"Jacob's Trouble"
article by Bro. Yaacov Cramer
Yirmeyahu/Jerimiah 30:7
"... It is even the time of Yaacov's/Jacob's Trouble; but he
shall be saved out of it. "
Part 1
The
story of Yaacov/Jacob begins in Bereshith 25. Born as a twin with Esau;
Scripture indicates that the relationship between these two has always been
one of strife. Verses 22-23
While
it appears that Esau was more of the "outdoorsman" type, Yaacov was
apparently more settled into raising animals, and studying. Verse27
As
a student of Torah, Yaacov most likely understood the blessings promised to
his grandfather, Avraham, and his descendants. Much more so then his brother,
and so would have been all the more anxious to receive those blessings. Thus,
when he seen the opportunity to seize the "birthright" he took
advantage of the situation. Esau; being of a more carnal nature, despised his
birthright, proving himself unworthy of the blessings.
We
jump ahead now to a time when Yitzchak/Isaac desires to bless his sons Esau
and Yaacov. Bereshith 27 sets the stage for the future animosity of Esau and
his descendants, towards Yaacov and his descendants. Verses 41-45
Yaacov;
heeding the advice of his mother, tricks his father into blessing him with the
Bachor / firstborn's blessing which Yitzchak had prepared for Esau. Since this
stirred up Esau's hatred to the point of planning to kill Yaacov; he now must
flee to Padan-Aram, the birthplace of his mother and former home of his
grandfather, Avraham.
There
he meets his wife to be; Rachel, and her family. Is tricked into marrying
Rachel's sister Leah first, and faithfully serves their father Lavan for
around 20 years. Having been blessed mightily by YHWH, he decides to return to
his father. Remembering his troubles with Esau, he sends messengers to Esau
concerning his return. Chapter 32:3-4
Although
the Bereshith account mentions that Esau now goes out to meet Yaacov with 400
men, the attitude of Esau is not clear in this account. But as we read in the
Scroll of Yasher/ Book of Jasher; chpt. 32; verse 7 we see that these 400
hundred men are armed warriors. Also; in verses 9+12 we can see that Esau's
intent was to finish his stated purpose of 20 years earlier.
The descendants of Esau!
To
fully understand "the time of Yaacov's trouble" we need to clearly
understand the background for the animosity held by Esau.
Not
only was there hatred because of Yaacov receiving the birthright and blessing,
but in Bereshith 28:9 we see that Esau marries the daughter of Yishma-el.
What
is the importance of this?
1)
Yishma-el was Avraham's firstborn son; albeit, by Sarai's servant woman,
Hagar. Thus, he did not qualify to inherit Avraham's wealth and the blessings
YHWH had pronounced upon Avraham. Therefore, as we read in Bereshith 21:9, we
see that Yishma-el "mocked" Yitzchak.
Reading
this account in The Scroll of Yasher, Chpt.21:13-15 we get a more complete
picture of this "mocking", which was actually the threatening of
Yitzchak's life.
2)
In Bereshith 16:11-12 we see The Messenger of YHWH speaking with Hagar
concerning her son Yishma-el, that he would grow up to be a wild man, given to
fighting with those with whom he comes into contact. And! That he would dwell
in the presence of all his brothers. As a Hebraic idiom, this word
"brothers" can and does mean all who are related to him.
Also;
in the Book of Shophtim/Judges, chpt. 11 and verses 4-33 we can see more of
the animosity exhibited over The Land of Yisrael and just who is the true
possessor of that land, ( an argument which rages even today.)
So
we see Esau, who is filled with hatred for his brother Yaacov, marrying the
daughter of Yishma-el, who was filled with animosity toward Yitzchak. All of
this is important background in understanding the circumstances for
"Yaacov's trouble!"
