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"But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth." Psalm 86:15

Text: Genesis 28:1-22

THE WISDOM OF REBEKAH

This time round, Rebekah’s plan worked well. Isaac pondered her words! She was right of course! It just would not do to have Jacob following his brother and marrying a Canaanite woman who did not share their faith! Isaac was still head of the household. He must find that extra bit of strength to fulfil one last fatherly act! He must give good counsel to his son Jacob concerning his future life partner!

A TENDER WORD – AT LAST!

Isaac must have summoned every bit of his strength to give an appropriate response to Rebekah’s suggestion about sending Jacob away to find a suitable wife. Esau may have been his favourite, but Jacob was still his own flesh and blood son! How Jacob must have had a quiet thrill in his heart as he listened to his father’s loving word of advice!

“Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and charged him,
and said to him: ‘You shall not take a wife from the daughters
Of Canaan. Arise, go to Padan Aram, to the house of Bethuel
your mother’s father; and take yourself a wife from there of
the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.”

GENESIS 28:1-2

1. Discharging a fatherly duty

Perhaps the incident of being deceived made Isaac realize that he should have given a bit more time to his younger son, Jacob. What was done could not be undone. What was there that remained undone? He must seek to do his part as a father, before he died! He knew that his days were numbered. Esau was married – twice! He was already a fully-matured man. Jacob was of the same age! He had not yet married! What if he decided to marry a Canaanite woman too? No! That could not, must not happen! He must give his son Jacob strong advice concerning the life partner he must find. With this in mind, he called for a meeting with his son Jacob.

2. Another blessing

Isaac must have forgiven Jacob for his deception. There was no mention of that terrible deed that had brought such shame and dishonour to all! This display of tenderness and love harks back to the earlier years when Isaac walked a little closer to the Lord. This time round, the blessing was given freely. The words came from a father’s heart. He may have loved Esau better, but he was not devoid of love for Jacob.

3. A solemn charge

As Abraham had charged his old servant Eliezer to find a suitable wife for Isaac, now Jacob was given a solemn command not to marry a Canaanite woman! He was to take the trouble to seek out his uncle Laban. Perhaps, he would be able to find a suitable daughter to marry! Whatever the case, the charge was most specific! He was not to consider taking “a wife from the daughters of Canaan”.