Jacob and Laban

     Jacob's Bargain with Laban

     “After the birth of Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Let me go, so that I can return home. 26 Give me my wives and children that I have earned by working for you, and I will leave. You know how well I have served you." 27 Laban said to him, "Let me say this: I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. 28 Name your wages, and I will pay them." 29 Jacob answered, "You know how I have worked for you and how your flocks have prospered under my care. 30 The little you had before I came has grown enormously, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I went. Now it is time for me to look out for my own interests." Gen 30:25-30 (TEV)

     Jacob put his faith in God into action.

     “Jacob got green branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees and stripped off some of the bark so that the branches had white stripes on them. 38 He placed these branches in front of the flocks at their drinking troughs. He put them there, because the animals mated when they came to drink. 39 So when the goats bred in front of the branches, they produced young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob kept the sheep separate from the goats and made them face in the direction of the streaked and black animals of Laban's flock. In this way he built up his own flock and kept it apart from Laban's. 41 When the healthy animals were mating, Jacob put the branches in front of them at the drinking troughs, so that they would breed among the branches. 42 But he did not put the branches in front of the weak animals. Soon Laban had all the weak animals, and Jacob all the healthy ones. 43 In this way Jacob became very wealthy. He had many flocks, slaves, camels, and donkeys.”  Gen 30:37-43 (TEV)

     “God blessed Jacob despite Laban's duplicity. Not to be outwitted, Jacob used selective breeding to acquire a flock, following the traditional belief that peeled sticks influenced the kind of animal that would be born. The peeled branches seemingly made his animals produce streaked and spotted young; Jacob later acknowledged that God had prospered him (31:7-12). Jacob gained stronger animals for himself and weaker ones for Laban (30:41-42).

     30:37 making white streaks: A clever wordplay captures the meaning of this whole section. When Jacob exposed the white (Hebrew laban) streaks of wood underneath, he played the "white" game (the Laban game) and won. As he outwitted Laban ("Whitey"), Jacob's flocks flourished and Jacob prospered.

     30:42 Laban now received due recompense for his treatment of Jacob. Laban's attempt to defraud Jacob resulted in Jacob's coming out ahead, because God was at work in his life.”  —NLT Study Bible

     Jacob Flees from Laban

                “Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father. He got all his wealth from what our father owned." 2 He also saw that Laban was no longer as friendly as he had been earlier. 3 Then the Lord said to him, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives. I will be with you." 4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to meet him in the field where his flocks were. 5 He said to them, "I have noticed that your father is not as friendly toward me as he used to be; but my father's God has been with me. 6 You both know that I have worked for your father with all my strength. 7 Yet he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not let him harm me. 8 Whenever Laban said, 'The speckled goats shall be your wages,' all the flocks produced speckled young. When he said, 'The striped goats shall be your wages,' all the flocks produced striped young. 9 God has taken flocks away from your father and given them to me. 10 "During the breeding season I had a dream, and I saw that the male goats that were mating were striped, spotted, and speckled. 11 The angel of God spoke to me in the dream and said, 'Jacob!' 'Yes,' I answered. 12 'Look,' he continued, 'all the male goats that are mating are striped, spotted, and speckled. I am making this happen because I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, where you dedicated a stone as a memorial by pouring olive oil on it and where you made a vow to me. Now get ready and go back to the land where you were born.' " 14 Rachel and Leah answered Jacob, "There is nothing left for us to inherit from our father. 15 He treats us like foreigners. He sold us, and now he has spent all the money he was paid for us. 16 All this wealth which God has taken from our father belongs to us and to our children. Do whatever God has told you."  Gen 31:1-16 (TEV)

     Jacob left Laban secretly.

     “So Jacob got ready to go back to his father in the land of Canaan. He put his children and his wives on the camels, and drove all his flocks ahead of him, with everything that he had gotten in Mesopotamia.”  Gen 31:17 (TEV)

     “Three days later Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 He took his men with him and pursued Jacob for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 24 In a dream that night God came to Laban and said to him, "Be careful not to threaten Jacob in any way." 25 Jacob had set up his camp on a mountain, and Laban set up his camp with his relatives in the hill country of Gilead.” Gen 31:22-25 (TEV)

Jacob Trusted God

Jacob's Life (Genesis 27:1 to 35:29).

