Family Issues

Jacob gets a lot of notoriety for being the sneaking conniving swindler in the Patriarchal family. But the truth is, he was simply a reflection of his entire family. Genesis 27 is the account in which ALL FOUR members of Isaac's household distrust, misuse and take advantage of each other. Let's take them one at a time.

Genesis 27:2–4 (ESV) Isaac said (to Esau), “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 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.”

Isaac knew God had selected the younger son for the blessing of the father. It was already prophesied. But God's Word wasn't good with Isaac because rather than discussing things with Rebekah (probably because he knew her love for Jacob), he secretly planned to give the blessing to Esau after having feasted on a nice well-prepared meal of his liking. He does this seemingly in both opposition to God AND without consideration of his wife.

Genesis 27:5–7 (ESV) Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’

Then there's Rebekah. She is no saint. She eavesdrops on her husband and instead of face to face confrontation about God's plan, she works out her own devices to swindle the blessing from her own husband for her favorite child.

Genesis 27:18–19 (ESV) So he (Jacob) went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”

Jacob is the worst of the lot. He swindles his father. This is worthy of death in the ancient world and even in Israel. You do not dishonor your Father or Mother. Yet Jacob happily goes along with the vile plan for the sake of that precious blessing.

On a side note, Jacob's actions are infamous but they bring out an important detail the scriptures are teaching us. Jacob fools every sense of Isaac's except for his hearing. Could it be the scriptures are teaching us to live by the WORD of God rather than what we taste, touch, see or smell?

Genesis 27:31 (ESV) Esau 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.”

When it comes to Esau, there is no innocence. He already despised his birthright. And he's not seeking it until Isaac instructs him. It's as if Esau has to be cajoled into this whole pretense in the first place, and then when he misses out, he acts like a spoilt child who willfully smashes his ice cream cone on the pavement and then throws a tantrum for having lost it. 

All four culprits in this family probably make you feel a lot better about your family. 

But here's the really amazing thing. In spite of all the deception and back-handed tactics in Genesis 27.... the Lord's plan is accomplished. What God said about these two boys comes true. Jacob gets the blessing and the will of the Lord is in full swing. These stories remind us that God has to use frail and faulty people because that's all He has to choose from. Yet nothing about our actions can usurp the plan of the Almighty One who dwells on high. It is not an instruction to purposely mess around. But it is a testimony to God's grace.

There's hope for the issues in your life... and your family.