Issac’s Blessing – Part 2 (Gen 27:5-28:5)

Gen 27:5-28:5

The deception of Issac by Jacob to steal Esau’s blessing.

There are tons of things to write about, (conniving, deception, stealing, lying, obedience, blessing, etc.) but I have a question…

In Gen 25:21-28, particularly in v23, the Lord foretells of Esau (the older) serving Jacob (the younger).

22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

23 And the Lord said to her:

“Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”

24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. 27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
The New King James Version. 1982 (Ge 25:21-28). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Here is the question, was Rebekah’s and Jacob’s lying, dishonest, and wrong actions part of God’s sovereign plan? Would Jacob still have received the blessing had he not deceived his father?

Was it God’s will for them to deceive and cheat and steal Jacob’s way into the promise or would God have preferred to do it another way?

Issac’s Blessing – part 1 (Gen 27:2-4)

Gen 27:2-4 (NKJV)

2 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

I’m interested in the phrase “... that my soul may bless you…“

I’ve always heard there is power in our words, but this phrase indicates that its more than spiritual. The source of this blessing is his own mind, will, and emotions. The word for soul is “nepes” which means “creature, heart – the inner self, the essence of life including thinking, feeling, willing and desirin, that animate part of a person existing until the state of death.”

So is it possible to “will” something into existence? Let’s talk.

Wait and Be Blessed

Isaiah 30:18 -19 says, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.”

This is how Papa will act when I am stubborn and try to flee, verses 15-17. How great and awesome is He. What originally stuck out to me was the end of verse 18, “Blessed are all who wait for Him.” I was able to reap the blessings of doing just that this week and it was such a…blessing for lack of a better word. But as I read further I was reminded of His unconditional love for me. Now when you say “God,”  I think of His love, but the wording of it really hit me. “As soon as He hears, He will answer you.” How blessed am I to be in relationship with a Father who “longs to be gracious to me,” who “rises to show me compassion.”

Papa, I praise Your name, above all else You are great. You are kind and loving, and will never forsake me. Thank You for being quick to answer me and for actually wanting to be gracious to me. Thank You, You are way out of my league and I don’t deserve You, but I’ll take it. Thank You.