Resources Commentaries Vayechi
| Vayechi |
| Escrito por Bill Bishop |
(B'reshit 47:28-50:26)(Please take the time to read the portion completely as this "reflection" is designed to be a life application of only a small part of the Torah portion and is not an in depth commentary, nor does it normally touch the scheduled corresponding Haftorah and Brit Chadashah readings)Shalom Friends, Gen 49:1 Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, "Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come. There is a doctrine in believing circles about never speaking forth a curse or it will come true especially if the person who is speaking forth is a head of household or a leader. Well I don't know about all that but let's examine what we find in Chapter 49 of B'reshit. The twelve brothers are being "told what would befall them." Reuven, because of his sin, would lose his birth right. What a diverse list of "blessings" that Yacov is bestowing on his children. Or are they all blessings? Is Yacov actually cursing his own children? No, of course not! He is merely telling what he sees coming about either from the past actions of his sons or what has been revealed about their future by the Eternal Counselor of Elohim. The key is in the second verse: Gen 49:2 "Gather together and hear, O sons of Jacob; And listen to Israel your father. Do you know why the Scriptures sometimes refer to Yacov as "Yacov" and sometimes as "Israel?" Because the name Yacov is his "flesh" name and Israel is his "spirit" name. He called his sons of the flesh together but spoke to them as their spiritual father. The words he spoke came directly from the throne of YHVH. Remember YHVH Himself is who selected this family and would bring them out of Egypt years later as HIS nation, His representatives on the earth. So, why do I mention this? Because from the same father came many different sons. I believe that, while Yacov had his favorites, namely Yoseph and Benjamin, he also taught the others the commandments of Elohim. They all heard the same lessons as they sat around the table at night. They all heard of the wonders of their Elohim. They all had a decision to make to obey or not. We see a split almost down the middle of those that seem to get the good stuff and those that receive a less than flattering report. Why? Because every one of us, every day, must make the choice to obey or to disobey the will of YHVH for our lives so we receive either good stuff or something less. It's really that simple! If one or more of your kids is walking distant or maybe even in defiance of their Creator, despite the fact that you have lived and taught them the right path, don't blame yourself; Yacov didn't. Just keep praying and most importantly, let YHVH do what is necessary to bring your offspring back. As we walk through the story of Israel, the nation of Elohim, we see that basically what was prophecy here came true culminating in the expulsion of all the tribes from the land of the Promise due to disobedience. Be secure that YHVH has a purpose in everything He does, even if you don't see it, and that purpose will be fulfilled. Remember, at the end of the story we will enter the New Jerusalem through the twelve gates of the twelve tribes of Israel. Rev 21:10-12 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. So what do we see here? A less than auspicious start to a grand finish. If you are witnessing the same in your life, take heart, your children probably won't do anything worse than Yacov's kids did, and they get gates in Heaven named after them so who knows..... Shalom B'Shem Yeshua |