FEEDING THE dead was an integral part of the world in which Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived. We’ve previously discussed Abraham’s distress at not having an heir to provide for him in the afterlife; this week, we explain why Jacob’s father-in-law, Laban, was so upset about losing his teraphim, theContinue Reading

HOW EASY it is to rationalize bad behavior by claiming it’s for a good cause! This week, we see a classic example as Rebekah conspires with Jacob to deceive Isaac and Esau to confirm the blessing that God had promised to Jacob before his birth.Continue Reading

THE PROMISE of God to Abraham was fulfilled through Isaac and Jacob. That is made clear in the chapters we studied this week, Genesis 23 through 26. We look at the death of Sarah, the faithfulness of Abraham’s servant, the birth of Esau and Jacob, Esau’s disposition of his birthright, and Isaac’s sojourn in Gerar.Continue Reading