><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 24:1-60 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What can we learn from the attitude of Abraham's servant in his relation to a) his master, b) the task given to him? What were his confidence and concern? Cf Col 3:22-24. 2) Examine the manner in which the servant made his choice, and the test he employed. Of what did he become particularly conscious? Can we learn from this about choosing a life-partner? 3) What picture do we get of Rebekah? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 24:1-60 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1-3) A wise master also has a good, smart servant. His servant was loyal, shrewd and trustworthy. He was a servant of prayer, and had confidence in the Lord. He was a blessing to his master. Godly leaders ought to seek godly servants. The servant chose Rebekah by her servant heart. A very wise decision - she would not be disobedient, and rebellious. Rebekah seems obedient, submissive, beautiful and pure. She was prepared to give up her life to go to a foreign land to marry Isaac. That takes courage and faith as well. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 24:1-60 Betrothal of Isaac and Rebekah The reason that Abraham did not want his son, Isaac to marry a Canaanite woman was because they worship other gods. In this chapter the single men are instructed how to look for a wife. However, the key phrase is "---- as the Lord has directed.", 24:50b. If we honor Him, He is the One who plans and directs the marriage, not us. Abraham's servant prayed to the Lord for indication and confirmation. 24:12-14. He indeed is a faithful servant and a role model for us to serve the Lord - "--- when food was set before him to eat, he said, 'I will not eat until I have told my business. ---",24:33. The background story is selecting a bride for Isaac. But in my mind, the title is "How to Serve the Lord". -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) This chapter shows us what servitude is all about. It is a self-sacrificing act of a cheerful heart. True servitude is from the heart and comes from loyalty that goes deeper than the surface. Abraham's servant loved his master and was focused intensely on the task the master had given him. He even refused nourishment physically before completing his task. His work was for the Lord, not just Abraham. Col 3:22-24 22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 2) THe servants choice was made by finding a woman of service. One who would go above and beyond the normal kindness and display a servant's heart - Rebekah did just that. He became conscious of the Lord's hand and leading in the matter. He knew that ultimately it was God who was in control, not him. 3) We get a picture of the servant's heart in Rebekah. We see her quiet nature and tender heart. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 24:61-25:34 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What light do we get from this portion on the kind of man Isaac was? See 24:63-67;25:28. 2) Contrast Jacob and Esau, as described in 25:27-34, in their habits, character and spiritual outlook. What lesson is drawn in Heb 12:14-17 from Esau's conduct in regard to his birthright? 3) Review Abraham's life. What gives him an outstanding place in world history and makes him a conspicuous example to us all? Cf Is 41:8;Gal 3:9,29. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 24:61-25:34 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1-3) v63 says Isaac went out to the field to meditate. He's what I call a "soul man". He cares for his soul, and that is a spiritual man. Jacob and Esau were out of the natural order of things. The older would serve the younger, apparent even while they were still in Rebekah's womb. It shows that God's plans are not the same as the world's order or ways (NIV study Bible). Esau DESPISED his birthright. He was very foolish and fleshly, and is called "godless" in Hebrews. Let us cherish our blessings, and use our gifts from the Lord. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Abraham Gave-up His Soul, Genesis 25:1-11 After the death of Sarah, Abraham took another wife, Keturath. She was referred as "concubine" in I Chron. 1:32. Obviously, she was a female slave before Sarah's death. Her children were listed in 25:2-4. Among them, Midian was the father of Midainites. While Abraham was still living, he sent these children all away to the country of the east. Abraham breathed his last and died, 25:8; it was translated in KJV as gave up his soul. Our souls were given in Gen. 2:7. Our souls will depart from our body when we die. The (PROMISED) Birthrights, 25:31 For Israelites, the firstborn son becomes the head of the family, carries the name of the family and even acts as the family priest. He would also materially receive double portion of inheritance, the family assets, after the death of the father. In Esau's case, the emphasis would be that Esau ignored the position the Lord PROMISED him with. Hebrews 12:16-17 "that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know ----." The message is more clear in Galatians 3:9 and 29 - "So than those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer." "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to PROMISE." It indicates that Laws do not give life. The Spirit that is received by faith and that gives us life. II Corinthians 3:6 - "He is the one who has helped us tell others about his new agreement to save them. We do not tell them that they must obey every law of God or die; but we tell them there is life for them from the Holy Spirit. The old way trying to be saved by keeping the Ten Commandments, ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives them life." Life Application Bible. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The picture we get of Isaac is that of a loving obedient son. A man who recognized God's sovreignty in his life. A man who enjoyed hunting and good food from the hunt. 2) Jacob was a peaceful and shrewd man. A cunning world-wise man. He used his cunning to make his brother Esau give up his birthright. Esau was a hunter and a gamesman. He was a rugged man and hard worker. He did not realize the weight of his birthright and was not wise in the ways of the worldly dealings. He gave up his birthright to satisfy his fleshly desire of hunger. May each of us be mindful not to give up our heavenly birthright and calling or cheapen our salvation by yielding to the fleshly desires that Satan places before us. 3) Abraham was a man who followed God. His faith was great, so that he would become the father of God's chosen people and be the one from whom all nations would be blessed. What a great testimony of his faith! ALL nations are blessed, whether Jew or Gentile because of the faith of Abraham. Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 26 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Why did Isaac fail so badly after receiving striking promises from God? What was different about his reaction when the promises were repeated? 2) What can we learn from the quarrel over the wells concerning the way to behave in the face of opposition or hostility? Cf 1 Pet 2:23. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 26 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) Like father, like son! Isaac pulled the same shenanigan that Abraham did, but with his wife, Rebekah. Isaac lacked the confidence in God; however, God was with Him anyways. Isaac did a good thing by staying in Gerar, obeying the Lord. Those who are peacemakers are blessed. By not retaliating, Isaac showed the difference God made in his life. Mt 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 26 Isaac's Wells 26:19, the well Esek - The water is ours; 26:21, the well Sitnah - "adversity", because so much quarreling had taken place; 26:22, the well Rehoboth - the Lord hath made room for us, we shall be fruitful in the land; 26:33, the well Shebah - "We have found water". At first, Isaac restored his father's wells and had contention with the Philistines against the water right. Then, he started to dig his own well and claiming that "the water is ours". "The adversity", Satan, still comes to quarrel against it; so, he moves on and "the Lord hath made room for us", finally, "we have found water". "---- Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, And drank thereof himself and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water Springing up into Everlasting life." John 4:11-14 -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Isaac like his father Abraham did not trust God in all things. He tried to cover up the fact that Rebekah was his wife. Even though he had been given God's promises, he was not ready to believe until the second time. 2) We can see from this situation that we need to be peacemakers in our dealings with those in this world. We must not seek out conflict, but avoid it, and attempt to find ways to be IN the world, not OF it. We must let God, the ruler of all be judge over all. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER Gen 27:1-45 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Trace the parts played by each of the actors in the story. What motive influenced each one? Why was God pleased to bless Jacob? Cf Rom 9:10-13. 2) What was the nature of Esau's grief(v34,38)? Did it have anything to do with repentance? Cf Heb 12:17;2 Cor 7:10. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 27:1-45 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) God's ways are not man's ways. In this story of deceit and betrayal, God's will prevailed. Though it seems conniving to us, it was God's plan for Jacob to receive Esau's blessing. However, Esau was not a spiritual man, seen in his anger of holding a grudge and in his selling his birthright. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 27 The History of Israel Begins Isaac was deceived; 27:18-29; Esau was robbed; 27:30-41; Rebekah lost her favorite son, 27:43-45 Rm. 9:13 - "As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Rm. 9:21 - "Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" These verses teach us and repeatedly remind us that it is by God's grace that each one of us is where we are. Hebrews 12: 16-17 "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." We briefly touched base on the firstborn right in Chapter 25. This concept is developed further in James 1:18; which is clarified further in Heb. 12:23a, that "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, ---." as body members, we are the firstborn ones. Hebrews 12:17 quoted Esau's case and teaches us Do not despise the grace of God when it is available to us. Otherwise, we would be like him who found no place for repentance. It does not mean that Esau had no ground to repent; it means that he had no way to reverse by repentance, the result of what he had done. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Isaac - Unwitting victim. He wanted to give the birthright away according to the traditions passed on to him by his father Abraham. Jacob - Conspirator. He had maligned his way and taken advantage of his less worldly wise and business savvy brother to wrangle the birthright, but knew that the only way to receive the blessing would be through deception. Esau - Naive one. He is not really a victim, since he brought this act upon himself. He is a man who didn't realize what he had until he lost it. Rebekah - Co-Conspirator with her son Jacob. She orchestrated the plot to get the birthright for her favorite son. God has mercy upon whom he has mercy Rom 9:15. He also LOVED Jacob and despised Esau. We do not know why, but the Older shall serve the younger is all we are given. 2) Esau's grief was over having virtually NO blessing left after Isaac blessed Jacob. Esau put himself in a position where he was unable to reverse the ramifications and effects of his sin even by repentance. God always has room for forgiveness, but even still, when we sin, the CONSEQUENCES must still be dealt with. God promised us forgiveness, not that we would not reap what we sow in sin. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 27:46-28:22 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) How does the fundamental difference between the two brothers now manifest itself increasingly? What truth concerning God's choice does Isaac now explicitly recognize? 2) What was the significance of Jacob's dream? At what point in his experience did it happen? Of what great truths was he then made aware concerning a) God, and b) God's purpose for his own life? What response did he make? How far have you gone in similarly making God's promises your own? