Commissioned

God appeared to Jacob yet another time to remind him of the promise made earlier; rehashing the promise to his father and grandfather, which is to be fulfilled through him. The primary promises that God renews to Jacob is that the land of Canaan would be for him and his descendants, that his seed will produce a community of nations.

The terms of the Mizpah covenant are that both party would uphold the covenant or be punish by God for breaking it. The Mizpah's monument was supposed to remind Jacob and Laban of a commitment to be cordial to each other and for Jacob not to allow any subsequent wives to rise above Leah and Rachel.

Jacob knew that God's hands was with him and that He was responsible for the coloration patterns because as Laban change the specification the sheep and goats increased in Jacob's favor. According to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, the danger we are in when our income and assets begin to increase is the temptation to believe that it was be our power that we acquired the wealth. We take the credit and leave God out.

I believe that God allowed Jacob to be tricked into 14 years of labor for two wives so that he could mature in spiritual things and be ready to assume the role that God ordained for him, to be the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. At Bethel, Jacob committed himself to serving God and placed his life in God's hands totally. The promise that God made to his grandfather, his father and to him, I'm sure, was ever before him as he toiled in the pastures of Laban. As Jacob toiled for 14 years, he accumulated quite a bit of cattle; he became a rich man, able to support his wives and his children. God will always supply our needs so that we can effectively carry out His plans.

For Jacob setting up the stone was an act of dedication of himself in worship to God. It was a way of him remembering God's presence in that place. Jacob anointed the stone as an act of cleansing and consecration, setting it and himself apart for God. Jacob does this as an act of commitment to the Lord. He promises that if God would be with him, if God would watch over and protect him, if God would supply food and clothing, if God brought him safely back to his father's house, then, God would be his God, the pillar that he consecrated would be God's house and he would give God a tenth of all that God gave to him.

Isaac's character is closest to mine, in that I can be deceived thinking the best of people's action. For this I pray for wisdom and God's guidance daily.

When your children sense that you love one child more than another it causes jealousy and bitterness. Such hurt could negatively affect both children through adulthood. Growing up such discrimination did not manifest in our home. Parents should love their children equally even when for reasons you may appreciate the gifting and abilities of one over another.

Isaac could not reverse his blessing once he discovered Jacob's trickery because ultimately this was out of his hands; God's purpose and will was being executed. Isaac's role in this blessing was to be a channel that God used to carry out His divine will. God's role in the blessing was to be faithful to His promise and to set the stage for the eventual deliverance of His people.

Rebekah's deception cannot be excused regardless of her reasoning. Had Rebekah recalled God's promise to her regarding Jacob's supremacy over his brother should have given her comfort and peace to know that if God said it He would see it to fulfillment. Jacob does not show any modicum of integrity. Even though being goaded by his mother to pursue this deception, Jacob showed loyalty to mom rather than trusting God with his future.

In this instance Rebekah's actions displayed fleshly gratification more that spiritual. Rebekah was well aware of the future standing of Jacob over Esau, God had revealed this to her. She did not trust God to bring about the prophecy, instead she felt that she had to plant the seed which caused Jacob to deceive his brother. Jacob on the other hand, he also failed to trust that God would bring to pass that which He had revealed to Rebekah. In spiritual things Esau failed to seek God before rashly giving up his birthright. This tells us that in everything that we do we need to trust God and to seek His direction before we make decisions.

Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) The writer of Hebrews sees Esau's selling of his birthright as godless. What did selling the birthright represent? The birthright gives the older child a double portion of the parent inheritance. What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? The transaction says the Esau seeks instant gratification. He is impetuous and without thinking makes detrimental decisions. Esau dispised his birthright, he values the stew more that the birthright. His action also says that he trusted his brother. What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? The transaction says the Jacob looks for opportunities to advance his agenda regardless of the harm it may cause others. Jacob doesn't love his brother as himself. He takes advantage of his brother's weakness. He denies himself of little to gain much. He valued the birthright more than maintaining integrity.