Genesis 25

Genesis 25:21, Isaac pleaded. As with his father Abraham, the faith of Isaac was tried mightily. Rebekah was barren and Isaac entreated YHVH that his promises to Abraham might be fulfilled to him as well. YHVH at long last answered Isaac’s prayer with twins, Esau and Jacob. We learn from this that though the faith of the redeemed believer be tried, the promises of YHVH are always sure. What spiritual mountains have you been asking in faith for YHVH to remove from your life (Mark 11:23), or promises of YHVH to be fulfilled in your life (2 Cor 1:20), or prayers to be answered? Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Remember this: Never cease praying and believing, and believing that you receive (Mark 11:24)! Doubts and fear will come, yet prevailing prayer and faith overcome all. (Read 1 John 5:4–5.)

Genesis 25:23, Two nations…one people shall be stronger than the other people; the elder shall serve the younger. We can see the fulfillment of this interesting prophecy in the subsequent interplay between the Jews and western Christians versus the Muslims to this day in numerous ways. With few exceptions, the Muslims nations have always played a subordinate role to the Jews and Christians. Recently, however, the balances are shifting slightly in favor of the Muslims, who are endeavoring to take over many Western nations through illegitimate means or by terrorist activities. As prophesied in the Scriptures, YHVH is allowing this as a disciplinary judgment against his people because they have largely forsaken him.

Genesis 25:27–28, Esau vs. Jacob. There are only two types of people on this earth: Esaus and Jacobs. Please reflect on this for a moment. The evidence of this fact is illustrated by those who hung on either side of Yeshua at his crucifixion: a believer or one who had faith in Yeshua, and one who did not. Let’s explore this idea.

Hanging on either side of Yeshua on the cross, spiritually speaking, there was a spiritual “Jacob” and an “Esau” (Matt 24:39–41; Luke 23:39–43). One of the thieves repented and accepted Yeshua as his Savior, and was blessed for it. The other thief only mocked and scorned Yeshua and, hence, died in his sins spiritually condemned forever.

So what type of person was Esau? The Bible describes him as a cunning hunter (Gen 25:25). Nimrod was the only other person in Scripture termed “a hunter”  (Gen 10:9). What kind of person would a hunter have been then compared to the typical farmer or herdsman of the day like Isaac and Jacob? Think wild, violent, uncivilized and savage versus civilized and domesticated. Even the meaning of the name Esau meaning “hairy or rough”suggests what type of individual he was. 

We are given a clue to Esau’s character when Scripture reveals that Esau was “a man of the field.” Field in Scripture can be a metaphor for the world (see Matt 13:38). This description seems to fit Esau, for he was a profane (unhallowed, worldly, ungodly) man (Heb 12:16). He had no esteem for things of spiritual and eternal value. That is why he sold his birthright—his spiritual inheritance. He lived for the moment and had no eye for, hope in, or faith toward the future.  His eyes were on worldly gain, not on righteousness. He sought the instant gratification of his sensual nature. That is why he sold his birthright for a bowl of lentils in order to satiate his physical hunger at the moment; that is, his god was his belly and he lived for the moment without thinking of the future consequences of his actions. In so doing, he disdained and dishonored his family heritage and those things that were highly esteemed by his father and grandfather. 

Moreover, in Genesis 26:34–35, we see, to the great grief of his parents, that Esau married one of the local, heathen Canaanite girls. He did not honor his parents or respect their wishes to marry someone of like spiritual faith and belief. 

Do these traits describe some unbelievers that you know, and even some believers or their children who have abandoned the biblical faith in which they were raised, while preferring to follow the heathen and unbiblical values of the world around them? Perhaps you were even like this before you were saved. 

Truly Esau was a prodigal son, who unlike the wayward son in Yeshua’s parable by the same name, sadly, left his father’s house and forsook the ways of righteousness for the temporal and temporary pleasures of the world.

