As we dig into Gen 28, we see that Isaac sent Jacob to Haran, to the people of Laban (Jacob's uncle on his mother's side) to find a wife (Gen 28:1-2). {And some people joke about folks from Alabama going to family reunions to pick up dates.} Gen 28:3-5 details the blessing of Isaac toward Jacob and reminds the reader of the blessing given to Abraham by God. (This is intentional). It is clear that the covenant blessing of Abraham is to be continued through Jacob and not Esau.
Gen 28:6-9 gives a response by Esau. He now is clear on his mistake in taking wives from among the Canaanites. He sets out to and finds a wife from his father's lineage, through Ishmael. While the attempt on Esau's part is to do that which pleases his father (as he has deduced from the instruction and blessing of Isaac toward Jacob), he further solidifies in the reader's mind that he is not the line of covenant promise. He weaves his life back into the line of Ishmael. Now the descendents {of Esau and the grand-daughter of Ishmael} will continually prove to be in direct opposition to the people of Israel.
Gen 28:10-17 details the dream of Jacob's ladder (or stairway). It has been interpreted in many ways through the years, but the point of it is to affirm through a "theophany" (a manifestation of or appearance of God) the covenant of God with Jacob's descendents. You see the promise of the land (Gen 28:13), the promise of many descendents (Gen 28:14), and the promise of blessing for Jacob and through Jacob (and his descendents) (Gen 28:14). (See also Gen 12:1-3, Gen 17:6-8, Gen 22:15-18).
Gen 28:18-22 demonstrates the setting aside (declaring holy) and naming of the place of this revelation. It is called Bethel (i.e. Beth (house) - El (God)) which is house of God. Jacob makes a vow to God at this place that if God will do as he has already committed, Jacob will be a faithful follower of God.
Bear in mind that the purpose and focus of the book of Genesis is not to teach us "necessarily" how we are to act toward God; rather it is to reveal to us how God has acted toward His people. Jacob's negotiation/vow is not to be understood as "prescriptive" (something we are told to do); rather, it is descriptive of what Jacob did and how God dealt graciously with him.
God' grace is evident throughout this chapter. His hand and fingerprints are clearly seen. God is good and gracious toward Jacob...because God is good and gracious, not because He is obligated to act in response to Jacob's vow.
Proverbs 19:19 is the takeaway today. There is a principle involved here of letting a person bear the consequences of his own sin. Our tendency, when we see people we love make poor choices, is to bail them out. Often times this is done in such a way that they never learn the lesson of the experience. When we eliminate consequences, we may in fact doom a person to repeat the sin. Every moment, I have found, is a teachable moment: whether with my children or with people I help along the way in the Christian journey. Rather than "bailouts" or "rescues," it is very appropriate to walk with a person and "bear their burdens" with them, pointing always to the lesson to be gained.
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2 comments:
I can see what you are saying about this not being a lesson it is hard not to try to take things away from it but I am working on not thinking of it as it relates to me (that sounded very selfish). I do think it is interesting that Esau went to Ishmael's line. Why do you think he did this? You think this is what Isaac wanted, Esau was trying to please his father? As I read, are you saying it was a way of proving Esau was not the chosen son.
Amanda,
Sure it is a lesson...but it is not one of instruction. In other words, we are not told to negotiate with God, even though this is what Jacob did.
I think he went to Ishmael's line because it was on his father's side. He basically went to uncle Ishmael's line while Jacob was sent to uncle Laban's (mother's side). It seems to me that this is what Esau thought would please his father. We are just speculating at this point.
God's promise is laid out through Jacob. To the reader (or the hearer) it would be clear that Ishmael was not the chosen line. It would also be clear that Esau was not the chosen line. As such...a marriage of these two would make it ABUNDANTLY clear that Esau's line was not the recipient of the covenant. By the way...this is disputed in the culture. Muslim's believe that Ishmael was the son of promise and not Isaac. Hence, the Arab/Israeli conflict throughout the generations.
Good post. Good questions. Thanks.
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