May 28, 2013
Genesis 27-Part 5
The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.
Genesis 27:41b
LET IT GLOW
Oh, what tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive.
Have you been weaving any webs lately? Been deceiving lately?
I recalled that jingle.
My treadmill is sitting in front of the south window. One summer I watched a huge black spider
with a yellow spot on her back weave a humongous web connecting the air conditioner with the overhang of the house. She started from the outside, then spun the inside. Did you know that substance used to spin the web actually comes out her behind, not her mouth? My first inclination was to tear it down and kill her so she didn't reproduce baby spiders. but I actually began to enjoy watching her busy at work while I walked 45 minutes daily.
Sometimes an insect would get caught in her web and she would devour it. Sometimes the wind
and rain would knock it down and she'd have to start over. She actually completed the web in spite
of the obstacles.
Rebekah and Jacob were like that spider, spinning their web of deceit.
We left off the action with the deceiver Jacob receiving the blessings from Isaac, who ate the
venison flavored goat. Jacob received the three elements of Abrahamic covenant: land, see, and blessing. After Jacob the tents, in comes Esau with his real venison, offering it to his father
(verse 30). He didn't have a clue what occurred while he was out hunting deer.
Oh, dear me, or is it deer me. Sparks are flying, everywhere.
How did Esau react to the news of Jacob receiving the family blessing of God? (He's 77 years old.)
He cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry. Then he asked for a blessing.
The devil tries to take away our blessings and turn them into hurtful things.
Father Isaac blessed Esau in a different way:
- He would dwell away from the rich, fertile land of the Mediterranean.
- It would be dry land where he lived.
- He would live by the sword.
- He would serve his brother Jacob.
- He would grow restless and throw his yoke from off his neck.
- Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. (verse 41)
- After Isaac died, he planned to kill Jacob for what he had done, leaving him high and dry.
It must have been God speaking through Isaac, for Esau's descendants live in the desert, dry Arab nations today. Don't they need Israel for food? Aren't they in conflict over the land of Israel which was promised to Abraham years ago?
Esau retaliated by plotting to murder his brother, and he deliberately hurt his parents by stirring up trouble with his marriage to heathen wives. The grace of God did not fail, but Esau failed the
grace of God. (Wiersbe)
How should we react whenever we are mistreated or taken advantage of?
LET IT GROW
The whole family suffered because of their unbelief and disobedience, scheming and plotting against each other so they could get their own way.
If he didn't leave, Esau's anger would put Jacob's neck on the chopping block and he'd be one dead
bird if he hung around any longer.
Rebekah plotted again and sent Jacob to her brother Laban for protection from Esau. Don't you
know Jacob got on that camel and rode, as fast a camel can go, first gear all the way without pit
stops. Jacob was only going to stay there until his brother's fury subsided. Mom would send word when the coast was clear, Esau cooled off, and Jacob could return home. Things just don't seem to work out like we have plan. Rebekah never saw her beloved son Jacob again.
Rebekah used the excuse of sending Jacob away to look for a wife, instead of marrying a Hittite woman, like Esau.
How many restless nights did Mom spend, missing her son Jacob? Did anyone ever confess their
sinful ways? Even on her deathbed, Rebekah didn't get consoled by Jacob.
Well, Jacob will reap what he sowed later. Are we prepared to reap what we have sowed?
LET IT GO
Stop taking life in my own hands and yield to God.
Learn from the mistakes of characters in the Bible.
Don't weave tangled webs of deception; be truthful, forgiving, asking forgiveness.
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