Questions for Littles: What did Isaac want to do to Esau, but what did he feel like he needed Esau to do first (v1-4)? Who was listening in, and with whom did she make a plan, and what was the plan that she made for him (v5-10)? What was he concerned about, and what solution did she come up with (v11-17)? Of what was Isaac suspicious in vv18-24? What did Isaac still need, in order to get into the blessing mood (v25-26)? How was the part of the blessing in v29 different from the part of the blessing given in v27-28? What two people are surprised in vv30-37? For what does Esau beg with tears in v38? How does his blessing in v39-40 compare with Jacob’s in v27-29?In the passage for this week’s Old Testament reading, we find a disaster that has been a long time in coming.
Back in chapter 25, Yahweh had said of the nations in Rebekah’s womb, “One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.” So, Isaac already knew what the Lord had decreed concerning his sons.
However, it’s just five verses later in chapter 25 that we read, “And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” It’s not like Isaac couldn’t get food anywhere else. Esau would sell his birthright for a bowl of Jacob’s red stuff (for which he now pleads and weeps for a change of mind). Rebekah whips up a sufficiently delectable meal right here in our verses today.
In other circumstances, Isaac has given such evidence of God’s work in his life. Now, his love for his favorite meal has reduced him to attempting a secret coup against the plan of Almighty God.
It’s not like everyone else is blameless. Rebekah overhears. Whether or not it was an accident, the action taken is very intentional. Apparently, it’s not even entirely unexpected. Who are you, my son? How is it that you have found it so quickly my son?—there was only one other option, right?... after all, the voice is the voice of Jacob(!!?!??!)—Are you really my son Esau?
Jacob was troubled that they might get caught in the lie—but apparently not about the fact that it was a lie! And clever old Rebekah is a block off the old chip—she really turns out to be the sister of Laban after all.
It’s not exactly the script that you or I would write for how the covenant line passed from Isaac to Jacob. But that’s the beauty of it. We are always trying to appear better than we really are, but the Lord doesn’t sugarcoat it. This is what sinners are like. The family from which Jesus comes is a disastrous mess.
There is no Savior, no salvation, except Jesus Christ. Not your family. Not your church. Not your cleverness. Sometimes, we just need a good, honest reminder of what we’re really like, apart from Christ!
Of what mere men are you thankful to have come from? Of what does this remind you about them?Suggested songs: ARP51A “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH459 “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”
No comments:
Post a Comment