Highlights In Today's Reading:
Be sure to grasp the incredible truth found here. Even though the mighty Abrahamic Covenant (one of the greatest honors God ever gives to any Old Testament man) is bestowed upon Jacob (28:3-4) and then confirmed through a vision (28:11-13), this man of God continually faces difficult situations all his life. You will find it hard to believe how his father-in-law continually takes advantage of him. Excuse me! Working seven years for the wrong wife!
The quiet, home-loving Jacob had always lived in submission and obedience to his father and mother. Rebekah, knowing the will of God, risked her life to preserve the Abrahamic Covenant through Jacob; and when Isaac realized that God had overruled his sinful scheme, Isaac trembled very exceedingly (27:33). He soon conferred with his wife — not to curse her for deceiving him — but to follow her suggestion (27:26 — 28:1-2). Esau, who was a worldly-minded person, vowed to kill Jacob. But both parents encouraged Jacob to leave (27:42-43). In full agreement with Rebekah, Isaac called Jacob and blessed him. . . . . God Almighty . . . give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham (28:1-4).
Isaac suddenly realized that God had kept him from conferring the Abrahamic Covenant on Esau, because Esau had profaned his birthright privileges by considering them unimportant and married heathen wives. Isaac quickly reaffirmed the covenant blessing upon Jacob urging him not to marry an unbeliever as his brother Esau had done (27:46) but to take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban (28:2).
So Jacob slipped away to face the unknown world alone. He was forced to spend that first night in the open air without a tent. And he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder . . . reached to heaven. . . . And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed (28:11-13).
In the midst of his scene of utter darkness, God was graciously waiting to confirm to his exiled servant the third pronouncement of the Abrahamic Covenant (12:2-3; 22:18; 26:4; 28:13-14).
Eternal treasures are reserved for those who forsake all else. Jesus assures us that every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Matthew 19:29).
Thought for Today:
Reading God's Word will give spiritual discernment when dealing with family problems (I Corinthians 10:11).
Christ Portrayed:
By Joseph who was born (Genesis 30:23-24) to save and preserve his people (50:20). Jesus was born to offer eternal life to all mankind (41:56-57).
Word Studies:
28:1 charged =ommanded; 28:9 unto =n addition to; 28:11 lighted upon =ame to; 28:15 keep thee =atch over you with care; 28:17 dreadful =wesome, wonderful; 28:18 poured oil upon =nointed; 28:19 Bethel =ouse of God; 28:22 tenth =ithe; 29:3 mouth =pening; 29:7 high =arly in the; 29:12 brother =elative; 29:14 abode =tayed; 29:15 nought =othing; 29:17 tender eyed =nattractive; 29:25 beguiled =eceived; 29:26 It must not be so done =t is not customary; 29:31 hated =nloved; opened her womb =nabled her to have children; 30:18 hire =eward; 30:23 reproach =umiliation, disgrace; 30:28 appoint =ame; 30:36 betwixt =etween; 30:37 pilled =eeled.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The Arabic, English, and Spanish International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by M. Ora Anderson • Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Reverend Michael Hall • Government Officials: Rep. Roy Blunt (MO), Rep. Leonard Boswell (IA), Rep. Lois Capps (CA), Sen. Mark Pryor (AR), Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), Rep. Christopher Van Hollen, Jr. (MD), and Rep. Greg Walden (OR) • Country: Afghanistan (22.7 million) in central Asia • Major languages: Pastu and Afghan Persian (Dari) • Hostile to Christian evangelization. For a Muslim to convert to Christianity is automatic execution • 97.5% Muslim; 1.5% Parsee; .35% Hindu; .1% Traditional ethic; .1% Baha'i; .02% Christian; .02% Sikh; .01% non-Religious • Prayer Suggestion: The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips (Proverbs 16:23).
Optional Reading: Matthew 10
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 1:8