GENESIS 28:1-5
After Rebekah’s plea to Isaac that Jacob not be allowed to marry a Hittite woman, Jacob was sent
away with Isaac’s blessing. Isaac probably did not know that Esau had sworn to kill Jacob after
Isaac’s death. However, Isaac lived several years after this time, and nothing ever came of Esau’s
treacherous plot.
Rebekah and Isaac had one plan for Jacob, but God had quite another. God’s ways are higher than
our ways. While people are prone to point out another person’s failures, God is concerned about
bringing out what is best in him. God is able to discern the true yearning of the heart and to bring
about its realization.
Basically, Jacob’s desires were for the things of God—he wanted spiritual blessing. God knew
this, and He worked to bring out the best in Jacob, even though Jacob often ran ahead and used
carnal methods to attain spiritual blessing.
Having blessed him, “Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of
Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother” (Gen. 28:5). Jacob had
some great surprises in store for him.
While he believed God and had a deep-seated faith, he knew little about the ways of God for his
life. Jacob had a restless faith, and it was very difficult for him to wait on God to work out His
will.
Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart (Ps. 37:4).
Theodore Epp
www.backtothebible.in