Genesis 27: Sibling Rivalry

⁴² When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you. ⁴³ Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran. ⁴⁴ Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides. ⁴⁵ When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him, I’ll send word for you to come back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?” -Genesis 27:42-45

History reveals Jacob as a hero. His brother saw him as a deceiver. Jacob stole Esau’s blessing from their father. Esau was mad enough that he wanted to kill Jacob.

Enter Mom. Rebekah didn’t want to see either of her son’s die. If Esau had followed through, he would have been put to death for his crime, leaving here without a son at all. Instead, she suggests to her husband Isaac to send Jacob back to her father’s family to find a wife. The plan was for Esau to cool down, get Jacob a wife, and then have him return.

Jacob’s trip took a bit longer than expected (20 years!) but resulted in the family that became the nation of Israel. Once again, we see God uses anything, even sibling rivalry, to accomplish his purposes for his people.

If God can do that through Jacob, despite his sin, he can work in our lives despite our failings. God has created us on purpose and for a purpose. Let’s live for him today.

+++

Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.