Back in the day of training horses, my father and I were traveling to California with a full load of horses, gear, and feed in a large Peterbilt semi horse rig. With no warning, one of the springs in the front wheel axle broke, which immediately began to pull us towards a cliff and the waters of Lake Shasta. Unable to change course, angels reached down and pulled our massive vehicle away from danger and onto the opposite side of the road, completely safe and unharmed. We were blessed to experience the workings of heavenly beings and our lives were changed. Though in light of my encounter, the Biblical accounts of angels in the life of Jacob probably exceeds more than anyone. Why is this?
After leaving his home, Jacob is given a vision of angels descending and ascending to Heaven and Earth, while given a promise of protection. A number of years later, after leaving Laban and fleeing from Esau, an angelic army shows up in his camp! An army host! I wonder, is Jacob needing to come to grips with the Spiritual realm of Elohim?
In this week’s torah study, I am seeing a need to be like Jacob and to “see” our spiritual standing, our destiny, and to even see the Face of Yah. I think Yahweh wants this.
“Now as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him. 2 And when he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s camp.” So, he named that place Mahanaim.”
When reading this text, the Hebraic term for angels is malak (h4396); meaning messenger, angel or even theophanic (a manifestation of God) angel. It can also mean prophet, priest, or teacher. Secondly, the word “camp” actually refers to “army.” This would cause us to think that Jacob is receiving a big message from above. That message would be, “I am sending you an army Jacob!”
After the angelic host, Jacob immediately sends out messengers to meet with whom he fears most—his brother Esau. Surprisingly, in this context, the Hebrew word for messenger does not change. It is still malak. Is it possible that these messengers are angels and not men? Most believe the messengers sent were just men. But, if Jacob had an army of angels in his camp, there is a likelihood that angels were sent. I don’t know. But, angels were sent to Sodom. Could they be involved in this story as well? When the term is used, “And He sent” it means salah or “let loose.” This kind of sounds “mighty” to me.
What I do know, is that Jacob feared his brother a good deal. In the historical writings of the Hebrew people found in the book of Jasher, Esau was a mighty warrior. He is given credit for the killing of the “mighty hunter” Nimrod. In Genesis, Chapter 10, we are told that Nimrod was mighty “before Elohim,” meaning he stood against Elohim with great arrogance. Therefore, we would have to assume the great ferociousness of Esau was not to be taken lightly if he was able to take down Nimrod.
If you were Jacob, would your flesh be worried? Even if you saw angels in your camp, would doubt enter your mind? Hard to imagine. Right? But, even Israel, after seeing the mighty hand of Yahweh against the Egyptians still had fear. Since we are born into sin, we would have to assume the weakness of our earthly flesh and admit that yes, we too might have had worry.
In recognizing our weakness, I believe we will at some point, come to Jacob’s next vitally important step
. . . that of wrestling with our flesh.
Some of you while reading this blog, may be wrestling with the flesh right now–wanting to prove specific points in the story of Jacob. Though if Torah discussion is to only prove our points, we could run the risk of being like the Jewish Sanhedrin and miss the bigger picture. That picture being the saving grace and mercy of Messiah. So, to help out, I thought I would continue with a few “pictures.”
Here are just a few Angelic pictures to consider when it comes to conquering our fleshly fears:
In the songs of David—who was a mighty warrior:
“For He will give His angels orders concerning you, To protect you in all your ways.”
Psalms 91: 11
In the writings of Paul—a mighty warrior of the gospel:
“For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’ Acts. 27:23-24
In the writings of Daniel—a mighty warrior in staying true to Yahweh:
“My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.” Daniel 6:22
A promise to those seeking Yahweh!
“Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Heb. 1:14
For some, conquering fear is as easy as remembering a few Biblical pictures like the ones listed above. Though for others, something more may be needed. How do I know this? If Jacob had fear even after studying Scriptures in the tents of his father Isaac and at the feet of Shem, then I can accept the idea that I might have the same problem. Here are Jacob’s words:
“Deliver me, I pray from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau,
for I fear him lest he come and attack me.” Gen. 32:11
So how can we begin the process of eliminating fear out of our lives and walk in the power of the Almighty? I believe our first step is to accept the righteous robes of Yeshua our Messiah. Notice in the following text. Joshua, cannot come before Yahweh unless his robes are changed.