Genesis 25:30, Esau…Edom. Eventually the descendants of Esau would settle in the area SE of the Dead Sea in what is now modern Jordan and north of the Gulf of Aqaba and the land of Midian. This area is referred to in the Bible as Edom or Mount Seir. However, several years after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, and country of Edom was utterly destroyed either by the Babylonians or other neighboring peoples (see Keil and Delitzsch, JFB, Josephus Ant. 10.9.7). After the Babylonian captivity, the westward fleeing Edomites took refuge in southern Judah (in the area around Beersheba and encompassing the modern Gaza Strip), which became known as Idumea (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). According to Josephus, the Maccabean Jews subjugated the Edomites or Idumeans and forced them to convert to Judaism (Jospephus Ant. 13.9.1, 15.5). Subsequently, this paved the way for Herod the Edomite’s kingdom. Idumea is mentioned once in the Gospel of Mark, since people from that territory were among the multitudes who came to hear Yeshua (Mark 3:8). 

Edom (the Spirit of Islam) Exposed

Many, if not most of the modern Moslems or Muslims (especially the Arabs) trace their lineage back if not biologically then spiritually to Ishmael, the son of Abraham by Hagar. Islam in its religious book, the Koran, claims that it was Abraham and Ishmael who built the Kaaba, which is the small building containing a stone that supposedly fell from heaven. This shrine is located in the midst of the Great Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 

In Genesis 16:11–12 YHVH prophesied the following concerning Ishmael and his descendants:

The angel of YHVH said to her further, “Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son; and you shall call his name Ishmael, because YHVH has given heed to your affliction. And he will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers.”

More than two thousand years after Moses wrote the Book of Genesis which records YHVH Elohim initiating a covenant with Abraham (the Abrahamic Covenant) and then conferring the birthright and covental blessings upon Isaac, Abraham’s son, Mohammed, the founder of Islam, changed the story. Mohammed twisted the biblical account of Abraham’s giving the birthright blessing to Isaac and believe instead that Ishmael, Abraham’s son through Hagar, his concubine, was the promised son of blessing. Both Israelites and Arabs, therefore, believe that they have a right to the Promised Land of Canaan, and, hence, this disagreement is at the roots of the modern Arab-Israeli conflict.

Scripture further records that Esau, the disinherited son of Isaac, also had a jealous anger against his brother Jacob, who received the Abrahamaic, covenantal birthright promise instead of him. Scripture further records that Esau married the daughter of Ishmael (Gen 28:9). Thus in some of Esau’s descendants (he had more than one wife), the lineage of Esau and Ishmael were combined and both men had a jealous feud with the sons of Jacob, which has been passed down generationally to this day.

The Bible has more to say prophetically about the descendants of Edom (another name for Esau, Gen 31:6, 8) than about those of Ishmael. Edom is portrayed as an aggressive and bloodthirsty people who are opposed to Israel at every step. We will discover what Scripture has to say about this below.

In the mean time, let’s take a closer look at Edom or Esau.

• Edom (meaning “red”) was Esau’s nickname (see Gen 25:25,  30; 36:1,  8–9,  19,  43). 
• Esau intermarried with the descendants of Ishmael (Gen 28:9). 
• Seir is another name for the land of Edom (Gen 32:3; 33:16; 36:8) which was historically located SE of the Dead Sea in what is now located in modern Jordan. Eventually, the Edomites were forced out of that area and moved westward into the area of southern Israel west of the Dead Sea. In the time of the Romans, this area was known as Idumea and overlapped into the modern area  known today as the Gaza Strip. Thus, it is likely that some modern day Gazans, including the terrorist group Hamas, may be ancient descendents of Edom. If so, this may explain in part their murderous hatred for Israel and the Jews.
• Esau intermarried with the people of Canaan (Gen 36:2). He intermarried with the Hittites, the Hivites, as well as the Ishmaelites.
• His descendants included the Amalekites (Gen 36:12, 16), who fought against the children of Israel upon leaving Egypt and as soon as they entered the wilderness en route to the Promised Land (Exod 17:1).
• Esau’s sons were dukes or chieftains (leaders of clans) and kings (Gen 36:15–16,  40–43).
• Although Esau’s direct lineage was confined to the area of the traditional land of Edom, in modern-day Jordan, it is clear from the biblical record that he and his descendants intermarried with many of the neighboring nations, so that his descendants were scattered far and wide over the region that later became known as the Holy Land.

• The entire one-chapter Book of Obadiahis a prophecy against Edom. Let’s note several key points in this prophecy that might help us to understand some things about Edom in light of end-time Bible prophecy and how this relates to the end-times Arab-Israeli conflict. When you think of Edom, think of the modern day Palestinians.

The Book of Obadiah has more to say about Edom:

Obadiah 1:2, The descendants of Edom are greatly despised (or scorned, held in contempt, disdained).

