Fellowship Church of Winter Springs

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Welcome
    • Our Calling & Vision
    • Leadership
    • Fast Facts
    • Outreach
    • Times & Location
  • MINISTRIES
    • Our Weekly Video Podcast
    • Teaching Ministry
    • Tzemach Institute for Biblical Studies
    • Children
    • Students
    • Music Ministry
    • Prayer
    • Discipleship
  • MEDIA
    • A Voice to the Gentile Church
    • Articles
    • Audio Library
    • Peniel Praise & Worship Music
    • Publishing
    • Video
    • Weekly Bible Studies
  • EVENTS
    • Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Biblical Festivals
    • Annual Community Seder
  • GIVE
    • Ways to Give
    • Donate Now
  • CONTACT
  • 🔴 WATCH LIVE

By Ken Garrison, B.S., M.S., Th.M.

Bible Study-06 (Genesis 25-28)

Book of Genesis

God Elects Israel

In this section of the Bible the subject shifts from the revealing of the “special son” to the establishment of the covenant line. There is a brief description of Isaac’s encounter with God and then a rapid refocus on Jacob. God would develop the account of the covenant line through Jacob.

We have seen that God began laying down the prophetic picture of the “special son” through Abraham, Sarah and Isaac. The account includes prophecies of the unique conception of the “special son”, of his being offered as a special sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, and, if we can receive it, his resurrection. In Isaac’s case, he was spared from death and raised up at the last moment and a ram was substituted for him on the altar. Finally, we see the prophecy of the calling of a “special bride” for the “special son” which we maintain is a picture of the Holy Spirit calling the church to be joined to the resurrected Jesus.

God appeared to Isaac and established His covenant with him. The covenant was the same as God had cut with Abraham. The provisions included the promise of blessing, of a unique ministry to all of mankind and of stewardship of the land of Israel. Much later (almost 600 years) God would reveal Himself to Moses at Mt. Sinai as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. The covenant was being established in the “mouth of three witnesses”.

Another interesting fact concerning Isaac was that he never experienced a name change. Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, Jacob’s name would be changed to Israel, but Isaac never had his name changed. This is most likely due to the prophetic significance of the relationship of Abraham to Isaac relative to the relationship of the Holy One and Messiah Jesus.

After 20 years of marriage, Isaac and Rebecca finally were blessed with children. Twins, Esau and Jacob, were born to them. Esau was born first so according to tradition, he would receive the special tribal blessing and authority. Esau and Jacob were diametrically opposite to one another. Esau was a hunter while Jacob was a shepherd. Jacob was chosen by God before their birth. Later Paul would quote Malachi saying,

“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Romans 9:13b).

So by God’s sovereign choice, Jacob was chosen to continue the line of promise which had previously been stated to Abraham and to Isaac. This was revealed to Rebekah before the twins were born. Jacob evidently dreamed of functioning in this capacity. Esau, on the other hand, did not embrace the vision of the Kingdom of God. He was only interested in temporal things. In a weak moment, Jacob purchased the birthright for a simple meal. Later, Jacob conspired with his mother to receive the blessing which Isaac would have given to Esau.

Jacob did not understand God’s election. He didn’t have to struggle for God’s calling. It had been given to him before his birth. However, he didn’t understand this principle. Much later David was anointed King of Israel while Saul still stood in that post. David “waited on the Lord” to establish his calling rather than attempting to establish it by his own devices. Jacob should have trusted God in this matter. Jacob was 97 years old before he simply trusted God to establish His purpose through him. His name was then changed to Israel.

We should ask ourselves the question, “How would this story be different if Jacob had simply trusted the Lord to establish his election from the beginning”? Even though Isaac was intent on giving the blessing to Esau, would God not have intervened to insure that Jacob received the anointing?

Are you struggling with God’s calling? We all must learn to “wait on the Lord”. At just the right time He will establish His purpose in you and in me.

“Serving the God of Israel in Messiah”

Search

About the Author

Ken Garrison, B.S., M.S., Th.M., is Pastor Emeritus of Fellowship Church and the Director of the Tzemach Institute for Biblical Studies, both in Winter Springs, Florida. Following a tour of duty in the United States Navy, Pastor Garrison earned an undergraduate degree in Physics and Mathematics from Western Kentucky State University and then a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering from Purdue University. He worked for The Bechtel Corp. and Florida Power Corp. before entering the ministry in 1976. Pastor Garrison earned a Master's Degree of Theology at Luther Rice Seminary, Lithonia, Georgia. He served as Senior Pastor at Fellowship Church from 1977 to 2009. He developed the Tzemach Institute for Biblical Studies and is the author of God’s Final Call?, Redemption, Hebraic Roots, Bible Prophesy. and Israel: God's Interdimensional Portal. He and the Winter Springs congregation continue to work diligently to encourage faith in Israel and to promote an understanding of the Church’s Hebraic Roots. Pastor Emeritus Ken Garrison


Pastor (Emeritus) Ken Garrison, B.S., M.S., Th.M. Director, Tzemach Institute for Biblical Studies

Who We Are

Fellowship Church is a non-denominational congregation of believers in Messiah Jesus who love, worship and serve the Holy One of Israel with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. We are located in Winter Springs, Florida.

Connect with Us

Fellowship Church
5340 Red Bug Lake Road
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
407.699.1011

Looking for something?

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 Fellowship Church | All Rights Reserved