Age	Event	Reference
15	Abraham dies	21:5; 25:7, 26
91	Joseph is born	35:16-20
108	Joseph is sold into slavery	37:2
120	Isaac dies	25:26; 35:28
130	Jacob moves to Egypt	47:7-9
147	Jacob dies, is buried in Canaan	47:28

     Jacob's Dream at Bethel (Jacob’s Ladder)

     “Jacob left Beersheba and started toward Haran. 11 At sunset he came to a holy place and camped there. He lay down to sleep, resting his head on a stone. 12 He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and coming down on it. 13 And there was the Lord standing beside him. "I am the Lord, the God of Abraham and Isaac," he said. "I will give to you and to your descendants this land on which you are lying. 14 They will be as numerous as the specks of dust on the earth. They will extend their territory in all directions, and through you and your descendants I will bless all the nations. 15 Remember, I will be with you and protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you." 16 Jacob woke up and said, "The Lord is here! He is in this place, and I didn't know it!" 17 He was afraid and said, "What a terrifying place this is! It must be the house of God; it must be the gate that opens into heaven." Gen 28:10-17 (TEV)

     “The point of the vision was that God and his angels were with Jacob on his journey. God reiterated to Jacob the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac, promising him land, descendants numerous as the dust (cp. 13:16; 22:17), and universal blessing through him (cp. 12:2-3; 15:5,18; 17:3-8; 22:15-18; 35:11-12). God also promised to be with Jacob and watch over him until he returned.”  —NLT Study Bible

     “Bethel later became a holy site for Israel (see Judg 20:18-27; 1 Sam 7:16; 10:3; 1 Kgs 12:26-13:10; 2 Kgs 2:2-3).

28:20-22 In view of what God would do for him, Jacob vowed to do certain things for God. He believed the Lord's words and responded in gratitude. Jacob's vow influenced Israel's way of making commitments to God in worship.” —NLT Study Bible

     “I am with you: The promise of God's presence meant that God would protect and provide for Jacob in a special way. God's promise to be with his people is repeated throughout Scripture (see also 26:24), prompting a response of worship and confidence in those who have faith (28:16-22).

28:16-22 The second half of the passage gives Jacob's response to the revelation. He felt reverential fear and awe in the Lord's presence, and his acts of devotion became archetypes of Israel's worship. When God graciously visits his people and promises to be with them and make them a blessing to the world, his people respond in faith with reverential fear, worship, offerings, and vows. They preserve their faith in memory for future worshipers.

—NLT Study Bible

     “Jacob got up early next morning, took the stone that was under his head, and set it up as a memorial. Then he poured olive oil on it to dedicate it to God. 19 He named the place Bethel. (The town there was once known as Luz.) 20 Then Jacob made a vow to the Lord: "If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing, 21 and if I return safely to my father's home, then you will be my God. 22 This memorial stone which I have set up will be the place where you are worshiped, and I will give you a tenth of everything you give me." Gen 28:18-22 (TEV)

     Beth'el (the house of God).  A well known city and holy place of central Palestine, about 12 miles north of Jerusalem.  Bethel was the scene of Jacob's vision. Gen 28:11-19; 31:13 Jacob lived there. Gen 35:1-8   Here was the ark of the covenant. Judg 20:26-28; 21:4 Later it is named as one of the holy cities to which Samuel went on circuit. 1 Sam 7:16  Elijah visited Bethel, and we hear of "sons of the prophets" as resident there. 2 Kin 2:2-3  But after the destruction of Baal worship by Jehu, Bethel comes once more into view. 2 Kin 10:29  In later times Bethel is named only once under the scarcely-altered name of Beitin. Its ruins still lie on the righthand side of the road from Jerusalem to Nablus.

—Smith's Bible Dictionary

     Jacob Arrives at Laban's Home

     “Jacob continued on his way and went toward the land of the East. 2 Suddenly he came upon a well out in the fields with three flocks of sheep lying around it. The flocks were watered from this well, which had a large stone over the opening. 3 Whenever all the flocks came together there, the shepherds would roll the stone back and water them. Then they would put the stone back in place. 4 Jacob asked the shepherds, "My friends, where are you from?" "From Haran," they answered. 5 He asked, "Do you know Laban, grandson of Nahor?" "Yes, we do," they answered. 6 "Is he well?" he asked. "He is well," they answered. "Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with his flock." 7 Jacob said, "Since it is still broad daylight and not yet time to bring the flocks in, why don't you water them and take them back to pasture?" 8 They answered, "We can't do that until all the flocks are here and the stone has been rolled back; then we will water the flocks." 9 While Jacob was still talking with them, Rachel arrived with the flock. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel with his uncle Laban's flock, he went to the well, rolled the stone back, and watered the sheep. 11 Then he kissed her and began to cry for joy. 12 He told her, "I am your father's relative, the son of Rebecca." She ran to tell her father; 13 and when he heard the news about his nephew Jacob, he ran to meet him, hugged him and kissed him, and brought him into the house. When Jacob told Laban everything that had happened, 14 Laban said, "Yes, indeed, you are my own flesh and blood." Jacob stayed there a whole month.”  Gen 29:1-14 (TEV)

     Campbell said the Bible is a book of FACTS.  God works through people to fulfill His Purpose.  But He allows people to make decisions and to do things.  Jacob’s one true love was Rachel, yet the Promise came through Leah.  Rachel’s son Joseph was an important person (two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh).  But Leah’s son Judah was the line of King David. 

