December 7, 2024: Parashah Torah Portion Vayetzei - “He Went Out”

Shabbat: December 6th, 2024 at sunset until December 7th, 2024 at sunset.

Shabbat Shalom from Dr. Hadassah & Elihana Elia!

As we embrace this sacred Shabbat, we turn our hearts and minds to the Torah portion of Vayetzei - “He Went Out” (Genesis 28:10–32:3), accompanied by the prophetic words of Hosea (12:13–14:10) and the illuminating insights from John (1:19–51). This week's teachings delve into the profound themes of divine promise, human endeavor, familial love, and the eternal connection between heaven and earth.

Scriptures:

• Torah: Genesis (Bereshit) 28:10–32:3

• Haftarah: Hosea 12:13–14:10

• Brit Chadashah (New Covenant): John (Yochanan) 1:19–51

JACOB'S LADDER, GOD'S FAITHFULNESS & MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE TO STAND IN HIS PROMISES, PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD!

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“STAND” STAND IN HIS PROMISES, PREPARE THE WAY!

This prophetic song, composed by Dr. Hadassah Elia and Elihana Elia, called ”STAND” serves as an anthem of encouragement promoting a message of enduring faith, worship to ADONAI. It is a song that has been part our efforts of global outreach through MEDIA & MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE, distributed on YouTube and online, with millions of viewers.

We hope you enjoy and SHARE this SPIRIT-FILLED, empowering song to STAND IN THE PROMISES OF ADONAI, THE LORD, PREPARING THE WAY OF THE LORD!

Official Newsletter on behalf of:

- Restore Israel (& the Nations)

- FRONTLINE ISRAEL,

- RONI International Alliance,

- LEV ECHAD (ONE HEART) CONGREGATION

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Torah Portion: VAYETZEI

Overview of the previous Torah Portion Toldot - "Generations": Genesis (Bereshit) 28:1-10, Isaac gave the blessing to Yaakov (Jacob), who is sent away by his mother Rivkah (Rebecca) as she saw Esau was planning to kill Yaakov for receiving the special blessing. Yaakov, fled with the blessing of Avraham Avinu, (Abraham the forefather of our faith). This blessing by Isaac, is over Jacob and his descendants, until today. This blessing includes the promise of the inheritance of the Land of Israel, promised by God, to the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (ISRAEL).

The Land of Israel belongs to the God of Israel. However it is for the children of Israel to posses and administrate, this BLESSING and privilege that ADONAI gave His people. They were called to live in blessing and peace, under the condition of obedience to ADONAI, the God of Israel and His Word.

Yaakov obeyed his father and his mother. Esau, on the other hand, saw that the daughters of Canaan displeased his parents, so he married, besides the wives he already had, the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son. This is an act of provocation and rebellion.

Last week's Parashah showed the condition of Esau's heart, his carnal decisions, the fruit of his rebellion (hostility uprising against authority), bitterness to the Almighty God and disobedience to his own mother and father.

Genesis (Bereshit) 28:10–32:3

Jacob's Divine Encounter at Bethel:

Genesis 28:10-22: Jacob, fleeing from his brother Esau, dreams of a ladder set up on earth with its top reaching heaven, angels ascending and descending, and God Himself speaking to him. Here, the Almighty reaffirms the covenant with Jacob, promising land, descendants, and His protective presence.

Genesis 28:15 - "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." This promise underscores the unwavering faithfulness of God to His covenant with us.

Jacob's response to this divine encounter is one of awe and commitment, vowing to tithe and to make Bethel a place of worship if God fulfilled His promise. This act of faith highlights a transactional aspect of his relationship with God but also a profound personal commitment to divine service.

Jacob's Journey in Haran:

Genesis 29:1-30: Jacob meets Rachel, falls in love, and agrees to work seven years for her hand in marriage. Yet, he is deceived by Laban, marrying Leah first. This portion teaches about labor, love, and the complexities of human relationships, where love can drive one to endure great hardship.

Genesis 29:31-30:24: The narrative continues with the competition between Leah and Rachel for Jacob's affection, leading to the birth of his sons and daughter. This familial drama reveals how God's favor can manifest in unexpected ways, using human imperfection to fulfill His divine plan.

Genesis 30:25-31:55: Jacob's wealth grows, not through deceit but through divine intervention as he departs from Laban with his family and wealth. This section speaks to themes of prosperity, divine justice, and the intricate dance of family dynamics.

This image highlights how we should PRAY and STAND in agreement for the release of the women and children of Israel, that are currently being held in captivity by the terrorist group Hamas, as hostages in Gaza, since October 7, 2023!

During this SHABBAT KODESH (HOLY SHABBAT), as we read the Torah portion “Vayetzei”, in which (YAAKOV) Jacob says, “Give me my women and my children!”, may we ask and see the same incredible event happen THIS week with ALL of the living hostages and the remains of hostages who were killed, returning back home!

BEZRAT HASHEM, (WITH THE HELP OF ADONAI), MAY IT BE SO, AMEN!

All we’re fighting for is to bring them home. 🇮🇱🎗️The State and people of Israel also have the God given right to defend ourselves. We must prevent another attack from happening again - NEVER AGAIN is NOW.

May the memory of the slain, the martyrs who defended the State of Israel and people, never be forgotten. May the Almighty God of Israel avenge the blood of the innocent, of the foreigners and children of Israel, who were taken to captivity with such cruelty and brutality. As well as the dear soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces who have fallen; We honor their sacrifices and ask God in His great mercy to protect and defend us from our enemies today, and BRING BACK ALL THAT THE ENEMY HAS STOLEN FROM US, IN YESHUA'S MIGHTY NAME!

