Origins: The Dreamers (Genesis 25–32)Paraugs

By Pastor Jeff Seward

“Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also had made savory food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, ‘Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.’ And his father Isaac said to him, ‘Who are you?’ So he said, ‘I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.’ Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, ‘Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.’ When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, ‘Bless me—me also, O my father!’ But he said, ‘Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.’ And Esau said, ‘Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!’ And he said, ‘Have you not reserved a blessing for me?’ Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, ‘Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants; with grain and wine I have sustained him. What shall I do now for you, my son?’ And Esau said to his father, ‘Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me also, O my father!’ And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: ‘Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother, and it shall come to pass, when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck.” Genesis 27:30-40 (NKJV)

The Bible is full of stories of the lives of countless broken people and how God redeems His people in their brokenness: in their relationship with Him, with others, and with themselves. 

Like Jacob and Esau, God has been writing your story since before you were even born, since before the foundations of the earth were laid! He has always been working on your behalf, even when you had no clue or did not know Him yet. In His faithfulness, He moved and worked and many times protected you from brushes with danger or a slippery slope into foolish behavior.

Back when I was a freshman in college, hitchhiking was a common and a reasonably safe mode of transportation. I was on the road hitchhiking, waiting for what I hoped would be a good ride, and a car stopped to give me a lift. Ironically, the driver was an old high school classmate. Not long after we started down the highway, another passenger pulled out a baggie of marijuana. I had never seen it before and didn't even know what it looked like. The driver said, “Man you’ve got to try this stuff. It’s great!” He went on for some time attempting to get me to give in, and I became very uncomfortable. I didn’t like the feeling of being pressured or coerced. I said, ”No!” As he was driving, he took a hit and started speeding down the road.

I wasn’t living as a strong Christian at the time, yet by God’s grace, I remember clearly looking out the window from my seat in the back and thinking, I will never touch that stuff! I made a critical vow to never go down that path.

Looking back on that chapter in my story, I truly felt God’s presence, peace, and protection. His hand was upon me, blessing me for wanting to do the right thing.

You see, God has a blessing, multiple blessings, purposed for you. Right now, or perhaps sometime in the near future, you may be faced with having to make a major decision. He may be protecting you from a serious mistake. 

Sadly, Jacob and Esau took many matters into their own hands, but that did not thwart God’s ultimate plans in their lives. They just got delayed. God is faithful to fulfill that which concerns us (Psalm 138:8). May we learn a valuable lesson from this family’s mistakes.

Job said in the concluding chapter of God’s story on his life, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of yours can be held from You” (Job 42:2 NKJV). 

Dig: How do you see God writing your story today?

Discover: Take some time to read and meditate on Psalm 23. Make it personal in His promise to lead you and bless you all the days of your life. He leads and blesses you for His name’s sake and glory.

Do: Stay close to the Lord. Ask Him for wisdom so you can stay on His path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3).