Part 2
As
we have read in Yirmeyahu 30:7, there is to be an established time for
Yaacov's trouble. The term "that day" which we see expressed
in so many prophetic scriptures pertains to the "Day of YHWH"
another expression used often to describe the time of YHWH's judgement on the
world. Verse 3 also gives us a time perspective for this prophecy:
When
YHWH turns back the exile of Yisrael and Yahudah (something that has not
happened yet) and will cause them to return to the land He gave our fathers
(Ephraim-Yisrael has yet to return to the land Yisrael.)
Yeshayahu/Isaiah
17:1-6 speaks about this coming time of Yaacov's/Jacob's trouble. The
reason for this time of trouble are partially listed in verses 8 + 10;
Idolatry and turning away from following YHWH.
The
Book of Yechezkel/Ezekiel has much to say concerning this time of trouble for
Jacob/Yisrael. Yechezkel 7:7 "...the day of trouble is
near..." Chapter 7 goes on to list many of the sins and punishments
that YHWH will bring upon Yaacov for their sins. In Yechezkel 2:3 we see
that Yeckezkel is sent to "the children of Yisrael", while Yisrael
is composed of all the tribes, many times they are also called "The
children of Yaacov." These two names being interchangeable as Yacov
was later renamed Yisrael by YHWH, so whenever we see a prophecy concerning
Yisrael, we can also insert the name of Yaacov.
Another
reason for this time of trouble, as seen in Yechezkel 2:3 is for Yisrael's
rebellion against YHWH's Torah.
As
we read in Yechezkel 5:12 we see that when Abba YHWH bnrings upon Yaacov this
time of trouble, one third of the people will die of pestilence and famine,
and another one-third shall fall by the sword, and one-third shall be
scattered with a sword drawn out after them.
Hoshea
5 also speaks very clearly of this time of Yisrael's being rebuked. The
whole book of Hoshea deals with the sins of Yisrael and the troubles Yisrael
is about to face due to rebellion and idolatry.
Daniel
too was given this prophecy of the end time. Daniel 12:1 "at that
time shall Micha-El stand still...and there shall be a time of
trouble..." when this time of trouble is over; a period of 3 1/2
years, all that Abba YHWH has purposed for His Chosen People will be
accompllished
Daniel
12:7. In verse 10 we see this period of time referred to as
"tribulation," a time period when many will be purified.
The
Messiah Himself spoke to us concerning that time of tribulation. Mark
13:5-27 and Matthew 24:5-31. In Matthew 24:22 we see that for the sake
of saving the "elect alive", those day of tribulation will be cut
short. And in Gilyahna/Revelation 2:22 we read that all those who refuse
to make teshuvah/repentance will be cast into that time of Great Tribulation.
Those who come through the Great Tribulation will be those who have washed
themselves in the "Blood of the LAMB." Gilyahna 7:14.
In
the book of Tzephanuah/Zephaniah we read that this is a time of YHWH's wrath,
it is also called "a day of trouble and tribulation." 1:15.
There are many interesting nuggets throughout this book; as there is in all of
the books of prophecy. Tzephanuah 1:12 tell us that those who refuse to
hear "the watchmen" who despise their warning will be punished.
2:3 admonishes us to seek righteousness and meekness, for "....it may be
that you shall be hidden in the Yom/Day of YHWH"s anger." 3:7-20
We see in these Scriptures; not only the wrath and judgement of YHWH, but also
His kindness and mercy to His Chosen People and all those who will truly seek
Him with whole heartedness.
So
we can see in the above scriptures (and many, many more) that the tribulation
at the end of the age, and the time of Yaacov's/Jacob's trouble are all the
same time period.
Part 3
As
we have seen from previous scriptures, the whole world is going to be faced
with this, so one may well ask: Why is it also called the time of Jacob's
trouble? We started this study noting the animosity of Esau and his
descendants against Yaacov (Yisrael). This hated has never gone away,
and in fact, burns hotter than ever before. Current events in the Middle
East, Europe, Africe, Asia, South America and even here in America are full of
examples of hated not only of the Jews, but of anyone and everyone, not
worshipping the "allah" of Islam.
Since
we are still, presumably, in the book of Tzephanyah, let us read 2:8-12.