     Jacob to fulfillment of the promises (cp. 24:12-20). The well was a reminder of God's blessing (cp. 16:13-14; 21:19; 26:19-25, 33).  In contrast to the lazy, unhelpful shepherds (29:7-8), Jacob is portrayed as generous, industrious, and energetic. • Jacob... watered his uncle's flock: Laban's flocks would flourish under Jacob's care.  29:11 Jacob kissed Rachel: Kissing relatives was a proper greeting (29:13; cp. Song 8:1).

—NLT Study Bible

     Jacob Serves Laban for Rachel and Leah

     “Laban said to Jacob, "You shouldn't work for me for nothing just because you are my relative. How much pay do you want?" 16 Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger Rachel. 17 Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, "I will work seven years for you, if you will let me marry Rachel." 19 Laban answered, "I would rather give her to you than to anyone else; stay here with me." 20 Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her.”  Gen 29:15-20 (TEV)

     Jacob's joyful prospect of marriage to the lovely Rachel became an occasion for Laban's shrewdness and Jacob's discipline. Jacob and his mother had deceived his father and brother to gain the blessing; now his mother's brother deceived him. Jacob received a dose of his own duplicity through twenty years of labor, affliction, and deception in Laban's service (31:38). In God's justice, people harvest what they plant (Gal 6:7). Laban's deception was perfectly designed to make Jacob aware of his own craftiness. God often brings people into the lives of believers to discipline them. But Jacob was tenacious, and God blessed him abundantly with a large family and many possessions (30:25-43) during this time of service.—NLT Study Bible

     “Then Jacob said to Laban, "The time is up; let me marry your daughter." 22 So Laban gave a wedding feast and invited everyone. 23 But that night, instead of Rachel, he took Leah to Jacob, and Jacob had intercourse with her. 24 (Laban gave his slave woman Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.) 25 Not until the next morning did Jacob discover that it was Leah. He went to Laban and said, "Why did you do this to me? I worked to get Rachel. Why have you tricked me?" 26 Laban answered, "It is not the custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older. 27 Wait until the week's marriage celebrations are over, and I will give you Rachel, if you will work for me another seven years."  Gen 29:21-27 (TEV)

     Profile of Leah

      “Leah was Laban's first daughter, Jacob's unloved first wife, and Rachel's older sister.  After Jacob deceived his father Isaac into giving him the blessing intended for Esau (27:1-40), Jacob went to his uncle Laban in Mesopotamia to find a wife (27:46-28:2) and escape Esau's revenge (27:41-42). He fell in love with his cousin Rachel and arranged with her father to marry her after seven years of work (29:17-18). At the wedding feast, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel (29:21-25), claiming that custom required the older daughter to marry first (29:26). Leah's eyes were not beautiful, but Rachel "had a beautiful figure and a lovely face" (29:17).  Jacob's love for Rachel (29:20) induced him to work another seven years to marry her. In the intense rivalry between the two sisters, Jacob favored Rachel, so the Lord blessed Leah with six sons and a daughter (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah) before Rachel was given any children (29:31-30:22). This barrenness became a great burden for Rachel. At one point she bargained with Leah for mandrakes, a plant believed to ensure conception, in exchange for conjugal rights. This increased her sister's advantage, because Leah conceived and bore her fifth son.

     Leah was the mother of two tribes that played significant roles in Israelite history. The tribe of Levi was the tribe of the priesthood, and the tribe of Judah became the tribe of royalty through which the promised seed (3:15; 12:2-3; 2 Sam 7:16; Matt 1:1) came in the person of Jesus Christ.  —NLT Study Bible

     “The leaders and the others said, "Yes, we are witnesses. May the Lord make your wife become like Rachel and Leah, who bore many children to Jacob. May you become rich in the clan of Ephrath and famous in Bethlehem. 12 May the children that the Lord will give you by this young woman make your family like the family of Perez, the son of Judah and Tamar."  Ruth 4:11-12 (TEV)

     “But Rachel had not borne Jacob any children, and so she became jealous of her sister and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die." Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, "I can't take the place of God. He is the one who keeps you from having children."  Gen 30:1-2 (TEV)

     “30:1-2 In that culture, it was like death for a woman not to have children (cp. 1 Sam 1); only God could open Rachel's womb.   30:3-4 Rachel's decision to have children through her servant, and Jacob's compliance, recall Sarai's use of Hagar (16:1-4). • bear children for me: Literally bear children on my knees.

