The Book of Genesis - Part Two
The second
part of Genesis focuses on Jacob and his offspring, who will become the nation
of Israel. These chapters depict a God
who initiates interpersonal relationships and transforms human lives. In light of the evil portrayed in this book
we see glimpses of God’s plan to bring an ultimate solution to the problem of
sin and restore the ideal of His original creation.
Genesis 49:10a "The scepter will not depart from Judah."
Read: Genesis 27
The promises
God gave Abraham were for his offspring, specifically Isaac, the promised
heir. The promise of becoming a nation,
the land of Canaan and the promise of a Messiah were all going to be fulfilled
through Isaac. Isaac is now old,
probably close to death (v. 2) and not properly seeing God’s ways concerning
his two sons. Remember how God spoke to
Rebekah back in chapter 25 telling her that the older would serve the younger? Yet Isaac resolved to pass the promised
blessing upon Esau, his eldest son (v. 4).
He was doing things his own way instead of inquiring of the Lord and
doing things God’s way.
Rebekah knew
what was going on (v. 5) and she knew that the blessing was intended for Jacob
but she wronged Isaac by fooling him and she wronged Jacob by tempting him to
do wrong by stealing the blessing deceitfully (v. 10). Her actions gave Esau reason to become
hard-hearted towards his brother, mother, and father, and towards God. She was trying accomplish God’s will but she
was doing it her own way.
Jacob got
the blessing through deceitful means even though it was God’s will for him to
receive it. Jacob lied in three
different ways. First by his words. He
said, “I am Esau your firstborn” (v. 19).
Second, by his actions in giving Isaac the food (v. 19). Finally, by his clothing – putting on Esau’s
garments (v. 15). He made use of every
possible way of deceiving in order to accomplish his ends. Do we really need to act immorally in order to
accomplish the purposes of God? I think
not! These methods are not to be
praised.
When Esau
found out that Jacob had stolen the blessing he cried out with a bitter cry (v.
34). The one who took lightly his
birthright is now begging to be blessed by his father. Isaac knew that Jacob deceitfully stole the
blessing (v. 35). The blessing could not
be revoked; Jacob would be lord over Esau (v. 37). Esau pleads to receive a blessing and he wept
aloud (v. 38) but the only blessing he received was that of the sword and
serving his brother. It is important to
note that the descendants of Jacob generally had dominion over the descendants
of Esau throughout history. The Edomites
(Esau’s line) were generally lower than the Israelites (Jacob’s line). The Jews were never subjected to the Edomites
and just as Jacob and Esau were eventually reconciled, the Jews and Edomites
eventually became one people. Today the
Edomites are totally extinct but the Jews still continue as a distinct people. All the Words of the Lord have been fulfilled
regarding these two peoples.
Esau’s
response was becoming offended and holding a grudge against Jacob (v. 41) and
he desired to kill his brother Jacob.
Rebekah hears of Esau’s plans and urges Jacob to flee to her brother
Laban in Haran (v. 43). She pleaded with him to stay there until she gave word
that it was safe to return (v. 45). The
chapter concludes with Rebekah telling Isaac that she was disgusted with living
because of Esau’s wives and encourages Jacob to not marry a pagan woman but
rather a relative (see Gen. 28:2).
Basically, she is using deceitful means in order to encourage Isaac to
encourage Jacob to leave; all the while her intent was to keep her son
safe.
Prayer and Journaling
1. Isaac’s
favoritism of Esau caused him to disregard God’s plans for his children. He knew from the Lord’s prior prophecies that
Jacob was the one in whom the covenant blessing would pass but he still
intended to give the blessing to Esau. Many
of us have clouded vision about ourselves, our children or even our spouse. Ask the Lord to reveal to you any strongholds
that are keeping you from seeing things clearly. This could be pride, selfishness, lack of
love, low self-esteem, unforgiveness, etc.
Then pray, confessing these things to the Lord and asking Him to forgive
you and show you how to walk out your forgiveness.
2. Rebekah
and Jacob’s actions in this chapter were sinful and highly inexcusable. A mother teaches her favourite son to cheat
and defraud his brother, deceive his father and tell lies! This shows a lack of trust in God’s
purposes. Jacob managed to maneuver
things to get the birthright and the blessing but he did both by human
means. It was God’s divine plan to give
both to him but he took matters into his own hands. Walking with God requires trusting not only
His plans but His timing and His completing of those plans. We cannot run ahead and we cannot lag
behind. Pray that God would strengthen
and grow you in walking in His perfect timing for your life, according to His
purposes. Pray that you would complete
the steps that He is asking you to complete, according to His timing.
3. Jacob
and Rebekah’s manipulative, sinful ways damaged Esau. This sin had consequences and caused division
in the family. Ask the Lord to show you
a time when your actions hurt someone in your family, extended family or a
friend. This could be even just a small
thing like an unkind word or a judgmental statement. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and what steps
He wants you to take to make amends.
