Reading
SAA Notes
There are many interesting snippets within this potted family history of Isaac and Ishmael. Isaac and Rebekah have to wait for 20 years before she conceives. The problems and the joys of life are exposed to us within this family for our spiritual growth and for our own wrestlings in life.
SJA Notes
* Great God in Heaven, please teach us more today of who You are.
“Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.”
We can see human failing writ large here. Both Isaac and Rebekah made their lives harder by picking favourites amongst their children. A recipe for turmoil in and of itself.
Favouritism and partiality is backed into the world around us, even as the world trumpets it inclusivity.
However, this can be true of us, God’s people operating int his world.
Our church can show favourites. Our studies of God’s word together can prioritise favourites. The various ways of serving at church can do the same.
We as individuals can be, just like Isaac and Rebekah, guilty of showing favouritism that leads to comparison that leads to bitterness and envy and all manner of evil.
Our God though, He is different.
Years down the track from this reading God will bring His word written to Israel on the mountain after rescuing them out of Egypt.
In Deuteronomy 10 we read these words from God,
“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.”
We cannot buy our way into God’s good graces, we cannot smooth over our sin, we cannot bribe or squeeze or strong-arm or argue God around.
But we can fall at the feet of our Saviour and beg His mercy.
While God shows no partiality, He does show mercy.
God sent Himself as a sacrifice for us! For God’s justice to be met, He does not show favourites amongst humanity. His justice must be met for our sin.
So Jesus, God in the Person of the Son, came and took that punishment on Himself. So that we could be free.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour we have, what a God!
* Dear God,
Your word to us is a light to our feet and a lamp for our way.
Please teach us today that we might step in Your light.
Amen.