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In the last article, we discovered that after Esau had learned that Jacob had deceived their father, when it came to the special blessing that Isaac was planning on giving him. The Sacred Record would reveal, that Esau would make a "vow of vengeance" against his brother Jacob:
"Esau held a grudge against [his brother] Jacob because of the blessing [their] father had given him. "[So] he said to himself, 'The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'" -- Genesis 27:41 Now when it comes to this "vow of vengeance" that Esau had made against his brother? Keep in mind that Esau had also declared, that he wouldn't kill Jacob, while their father was still alive. And because of this delay, for the time being, Jacob would benefit greatly.
Nonetheless, their mother Rebekah, would end up finding out about the vow that Esau had made against his brother. And after she had learned about Esau's plans, she would immediately tell Jacob about them: "Your brother Esau is consoling himself with the thought of killing you. Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. Stay with him for awhile until your brother's fury subsides. When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him, I'll send word for you to come back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?" -- Genesis 27:42-45
But she didn't tell her husband Isaac, about Esau's vow? And perhaps the reason why she didn't alert Isaac to Esau's plans, probably dealt with her believing, that if she would have told Isaac -- it wouldn't had made much of an immediate difference, that would have favor Jacob. In fact, if she would have told Isaac -- her actions could have placed Jacob on a path, that would have probably brought about a more immediate danger from his brother. So what Rebekah had done instead -- was to addressed a common concern, that both her and Isaac had shared, when it came to Jacob? For this concern dealt with the type of wife, that Jacob was going to marry: "I'm disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living." -- (Genesis 27:46)
Now remember, Isaac and Rebekah weren't happy with the fact -- that Esau had earlier, married two Hittite women (who were also known as "The Daughters of Heth") from the land of Canaan: "When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah." -- (Genesis 26:34-35) Now after Isaac had listen to his wife concerns, he would find himself in total agreement with her. After all, he did know first hand, how important it was -- for Jacob to be yoked (united) with a woman who'd feared the Lord, just as much as he did, if not more. So Isaac called for his son Jacob. And once Jacob had came before him, Isaac blessed his son again. But this time around, he gave Jacob some very important instructions to follow?
Now this particular blessing that Isaac had spoken to Jacob, deals with the things that Jacob had already acquired, when it came to the "special blessing" that Isaac had spoken into his life earlier. So what Isaac basically did, is he wished his son a prosperous and successful journey. But he also pointed out to Jacob, the importance of him being adherent to the purpose, that God had placed on his life as well: "Do not marry a Canaanite woman. Go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of your mother's father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother. May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. May He give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien, the land God gave to Abraham." -- Genesis 28:1-4
Now actually, these blessings were in fact -- in reference to the two promises, that God had made personally to Abraham. Which would make sense, being that Jacob, was now the rightful heir to the Abrahamic Covenant. Remember what God had told Abraham: "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." -- (Genesis 13:14-17) Nonetheless, after Isaac had said all that he needed to say, he sent Jacob on his way. And it's at this point, that Jacob would head to Paddan-Aram (Syria). And this would be the place, where he was to meet Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean (Syrian), who was also the brother of his mother Rebekah.
Now sometime later, Esau would learn of Jacob's departure. Which was no big deal, being that he also knew, where his brother was headed. For Esau also learned about the conversation that Jacob had with his father, before the departure as well. But Esau would not follow and pursue Jacob at this point. What he did instead, was to try and position himself, to possibly receive a better blessing from his father Isaac -- perhaps at a later date.
Now the reason why I'm making this assumption, deals with the fact -- that after Esau had learned about his father's concerns, when it came to the type of woman that he was supposed to have married. He made a special trip...? Understand that sometime ago, Esau had indeed married himself two Canaanite women. And like I've constantly pointed out, this decision didn't sit well with his parents. For they were very unhappy, when it came to the wives, that Esau had chosen for himself. But now, we find Esau trying to make amends for his poor decisions, by heading to his uncle's family -- the household of Ishmael. And while there, the Sacred Record would reveal, that he would marry once again. Understand that this would be in addition to the two wives, that he already had. Be that as it may, the name of his third wife was Mahalath, for she was also known as Bashemath. Know that she was Ishmael's daughter, and the sister of Nebajoth, who was the eldest son of Ishmael.
Now when it comes to Esau's recent actions, know that I personally find them, to be very interesting? For Esau believed, that he would make things better for himself, by marrying into Ishmael's household. But what he'd actually did, was to make things worse for himself? For we must keep in mind, that first off, Esau had already had one too many wives to begin with. Now we find him, taking a third. Understand that his first two wives, were from a civilization that had been previously cursed by God. And on top of this, they had gained a reputation -- of being known as being, a wicked and sinful people, who didn't fear, or respect the Lord. Now he goes and takes a third wife from his uncle's household, which was Ishmael -- who was the son of Abraham and Hagar. And although Ishmael was Abraham's oldest son, he was not the "promise seed" that God had foretold to Abraham and Sarah. In fact, Ishmael was cast out of Abraham's household, along with his mother Hagar. And although God would make a vow to Abraham, by promising to make Ishmael into a great nation. Know that Ishmael was still specifically excluded, from the divine Abrahamic Covenant, that had been inherited by his brother Isaac during that time.
Now we have Jacob (who once had the benefits and the privileges of his father's great estate) has now found himself, being sent on his way, all alone and on foot. Not only that, he also has his brother's vengeful anger following closely behind him, as he begins his journey on a path of uncertainty. I wonder? Will Jacob have the faith to stay true to his newly discovered purpose, or will he waver, and try to take his destiny into his own hands?
The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men **YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**
43) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE-> 44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream 46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping 50) The Mandrake Plant of Love
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