In this chapter Jacob is headed to the land of what the scripture calls the “eastern peoples”.  Jacob met a group of shepherds and during their conversation Jacob discovered that his family was nearby.  He meets Rachel who tells the news to Laban who is Jacob’s mother’s brother.  Laban takes Jacob in and marries 2 daughters Leah and Rachel.

Jacob’s patience in this chapter spoke to me as I was reading.  Jacob agreed to work 7 years for Rachel’s hand.  The scripture describes Rachel as “lovely in form and beauty” (Genesis 29:17).  After 7 years Jacob waste no time in wanting payment for his work, only to be deceived by Laban.  Laban shares with Jacob the tradition that the older daughter must be married first.  Leah was this older daughter and the scripture describes her as having “weak eyes” (Genesis 29:17) So Jacob works another 7 years for Rachel’s hand in marriage!  Even though this time, Laban will allow Jacob to marry Rachel immediately.  Jacob saw what he wanted, paid his debt and was rewarded.  Think about the value placed on Rachel and how determined Jacob was to earn the right to marry her.

The scripture says that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. (Genesis 29:30) “When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb.” (Genesis 29:31)  This part of the chapter displays God’s compassion for Leah.  Leah went on to have 4 sons Reuben which meant, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery”, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.  Leah desired children and God blessed her with sons.  Our God is compassionate, he watches us and knows the desires of our heart.

Now Esau, according to the scripture noticed that the daughters of Canaan displeased his father so he married Mahalath. (daughter of Ishmeal, Abraham’s son) I think he did this out of resentment for having his blessings stolen by Jacob.  If you remember in earlier readings Esau gave up his birthright for some food (lentil stew) after a long day in the field.  It seems that Esau does not weigh his decisions carefully to me, but that is just my opinion.

During Jacob’s travel from Berrsheba toward Haran, he spent the night at what the scripture calls a “certain place”.  I don’t know if there was a significance to this place because the scripture also says he spent the night here because the “sun had set”.  While he was dreaming he had a dream.

Genesis 28:12 “He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants. 14 Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; fo I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Needless say Jacob was amazed, named this place Bethel and made a vow to the LORD here.  The stone that he slept on he set up as a pillar, poured oil on it, and stated that if God would keep him on his journey, then the LORD would be his God.  At the end of the chapter Jacob made a commitment also to give a tenth of all that God gives him back to God.

I called Jacob a mama’s boy in past post and it seems as though he was Rebekah’s favorite also.  She knew exactly how to play her husband so that he believed that he was really blessing Esau.  She was willing to accept being cursed in order to have this particular son receive the blessing.  After Jacob received Isaac’s blessing, she even made arrangements to hide and protect Jacob from Esau.

Jacob’s actions appeared to cause great distress with Isaac and Esau.  When Isaac (who was near death at this time) discovered that he blessed the wrong son, he was trembling violently.  Esau, when he discovered that his blessings were given away to Jacob screamed out and pleaded with his father for a blessing.

I need to take some time here, continue reading on so that I can connect the dots.  I am wondering what the ramifications are for Rebekah and Jacob?  Was there anything scripturally that forecasted Rebekah’s heart in this matter?  How will this affect Jacob’s life? Esau’s?  What is Jacob’s lineage in the future? Esaus?

Chapter 26 focuses on Isaac, his family, and most importantly illustrates how GOD works with him and blesses him.  GOD told Isaac that he would be “with him” and “bless him”.

Genesis 26:4 “I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statues and My laws.”

At this time there was another famine in the land, from what I read it appeared that Isaac was on the move.  The LORD came to Isaac and told him not to go to Egypt, instead Isaac was to stay in the land that the LORD told him to stay in.  Isaac was obedient to GOD, (like father, like son) and stayed in a land called Gerar.

In previous chapters, I spoke about Abraham lying about his wife being his sister so that he was not killed on account of his wife’s beauty.  In verse 7, Isaac for fear of his life lied as well on account of Rebekah being beautiful.  In both instances, GOD protected both the husbands and wives from harm from the outsiders.

Genesis 26:12 “Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold.  And the LORD blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy.”

To me, this is an example of the type of blessing that GOD gives his children.  The scripture did not specify that Isaac did something special, used special seeds, or techniques to get rich.  He was obedient to GOD’s will, and GOD brought him abundance.  It does not say that Isaac even asked for these great riches!  This is so encouraging to me because it is an example of how GOD can do so much more than we imagine or anticipate.  It is an example to me of how Abraham, now Isaac made getting rich look easy!  It appears that the way to be truly wealthy back then was to be obedient to GOD.  I believe that holds true today and forevermore.

