Ya’akov Leaves – Israel Returns
Va Yishlach – and he sent
Torah: Bereishit 32:3 – 36:43
“1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim (two camps). 3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.” (Ge 32:1-3)
** These three verses are the last verses in last week’s parsha. The messengers that Ya’akov sent to Asav could have been angels (same Hebrew word as messengers) from the group of angels that he encountered earlier.
Ya’akov is returning from Padan Aram; a small community built on the banks of the Euphrates River.
He is approaching Cana’an
From the south east; modern Jordan.
When he gets to the Zarqa (Jabbok) river, a tributary of the Jordan River. he is close to the modern border as it exists today.
When he heard that his brother, Asav, was coming with four hundred men, the arrogant Ya’akov who confronted Lavan a couple of days prior, became overcome with fear.
7 Then Ya’akov was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
** After organizing his family and chattel, he realized that he would not be able to overcome Asav on his own strength so he cried out to Avinu.
9 And Ya’akov said, O Elohei avi Avraham, and Elohei avi Yitzak, Avinu which said to me, Return to your country, and to your kindred, and I will deal well with you: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which you have showed to your servant;
** A humble spirit has overtaken Ya’akov as he cries out to the only source for help that he has.
for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. 11 Deliver me, I pray you, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Asav: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. 12 And you said, I will surely do you good, and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
** After he dispatched his family, sending them across the Yabbok River, he was alone, emotionally exhausted and afraid. The possibility of death and the destruction of his life’s vision was overtaking him.
“B’Reishit 32:24 And Ya’akov was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.
** Some teach that the “man” was ”the spirit of Asav”, others teach that he (it) was an angel and others teach that it was “Avinu” Himself.
I think that it was an angel, sent by Avinu to deliver the blessing.
25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Ya’akov, he touched his hip socket, and Ya’akov’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Ya’akov said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
** Persistent prayer is something that we are taught by the Scriptures. Ya’akov was personifying persistent prayer for us.
27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Ya’akov.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Ya’akov, but Israel, for you have striven with Avinu and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Ya’akov asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Ya’akov called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen Avinu face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Ya’akov’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.” (Ge 32:24-32 )
** Physically, Ya’akov was worse than he had been several hours before his “wrestling match”.
As he walked – limped toward Asav, he realized that for the first time in his life, he couldn’t physically “run” from his problems.
However, he was armed with a new “name”, a “new vision” for himself.
33:1 And Ya’akov lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Asav came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children to Leah, and to Rachel, and to the two handmaids. 2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 And Asav ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. 5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with you? And he said, The children which Elohim has graciously given your servant. 6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves. 7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. 8 And he said, What mean you by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my master. 9 And Asav said, I have enough, my brother; keep that you have to yourself. 10 And Ya’akov said, No, I pray you, if now I have found grace in your sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen your face, as though I had seen the face of Elohim, and you were pleased with me. 11 Take, I pray you, my blessing that is brought to you; because Elohim has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.
** Here are a few things that Ya’akov learned when he became “Israel”.
*** “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Pr 15:1 )
*** “A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.” (Pr 21:14 )
*** “When a man’s ways please Avinu, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Pr 16:7 )
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