Obadiah 1:3, Though they dwell in the clefts (places of concealment, retreats) of the rocks, they are proud and view themselves as invincible.

Obadiah 1:4, YHVH promises to bring Edom down.

Obadiah 1:7, Esau has a confederacy (league, alliance) of nations, which include many of the modern Moslem and Arab nations.

Obadiah 1:11, Edom’s eyes are on Jerusalem. Edom, along with other foreign enemies of Israel, will cast lots for Jerusalem (seek to divide it among the nations or religions of the world as an international city under the control of the United Nations?).

Obadiah 1:13, Edom has entered into the gates of the land of Israel in the day of her calamity or disaster.

Obadiah 1:14, Edom will kill Jewish refugees trying to escape the land of Israel in her time of distress.

Obadiah 1:15, The time frame of the fulfillment of these prophecies is “near” the day of YHVH, when he will judge Edom and the other heathen nations. 

Obadiah 1:16, Edom will be drinking (celebrating?) on the Temple Mount which is YHVH’s “holy mountain,” and as a result, they shall drink the cup of YHVH’s wrath.

Obadiah 1:17, The house of Jacob will eventually get the Temple Mount back!

When we read the Book of Obadiah, we see a graphic, prophetic descriptions of the modern Palestinian and other Islamo-terrorists who hate Israel, the Jews as well as Christians. 

The Bible has much to say about who Jacob and his descendents represents in end-time prophecy. Now we also see who Jacob’s descendants’ arch-enemy will be, and who will attempt to prevent both the Jews and Christians from returning to the land of Israel in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. The return of the scattered  descendents of Jacob (modern Jews and Christians) will begin to happen in the end times before the coming of the Messiah and continue after his return. The Bible is clear on this as we have written about elsewhere

As we noted, Edom’s hatred for Israel has its roots in the antagonism between Ishmael and Isaac, and then afterwards between Esau and Jacob. The hatred that Esau had for Israel has been passed on down to successive generations of Edomites. The biblical prophets discusses this murderous antagonism on Edom’s part as being carried down generation to generation to the very end times. Let’s review some of other biblical prophecies in this regard.

Ezekiel 36 speaks about the conflict between end-time Edom and end-time Israel. In verse two, we see that the enemies of Israel have regarded the “ancient high [or declared, promised] places” of Israel as “ours in possession.” This is a clear reference to the holy places in Israel (e.g., the Temple Mount for the Jews and Bethlehem and Nazareth for the Christians—only in recent years have the Palestinians taken Bethlehem and forced—out of persecution and intimidation—the majority of the large Christian population of that city to leave). “High places” can also refer to the militarily strategic high places such as the Golan Heights and the ridges surrounding the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Next, let’s look at Ezekiel 35, which is a prophecy against Edom. In verses four through five, we see that end-time Edom will be devastated because of its perpetual hatred for the children of Israel. They have killed their enemies by the power of the sword. This is how Muslim’s have traditionally spread their religion—by their curved scimitar sword which is displayed prominently on the flag of Saudi Arabia to this day. Historically, advancing Moslem armies would force their captives to leave, covert or die. According to verse five, this will be occurring at the time of the punishment (of the children of Israel?) at the time of the end (NAS) or the end of time (lit. Hebrew). This is another example of YHVH’s using Edom (Esau) to bring Ephraim and Judah to its knees and to repentance in the time of the end.

In verses six through nine of the same chapter, we see that YHVH will punish Edom for its blood-thirstiness against Israel and will devastate its cities and slay large numbers of its people. Other biblical prophecies indicate that the militaries of Judah and Ephraim will be the means by which YHVH accomplishes this.

Finally, in Ezekiel 35:10, Edom (Islam) wants to take over or possess the two countries or lands (Heb. eretz) of Israel or those of Judah and Ephraim (or the Jews and Christians), even though YHVH was there (in the lands of his people). Their anger and hatred against Israel is based on envy or jealousy (verse 11) of Israel.

The Koran, the religious book of Islam, has taken the historic and prophesied hatred of Edom and formed a religion around it. The Koran was written by Mohammed, a Jew and Christian hater, more than one thousand years after the prophecies of Ezekiel and Obadiah. Here are some quotes from the Koran that confirm the prophecies of the Bible with regard to Edom.

