Genesis

Even though Jacob obtained the birthright by deception, Isaac recognized it was God's will that Jacob receive the blessing and later the covenant with God. This is despite Jacob taking actions contrary to how God would have brought this about.

It was with a sense of finality that Esau realized his brother would receive the birthright and blessing. There seems to be a level of repentance involved as well.

He marries more in line with what Isaac wanted rather than taking another pagan wife.

The ladder was the link between heaven and earth symbolizing movement (spiritual as well as physical). As part of their role, angels minister to those that are God's people through and on behalf of Jesus.

Verse 4 – Abraham's blessing is transferred so Jacob could take possession of the land.

Verse 13 – God gives Jacob the land.

Verse 14 – God promises that Jacob's offspring will be countless, just as He had promised Abraham.

Verse 15 – God promises to be with Jacob and would bring him back to the land when he leaves.

All of this demonstrates the faithfulness of God to the promised made long before. God is also faithful to the promise He makes to us.

What is significant about God not putting conditions on Jacob regarding the covenant and why is this significant for us?

God takes us as we are and graciously, lovingly and patiently takes us to where He wants us to go. Jacob had a lot to learn and grow into, but he was beginning to turn towards God as evidenced by his obedience to his father and his reaction to God.

In like manner, when we turn to God, He guides us from where we are as imperfect people weak in our faith, to where He wants us to be more like Christ. He only asks us to be faithful, and when we fail, to repent and return to Him.

How is God's promise to Jacob in verse 15 and I John 1:5-10 related to our relationship with God today?

God made a promise to Jacob that He would be with him. In other words, He would sustain his relationship with Jacob, even when Jacob was weak. In like manner, God maintains His relationship with us, even during our weaknesses. God also promised Jacob that He would bring him back to the land. We know from the biblical account that Jacob did leave the land and settled in Egypt due to the famine, and at the invitation of Joseph. Then, following his death, Joseph returned Jacob's body to his homeland for burial (Genesis 49 and 50). Part of the providence of God regarding the life of Joseph included the fulfillment of the promise to Jacob to bring him home.

There are times when we stray from God's will by to our sin. Yet God is still with us as His faithful children. He takes us back into a relationship with Him as we confess our sins and repent. This is His promise to us. He will be with us and bring us home. That is His promise. Praise God for His love and faithfulness!

The intent of this question is to witness God's guidance in the difficult relationship Jacob had with Laban.

Jacob travels to the land of his ancestors in obedience to Isaac. There he meets Rachel. He enters into an agreement with Laban to labor for seven years to obtain Rachel as his wife. After the seven years Laban deceives Jacob by giving him his other daughter, Leah, instead. This results in seven more years of service in order to have Rachel as wife.

This event can be seen as punishment for Jacob's deceit in obtaining the birthright. As a minimum, the labor and anguish he endured in his service to Laban in order to marry Rachel can be seen as consequences for the deception of his brother and father.

During this time Jacob has 12 sons between Leah, Rachel and their maids. Although this was a form of polygamy God permitted it during this period of history. It later caused problems for the family. Certainly, anytime we go against God's will it results in difficulties and consequences.

God makes a promise to us that we will be saved and added to His Kingdom when we believe in Jesus. This faith is expressed in repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38).

After this, God guarantees salvation so long as we remain faithful and continue to acknowledge our sins to Him (I John 1:7-9).