11.23.25 ~ An Enigma

Good morning!

The story of Jacob and Esau is filled with questions. As Winston Churchill, my dad's favorite, once said, speaking of Russia, "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." That's my mindset on Jacob and Esau.

The mission of Abraham's seed is to transform the physical and material world into a divine abode (Matt. 6:10)

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matt. 6:10)

How is this done? We must enter into the real world and impact it. We must enter the open fields of society and live proudly as people in Christ, Abraham's seed (Gal. 3:29; Jn. 8:39), to integrate heaven and earth.

As I try to read Isaac and Rebekah's minds, they both knew that a partnership between the twins Esau and Jacob would guarantee an impactful people for generations/toldot to come. Jacob will grant the people its soul, spirit, conscience, and moral GPS, its Divine core, but Esau will be in charge of the "field," he will become the facilitator of Jacob’s spiritual light and love in our physical world, standing guard against the enemy that craves to destroy goodness, morality and holiness in our world. Hence, the love the parents showed towards each child in order to facilitate the qualities of one into the other.

In the end, tragically speaking, Esau did not see himself as a partner of Jacob. His material prowess, hunting skills, and field-maneuvers have become divorced from his spiritual, soulful core. His body was severed from his soul. Ugh! Life for him was so emotionally exhausting that he detached from his own spiritual roots. His internal universe was chaotic, distraught, and frenzied. Double ugh!
Fortunately, Issac had a warrior bride for his honey bunny! A mother who understood the calling of the moment.

“Now my son, listen to my voice, to what I am commanding you. Go now to the flock, and take for me from there two choice kids, and I will make them tasty foods for your father, as he likes.” (Gen. 27:9)

I can hear her say, "My dear  Jacob! It is time to leave your tents of study and go out to the field (where the goats/saeir are: identifying with the hairy Esau).  It is time for you to learn how to adorn yourself in Esau’s cloaks and gear—to confront the enemy that might come to kill you. Sure, your tents of study and prayer will remain your eternal compass; they will guide your direction in the field and navigate your movements in the outside world; your faith and spiritual authenticity will be the bedrock of your success. But to be anchored in God means that at times you must go out and protect your children, standing up to your enemies with unwavering resolve. It's time my son! Giddy-up! I know you despise violence, loathe conflict, and never give up on the dream of peace. Yes, my son, we are the people of the book, not of the sword. But Jacob, there is a time in history when you must wage war, so that your children live. A future king will come from your loins; David will need to stand up to a Goliath; in Persia of old, during the edicts of Haman, your descendents will need to engage in moral violence to fight off their blood thirsty foes. In the days of hanukkah, your seed will once again need to take up arms to save their people and faith. Torah study is essential, but there are battles that must be fought.

One day, my son, Esau and Ishmael will submit to your lead, but not today. One day the Messiah will come (for us, return), and you will return to your tents of learning,

“He shall judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isa. 2:4)

But, for now...those against your Divine call are brutal, ruthless, and bloodthirsty. Twiddling your thumbs hoping and wishing won't keep the international community at bay.

Jacob, the man of truth (Mic. 7:20) heeds his temporary 'ezer kenegdo' (Gen. 2:25) and he adorns himself in the clothes of Esau. And when he enters the chambers of his father, something remarkable happens...
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:  Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be everyone that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee. (Gen. 7:28,29)

His voice is the voice of  Jacob—a voice of Torah, of wisdom, of spiritual truth, of justice, compassion, ethics, sacred nobility, and moral values. “But the hands are the hands of Esau” (Gen. 27:22)—this same man is capable of standing up to a cruel enemy with unapologetic resolve, unwavering moral clarity, unrestrained determination, and undeterred strength to preserve its life. His mind, heart and soul will be defined by Torah, and when the moment calls for it, he will know how to go out and change the world.

May we each be a perfect blend!

Happy 1st day of the week!

Shalom,
Alan