Beginning of the Change

Beginning of the Change

Genesis 28: ⁶ Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Padan Aram to take himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,” ⁷ and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Padan Aram. ⁸ Also Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please his father Isaac. ⁹ So Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had.

 

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“Esau saw” says to me that he reflected on what he was doing. Esau had married two Hittite women, known as the daughters of Canaan. GOD flooded the earth and destroyed the Garden of Eden. Canaan, grandson of Noah, rebelled against GOD and had a curse placed on him by Noah. The rebellious nature was passed down for generations. “Esau saw.”

 

My Observations:

• Esau started to see that his actions were not pleasing to Isaac, Rebekah and probably GOD.
• Esau started to see that his actions caused Jacob to be blessed again and again.
• Esau tried to do things differently, so he went to Ishmael and married one of his daughters.

 

It seems like Esau finally “saw” what he was doing. He realized he was responsible for losing his birthright and the blessing from Isaac that would carry GOD’s promise. Instead of pursuing Jacob to kill him, he went to a relative, Ishmael, to marry someone different than the Hittite women.

 

Esau seemed to have a change of heart. He did not rebel this time. He married Mahalath, sister of the oldest son Nebajoth. She may have been born a little before him or a little after him, but she may have been about his age. His hatred for Jacob was not mentioned here. He was focused on changing.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Esau’s reflection of occurrences?
• Have you ever been mad at GOD, then reflected on your own actions?
• How often do you reflect on your actions, good or bad, and place them before the LORD?

Protection Program

Protection Program

Genesis 28: Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and charged him, and said to him: “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. ² Arise, go to Padan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father; and take yourself a wife from there of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.

³ “May God Almighty bless you,

And make you fruitful and multiply you,

That you may be an assembly of peoples;

⁴ And give you the blessing of Abraham,

To you and your descendants with you,

That you may inherit the land

In which you are a stranger,

Which God gave to Abraham.”

⁵ So Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Padan Aram, to Laban the son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

 

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Isaac was aware that Jacob had lied and stolen Esau’s blessing. But it was too late. He did not want Jacob to marry a Hittite woman, known as the daughters of Canaan. He sent Jacob away.

 

My Observations:

• Isaac blessed Jacob again, asking GOD to make him fruitful and multiply him.
• Isaac blessed Jacob with the ability to gather people.
• Isaac blessed Jacob with the blessing of his father Abraham, which came directly from GOD.

 

Undeservingly, Jacob accepted the blessing and went to Rebekah’s brother Laban. GOD was clear that Laban was Rebakah’s relative. HE was also clear that Rebekah was the mother of Jacob and Esau.  This is the first time their names are mentioned together and Jacob’s name is mentioned first.

 

Jacob is being sent away, similar to a witness protection program of today. Isaac wanted him to marry someone from His father’s lineage. Rebekah wanted Jacob protected from Esau. GOD saw the entire plan and allowed Jacob to be protected.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think Isaac blessed Jacob, knowing he made a mistake?
• Have you ever been protected in the middle of your sins?
• Can you praise GOD for HIS protection because HE sees, knows and forgives your sins?

Escape Plan

Escape Plan

Genesis 27: ⁴¹ So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

 

⁴² And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, “Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you. ⁴³ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran. ⁴⁴ And stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away, ⁴⁵ until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?”

 

⁴⁶ And Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?”

 

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Angry at the situation he created, Esau decided to do something about it. He planned to kill his brother Jacob. His hatred was so deep, that he must have said what he would do out loud. Rebekah heard that Esau was planning to kill Jacob, so she put an escape plan into action.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob needed an escape plan because of his lie.
• Esau’s plan was yet another bad decision.
• Rebekah’s plan was to appeal to Isaac’s dislike of the Hittite women.

 

Yes, this situation was messy. BUT GOD knew it would be messy when HE told Rebekah, “the older shall serve the younger.” You would think that three wrongs would make a wrong, BUT GOD took three messed up plans to develop something good. Jacob’s lie, Esau’s hatred and Rebekah’s human plan would all work together for GOD’s good.

