Now Esau harbored a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing, which his father had given him, and Esau said to himself, “Let but the mourning period of my father come, and I will kill my brother Jacob.”

    When Rivkah (Rebecca) learned that Esau was planning to kill Ya'akov (Jacob), she sent him off to her brother Laban, until the heat of 'Esau's anger subsided. They supposed then, at a future date, Ya'akov could return. But Rivkah and Ya'akov were not to be together again. Indeed, in the next few sidarim we will see Ya'akov reap the harvest of his own greed, at the hands of another man who would prove to be even greedier than he!

    It is interesting that Rivkah convinced Yitzchak (Isaac) to send Ya'akov away to safety by complaining about Esau's Hittite wives. So Yitzchak sent Ya'akov to find a wife from among the family of Laban, Rivkahs' brother. Before Ya'akov is sent off, Yitz'chak gives him the complete blessing, trusting El Shaddai to complete the promise to Avraham through Ya'akov, thus fulfilling Gods preordained plan.

    In reaction, as Esau had realized how badly his wives displeased Yitzchak, he intentionally married a daughter of Ishmael - his father's brother.

    As Ya'akov traveled from Be'er-Sheva toward Haran, he came to a certain place and stayed the night. He dreamt that there before him was a ladder resting on the ground with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of Adonai were going up and down on it.

    The sages teach us that this is the same place where Abraham years earlier had bound Isaac, Mt. Moriah. This is also where, even later, the temple would stand. It would later become the site where Yeshua's (Jesus) sacrifice paid the price in full for all of mankind. There are a number of interpretations of Ya'akovs dream. They all have in common, however, the implication that this ladder represents God's provision for man to connect with Him. The angels are God's agents, descending the ladder to carry out His will on earth, and then returning to receive His directions. Ya'akov and the Jewish nation, however, are under the direct guidance of God, Who is atop the ladder.

    The next verses are Adonai communicating with Ya'akov, reiterating the promise that was made first to Abraham, then to Yitzchak, and now to Ya'akov. He also promises that He will be with Ya'akov wherever he goes, and He will bring Ya'akov back to this land. In recognition of the presence of Adonai, Ya'akov consecrated the area as a temple, and promised to give Adonai a tithe if He would protect him.

    Micah has addressed the failures that lead to the downfall of Jerusalem. Now he is describing a future when a just and powerful King will come from Bethlehem to rule. He will shepherd His people by the powerful Name of Adonai Elohim. He will deliver the people, and protect them from all the nations. We see some of the promises of Adonai to Ya'akov fulfilled in this passage. Various commentators give different interpretations of this passage, with some old sages claiming that this reference is to David, while most believers in Yeshua see this as a direct Messianic prophecy.

    Rav Shaul (Paul) has provided his credentials as a Jew of all Jews, only to say that his confidence lies not in being a devout Jew, but rather his confidence lies in his faith in Yeshua HaMashiach. Now he specifically warns the congregation to follow his example, and not to be lead off by some others that claim to be believers in Yeshua, but in reality have their faith in earthly things. He ends by exhorting the people to stand fast in Adonoi. In that way Yeshua will change our earthly bodies to be like His glorious body.

    The author is now commending this group for the faith that they exhibited shortly after they received Yeshua as Mashiach. They endured sufferings, and helped others to endure. To encourage them to not shrink back now, they are reminded of their reward, that is the assurance of their salvation through their faith in Yeshua.

    Torah shows sin leading to Yitz'chak being separated from his family - but a Divine revelation followed. In Qeriath there is the restoration of Israel under Messiah. In Da'ath Rav Shaul tells the people to follow only Yeshua, who provides our salvation. In Igarath, the people are told they will receive the promised salvation of God through their steadfast faith.