Make war upon those to whom the Scriptures have been given as believe not in God [Allah]…and who forbid not that which God and His Apostle [Mohammed] have forbidden, and who profess not the profession of the truth, until they pay tribute out of hand, and they be humbled. The Jews say, “Ezra is a son of God”; and the Christians say, “The Messiah is a son of God.” Such sayings in their mouths. They resemble the sayings of the infidels of old! God do battle with them! How they are misguided! (Sura 9:29–30)

When thy Lord spake unto the angels, “I will be with you: therefore stablish ye the faithful I will cast a dread into the heart of the infidels.” Strike off their heads then, and strike off from them every finger-tip. (Sura 8:12)

“O people of the Book!…Can I announce to you any retribution worse than that which awaiteth them with God? They whom God hath cursed and with whom He hath been angry—some of them hath he changed into apes and swine; and they who worship Thagout are in evil plight, and have gone far astray from the right path. (Sura 5:64–65)

Only recompense of those who war against God and His Apostle, and go about to commit disorders on the earth, shall be that they shall be slain and crucified, or have their alternate hands and feet cut off, or be banished from the land…(Sura 5:37) 

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Genesis 25:32, I am about to die. The implication here is not that Esau was about to die of hunger, but that he would die before seeing the fulfillment of the promises YHVH had made to Isaac and Abraham regarding possessing the land of Canaan. Remember that YHVH had told Abraham that it would be four hundred years before his descendents would inherit the land of Canaan (Gen 15:13), since “the sins of the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete”  (Gen 15:16). So what good would his birthright be? He would see no material gain from this land inheritance in his lifetime. 

Actually Esau was right—but only in the short term perspective; however, he was totally wrong in the long term perspective! Esau was only motivated by temporal and material gain, not spiritual, future rewards, which are possessed by faith, not by sight (Heb 11:1–2, 8–10,  39–40). Sadly, the vast majority of people on earth to this day operate under this shortsighted mentality.

Esau was a profane and secular man, and the Spirit and character of YHVH strive against and loathe such individuals (Mal 1:3; Rom 9:13), who prefer the present secular and sensual pleasures over pleasing YHVH. In reality, their god is their belly and they mind earthly things (Phil 3:19). This was the state of the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3:14–22. 

Pause now and reflect. Do not pass over these admonitions lightly. Search your heart for the areas where you put the secular, material and sensual above YHVH, and then repent of faithlessness. Ask the Spirit of YHVH to open your eyes to the blind areas in your life and help you to acquire a more heavenly-mindless focus.

Genesis 26

Genesis 26:1–29, There was a famine in the land. At the well of Lachai-roi (or “the well of the Living One seeing me,” Gen 24:62), Isaac was fruitful. There he met his wife while in communion with YHVH (Gen 24:62–64). Isaac also dwelt in that area for 20 years, and there he entreated YHVH because of Rebekah’s barrenness (Gen 25:21), and YHVH answered Isaac’s prayer and Rebekah gave birth to twins (Gen 25:22). 

But because of famine in the land, Isaac felt compelled to leave Canaan to seek relief in Egypt following the earlier footsteps of his father, Abraham. At this point, we must ask ourselves whether it is wise for the saints to rely on “Egypt” (a metaphor for the world) for their physical sustenance instead of trusting YHVH and believing that where he has planted us and blessed us is where we should stay? One needs to answer this question carefully and then and only then follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

Evidently, YHVH didn’t want Isaac to go down to Egpty, for while en route to that land, he graciously redirected Isaac stay in Canaan and to sojourn in Gerar (temporarily), where he would continue to bless him and his posterity (Gen 26:2–4). 

Isaac obeyed YHVH—more or less. Isaac ended up in Gerar located on the border between Canaan and Egypt and dwelt there a long time but not temporarily as YHVH had instructed him (Gen 26:6, 8). Instead of fully obeying YHVH, it was as if Isaac was hedging his bet between faith and fear, between Canaan, the land of promise, and Egypt, the land of comfort for the flesh man. How often do we vacillate between two opinions and then compromise between YHVH’s will and our own in matters where he has given us clear direction? 

This place of spiritual indecision and weakness put Isaac in a compromising situation (Gen 26:7). He felt compelled to lie about his wife, thus repeating the sin of his father (Gen 20:1–2). Compromised obedience puts us in compromising situations where in order to “save our skin” we often have to compromise our moral values. 