     30:1-8 Rachel's naming of sons through Bilhah does not reflect faith as Leah's namings had. Rachel felt wronged over the marriage and her barrenness. The names of Bilhah's sons reflect Rachel's bitter struggle with her sister and her feeling of some victory.”  —NLT Study Bible

     Rachel finally gave birth to her own son, Joseph. His birth was brought about by God's intervention, not by superstitious practices (30:14-16) or the social custom of giving servants as wives. • Removed (Hebrew ʾasap, "take away") sounds similar to Joseph (Hebrew yosep). Joseph means "may he add." Rachel rejoiced over Joseph's birth, yet she prayed that the Lord would add yet another son to her family.

 

Jacob and Esau

     “Jacob and Esau each developed in accord with his initial characteristics (25:24-26). Esau, the reddish, hairy man, cared about physical things rather than spiritual things (see Heb 12:16); he was finally overcome by physical appetites and sold his birthright.  Jacob, the heel grabber, knew the birthright's value and drove a ruthless bargain to gain it presumptuously from his brother.  Esau was a skillful hunter and an outdoorsman—a wild man who loved wild country. Jacob had a quiet (or even) temperament and preferred to stay at home (literally dwelling in tents)—i.e., he was civilized.  The parents each practiced favoritism.  Because: Isaac's love for Esau was conditioned upon his son's performance.  Rebekah's love for Jacob was constant and unconditional.”

—NLT Study Bible

     “Let no one become immoral or unspiritual like Esau, who for a single meal sold his rights as the older son. 17 Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive his father's blessing; but he was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done, even though in tears he looked for it.” Heb 12:16-17 (TEV)

     “Gen 27:1-40 Jacob got his father Isaac's blessing through deception. In this story, an entire family tries to carry out their responsibilities by physical means rather than by faith. Faith would have provided Rebekah and Jacob a more honorable solution to the crisis.

     27:1-4 The first scene sets up the chapter's crisis. Isaac knew of God's oracle (25:22-23), yet he thwarted or ignored it by trying to bless Esau. • Isaac was old and turning blind: He was losing his senses, both physically and spiritually.

     27:5-17 The blessing seemed to be in jeopardy. In scene two, Rebekah and Jacob sought to achieve God's blessing by deception, without faith or love. Rebekah planned to deceive the old man into thinking that he was blessing Esau when he was actually blessing Jacob.

     27:11-12 Jacob had no qualms about this deception; he only feared that it might not work and that he would be cursed for trying.  In scene three, Jacob deceives his father and receives the blessing.  Jacob lied about his identity, and then came close to blasphemy by lying about God.

     27:20-27 Isaac voiced his suspicion three times, but was finally deceived by his senses, which were not functioning well (see note on 27:1-4).

     27:30-40 In scene four, everything is discovered and the family becomes even more divided.  When he realized what had happened, Isaac began to tremble uncontrollably; he had been tampering with God's plan, and God had overruled him.

Esau was very bitter, and angry enough to kill.” —NLT Study Bible

     Esau Begs for Isaac's Blessing

     “Isaac finished giving his blessing, and as soon as Jacob left, his brother Esau came in from hunting. 31 He also cooked some tasty food and took it to his father. He said, "Please, father, sit up and eat some of the meat that I have brought you, so that you can give me your blessing." 32 "Who are you?" Isaac asked. "Your older son Esau," he answered. 33 Isaac began to tremble and shake all over, and he asked, "Who was it, then, who killed an animal and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came. I gave him my final blessing, and so it is his forever." 34 When Esau heard this, he cried out loudly and bitterly and said, "Give me your blessing also, father!" 35 Isaac answered, "Your brother came and deceived me. He has taken away your blessing." 36 Esau said, "This is the second time that he has cheated me. No wonder his name is Jacob. He took my rights as the first-born son, and now he has taken away my blessing. Haven't you saved a blessing for me?" 37 Isaac answered, "I have already made him master over you, and I have made all his relatives his slaves. I have given him grain and wine. Now there is nothing that I can do for you, son!" 38 Esau continued to plead with his father: "Do you have only one blessing, father? Bless me too, father!" He began to cry. 39 Then Isaac said to him, "No dew from heaven for you, No fertile fields for you. 40 You will live by your sword, But be your brother's slave. Yet when you rebel, You will break away from his control." 41 Esau hated Jacob, because his father had given Jacob the blessing. He thought, "The time to mourn my father's death is near; then I will kill Jacob."  Gen 27:30-41 (TEV)

     But God had other plans for Jacob.

     The Bible concentrates on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, looking to the coming of Jesus who would be born of a Jewish woman.  God had decided this before the Creation.  Jacob trusted God.  The promise came through him, with all his faults.  (But God did not forget the rest of the world.)  The promise had been handed to Jacob and no human hand can change this. 

