Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 25:21-34, Genesis 28:10-22, Genesis 11:1-9, Genesis 29:1-30, Genesis 30:25-32.
Memory Text: “And Esau said, ‘Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!’ And he said, ‘Have you not reserved a blessing for me?’” (Genesis 27:36, NKJV).
We now pick up on the continued family history of Isaac, the miracle child and early ancestor of the promised seed. The story doesn’t start out particularly well, however. The flawed character of his son Jacob will be manifested in the rivalry between the two brothers over the birthright (Genesis 25:27-34) and consequently over the right to obtain the blessing of Isaac (Genesis chapter 27).
Because Jacob deceives his father and steals the blessing from his older brother, he will have to flee for his life. In exile, God confronts him at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22). From then on Jacob, the deceiver, will experience some deception himself. Instead of Rachel, whom Jacob loved (Genesis chapter 29), Leah, the older daughter, will be given to Jacob, and he will have to work 14 years to earn his wives.
Yet, Jacob will also experience God’s blessing, for in exile he will have 11 of his sons, and God will increase his wealth.
Thus, whatever else we can see in this story, we can see how God will fulfill His covenant promises, one way or another, regardless of how often His people fail.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 28.
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