The weekly reading for the week of 18 Kislev, 5764 - December 13, 2003 Parashah: Vayishlach Genesis 32:4(3) to 36:43; Haftarah: Obadiah 1-21; Brit Chadashah: Colossians 1:11-22



The Bagel: Firstborn. Parashat Vayishlach concludes Genesis' account of the relationship of Jacob and Esau. Esau in good firstborn fashion seems to proper. He has many children and his generations grow into the kingdom of Edom. His world seems secure and solid for his realm is in the protection and heights of the rocky mountains.

Jacob seems out of the loop, like someone without a birthright or an inheritance. The reading has him purchasing a field in Shechem where he camped. It wasn't long that the affair over Dinah soured relations between Jacob and Hamor. Jacob moved on. Isaac and Rachel died. Jacob's security in the land of promise was not secure. The only certain thing was the promise. But that was enough for G-d certified that promise to Jacob with a change of name to Israel.

Many centuries later, Edom grew and became great. Israel was out of the Land and they were slaves in Egypt. The promises and power of G-d brought Israel out of Egypt. Wandering in the desert, the sons of Jacob had no help from Edom. The Edomites prevented the passage of Israel through their territory. Esau, the rightful heir of the birthright by being the firstborn, seemed to have it all. Jacob seemed to have nothing. Yet the promises Jacob tenaciously pursued. Esau despised them. Jacob got Esau's birthright and blessing. Esau's revenge meant the death of Jacob. But G-d made a way for Jacob to escape, to prosper and to return some of G-d's provision to Esau that came from the birthright and the blessing. Jacob gave him numerous flocks and herds. Esau accepted them and forgave Jacob. Esau abandoned the Land, the birthright and the blessing. But Jacob firmly held on and became promise rich and land poor. The Land was his but he couldn't obtain it for the inhabitants there. He was the firstborn of the promise and of G-d's love, but the fruition of the promise had to wait.

The Haftarah continues that relationship of Jacob and Esau in their descendants. Edom, as in the times of the Exodus, acted as though Israel had not been forgiven. Edom took an even tougher stance. They stood in the gate in the day of their brother's trouble. They not only didn't help, but they plundered and killed the people of Judah as they fled the Babylonians. It was the height of brotherly betrayal. Yet through the prophet Obadiah G-d promised that one day Jacob would inherit the kingdom. This had to wait until the future day when the kingdom becomes the Lord's kingdom v. 21. The firstborn of the promise, the Jews, went into exile waiting for that day.

When the Brit Chadashah tells of the ultimate inheritance it is referring to the day of resurrection. That future time is based on the One who came as the firstborn over all creation. He is the rightful heir of all things. Yet the way the world is there are many prosperous kingdoms that resemble Esau/Edom. They act like they are forgiving in one instant, but then in the next they persecute and plunder. The only certain thing that the righteous have in that environment is just like Jacob's inheritance, the promises of G-d. The world and the heart of Esau/Edom is death to Jacob. But the heart of Adonay is that Jacob lives. This can only succeed based on another reason also found in this week's reading of the Brit Chadashah: the same One is also the firstborn from the dead (v. 18), that is, He is the rightful heir of the resurrection. For as He said in John "I am the Resurrection and the Life, whoever believes in Me, even though they die, shall live" (John 11:25). Jacob laid hold on this ultimate firstborn inheritance. Let us lay hold as well and live it out as Jacob did, in spite of opposition.

Cream Cheese: First in creation, First in Resurrection, First in everything, He is the Rightful Heir.


The weekly reading for the week of 18 Kislev, 5764 - December 13, 2003 Parashah: Vayishlach Genesis 32:4(3) to 36:43; Haftarah: Obadiah 1-21; Brit Chadashah: Colossians 1:11-22