Relations

Today's reading begins with the death of Abraham and then moves on to deal with the relational conflicts that develop as the next generation shows up on the scene. From the start Jacob and Esau (brothers, twins even) are at odds.

This family (like mine? yours?) struggles to be good to one another. It's a bit of a mess. A contiuous battle for control and position.

By the end of the reading we see that they've extended thier sibling rivalries into the families that they are establishing around themselves. Check Gen 26:34-35

What do you think? Have families changed?

Plus: Bonus question today: These boys were born into a culture where the men were continuously putting themselves first, even if they had to throw thier own wives into crazy situations. Abe did it...and his son Isaac did it. Speaking of which:

What the heck was going on with Isaac and Rebeka? What sort of caress did Abiemelek see? The "caress" word is the word for laughter. What sort of laughter might a wife being touched, caressed, tickled (all english translations) by her husband experince? Gen 26:8

Note, you can also see the word used here. 

It is the word "revery" in that passage. What sort of revery do we supposed was happening?

The bible is loaded with sex and rough edges that often get set aside or softened during translation.

How do you feel about that?