Bible Study for Texas lesson for Jan. 13
People's flaws are no match for God's creativity
___Genesis 25:19-34; 27:22-29
___25:19 This is the account of Abraham's son Isaac.
___Abraham became the father of Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.
___21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the Lord.
___23 The Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."
___24 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. 26 After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.
___27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. 28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
___29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.)
___31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright."
___32 "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"
___33 But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
___34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.
___So Esau despised his birthright.
___27:22 Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." 23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. 24 "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked.
___"I am," he replied.
___25 Then he said, "My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing."
___Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me."
___27 So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. 28 May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness--an abundance of grain and new wine. 29 May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed."
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___By Kyle Reese
___He stands in front of the congregation in order to testify about the work of Christ in his life. He is a young Christian speaking about his salvation experience and the joy of his new-found faith. In his closing remarks, he says, "Life is so much easier now that I have found Christ."
___As Christians, we know what he probably means. Life is easier when the burdens of sin and guilt are taken away. But there is something more. Sometimes following Christ and answering his call bring more difficulty than ease. Such is the life of Jacob.
___The conception
___The story of Jacob begins with a familiar setting. Just like Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah are unable to conceive a child. Isaac prays to the Lord for his wife, and God grants his request. Rebekah is pregnant.
___But somewhere in the midst of getting the nursery ready and telling family members the good news, Rebekah learns the blessing of pregnancy brings with it more than a little difficulty. The blessing God gives to Rebekah is not simply hers, but it is a blessing for the entire world. She joins the long list of people who endured difficulty so the blessing of God is shared.
___The text relates that even in the womb Esau and Jacob are involved in a struggle. Feeling the intensity better than anyone else, Rebekah states, "If I have been blessed by becoming pregnant, why am I suffering this way?"
___She learns that God's blessing does not always make life easier. Sometimes the blessing of God brings difficulties we cannot even imagine.
___When Rebekah directs her question to God, God answers her in a startling way. "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger" (v. 23).
___In the oracle, Rebekah is given information no one else is aware of. Could it be that the oracle from God shapes the relationship she will have with her unborn children and how she will view each of them?
___Several things are significant about the word of God given to Rebekah. The first point of interest is that Rebekah, rather than Isaac, receives the oracle. In the patriarchal history of Genesis, it is somewhat surprising that God chose to disclose his plan to Rebekah rather than to the son of Abraham. Giving Rebekah the oracle is just the first of many surprises God has in store for this family.
___The story reminds us that God often entrusts to women and men a word from him. Sometimes it is to and through the least notable that God speaks.
___Just as surprising as its recipient is the content of the oracle. There are some things in life a person can count on--tax day is April 15, Christmas is Dec. 25 and a Baptist church dismisses services by noon.
___People in the world of Isaac and Rebekah might have added something to the list--the oldest son becomes the head of the family. The oldest receives the birthright and blessing from the father. The oldest receives twice the inheritance of the other children in the family. Imagine the surprise when Rebekah hears her older son will serve her younger. God surprises us by choosing the younger son to carry on the covenant promise. ?
___The covenant, and Jacob's place within it, become both a blessing and a burden. Perhaps you can identify with the double-edged sword of blessing and burden. It is a blessing for us as Christians to share the good news of Jesus with the world. It is also a burden to see people we love and want the best for reject Jesus and the life he brings. It is a blessing to be a parent. It is a burden to see children take destructive paths in their lives.
___The deception
___The conflict between Esau and Jacob which began in the womb continues in birth. The two brothers literally struggle to be the first one born. Esau is born first; the only battle he will win with his crafty younger brother.
___The Bible tells us Esau "came out all red, all his body like a hairy mantle." Esau is described by his physical features while Jacob is described by his actions. Jacob enters the world as he would live in the world, grasping for something. While not certain, the name Jacob probably means "grasp the heel" or less likely "he deceives." Whatever meaning one chooses to give to Jacob's name, he certainly lives up to it.
