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Daily Bible - Peace in the Mid East? Not In this World!

Today's reading is found in Genesis 28:6 to Genesis 30:24.

So Esau married Ishmael's daughter. It was said that the descendants of Ishmael would have this kind of life: "His hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers." It was also said of Jacob and Esau that "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." The trouble in Israel today was foretold and is consummated here. Political leaders can try to talk about peace in that dispute until they are blue in the face and nations can try to wipe out one side or the other, but it won't happen because God has laid out the paths for these nations to walk. I said I'd take the Bible literally. Even though it's not always politically correct, it's always correct.

Jacob dreamed of a ladder or stairway from Earth to Heaven and God speaks to him, renewing the covenant. This is the last time it is necessary to do this, as the future generations seem to understand this truth... not that they always fulfilled their part, but that's a later story.

Jacob traveled to Paddan-Aram and met Rachel, daughter of Laban. He loved her and wanted to marry her, so he made an agreement to work for Laban for seven years as dowry for her hand. When the time came, he was the one who was tricked with Rachel's older sister, Leah. To wed Rachel as well, he would have to stay and work and additional seven years. Maybe I'm a bit bitter at his underhanded ways when he tricked his father and brother, but I say it served him right! Besides, I imagine that after seven years, he would know that the younger sister couldn't be married before the older sister.