When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his oldest son and said to him, “My son”, and he answered, “Here I am.” He said, “Behold, I am old, I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So… (27:1-5)
Here we go again! Yet another time when someone has received a promise, or a word from God (in this case, Rebekah, who when she was pregnant and inquired of the Lord, found out that “the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23)) and now automatically takes matters into her own hands.
Isaac is ready to bless Esau as soon as the latter hunts and prepares him some game, so that Isaac will be in a good frame of mind to bless him, but Rebekah, hearing this, gets Jacob to deceive his father, pretending to be Esau so that he gets the blessing. Deceit and lies to get what you want, or even more, to get what God promises you, is never a good thing. Rebekah knew enough to inquire of the Lord regarding her pregnancy, she should have continued seeking Him for the fulfillment of His word instead of deceiving her husband and pushing her son to lie and deceive his father.
Perhaps if Rebekah had let God fulfill His word, there would not have been enmity between Jacob and Esau and between their descendants for generations. We don’t know, but we do know that God can fulfill His promises without our panicking and acting on our own without consulting Him.
Sometimes it might be part of His plan that we take certain actions, but we would do well to consult him and not act precipitously or deceitfully. Many decades ago, my husband was teaching the Bible at a small mid-week gathering in our home. He recorded these sessions. One day he received a letter from a woman who attended this study, accusing him of teaching heresy. My husband had the recordings to prove that he hadn’t taught what he was being accused of, and I urged him to defend himself to this woman with this objective evidence. He prayed about it and told me that he didn’t think God wanted him to defend himself. I hadn’t thought of asking God about the matter as it was so plain to me that he should defend himself with this evidence, but in this instance, it seems that God didn’t want my approach. And His ways are always best.
Prayer: O God! May I be patient, may I always have be open to hear from You and to bring my ideas before You. Forgive me for the times that I haven’t. Help me to trust You to work for good in my life and in the lives of those for whom I pray. Forgive me for my arrogance. You are wise! You are all-knowing!
