Parashat Vayetzei 5767/2006
EJD
The weekly reading for the week of 11 Kislev, 5767 - December 2, 2006 Parashah: Vayetzei Genesis 28:10 to 32:3(2); Haftarah: Hosea 11:7 to 14:10(9); Mei Kituvim: Daniel 6:1-28; Brit Chadashah: John 1:35-51
Parashah Lite Edition (Focuses on one verse or idea anywhere in the readings.)
The Bagel: Generational G-d.
(Laban said) "'The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.' So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac" (Genesis 31:53).
Laban's appeal was G-d over the generations. For Jacob this worked out like this: On his father's side: Terah, Abraham, and Isaac; On his mother's side: Terah, Nahor (Abraham's brother), Bethuel (Rebekah's father). For Laban this worked out like this: Terah, Nahor, Bethuel. Notice the three lists of generations again:
- Terah, Abraham, and Isaac - Jacob's father-side lineage.
- Terah, Nahor, and Bethuel - Jacob's mother-side lineage.
- Terah, Nahor, and Bethuel - Laban's lineage.
G-d is never called: the G-d of Terah, the G-d of Abraham, and the G-d of Isaac. Nor is He ever called: the G-d of Terah, the G-d of Nahor, and the G-d of Bethuel. Somehow Laban wanted these connections in the negotiations at Gilead. But Jacob swore "by the fear of his father Isaac." Why? Jacob, who rescued the birthright also preserved the covenant. G-d is known as the G-d of Abraham, the G-d of Isaac, and the G-d of Jacob because of the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
G-d was the generational G-d over this network of lineages alright, but not was not so inclusive when it came to the distribution of the divine covenant. Ishmael was excluded. Esau was excluded. And now Laban was excluded.
This informs us that the divine covenant cannot be manipulated by human designs or included by some kind of family contract. The equitable distribution of the divine covenant is based on the perfect means - the faith of Abraham. This worked out in the One, who like Jacob, preserved or vouchsafed the integrity of the covenant by giving Himself as the complete atonement in fulfillment of another divine covenant - the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-36/ Hebrews 8:6-13). This is the covenant that shows Adonay as the Generational G-d.
Cream Cheese: Not by family, but by faith.
Click here for: Vayetzei 5766/2005
Click here for: Vayetzei 5765/2004
Click here for: Vayetzei 5764/2003
Click here for: Vayetzei 5763/2002
Unless noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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