The nation of Israel and the Jewish people have suffered greatly this past week. Four rabbis were murdered in a synagogue during morning prayers along with one policeman who came to the scene to stop the blood shed. These were all victims of two Palestinian Muslim terrorists who sought to take as many innocent lives as possible. The Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank celebrated the “great victory” that these two “martyrs” brought to the Palestinian people (click here to read more: ynetnews)
Why is there a constant struggle between Israel and the peoples in this Land?
“Israel” is comprised of the physical Land and the Jewish people, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These two together are signs to the nations that God is working and fulfilling His plans. The existence of the State of Israel today with the Jewish people living in this Land of promise is testimony of God’s faithfulness (Ezekiel 36:1-12), however, the struggle of Israel continues.
This week’s Torah Portion focuses on the generations (or history) of Isaac. Isaac continues the story that started with his father Abraham, who was chosen of God to be blessed and to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. However, just like Abraham the journey for Isaac and his descendants would not be without difficulty and struggle.
Isaac had married Rebekah when he was 40 years old but she was barren and was not able to become pregnant. Isaac entreated God on behalf of his wife and God heard his prayer. Rebekah conceived. During Rebekah’s pregnancy there was a struggle within her and Rebekah sought an answer from God for the unsteady state of her pregnancy. God told Rebekah that there were two nations in her womb, one people will serve the other, and the older will serve the younger (Gen. 25:19-23).
The yet unborn baby boys struggled in the womb of their mother. There was a fight for first place and Esau supposedly won since he came out first but Jacob was grabbing on to his heel when they were delivered. There was a struggle in the womb and the struggle continued as they were coming out of the womb. The struggle continued throughout their lives as well, however, God chose Jacob over Esau.
When they became adults Jacob struggled with Esau over the birthright and Esau sold Jacob the birthright for a cup of lentils and some bread. Jacob later struggled with his father Isaac over the blessing and convinced his father that he was his older brother and received the blessing (Gen. 27:1-29). When Esau found out that Jacob deceived him and stole the blessing he vowed to kill him. Rebekah, however, heard what Esau had intended to do to Jacob and she arranged a plan to send Jacob away to her brother, Laban (Gen. 27:41-46). Isaac called to Jacob and sent him away to take a wife from the daughters of uncle Laban and Jacob set out on this journey (Gen. 28:1-5).
The story of Jacob, the son of Isaac, is one of continual struggle. Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, followed after the voice of God and eventually came back to the Land of Promise. He went down to Egypt and was brought back after his death. Then the children of Israel have been in and out of the Land of Israel ever since.
One thing is for sure, the struggle of the sons of Israel in the Land of Israel is not yet complete. There will continue to be a struggle until the day that God Almighty establishes His Kingdom on this earth. God’s Word makes it clear that He will one day bring justice to this world and bring an end to Israel’s struggle (Ezekiel 39:7-8, 39:25-29).
Whether one is Jewish or not, everyone who calls on the name of Yeshua the Messiah is in a spiritual struggle that is all around us, without physical borders. We need to be holy people who pursue peace with all men. We must also be aware of the sin of Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal, which led to his rejection and is called an immoral and godless person (Hebrews 12:14-17).
Ultimately, we must remember that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but rather against the spiritual forces of wickedness in dark places (Eph. 6:12). Let us always be ready and alert to fight the good fight in the spiritual realm until Yeshua returns!
Shabbat Shalom!
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Torah Portion: Gen. 25:19 – Gen. 28:9
Hafatara: Malachi 1:1 – 2:7
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