Genesis(a summary) Part 3
The siblings story reflects their personalities, Esua concerned with immediate gratification
Thinks nothing 0f forfeiting his fathers blessing for some stew which satisfies his immediate need
Jacob encouraged by an ambitious mother looks to the future and what the blessing will secure
His aged father being deprived of sight is fooled into the blessing by the goatskin covering the arms of Jacob
The blessing is gained but fearing his brother’s wrath Jacob flees to his uncle Laban
The journey to Haran is bot without incident as Jacob has a life changing encounter with the Lord
Stopping to rest, his sleep is disturbed by a dream of a stairway to heaven with angels going up and down
From the top of the stair the Lord himself speaks confirming and renewing the covenant
God’s promise is made of His everlasting presence, in response Jacob vows to serve Him
Naming the place ‘ Bethel ‘ he journeys on, archanged man but with much to learn about the grace of God
Ironically Jacob’s sojourn with Laban results in his being tricked into a marriage of convenience
However matching his uncle in cunning he gains his first love and leaves a prosperous man
Approaching with trepidation his brothers land Jacob again encounters his Lord
Now truly repentant and faithful he ‘ wresles ‘ with God all night refusing to yield until blessed
As dawn breaks his request is granted , his name being changed to Israel a prince of God
Accepted by his brother who relinquishes his rights, Jacob settled in the land henceforth known as Israel
The Lord had blessed him with a large family during his sojourn including eleven healthy sons
unfortuneately only one had been borne to by his beloved Rachel so Joseph was his favourite son
Rachel would eventually bless him in his old age with his twelfth son, dying in the process.
As the boys grew into manhood his father’s favour of Joseph was evident in the treatment he received
A factor exacerbated by the dreams Joseph had and then shared with them!