Day 8

More Heroes with Warts

Read: Genesis 26-27

Can you believe it! Abraham told a lie concerning his wife because he didn’t have the faith to believe that God could take care of him. Then he does the same thing again. And now his son does the very same thing. Again the results are tragic. Will we never learn?

But when it comes to conflict with the neighbors, Isaac takes the high road. Instead of fighting, he moves elsewhere to try again. And in response, God gives him new assurance by repeating his promises. And his ornery neighbor has a change of heart. Let us do everything possible to live at peace with our fellow human beings.

But the old problem of parents showing favoritism between their children again raises its ugly head. Jacob’s mother encourages him to cheat his own brother. They take advantage of an elderly blind man to do so. The result is bitter hatred between the brothers. Strife within families is so common. Is there trouble in your family? Are you seeking to solve it in the spirit of Christ?

Besides the deceiving of Isaac, there is a mother-in-law / daughter-in-law problem. So Rebekah suggests a good idea for the wrong reason: let Jacob go back to the family to seek a wife who is a believer. That way he will be where his brother cannot kill him.

PRAYER
Father, help us to be honest about the tensions in our own family circle. Help us to take steps to rebuild bridges of love with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.