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VAYISHLACH
13 DEC 2008
Genesis 32:4-35:43
Obadiah 1:1-21
Mathew 26:36-46
This Torah portion takes place when Jacob is 97 years old. He sends
messengers to greet his brother, Esau, and is informed that he is prepared
for battle (32:6-7). “And the messenger returned to Jacob saying, ‘We
came to your brother Esau, and furthermore, he is coming to meet you, and
four hundred men are with him.’”
How does Jacob respond to this challenge? Does he have confidence, trust
in HaShem for the promises given previously when he left home to Haran
(28:13-15) and G-d stated that He would guard him and not forsake him?
Jacob’s old nature would be to fear and try to fix the situation himself.
Jacob became frightened and decided on a plan (32:8). First, he divided
his camp into two. Then he went before the Lord in prayer (verse 10).
Jacob seemed to be double minded as he began to seek G-d for help, but all
the while he was devising a way to be on the good side of his brother. In
his prayer, he remembers G-d’s promise to him (which was actually 22 years
earlier), yet it still seems he has “trust issues.” His actions are as if
G-d’s promises are not going to help him here and now and he must perform
on his own.
Jacob wrestled with an angel (verse 25) who had to cripple him in order to
“break” him. He became a new man, a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In order to be healed, he was weakened and broken. He emerged as Israel,
a Prince of G-d.
Like Jacob, many of us fail to grasp that we are a new creation with a new
life, a different perspective on life. Instead, we continue to live by
our own devices and not by faith in the Most High G-d. Scripture enjoins
us to walk by faith, and in the strength that He has already given to us.
G-d has given us promises, just as he gave to Jacob:
Hebrews 13:5, Joshua 1:5-He will not leave you
Luke 11:12-He will not give us scorpions
Matthew 3:11-He empowers us with the Ruach HaKodesh
Acts 1:8-We receive power
John 15:26-He has given us the Comforter
As
we reflect upon His promises, let us live as Princes of G-d, having
wrestled with G-d, therefore living for Him.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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