Parasha 23: War in the Womb

 

War in the Womb

Introduction:

When Satan tempted Eve and Adam, it seemed that the war between good and evil, light and darkness, had begun. Even at the end, when Yeshua comes, there will be war.

After Isaac and Rebekah were married, Abraham took another wife, named Keturah. They had six sons, showing that Abraham was the father of many nations. Abraham gave all he had to Isaac, lived to the age of 175, and was buried by Isaac and Ishmael alongside Sarah, his wife, in the Cave of Machpelah.

The next part of our Torah portion is the genealogy and death of Ishmael. He had twelve sons who became princes according to their nations. He died at the age of 137.

Isaac prayed to Adonai YHVH because Rebekah was barren for twenty years. This couple was unique compared to Abraham and Sarah, who had made their own way to have a son through Sarah’s servant, Hagar. Isaac developed his covenant relationship with Adonai by trusting Him, and finally, Rebekah gave birth. However, it wasn’t easy because two nations struggled with each other inside her womb. Rebekah consulted Adonai.

Adonai spoke to her prophetically, saying that the two nations inside her would be different. One would be stronger than the other, and the older would serve the younger. We can see here that each child would become a nation. Esau in Hebrew is Esav, meaning "Hairy," while Jacob in Hebrew is Yakov, coming from the verb "Abaq," meaning "to follow at the heel." Esau was red in color and grew to be a skillful hunter and a man of the field, while Jacob was the opposite—a quiet, homebody. Isaac loved his older son, but Rebekah loved the younger.

Regarding Ishmael and Isaac, since they had different mothers, Isaac became the covenant son. But in the case of Esau and Jacob, who shared the same parents, who would be the one to continue the covenant of Adonai with Abraham? In verse 23, Adonai spoke to Rebekah, not Isaac, because He knew Rebekah loved Jacob. That’s why He said to her, "The older will serve the younger," making it clear to Rebekah the destinies of her two sons.

In verse 29, Jacob prepared a meal (lentil stew), not Rebekah, his mother. When Esau came from the field, weary and hungry, he asked Jacob for food. Jacob saw an opportunity to take the birthright, which involved inheritance, position, and other privileges and advantages.

Let us differentiate the twins:

Esau: 

He didn't care for his birthright. 

In verse 34 it says that He despised his birthright. The Hebrew word for despise is "Bazah" which means "Careless"..the problem with Esau was he can cook for himself. In chapter 27:1-4, he was called by his father and asked to prepare a savory food. Here we can see that Esau can prepare and cook. He was careless to sell his birthright just for a bowl of soup instead of searching for other means to feed himself. Remember the case of Adam and Eve when they failed the test regarding food?

Esau is another biblical character ruined by food. According to Complete Jewish Study Bible commentary, the birthright refers to the eldest son’s role as chief inheritor of his father's estate, as well as the head of the family and clan when the father died.

That very moment Esau sold his inheritance, honor, privileges, and blessings. He treated the blessing very lightly because his focus was on temporary things over a lifetime blessing. He was the firstborn, therefore a legal heir to the covenant between Adonai and Abraham and this birthright linked in the line of the coming Promised Messiah. What a waste! 

As a grafted believer, we must stay focused in obeying the instructions of Adonai. Stay away from the deception of momentary pleasure like the lentil stew but remain in the covenant of Adonai and gain the blessing that He has promised within the covenant of marriage. 

Jacob: 

His eagerness for the birthright. 

I believe Rebekah had a big part in explaining this to Jacob because of Adonai's message to her in verse 23. When Jacob came out, his hand took hold of Esau's heel. Maybe Rebekah told this to Isaac but since he loved Esau, he refused and remained focused with his favorite son. This could have been the reason why Rebekah and Jacob made a move.

The eagerness of Jacob to get the birthright reflects on how he came out. He was holding the heel of his brother. Was he preventing Esau from getting out of Rebekah's womb? In my understanding, I can see two things here. First, it is to show that he wants to protect the covenant of Adonai. He valued the birthright and he was ready to be the next patriarch. In Malachi 1:2b it says that Adonai loved Jacob but He hated Esau. Because of what Jacob did, the covenant of Adonai with Abraham will continue and even the promised seed that would bless all the families of the earth. Second, perhaps Jacob holding the heel of Esau is a future victory of Yeshua over evil. In Romans 16:20 CJB it says: “And God, the source of shalom, will soon crush the Adversary under your feet.” We already know that Yeshua came from the tribe of Judah, one of the sons of Jacob. So like Jacob, we must also see the importance of the birthright and the blessings from it. 

In chapter 26, Adonai instructed Isaac to avoid Egypt in spite of the famine. He assured to Isaac that He will be with him, and will continue 

the oath which He swore to his father Abraham. However, Isaac lied to Abimelech like his father, declaring Rebekah is his sister. Perhaps Isaac's actions show  a lack of faith in Adonai's promise to bless and guide him.

Chapter 26 serves as a reminder to trust in Adonai's promises and to avoid yielding to panic and lying, even when encountered with heavy situations. It encourages us to seek Adonai's direction and to hope on His strength rather than our own.

-- H A F T A R A H   P O R T I O N --

Our Haftarah portion deals with the reign of David as the new king of Israel and how he defeated the Philistines. These people searched for David and they deployed in the Valley of Rephaim known as the "Valley of the giants".

David inquired of Adonai:

“Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?”

Adonai answered:

“Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

(2 Samuel 5:19-20)

David’s strategy was guided by Adonai. Each time he sought God’s direction, he was victorious. The Philistines, fierce warriors, returned for battle, but David sought Adonai’s guidance again. This time, Adonai instructed him to attack from the rear, and when David obeyed, victory was assured. Twice he inquired of Adonai and twice he prevailed. Like David, we should always inquire of Adonai so we could prevail as well from our daily battle. 

-- APOSTOLIC   P O R T I O N --

Our Apostolic portions deals with three important reminders from the 

author: 

1. We must not be like Esau vv.16-17 

Being called to serve Adonai and be part of His family is a privilege. But Esau, he wasted that privilege( birthright) just for food. He lost the blessing but he was rejected. 

2. We have come to Mount Zion and the city of Adonai vv.22-24 

I want to quote Revelation 21:1-4 "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice saying "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 

Note: Here is the destiny of all who have a genuine faith in Yeshua! 

3. We have a Kingdom which cannot be shaken v.28 

Since we have this kind of kingdom from God, let us serve Him with reverence and fear! 

The connection of our Parasha is about war. In the Torah, inside Rebekah's womb, Esau and Jacob were already at war. In Haftarah, David has been chosen as the next King of Israel and he inquired of Adonai and prevailed in war against the Philistines. In Apostolic, as one of Adonai's chosen, we have the privilege to be part of His kingdom which cannot be shaken, a victorious kingdom, which is the New Jerusalem. 

Returning to my introduction....we have brethren in our community, we have a covenant relationship with Adonai, we have the Torah, and we have Messiah Yeshua. But, like Esau who sold his birthright, we can lose all these blessings if we don't value them. Let us reject the momentary stew that this world has to offer so we could be part of the unshakable kingdom of Adonai. 

“Do not trade what is eternal for what is temporary. Hold fast to the promises of Adonai, for His covenant is everlasting.”

Shabbat Shalom,

Topher

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-- S O U R C E S --

torahclass.com 

free.messianicbible.com 

foundationsforfreedom.net newfoundfaith.org www.ravkooktorah.org 

strong's concordance 

knowingscripture.com 

www.jtsa.edu 

www.versebyverseministry.org 

The MacArthur Study Bible 

The Complete Jewish Study Bible