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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 187

"Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness." Romans 6:16

Text: Genesis 27:1-46

KEEPING UP WITH FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

As much as Isaac loved Esau, Rebekah poured all her concentration on Jacob. Rebekah was familiar with the custom of the special blessing given to the firstborn. With little regard to the fact that Esau was also her firstborn, she determined that her beloved Jacob would not be deprived of the patriarchal blessing.

“Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son.
And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it.
So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, ‘Indeed I heard
your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, “Bring me game
and make savoury food for me, that I may eat it and bless you
in the presence of the Lord before my death.” ‘ ”

GENESIS 27:5-7

Rebekah carefully rehearsed all that she had heard of the conversation between his father and his brother. That was probably quite a “normal” conversation between mother and son. They were as close to each other, as Isaac was to Esau.


A DANGEROUS CONSPIRACY

As Jacob listened to his mother, his heart must have been stirred. Why had not his father included him? Had Esau forgotten that he had sold his birthright to him? How could his father think of giving to Esau that special patriarchal blessing that would have assured him the position (and the wealth) of being the successor?

Rebekah was not done yet! She conspired to obtain the all-important patriarchal blessing, by any means!

“Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according
to what I command you. Go now to the flock and bring me
from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make
savoury food from them for your father, such as he loves.
Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it,
and that he may bless you before his death.”

GENESIS 27:8-10

 

The Decline of Spirituality

What had happened to the Rebekah of old, whose beauty was surpassed only by her faith and spirituality? On the outset, she had been the ideal woman that Eliezer was convinced Isaac ought to have as wife! The years had taken a heavy toll on her. The worst ravage of time was not physical but spiritual.

With every intent to deceive

Rebekah was determined that Jacob would be the recipient of Isaac’s blessing. Her love for Jacob was complete and exclusive. Esau did not count! Deception was not excluded in her efforts to ensure that her son, Jacob, won the prize of his father’s blessing!