Continuing a plan to get through the entire Bible in a year, follow as I journal through the reading. I have chosen a straightforward approach that begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. This will not be an in-depth study or a comprehensive commentary. There are plenty of sources for such material. This is stage one Bible reading, taking the text at face value and sharing impressions.
Today’s reading comes from the book of Genesis, chapters 25 and 26, detailing how Isaac proceeded in his father’s footsteps. Some impressions from the text:
- A recurring theme in the biblical narrative involves God defying human expectation, tradition, and custom. By prophesying to Rebekah that her eldest son Esau would serve the younger Jacob, God was defying the cultural expectation that the eldest son would be heir. From Moses to David to Christ himself, God consistently takes the humble and makes them strong. He does this, not for their sake, but to demonstrate his own glory. If He did things the way we expect, then we might not credit him with the deed. By working through the weak and disadvantaged, God leaves his signature on his work.
- Esau “despised” his birthright, selling it for a simple meal. His attitude toward responsibility in a single moment defined the rest of his life, and set his station beneath that of his younger brother. Attitude matters.
- Poor Abimelech just can’t catch a break. As Abraham once did with Sarah, his son Isaac does with Rebekah, falsely presenting her as his sister in order to avoid conflict with Abimelech’s people. As was the case with Abraham, Isaac’s deception demonstrates lack of faith in God. The Lord had just affirmed his covenant with Isaac, promising to make a nation of his offspring. He had nothing to fear from man.
- Abimelech appears to have been a wise and perceptive leader, by the grace of God. As he did with Abraham, Abimelech recognized Isaac’s favored status and sought treaty with him. He recognized “that the Lord has been with you,” and sought to be on the side of the Lord.
Return soon as we continue our year-long journey through the text of the Bible.
Catch up on the previous entries:
In the Beginning: The Creation, His Rest, Our Fall – Genesis 1-3
An End of All Flesh: Abel’s Murder, Man’s Corruption, and the Great Flood – Genesis 4-7
Noah’s Flood Led to History’s First Post-Apocalyptic Society – Genesis 8-11
Abram Believed: The Pre-Gospel Gospel – Genesis 12-15
Abraham, the Father of Faith, Also Harbored Doubt – Genesis 16-18
Twin Cities of Sin: The Judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah – Genesis 19-21
Was Abraham a Psychotic Child Murderer? – Genesis 22-24
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