Today's reading was pretty short, so I read ahead and will combine my thoughts on both readings in this post. (For those following along in your regular Bibles, Saturday's reading will be Genesis 26:27-28:5). So, there will not be a post on Saturday morning. I know it is a bit confusing when you log on to read because the "post" date may not coincide with the actual date. This is because I post late at night, though not always after midnight. I always use the content of the post as the title, so that it will be a bit easier to follow. I don't think there is a way to make the blog post the date I want it to, but if anyone knows how to do it, I'd love to know. It bugs me when they are off. Also, many of you are commenting, which I enjoy so much. I want to make sure everyone knows how to do this. You simply scroll to the bottom of my post, and click on the word "comments" and it will take you to a screen where you can type a message. You can pose questions, respond to questions, add new thoughts, list other resources on related topics, etc. It is fun! OK, onward...

Isaac and Rebekah now have twin boys, Jacob and Esau. Another set of brothers where the older is prophesied to serve the younger. In this instance, it is not their parentage that differentiates the two, so why does God choose Jacob over Esau? Since God lis all-knowing and looks at the heart, He was able to see the type of man Esau would become. Esau's fatal flaw was that he treated the things of God with indifference...even contempt. He sold his birthright, which entitled him to a double portion of the inheritance and a certain ranking as the patriarch of his father's household, for a bowl of stew. He was impulsive, short-sighted, and completely driven by the desires of the flesh. But was Jacob any better? He took advantage of his brother's weakness. Later, he blatantly tricks his father into bestowing upon him the blessing he had intended for Esau. Was he, like Abraham, trying to "help" God fulfill the promise he had made to Rebekah? Maybe, but that still doesn't excuse it. I couldn't find a good answer for why God would favor either of these "undeserving" men over the other. But that's the beauty of being God. He is completely sovereign and can exert His right to choose such things. Jacob was the one he wanted to become the father of the Israelites. God sees a big picture that we can't and we must always bear that in mind. In the first chapter of the reading on January 10th, we learn that Esau marries one of Ishmael's daughters. Again, Ishmael is the root of the Islamic religion, which stands in direct opposition to Christianity today. God knows what he is doing!

And then there is the crazy story of Isaac deceiving Abimilech (same guy!!!) in the same manner his father had. Odds are strong that Abraham had shared his methodology with his son and the apple did not fall far from the tree. But God uses this foible for good. Abimilech had already been tested in this way and God knew how he would respond. Remember that he sent Abraham and Sarah away with gifts of livestock and servants, 1000 pieces of silver, and the claim to any piece of land he desired in the territory. Abimilech was desperate to wash his hands of any wrong-doing. When faced with the same predicament with Isaac and Rebekah, he issues a proclamation to the people in the land, saying "anyone who touches this man or his wife will be put to death." This protection, gained by Isaac's deception, preserved the lineage of Christ! We read that the Philistines do become jealous of Isaac because of his success and begin to act on their anger by filling up his wells. But they did not harm a hair on his head! This is not an endorsement for lying, but an illustration of how God "works everything together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purposes" (Rom.8:28).

Sunday's reading: Genesis 28:6-30:24

About Melissa Gibbs:

Melissa is the mother of four boys and the wife of her junior high sweetheart, JD.  He is the President of Joe Gibbs Racing and the son of NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.  JD and Melissa have been married 16 years and are actively involved with Young Life, Motor Racing Outreach, their church, and other ministries.  Their youngest son Taylor is nearing completion of a 3 year treatment protocol for leukemia, which has been a powerful faith walk for their family.  Since his diagnosis, Melissa has been called upon to share their family's testimony with many local churches. Much of her energy is now focused on a huge festival planned for mid May in celebration of Taylor's victory over leukemia and in effort to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer.  If you'd like to check out what she's up to while not blogging, go to www.finishlinefestival.com.

Visit Melissa at http://chronologicalbiblein2010.blogspot.com/.