Genesis 27: 30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me.” 32 His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 33 Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” 34 As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.” 36 Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”
What is really going on here? I think the entire story turns on one verse:
27:33 Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”
Isaac trembled violently – I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed
What would you expect here? He has stolen the blessing, or he has lied, and he shall be cursed. Was Isaac superstitious? Is the blessing some kind of childish game?
No something deeper and much more theological is going on here.
God had given a prophecy – the older shall serve the younger, but Isaac did not like it. God is saving the world, and he has promised a seed would come through Isaac who would eventually produce the Messiah. God had promised it would be Jacob. But Isaac wanted it to be Esau. So he conspired to thwart God’s plan. And at this moment, he realized he had been fighting with God, and he had lost.
Isaac should have known better. He should have looked at his own life and realized that the God who prophesied his birth from a 90 yr old barren woman would accomplish his purpose. But Isaac believed his eyes. Maybe he saw the moral flaws in Jacob that would become so clear with age. Maybe he assumed God would change his mind. Maybe he just tried to force God to want what he wanted.
Whatever the route, Isaac finally realized that God would do what he planned to do. He said he would bless Jacob and Jacob would be blessed.
Do you need a good reminder of how faithful God is? God overwhelmed Jacob and Isaac’s failure to accomplish his purpose do you believe he can overwhelm yours too?
Husbands, have you lost the confidence to lead your family?
Single moms, do you think it impossible to discipline your children?
Maybe you fear for your job? You know God wants you to provide for your family.
Evangelism, who are you afraid to tell about Jesus?
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