This Time On Purpose

An Ordinary Extraordinary Life

(Genesis 28:1-5, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, March 29, 2015)

[28:1] Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him,

In the previous chapter, Rebecca and Jacob felt certain that they had to deceive Isaac in order to get him to bless Jacob as the child of promise rather than Esau. Once Isaac realized the trick, he “trembled greatly,” but he also affirmed that his words of blessing that he had given to Jacob would stand. The younger of the two boys would be the spiritual heir, just as the Lord had told their mother before either of them had been born.

Now Isaac calls the man that he knows is Jacob, and he will bless him and direct him on purpose.

“You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. [2] Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother's brother.

First the direction is recorded. As his father before him, Jacob, the new heir of God's promise, must not marry one of the local girls. The Lord is going to use the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for his purposes. They will be a distinct people group among the many different other groups where they are living. They will eventually show forth his wrath against sin. The Lord will also bring forth from their number one Man to rule the nations.

Isaac and Jacob only understand the smallest hints of the Lord's eternal purposes at this point in the story, but they must obey what they have heard. This obedience involves even the matter of who one marries or does not marry. Every decision must be in submission to the purposes of the Almighty. As Abraham had once directed concerning Isaac, now Isaac directs Jacob.

[3] God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. [4] May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!” [5] Thus Isaac sent Jacob away. And he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.After the direction comes the blessing. Jacob receives the blessing that has now been passed down two generations. The fortunes of this people group, which will one day be Israel, will come from the hand of Almighty God. He will increase their numbers and build up what will one day be the twelve tribes who will be a “company of peoples.”

In giving this blessing to Jacob, Isaac emphasizes Abraham, Isaac's father. This great Word from God came from father to son to grandson. Along the way, the individuals involved, especially Isaac, had other plans. The Lord would bless whom He would bless. Jacob would be given the land, a gift that continues to be of utmost strategic importance in the current affairs of the entire world 4000 years later.

Put the Word to Work: Jacob's ordinary/extraordinary life was important in the Lord's eternal plan. So is yours. You have received the blessings of Jesus. Follow His Word. And pass it on.

Memory Verse from the Songs of Ascents—Psalm 129:4

The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.

Gospel Reading—Matthew 20:17-19 – Jesus foretells his death a third time