Though Isaac was not in YHVH’s perfect will, YHVH was still faithful to keep his promises that he had made to Isaac earlier (Gen 26:3–4). Isaac was blessed one hundred fold in his wealth (Gen 26:12–14). 

Despite YHVH’s blessings, Isaac’s labors were not without difficulty and opposition from an enemy who was intent upon stealing the water wells that were rightfully his (Gen 26:12–15). 

In the arid regions of the Holy Land, wells are essential for survival and prosperity. Wells are often a biblical metaphor for salvation, life, abundance and truth—things the enemy is intent on taking from YHVH’s servants (in this light, consider Isa 12:3; 55:1–3; Ps 36:9; John 4:7–14; 7:37–39; 10:10). Do not let the enemy steal from you that which YHVH has given to you.

Genesis 26:2–5, YHVH appeared to him. Like his father Abraham, Isaac was also a prophet in that YHVH spoke directly to him giving him instructions on what to do, where to go and revelation about what was to occur in the future.

Genesis 26:5, Because. (See notes at Gen 18:19.) Based on Paul’s teaching in Romans chapter four, we see that the Abrahamic Covenant is the model for salvation, which can be tersely stated as “salvation is  by grace through faith leading to or resulting in good works or righteousness” (Eph 2:8–10). From this verse, it might appear that the Abrahamic Covenant was not a faith-based covenant at all, but a works based one. In other words, Abraham had to do something to be counted righteous or to come into good standing with Elohim—a concept which is commonly referred to as “earning one’s salvation through one’s good works.” The fact is that in the Abrahamic Covenant, Abraham only had to have faith and believe in YHVH to be justified or to be considered righteous by Elohim (Gen 15:6). It was on this basis that YHVH granted him “salvation.” But this initial step of faith on Abraham’s part and the righteousness Elohim attributed to him was but the first step in Abraham’s faith walk. From that point forward, he had to walk out his faith and continue trusting YHVH (see also Gen 19:5). The apostolic writers present the truth that the steps one takes while coming into a relationship with Elohim is a journey comprised of many steps, not a one time event that occurs at the beginning of that walk. Our faith-walk is more than just mental assent with a few emotion experiences thrown in for good measure. It is more than just following the golden rule about loving our neighbor in some nebulous sort of way. It involves faithfulness to YHVH’s instructions. James clearly states in his epistle that this is how one demonstrates the legitimacy of one’s faith when he declares that faith without works is dead (Jas 2:18, 20, 26; see vv. 12–26 for context). Abraham demonstrated his faithfulness by his obedience to YHVH’s Torah or YHVH’s Word or voice. Furthermore, as a result of this obedience, YHVH promised to bless him beyond simply being granted initial salvation or righteousness. This two-step approach or model still holds true in the Testimony of Yeshua. One is saved or delivered from the wages of their past sin (Rom 3:25), which is death (Rom 6:23), by their faith (or initial salvation), and then one ceases from that sin by continuing in the good works of Torah obedience (Eph 2:8–10). Moreover, Yeshua and the apostolic writers in numerous instances reveal that future rewards (both temporal and eternal rewards) come as a result of one’s good works (e.g., Matt 5:19). The ultimate reward and the outworking of one’s faith walk is being granted eternal life and inclusion in the family of Elohim.

Abraham obeyed [Heb. shema] my voice [Heb. kol], and kept [also: observe, preserve, guard; shamar, RNA] my charge [Heb. mishmereth], my commandments [Heb. mitzvot] my statutes [Heb. chuqqah], and my laws [Heb. toroti]. Some Bible teachers incorrectly state that the Torah-law does not predate Moses. Not only does this verse disprove this false notion, but it also shows that Abraham kept the Torah-law of Elohim. In a Hebrew lexicon or word dictionary, look up each of these words and study their meanings and how they are used contextually in the Scriptures. One will discover that the Torah is much more than just a set of dos and don’ts. Rather it reflects the very heart, character and righteousness of YHVH, who invites humans to take the requisite steps in coming into an eternal relationship with him by becoming like him through adherence to these high moral and spiritual standards. In a sense, the Torah is like a pathway or ladder to heaven, and Yeshua, who is the Living Torah-Word of Elohim (John 1:1, 14) is that ladder to the Father in heaven (John 1:51 cp. Gen 28:12; John 14:4).

