Tol'dot: The Generation of Isaac

​By Richard Sison | 2017

Introduction

Tol’dot ( תּוֹלְדֹת†— Hebrew for "generations" or "descendants," narrates the story of Esau and Jacob, among many other things. 

Rebekah is barren for some time and endured twenty childless years, until the prayer of Isaac and Rebekah’s prayers are answered and she conceives. During pregnancy, she experiences much difficult as the “children struggle inside her.” The L-RD tells her that “there are two nations in your womb, and that the younger will prevail over the elder.”

Esau comes out first thus becomes the first born but when Jacob is born, he is clutching Esau’s heel. Esau grows up to be “a cunning hunter, a man of the field” while Jacob is “a wholesome man,” a dweller in the tents of learning. Esau gains Isaac’s favour while Rebecca loves Jacob. In the course of time, Esau comes exhausted and hungry from the hunt sells his birthright (his rights as the firstborn) to Jacob for a pot of red lentil stew.

It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
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Romans 9:12-15

The message