I wonder how strange the very first verse of this passage sounds in our modern ears. “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” Isaac told Jacob. Is this racism? Was Rebekah prejudiced and did she think she was better than the people around her?
We know that this is part of her ploy to protect Jacob from Esau. However, there is another matter at hand, and that is the faith and religious customs of the family. Abraham’s family, even those still in Haran worshiped the Lord. As we read on, we will find that they didn’t worship only the Lord, but they knew Him and worshiped him. The Canaanites had forgotten the Lord and their primary experience of the Lord was through Abraham, Isaac, and strange mysterious people like Melchizedek. When Esau married the Canaanite women it wasn’t just a trans-cultural relationship. It was a contra-religious one.
What do I mean by that? Every family has its own culture that matches or differs from another family’s culture to greater or lesser degrees. There are points of similarity, and spouses bring those cultures together to form their own family traditions, etc. When it comes to religion it is not possible to blend and meld different faiths together because the Lord is a jealous God and He will not share His children with another deity. (I want to be very clear: we are not talking about the difference between Lutherans, Catholics, Baptists, etc. here, because we are all Christians who worship the same God. The difference I am talking about is the difference between Christians, Muslims, Mormons, Hindus, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc. who do not worship the same God.) There are only two faiths – in Christ or against Christ.
Parents, it is important for us to talk to our children about our faith and the importance of finding a Christian spouse who will help build our relationship with God, rather than tempt us away from Him. We should pray for our children’s future spouses – even now! – because God knows who they are.
I know it is possible that a Christian might marry a non-Christian and covert him or her to the faith. I have read the book of Ruth! I’m not saying a Christian cannot or should not marry a non-Christian. I am saying – because the Bible says this – that when we think about marriage faith is an important part of the relationship between husband and wife. And that is an idea that our modern culture does not honor. Indeed, it rejects the notion that faith differences matter.
Isaac’s blessing given to Jacob included the promise of the coming savior, and as Jacob traveled the Lord Himself reaffirmed that blessing, appearing to Jacob in a dream. Once again the idea that through Jacob’s offspring all people will be blessed is highlighted in God’s Word.
I find it fascinating that Jacob could trick his father and brother, and be such a weasel, but Isaac still blessed him, and the Lord would still use him. He is truly a study in the impact of God’s grace. Over then next chapters we will see this guy grow and develop into a godly man; never perfect, often goofing up, but always wrestling with the Lord and living in God’s forgiveness.
Come to think of it, that the same way we live in Christ. Believing, stumbling, and forgiven.
Father, you are patient and merciful. Thank you for using the lives of imperfect people . . . people like me. Help me to live each day by faith and lead me in in this world as my Lord and God. Amen.
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