Genesis 27:18-29 An old blind father encounters the deceiving son. The picture is not a pretty one. Spiritual blind spots in our lives can have disastrous consequences. How is spiritual blindness different from other faults? How do we avoid spiritual blindness? The lies and deceptions roll off Jacob's tongue like water. By what sophistry does he justify such cold, calculated deception, especially of his father? All the parties in this event behave wrongly. So, what will the outcome be? We see a remarkable turn of events when Isaac prophesies the future, even the future of our salvation. (49 min.)

Keywords Isaac, Jacob, Blessing, Esau

Genesis 26:34-27:17 Returning to the story on the struggle between Esau and Jacob, we encounter the account of the stealing of the birthright from Esau. We find in this passage four different individuals who represent to us four ploys which Satan uses to counter God's spiritual purposes in our lives. Which one of these individuals am I most like? For what is the blindness of Isaac a metaphor? What were Rebekah's strength and weakness? What is wrong with Jacob's response to his mother's proposal. This was an urgent situation. What other options did Rebekah and Jacob have by which they may have prevented Isaac's impending blunder? (55 min)

Keywords Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, Jacob, Blessing, Birthright

Genesis 26:18-33 The account of the conflict between Isaac and the people of Gerar continues. As the herdsmen of Gerar continue to claim the wells Isaac's people dig, he moves on, eschewing conflict. Why does Isaac decline to fight for what seems rightfully his? Eventually Isaac ends up in a "broad place." How did God get him from Gerar to this broad place? Moving on from Rehoboth, he then goes to Beersheba. What is the significance of this place? Who does he encounter immediately upon his arrival? One wonders how Jacob and Esau would have reacted to this scene. Abimelech comes suing for peace. What influences Isaac's ultimate response? We consider again the significance of this whole chapter in the ongoing saga of Jacob and Esau. (36 min.)

Keywords Isaac, Abraham, Jacob, Esau, Blessing

Genesis 26:1-17 Our story line returns in this chapter to the story of Isaac. Why does the narrator interrupt his story of the conflict between Jacob and Esau to tell us these stories about their father Isaac? There is a striking theme in this chapter of the continuity between the lives of Isaac and his father Abraham. What are those continuities, and why are they important to our understanding? How did God want Isaac to think about his stay in the land of Gerar? Why is God’s reference to His oath so important to Isaac? How was it that Abraham so thoroughly obeyed God? Why did Isaac engage in the ruse concerning Rebekah? What precious gleaming gem of truth about Isaac and Rebekah do we find in this mud hole of his deception? How did the remarkable prosperity of Isaac affect his neighbors, the Philistines? Why did Isaac not stand his ground and insist on his rights? (62 min)

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Birthright, Blessing

Genesis 25:27-34 The twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, born under such unusual circumstances, have now grown to young adulthood. They are strikingly different personalities, but far more importantly, they have dramatic differences in what they value. What influence might Abraham have had on his new grandsons? How did the favoritism of Isaac and Rebekah influence their sons? What was the nagging issue the stalked Jacob's mind as he grew up? What was he thinking about when Esau came in famished from the field? What, if any, was the distinction between the birthright and the blessing? How must the heart of God felt when Esau despised his birthright? Why is thankfulness so heavily stressed in Scripture? (56 min)

Keywords Jacob, Esau, Birthright

Genesis 25:19-26 We are moving on into the next section or "toledot" of Genesis. Why does Isaac get so much less of his story told than his father, Abraham, or his son, Jacob? Is there a lesson there for us? How does Isaac respond to his wife's inability to conceive a child? The pregnancy that finally occurs turns out to be very difficult. Why? A new major theme surfaces in Genesis. What is it? What is God's explanation to Rebekah for the violent struggle she is feeling? Is it O.K. for us to ask God "why?" How should we respond to His answer? (59 min)

Keywords Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Rebekah

Genesis 24:1-14 The aged Abraham has one very important task left to accomplish: to secure a wife for Isaac. What are some of the important things we will learn from this chapter? What are the qualities of the servant he enlists in this endeavor? Why is this endeavor so important? What are the indications of the solemn nature of the oath the servant is about to take? What are the two things a believer must consider when he or she is selecting a life mate? Why did Abraham's servant take so many things with him on his journey? (55 min.)

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah