Forebears

. . . his wife were older yet God promised them a son. Being doubtful, Sarah encouraged Abraham to take her handmaid, Hagar, and sire a son by Hagar, which Abraham did. The son so produced was named Ishmael but he was not the promised Son. In time, Sarah conceived and bore the promised son Isaac. Sarah became jealous of Hagar and Ishmael and demanded that Abraham send them away, which he did. Isaac was father to Jacob, head of the twelve tribes of Israel (through his sons). However, Ishmael also sired twelve sons who became large tribes. The two tribes remained enemies and continue as enemies today.

When Isaac (see "Abraham & Sarah") became of age, Abraham sent an emissary Eliezer to scout for an appropriate wife for Isaac. Eliezer asked that God allow the chosen woman to come to the well and offer water not only to Eliezer but his camels also. Rebekah came and was chosen, given jewelry as a promise. After some negotiations with Rebekah’s family, she went with Eliezer and met/married Isaac. Like her mother-in-law, Rebekah was older when she bore twin sons to Isaac, Esau and Jacob whom Rebekah favored. Rebekah and Jacob successfully tricked Isaac to give his blessing to Jacob, rather than Esau who was firstborn.

To escape his brother Esau’s wrath, Jacob flees to work for Laban, who happened to have two daughters, Rachel and Leah. Jacob falls for Rachel and agrees to work seven years for Laban to earn Rachel’s hand. Laban deceived Jacob by presenting a veiled Leah at the marriage. Laban forces Jacob to work another seven years to earn Rachel’s hand. So, Jacob marries the sisters, and returns to the land of his father. Along the way, he wrestles with an angel. Still fearful of Esau’s wrath, Jacob splits the travel party to protect them. For a long time, Rachel is barren though Leah bears many children who become fathers of the tribes of Israel. Eventually Rachel bears Joseph and Benjamin.