Deceiver Deceived

Deceiver Deceived

Genesis 29: ²¹ Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.” ²² And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. ²³ Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. ²⁴ And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. ²⁵ So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”

 

²⁶ And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. ²⁷ Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”

 

²⁸ Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. ²⁹ And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. ³⁰ Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

 

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Jacob’s name meant “Supplanter”, one who takes over by circumventing.  He took the birthright from his brother, then stole his blessing. Jacob had learned how to deceive to get his way. He tried to circumvent the process by making a “deal” with Laban, probably knowing the tradition. After seven years, Laban tricked Jacob by slipping Leah in his tent.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob, the deceiver had been deceived.
• Jacob was outraged, but could not fight the tradition of the area.
• Laban had nothing to gain from Jacob, but he deceived him and caused Leah to join in on the deceit.

 

After Jacob demanded Rachel, Laban threw a party for the men, probably with food and drinks. It does not say Jacob was tipsy, but the feast was mentioned. Jacob slept with Leah without realizing it until morning. He questioned Laban, but received news he did not want to hear.

 

Laban told Jacob, he had to marry Leah first if he wanted to have Rachel as his wife. Laban also dropped another bomb by saying Jacob had to work another seven years to get Rachel. What could Jacob do? He had to work the extra seven years. He got a wife he did not expect. Deceit did not feel good.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about all the deceit that happened between Laban, Jacob and Leah?
• Have you ever been deceived or, perhaps, deceived someone?
• Isn’t it amazing that GOD loves you, despite your sins?

Information Gathering

Information Gathering

Genesis 29: ⁴ And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?”

And they said, “We are from Haran.”

⁵ Then he said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?”

And they said, “We know him.”

⁶ So he said to them, “Is he well?”

And they said, “He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.”

⁷ Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”

⁸ But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.”

 

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Jacob approached the herders and began asking questions. He asked about location then about Laban. He expressed concern by asking “Is he well?”

 

My Observations:

• Jacob seemed to be gathering information from the herders.
• Jacob knew a lot about keeping sheep and cattle.
• Jacob gathered enough information before showing the herders he was an expert.

 

 

Asking questions seemed to help Jacob become credible with the herders. He asked the right questions, causing the herders to point out Rachel. This action was a strange response to Jacob’s question “Is he well?” I believe they were pointing out the fact that Laban had children and a flock of sheep, so he must be doing well.

 

Jacob took this information as an opportunity to show that he knew a lot about herding. He gave instructions that only an expert could give. They explained the local rule, but may have agreed with Jacob. He was becoming more and more credible with the local herders.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Jacob and the herders?
• Do you ask questions when meeting new people?
• Have you formulated questions to put people at ease before speaking to them about CHRIST?

 

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?