OCTOBER 28, Genesis 25:20-26

Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. And although they were hoping for children, it seemed God would not bless them with kids because Rebekah was barren – meaning she could not give birth. However, Isaac did not give up and continued to pray for the Lord’s mercy. Then the good news – Rebekah became pregnant! It took 20 years – a long wait – for Isaac to become a father. And God gave them more than one baby; Rebekah would give birth to twins!

In ancient times, sons were preferred to daughters. In peacetime, sons were more suitable for working long hours in the fields. In times of war, sons can double up as soldiers to protect the family and country. And when sons marry, they bring their wives to their family. On the hand, when daughters marry, they become part of another family. Those are some of the main reasons sons were preferred. Among sons, the greatest honour is given to the first son.

In Rebekah’s tummy were two boys, and as we know, Esau was the first son; Jacob was the second. According to custom, the second son is expected to serve the first. But God had other plans and made it clear to Rebekah that the arrangement for her sons would be reversed: the first shall serve the second.

What does this teach us? That God’s ways are not man’s ways.

Perhaps that is why 1 Corinthians 1:27 tells us, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” God’s way of salvation was to send Jesus as a lowly carpenter, in an obscure part of the world in Israel, to live a fairly short life of 33 years, to minister for an even shorter period of 3 years, to teach his closest group of disciples of only 12 very average men from humble backgrounds. Man may think – if God had such an important message, should He not choose a very large group of very smart and wealthy people to spread the Gospel message?

God’s ways are not our ways. In humility, may we accept that His ways are better, and may we have the faith to continue to obey the wonderful truth in the Bible.

Thought: May I never doubt but always obey God’s truth.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, now I understand that Your ways are not man’s ways and when I do not understand, teach me to obey Your Word and trust that Your ways are the best for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.