Here we see that Moav and Ammon; countries associated with Islam in this age,
are rebuked for their hateful treatment of Yisrael.
Yoel/Joel
3:19 includes Egypt and Edom among those Abba YHWH will punish for their
hatred of Yisrael.
in
the book of Obadyah/Obediah we see a vision given to the prophet Obediah
concerning Edom. This prophecy is very explicit concerning who will
destroy Edom and verse 10 is most interesting, as it pinpoints exactly why
Edom will be destroyed. A very interesting note here is that the word
translated in most Scriptures as "violence" is actually the Hebrew
word "chamas" which is pronounced hamas, as in the Palestinian
terrorist organization.
The
book Ahmos/Amos details many of the sins and the punishments YHWH will bring
on individual nations in the end time, including Yisrael for being a
rebellious people.
Remember
in Bereshith/Genesis 32:3 we read that Esau lived in the land of Seir.
As in many prophecies, a people are known by the land in which they dwell.
Now let us read a very important Scripture found in Yechezkel/Ezekiel 35:2
"son of man, set your face against Mount Seir (the descendants of Esau
and modern Islam today) 3; and say to it, thus say the Master YHWH; See, O
Mount Seir, I am against you, and I will stretch out my hand against you and
will make you desolate. 4; I will lay your cities waste, and you shall be
desolate and you shall know that I am YWHH. 5; Because you have had a
perpetual hatred, and have shed the blood of the children of Yisrael by the
force of the sword in the time of their calamity (troubles), in the time that
their iniquity had no end 6; therefore, as I live, says Master YHWH, I will
prepare you for bloodshed, and blood shall pursue you and since you have not
hated blood, blood shall pursue you. (Paraphrase: since you have
loved bloodshed, bloodshed shall be your lot). 10; Because you have said,
these two nations (Ephriam and Judah) and these two countries (Jerusalem and
Samaria) shall be mine, and we will possess it; even though YHWH was
there."
We
see from these and other prophecies concerning the 'end times'; that Yishmael,
Esau, and their descendants in the Islamic world today, will be very
instrumental in bringing about The Time of Yaacov's Trouble, which will also
be a time of tribulation upon the entire world; as Islam forces it's teachings
upon all they overcome.
But;
Scriptures are replete with examples of "a remnant" of Yisrael, who
will once again be restored to Eretz Yisrael/ The Land of Yisrael.
And
as we have seen in the above verses as well as through other prophecies, this
remnant:
will
dispossess Islam.
will
become a nation of kings and priests.
will
become The Malchut/ Kingdom of YHWH seen in Daniyel 2:44-45.
will
be those who overcome the "beast power" and The Dragon of Gilyahna
13; and who come out of Mystery Babylon, Gilyahna 18:4; whose names are
written in the LAMB's Book if Life; Gil. 20:12 + 21:27.
will
be among the 144,000 of Gilyahna 7:4-8 or among the 'great multitude' of Gil.
7:9.
will
be those who have been dispersed among many nations. Michah 5:7+8; Yechezkel
5:10; Zecharyah 8:12; Yirmeyahu 23:3 + 31:1-40 and many other Scriputres as
well.
Baruch
ata YHWH; Whose Mercy never fails!
As
we have seen in this study; there are very dark days ahead for Yisrael, and
for the world in general. The tov/good news is; we know what lies over the
horizon. Blessed is the Name of Master YHWH, for giving us HIS instructions
and prophecies, to prepare us for what lies ahead.
This
world around us; who deny HIS Word, is rushing headlong into a horrific time
of trouble. It will come upon most as a thief in the night. Many will die;
vainly fighting, because they simply do not know the end, but as we read in
Gilyahna 22:7 "See, I come quickly: blessed is he that shomers/guards the
sayings of this scroll/book."
Even
so Adon Yahushua, come quickly!
May
the perfect Shalom of our Master YHWH be with all who read this and may HE
pour out HIS Ruach of Wisdom upon all who are willing to walk according to HIS
Torah!
Ya'acov
C.