     “At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep. 7 You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence When once You are angry? 8 You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still, 9 When God arose to judgment, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.”  Psalms 76:6-10 (NKJV)

     “And this is not all. For Rebecca's two sons had the same father, our ancestor Isaac. 11-12 But in order that the choice of one son might be completely the result of God's own purpose, God said to her, "The older will serve the younger." He said this before they were born, before they had done anything either good or bad; so God's choice was based on his call, and not on anything they had done. 13 As the scripture says, "I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau."  Romans 9:10-13 (TEV)

     “We human beings always want to think that we are in charge. We think that we are the "captains of our souls" and that by our decisions and actions we can determine what will happen. However, Scripture confronts us with quite a different scenario. Although human decisions and actions are significant, the will of God is vastly more important.

     In Rom 9, Paul shows that God determines the course of salvation. Paul constantly explains the unexpected development of salvation history by appealing to what God has said and done. Human decisions alone cannot explain the situation, and God has said that He will show mercy to anyone He chooses (Rom 9:15). While theologians will continue to debate the role of God's action and the role of human decision in salvation, God's sovereignty stands out clearly.

The contemporary world has set God to the side and ignores the divine influence on the course of human affairs. But God's decisions really do direct the world as well as the personal histories of those who trust Him. We can confidently affirm that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" (Rom 8:28).”  —NLT Study Bible

     “Esau hated Jacob, because his father had given Jacob the blessing. He thought, "The time to mourn my father's death is near; then I will kill Jacob." 42 But when Rebecca heard about Esau's plan, she sent for Jacob and said, "Listen, your brother Esau is planning to get even with you and kill you. 43 Now, son, do what I say. Go at once to my brother Laban in Haran, 44 and stay with him for a while, until your brother's anger cools down 45 and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send someone to bring you back. Why should I lose both of my sons on the same day?" 46 Rebecca said to Isaac, "I am sick and tired of Esau's foreign wives. If Jacob also marries one of these Hittites, I might as well die."

Gen 27:41-46 (TEV)

     “Rebekah and Jacob got the blessing but reaped hatred from Esau and separation from one another; there is no indication that Rebekah and Jacob ever saw each other again. They gained nothing that God was not already going to give them, and their methods were costly. Jacob fled from home to escape Esau's vengeance.”  —NLT Study Bible

     “Isaac called Jacob, greeted him, and told him, "Don't marry a Canaanite. 2 Go instead to Mesopotamia, to the home of your grandfather Bethuel, and marry one of the young women there, one of your uncle Laban's daughters. 3 May Almighty God bless your marriage and give you many children, so that you will become the father of many nations! 4 May he bless you and your descendants as he blessed Abraham, and may you take possession of this land, in which you have lived and which God gave to Abraham!" 5 Isaac sent Jacob away to Mesopotamia, to Laban, who was the son of Bethuel the Aramean and the brother of Rebecca, the mother of Jacob and Esau.”  Gen 28:1-5 (TEV)

     “Isaac remained in the land, but Jacob had to leave it. God would deal with Jacob under the hand of Laban, his uncle (see note on 29:1-31:55). • Believers in any age must remain spiritually pure by marrying other believers (2 Cor 6:14-18). The Canaanite people incorporated dozens of groups and clans into their society and religion by wars, treaties, and marriages (see 34:20-23). Abraham's family was to resist such mixing (cp. 24:3; ch 34); they were to marry within their clan to maintain the purity of the line and of the faith that identified them as the chosen seed. The surest way to lose their distinctiveness was to intermarry with people of other tribal backgrounds and beliefs (see Ezra 9-10; Neh 13:23-29).

Before Jacob departed, Isaac gave him a pure, legitimate blessing. He did not hold back, because he now knew what God wanted him to do. Isaac clearly passed on the blessing God Almighty (Hebrew El-Shaddai; see 17:1) had given to Abraham and to him regarding prosperity and the land (cp. 15:5, 18-20).”  —NLT Study Bible

REBEKAH

Rebekah was God's choice.

 

    Abraham's future daughter-in-law manifested hospitality and industry like Abraham's.  Ten thirsty camels could drink 250 gallons of water, so a woman who would work that hard for a stranger was certainly not lazy, but generous and hospitable.  The servant received a precise, immediate answer to his prayer for guidance.”  —NLT Study Bible

     “When she had finished, the man took an expensive gold ring and put it in her nose and put two large gold bracelets on her arms. 23 He said, "Please tell me who your father is. Is there room in his house for my men and me to spend the night?" 24 "My father is Bethuel son of Nahor and Milcah," she answered. 25 "There is plenty of straw and fodder at our house, and there is a place for you to stay." 26 Then the man knelt down and worshiped the Lord. 27 He said, "Praise the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has faithfully kept his promise to my master. The Lord has led me straight to my master's relatives."  Gen 24:22-27 (TEV)

