vaYetse (And 'Jacob' Went Out)
7) Genesis 28:10-32:2 [v.3 Hebrew]
Heaven on earth. Now that’s a compelling vision! Think about it. What does “heaven” look like to you? We need holy imagination activated and informed by God’s word more than our own musings.
In last week’s portion, Jacob received his father’s covenant-extending promise to restore Eden-like intimacy between God and His creation—in other words, God’s plan to restore heaven on earth.
This week’s portion opens with Jacob leaving the promised land and having a spectacular dream. In his dream, Jacob sees a stairway connecting heaven to earth. Let Jacob’s dream activate your imagination. God speaks to him in this dream and reiterates the covenantal promise for a people with a land through whom God’s blessing would be restored to all people. Thus, restoring heaven on earth. Here’s exactly what God said to Jacob in the dream:
“I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring” (Genesis 28:13-4, bold added)
But then it gets even better.
The next thing God says highlights the heart of God’s desire. He desires to be with us and restore the intimacy originally purposed in Creation.
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…” (Genesis 28:15)
What a powerful promise. “I will be with you.” God’s presence along with His watchful and protective eye would accompany Jacob on his journey. This is similar to Yeshua’s promise to his most intimate followers at the very end of what is called the “Great Commission.” Specifically, he says, “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
This promise of “withness” is not merely informational. It is a relational. God’s primary promise is one of restored relationship—with God, other people, and all creation. The impact of this promise to Jacob can be seen in his very first words spoken after he awoke. When Jacob awoke from this incredible dream of seeing a ladder connecting heaven to earth and God speaking to him a precious promise to be with him on his temporary journey away from the promised land, Jacob responds with his own words of commitment to God. “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking…then the LORD will be my God” (Genesis 28:20-21).
Take time to dive deeper into God’s story this week as it unfolds through Jacob. In it, we see the promise God gave to Abraham being worked out through his grandson. Follow Jacob as he takes a roundtrip journey from the promised land with a God who never leaves him. As you dive into the story, may you be filled with a deeper knowledge of God and experience His “withness” with you!
Readings for the Week:
Torah: GENESIS 28:10–32:2 [v.3 Tanach]
Prophets: HOSEA 11:7–12:9 [v.10 Tanach]
Apostolic Writings: JOHN 1:43–51
Click HERE for the online Parashah commentary.
Shalom,
Thomas