Genesis 26:34 – 27:17 In times of dire distress, let the peace of God rule
Genesis 26:34 – 27:17 In times of dire distress, let the peace of God rule
34 When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite; 35 and they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.
1 Now it came about, when Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” 2 Isaac said, “Behold now, I am old and I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, please take your gear, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me; 4 and prepare a savory dish for me such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless you before I die.”
5 Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying, 7 ‘Bring me some game and prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father, such as he loves. 10 Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.” 11 Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing.” 13 But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” 14 So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother; and his mother made savory food such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son Jacob.
Background
Isaac can no longer be depended upon to make sound decisions in regards to appointing an heir to the holy family. Rebekah’s instinct to protect the family heritage kicked in which saw her exploiting her husband’s blindness. Isaac’s faithlessness and lack of spiritual direction is the primary cause to the family’s perennial rift and rivalry. What began as a private arrangement for Isaac to bless Esau was hijacked by Rebekah’s stratagem to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob instead. Although Rebekah’s motive is right, but her methods are downright deplorable. Rebekah’s scheme succeeded, but not without consequences that led to the exile of her beloved son, Jacob. Today’s devotion teaches us that in whatever circumstances to let the peace of God rule.
Observation
When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite…
This section begins with the announcement of Esau’s marriage to the Hittites who are listed among the wicked Canaanites. Esau should have known about his grandfather’s abhorrence at marrying a Canaanite when he sent his servant back to his hometown to look for Rebekah who is now his mother. By marrying not one, but two Hittites, Esau showed absolute disregard towards the faith and the vision of God.
Esau, a skilful hunter possesses great strength and agility. He easily impresses the casual audience with his humanness and raw instincts. However, of the many abilities that he possesses, he lacks the one crucial element that will please God: faith. He has no vision of God’s dream to sanctify the world by his offspring, and no affinity towards things beyond the earthly. He is compulsive and shallow despising his birthright as heir of Abraham’s promise.
Because the Hittites were radically different from the holy family’s virtues and spiritual disciplines, Isaac and Rebekah were continually vexed and aggrieved by them. Isaac knew full well of Esau’s unsuitability for the role of bearing the family’s spiritual legacy, yet he clinged to his own fleshly preferences by insisting on Esau. Isaac displayed obedience and faith by staying in the land during the famine, and God blessed him. However, from this point on, Isaac became intractable disregarding the prophecy that drew attention to Esau’s unsuitability. Isaac did not concur with God the essential characteristics required of the heir to the Abrahamic legacy. At great cost to his family, he chose Esau’s fleshly humanness over Jacob’s spiritual insight and godly vision.
Isaac said, “Behold now, I am old and I do not know the day of my death.
Isaac, upon receiving a premonition of imminent death decided to bless Esau privately without the knowledge of Rebekah and Jacob. This irrevocable blessing given at departures is to be public affair so that all may acknowledge the appointment of the heir apparent. Isaac’s clandestine approach suggests an irreconcilable disagreement with Rebekah concerning the choice of heir. As we know it, Isaac’s plans backfired leaving no blessing but a antiblessing for Esau.
The words: “prepare a savory dish for me such as I love, … so that my soul may bless you before I die” suggest Isaac’s penchant towards earthly and sensual pleasures as opposed to divine peace and godliness. The choice of Esau as heir reveals Isaac’s incompetence when it comes to fathering his two sons.
Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying…
Isaac’s passivity and lack of spiritual leadership is evident in the family’s long-standing rift and perennial rivalry. He figured that the only way to deal with this irreconcilable difference was to go underground. But little did he know that this would later produce grave consequences that threatened the unity of the family. However, Rebekah believed that it is left to both mother and son to save the family’s legacy from irreparable ruin. Thus, they must act now to preserve it from Isaac’s and Esau’s irremediable faithlessness and folly.
