Genesis 27:18-20–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

Posted by Seth on Feb 11, 2010 in Bible Study, Daily Devotions |

Genesis 27:18-20–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

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Welcome to today’s Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation covering Genesis 27:18-20 wherein we see a story of deception and are thankful that God spares any of us.

So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the Lord your God granted me success.”

It’s really hard for me to tell a bold-faced lie. That’s not some kind of tribute to my holiness because I can’t say that my immediate thought when given the opportunity would be to think of the great offense that it would be against God. It’s far more likely that as the words were about to come out of my mouth, I’d just get intensely red in the face and (nearly) wet myself. It doesn’t seem that it was this way for Jacob. Now, he does voice some concern to his mother who was putting him up to the deception, but even then the only worries that he communicates are related to the fear of his getting caught in the act.

Notice how persistent Jacob is even in these three verses. He addresses poor, blind Isaac as “my father,” a term both of respect and endearment that would ready him for the bait. Jacob then identifies himself as Esau and explains activities and conversation (overheard by Rebekah) that supposedly only Esau and his dad knew about. What he does next doubles his wickedness. “How did you complete your hunt so quickly?” is the question, and the answer is one filled with mockery: the Lord your God granted me success. What was that…whose name did he invoke?! Jacob by this point has gone all in to deceive dear old dad–no rules, anything goes. Now, we could analyze all this, commenting on the fact that Isaac and Rebekah had been playing favorites among their boys for a long time. Perhaps Jacob felt like he deserved the opportunity to get back at his dad for loving his brother more than him and showing it in subtle ways at birthdays and such. But that is all somewhat irrelevant as we see the events played out here. What we are reminded of though is that God redeems and uses and blesses messed up and sinful people…like Jacob and like you and I. Think about those times in which you’ve acted or even thought something foolish and God showed you the kindness of not striking you down dead. Wait, that was 30 seconds ago. While we see the crazy deceptiveness that keeps taking place in Abraham’s growing family (and will continue to observe) and should note the consequences that did indeed come their way, we should also be moved to thankfulness that God offers us forgiveness for our own sins through Jesus Christ who died for us. Take a deep breath, thank the God of glory and righteousness for it, and give Him your all today.

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