The Well: January 20-24

January 20: Genesis 27, 28

The story of God's promise now shifts from Isaac to his second son, Jacob. That God often chooses to work through those society would least suspect becomes a theme throughout the Bible. Judah, Joseph, David, and Gideon are just a few examples.

As the spotlight passes from Isaac to Jacob it is not without intrigue. God has already said that Jacob, not Esau, would be the leader of the family. Yet, Isaac was partial to his rugged hunter son Esau. Nearing death, Isaac decides to pass along the clan leadership to Esau, and by so doing puts the plan of God at risk. Esau has married foreign women, and at this point the readers must wonder: has Satan finally derailed the promise of God?

The story of Jacob's treachery again emphasizes the absolute control God has over history. As it unfolds we find that all four members of the family act sinfully and yet, the plan of God emerges unscathed, right on schedule, just as God said.

Once again we see that the plan of God will never be derailed, either by the opposition of his enemies or the disobedience of his people.

Once the deed is done, Rebekah ends the chapter with a strong declaration that her Jacob not marry a local Hittite woman and she sends him away to her people.

Chapter 28 sets things in motion that will occupy the following chapters. Isaac, like his father before him, instructs his son on finding a wife from their people. In contrast, Esau marries another foreigner. God meets Jacob on the way and establishes the covenant with 

him.  The next few chapters will bring all of these elements together.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thinking through the story of Jacob's deceitfulness I am amazed and humbled at your sovereign ways. Despite the wickedness of my own heart, and the brokenness of this world, your love will never fail. Thank you for your love Lord! In Jesus Name, Amen.

January 21: Genesis 29, 30

As Jacob enters the household of Laban the story takes an interesting turn. Jacob the schemer and liar becomes the victim of Laban's schemes and lies. At the end of seven years it is Leah that becomes his wife, and he has to pledge another seven in order to gain the hand of his beloved Rachel. 

Once again we see barrenness in the promised line. First Sarah, then Rebekah, and now Rachel are unable to bear children. And, like Sarah before her, Rachel refuses to wait on God and offers her maid to Jacob.

The issue of polygamy in the Old Testament is a difficult one. What we know for sure is that, from the beginning, God's plan for marriage was a life-long covenantal relationship between one woman and one man.

However, polygamy soon became the cultural norm

 (see: Genesis 4:23). The fact that the line of promise fell into polygamy, and that God worked through it does not mean God changed his standard. It does demonstrate that God is able to bring about his desires even in the face of our compromises and sinful acts. However, our sinfulness is never without dire consequences. The stories of polygamy in the Bible are also stories of strife and despair.

Chapter 30 demonstrates that, like Abraham and Isaac before him, Jacob is greatly blessed by God while in adverse circumstances. Laban, like Abimelech, represents both crises and blessing in the life of Jacob. We now see Jacob taking the place God had promised. He is blessed by God, ready to return to the land of Canaan.

Prayer:  Father, my greatest need is to trust you, and to follow your ways. Open my eyes to my own sin, keep me from pride, and grant me the joy of knowing forgiveness full and free, through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.

January 22: Genesis 31, 32

It has become apparent that Jacob can no longer dwell with Laban. In describing the situation to his wives, Jacob reminds them that their story is more than just that of an ordinary family. They have been chosen by God to carry forward the covenant promises.

Yet, all is not righteous in Jacob's household. Rachel, the wife of his love, is determined to bring her father's idolatrous practices with her. Here we see a nuanced reference to the potential problems all Israel will face when idolatry is allowed to enter their community.

The strife between Jacob and Laban is finally settled with the covenant enacted at Mizpah. Though often seen today in a positive way, the agreement was actually a threat. Both men called upon God to make sure the other one didn't break the covenant and bring revenge.

But Jacob's problems are just beginning. Esau, his older brother from whom he had stolen the blessing, is waiting. Jacob, ever the schemer, devises a plan he hopes will soften his brother's heart.

As the night passes, Jacob cries out to God in what is the first glimpse of a changed heart. Will the schemer now become one whose faith lays hold on God in trust? It will take a wrestling match to find out for sure.

