VAYESHEV – AND HE DWELLED

Torah Portion:  Genesis 37:1 through Genesis 40:23
Haftarah Portion:  Amos 2:6-3:8
New Testament Portion:  Matthew 27: 28-29, John 10:11, John 19:24

After devoting a mere chapter to the genealogy of Esau, the Torah returns to the object of its narrative, the called and chosen who are destined to become the Bride of Yeshua and the light of the world.

Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. (Gen 37:1)

Unlike Esau, who departed Canaan and settled in the land of the Horites, Jacob dwelled in Eretz Israel, albeit as a sojourner, just like his father and grandfather.   No doubt, after all of Jacob’s trouble and turmoil, he is ready for peace and quiet.   But, it is not to be.   The family must descend to Egypt to fulfill the purposes of God.   Recall that God told Abraham his descendants would be in bondage for four hundred years.