I love the themes of scripture stories. I love the symbols of the beautiful characters. They were real people
For us they are stories, but they always teach us.
There are many biblical stories about women wishing with all of their heart to conceive.
Sarah, Rebecca, Rachael Leah. Each had all times when they were unable to bear children.
Rachael says give me children or else i will die!
Hannah- her husband gives her double portion (birthright portion)of food which she won’t eat until God promises her a child
In scripture, when women finally able to conceived usually because they Pray - God remembers them
in the story of Isaac and Rebecca - its Isaac who prays. In Biblical text this is the only time a man prays
He didn’t just pray in his house he takes rebecca to Mt Moriah - to the Temple
Remember this was the Mountain where he was to be offered as a sacrifice. Perhaps a blessing for going through that sacrifice was that he received Rebekah as his wife. So he takes her back to that Altar and they kneel and pray for a son.
It's interesting that over and over we see Isaac being cast in the female role. When Rebekah meets Isaac where has he been? At the well 24:62 - Isaac came from the well that Hagar named He’s at the well when he meets Rebekah she’s coming on the camel
in the other stories its the men on the camel with the woman at the well
But, Isaac plays the feminine role - he loves Esau in spite of the fact that Esau is disappointing. Again this is more of a mom-like characteristic.
In this story, Rebecca holds to higher standard . Maybe- because she knows the guy who gets the birthright will be responsible for her in the end. She is 37 years younger than Isaac. Which son is going to take care of her better? She has the vision for who should be the birthright son. Also remember that in Gen 25:23 the Lord told her that the elder would serve the younger. The birthright son is the dweller in tents. Esau was the hunter - (think Nimrod). Our tents and homes are temple symbols.
In fact, in Midrash, Sarah’s tent - had over it - a cloud by day, she would have candles burn, hallalel bread (burnt offering )
Jewish home as looking back they have read the story of the temple back onto sarah and her tent and apply that story to every woman’s tent. Sarah is a priestess in her tent.
Jewish tradition tells that Rebekah takes over Sarah’s tent. Her tent is just as much a temple. Now, Rebekah is concerned about who is the right son to be the high priest in this temple.
Jacob man who dwells in tents
Lehi - dwells in a tent whats he doing in the tent? reading the scriptures using the liahonah
such a temple metaphor
Outside the tent - Esau - marries outside the covenant.
So now rebecca takes esaus clothes which are in her tent. To be honest, he's not "worthy" to wear them. He has married outside the covenant. This is how he truly "sold his birthright" It was more than just a mess of pottage of lentils.
Midrash claims that esau's clothes were Noah's priestly garment. Perhaps from Nimrod who had received them from Ham. Ham took the garments-- noah’s clothing and creates a false priesthood.
Nibley - talks about these sacred vestments - Those from Adam - He was clothed by God - A lamb was sacrificed to provide a covering. Kaphar. The atonement covers us. Isaiah tells us though our sins be scarlet they will be white as snow. Snow covers the world in white. When a lamb is slain to provide the covering, the lamb is now red. Christ will appear as the lamb in red -dyed garments. Though you are crimson you shall be as wool. Well wool of course meaning you are covered by the lamb!!! how cool is that?
Again in mid rash, that’ s what noah is wearing when the animals get on the ark. The animals recognize his authority. they come to him. when ham steals or makes a copy of the garment, his son Caanan takes that and uses to become a great hunter and then Nimrod inherits them. In midrash Nimrod was a great hunter because the animals came to him because of his garment.
This is not how you are supposed to use priesthood.
Esau has gotten these clothes from nimrod. where is rebecca keeping them? Tent temple clothing
jacob gave these clothes to Joseph - Kenoet - the brothers are jealous of those clothes.
So of course, isaac recognized the clothes Jacob is wearing. After eating great food, he gave the birthright blessing.
how real is a blessing given in deception? We know it was the will of God, but to further prove the point in scripture, before Jacob leaves Isaac blesses Jacob a 2nd time and knowingly he gives him the birth right blessing his eyes are open
How much of the wealth of Abraham that Isaac has inherited how much does jacob inherit?
Isaac takes nothing! Who actually inherits all the money? All of the birthright money/inheritance ends up withEsau
Esau got exactly what he wanted and he actually does take care of the parents.
Jacob is gone. When Jacob returns, his parents are both deceased. Well, what did jacob get? The priesthood and the promise the messiah would come through his seed.
But both brothers got exactly what they cared most about.
Jacob gets Covenant blessing, marriage for eternity, priesthood, and the promise to bless the world.
Esau got his fathers money, land. His true first-born birthright promise.
When I think of what I truly desire. I have also been blessed by the hand of the Lord. There have been many difficult days and circumstances in my life. But I have been given the desires of my heart. To be a wife. To have a just man (priesthood holder) for my dear husband. To be a mother. To have children who are good. They can be challenging but they are good kids. I love them dearly.
I love the scriptures. I treasure the word of God. I am blessed with the time to study it. I have seen people and circumstances placed in my life to enhance my scripture knowledge. I have been led by the hand of the Lord to things I study. Especially Jewish knowledge and desire to know these things. I have had 3 different teachers placed in my life, who I almost feel learned everything they know just so they could teach me. Now I have also been blessed with a tender mercy to even teach some Hebrew and Jewish ways to others. Of all the things I would desire it would be teaching what I love. It is the desire of my heart. These are tender mercies over me. I love my Savior. I desire to be more like him, to know him, to serve him.
means to consume/can be by fire
