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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 193

"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Psalm 86:5

Text: Genesis 27:1-46

THE BASIS OF ISAAC’S FIRSTBORN BLESSING

What was the basis of Isaac’s prayer of blessing upon the firstborn? The following thoughts may be suggested. Among others, four things may be highlighted:-

1. From the experience of blessings received

Isaac could not help but notice how the Lord had blessed his father Abraham. He himself had personally experienced rich blessings from the Lord, especially during the time when he dwelt in Gerar! The Lord had blessed him a hundredfold! How should he understand these blessings? Surely it was not presumptuous to believe that the Lord would bless his heir!

2. From his knowledge of God

Isaac must have thought over what his father had told him about God. He must have remembered that the Lord had said that he would bless his descendants! If this was to be believed, then his prayer of blessing was in keeping with the knowledge that he had obtained about the Lord.

3. From his personal faith in God

Isaac may have had lapses in faith from time to time. Nevertheless, he had a personal faith in God. His faith in God enabled him to believe that the Lord was far greater than his sins! He was a good God. He would forgive. He would be abundant in mercy towards all who called upon Him in faith. He would graciously respond!

4. Well within the confines of the Abrahamic Covenant

Nothing that Isaac said went beyond the Abrahamic covenant. In fact, the Abrahamic covenant covered even more grounds than Isaac’s pronouncement of blessing! Thus Isaac was not guilty of being presumptuous when he spoke the words he did, as he blessed his firstborn.


A FORMAL DECLARATION

Isaac must have deemed it wise to make a formal pronouncement or declaration concerning the status of the firstborn. In Abraham’s time, a different procedure was adopted. He knew that his father had sent away all his other wives and concubines and their children.

He did not want to have the complication of having other wives and concubines. However, he did have twin sons. How would the firstborn be distinguished from the other? The formal declaration seemed to be the best idea.

WAS GOD “OBLIGATED” TO FULFIL ISAAC’S PRONOUNCEMENT?

God was not “obligated”! If prayers are offered in accordance to His Word and His will, He would be more than happy to fulfill those prayers!