Class Member Study Guide: Lesson 10
Typical Judean Well Where Water is Drawn with Buckets
from Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament Holazpfel, Pike, Seely
Genesis 25 Abraham is buried in the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Genealogical transition. Rebekah conceives twins Jacob and Esau and learns their destiny. Esau sells his birthright for a mess of pottage.
Genesis 26 Isaac moves to Gerar in response to famine. Conflict with King Abimelech leads Isaac to move to the Valley of Gerar, redigging sabatoged wells of his father Abraham throughout the area. He relocates to Beersheba. Esau marries outside the faith upsetting Isaac and Rebekah.
Genesis 27 Rebekah guides Jacob in seeking blessings causing Esau's hatred
Genesis 28 Jacob forbids Jacob's marriage to a Canaanite blessing him and sending him from Beersheba to Haran to find a believer among his father's people.
Genesis 29 Jacob meets Rachel at the well in Haran. He serves his uncle Laban for 7 years to marry Rachel. Sister Leah is substituted as the first born. Jacob serves another 7 years for Rachel.
Genesis 30 Jacob has many children with Leah, Leah's and Rachels handmaids, and finally has a son Joseph with Rachel. Jacob works for Laban for wages of cattle and sheep.
Southern Canaan from Bible Map 10 Isaac's World
Abraham's Servant Seeks Isaac's Wife Rebekah and Jacob Returns to Seek a Devote Wife in Rachel
Abraham's Family Relationships
from Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament Holazpfel, Pike, Seely
from Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament Holazpfel, Pike, Seely
Isaac
Isaac was born near Beersheba after his parents moved from Gerar. Little of the biblical account focuses on Isaac's personality. We know Isaac as an obedient son. We also know that he loved Rebekah who came from the family seat in Paddan-Aram (Haran)
Abraham Emphasizes the Importance of Marriage in the Covenant
The
birthright itself should have been a treasured thing. The highly desirable
birthright blessing is the right to the presidency, or keys, of the priesthood.
In
the patriarchal order this birthright was passed from father to son, who was
often, but not always, the eldest son. Righteousness was a more important
factor than being the firstborn.
President Howard W. Hunter said:
“Let us plan for and teach and plead with our
children to marry in the house of the Lord. Let us reaffirm more vigorously
than we ever have in the past that it does matter where you marry and by what
authority you are pronounced man and wife” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994,
118; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 88).
Esau Sells His Birthright
Esau's immediate needs took precedent over his future and the blessing available to him.
