Isaac, Abraham's son and heir, married Rebekah when he was 40 years old. Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of Rebekah, because she was barren. The Lord answered Isaac's prayer when Rebekah became pregnant with twins. The babies jostled each other within Rebekah and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she inquired of the Lord. The Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."
When time came for Rebekah to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. The first was red, very red, and his whole body was hairy, so they named him Esau. After this, his brother was born, with his hand grasping the first's heel, so he was named Jacob.
The boys grew up. Esau became a skillful hunter, an outdoor man, while Jacob was quiet by nature, and stayed among the tents. Isaac loved his son, Esau, as he loved to eat the wild game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Isaac yearned to have the birthright which was due to Esau as the oldest son. and not him.
Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from open country. As he was very hungry, he begged Jacob for some of his stew. "I'm famished!" But Jacob, wise and clever replied, "First, sell me your birthright!" And Esau, not suspecting Jacob's cleverness, said, "Look, I am about to die! What good is this birthright to me?"
But Jacob persevered, "Swear to me first." So Esau swore an oath to Jacob, selling his birthright as the eldest son to Jacob. Then Jacob fed Esau and Esau despised his birthright. But they kept this news from Isaac, their father.
Now, God continued to bless Isaac, not only with his sons. Everything Isaac did seemed to go right. So the Philistines became jealous and plugged Isaac's wells, creating a dividing force strong enough to tear apart a mighty nation. But Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a fresh source of water. Because of Isaac's strength and because the Philistines saw the Lord was with him, the people of Garar made a treaty with Isaac that no one would bring harm upon the other. Isaac had every right to fight back when the Philistines ruined his wells, yet he chose to keep the peace. In the end, the Philistines respected him for his patience.
(From the study...)Perhaps we, too, should be just as receptive to those who want to make peace with us. When God's influence in our lives attract people--even enemies--we must take the opportunity to reach out to them with God's love.)
Now, Esau married outside his own clan and his parents were greatly upset. When he was 40 yrs. old, Esau married Judith, the daughter of a Hittite, a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.
Isaac grew very old. His eyes were weak and he could no longer see. He was afraid he was about to die, so he called Esau and asked Esau to hunt some wild game that he might enjoy the tasty food Esau cooked so well. And he told Esau, "I am about to give you my blessing."
Now, Rebekah had been listening and after Esau left for the big hunt, she said to her son, Jacob. "I overheard your father tell your brother that he wanted a dish of wild game, and he further added, "before I give you my blessing." She added, "Go now, Jacob, and bring two young goats, so I can prepare them the way your father likes. Then take it to your father, so that he may give you his blessing!"
Jacob worried his smooth skin might give him away and he would receive a curse instead of a blessing. But Rebekah said to him, "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do as I say."
So that is what Jacob did. His mother had covered his hands and neck with goat skin. So he went with the food and his lie to his father and said, "My father." "Yes, my son," Isaac answered, "Who is it?" Jacob said, "I am Esau, your first born. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat, so that you may give me my blessing."
"How did you find the game so quickly, son?" Isaac asked. And Jacob said, "The Lord provided."
"Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know if you really are Esau, or not."
Jacob went close to his father, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." Then, he said, "Are you really my son, Esau?" And Jacob answered, "I am." Isaac then asked for the meal and ate, finally saying, "Come here, my son, and kiss me." So, Jacob went to him and kissed him and as Jacob also smelled like Esau in the clothes he wore, Jacob was blessed.
Almost immediately, Esau came in from the hunt. Isaac trembled violently, yet knew Jacob had been blessed well. He gave Esau a different blessing to the one he had intended. He thought to kill Isaac, but, Rebekah sent Isaac to her brother Laban in Haran where she had lived and warned him to not marry a Canaanite woman, but some one from the daughters of Laban. Esau married several more Canaanite women to displease his father, Isaac.
I'm certain those of you who read this will be able to find the difficulties in this family. How hard it must be for a parent to love his children equally, when one is much the same as you and the other not like you at all. If this had been my family, I would have been on my knees to the Lord all the time! Perhaps, if I had been in prayer more often, each of my own might have been happier sooner. You get too soon old and too late smart enough to be faithful in trusting God.
Hope this New Year will keep you praying! It will me!
Jo INMN
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