There is a lot in this week’s Parashat.

Jacob sends gifts to Esau
Jacob wrestles with God
Jacob and Esau make peace
The rape of Dinah
Revenge of Dinah
Jacob returns Bethel
Death of Rachel and Isaac
Birth of Benjamin
Descendants of Esau

I can tell you 100 deferent things about these stories. However I would like to sum up the last 3 weeks.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all lied, they sinned. Abraham lied to Pharaoh and King Abimelech about Sarah being his sister. Isaac also lied to King Abimelech about Rebecca being his sister. Jacob lied and stole Esau’s blessing.

All 3 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob got ahead of God. Abraham had Ishmael. Isaac settled in the land before he was suppose to after sowed in famine and reaping 100 fold. He then had dispute after dispute over wells until he began to move from place to place. Jacob stole Esau’s blessing by deception instead of going to his father and pleading his case. He also tricked Esau out of his birth right.

All three feared man. Abraham feared for his life on account of Sarah’s beauty. Isaac also feared for his life because of Rebecca’s beauty. (Generational). Jacob feared Esau would kill him. He also feared Laban would take his wives and children from him and leave him with nothing if he told him he was leaving. Later Jacob fears the people of the land when Simeon and Levi avenge their sister’s rape.

What can we learn from these Parashats? What we don’t deal with our children will have to and in a greater way. Things only get worse from generation to generation until it is dealt with. Today we have the fear of man made mandates running wild and if we don’t stand up and say no it will only get worse for our children. They will have no freedoms at all. Today we have mandates that say if you don’t comply you will no longer have a job. We have mandates that say if you don’t submit you can’t travel here or there. We have mandates that say if you don’t surrender you cannot buy or sell. I choose to submit only to my God who has given me freedom and a free will to choose. I choose to stand up and say no to man made mandates which put people in bondage. How about you?