A Promise Kept

Genesis Chapters 26-36

In Chapter 26 we see where God renews his covenant with Issac (vs. 4-5).

4 I will give you as many descendants as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all of these lands. All of the nations of the earth will be blessed because of your descendants. 5 I will do this because Abraham obeyed me and kept my orders, my commandments, my statutes, and my instructions.

All throughout the Old Testament we see where a driving part of the narrative is famine. Abraham experienced a famine as did Issac. In fact there are at least 13 famines that we see in the Old Testament. In many cases, the people of Israel journey to Egypt to escape the famine. Egypt is known for the fertile lands that is fed by the Nile river and a place where refugees often went.

When Jesus was born, there was a spiritual famine that gripped Israel. In order to flee persecution, Joseph, Mary and Jesus also fled to Egypt.

In Chapter 28 we see the narrative again switch from Issac to his sons Jacob and Esau. In Chapter 29 we get a wonderful story of Jacob meeting his wife Rachel.

Verse 29:11 shows that there really is love at first sight. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his uncle, and the flock of Laban, Jacob came up, rolled the stone from the well’s opening, and watered the flock of his uncle Laban. 11 Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.

Jacob’s love for Rachel continued for years and he would not leave Laban’s household until he could marry her. But, again we see where sin enters in the story and Jacob has a lot of children because Rachel didn’t think God would let her conceive. But then in chapter 30 we see where Rachel has Joseph. Chapters 31-36 continue the story of Jacob and Esau. There is one particular part that I want to talk about. In Chapter 35, we get a story of how God told Jacob to get rid of all the idols that his entourage worshipped and to build an altar. We read, 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods that were in their possession and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem 5 and they started on their journey.

The Oak at Shechem will play a pivotal role in in the history of the Israelites. At this oak tree, God actually appeared to Abraham. In Genesis 12:6-7 we read, 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the sacred place at Shechem, at the oak of Moreh. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I give this land to your descendants,” so Abram built an altar there to the Lord who appeared to him. It was at this oak at Shechem that Jacob buried the idols and made a new covenant with God. This oak tree will play an important role in many of our

Bible stories. And it reminds us that some of the most important things in life happen in the simplest of places. Like standing under a tree and talking with God.

Let’s pray

Gracious Lord, even though you don’t speak to us in mighty ways like you did with Abraham or Jacob, we still hear you calling to us today. We pray that in our humble trappings, whether it be under a tree or in our living rooms, that as we come to you today in prayer that you will hear our pleas.

Forgive us and empower us so that we can help change this world. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.