___As the boys grow, each receives special favor from a parent. Esau grows to be a hunter, a man of the field, loved by his father, Isaac. Jacob, on the other hand, is described as a quiet man (literally innocent or upright) and is loved by his mother. Again, one wonders how the oracle given to Rebekah by God has shaped her relationship to her children.
___One day, the two boys are doing what they do best. Jacob is at home cooking, while Esau is in the field. Arriving home, Esau begs Jacob for a bowl of the "red stuff" Jacob was preparing. Acting independently of Rebekah, Jacob forces Esau to forfeit his birthright for a bowl of food.
___To this point, the narrative has said nothing about Jacob or Esau knowing about the oracle given to their mother. Perhaps they are each developing their own unique personalities--Esau lives for the moment, and Jacob strives to succeed no matter the cost. Parents can easily identify with the differences between two children born and raised by the same mother and father, yet acting completely differently.
___Esau forfeits his birthright to Jacob, entitling Jacob to twice the inheritance given other family members and all the other rights and privileges given to the eldest son. It is a sad episode that pictures one who desires a satisfying present rather than a secure future; and another who takes what he wants, no matter the cost. As we read the patriarchal narratives of Genesis, it is interesting to see how the purposes of God are achieved because of the individual choices of people.
___Jacob's theft of the birthright introduces much conflict into his life. It seems Jacob has been destined for conflict since his birth. If God is going to overturn the status quo (i.e., older serving the younger), conflict is going to occur. In fact, conflict must occur for growth to happen.
___If God has changed within you and me the way we live our lives--no longer in bondage to sin and death, but alive through Jesus Christ--then we can be sure conflict will be a part of our existence in a fallen world just as it was for Jacob. Conflict, in this story and in our lives, can serve God's purpose. What we do with conflict makes a difference in the lives of other individuals and also in the life of the church.
___The reception
___God overturns the status quo by choosing Jacob, and in so doing opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.
___With the help of his mother, Jacob soon seeks to steal the blessing from his father, Isaac. In Genesis 27:18 and again in verse 24, the blind, aging Isaac questions the identity of his son. Jacob, apparently without hesitation, not only answers positively that he is Esau, but also claims God has given him success in killing the game for his father.
___The meal appears to be much more than a request from a hungry old man. "The meal appears to be a blessing ritual, complete with the command of the father, identification of the son (v. 19, 24); a shared meal for communion, not strength (v. 25); approach and kiss to seal the blessing (vv. 26-27) and the pronouncement of blessing (vv. 27-29)."
___If indeed this was a meal Isaac planned specifically for the purpose of blessing his son, it seems all the more treacherous for Jacob to steal the blessing.
___It is interesting to note Isaac's suspicion regarding the one who brings him the meal. He uses all the senses available to him (sound, touch, taste, smell) in order to investigate the recipient of the blessing. He never refers directly to Jacob by the name Esau, perhaps signifying his continued doubts about the person standing before him. Ultimately, however, Jacob receives the blessing intended for his brother.
___Beyond the second guessing of personality and circumstance, the overriding reality of this story is that God is at work. Neither Jacob nor Esau is worthy of the blessing given by Isaac, which ultimately comes from God. Maybe that is the point. No one is worthy of the blessing received from our Creator. That is why Christ came to an unworthy world to bestow on us the blessing of new life.
___The old adage says, "The flattest place on earth is at the foot of the cross." Perhaps it is true. While one can certainly point out the flaws of others, it is much more productive to learn about our own. As we discern and confess our own flaws, it is then we discover anew the grace of God that molds and shapes us through all the trials of life.
Questions for thought and discussion
___ When has following Christ brought more difficulty than ease to your life?
___ In the story, God speaks to Rebekah regarding the future of her sons. How does God speak to you? How do you confirm your hearing of the voice of God?
___ Reflect on a task God has called you to do. How has God gifted you to accomplish that task?
___ What do you think is more important in the raising of children, nature or nuture?
___ It is easy to see how our flaws hamper our witness. Have your flaws ever made you a better vessel of the gospel?
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