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Sunday School Lesson
Every event has a background. When we are able to understand some of the conditions that led to that specific situation, the significance becomes clearer. If we attempt to see a condition as an isolated event, the reason and divine purpose can be totally lost. After the "business deal" made between Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:29-34), family life seemed to have continued as usual. Isaac continued his nomadic lifestyle, finally going into the area of the Philistines to the place called Gerrar, after he had been given specific divine direction. Genesis 26:1-3. The material wealth of this man increased. Genesis 26:12- 14. He dug many wells for his cattle. Some were contested by the people of the land. Finally, he dug a well that did not cause strife, thus, he named the well Rehobeth. Genesis 26:22. God gave to Isaac the promise that had been given to his father. Genesis 26:24. The divided nature of the household (Genesis 25:28) raised its ugly head. "And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elders son ... And he said ... Now therefore take I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow ... and take me some venison; And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die." Genesis 27:1-4. The record gives us some important information - "And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son." Genesis 27:5a. Thus divine information might seem to be of little consequence. However, in a divided household, it became a "turning point" in the unfolding events. While Esau was on his hunting expedition, his mother was devising a plan to prevent Isaac from carrying out his plan toward "his favorite son." Rebekah wanted "her favorite" to receive the "blessing." An elaborate scheme of deception was devised to cause the "old man" to confuse the identity of his sons, and, thus, give the blessing to Jacob. The record is not clear as to whether or not the parents knew of the selling of the birthright. The trickery was successful. "And his father Isaac said unto him, come hear now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the hath blessed: Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and bless be he that blesseth thee." Genesis 27:26-29. The drama continued to unfold. "And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau came in from his hunting. And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise and eat of his son's venison, that they soul may bless me." Genesis 27:30,31. The deception was then recognized. Genesis 27:32, 33. "And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father." Genesis 27:34. Esau made one "last ditch effort" to receive a blessing. "Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father? And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept." Genesis 27:38. The response of Esau was that which seemed to have been sparked by hatred. "And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob." Genesis 27:41. Rebekah recognized the necessity of Jacob to leaving the house of his father. She suggested that he go to her brother, Laban. Genesis 27:43. Before Jacob left home, "Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father: and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother." Genesis 28:1,2. This instruction included the re-statement of the "blessing" that had been given to both Abraham and Isaac. Genesis 28:3,4. On this trip into familyimposed exile, "he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep." Genesis 28:11. The record described his dream. "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 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 (offspring) ..." Genesis 28:12,13. The divine message continued. "... And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Genesis 28:14,15. Dreams do not last forever. "And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not." Genesis 28:16. His reaction was described. "And he was afraid, and said, how dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Genesis 28:17.
At this first personal encounter with God, Jacob recognized the necessity of some kind of personal action. He set up the stones that had been his pillow, thus making an altar on to which he poured oil. Genesis 28:18. "And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first." Genesis 28:19. Jacob made a personal vow. He asked for divine help and provision, and, then, promised, "... of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." Genesis 28:20-22. God is faithful.
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