My voice. This verse equates the voice of Elohim with his Torah commands. To obey the voice of Elohim is to obey his Torah instructions. The voice and Torah of Elohim are two ways of saying the same thing. YHVH’s servants were obeying his voice, the Torah, long before it was written down by Moses.

My laws [Torah]. The word Torah here is in the plural. The ancient Jewish sages teach that this is speaking of both the written and oral Torahs (the latter being Jewish oral tradition which then became the Talmud in the early part of the common era). Since Yeshua questioned the validity of the “tradition of the elders” (Mark 7:3, 5; Matt 15:2 also Matt 7:6; Mark 7:13), which was another name for the Jew’s oral Torah (which later became known much later as the Talmud), so should we not do the same? Instead of being a prophetic reference to the Talmud (which contains many Jewish fables and traditions that, in reality, violate the Written Torah [see Matt 15:6; Mark 7:7–13]), it is more likely that Moses (the author of Genesis), when using the plural form of the word Torah, was referring to the various subdivisions of the overall Torah contained in the first five books of the Bible. These subdivisions or aspects of the Torah (like facets of a diamond) could include historical narrative, prophecy, the universal principles or commandments of the Torah that are applicable to all men for all time, specific commandments that applied to Israel before the cross (e.g., the Levitical and sacrificial systems), and to the Torah that was given to Moses and was written down into a codified form (like a nation’s constitution) for the governing of the nation of Israel and was referred to in the Gospels as “the law of Moses.”

The primary meaning of the word Torah, according to The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) is “teaching”(and not “law”). Strong’s Concordance lists the meaning of Torah in this order: “a precept, a statute.” The New Brown-Driver-Briggs-Gesenius Hebrew-English Lexicon defines Torah as “direction, instruction, law”(in that order). According to Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word torah primarily signifies “direction, teaching, instruction” (Prov 13:14). It is derived from the verb yarah [VRH] [meaning] “to project, point out” and hence to point out or teach. The law of Elohim is that which points out or indicates his will to man. Seen against its background of the verb yarah, it becomes clear that Torah is much more than law or a set of rules. Torah is not restriction or hindrance, but instead the means whereby one can reach a goal or ideal.

The TWOT similarly states,

The word Torah basically means “teaching” whether it is the wise man instructing his son or [Elohim] instructing Israel. The wise give insight into all aspects of life so that the young may know how to conduct themselves and to live a long blessed life (Prov 3:1f). So too [Elohim], motivated by love, reveals to man basic insights into how to live with each other and how to approach [Elohim]. Through the law [Elohim] shows his interest in all aspects of man’s life which is to be lived under his direction and care. Law of [Elohim] stands parallel to [the] word of [YHVH] to signify that law is the revelation of [Elohim’s] will (e.g., Isa 1:10).

As already noted, the word Torah originates from the root word yarah/VRH, which means “to flow as water, to lay or throw as in shooting an arrow; to point out as if aiming the finger to make a point, to teach.” Another cognate (related word) of the word Torah is the Hebrew word moreh, which means “teacher or archer (as in one who shoots at a target).” Moreh derives from the same Hebrew root word, yarah,as does Torah. Therefore, when one is walking according to the Torah of YHVH Elohim, one is walking in the light of YHVH’s truth, which is hitting the mark of righteousness. Likewise, YHVH’s teachings or instructions are a river of life flowing from his throne aimed at hitting the mark of truth and righteousness. By contrast, the Hebrew word for sin is chata which means “to miss the mark,” i.e., transgressing the Torah as 1 John 3:4 states, “Sin is the transgression of the Torah.”

Genesis 26:8, Sporting. This Hebrew word means “playing, laughing, being joyful with.” Marriage is a blessing from Elohim that should involve couples relishing each other’s company while joyfully laughing and playing together.

Genesis 26:9–10, Then Abimelech called. It is a sad affair when the heathen have a higher standard of integrity than the righteous and have to take the righteous to task for their falling short ethically as Abimelech did with Isaac. When this occurs, this ruins any positive witness a righteous person may have had in the eyes the heathen.

