Good morning,
Jacob was a product of his upbringing. His grandparents lied. His parents lied and played favorites with Jacob and Esau. So, Jacob learned all these traits and more. His early years were spent deceiving others. He even tried bargaining with God. It was not till he wrestled with the angel of God, did his life change.
When he met God, his named was changed to Israel, and he began living for God.
This week we look at the life of Jacob.
Jacob’s dysfunctional life
Genesis 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Parents playing favorites)
Genesis 25:29-34 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. (v31) (Opportunist, taking advantage of others)
Genesis 27:1-46
Isaac’s request of Esau
“And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I. 2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: 3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;4 And make me savory meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.” (1-4)
Rebekah’s command for Jacob
“And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.6 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,7 Bring me venison, and make me savory meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death. 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savory meat for thy father, such as he loveth:10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.” (5-10)
Jacob deceives Isaac
“And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.14 And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savory meat, such as his father loved.15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:17 And she gave the savory meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.18 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.” (13-19) (v13) (Rebekah’s manipulation teaching Jacob to deceive his father)
Isaac challenges Jacob then blesses him
And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him. And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine and he drank.26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.(v24) (Jacob lied and stole the blessing from Esau)
Genesis 28:10-22 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: (20-21) (Jacob bargains with God. IF GOD…)
Parents should never play favorites. It causes separation and bitterness.
Jacob took advantage of Esau in buying his birthright.
Rebekah instigates this deceit. Her intent was to get Isaac’s blessing for Jacob, instead of the rightful person Esau. It works, but has disastrous consequences. Esau is mad enough to want to kill Jacob. Rebekah sends Jacob away to Laban.
We may be able to deceive people for a time, but usually the truth comes out. Then the problems start. There are always consequences to sin.
We are never able to deceive God. God knows and sees everything.
“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” (Psalm 139:1-6)
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)
Please God by obeying His word. God’s way is the only way to please God!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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