Toldot - November 21, 2020

Torah Portion:
Toldot - November 21, 2020
Torah: Genesis 25:19-28:9
Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

Summary:
—Rebekah is given a prophecy about her unborn children; Jacob and Esau are born, and Esau emerges first.
—Esau sells his birthright to Jacob.
—Isaac lies about his marriage to King Abimelech.
—God blesses Isaac.
—Isaac becomes old and intends to give the blessing of the firstborn to Esau.
—Rebekah plots with Jacob to get him the blessing.
—Esau vows to kill Jacob, and Rebekah sends Jacob to her brother.
—Esau takes brides that trouble his family.

Devotional by Janet Cothrell:

“So Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me some of this really red stuff, because I am exhausted’—that is why he is called Edom. So Jacob said, ‘Sell your birthright to me today.’ Esau said, ‘Look. I am about to die. Of whatever use is this to me—a birthright?’” Genesis 25:30-32 (TLV)

Esau was a man of the moment who thrived on the hunt and the kill. He was a charismatic man of action who would have been popular in today’s culture. His brother Jacob was the opposite—he was a quiet, patient man who spent his days doing pastoral tasks such as tending sheep. He understood that timing was everything and waited patiently for opportunities to present themselves.

Jacob desired the blessing of the firstborn which would make him head of the family, and which was more than just a material inheritance; he would also receive the promises God made to Abraham. Jacob knew that this blessing had to be giving willfully, but there was one problem—it belonged to his brother!

Jacob’s opportunistic nature saw an opportunity to seize this birthright when his brother Esau came in from a hunt “hungry and exhausted,” and was willing to part with his status as the firstborn for what essentially was a bowl of chili. Before Jacob gave Esau the meal, he made his brother swear to a vow to seal the deal. Esau’s careless and spiritually dull nature had traded God’s eternal promises for a mere morsel of food.  

Even though his motives were questionable, Jacob’s patience and thoughtfulness are examples we can follow! Are you patiently waiting for God to bring about opportunities to share the Good News with others? If so, are you doing so in a manner that is rooted in a desire to be a friend who cares about the needs of others? God desires to give us opportunities to tell others about Yeshua that will change not just their lives but ours as well. All we need to be is patient and wait on Adonai to create opportunities to lead others to become fully devoted followers of Yeshua!

Abba,
Thank You for the divine appointments You provide. Help me to be more patient and watchful in seeking these appointments, knowing that You will provide the timing, the right words, and the correct actions to take. Above all, help me to be a friend who seeks to meet the needs of others.
In Yeshua’s name, amen.