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Beginnings: Stories of God ’ s Creation and Promises. Jacob: A Man Named Israel. Helping Hands. A Birthright Stolen. Esau and Jacob are the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Rebekah knows that the second son, Jacob, is to be principal heir of the family. A Birthright Stolen.
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Beginnings: Stories of God’s Creation and Promises Jacob: A Man Named Israel
A Birthright Stolen • Esau and Jacob are the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. • Rebekah knows that the second son, Jacob, is to be principal heir of the family.
A Birthright Stolen • Rebekah helps Jacob to steal Esau’s birthright. • Making himself appear like Esau to his father (who has failing eyesight), Jacob receives Isaac’s blessing
A Birthright Stolen • Although Isaac realizes he’s been deceived, he cannot take back his blessing once given. • Esau vows to kill Jacob one day. • Rebekah sincerely believes she is performing God’s will.
God’s Will • In the Israelites understanding, things would work out the way God wanted them to – no matter what. • Write two or three paragraphs about a situation where something good worked out in your life even though the odds seemed against it.
Jacob Journeys to Haran • To escape from Esau, Jacob flees to Haran. • He dreams of angels ascending and descending from heaven – Jacob’s Ladder.
Jacob Journeys to Haran • He hears the voice of God repeat the Promise made to Abraham, and names the place Bethel • “the house or abode of God.”
Life in Haran • Jacob stays in the home of his uncle, Laban. • Jacob is in love with Laban’s daughter, Rachel and wants to marry her. • Laban tricks him into marrying his other daughter, Leah.
Life in Haran • Several years later, he marries Rachel. • Finally, Jacob decides to leave Haran and return home, to Canaan and the land of God’s Promise.
Jacob Receives a New Name: Israel • On the way to Canaan, Jacob remembers Esau. • He send herdsmen ahead with gifts to placate Esau. • Jacob reminds God of His promise of protection. • Jacob has a strange encounter with an angel.
Jacob Receives a New Name: Israel • He wrestles with the angel and refuses to let go. Instead, he asks for a blessing. • Jacob is given a new name: Israel. • Israel – means one who has contended with divine and human beings, and lives.
The Continuation of God’s Promise • Jacob makes peace with his brother Esau. • He rids his family of the trappings of their pagan religion in a purification rite that initiates the family into the worship of the God of Israel.
The Continuation of God’s Promise • Jacob receives God’s blessing – the Promise of the land of Canaan and a royal line that is to be a blessing to all nations.
For Review • Why does Rebekah try to maneuver Jacob into the position of principal heir of Isaac? • Describe the strange encounter that Jacob has on the way back to Canaan. What new name is he given and what does it mean? • How does Jacob initiate his family into the worship of the God of Israel?