After sending his family to a place of safety, Jacob is alone. A man, later understood to be God himself (a pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son), comes and wrestles with him. It is clear that Jacob has been "wrestling" with God in his own strength for some time. This time he is beaten, and will bear the consequence of his loss the rest of his life. But now we see a significant shift in Jacob. Now he will use his strength to "hang on to God until he is blessed." 

As was true of his grandfather, Jacob receives a new name, Israel. Having seen God face to face Jacob is now ready to trust him, and lead as his family becomes a nation.

Prayer: Father, help me to be like Jacob, to use my strength to "hang on to you" so that your blessings rather than my schemes will be my focus. Have your way in my life, Lord, by your grace and for your glory, through Jesus, Amen.

January 23: Genesis 33, 34

In Jacob's meeting with Esau we find the first evidence of God's covenantal blessing on Jacob. We certainly would have expected Esau to hold a grudge and meet his brother with a plan for revenge. Jacob sends gifts and messages ahead to Esau hoping to head off any conflict. 

But Esau's heart has changed. God is behind the scenes here, working out his covenant promises to Jacob. God is now his protector, going before him.

The chapter ends with Jacob and his clan safely back in Canaan, settling in Shechem, the fertile land lying between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim.  Like Abraham, he now buys a piece of land, and can claim some ownership in the region long ago promised to his forefather. But residency here will mean dealing with the neighboring idolatrous clans.

The story of Dinah and the men of Shechem, while seemingly out of place on its own, is important when we realize that Moses is writing this to a people who will one day follow Jacob's lead and settle in Canaan. It points out 1) the danger to Israel posed by the surrounding clans, and 2) the necessity to rid the land of such peoples (as God will command under Joshua).

This story also points out that the legacy of treachery that began with Jacob has only multiplied in his sons. It is significant that Simeon and Levi are the ones responsible for the slaughter of the men of Shechem. This will play into the reason Judah, the 4th born son, is chosen as the tribe from which David, and Messiah will come. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are all disqualified through their treachery (see: Genesis 35:22). 

The slaughter will make it impossible for Jacob to remain on the land he has purchased, and once again we will see him leaving to find a home.

Prayer: Lord, today there will be challenges and opportunities in my life. Father, help me be prepared to face them righteously, to carry your Name with me, and be pleasing to you in all I say and do, for Jesus' sake, Amen.

January 24: Genesis 35, 36

Following God's command, Jacob left Shechem and travelled north to Bethel. Before leaving he commands all those of his clan to surrender up their idols. He has seen the danger of allowing idolatry to enter his family and determines to leave them behind. In great contrast, he builds an altar of sacrifice to God.

As they travel we see that, once again, God is going before them. He keeps the various waring bands from harming Jacob as he travels through their territory. 

Arriving at Bethel God once again appears to Jacob, re-establishing the covenant promises first made to Abraham. Once again God declares that he will now be Israel, and from him will come a people that will live on the promised land. 

Here we see the promises of Genesis 12:1-3 passed along to Abraham's offspring, just as God promised. 

The following chapter shows the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. The declaration in Genesis 3:15 about the "enmity" between the line of promise and the line of rebellion is now displayed. We saw it between Isaac and Ishmael, and now we see it as Esau leaves Canaan to begin the nation that will one day be Edom, an enemy of Israel down through the years. 

A note about genealogies: While these lists of families and kings may seem unimportant, they are valuable for at least two reasons: 1) They provide great historical evidence that is used to validate the biblical record; 2) They remind us that God continues to allow life to go on, generation after generation, despite the sinfulness of humanity. God's patience, and his display of common grace can only be explained by the fact that he has a plan, will work that plan, and will bring all things to their right conclusion, in just the right way, and at just the right time.

Prayer: Father, as we finish another week of reading your Word, I am thankful for the Bible, and the story of your work in history. Thank you for bringing the story of my life into the story of your love, for seeing my helpless condition and reaching out to rescue me.  Thank you for taking me from the darkness of sin, and bringing me into the kingdom of your Son, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of all my sin, because of Jesus, Amen.