Travel Blog
ABraham, Isaac and Jacob
Abraham
Issac
Jacob
Abraham
God called Abram in the city of Haran. He made a covenant with Abram on the terms of following His path and faithfulness towards God. In terms of such conditions, God promised Abram many blessings, including the land of Cannan, the promised land, numerous descendants, blessings for him and his descendants and the blessing of the nation through Abram. Abram was 75 years old when he started his journey, he brought his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot.
Abram didn’t fully trust God in the beginning. Abram had to go to the desert due to the land famine. Abram was afraid of getting killed by the Egyptians because Pharaoh wanted his wife. Abram had to make Sarai say that he was her brother. This resulted in Sarai becoming Pharaoh’s wife and Abram being treated well. The Bible doesn’t specify how the Pharaoh knew of the truth. However, he realized that Sarai was Abram’s wife upon the arrival of plagues and told Abram to leave Egypt with his family.
Changing Abram’s name to Abraham was a clear representation of God’s blessing. The name “Abraham” connotes the meanings “the father of many nations” and “the father of multitude”. God gave this name to Abraham during his visit as 3 angels, visually affirming that He intends to keep His promise with Abraham.
Issac
The birth of Issac itself was a blessing from God. Putting aside Abraham and Sarah’s age, Sarah’s body was infertile in the first place. This is why Sarah was astounded, even laughed, when God promised many children for the couple. He is the first descendant of Abraham who received blessings from God.
When Issac and his family were forced to migrate due to the famine, God told Issac that he will get blessed like his father Abrham saying that “I will be with you. I will bless you. I will give all these lands to you and to your offspring”, ” I will establish the same oath with you that I did with your father”. (Genesis 26:3) Issac had experienced a lack of resources until he settled in Gerar. When he arrived in Gerar, he became very rich under the blessing of God through successful agricultural activities. This highlights the fulfillment of God’s promise with Issac.
Jacob
Jacob and Esau were twins born of Issac and Rebekah. According to tradition, Esau was supposed to receive all blessings from Issac as the eldest of his sons. However, due to Rebekah and Jacob’s deceiving, Issac gave his blessing to Jacob, the younger of the two. Issac blessed Jacob that he will have prosperity and dominion over all nations. When Esau noticed that Jacob stole the blessings, he went to kill Jacob. Jacob fled away from his house and lived with his uncle Leband for several years.
During his escape from Esau, Jacob encountered God on the land of Bethel. God not only confirmed the blessings he received from Issac, but also reaffirmed the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac. Jacob was 1) promised the land in which he was lying, 2) prosperous descendents, and 3) companion of His divine presence and protection. This is because God foresaw that Jacob would have a more significant role in the future than Esau.
According to Genesis 32:28, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel meaning “struggling with God” and He promised that every blessing that Abraham received would also be his. This part of the bible is a significant changing point in Jacob’s life as it describes how God is fulfilling his covenant with Jacob.
Abraham's Covenant:
Genesis 12:1-3
God’s call to Abram and the covenant.
Genesis 12:10-20
Abram’s journey to Egypt, fear, and interaction with Pharaoh.
Genesis 13:14-18
God’s reaffirmation of the covenant and promise of the land.
Isaac's Blessings
Genesis 21:1-7
The birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah.
Genesis 26:1-6
God’s promise to bless Isaac during the famine.
Genesis 26:12-14
Isaac’s prosperity in Gerar.
Jacob's Blessings
Genesis 25:19-28
Isaac and Rebekah’s twins, Esau and Jacob.
Genesis 27:1-40
Jacob receives the blessings intended for Esau through deception.
Genesis 28:10-22
Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel, including the reaffirmation of the covenant.
God's Covenant with Jacob (Israel):
Genesis 32:22-32
Jacob wrestles with God at Peniel, and his name is changed to Israel.
Genesis 35:9-15
God reaffirms the covenant with Israel (Jacob) at Bethel.
Citation down below
Cendana, Kat. “‘A painting of Abraham’s departure by József Molnár.’.” Abraham, 75 years old, departed with Lot from Haran, Kat Cendana, 4 Mar. 2016, amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/ abraham-75-years-old-departed-with-lot-from-haran/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
Afif, Morgane. “Dans l’Ancien Testament, pourquoi Abraham a-t-il changé de nom ?” Aleteia, Morgane Afif, 5 Jan. 2023, fr.aleteia.org/2023/05/01/ dans-lancien-testament-pourquoi-abraham-a-t-il-change-de-nom/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
Levin, Christoph. Abraham and Sarah in Egypt: A Story Composed to Prefigure the Exodus. Abraham and Sarah in Egypt: A Story Composed to Prefigure the Exodus, Christoph Levin, images.app.goo.gl/3LmR2bT8MYnKz7RYA. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
“‘The Father of All Those Having Faith.'” Jehovah’s Witnesses, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania., images.app.goo.gl/ZKDcVeYVm4t1vLTn8. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024
Putman, Brittany. “Lesson: God’s Promise to Jacob (Genesis 28).” Ministry-To-Children, Brittany Putman, 16 Feb. 2022, ministry-to-children.com/lesson-gods-promise-to-jacob-genesis-28/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
“Issac.” Issac, 6 Jan. 2024, images.app.goo.gl/RAp4KHRafJy6sF7b8. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
Isbouts, Jean Pirre. “The Bible’s original love triangle: Jacob, Leah, and Rachel.” National Geography, Jean-Pirre Isbouts, 16 Feb. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/jacob-leah-rachel-love-triangle
Parrot, André. “Abraham”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Dec. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abraham. Accessed 9 January 2024.