Bible Pathways 1/10/2001
January 10
Genesis 28 -- 30
When Isaac realized that God had overruled his evil scheme to confer the God-ordained birthright of Jacob upon his worldly-minded son Esau, he was greatly shaken. Isaac trembled very exceedingly (Genesis 27:33). He quickly conferred with Rebekah, not to accuse her of any wrongdoing, but to decide how best to plan for Jacob's future. Rebekah did not hesitate. If Jacob was tempted to violate the Word of God in marrying an idol-worshiping woman, as Esau had done, she asked: What good shall my life do me? (27:46). Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said to him, You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padan-aram . . . take a wife from the daughters of your mother's brother. And God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful . . . and give the blessing of Abraham to you, and to your seed with you (28:1-4). This was an obvious admission of how wrong Isaac had been in his attempt to defraud Jacob.
However, Esau was quick to blame Jacob for his trouble, saying: He [Jacob] has taken away my blessing (27:36). Esau is typical of sinners who irresponsibly blame someone else for their failures.
Although Isaac lived 43 years after his attempt to thwart God's plan and defraud Jacob, there is no record of him being used or blessed of God in all his remaining years. For Jacob, however, his remarkable blessings began on his first night away from home. Near Bethel, he had a marvelous dream of a host of angels and of the voice of God saying: I am the Lord God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon you lie, I will give it to you. . . . through your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed. . . . Behold, I am with you, and will keep you in all the places where you go . . . I will not leave you (28:13-15).
Without map or companion, but according to the exact plan of God, Jacob left home on his journey of more than 400 miles and arrived safely in Padan-aram. God marvelously guided him to Rachel and the home of his mother's father, where he was received with a warm welcome (28:2).
Throughout his life, the mercies of God protected Jacob and thwarted the schemes of evil men. As he neared death, he foretold marvelous prophecies concerning the future of his own sons and the Messiah Redeemer who would one day come through the lineage of his son Judah (49:10).
Just as it is with everyone who lives to please the Lord, Jacob's life was set apart for a purpose. When Christians realize this truth, their attitudes toward their marriage partners, workplace, physical limitations, and hardships will be seen as the will of God.
Although Joseph had been sold as a slave, 20 years later he could say to his brothers: You thought evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive (Genesis 50:20).
Word Studies:
28:11 lighted upon = came to; 28:17 dreadful place = awesome holy place; 28:19 Bethel = House of God; 29:25 beguiled = deceived; 29:31 hated = unloved; 30:37 pilled = peeled; strakes = strips.
Government Officials: Rep. Roy Blunt (MO), Rep. Leonard Boswell (IA), Rep. Lois Capps (CA), and Rep. Greg Walden (OR) · Pray for Pastor U Htwe Minn, Myanmar translator · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast sponsored by one of the Lord's stewards · Country: San Marino (23,000) inside north-central Italy · Major language: Italian · Religious freedom · 95% Roman Catholic; 5% atheist · Prayer Suggestion: Pray and fast as you confess your sins and intercede for our nation (Nehemiah 1:4-6).
Optional Reading:
Matthew 10
Memory Verse for the Week:
Psalms 1:2
