Today's reading takes us through Isaac's old age, his blessing of Jacob instead of Esau, Jacob working for Laban in order to obtain a wife (actually 2 wives, Leah & Rachel), and the birth of Jacob's first 4 sons.
I find myself thinking about all the deception and sin that is such an integral part of the beginnings of "God's chosen people." It seems odd, doesn't it? God has obviously chosen Abraham & Sarah, not Abraham & Hagar. He chose Isaac, not Ishmael. He has clearly chosen Jacob, not Esau, even though Jacob obtained this blessing from his father by deceiving him. If Jacob had not done this, would God have worked out another way for Jacob, the younger brother, to get this blessing? Why did God choose these people for His plan? Were they somehow better than other people? I don't think so. In fact, it sometimes seems that Hagar, Ishmael, and Esau are innocent victims of the sins of the people God has chosen.
These people did some horrible things. The only thing they really had going for them was that God chose them. They certainly didn't earn or deserve that choice. Often it seems that God worked out His plan through them in spite of the poor choices they made.
I've done some horrible things. The only thing I really have going for me is that God has chosen me (Eph. 1:11). I certainly didn't earn or deserve that choice. Often it seems that God works out His plan through me in spite of the poor choices I make.
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