After they had been married for 20 years, Isaac and Rebekah still did not have any children. Isaac prayed and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. God told Rebekah that one will be stronger than the other and the older will serve the younger.
Jacob was a man of faith who, like all Christians, was sinful. His righteousness was by grace through faith. Esau, on the other hand, didn't care about faith, God, or God's promises. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew because he didn't care.
God appeared to Isaac for the first time and confirmed the Abrahamic Covenant on him. Isaac settled in Gerar and told Abimelech that Rebekah was his sister. God protected Rebekah and then brought Isaac's sin to light. In all of this, God was gracious.
In his obedience, Isaac planted seeds and reaped a crop of 100 fold during a famine. God blessed Isaac and the men of Gerar became jealous and filled in Isaac's wells stopping his access to water. Isaac moved from there, maintained peace, and trusted in God's providence.
Isaac moved to Beersheba and the LORD appeared to him promising to be with him. The men of Gerar came to Isaac seeking a treaty with him. Isaac did not seek vengeance against Abimelech but instead entered into a covenant with him. Isaac trusted the LORD and his actions showed his faith.
Isaac devised a plan to steal the blessing that was promised by God to Jacob and give it to Esau. Rebekah heard Isaac's plan and devised a scheme to ensure that Jacob received it. Rather than talking to Isaac about the error of his ways, she made a plan that required Jacob to deceive Isaac.
Isaac intended on blessing Esau but Rebekah and Jacob worked to deceive Isaac to ensure that the blessing went to Jacob. There was much sin in these events. It was Isaac and Esau who were scheming to take the blessing from Jacob and it was Jacob and Rebekah who were scheming to deceive Isaac. Yet through it all, God was faithful to His promise and Jacob received the blessing of the Abrahamic Covenant.
By deceiving Isaac, Jacob received the blessing that was rightfully his, however, there were still consequences for deceiving Isaac. As Christians, we will never be punished for our sins, but God often uses the consequences to discipline us to teach. In our discipline and in the consequences, He is always there with us, He never leaves us.
Jacob flees to Haran alone after being blamed for his family's strife. In the midst of his lonely journey, the LORD gives Jacob a dream in which He affirms the Abrahamic Covenant to Jacob and promises to be with him. God's gracious kindness can be seen as He reminds Jacob that he is not alone because the LORD is with him.
Jacob agreed to work for Laban for 7 years to marry Rachel. When the time came, Laban deceived Jacob and gave him Leah as a wife instead. When Jacob learned of the switch, he confronted Laban. Jacob then agreed to work for another 7 years to marry Rachel. In this passage we see God's graciousness and ability to use sin and sinful situations for His glory.
Leah is vying for Jacob's love and affection, Rachel desires to have children, and his wives each give their servants to Jacob in order to have more children. Om all of this, God remains faithful and He uses this family as the foundation of the nation of Israel. God redeems broken and sinful people and uses them to further His purposes.
Jacob's time serving Laban was completed and he wanted to return home but Laban did not want to let Jacob go. Jacob agreed to stay and Laban again mistreated Jacob by taking away anything that could benefit him. God blessed Jacob and Laban learned the curse of the Abrahamic Covenant.
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