“Now Joshua was clothed in filthy garments and was standing before the angel. 4 And he responded and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again, he said to him, “See, I have taken your guilt away from you and will clothe you with festive robes.”
Joshua 3:3
The concept of putting on or coming into Messiah is the spiritual changing we all need and desire. It’s the only way we can present ourselves before the Father. In that, the Father sees and accepts the provision of cleanliness made by the Son.
“Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires
of the flesh.” Rom. 13:14
“For all of you who were baptized into Yeshua Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah.”
Gal. 3:27
Therefore, if anyone is in Yeshua the Messiah, he is a new creation. The old has passed away.
Behold, the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:17
Again, the upper texts are amazing right? Just put on Messiah and you will be a new person. Did Jacob put on new garments so that all could be well? Not yet. In this torah section, Jacob needs something else. He needs a wrestling match. In my estimation, his spirit yearned for justification, for others knew him as a supplanter. And in his journey, I believe he wants to come clean.
Many believe that Jacob wrestled with an angel. And others believe Jacob actually wrestled with the manifestation of Yeshua. But it’s interesting to note a couple of facts:
- The term “man” in this chapter means man H375. There is no other description. This can align with the term Malak if the person was a priest, prophet or a human messenger.
- In the wrestling portion of the story, there is no reference or listing of the AlevTav combination, which by many, is understood to be a direct reference to Yeshua Messiah.
With the above details, why does Jacob ask for a blessing from the “man” he wrestles with and why does Jacob say, “I have seen God face to face yet my life has been preserved.” What are we missing?
The term “face” in this context is panim, H6440 which is used literally or figuratively, meaning: before, against, or at battle. So, we might read this text as, “I have come before God to do battle, yet my life has been preserved.”
If we consider the battle being spoken of will be against Esau as well as Jacob’s perception of himself, this text begins to make sense. For when a person comes before Yahweh, they are seeking forgiveness, direction, and even clarity. In doing so, Jacob states his life is being preserved. Consequently, in an act of desperation he calls out to be blessed in his struggle.
So, who is the man he is wrestling with? Jacob is not stronger than angel. He is not stronger than Yeshua. He is not stronger than God Himself. This leads us to a conclusion that the man may just be a normal man or prophet sent to Jacob with a message. That message becomes clear when Jacob is given a new name. He is called Israel. No longer a supplanter, but a man of honor in that he wrestled with his human fleshly nature tendencies and overcame. Hallelujah!!
It’s at this point, Aleph Tav is finally included in the story.
- “And he blessed him.” (v. 29) The word him (meaning Jacob) comes with the Aleph Tav combination. Using the combination meaning of these Hebrew letters, Jacob is now “secured with the strength of the covenant.”
- “Jacob named the place Peniel” (v. 30) Between the words place and Peniel we see the Aleph Tav.
- “Do not eat the sinew” (v. 32) comes with the Aleph Tav just before the word sinew. The analogy of sinew is the tendon or that which binds together. The root of this word is found in H1517 as giyd (dalet, yod, gimmel) meaning, “the door opened by the hand that carries the burden.” The warning given to the sons of Israel would then mean, do not partake of Aleph Tav’s burden, for the battle belongs to the Lord!
I know this has been long. But one more thought. Can we really see the Face of God? Consider the following texts:
“See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10
Yeshua said, “The pure in heart will see God” (Mt 5:8)
“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it,
and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.” (Rev. 22:3-4)
There are angels all around us all the time, carrying messages, executing judgment, standing guard. Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. There are men and women of Yahweh who deliver messages. And of course, Yahweh gives us problems that we must wrestle with in order to see His Face.
Did I see the Face of Yah, when angels moved our semi-truck? I believe I did. My father and I witnessed a mighty heavenly action, that caused our lives to change in a more intimate perception of who Yawheh is. And, I think the horses saw Him as well. For their eyes were big!!
Trust in Elohim, believe in His Providence, for there is an angelic army on your side. If God is for us, who can possibly be against us?
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn
Vayishlach Dec. 13, 2024
Torah: Gen. 32:4-36:43
Prophets Obadiah 1:1-21
Gospel Matt. 2:13-23
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