As we continue to read about Abraham’s life, we see how much of himself he has passed down to his son, Isaac. Today’s story unveils that story of Isaac and Rebekah. God clearly provides her as the bride for Isaac. However, we so many of his decisions mirror that of his father. Just like his father, Isaac calls his wife his sister rather than trusting God. From the time of their birth, the sons of Isaac and Rebekah were at war against one another. Jacob and Esau could not have been any more different. Their looks, their personalities, their interests. Sadly, each parent chooses a favorite. Isaac loves Esau, Rebekah loves Jacob. We can’t help but think that this favoritism drives a wedge even further between the brothers. Although we read the foretelling of Jacob being the line through which God carries out His covenant with Abraham, we also see Jacob’s lack of character. He cheats his brother out of his birthright by manipulating him at his weakest moment. Doesn’t seem like the likely line through which to make a great nation that walks before God blamelessly. That’s what I love about God, though. He uses the least likely to carry out His plans. We will see tomorrow how God transforms Jacob’s character, but not until after Jacob and Rebekah deceive Isaac. God made a promise to Abraham and because of Abraham’s obedience and faith, God is faithful to carry through with His promise despite the lack of faith of those who will be a part of carrying out His plan. This is an incredible of example of how much greater God is than our failures. He has the wisdom and power and grace to work even our pitiful decisions for His good. This continuing story also reminds us how much heartache and pain we could avoid if we would just seek God and do things His way. He is faithful to keep His promise and He is good to use even our failures. Yet, we see today through the life of Esau that we cannot escape the consequences and heartache that are a result of disobedient decisions.
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