Bible Question:
I've finished reading the book of Genesis and so far this is what I've learned....God chose Abraham to the beginning line of His people. Abraham had Isaac, Isaac had Jacob, and Jacob was the father of the 12 sons (the 12 tribes of Israel/Jacob). People knowing and seeing this family "growing and multiplying" as God's people, gained them (the Israelites) a certain amount of resentment and bitterness for being the chose people of God. (One example is Jacob's own brother, Esau marrying 2 Cannanite women; the Cannaanite's were pagans.) My question is, does this sound right? Feedback would be great, thanks. If there's anyone else who's well "versed" on their Bible studies that could comment to what I've written, that'd be great. |
Bible Answer: I should've given a bit more detail on Esau... Esau was the first born (twin but still first born) son of of Isaac and Jacob was the 2nd. Being the 1st born, Esau was "entitled" to be given the blessing of the covenant of God, that had 1st been given to Abraham. Then it was past to Isaac and so forth. Esau had gone on to marry two Cannanite women, but Abraham desired everyone to marry within God's redeemed community. (This was to seperate the pagans surrounding them.) Well Esau's behaviors had brought grief to his family and he gave up his birthright to Jacob. (Gen 31:34) Later on this obviously causes conflict between the brothers. |