     "I am the servant of Abraham," he began. 35 "The Lord has greatly blessed my master and made him a rich man. He has given him flocks of sheep and goats, cattle, silver, gold, male and female slaves, camels, and donkeys. 36 Sarah, my master's wife, bore him a son when she was old, and my master has given everything he owns to him. 37 My master made me promise with a vow to obey his command. He said, 'Do not choose a wife for my son from the young women in the land of Canaan. 38 Instead, go to my father's people, to my relatives, and choose a wife for him.' 39 And I asked my master, 'What if she will not come with me?' 40 He answered, 'The Lord, whom I have always obeyed, will send his angel with you and give you success. You will get for my son a wife from my own people, from my father's family. 41 There is only one way for you to be free from your vow: if you go to my relatives and they refuse you, then you will be free.'”

Gen 24:34-41 (TEV)

     “The way that God directed this event from behind the scenes is different than in most of Genesis, but it is true to how the life of faith normally works. Faith, expressed in personal prayer and obedience, looks for evidence of God's working. Believers usually have to make wise choices and remain faithful to the covenant, trusting that God will guide them through the circumstances of life to accomplish his will.”—NLT Study Bible

     “It was hard for Rebekah's family to let her go so suddenly, and Laban may have hoped to gain more wealth. However, the servant had sworn an oath and would not rest until it was completed. There was no reason for him to stay.  Rebekah's decision to leave immediately to be with her new husband settled the impasse. Rebekah submitted to the Lord's obvious leading. Young women were normally eager to marry (not to marry was a catastrophe), and later accounts of Laban suggest why Rebekah preferred to leave (cp. 31:14-15). Rebekah displayed faithful love to the servant, Abraham's family, and Isaac by going to be Isaac's wife.  At Rebekah's departure, her family invoked the blessing that she would be a mother of many millions and that her descendants would conquer... their enemies. Rebekah's marriage to Isaac was part of God's plan to bless all humankind (12:1-3).” —NLT Study Bible

     “Isaac lived in the Negev, in the southern part of Canaan.

Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah, so Abraham was 140.”  —NLT Study Bible

     “Exactly when Abraham married... Keturah is unknown. It was probably, but not necessarily, after Sarah's death.  The birth of these nations from Abraham partially fulfilled God's promise to him (12:2; 17:4).  Sheba and Dedan: Cp. 10:7. Abraham's descendants probably settled in these regions and became identified by their names, along with people of other lineage.  Abraham loved all his sons, so before he died, he gave them gifts and sent them away as he had sent Ishmael.  In this way, he preserved Isaac's position as his heir.

     Gen 25:7-8 Abraham's death is recorded before the births of Jacob and Esau, but he lived until they were fifteen years old (25:19-26; cp. 21:5; 25:26). This literary arrangement closes Abraham's story before focusing on Isaac's family.”

—NLT Study Bible

     “Abraham died at the ripe old age of 175. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in Machpelah Cave, in the field east of Mamre that had belonged to Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite. 10 It was the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites; both Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried there. 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac, who lived near "The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me."
(Beer Lahai Roi).”   Gen 25:7-11 (TEV)

     “This is the story of Abraham's son Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebecca, the daughter of Bethuel (an Aramean from Mesopotamia) and sister of Laban. 21 Because Rebecca had no children, Isaac prayed to the Lord for her. The Lord answered his prayer, and Rebecca became pregnant. 22 She was going to have twins, and before they were born, they struggled against each other in her womb. She said, "Why should something like this happen to me?" So she went to ask the Lord for an answer. 23 The Lord said to her, "Two nations are within you; You will give birth to two rival peoples. One will be stronger than the other; The older will serve the younger." 24 The time came for her to give birth, and she had twin sons. 25 The first one was reddish, and his skin was like a hairy robe, so he was named Esau. 26 The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau, so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.”  Gen 25:19-26 (TEV)

     The time came for her to give birth, and she had twin sons. 25 The first one was reddish, and his skin was like a hairy robe, so he was named Esau. 26 The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau, so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.” Gen 25:24-26 (TEV)

     “The boys grew up, and Esau became a skilled hunter, a man who loved the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. 28 Isaac preferred Esau, because he enjoyed eating the animals Esau killed, but Rebecca preferred Jacob. 29 One day while Jacob was cooking some bean soup, Esau came in from hunting. He was hungry 30 and said to Jacob, "I'm starving; give me some of that red stuff." (That is why he was named Edom. ) 31 Jacob answered, "I will give it to you if you give me your rights as the first-born son." 32 Esau said, "All right! I am about to die; what good will my rights do me?" 33 Jacob answered, "First make a vow that you will give me your rights." Esau made the vow and gave his rights to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup. He ate and drank and then got up and left. That was all Esau cared about his rights as the first-born son.”  Gen 25:27-34 (TEV)