Isaac’s wealth and resources grew so much that the local people asked him to leave on account of Isaac becoming “too powerful”.  Even after Isaac left and settled somewhere else those same people came (Abimelech and his advisor Ahuzzath, and Phicol, commander of his army) and said the following:

Genesis 26:28 “They said, We see plainly that the LORD has been with you; so we said, “Let there now be an oath between us, even between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace.  You are now the blessed of the LORD.”

I pray that each and every one of you will seek GOD first in all that you do, fear GOD because He is HOLY, and be obedient to HIS word.

Isaac received all that Abraham had. Genesis 25:5 “Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.”

Abraham lived for 175 years.  When he passed, Isaac and Ishmael buried him with Sarah (his wife).

A few things spoke to me in this chapter; one thing that stood out to me was how Abraham was able to give to all of his children.  Not only that, but when he died his sons were able to bury him in the land that he purchased prior to his death.  God’s abundance provides for us in life and in physical death.  In verse 11, the scripture says, “It came about after the death of Abraham that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi.”  I believe that this is an example of God’s faithfulness to his word and timing.  He knows all things and keeps his promises to his people.  Isaac future is set before him and God will shall be done.

Later in this chapter, it is written that Ishmael lives for 137 years.  They settled from Havilah to Shur (East of Egypt) and he settled in “defiance of all his relatives”.  Isaac’s wife Rebekah was pregnant and she asked God why the children “struggled” inside of her so.

Genesis 25:23 “The LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.”

When she had her son’s, one came out fuzzy (the bible says hairy) Esau and the other cane out holding on to Esau’s heel.  (His name was Jacob because he held on to Esau’s heel).  Esau seemed to be a man’s man.  Hunter, the scripture says that he was a “man of the field” while Jacob was a peaceful man living in tents. (Jacob sounds more like a mama’s boy here J)  Isaac loved Esau while Rebekah loved Jacob.  One day when Esau came back famished from the fields he discovered that Jacob was cooking some stew.  Esau was so hungry and asked Jacob for some stew.  Jacob asked for Esau’s birthright for some stew and Esau was like whatever, I’m starving here, so he sold his birthright to Jacob.  At the end of this chapter the scripture says that Esau “despised his birthright”.

When we are weak, we are more susceptible to doing things that we will regret.  I wonder if Jacob was cooking this stew waiting for Esau to return from the fields.  Next chapter if I remember correctly we should find out how some of the consequences for Esau’s decision.

Repeatedly, I am observing that God uses the faith of his people (even the servants) to do his great works.  This chapter is no exception!  Abraham told one of his servants to go back to his homeland to get a bride for his son Isaac.  This was serious business, so much so that Abraham made the servant swear an oath to get his son a bride from the homeland.  Once the oath was made, the servant set out with camels and various gifts for the bride.

Now the servant prayed to God and asked God to show him who Isaac’s bride would be.  The servant asked for specific signs, detailing even the dialogue that they should have.  Abraham showed his faith in God by his willingness to release the servant of his oath if the woman would not come back with him to Isaac.  Abraham’s servant showed his faith by asking God to show him without a doubt that this woman was the one for Isaac.

Taking the culture into account at this time, this beautiful woman (Rebekah) appeared to be humble, confident, and eager to serve.  The scripture states that Abraham’s servant was waiting at the spring because the women come there in the afternoon to draw water.  I wonder if she was the first one to see Abraham’s servant. The scripture does not appear to say one way or the other.

The servant asked God for a sign, he wanted the appointed woman to offer him a drink and water for his camels also.  Just as soon as he asked for this, a beautiful virgin woman offered him and his camels a drink!  In my opinion, you can see God working through the chapter.  From the initial meeting of Abraham’s servant and Rebekah (the beautiful future wife of Isaac), to the blessings given of the family for her leave, to Rebekah’s agreeing to go into another land to marry.

So Abraham had a beautiful wife (Sarah) and now Isaac as well (Rebekah).  I truly believe that beauty is a gift from God,  and it is a blessing to have a beautiful woman in your life.  I can understand how both Abraham and Isaac must have felt to be married to such beautiful woman, because I have one as well!  It is such a blessing!



Now this cave was at the end of the field, and Abraham only wanted the part of the land with the cave to bury his wife.  Ephron, (owner of the field) wanted to give Abraham the entire field and not separate the property.  Based on the scripture, Abraham paid the “commercial standard” which I believe is full price for the land.  Abraham had the land deeded over to him and he buried his wife.

