Fight NightSample

In Genesis 27, the sibling rivalry begins to heat up. Isaac was old and blind, and it was time for him to bless his oldest son.

Blessings in the Old Testament were no joke. They included words of encouragement, inheritances, and even prophecies.

Isaac called his oldest son, Esau, to go out to the fields and bring him something to eat, and then he would bless him. However, Rebekah had other plans. While Esau was hunting, she told Jacob to pretend to be Esau and receive the blessing. She made delicious food, gave Jacob hairy goat skins for his arms, and even gave him some of Esau’s nicest garments. Although Isaac was a little confused by Jacob’s deception, he believed it was Esau in front of him and proceeded with the blessing.

During the blessing, Isaac proclaimed over Jacob: “‘Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be Lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you…’” (Gen. 27:29 ESV) This fulfilled the words the Lord had given Rebekah at the time of their births. (Gen. 25:23)

When Esau heard of this, he was extremely upset and said to Isaac, “‘Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.'” (Gen. 27:36 ESV) This sibling rivalry has now created serious ramifications. Esau even vowed to himself that he would kill his brother Jacob. Crazy stuff!

Jacob was not only the rightful owner of the birthright, but he also received the blessing that was supposed to be Esau’s.

Romans 9:11 says, “God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls.” This story does not teach us that it is right to sin to get what we want. Our failures do not disqualify us from God choosing us and calling us to a greater purpose. Jacob was a deceiver, but God redeemed him and chose to use his mistakes to fulfill His ultimate plan. God makes us new creations and often uses the ugly parts of our pasts as testimonies to impact others.