Today in God’s Word

November 13, Genesis 27

He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” - Genesis 27:24

There is no honor among thieves. Jacob wrenched the birthright away from Esau in a bargain driven as much by Jacob's scheming to get it as Esau's profane disregard for it. Now, with an assist from Isaac, Esau becomes part of a plot to get the blessing back. But Rebekah overhears their plan and counters it with a scheme of her own. It's like those “Spy vs. Spy” comics in the old MAD Magazine.

Isaac was old, but not about to die when this episode took place. He, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob all knew about the prophecy giving Jacob the preeminence and blessing over his older twin. But that did not stop any of them from doing what they could to control the outcome.

The father's formal blessing was usually conferred in a solemn ceremony with the whole family present. But Isaac and Esau schemed to have a private little banquet for the father to bless the son. Rebekah overheard the conversation and immediately initiated a counterstrike, to trick the old man into confirming what Jacob had already snatched from his brother in the stew transaction. Esau knew very well what had gone before, and he went out at once to cooperate with his father's plan. Jacob at first protested, but then followed his mother’s counsel. His hesitation was not based on principles of right and wrong, but on fear of the consequences that would follow getting caught.

Everyone involved was trying to steal what God had already granted by divine decree before the brothers were born. No one was doing right. All parties would suffer for their misdeeds. God's original design would prevail, not because of what the humans did, but in spite of what they did.

There's a sad and unmistakable favoritism in this family. Esau is consistently called Isaac's son and Jacob is called Rebekah's son. Each of the parents participated in their favored son's effort to secure the double portion of the inheritance and the father's priestly role in the family after Isaac’s death. Esau had already shown his disregard for spiritual things. The three other conspirators viewed the power of the birthright more as a trophy or treasure than a sacred inheritance.

In the goat meat deception, Jacob was the actor, but Rebekah was the author of the plan. She was also the costume designer and prop manager of the production. The costume and props were designed to deceive a blind man, and the ruse worked. With goatskins draped over his arms and neck and wearing Esau's clothing, Jacob must have looked ridiculous. The voice difference almost ruined the scheme. But Jacob lied his way through that and tricked his old blind father.

Cooks tell me they can cook venison in a way that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between deer meat and beef. But Rebekah knew a reverse recipe. She could make goat taste like venison. Isaac, blind to the ludicrous costume and not trusting what he heard and knew to be true, was fooled by his remaining senses of taste, touch and smell. There's a lesson for us about trusting feelings instead of what God says.

Jacob's lies multiplied. That usually happens when we try to deceive someone. One lie necessitates more lies, and we catch ourselves in a web of our own making. Jacob lied, claiming to be Esau (twice). He lied, claiming goat meat was venison. He even lied about God helping him, saying the Lord blessed him to find the deer quickly. The kiss he gave his father was as much a lie as the betrayal kiss Judas gave Jesus in Gethsemane. The kiss was supposed to show honor, affection and reverence. Instead, it was just another lie Jacob told his father that day.

Bitter consequences followed the family’s actions. Isaac was frustrated in his plan to circumvent God's decree. Jacob was exiled from home for decades. Esau's hatred hardened into murderous malice toward his brother. Rebekah told Jacob that any curse from their actions would be on her. She sent her son Jacob away a few days later to save his life. But in doing so, she waved goodbye to a son she would never see again.

Above all the sorry intrigue and deception, God was firmly in control of the situation. The human actions remind us of Abram and Sarai trying to "help God" with the plan about Hagar that led to Ishmael. But these people weren't trying to help God. They were trying to steal or hold something God had already decreed and granted.

What's our takeaway for today? If we're parents, let's beware the poison of favoritism. Let's all remember that God is in control and his word stands secure without our intervention. Let's have holy regard for truth and remember that lying causes pain and loss.

And let's stand in awe of God who loves and works through broken, messed up people like Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, Jacob and us to carry out his plan to redeem us. We humans don't deserve it. It's clearly a matter of grace.

Today in God's Word—November 2024

East Tallassee Church of Christ

Today in God’s Word

Recent Posts

Comentários