Day 021- The Bible Recap

Isaac felt he was nearing the end of his life so he called for Esau (his older son) to go out hunting to make him a meal so he could give him his blessing. 27:1-4 I learned reading through the first time that this was not viewed as a financial blessing (along he would acquire things) but more of a spiritual shaping of Esau's future. Also it's hard to understand why it just can't be reversed but I guess culturally that was not accepted.

Rebekah hatched a plan with Jacob to steal Esau's blessing and instead have Isaac give his blessing to Jacob (his younger son). 27:8-17 This plot fulfilled God's promise in 25:23 where He said, "the older shall serve the younger."

In 27:20 Jacob gave credit to "your God" when answering his father's questions. At this point Jacob doesn't have a relationship with God himself.

Esau claimed Jacob took his birthright from him but remember in 25:29-34 Esau really didn't see his birthright as having any real value and forfeited it.

Esau threatened to kill Jacob so Rebekah urged Jacob to escape to his uncle Laban's home. 27:41-45

Isaac repeated the same warning to Jacob about not marrying a Canaanite woman that Abraham said to his servant concerning Isaac. 28:1, 24:3

After God spoke to Jacob in a dream He still doesn't quite believe and even stated the condition that "IF God will...THEN the Lord shall be my God." 28:20-21 Further confirming he didn't have a relationship with the Lord.

Jacob loved Rachel and wished to marry her so he worked for Laban for 7 years in order to do so. But after 7 years Laban fooled Jacob by sending his older daughter Leah in to him. As a result Jacob worked another 7 years to finally marry Rachel.

Yet again God showed tremendous grace and generosity towards the "hated/unloved" by opening Leah's womb and giving her four sons.  I also thought the progression was interesting that after the fourth son her reaction was no longer focused on what Jacob thought of her but rather she just praised the Lord. 29:31-35 

A lot happened in these chapters today! We continued with patterns of lies, schemes and deceit. But I love when Tara Leigh reminded us, "even sin bends to God's will...it can't thwart His plan." God can redeem and use EVERY circumstance for His glory! That's GOOD NEWS for us all!!!

~Ann Mays