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 27:46-28:22 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) Jacob was pleasing to his parents, while Esau was born a misfit. Esau seemed to never get it right, but tried to make amends. Had he thought about all these things earlier, it would have made the difference. Isaac realized it is God's and not man's choice of who will receive the blessing. Jacob's dream was similar to Jn. 1:51, in which Jesus told Nathanael that he would see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." I think we all have a "Bethel" in our lives, where we meet God and realize His place in our lives. All those who are born-again must have their Bethel, their life-changing experience of God. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 28 Jacob's Dream The dispute over the birth right and fatherly blessing caused Jacob to flee from his brother Esau to Haran, about 500 miles north from Beersheba (Beersheba is at the south east corner of Mediterranean Sea). God revealed to Jacob at Bethel (about 40 miles away from Beersheba) for his long journey to Haran in a dream - "--- behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all place thou goest." 28:15. When Jacob awoke from the dream, he was afraid and said "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven." 28:17. This is a positive sign given by God about his (20) years spent in Haran. In this chapter we see that Isaac's twin sons left his house. Rebekak, a loving mother, for her son's future would rather live alone for the rest of her life. That is a demonstration of a great motherly love. "----it (love) is not self-seeking---" I Corinthians 13:5. For Esau, God hates him; but his father, Isaac, loves him. Is the father's love questionable? God gives us soul, spirit, heart and mind to analyze these issues of biblical significance. That is why we need to study the Bible rather than just read it only. On the contrary, Jacob cheated for the birth right and blessings. Yet, God seems to have approved of his cheating actions by promising him with land, 28:13, and protection, 28:15. Lord! Help me to understand and do right to please you. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The fundamental difference between the two brothers is their following of God's ways. Jacob is focused on what God wants him to do and Esau is interested in satisfying people here on earth. Isaac recognized that Jacob was the one to be blessed. That he would, not Esau would be the one through which the promise was extended, that the number of his generations would be like the dust of the earth. 2) Jacob's dream shows a bridging between God and man, a way to heaven. It is significant that in the dream the God restates and reinforces the covenant of Abraham, which is also inclusive of the Messianic promise, and also adds His promise to Jacob. His response was to setup a stone of remembering there. He annointed the stone that he had rested on to mark the place Bethel(house of God). This setup an altar there. An altar is a sign of sacrifice. Jacob was in essence putting his own self and all that was his identity on the altar and giving his life to God. Each of us as a Christian has a similar altar. A point where we put ourselves on the altar and died to the old ways and are living for Christ. May we remember to go back to the altar and remember the meaning of the sacrifice and that important meeting with God and its powerful carryover message. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER Gen 29:1-30 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Compare Laban's trickery in his deals with Jacob with Jacob's earlier trickery in his dealings with Esau and with Isaac. Can we discern God's hand here? What practical lessons did Jacob thus learn? see 31:42;32:10-12. 2) Are the determination and energy shown by Jacob here a new feature in his life? DO you, like him, have a purpose and object in life to give you a similar single-mindedness? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 29:1-30 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) As the worldly saying goes, "what goes around comes around" and it did seem to in Jacob, "the deceiver's", case. Jacob must have learned that it doesn't feel good to be cheated, which he needed to learn! I believe that Jacob's focus on getting Rachel is how our focus should be on glorifying Christ. The labor and long years did not deter him, for his love for the prize was unsurpassed. May our love for Christ be likewise unsurpassable. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 29 Jacob Met His Preferred Wife From human eyes, we see only that Laban is a shrewd man, starting from chapter 24, his sister's marriage, to the story that Laban created about Jacob's marriage described in this chapter. Leah is not a pretty woman, however she had six sons. Her third son is Levi, the father of a tribe that serves God. Her fourth son is Judah, the promised Messianic nation come out of his. This is also a great chapter of husband-wife love story. "Love is patient," I Corinthians 13:4. It is always a challenge to me whenever I am about to lose my temper with my wife. Do I have patience with her and/or for her. How difficult is it to practice patience?! The word in Chinese explains it very well. Patience means to cut your heart. The love Jacob had toward Rachel cuts his heart for seven more years; or say a total of fourteen years. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) What's good for the goose is good for the gander. This old statement holds true here. Jacob sees the same type of thing used on him as he used to get the birthright. In order to get what he wanted, Jacob had to give up something he didn't see as valuable(his time). God obviously wanted Leah to marry Jacob since the blessing of the Messiah would come from the house of Judah, one of Leah's sons, and also the chosen ambassadors of God's will to God's people would come from Levi another of Leah's sons. 2) Jacob's determination seems out of character. He seemed to be, not necessarily a lazy man, but one who would take the easy way out. Here, he is forced to work double time for the compensation he wanted. Each of us has ways and things which motivate us. We need to discover these motivations and attempt to setup a system of rewarding ourselves for accomplishing the tasks we need to accomplish. Without a satisfactory reward in our minds, we tend to perform at a much less than 100% efficiency level. Also, each of us needs to look at our reward in heaven with the amount of respect that reward bears. Oftentimes we tend to downplay our salvation's reward. How great a reward! May we live our lives of service to Christ with the excitement and vigor and longing for the reward that Jacob had for Rachel.