Parasha Toldot: Day 4

B'reisheet/Genesis 26:34-27:29

What has been taught to most believers is that Yacov was a supplanter, who had a maligning bent for personal gain. The proof texts are easy to find to support this ideology. After all, Yacov was born second, found grasping the heel of his big brother. His birth order placed him at a disadvantage in life since he would have to assume the subordinate role in family and legal matters. He convinced his brother to sell his own birthright since Esau was about to die of starvation. Then, he uses deception to exploit that ploy when receiving the firstborn blessing from his father. All of this seems to be pretty rock solid evidence to Yacov's character and role in life. Or does it?

It is most apparent that Yacov out and out lies about his identity to Isaac when asked who he is. The response was "I am" when directly questioned if he was Esau. Yet, there are two factors in play in that situation. First. Rebekah told Yacov to take this role of the firstborn to Isaac, along with his favorite savory food. Yacov had to have been torn. He had purchased the birthright and he needed to honor his mother in obedience all the while not dishonoring his father with deception. An awkward place to be sure. The second factor that was important was the purchase of the birthright. With that little fact, he could legally represent Esau, speaking for him and everything in order to fulfill any promise, obligation or role necessary. The reality was, Yacov, by merit of Esau selling his birthright, rightly conveyed his identity without lying about who he was. This is not to say he did not deceive Isaac, rather he played the role of whom he had purchased, which Elohim indicated that Esau despised, anyway (B'reisheet 25:34)

This birthright, which Yacov purchased and Esau despised, was the power of attorney of the day. Whoever retained the birthright retained the right to represent the family and speak for any of the family members in matters of legality, inheritance, oaths and so forth. Once Isaac would have passed away, become incapacitated or gave his consent, the son with the birthright would be in charge in Isaac's stead. Yacov was not a deceiver; he was a man trying to gain back what was stolen in the womb by way of his struggle with Esau. He had protected his own head from being crushed by grasping Esau's heel. Esau was a hunter and could have eaten any of the game he had hunted. Esau was not about to die of starvation by any stretch of the imagination. He was just lazy and did not see a relevance for the birthright as Yacov did, in whom the seed of promised resided.

The modern believer is under assault of his birthright, as well. HaSatan tries to deceive man into thinking he is the firstborn and first loved of YHVH. He echos Yeshua, using smoke and mirrors, in order to gain acceptance as the firstborn through whom man can receive blessings, power and life. Yet, he is just like Esau who despised his place and order before the throne. Once he realized its value, it was too late, and now he longs to usurp the believer's place and inheritance. The adversary continues to go before the Father as the accuser of those who stand righteously in Yeshua, hoping to gain back credibility while maligning the character of the elect.

Messiah is the firstborn of all living as He was resurrected from the dead since He did not sin. He represents us before the Father. If we are physical firstborns, we must choose to give up our birthrights so that Yeshua can be our advocate and voice in order to receive the blessings that we inherit through Him. If we do not, we surrender our fleshly rights we are not seen by the Father since He does not recognize us except through Yeshua. Others that are not firstborn, should be glad to be seen as firstborn through Yeshua. They have firstborn portions and inheritance that they would not normally receive. This makes us one in Messiah as equal beneficiaries to the promise of life and the hope of salvation.

HaSatan supplanted Adam and Chavah's inheritance of life in the garden. Physically, we resemble them inheriting sin nature and its consequences. Yeshua redeems us with His purchase price for total birthrights and birth order since He is the first fruits and always was, is and forever shall be. Messiah cannot be supplanted or deceived, therefore, living in Him, neither can we. The adversary may roar like a lion making accusations or sounding like Messiah Who is the Lion of Judah; but we can stand firm in our identity. We are not our own, but we are seen as perfect in Messiah's perfection even as we are clothed in His garments and His Life.

Dwell upon Galatians 3:27-29, "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise."