This week, we will be exploring Genesis 26:1-33 together, Digging Wells According to God.
I originally titled this chapter, "Flashback according to God." A strange title. But in Genesis 26, you really have an interruption in the narrative with a flashback to an earlier time in Isaac's marriage (before the twins) with many parallels to Abraham's life before the birth of Ishmael and Isaac.
Isaac follows in his father's footsteps in many ways...both good and bad.
But Genesis 26 as a whole focuses on Isaac digging wells.
Not the most relevant topic in today's world but a vital project when you live in the desert.
Isaac tries to restore Abraham's wells and digs four of his own--Esek, Sitnah, Rehoboth, and Shebah.
So what is the point of all these wells in Genesis 26?
Actually quite a lot.
In the midst of uncertainty, difficulty, and opposition, Isaac chooses to keep digging wells rather than building walls. He pursues peace. He learns to trust the Lord even in unfair circumstances. And he experiences greater and greater blessings from the Lord.
There is a message to all of us in Genesis 26. There is also a small glimpse into the conflict that is taking place in the Middle East even to this day.
May God fill us with His Spirit, give us His wisdom, guard our hearts with His peace, and empower us to serve Him!

This week, we will be exploring Genesis 25:29-34 together, Foolishness According to God.

Esau and Jacob are very different twins. Esau is hairy. Jacob is smooth. Esau is an outdoorsman. Jacob is an indoorsman. Esau is physically strong. Jacob is mentally strong. Esau is a fool. And Jacob is a heelcatcher who knows how to take advantage of a fool.

Genesis 25:29-34 is a strange passage in many ways. It is only six verses long but it packs massive implications for the story of Jacob and Esau. The birthright of the oldest son does not mean as much to us today but back then it meant everything, particularly in this case when the birthright is tied to the blessing of God.

Esau traded a treasure for a trifle.

He gave up the blessing for a bowl of soup.

He despised what was significant to get what was insignificant.

He put immediate gratification over enduring satisfaction in God.

Neither Esau nor Jacob are "heroes" in this story. Both are acting selfishly. But whereas Jacob is a finagler, Esau is a fool. And his foolishness exhibits a heart that is totally oblivious and obstinate toward God.

This week we will revisit the differences between Esau and Jacob and the struggles in the family. We will then examine the danger of putting the temporal over the eternal, of pursuing immediate gratification over enduring satisfaction in Christ.

May God fill us with His Spirit so that we will walk in His wisdom and pursue the things that really matter in this life and in eternity!

For the next twelve weeks, we will be exploring the life of Jacob in Genesis 25-35.
Jacob's life is quite interesting. He is not much of a "hero" in the traditional sense of the word. He has his faults, failures, struggles, weaknesses, sins, and just plain foolish decisions. There is not much to admire in his life and he doesn't have any great acts of faith that make us want to tell flannelgraph stories about him in children's church.
But God loved him...and changed him...and used him for His glory.
Jacob's story is one of struggle and transformation.
Indeed, God calls Himself the "God of Jacob" which is an unusual title when you consider what the name "Jacob" means and all the failures that he had.
But in many ways, we are all "Jacobs" trying to control life, make things work, and wrestling against God's will in our lives.
And God still loves us and wants to change us and use us for His glory.
I love the story of Jacob and I pray that it is an encouragement to you and our congregation this summer.
This week, we will be exploring Genesis 25:19-28 together, Twins According to God.
It is not the best title. A better one may be Different Personalities According to God or Family Problems According to God.
Jacob and Esau are twins who are as different as night and day. And their births have a great impact on Isaac and Rebekah, mostly in a negative way.
But there is much to learn from this passage and from the story of Jacob as a whole so I pray that you will pick up a study guide and dive into God's Word this summer!
Study guides will be available in the foyer this Sunday. A $5 donation will help cover the cost of printing. You can also access a digital file online by visiting the Digital Resources section of our website, 516church.org.