Genesis 33 Yisroel’ Essence
ב׳׳ה
Dear family and friends, in Genesis 33 we discover the essence of The People of Israel. Jacob, his four wives, twelve children, and numerous servants and droves of cattle were traveling head-on into a 97-year-old conflict between him and his brother Esau. They were facing a potentially dangerous confrontation with Esau, his brother, and 400 men that accompanied him. It was a tense time for Jacob and those close to him! Friction was building! Then all of a sudden, the meeting with Esau was upon them. What was Jacob supposed to do? Jacob led his wives, children, and servants in trusting God, taking preparatory actions.
Jacob placed his trust in God and a solid backup plan. Jacob knew God. He was acquainted with God’s Manifestations in situations like this. Jacob experienced God in a powerful dream at הַמָּקוֹם Hah Maw Chom, ‘The Place’ where the ladder extended from Heaven to earth. ‘The Place’ where angels ascended from earth to heaven and descended from Heaven to earth. ‘The Place’ he called The Gate to Heaven.
Jacob lived among sacred people, i.e., Abraham – His grandfather, Isaac – His father, Rebecca – His Mother. Malki Tzedek / Shem, the son of Noach and others. The Shekinah, in the form of a cloud, shaded the entrance to his Grandmother’s Sarah’s tent and his Mother’s tent. As long as Sarah lived, the doors to her tent were wide open. There was a blessing on Sarah and Rebecca’s Challah. The Sabbath lamp burned continually from the Sabbath evening until the evening of the following Sabbath for Sarah and Rebecca. Beresheit Rabba 60.16
Jacob learned in the Academy of Shem and Eiver. He wrestled with angels. He knew God watched after him. He knew God prevented Laban from hurting him. Jacob trusted God!!
Yet, even though he trusted God, at the same time, he was a man of wisdom. His wisdom compelled him to prepare a backup plan. He tried to appease Esau with many gifts. He humbly showed his esteem, respect, and honor to Esau as the older brother. Still, regardless Jacob is Israel ישראל. The Name Israel embodies each Matriarch and Patriarch. That is why we are called The Children of Israel. We descended from Jacob / Israel!
יִצְחָק — Isaac — יַעֲקֹב — Jacob
שָׂרָה — Sarah
רִבְקָ — Rebecca — רָחֵל — Rachel
אַבְרָהָם — Abraham
לֵאָה – Leah
As the father of The People of Israel, Jacob experienced unique, extraordinary manifestations of The Lord God. As tensions in and around us build, let’s trust God and make plans for what may be coming not too far down the road. Israel pulled our family together. Israel unified us to trust God and face Esau. We should do the same.
We are scattered among the nations. We are divided. Still, we have a rich history. God listens to the cries of His people. When we shed tears, they open the gates of Heaven. When we, i. e., The People of Yisroel / Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל are obedient to The Lord’s Commands our world changes. When we follow עֵשָׂו Esau, our world also changes because our focus is not on The Lord Alone. The First Letter of עֵשָׂו Esau is the Letter Ayin. When the Letter עַיִןAyin / eye is first, we do not have a single focus like in the Letter י Yod. We follow our eyes / eye. עַיִן Ayin means eye. The Letter עַיִן Ayin has two heads. We follow what our eyes are attracted to. Our focus is on us. The Holy Name of The Lord begins with the Letter י Yod, which focuses on The Lord.
Note the essence of Jacob, the father of The People of Israel, The First Letter in Yaakov’s / Jacob’s Name is the Letter י Yod. The First Letter in Yisroel / Israel is the Letter י Yod. The י Yod is smaller than all the other letters in the Hebrew Aleph-Bet, i.e., Alphabet. Yet, the יYod is the most powerful of all the Hebrew Letters. The י Yod equals Ten. Ten reminds us of The Ten Commands given by The Lord. Observing The Commandments shapes our character, guides us, and makes us obedient people. We have a choice to make. Our world needs healing from the damage caused by the Esau’s. Will we follow The Lord Who’s Holy Name begins with the single-minded Letter י Yod or will we follow The Letter ע Ayin, our eyes see – our desires?
We have the powerful tools of prayer, The תורה Torah – נביאים Nevi’im / Prophets – כתובים Ketuvim – i.e., The Tanakh. May we each enjoy good health, happiness, healing, restoration, and the Blessing of studying and Observing the Torah. Trust in The Lord.
Good Sabbath!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
