In Genesis chapter 4, we read about Cain and Abel, the children of Adam and Eve. Cain grew up and became a farmer and Abel grew up and became a shepherd. Both the brothers made sacrifices to God, but Cain's sacrifices were never whole-hearted. God told Abel that His favor was with him. Cain was jealous so he killed Abel in the fields.
In Genesis chapter 44, we read about Joseph testing his brothers and bringing them to repentance. He order's for a silver cup to be placed in Benjamin's sack. He then sent out a steward to “arrest” the one who had “stolen” the cup. When Benjamin was blamed for the theft, Judah defended him and convinced his other brothers to serve the punishment with the youngest one. In the end, Judah defends Benjamin a final time and lays down his life for his brother and father.
The first common theme we see in these two stories is that they both deal with brothers and their relationship between each other. In chapter 4, the brother's relationship is not a good one. Cain is jealous of Abel and eventually kills him. In chapter 44, the relationship is exactly the opposite. Rather than a brother killing another brother, in this story, a brother lays down his life for another brother.
Genesis 3, 22, and 27:
In Genesis chapter 3, we read about Satan, in the form of a snake, tempting Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve eventually falls to the temptation and eats the apple. She gives some to Adam and he eats it, too. The humans realize they are naked and hide themselves from God and from each other. God allocates that they have eaten the forbidden fruit and curses the rest of humanity. Satan is also cursed.
In Genesis chapter 22, we read about God testing Abraham's faith by ordering him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham is very surprised and emotional, but he obeys God nonetheless. He takes Isaac up the mountain and makes the altar. As soon as Abraham was about to kill Isaac, an angel came down from heaven and grabbed Abraham's hand. The angel told him that God was testing him and that God wanted a sheep to be sacrificed. Abraham found a sheep and offered it up to God in place of his son.
In Genesis chapter 27, we read about two brothers that are constantly fighting. Jacob and Esau, as they are named, were both born from Rebekha, Isaac's wife. When they grow into adults, Jacob is supposed to receive the birthright and the inheritance according to God's plan. Isaac, who is now very old and tired, believes Esau should be the one to acquire the rights. Rebekha, who knows of God's plan with Jacob, tells Jacob to wear fur on his body and say that he is Esau, so that Isaac will be tricked into giving Jacob the blessing. The plan works and Jacob receives his father's blessing and inheritance.
The common theme among all these stories is that the main character is being tempted by either God or Satan, good or evil. Chapter 3, Eve is tempted by Satan into disobeying God. In chapter 22, Abraham is “tempted” by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac. In chapter 27, Jacob is tempted by Rebekha and God's plan to trick Isaac into giving him the birthright blessing. In all these stories, God is testing the trust of his first followers and putting together the first parts of his massive plan for us.
Genesis 30 and 32:
In Genesis chapter 30, we read about Jacob having many children with his two wives, Rachel and Leah, and two slaves, Bilhah and Zilpha. Rachel and her sister Leah are in some type of “contest” to see who can have the most children. In the end, Jacob has twelve children and each one goes on to have his own tribe. This is the birth of the twelve tribes of Israel.
In Genesis chapter 32, we read about Jacob and Esau reconciling with each other. When Jacob stole the birthright from Esau, they were hostile towards each other. Now, Jacob wants to apologize to Esau and start a new relationship with him.
The common aspect of these stories is the character that takes the “main stage.” In both stories, Jacob is the main character.
