Genesis 28 Redemption
Dear Ones, as we continue with our weekly study in Genesis. A horrible storm appears to be approaching. It could eradicate everything near and far and impact all future generations. It is a collision of two opposing views. I am not necessarily referring to the right or the left, conservatives or liberals, even though these positions are opposed to each other from a surface view. Opposites! Esau and Jacob have been at odds with each other from their mother’s womb.
If we dredge up Esau’s past, there are many red flags. He fought with Jacob in Rebecca’s womb. He committed deadly sins at the age of fifteen, immediately after Abraham’s death. He married two evil idolatrous Canaanite women at the age of forty, without the consent of Isaac and Rebecca. His idolatrous wives made the life of Isaac and Rebekah bitter. Esau hated Jacob and planned to murder him in the future.
Genesis 26.34 – 35.
And Esau was forty years old when he married Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite, And they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.
Despite Esau’s many sins, Satan, i.e., the Angel of Adversity, will be called to testify against Esau’s at his eternal judgment. The adversary will share all of Esau’s evil sins, and then The adversary will share the good in Esau’s life. If there was any good, we will observe the incredible power of good deeds. The Talmud explains repentance and good deeds are a person’s advocates. Even if nine hundred and ninety-nine angels argue for a person’s guilt, while only one angel argues in his / her favor, he / she is saved. Scripture states, If there be with him / her an angel, an advocate, one among a thousand, To show a person what is correct for him / her; Then the Great Judge is gracious unto him / her, and says, Deliver him / her from going down to the pit, etc. Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Jose, the Galilean, said, ‘Even if nine hundred and ninety-nine parts of an accusing angel are in his / her disfavor and only one part is in his / her favor, he / she is saved. For it is said, ‘an advocate, one part in a thousand,’ Shabbat 32a.
Job 33.23 – 24
If there is an angel with him / her, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to declare to a person what is right; Then the Great Judge is gracious to him / her, and says, Save him / her from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.
The redemption of God is so tremendous, and Jacob understood that. Perhaps we will return to this discussion later in Genesis. Dear ones, that is why it is a must to understand the power of repentance. The Will of God will not be compromised!! At the end, when all is said and done, God’s Will is going to be accomplished.
This Shabbat is the first of my 70th year. Blessed be the Holy Name of The Lord our God forever and ever,
May we receive rest, comfort, unity, peace, loving kindness, good health, financial success, and a wonderful week and a beautiful Shabbat.
Blessings and Peace!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
