JACOB CAME UNTO ISAAC
Genesis 35:26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram. 27 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. 28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. 29 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Genesis 36:1 Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. 2 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; 3 And Bashemath Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth. 4 And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel; 5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan. 6 And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. 7 For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. 8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.
There are two things of which we must notice if we are to recover the Spirit’s meaning in this passage in the ill advised placement of man’s chapter division. For chapter thirty six would best have begun after Genesis 35:22B. For there it states, Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: It is at that point that Jacob’s family is then compared to that of Esau’s in Genesis 36:1.
Therefore we take note of how Jacob’s family was formed out in the world but then brought into Canaan – God’s promised country – in order to obtain his inheritance with his father Isaac. Then we see that it was the opposite with his brother Esau. For in Genesis 36:5 & 6 it clearly instructs us that Esau obtained his family in Canaan, then took them out into the world, away from the face of his brother Jacob.
In this we now see plainly the tares and the wheat. We see both the wise and foolish virgins, the sheep and the sows, and the bad and good fish. Simply put, we see the elect of God being brought into the church from out of the world. And we see the counterfeits and hypocrites who leave the church and to go out into the world. 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
From the family of Esau are produced the antichrists, who have tasted the heavenly gifts of Canaan. But like Esau, they have more of a taste for the pottage to quench the natural hunger, than a hunger for righteousness! Genesis 25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
This is how the man of sin is formed. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. For Esau can say that he is the firstborn of Isaac. And he can said that he was raised in Canaan in a ‘Christian home.’ And he can say that he was home schooled there.
Those of Jacob’s family become keepers of sheep. While those of Esau’s become kings in Seir. When these two heads of families met as Jacob was returning from Syria, Esau had with him four hundred men, while Jacob was represented by four women! Jacob’s lifestyle, like that of the true church, was one of the domestic. But Esau’s lifestyle, like that of the Harlot church, was that of the militant!
Genesis 36:31 gives us additional understanding of this passage. And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel. There is an entirely opposite mind frame among the worldlings than among the true believers. If you take a glimpse of Genesis chapter 36, and of 1 Chronicles chapter one, you will find that word duke mentioned some 43 times in only 15 verses! That word, duke is the same Hebrew word, captain found in Jeremiah 13:21, and governor in Zechariah 9:7.
This fleshly urgency to be in authority over others is a trait of Satan – the Harlot church’s angel of light. Notice his “I will’s,” as he shows his sinful ambition of reigning over all others! Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Now take note of the attitude of the Lord Jesus and that of his believers. Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. The Lord presents himself as lowly and meek hearted. Quite the opposite of the ambition of Satan and his followers. And remember meekness is not weakness! For by it, our Lord conquered death, hell and the grave!
The Apostle Paul had to deal with this Esau-trait which even showed up among the carnal minded of Corinth. For wherever unconquered flesh is found, even as remaining corruption within the hearts of true believers, there is this self-seeking trait of wanting the ascendency over others! 1 Corinthians 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
And our Lord established this difference between Satan and the world’s determination to rule over others, with the character of the true church in serving others, as is the Lord’s character. Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Be very careful, dear Reader, for ambition is the cancer of spirituality! One may have a godly zeal from the Holy Spirit and not be ambitious. For such will not assert itself over others, but, as the Lord said, will remain the servant of all.
With the Lord, as with Jacob, come sinners out of the world, being brought into the realm of those who sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. For as with Jacob comes Reuben, the incestuous, unstable as water, and Simeon and Levi, the murderers, instruments of cruelty. The Lord Jesus only saves, realized, confessed sinners! Matthew 21:31 …Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
That is what promotes worship! And the lack of true, realized sinners among us is the reason today’s church has no worship. For if you just ‘grow up’ in religion, being not a realized sinner in your heart, you don’t need much of a savior. A little two-for-a-nickle Jesus with suit you fine! But if you are a great sinner, knowing your sinfulness by experience, and not just by theology, you need a great savior! And you will never cease to praise him for your salvation. THAT is the cause of all spiritual worship! Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
With our above listed context we come to the end of the study of the life of Jacob. He will not pass off the pages of scripture completely, however. He will be brought back as he relates to our next subject – the glorious Joseph. The life of Joseph will finish out the Book of Genesis. And with him we have a full picture of the spiritual man and his walk with God.
In Adam we have seen the old man, dead in trespasses and sin. In Noah we have seen man regenerated by faith, transversing the waters of birth into the new world. Old things are passed away. All things are become new. In Abraham faith is ventured upon as he travels out into this new world. In Isaac we see sonship begun to be perfected, yielding complete obedience to the father in the determined sacrifice on Mount Moriah. Then he is seen peacefully dwelling by the sweet wells of water, patiently awaiting until his bride is brought to him. In Jacob we see sonship coming to service. He learns patient perseverance in laboring 20 years for his two wives and all the cattle to support them. After that he brings his fruitfulness back to Canaan with him. And lastly, we come to glorious Joseph. Despised and rejected by his brothers because he is loved so dearly by the father.
Joseph has to suffer the pit in which his brothers cast him, then the prison in which he is cast in Egypt before he is brought to the palace of Pharaoh. His faith is perfected by the fiery trials that bring faith to perfection. He actually rules in Egypt, where Abraham could not even dwell! (Genesis 12:14-20).
He has the covering of the coat of many colors, as his life is a prism to defuse the brilliant Light of God which no man can approach to. (1 Timothy 6:16). For he breaks down the white garment of Christ’s glory (Matthew 17:2), sending forth those attributes of God which can be communicated, out to his fellowmen!
And he has an understanding of heavenly things, prophesying of his rule and power over all flesh. But until that came true after many hard trials, for that word tried his dear soul! Psalm 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. He is man on the throne, ruling over all – a glorious picture of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Gene Breed
July 2, 2016
