DIVISION IN THE FAMILY
It would seem that Issac favored Esau. Esau was a man of the field, a hunter. Issac’s wife Rebekah, favored Jacob, Genesis 25:28. Obviously a problem was brewing in this family's harmony. Division can create major problems. It is unfortunate that this couple didn't recognize and stop the problem before it got out of hand. Not only is division a problem in families, but in churches and jobs as well. The Bible encourages us to live in unity and harmony as much as possible with our fellow man especially other believers. (Psa 133:1) "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" In fact (Eph 4:3) Christians should be, "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We are to make it our goal to strive for fellowship, providing we can do it without compromise. But, there is another problem in this family:

DECEPTION IN THE FAMILY
Issac called his son Esau and told him to go get venison, prepare it the way he liked it, and he would give Esau the blessing of the firstborn. Rebekah overheard the conversation and told Jacob to disguise himself and take some specially prepared food to Issac. Issac was smooth skinned and Esau a hairy man. Rebekah helped Jacob put animals skin on his hands and neck, and dress in Esau's clothes. Issac's eyesight was failing and the disguise fooled him. The deception worked and Jacob stole the blessing. There are many deceptions today that are tearing families apart. The deception of sexual immorality, alcohol, drugs, and material possessions are just a few. There is only one way of true satisfaction. His name is Jesus. Finally, look at the results:

DEVASTATION OF THE FAMILY STRUCTURE
When Esau came back from the field and discovered the deception of Jacob, he was furious. His thought was to kill his brother. It isn't hard to imagine the enmity which developed between Rebekah and Issac as well. Jacob had to flee for his life. The family structure was destroyed. Jacob never saw his mother and father again. Years later when he saw his brother, he was certain Esau would kill him. Only by God's grace the two brothers were able to reconcile, but the years had taken their toll. Sin has consequences. We cannot live for the pleasures of sin for a season without also paying the penalty of sin. (Gal 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap The Psalm writer gives us the secret of success in (Psa 17:4) "... by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer." Satan has not changed, he's still after families today. (1 Pet 5:8) " Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" Be on guard.

Yes, the family structure is under attack. The entertainment media is not alone in trying to create the illusion that sexual promiscuity is normal. Men and women are committing fornication, calling it living together. Efforts are underway to gain recognition of men with men and women with women as a family unit. Couple all this with a divorce rate at an all time high, and it's not hard to see the problem. I read an account of a couple who were living together. They had an argument, and he stabbed her seventeen times. She recovered from her wounds. While visiting her in the hospital, this same man proposed marriage. The unbelievable part is, she accepted! I don’t hold out a great deal of hope for that marriage. If the family is to survive, it has to be built on the one foundation that lasts - Jesus. The Bible has the answer to a perfect marriage. By God’s grace, let’s build our marriages on His guidelines. God bless.