Introduction:
Have you ever been away in a far place for a long time and then returned to your land?
In the last parasha, Adonai YHVH remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, and she bore Yosef. At that moment, Jacob requested Laban, his father-in-law, to send him away so he could return to his homeland. But Laban begged Jacob to stay because of the blessings he had received since Jacob came. Jacob offered Laban a plan that would benefit him without costing Laban anything. Thus, Jacob became exceedingly prosperous.
Our parasha today begins with the instruction of Adonai YHVH to Jacob to return to his land, with the promise that He would be with him. Immediately, Jacob obeyed Adonai and invited Rachel and Leah to the field to secretly share his plan to leave. Since Jacob deeply longed to leave Laban's place, he aligned his will with the will of Adonai. Obedience is important for every grafted-in believer because it is our way of showing that we love Him. In John 14:15, Yeshua said, “If you love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.”
Now, what are the proofs that Adonai YHVH was with Jacob?
He was with Jacob even when Laban’s countenance was not favorable toward him (v.5):
Jacob told his two wives that despite working hard for Laban, his father-in-law changed his wages ten times, but Adonai did not allow him to be harmed by Laban.
He took away Laban’s livestock and gave it to Jacob (v.9):
It reached a point where Laban's sons envied Jacob. They accused him of taking all that belonged to their father. But Adonai intervened and allowed Jacob to prosper.
He spoke to Jacob in a dream through His angel (vv.10–13):
Adonai did this because He saw how Laban was treating Jacob. In the dream, Adonai showed Jacob that the rams mating with the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted. At the end of the dream, Adonai told Jacob to return to the land of his family and reminded him of Bethel—the place where Jacob made an offering and vowed that Adonai would be his God.
He appeared to Laban in a dream (v.24):
Adonai warned Laban not to speak to Jacob, either good or bad. This mirrors what He had done before with Abraham and Isaac to protect them from Abimelech. When Laban overtook Jacob, he admitted he had the power to harm him but refrained because of the dream.
He allowed Laban and Jacob to make a covenant (vv.44–55):
Laban asked Jacob not to mistreat Rachel and Leah or take other wives. They also agreed not to harm each other. They spent the night together, and the next day, Laban kissed and blessed his daughters, then returned to his place.
He spared Jacob from idolatry (vv.30–35):
When Laban discovered that his household idol was missing, he became upset. Since Jacob knew the One True God—the God of Abraham and his father Isaac—it was unlikely he would have condoned idol worship. Rachel had stolen her father’s idol, which could have led to idolatry within Jacob’s family. This shows the battle between the God of Jacob and the powerless gods of Laban, which cannot even save themselves when lost.
Obedience is the road that leads us back to the promises of God.
In what area of your life is Adonai calling you to return—whether in your mindset, a relationship, or a commitment—and how can you align your will with His and step forward in obedience, even when it feels uncomfortable?
Our Torah portion is an encouragement that Adonai YHVH is with His servants. No one could harm Jacob because Adonai was with him. In the same way, Adonai is with us—to protect and bless us.
-- H A F T A R A H P O R T I O N --
In the Haftarah portion, Adonai YHVH spoke through His prophet Jeremiah and declared that He would bring His people, Israel and Judah, back from captivity. Jacob would return to his land from Babylon. Just as Adonai called Moshe to bring Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He would do it again. Because of His covenant with them, He would save them and ensure that no one would make them afraid.
“Your lovers have forgotten you…” – Israel had turned to other nations and gods, much like believers today may turn to worldly systems or comforts. But all false dependencies will fail.
“I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy…” – Though harsh, God’s discipline is corrective, not punitive. He allows pain so that His people will cry out only to Him.
“All who devour you shall be devoured…” –
This is divine justice. While God disciplines His children, He also vindicates and protects them from enemies.
In verses 12–16, we see two things that will happen to Israel:
Adonai will discipline His chosen people because of their sin. Their lovers will forget them. Adonai will allow this so Israel would learn to call on the name of their One True God.
The nations that oppressed Israel will be destroyed.
Zechariah 2:8
“For the LORD of armies says this: After glory He has sent me against the nations that plunder you, for the one who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”
God’s discipline never comes without His desire to restore.
How do you respond to Adonai’s correction—do you react with shame or discouragement, or can you embrace it as a sign of His love and choose to return to Him in trust, allowing Him to restore what was broken?
-- APOSTOLIC P O R T I O N --
James (Ya’akov), the half-brother of Yeshua, writes with piercing clarity to a scattered Messianic Jewish audience, many of whom were facing hardships, tensions, and inner community conflicts.
In the Apostolic Writings, James reminds us that whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God, including those who:
Cause wars and fights in the community because of their desire for pleasure (vv.1–3)
- Commit adultery (v.4)
- Are double-minded (v.8)
- Are proud (v.6)
- Speak evil of one another (v.11)
- Judge their brother (v.11)
To avoid these, James says we need to draw near to Adonai YHVH, so He will draw near to us. What does this mean? The answer is found in verses 7 and 8: it means we need to submit ourselves to Him, resist the devil, cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts.
The further we walk from pride, the closer we stand to God.
Take one concrete step to "cleanse your hands" and "purify your heart." Whether it's resolving conflict, rejecting a worldly attitude, or practicing humility — make the move back toward God.
The connection in our parasha is about returning and the assurance of Adonai’s presence.
In the Torah, Adonai tells Jacob to return to his land and promises to be with him. In the Haftarah, Adonai promises to return Israel and Judah from captivity, for He is with them. In the Apostolic Writings, we are told to return or draw near to Adonai, and He will draw near to us.
Returning home feels good after a long time away. But it feels even better to know that on your life’s journey, Adonai YHVH is with you—to help, protect, and bless you.
The voice of Adonai doesn't only call you out—it calls you back to identity, purpose, and covenant.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Reflect. Repent. Realign.
Draw near, and watch Him draw near to you (James 4:8).
Shabbat Shalom u’Mevorach!
May your return be filled with the nearness of Adonai’s presence and the joy of knowing He walks beside you.
Shabbat Shalom,
Topher
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-- S O U R C E S --
Torahclass.com
Atozmomm.com
Atah.net
Openbible.info
Thefellowship.site
Ligonier.org
The Mac Arthur Study Bible
Explainingthebook.com
bibleoutlines.com
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