Vayishlach: And [Jacob] Sent

By Richard Sison | 2015

Introduction

The Parsha readings for Vayishlach, which means “And [Jacob] Sent,” are from Genesis 32:4−36:43, covering the time that Jacob left Haran and saw the camp of the angels of the Most High until the time his father Isaac died: about 35 years of Jacob’s life. During this time, Jacob had the ultimate hand-1 to-hand combat in an overnight wrestling match with a mysterious being, who, later on he realized to be G-D Himself (Gen 32:30). This was the fourth instance of Jacob's mystical experience, only this time he had a physical encounter. Also, this Parsha narrates the dramatic reunion of the brothers Jacob and Esau. During this period, Jacob’s daughter Dinah was defiled, and this provoked her brothers' fury to trick the Shechemites, and utterly destroy them. This happened before Isaac's demise. When Isaac died, Esau and Jacob buried their father.

Because I have seen God face to face, yet my life is spared.

Genesis 32:30

The message