Today we continue to read about Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Joseph. Here we can discern several challenges when men ignore God's plan and take it upon themselves to exercise man's free will in opposition to God's plan.
God clearly told Rebekah that Joseph (means adding), the younger, was to be served by Esau (meaning is unknown), the older. I suspect that this news was shared on several occasions over the years by Rebekah with Isaac. One can also ask if; Isaac did not listen to Rebekah; did God not tell Isaac as well; did Isaac not see the unfolding of the older serving the younger?
We can assume Isaac was aware of God's plan. He did not follow God's plan; instead, he placed his will above God's. He went by feeling, and like us, was deceived by his feeling. This deception was planned by Rebekah. Jacob, instead of saying no...let us leave God to work His plan...went along with the deception and many troubles resulted.
My mom would said, "What a woeful web we weave when our goal is to deceive."
Rebekah eavesdropped, plotted, and gave a false assurance to Jacob in response to Jacob's concern "Is it safe?"
Jacob, to carry out the plot, had to lie; about himself; the Lord's provision; and his identity by hiding himself under cover provided by mom. Ultimately Isaac, relying on his feeling and his sense of smell at the time of a kiss trusts in the untrue declaration that Jacob is Esau and gives a beautiful blessing to Jacob. In a way this confirms the transfer of the birthright from Isaac to Joseph and not to Esau.
Soon the deception is uncovered by Esau and Isaac. Look at the contrasting responses to the deception. Jacob upon learning of the deception, inquires about safety and possibly receiving a curse rather than a blessing. Esau upon learning of the deception, helplessly weeps and pleads for another blessing.
Wirth anger and hostility resulting from the deception the family is subsequently split, with Jacob going off to Rebekah's brother Laban (means white) for safety and for a bride (non-Canaanite). We will read about Laban's deceptions shortly.
Esau took his wives from the Canaanite women, and the Edomites were offspring.
One can only imagine how events might have occurred if Rebekah and Jacob had "let go and let God" rather then taking events into their own hands and using human understanding, deception, to accomplish God's plan.
How in life do I take matters into my own hands to "help God?"
What would it take to "Let go and let God?"
Am I thankful for the birthright that God has given to me through the work of His Son Jesus on Good Friday and Easter Sunday? There is no way that I could earn that gift.
How does your life show God's grace at work, or is God's grace at work in your life one of your best kept secrets that only a few people know about?
Pray for the Word to be boldly preached and for our hearts and minds to be open to the Spirit.
In Christ.
David P
No comments:
Post a Comment