Key Lessons from Vayetzei:

Divine Guidance and Promises: Jacob's encounter at Bethel teaches us that God's promises are not just for the patriarchs but extend to all His children. His vow to God signifies a personal commitment that goes beyond mere transaction; it's about a life dedicated in response to divine favor.

Commitment and Vows: Jacob's vow at Bethel reflects the essence of faith where commitment to God is met with divine fulfillment. It's a lesson on how our pledges of faith, when made with sincerity, invite God's involvement in our lives.

Overcoming Deceit with Integrity: Jacob's life in Haran, where he is both victim and beneficiary of deceit, illustrates that integrity in the face of deception can lead to divine favor and prosperity.

Family Dynamics and Divine Favor: The rivalry and subsequent blessings through Leah and Rachel show us that God's purposes can weave through the tapestry of human relationships, often transforming adversity into legacy.

Haftarah: Hosea 12:13-14:10

In this Haftarah, Hosea 12:13-14:10, the story of Jacob's struggle with the angel is used to highlight the Israelites' unfaithfulness to God, reminding them of their humble beginnings and how God had chosen them despite Jacob's deceitful nature, while also emphasizing that YHWH's covenant with them remained despite their rebellion; essentially, Jacob's struggle represents the Israelites' need to wrestle with God and seek true repentance to overcome their sinfulness. 

Key points about Jacob's struggle in Hosea 12:

Jacob's Past: 
The passage recalls Jacob's flight from Esau to Aram, where he worked for Laban to gain wives, highlighting his initial desperation and reliance on God's providence. 


Contrast with Moses: 
Verse 13 contrasts Jacob's situation with Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt as a faithful prophet, emphasizing how God had chosen to deliver His people.



"He wrestled with God": 
This refers to the famous story in Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestled with an angel all night and received a new name, Israel, signifying his perseverance and faith. Also, the identity of the children and the Kingdom of God, as ISRAEL. 



Application to Israel: 
By reminding the Israelites of Jacob's struggle, Hosea criticizes their current behavior, accusing them of abandoning their covenant with God and failing to live up to the legacy of their forefathers. 


What does this passage teach us?

God's faithfulness despite our flaws: 
Even though Jacob was a flawed man, God remained faithful to him, fulfilling His promises to Jacob (Israel) and to his descendants. 



The importance of TESHUVAH repentance: 
The story of Jacob's struggle is a call to the Israelites to acknowledge their sin and seek reconciliation with God through genuine repentance, through the faith in Messiah Yeshua, our Salvation, and obedience to the Word of ADONAI, to be the light of the Nations, that God created ISRAEL to be. 


God's sovereignty: 
Despite their actions, God is still in control and can use even the most unlikely situations to bring about his purposes.


Hosea recalls Jacob's struggle, connecting it to Israel's spiritual journey. The prophet calls for TESHUVAH repentance and return to God, emphasizing His enduring love:

Hosea 13:4 - "Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me." This passage serves as a reminder of God's steadfast love and His readiness to restore, just as He did with Jacob.

MAY WE NEVER PUT ANYTHING BEFORE ADONAI, OUR ELOHIM!

New Covenant Reading: John 1:19–51

John's narrative brings us to the New Testament's revelation of Yeshua, who embodies the ladder Jacob saw, connecting heaven and earth:

John 1:51 - Yeshua says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." Here, Yeshua is presented as the ultimate connection between God and humanity, fulfilling the imagery of Jacob's ladder.

Relatable Message for Today:

In our lives, like Jacob, we often encounter challenges and deceptions.

Yet, Vayetzei teaches us to:

Trust in God's Promises: Like Jacob, we must trust in God's promises despite the detours of life. Even when life takes us through unexpected paths, we should remember God’s promises are sure. He is with us in our journeys, providing and protecting. Our faith journey is often not linear but filled with challenges that test and ultimately strengthen our faith.

Value Integrity: In an age where integrity can be compromised, let us stand firm in righteousness, knowing that God honors those who walk in His ways. Let's strive to honor the Lord as we act with integrity, trusting that God will honor our honesty. He is the REWARDER of those who diligently SEEK HIM.

Appreciate Divine Timing: The story of Jacob's life shows that God's timing is perfect, even if it doesn't align with our expectations. Jacob's life exemplifies the need for patience with God's timing. Our plans might not unfold as we expect, but God's timing is perfect and purposeful. Patience and faith in His timing are crucial.

Building Altars of WORSHIP TO ADONAI: Jacob established Bethel as a place of remembrance. Just as Jacob set up a stone for a pillar to mark his encounter with God, we should establish 'altars' in our lives—a place set apart to spend TIME in worship in HIS PRESENCE and separate PRECIOUS MOMENTS to STOP and HEAR FROM GOD. This will strengthen our RELATIONSHIP with the ALMIGHTY, and remind us of God’s faithfulness, encouraging us to give back to Him as Jacob did, the praise that ADONAI deserves in our LIVES. We too should separate the proper time, especially during the HOLY DAYS, APPOINTED TIMES ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, to SEEK ADONAI, and practice OBEDIENCE to His Word through Faith, may we serve ADONAI with our lives as AS A LIVING SACRIFICE FOR HIM, before His ALTAR, REMEMBERING of God's faithfulness.


A Prayer for This Shabbat:

"Lord, as we reflect on Jacob’s journey, help us to see Your hand in our lives. Teach us to trust in Your promises, to act with integrity, and to recognize Your timing. Allow us to SEEK You BEFORE ALL THINGS. Make our lives a testament to Your faithfulness. May we, like Jacob, commit to You fully, not out of necessity, but out of love and gratitude for Your unending grace. In Yeshua’s Mighty Name, Amen.”

Shabbat Shalom from  DR. HADASSAH ELIA & ELIHANA ELIA

Restore Israel (& the Nations) - RONI International Alliance