A couple things I thought of here. Isaac lived a long time but really didn't seem to be a particularly Godly man aside from bearing lots of children. We have mentioned that God uses flawed people, but how did he choose? Did Isaac respond in ways we don't see or understand? Second, I've noticed that names have a lot of significance and a lot of what we have read in Genesis just in terms of number of words per chapter is devoted to naming of people and places. This might just be so we have a clear history. But one thing that always bothered me during and after college was the term "God". As I read the beginning of this chapter I'm reminded of why I didn't/don't like it. At this time, God could have referred to anything, there are so many different God's that have been worshiped over the centuries. To the Canaanites or the Hittites, how was one God different than another and why would they have believed in Jacob's God over their own. I picture Hittite children being taught by there parents and here comes Isaac or Jacob saying to destroy your idols and abandon your gods. Wouldn't that be so scary? If that's all you knew? Regardless, back when I went through this phase I took up the habit of referring to God as Yahweh instead of God and to this day when I pray I always start with Yahweh. I'm always too afraid to start public prayers like this because I know I'm not Jewish. But for me, it helps define the God we worship even though I still think/wonder whether many people throughout the world and ages worship Yahweh without knowing who it is they worship. The heavens declare the glory of God, so if someone worships a "creator" by a different name are they worshiping the same God we are?

Jacob is marking his journey with points of significance for his family and giving weight to the decisions he's making to follow God in doing so. This is one thing I think I need to do more of in my leadership of my family.