Bible-in OneYear- Day 11 (January 11)

Genesis 31-33           DILEMMA OF A GENUINE COVENANT

The usefulness of Isaac and Rebekah in God’s economy ended at the same time. The moment the mandate of the custody of God’s covenant was given to Jacob, the role Isaac and Rebekah in terms of God’s plan was terminated. Though they were still living, nothing was heard of them anymore in God’s economy until their death.

Genesis 28:5 “And 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.”

From here, the attention of the world was diverted to Jacob, the new custodian of the covenant. Two things stood out to testify to this truth.

1. The angel of the covenant introduced Himself to Jacob in his first dream and to welcome him on board.

Genesis 28:12 “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.”

• God was no more addressed as the God of Abraham alone any more, but the God of Abraham and Isaac. This means that Isaac’s era was over. As far as heaven was concerned, the platform had shifted

Genesis 28:13 “And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;”

As a covenant bearer, one would expect that his troubles were over. Unfortunately, he was faced with series of trials. Looking critically into Jacob’s character, he was not a deceit as against popular view. If he was one, then, it would have been his attitude and behavior most of the time. On the other hand, he was actually a victim of deceit. While in his father’s house, he was compelled by his mother. In his mother’s family, he was cheated and deceived by father in law.

Genesis 31:7 “And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.”

God will always be faithful to His covenant. In all Jacob’s trials, he was winning. It doesn’t look as if he was a trouble maker. Rather, he was somebody who runs away from trouble. Despite his affliction in Laban’s house, he was still patient until he got a revelation from the Lord for direction.

Genesis 31:11-13 “And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.”

His profitability in his enterprise was divine blessing, just like his father, Isaac, who sowed and reaped in famine.

It was quite unfortunate that the woman he loved most carried an idol with her in his journey.

On meeting with unfinished battle of his father’s house, Esau, he had been humbled. Through the encounter he had with an angel. A new name was given to him.

As this year just start, may the Lord tag you with the name of “touch not my anointed, and do my prophet no harm” in the name of Jesus.

Keep the fire burning

Supo Abayode

MFM, Delaware, USA