Genesis 26:17–22, And Isaac departed. To avoid potential conflict with his envious heathen neighbors (v. 14), Isaac the peacemaking, Elohim-fearing man, turned the other cheek and removed himself from the area of disputation. Even afterwards, the covetous Philistines kept stealing the wells that Isaac or his father, had dug. Even though Isaac was mightier than the Philistines according to their own king (v. 16), and likely could have defended the wells militarily, he chose to suffer lose and walk away. This is in line with the teachings of Yeshua, who instructed his disciples to love one’s enemies, to pray for them, to agree with one’s adversary when possible, to bless those that curse you and even, at times, to let others defraud you of your possessions (Matt 6:38–48). Similarly, the wise Solomon taught that there is a time to make war and to make peace (Eccl 3:8) with that latter, according to Yeshua, being the preferable option, if possible, in most cases.

Genesis 26:18–22, And Isaac dug again. Isaac redug the wells that belonged to his father in the land YHVH promised to him, yet the heathens opposed him and stole from him what was rightfully his. The wells’ names were Contention and Strife. How easy it is to allow fleshly or demonically motivated people to oppose and deter us from our divine destiny. What was Isaac’s response? He took the high road of peace refusing to be embroiled in carnal battles. His faith in YHVH was undaunted and at the third well he found, which he named spaciousness (Heb. Rehoboth) and contained a vast supply of water. Are you striving and contending with the spiritual Philistines in your life? Are they keeping you from moving onward spiritually into a place of fruitfulness where the river of life from YHVH’s throne flows? Following the example of Isaac, let’s learn to choose your battles carefully. It is not necessary to engage the enemy at every point of conflict. Sometimes we need to walk away. There is a time to walk away and a time to fight. A wise person will be led by the Spirit of Elohim as to the right course of action in any given situation. When you choose to fight, let YHVH fight your battles and you will progress onward and upward in your faith-walk.

Genesis 26:23–25, He went up…to Beersheba. Beersheba is some 30 miles SSE of Gerar. Isaac, tired of conflict with the heathens, removed himself completely out of the area. Upon retracing the steps of his father, Abraham, back into the land of promise in redigging the ancient wells ending up in Beer-sheba (Heb. “well of the covenant or seven-fold oath”), YHVH blessed Isaac with shalom. The moment Isaac returned back to the heart of Canaan—the future Promised Land, the heart and center of YHVH’s will for his life, what happened? YHVH began speaking to Isaac again (v. 24) as he had earlier (v. 4). Is YHVH calling you back to the ancient wells of your salvation? Similarly, YHVH is calling many of his end time people to retrace the steps of our father Abraham, the father of faith, to return to the ancient paths where a special blessing awaits us. (Read Mal 4:4–6 and Jer 6:16, 19; 18:15.)

Genesis 26:28, A covenant. This was, in effect, a military peace treaty or a nonaggression pact between two nations. The fear of YHVH was upon the enemies of Isaac.

Genesis 26:31, Peace. The Hebrew word shalom, which is here spelled in the undiminished manner containing the letter vav, suggests a deeper, lasting and more complete peace that comes from heaven. Now Isaac was a consummate peacemaker, who not only agreed with his adversaries, but in so doing, gained the favor of Elohim (Matt 5:22–25), and consequently obtained the peace from above that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:17).

Genesis 26:34–35, Esau…took…the daughter of…the Hittite. At an early age, Esau evidenced his carnal and worldly proclivities in the fact that he despised the things of Elohim including his own spiritual heritage and birthright. His carnal demeanor to satisfy his fleshly desires manifested itself in his taking ungoldy, heathen wives, which was a sore grief to his righteous parents. All godly parent want their children to walk in the paths of righteousness, and when they do not, it brings them grief. Sadly, even though YHVH’s blessings and provision was evident in the lives of Esau’s parents, and such could have been his as well, Esau was so carnally bent, so drawn into the allurements of the secular world around him, that he rejected his spiritual heritage and upbringing and chose the ways of world instead.

Genesis 27

Genesis 27:1–32, Rebekah and Jacob’s scheming. How often do we take matters into our own hands to “help” YHVH out in fulfilling his promises for our life. This is what Rebekah and Jacob did. Where is the faith in that? (Read Psalm 37:3–7, 23–24, 34.) We all have the natural tendency to what to take matters into our own hands instead of waiting on YHVH. There are numerous scriptures that admonish the saint to wait on YHVH to work out his plans in our lives in his own timing (e.g., Ps 25:3, 5, 21; 27:14; 37:34; 59:9; 62:5; 69:6; 130:5; Prov 20:22; Isa 40:31). In the waiting, patience and trusting faith in YHVH and his timing is developed in the life of the saint. Analyze the actions of your life on the basis of these words. Consider the following concepts of faith:

• Dynamic or Active Faith: A person with this kind of faith knows when to move ahead and when to wait.
• Passive or Inactive Faith: A person with this kind of faith never moves, but tends to sits idly by waiting for things just to happen on their own.
• Presumptuous or Impetuous Faith: A person with this kind of faith always moves and never waits.

