Study From the Book of Genesis,28.

Study From the Book of Genesis,28

Today we study chapter 28 of the Book of Genesis. I choose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

Isaac agreed with Rebekah that intermarriage with the pagan woman of Canaan was dangerous. These women would bring their own false gods into the household. So, Isaac advised Jacob to get a wife from his mother’s family in a region of Haran in Northan Aram (Syria) near the Euphrates River (Padan Aram).

The Hebrew God’s name of El Shaddi means God Almighty is used by or in the hearing of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God later identified Himself to Moses with the same name. Isaac formally passed on to his son Jacob the blessings that God had first given to his father, Abraham’s descendants and as it was mentioned before, the Hebrew term “seed” may refer to a single individual to designated the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, or to a number of people, Israel.

Esau attempted to find favour in Isaac’s eye by doing what Isaac wished, by marrying Mahalath the daughter of Ismael besides other wives he already had. Sadly. Esau could not regain his lost blessing. The name of Mahalath properly means “Dance,”

God then appeared to Jacob and identified Himself as the God whom both Abraham and Isaac believed. Later, He also becomes known as the God of Jacob. Isaac in his blessing to Jacob predicted Jacob would inherit the land that God promised it. Every time the covenant was renewed, God repeated His promise to show mercy to all people through Abraham’s descendants or seed i.e.  the nation of Israel and the Promised One Jesus Christ.

Right when Jacob was running away from the consequences of his lies, God mercifully chose to affirm His promises. Jacob was in no position to earn God’s favour. Yet God promised to be with him. Jacob was afraid indicates the fear of God’s similar of terror. Awesome indicates a fear of God similar to wonder and worship. In this case these twin emotions were mixed together. God and heaven had come down to the very place where Jacob was sleeping.

To commemorate the great event of God’s appearing to him, Jacob set a stone on end and poured oil on top to consecrate it to God and named the place Bethel means “House of God.” Although Jacob made a conditional promise to be faithful to God, he based it on God’s promises to him. Jacob promised to give a tenth of his possessions to God, although there is no mention in the narrative, that he did.     

 Structure

Verses: 1-5: Isaac reaffirm the blessings to Jacob.

Verses 6-9: Esau marries Mahalath.

Verses 10-22: Jacob’s vow at Bethel.

Principle 48: verse 28:9:  ---“So Esau went to Ismael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ismael ---.”

Lesson 48: By his several marriages, Esau demonstrated that there is a world of difference between outward compliance to gain favour and inward to do what is right.

Principle 49: verse 28:15: ---“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

Lesson 49: God will always with us and keep all His promises to us, even when we go through the storms of life. When we wonder if He is really there, He is! 22/03/2026.