Sunday, October 23, 2005
Genesis 27
Genesis 27
"Motives"
Vs. 1-4 “I want to bless you before I die”
Isaac is getting older, and is feeling as if he is at the end of his life. At this point, all he wants to do is bless Esau before he dies. But, God has already told him that he is to bless Jacob, not Esau. So why does he do this? Is he in rebellion towards God?
Vs. 5-13 “Rebekah calls Jacob”
Now, Rebekah enters into the equation. Esau leaves to do his father’s wishes, and Rebekah plots to get Jacob the blessing, but tricking Isaac into blessing Jacob instead. Jacob asks about the possible consequences, and Rebekah she is willing to take the curse if he gets caught.
Vs. 14- 20 “Jacob tricks his father”
Jacob may not have thought of the idea, and maybe he was unsure of it when Rebekah approached him, but he sure is fully on board now. He goes in to his father Isaac, and lies to him. He says that he is Esau, and that he has brought the food his father desired so much, so that he can receive the blessing. Not only does he lie, but he uses God in his lie. God gave me success in finding the game for you Dad!
Vs. 21-29 “Let me bless you”
Isaac is unsure of who it is that is there with him. So much so that he tests his son several ways. “Come near so I can touch you.” “This is the voice of Jacob…” “Are you really my son Esau?” It was when Isaac smelled the smell of his son Esau that he blessed him. Isaac was so intent on blessing Esau, despite the commands of God, that he rushed in when he knew something was wrong and did it anyhow. He questioned which son was there, but he couldn’t call anyone else in to verify it, because then he would have to admit what he was doing. So he blesses the wrong one.
Vs. 30-36 “Esau returns”
Once it was too late, Esau returns unknowing of what had transpired. Esau is shocked to find out that Jacob has taken the blessing, and it is too late to change it. Esau realizes that not only has he lost his birthright (the double portion inheritance), but that he has lost his blessing (the spiritual headship) as well. Esau is angered to find out that he has nothing left.
Vs. 37-end “The fallout”
At this point in time, all is found out, and each person has their part to deal with. Isaac is confronted with the failure of his plan to circumvent God, Rebekah has chosen one son over the other, and over her husband. Jacob has lied to his father, and stolen from his brother. Esau, knowing he had already sold his birthright was trying to scramble for something before his father died. Each person thought only of themselves. And, the fallout is disastrous.
Motives:
Each person chose themselves over God. God wanted something to go one way, and each person in this story chose to follow their own prideful ambitions and take things into their own hands.
What are your motives?
Ask yourself, the next time you make plans, are these plans Godly, or selfish?
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition , there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
James 3:16
"Motives"
Vs. 1-4 “I want to bless you before I die”
Isaac is getting older, and is feeling as if he is at the end of his life. At this point, all he wants to do is bless Esau before he dies. But, God has already told him that he is to bless Jacob, not Esau. So why does he do this? Is he in rebellion towards God?
Vs. 5-13 “Rebekah calls Jacob”
Now, Rebekah enters into the equation. Esau leaves to do his father’s wishes, and Rebekah plots to get Jacob the blessing, but tricking Isaac into blessing Jacob instead. Jacob asks about the possible consequences, and Rebekah she is willing to take the curse if he gets caught.
Vs. 14- 20 “Jacob tricks his father”
Jacob may not have thought of the idea, and maybe he was unsure of it when Rebekah approached him, but he sure is fully on board now. He goes in to his father Isaac, and lies to him. He says that he is Esau, and that he has brought the food his father desired so much, so that he can receive the blessing. Not only does he lie, but he uses God in his lie. God gave me success in finding the game for you Dad!
Vs. 21-29 “Let me bless you”
Isaac is unsure of who it is that is there with him. So much so that he tests his son several ways. “Come near so I can touch you.” “This is the voice of Jacob…” “Are you really my son Esau?” It was when Isaac smelled the smell of his son Esau that he blessed him. Isaac was so intent on blessing Esau, despite the commands of God, that he rushed in when he knew something was wrong and did it anyhow. He questioned which son was there, but he couldn’t call anyone else in to verify it, because then he would have to admit what he was doing. So he blesses the wrong one.
Vs. 30-36 “Esau returns”
Once it was too late, Esau returns unknowing of what had transpired. Esau is shocked to find out that Jacob has taken the blessing, and it is too late to change it. Esau realizes that not only has he lost his birthright (the double portion inheritance), but that he has lost his blessing (the spiritual headship) as well. Esau is angered to find out that he has nothing left.
Vs. 37-end “The fallout”
At this point in time, all is found out, and each person has their part to deal with. Isaac is confronted with the failure of his plan to circumvent God, Rebekah has chosen one son over the other, and over her husband. Jacob has lied to his father, and stolen from his brother. Esau, knowing he had already sold his birthright was trying to scramble for something before his father died. Each person thought only of themselves. And, the fallout is disastrous.
Motives:
Each person chose themselves over God. God wanted something to go one way, and each person in this story chose to follow their own prideful ambitions and take things into their own hands.
What are your motives?
Ask yourself, the next time you make plans, are these plans Godly, or selfish?
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition , there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
James 3:16
