Patterns

"And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived." Genesis 25:21. Our lives are full of so many patterns. Our families have habits and behaviors that continue to repeat. In these next few chapters of our Bible reading, we will see that these patterns surely do repeat...for better or for worse!

Rebekah was barren as Isaac's mother Sarah once was, but since Isaac repeated the prayer pattern of his father, she conceived! In fact, she became pregnant with twins! How exciting! "And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb." Genesis 25:24. During her pregnancy, Rebekah felt a struggle, and God told her that the twins would grow to be 2 nations, and the elder would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). Also, we will see that healthy patterns pass on to the generations of our children (like Isaac entreating for Rebekah in prayer), but also patterns of deception if we are not careful...remember, honesty is the best policy!

Isaac ended up repeating the same pattern of deception his father Abraham practiced! In fact, it seems as though it happened with the very same person! Remember when Abraham deceived Abimilech into thinking Sarah was his sister and not his wife? Well, like father like son! "And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon."

Genesis 26:7. Of course, Abimilech found out, and nothing happened to Rebekah. But this just goes to show that we take after our parents' behaviors just as much as we may take after their looks! Isaac was so much like his father; he even had great possessions as he did (Genesis 26:14). So The Lord prospered him later after this situation took place, but again, we just need to be careful of the patterns we repeat so our children will prosper too!

Before his death, Isaac asked his son Esau to find him some of his favorite meat to eat. Afterwards, Isaac said he would bless Esau (Genesis 27:7). Rebekah heard this promise of a blessing, and she and Jacob decided to deceive Isaac in order for Jacob to have the blessing instead of Esau. Isaac asked for venison, which would take a while to bring back, so Rebekah quickly got a goat, gave the meat to Jacob to give to his father, and Jacob wore the goat fur because Esau was hairy. Sounds a bit like a "little red riding hood" situation. But, the plan worked, and Isaac received the blessing instead of Esau. Earlier on, Esau willingly gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew. Now, Jacob and Esau fulfilled the promise to Rebekah that the elder would serve the younger. Was this the right way to go about it? No! Could more healthy patterns have been practiced to accomplish their goals? Absolutely! Nonetheless, God is so patient with us as we are not only in the process toward our promise, but in the process of learning our lessons in life. "And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water." Genesis 26:18‭-‬19. In the end, it's our choice whether or not certain patterns continue through 2020. We can dig in the valleys and low points in our lives until fresh water finally springs out, or we can leave our wells plugged up by unhealthy patterns of our past. God alone will give you the strength to carry things forward or leave them behind. And then...oh, what joy we will have! "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." Psalms 5:11.