Giving and Receiving

Message Audio

NOTES

Genesis Recap

• Abel was different than Cain in his offering.
• Noah was righteous in his generation.
• Abraham and Lot separated.
• Isaac’s mother didn’t want him tainted by Ishmael’s idol worship.
• Esau didn’t value the birthright and calling of the firstborn, and Jacob did.

Genesis 32:24-32; 33:15-20 ESV

• Jacob prepared to meet Esau. Esau’s anger never subsided because his mother never sent for him (Jacob) to return home.
• Jacob knew he couldn’t continue with Laban, so he prepared to move forward.
• He knew he needed to appease Esau’s anger, so he sent gifts ahead of him. It is after this act that the Lord came to him.
• Jacob was still referred to as Jacob even after the name change.
  • Israel is also a reference to the Hebrew people as a whole.
  • This also indicates the whole people’s right to the land.
• Why Jacob couldn’t go with Esau:
  • He couldn’t go with someone who wasn’t walking in the ways of God.
  • He was going to sukkot, but Esau wasn’t.
  • Jacob set up an altar and called it “God, the God of Israel.”

The Prophet Obadiah

• The Edomites were descendants of Esau.
• Obadiah was a convert to Judaism from Edom (Tract Sanhedrin, Vol. VIII, XVI, Pt. II, Ch. XI).
• Obadiah was sent to prophesy against Edom:
  • v. 3 – A proud heart led to deception.
  • v. 8 – Destroy the wise men of Edom.
  • v. 10 and 11 – Edom can represent the church that has not stood with Israel and believes it has taken the place of Israel in the covenant.

Takeaway from This Week’s Portion

• The story of Jacob and Esau and the prophecy of Obadiah are a wake-up call for us, especially with all that Israel and the worldwide Jewish community are facing.
• Quiet indifference will bring judgment to those who love Jesus yet do nothing to stand with the people He loves.
• Just as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were visited with messages from the Lord, so was Joseph, the father of Yeshua.
• God will always oversee and protect the fulfillment of His Word.

Addressing the Supernatural and False Teaching

The supernatural is not a thing of the past but is not something to be sensationalized. The modern movement of apostles and prophets and signs and wonders has brought a reproach on the true power of God. If we want to see the true power of God, let us turn our attention to Jerusalem and watch God protect His land and people. If we want a now word of prophecy turn your Bible to the later chapters of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Amos. There is much prophecy and power to be still seen – all in the place where God has chosen to put His name – Israel and Jerusalem.