Bible Pathway - Jan. 10, 2012

Highlights:

Abrahamic Covenant conferred upon Jacob; vision of Jacob's ladder; journey to Padan-aram; Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel.

When Isaac realized that God had overruled his scheme to confer the God-ordained birthright of Jacob upon Esau, he trembled very exceedingly (Gen. 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. If Jacob were to marry an idol-worshiping woman, as Esau had done, Rebekah's concern was: What good shall my life do me (27:46)? Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him . . . Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. . . . Go to Padan-aram . . . take . . . a wife from . . . the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people (28:1-3). This blessing 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 hath taken away my blessing (27:36). Esau is typical of sinners who irresponsibly blame someone or something else for their own sins and failures.

Isaac lived 43 years after his attempt to thwart the plan of God, but there is no record of him ever again being used of God. For Jacob, however, his remarkable blessings began on his first night away from home.

Without map or companion, but according to the exact plan of God, Jacob left home on his journey of more than 500 miles and arrived safely in Padan-aram. God marvelously guided him to Rachel and the home of his mother's father; and (to) take . . . a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. And God Almighty bless thee (28:2-3). Jacob received a warm welcome when he arrived at their home.

Just as it is with everyone who lives to please the Lord, Jacob's life was set apart for the purpose of God. When Christians realize this truth, their attitude toward their marriage partner, workplace, physical limitations, and hardships will be seen as in the will of God.

At a much later date, Jacob's beloved son Joseph would be sold as a slave by his brothers. But, 20 years later he would confidently say to them: Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto (for) good (50:20). One of the greatest comforts for Christians is Paul's confidence-building statement: All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).

Thought for Today:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (II Cor. 9:8).

Christ Portrayed:

By Joseph who was born (Gen. 30:23-24) in order to save and preserve his people (50:20). Jesus was born in order to offer salvation to all mankind. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

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, loved less; 30:37 pilled, peeled; strakes, stripes.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Henry Rogers • Staff: Barbara Bivens • Government Officials: Rep. Lois Capps (CA), Rep. Leonard L. Boswell (IA), Rep. Chris Van Hollen Jr. (MD), Rep. Greg Walden (OR), Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), Sen. Mark L. Pryor (AR), and Sen. Roy D. Blunt (MO) • Country: Moldova (4.3 million) southeastern Europe • Major languages: Rumanian and Russian • Limited religious freedom • 66% Russian/Romanian Orthodox; 2.5% Catholic (Greek and Roman); 1.7% Protestant (mainly Baptist); 1.5% Jewish; .2% Muslim; 28.1% Agnostic/Atheist/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Continually watch and pray so that you won't yield to temptation in a moment of weakness (Matt. 26:41).

Optional Reading: Matthew 10

Memory Verse for the Week: John 3:15