Gen 28

Question	Answer	Note---10-02-2016
		28:1 There are a number of factors at play here: Rebekah wants Jacob to leave, because she is fearful that Esua will kill Jacob after the father dies. So she presses the issue that Jacob may take a wife from among the Canaanites. This urges Isaac to send Jacob away. Note they could have sent to Haran for a wife similar to what Abraham did.
		28:1 Rebekah seems very manipulative in all of this.
What does it mean that Isaac blessed Jacob?	In one context it seems that Isaac pronounced a blessing upon Jacob. In another context it seems he saluted him and wished him well on his journey.
Were the parents of Jacob now careful with him since the elder brother had chosen a wife from the canaanites, and they did not want the same fate for Jacob? Why do we find such careful instruction given to Jacob, and yet none is recorded for Esau?	Jacob seems to have such a subtle, obedient heart (momma’s boy). He raises no objection when instructed. Esau must have known that his parents despised the idea that he was going to marry to Hittites, yet he did it anyhow. We do not find this about Jacob.	28:2 Very specific instructions were given Jacob concerning his wife.
What is the significance that Isaac repeats the promise of Abraham to Jacob?	There is no record of this same promise being repeated to Esau.	28:3-4 Note that Isaac repeats the promise that was made to Abraham to Jacob without any deceit or coercion.
Was Isaac saying this to Jacob because of the blessing which he (Isaac) already pronounced upon him (Jacob) or did Isaac come to understand that Jacob was the one upon whom the promise would have been fulfilled?	Syrian or Aramean = "exalted" A.           a thing or a person from Syria or Aram	28:5 It is indeed notable that Bethuel (the nephew of Abraham) be reckoned a Syrian.
		28:6-9 Esau is seemingly jealous and trying to please his father and consequently takes a wife from among his brethren/kin. This is Esau’s 3rd wife. (gen26:34)
		28:11 It must have been a real lonely feeling for Jacob. Having left home where there were familiar faces. Also the fact that he was now out in the wild alone, must have caused him some amount of discomfort. Not to mention that it was now night time.
		28:13-14 It is noteworthy that the first record we have of God communicating to Jacob, was when he was separated from his father. We also observed this with Abraham and Isaac. God did not speak to either until their fathers were out of the way.
		28:15 This seems like a settling promise. No doubt the thought of death was on the mind of Jacob, however with God making this promise to him, that thought should have been far removed. That is if Jacob had come to trust the word of the Lord.
	Bethel = "house of God" A.           ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name) B.           a place in south country of Judah, not far from Beersheba and Ziklag	Jacob renames the place bethel. Although BBethel is called by name before, it seems that it is this event that caused it to be named bethel. The book makes mention of it when Abraham was pitching his tent before, however it seems that Moses decided to call the place Bethel, because that was the name by which it was known.
	Luz = "almond tree" A.           the early name of Bethel and probably the name of the town in close proximity to the actual location of the altar and pillar of Jacob B.           the name of a town in the land of the Hittites; site unknown	28:19 In this verse however he makes the distinction, that Bethel was not the name at first.
		28: It seems that the relationship between the children and the Lord is through their fathers. Consequently, Jacob’s relationship with the Lord is weak. Obviously this is his first personal encounter with God, and it is seen that Jacob starts to bargain with God.
		28:22 As a part of the bargain, Jacob mentions the tithe.
In these days there was very little or no money.  Tithe was measured in cattle and any increase in your material wealth. Since the priesthood was not yet established to whom would have Jacob paid or given the tithe to?	Some argue that the tithe may have been given to the poor or offered as burnt offering.	Lord if you do this for me, I will do this for you.

gen 27

Question	Answer	Note---10-02-2016
What about the blessing of the first born was so good that Jacob’s mother would over hear Isaac saying he is going to bless Esau that his mother would want Jacob to receive that blessing?	It does not seem that it was the blessing of the firstborn that was being coveted. It seems rather was because Isaac had expressed favoritism for Esau and the mother thought that Esau would get a better blessing that Jacob, because Isaac loved Esau. Hence because Rebekah loved Jacob, she thought to get him (Jacob) what she deemed would be the better of the blessings.	27:13 The plan was not conceived by Jacob. He did object and his mother silenced hos objection.
		27:20 Isaac enquires how it is that the Esau has returned so quickly with the meat. However; Jacob answers that the Lord has provided it. This response silences the concern of Isaac. This seems like a most devilish deception. Having brought the Lord God into the deception.
		27:20 no wonder God says in His commandments that He will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.
		27:20-26 Jacob lies to his father 3 times. Each time becoming more barefaced.
Why would Isaac seemingly contradict the prophecy which was made to him at the birth of the twins.	It is arguable that Isaac’s love for Esau probably perverted his judgment. It could also be argued that this blessing, in spite of the intent of Isaac was meant for Jacob, and though he obtained it through trickery, it was rightfully his.	27:29 It seems like a direct contradiction that Isaac would want to bless Esau such that his brethren (Jacob) would serve him, yet it was told at their birth that the older would serve the younger. (Gen 25:23)
If there was no deceit and this blessing was pronounced upon Esau, would God have allowed the blessing to be fulfilled in the way that Isaac spoke it, or are we to believe that this was intervention on the part of God?	We cannot pass any judgment on this matter. What we do know is that God uses our decision and circumstances to fulfil His will. There is no doubt that His will must 2come to pass. Consequently, it seems the prophecy at the birth of the boys was merely stating that there would be an overthrow.
		27:36 A distinction is made between the birthright and the blessing.
		27:38 It seems Isaac has advised Esau that the yoke will not be lifted till his brother (Jacob) is dead. How/why in the world would Isaac tell his son this? It seems Isaac wanted Esau to kill Jacob.
		It seems this hatred is passed unto Esau as he (Esau) swears that after Isaac dies he will kill Jacob.
		27:44 Note that nothing is recorded that Jacob responds. He could have cursed her out, saying it is her fault, but instead no railing accusation is recorded, only that Jacob obeys his mother’s instruction.
What does Rebekah mean by saying that she would be deprived of both?	It seems this is a mist-translation. A better substitute would have been the word “second”.
What is the meaning of the son’s of Heth?	Heth is, according to Genesis 10:15, the second son of Canaan, who is son of Ham, son of Noah. Heth is the ancestor of the Hittites,. Consequently the reason that she was troubled that Jacob would choose a wife from the land.	Rebekah makes the point that Jacob should not take a wife of the land. Similar to the request of Abraham to go back to Haran to find a wife.