Note: Our commentary below follows the Sephardic reading.
The Theme
Just as the lives of Isaac and Joseph parallel that of the Messiah, the life of
Jacob parallels that of the nation that would bear his name: Israel. Like
Israel, Jacob was given a promise by God. Like Israel, he did not trust God’s
promise but yielded to his mother’s urge to take his birthright by his own
action, sinning against his father in the process. And like Israel, as a result
he was forced to leave the Land of promise.
However, despite our many sins against Him and the necessity of punishing us for
them, God has always proclaimed His love for and fidelity to both the houses of
Israel. Even when Jacob was fleeing the Land because of his sin, the Eternal
One reiterated the Covenant promises to him. Even as Jacob tended Laban’s sheep
and was repeatedly cheated, the Holy One blessed him with flocks, wives, and
children. And when the time was right, the Holy Lord pushed Jacob into
returning to the Land.
When Yeshua rode into Jerusalem, He wept over the city, knowing that despite the
large numbers of people greeting Him with palm branches that the majority of
Israel was not ready to accept Him as King (Luke 19:41-44). However, when He
prophesied the fall of the Temple and the removal of the Jewish people from the
Land, He also promised that there would be a day when the “time of the Gentiles”
would run its course and Israel would be liberated and the kingdom restored to
her (Acts 1:6ff).