Rebekah possesses sound spiritual values, but her methods are manipulative and deplorable. She overstepped her boundary and descended into deception by exploiting her husband’s blindness. Jacob, being unprincipled and an opportunist has no issues about the morality of the plan, only its workability. He feared bringing misfortune upon himself should his ruse fail. But he promptly agreed when Rebekah volunteered to bear the blame.
Truth
When God chooses to bless someone, He looks at the heart, not at appearance or natural competencies
Isaac was captivated by Esau’s stately appearance that appealed to his fleshly perception of power and prosperity. He ignored Esau’s disdain for his birthright which was a clear indication of his unsuitability. And there was also Esau’s contempt for the family’s spiritual tradition in choosing a wife. Isaac supposed that given Esau’s make-up, he would be in a better position to take the land and fulfil the promise. Jacob, because of his homely and quiet demeanour was summarily dismissed. Esau was preferred over Jacob because he fit the persona of a leader, whereas Jacob did not.
For Isaac, it is regrettable that in the light of his own success, he did not acknowledge his personal deficiencies and rejoice at God’s wisdom and grace. If God can use Isaac, He can use Jacob as well. Therefore, God’s primary consideration is not in one’s abilities or polished appearance but the posture of his heart. When the twins were still in the mother’s womb, God saw their hearts and predestined their future accordingly.
Management of organisations tend to rank people by their visible features and their ability to articulate and present themselves. As a result of such a culture, many organisations and churches seem opulent on the outside but hollow on the inside. Therefore, leaders of organisations need divine wisdom to perceive and to discern. The biblical basis for discernment are:
a. Justice – He must have a strong sense of justice for the people, especially those who are marginalised. He must also possess the virtues of honesty and integrity, and an aversion to deceit.
b. Humility – He values differing opinions and criticisms no matter where they come from. He takes time to learn and to upgrade himself continually in areas of skillsets and attitude.
c. Mercy – He is a team player and looks out for those who are weaker. When he makes decisions, he considers the interests of others and the ramifications it produces throughout the organisation.
In times of dire distress, let the peace of God rule in your heart
As Isaac’s faithlessness reaches alarming levels, it is obvious that he can no longer be trusted to make sound decisions concerning the heir and carrier of the family’s heritage. Given the way Esau has defied the family traditions by marrying two Canaanites to the distress of his parents, it is mind boggling to find Isaac on his deathbed preparing to bless Esau. Rebekah’s instincts promptly kick in to protect the family heritage by scuttling her husband’s plan to bless Esau.
Although Rebekah’s motive is noble, her methods involves usurping her husband’s authority through exploitation and deceit. While she managed to achieve her goal and no curse befell her, she reaped grave consequences for her actions: the exile of her beloved son, Jacob. If Rebekah had stuck to her role without resorting to deceit, Jacob might still be at her side. One must never take things into his own hands no matter how desperate the circumstances may be. Desperate circumstances do not warrant desperate measures. God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by man’s faithlessness, for He Himself will bring it pass. The prophet Isaiah said,
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’ Isaiah 46:9b-10
Therefore, during times of distress, let us trust God and be at peace in His promises. Refrain from acting out of fear or desperation to “help” God accomplish His purposes. The devil deceives us into thinking that God may not be present to see us through to the end; He walks with us, but not all the way. The psalmist said, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” Psalm 138:8. God will surely accomplish His good purpose in the lives of those who trust Him. Therefore, in all situations, we must let the peace of God rule in our hearts and in our circumstances.
Application
Are you accustomed to “helping” God fulfil His will? Always let the peace of God rule within your heart by entrusting yourself fully into His loving hands. Then, the peace of God will steady your hand and give clarity and insight into your situation.
Are you prone to evaluating people by their external features and capabilities? Are you easily taken in by what people say? By reading the word and praying in the Spirit daily, we receive the Spirit of wisdom to exercise righteous rule in our work and community. The prophet Isaiah said concerning the servant of God:
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. Isaiah 11:2-4
Dear Lord, give me the Spirit of wisdom so that I may discern all things; not by what I hear with my ears or see with my eyes but by the beacon of peace within my heart. During times of dire distress, help me exercise absolute trust in you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.