Background Jacob takes advantage of Esau's weakness and buys Esau's birthright for a bowl of stew. Esau chose to sell his birthright. A bad decision, but he had a choice and did not value his birthright more than his immediate situation. He sold his future for his present happiness.

Today we need to be careful. Satan will attack us when we are the weakest. We are most vulnerable when we walk through the valley. Spiritual growth is synonomous with difficult times. God rewards those who successfully walk through he valley hand-in-hand with Him. Do not let satan rob you of your reward! Stand firm, focus on God, walk with Him and He will reward you graciously.

Isaac has grown old and is blind. Death is near and he has yet to pass along the" blessing." What is so special about this blessing? It was the custom and tradition for the father to "bless" his firstborn who would succeed him as the patriarch of the family. Special because it was the fathers final approval for the passing of the patriarchal mantel. Different than the birthright! The birthright provided for material possessions to enable the son to support the extended family. This blessing was the fathers invoking of God's wisdom, judgement, vision, and spiritual insight to lead the family. The patriarch was not only the family provider but also the judge and priest. He was to resolve family disputes and to lead the family spiritually.

Isaac intended to bless Esau. In light of God's revelation to Rebekah that her second born twin, Jacob, would rule over her firtst born, Esau (Gen. 25:23), and he would lord over his brothers and his mother's sons would bow down to him (Gen. 27:29): Why would Isaac plan to bless Esau? Was he going against God's will or His plan? I do not believe so. God did not "foreordain" or "predestine" Jacob to become ruler over his brother. He simply stated a fact. God knew that Esau would sell his birthright and that Rebekah and Jacob would trick Isaac into blessing Jacob. He did not cause these things to happen but He would work His devine plan within the framework of mankind's choices. He continues to do so today.

Esau paid the consequence for his choice, the loss of the birthright, loss of a spiritual blessing, harbored bitterness and hatred for his father and brother. Jacob would pay a price for his choice also. He would be decieved by Laban and have to work twice as long for his beloved Rachel (Gen. 29:25). God would honor his promise to Abraham and Isaac by blessing Jacob.

Chapter 28 begins a new era in the journey of God's people. Come Sunday prepared to study how God begin to mold Jacob into the father of the nation of Israel.

Genesis 28 (overview)
1. An obedient son.... vs 1-5 Obedience always yields God's blessings

2. A spiteful son.... vs 6-9 Bitterness ....not the attribute God wants us to foster

3. A funny thing happened on the way to Haran.... vs 10-22 A defining moment that changed Jacob's life

Until next time.......

Danny