Jacob is crafty. (Genesis 24-27)

24:6

The servant thought it would be better if Isaac came with him to the area that Abraham was from. “And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.” Abraham knew that there was danger for Jacob if he returned to the Canaanites.

This is a good example of “the best way to avoid temptation is to avoid it altogether.“ If you know you are going to be tempted to drink - don‘t meet people in a bar. If you’re tempted by a work colleague, don’t go on a work trip with them. Don’t be anywhere near the temptation. Don’t put yourself in a situation where it will be easy to slip.

24:7

Abraham knew that the Lord had promised that “he shall send his angel before thee.” Things will happen the way they are supposed to. The Lord always fulfills his promises. We can act in faith - knowing that the Lord will provide a way.

24:12

I love how this servant relies on the Lord. “And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.” He took a moment to ask the Lord for help.

I need to do this more. I need to rely less on myself and more on him. It is part of growing humility - being submissive. I have a tendency to be too independent and attempt to grow through slogging through things on my own. My pride wants to claim independent victory. I like saying that I did something without help. This drive for independence isn’t helping my submissiveness.

24:19

What kind of woman is this? She gave this servant something to drink and then said, “I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.” She’s going the extra mile. She’s LOOKING for other ways to serve beyond what she’s asked.

I am going to do this the next time someone asks me for something. While I’m doing it, I’m going to look for other things that I can do to bless them.

I think this will help me be more Christlike.

24:24

This woman identified herself as “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.”

A couple of interesting things in this verse. First, Nahor was Abraham’s brother. What are the odds!?

Also, Milcah must have been a special woman. It seems like people always recite the line of men in their history. I would like to learn more about Milcah.

24:33

Abraham’s servant was determined. “And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.” He was probably hungry. He had journeyed. But, before he satisfied himself, he wanted to explain his errand.

His duty was more important than his needs. I want to be more like this man. I think I sometimes look out for myself first and then serve others.

24:50

Abraham’s servant wanted a yes or no from Rebekah’s mother and brother. “Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.” It sounds like they believed that they couldn’t say anything contrary to what the Lord had said. It didn’t matter their opinion since it was the Lord’s will.

How many of us have that level of submissiveness and faith? How many of us are willing to set aside our will for the Lord’s? Consider how much they loved her. They were willing to let her go. Great examples.

24:56

It was left to Rebekah whether she would leave immediately or not. “And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” It reminds me of Nephi saying that he would go and do what the Lord commands.

Her faith led her to give up everything that she knew. Her entire life was there but she didn’t hesitate. Another great example of faith.

24:63

”And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide.” I need to spend more of my time meditating. I’m so busy in my mind. I’m also addicted to noise. I love listening to the news in the morning - even when I’m showering. I have a strong aversion to silence. I need to be more like Jacob and be okay with just meditating.

25:8

”Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.” I think the phrase ‘full of years’ really meant ’years that were full.‘

I believe that it’s possible that we can live the same year over and over again - without progress. We can stack up years that were all pretty empty and meaningless. I’ve had stretches of my life that were empty years.

I like the phrase about Abraham being “gathered to his people.“ I think this has to do with being ‘connected’ to his people. He had people that were close to him. I’m imagining that there were some amazing ‘Abrahamic parties‘ where his people were gathered.

We just got back from a vacation where Marci arranged a house in St. George that was big enough for her entire family to gather. Her mom is experiencing some dementia and Marci knew it was important that they spend time with her. It was heart warming to see her mother interact with all of the kids and grandkids. It was a family gathering that created memories that will be important in the future.

25:27

Jacob and Esau were very different. “And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.” It sounds like Esau was a strong man’s man. He was probably good looking - because Jacob was described as plain.

Is it harder to be talented and good looking? In a lot of ways, YES! I think that it’s easier to be caught up in pride when you’re a good looking, talented person. People desire you and revere you. They respect you for things that you didn’t really earn. That’s dangerous territory.

It’s easier to get into trouble. There are often more temptations.

When you’re an untalented, plain person, it’s harder to have pride. You’re not lifted up on a pedestal by others. What strengths you develop are though your hard work and effort - not through lucky genetics.

It’s better to be plain.

25:32

Esau was willing to share his birthright to Jacob. Esau rationalized his decision: “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” He gave up something very important and meaningful for what he desired in the moment. How many people do this every day?!

A very simple comparison is the famous study where children were given a marshmallow and were told that they could eat it now or wait and receive two marshmallows later. Many waited but many ate the marshmallow immediately.

They kept track of these children and those who were willing to wait were more successful. They were able to resist the immediate gratification for a greater reward in the future.

Esau couldn’t wait. He wanted the food right then. He also embellished his reasoning - claiming that he was going to die. Was he really going to die if he didn’t have pottage that very night? Probably not. I say this because we all are tempted to do this. We may justify our decision based on flawed logic because it’s something that we want right now.

26:12-13

”Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.” Was Issac great because of himself or because the Lord blessed him?

Obviously, we need to make good choices to be great. However, it’s possible to make amazingly good choices and not have success. It is healthy to consider success a blessing from the Lord - not a result of your own genius or effort. With this humble attitude, there is no limit to how much we can progress.

Isaac “went forward.” He put in effort. He progressed. His progression was a matter of his good choices. His greatness was a blessing.

27:35-38

Okay…I’m not sure what to say about Rebekah and Jacob deceiving Isaac. I think we’re missing something because it appears deceptive and manipulative.

“And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing. And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.”

I do think it’s interesting that Esau blamed Jacob for ”taking away my birthright.” He sold his birthright. Isn’t this how it always is? When we do something stupid, we always look to point blame somewhere else. It’s human nature. No one ever likes to think that they were the villain or the stupid one. Our brains do mental gymnastics to attempt to make ourselves the hero of our internal story. It’s not a good thing.

I do feel a little for Esau. It doesn’t appear fair that Jacob tricked Isaac. I can understand why Esau wept.

Unfortunately, Esau’s reaction to this deception was to kill Jacob. The desire for revenge is the natural-man reaction to being wronged. Part of our growth as future gods is to overcome this reaction. How many times has God been wronged? How many of his sons and daughters have rejected him and actively worked against him? Instead of revenge, God feels love. We all should want to progress to that.