 

GOD sees our evil plan that we try to make innocent, and uses sufficient grace to cover us. HIS plan does not include anything evil. HE can see through the twisting and manipulation that humans do and still make HIS plan work. No eil plan can stop GOD. Jacob’s escape plan was put in place.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about what Esau said and Rebekah’s response?
• Have you ever gotten so angry at GOD that you wanted to hurt HIM by refusing to follow HIM?
• If you know there are parts of GOD’s word you refuse to follow, will you ask HIM to help you in those areas?

 

Blessing Confirmed

Blessing Confirmed

Genesis 27: ³⁶ And Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”

 

³⁷ Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants; with grain and wine I have sustained him. What shall I do now for you, my son?”

 

³⁸ And Esau said to his father, “Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me also, O my father!” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

 

³⁹ Then Isaac his father answered and said to him:

 

“Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth,
And of the dew of heaven from above.
⁴⁰ By your sword you shall live,
And you shall serve your brother;
And it shall come to pass, when you become restless,
That you shall break his yoke from your neck.”

 

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Esau tried to explain to Isaac that Jacob was a deceiver in hopes that the blessing could be receded. But Isaac held firm that he made Jacob his master. Esau was persistent and demanded a blessing. Isaac confirmed that Esau would serve Jacob but would one day leave.

 

My Observations:

• Esau looked for any way to get a blessing.
• Esau was fooled easily because he may not have cared about the birthright.
• Esau was made a servant, even though he did not desire it.

 

Jacob was a deceiver, but Esau could have said no to him when he gave his birthright away for a meal. Esau did not believe the blessing was supernatural, so he asked to be blessed. Isaac explained that the blessing he put in place would definitely happen.

 

Isaac knew Esau would be furious, so he prophesied that Esau would live by the sword. He also said that Esau would one day calm down enough to leave Jacob. The blessing was preserved.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the conversation between Isaac and Esau?
• Have you ever messed up with GOD and thought HE would not forgive you?
• Have you asked GOD for restoration by surrendering what you are holding onto?

Only One Blessing

Only One Blessing

Genesis 27: ³⁰ Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. ³¹ He also had made savory food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.”

 

³² And his father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?”

 

So he said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”

 

³³ Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, “Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.”

 

³⁴ When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!”

 

³⁵ But he said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.”

 

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After hunting, Esau brough Isaac the tasty food he made. Previously Esau had given Jacob his birthright for a meal he could have made for himself. Esau seemed to live a life that was inconsistent with the beliefs of GOD. His marriage to the two Hittite women greatly saddened Rebekah and Isaac. Now that the blessing was gone, Esau wept bitterly.

 

My Observations:

• Isaac’s blessing was far greater than material possession or power.
• Isaac’s blessing could only be given to one person because it carried GOD’s promise.
• Isaac’s blessing would be granted by GOD, even if given to a deceiver.

 

 

Esau asked Isaac to give him a blessing. He may not have believed what Isaac and Rebekah were talking about when they mentioned GOD to him. He may have been thinking that the blessing was about material possessions only.

 

Isaac blessed Jacob with a blessing from GOD. He bestowed on Jacob a supernatural blessing that would carry the lineage of JESUS in human form, the possessor of everything. Even Isaac did not know the power of his blessing. GOD would keep HIS promise despite the situation.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about this deception?
• Have you been waiting on a blessing from GOD but have not received it yet?
• Can you hold on without giving up, knowing GOD will bless you as HE promised?

 

A Thorough Blessing

A Thorough Blessing

Genesis 27: ²⁵ He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, so that my soul may bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. ²⁶ Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near now and kiss me, my son.” ²⁷ And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said:

 

“Surely, the smell of my son
Is like the smell of a field
Which the Lord has blessed.
²⁸ Therefore may God give you
Of the dew of heaven,
Of the fatness of the earth,
And plenty of grain and wine.
²⁹ Let peoples serve you,
And nations bow down to you.
Be master over your brethren,
And let your mother’s sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
And blessed be those who bless you!”

 

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After eating the food Rebekah made, Isaac smelled Jacob and determined that it must be Esau whom he was blessing. He gave Jacob a thorough blessing.

 

My Observations:

• Isaac blessed Jacob with plenty.
• Isaac blessed Jacob with protection.
• Isaac blessed Jacob with people.

 

Jacob’s deception gave him the blessing he was looking for. This blessing was not taken lightly. It included GOD providing plenty, protection and people to Jacob. This blessing was binding, meaning GOD would agree with the terms.

