Toldot: Isaac, Jacob, and Esau
Genesis 25:19–28:9
The sixth section of the Book of Genesis describes the history (Toledot, in Hebrew) of Isaac and his sons, the righteous Jacob and wicked Esau. It first chronicles their birth, which foretells their future conflict. Esau, the firstborn, sells his birthright to Jacob. The narrative then follows Isaac to Philistia, focusing on his curious project of digging wells. We then see Esau marry. Shortly afterward, Rebecca tricks Isaac into conferring his blessings – and thus the future leadership of the Jewish people – to Jacob rather than to his actual firstborn, Esau. After realizing that Rebecca was correct, Isaac sends Jacob to Aram to marry a daughter of one of his kinsmen.
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It would interest me to know how many sermons utilizing this text place much emphasis on the Divine use of a woman to achieve a sacred objective, regardless of male dominant traditions. Certainly scholarship has academic material on this facet of the history, but to what extent are females as instruments for realization of the Holy design illuminated from the pulpit by modern clergy?
A lot--explicitly and implicitly
I love how we can see how Rebecca knew about H’Shem and His “ Plan.” And how she “ rectified” it/ all others involved ( unto nowadays and future , people of H’Shem )! To be a true one of H’Shem and Israel, one doesn’t need to be either female or male! As the saying goes : she used ( the)” a crooked stick to make things straight!”