Hello MVBC! In last weeks study, we saw many customs unfolding that may seem unusual to us today but were critical to the family structure. While I don't think I made the point as eloquently as I had hoped I would have, the structure of the family, even of perhaps the whole clan, rested on the single patriarchal elder. Individuality wasn't a concept, just survival. There was no shopping mall, delivery service, or doctor next door with a bag full of antibiotics to help you. An abscess tooth could very well be fatal! So when we see Rebekah and a full forty year old Isaac being paired for marriage by Abraham and Laban and think it odd, remember that was normal for the day.
The father had a huge responsibility. His entire family existence depended totally on him to be the father he needed to be. Everything required a correct decision. How much to plant, do we need to travel, protection, and worship. It all had to be done correctly.
Genesis chapters 25-27 shows us the end of Abraham's life, Isaac's sons (Esau and Jacob), and the importance of the birthright and the blessing (yes these are two different things). As I studied this, I couldn't help but notice how closely this tied into our Wednesday night discussion about Jonah. So as you read these three chapters, keep this question in the back of your mind: Am I doing what God intended?
See ya Sunday!!!
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