REBEKAH AND JACOB
Rebekah devised a plan for Jacob to steal Esau’s blessings by deceiving Isaac. This action led to intense hostility between Jacob and Esau, forcing Jacob to flee to the house of Laban out of fear for his life due to Esau’s anger and threats. Despite believing in God’s prophecy, Rebekah took matters into her own hands and deceived Isaac to ensure that Jacob received the blessing. This led to hostility and estrangement for many years, yet God still fulfilled His prophecy that the older would serve the younger and that Jacob would become the forefather of the tribes of Israel (Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-46).
JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS
Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and sold him as a slave to Egypt (Genesis 37:18-28). Joseph endured slavery and unjust imprisonment for many years. Despite these hardships, God raised Joseph to the second-highest position in Egypt, only under Pharaoh himself, enabling him to save his family and countless others from famine, thereby fulfilling the vision God had given him in his youth (Genesis 50:20).
MOSES AND THE ROCK
Moses sinned when he struck the rock in frustration instead of speaking to it as God commanded, demonstrating a lack of trust and reverence for God’s word (Numbers 20:10-13). Due to his lack of trust and reverence for God, Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land with the Israelites; he could only view it from afar. However, God prepared Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land, fulfilling His promise (Joshua 1:1-7).
JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus by selling Him to the religious leaders for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). The consequence of his betrayal was great remorse, leading Judas to take his own life out of guilt (Matthew 27:3-5). Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God fulfilled His plan to bring salvation to humanity (John 19:30; Romans 5:8).
PAUL PERSECUTES THE CHURCH
Before becoming an apostle, Paul, also known as Saul, actively persecuted those who believed in Jesus (Acts 8:1-3). Saul caused much suffering among the early Christians and lived in opposition to the faith. However, after a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, God transformed Paul into one of the greatest apostles, spreading the Gospel throughout the known world (Acts 9:1-20).
