Genesis 24:28-26:35

The Lord God has a direct hand in ensuring that Isaac marries a woman who is very beautiful. A woman who, it seems, turns out to be perfect for him. Indeed, "in his love for her, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother, Sarah."  As a husband, I find it comforting to think that in this way God can work in our own lives, to help us find and choose a mate who can be a help and solace to us. In contrast, I am distressed by the reference, after the story of the birth of Esau and Jacob, to the fact that Isaac favored Esau and Rebekah favored Jacob. Really? As a father, it is incomprehensible to me to think that I would favor or love one of my children more than the other.  This does not resonate with me at all, and we can already feel the echoes of the Cain and Abel story. So far, Genesis is not filled with particularly good modeling for parents. Although Abraham has other children after Sarah dies, it is to Isaac that he leaves everything he owns. And God makes it clear that Isaac is the heir of the covenant God made with Abraham.  Finally, I find some comic relief in the story of Isaac and Rebekah visiting the king of the Philistines, Abimelech. This poor guy is again lied to, this time by Isaac, who tells him that Rebekah is actually Isaac's sister.  Just as Abraham had done years before.  And once again, Abimelech and his retinue nearly commit the grave sin of lying with a married man's wife.  Eventually, seeng how prosperous Isaac and his relatives have become, Abimilech sends him away.