Vayeshev: He settled — וישב

Thoughts on Torah for Last Week:
 
Additions to our page on Spiritual Coaching:
   Three part video teaching on Shabbat
 
Genesis 32-36
This portion includes two verses where God changes Jacob’s name from Jacob to Israel – 32:28, 35:10.  The name Jacob means “seizing by the heel” as he followed Esau during birth. Later we will see God change his name to Israel meaning “struggling/striving with God”.  This incident between God and Jacob would seem to indicate that God put Jacob through some kind of a test of loyalty or a trial of faith, which Jacob passed or prevailed and for which was the basis for Jacob’s name change – an indication of a change of status for Jacob with God.

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In Biblical theology, a name change indicated a change of status with God, or with Isaiah's Hebrew Gospel achieving a higher spiritual category.  We see this practice in both the Old and New testaments.  When Abram and Sarai made covenant with God their names were changed to Abraham and Sarah.  In the New Testament Simon’s name was changed to Peter and Saul’s name was changed to Paul.
 
A Hebrew Name
In Jewish practice, sons and daughters are given a Hebrew name.  Gentile converts also received a Hebrew name.  This practice of receiving a Hebrew name indicated a change in status – now they became joined with Israel and the Hebrew name is a part of coming into the congregation of Israel.  In a spiritual and covenant context, those who take their relationship with God to the Holy and Set Apart level receive a Hebrew name and is associated with the Zion/Jerusalem spiritual category.  There are various approaches in selecting a Hebrew name and it should be a thoughtful process. 
 
Enter “selecting a Hebrew name” into the Google search field to locate articles on the subject. On a personal note, I selected the Hebrew name – Isaiah, because of name connects that I have with my father and great grandfather.  Using an ancestral name is one way to identify a Hebrew name.
 
God’s Leadership
In the Bible, we see God Himself giving leadership new names.  These names indicate another change of status with God or the ascending to a higher spiritual category.  On the Son/Servant spiritual level, or those who enter into a covenant similar to the one God made with King David, these assume leadership roles for God’s people and for which God assigns them a new name.  


Isaiah Chapter 8
Isaiah’s wife is referred to as a prophetess, so women ascend to a higher spiritual category with their husbands.
 
More commentary concerning Endtime judgement on the unrighteous.  But deliverance for the righteous as they remain faithful to God and obtain protection in righteous communities.​​

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Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: GENESIS 37:1 -40:23
GOSPELS: Matthew 1:18-25

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

​​Commentary with Nehemia Gordon


HAFTARAH: ISAIAH Chapter 9

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD