Unit 4

Unit 4

1. ISAAC

   • Son of Abraham
   • Abraham (Isaac's father) and his servant made an oath that he would go and get Isaac a wife
   • His wife was tested in order to be suited as Isaac's wife: She had to offer him water and water fr the camel as well
   • Isaac became old and his vision started to fail him. This is what Jacob used as part of his plan to decieive his father and get Esau's birthright.
   • When Jacob is about to leave for Haran, Isaac gives him a special blessing that he should not marry any foreign woman. He should marry a woman for Rebekah's family and fulfill Abrahams promise.

2. REBEKAH

   • Before wedding Isaac, she was given gifts of jewelry (nose rings and gold bracelets)
   • Rebekah's father is Bethuel and her brother is Laban
   • Prayed to God during pregnancy because the babies jostled within her. God told her not to worry because she is having twins (two nations and the older will serve the younger.
   • She overhears the conversation between Esau and Isaac and quickly reports to Jacob. She urges Jacob to hurry and get the blessing.

3. LABAN

   • In the morning Jacob realizes it's Leah, not Rachel, and he confronts Laban about the deception. Laban points out that it's not the custom to marry off a younger sibling when the older is available. He offers the same deal for Rachel, but he can marry her before the seven years of service are up.
   • Jacob's uncle

4. ESAU

   • Esau is Jacob's older twin. is very hairy and red.. He is also a hunter. Esau is close to his father, Isaac
   • Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some stew because he was very hungry and he despised his birthright.
   • After Esau, returns from his hunt, he us confused. Once Isaac and Esau realize what happens, Esau is furious and plots to kill Jacob.

5. JACOB

   • Jacob is Esau's younger twin. He is closer to his mom, Rebekah and likes to stay amongst the tents.
   • With the help of Rebecca, Jacob is dressed up in his brother's clothes and puts animal fur on his hands and neck to make him feel like Esau. He takes the food that had been prepared for Esau to give to Isaac and passes it as his own.
   • Isaac kiss Jacob and notices that he smells like Esau, thus he gives Jacob the blessing.
   • Rebekah tells Jacob that Esau is plotting to kill him so he goes off to live in Haran with extended family.
   • One night, on his way to Laban's house, Jacob falls asleep and dreams of a ladder/stairway/ramp that leads to Heave.n. In the dream, angels of God are going up and down the stairway and God tells him that Canaan will be his. Jacob re-names it Bethel which means "house ofi God"
   • After his dream unlike Jacob and Abraham, Jacob asks God for more. He says if God gives him food and clothing, he will worship him and give him 10% of his earnings.
   • Jacob wrestles with God and his name is changed to Israel. He says “I will not let you go until you bless me!”. Even though his hip is injured, he is reassured.

6. RACHEL

   • Rachel arrives to water her sheep. Jacob removes the stone all by himself. Jacob waters his uncle's sheep for Rachel. He kisses Rachel and weeps.
   • Rachel tells Laban that Jacob has shown up, and Laban is excited. He runs to welcome him and calls him "my bone and my flesh". Jacob stays with Laban for a month and then tells him that he'll work for seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage.
   • While Laban's shearing his flocks, Rachel steals all of his household idols. And just like that, Jacob takes off.

7. LEAH

   • Seven years are up and Laban throws a big wedding party, but afterwards, Laban delivers Leah into Jacob's tent. Of course, Jacob thinks it's Rachel, and they have sex.

8. CLOSING REMARKS

   • The final score in the Leah-Rachel child-bearing contest is Leah 8, Rachel 4. Rachel is buried on the road to Bethlehem, and Jacob sets up a pillar to mark her grave, which is still there, "to this day”. Jacob visits Isaac in Hebron, and Isaac dies at the ripe old age of 180.  Esau and Jacob bury him.