February 13, 2013
Central Truth
Nothing good comes from deceitful ways.
And he said, "Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing." (Genesis 27:35)
30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me.” 32 His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 33 Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” 34 As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.” 36 Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? 1 27:36 Jacob means He takes by the heel, or He cheats For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” 37 Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.
39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him:
“Behold, away from
2
27:39
Or Behold, of
the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be,
and away from
3
27:39
Or and of
the dew of heaven on high.
40
By your sword you shall live,
and you shall serve your brother;
but when you grow restless
you shall break his yoke from your neck.”
41 Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran 44 and stay with him a while, until your brother's fury turns away— 45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereft of you both in one day?”
46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I loathe my life because of the Hittite women. 4 27:46 Hebrew daughters of Heth If Jacob marries one of the Hittite women like these, one of the women of the land, what good will my life be to me?”
What in the world is a birthright blessing? We are not familiar with what a birthright blessing truly is.
During the time of this passage, to be blessed as a birthright was very special. It was an honor not everyone got. Once a blessing was given, it could not be recalled. So Isaac could not take back what had been done. He could only give Esau a lesser blessing.
Being blessed was to result in prosperity and happiness amongst men. It was a designation that allowed a father to carry on his legacy through his firstborn son.
Rebekah was trying to do what was best for her favorite son. But she did it with deceit, which resulted in everyone not liking each other. After Jacob had left, he never got to see his mother Rebekah again because she died before there was peace between Esau and Jacob. I could not imagine being separated from my parents. I would have been devastated. Having to leave them and never getting to see them again would be the saddest thing.
Because of the deception in this family, everyone was thrown into chaos. In my life, when I see deception or I am in deception, nothing good ever comes out of it. It also ends up in chaos.
Another problem with this family was the parents picking favorites. Isaac liked Esau better, and Rebekah liked Jacob better. When there is favoritism in a family or even in a group of friends, it is fertile ground for jealousies, gossip, and strife to grow.
In my short life, I have been Jacob, trying to get my way by deceiving the ones I love. I have also felt the pain of being in Esau's shoes -- sort of. Never that serious! It is always easier to look back and see the right thing to do. Yet, here is a story that is clear and relevant for us to see so we can avoid all of the mess of being deceitful and dishonest. I may not be the firstborn, but I am glad I have a Savior. I know I need Him.
1. What are your motives? Do you twist the truth for your own gain?
2. Can you think of where to go in Scripture to help you through the pain of others' deception?
3. Ill-gotten gain has no value. Has that been true in your life?