Daily Devotions
Genesis
"What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death." Romans 6:21
Text: Genesis 27:1-46
EVERY DETAIL LOOKED INTO
Rebekah was determined that her favourite son, Jacob should obtain the blessing of the firstborn, for with it came position, power and wealth. She came up with a scheme to deceive Isaac and through that ploy gain the upper hand. Jacob liked the idea of being given the blessing of the first-born, but fear lurked in his heart.
“And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, ‘Look, Esau my brother
is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. Perhaps
my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him;
and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.'”GENESIS 27:11-12
Jacob was afraid that his mother’s plot might just backfire. He knew that his father was blind now, but his other faculties were still intact. What if Isaac were to decide to feel him, to prove that he was indeed Esau? Would not Isaac be angry that he was being deceived? Would his wrath descend on Jacob and instead of a blessing, a curse would be laid on him instead? Jacob feared that he would not be spared even if he was the younger son, for he knew that Esau was his father’s beloved!
Rebekah thought through what Jacob said, but was not deterred in her scheme to obtain the blessing of the firstborn.
“But his mother said to him, ‘Let your curse be on me, my son;
only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.'”GENESIS 27:13
There was no fear in Rebekah about the possible curse that Isaac may lay on Jacob if he found out that he had been the victim of deception. She would gladly bear the brunt of the curse, if ever there was one. Haste was needed. Soon Esau would return and all would be lost. Rebekah compelled Jacob to obey her instructions. She had considered all the details. Time was not on their side. The die must be cast immediately!
THE FIRSTBORN BLESSING
What was it that Rebekah wanted so badly for her son Jacob? What was the blessing of the firstborn that was so important that she was willing to risk everything to obtain it?
1. The Spiritual aspect of the blessing
Every blessing involves the invoking of the Name of God! Rebekah had enough understanding of the significance of being blessed by God! But could this blessing be obtained in this dubious manner?
2. The physical aspect of the blessing
The pronouncement of the firstborn blessing conferred on the recipient all the rights and privileges of being the heir of Isaac!