Genesis 27:1-40

Read Genesis 27:1-40

I don’t know how I feel about this passage. I try to give Jacob the benefit of the doubt because he is only being obedient to his mother’s wishes. Yet, he is the one going through the motions and not being truthful. Is there no shame? Did the blessing he received nullify his feeling guilty over how he got it? The one saving grace is the message Rebekah had gotten from God before the boys were even born.

I suppose Rebekah felt it was her duty to make sure God’s prophecy came true. How else would her younger, favorite son get the blessing and be in charge of the others brothers? Even though only a few minutes younger, he was still younger. God had intended Jacob to be the one to carry the family legacy so it would seem. But for that to happen Isaac had to be deceived.

What sort of emotions do we see in today’s story? There are a lot of players. Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts. We have Isaac who is nearing the end of his life and can’t see anymore. He must have been feeling sad, yet ready to pass on the legacy. After what we know about Esau’s Hittite wives, Isaac may have even been feeling a little dread knowing that they would benefit from Esau’s blessing. That is not how his father Abraham would have wanted the family line to grow.

We have Rebekah, the beloved wife and mother of twin sons, yet her true love and devotion were for Jacob. She overheard Isaac’s direction to Esau and felt compelled to intercede. She was quick on her feet to come up with a solution to manipulate the outcome. She loved Jacob so much she was willing to take on the curse should her plan fail.

We know that Jacob had previously tricked his brother for his birthright when they were younger. At the time, Esau didn’t seem so bothered by it, and Jacob was certainly not bothered by making that deal with his brother. Yet now, he needs to convince his father he is someone else so that he can receive the blessing. Jacob pulls it off. I can’t imagine how, despite their best efforts. The hand of God had to be involved here, too.

Poor Esau. He was obedient to his father. I’m sure his stew was going to be delicious. Yet, he missed out. The blessing he anticipated would never be his. He had to be beyond angry. He deserved it. It was his. How could his brother do this to him? The malice he felt toward Jacob was burning him up inside. What does a  person do with all that anger? Some stuff it, some act on it and hurt others, some divert the energy to something positive.

Who do you relate with best in this story? We’ll hear more in our next reflection tomorrow about what happens next.

Think of a time when you were expecting something you didn’t get. (A promotion at work, a special gift, a phone call from a friend.)  Maybe you’re expecting something right now. If it’s a good situation, you are tickled with anticipation. If it is not something you will enjoy, you may feel a sense of dread. In either case, ask “can I change it?” If you are not in control of it, don’t let it control you. Because it will. Our minds can take a situation, pleasant or otherwise, and make us miserable. If it is something enjoyable, what happens if plans change? Esau didn’t see losing his blessing coming. He was excited about it. When he lost it, he was even more devastated.

Take a moment today to reflect on the beauty you have, not necessarily the beauty you are expecting.

Let’s pray. Lord, what a situation in today’s story for us to reflect upon.  Help me see the message you have for me. I know there are many things out of my control. Help me not to focus on them but to accept them. I trust that you are working in all things to help me see you more clearly. Where there is pain and sadness, I pray for renewed joy. Where there is joy, add in your peace.  I give you this day, Lord. May we together make it a beauty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.