 

HE already knew HE was going to bless Jacob in this way, anyway. Isaac’s blessing needed to be said to everyone so they understood who was supposed to receive the blessing. The blessing was given.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Jacob’s deception to get the blessing?
• Have you ever been blessed undeservedly?
• Will you praise GOD for the undeserved blessings HE provides to you?

Scheme Released

Scheme Released

Genesis 27: ¹¹ And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Look, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. ¹² Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.”

 

¹³ But his mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” ¹⁴ And he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. ¹⁵ Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. ¹⁶ And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. ¹⁷ Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

 

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Jacob presented flaws in Rebekah’s plan as if to say “How in the world will dad believe I am Esau? He’s covered with hair.” He was also afraid of getting caught and losing everything in the process. Rebekah told Jacob she would take the blame if Isaac were to find out.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob agreed with the deception, but was afraid of getting caught.
• Rebekah believed she was doing the right thing after hearing from GOD about who would be the chosen one.
• Esau and his wives still lived with his parents, so Rebekah heard and saw everything they did.

 

After thinking of everything, the scheme was put into place. Jacob brought the animals and Rebekah took the animals and made tasty food for Isaac. She then went into Esau’s closet and pulled out his stinking hunting clothes and gave them to Jacob.

 

She then took goat pelts and put them on Jacob’s hands and neck because Esau was very hairy. They thought of everything, but maybe they didn’t. Jacob was becoming better and better at getting his way through deceit. Wow! One son who could care less about his family inheritance, and the other, scheming to get what he could. Despite all of this, GOD would bless the family.

 

Challenge

• Why would GOD tell Moses about the scheme Rebekah and Jacob put together?
• Have you ever tried to over-spiritualize the actions of the people in the Bible?
• Can you see that GOD uses sinners, who mean things for evil, to do good for HIS purpose?

Seized Opportunity

 Seized Opportunity

Genesis 27: ⁵ Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it. ⁶ So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, ⁷ ‘Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.’ ⁸ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. ⁹ Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. ¹⁰ Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death.”

 

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Rebekah asked GOD “Why am I like this?” when Esau and Jacob wrestled in her womb. She remembered that GOD told her the future. “The older shall serve the younger.” Listening in on the conversation between Isaac and Esau, Rebekah knew this was the only chance for Jacob to be positioned to get the inheritance blessing.

 

My Observations:

• GOD predicted the truth about what would happen, and HE knew deception would be the reason it would happen.
• Rebekah may have felt justified in developing the deception, since she heard from GOD what would happen.
• Rebekah, like Sarah, took matters in her own hands.

 

Using deception is never a good idea. GOD states the facts of what happened. HE knew HE was going to bless the nation that would come through Jacob. HE also knew Rebekah and Jacob used deception to try to help HIM out, when HE needed no help.

 

This deception would shape Jacob in a not so good way. Later on, we will see how this deception played out. Rebekah saw this as the only chance to put Jacob in the position to get the blessing. This blessing would be an oath before GOD/.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the conversation between Rebekah and Jacob?
• Have you ever tried to steer your future using deception?
• Are you brave enough to not use deception but lean on GOD for HIS guidance today?

A Chance to Reconcile

 

A Chance to Reconcile

Genesis 27: Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.”

 

And he answered him, “Here I am.”

 

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.”

 

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Years and years after moving back to the place where Abraham bought, Isaac watched Esau grow up. He was getting old and could not see well. He called to Esau and gave him his request.

 

My Observations:

• Isaac could have blessed Esau right on the spot, but he gave him something to do.
• Isaac must have known that Esau gave away his birthright for a meal, so he gave him the opportunity to make it right.
• Isaac was willing to reinstate the blessing if Esau put in the effort.

 

Esau saddened Isaac and Rebekah by marrying the Hittite women. These women may have lived in the “care-less” culture, doing and saying as they please. They may not have followed what GOD wanted. Esau had great hunting skills, but may have left the cooking to everyone else.

 

Isaac requested that “he” make the food this time and was prepared to make everything right again by blessing him. This could be Esau’s chance to fix what he had broken.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD tells Moses about the conversation between Isaac and Esau?
• Have you ever thought you messed up with GOD and was given the opportunity to reconcile?
• Can you take a moment and ask GOD to reconcile with you, so HE can forgive and cleanse you to do HIS next assignment for you?