Newsfeeds are full of stories of deception in all levels of society. From relationships to large corporations, people are continually tempted to take things into their own hands and manipulate others for their own benefit. The results may initially seem favourable but the long term effect of deceit and betrayal is devastating!
Today we find that Esau has brought grief to his parents in marrying a pagan woman and Isaac, now getting on in years, feels it is time to pass on his blessing. The events that follow are very surprising!
"When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah."
"When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." "Here I am," he answered. Isaac said, "I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die." Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.' Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies." Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "But my brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing." His mother said to him, "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me." So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made. He went to his father and said, "My father." "Yes, my son," he answered. "Who is it?" Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing." Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?" "The Lord your God gave me success," he replied. Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not." Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him. "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked. "I am," he replied. Then he said, "My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing." Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me." So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. May God give you heaven's dew and earth's richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.""
Genesis 26:34 - 27:29 NIV
It's really sad to read that Rebekah decided to take matters into her own hands by encouraging her son to deceive his father to make sure he received the blessing. It seems strange when God had already said Jacob would be blessed. I sense impatience here and it seems Rebekah just needed to be in control instead of trusting God.
Jacob didn't seem to be concerned about how deceitful the plan was but was worried about being caught out! He hesitated and questioned his mother, feeling that the deceitful act could result in a curse rather than a blessing. This allowed Rebekah the opportunity to rethink the plan and realise it was wrong but she was so involved in her plotting and scheming that she no longer saw that she was in the wrong. She had fallen into temptation and was trapped!
It certainly was an elaborate plan and seems very cruel considering it involved taking advantage of Isaac's age and disability. Sadly, this type of scenario will have been repeated many times over the years with devastating results. We will continue our reading tomorrow to see the end result of this deception. I am sure it will involve regret!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
While the account of Jacob receiving Isaac's blessing by deception seems like something very far from our experience, we confess that we too have been impatient as we wait for Your timing. Jesus, You warned Your disciples in the garden to:
""Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."" Matthew 26:41 NIV
Help us to be encouraged as we remember that:
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Thank You that You will provide a way out of temptation as we turn to focus on You and seek Your will and Your timing. Help us to pray as You taught us to pray Jesus:
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '". Matthew 6:13 NIV
In Your Name and for Your glory,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
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Light and Life for Today
SpiritualA daily devotional for your time alone with God. In an increasingly dark world, more than ever, we need to look beyond what we can see, past our present circumstances. In order to see the light and experience life as our Heavenly Father intended, I...