GOD TESTS ABRAHAM

     God Commands Abraham to Offer Isaac

     “Some time later God tested Abraham; he called to him, "Abraham!" And Abraham answered, "Yes, here I am!" 2 "Take your son," God said, "your only son, Isaac, whom you love so much, and go to the land of Moriah. There on a mountain that I will show you, offer him as a sacrifice to me." 3 Early the next morning Abraham cut some wood for the sacrifice, loaded his donkey, and took Isaac and two servants with him. They started out for the place that God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham saw the place in the distance. 5 Then he said to the servants, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship, and then we will come back to you."  Gen 22:1-5 (TEV)

     “God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised." 19 Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from death—and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death.” Heb 11:18-19 (TEV)

    Isaac (Gen 21:1-12)

     “At Isaac's birth, his parents, Abraham and Sarah, were beyond childbearing age. God had promised Abraham a son (15:4-6), but no son had come. Ishmael had been born through Hagar (16:1-16), but he was not the promised son.

     Isaac means "he laughs," reflecting the circumstances of his birth. When God promised that Isaac would be born, both Abraham and Sarah first laughed in disbelief (17:15-19; 18:9-15). When he was born, they laughed for joy (21:6-7).

     During Isaac's adolescence, God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice Isaac (22:1-19). Abraham's faith remained firm; he obeyed, and Isaac submitted to his father. God then intervened to provide a sacrificial ram in Isaac's place. Abraham's faith in God was rewarded with the promise of great blessings (22:15-18).

     Isaac married Rebekah and was ready to carry on the chosen line, but Rebekah was unable to bear children (25:21). Rather than take matters into his own hands as his father had done (see 16:1-16), Isaac "pleaded with the Lord" and Rebekah bore twin sons. Isaac favored Esau, the older son, while Rebekah preferred Jacob. Favoritism remained a problem among Isaac's descendants (see notes on 29:30; 33:1-2; 37:4) and led to Isaac's being deceived by his son Jacob when he was old and blind (ch 27).

     Isaac followed his father Abraham's example in relating to surrounding nations. When visiting another kingdom during a famine, he fearfully claimed that his wife was his sister (26:1-11; cp. 12:10-20; 20:1-18). Like his father, Isaac became prosperous in that land and was asked to leave (26:12-16; cp. 12:16-20); he experienced conflict over water and land with other herdsmen (26:17-22; cp. 21:25-31); and he made a treaty with the king of the Philistines (26:26-31; cp. 21:22-31). When Isaac worshiped the Lord at Beersheba, he was given the same promise that his father had received (26:2-5, 23-25; cp. 21:32-33; 22:16-18).

     Isaac continued God's covenant with Abraham and linked Abraham with Jacob (see Acts 7:8; Heb 11:9-20). As the child of promise, Isaac represents all who are children of Abraham by faith in Christ and are thereby free to live as God's children rather than as slaves (see Gal 4:21-5:1).” —NLT Study Bible

     “But Abraham bowed before the Hittites 13 and said to Ephron, so that everyone could hear, "May I ask you, please, to listen. I will buy the whole field. Accept my payment, and I will bury my wife there." 14 Ephron answered, 15 "Sir, land worth only four hundred pieces of silver—what is that between us? Bury your wife in it." 16 Abraham agreed and weighed out the amount that Ephron had mentioned in the hearing of the people—four hundred pieces of silver, according to the standard weights used by the merchants. 17 That is how the property which had belonged to Ephron at Machpelah east of Mamre, became Abraham's. It included the field, the cave which was in it, and all the trees in the field up to the edge of the property. 18 It was recognized as Abraham's property by all the Hittites who were there at the meeting. 19 Then Abraham buried his wife Sarah in that cave in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field which had belonged to the Hittites, and the cave in it, became the property of Abraham for a burial ground.”  Gen 23:12-20 (TEV)

     “Genesis 23:7-16 Abraham wanted to buy Ephron's cave at Machpelah, but Ephron wanted him to buy the entire field.

23:9 This would be a permanent burial place for Abraham's family. The site was near Mamre (23:19), where Abraham lived (see 13:18; 14:13; 18:1). Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah would all be buried in this cave (23:19; 25:9; 35:27-29; 49:29-31; 50:13), their permanent place in the Promised Land.

     23:11 Ephron did not intend to give the cave to Abraham; Abraham was expected to "give" the full price in return. Ephron wanted to sell as much as he could to avoid responsibility for caring for the cave and to receive as high a price as possible.

     23:12-13 Abraham didn't want the whole field, but he was willing to take it to get the cave.

