City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, ‘My son’; and he answered, ‘Here I am.’ 2 He said, ‘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.’ 5 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.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.’ 11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, ‘Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.’ 13 His mother said to him, ‘Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.’ 14 So he went and took them and brought them to his mother, and his mother prepared delicious food, such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And the skins of the young goats she put on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 And she put the delicious food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.”

Genesis 27:1-17 (ESV)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Megan’s Musings

Esau was Isaac’s favorite because of his taste for wild game and Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite (Genesis 25:28) probably because of the prophecy given to her while in labor, that the younger would be the next patriarch (Genesis 25:23). Rebekah likely shared this with Isaac, they were married for 96 years at this point, but her husband’s appetite overruled his better judgement. Isaac and Esau thought with their stomachs while Rebekah and Jacob were clever tricksters (Genesis 25:28, 30-34). As Ebe wrote last week, the family divisions were very deep.  

During this passage, Isaac was 136 years old and nearly blind, maybe his sense of taste had diminished as well, but he was still craving wild game. He was about to act as prophet to his favorite progeny and give the blessing of Abraham, despite Rebekah’s prophecy and Esau holding his birthright in very little regard (Genesis 25:29-34) and marrying two women who worshipped idols (Genesis 26:34-35). Rebekah and Jacob had a close relationship, he probably confided in his mother of Esau selling him his birthright some time ago. 

The use of possessive pronouns is quite unique in this passage. When Rebekah was listening, the wording is hisson when referring to Esau, not their (v. 5). And Jacob is referred to as her son instead of their and calls Esau your brother (v. 6). Only in v. 15 is Esau referred to as her son, when she and Jacob were using his garments to deceive Isaac. This really showcases the family division and dysfunction. It’s interesting Esau and Jacob are Isaac and Rebekah’s respective favorites because of what they could potentially get from them. It’s basically what favoritism is, showing special treatment to someone secretly hoping to get something out of them (James 2:1-9 says favoritism isn’t godly). 

Rebekah was willing for the curse to be on her if the deceit was discovered, she was willing to secure the patriarchal blessing for Jacob even if it meant her own well-being, so nothing was left to chance. Goat already has a slightly game-like flavor, and Isaac’s sense of taste could have been hindered with his old age. She did a makeshift tanning job of the goat skins as there was no time to properly tan the skin (the process takes at least a month), Jacob was basically wearing (if you are eating, please proceed with caution) raw animal skin on his hands and neck in case Isaac asked to feel “Esau”. 

The parents’ practice of favoritism was wrong, and Rebekah and Jacob’s deceit was wrong, but God used it for good, Jacob is listed as an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:2). Jesus’ torture and crucifixion was, without a doubt, an act of absolute evil by humans, but it was all planned by God to use it for our salvation. God never approves of sin, but His Plans will always prevail. 

Application 

God can and will use your past mistakes for His Glory. Or maybe something happened to you that was wrong, even evil. Open your heart to forgiving those who have wronged you (Colossians 3:13). Although you have been forgiven, don’t see this as a license to sin, but as motivation to live a more godly, Christ-like life. 

Prayer 

            Dear Lord Jesus, please use my past mistakes for Your Good and Your Glory. Help me forgive those who have wronged me as You have forgiven me. Thank You for Your Sacrifice that is my salvation. In Your Name I pray, amen.