Jacob and Rebekah demonstrated presumptuous or impetuous faith when engineering the acquisition of the birthright instead of waiting for YHVH to change Jacob’s heart on the matter. What kind of faith do you have?

Genesis 27:4, Make me savory food. Sometimes when a person is of extreme age and is, to one degree or another, physically incapacitated from performing the functions of a normal life that produce pleasure and fulfillment, eating becomes a high point of their daily life because of the immediate pleasure it brings. Think “comfort food.” Perhaps this was the case with Isaac. As such, the simple act of the consumption of food can even overshadow one’s spiritual walk. An older person must guard against this and maintain their spiritual relationship with and focus on Elohim to the very end as best they can.

Genesis 27:13, Upon me be your curse. Evidently, the ancient Hebrews placed great significance upon the power of the blessing and the curse spoken by a person of authority over his subordinates (Gen 27:33). We also see this in the conveyance or invocation of the Aaronic Benediction by the priests upon the people (Num 6:22–27). On the other hand, we see the Jewish leaders invoking a curse upon the Jewish people over their allowing the Romans to crucify Yeshua (Matt 27:25). In some regards, it seems that the Jewish people have been under a curse to this day in light of the continual cycles of anti-Semitism that have occurred down through the millennia.  

Genesis 27:28, Fatness. Heb. shaman means “oil.”

Genesis 27:40, By the sword you shall live. Compare this verse with the description of Ishmael in Genesis 16:12. In Genesis 28:9 Esau married the daughter of Ishmael thus uniting these two family lines from which many of the present-day Arabic and Middle Eastern inhabitants descend. Look at these two verses and compare the character traits of Esau listed there with those of the Palestinians who live to kill the Jews and to destroy the nation of Israel today. The roots of today’s hatred among these people largely originate in the jealousy and rivalry that existed between Jacob and Esau.

Jacob’s prophecy over Esau contains another curios piece of information. What is the traditional weapon that comes to mind when thinking of Arabs and Bedouin type people of the Middle East? Of course, it is the curved scimitar sword that appears on the flag of Saudi Arabia to this day, which contains within its current borders the ancient territory of Edom. 

Genesis 27:41, Esua hated Jacob.This reveals the murderous heart of Edom, which continues to this day among Esua’s descendants in their attitude toward the Israeli Jews.

Genesis 28

Genesis 28:1–2, Then Isaac called Jacob. By this time, it appears that Isaac had had a change of heart concerning Jacob. He was no longer angry with Rebekah and Jacob for their scheming; rather; he had and accepted the fact that his younger son was YHVH’s choice to carry on patriarchal lineage and covenant. This change of mind was no doubt due to Rebekah’s positive influence on Jacob in helping him to determine Elohim’s will. The power and influence of a godly and righteous woman on a man’s life for good is not to be underestimated. Conversely, the negative influence on a man’s life of an ungodly, carnally motivated woman can be devastating and debilitating.

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. (Prov 21:19)

Genesis 28:5, Isaac sent Jacob away. Jacob paid a hard price for his trickery and deceit. YHVH did not let him off the proverbial hook easily. Jacob received none of the material inheritance blessings of Isaac, but had to start over from zero building his personal fortune under Laban, who was a taskmaster and a deceiver himself. After twenty years of toiling under and enduring the scheming of his uncle, Jacob came out a humbled and changed man. Are you presently paying a dear price for your past mistakes? Are you “taking your medicine” and learning your lessons well so that YHVH can mature and bless you in the end?

Genesis 28:8, Esau saw. Esau was simply a man-pleaser, not an Elohim-pleaser. He cared nothing for the things of Elohim. What’s more, he cared only what is parents thought because of the blessing that he thought in so doing might confer on him. He had a “What’s in it for me mentality.” He was totally a carnally minded man. In the end, due to his being short sighted and living for the moment, he gained much material substance but lost his soul and his eternal inheritance.