     23:15 400 pieces (Hebrew 400 shekels, about 10 pounds or 4.6 kilograms in weight; also in 23:16) of silver was a very high price. Ephron's politeness was typical of the bargaining process.

     23:16-20 Abraham paid the amount and finalized the transaction, avoiding indebtedness by accepting no gifts from the people (cp. 14:21-24). The Hittite elders witnessed the transaction, ensuring that no one could challenge Abraham's full ownership of the land. The transaction took place at the city gate, where public legal and business dealings were conducted (cp. 19:1). The land became Abraham's permanent possession, a down payment on God's promise to give him the land. Abraham knew that God's promise was not fulfilled (12:7) by this acquisition, so he planned for the future. By buying land for his dead, he declared that God's promises do not end with this life. This is the hope of all who die in faith.”  —NLT Study Bible

 Chapter 24  A Wife for Isaac

     “Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in everything he did. 2 He said to his oldest servant, who was in charge of all that he had, "Place your hand between my thighs and make a vow. 3 I want you to make a vow in the name of the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from the people here in Canaan. 4 You must go back to the country where I was born and get a wife for my son Isaac from among my relatives." Gen 24:1-4 (TEV)

     “Isaac's marriage to Rebekah ensured that God's plan would continue into the next generation. God showed covenant faithfulness by working through his faithful people (24:12, 27, 49).  24:1-9 Confident in the Lord's promise, Abraham had his chief servant (probably Eliezer, 15:2) swear to find a wife among Abraham's relatives in his homeland, some 450 miles away. Abraham was faithful to the covenant by preparing for Isaac's future.  24:2 Putting his hand under Abraham's thigh (cp. 47:29), the servant took a very solemn oath, assuming the burden of completing this mission.” —NLT Study Bible

(23:19; 25:9; 35:27-29; 49:29-31; 50:13), their permanent place in the Promised Land.

     23:11 Ephron did not intend to give the cave to Abraham; Abraham was expected to "give" the full price in return. Ephron wanted to sell as much as he could to avoid responsibility for caring for the cave and to receive as high a price as possible.

     23:12-13 Abraham didn't want the whole field, but he was willing to take it to get the cave.

     23:15 400 pieces (Hebrew 400 shekels, about 10 pounds or 4.6 kilograms in weight; also in 23:16) of silver was a very high price. Ephron's politeness was typical of the bargaining process.

     23:16-20 Abraham paid the amount and finalized the transaction, avoiding indebtedness by accepting no gifts from the people (cp. 14:21-24). The Hittite elders witnessed the transaction, ensuring that no one could challenge Abraham's full ownership of the land. The transaction took place at the city gate, where public legal and business dealings were conducted (cp. 19:1). The land became Abraham's permanent possession, a down payment on God's promise to give him the land. Abraham knew that God's promise was not fulfilled (12:7) by this acquisition, so he planned for the future. By buying land for his dead, he declared that God's promises do not end with this life. This is the hope of all who die in faith.” —NLT Study Bible

 Chapter 24  A Wife for Isaac

     “Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in everything he did. 2 He said to his oldest servant, who was in charge of all that he had, "Place your hand between my thighs and make a vow. 3 I want you to make a vow in the name of the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from the people here in Canaan. 4 You must go back to the country where I was born and get a wife for my son Isaac from among my relatives." Gen 24:1-4 (TEV)

     “Isaac's marriage to Rebekah ensured that God's plan would continue into the next generation. God showed covenant faithfulness by working through his faithful people (24:12, 27, 49).  24:1-9 Confident in the Lord's promise, Abraham had his chief servant (probably Eliezer, 15:2) swear to find a wife among Abraham's relatives in his homeland, some 450 miles away. Abraham was faithful to the covenant by preparing for Isaac's future.  24:2 Putting his hand under Abraham's thigh (cp. 47:29), the servant took a very solemn oath, assuming the burden of completing this mission.”  —NLT Study Bible

     Genesis 24:10.

     “The servant, who was in charge of Abraham's property, took ten of his master's camels and went to the city where Nahor had lived in northern Mesopotamia. 11 When he arrived, he made the camels kneel down at the well outside the city. It was late afternoon, the time when women came out to get water. 12 He prayed, "Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today and keep your promise to my master. 13 Here I am at the well where the young women of the city will be coming to get water. 14 I will say to one of them, 'Please, lower your jar and let me have a drink.' If she says, 'Drink, and I will also bring water for your camels,' may she be the one that you have chosen for your servant Isaac. If this happens, I will know that you have kept your promise to my master."  Gen 24:10-14 (TEV)

     “The servant faithfully carried out the mission, and he glorified God for displaying faithful covenant love for Abraham's family by bringing all the details together. God sovereignly worked behind the scenes to accomplish his will through the circumstances of those acting responsibly in faith.”—NLT Study Bible