that only Esau could fulfill his request.
Yet, in the middle of this deception in giving out the blessings to Jacob and Esau, Isaac also received a great blessing – the acknowledgement of his faith in the all time list of the faithful. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (Hebrews 11:20)
27:41-46 When Rebekah hears that Esau plans to kill his brother when his father dies, she goes to Isaac and again deceives/manipulates him by convincing him of the need to send Jacob to Haran to find a wife. As we observe Rebekah’s deceptive methods and Esau’s marriages there is an obvious family dysfunction that can be charged to Isaac’s failure to rule the family properly. It has been suggested that if Rebekah would have said the reason for Jacob to be sent away was because Esau was going to kill Jacob, Isaac may have dismissed it – for he loved Esau.
Chapter 28
28:1-9 When Esau saw Isaac send Jacob to Haran with his blessing, he became even more spiteful and made covenant with Ishmael by marrying Mahalat the daughter of Ishmael’s firstborn, Nebajoth. Actually, the rebellion doesn’t end there because in Gen 36:2,3 it says that Esau took more wives: 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; And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth. (Genesis 36:2-3)
Haftorah Reading - Malachi 1:1-2:7
1:1-14 The first few versus show us the linkage between the Torah and Haftorah as YHVH uses the lives of Jacob and Esau to reason his love to Israel. And though He has loved Israel, this “son” has despised its father through profaning the table of the Lord with unacceptable offerings, thereby disregarding the things of the spirit – just like Esau did – whom God hated.
At the return of Judah from Babylon there was a great awakening as they rebuilt the temple. Then again under Nehemiah there was another great spiritual awakening when the wall of defense was built around the temple, the temple cleansed and Judah again heard the Word of the Lord and obeyed. It was the time when Jerusalem was called the Holy City. However, by the time Malachi came on the scene Israel had already fallen into casual spiritual observance.
2:1-9 Who does YHVH blame for this decline, but the priests who make these profaned sacrifices. Thus, he announces the sobering curse that awaits them if they do not repent. And yet, history testifies that they did not and their temple and land was defiled with foreign invaders and the priesthood shamed.
In the booklet I wrote entitled, “God’s Word Lost” I detailed many of the 20th century awakenings that the Lord sent by His Spirit. Unfortunately, we too, the priests of Christ and as modern Israel, profaned the movements of God through mixture, weariness and making the holy moves and rehma Word, common. Now again, God’s Spirit is moving through this Messianic movement and awakening Christ’s priests to the Sabbaths, Torah, Moadime (appointed feasts), kosher eating and set-apart lifestyle. For this fellowship, YHVH has quickened our spirits but kept us hidden in the shalom of His bosom.
Let us understand this Haftorah to be an alert to the plans of the enemy in our lives. We must not allow life’s tests to distract us from His calling to holiness and the zeal of our hearts toward Him. May YHVH grant us the mercy and strength to be counted among the overcomers. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (Revelation 2:26) Amen.
Shabbot Shalom
Randy
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