Gospel FoundationsSample

God Works Through a Dysfunctional Family

As Abraham had predicted, both he and Isaac came down from the mountain. God had provided a substitute sacrifice and spared the life of the promised son. God’s promise to bless every nation on the earth through Abraham’s offspring was intact.

Abraham died at the age of 175, but not before he saw his son, Isaac, married to Rebekah, the wife the Lord provided for him. And as God had said, His promises passed on to Isaac. 

Just like Sarah, Rebekah was barren until the Lord provided yet again, and Rebekah conceived twins. Surprisingly, before the twins were even born, the Lord had told Rebekah that the older would serve the younger, turning the customary privilege of the firstborn on its head. 

Not surprisingly, the two sons clashed with each other. Esau, the older brother, was a hunter and the favorite of his father, while Jacob stayed closer to home and was the favorite of his mother. Esau was impetuous, and Jacob, a schemer. On one occasion, Jacob tempted his hungry older brother into giving him the birthright—a larger portion of the family inheritance—in exchange for a bowl of stew. But later Jacob and his mother would conspire to take something even more important away from Esau, and the family of promise would be torn apart.

Jacob’s story is a good example of why humanity needs a Savior. Like Jacob, we seek a blessing that is not ours, but we cannot lie, deceive, or trick to receive it. Instead, Jesus shared His blessing with us when He took the judgment we deserve so that we might receive the blessing He deserves.

Despite all of Jacob’s failings, God affirmed His covenant with him. Like Jacob, we are completely dependent upon the mercy and grace of God, especially when it comes to our salvation through the gospel.