In this chapter,  the people had a reverence for Abraham.  They called him a “mighty prince among us” and they offered him the best burial sites.  Abraham was also respectful in offering to pay full price for only using part of the field.  Even as a commercial real estate broker, I liked the fact that Abraham did not “wheel and deal” for the property.  The commentary states that Abraham was taken advantage us in this deal because the purchase price (400 shekels of silver) was an exorbitant amount of money.  The way I see it, Abraham wanted the land to honor his wife and God gave him the means to acquire it.  Abraham acquired his wealth through God’s blessings, it’s all HIS money anyway!

Abraham’s actions tell me that he was an eager servant of God.  When God called out for him at the beginning of the chapter, he answered back “here I am”.  When God gave him instructions to sacrifice his only son he woke up early the next morning to get going!  When his son Isaac asked about where the sacrifice was going to come from, he told him that the LORD would provide the sacrifice.

In the scripture, Abraham’s obedience to God’s command showed him to fear God.

Genesis 22:12 “He said, Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

The LORD was pleased with this act and it said in the scripture that Abraham was to be greatly blessed.

Genesis 22:17 “indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

The word “indeed” in verse 17 appears to re-iterate the LORD’s approval of Abraham and his actions.  Abraham sought God’s approval.  God was at the center of his heart.  He feared God and was obedient to his word.

LORD, we ask that you guide our steps and show us your truth.  Forgive us for our disobedience and give us the strength to follow you with an eager heart.  In your son Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

Genesis 21:12 “But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.”
God told Abraham to listen to his wife. Last time when Sarah treated Hagar so harshly that she fled, God spoke to Hagar and told her to return and to submit to Sarah.

Genesis 16:9 “Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.”
Repeatedly, you see here how God honors marriage and works through the marriage relationship to fulfill his prophecy. God protected Sarah when kings “sent” for her to, God worked with Abraham’s emotional conflict which came from having a son by Hagar, and God even told Abraham to listen to “whatever Sarah tells you.”
That’s what I call an empowered woman! Sarah told Abraham to push Hagar and her son Ishmael out of the camp, so Abraham gave Hagar and her son supplies and sent them on their way. The scripture says that he gave them “bread and a skin of water”. They wandered in the wilderness, it appears to me that they had no idea what to do, where to go, and had a limited amount of supplies. Hagar was at the breaking point, ready to give up and die (her and her son). It was at this point when she cried out, that God came and shared HIS plans with her. The scripture says that God was with Ishmael as well.

God is perfect. God’s children are made in HIS image, but are born into sin. This chapter shows God’s consistent grace toward Abraham and the hedge of protection that he places around him and his family. This chapter also explains in more detail on why Abraham would say that he and his wife Sarah were brother and sister (they were married) to save his life from the Egyptian pharaoh, and now Abimelech.

This chapter begins with Abraham settling between Kadesh and Shur. In Chapter 12 we read about Sarah’s (Sarai’s) beauty. Abraham told Sarah to say that they were brother and sister when King Abimelech sent for and took Sarah. God appeared to Abimelech in a dream and was not having any of that! He told the king to not touch her, give her back to Abraham, and Abraham would pray for his Abimelech and he would live. God called Abraham a prophet as well in this chapter.
Abimelech was upset by all this, after all he didn’t know that Abraham and Sarah were married when he sent for her. (This happened in Egypt when the Pharoah received plageues to taking Sarah as his wife) Abimelech, confronted Abraham and asked why he would do this?

Genesis 20:9 “Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.”

Abraham responded..
Genesis 20:11 “Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.12 Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife;13 and it came about, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, “This is the kindness which you will show to me: everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother”

To make amends, Abimelech gave Abraham riches, Abraham prayed and saved the life of this king as well as healed the people. (The wombs of the women of the kings household were shut because of Sarah being taken).

After reading this, I understand the Chapter title “Abraham’s treachery”. Abraham lied to save his life. God still protected him, and blessed him and his family even though he was not perfect. What I got from this Chapter is that God had mercy on Abimelech and appeared to judge him on his heart. God spoke to Abimelech in a dream before he had a chance to touch Sarah, to save his life. I don’t believe that Abraham wanted to give his wife up at all! Imagine how he must have felt when God told him to travel, knowing that he could lose his wife or his own life? Would we be willing to lose a loved one to follow God’s will? Would we be willing to enter into unpredictable situations where we don’t know the outcome? When God called, Abraham did not seem to even hesitate. He is not a perfect man, none of us are. I pray that God give all of us the strength to be obedient when we are called to walk and the faith to trust him to take care of us no matter what comes our way. Even if we make mistakes, we are children of God and he will take care of us like he took care of Abraham.