Christ-Light Connections: Jacob Deceives Isaac & Jacob’s Flight and Vison
The theme this week is lack of trust leads to trickery and trouble, but God forgives.
We have moved on from the life of Abraham to the lives of the next two patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob. As the theme of the week implies, they are no less disappointing than Abraham. God chooses his people based on his love for them. The only thing that these patriarchs (especially Jacob as you will see) contributed to their salvation was the sin that made it necessary.
OT Set 1 7A
Jacob Deceives Isaac — Genesis 25:19-36, Genesis 27:1-41
Context
The story begins with another closed womb. Rebekah and Isaac wait twenty years for their children! Again God makes his control and involvement apparent when Rebekah finally became pregnant. His promises would be fulfilled, on his terms, in his own way. It took Abraham a lifetime for that message to sink in. How long with it take for it to set in with Isaac and Jacob?
Big Themes
A strange pregnancy and favoritism (Genesis 25:22-26, 28)
As Jacob and Esau fight while inside Rebekah’s womb, God explains this with a prophecy that will ultimately point to his unmerited love. Before the twins were born or had anything good or bad, God chose Jacob, the younger of the twins, to be the bearer of the Promise. (Romans 9:10-12) It is also significant because culture would dictate that the oldest male in the family was entitled to be the head of the clan and receive a double share of the inheritance.
In Genesis 25:28, we see that “Isaac…loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob.” Favoritism was a poison that would strain and destroy these family relationships.
Parents, you have probably seen how favoritism has hurt or destroyed families you know, or perhaps it has affected your own family too. Satan tempts us just as he did the patriarchs. I am a mother of three, and I see how my children jockey for attention, position, and special treatment. They long to be the “favorite” child. Even though I am keenly aware of what is happening in my own family, I can see how parental favoritism could sneak up on me and be accidentally implied! I wish that I had special advice and wisdom to share. Parenting is challenging in so many ways! I truly need God’s help to raise my children well.
Conversation Starters:
- Why is important to know that God chose Jacob “before” he was born? What does this teach us about his love?
- Why do we crave favoritism?
“First, sell me your birthright “(Genesis 25:31)
What kind of a man doesn’t share a bowl of stew when his brother is starving? What kind of a man sells his birthright blessing for a bowl of lentils? So far, nobody is showing themselves to be of a more impressive character. God’s prophecy comes true as Esau gives away his birthright, the promise to be a part of the messianic line. See God’s reaction to Esau in Hebrews 12:15-17.
Esau married two Hittite (unbelieving) women who were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34)
Esau’s marriage to two unbelievers reflects his disinterest in being a part of the covenant nation. Later chapters in Genesis will reveal that his descendants did indeed become a great nation, but are only mentioned as a people group hostile to God’s chosen nation, Israel.
It is difficult to find positive outcomes of marriage unions between God’s people and unbelievers in the Bible. Many marriages like this today are filled with struggle and painful compromises for the believer. Worse yet, it is difficult to pass on the faith to the next generation if both parents are not united in doing so.
Conversation starters:
- Why is it important to have a believing spouse?
- Is it ever a good idea for a believer to choose to be married to an unbeliever? (Parents, if your marriage is mixed, you might want to give this topic careful thought before you bring it up with your children. It will not be an easy conversation for anyone.)
Rebecca and Jacob’s Plot (Genesis 27:1-40)
Again we see a lack of noble character in any of the four in this story. Isaac knew that God wanted the blessing to be given to Jacob. Esau had already sworn before God to give the birthright to Jacob. Instead of trusting God to work out the situation, Rebecca and Jacob plotted to deceive their own family members to take the blessing.
Surprise! Among all of these sins is a hidden reflection on Christ substitution for us. Like Jacob, we are liars and deceivers who are wholly undeserving of receiving the blessing. As Jacob puts on Esau’s clothes, we put on Christ’s robe of righteousness so that we might receive the blessing from the Father. The Father now sees us as he sees his perfect son, Jesus, and his inheritance is bestowed upon us!
Conversation Starter:
- In what ways do we try to take matters out of God’s hands and into our own? (I can identify my temptations by examining what I feel entitled to. I am prone to manipulate and take any entitlements that I am not receiving on my terms.)
- What do children feel entitled to? Examining what makes your child angry may give you clues.
Digging Deeper
The Seeds of Faith resource provides context and deeper connections.
In 40 Minutes in the Old Testament, two episodes cover the content.
- Episode 36: The lentil/birthright exchange.
- Episode 38: Jacob and Rebekah’s plan to steal Esau’s blessing. Hear more about how this story reflects the Great Exchange between us and Christ here.
OT Set 1 7B
Jacob’s Flight and Vision —Genesis 27:42-28:5,10-22 Genesis 29:1
Context
The consequences of Rebekah and Jacob’s sin begin to set in. Jacob has been sent away from everyone and everything that he owns and on a long and lonely journey. All he has are the staff in his hand and the verbal blessing given to him by his father, Isaac. I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for him as he chooses which rock he will use as his pillow for the night. How could his heart be filled with anything but loneliness, fear, and despair?
Big Themes
Jacob’s dream and the ladder (Genesis 28:12-15)
God comes to Jacob at the perfect moment. This dream is the first of seven appearances by God to Jacob. God begins to develop and mold Jacob’s faith with his promises.
The ladder or stairway is a significant part of the dream. Why is it there? What is the meaning? Jesus, himself explains it! John 1:51 says, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. God and man are connected by Jesus! He is the way in which we have access to God!
It is deeply reassuring to know that Christ is the ladder. The ladder does not represent anything that I have to do to have access to God, rather he provides everything for me!
Conversation Starters:
- How had Jacob tried to build his own ladder to God?
- How do people today try to build their own ladders?
- What does access to God through Jesus mean?
God’s promises to Jacob (Genesis 28:14-15)
God gives Jacob four promises that would reassure him and prepare him for the coming trials of life.
- 1) He would have numerous descendants.
- 2) All people would be blessed through him.
- 3) God was with him and would watch over him.
- 4) God would bring Jacob back to the promised land.
Conversation Starters:
- How have Jacob’s promises blessed you?
- Which of Jacob’s promises are the same for us?
- How do they reassure us?
Digging Deeper
The Seeds of Faith resource provides context and deeper connections about Jacob’s flight and dream.
40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast:
- Episode 39:Esau’s grudge and Jacob’s dream.
Molly Parsons
Molly Parsons is a ministry assistant, teacher, mother, and wife. She is currently serving at Faith Lutheran in Fond du Lac, WI. Her ministry passion is to help connect and equip parents with spiritual resources to enable them to be a part of the faith development of their children.
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