You shall do what is right in the sight of HaShem" Parashat HaShavua Vayishlach

[mevaser]

You shall do what is right in the sight of HaShem" Parashat HaShavua Vayishlach / And He sent; Year 5764; By Messianic Jewish Rabbi Jack (Yacob) Farber
Congregation Melech Yisrael, Toronto, Canada
Shabbat 18 Kislev 5764, December 13, 2003
http://www.cmy.on.ca / cmy@ca.inter.net

This week's Reading list:
* Beresheet / Genesis 32:4-36:43
* Ovadyah / Obadiah 1:1-21
* Mattiyahu / Matthew 26:36-46

I know there is much to comment on from this Parsha. For example: Ya’acov’s (Jacob’s) wrestling with the angel, which I believe to be another theophany (physical appearance of pre-incarnate Yeshua), or his encounter with Esav (Esau) or the events with his daughter Dinah. However the Scriptures I have chosen to remark on from this Parsha, although they are a little less obvious they are none the less very insightful. I am going to include verse three in our reading for clarification purposes:

Beresheet {32:3} Ya'akov sent messengers in front of him to Esav, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom. {32:4} He commanded them, saying, "This is what you shall tell my lord Esav: This is what your servant, Ya'akov, says. I have sojourned with Lavan, and stayed until now. {32:5} I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, men-servants, and maid-servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favour in your sight."

Ya’acov had learned some very hard lessons while under Lavan’s employment. For one he got a taste of his own medicine. Many times Lavan had lied to him, deceived him and took advantage of him. Experiencing these things, I am sure taught Ya’acov some very valuable lessons. However there was something else which Ya’acov gained while with his in-laws, and that was wealth! By the standards of that day, Ya’acov did not leave Paddan-aram a poor man. No, he left with herds, flocks, camels and donkeys in abundance; besides the male and female slaves he had acquired while there. The effect of this wealth on Ya’acov’s life is what I am picking up in reading the opening verses of this Parsha.

What I am saying is that when Ya’acov decided to send word of his returning to his brother Esav, there is no indication in Scripture that he first prayed to HaShem, for Esav to find favour with him. Instead he instructed his servant go meet Esav and to tell his estranged brother how much wealth he had acquired.

In today’s world wealth commands respect. People think more highly of you if you are driving a brand new BMW than if they see you driving a 1985 Dodge rust bucket. Your job description, your home, your neighbourhood, your clothing are all symbols of your social status and in the world’s view they play a large roll in the amount of respect and consideration you receive.

The talmid (apostle) Ya’acov (James) warned believers in Yeshua against what the impressions of wealth will have on their decision making. He told us not to respect people based on the very things the world respects them for; their appearance of wealth:

Ya’acov / James {2:1} My brothers, have not the faith of our L-rd Yeshua HaMashiach (the Messiah), HaAdon (the lord) of glory, with respect of persons. {2:2} For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; {2:3} And you have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand there, or sit here under my footstool: {2:4} Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Ya’acov (Jacob) obviously thought that his acquisition of wealth would impress his brother Esav. Perhaps he had the notion that his brother was not as blessed financially as he was and therefore would look upon him with more respect and favour, thereby receiving him better. Could that be why he sent his servant to Esav with the message of: “…I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, men-servants, and maid-servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favour in your sight."? His display of pride however did not work. Esav was himself a wealthy man. So when his servant returned and advised Ya’acov that his brother was not impressed by his message and in fact was on his way to meet him with four hundred men, only then did Ya’acov resorted to plan “B” he turned to HaShem.

Beresheet {32:6} The messengers returned to Ya'akov, saying, "We came to your brother Esav. Not only that, but he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him." {32:7} Then Ya'akov was greatly afraid and was distressed: and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two companies; {32:8} and he said, "If Esav comes to the one company, and strikes it, then the company which is left will escape." {32:9} Ya'akov said, "G-D of my 'ab (father) Avraham, and G-D of my 'ab Yitzchak (Isaac), HaSHEM, who said to me, 'Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good.' {32:10} I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant; for with just my staff I passed over this Yarden (Jordan); and now I have become two companies. {32:11} Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esav: for I fear him, lest he come and strike me, and the 'em (mothers) with the children. {32:12} You said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which can't be numbered because there are so many.'"

Funny how we all tend to use G-d as our last resort, especially after our own plans fail! Ya’acov’s plan “B” should have been his plan “A.” In G-d’s economy your wealth can not and will not deliver you from anything. Ya’acov’s deliverance came from the L-rd and not from his wealth. This a good lesson for us all to learn. It is also very interesting that the same message came from two separate sources, people living thousands of years apart; both men of G-d, both Israelites, both having the same Hebrew name! Do you think G-d is trying to tell us something here?

*********************
Baruch HaShem
Rabbi Jack (Yaacov) Farber

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