Week 2, Session 1 Read Genesis 25:1-28 The author of Genesis reduces a lot of previous chapters into just a few verses in Genesis 25. We learn more about Abraham's later years and importantly, we get a succinct history of Jacob's parent's, Isaac and Rebekah. The story of Rebekah’s pregnancy is notable for a couple of reasons. First, it didn’t come easily. Like Sara before her, Rebekah was barren. Contrast Abraham and Sarah’s story (Genesis 16-21 if you need a refresher) with Isaac and Rebekah’s. How did each couple respond to a promise of heirs when none existed? And then the pregnancy was difficult—Rebekah had questions, and she brought them to God. I think it's notable enough to mention that here. Sometimes I'm tempted to talk to my girlfriends when I'm in a tough place, or my husband. There's a place for that and God knows that we need to process our options sometimes, but it just seems like such a good example Rebekah sets here to ask of God. The answer He sends is prophetic: 23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” Now how do you understand that? Great mysteries about nations are prophesied about the birth of these two. What would your response be? We're not told what Rebekah did with that information, but I'm inclined to believe that she pondered it. I remember how much daydreaming I did about my children when I carried them--who they would be and what they would be like. Since Rebekah went to the trouble of asking God, I'm assuming she valued the answer she received. Rebekah delivered twins. The first one she named Hairy, (really? Hebrew =Esau). And the second is born clutching his brother’s heel. So since they were knocking the naming game out of the ballpark, they went with the obvious. (Evidently the Hebrew name Jacob sounds similar to the word for “heel.” Another interpretation is “deceiver.”) Take a minute to read verses 24 to 28 and list everything you can glean about this small family. What can you tell about the parents from the temperaments and activities of the boys? Almost every mother I’ve ever heard comments on the different natures and temperaments of her children. These twins were apparently nothing alike. Esau was a man for sport and game and recreation—an outdoor man. He loved this world and what it could offer him. Jacob was quiet we're told, and a home body. We find out later that he kept sheep as a vocation and taught his children likewise. Now each of the parents had favorites—we know that and we can only guess at the reasons. Maybe Isaac saw something in his sportsman, outdoor-loving son that wasn’t in his own nature. I know sometimes I pushed my children to be something that was lacking in me. That act can have both good and bad consequences. Rebekah enjoyed the quiet son who stayed close to home. It might have reflected her tastes, but I also wonder if she remembered the prophecies of God’s favor on Jacob. Whatever brought them to this point, we now have enough background information to understand the story of the family birthright. The brothers’ natural tendencies and the family interactions factor largely in the story to come. Journaling prompt: Reflect on how your inherited temperament shapes and influences your view of the world. What questions about your life would you bring to God today? Ask them. Wait for His answer.
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May 2020
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